Tails’ Blography

Last night the bf, myself and two other friends went to see the Boswell Wilkie Circus: Pirate Experience at Grand West Casino. Let me first explain that I’m a huge sucker for the circus. If you’re easily embarressed, dont go with me. I clap when they ask, I sing when they ask, I probably would get up and dance, if they asked. I love bringing out the inner child in me, so I thoroughly enjoy visiting the circus.

Anyway, basically the circus was performed around an “island” which consisted of a pool of water, sand, pirate treasure chests, lanturns and skulls on poles – very authentic-looking. The ship was moored next to a jetty, on which various stunts were performed. I wish I could explain the stunts, but they wouldnt do any justice, and they were pretty strict on cameras/video footage so the photo you see here is the only photo I managed to take, and its not very explanatory either haha. The costumes were great and the various artistes were fantastic! There were no animals and most of the stunts were done from ropes and trapeze bars and ribbons.

The show ends tomorrow, so if you want to see it, book at Computicket asap. I recommend seat blocks B, C & D (or H, J & K). Leave the floor area for if you have kiddies. We sat in block E and we struggled to see what was happening on the ship itself, albeit very little was done there. I must add, the standard wasnt quite up to what I remember of the Boswell Wilkie name, so dont judge BW circuses on this particular show.

This couple is one of the best couples I’ve met in a long time! They’re clearly so in love and its a real treat to be able to photograph this emotion when its so blantant. What was just as great, was the Greg was just as keen as Julia was to do the shoot, if not more! Its certainly a little different to what I’m used to.

Not only are they in love, but they’re also fun! Lots of fun! They were quite ready to nibble ears, smooch, give piggy-backs, roll about on the (slightly damp) grass, smooch, step in a little mud, smooch some more, and laughed all the while doing so. And wow can Julia laugh! Its infectuous and loud, and occasionally a little snorty, which of course sets her off laughing even harder! They’re so perfectly suited for one another, if gives the rest of us hope that there is a love out there for us that is filled with fun, laughter, and a silent sixth sense of union between two people.

We took a short trip out to some fields near our local stable and spent some time in the gorgeous sun (which made us give a huge sigh of relief since it had been raining right up until yesterday!). There was quite a bit of walking involved, but we did get to pet some sweet, sweet horses along the way!

However, photographing this couple was somewhat tricky. Julia has had quite a few ops in her life since she was born to correct a few deformities with her one arm and hand (not to mention she’s missing her wedding-ring finger!), and understandably is quite sensitive about it showing in photographs. For me, however, its just another example of what an amazing and strong person she is, and how amazing her partner is. They’re both so strong for each other and its just beautiful. Simply beautiful. She’s certainly an insipiration for me.

Here are just a few shots so far, hope you like them!

I got chills and goosebumps reading this article found on Google News, just knowing I participated in a world wide event that so many of the Big Shots take seriously.

In our home, our lights and computers went off at 20.30 (thanks to a reminder on my cellphone – whew!) and candles were lit while the bf ate dinner (it was leftovers night and I ate earlier). Then the hour was spent just chatting, which was nice. Ok ok, we Facebook’ed via our cellphones for a bit haha.

Our lounge by candlelight – even the rats like Earth Hour!

The article I read follows:

Antarctica to Pyramids _ lights dim for Earth Hour
By VANESSA GERA

BONN, Germany (AP) — From an Antarctic research base to the Great Pyramids of Egypt and beyond, the world switched off the lights on Saturday for the second Earth Hour, dimming skyscrapers, city streets and some of the world’s most recognizable monuments for 60 minutes to highlight the threat of climate change.

Time zone by time zone, nearly 4,000 cities and towns in 88 countries joined the event sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund to dim nonessential lights from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

An agreement to replace Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012, is supposed to be reached in Copenhagen, Denmark, this December, and environmentalists’ sense of urgency has spurred interest in this year’s Earth Hour. Last year, only 400 cities participated; Sydney held a solo event in 2007.

Organizers initially worried enthusiasm this year would wane with the world focused on the global economic crisis, Earth Hour executive director Andy Ridley told The Associated Press. But he said it apparently had the opposite effect.

“Earth Hour has always been a positive campaign; it’s always around street parties, not street protests, it’s the idea of hope, not despair. And I think that’s something that’s been incredibly important this year because there is so much despair around,” he said. “On the other side of it, there’s savings in cutting your power usage and being more sustainable and more efficient.”

The Chatham Islands, a small chain about 500 miles (800 kilometers) east of New Zealand, switched off its diesel generators to officially begin Earth Hour. Soon after, the lights of Auckland’s Sky Tower, the tallest man-made structure in New Zealand, blinked off.

At Scott Base in Antarctica, New Zealand’s 26-member winter team resorted to minimum safety lighting and switched off appliances and computers.

In Australia, people attended candlelit speed-dating events and gathered at outdoor concerts as the hour of darkness rolled through. Sydney’s glittering harbor was bathed in shadows as lights dimmed on the steel arch of the city’s iconic Harbour Bridge and the nearby Opera House.

And in Egypt, the Great Pyramids darkened, as did the Sphinx.

In Bonn, WWF activists planned a candlelit cocktail party on the eve of a U.N. climate change meeting, the first in a series of talks this year seeking a new deal to curb emissions of heat-trapping gases that scientists say are dangerously warming the planet.

As nightfall approached in Europe, Paris planned to darken more than 200 monuments and buildings, including the Louvre and Notre Dame Cathedral.

The Eiffel Tower will extinguish its lights for only five minutes for security reasons because visitors will be on the tower, said WWF France spokesman Pierre Chasseray. But a nightly 9 p.m. sparkling lights feature will not run.

“Above all in the current economic crisis, we should send a signal for climate protection,” said Klaus Wowereit, the mayor of Berlin, one in a handful of German cities switching off lights for Earth Day for the first time.

In Switzerland, the city of Geneva plans to switch off the lights on its theaters, churches and monuments. Among these are the Reformation Wall, where floodlights normally illuminate 10-foot (three-meter) statues of John Calvin and other leaders of Protestantism. The city’s motto engraved on either side of the statues is: “After darkness, light.”

Romania planned to turn off lights at the massive palace built in Bucharest by the late dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.

Still, a key 2010 football World Cup qualifier against Serbia posed a dilemma for Romanians. “Shall we watch the match or turn off the lights?,” the 7plus daily asked in its main front-page headline.

The U.N. headquarters in New York and other facilities were dimming their lights to signal the need for global support for a new climate treaty.

U.N. Secretary Ban Ki-moon called Earth Hour “a way for the citizens of the world to send a clear message: They want action on climate change.”

China participated for the first time, cutting the lights at Beijing’s Bird’s Nest Stadium and Water Cube, the most prominent 2008 Olympic venues. Shanghai cut lights at all government buildings and other structures on its waterfront, while Hong Kong, Baoding, Changchun, Dalian, Nanjing and Guangzhou also took part.

In Bangkok, the prime minister switched off the lights on Khao San Road, a haven for budget travelers packed with bars and outdoor cafes. On Bangkok’s bustling Silom Road, street vendors hawking pirated DVDs and T-shirts chipped in by turning off the bulbs that light their stalls.

Earth Hour organizers say there’s no uniform way to measure how much energy is saved worldwide.

Earth Hour 2009 has garnered support from global corporations, nonprofit groups, schools, scientists and celebrities — including Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett and retired Cape Town Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

McDonald’s Corp. planned to dim its arches at 500 locations around the U.S. Midwest. The Marriott, Ritz-Carlton and Fairmont hotel chains and Coca-Cola Co. also planned to participate.

On the Net:
Earth Hour: http://www.earthhour.org
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Earth Hour video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v9bm7yR0HcVY

Goosebumps, I tell you!

So, besides this week being rainy, its also been filled with the sounds of jets flying overhead practising for the International Air Show happening this weekend.

I think it happens every three or four years, and its normally quite spectacular, but alas, the poor animals in the area get very upset. In fact, during the last airshow, some riders were out in a group on their horses, a jet flew over spooking the horses, who tossed their riders and bolted back to the stables (across traffic if I’m not mistaken).
   Only one rider managed to stay on her horse, the rest had to walk back. All horses made it back ok. I was standing around the stables around that time and a helicopter flew over, which led to a stampede of frightened horses looking for somewhere safe. The wimp in me (I’m sorry, I love horses, but they scare me sometimes) jumped out the way for safety, but a friend of mine dashed in and grabbed the lead rope, securing the horse. Everyone was ok then as well.

As it stands this time, our dog, Max (not in the photos yet), is clearly terrified of the noise. He shivers and shakes and just cannot be calmed. We’ve tried ignoring him, didnt work. We tried comforting him. Didnt work. So I dashed out and got some NutriCalm for them. Apparently its very good and homeopathic, so its safe to use, so here’s hoping it helps them. The effects apparently last around 4 hours, so I got enough for two doses per day per pet. Gizmo and Roz (our cat) will get some too. The second dose, however, I think I will make a half-dose, since the effects of the first dose should help somewhat.
  I’ll let you know how it goes. Thankfully, my mom and sister will be home this weekend, so the pets will have company. I will probably be at the airshow (I feel slightly ashamed since its so hurtful to the animals’ ears, but its a such a great photo opportunity)…lets hope the rain holds off.

Weather forcast said its supposed to be sunny over the weekend, but then again, they also said it was supposed to be sunny this week….err…I dont think so!! Keep fingers crossed!