Falling star, burning moon

Like many Aussies, I'm gradually changing over to energy-efficient light globes. When a traditional bulb blows, I replace it with the new kind. I've grown accustomed to the way they take a minute to "power up", and I don't mind the extra expense when they last longer and save on greenhouse gases. I just wish they weren't so chunky. Whatever you do, don't accidentally let one drop eight feet onto a ceramic coffee table because you think it's clicked into a worse-for-wear light fitting. Besides the dustpan'n'brush work, there's a terrible sense of waste.

At 8.30pm this evening, I ventured outside to view the total lunar eclipse. I couldn't be bothered changing from my PJs, so I just threw on a black jacket, black beanie and trainers. (I'm sure I looked like a cross between Arthur Dent and a cat burglar...except nowhere near as cool as that sounds.) It took me a while to spot the moon, which was only visible through the gap between two tallish buildings. There'd been suggestions it could appear blood red. To my eye, it was a pale orange. Clouds drifted across the face like smoke masking a distant fire.