:To The Moon Alice: June 2010 [Eclipse]

Expect the unexpected

Under the influence of a partial eclipse!

For it was the unexpected that found me last night. After driving all over the southern beach suburbs of Sydney trying to capture La Bella Luna ... I made my way back home and stopped by the bay for one last attempt ... and ... happened to be kissed by a stranger!!! Yes Sir!. Well actually not a Sir.. but an elderly lady.. She and her friend had been taking in the beauty of an afternoon by the bay and had managed to lose their husbands...

It was quite dark by then and a damp chill was settling in.. So doing what most people might do.. I offered to drive them around the water front to see if we could find both their husbands, and their car. By the time I unloaded the packing boxes out of the back seat .. those naughty escapee husbands materialized ... I greeted the ladies goodbye, happy that all had ended well.. but before we parted, I was given the gift of gratitude.. A hug and a kiss by an elderly lady I had only just met... and these parting words ..

... 'What a beautiful country ... What a wonderful world' ...

Sweet Yes!!!

I think she was overwhelmed with relief to have found her husband.. and surprised at the generosity of a stranger.. In reality it was such a small offer of help, but it brought a world of happiness to a tourist .. And a moon chaser!

.. La Bella Luna did herself proud last night..

The old showgirl was back.. kicking up her heels and playing costume changes in the earth's shadow,

then casting her night light upon us all..

Thank You La Bella Luna

The Full Moon shots were taken in various locations during my Moon Chase..

The Eclipse shots were taken the standard Ruby way.. hanging off the side of the balcony..

I wonder what will happen next month in the villa!! The roof ???..

Production Notes: 
Another Ruby Time Production.. Special appearance by Ms Hepburn by request of Bella Luna

IMAGE SOURCE: 
Photography, text and altered images by me - [Being Ruby]

Sydney - 2010

If it's Tuesday: this must be Santorini [II]

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As you can see by this late post.. it's been another crazy week for me.. though things are slowly falling into place.. today was pure pazzo.. It took a large chunk of my day to organize some medical tests.. who would think it would be so hard!! Eventually sanity ruled and I managed to get everything booked but with a wait of a few weeks. This seems to have been my path for the last few months.. I like to call it 'running the blood test gauntlet'.

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In once instance it took me two visits to the doctor and two different pathology labs just to get a simple blood test.. First I was told I didn't have to fast.. so I arrived at the doctor's surgery to be asked.. 'Did you fast?"... huh? Ok.. come back tomorrow after fasting. Next day... twelve hours of fasting later... arrive at doctor's surgery to be informed.. 'Oh we can't do that test here you need to go to the pathology lab'... huh!.. Drive to pathology lab... 'Oh the girl is at lunch can you come back in an hour?'... errrh.... car is in one hour parking zone ... drive to alternate lab.. ... "Did you fast?' .... 'YES'... 'Oh well you didn't need to'..... huh!!!!! We are now at 15 hours fasting and counting!! OH and to really increase my confidence.. the practitioner had to look up how to do the test.. and kept referring back to the notes...

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On another instance... twelve hours fasting later.. arrive at pathology lab for blood test .. which will be followed by a one hour wait [still fasting] .. then another blood test .. all the while holding my 24 hour sample of you don't want to know what.. So in I walk... and the girl looks at her watch and says ... 'Oh Gee.. could you come back next week.. we are really busy'.... Is this candid camera??? does she think I am going to collect a 24 hour sample again? Does she think I am going to fast again??? Geeezzz... Suffice to say I refused to budge... .. I guess I'm a little mean without my morning coffee... Finally time to get the blood drawn and she points to the doctors request and ask ... 'do you know what sort of test this is'... HUH!!

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So today was very similar.. although only involving phone calls thankfully .. many many phone calls later .. two pathology labs, two cancellation of appointments.. two new appointments for July... and a partridge in a pear tree!!!

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... AND ... the desire for a 'Simple Life'...

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OK... enough complaining.. this is supposed to be travel post!! Although I think you can see the humour in all this!! Meanwhile I've been thinking a lot about those bay views and the tiny glimpse of the bay I will be leaving behind. Not complaining [did enough of that above]... No.. I have decided I just need to take the views with me... and what better views than those of Santorini ...

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PS Pop over to Michael's Spice of Life [here] for a great post on Santorini.. Beautiful photos and a great review of what to see and do..

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Production Notes: This is Julie 'being Ruby' signing off from beautiful Santorini as the sun sets on yet another Ruby Time Production

IMAGE SOURCE: Photography, text and altered images by me - [Being Ruby]

Santorini - Greece - 1996

Leaving Paradise [not quite]

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Well I am neither leaving nor going to paradise..

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But I did find a new home!!!

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Oh my.. I cannot tell you how relieved I am... I have to tell you though it took all my will power not to accept an apartment I saw that had water views every window... beautiful white white space and hardwood floors.. but.. it was tiny.... so tiny I would need to store my furniture.. but also.. it was overly expensive and up four flights of stairs... willpower wasn't such a problem when visualizing a move up four flights of stairs.. huh!

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What I did find was a small villa with a little yard... nothing flash.. but... reasonably priced.. and my own little garden!!! woo hoo!!! I feel amazingly lucky to have been the successful applicant.. It was the first place I saw and there were a dozen other applicants.. so really ... luck was on my side.. that.. and all those positives vibes you guys sent out into the universe for me!!!

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...So soon .. I will be in my new little villa...

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'Villa Ruby' ??

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Hopefully my next move will be into my own home.. sometime in the not too distant future I hope.. So I will keep dreaming of those sea views... Meanwhile I'm putting together some more greek island photos for your viewing pleasure

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Thank You once again everyone for you well wishes ...

... You are the best!!!

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IMAGE SOURCE: Photography, text and altered images by me - [Being Ruby]

[The Greek Islands - Paros - 1996]

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Dear Universe - Good Home Required by SWF

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Needed: One Good Home

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Well I apologize for being an absent blogger lately but I've had a few distractions.

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It seems the cosmos is playing games with me. First it sent me the dreaded lurgy and I've been under the weather for a few weeks. Then it sent internet problems, pc problems, camera problems, threw in a few medical issues and mixed it up with a work issue or two. Then feeling unsatisfied with the level of confusion it had created ... it has now given me the prospect of being homeless..

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Ok perhaps I am being a little harsh.. it hasn't quite made me homeless yet, but it put me back in the rental search market and one that is extremely scant at present.. It would seem my landlord needs his premises for his own use.. [his long lost sister/brother/uncle twice removed/dog down the street needs a home...] and now I am in the position of looking for somewhere new to live with Dday [departure day] looming in the distance.

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Those of you who remember the movie 'Single White Female' will understand why sharing is not on the agenda. Many years back..[in my long lost youth] I had a flatmate who's actions eerily reminded me of Jennifer Jason Leigh's character. I guess it created some level of amusement to speculate what personality she might be wearing each day, but seeing I value my possessions and my life I think I will stick to going it alone. However, as there are thirty odd interested parties for every vacancy.. a little divine intervention wouldn't hurt.

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So I'm sending a letter to the universe to ask for assistance

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... Required: A Little Good luck ...

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A quiet comfortable home conducive to rest and renewal

Internet connection for blogging mandatory

View is Optional

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Once again apologies for my lack of visits.. assuming my mouse stops freezing and my internet connection remembers how to travel faster than the pace of a snail.. I will be back to visit soon.. that is if I can find the MAC under all the packing boxes.

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A heartfelt thanks to all those who have been emailing me concerned over my whereabouts!!!

Got to love bloggers!!!

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Update

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.. Thank you everyone for your well wishes..

Seems the Universe took note and I have just heard my application for a new rental was successful. Will tell you more about it soon

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Can't believe my good luck!!

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IMAGE SOURCE: Photography, text and altered images by me - [Being Ruby]

Taormina Sicily 1996

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On A Cloudy Day: We Have Sunshine & Winners

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Same Same But Different

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... That line doesn't make much sense if you come from the 'land down under' ...

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May is supposed to be cold.. and so it was.. although it was also wet and rainy, severe storm warnings .. and .. a little more rain. Three weeks of rain, rain and more rain. No camera to amuse me .. my internet moving at a snails pace... I looked to childlike enthusiasm [read: losing my marbles] to turn those stormy seascapes into calm waters and rainy days into sunshine ..

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... and a little boat to sail into the proverbial sunset ...

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Giveaway Winners

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Actually May was a fantastic Month for me.. .. so it makes me very happy to pass some of my good fortune onto these two fabulous bloggers ...

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Leeann - Fabulously French

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and a second draw for my followers

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Karen - Being Karen

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Congrats girls I hope you'll enjoy your win

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A big big thank you to all those who posted my giveaway and to all my followers old and new!!

Hope you all have a wonderful week and a great start to June

... and lot's of sunshine even on a cloudy day!!! ...

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Sorry about my lack of visits .. been having internet issues which should be back to full speed tomorrow

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IMAGE SOURCE: ALL Photography, text and altered images by me - [Being Ruby]

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