I’m woken up some morning by the sound of a flock of green parrots, who roost in a few trees at the bottom of my street. These "Green Parrots of Telegraph Hill" are actually famous – they’ve had a book written about them, and even an award-winning documentary film. I sometimes see TV crews filming them outside my apartment, and tourists often come down my street to see. The parrots can be noisy bastards, but I generally enjoy listening to them squarking away to each other in the mornings and evenings.
I’ve had a little "on the beach" downtime between private equity cases recently, and decided to head across the bay one day midweek to chill out on the Berkeley campus, stick my head into the administrative offices at the Haas School of Business and say hi to a few friends, eat lunch at one of my favourite hangouts, and shop for a few CDs at the iconic Amoeba Records. It was great to get back to the alma mater for the day, and here are a few photos I snapped:
Sather Gate. One of the undergrad dorms.
The beautiful Campanile.
One of my fave places on campus: the Faculty Glade.
Haas School of Business – "home" for two years.
The magnificent Main Library. Magnolias in front of California Hall.
My sister Marnie’s marriage to Matt Higgs got me back to Melbourne for the first time since I left to return to San Francisco a year ago. It was a whirlwind week-long trip but really lovely to see the family and catch up with my friends again after yet another (my ninth!) year living overseas.
The wedding itself was a small, intimate and elegant affair held at the Victorian-era Melbourne Town Hall in the city CBD. The ceremony was held in the plush old council chambers, folowed by some celebratory drinks out on the balcony overlooking Swanston St. The reception was held in one of the Town Hall’s beautiful ballrooms was lovely, with everyone seated around a long u-shaped table.
Marnie and Dad in the classic 1948 Jaguar saloon en route into the city.
In the Exhibition Gardens for some photos before the wedding.
In the anteroom. Marnie can’t help tinkle the ivories.
During the ceremony. The kiss!
Reception in the ballroom.
The following morning we met up in the hotel restaurant for a delightful brunch with the bride and groom.
Sal, Mum and Zoe.
Little Zoe, now two years old!