Vivid 2013

This year, we went to Vivid 3 times in the last week of the 3 week period. Had to leave it till the last week, as we were busy preparing for Fiona's party, so most nights were taken up doing/making stuff. 

Beginning Monday 3 June, Lily, Evan and I drove out to the city and parked in Pottinger Street. We got there just after 8pm, so only had to pay for less that 2hrs of parking at $2.20 an hour. It was good timing as most of the theatre goers must have finished at the theatre and so cars were leaving.

So we spent the night exploring the light sculptures at Walsh Bay and around Campbell's Cove, Zone 1. Played with No. 58 Rats - but it just made a sound when you pressed the button, it didn't really control the lights. No. 57 Glitz was a whole lot of disco balls, which looked pretty. This year the Harbour Bridge had an interactive light board at the Luna Park end for people to light up the bridge.

Under the bridge, we past No. 46 Run (giant fluorescent stick figures running). Stopped to take photos of the Opera House. I loved the colours and the pinball/luna park visuals, so much better than boring monochromic last year. But although I tried to photograph it, I kept missing the clown.  The at No. 45 Field of Colour, more photos,  then to Campbells Cove past No. 44 Nocturnal Pianola - needed Mare to play it as well as No. 41 the Enlightening Piano. Didn't play on the Wee See Saw No. 40 or the drums at No. 42 Bones.

Second time around, we went out on Wednesday 5 June. Again, just Lily, Evan and I ventured out. This time we were going to explore The Rocks and Circular Quay area or Zone 2, so we looked for parking closer to Circular Quay.  We did one round and then back to Lower Fort Street, still no parking, so back down to George Street and a car was leaving, lucky the space was big enough for 2 cars, as another car was already waiting, but driving the small mazda, we managed to fit as well and didn't have to pay.

So we explored The Rocks area first.  Not as many light sculptures, but had fun at No. 31 Underscore an interactive work by Jonathan McEwan, McLean Pierce & Philip Grimmett. Making patterns on the floor, wherever you walked, the light followed. Danced and jumped and got hot under the lights.

Also at No. 29 Milky Way. The Milky way project is an abstract architectural installation conceived by young architects Jason Lu and Joseph Rowe.  Using motion sensors, we could interact with the lights to light up the milk crates which were suspended between 2 buildings.

Then we headed down to Circular Quay. Checked out Nathan's work project, No. 36 Garden of Eden bySteensen Varming with LiTEsource and Controls. The tree is dressed in luminous, glowing apples, infusing it with an expanse of warm color and light; creating a moment that connects with the visitor in a simple and basic way. Although by the time we got to it, most of the apples had died (no more lights and there were only a few lit up). Apparently Nathan had helped put the lights into the apples which were then encased in plastic to stop the bugs, birds and bats from getting to it. There were lines at No. 38 Cadman's Cottage to draw on the cottage. Stopped at the MCA to see the visual Collaboration #3 - nice colours and patterns. Before heading down to Customs House.  Saw people dancing, the first guy looked like a professional, saw Customs House dancing, I did some dancing.

Next onwards to the Opera House. Some of the light installations were damaged and out of order.
Got to the Opera House and Lily played super model.  Although I tried, it is hard to get a clear shot without a super duper tripod. Lucky for me, Evan had his piggy back contraption. Then it was time to head back..weeknight and all..I got to go to work the next day...bugger.

Then on Friday, Kaylene joined Lily, Evan and I to head out to Darling Harbour, or as Evan calls it, Zone 3.  We left just a little too late, as we arrived into the city, the 9pm fireworks were going off. By the time we found a parking spot, after circling Chinatown and Town Hall and Star Casino, the fireworks had finished. We managed to park at the back of Darling Harbour carpark close to Harris street.  Lucky for us, it was a short walk through the car park, monorail station and down to Darling Harbour shops. We all thought we would have to hike back to the Pyrmont Bridge. With 10 mins to go before the next Aquatique water show, we found a spot to sit, little did we know that the water fountains were closer to the Imax than Darling Harbour shops.  Moved closer and managed to get a spot on the side.
The water show was good, at least 3 tunes, but no comparison to the Bellagio or Disney water shows. After that we went out to check the Luminous building, but there wasn't much so walked back to Pyrmont Bridge. Got to the bridge with the green and white lighted trees and the wind started to blow.  Very hard to take photos when the hair is blowing in the face.  Also my battery was dying..it died not long after, so I had to resort to my itouch and that too went with the folder being too full, no photos were being saved.  Oh well.  At least Evan had his camera.  After having watched the show again from the bridge, we met up with Ken at the Maccas in the DH foodhall.  He treated us to ice cream and fries, although Evan and Kaylene were eying some girls huge kebab. By this time it was closing in on midnight, so no time to go to Walsh Bay or Circular Quay.

Fiona's 40th Birthday Celebrations

The Big Day

We went all out for Fiona's 40th birthday. 

 

 

The morning of the big day, and the rains came. It was windy and bucketing down.  Any attempt at maintaining my hairdo was wasted as I loaded up the car with Lily. Wearing a rain poncho, my boots all wet, thank goodness they were waterproof.  We were scheduled to leave home at 10am to get to the venue early enough to help set up.

 

Got to the venue and had problems finding a place to park which was close enough to drop off, as the reserved parking would not be open until 11:30am. Saw the photobooth guy drop off the booth.  Then it was all hands on deck. The flowers had to go into the bowls.  The placecards on the tables. The decorations to be hung (lucky the waiters were tall). Jane and family arrived with the balloon gas and balloons and set to blowing them up and arranging them around the room. Lorinda arrived with the cake and cupcakes and set to displaying them.

 

Fiona arrived amidst all the fuss and was surprised at the wonder of it all.

Then the guest starting arriving.  We were still putting the finishing touches and making sure everything was right.

 

Lily played MC for the day and rounded everyone up for a group photo, but Janet and I and a handful of guests missed out..this was one time Evan was too quick for us.

 

Once everyone was seated, Lily made her housekeeping speech and the entrees started coming out.

 

We had a few last minute cancellations, Uncle Bill and Aunty May, Patsy Yee, Amanda Indavong couldn't make it due to "illness"and Geoff from the house  had a tree fall down and a death in the family.

 

Janet played hostess, I mingled where possible.  Evan took photos.  The photobooth was busy and the props were well used. 

 

Richard supplied kids with balloon animals and swords.

 

The slideshow was well received. The cake was cut. Fiona performed for the cameras and the sun came out.

The cupcakes and egg custard tarts were devoured or packed away to be taken home. All my cupcake boxes disappeared one by one as well as the cupcakes. Even the decorations (mini cupcake stands and butterflies) went walking. The flowers and mini vases were also taken by the guests.

 

The music came on and most of Fiona's friends took to the dance floor. Conga, YMCA.

And still the photobooth had a queue.

 

By the time the music ended and the guests were leaving...the photobooth also ended.

 

With everyone of the family lending a hand, all the gifts were put into the cars, the decorations taken down, and the cleanup was done.

 

We drove home in a convoy and had to have a cuppa and wind down, before we could let Fiona open her presents.

 

Fiona paid for everything.  Janet co-ordinated and liaised between the house and the Public Trustee and Guardianship and vendors.

Preparations

The venue was chosen: Waterview at Bicentennial park and we went to check it out on the 16th March.

 

 

Having chosen the venue and settled on a date, Sun 2 June and time, 12 noon, I went to work on the 1st of April, busy making the invitations, RSVPs, maps and addressing the envelopes. Lots of "dazzling diamonds", glitter paper and ribbon was used in the making.

 

 

 

Next decision was the cake.  What kind? Who from? janet made the decision after ringing around to go with our cousin, Lorinda, who has featured in Wedding mags and the Easter show.  We arranged to pick up some cupcakes to test the flavours on 5 May.

 

 

Janet also arranged for a menu tasting so we could chose what to eat on the day, so on 7 May, Janet, A. Cath, Evan, Belinda and I went to Waterview to sample the menu.

 

 

 

Then Lily and I went to Kuala Lumpur and bought lots of candy to put into the lolly boxes which we also bought there in Chinatown.

 

So between 23 - 26 May, we made up the boxes and filled them with candy.  I also set to work making 60 cupcake boxes.

 

 

In the meantime, Janet and Lily would go to the flower markets on Saturday mornings to buy flowers so we could see what table centrepieces to use.  We settled on Daisy Gerberas in all shades of pink.

 

On the Saturday before the big day, Janet and Lily went to the flower markets and bought at least 12 bunches of gerberas.

Bindy came over that morning to help spray and wire the flowers.  In the meantime I was working on mini scrapbook albums which I managed to finish on the Saturday before the big day.





Knee Surgeon: Dr Rahme

I've made an appointment to see Dr Rahme on Monday 3 June regarding my knee.

Mon 3 June 2013
Consultation with Dr Rahme at 16 Milton Street, Burwood. ($200)
Checked x-rays and ultrasound.  Examined knee, testing out where painful.
Explained in x-rays, the front on shot shows little to no space between the knee joints. The side shot shows there is still some space.
Said it was probably early onset arthritis, but wanted me to get an MRI to make sure.
Gave me a script for anti inflammatories Celebrex? Told to take in morning and night with meals.
Candidate for knee replacement surgery but would prefer to delay and use other treatments.
Booked me in for MRI at Campsie Medical Imaging on Wed 9am with referral letter.

Wed 5 June 2013
Appointment at 9am.
Went to Campsie Medical Imaging for MRI ($250)

I had to complete a questionnaire regarding having any previous surgeries or metal parts in my body, and also if I was pregnant.

MRI is a medical imaging procedure that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce cross sectional images of the body. MRI can give different information about structures in the body than can be obtained using standard x-ray, computed tomography (CT) or ultrasound. In some cases a contrast agent may be required to show internal structures or abnormalities more clearly (I didn't need this). MRI does not use ionising radiation. There are no known harmful side effects associated with temporary exposure to a strong magnetic field

Had to take watch and anything metallic off.

"The radiographer will ask you to sit comfortably in a padded chair beside the scanner. For our specialised extremity MRI scanner at Campsie Medical Imaging, you do not need to go into the tunnel. We will simply place the region to be imaged into the scanner.
When the MRI scan starts, you will hear some loud knocking noises. These sounds occur whenever the MRI images are being taken. You will be provided with earplugs to help block out the MRI noise."

Had to put my right knee into the machine, so my leg was all the way into the machine and I had to perch on the edge of a chair just so that my leg was all the way in and my knee was in the middle of the machine. Had to sit like that for 25 mins without moving a muscle - which was very difficult to do..thank goodness I didn't get a cramp. They did give me ear plugs to cut out the knocking noises..but wasn't too bad.

Drove home and then walked to work. I got to work at 10:30am.

I got Lily to pick up my results that afternoon after 4pm as I was still at work. But an electronic copy was sent to Dr Rahme.

Thu 6 June 2013
Appointment at 8.45am.
Consultation with Dr Rahme at 63 Victoria Street, Ashfield. ($120)
Checked MRI results.
Conclusion is that my right knee cap is out of alignment and my bones are rubbing together - no space in front.
No recommendation for surgery, just physio and stretches with drugs for now. 
See how it is in 6-8 weeks. If still painful then he may perform minor surgery to try and reposition knee cap. otherwise he said everything else was ok.

My consult finished at 9am, and I was home by 9:30am, by the time I walked to work it was 9:45am
I forgot to ask him for a medical cert, so when I got home, I rang the surgery and asked for one, which they promptly emailed to me.

By coincidence, Darren was also scheduled to see Dr Rahme on the same day but at 9.30am. He has dislocated his shoulder playing football. But Lily drove him there, as she considered my appointment to be too early.