Wednesday 15 April 2015

OZsky-ho


Coogee beach image

Sydney, Australia April 16, 2015

I don't mind the long flight so much - as long as I have a window seat. Hello again Australia - I've missed you, oh country of my birth.

Ostensibly, I'm going to the OZsky star party to observe the southern sky.  Of course, that's part of it, but I'm also hoping to rediscover my astronomy mojo.  

Over the past couple of years between life, work, family and current volunteering responsibilities, I'm starting to burn out.  I haven't actually been doing much astronomy with my astronomy club.  It's been posting on social media in a volunteer capacity, and getting way to involved in the politics of the centre.  I supervise at two observatories with the Toronto Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.  Family issues on the other side of the planet have been worrying me, I'm extremely stressed with my 2 paying jobs, and last October I had a personal crisis.  This morning, big news from the RASCTC. Still processing that. 

Astronomy used to be my balm.  The thing that kept everything in perspective.  

I've lost why I joined 2 astronomy clubs.  Wasn't it fun once?

I arrived in Sydney a couple of days ago; stayed near the beach thankfully.  Downtown Sydney can be..... overwhelming.   We had an OZsky get together last night in the city; was nice to meet some of the people I'll be spending the next week with.  

Off to Coonabarabran today; I hope I remember which side of the telescope to look through ;)  I have lists!

(not sure if Blogger is going to work out - hard to post images that are not going through Google)