Far out, it’s Friday!

Fridays seem to come around much more quickly since I’ve started blogging regularly.

It’s time for another three questions and an F-word.

This week’s F-word is fragility, but before I get to that, I’ll respond to the three regular questions.

1. What made me happy this week?
2. What was I most proud of this week?
3. How did it feel to see a particular something in real life for the first time?

I’m going to answer all three questions at the same time, because they all have the same answer.

This. This is what made me happy this week. The publication of this book.

It won’t come as any surprise to those who read this blog on a regular or semi-regular basis to know that I’ve been excited for some time to see this book in real life.

Well, last night I got the opportunity to do just that. Last night, October 3, 2024, the book was launched by the Royal Historical Society of Victoria. It was a packed house – standing room only – with loads of people eager to view and buy the book.

In case you don’t know, the story of my (very minor) involvement goes like this:

I was retired briefly in 2022 and part of 2023 and decided to join U3A (University of the Third Age). I joined two groups – a photography group with U3A Hawthorn, and a book club with U3A Deepdene. Both were interesting and educational and great for meeting new people and hearing new ideas and perspectives.

The U3A Hawthorn group were invited by Richard Broome, president of the RHSV, to contribute images of Melbourne’s lanes to the society primarily for the purpose of creating a second edition of Weston Bates’s book published in 1994, titled Essential but unplanned: The story of Melbourne’s lanes. Sixteen members of the group eagerly scoured the city’s laneways looking for just the right angle and light and spark of interest. All up, we produced 3000 images.

Of those 3000 images, one of mine was chosen to be on the front cover of the book.

1. Seeing my photo on the cover made me very happy.
2. I am super proud that one of my images was chosen to be on the cover.
3. It feels great to be able to flick through the book, read about the fascinating history of Melbourne’s lanes, and see the fabulous images selected from the 3000 images that were contributed. The ones not used will be held by the RHSV in their collection to be used at any time someone is doing research on the city.

It was a great project to be involved with. It was also really great to catch up with others from U3A Hawthorn’s photography group.

And so to my F-word for the week: fragility

While I’ve been feeling happy and proud, there’s also been an undercurrent of deep sadness in our household this week. When a family member is desperately ill, you’re reminded of the fragility of life.

I’m not going to get deep and meaningful here or look for quotes on life’s fragility – but at the moment it’s looming large in my heart and that’s why it’s my F-word this week.