My favourite things - this week

1. Public transport that runs on time and is cost effective.  I've been working way across the other side of Melbourne over the last two weeks.  I've been catching the train to a station near where my colleague lives and he drives from there.  After a fairly frustrating week last week, this week reminded me how great catching public transport can be.  My trains ran on time.  Connections were so smooth that often I didn't have to change trains at Flinders Street.  I've read several books this week.  Travel of about 120 per day has cost me less than $33.  I've minimised my contribution to pollution and congestion in Melbourne.  None of these things would be possible if I was driving every day.

2. Camera accessories for my iphone.  I haven't had a lot of time to play with these as I only picked them up from the post office yesterday, but I've been fiddling and familiarising myself with the various bits of hardware.  I bought an Olloclip lens, a Holga lens turret and a very portable tripod on ebay.  Very impressed with all of them.  I'm looking forward to the creative flexibility that these will offer.  Stay tuned for some shots.

3. Discovering that I can be up and out of the house in 45 fewer minutes than I think I need.  This is my silver lining moment.  In a tired haze on Tuesday night, I forgot to set my alarm for the following morning.  I've been waking up at 5:30am so that I can wake up properly, have a shower, eat breakfast, make lunch, do my make up, be dressed and at the station ready to catch a 7:04am train.  On Wednesday morning, I woke up at 6:17am marvelling at the fact I'd woken up before the alarm went off.  I was about to roll over and keep sleeping when I had a sense that it felt later than usual.  I was right!  I showered, dressed, did my make up and hair and caught the train.  I managed to buy a sandwich and coffee at Flinders Street on the way through.  Phew!

4. Working with excellent people.  One of the things I really like about freelancing is that I have the opportunity to work in diverse settings with some excellent people.  I learn lots of things about their world and also lots of things about myself.  This week I've had some wonderful and challenging conversations about the role of empathy in healthcare.  The work has been intense, but the relationships with the key people I work with have made it possible to sustain.

5. A dear friend taking my hand as we crossed the road, dodging trams and cars in heavy rain.  That's more of a moment, than a thing.  Definitely a favourite.