Winter be gone

Winter gets me down. Days are so gloomy that it takes a lot for me to smile. There is very little time to do anything as the sun sets very early. Nights are so cold that I really do not like getting off the couch.

Yesterday, the day went up to 20 degrees Celsius and many people took advantage of it. We saw tons of people walking their animals. There are more people riding their bikes as well.

Steven and I went for a stroll and these are a few of the things that we saw.

Fishing and found a lizard

I love fishing because it relaxes me and I get to talk with Steven without any distraction. I can also appreciate the beauty of South Australian beaches. But that is it--I only enjoy it when we are doing saltwater fishing. We sometimes get to catch a few fish and that is very rewarding.

It seems rivers do not like us. These selfish brown bodies of water seem to get off on snagging our lines and letting us spend hours not catching anything. We have killed dozens of earthworms and kilograms of good bones and yet they do not seem to be satisfied with the offering.

Last Sunday, Steven and I tried catching yabbies and as expected, we did not get anything. But on the way, we were able to see a dead wombat, a huge flock of pelicans and this feisty lizard.

This creature was crossing the road. After a few beauty shots, we led it to the side of the road.

New look 2011

I have noticed that the size of computer screens have changed. More and more people are using widescreen monitors so the 4:3 ratio screen is becoming obsolete.

The banner with the windmill and water container I had is also taken using my old camera. I want my new camera shots to have more exposure.

And that is why I have changed my blog. Here are the other new features:

1. bigger photos

2. email notification everytime I post a new entry

3. link to my Facebook account

4. search feature if you want to look for a specific blog post

5. ability to play with fish if you are a straight male (sorry I have to be straight-friendly)

I hope you like the changes and feel free to message me if you have suggestions

Dexter's 33rd

I am getting spoiled. I have been learning to love my birthdays. Thanks to Steven and one Burundian refugee I met here in Adelaide. The latter told me that I should celebrate it because it is about my birth and my existence. The former just reinforces that I am a person who deserves to be loved.

For the past few months, Steven and I have been slowly buying some camping equipment because we both love the outdoors and being away from the distractions in Adelaide. It is not really that difficult to be away from the Internet, cellular phone coverage and TV. It is a lot more fun just sharing stories and dreams by a faint lamplight.

This year, Steven took me to the Mallee Valley wherein he braved several kilometers of sticky mud and a potential heart attack (the risk of hitting a tree is not for the faint of heart). We pitched our tent right in the middle of nowhere, had some sausages and played cards.

Outside it was raining and the moon was bright. The air was cold and all the animals seemed to have surrendered. All was quiet.

 

Inside, we were tucked in warm sleeping bags. It is heaven being with this man I love.

And in the morning, I walked around and just felt so grateful of all the things that are in my life. And I also took photos. I hope the photo of the poisoned echidna does not spoil the beautiful experience I have described so far.