Monday 16th June - Fish Outta Water

I woke on Monday feeling a bit stiff from the hard bed, but pretty refreshed. I wandered down to brekkie and perused the Lonely Planet guide to Seoul. I decided to take in a Palace. My choice was Changgyeonggung and Jongno. They are right next to each other on the map! Then I wanted to go to a traditional Korean Embroidery Gallery. Armed with two little cards that hotel receptionist had written for me in Korean I jumped in a cab.

[there are loads of pictures of the palace, so I thought a few detail might be nice]

The Palace was amazing, built in 16something, then burned down then rebuilt. It was made op of about ten buildings and manicured lawns and gardens. There wasn’t much wildlife to be seem, but then the Palace in the middle of the city. I did see many Black Magpies, which when seen means you should expect the arrival of a welcomed visitor, and a chipmunk.

That I had not expected to see.

[how cute is this?]

[a butterfly, just becasue I was chuffed it actually came out]

[The abandoned gardening gloves. I just liked this image]

After I had wandered around the palace and gardens for over two hours I moved on, I didn’t get to see Jongno. But I did get lost in a taxi. Yes, Korean cab drivers don’t know were they’re going either. Despite being given the card with the name of the gallery and an address, he dropped me in a back alley next to a gallery of Acrylic paintings, nice, but not what I was after. He had, however dropped me in nirvana. Now this I can believe in. He had dropped me in the heart of (i need to find name of the region...give me a week:-), the artists and handcrafts district. For the next three hours I walked along little streets, looking at paintings, fans, linens, jewellery, ceramics and sculptures. I did spend some money, I confess. But nearly as much as I could have.

The way you buy fabric on bolts here they sell paper like that, beautiful, handmade papers in every colour under the sun. And the brushes, let’s not get started on the brushes, that are made from weasel, fox or goat hair and sometimes have bamboo handles but can also boosts ceramic, turned wood and metals.

[this old shop keepers was very helpful to this mad white bird in awe of his wears]

I attempted to walk back to the hotel, but got a bit confused. I was over ten kilometres away. The policeman I asked for direction just said, ‘that way’ and pointed. The next person I asked, did the same and laughed. I was thirsty and hungry because I hadn’t eaten since breakfast, it was four o’clock’, and I popped into somewhere that served food and asked for a drink. The little old lady looked at me as I pointed at the chillier cabinet and passed me what I asked for, a green 500ml bottle, and took 3000won from me. Not bad, three bucks. She tried to put it in a bag, I waved that I didn’t need one. I stepped back outside into to sunlight and ripped the top off. I took a huge gulp before inhaling and swallowing. It burned. I had purchased wine, commonly drank rice wine. At the next kiosk I got a bottle of iced tea. Did you know you can make tea from corn?

I waved down a cab. I showed him the Hotel card and asked, ‘can you take me here?’ He nodded and drove. I closed my eyes because the traffic was hotting up and I wasn’t feeling brave enough to watch.

I dumped of my purchases, wrote some postcards and set of to hunt for dinner. I could have cheated and gone to the Outback Steakhouse next door, or the McDonalds round the corner, even the KFC or Burger King, all where within easy walking distance. But no, I was on a mission. I wanted to try Bosingtang, aka dog meat soup. I walked, and walked some more. I looked at the menu pictures in the windows and even asked for it. It was not to be. I settled for something else I hadn’t had before. I don’t know what it’s called; I just pointed at the menu, shook my head and said, ‘no spicy?’
[my dinner as it appeared and as it appeared on the rather useful pictorial menu]

A head shake from the host confirmed it wasn’t, he was lying or confused by my question.

I find that despite this being a massively densely populated city that everyone is very polite. Even to dumbass white tourists like me. In one on the craft shops I was in a German family came in with three children, all drumming loudly on traditional drums. The shop girls bowed and said welcome with sincerity in their eyes. Even the road crossings talk to you; it could be saying, ‘wait ‘til I say you can go bozo.’ But I doubt it highly. I ventured into clothing and shoe stores on occasion to be told with a wave, ‘sorry, no size,’ with a smile. No ‘We don’t serve fat people here’ as I once experience in a high fashion shop on London.

It’s also really clean. The sand at the palace was combed and in spite of huge amounts of people, I saw no litter. I was looking. This is not a country with a issue in keeping itself clean, unlike India.

Sleep came easily about ten, after I watched ‘Let’s Go to Prison’ dubbed into Korean, I’ve seen it before and knew the plot.

Sunday 15th June - Day of Travel

After a fairly standard trip of ten hours on a plane I arrived in Seoul. Actually come to think about it now, it wasn’t really all that standard. My lift to the airport got a flat tyre that thankfully survived with just a pumping up with air rather than the full changing experience. Then the promise of cheap upgrade didn’t happen but I did get to sit in the window seat on the emergency exit, giving me heaps of leg room and a leaning spot, also the power to scream ‘we’re all gonna die’ in case of emergency. This was all slightly marred by the two gentlemen seating in the seats to my right reading ‘The Fourfold Gospel’ and ‘Greatest Sermons of the World’. I managed to avoid talking to them mostly, but when Pastor John, yes a pastor from outback NSW, tried to convince being faithless was the road to damnation I told him I did have faith, just not in the same thing/person he did. I was remarkable polite considering my general feelings about all things God related.

Upon arriving at the hotel (90 minutes and 160,000 Korean Won later) and checking in I popped out for supplies. Being in a suite, I had an empty fridge and a washing machine. Time for a spot of washing as I hadn’t left all my dirty washing to fester in the laundry bin for 6 months plus.
[Supplies W6500, Trip to get them $many, picture of prawn chips and cans of drink, priceless]

A shower later, I passed out on the bed.

PS. There approx. 900 Korean Won to the A$

Touch Down

I landed on Pommie soil yesterday (Wednesday) at 1710. It's now 0708 (Thursday) and I'm awake and feeling a bit sleep deprived but wide awake. I'll tell you all about my couple of days in Seoul soon, with pictures, I promise.

Volvo Meets the Basics

I finally got to see the Volvo advert that has the Basics 'Rattle my Chain' as the backing track tonight. It's a classic car advert, but the music ROCKS!

Most excellent!

The Order of Things

I’ve just got back for nearly two weeks in the UK to visit my Mum. It’s really not looking good for her. She has the big C in her clavicle and pelvic bone, her lungs and throat. She was in pretty good spirits, considering.

I’m not sure how I’m feeling about it all. At the moment I feel like this is the way things are supposed to be. Children loose their parents. Parents shouldn’t have to loose their children.

Two years ago, my sister lost her son to a disorder that had been around since birth. He was just 18. She’s still dealing with it, some days are better than others. Now my Grandmother looks set to loose her daughter, my mother. It’s not supposed to happen like that. Parents are NOT suppose to have to see their children die, regardless of whether they a 5, 18 or 55. It’s just not the way things are suppose to go.

Last weekend, my mum and I went for a drive in the New Forest. We saw the ponies, the cows and grey clouds in the sky. We chatted as much as possible due to her voice being weak. I pushed her around in a wheelchair, took her in a witchy poo shop in Burley and sat her on a lay line for twenty minutes. Afterwards she ate more in one sitting than in the previous three months, tomato soup, a warm crusty baguette and half my cream scone. A few years ago I would have stabbed her with a folk for nicking half my scone, but that day I watched with joy and she consumed it in four hungry mouthfuls.

But afterwards, she was drained of all energy and I realised as I boarded the plane back to Aussie that that may be the last time I see her experience a cream scone. It may be the last time I see her face light up as we follow a pony running along the forest roads, the last time I see her, period.

I’ll be going back to the UK in about 6 weeks for an indefinite amount of time, hopefully she’s still kicking and we get to share a few more random moments.

Update

Ta Dah!

I’m back briefly, mainly to give you an update of what’s going on with my Mum.

When I last wrote, I said she’d started treatment. That turned out to be a lie. The Spanish hospital was hopeless, as were my family at passing on Information. The only thing they got right was the cancer thing.

Two weeks ago my Mum cracked the sh*ts with the Spanish hospital and went back to the UK. It would seem that the language barrier was the main cause for here receiving woeful treatment. So now, she’s under an English doctor in and English hospital (oh err!)

When I spoke with her Doctor on Friday last, he informed me that she was doing well and they were hopeful that they could arrest the cancers (yes multiple, lungs, throat, pelvic bone). When I asked if my planned trip for end of June would be soon enough he said it should be ok, but thing can change.

Last night they did. She was rushed to hospital (she’d been staying with my Nan) to have an operation to open her airway, because she couldn’t breath.

So, I’m off to ole Blighty this weekend. I’ll keep you posted if you are all interested.

Apart from that, the new house is OK, I’m coping with the commute (despite a feral train trip) and Puss has settled in. Thanks for asking.

My Mum

It's confirmed, my mum has lung and throat cancer, chemo has started, so fingers crossed she'll get through this one like she has the others.

Bit*h about everything!

I’m going to have a bitch. It’s my blog and need to get a few things of my chest. I know I’ve been being this a lot lately but seeing as my best friend saw fit to the crack the shits with me back in November because I had the nerve to say she seemed to have found new and more interesting friends I need somewhere to do it. And thinking about it, maybe things wouldn’t have got so bad if that hadn’t have happened. Anyway. She has rarely spoken to me since, I’ve gotta move on as clearly she’s not interested in letting bygones be bygones despite my efforts to make contact. (and yes...I know this has just sealed the fate of our relationship, but I’m too tired and upset by it all to try anymore).

My Mum is currently in hospital in Spain, having just had several lumps removed from chest and lungs. The lumps have been sent for biopsy and considering her surgeon is a bronchial cancer specialist I’ve got everything crossed very tightly, but since this would be her third cancer (Hodgkins 16 years ago and both breasts removed 7 years ago) I’m also trying not to kid myself that all will be OK. I can't afford to visit her any time soon because ...

On the 17th March I’m moving. This is an forced moved since I am being evicted from my home. I had the nerve to ask for the leaking roof to be fixed and was given 60 days notice. I’m having to move out west, not ideal. So I have to pack up my belongings again, hire a removalist, move Puss and start commuting.

I have a chest infection. It hurts to breath and laugh (not that there is much of that at the moment) and cough (there is a lot of that at the moment). But still I have to go to work. The beauty of being a contractor I suppose. No work, no pay.

I have the worst coldsore outbreak since I was 15, two on my top lip and two on my bottom lip. They hurt all the time. My lips feels like they are about to burst.

My project manager is a dick. He keeps making ‘jokes’ about killing the cat and moving back in with my husband to ease my living arrangements. Yeah, that’d help! When I get in early (before 9.30) because I’ve been up all night coughing, he makes smart arse remarks about the real me being abducted by aliens. Plus, I seems to have turned into his secretary. I’m doing menial work all day, there is plenty of juicy comms stuff to do, but the sh*t takes priority at the moment apparently.

And finally for today someone came up to me and told me I looked like sh*t. I know I look like sh*t and it's because I feel like sh*t. How is that supposed to help, exactly?


In conclusion…I’m going away again. I may be some time.

On the Move Again

I have to start packing again because I have to move. Six weeks ago my roof started to leak after weeks of torrential rain and I sent a polite email to the real estate agent suggesting if it was fixed quickly the landlord could avoid having to repaint the ceiling. I received an email back saying is would be fixed and that the landlord was giving me 60 notice to get out. Incidentally that was six weeks ago and I still have a bucket in the middle of my lounge in case it rains and there is now a moohosive yellow patch on the ceiling.

Anyway, after weeks of Saturday’s slepping around Sydney looking for somewhere to live (along with about a million students all on daddy’s dime) I was offered a place on Friday afternoon and I move on the 17th.

I’m moving from Redfern to Merrylands (pronounced Marylands) into a three bedroom place with a garden for Puss. I’m not sure he’s going to like the Ibis that hang around, but I’m sure he’ll get used to them, just as I will get used to catching the train to work and being a Westie.

Life Sucks

Between global warming and rising oceans, and the giant gun in the sky (see this link because blogger seems to be broken http://www.smh.com.au/news/science/its-a-death-star-but-thats-life/2008/03/03/1204402365370.html), what chance does the human race stand?

Ocsar - Not a film starring Sly Stallone

I have been gone and for that, my apologies.

Things have got out of hand again and writing my blog on top of writing words for my uni course and work has become a bit of a chore. Plus I not sure I have anything to add to the world just at the moment (not that anything I’ve ever said on here has ever had an effect on the grand scheme of things).

That said I feel I have to express my feelings about the Oscars last night.

Why does channel nine insist on not allowing enough time to show the whole broadcast. They ALWAYS run for nearly three hours, but they only schedule two hours of programming including at least forty minutes of adverts.

Why did the academy think Jon Stewart was a good host choice? OK, OK he had his moments, but I cringed for him at the times you could hear crickets after a punch line.

Once again the outfits and bling was fabulous, but for me Helen Mirran out-shone everyone, including Nicole. She was wearing a beautiful red gown with diamante sleeves and every time I saw her I found myself talking to the telly…

‘Ohh the dress is fabulous.’
‘I love the dress.’
‘I wonder if those are diamonds or diamante?’

And when she present Daniel Day Lewis for Best Actor in a Lead Role and faux knighted him with Oscar I couldn’t help but release an excited squeal.

photo from a story in The New York Times and was taken by J. Emilio Flores

cong hi fat choi!

Apparently that’s Happy New Year in Chinese, if it's not and I offended anyone…sorry, but get in line, I seem to be doing that a lot lately.

Today, if you didn’t already know is the start of Chinese year of the Rat. I was born in a rat year so by all accounts I’m either going to have a most excellent year or a sh*t one. Let hope it’s the former, and that the sh*t left with the outgoing pig.

More Crap

As you may or may not be aware, but I’ve been having a bit of a time lately. Today it got just a little bit worse. But I’m still smiling.

First I got an email from my ex (forwarded) telling me a acquaintance from the alpaca industry had passed away at the weekend. This dear man was the victim of a rather nasty cancer that could have picked far more deserving people. E. was a regular church goer, a devoted husband to his lovely wife P. and a dotting father to 16 year old L. He couldn’t do enough for other and he was always there to help, advice or just be a shoulder to cry on. He also had one of the most wicked sense or humours I have come across in many years.

Then came another email. It was from the real estate agent. Apparently my landlord wants to renovate. I have 60 days to get out.

Rain Rain, Go Away

On my way to work this morning I didn’t get wet for the first time in days. There was a brief reprieve for the rain. We have hit February, traditionally the hottest month of the year, and it’s pissing with rain and sitting at about 23degrees, down to 20-21 over night.

I had a quick look at the TOA blog and it appears that he and many others feel the same. Enough already! I know we’ve been in drought for what seems like forever, but really can we have a little break, say until autumn, when it’s supposed to rain.

To cap it off, the roof started leaking last night. I got up to pee at just after 3 and stepped in something cold and wet…I’m ashamed to admit I thought Puss had puked, but after establishing that I had no solids between my toes and I had just felt a drip on my head I came to the conclusion that my little cottage was truly crap, just another thing in a long line of ‘things’.

So, please, those of you still doing rain dances. Give it a rest, so TOA can dry his kitchen out and I can have the roof fixed before the carpet goes mouldy.

Ohh My Todd!

You must go and see Sweeney Todd.

It's a bloody musical, no really it's bloody. But it's great.

Not So Happy Feet

I finally got to see Happy Feet tonight. It made me cry. I think I made be a bit emotional at the moment.

Happy Australia Day

I sent a select few a Happy Australia Day, Possum message today, what with it being Aussie Day and all. Most of the people where graceful and sent return greetings messages, but one sent a 'who are you?'

It was my sister who lives in Melbourne.

Lovely, don't you think?

Concert

After my excess musical viewing (48 bands, 69 times) last year I have started this year slowly. I have yet to see any live music action. Tamworth was on the horizon, but I have to work, so no long weekend amongst hunky cowboys and slender drummers for me.

However, yesterday like a bolt of lightning I remembered I have tickets to see Rufus Wainwright soon, Tuesday night in fact.

Who could I take with me?

I racked my brain for people who may have heard of him. Then came the ‘who would appreciate him?’ I came up with a couple of people, I ennie, meenie minie moed, then sent an email. Then I read a few blogs while I waited for a reply.

Turns out the person I invited was already seeing him. But on Wednesday.

Now he’s seeing him twice!

It’s going to be awesome!

Indulgence

A few things have happened recently that have led me down the path of another self indulgent blog post. The last time I put my feelings down I lost a friend, so I would like to clarify that I’m not having a go at anyone, this is my blog and about how I am currently feeling.

Anyway, I’ve been sick. All last weekend was spent in the bathroom, so my mood perfectly matched the weather, grey and stormy. I think this sickness has been brought about by me not getting enough sleep/rest because I am currently working two jobs. My normal 8.30 – 5 office job still happens, but straight after I go off to work until 2am as a receptionist. I get paid a pittance, but because of the Christmas/New Year office shutdown I had a two week enforced holiday and as a contractor I don’t get paid, but I still have to feed Puss. So second job it is. On the nights I am at home, Puss is pis*ed off with me and I hit the hay about 9.

On top of the tiredness I read a friends blog yesterday and it made me cry. He sounds so sad in his writings and I really wanted to be there to give him a hug, even if he would probably say ’Don’t touch me’. He’s alone and I’m alone with only 7500 kilometres and an ocean separating us.

These things came on top of Doughnut dying of tick poisoning and my Mum telling me that she wants to do herself in. Ok, so I know she’s ever the dramatist, but this time I think she really is in enough pain to do it. She lives in Spain and at this moment in time I am in no position, financially, to go to her, slap some sense into her and tell her that the life insurance doesn’t pay out if she tops herself.

I don’t quite know what to do with myself at the moment. Throw myself in the path of more debt and take off to foreign climes to comfort those that need to see me now or continue to grind myself into the floor for a trip that may come too late?

House Hunting

I went house hunting today. I’m going to put myself through another move. So I dared to go out in the rain (yes, it’s been chucking it down since yesterday mid morning) and traipsed around Surry Hills and Ultimo seeing five houses.

The first was faking as a Surry Hill residence due to creative imagination of the agent. It was most definitely in Redfern. It was also wholly unsuitable to be inhabited. Even the hoards of students waiting to split the weekly rent by four were curling their noses.

The second was the end unit in a row of six, over three floors with a new kitchen polished wood floors and carpeted stairs. It was beautiful with more storage than I could poke a stick at, but also the most expensive of my selection for the day.

The third is a few doors down from my favourite pub. Is this a good thing? The house itself was nice and clean, wooden floors, the kitchen was neat with new appliances. I quite liked it.

The fourth on the corner of Devonshire and Bourke. From the outside it looked OK, but inside was a disaster. The bathroom was outside! I looked upstairs out of curiosity, one room had raw wood floors, another had lino, and not new lino, the old stuff they use for printing. The last one was at the front and the only one that anyone could live in. I left and put the info sheet in the bin.

The last required a walk across town. Just behind Broadway shopping centre was a small row of houses. The one I was looking at had a separate office, two bathrooms, a garage and two bedrooms. It was neat, but had no outside area. The owners where in attendance and weren’t 100% sure about Puss, and I get the feeling the wife would be a pain in the arse landlady.

Now all I have to do is decide if I’m going to apply for any of these or go see the one I have lined up for Wednesday.

RIP Doughnut

The little cria Wispa had on the 3rd January passed away over night because of tick poisoning. The vet tried everything he could but as usual with these thing it was not to be. She only had a short life, but but it was a happy one on green grass with a mother who loved her.

Dogbox - part 2

OK, so I nearly had a heart attack at my desk just before lunch.

I was working hard, I had my headphones in to cut out noise (printer, snotter and people saying hello every two minutes, but not so loud I couldn't hear the buy behind me talking) when someone put their hands on my shoulders. My heart rate shot up, as did my BP (yes I felt it).

I jumped and shouted, 'Don't do that!'

He jumped and apoligised. 'but you were ignoring me.' he said.

'That's because you're standing behind me. If you want my attention stand in front of me and say hello!'

I can see the dogbox is going to bring issues with it.

Dogbox

I had to move desk today. I've had a lovely quiet corner for the last sixteen months, but due to my project managers attempt at empire building I've been moved to desk that is a foot smaller, on an aisle and is overlooked. It also happens to be further away from teh colour printer, right next to an old clunky black and white printer and two desks away from a guy who snorts all the time. I mean he hocks it up! It's foul!

I will survive... I hope.

On the plus side, June came round tonight for dinner, catch up and a game or three of Kerplunk!

Post 499

To coincide with my 500th post and the birth of 2008 I have decided to do another blog.

A purely pictorial one.

Every day (and I’ll back date it because I can) I will post a picture I have taken that day. I hope you enjoy looking at my life through pictures as much as I will enjoy snapping the moments.

Floral Porn

I was walking home tonight from work and saw a bush of hibiscus. It was beautiful, but because of the crappy overcast weather after several days of 30degrees and 95% humidity I only managed to get a decent shot of the stamen...

Wonder of Wonders

This morning I walked from my house at 859 knowing that the timetable says there should be a 301 to Circular Quay at 901 and a 303 to Martin Place at 903.

You can image my surprise when, just after I had sat down and got my book out, ready for a long wait a bus turned the corner. I was even more surprised when I got on the bus, put my ticket in the machine and it was spat it out with this on it…


I nearly said something pithy to the bus driver, but I didn’t want to be chucked off for making smart arse comments about the punctuality of buses, when it was likely his first day back after the Christmas holidays.

RIP Walter T. Pigeon

I woke this morning to find Walter, legs in the air and as stiff as a board. After wrapping him in kitchen towel I walked though the garden humming before placing him in his final resting place.


Walter the pigeon came to me in the third week of December as a teenager that had fallen from his nest. His parents were not around, so I took him home. He had no feathers on his tail or back. He lived in my laundry basket for a week or so before I put together an aviary over the Christmas break. He loved his new home…its floor was shell grit, he had pigeon mix and a water bath. He was happy and chirpy. Then he started losing weight. I was informed he had coccidiosis and nothing could be done.

Had I left him on the corner of Forveax and Elizabeth Streets, it’s highly likely he would have died then, but hopefully I was able to give him a few extra days of a happy life.

I'm a Grandma Again

- 'You're too close to my baby!'

At just before 1am the phone rang. It was Hubby and he had news. Wispa had had her cria on the 3rd January 2008. A little brown girl.

- I proudly present baby alpaca with her mother Wispa

- Life's taken it's toll already it seems

- 'I can feel the fly, but I can't reach it'

Whatever Next?

Cleaning supplies were required so I had to pop to the supermarket. It was a trip of realisations for me.

1st – the residents of Tuggerah have problems. They seem to be fat. Every third shop in the shopping centre appears to be a plus size shop and yet there is a Krispy Kreme in the middle of the main corridor. However, they all seem to have skinny feet, none of the shoe I tried on would fit.

2nd – retail marketing has gone insane. There were Easter eggs in Coles. It’s the 3rd January for crying out load.

3rd – blue wrens in this neck of the woods are a bit dumb. A beautiful pair have built a nest three feet from the house and only about eight inches off the ground. Thank god Puss didn’t want to go outside on this visit.

- Daddy Blue Wren with dinner

- Mummy Blue Wren

Day Two at Bucketlike

Puss wouldn’t leave the house. He sat on the doorstep and looked out. I think he’s got used to being an indoor cat. I had to leave him and pop down to the shopping centre, when I got I took the shopping into the kitchen and there was a business card from the real estate agent on the sink. It hadn’t been there when I left. So I called them, they had brought someone up while I was out. Was that OK?

I looked around, the dirty t-shirt and knickers from the previous day were in the middle of the lounge floor next to my pile of bags. D’oh!

I apologised for the state of the place and we had a laugh about the fact that I was there to clean but the bed wasn’t made and my bags where still in the lounge. The agent laughed and said, ‘really we didn’t even notice the bed wasn’t made.’

I went into the bedroom to check on Puss. The bedcovers were piled high, cushions where scattered around the room and on the bedside table, face up and proud was The Ultimate Guide to Fellatio*.

Kill me Now!


* How to go down on a man and give him mind blowing pleasure (ISBN 1-57344-151-1).

New Years Day 2008

After a long lie in on New Years Day I made sure that Walter was settled in, fed and waters before loading up the car and driving North for a few days. Puss meowed the whole ninety minutes.

When I got there it was dark, you could see all the stars twinkling in the sky. The hall light was on to welcome me home and the Harrys had lined the walls by way of a greeting committee. There were at least six side-plate size Huntsman spiders hanging about, poking out from behind the pictures and sitting staring at the intruder.



The place was creepy, it was like a haunted house. Cobwebs strung across the hallway and doorways saw me jumping about wiping my face like a big girl.

Puss wouldn’t go outside; it was too dark and spooky for him. Shame it was NYD and not Halloween really.

Goodbye 2007

Ohh … I can’t be arsed, maybe another day!

Happy 2008 everyone. May the New Year bring you all that you desire.

I’ll be seeing the new year in alone watching Rocky Horror happy in the knowledge that Walter the pigeon I saved from the side of the street the other has a lovely new aviary to stretch his wings in and tomorrow I need to do some wasp nest destruction.


- One of three little nest attached to walls of my house (about an inch across)


- The largest of four nests attached to walls of my house (about five inches across)

Jebus' Birthday

So…it’s Christmas Day and I have a cat asleep on my bed and an orphan pigeon in my laundry basket outside. I’ve watched The Ice Harvest, V The final battle and just about to watch Wild Wild West while drinking champagne. Does it get much better than this?

I’m feeling much better, but not 100%, so entries with be sparse but hopefully back to my usual witty self.

Happy Christmas All!

FUBAR

I decided to stop writing for a while. I don’t know how long it will be, a few days, a week, a month. I have no idea.

I hit the top of the slope described in an earlier entry about lunch time yesterday and now I’m sliding down on my arse at a rate of knots. I don’t feel up to being witty or happy joy joy. This is when I need my friends and they don't seem to be there. So I’m off to deal with this myself, in my own corner.

I may or may not be a while.

I Walked into a Cupboard Door

Someone said something to me on Friday that made me really look at the way I live. I was told that I was in an abusive relationship, but I think she was joking.

I have some marks on the back of my right hand and when called on it by a lady at work I made excuses, I told her it was my fault. I was hugging him too hard; I moved too quick, it was an accident. This is not the first time I’ve made excuses. I do it regularly.

Over the weekend I realized I jump when he says jump, I serve him dinner as soon as he sits in the correct position, I open and close doors and groom on demand. I even move over in the bed so I don't disturb him when he's sleeping.

Is it really possible to be in an abusive relationship with a cat?

Note To Self

Do not watch Titanic when you've had a few glasses of wine and you're on your own. It can only lead to tears. Especially when you see the old couple lying on the bed together as water rushes around them.

I Swear To God I'll turn this Car Round!

If you haven't already seen it, see Little Miss Sunshine. I know I'm way behind the eight ball on this ...I finally got around to seeing it tonight and I nearly peed my pants laughing.

Great cast, great jokes, great heartstring tuggers and amazing ending!

Grandpa: [to Dwayne] Fuck a lotta women, kid, I have no reason to lie to you. Not just one, a lotta women.

Briefly, A Weeks News

Monday

My Monday morning started with the delightful tale of modern day Maori gouging out the eyeballs of a 14 year old because they believed she was cursed and they saw the devil in her eyes. Surely in the first years of the twenty first century people don’t think they can get away with this type of sh*t?

And how about this … Julia Gillard, our new Deputy Prime Minister says she supports saying sorry for the actions of those in the past, but can’t say when it will happen under the new Labour government. Big bloody surprise there then!

In sport was the news (if you can really call it news) the Aaron Baddeley (who I hear you cry) nearly gave up golf because he was home sick, ohh yeah and he won something.

Tuesday

Tuesday morning saw the passing of asbestos campaigner Bernie Banton, he was 61. He is responsible for James Hardie admitting that asbestos is bad for you when they set up a $4billion compensation fund for those suffer from asbestos related-diseases.

Also it appears that the image Ian Fleming projected about a secret agent being a suave international playboy has continued into the twenty-first century. MI5 are having issues with recruitment. ‘The names Bond…,’ All together now!

Wednesday

In Music News, the Police are embarking on a reunion tour and 15th June 2008 they will be playing to a small crowd in Newport on the Isle of Wight.

This one made me late for work. Crown Street was shut. Shame Indian Chilli is going, they did a really yummy butter chicken and sag aloo.

At the 2007 Literary Review prize night Norman Mailer was awarded (posthumously) the Bad Sex in Fiction Award for his references to ‘her sap’ and ‘his old battering ram’.

Thursday

Why can’t the girl be named, but the boy in this rape case, can be. Incidentally, she was one of the rapists.

The duck need to be protected in Tasmania according to Chris Simcox as, ‘the numbers are dire’

Kevin Rudd our new prime minister elect has selected his cabinet today. He picked a nice feminine Victorian piece for the families and housing room and an ex-pop-star for the environmental and arts studio.

Friday

Why does a man who spent a night in a boat with his friend make the news? Now if he’d been eaten by a shark I could understand it.

The Hollywood Writers Guild has taken a four day recess to consider a deal that includes payment for works shown on the internet. Who are they kidding, they don’t really expect to get payments from all those bootlegs version too do they?

A man confessed to a murder that he could have got away with in Korea overnight. I not quite sure considering he had broken bones from an exploding mobile phone injury.

Down in The Dumps

Take the title as a hint of what this entry in about please. I’m feeling down in the dumps.

I realized today that over the last few months I had a bit of a time of it all. I left my husband (yes, I know self inflicted), my good girlfriend seems to have found better or more interesting friends and seems to have abandoned me despite me asking if everything is ok, my other good girlfriend is always at work and even when she isn’t lift f*ing miles away. My bestest bud went back to the States because the umbilical cord had stretched too far and was starting to hurt. I was robbed, I seem to have an infestation of mozzies, I don’t have air-con and the house is getting hotter. And I’m currently broke because of excess goodbye do’s and a couple of days sick.

Ohh yeah… and we can’t seem to sell the god-damn house on the Central Coast. Hubby keeps doing things to the house and car and not telling me because he thinks I can’t afford it, so I use the car and find new tyres, or I go to the house and find out there’s a new pool pump and cover. I may not be able to afford to assist, but I wish he’d tell me before so at least I can feel guilty before I’m trying to have a little fun. And I have to have the conversation with the woman who sold us a duff alpaca that can’t have babies.

I was also told the other day that no one will give me income protection becasue of my kidneys. So I have to save about 6 months of salary just in-case I get sick.

This morning I had trouble getting out of bed despite a decent amount, but restless sleep. I’ve been having trouble with sleep recently and I couldn’t put my finger on why. I think I may have figured it out. I’ve reached my limit of shit. I can’t take much more before I hit the top of the extremely slippery slope into depression.

I know I’m not there yet, but I can feel it coming. Having been there, done that before, I can feel the signs. Not wanting to get up, not being bothered to get dressed at the weekend, having an ironing pile that has strata levels, not eating ( I can’t be arsed to cook for just me) and just general malaise.

Not even the prospect of Cycle 9 of America's Next Top Model is cheering me up.

When I stop having my hair cut and painting my toe nails, please take me to the doctor.

RIP Indian Chilli

It was all over the news yesterday. The Indian Chilli had to be demolished. Overnight the building had started to shift causing a huge crack to appear between it and the building next door. The whole row of shops was evacated.

The owner of the building is blaming the city council for undermining his property during works to the community centre next door, but this may be because he doesn’t have building insurance. D’oh!

Being a local and a regular diner I had to see what was going on. I took some pictures with my mobile during the day, then went back later with my other camera to take some after shots.

As I sat on the wall taking 'after' pictures, a couple of builder types sat down next to me and asked why I was so interested in a heap of rubble. I explained that they did a really good Butter Chicken and Sag Aloo, and that I had purchased poppadums only the night before.

‘I won’t tell you what it was like out the back then.’ He said.


- Just an itsy bitsy crack between the white building doing an impression of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

- Not feeling so much like a famous landmark now!

Guidelines

D, a lady I work with (and have many deep an meaningful conversations and belly laughs with) sent one of the annoying inspiration emails that seem to be so prolific. You know, read this and pass the love to ten of your friends or you’ll burn in hell. This one didn’t say that and I kinda liked the sentiment and the little drawings, so enjoy.

HOW TO STAY YOUNG ...

1. Throw out non-essential numbers. This includes age, weight, and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay them.

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down. (Keep this in mind if you are one of those grouches!)

3. Keep learning: Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain get idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.' And the devil's name is Alzheimer's!

4. Enjoy the simple things

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. And if you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and lots of time with her/him !


6. The tears happen: Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life, is our self. LIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love: Whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.


8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love, that you love them - at every opportunity.

And if you don't send this to at least four people - who cares?

Nothing, Nothing Relax

I've done nothing but household chores all weekend. It's been great and I bloody hate housework. I have had two very brief interludes;

Yesterday I had to vote (how democratic is it really when you get fined $250 for not voting?) Kevin Rudd and Labour got in. I mean what kind of a name is Kevin for a Prime Minister. PM’s should have distinguished like George, John or Margaret, they shouldn’t have names from a Croydon council estate, it’s almost as bad as Tony! Anyway…

Today I met T. for a drink and a spot of people watching at The Colombian on Oxford Street. God that place is so gay, it’s FABULOUS! On the way I brought myself an amazing new pair of summer shoes.

Newsround

Ohh… please get over yourself! You have had a dubious taste of fame due to your son being jailed for training with terrorists in Afghanistan and now you just want to keep you face in the lime light.
Do you really think we care about your opinion on national politics?

Having moved to the city…I read this story with interest. This murderous caravan park is just down the road from what used to be my local shopping centre.

And finally for today some news from the world of music, Van Halen are back and touring with front man David Lee Roth.

God I'm bored today!

Mother

Thanks to Google Analytics I know when you read my blog. Twice in the last month!

All I have to say is this;
If you don’t read my writing how can I expect anyone else too?

Billy Elliott

On his last night in Sydney I took Todd to see Billy Elliott the Musical. I saw the movie ages ago and have seen it many times since its release in 2000. It makes me cry every time I see it.

So I booked tickets. I booked ticked for the opening night as a gift for Todd’s birthday. When the tickets arrived, they weren’t for opening night and amazingly enough just so happened to be for the last night he was in town. Phew!

After a last supper of sushi and a couple of glasses of wine we made our way to the Capitol Theatre just in time for the last call of take your seats. We were in the dress circle, slightly to the left of the stage. Not bad seats. It was sold out.

The show started with a Pathe newsreel showing the mining industry in the 30’s during the ‘good’ times. The singing started early with the whole cast coming onto stage in 80s garb singing about keeping the community together and deciding to strike.

The sets were amazing. There was the generic room set that slid in from left and right, the ‘Elliott’ house set that spiralled up from a hole in the stage with a bed on top of a set of stairs with a little kitchen at the bottom. The toilet block at the gym pulled out of the side of the room set. All very clever and beautifully put together.

The stage version ran along the same lines at the movie and included a few of the more memorable lines, such as;

Mrs. Wilkinson: This'll sound strange, Billy, but for some time now I've been thinkin' of the Royal Ballet School.
Billy: Aren't you a bit old, miss?

And

Debbie : don’t you fancy us, Billy?
Billy : Nah!
Debbie : I’ll show us me fanny.
Billy : Nah, you’re alright.

The musical was directed by the same guy who directed the movie Stephen Daldry, the lyrics by Lee Hall (he wrote the script for the movie) and the music was written Elton John. It was surprising that none of the songs had a hook, but then they are used to writing spoken word, not sung. Neither Todd nor I left humming, thinking we’d have that tune stuck in our head for a while. Shame really because from what I can remember the songs were pretty good.

The dancing however was completely memorable. I was concerned about the thought of watching a precocious little bugger on the stage for several hours, but I was completely entranced. I’m not sure which of the four Billy’s was playing on Tuesday night, but he was amazing. There was a scene (the bit in the movie where his Dad finds him dancing in the gym with Michael) where he was dancing Swan Lake with his older self. There was dry ice, wire work and ballet. It made me cry. I forgot how much I like ballet. The kid and the guy floated around the stage for maybe four or five minutes, it was beautiful.

Anyway, despite the un-catchiness of the songs I would say go see it, the dancing is amazing, but watch the movie first.

PS. Todd has arrived In Washington ;-)

He's Leaving on A Jetplane

Todd’s gone, I took him to the airport with the assistance of A and Sue-Ellen. We sent him through the customs gate with a sign that said ‘Shirley you’re not leaving!’

His flight is at 3.15pm and he’ll be sitting in his nice Business class seat after being upgraded.

As requested there was no scene at the airport. Well, maybe a minor one from Sue-Ellen.

- One of the many pictures I took during our faux Grauation photoshoot yesterday at Sydney Uni

He's Leaving - Not Yet

This time tomorrow Todd will have walked through the point of no return at the airport in time for his 3.15pm flight to the Los Angeles.

What am I going to do with myself?

- 1 Get a full nights sleep without a 1am phone call telling me he can’t sleep.
- 2 Get an early night or two
- 3 Redefine the meaning of cheap dinner from $60 to $10
- 4 Reduce my alcohol intake and give my liver a rest
- 5 Stop carrying chewing gum in my handbag
- 6 Talk to Puss about books and writing
- 7 Have to find someone else who appreciates the fine dining experience
- 8 Miss him terribly!

But I still have him for one more night, so no moppin’ about and feeling sorry for myself. I’ll deal with the fall out, when it happens.

That Time of Year Approaches

ANTM Cycle 9 starts on Fox 8 on 4th December. Ohhhh... ;-)

Meat on A Stick

I had a really long sleep. Puss finally got me moving on Sunday morning with a paw in the face and a meow. He was wasting away clearly. I sat up and swung my legs over the edge of the bed and stopped dead. My legs hurt, my arms and shoulders ached and my boobs felt like they’d been thumped. I hurt all over. That god damn boat trip!

As I walked past the mirror I caught sight of my legs. The gentlemen amongst you please help me by telling me how attractive purple legs are? I suppose i be thankful that I heal quickly. I spent the day on the sofa with Puss, watching telly from the week (House, NCIS and Life on Mars) before getting in the shower and getting ready to go to dinner.

Todd had booked Wildfire for Rachel, him and I. I’d never been before and believing it to be posh I put on a skirt. It was fairly posh…an amazing fit-out with unique lights and private rooms above. We had a nice spot looking out over the Opera House. But I got the feeling it was more about the tourist than the local. We were one of the few tables that seemed to have made an effort when getting ready and many looked they had just pooped in after a day of the tourist trail. The prices kept out the true riffraff.

The food was amazing, as was the wine and the desserts. It was another evening of chatting and we all came to the conclusion that not enough people experience fine dining as a form of entertainment. To most people eating is something you have to do to survive, so it is not something that should be the only thing you do all night. We arrived at six and left just before ten. It was a beautiful evening.

I got the bus home, Todd and Rachel went for final coffee.

(photos to come)

Harbour Cruise - My Bruised Arse

Saturday morning saw me making melba toasts (cut up bread, place on baking sheet in 200O oven until crisp) for Todd’s harbour cruise while I waited for the real estate guy to come round and do a house inspection. Far too much to deal with a Saturday morning if you want my opinion!

Around noon I left the house with my new red shopping trolley loaded with pate, melba toasts, wine, ice and my camera. I was going to get the bus, but after waiting twenty minutes I jumped in a cab. Once again the taxi won the Taxi V Bus race. I met Todd and some friends at King Street Wharf and we waited for the boat.

Now please bear in mind I was expecting something big and stable to CRUISE around the harbour in. You can imagine my surprise when a sail boat slipped into the pick up position. We all climbed aboard, and settled in as we motored out into the harbour under the bridge. It was actually very relaxing and I took heaps of photos to remember the day, Todd eating nibbles, drinking wine and generally being the hostess with the mostest.

We (there were 11 of us on the boat and the skipper) drank, laughed and chatted. Some of us reminisced about the bad habits we had picked up from Todd and some just listened and thanked their lucky stars they hadn’t known him long enough to pick them up. We stopped and put down the anchor and a few went for a swim. I was happy on board taking pictures.

Once the swimming was over the skipper suggested we go for a little sail. He informed us that because it was a little windy we would only use the little sail at the front. The anchor was pulled up, the sail was unwrapped. It flapped about for a bit then it caught. We took off like a bullet from a gun and the boat tipped. From 0 -15knots (17mph/27kph) like a racing car.

I slipped of my perch, thinking first and for most about the camera I flipped my right arm over the edge of the galley as my legs vanished over the edge of the boat and into the water. My left hand grabbed onto anything (turned out to be a rope winder), my legs bounced about on the edge of the boat as I pulled myself up and finally got a foothold on the little wooden plinth on the side. I wasn’t near anyone, so I didn’t have help like a couple of others that also experienced the pleasures of sailing. I’m told it only took a few minutes to right us again, but it felt like an hour. I was soaked. The only dry thing about me was my camera hand.


The rest of the ‘cruise’ I hardly moved. As the saying goes ‘It’s all good fun until someone get hurt, then it’s bloody hilarious’ I was the butt of jokes. But weirdly enough I didn’t care. If we tipped again I was secure and oddly I was having fun. The adrenaline had kicked in and I was what can only be described as high.

I was however, really glad to be back on dry land when it was over. If it hadn’t of been over dramatic I would have kissed the ground. I went home to shower before our dinner to find a few purple masses gathering under the skin on my legs and arms.

Dinner at IThai on King Street Wharf was lovely, more reminiscing, good food and wine and an early night for all. After the drama of the boat I think everyone was completely knackered.

Dancing with Muscles

I went to Hellfire on Friday with Todd. The last Hellfire he’ll ever go to. In less than a week he’ll be gone. Anyway…I was kitted out in the standard outfit, bra, corset, PVC skirt and thigh high boots. Todd had on his leather trousers and a white Everlast singlet. We met and then went to dinner at Bettys Soup Kitchen. I love Oxford Street, no one batted an eyelid.

We ate a simple dinner of mash, sausages and beef stroganoff before moving onto the main entertainment of the evening. We walked the short distance with much appreciative attention. At the door Todd was told he had to take his shirt off. No white allowed, you see.

Drinks were purchased, seats were taken, and the people watching commenced. There was the tourist friends (two guys in all black and wide eyed), the regulars, the single guy waiting for his date dressed in a Centurion outfit and the first-timers.

You can always tell the first timers. They look too hard at others and dress in simple black. The main example of a first timer for the evening was the guy we nicknamed ‘Dancing with Muscles’, he was wearing black trousers and a black singlet. He had short close cropped hair and may have had a close relationship with ‘roids. We watched him on the dance floor for quite sometime, flexing his pecs, tightening his biceps, the exposing of his six pack…it was hilarious but intriguing at the same time. And we were the only ones watching.

A couple of months ago Manacle closed its doors. Manacle was the Leather Pride bar for Sydney gay population. They’ve all moved to Hellfire. I have never seen so many leather harnesses. This is a good thing if you’re a boy into boys, but not so good if you’re a girl in boys. The eye candy factor was amazing and I shall continue going if only to get inspiration for my next semester at uni.

In The News Today

Boy George made the news today (if you can call the Yahoo Mail headlines news). Apparently he chained a male prostitute to a wall in his apartment. The pro report him for false imprisonment and BG was arrested. Naughty Boy didn’t think Safe Sane Consensual before that encounter.

In somewhat related news. An Indian man married his dog in a full on traditional ceremony to put an end to a curse. Unfortunately his was quoted after as saying he wasn’t really in love with the dog and hoped to one day find a real woman.

Everyone say EWWW!

Public Transport

I think I can now, after seven years, say that I have travelled on every form of transport Sydney has to offer.

There has been;

The Jetcat – only to Manly and only when the ferry isn’t running
The Ferry – to various locations around the harbour
The Rivercat – to Parramatta, yes I have been out west
The Train – many and varied trips including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast and the Airport
The Taxi – my favourite form. Being dragged up proper by a cabbie in the UK I feel it is my duty to support the Sydney version.
The Bus – I hate buses, but they are a necessary evil
The Monorail – It goes in a circle, but it’s great for tourist and yes, I know there are some that feel this mode of transport is evil, Edna, I’m looking at you.

Today I used the final form on offer;

The Light Rail/Tram – It goes from Lilyfield to Central via the fish markets. I got on it going the wrong way so I got to smell the Fish Market before getting back on and going in the right direction. The conductor (yes they still have a conductor that sells tickets) had a laugh after informing me I was going the wrong way. Really it didn’t matter I ended up having quite a relaxing trip to work.

Six Sleeps

After all day running a workshop I got home at six. I had plans to be a good girl and type up my Uni essay about Gerald Murnane, watch NCIS and sleep. Then I got a phone call.

‘I’ve run out of peanut butter and I can’t have a bottle of wine for dinner AGAIN, what are you buying me for dinner?’

It was Todd. With a jolt I realized, this time (6.30pm) next week he would be on a plane back to the States, for good.

What can I say, I’m weak. ‘I’ll see you on the corner of Crown and Cleveland at 7’

At 6.58 I received a text message, ‘Holy Crap. Drinks Expensive.’ I guessed I was late, standing at the traffic lights to the agreed destination.

After a quick pre-dinner drink we walked along Crown Street. The pizza place smelt good, the Vietnamese didn’t take Amex. The bottle shop did well, and CowBirdFish saw us sat at a table for two with corkage.

Despite me having made no effort and wearing lesbian shoes (flat sandals) and Todd in a sleeveless t-shirt that expressed affiliation with a sport team (I think) we were treated as if we were royalty. We had oysters to start ‘The special is freshly shucked oysters from South Australia.’ ‘SOLD!’ Barramundi and Salmon for main and cheese and meringue for dessert. Is it really only Tuesday?

We chatted about the usual and not so usual sh*t. Boys, books, boats, the movie ‘Airplane’, mountains and driving while we ate and drank a daft amount for a school night. Red, dessert and port. The waiters were really nice. Maybe they realized they were going to get a 30% tip early on, or maybe they were feeling generous.

- The Empty Chair

After two final glasses of port we adjourned to a less civilized establishment for a final drink of the evening. It was only half nine and the night was young, time for one more. JD&dietCoke for me, VodkaTonic&lime for him. Just the one. One AM, maybe.

It reminded me of when we first met. Working at TheBank, two oddballs in a bunch of suits. One straight as a die girlie with terrible fashion sense and a talent for making scrabbled egg in the microwave and one corporate suit that had long ago learnt to play the game. He, an unusually smart American (compared to others I had met) that had a knack of being in the right place at the right time, she a married Brit not reaching her true potential. Many a Thursday evening was spent in bars talking, having ‘just the one’ (one AM) and soon she (me) realized, I could take the bus!

I did take the bus, he’s taking a jet plane in less than seven days. I’ve been drinking since seven pm, give me a break and indulge me while reminisce about my friend who is pissing off and leaving me, It’ll all be over soon and normal broadcasting with resume, but bear with while it does, please.

And it All Turned Sh*t

This morning was lovely. I woke at my own pace before getting up and showering. The sun was shining for the first time in a week. Then I got on a bus and went to meet Dr. Plod. My good girlfriend that has been sorely neglected since she started working shifts that include much weekend work. We met on the steps of the State Library before going and attending a seminar called Contemporary Fiction – Writing Sex, presented by four well known Aussie authors.

If I learnt one thing while listening to them all speak it’s this. Name the parts as the character would. If your character would call a cock, a cock, don’t call it a penis. You get me?

Anyway, after the seminar Dr. Plod had to get home to feed her kids (horses, dogs and budgies), so she left me to get some new contact lenses. Upon arriving were the Optician should be, they weren’t there. They’ve done a runner to god knows where with all my glasses history. I need new lenses you bastards and now I’m going to have to go through the whole laborious process of having my eyes tested etc, etc.

So, what with it being just after four, I thought I'll pop down to the 3 shop to see about getting my phone fixed. The nipple broke a couple of weeks back and it keeps cutting out mid conversation. The only place to take it is the 3 shop as it is still under warranty. I got to the door, It was locked, all the lights were on and there were people milling about inside. It was 4.15. CLOSED. God DAMN IT!

I walked to the bus stop and after seeing I had to wait twenty minutes for the next bus I decided the taxi would have me home in half that time, so I flagged one down. I didn’t want my day getting any worse.

Once I got home I remembered I had to procure food for Puss. So I waited a little while then went outside to get my grandma trolley from the shed. It wasn’t there. Had I left it in the kitchen, No. Had I left it in the second bedroom, No. I figured it had been nicked. Couldn’t think why or when, but picked up shopping bags from under the sink and resigned myself to carrying tins back from the shop. While walking I called Todd and told him about my mysteriously disappearing trolley and he said, ‘Is anything else missing?’

I hadn’t even thought to look, but there were a few things in there. After speaking with Todd, I called Dr. Plod. She recommended I call the Police Assistance Line and report it. When I got back from the shops (a round trip of twenty minutes) I looked in the shed (a small lean to tacked onto the back of the house). Missing was the Drop Saw, the drill, the cordless drill and really nice pair of secateurs. I’m most pissed of about the secateurs, because they had a perfect cutting action and could cut through nearly anything. But mostly I’m pissed off that the fuckers made me doubt myself.

I remember now, on Tuesday I took some rubbish out and the back gate was unlocked. I thought I had left it unlocked the previous night. I mentally scolded myself for being silly. I had a go at the cat for digging in the flower pots and spraying soil everywhere, when quite clearly that is were the fuckers landed as they jumped over the fence.

Anyway the police came round after I reported it. They told me to get another deadlock on the back door.

I’m so angry!

Our Nations Capital

Last weekend Todd and I took a drive down to Canberra. He’s leaving in less than a month and he hadn’t seen Parliament House except on telly. So we piled into the car armed with nothing except our cameras and drove the three hours from Sydney to that no mans land that is our nations capital.

- The Big Arse Merino in Goulburn

We had a Stop Revive Survive moment at Goulburn so Todd could have his phot taken with the Big Marino. Which by the way they have moved. It’s now by the eateries and petrol station on the right, next to the freeway. I couldn’t believe he hadn’t heard of it. We took a couple of pictures, but got back in the car quick sharpish ‘cause it was freezing! The wind was howling and we were in shirt sleeves with no jumper or jackets in the car. Little did we know at that time, but we spent the whole day dashing from the car to the picture spot and back again.

We stopped at the end Lake George to take pretty pictures of how green it is at the moment (rarely has water in it).
We stopped at the state boarder for a photo shoot with Todd riding the sign.

- Ride It Cowboy!

When we got to Canberra we went straight to heart of it. Parliament House! I stopped were he told me too and within seconds we were being moved on by Federal Police on a push bike. But we got the photos we came for (a few we didn’t) so we left and moved to the next thing. The Birdie on a stick. Actually the American/Australian monument it really is a big bird on a very long/high pole. Todd had to lie on the floor to get it all in, I just told him to get a better camera.

- Move Along please sir!
- The Birdie on a Stick with Todd in the foreground

Then we drove round the inner ring road a few times before moving onto have a look at the Sex Shops of Fyshwick. We’d heard they were good. Turns out there are a lot of them, but not all of them are good.

On the way out of Canberra we stopped at a winery. We tasted (he swallowed, I spat) several very nice wines, both red and white, chatted with the cellar door staff then purchased half a dozen before hitting the road home.

With the light on our side we drove north again. We decided to stop and have dinner in Sutton Forest. We had steak and chips. I had a cup of hot tea and Todd had wine. We were both bloody freezing! We both had a great day, we laughed so hard that snot came out of my nose (I had a cold), we ate McDonalds, we talked crap, we talked about serious stuff and we dared to touch our toes to the wicket that Don Bradman played.

- Last time he tried this he got chucked off for playing silly buggers ;-)

12 sleeps to go.

Sound Off, One Two Three!

Thanks to Syms Covington to the tip off about this video. It’s not my personal favourite The Basics song, but I thing the gang at CNET have done a great job and done it justice.

It’s Basically Madness

I had a bit of a The Basics frenzy last week.

On the Friday 26th October I saw them at The Spectrum on Oxford Street. They were supported by Jordie Lane and Crossed Eyed Mary. It was a packed house with many die-hard fans to encourage them to perform one of the best sets I’ve seen them do, ever. As usual the lighting was crappy so I got hardly any photos, but I have it all in my mind, indelibly marked from my front row centre vantage point. They rocked the joint!

Less than a week later on Thursday 1st November, I loaded the car up with Edna, June and myself and drove down to Wollongong to the Oxford Tavern. We walked in and it looked like a school canteen crossed with a bingo hall. The lights were on bright and the stage was tucked away on the far corner. We brought ourself drinks before planted our arses at the table near the front. The Saturns came on and warmed up the crowd of locals and the many groupies who had followed the lads form Sydney. One guy, clearly hammered asked where they were from, twice! They did a really good job and once again I was impressed with there set (I saw them at the Hopetoun, months ago). After a short break the The Basics took to the stage. Poor Wally looked knackered. His week had been hectic since his big award and his voice was suffering a little. But being the consummate professional this only affected the crowd by the absence of ‘Rattle My Chain’ and a slight change in pitch on one of the choruses. The local crowd took over the ‘mosh pit’ about five or six songs into the set and proceeded to behave like the cast of the Dawn of the Dead who’d run out of food.

Fast Forward twenty-four hours and the 2nd November saw Edna and I at Sounds in the Grounds. Sydney Uni had turned the Manning Centre into a mini festival venue for the night with eight bands playing on two floors. The Basics opened the downstairs set and managed to perform their short set very well despite sound issues and a fog machine that all but obliterated them from view. Also, I was confused and mildly disturbed by Kris’ bitching. It seemed to have stepped up a notch, but that may have been due to starting over an hour late, the overwhelming humidity or simply that his was pissed at something we weren’t party to. Regardless, the set was good. Meanwhile, The Tongue and bLuejuice played the top stage. bLuejuice rocked. A couple of hours, a few beers and much secondary reefer smoking later, Goyte (aka Wally, the drummer from The Basics) came onto the downstairs stage looking a little refreshed. He had with him his mini orchestra. I think everyone in the Manning had crowded into the area in front of the stage, the gallery that looked down from the canteen and every other vantage point. From my dodgy spot looking down onto the top of his head I enjoyed as he opened with my personal favourites ‘The Only Way’ and ‘Out Here in the Cold’ (or was it ‘What do you want?’). I felt my heart swell as everyone joined in with the chorus of ‘Hearts a Mess’ and realized I was standing amongst students, all at least twelve years younger than me and more than familiar with him music. Although I noticed they didn’t know the words to songs off ‘Boardface’ as well.

Anyway, all in all I saw The Basics three times in a week. It was an awesome treat that I’m sure will not be repeated for a while.

Ahh... :-(

Poor Cow!

The Pharmacist

Some of you will be aware that despite only being 35 I have a problem with my blood pressure. When it’s not under control (which it currently is) it likes to sit nice and high at about 170/120. Not good and it’s all caused by a hereditary condition, not that I’m a stress bunny! Anyway, I had to get my prescription filled again today (I take two tablets daily until further notice).

I went into the chemist I’ve been going to for a year and there was a new pharmacist on duty. She took my script and set about filling it. Then she said, ‘I only have one pack of Zanidip, but I can get the other one tomorrow.’

I told her not to worry, I’d just come back next month.

Then she put the packet on the counter for the till girl to bag up and I noticed the packet looked different. It had pink on it. I reached out and picked up the pack and saw that it was 30mg. I only take 10mg!

The error was corrected, but what should I do. Some in the office have suggested I report it … suggestions please.

On a related note, this is why I don’t drink Redbull and it took research to confirm this?

Melbourne Cup

Well, only a few minutes to go before the big race of the year and these are my bets.

Twenty bucks each way on Purple Moon
Ten bucks each way on Douro Valley

...plus a couple of ramdom sweepstake tickets in the office charity drive.

UPDATE : 1526 6-11-07 - The winners were 6 Efficient, 12 Purple Moon and 24 Mahler. So I'll get something back at least. And I got to wear my special desk made fascinator.

I'm Not Sure...

...about this.

Awesome!

I happened to see V2 on Foxtel today and he was on. Singing his little heart out at the face of giant legged creatures on the moon in the video for 'Hearts a Mess' and then tonight, just now, I saw the 'Mixed Blood is number 9 in the most downloaded albums.

Go Wally, you deserve it, enjoy it.

I'm just Darn Popular

I've been busy lately. I been to gigs, actually had work to do in the office, had lunch dates with mates, long drive and had heaps of Uni work to complete. I have neglected you.

Coming soon to a blog near you is;

Two Basics reviews (one for last Friday and one for last night)
One Festival Review (where The Basics and Gotye are playing tonight)
Lunch with Miss Eudoxia who I haven't seen for an age because she's also a busy bunny
My trip to Canberra for the day with Todd to visit the naughty shops
My fiction piece for Uni (on jodiestories, I'll post after I handed it in)

Shopping Luck

On my home from work last night I decided to stop of at Coles and pick up some ham and bread to go with my beetroot for dinner. I love ham and beetroot sandwiches, what can I say, I’m sick and need help!

Anyway a few moments later and I had a few extra things ion my basket, couple loaves of bread, shampoo, hand soap, the required ham and deodorant. I got to the check outs to find a moohoosive amount of people. Just as I joined the end of the queue a nice man popped from nowhere and invited me pay at the empty checkout he had just opened.

My bill came to $33.17 so I remarked that I had just scraped enough shopping together to get a petrol coupon. He then handed me about 10 receipts from under the till. ‘Here,’ he said, ‘fill up a few times on me.’

How cool is that?