A "Titanic" Venue

In Williamstown - a posh suburb of Melbourne - is, what I believe, a fairly unique eatery:

(Note the top of the building - and the "White Star Line" entry on the left side) 

Yes - it's billed as the only restaurant where the evening is a "guaranteed disaster". You can have your meal in "steerage", "first class", or at the "captain's table", depending on your inclination and budget. Customers are encouraged to show up in period costume (and if you don't have a costume, they'll rent you one...)

Well...  I think the best way to tell you about this place is to show you their website (do have a look at the "steerage" page"!).

A Special Anniversary

One year ago today, I became an Australian citizen (I now hold dual citizenship, US and Australia). It was a proud moment for me and one I will always remember and treasure. Stephen and I were leaving for a trip to the US the next day, so we weren't able to celebrate as we might otherwise - although we did ask our friends Norm and Jen to attend the ceremony with us (and they were very sweet to oblige us, esp. since the location of the ceremony meant a long drive for them).

I suppose I will always want to do something special on May 4th from here out - to remember the day. Today we went with something simple - first lunch at the "Earthly Pleasures" cafe in Belgrave, and then a little "wine hunting" in the Yarra Valley. It was a drizzly, chilly day, but even so the scenery was lovely. Below is a shot taken from the veranda outside the tasting room at Seville Estates winery:

(click the photo above for a larger view)

Pictures from the Book: Page 12

Bubba and Aussie (birds we had in Ohio) were always quick to enjoy a little juice, and they were good friends and never squabbled over any treat offered, at least not as I recall. 

Just a few months before I began working on the book, I heard from Aussie's new mum. She told me, sadly, that Bubba passed away some time ago - but Aussie is fine, just as sassy as ever, and even has a new conure pal

(click the photo above for a larger image)

And here he is today:

(As you can see, he's been enjoying the cover of my book!)

Anzac Day

The Australia and New Zealand Army Corp (Anzac) Day is an important public holiday here. Anzac Day commemorates the landing of Australian and New Zealand troops at Gallipoli in WWI - a military campaign which is famous for the terrible cost in lives on both sides of the fighting. It is a day when we remember the incredible bravery of the men who were part of that campaign - and we also honour the memory of all who have given their lives as part of military actions. It's not unlike America's Memorial Day.

Many Australians travel to Turkey at this time to attend a special dawn ceremony taking place on the site of the famous battleground. The images we see in the media of the ceremony there are very touching, emotionally charged. There will be dawn ceremonies here in Australia, too, at the Shrine of Remembrance and other appropriate places.

Growing up in Ohio, I understood what Memorial Day was about, but I can't say that I felt the emotion of it deeply. It seemed mostly a launch to the summer picnic season, a time associated with a professional golf tournament. I'm not sure why my experience of Memorial Day would be so "watered down", but it was. Anzac Day, however, feels very, very different to me - the point of it is somehow much closer to home, less obscure, more personal. And I observe in the people around me that Anzac Day affects them the same way. Nobody here seems to be missing the point. There will be many people who bake Anzac biscuits (a very tasty cookie that was invented during WWI and sent to troops overseas because it could be stored for long periods and offered a nutritious treat), but the focus isn't on the treat, it's on the sacrifices made.

If you are not familiar with Anzac Day, and the WWI battle which inspired, it, I recommend watching the movie "Gallipoli" - starring a very young Mel Gibson. You can probably find it in the library.