Beethoven's Ninth, Fourth Movement. Choral.    Gotterfunken

Oh friends, not these tones!
Rather, let us raise our voices in more pleasing
and more joyful sounds
Joy
Joy
Joy beautiful spark of divinity
Daughter of Elysium
We enter, drink with fire,
into your sanctuary, heavenly daughter!

Your magic reunites
What custom strictly divided
All men become brothers,
Where your gentle wing rests.

Who ever has had the great fortune to be friend's friend,
Who ever has won a devoted wife, join in jubilation! ...
Joy all creatures drink
At the breasts of nature,
All good, all bad
Follow her trail of roses, Kisses she gave us, and wine, ...

Be embraced, you millions! This kiss for the whole world!
Brothers, beyond the star-canopy
Must a loving Father dwell
Be embraced,
This kiss for the whole world!
Joy, beautiful spark of divinity,
Daughter of Elysium
Joy, beautiful spark of divinity,
Divinity.


prompted by program on ABC TV1. 
Mother's Day

Are they queing up to own a bike and join the parking in this laneway?

An illustration from the book Saraban A chef's journey through Persia, Greg and Lucy Malouf.  Each  'surah' with a decorative cut-out through which to glimps highly ornamental images as well as scenes from Iran and the people and food. 

Newcastle folk in Ellamorevale have debated at length an application to build a Mosque and raised objections about traffic problems and the debate just reached an important point at a time which conincides with the revisiting of extremists actions from the past, overseas.  Newcastle is not very multicultural in an obvious sort of way. Apart from the need for actions based on justice and good will, by and large, a multicultural presence is good for a community.

A farce has taken place in Pakistan as contradictory stories come out.  All's fair in love and war. How embarrasing for Obama and co.  Governments have gone insane. I'm ashamed. And the unsavoury Pacific solution for refugees is included in this rant. Also, where ever does the pronounciation come from that sounds like Muzzlems instead of Mooslems.  I wonder if those US daily shows, that don't reach here anymore, are giving the government heaps.

Belgian Shepherd dog.  My first sighting, ears look good, interesting face - my uninformed opinion.

Demolished.  The small family business, Stotts Mowers in Waratah has moved away and, probably, homes will take its place. 
The business was once well known and some thirty years ago could be seen taking part in city processions with a stunt in which a little lawn mower towed big heavy things along. Gender equality was there and the daughter was a competent mechanic.
The business had grown like Topsy with a workshop on the rear of the house.  Later, the house burnt down and the shed was reorganized.
Most of the homes in the vicinity have changed hands a number of times in thirty years. More and more, homes have only become an investment, a negotiable item, two incomes became mandatory, salesmen love the situation which inflates home prices and keeps many on a treadmill.

Sydney Junction Hotel vies with Hamilton Station Hotel on the far side ....of the railway crossing  (which some would close). 

Politics in the Pub is at Hamilton Station Hotel every month.

There's nothing left but to be totally virtuous after the latest 'good' news from the experts that alcohol specifically causes cancers. 

These are no waring tribesmen but exponents of traditional dance from the UK and celebrating at a festival.

Osama was far from the mind of festival goers  but one well known entertainer sang about current warfare and its futility and in a well meaning rendition frequently alluded to the Islamic deity and to Jesus.  

I am sceptical about political correctness but I wondered  if the lyrics and reference to the Islamic deity were against tradition. The audience were probably all WASPs.  All is fair game at a festival. And will the Chasers parody the current events in Pakistan?