There’s nothing like finding photos you didn’t know you had of your favourite buildings from your favourite city…New York, New York.

the view from the hotel window…

Marina Bay Sands Chocolate Buffet

Chocolate Buffet, Marina Bay Sands

Some of the dishes I tried included churros, chocolate pudding, individual baked chocolate fondant,  profiteroles, cheesecake lollipop, white chocolate pannacotta,  67 per cent chocolate ganache truffle…and of course, macarons.

Marina Bay Sands Chocolate Buffet, Singapore - a taste

I think this was my second plate, though I could be wrong…as eating only dishes derived from chocolate for dinner is bound to alter your brain function in some way.

So for the days I don’t, which are many, here are some of the things I’ve thought about, which may be useful later.

How the police could make a lot of money swinging past my kids’ school and arresting all the parents talking on their phones or driving more than 40kmh, or both. The upside is I’d be able to get in and out of the school a lot quicker with fewer selfish drivers on the road.

That I should make a list of my favourite foods. And how it should include more than potato.

One day I’ll make a list of my favourite books and albums and why; because music really does make the world go round.

Given my addiction to dresses, that I should write something about my favourite labels/designers/stores.
Maybe I really should do something more productive with all my travel photos and food photos. Like start a blog. Mwahahaha.

On Sunday March 6 I finally met author Armistead Maupin, creator of the Tales of the City series. I own all of his books and have been lucky enough to interview him twice. Unfortunately I didn’t get to meet Armistead when he visited Perth in 2007 due to being overseas, so the chance to hear him speak at the Perth Writers Festival about his latest book Mary Ann in Autumn was not to be missed.

Nor was the chance to have a book (or two) signed – and a photo.

Meeting Armistead Maupin

I’m re-reading the original Tales of the City book for book club this month. It has been a long time  – close to 20 years, since I first became acquainted with Mary Ann Singleton, Michael Tolliver and the residents of 28 Barbary Lane, so I look forward to renewing their acquaintance.

In my dream world, I’d get to see the musical of version of Tales that opens in San Francisco in May.

On Saturday March 12, I got to meet Nigella Lawson, whose cooking I adore. While some may focus on the fluttering eyelashes, sultry looks and flicking of the hair, all I really care about is Nigella Lawson’s food.

How to be a Domestic Goddess is probably my most used cook book. Nigella’s blueberry muffins, jam doughnut muffins, Victoria sponge, dense chocolate loaf are all favourites that never fail to appeal and to impress friends, family, kids and colleagues. Simply delicious.

Although I may have been able to organise an interview with Nigella through her pay-TV connections, the weekend trip to see her Masterclass with the supremely funny muso turned celebrity chef Anna Gare was pure pleasure. A chance to head to Melbourne for the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival and for a short while forget about TV.

Meeting the domestic goddess, Nigella Lawson

My husband wasn’t entirely thrilled to be attending the Masterclass (tickets were hard to come by so when I managed to get through back in October I snapped up two) but he quite enjoyed himself.

He reckons he may even cook Anna’s Persian fillet of beef. I said I’d do the scallop ceviche, upside down potato salad and trip of tarts to go with it.

It has been a great month for foodies, with March featuring both #eatdrinkperth and #mfwf (I’m so used to those hashtags) and plenty of opportunities to eat.

I’ll soon, hopefully, get round to posting a few pix from the places we ate in Melbourne including Movida Next Door, Cumulus Inc, Bistro Vue and Circa The Prince. I may not have made it to many official #mfwf events but I did my best to eat in as many Age hatted restaurants as I could.  And we walked just about everywhere so that helped keep the extra kilos at bay!

Some colleagues couldn’t figure out why I’d go on holidays to Sydney when I spent a fair amount of time there for work in December and January.

Easy – when you’re working there’s no time for markets, the beach, exploring Chinatown.

A Qantas fly by on Australia Day, as seen from Circular Quay

Here’s a couple of quick snaps unil I get time to do a proper post.

Bondi Beach on a Sunny Sunday

Boarding passes ready for the Oprah show! The Oprah Press Conference at the "Oprah" House

The stage is set for...Oprah at the Opera House

Here’s a few snaps from Tuesday December 14, the day Opera came to the Sydney Opera House. Shame  I can’ t align properly!

It was sunny, the rain stayed away, everyone wore brightly coloured clothing and had a jolly good time. And got either a pearl or diamond necklace.  And no, I was at the first show and did not get to see Hugh Jackman’s spectacular entrance!

I can see a rainbow

I love rainbows. Not unicorns, though

Sunset, Perth, Summer 2010

 

I also came across this photo taken as the sun set over the Indian Ocean on West Coast Drive, around North Beach. I’ve often tried to capture the sun setting on my iPhone while a passenger, usually with little success.

 

This time I actually pulled over and took the time to take some photos on my camera and enjoy the view.

 

It was a moment for quiet contemplation; my family had left for Tasmania for a week, my dog had just been dropped at my sister’s and I was , having only just recovered from bronchitis bordering on pneumonia, getting ready to head to Sydney to see Oprah.

 

My photographic skills are average, my eye for a photo and composition is ok and my camera is probably below average but I never leave home without it.