Wednesday 8 June 2016

Say Hello to the New Format Penguin

Good evening, (as Alfred Hitchcock used to say)

I am shaking off the old blog and beginning anew with something more up to date, fresher and a bit more motivating. I have been blogging here for several years now and as I enjoy it I needed to reassess as I felt I was getting stale.

Life changes over the years and once my beloved dog Wally passed on, I thought it was time for me to move on (not pass on just yet).

I will still collect and talk about my vintage Penguin books.  I will also bring this so called diary more into line with daily or weekly events.

I am spending a lot of time with photographic studies. I am learning the intricacies of my new Canon 5D Mark III, participating in the Hobart Photographic challenges each month and have spent several months learning Photoshop. My brain has been stretched further than ever since I retired and I do love it.

On Tuesday afternoons I enjoy the Play Reading Class at U3A (University of the Third Age). On Wednesday's I participate in the Hobart Domain Writer's Group. We are a small group of little old ladies really who enjoy each other's company and love critiquing each other's writing. Forget that some of us ride motorbikes or go out dancing.

One day a week is set aside for motorbike riding with the Ulysses club but that is a bit slow now as we are into winter. We have had a lot of rain, wind and penguin weather so some activities are on a bit of a hiatus.

Wildlife Rescuing for Bonorong Park still occurs and only the other day I stopped to check the pouch of a dead wallaby on the road but luckily it was empty. I was on my way to the book group.

I am in two book groups. One I attend religiously and the other I attend when I happen to read the book and feel the need to discuss it.

I still hunt and give talks to community groups about the history of Penguin books when asked but I am happy to say that has slowed down too with the coming of winter.

I am publicity officer for the Rosny Senior's group, a group of seniors who meet for a dinner meeting once a month and advocate for the rights of seniors to legislators, go to plays and socialise a bit.

Life is very full and Mr. Penguin and I enjoy life in our small home with our two dogs, Odie and Molly (nickname Monkey as she climbs all over us) and our three cats.. Uncle Buck our rescued brain damaged cat, Cousin Eddie our little bully and Grizzy the new kid on the block.

From now on this blog will have a focus on books and travel but travel may be as long as a trip overseas or a trip to the local market.

I am looking to capture the life of a bibliophile in the small state of Tasmania in the large country of Australia.

I will participate in its life more often as I write about our activities, laughs, reads and journeys. I hope you stay on for the ride.

All the best from the Penguin and me.

12 comments:

  1. good to hear from you. and congratulations on acquiring all the photographic expertise. as i've discovered, expensively, that kind of ability doesn't come easily. my daughter does that photoshop thing and she's tried to explain it to me, but there's just too many new-fangled terms and modern technology for me to get a handle on it. i used a small brownie camera at one time, but even that was touch and go... looking forward to sharing your interesting posts...

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    1. Yes photoshop can be a nightmare. One just needs to pick a you tube video and do what they tell you again and again and again. I remember the brownie camera. That seems a very long time ago. haha

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  2. I aiways enjoy reading your blog, and am sure the new format will be as interesting. Good luck!
    Your photos are really beautiful. I am trying to learn my new Canon (not so advanced as yours), but it goes slowly, mostly due to lack of time. Still mostly take photos on A. Photoshop should be great, but I think you really need a course, like you took, to grasp it. I took a course at wowk before finishing it, but never really liked it, probably because you really have to practise a lot, and I don't have the software.
    Good luck with everything and am looking forward to future posts!

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    1. I did a 6 month (work at own pace but it expires then) course online and was very good through Universal. About $50. Aus so good value. You rent photoshop and $9.99 a month gives you a great deal so worth it if you use it. Technology is updated too which is nice. Time is a huge consideration because so much practise is needed and I'm not as good at going out in gale force winds and rain to wait for sun to come up to get that perfect shot. Those good shots need to come to me. I'm too much of a wimp. Thank you so much for dropping by, always so lovely to hear from you.

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  3. I also love seeing your photos - on instagram and here, so I look forward to seeing what you do.
    I participate in a Saturday snapshot meme hosted by West Metro Mommy that can be a nice way to share your weekly pics with others. I also have a photgraphic/travel blog here - http://thefourseasonsofbrona.blogspot.com.au/ - if you want to check it out.

    How did your survive the weekend storm #eastcoastlow?

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    1. I have read West Metro Mommy. I should save it to my blog posts here so I remember to go back. That might be fun. I will definitely check out your blog and sign up for notices. I like it when I get those notices someone has posted. See you on all the sites maybe. We survived the floods but the north of the state was hit hard. Dairy farmers lost many, many cows swept out to sea. Some guys on boogie boards saved a bunch of them to their brave credit. Worst floods in over 90 years. Three people swept away, all elderly which is also very sad. The last two days have been sunny which makes everyone feel a bit happier. Thank you for asking.

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    2. Oh my! I'm glad that things are improving now for you all down there.

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  4. PS What widget do you use to highlight your favourite blogs and their most recent posts?

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    1. It is a gadget that is available in the bloodspot design section under Layout. It isn't anything fancy that I have bought elsewhere as I don't have the skills or patience to look very far afield. Hope that answers your query.

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    2. Thanks I'll check it out in the w/e.

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  5. I'm definitely sticking with you! I like your new format and am looking forward to your stories and opinions and photos.

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  6. Thank you Joan.. I have been enjoying reading your posts too. It is good to have conversations with others online. I do enjoy it. All the best,

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