Lunar Eclipse and Summer Solstice

Well it was a lunar eclipse with a full moon on the 21st December and the summer solstice on the 22nd December- what an amazing sequence of events! Lunar eclipses occur when the Earth gets between the sun and the moon, so the moon is effectively cast in the earths shadow. Brisbane was supposed to see the full eclipse while Melbournites could expect 20mins of a partial eclipse. In the Northern Hemisphere this eclipse coincided with the Winter Solstice for the first time in 372 years!

Depending on the amount of dust in the Earth's atmosphere, the moon could have been seen in colours ranging from copper, to rose to blood red in colour. Unfortunately there was cloud in Melbourne, so I did not get to see. Here is a great pic from Canberra though! :)



Image: Tim Hughes
The lunar eclipse appears over the horizon at Macgregor in Canberra on December 21, 2010.

Some meanings in mythology:

* According to Mayan folklore, the moon is devoured by a jaguar.
* In the Chinese tradition it is a three legged toad that swallows the moon.
* In Hindu mythology, it is Rahu (in the form of a snake) that swallows the sun or the moon causing eclipses.
* In Norse mythology, Hati was a wolf that chased Mani, the moon, through the sky and a lunar eclipse was a sign that he was close to succeeding.
* According to Philippine Mythology- the Bakonawa appears as a gigantic serpent that lives in the sea. It was this Bakanawa who was believed to cause the moon or the sun to disappear during an eclipse

Well I hope you had better luck in seeing the eclipse than me and a happy summer solstice to you too. It is a time to enjoy nature, a time of spiritual renewal and a time to celebrate the sun, family and love. So may the long days and short nights be something you enjoy!

Peace and light

Bri

Synergy Gallery End of Year Exhibition Sunday 12th December

I have three artworks in this exhibition!! :) Feeling pretty happy and positive about this. Just tentatively putting my work out there at the moment. I have also recently put some work in the "Through Your Eyes" photography exhibition I organised for CERES Kingfisher Festival and the Sanctuary Music Festival (as part of the Darebin Music Feast- which was organised by a couple of good friends).

So if you are free and bored on Sunday afternoon, feel free to come on down to Synergy Gallery, 253 High Street Northcote between 4-6pm.. It is a great little community run art-space, supporting the arts and providing a good network for artists. It might be a fun little afternoon! To see their blog please visit http://synergygallery.blogspot.com/.

Two of the three pieces I submitted for this exhibition:

Wheels and Spokes (Taken at the BikeShed - CERES Community Environment Park)


Jungle Woman (Mixed media-acrylic paint and digitial media)


Peace out xo

Repelling Mosquitoes and Flies!!

Lately Melbourne weather has been steamier than normal. Warm weather and lots of rain means the mosquitoes and flies hanging out in my back garden have been absolutely crazy. The are also unwanted house guests and at the moment I cannot even leave the door open for 2 seconds without them flying in to the house.

So basically I have had it, and my plan is in the next week or so to plant up some herbs and plants around the place that repel these pesky littly things. My thought was perhaps to even have pots dedicated to this purpose and place them near my doors and windows! So a little research and look what I have found. Eureka and happy planting to me!

What to plant around your garden.

Some plants and herbs have the potential to naturally repel mosquitoes. They can be used in a variety of ways and if used properly can have an impact on the number of mosquitoes around your home. However, care should be taken when handling some of these plants as some people have a sensitivity to them.



• Plant Pennyroyal around the perimeter of the patio or in containers on the deck to help deter mosquitos and fleas. You can even crush a few of the leaves in your hand and rub them on your skin (avoid your face) to act as a natural mosquito repellent.





• Plant the variety of scented geranium called Pelargonium citrosum 'Vanieeni' also known as Mosquito Plant in containers on the deck or patio to repel mosquitos from the area. Scented geraniums are very tender perennials. Bring the plant inside as a house plant during the months when there is danger of frost.
 They offer a localised protection against mosquitoes by releasing a citronella scent.



• Pennyroyal, Marigold, Basil and Rue - These species should be planted in pots and located near doorways and windows, to deter mosquitoes from entering the house. The leaves of these plants can also be rubbed into the skin, which acts as a repellent.

• Mint and Garlic - Mint and garlic can be used as an all-purpose insecticide. Mix equal parts of mint, garlic, onion and lavender and cover with water for 24 hours. Strain the mixture and then spray around mosquito prone areas.

• Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) is one of the stronger herbs. Grow it near a doorway to repel flies, or spread the leaves around to repel ants.

Some other deterrents (A-Z):

Basil - will repel flying insects (flies & mosquitos, especially) if planted between your tomato plants. Helpful with tomato hornworms and asparagus beetles. 



Catnip - use around eggplant to drive away flea beetles. Repels flea beetle, aphids, Japanese beetles, squash bugs, ants and weevils. Even mice don’t like to be around it. Mints are invasive, be careful. Researchers at Iowa State University found that nepetalactone, the essential oil in catnip that gives the plant its characteristic odour, is ten times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET.

Citriodora - repels mosquitos. 



Citronella Grass - plant in pots to repel mosquitos.

Garlic - seems to fit in anywhere - repels ants, aphids, flea beetles, mosquitoes, ticks, onion flies, weevils, borers, and spider mites. Roses benefit from garlic since it repels aphids. Repels Japanese beetles and other insects, good for planting near raspberries. Crushed garlic is a good addition to any homemade insecticide spray. Garlic cloves, placed in the ground around plants will deter slugs. Garlic is a natural pesticide against mosquito larvae. Plant under peach trees to control leaf curl and near roses to enhance scent.

Lavender - repels ants, aphids, moths and fleas. Use lavender sachet bags to protect clothes against moths. Also flies and mosquitoes dislike the fragrance, use the oil in insect sprays, or add the cut flowers to flower vases.

Lemongrass (citronella es) - add 1 to 2 drops (depending on your pets size), of lemongrass or citronella essential oil to your pets shampoo. It added a fresh clean scent and discourages fleas. Also a good mosquito repellent. 


Lemon Thyme - plant in pots to repel mosquitos.

Nasturtium - repels aphids, ants, cucumber beetles, squash bugs, white flies, and borers near fruit trees. Mainly cucumber and squash will benefit. Acts as trap crop for aphids. Repels borers near fruit trees.

Pennyroyal - deter ants, aphids, fleas, mosquitoes, ticks, gnats, flies, chiggers and cabbage maggots. Brussel sprouts, broccoli, and cabbage will benefit from pennyroyal. Rub the leaves on your skin. Strew in cupboards and beds to deter ants and fleas. Disturb leaves occasionally.



Peppermint (& other Mentha sp.) - repels controls ants, aphids, cabbage loopers, cabbage grubs, flies, cucumber beetles, flea beetles, squash bugs, whiteflies, mites. Ants dislike peppermint, you can prevent them from entering by scenting cotton balls with Peppermint Oil, spraying along shelves, and entryways. Grow near roses to deter aphids. Scatter fresh or dried leaves around food to deter mice.


Rosemary - repels cabbage moths, beetles, mosquitoes, and slugs. Plant near beans, carrots, and cabbage.

Thai Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon citratus) - is an effective mosquito repellent

Personal Mosquito Repellent- A Jackie French Recipe!

4 tablespoons almond oil
1 tablespoon beeswax or paraffin (candle) wax
1 teaspoon eucalyptus oil (lemon gum oil if possible)
1 teaspoon lavender oil
1 teaspoon lemon grass oil

Place the oil and wax ina suacepan and heat until melted. Take off the heat and add the remaining ingredients. Allow to cool. Store in small jars.

To use, wipe very lightly on to 'hot points'- places like your wrists and ankles. Reapply every two to four hours.


Peace and light

Briony xo

Fascinating Fungi

Stumbled across an article some months ago which details just how weird fungi can be. Researchers have discovered a type of fungi that is existing in the deathly bowels of Chernobyl Nuclear Reactor Ukraine (remember that horrific disaster in the 1980's?). Not only is this fungi existing in this death zone but is actually thriving....harnessing the energy from radiation and transforming it into another type of energy that is allowing it to grow!!

This magnificent fungi is jet black and jam packed with melanin. Using the process of photosynthesis as a model, the researchers investigating this fungi came up with a hypothesis that the melanin pigment was converting radiation into energy, just like chlorophyll (green pigment in leaves) does with the suns energy. They coined it funnily enough "radiosynthesis".

Fungi is fascinating and obviously pretty weird and clever. So please take the time to read this amazing article "Silent Spring" : http://www.cosmosmagazine.com/features/print/2095/silent-spring?page=0,0

And just to show you how clever fungi really is, feast your eyes on another interesting article outlining how fungi can clean up depleted uranium in the wake of modern warfare :http://www.cosmosmagazine.com/news/1987/cleaning-depleted-uranium-with-fungi

Amazing stuff!

Peace and Light

Briony xo

To eat meat or to not eat meat? Thats the question.

Sorry, haven't posted for a while and this is going to be a short one-although you could write pages on this particular topic and have many, many debates with people who sit on opposite sides of the fence!! In 2008, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, the world consumed approx. 280 million tonnes of meat, 700 million tones of milk and 1.2 billion eggs. Obviously this comes at an enormous cost!

The question on whether to be a meat eater, a vegetarian or a vegan is a complicated one when considering the environmental impacts that it has on mother earth. Here is an article with perhaps some controversial arguments- particularly about intensive livestock farming, but is certainly full of some eye opening facts and possible scenarios. This article is with thanks to Cinnamon (CERES). After reading this article, my immediate preference would probably be to eat a lot less meat and ensure that it is free range....... Respect what you eat and consider where it has come from!

Link to article: http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20727691.200-veggieworld-why-eating-greens-wont-save-the-planet.html

A couple of places that I know of selling more earth friendly meat.
The Fruit Pedallers (High Street Westgarth sell some biodynamic and free range meat)
CERES Shoppe (Corner Roberts and Stewart Streets Brunswick East) sells organic and biodynamic meat. Needs to be ordered by Wednesday for Saturday morning pick up.
Various butchers and Preston Markets


Peace and Light

Briony x

Transition Towns- Striving for a Better World

"If we wait for the government it will be too late. If we act as individuals, too little. If we act as communities, it might just be enough just in time" (Transition Towns)

Transition Towns, what an interesting movement! I guess you could consider it as a social experiment on a global scale. Started in Totnes in the UK, it is really about unleashing the collective genius of a community to better plan for a future that requires the use of less energy (in it current form- being the use of fossil fuels). It is a movement that is rapidly taking shape in many western countries, adapted in each town, village, or city suburb to suit each communities and their perceived future needs and wants.

It starts with an initiating group who raise community awareness and start putting forth some ideas of what they think their local community might be in need of. Working groups start to manifest.... people are interested in particular areas- such as localising food production, so they start coming together and working towards achievable goals within the community. Obviously this can result in significant change. It is a particularly fluid type movement that allows for it to work in varying context, flowing basically in the direction of where a communities interests, needs and energies lie.

Well, last weekend I was lucky enough to undertake a 2 day workshop on this fairly new movement (in a formalised global sense anyway and acknowledging the pre-existence of permaculture and other local sustainability initiatives). It was a fascinating workshop for me. Not in so much of information being imparted, but rather the facilitation process itself and in it's inspiration for seeing what is possible. It was really about getting a group of people together, and inspiring them to come up with ideas, visions, actions, processes etc.... on how we could change the way we want to live in positive ways. This certainly strikes me as a clever way forward- including all (as the collective) in re-visioning and creating a better future.
This workshop included many interesting activities such as visioning (meditation), song, open space discussions, world cafe (check out: www.worldcafe.com) , dramatic miming etc.... I believe some of this workshop also derived inspiration from Joanna Macy (check out: www.joannamacy.net)- which involves group work that demonstrates "our interconnectedness in the web of life and our authority to take action on its behalf". We also looked at our inner world and what beliefs underlie our outer world and the fact that many of us exist in our "comfort zone" without ever really reaching our full potential.

There can be little question that government is being particularly slow on adopting renewable energy technologies and seemingly unwilling to change many of the ways society currently functions regardless of the fact some of these functions are grossly negligent (indeed extremely damaging) to our mother earth. No doubt they are economically driven, as much of how our society is. There can also be little doubt, that existing in the way we do in Melbourne is an extraordinarily privileged position to be in. We constitute around 2% of the worlds population in our privilege- financially and educationally. To me , this means we automatically yield extraordinary power in altering the way consumerist driven companies work and can influence government to consider alternatives in energy production.
This workshop worked on the premise that a future world could be a positive and completely sustainable place on both a social and environmental level. It was up to us, as communities to create this world. Evidently, the Transition Towns movement is just as much about social inclusion and the power of collective ideas as it is about environmental outcomes.

For those who live and breath in inner north Melbourne there is a Darebin Transition Town group who is apparently pretty active, and a newly established Moreland Transition Town group.

On a personal note- as much as I would love to be a part of this movement, I think for the moment I need to actually get my ass off my warm winter chair and start slow- plant those winter veggies (that I have neglected to plant & will now be spring ones?), drive my car that one day less that I promised myself, and reacquaint myself with "The Sharehood" -a local sustainability initiative that I am already a part of- though have managed to be pitifully inactive in! So go local community, we have the power!! :)

A few websites to check out:

http://www.transitionnetwork.org/
http://www.transitiontown.com.au/
http://www.joannamacy.net/
http;//www.worldcafe.com/
http://www.storyofstuff.com/
http://www.aspo-australia.org.au/
http;//thesharehood.org/


Peace and light

Briony x

Winter Solstice- Collingwood Children's Farm

If you have never been to Collingwood Children's Farm, I suggest you go! It is an amazing oasis of greenery and old time feel right in the middle of inner suburban Melbourne. Check out their website:http://farm.org.au/. They have Farmers Markets, Family Days, animals, a little cafe, a barn, ducks, goats, sheep, peacocks, friendly (and not so friendly) farm cats, cows and horses. Obviously a wonderful place for kids to run around in a lovely open space!!


To celebrate Winter Solstice, Collingwood Children's Farm annually holds a Winter Solstice Bonfire. This is an old pagan type tradition which is so lovely to still see alive and well in our modern world which often detaches itself from recognising the cycles of the seasons . This celebration was full of lots of people, children, food, performers, fire sculptures (lanterns), fire-twirlers and a lantern parade for the kids which was a beautiful site to behold. I went with some friends and we had a lovely night... my only complaint would be that this event has become extremely popular and as such watching the bonfire being lit with thousands of people is a little overwhelming.

I thought I would share some fire photo's of this bonfire, to give you a feel of just how amazing it was! It was huge and the heat it released extraordinary!










Peace and light

Briony x

Winter Once More!

Winter on the doorstep, autumn leaves still underfoot, naked trees, frosted grass.... chilly mornings, warm socks, soft sunlight, icy windscreens, hot chocolate, leopard print gloves, splashin' in puddles, sodden umbrellas, wispy woodsmoke, movies and blankets...... I say hello and welcome Winter!!

Sometimes I think the beginning of Winter is my favourite time of the year. It always feels so clean, the air is crisp and the beauty of autumn is still showing it's full glory..... Anyway a kind of winter laziness has a set in today, so here's a poem that I wrote a while back and kinda like - so thought I would share....


Land of The Fey

The Fey, they tiptoe softly across the moonlit lawn
Whilst angels hang in droplets, in the black before this dawn
Beware young sir in red-feathered cap
In polished boots, looped with leather strap
These ancient hills, and haunted barrows
Are not meant for your misguided arrows
“A stag, a stag , such sad words do ring,
An ancient lore you have now rescind
For animals that walk upon this soil
The fey; at violent death, recoil
So sit ye merry, antlers strapped to your pack
Unsuspecting of any malevolent wrath
That these small folk, to your life, may bring
With a tug of your golden-knocker, “ding, ding”
“Enter”, you shout quite unaware
Of the mischief these unearthly creatures may bear
You feel a magick breeze whisk by your face
And rapidly fall out of all time and space
Now ye wake to such a sight unknown
With a head so sore, you do but moan
“For pity sake, where on earth am I”,
Yet a wizened elf laughs by and by,
“Why sir you are but prisoner in the land of the fey,
And for your crimes against nature, here shall ye stay”.


Peace and light
Briony x

A lovely little Autumn Day in Fitzroy and a trip to I Carusi Pizza

What a lovely little day of adventure in the inner suburbs of Melbourne. Went to visit my best friend, who lives in the coolest terrace behind one of the most atmospheric bike shops I have ever seen! Then off to Gorker Gallery in Fitzroy to see an exhibition by Darren Henderson. Great exhibition. Lots and lots of owl images, painted on little wooden boxes and lacquered in shellac (yes shellac is a type of varnish made from beetles and I reckon has a rather golden sheen). Never been to this gallery, rather industrial in the fact it exists in what I would regard a garage space behind a roller door. But certainly looks like it has a fair amount of kudos in the area.
This exhibition was inspired by the mythology surrounding owls and human nature. Cleverly Darren Henderson arranged all his paintings into a map of the world. No bird has as much myth and mystery surrounding it as the owl. Owls symbolically can represent so many things from knowledge, wisdom and fertility to death, famine and destruction. Many views across the world and time are contradictory.

Note to self: I would like to explore the power of "owl" symbolism and as a totem/power animal sometime in the near future.
Anyway from owls and wonder.... we went to the Centre of Contemporary Photography, which oddly enough I have never been too. Hugely dissapointed in the exhibitions and photographers work that I saw there. I was unsure of the meaning of many photographs. In my opinion the main exhibition had little/no visual impact, poor quality photo's with ideas so abstract they failed to even sustain my interest to what on earth they could be about. The only saving grace was one photographer by the name of David Van Royan had taken a set of self portraiture "Not Moving" which were rather thought provoking. One of his pics as below.
Yummo finally, lunch/afternoon tea at a local Fitzroy pub - Marquis of Lorne. Yes I reckon this is little inner suburbian gem! Friendly warm atmosphere, easy just to sit at the bar and munch away on delicious hot fat wedges with chilli sauce, and nice glass of pinot gris..... I would highly recommmend.
What a day. So early evening - off to a birthday dinner at I Carusi Pizza with a girlfriend and a whole group of her friends. "I Carusi Pizza" (affiliated with "Pizza Meine Leibe" in Northcote) is pretty well known to locals in East Brunswick and has a reputation for a great atmosphere and fantastic pizza. I was certainly not dissappointed. What a wonderful evening, scrumptious pizzas with toppings such as salmon, proschietto, pine nuts, whole baby tomatoes and rocket, pumpin, gorgonzola cheese, zuchhini etc.... taste sensations mmmmmmm...... Corkage was $7.50 so to be honest I opened mine under the table and shared with others.... not going to pay corkage at this price!! For dessert, someone had made an amzing chocolate and hazelnut tart..... the clincher of "I Carusi" to me was the fact they cleaned the tart baking dish afterwards... now that is friendly helpful service... :)

Gotta love the inner suburbs of Melbourne for food and art...... if you have time to explore them this Autumn you should!

By Briony

Samhain, Zombie Shuffle & Wendy Rule

Saturday, May the 1st was Samhain, a time of the year to celebrate the end of the harvest, prepare for the winter and pay respects to ancestors. At this time of the year the veil between our world and the underworld is believed to be thinnest. Some celebrate this festival with bonfires and food and honor their ancestors. Others celebrate it as All Hallows Eve or Halloween.


So perhaps ironically/or perhaps even aptly? I went to the Melbourne Zombie Shuffle (which was certainly ghoulish!). This is rather crazy event, which began 4 years ago, where thousands of mad Melbournians join together dressed up as zombies and shuffle through the city!!! Covered in blood, gore and spattered with brains they chant "aaargh brains" and "what do we want?.... BRAINS.... when do we want them?.... BRAINS". This is certainly an amazing sight and a lot of fun. Of course it was the perfect photo opportunity, so please enjoy some of the portrait type pics I took.


Later in the evening, I went to Wendy Rules album launch "Guided By Venus" which was held at The Toff on Swanston Street in the city. Quite a good little venue with an upmarket sprit/wine list, but the music was definately what made the evening. It was a night of delicious, beautiful, memorable music combining folklore, mythology and magic. The sounds were so lush, and standing in a room of beautiful people drinking red wine was a very warming experience indeed..... just the perfect way to celebrate Samhain!


And to top it all off, my neighbour gave me pomegranates as a gift today from her tree.....now it's time to find a recipe ... perhaps steamed fish with pomegranate seeds.... yum

So all in all a lovely weekend..... may this autumn continue to be colorful and eventful!

Briony

A little bit of Sunday Art and Autumness....

Today, my mum, myself and my little boy all headed off into the sunshine to visit Appleton Street Studio's in Richmond for a little slice of Sunday art-iness :) Excellent I thought- what a great opportunity to meander through 16 different studios to see some amazing artists work including painters, designers, textile artists and printmakers.... John and I lasted 10minutes....however it piqued my incessant interest about this type of thing, so of course somehow I managed to return (albeit briefly) later on....

So since, it was such a beautiful morning we continued for a wonderful Autumn walk down by the Yarra river. The sunlight dappled in John's copper hair and cast itself amongst shadows and between golden tree leaves.... people walked and talked, kids played and the brown, murky yarra flowed ever onwards. Photography opportunities galore, shame no camera on hand....We climbed hills, played with leaves, sat on little wooden jetties and eventually 2.5 hours later managed to make it home.... Autumn really is truly a beautiful season to walk in.....

Anyway back to Appleton Studio's - what an inspiring place so full of talented individuals and all their art! Co-founded by Jeff Martin and Sandra Bardas, it is a place for emerging and professional artists to well CREATE :) and create they have. Of particular interest to me, was Jeff Martin whose studio was full of culinary delights.... walls covered in huge painting of kitchens, and a side table covered in olives, bread and wine and yes a glass I did but have :) This man had some amazing visual diaries and after looking into his work- I highly recommend a look.

Other artists of interest to me were Sarah Louise Rickets (a lady inspired by the medium of felt and hello runs workshop & yes I am going to sign up), Jacqueline Tiepermann whose beautiful symbolic paintings showed so much color and movement, Jonathon Fletcher whose paintings of lips and eyes were incredibly luscious and
Katrina Carter who plays with the idea of recycled things (well this is always close to my heart!).... All were amazing, all were different and I highly suggest you check out Appleton Studio's website : http://www.appletonstreetstudios.com/artists.html

Not only did I go for a long walk and visit Appleton Studio's today, I also paid a quick visit to "Off the Kerb Gallery" to see Kirrily Anderson, another beautiful and talented artist who I can also say proudly is my friend. She held her first solo exhibition at "Off the Kerb" and has also recently been part of a group exhibition there by the name of "El Dorado". Today was "El Dorado's" last day and a celebration was afoot with art, music, people and cake...

The purpose of "El Dorado" was to reflect on the idea of "an exotic place of fabulous wealth and opportunity which unfortunately is always short of discovery". It featured a variety of artistic mediums, including animation, interactive-media, text based projection, painting and photography. Of course I would highly recommend Kirrily Anderson (I & the Other) and was also hugely impressed by an artist who did some beautiful industrial images using black fine liner pen on paper (his name I will find out by tommorrow).

And that was my Sunday- full of artistic discoveries, autumn delights and family goodness..... I feel I can go to sleep happy! :)

Written by Briony

Brown Owls Crafternoon

Last Sunday I went to a Brown Owls Crafternoon afternoon in Carlton North. I spent the afternoon learning about the craft of felt, getting my hands soapy, playing with wool rovings to make them felt, talking and eating delicious home-made goodies. Mmmmm cupcakes, cakes, dips, strawberries, grapes, biscuits and red wine..... What a great way to spend an Autumn afternoon!

This crafternoon was rather inispiring for me. Not only was it an afternoon of texture and colour, but also an afteroon of opportunities. An afternoon to meet other crafts folk (and yes they seem to be generally lovely and talented) as well as an afternoon to re-establish my connection with a medium that I was once so enamoured by.

Brown Owls is recent discovery for me, but it would seem that it is a definate movement amongst craft circles, indeed probably any creative circles around Melbourne, Australia and even overseas. These afternoons allow for people to get together on a regular basis,craft together and share ideas.... what a wonderful initiative and what wonderful craft it will no doubt inspire!!

For our next crafternoon, we will be busy making tiny look alike Stitched Selves to contribute to the Stitch London Stitch Yourself Exhibition to be held at the London Science Museum. People from all around the world have been invited to send a tiny ( 6 inches high) stitched self to London so they can be put on display... These dolls can be crocheted, knitted, created out of felt pieces, adorned with lace, buttons, bead, embroidery thread, stuffed with wool.

So I guess a mini-stuffed-felted-bejewelled me who is about 6 inches tall is off to London by the 26th June.... how fabulous at last I can travel without really leaving home:)

With that, I would like to thank the wonderful Claire for creating the Carlton North Brown Owls Group and for allowing us the use of her beautiful home. I have only just met Claire, but her hospitality, generosity and general craftiness is a lovely thing to behold.

Written by Briony

How to Host the Perfect Post-Apocalyptic Picnic!

Recently a friend of mine Tiki compiled/edited the 2nd Issue of an e-zine by the name of "The Post-Apocalyptic Housewife's Domestic Companion". Needless to say she is quite involved in the Australian Sci-Fi community!

This e-zine is very funny and I loved the 1st Issue so much I thought I might try my hand at writing a tongue in cheek article and submit it. I was so thrilled when she included it, that I thought I would take the opportunity to post it here too. I hope you enjoy!! :)

Please check out both editions of The Post Apocalyptic Housewife's Domestic Companion by following the following link - http://wanderer.lostrealm.com/library/pahdc/


How to Host the Perfect Post-Apocalyptic Picnic

Got bunker boredom, your kids looking Vitamin D deficient, electronic communication completely unreliable? Why not organize the perfect post-apocalyptic picnic?!

Guest List
It is advisable to only invite humans. Others, particularly zombies, radiation mutants or robots, can be problematic- even if they used to be your friends.

Location and Weather

Beachside is usually a good option – zombies have limited cognitive abilities and cannot swim; they tend to flail and sink. The sea also provides a nice change from typical wasteland views.

Beware hotspots of grey goo- self replicating nanorobots seem to be rapidly on the rise in some marine locations. Also note localized garbage gyres are not due for a shore landing- no one likes unsightly rubbish.

Weather is unpredictable. Advise guests that in the instance of acid rain, dust-storms or high radiation- picnic will be cancelled.

Safety and Gear

All guests should carry weaponry: a gun of choice, ammunition, a back up pistol and hatchet should suffice and perhaps a trusty household item of some description (eg. a brick)

Request guests also bring Anti-Rad drugs (eg. Potassium Iodide, Prussian Blue) and their Bug -Out -Bags (BOB’s) in case of unforeseen circumstances such as a mass zombie assault or change in weather conditions

(Note: For aesthetics and peoples general demeanor, weapons should be kept discreetly out of view)

Menu Suggestions

Marinated human knuckles may be the flavor of the month, but please respect those in the group who are non-cannibals (a rapidly declining demographic but they do still exist)

HeaterMeals EX ©, portable and high in calories is obviously a winner. Thanks to Innotech’s Flameless Ration Heater technology, these meals also self heat.

Canned mussels or oysters may show you are woman of means but please keep an eye on expiry dates

Since it was discovered as edible, specially ‘radiosynthesised’ and melanised black fungi has become a very popular aperitif (eg. Cladosporium sphaerospermum).

For a beach side picnic bring your hand operated water desalinator, all other instances water purification tablets should suffice

Entertainment

Zombie piñata – be creative and make one or just use and old discarded zombie corpse

Zombie bowling- all you need is a few zombie heads and 20 or so plastic bottles

(Note: With all zombie games, the use of protective gear, such as goggles, mask and gloves is highly recommended)

If you follow these tips, and ensure you remain a ladylike hostess at all times (even in the event of a zombie attack) - everyone should have the perfect post-apocalyptic picnic experience!

Written by Briony & published in
"The Post-Apocalyptic Housewife's Domestic Companion"
thanks to Tiki

Great Pacific Garbage Patch- Gyres of Trash

Until late last year, I had never heard of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. I was quite surprised by my complete ignorance... so lets hope in the near future that more people become aware of this huge environmental issue so we can do more about it!

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is commonly described as comprising of two huge underwater sub-continents made up of plastic trash.... However this description makes it sound like one huge solid mass, in fact it is more like galaxy of trash- made up billions of smaller trash islands that may be hidden underwater and spread out over many hundreds of miles. Basically it is an ecological disaster of epic proportions swirling around the ocean between Hawaii and California - its total mass estimated as twice the size of Texas!

This underwater mass of trash has been created by many decades of trash getting caught up in the strong currents of the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre and converging in the middle of the Pacific. There are 5 major ocean-wide gyres recognised: in the North Atlantic, South Atlantic, North Pacific, South Pacific, and Indian Ocean. The North Pacific gyre is the largest, but despite it's size and density, it is not visible via satellite or indeed from the air- as it swirls around in the upper water column.



The North Pacific garbage gyre was discovered by Charles J Moore after completing a sailing race in 1997, when he came across miles and miles of floating debris. Since then he has founded the Algalita Marine Research Founation and attempted to inform the world about this detrimental environmental catastrophe of the Pacific Ocean.

What is more scary is that it may not be the visible bottles, plastic bags, razors, bottle tops, plastic toys etc..... that are the ultimate concern. Due to photodegradation, this plastic is breaking down into smaller and smaller pieces while remaining a polymer. As it disintegrates it becomes small enough to be ingested by aquatic organisims- hence entering the food chain.



Moore has discovered that the amount of plastic in the central Pacific Ocean outweighs zooplankton (small marine life such as plankton, crustaceans and tiny fish) at a ratio of 6-1! Surely plastic is not a good thing to ingest for fish, birds or jellyfish...... but these tiny floating beads of plastic are approximately the same size and shape as plankton. Jellyfish eat plankton (in this case plastic plankton), birds eat jellyfish.... I think you see the severity of the problem.

Furthermore, the plastic that does decompose in the ocean leaches off toxicchemicals.... poisoning the ocean further.....

Every year we dispose of more than 200 billion tonnes of plastic, of which 10% ends up in our oceans (Greenpeace). The United Nations Environment Program estimated that in every square mile of ocean, there is roughly 46,000 pieces of floating plastic (UN Environment Program). We consume and we throw away. In the future the cost of this carelessness to our oceans and our land, is just unfathomable......

So please take care, use as little plastic as possible, reuse it when you can and avoid products that package in unnecessary plastic - rethink, reduce, reuse, recycle. Ultimately the responsibility is up to us as a global community- perhaps start by boycotting bottled water.... so we can keep this little guy safe! :)



Written by Briony

Eggceptional Eggs!

Some lovely non-traditonal eggs from all around the world.......