A walk down North Essendon

Serviced my baby today. There is nothing like driving a freshly serviced car. They spent two hours and 40 km of road test looking for that annoying occasional squeaky noise that seems to come from below, but eventually they gave up. That gave me plenty of time to explore an entirely unfamiliar area.

This is my breakfast at Mama Lina's, apparently "Melbourne's best" as advertised on Fox FM. Not sure if it deserves the "best" status but it was pretty good. Never had such good sauteed button mushrooms before. And a cup of good latte always makes me smile =)

Spent the entire afternoon strolling up and down the road and bought 6 bottles of reds from the Wine Warehouse. I recommend that place for cheap but good wines, though you have to taste many many samples to find the one you really like. Their wines are mainly from smaller wineries around different wine regions, so you have an assortment of unfamiliar names. A great place for wine adventurers...

And spent two hours in the library reading how to decorate fish tank!!! Some of the decorations are amazing and capture wildest of imagination. I think I will start my next project soon... after my birthday. A second fish tank with contemporary arty farty design! heh...

World Cup 2006

As the FIFA world cup draws closer, here is my review on the top 10 teams, in alphabetical order:

Argentina

A bunch of drama queens who are more interested in play acting than playing football. Who could have forgotten the saga of 1998 which led to Beckham's sending off? Although you could expect strong performances from Saviola, Crespo and Riquelme upfront, do not lay a finger on them, because they will throw themselves on the groud and start rolling... (my prediction: maybe in final 8)

Australia

Just because I live on this soil, I have to give some credit to them as the whole nation is following with great interest. They are the opposite of Argentina, and they could be better off picking up Karate or Kickboxing, or Aussie rules! They will go in hard and strong and might upset some big names like Brazil. Watch out for Emerton, Kewell, Bresciano and Cahill... (my prediction: won't go through group stage)

Brazil

Favourites for this world cup... but then again world cup has a nasty curse of not letting any favourites win. 94, 98, 02? Did any of the favourites win??? All star team (almost) and they will be a delight to watch doing salsa, rumba and tango on football with great precision. But football is football! - a game of unpredictability. Ronaldinho is the man to watch (along with 22 others!)... (my prediction: Finals)

Czech Republic

Underrated underdogs. Tactically strong and technical team who has a great capability to upset any of the big names. Pavel Nedved has always been my favourite midfield wizard and poachers like Milan Baros makes the team more lively at times. Watch out also for talents like Tomas Rosicky. You can expect a lot of emotions, especially if your team is playing against them... (my prediction: Final 8 or even final 4)

England

Screwed is the word. Forever tormented by metatarsal injuries during world cup. Going in once again with virtually no striker. Owen is off form, God knows when Rooney will return, Crouch is too inconsistent, and Walcott has never played international before! Strong midfields but Gerrard and Lampard never link up. Sven, you have screwed England once again. However there might be surprises... (my prediction: Final 16 or even Final 8)

France

Pretty strong squat. But I could not fathom enough faith in them, especially after crashing out of group stage in the last world cup. A lot of technically gifted players like Henry who will torment the opponents upfront and strong towering players like Vieira who would not let any opponents through. And there are many new talents as well... but too bad, they don't look as good as Italians and they are not sponsored by Louis Vuitton or Chanel to attract female supporters! (my prediction: Final 8 or even Final 4)

Germany

As runner-up of '02 world cup, they deserve some respect but no, I am not gonna give any to them. Traditionally, German football is boring, physical, boring and did I say boring? Although Michael Ballack is in midfield to liven things up every now and then, they will probably play a conservative football as their forefathers did. Besides, their first choice keeper is a loser from Arsenal - Jens Lehmann (bad choice Klinsmann, bad bad choice! you ditched Kahn, you will pay the price)... (my prediction: Final 16)

Italy

A team for girls to drool. 11 players who look like Armani models will crowd around in the penalty box and perpetually defend the ball. And I just recently found out that Fabio Cannavaro designs the sexy Italian jerseys. Wonder if they are from AX? Anyway, back to football. Gifted players like Totti will spark up the otherwise defensive mindset of Italian team... (my prediction: Final 8)

Netherlands

Another favourites. Another technical and delightful and traditionally strong team, but perpetual losers. To add to that, Australia recently killed three of Dutch key players with their assorted karate kicks. Watch out for the "vans" - van Nistelrooy, van Persie, van Bommel. And of course Arjen Robben the magician in midfield. They will be my team for this world cup, needless to say... Go Oranje!!! (my prediction: Final 4, though I would like them to be in the Finals)

Spain

Raul raul raul... For some strange reasons, Spain is another perpetual loser. La Liga play the most lucrative and attractive football in the world, but their grounds are infested by Brazilians, Argentinians and Eastern Europeans. Their home grown talents never have a chance to shine. I would like to see them do well but not putting too much faith in them. Players to watch: Reyes, Raul, Cesc Fabregas... (my prediction: Final 8)

Upcoming...

Here are the top 10 places I want to shoot next. If anyone wants to come along, gimme a buzz...

1) Lake Wandouree, Ballarat
2) Great Ocean Road, Vic
3) Victoria Market, Melbourne
4) Dandenong Ranges, Melbourne
5) Docklands, Melbourne
6) Mornington Peninsula, Vic
7) Yarra Valley, Vic
8) Adelaide, Barossa and Clare Valleys, SA
9) Sydney and Blue Mountains, NSW
10) Brisbane and Gold Coast, QLD

Melbourne Central

Sira and William's Wedding

And now I will show you the most excellent way.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

(1st Corinthians 13)

- Dedicated to Sira and William. God bless and many happy returns. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to shoot photos for you guys!