Thursday, December 30, 2010
Vast land, small world
Australia is a continent of vast distances, but through the magic of Facebook, this week is a small world moment. A good friend of mine who normally resides in Melbourne, and who I have been trying to arrange to catch up with for months, is holidaying just down the road (in country Australia terms anyway). So I've sucked up to the folks, and tomorrow I'm taking the car for a jaunt to Townsville to catch up! Whats a few hours in the car after all?
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
My baby
This is my baby.
He hasn't been very well lately. There is a real chance that he wont be around next time I come home. He may look like a puppy, but he's 9 years old, so a distinctly aging mutt.
In the meantime, I'm making a huge fuss of him. He's loves it!
He hasn't been very well lately. There is a real chance that he wont be around next time I come home. He may look like a puppy, but he's 9 years old, so a distinctly aging mutt.
In the meantime, I'm making a huge fuss of him. He's loves it!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Is it nap time yet?
Holidays have a terrible effect on me. It doesn't matter how much I sleep, I still want to have a nap. It usually starts about an hour after I get up in the morning and lasts for the rest of the day. Even actually having a nap doesn't help, as soon as I am on my feet again I want to go back to bed. Le sigh. And I have to go back to work next week........
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Christmas, faith, questions and frogs
Tonight I participated in what has become something of a tradition in my family. My father (a much lapsed Anglican) and I took my quietly, but of very strong faith, catholic Mum to midnight mass. This year - for the first time in many years, it was actually held at midnight (the elderly Catholic priest who presided for many years over a 7:30 mass having retired and been replaced by a surprisingly young man who is fully capable of making it to midnight!).
Its rather an awkward experience. Going along with the bits that I find relatively unoffensive to my sensibilities and standing mute for the bits I just cannot agree with (which is frankly just about everything bar the carols). It's particularly interesting at a true midnight mass because pretty much everyone else is there because they actually believe. But it is an important show of solidarity, my father honouring a promise her made when he married her to take her to church whenever she wanted to go (which in the past has meant long bush pilgrimages and facing disapproval and contempt from 'the church'), and me, showing my mother that while I cannot believe as she does I respect her faith.
Tonight was particularly interesting. The new priest has brought back certain old traditions that have been allowed to lapse under his aged and enfeebled predecessors tenure. There were 'alter boys' (girls actually in a heartening show of progressiveness), the priest sang the benediction over the bread and wine (and the man can SING! He has a wonderful tenor - though at times he struggled to compete with the frogs taking advantage of the rain), and there were other things that my unfamiliarity with the traditions mean I missed but my mother appreciated.
I am currently reading 'Infidel - my life' by Ayaan Hirsi Ali which describes her life growing up in Islamic Somali during the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood. It details the authors personal journey of faith, disillusionment with Islam and ultimately religion and her exile from her homeland and the constant threat of assassination she faces for her public repudiation of Islam and in particular its treatment of women.
The juxtaposition of the ritual Christian Christmas rites and the struggle of the Somali teenager to find meaning in the rituals of Islam brought many considerations to mind. As a teenager myself, attending an Anglican school, I found the rituals very seductive, but the church (through its priests, brothers and deacons) failed to offer any real context and their inability to offer any explanation of the questions I had - it was a school after all, they should have had the capacity to offer more than 'it is not your place to question' and because that is the way of god' to offer inquiring young minds. My questions were in many ways the same questions Ayaan was asking in Somalia, questions that I found myself tonight wondering if those seated around me had ever bothered to ask, even of themselves. Catholics of course seem often to be the worst of the timecard Christians - clocking in on Sunday, taking absolution as guaranteed while acting in very unchristian ways for the rest of the week.
My mother has always had faith. She questioned, and found her answers. She has been disillusioned with 'the church', but has always lived a very Christian life - which cannot have been easy with our the less than faithful (to god, not her) family. I have never heard her swear, she offers friendship, kindness, compassion and charity within her means with no expectation of personal gain. But once a year she visits her god in his house, celebrating his birthday and taking something that I cannot fathom, but to her is very real, home with her to sustain her faith. I know that others judge her for not being in regular attendance. But I know that she lives a far more Christian life than many of them. That is the great lesson that I have learned from observing my mother's faith - what is important (in God's eyes or the worlds) is what you DO, not what you say or are seen to do. The Christian all knowing, all seeing God will surely know the difference between a faithful servant who worships quietly but does his wishes faithfully and true and one who ritually stamps the timesheet while living a less than Christian life.
It's a thought that even comforts me - who has no faith - that for my mother, should she turn out to be right, there will be just recognition of her life.
For myself, I refuse to even pay lip service. I do not participate in prayer, I barely pay attention to he readings or the sermon. But in respect to those who care, I sit and stand quietly with them, accept and return their offers of peace and goodwill, and offer my voice to the traditional carols. Their God isn't mine, but I am a polite visitor in his house.
And so Christmas is here. And the Grinch is in abeyance for the moment. I will take advantage of the opportunity to spend time with family I see nowhere near enough. I will indulge in a few glasses of wine, rather too much food, and an orgy of reading (yay for my father's library!).
Enjoy your holidays folks. May it be everything that you wish it to be.
Its rather an awkward experience. Going along with the bits that I find relatively unoffensive to my sensibilities and standing mute for the bits I just cannot agree with (which is frankly just about everything bar the carols). It's particularly interesting at a true midnight mass because pretty much everyone else is there because they actually believe. But it is an important show of solidarity, my father honouring a promise her made when he married her to take her to church whenever she wanted to go (which in the past has meant long bush pilgrimages and facing disapproval and contempt from 'the church'), and me, showing my mother that while I cannot believe as she does I respect her faith.
Tonight was particularly interesting. The new priest has brought back certain old traditions that have been allowed to lapse under his aged and enfeebled predecessors tenure. There were 'alter boys' (girls actually in a heartening show of progressiveness), the priest sang the benediction over the bread and wine (and the man can SING! He has a wonderful tenor - though at times he struggled to compete with the frogs taking advantage of the rain), and there were other things that my unfamiliarity with the traditions mean I missed but my mother appreciated.
I am currently reading 'Infidel - my life' by Ayaan Hirsi Ali which describes her life growing up in Islamic Somali during the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood. It details the authors personal journey of faith, disillusionment with Islam and ultimately religion and her exile from her homeland and the constant threat of assassination she faces for her public repudiation of Islam and in particular its treatment of women.
The juxtaposition of the ritual Christian Christmas rites and the struggle of the Somali teenager to find meaning in the rituals of Islam brought many considerations to mind. As a teenager myself, attending an Anglican school, I found the rituals very seductive, but the church (through its priests, brothers and deacons) failed to offer any real context and their inability to offer any explanation of the questions I had - it was a school after all, they should have had the capacity to offer more than 'it is not your place to question' and because that is the way of god' to offer inquiring young minds. My questions were in many ways the same questions Ayaan was asking in Somalia, questions that I found myself tonight wondering if those seated around me had ever bothered to ask, even of themselves. Catholics of course seem often to be the worst of the timecard Christians - clocking in on Sunday, taking absolution as guaranteed while acting in very unchristian ways for the rest of the week.
My mother has always had faith. She questioned, and found her answers. She has been disillusioned with 'the church', but has always lived a very Christian life - which cannot have been easy with our the less than faithful (to god, not her) family. I have never heard her swear, she offers friendship, kindness, compassion and charity within her means with no expectation of personal gain. But once a year she visits her god in his house, celebrating his birthday and taking something that I cannot fathom, but to her is very real, home with her to sustain her faith. I know that others judge her for not being in regular attendance. But I know that she lives a far more Christian life than many of them. That is the great lesson that I have learned from observing my mother's faith - what is important (in God's eyes or the worlds) is what you DO, not what you say or are seen to do. The Christian all knowing, all seeing God will surely know the difference between a faithful servant who worships quietly but does his wishes faithfully and true and one who ritually stamps the timesheet while living a less than Christian life.
It's a thought that even comforts me - who has no faith - that for my mother, should she turn out to be right, there will be just recognition of her life.
For myself, I refuse to even pay lip service. I do not participate in prayer, I barely pay attention to he readings or the sermon. But in respect to those who care, I sit and stand quietly with them, accept and return their offers of peace and goodwill, and offer my voice to the traditional carols. Their God isn't mine, but I am a polite visitor in his house.
And so Christmas is here. And the Grinch is in abeyance for the moment. I will take advantage of the opportunity to spend time with family I see nowhere near enough. I will indulge in a few glasses of wine, rather too much food, and an orgy of reading (yay for my father's library!).
Enjoy your holidays folks. May it be everything that you wish it to be.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Christmas lights
This being the week before Christmas, the annual tradition of traipsing round town looking at lights should have been accomplished. For us, this is really an event focused on doing the 'family thing' and taking an extremely elderly Aunt out for a drive. At 97, its something of a treat and she clearly looks forward to it.
This year it has proven to be more difficult than we anticipated. The Aunt is starting to get a little vague, and had forgotten which day we were coming to get her. Then on the second attempt it decided to rain (so no-one turned their lights on - remember electricity and water do not mix) and, the time set was actually too early, it wasn't yet dark. Tomorrow we will attempt for the third time. Or at least, the folks will. I have been relegated to cooking dinner while they play chauffeur.
This year it has proven to be more difficult than we anticipated. The Aunt is starting to get a little vague, and had forgotten which day we were coming to get her. Then on the second attempt it decided to rain (so no-one turned their lights on - remember electricity and water do not mix) and, the time set was actually too early, it wasn't yet dark. Tomorrow we will attempt for the third time. Or at least, the folks will. I have been relegated to cooking dinner while they play chauffeur.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Interesting conversation
Last night I went out to dinner with friends of my parents. It was interesting crowd, largely made up of a peculiarly 'country' sort of folk. In their late middle age through to the not long retired, mostly off property, rough and crude in many respects but also insightful and knowledgeable and very entertaining.
Most were raised on property - be it as the owners daughter, a managers or labourers kid. The 'townies' are the kind you only find in small town Australia. Not quite the same as 'off property' but from a time when every small town kid grew up with guns and firecrackers as a staple part of childhood, who had no indoor plumbing, a kerosene fridge and no tv. Snakes, spiders, possums and all sorts of other animals featured large in their childhoods - often as target for the air-rifle or the 'bunger gun' (a bicycle pump tube adapted to fire marbles using a 'penny bunger' as the charge). Now, city kids of the era certainly weren't as cocooned from the realities of life as todays are, but they certainly aren't quite the same as their country compatriots.
Last night I sat across from a former state Labor Party member of parliament. And clearly they were a Labor crowd (not too common in the conservative heartland of the bush). Politics was certainly discussed, but much more heavily featured were reminiscences of the good old days. School boy antics, animal stories, the hilarious bluntness of the 'call a spade a spade' elderly 'bushies' who linger on today.
Most city folk today (certainly those under 40) would struggle to believe the stories - but to one who grew up in the bush, you dont doubt it (of course, you make room for exaggeration, no snake/crocodile/dog is ever REALLY as big as the legend). In the absence of fireworks, my generation substituted pilfered explosives from the mines, cartridge powder from parents gunsafes, and petrol to blow things up or power projectiles. We discovered all manner of animal cruelty (visited on ferals only - toads in particular but feral cats, dogs, peacocks and mice also featured, and were quickly dispatched after the initial ill-considered attack), attempted to kill ourselves weekly through the use of implements including bicycles, shopping carts, firearms (usually homemade) and fire.
Childhood in the 80's and early 90's in small town Australia was truely a wonderful thing. When the whole town knows who you are and where your mum works, there is no need for parents to keep tabs on their kids all the time - someone is always watching and some cranky old biddy is always ready to ring your mum to report your shortcomings. It was a world where doors were seldom locked, children safely roamed the streets and crime was pretty low.
Today, its very different. And I blame those that took away all the fun. Try making homemade projectile launchers out of a bicycle pump today and see how many charges the cops will lay - regardless of how non-existent the damage to person or property. All the old bike tracks we used to try and break our necks on in the name of good clean fun have been bulldozed because of safety concerns. The gun laws now make it impossible to take the kids out for weekend target practice at the range, let alone out hunting for feral's or shooting up tin cans in the back paddock. They also seriously hamper the use of gunpowder for its other fun childhood purposes.
So all the fun, slightly naughty/dangerous things we used to do as children have been quashed. So instead, today's batch of bored kids drink, do drugs, steal, damage property and generally make nuisances out of themselves. A lack of harmless destructive outlets leads to harmful destructive behaviour - who would have predicted that!
When you consider how many of the past generations have successfully made it to adulthood without major accident or injury, regardless of the dangerous behaviour they enjoyed, you have to wonder just how dangerous it was......
Bring back childhood fun I say!!!!!
Most were raised on property - be it as the owners daughter, a managers or labourers kid. The 'townies' are the kind you only find in small town Australia. Not quite the same as 'off property' but from a time when every small town kid grew up with guns and firecrackers as a staple part of childhood, who had no indoor plumbing, a kerosene fridge and no tv. Snakes, spiders, possums and all sorts of other animals featured large in their childhoods - often as target for the air-rifle or the 'bunger gun' (a bicycle pump tube adapted to fire marbles using a 'penny bunger' as the charge). Now, city kids of the era certainly weren't as cocooned from the realities of life as todays are, but they certainly aren't quite the same as their country compatriots.
Last night I sat across from a former state Labor Party member of parliament. And clearly they were a Labor crowd (not too common in the conservative heartland of the bush). Politics was certainly discussed, but much more heavily featured were reminiscences of the good old days. School boy antics, animal stories, the hilarious bluntness of the 'call a spade a spade' elderly 'bushies' who linger on today.
Most city folk today (certainly those under 40) would struggle to believe the stories - but to one who grew up in the bush, you dont doubt it (of course, you make room for exaggeration, no snake/crocodile/dog is ever REALLY as big as the legend). In the absence of fireworks, my generation substituted pilfered explosives from the mines, cartridge powder from parents gunsafes, and petrol to blow things up or power projectiles. We discovered all manner of animal cruelty (visited on ferals only - toads in particular but feral cats, dogs, peacocks and mice also featured, and were quickly dispatched after the initial ill-considered attack), attempted to kill ourselves weekly through the use of implements including bicycles, shopping carts, firearms (usually homemade) and fire.
Childhood in the 80's and early 90's in small town Australia was truely a wonderful thing. When the whole town knows who you are and where your mum works, there is no need for parents to keep tabs on their kids all the time - someone is always watching and some cranky old biddy is always ready to ring your mum to report your shortcomings. It was a world where doors were seldom locked, children safely roamed the streets and crime was pretty low.
Today, its very different. And I blame those that took away all the fun. Try making homemade projectile launchers out of a bicycle pump today and see how many charges the cops will lay - regardless of how non-existent the damage to person or property. All the old bike tracks we used to try and break our necks on in the name of good clean fun have been bulldozed because of safety concerns. The gun laws now make it impossible to take the kids out for weekend target practice at the range, let alone out hunting for feral's or shooting up tin cans in the back paddock. They also seriously hamper the use of gunpowder for its other fun childhood purposes.
So all the fun, slightly naughty/dangerous things we used to do as children have been quashed. So instead, today's batch of bored kids drink, do drugs, steal, damage property and generally make nuisances out of themselves. A lack of harmless destructive outlets leads to harmful destructive behaviour - who would have predicted that!
When you consider how many of the past generations have successfully made it to adulthood without major accident or injury, regardless of the dangerous behaviour they enjoyed, you have to wonder just how dangerous it was......
Bring back childhood fun I say!!!!!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
The final frontier
Recently it has been made particularly apparent to me that there is a massive divide between family and friends. The two aren't necessarily mutually exclusive, but it is surprising just how often the two really don't mix.
Whether its trying to relate to your parents as an adult, or maintaining a relationship with an in-law who would never have been part of your social circle under other circumstances, the chasm between those you choose to have as part of your life, and those you are obliged to be kind and considerate to can be very deep and the leap very risky.
This year, the family circus seems to have successfully avoided a disaster. The acrobats didn't break anything, the trapeze artists made every catch (just) and the clowns managed to push everything along until the end leaving the audience relatively unaware of the undercurrents of fear. And then I escaped. Fled back to the nest of my home town, avoiding the truly awful circus of a family Christmas by hiding out with similarly Grinch-like individuals who like me, prefer to spend Christmas quietly, without any religious fanfare or commercial excess. Just some nice food, a few bottles of alcohol (eeked out over the whole period so that there are merely evenings of pleasant tipsyness) and some time off work to sit around and make the most of the air-conditioning on a hot, humid day.
I just bought my last Christmas present - a hand held electric mixer tp replace the 20 year old one that my mother has finally managed to kill. A nice functional gift that will be truly appreciated.
The internet here is somewhat unreliable, so I may not post too often before the new year. Also, nothing much happens in the backwoods, particularly when the aim is to spend as much time as possible sleeping and reading. I can recommend 'Rainbow Pie - a Redneck Memoir' by Joe Baigent, an insiders perspective on the American white underclass (ie. rednecks and trailer trash and the ignored and exploited minimum wage battlers that make up a large proportion of the American people).
Anyway - I'm off to do the chores for the day - ie wash the dog (a huge burden, I know). I love holidays!
Whether its trying to relate to your parents as an adult, or maintaining a relationship with an in-law who would never have been part of your social circle under other circumstances, the chasm between those you choose to have as part of your life, and those you are obliged to be kind and considerate to can be very deep and the leap very risky.
This year, the family circus seems to have successfully avoided a disaster. The acrobats didn't break anything, the trapeze artists made every catch (just) and the clowns managed to push everything along until the end leaving the audience relatively unaware of the undercurrents of fear. And then I escaped. Fled back to the nest of my home town, avoiding the truly awful circus of a family Christmas by hiding out with similarly Grinch-like individuals who like me, prefer to spend Christmas quietly, without any religious fanfare or commercial excess. Just some nice food, a few bottles of alcohol (eeked out over the whole period so that there are merely evenings of pleasant tipsyness) and some time off work to sit around and make the most of the air-conditioning on a hot, humid day.
I just bought my last Christmas present - a hand held electric mixer tp replace the 20 year old one that my mother has finally managed to kill. A nice functional gift that will be truly appreciated.
The internet here is somewhat unreliable, so I may not post too often before the new year. Also, nothing much happens in the backwoods, particularly when the aim is to spend as much time as possible sleeping and reading. I can recommend 'Rainbow Pie - a Redneck Memoir' by Joe Baigent, an insiders perspective on the American white underclass (ie. rednecks and trailer trash and the ignored and exploited minimum wage battlers that make up a large proportion of the American people).
Anyway - I'm off to do the chores for the day - ie wash the dog (a huge burden, I know). I love holidays!
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Welcome the Grinch
I am feeling particularly grinch-like today. I haven't been out today - exposed to the madness - but the season is definitely upon us, and it weighs heavy.
I have reached the point that the mere thought of it makes me want to hide under the blankets until its over. The countdown has begun - it is only 14 days until its over.......
I have reached the point that the mere thought of it makes me want to hide under the blankets until its over. The countdown has begun - it is only 14 days until its over.......
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Splitsville
Well, that takes care of that. I didn't even get to have the intended conversation, instead, he took the initiative and told me that 'he can't committ to the time and attention I deserve'. Nice sentiment, but still amounts to being dumped. But I've kind of been anticipating it, so its not such a blow. Pity. But I'm moving forward - and going out for a drink with the girls tomorrow night to commiserate!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
All is well - or is it?
I have the kind of personality that tends towards the melancholic. When I'm happy, I'm happy, but when I'm not so happy, I tend to be a glass half empty sort of person. I quite like have a whinge, and I can be very grumpy.
So while i have a lot to be happy about at the moment, I'm also currently in a massive case of the grumps. I am waiting with baited to breath to here if I am going to get the job I currently do permanently, or if in a few weeks time I'll lose $200 a fortnight and someone else will come in and 'do my job' (only they wont, I'll still do everything I currently do, because they wont find someone who has the skills or wants to do it, I'll just be paid less).
So I'm stressing - my budget is pretty tight, and $200 a fortnight will see me hiding out in my flat never going out, with no spare cash. And when I stress, I grump. Add to this, the fact that I actually think that doing a job properly is a virtue and that competence should be rewarded and incompetence shoved out the door, working in the public sector can be somewhat disheartening, so I tend to rant and grump a bit about that too.
I suspect that this state of grump is starting to wear on the boy. He's very much a happy person - doesn't let things get to him... I think he sees the world in economic terms - so its not worth the energy to care, whereas I have a more social bent, and rage against injustice and ignorance...... It may be interesting to see how this pans out - but it could also be quite painful....
So while i have a lot to be happy about at the moment, I'm also currently in a massive case of the grumps. I am waiting with baited to breath to here if I am going to get the job I currently do permanently, or if in a few weeks time I'll lose $200 a fortnight and someone else will come in and 'do my job' (only they wont, I'll still do everything I currently do, because they wont find someone who has the skills or wants to do it, I'll just be paid less).
So I'm stressing - my budget is pretty tight, and $200 a fortnight will see me hiding out in my flat never going out, with no spare cash. And when I stress, I grump. Add to this, the fact that I actually think that doing a job properly is a virtue and that competence should be rewarded and incompetence shoved out the door, working in the public sector can be somewhat disheartening, so I tend to rant and grump a bit about that too.
I suspect that this state of grump is starting to wear on the boy. He's very much a happy person - doesn't let things get to him... I think he sees the world in economic terms - so its not worth the energy to care, whereas I have a more social bent, and rage against injustice and ignorance...... It may be interesting to see how this pans out - but it could also be quite painful....
Friday, December 3, 2010
Another Christmas rant
I went to the shops today. I had no choice, the cupboard was bare. The madness of the christmas season has already begun. Its at this time of year that what little courtesy is left in normal society is completely lost. People lie cheat and steal - they take parking spaces when they know someone else was there first, they push you out of the way in their rush to get to whatever store it is that might just sell out of whatever it is that they want. They forget the basic rules of movement in crowds (KEEP LEFT PEOPLE!!!!).
They line up like lemmings at the checkouts and whine about all the other people who have dared to venture out shopping on the same day as them. (although it isn't helpful that the stores only have 3 operational checkouts - remember folks, it is only 3-ish weeks till christmas!) They suddenly realise that they have forgotten something that cant possibly wait till the next time they are out, and dash off into the bowels of the shop when there are only 3 items left to be scanned.
I have even seen them take items out of other peoples trolleys when other shoppers aren't paying attention because they see something the like, or its run out on the shelf.
There is something about christmas that brings out the very worst of society......
They line up like lemmings at the checkouts and whine about all the other people who have dared to venture out shopping on the same day as them. (although it isn't helpful that the stores only have 3 operational checkouts - remember folks, it is only 3-ish weeks till christmas!) They suddenly realise that they have forgotten something that cant possibly wait till the next time they are out, and dash off into the bowels of the shop when there are only 3 items left to be scanned.
I have even seen them take items out of other peoples trolleys when other shoppers aren't paying attention because they see something the like, or its run out on the shelf.
There is something about christmas that brings out the very worst of society......
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Commercialisation - the scourge of Christmas
I'm not much of a fan of Christmas really. I'm not big on the religious aspects, and the hype gets old very quickly. In fact, I find Christmas to be a very expensive exercise in trying not to offend. Whether its the non-christian traditions that don't celebrate Christmas, the atheists, or the minority that don't support the Santa myth - there is always someone that you can inadvertently offend.
Its reached the point that I have no idea what the real message of Christmas is any more. You would certainly be hard put to find it in any shopping centre or Myer window.
I hate that the shops start putting up decorations in August.
I hate the carols that bombard you from the beginning of November.
I hate workplace decorations (particularly the overtly religious ones - the office just doesn't feel right for a nativity scene), Kris Kringle, and the seemingly endless string of Christmas parties..
I hate trying to get to the shops before Christmas - the crowds, the fight for parking, the endless lines at the checkouts....
and I hate the after Christmas sales.
My favourite way to spend Christmas is to not participate. I buy the necessary family gifts, cook and eat some good food, but I like to stay home, read a good book, ignore the crowds, the shops, the cricket.....
So what about the rest of you? What don't you like about Christmas? and what do you like?
Its reached the point that I have no idea what the real message of Christmas is any more. You would certainly be hard put to find it in any shopping centre or Myer window.
I hate that the shops start putting up decorations in August.
I hate the carols that bombard you from the beginning of November.
I hate workplace decorations (particularly the overtly religious ones - the office just doesn't feel right for a nativity scene), Kris Kringle, and the seemingly endless string of Christmas parties..
I hate trying to get to the shops before Christmas - the crowds, the fight for parking, the endless lines at the checkouts....
and I hate the after Christmas sales.
My favourite way to spend Christmas is to not participate. I buy the necessary family gifts, cook and eat some good food, but I like to stay home, read a good book, ignore the crowds, the shops, the cricket.....
So what about the rest of you? What don't you like about Christmas? and what do you like?
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Feeling sorry for myself
So it turns out that my stowaway is not just a mere head cold, but is instead a rather nasty gastro virus. So I get to spend the week holed up at home with no contact with the outside world because its highly contagious and no-one else wants to get it.
While I agree that I wouldn't really want to be at work feeling like I do, I'm bored already. There is only so much bad daytime tv, internet surfing and reading (well, re-reading, I have no new material) that I can do.
On the plus side, the weather is horrible, so I'm less miserable than I would be if I had to look out the window at a bright sunny day.
In other news today, there is an interesting commentary on religious extremism here: http://donmilleris.com/2010/11/30/the-war-on-extremism/ which makes the key point that its not any one religious belief that is the problem, but extremism. And extremism is fairly obviously evident all over the place, including being preached from the pulpits of christian churches, by secular political leaders and from the mouths of the average man.
While I agree that I wouldn't really want to be at work feeling like I do, I'm bored already. There is only so much bad daytime tv, internet surfing and reading (well, re-reading, I have no new material) that I can do.
On the plus side, the weather is horrible, so I'm less miserable than I would be if I had to look out the window at a bright sunny day.
In other news today, there is an interesting commentary on religious extremism here: http://donmilleris.com/2010/11/30/the-war-on-extremism/ which makes the key point that its not any one religious belief that is the problem, but extremism. And extremism is fairly obviously evident all over the place, including being preached from the pulpits of christian churches, by secular political leaders and from the mouths of the average man.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Stowaway
Well, I finally arrived home this morning. Following Friday's debacle, my planned flight home last night hit a snag at the Canberra airport. The weather closed in just as we got here, and after two aborted attempts to land, we were taken back to Melbourne. The airline put us up in the Mantra, but with 180 odd people on the flight, and a full Qantas fight being billeted there too, it was 1:30 before I got a room. They ran an extra flight this morning to get us home, leaving at 5:45, so I had to be up at 4:30 to make it to the airport on time.
So I managed a bit less than 3 hours sleep last night, thank god I had the foresight to take today off work to get all my cleaning and washing done. But I also discovered that I had a stowaway. I have picked up a cold. My head hurts, my nose is pouring, my throat is sore and I'm a little feverish. So today has largely been spent in bed - although I did get a couple of loads of washing done. But right now, I'm feeling pretty miserable.
I did manage to secure one awesome bargain in Melbourne though. We went to Harbour Town and the Levi's outlet had a big sale on. I scored a really nice military style raincoat. Normal price $179.98, marked down to $79.89 and then a further 50% off. So for $40, I got a really nice jacket, and it came in very handy when the wind and rain came on!!
So I managed a bit less than 3 hours sleep last night, thank god I had the foresight to take today off work to get all my cleaning and washing done. But I also discovered that I had a stowaway. I have picked up a cold. My head hurts, my nose is pouring, my throat is sore and I'm a little feverish. So today has largely been spent in bed - although I did get a couple of loads of washing done. But right now, I'm feeling pretty miserable.
I did manage to secure one awesome bargain in Melbourne though. We went to Harbour Town and the Levi's outlet had a big sale on. I scored a really nice military style raincoat. Normal price $179.98, marked down to $79.89 and then a further 50% off. So for $40, I got a really nice jacket, and it came in very handy when the wind and rain came on!!
Friday, November 26, 2010
Its not the weather - its the service
I was meant to be going for a weekend jaunt to Melbourne. Turns out the weather is crap and flights have been canceled left and right. That's annoying, but hey - Virgin Blue don't control the weather. Wat really pisses me off is the extremely poor service I got. Now I fly with Virgin a lot, and have found them much more helpful than Qantas. But this evening was just a debacle.
The Canberra airport has recently been upgraded, there are now no flightboards at the checkin area, you have to go through security to see the boards. Well half those boards dont work. All the boards that were working said the plane was flying, all the way through to the gates, where there was one board, right up the end that was working. And suddenly it said the fllight was cancelled. there was no announcement, no staff in the gate area and on the way back to check in, all the other working boards still said the fight was on.
The staff at the check-in area were actually pretty helpful, but given the trouble finding out the flight was canceled, all the available seats on tomorrows flights were taken.
The Canberra airport has recently been upgraded, there are now no flightboards at the checkin area, you have to go through security to see the boards. Well half those boards dont work. All the boards that were working said the plane was flying, all the way through to the gates, where there was one board, right up the end that was working. And suddenly it said the fllight was cancelled. there was no announcement, no staff in the gate area and on the way back to check in, all the other working boards still said the fight was on.
The staff at the check-in area were actually pretty helpful, but given the trouble finding out the flight was canceled, all the available seats on tomorrows flights were taken.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Recovery
Last week I was reasonably unwell. I received a whiplash injury a couple of years ago and my neck now has a mind of its own. It periodically decides that it doesn't like me and causes nausea, migraines, other headaches and general discomfort and pain. For most of last week I had a mild urge to vomit and a more or less constant pain traveling from the base of my skull to behind my right eye.
On Tuesday I had a full blow migraine - waking at 4 in the morning to intense pain and the desire to hurl all over the sheets. I managed to scoff a couple of codeine tablets and lapse into unconsciousness until morning when I could force some food down in order to take the real drugs - the ones that actually work. After a day in bed, I managed to make it to work on Wednesday, but a lot of people noticed I didn't look too good. In fact I'm fairly sure a few people thought I was hung over. The sad thing is, that the day or so after a migraine it does feel rather like a hang over - only you dont get the fun night out.
But people who dont suffer from migraines, and have never seen anyone really suffering from one, have no idea just how awful it is. To so many people, its just a headache, get over it, and get back to work.
I'm finally feeling like I have recovered. Last night I finally had a good night's sleep. I woke this morning with my neck feeling almost normal, no headache, not longer feeling slightly hung over and actually ready to take on the world.
To all those out there who dont get migraines. Be kind to those who do - in fact, go and drink a couple of bottles of vodka, and when you wake up tomorrow with a blinding headache, can't stand the light or loud noises and cant hold down your breakfast, think about the poor soul with the migraine who didn't get to drink the vodka!
On Tuesday I had a full blow migraine - waking at 4 in the morning to intense pain and the desire to hurl all over the sheets. I managed to scoff a couple of codeine tablets and lapse into unconsciousness until morning when I could force some food down in order to take the real drugs - the ones that actually work. After a day in bed, I managed to make it to work on Wednesday, but a lot of people noticed I didn't look too good. In fact I'm fairly sure a few people thought I was hung over. The sad thing is, that the day or so after a migraine it does feel rather like a hang over - only you dont get the fun night out.
But people who dont suffer from migraines, and have never seen anyone really suffering from one, have no idea just how awful it is. To so many people, its just a headache, get over it, and get back to work.
I'm finally feeling like I have recovered. Last night I finally had a good night's sleep. I woke this morning with my neck feeling almost normal, no headache, not longer feeling slightly hung over and actually ready to take on the world.
To all those out there who dont get migraines. Be kind to those who do - in fact, go and drink a couple of bottles of vodka, and when you wake up tomorrow with a blinding headache, can't stand the light or loud noises and cant hold down your breakfast, think about the poor soul with the migraine who didn't get to drink the vodka!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Oooooooo.... Shiny!!!!!!
I have my new laptop. Its very pretty. Its fast, it has 8 times as much storage as the old one, and its about 1/2 as thick. I like it a lot!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Ouch and double ouch!!!
I woke up at 4am today with a raging fever and a migraine. I blame this on my neck, which is feeling particularly unhappy today, probably a result of the nap I took yesterday on my couch (I hadn't intended to nap so I ended up awkwardly leaning on some cushions with my neck at a weird angle). This is the ouch part, but some codiene at 4am and a large dose of aspirin with breakfast at 8am and some more sleep have largely dealt with this ouch.
The double ouch? Well I ordered a new MacBook Pro on the weekend, and I got a text from the girls at work telling me it arrived this morning. Thankfully they were able to sign for it and locked it up in the office for me, but it is somehow incredibly fitting that I happen to be stuck at home feeling unwell and sorry for myself just when my shiny new toy arrives, so I have to wait patiently (NOT) for tomorrow before I can play with it!
Le sigh.......
The double ouch? Well I ordered a new MacBook Pro on the weekend, and I got a text from the girls at work telling me it arrived this morning. Thankfully they were able to sign for it and locked it up in the office for me, but it is somehow incredibly fitting that I happen to be stuck at home feeling unwell and sorry for myself just when my shiny new toy arrives, so I have to wait patiently (NOT) for tomorrow before I can play with it!
Le sigh.......
Sunday, November 14, 2010
How to spot a bargain
So I have been eyeing off a new laptop for a while. My old one is over 7 years old and is really starting to feel its age. So every couple of weeks I have been popping onto the apple website and eyeing off the laptop porn, sometimes i even go so far as to select the one I want and add it to my cart. This morning I did that and it was $100 cheaper than it normally is. I'm not sure if there is a glitch somewhere in the system, but the price of the additional software wasn't added to the total. And I succumbed. In a few days I will have a shiny new MacBook Pro to play with.
I like new toys!
I like new toys!
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Wild Target - a barrel of laughs
Red was full so we saw Wild Target. It was incredibly funny, in the way only the british can be. Full of recognizable faces (Ron Weasley from Harry Potter, Emily from The Devil Wears Prada, and the guy from Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy to name a few), dark content (hit men everywhere of course) and deadpan delivery with brilliant comic timing. I give it 4 stars, definitely worth your time :D
To the movies and beyond (Friday night out take 2)
So, yesterday the plan was to go to the movies. (ie Friday night out) But as I blogged yesterday, due to some interesting dizziness and nausea, that didn't happen (it is also worthy to note that I apparently looked very pale and unwell too). So tonight we are going to attempt take 2.
We have 2 movies on the list:
Red, featuring a list of strong actors past their prime (well - by industry standards no longer suitable for sexy roles) who play retired CIA agents who know too much so are the targets of a murderous plot, and
Wild Target, featuring Bill Nighy as a hitman who falls in love with one of his targets and then has to avoid being popped off by the pissed off client who contracted him to kill her.
The plan is that as they start at roughly the same time, we'll rock up and see which one has seats available, and then catch the other one some other time.
I'm looking forward to it, both movies have real potential (although if bad, then like all potentially great movies, they are bound to be absolutely terrible!). I'll report back later with my thoughts.
In other news from today, it has finally started to warm up in Canberra. We are now nearly at the end of Spring and finally the day time temps are hitting the mid 20's. Its about bloody time! I can finally crank out the shorts and get some colour so my legs don't glow in the dark!
We have 2 movies on the list:
Red, featuring a list of strong actors past their prime (well - by industry standards no longer suitable for sexy roles) who play retired CIA agents who know too much so are the targets of a murderous plot, and
Wild Target, featuring Bill Nighy as a hitman who falls in love with one of his targets and then has to avoid being popped off by the pissed off client who contracted him to kill her.
The plan is that as they start at roughly the same time, we'll rock up and see which one has seats available, and then catch the other one some other time.
I'm looking forward to it, both movies have real potential (although if bad, then like all potentially great movies, they are bound to be absolutely terrible!). I'll report back later with my thoughts.
In other news from today, it has finally started to warm up in Canberra. We are now nearly at the end of Spring and finally the day time temps are hitting the mid 20's. Its about bloody time! I can finally crank out the shorts and get some colour so my legs don't glow in the dark!
Friday, November 12, 2010
Friday nights in....
Tonight we (note the 'we') planned on going to a movie, but at the time we were due to head out I wasn't feeling well - dizzy spell with associated nausea (no idea folks, probably not enough water on this lovely warm day). So we are spending the night in. We have Triple J on the radio, a pot of tea brewing, the laptops out checking the blogs (yup folks, there are geeks in the house) and the evening stretches before us with nothing planned. It is indeed a nice way to spend the evening.
So excuse me folks while I return to reading rather than writing the blog and take it easy.
Enjoy your own friday night ;)
So excuse me folks while I return to reading rather than writing the blog and take it easy.
Enjoy your own friday night ;)
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Nothing jogs the memory like a smell..
I have been craving corned beef now for weeks. It was a regular feature in the menu at home while I was growing up, accompanied by veges boiled in the brine and a cheese and onion sauce. So I have given in to the craving. Today I bought a nice piece of corned beef, and right now that classic smell from my childhood is wafting through my apartment.
It turns out that my boy has never had corned beef, so tonight I'm going to introduce him to it. I hope he likes it, I couldn't not have it in my world :D
It turns out that my boy has never had corned beef, so tonight I'm going to introduce him to it. I hope he likes it, I couldn't not have it in my world :D
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Too much sugar is bad for you
Particularly when it is fed to 3 small children who are in your immediate vicinity.
Yesterday was my nephews 1st birthday. An event much anticipated by his sisters who are old enough to have worked out that this means cake, lollies, and assorted other foods they aren't normally allowed to have. And of course, presents - ie. toys that they get to play with too!
I arrived after work, reasonably exhausted (it was a rather long day at work, accentuated by the Melbourne Cup events - I won by the way) to find that all 3 kids were hyped up on sugar and going nuts. I delivered presents (a cool little scooter thing from from Gran and Pop and a push along lawn mower from me) which were pounced on by the girls who then got very upset when they were told off. We went for a walk (the girls ran with Mum while Aunty pushed bub in the pram at a more sedate pace) in a failed attempt to wear off the sugar.
Bath time was psychotic, dinner time was a nightmare and no-one wanted to stay in bed.
I was totally exhausted inside about 20 minutes, and by the end of the night was barely able to manage a shower before crawling into bed before 9pm.
So sugar is bad for you - forget all the health concerns and weight problems - being that close to so much energy could kill you!
P.S. Following the comment below that the guest of honour barely rated a mention, I am adding the following postscript. He loved his scooter - unitl he fell off it and it fell on him resulting in tears. He loves the noise the lawnmower makes, but can neither pull the cord ot make the noise, nor stand steadily enough to use it yet (finding suitable presents is hard, so I went for something he could grow into, provided the older siblings dont destroy it first). HE was an angel at bathtime, and ate all his dinner without a tantrum and he went to bed without a fight - although he was still awake, and in fact was quietly practising his headstands in his cot when a last minute delivery of an express post parcel caused his mum to see if he was still awake so she could open it.
Poor little mite will spend the next 17 years of his life fighting off those sisters of his I think......
Yesterday was my nephews 1st birthday. An event much anticipated by his sisters who are old enough to have worked out that this means cake, lollies, and assorted other foods they aren't normally allowed to have. And of course, presents - ie. toys that they get to play with too!
I arrived after work, reasonably exhausted (it was a rather long day at work, accentuated by the Melbourne Cup events - I won by the way) to find that all 3 kids were hyped up on sugar and going nuts. I delivered presents (a cool little scooter thing from from Gran and Pop and a push along lawn mower from me) which were pounced on by the girls who then got very upset when they were told off. We went for a walk (the girls ran with Mum while Aunty pushed bub in the pram at a more sedate pace) in a failed attempt to wear off the sugar.
Bath time was psychotic, dinner time was a nightmare and no-one wanted to stay in bed.
I was totally exhausted inside about 20 minutes, and by the end of the night was barely able to manage a shower before crawling into bed before 9pm.
So sugar is bad for you - forget all the health concerns and weight problems - being that close to so much energy could kill you!
P.S. Following the comment below that the guest of honour barely rated a mention, I am adding the following postscript. He loved his scooter - unitl he fell off it and it fell on him resulting in tears. He loves the noise the lawnmower makes, but can neither pull the cord ot make the noise, nor stand steadily enough to use it yet (finding suitable presents is hard, so I went for something he could grow into, provided the older siblings dont destroy it first). HE was an angel at bathtime, and ate all his dinner without a tantrum and he went to bed without a fight - although he was still awake, and in fact was quietly practising his headstands in his cot when a last minute delivery of an express post parcel caused his mum to see if he was still awake so she could open it.
Poor little mite will spend the next 17 years of his life fighting off those sisters of his I think......
Friday, October 29, 2010
Coolest thing ever!!
In stark contrast to my otherwise quite geeky status, I do not play computer games. I'm really just not interested. That is, with a couple of very important exceptions. I love Mario Bros. I love the original retro versions. I love the new Wii versions with new mini games. I love Mario Cart.
And I love Little Big Planet. Many thanks to the friend who introduced me to it. I love the sack boy. I love that it its narrated by Stephen Fry (seriously - Stephen Fry, what is there not to love about that?). I love that I don't have to be exceptionally co-ordinated to play it. And I love that I don't have to kill anything. My favourite bit ever is where you have this thing that looks like a gun, but shoots paint splats everywhere. It appears in several levels where everything is black and you have to shoot stuff to make it visible. You can of course shoot yourself and other players - which results in no harm but some interesting colour effects :D
So. We have established that I love LBP. So what have I deemed to be the coolest thing ever?
This: http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/plush/d2af/
*I just reread that sentence. Wow, I sound like a 12 year old girl. Scary!
And I love Little Big Planet. Many thanks to the friend who introduced me to it. I love the sack boy. I love that it its narrated by Stephen Fry (seriously - Stephen Fry, what is there not to love about that?). I love that I don't have to be exceptionally co-ordinated to play it. And I love that I don't have to kill anything. My favourite bit ever is where you have this thing that looks like a gun, but shoots paint splats everywhere. It appears in several levels where everything is black and you have to shoot stuff to make it visible. You can of course shoot yourself and other players - which results in no harm but some interesting colour effects :D
So. We have established that I love LBP. So what have I deemed to be the coolest thing ever?
This: http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/plush/d2af/
I want one. In fact, I want several so I can dress them up in various silly outfits.* (For those unfamiliar with the game, this is the true point of it - you run around collecting stuff that you can then use to dress and decorate yourself and your 'pod', the little home you have in the LBP world.)
I will be investing in one of these. Its one of those items of useless junk that I feel I really must own!
*I just reread that sentence. Wow, I sound like a 12 year old girl. Scary!
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Being a woman sucks (Yes adult content within)
I know, I know. You've heard it all before. Every woman has her rants about how awful it is to be a woman. I would that this point make it clear that every woman I've ever met also LOVES being a woman, just hates certain annoying biological certainties that go with it. (As one friend put it when you weigh up multiple orgasms against menstruation, it isn't really a competition.)
So this week is one of those weeks that I hate being a woman. Not because of menstruation per se, but because I have been reminded that I really don't have any control over it. It happens when it feels like it - ie. at the most inconvenient time possible. (Think camping trips, long distance travelling, a day at the beach..... its like anything fun is a menstruation magnet!!!!)
So I had plans for this weekend that have now been ruined.
Another example of why if there is a god, there is a seriously warped sense of humour involved - but more likely, gods a man!
So this week is one of those weeks that I hate being a woman. Not because of menstruation per se, but because I have been reminded that I really don't have any control over it. It happens when it feels like it - ie. at the most inconvenient time possible. (Think camping trips, long distance travelling, a day at the beach..... its like anything fun is a menstruation magnet!!!!)
So I had plans for this weekend that have now been ruined.
Another example of why if there is a god, there is a seriously warped sense of humour involved - but more likely, gods a man!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
How do you hide in blog world?
So, the boy is apparently going to go looking for this blog. I've read through it again and there isn't anything that's too embarrassing. But if I'm honest, I really dont want him to find it......
So, given the small circulation of this blog, I think it will be difficult for him to find. It will be interesting if he tracks it down though.
So, given the small circulation of this blog, I think it will be difficult for him to find. It will be interesting if he tracks it down though.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Weekend on my own
Its funny how you get used to good company very quickly. After just a couple of weeks hanging out with my new boy, the prospect of an entire weekend without seeing him is distinctly lowering.
He's out of town visiting rellies this weekend, and I'm spending the weekend cleaning house (inspection time), shopping for a one year old's birthday present, and watching tv. Just isn't as much fun.....
Bring on Monday!
He's out of town visiting rellies this weekend, and I'm spending the weekend cleaning house (inspection time), shopping for a one year old's birthday present, and watching tv. Just isn't as much fun.....
Bring on Monday!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
OUCH!
I found a bruise on my foot last night.
I know that doesn't sound very interesting.
But this is one of those interesting bruises thats worked its way slowly up from deep inside to appear weeks after the event as a ghostly brown/green mark lurking mysteriously, apparently unassociated with an injury (because surely you would remember it).
I am almost certain its from the shoes I wore at the wedding a few weeks ago. I certainly had a sore foot afterwards, and its in the right place. But who knows for sure!
In other news, for the 4th night in a week I am meeting up with the new boy. I think I like him. A lot.
I know that doesn't sound very interesting.
But this is one of those interesting bruises thats worked its way slowly up from deep inside to appear weeks after the event as a ghostly brown/green mark lurking mysteriously, apparently unassociated with an injury (because surely you would remember it).
I am almost certain its from the shoes I wore at the wedding a few weeks ago. I certainly had a sore foot afterwards, and its in the right place. But who knows for sure!
In other news, for the 4th night in a week I am meeting up with the new boy. I think I like him. A lot.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Perks of the job
One of the unique features of working in this city is the very real possibility that you can run into very important people in the hallways of your workplace. On Friday, I stepped into the lift with a couple of work colleagues, descended 3 floors, and the doors opened to the Peter Garrett, the head of the department and a couple of advisors. In this microcosm of the world - you dont get much more important people.
But Peter Garrett is a pretty cool guy. He shook our hands and asked our names. One of my colleagues commented that his wife would love it, as she is a huge fan.
Now, I have a bad habit of finding something funny to say at pretty much every opportunity, and at that moment it seemed perfect to make that old joke 'I'm never going to wash this hand'. At which (after an awkward moment of silence) Peter Garrett laughed and responded with 'No, I'm never going to wash mine either'.
It is one of the things I love about this country - that slightly irreverent sense of humour that makes it ok to have a joke with anyone - in good taste of course.
But Peter Garrett is a pretty cool guy. He shook our hands and asked our names. One of my colleagues commented that his wife would love it, as she is a huge fan.
Now, I have a bad habit of finding something funny to say at pretty much every opportunity, and at that moment it seemed perfect to make that old joke 'I'm never going to wash this hand'. At which (after an awkward moment of silence) Peter Garrett laughed and responded with 'No, I'm never going to wash mine either'.
It is one of the things I love about this country - that slightly irreverent sense of humour that makes it ok to have a joke with anyone - in good taste of course.
Almost perfect
So this weekend has been fun. Dinner date on Friday. It went well. Repeat Saturday, it went well. The housework took 10 minutes because I had done most of it through the week while bored because there was nothing on tv :D So the rest of time has been lazing around on the couch under the doona (is been COLD). This afternoon, to cap off the fun weekend, I'm catching up with a friend.
Why almost perfect?
Well, it rained a lot Friday night and I got up yesterday to find that there is a leak in the roof. Water was dripping onto the floor just centremetres away from expensive electronic equipment (luckily undamaged). Thankfully the rain has stopped, because I cant get hold of the landlord til Monday!
Why almost perfect?
Well, it rained a lot Friday night and I got up yesterday to find that there is a leak in the roof. Water was dripping onto the floor just centremetres away from expensive electronic equipment (luckily undamaged). Thankfully the rain has stopped, because I cant get hold of the landlord til Monday!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Buildings shouldn't move.
Today the office shook. As it is on the 9th floor of a 12 story bulding, this was not a comfortable feeling.
Given that this building had a few issues during its construction, we aren't feeling very comfortable at the moment.
I think if it keeps up that I might become unwell and leave.
Given that this building had a few issues during its construction, we aren't feeling very comfortable at the moment.
I think if it keeps up that I might become unwell and leave.
Monday, October 11, 2010
10%
This is a follow up to my last post - re: internet dating.
It went well.
There was lots of laughing, the guy managed to keep up with my ability to talk about pretty much anything, pretty much all of the time - he even manged to get a word in edgewise :-D
Altogether we spent nearly 4 hours talking, laughing, drinking beer and eating.
For those novice internet daters out there, this only happens with that 10% I mentioned. Otherwise its a relatively short, stilted process where either one or both of you try desperately to come up with some excuse to end the date as soon as possible.
We are going to have dinner again sometime this week.
It went well.
There was lots of laughing, the guy managed to keep up with my ability to talk about pretty much anything, pretty much all of the time - he even manged to get a word in edgewise :-D
Altogether we spent nearly 4 hours talking, laughing, drinking beer and eating.
For those novice internet daters out there, this only happens with that 10% I mentioned. Otherwise its a relatively short, stilted process where either one or both of you try desperately to come up with some excuse to end the date as soon as possible.
We are going to have dinner again sometime this week.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Back in the dating game....
I received a 'Kiss' the other day in the online dating world. He seemed nice so I sent one back. In the 4 days since then there have been over 50 emails back and forth (it seems we both have email enabled phones.....)
Online dating is a seriously weird operation. You make judgements about people based on a couple of photos and about 2000 words (max). Then you send disembodied messages and emails for a while until you feel comfortable enough to meet them. In my experience, you meet them and in about 90% of cases you work out that you really don't have any connection - regardless of the amount of disembodied communication you have had.
We are meeting for a beer this weekend. It should be interesting to see if he is the 90 or the 10%.
Online dating is a seriously weird operation. You make judgements about people based on a couple of photos and about 2000 words (max). Then you send disembodied messages and emails for a while until you feel comfortable enough to meet them. In my experience, you meet them and in about 90% of cases you work out that you really don't have any connection - regardless of the amount of disembodied communication you have had.
We are meeting for a beer this weekend. It should be interesting to see if he is the 90 or the 10%.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Why I will never get married.....
I should clarify at the outset that this doesn't mean I intend to be a spinster for the rest of my life, or that I will just 'live in sin' as the quaint old saying goes. What I mean is that having observed several of my friends going through the process of getting married in the traditional white wedding way, with all of the attendant hysteria, I have absolutely no desire to drape myself in yards of white fabric* and parade myself to be judged by a group of people most of whom I really don't know very well and then feed them all at my expense.
That said, I have a very real appreciation for the intestinal fortitude involved with either wedding option - to face down the stress of actually organising a wedding or to face the family having chosen to run off and do it quietly somewhere without them!
As someone who merely attends a wedding, you don't really have any idea how much is involved. As someone actually involved in the process, you see just how much effort goes into it. Even the apparently simple element - the table setting - is a nightmare. There is the tablecloth, the napkins, the name tags, the centrepiece, the bonbonniere, the glitter sprinkled on the table. And someone to set it all up.
But that said, apart for the expected stress and the unexpected screw ups, last weekends wedding was ultimately a lot of fun. We got to do all the girlie stuff that I never do - hair, make-up, nails. Fizzy alcohol and strawberries for breakfast**. I discovered that cars honk at bridal vehicles. Stick some ribbon on your car and see for yourself. People stop and look at people wearing silly dresses***. They like to try and get into the photo's (thanks to that lovely woman who stopped just inside the shot and scratched her bottom for a good 5 minutes - seriously, 5 minutes while she waited for someone to come up from the beach). And someone opens the door of the car for you - and stands just right to hide any inadvertent show of knickers as you scramble out of a low slung classic vehicle.
I also got to be a bit trampy. The dresses was fire-engine red satin, just above the knee with a black tulle underskirt. Perfect for draping provocatively across the bonnet of a gangster style classic car.****
But I wont be doing it if I can possibly help it. I'll take facing the family disapproval and elope. I'll buy one of those package deals where you trot off to Vanuatu or Fiji and its all organised for you, you get the pretty pictures to show your friends but all you have to do is bring your clothes and get on a plane.
* or whatever slightly not white tone you care to choose.
** well - I stopped for Macca's on the way to the hotel - I dont cope without protein in the morning.
*** ALL bridal dresses are silly - be it the wedding dress or the bridesmaid dress. They are always impractical, are either too short, or too long so you either trip on it or inadvertently show someone your knickers.
**** Photo's may come later (depends on how trampy they turn out)
That said, I have a very real appreciation for the intestinal fortitude involved with either wedding option - to face down the stress of actually organising a wedding or to face the family having chosen to run off and do it quietly somewhere without them!
As someone who merely attends a wedding, you don't really have any idea how much is involved. As someone actually involved in the process, you see just how much effort goes into it. Even the apparently simple element - the table setting - is a nightmare. There is the tablecloth, the napkins, the name tags, the centrepiece, the bonbonniere, the glitter sprinkled on the table. And someone to set it all up.
But that said, apart for the expected stress and the unexpected screw ups, last weekends wedding was ultimately a lot of fun. We got to do all the girlie stuff that I never do - hair, make-up, nails. Fizzy alcohol and strawberries for breakfast**. I discovered that cars honk at bridal vehicles. Stick some ribbon on your car and see for yourself. People stop and look at people wearing silly dresses***. They like to try and get into the photo's (thanks to that lovely woman who stopped just inside the shot and scratched her bottom for a good 5 minutes - seriously, 5 minutes while she waited for someone to come up from the beach). And someone opens the door of the car for you - and stands just right to hide any inadvertent show of knickers as you scramble out of a low slung classic vehicle.
I also got to be a bit trampy. The dresses was fire-engine red satin, just above the knee with a black tulle underskirt. Perfect for draping provocatively across the bonnet of a gangster style classic car.****
But I wont be doing it if I can possibly help it. I'll take facing the family disapproval and elope. I'll buy one of those package deals where you trot off to Vanuatu or Fiji and its all organised for you, you get the pretty pictures to show your friends but all you have to do is bring your clothes and get on a plane.
* or whatever slightly not white tone you care to choose.
** well - I stopped for Macca's on the way to the hotel - I dont cope without protein in the morning.
*** ALL bridal dresses are silly - be it the wedding dress or the bridesmaid dress. They are always impractical, are either too short, or too long so you either trip on it or inadvertently show someone your knickers.
**** Photo's may come later (depends on how trampy they turn out)
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Woes for two wheels....
So - 'new for old replacement' means 'the same thing you had' - in other words, they hunt around and find a bike the same model and year as the one they wrote off. Guess what! there are no 2008 models left in Australia, so to get the pretty bike in the picture from yesterday I would have to pay nearly $2000 anyway to 'make up the gap'.
So I'm going to take the cash and run.Because I can do that and go and buy a brand new 2010 model for about the same amount of money. And I can also take my money, add the same extra dough, and buy a second hand upgrade (2007-2008 model with less that 10,000 km on the clock) for the same kindof money and then have something that looks like this:
But without the custom paint job - shiny black is good enough for me :D
So, I haven't really decided what to do. Take the money and run, take the money and upgrade. Or sit on the money and wait till I can afford to buy new.....
So I'm going to take the cash and run.Because I can do that and go and buy a brand new 2010 model for about the same amount of money. And I can also take my money, add the same extra dough, and buy a second hand upgrade (2007-2008 model with less that 10,000 km on the clock) for the same kindof money and then have something that looks like this:
But without the custom paint job - shiny black is good enough for me :D
So, I haven't really decided what to do. Take the money and run, take the money and upgrade. Or sit on the money and wait till I can afford to buy new.....
Friday, October 1, 2010
Follow the yellow brick road.
This week has developed the tendancy to feel rather like a trip to Oz. This is mostly because of the slightly delusional state induced by recovering some of the lost sleep of last week. I seem to be drifting from one bizarre interaction to another with no real link between them.
Note to self: less than 4 hours sleep a night cannot be maintatined for longer than 2 days without severe negative consequences.
I arrived back at work to over 300 emails (of which only about 20 had any real importance), a new boss (at the top end of the chain), a remarkably empty office (not sure who is on holidays and who has quietly left while I was away) and not that much on my plate.
I am also cold. 2 weeks in warmer climes is certainly enough to get used to being warm. This morning it made it down to -0.4 degrees. I am no longer equipt to deal with this.
Note to self: do not holiday in the tropics during winter - the pain of the return to the cold far outweighs the benefits of 2 weeks of warmth.
In brighter news, it has been confirmed that my insurance company are giving me a brand new bike in replacement for the one they wrote off 2 weeks ago. I should be back on the road in a matter of weeks. In fact, just in time for when the weather here finally works out that its spring and warms up :D Here's a picture:
Note to self: less than 4 hours sleep a night cannot be maintatined for longer than 2 days without severe negative consequences.
I arrived back at work to over 300 emails (of which only about 20 had any real importance), a new boss (at the top end of the chain), a remarkably empty office (not sure who is on holidays and who has quietly left while I was away) and not that much on my plate.
I am also cold. 2 weeks in warmer climes is certainly enough to get used to being warm. This morning it made it down to -0.4 degrees. I am no longer equipt to deal with this.
Note to self: do not holiday in the tropics during winter - the pain of the return to the cold far outweighs the benefits of 2 weeks of warmth.
In brighter news, it has been confirmed that my insurance company are giving me a brand new bike in replacement for the one they wrote off 2 weeks ago. I should be back on the road in a matter of weeks. In fact, just in time for when the weather here finally works out that its spring and warms up :D Here's a picture:
I will get around to a full wedding wrap-up at some point. After I've caught up on sleep and dont feel like I'm rambling off into the distance.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Home again - and getting to the church on time
Well, I performed my key role pretty well I think. The bride didn't call off the wedding and we were only a few minutes late to the ceremony - and given the mayhem of the last couple of weeks that is some achievement!
The bride looked gorgeous, the groom wasn't too crazy ('a character' is the mildest way of describing him) and there were no major fights at the reception.
I made it home this arvo. I'm exhausted. So I'm going to find something to eat and head to bed early...... More wedding details to come.
The bride looked gorgeous, the groom wasn't too crazy ('a character' is the mildest way of describing him) and there were no major fights at the reception.
I made it home this arvo. I'm exhausted. So I'm going to find something to eat and head to bed early...... More wedding details to come.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
God has a strange sense of humour
After a really lovely first week, my holiday has hit a damp patch. Literally. It has been raining solidly for about 36 hours. While this is warm rain - approaching 20 degrees - this week is meant to be about running around doing the last of the 'stuff' for this weekends wedding. However, the bride has had to work, and with the weather as it is, it has been difficult to transport certain delicate wedding related items.
Today will be spent hurrying around the shops for last minute items. I am over it already and the shops aren't even open yet!
Only 4 days - then at last we get a big party (I get to spend two nights in a posh hotel at the Gold Coast) and then the 13 hour trek home over Sunday and Monday.
Thankfully, I had the forethought not to need to be back at work until Thursday. A couple of days to recover and only 2 days to work before the weekend rolls around!
Today will be spent hurrying around the shops for last minute items. I am over it already and the shops aren't even open yet!
Only 4 days - then at last we get a big party (I get to spend two nights in a posh hotel at the Gold Coast) and then the 13 hour trek home over Sunday and Monday.
Thankfully, I had the forethought not to need to be back at work until Thursday. A couple of days to recover and only 2 days to work before the weekend rolls around!
Sunday, September 19, 2010
How to spend Sundays....
I am sitting in what I firmly believe is the best pub in Fortitude Valley (the RG or Royal George) listening yo an excellent live band playing their own great combination of rock and gypsy music. It is 22 degrees, 5:30 pm and I am wearing thongs and a tshirt!!
Last night was a Hens night. Great fun, not too much alcohol and good behavior all round, so this morning, feeling pretty damn good I pottered into town to catch up with a friend. We chatted for a while then walked down to the Valley. Wandered the markets, had lunch at the best Chinese restaurant around (Dragon Inn) and then had a massage from a lovely old Chinese woman. ($30 for 40 mins)we then settled in for a couple beers while listening to a this great local band called TiMBAH. Through the marvels of technology (Internet on my iPhone) I purchased their album. They are that good!
The set is about to finish and it's off to this great Japanese place for a pretty obscenely expensive dinner. But I only make it to Brisbane about once a year so I'm making the most of it!
Mmmmmmm.... Japanese food!
Last night was a Hens night. Great fun, not too much alcohol and good behavior all round, so this morning, feeling pretty damn good I pottered into town to catch up with a friend. We chatted for a while then walked down to the Valley. Wandered the markets, had lunch at the best Chinese restaurant around (Dragon Inn) and then had a massage from a lovely old Chinese woman. ($30 for 40 mins)we then settled in for a couple beers while listening to a this great local band called TiMBAH. Through the marvels of technology (Internet on my iPhone) I purchased their album. They are that good!
The set is about to finish and it's off to this great Japanese place for a pretty obscenely expensive dinner. But I only make it to Brisbane about once a year so I'm making the most of it!
Mmmmmmm.... Japanese food!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Warmth, thou art my friend...
I had forgotten just how nice it is to wander around in September without wearing at least 2, usually three layers of clothing. I stepped out of the car in Brisbane after 1300 kilometres into approximately 22 degree Celsius temperatures. I slept with only a sheet on the bed. I am wearing shorts, a t-shirt and thongs (the shoes, not the underwear).
I am seriously questioning why it was that I moved to Canberra - oh that's right. The government offered me an obscenely large amount of money to work for them (obscene compared to what anyone else was offering, but once I moved to Canberra I realised that with the living costs, its not quite as obscene as it would be in Brisbane.) I do miss this weather. I don't miss the hayfever however, and it has shown up right on schedule. Its not too bad, but mildly itchy eyes and sneezing fits are definitely one of the things that I have NOT missed!!! Along with 90% humidity in summer.......
So what else is happening? Not much. I have a few days to myself this week ahead of intense bridesmaid duties next week, and I am making the most of it. I have read 3 books in 2 days. (well finished the one I was 2/3 through and read 2 others). I have napped - both in the morning and the afternoon. I have watched tv - I even sat through 1/2 of the Oprah 25th (and thankfully final) season opening show in which she announced she is bring all 300 of her live audience to Australia. It has apparently cost our peak tourism body $1 million, but given this woman's exposure, I'm sure its $1 million well spent, but I think I will avoid taking any trips to Sydney or the Great Barrier Reef while the 'fans' are in town. I haven't heard screaming like that in years!
I went shopping. I needed one item of supportive woman undergarment for the wedding - and walked away with 5....... But the wardrobe is restocked and I wont need to go shopping again for at least 12 months. I raided the Borders discount bins and found 4 new books by authors I have not read before that were cheap enough to warrant trying.
Tonight I am going out for dinner. To a place that serves $3.90 steak (scotch fillet, with veges or salad and chips). I will report back on just how good this deal is. Later this trip I will be having the best Brisbane has to offer in chinese food (in Fortitude Valley of course), Japanese food (also the Valley) and ribs (random little place in Annerley - but SPECTACULAR ribs :-D). There is also a hens night at a tapas bar (chicken themed, live animals strictly forbidden) and of course a wedding! I will of course report back on all of these.
Now, I need to go and start getting organised for tonight. I fear that my hair doesn't like this weather and it is demanding that I wash it again before I am seen by anyone outside. Warmth is good for the soul (and the tan) but not for curly hair!
I am seriously questioning why it was that I moved to Canberra - oh that's right. The government offered me an obscenely large amount of money to work for them (obscene compared to what anyone else was offering, but once I moved to Canberra I realised that with the living costs, its not quite as obscene as it would be in Brisbane.) I do miss this weather. I don't miss the hayfever however, and it has shown up right on schedule. Its not too bad, but mildly itchy eyes and sneezing fits are definitely one of the things that I have NOT missed!!! Along with 90% humidity in summer.......
So what else is happening? Not much. I have a few days to myself this week ahead of intense bridesmaid duties next week, and I am making the most of it. I have read 3 books in 2 days. (well finished the one I was 2/3 through and read 2 others). I have napped - both in the morning and the afternoon. I have watched tv - I even sat through 1/2 of the Oprah 25th (and thankfully final) season opening show in which she announced she is bring all 300 of her live audience to Australia. It has apparently cost our peak tourism body $1 million, but given this woman's exposure, I'm sure its $1 million well spent, but I think I will avoid taking any trips to Sydney or the Great Barrier Reef while the 'fans' are in town. I haven't heard screaming like that in years!
I went shopping. I needed one item of supportive woman undergarment for the wedding - and walked away with 5....... But the wardrobe is restocked and I wont need to go shopping again for at least 12 months. I raided the Borders discount bins and found 4 new books by authors I have not read before that were cheap enough to warrant trying.
Tonight I am going out for dinner. To a place that serves $3.90 steak (scotch fillet, with veges or salad and chips). I will report back on just how good this deal is. Later this trip I will be having the best Brisbane has to offer in chinese food (in Fortitude Valley of course), Japanese food (also the Valley) and ribs (random little place in Annerley - but SPECTACULAR ribs :-D). There is also a hens night at a tapas bar (chicken themed, live animals strictly forbidden) and of course a wedding! I will of course report back on all of these.
Now, I need to go and start getting organised for tonight. I fear that my hair doesn't like this weather and it is demanding that I wash it again before I am seen by anyone outside. Warmth is good for the soul (and the tan) but not for curly hair!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Oh for a good night's sleep!!
The last couple of nights have been less than ideal. Wind rattling the windows made it difficult to sleep, then waking up at 3 in the morning for no apparent reason. Tonight I really want to have a good night sleep. I will be up before dawn to get away bright and early and miss as much of the traffic as possible on the road.
So hear's to a good 8 hours straight!!!! I hope.
So hear's to a good 8 hours straight!!!! I hope.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Holidays...... They just rock!
This afternoon is officially the start of my holiday. I will be starting the trek up to Brisbane on Monday morning, probably before the sun bothers to get out of bed. But this weekend is a family affair. There is some boring stuff, a bit of housework, a lot of packing but an evening with the folks and a special birthday on Sunday for a sibling.
I am almost looking forward to it. Almost because there will also be a large number of people I dont know involved, and I really dont like large groups of people. Let alone people I dont know. I imagine I will find myself hiding in a corner somewhere having cornered the few people I do know and stuck limpet-like to them.
But it is Monday that draws my attention right now. That lovely feeling of anticipation that settles on you when the first steps of escape are in reach. I am driving, which means a minimum of about 16 hours in the car each way. By myself. Me, my iPod and rather a lot of road. I like road trips. I like stopping somewhere random when the mood takes you for a pie from an obscure pie shop. (Has anyone else noticed that obscure pie shops in obscure country towns make much more exciting and delicious pastry delights than any gourmet shop in the city?) I like deciding to stop in somewhere for a nap in the afternoon. Just pick a shady pull-off, lock the doors and put the seat back. Stop for the night at whatever little town with nice looking motel takes your fancy.
But the real key to this one is that at the end of it is a good friends wedding. A crowd of country people gathering for a good party. I haven't been to a good country party in years.
I am almost looking forward to it. Almost because there will also be a large number of people I dont know involved, and I really dont like large groups of people. Let alone people I dont know. I imagine I will find myself hiding in a corner somewhere having cornered the few people I do know and stuck limpet-like to them.
But it is Monday that draws my attention right now. That lovely feeling of anticipation that settles on you when the first steps of escape are in reach. I am driving, which means a minimum of about 16 hours in the car each way. By myself. Me, my iPod and rather a lot of road. I like road trips. I like stopping somewhere random when the mood takes you for a pie from an obscure pie shop. (Has anyone else noticed that obscure pie shops in obscure country towns make much more exciting and delicious pastry delights than any gourmet shop in the city?) I like deciding to stop in somewhere for a nap in the afternoon. Just pick a shady pull-off, lock the doors and put the seat back. Stop for the night at whatever little town with nice looking motel takes your fancy.
But the real key to this one is that at the end of it is a good friends wedding. A crowd of country people gathering for a good party. I haven't been to a good country party in years.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Family - the good and the bad all rolled into one
My folks are in town this week. This is great, I love my folks. But it means I have to spend a lot more time hanging round with the rest of my family. This involves 3 small children. I don't really enjoy small children, especially excited shrieking small children. My ears hurt after just 2 days.
Ah well....... Just 6 more days, and this Christmas I'm going home to the folks. Just 3 adults and 2 weeks holiday - sounds like heaven :-D
Ah well....... Just 6 more days, and this Christmas I'm going home to the folks. Just 3 adults and 2 weeks holiday - sounds like heaven :-D
Thursday, September 2, 2010
The benefits of tragedy
I found this online today.
http://howthelightgetsin.net/2010/08/22/days-that-matter/#comments
And it raises that interesting phenomena where men only really work out how to be romantic when the writing is on the wall.
I would love to meet a guy who stops now and then and thinks 'you know, I might do something kitchy and romantic for my girl' and just does it. But it seems that one or the other of the people involved have to be fighting for their life before it happens.
But, it is a beautiful thing, and good on the Kiwi PM and Wolverine for getting behind it.
For some lighter entertainment, I recieved this in my inbox today. I'm not really a cat fan, but this was gold :D
http://wiresmash.com/amazing/comfortable-ways-to-sleep-in-a-box/
http://howthelightgetsin.net/2010/08/22/days-that-matter/#comments
And it raises that interesting phenomena where men only really work out how to be romantic when the writing is on the wall.
I would love to meet a guy who stops now and then and thinks 'you know, I might do something kitchy and romantic for my girl' and just does it. But it seems that one or the other of the people involved have to be fighting for their life before it happens.
But, it is a beautiful thing, and good on the Kiwi PM and Wolverine for getting behind it.
For some lighter entertainment, I recieved this in my inbox today. I'm not really a cat fan, but this was gold :D
http://wiresmash.com/amazing/comfortable-ways-to-sleep-in-a-box/
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Sometimes nothing goes your way
Its been one of those weeks. On Tuesday I got home and discovered that the removalists hired by the tenant of the other half of my duplex had packed my bicycle and it looks like the bike gets to go for a trip to the tropics before I can get it back. Then today, I got home to find that someone had moved my motorbike - while the steering lock was engaged. So the $200 repair I had completed last week has been completely destroyed. Worst of all, no-one is admitting responsibility. I know who it was but in the absence of any sort of proof, I have to wear it.
I find it completely unfathomable that anyone would actually touch my motorbike. Its not like the bicycle which was in the garden shed and was in the way - and is easy to move without damage. The motorbike lives in the garage, it weighs 140kg. Its a $7000 machine. It blows my mind that someone would just decide to push it around at all.
Tonight, I just want to scream!!!!
I find it completely unfathomable that anyone would actually touch my motorbike. Its not like the bicycle which was in the garden shed and was in the way - and is easy to move without damage. The motorbike lives in the garage, it weighs 140kg. Its a $7000 machine. It blows my mind that someone would just decide to push it around at all.
Tonight, I just want to scream!!!!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Tales of the unexpected
My life seems to currently be filled with unexpected expenses. Also with expected expenses, but its those pesky unexpected ones that cause all the trouble.
This week I took my bike in for a service. Should have been nice and easy. But it turns out that its not that simple. I had my steering lock replaced early this year after someone attempted to steal my bike. It never worked properly afterwards, and I called they guys who fixed it and they said to bring it in when I got the chance and they'd check it out again. Well, I got a bit busy and the bike was usually in the garage at home so I forgot about it, but it turns out that the whole thing is completely wrecked. Again. Probably because it wasn't fixed properly the first time. Its now too late to make them fix it for free.
I'm getting seriously cranky though. This is the second serious screw up by these guys. They managed to loose a complete set of keys to the bike and it's locks some time ago and stopped taking my calls when I demanded that they replace all the locks. I'm going to get stroppy with them this time. I'll be back every week if they dont get it right.
This week I took my bike in for a service. Should have been nice and easy. But it turns out that its not that simple. I had my steering lock replaced early this year after someone attempted to steal my bike. It never worked properly afterwards, and I called they guys who fixed it and they said to bring it in when I got the chance and they'd check it out again. Well, I got a bit busy and the bike was usually in the garage at home so I forgot about it, but it turns out that the whole thing is completely wrecked. Again. Probably because it wasn't fixed properly the first time. Its now too late to make them fix it for free.
I'm getting seriously cranky though. This is the second serious screw up by these guys. They managed to loose a complete set of keys to the bike and it's locks some time ago and stopped taking my calls when I demanded that they replace all the locks. I'm going to get stroppy with them this time. I'll be back every week if they dont get it right.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Madness
This place is completely bonkers. It should be nice and quiet for the next week at least while our illustrious leaders squabble amongst themselves for power. But instead of settling in for a nice little rest period, it seems that the minions must be kept occupied and so work has been invented for us. Today was spent trawling the internet for any chance passing statements by the key 'crossbenchers' relating to our work. For the record, that is neither an interesting nor especially enjoyable task. Even Google gets annoying after the first 40 or so nearly identical but no quite searches.
Hopefully tomorrow will be better. I'm not counting on it though.
Hopefully tomorrow will be better. I'm not counting on it though.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Follow up
I decided not to have pancakes. I had bacon and eggs instead.
The boy seems nice enough. Was a bit nervous, but I dont hold that against him. We'll see what the future holds.
The boy seems nice enough. Was a bit nervous, but I dont hold that against him. We'll see what the future holds.
In the balance and pancakes
It should be an entertaining couple of weeks. It seems that the Australian people are not all of the same mind when it comes to the running of the country. It will be an interesting lesson in the representative government process if it is nothing else.
In lighter news, I'm off for brunch today with someone new. I firmly believe that it is good to arrange first face to face meetings over food. It provides something to do with your hands, and hands are usually the first thing that start displaying evidence of nervousness. A coffee cup is ok, but wielding a knife and fork is much more involved and hence more effective.
I'll let you know how it goes.
In lighter news, I'm off for brunch today with someone new. I firmly believe that it is good to arrange first face to face meetings over food. It provides something to do with your hands, and hands are usually the first thing that start displaying evidence of nervousness. A coffee cup is ok, but wielding a knife and fork is much more involved and hence more effective.
I'll let you know how it goes.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Election day
This is NOT the place for political discussion, but I have to express my disappointment with the candidates this year. This state is renowned for its political kooks. Every election you get a few odd sorts, independent's and small parties throwing their hats in the ring. Its usually pretty entertaining to see how much of the vote they get.
This time however, its like they have all given up and gone home. My ballot had just three names and the senate bill just 7 - and only one independent.
I'm disappointed.
This time however, its like they have all given up and gone home. My ballot had just three names and the senate bill just 7 - and only one independent.
I'm disappointed.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Hint taken
Ignoring people sometimes works. In this instance it has now been 4 days with no more texts or emails. Its nice that it's over cleanly.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Take the hint!
As previously mentioned, I blew off a date last week because I had a migraine. I wasn't that keen on the guy anyway, and he wasn't thrilled that I blew him off so I wasn't too fussed. But he seems to have gotten over his sulk and has texted, called and emailed 5 times since saturday lunchtime. I have tried to fob him off gently without saying outright that he just isn't that interesting (or more accurately is quite annoying and slightly offensive with his constant derogatory jokes).
I am now resorting to ignorance. If polite refusals to catch up aren't going to cut it, then I am just not going to respond any more. Seriously, how many times do you have to say 'no thanks' before they get the hint?
I hate dating. I really do. I'm not really a people person, I like my own space and I'm not big on 'going out' all the time (apparently this is why I am classed as an introvert on the Myers-Briggs scale) but I dont want to invite random boys home. I also dont like hurting people, so I try for a soft landing. But this is one time I may have to get blunt and tell him to back off. I hope not. It makes me feel sick just to think about it.
I am now resorting to ignorance. If polite refusals to catch up aren't going to cut it, then I am just not going to respond any more. Seriously, how many times do you have to say 'no thanks' before they get the hint?
I hate dating. I really do. I'm not really a people person, I like my own space and I'm not big on 'going out' all the time (apparently this is why I am classed as an introvert on the Myers-Briggs scale) but I dont want to invite random boys home. I also dont like hurting people, so I try for a soft landing. But this is one time I may have to get blunt and tell him to back off. I hope not. It makes me feel sick just to think about it.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Small triumphs
Today I finally managed to pass my P's test on my motorbike*. As a friend put it, as an adult there are not very many moments of triumph that provide that feeling, the one that puts a huge grin on your face and stills the fluttering of your heart for a few moments. It is a moment that should be cherished. And I will. For a whole week or so. In fact, it will probably last all the way through till I go down to the RTA on Monday and get my license updated. I'll show it to a few people, most of whom wont care, and then it will just be another one of those things I've done.
So, excuse me while I go and send everyone I can think of a text to skite about my achievements (I will point out that this was NOT my first attempt and therefore, its all really quite tragic).
* Well actually a friends motorbike, because mine is a total pain to get through the silly maneuvers, but it means I can ride my bike with a shiny new P plate instead of the yellow L of shame.
So, excuse me while I go and send everyone I can think of a text to skite about my achievements (I will point out that this was NOT my first attempt and therefore, its all really quite tragic).
* Well actually a friends motorbike, because mine is a total pain to get through the silly maneuvers, but it means I can ride my bike with a shiny new P plate instead of the yellow L of shame.
Sometimes its true
Yesterday, I really did have a headache. A migraine in fact. I dosed up on the meds, napped, and managed to avoid vomiting all over my keyboard at work. But I had to excuse myself from a couple of events because of it. My work drinks, not really an issue - they could see that I was green. My catch up with a friend, no biggy, she knows me well, and has seen me when green. But I was meant to be having dinner with a boy. A new boy, who I've only met once before. That wasn't such a great thing.
Its never a good story. Sorry, but I have a headache. Most people dont suffer from true migraine and have no idea how it really affects you. Its not just the pain, which is certainly not fun. But for me, it means the blurred vision and nausea as well. If I'm not careful, I really will decorate the place with vomit. Its also quite difficult to get yourself home when you cant see properly and you have to keep swallowing bile.
I have excellent medication. But I cant drive after taking it. So its a fine line, getting home in the window between onset and disaster, then dose up, and hide from the world for as many hours as possible. Avoid loud noises and light. Sleep, and lots of water help.
My date - well I doubt I'll get a second chance. He seemed a bit miffed. And to be honest, I wasn't that into him anyway.
Its never a good story. Sorry, but I have a headache. Most people dont suffer from true migraine and have no idea how it really affects you. Its not just the pain, which is certainly not fun. But for me, it means the blurred vision and nausea as well. If I'm not careful, I really will decorate the place with vomit. Its also quite difficult to get yourself home when you cant see properly and you have to keep swallowing bile.
I have excellent medication. But I cant drive after taking it. So its a fine line, getting home in the window between onset and disaster, then dose up, and hide from the world for as many hours as possible. Avoid loud noises and light. Sleep, and lots of water help.
My date - well I doubt I'll get a second chance. He seemed a bit miffed. And to be honest, I wasn't that into him anyway.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Yes this is another one of THOSE blogs
What else is a blog for if not to be used as a means of expressing those disatisfied feelings we all suffer from? Of course, the point is to make it entertaining for those reading it. Which I hope this will be.
Why write a blog? Well, everyone around me seems to find my life terribly entertaining, so why not share it with the world?
What's it going to be about? Well...... Life! Key points to note will be the trials and tribulations of dating in the modern world (including that lovely new form of interaction called 'internet dating'), the really bizarre things that happen to me and those around me and of course what is commonly referred to as 'stream of consciousness' ie. whatever comes into my head (I will try and keep this to a minimum as its seldom very interesting to anyone, including me).
So, hopefully I will be interesting, but if not, then I imagine I'll get bored soon and go away.
Why write a blog? Well, everyone around me seems to find my life terribly entertaining, so why not share it with the world?
What's it going to be about? Well...... Life! Key points to note will be the trials and tribulations of dating in the modern world (including that lovely new form of interaction called 'internet dating'), the really bizarre things that happen to me and those around me and of course what is commonly referred to as 'stream of consciousness' ie. whatever comes into my head (I will try and keep this to a minimum as its seldom very interesting to anyone, including me).
So, hopefully I will be interesting, but if not, then I imagine I'll get bored soon and go away.
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