Summer Storms

"Dark, heavy, pendulous..."

Whenever storm clouds begin to brew, I can't help but to be reminded of Vivaldi's three movements of Summer, from his Le Quattro Stagioni (a.k.a The Four Seasons).

The first movement so perfectly captures all elements of the brewing of the summer storms we experience here in South East Queensland; the slow, initial antagonism of the strings, so perfectly resembling the slow but sure surges of winds that seem to rise and fall, pausing in between. Next comes sure build up of a forceful gale followed by the slow influx of clouds that cover the sky- ranging from green-ish yellows to the blackest greys.

The second movement so perfectly resembles the quite, calm before the storm. All seems well, aside from the occasional lightning strike or blast of thunder- so well portrayed through the music. As the movement progresses, the mood evoked grows quietly calmer, luring listeners into a false sense of security. At the very end, and most lethargic, moment of the second movement, the third movement strikes from nowhere.

The third movement's sudden change in tempo, mood and atmosphere is so very typical of our Summer Storms- thunder, lightning, trees cracking and snapping. I've yet to hear another musical representation of a storm so accurate.

I took this photo at about three this afternoon; it is now after five, and the storm still hasn't hit.

Wishing I Was Here.

Coconut sun tan lotion, salt, ocean breeze, sun, clear blue skies, rolling waves, ice-cream and the endless cry of gulls. These are just a few of the inescapable memories and summer feelings that I can't seem to shake at the moment.

These few shots were taken in November of 2008, when I was staying in Caloundra, on Queensland's Sunshine Coast for a week. The intense heat of these past few days has brought to my attention just how much I have been craving the sun, surf and the sand.

Now all I can do is wait and hope that this heat will linger for the next little while. Summer is so close, I can almost taste it.

Monday Evening on My Mind.

Monday evening found us wandering through the uncharacteristically hot streets and gardens of Brisbane City. As it is well known by many, such seemingly aimless wandering usually leads one to places in which they've not come across before. This particular night happened by us a chocolate boutique, a brilliant second hand book store, a spectacular city view from across the Brisbane river while soaking in the waterside breeze as well as an above average dinner- just to name a few.


Trekking from the botanical gardens to the CBD, via Albert Street, we by chance came upon The Blue Cat Fine Chocolate boutique. Inside we were welcomed not only by the impressive visual impact of the tiny store, but also the enticing smells of rich, quality chocolate and countless liqueurs- all stuffed inside the varying chocolate products.

From Albert Street, we took Charlotte Street and found ourselves amidst the towering shelves of Archives Fine Books - a second hand book store that maintained that second hand book smell, as genuine as it the store's content.




Soon we were led across the river to South Bank, from where we could watch the city become engulfed by the dusk and see everything turn from musky grey hues to the colours of the city's night lights.

When dinner time was upon us, we headed over the 5ifth Element bar and cellar, which has a broad array of cocktails, extensive beer and wine lists, tapas menu as well as a general dinner menu. Also an impressive novelty is the trendy set up of the bar itself and the restaurant's indoor fire boxes. From the dessert menu, we were taken the by the looks of the many cheese plates as well as the Chocolate Assiert- which was as enjoyable to consume as it was to look it.