Sleepy Kitteh

Though this update really has nothing to do with kitties, I think. Actually if I think about it at all, it's probably more a week of lunatics and oddballs.

Driving to work today and I seem to be caught behind a bus. A 428 to be precise. Hey. It's going the same way I am. That's a bit odd but nothing more. Suddenly I realise ... as it starts going around the round about. It's missed it's turn and has to go back. No wonder I was confused. Wonder if that will set the tone of the day??

The traffic homeward bound is a little heavy. I see two lanes and two rows of cars stretching out in front of me. Suddenly a motorcycle in the right lane PASSES THE CAR it is following, thereby passing the car to the left. Sheesh! Idiot! No wonder so many of them get killed and they wonder why motorists don't respect them?

I turn the corner and in short order come out under the bridge. I'm startled to suddenly find a pedestrian in the middle of the road, hidden from view behind the bridge pillar. It seems he's ... directing traffic! Luckily he's not in danger of being hit, but I wonder how the drivers who are stopped feel about it??

Whoo! Walmart has come to us. Well, the Walmart-ians anyway. The sharp wind blows down the city street and she's standing at a bus stop. A solid girl, wearing a lightweight piece of black frippery cleverly disguised as a dress. Her skin has that golden orange tint and brings out the brassy tones of her bleached bed hair. Her trout pout is somewhat understated as the nude colour of her lippy blends in with the colour of her skin. Her breasts hang unfettered beneath the dress. I can tell cause it's either exceptionally low cut or slipped below her cleavage. Sometimes I wish I had that level of self confidence!

We're having a morning tea to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee this morning. It has been arranged for a while but just the other day they have decided to turn it into a fund raiser for an ex workmate. His little boy has been diagnosed on the Austism Spectrum and they are trying for an assistance dog. I'm off to the shuttle with one of the GTs. Well, I would be if he weren't running late. From the corner of my eye I see I've disturbed a butcher bird. I'm about to step off the curb and - oh wait no, maybe not yet. Regain my balance and look at the thing wriggling madly in the gutter. Ooooh. A legless lizard. I bend for a closer look and it flicks its tongue. WAIT! That's not a lizard! I was about to step over a small snake! I think discretion is in order and I wait for it to move before I step down and go for a photo.

I ask the shuttle driver to wait. He says he can, as long at it's only a couple of minutes. Sure enough, a couple of minutes later he closes the door and heads off. No GT. Ah well. I shall be going by myself. I glance to the right and see the GT running down the lane. Wait, I call. GT gets on and a couple of the other passengers cheer.

The morning tea goes well as it's good to catch up with people. And we get a visit from the Queen to boot.

The traffic home today is horrendous! I've left my usual time and it's like everyone else has as well. I want to turn left at the corner but I can't see what traffic is coming over the hill. Pedestrians block my view, milling all over the footpath. I nose out a bit further. Nope, still no good. By the time I have some view, the nose of the car is well out into the lane. Round the corner and I'm in the right lane. A bus is in the left blocking traffic that way. No one in my lane is moving and finally I see why. EVERYONE is wanting to turn right across oncoming traffic. That NEVER happens and I'm stuck. A postal van blocks the view behind me so I can't change lanes. A few cars get through and I've edged left. Now I can see, I'm beyond the end of the dotted lane markers but no one is letting me out. The nose of the car is poking way out but no one slows to let me out. I grit my teeth and take a chance. I can't move with the rest of the traffic if someone at the front finally makes it around the corner. Stupid inconsiderate people. There isn't even a bloody second lane there, technically speaking.

Same corner. Different day. Today I have time to notice that one of the pedestrians crossing in front of me has the most amazing shoes. Wingtip brogues with Doc Marten style chunky heels. Silver and metallic sapphire blue. Very distracting!

MOTH has told me of a woman who had approached the group while they were chatting around the table. She began to ask them about their religious beliefs. MOTH was debunking her 'Jesus loves you' spiel and laughing along with her. Today I have joined them and Wombat arrives later. One small reference to the woman from MOTH and Wombat is away ranting. "You shouldn't have done that." blah blah blah "If you're so STUPID to talk to them you deserve what you get." So nasty with his tone. What a pompous arse! I stood up and told MOTH I was going to the supermarket and stalked off. If I had stayed there any longer, Wombat may have been punched in the head. Luckily we need supplies for a bbq lunch on Monday.

It's raining this weekend. And cold. Sigh.

MOTH goes up to the shops without me. One of the daughters will be there but I send him with a message for her. I would love to come and chat with her but the siren call of warm flanny jammies calls louder. She laughs.

Argh! Turn it off! Turn it off!

I think I need new sunglasses. These have always been a little slack but they are getting worse. Or my eyes are getting more sensitive. Today I had to sit on the wrong side of the bus. The sun shines directly in my eyes and I have to close them for a little ... they say falling asleep on the bus on the way to work isn't good for you, don't they??

The week is ultra quiet. The conference is over and with it my work load has dropped drastically. So drastically that I am a little worried that I might need to justify my existence.

C and the GM are out of the office for three days. C has left me a couple of tasks that she wants done by the end of the week. But I've managed to do them before she leaves. Froggy tells me that I'm just too efficient.

I've not caught the bus this week, so not much to tell by way of tales. Actually, even when I do there isn't much to tell lately. The general public is becoming rather slack methinks. It's also been a week and Cupcake hasn't come to collect some of the things she's left behind. I think she still also has a set of our housekeys. I should get MOTH to remind her *again* as I can envision 'babysittig' that stuff for ages like I did the last time one of Teen's friends left stuff behind.

My avon finally arrived this week. Exciting life I lead, hey. I spent about $46 for a makeup bag which contained a foundation, blush, mascara, eyeshadow, lippy. Would you believe to just get the foundation *the product i was actually interested in* is $30 on its own.

I'm out at the shops with the Club. You know, the one MOTH hangs with. He's told them I will be there so I've made an effort to accommodate him. We spend most of the morning there and I head back home. Wish it would stop raining. There's washing to do! I want to try using fabric softener but I can't find the manual. I don't know which part of the detergent tray to use. I decide to search online but the product doesn't have an online manual available. Unless I want to download one from one of those dodgy sites that offer them if you do this or fill out that or subscribe in some way. So I look to the forums. It seems the general consensus is not to buy the product in the first place. We've had ours for nearly 7 years and it looks like it should have failed miserably about 3 or 4 years ago. And that's from those with the longer lasting machines. And the noise, sometimes smelly wash, and the walking all over the floor are common too! Better get saving cause I'm thinking it won't be long before we are up for a new one.

I decide to play Diablo this afternoon. I've been so caught up reading that I've not been playing any of my games. But my level is too low to easily beat this foe so have to spend time monster hunting so I can gain a small advantage. MOTH decides to start a batch of pea and ham soup. It's a 2 day process apparently.

It's still raining this morning and the washing isn't drying! This is the only time I lament not having a dryer. I might have to think about bringing some items in from outside. But I had put the lights/whites load to dry in the spare room and MOTH's shorts are still wet too... It's a lose/lose whichever way I go. Sigh.

Today is catch up on viewing day. I watch Grimm and Once Upon A Time. I've only managed to get the first episode of that and missed the next 2. Is it worthwhile trying to catch up with the rest? I can't series link it so I have to make an effort each week to tape it. Hmmm. Never mind, I decide to spend some time watching dvds. But first I have to venture out to get them. MOTH takes me with him to join the lads. I go with him and it's noted that I'm there a second day running. I grin and tell Stan that I'm only there because I had something else to do that way. He laughs.

It's Teen's birthday and MOTH had done the unthinkable and phoned her. Of course, it's too early so the call goes to voice mail. Apparently it sends as a text if not answered. While out that morning I get a text from her to say thanks for the birthday wishes. She mentions that she got MOTH's message as a text. She doesn't know what a HUMPKIN is but she isn't sure she likes it. We all fall about laughing. That's GOLD!

We've chosen the dvds. I've made MOTH come with me as he usually just waits in the car but this time he actually found a couple of movies he wanted to watch. We sit down to watch The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (US version). It's not a bad movie and the scene I was dreading wasn't as graphic as I thought it might have been. It's more graphic in the book. I have read all 3 of them a while ago and since I missed the beginning I was having a little trouble working out where I was in the movie. MOTH heads off to begin part 2 of the soup.

One of the movies I have is Hugo. I didn't get to see it in the cinema but it certainly looks enticing. I put it on and wow. Not even into the film very far and it is visually stunning. The colours! The depth! The cinematography is amazing and it turns out to have a good story line too. But while it was playing I decided I would begin making a lime cheesecake, the recipe supplied courtesy of sparklingmerlot. But since the soup is also going on, I've lost a lot of bench space so I'm not sure how it will turn out. If I'm not 100% comfy while cooking it often doesn't work. Half the bench is dirty utensils. The bench is wide and today I'm having trouble reaching the plug properly *it's in the middle of the bench and hey, with stuff all around...* I have to rearrange the cupboard just so I can get the right size springform pan. I notice there are things put back in the oddest of places. I have to wash up some stuff before I can begin. The dish drainer is full and .. well, you can guess... Eventually I get it done and in the fridge. But I've missed a lot of my movie...

Mouse sends me a text to tell me Horrible Histories will be starting soon. She had mentioned it but I'd never seen it. Yes, I like it. Educational and funny. I settle in for Sunday night viewing - Hercule Poriot. I think I've read the book but I hadn't seen the movie before. And somewhere in there I miss a text from the Teen to tell me to watch SBS1 for a documentary involving Star Wars and technology. That might have been good too. Never rains but it pours....

But what are you going to call me now...?

She wails. She's about to have a birthday and won't been a Teen much longer. What else can I name her? She's been the Teen for so long I may as well keep it.

What a week it's been! There haven't been enough hours in the day.

Last week the budget worked out and MOTH and I made a dash north to visit Ma and make sure she was behaving herself. A big ask, I know. She will be fresh from hospital but not taking things easy - there is just too much to do and not enough people to do it for her. And being bush bred and a tough cookie, she won't slow down or ask for help either. Stress is a big issue but there is no relief in sight.

So, home from the conference on Saturday lunchtime with enough time to do the washing and repack for a departure on Monday morning after I drop off the work car...

Finally on the road and I get a call from the GM. What do I know about a work car with a cracked windscreen? Whaaat? It wasn't mine, I know that much. Are you coming in he asks. Ummmm noooooo. He managed to get it sorted without me though. Whew.

We stop off at Ma's place for a short time before we head into town to camp at Mouse's. Apparently the kids are home from school as Niece and Nephew greet us at the front door with very loud voices. Eventually Ma and Pa arrive downstairs and there is happy laughter all around. I had expected a flood of tears. Only Mouse knew we were coming. Ma happily informs me that if I had arrived a couple of days before there would definitely have been a flood of tears. She still isn't coping very well. Mouse has choir tonight but will forsake it if I don't want to go with her. I'm happy to go but then we won't have time for a bottle of Brown Brothers moscato. She ditches choir.

Today I will spend the morning with the Teen while MOTH goes with Ma and Pa to the hospital. He will ask about his medical records while he is there. I text Teen to ask what she is doing. Grocery shopping but she has no way of getting to the shops and getting it home again. I guess a taxi is rather expensive. I tell her I will pick her up. Whhhhhaaaat???? She didn't know I was in town either. The Elder did, she guessed from my last blog entry *smarty bum*. While out shopping we come across Wookie. Someone I could have done without seeing. She is Subs sister and Elder has been trying to avoid her. She and I chat for a while then I move on. Teen laughs at the way I did that *when she took a breath, stood up, said i had to keep going and started walking. she followed* We dropped by Elder's place of employment for a quick chat. Mu-um, she says, I got dressed in a hurry and realised that I am wearing the top I cooked dinner in last night. I've got pasta sauce on it. Can you please buy me another?? *wow. that's almost as good as the teen* I buy her a new top and jeans. She spies Wookie out the front talking to an apparently mutual friend and tries to hide but the friend calls out to her and she has nowhere to go.

Off to grocery shopping and drop Teen home. It's the first peek at the unit where she is staying. The living area is large and the place seems clean. Much better than previous abodes!

Head out to Ma's place to look after Rabbit and the kids. Not sure if her Respite Lady will be out today and Ma has to head back to hospital to see the doctor. Ma and Pa arrive early and Ma heads me off to sit and talk for a while. I keep her occupied on the couch while Rabbit wanders about and Niece and Nephew go off to do their thing. MOTH and Pa gravitate toward the garage to sort out a new antenna for the car. Spend the next day with Ma and Pa as they take Niece and Nephew to the Pediatrician. Pathology first to feed the vampires; Ma stands when the Nurse opens the collection room door. Hold up Granny she says, this lady comes first while she flashes a cheeky grin at Ma. Then to collect the kids for their appointment. We wait and while we wait a woman comes in with three boys. Some people just have no clue how to parent! They run in circles yelling and shouting, playing with the water dispenser and the suction valve on the wall. Stop it she says, we're in a hospital but they take no notice *hardly surprised there! i manage to catch the eldest boy's eye and he slows down a little* We don't get away from there until nearly 2pm.

Ma treats me to lunch at Coffee Club and who is sitting near us? Wookie, her mother and Nan. You just can't get away from some people!

State of Origin night and Teen asks us down to her local. She's recently started work there and seems to be enjoying it. They do have a policy though that means staff are not allowed to drink there *i think due to some fracas that occurred once* but it has been relaxed tonight. I'm surprised when Elder, Burrich and a friend join us as well. It's a good evening and MOTH manages to catch up with an old acquaintance who seems to be a regular.

Now it's Elder's turn for a visit and we swing by her place. It's ... not what I expected. Burrich is apparently in the process of moving in and there is stuff everywhere. She's not feeling very chirpy at present and they still need to find a doctor for Burrich. He's had today off sick and needs a medical certificate. We spend a little time at the shops before she needs to leave. Of course, it's EB Games. While we chat, she shows me a game and offers to buy it for me. Payback for buying her the clothes. Sure! I can't wait to get it home to look at it.

Back out to check on Ma and have dinner. She shows me the report she has received following the autism spectrum test that have been done for Niece and Nephew. Oh my. They're shocking. The brief paragraph on their background is wrong. Nephew's name appears multiple times in Niece's report. A quick glance seems to indicate that even the results tables are exactly the same. It looks like a very shoddy cut and paste job. This is the sort of effort she has been battling for years trying to get help for them and respite for herself.

She treats us to KFC. She likes to watch the soaps so I sit on the couch and read while they're on. I glance up and Rabbit is dozing on one side. I poke her awake. We laugh at her jumping. I go back to the book and look up again later. Rabbit has dozed off again. I look at the other side. It's catching - Ma has dozed off too. BY GOD, I say, and almost fall off the couch laughing as they've both jumped a mile high. Probably not good for Ma's ticker....

Made arrangements to cook dinner for Mouse today. We've been there for a week and not managed to spend much time with her. We had wine left over from a previous purchase the day before, this one a sparkling red. *Brown Brothers again. i love that label* to have with roast beef. It turns out well and the wine goes down a treat.

Home today, and we get lost. Stopping in a new shopping centre to stock up on road snacks and buying fuel. How can you get lost in a servo? But we did. The line markings were confusing MOTH says. There are way more stops for roadworks on the way home than on the way up. 80km for 4 kms, 100 for 2, 60 for 5 and down to 40 then back to 100km. And MOTH growls. Why are there stretches of road where the limit is 60km and not a road worker in sight??? We make good time though, stopping only to change drivers. Lunch is packed in the cooler so a quick toilet break and check the front tyre is the only stop. *i ran over something. something HARD that jolted MOTH something terrible. i think it was a bit of blown tyre thrown up by the vehicle in front* Jerome is not in sight when we come in. I look for him and suddenly he answers. He runs to me and chatters on, smooching about my ankles and shins, standing on his hind legs and giving me full body bumps in greeting.

He's been a little paranoid ever since. It's ok Jerome, I promise I won't leave you again unless I'm off to work. I promise. Till next time. And I'm hoping that won't be too soon!

Conference week

The tutorials begin the week this time. All is quiet and it's a small break after the rush of last Sunday. It also gives me breathing space to work on the app before the demand kicks in on Wednesday.

The tank has come in! True, it's not quite what I was expecting, but hey! It will do!

I head out to the lawn to watch.

The booths are mostly set up. We have a cut out at the stand and some are game enough to have photos taken... We have a wii at the booth. We are offering a prize and the geeks are happy to have a go. Admin2 badgers me to play but I don't like to do that when people are watching. Eventually a passing geek talks me into it. I've never played the game before and get a score of 586. It's not the best but it's not the worst either. *i'm happy. and now i think i want a wii. or maybe an xbox. i miss that...*

I'm waiting for the Gala Dinner. I've arranged the 501st for delegates and I hope they will like it. Not many people know about it and I've kept it that way so it's more of a surprise. I think it goes over well.

I've organised for them to arrest one of the speakers and take him from the stage. But OH NO! Everything is running about fifteen minutes ahead of the run sheet and 501st have missed their cue. The speaker went shorter than time and fled the stage quick smart too. Luckily, I had asked C her opinion about it before adding it to 501st run sheet. The GM took the stage, called the speaker back and arranged the 'arrest' photos. I didn't see the speaker again after so don't know if he enjoyed the experience. I'm told from those who could see that he was in seventh heaven.

I didn't feel well and left before Axis of Awesome.

Budget day and luckily this month is a three pay month. I decide that the bills can wait - MOTH and I will trip up north for a few days. I arrange with C and K to have the week off.

The conference is finally at an end. I'm doing pack up duty with Admin2 and it's between 1600 and 1630 when we finish. I don't like driving a work car in the dark so I had booked an extra night. We decide to stay. We haven't spent all the budget for the week, so we have dinner at the pizzeria. I have carbonara and MOTH a pizza. We sit, talk, wind down. The carbonara is absolutely delicious. We've arrived, been served and eaten within forty-five minutes. I crash after watching Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries and don't stir till after 0600 the next morning. Excellent sleep for me.

Head out the next morning and within mere seconds MOTH says you probably should have gone that way. Things deteriorate from there. Karen tells me to go one way, MOTH tells me another but today he is a terrible navigator and says That way while vaguely waving his hand around. I take several wrong turns. I'm getting frustrated and stressed, MOTH is getting angry too. He asks if I put the right destination in when I started. Yes, I did. He is going to reset it just in case, has a go at taking it off the mount and gives up. Things are getting worse. I duck down an empty side street to do a U turn. We're still arguing and in the few seconds it takes me to pull in and turn, I've not checked the mirror and someone slams on the brakes and beeps their horn. A few seconds in an empty suburban street. MOTH thinks later that she has come around the corner pretty quickly too.

Karen tries to take us back in her original direction and MOTH throws his hands up. Just go where she says. I do. We're on the motorway in a very odd way *it looks like we are going south when we need to go north* and all is good for a time. We pass exit 24, looking for exit 23. Guess what! ... ... It's blocked off. No exit 23. Or 22. Or even 21. We take the next and come home a totally different way.

Finally home! And as I come in the door, MOTH is looking at Jerome. Jerome is looking at me and when I speak, he meows and runs to me, twisting around my ankles and telling me how good it is to see me. He's on the bed, nuzzling my hands and purring like an engine. He's barely left my sight since.... and yet, I have to leave him again...

I've been so busy!

I can't believe that it's been two weeks since I last updated! And I've not even kept notes...

It's the lead up to the conference. The last week and I've been running around like a chook with my head cut off. Last minute things like hoping some of the collateral arrives at the office before then!

It does, and I have made arrangements for it to be virus scanned before distribution. Yes, it's a USB stick. The sponsor has asked they all be scanned but I've managed to negotiate a higher than normal quota. I've tripled it. I have also managed to get two of the GTs to help with the task. I distribute the sticks and wait for them to come back to me for their final scan. There are 6 from each tray. And about 10 trays. This afternoon I ask Admin2 if she can help. Sure she can do that. I have one day to do it. It's the last day before we all leave for the Coast. I ask Admin2 for help. I'm sorry, she says. I can't, I'm busy.... (!)

My favourite GT sends and email. HE'S LEAVING! OH NOES! Now I think I am really going to have to work on finding another job. But I'm still close to my long service leave. Do I give that up or wait? I think I will wait a bit longer.

This week has been so rushed!

I've been enjoying myself a little more. C is finally trusting me to do more so I am being kept busy. Very busy.

One of the work projects has come to an end. That means no more tape changes. No more monthly report writing. And now that the conference has come to an end for the year, I have no idea what my duties will be. Perhaps I might not even have a job for long...

We've been told that for the gala dinner we will need to sit at a work table with named places. I hate that. Hate it a lot. I work with Admin2 and don't like her enough to spend time at the same table. Closer to time, we are given the option of seating ourselves. I jump at the chance and send an email to say MOTH and I will 'free range'. Fave GT edits that to add a bracketed "like crazy chickens" and the jokes come flying. Complete with chicken suits with the GT's head.... Conference girl comments on it - the nonsense YOU started, she says.

Dinner will be provided for staff on Saturday, Sunday and Monday nights. Partners costs won't be covered but they are welcome to attend as well. I reply to say I won't attend any. The girl employed by us to help with conference stuff is somewhat stunned when I tell her 'none'. I tell her that MOTH is just as likely to say 'nah, too expensive', 'can't be arsed' etc. And he will. The venue is 5 star with 5 star prices. Think a 12 inch gourmet pizza for $30. We can drive to the nearest KFC and get something cheaper thanks!

I've collected the work car and I think I'm set for the next week. The house sitter is arranged so Jerome won't go hungry. Saturday comes and off we go. I take MOTH with me, although this year work will not be covering any of his expenses outside of the conference social functions.

As I go to check in, C is there. She tells me she is about to call me and asks if we will be joining everyone else for dinner. It seems that work is required to pay for a certain number of people anyway so if that number don't turn up, he can take one of the paid meals. I check with MOTH. He says ok, so dinner tonight is taken care of. Hopefully for both of us.

We have been trying to use an app for the conference program and proceedings. It works on smart phones and devices so you don't need printed copies of the program for everyone. It got buggy and the vendor tells me it will be right when the Apple store release the update. I grit my teeth and soldier on. One of the Managers has been trying to use it and gets cranky. Hey! It's not my fault! I can't help it and I've asked questions... I didn't write the bloody thing! ... ... siiiigh. It works fine for a day then gets buggy again... This isn't going to be pretty.

The work room is set up and I go to keep working on the conference app. IT'S WORSE THAN BEFORE! I decide that I have to let C know now.... I've been talking to the vendor and although they are helpful, they aren't giving me much I can work with. One of the GTs has noticed a massive packet loss and not only is it occurring for my app, it's also the conference network in general. Panic stations everyone!

I decide to quit for the day. The GT is still working on things, and I miss C when she comes to see what is happening. They contact the vendor and apparently their data centre is at a complete stand still. Not helpful Jan!

I am working on Mother's Day. It's Sunday and my work day starts at 0745. It's the start of a long, busy and often boring week.

That night, as MOTH and I return from buying our dinner, I get news that Ma is in hospital... What am I going to do? I want to visit but I don't think I can. C tells me to do what I need but I decide that I can't do much at present and continue on.

Living on a ... rush?

The conference is only a week away and I'm feeling very pressured now. I am not sure I will get this task finished in time. But I don't know who else can help me as everyone is as busy as I.

Anzac Day this week. A day to give thanks to our fallen for the sacrifice they made. Stan travelled out to Longreach for the ceremony. He was gone for a week. I arrived home from work to find a parcel on my bed. Stan had bought back gifts. I now have a FUSCHIA t-shirt. It's a tight fight but well good enough for home wear.

The sun has set and the night is getting dark. I'm minding my own business when Jerome starts to call. Yowl would be more like. Or yodelling. Uh oh. That tells me he's definitely not happy about a trespasser. I look out the bedroom window and I think I can see a shadow. Jerome continues to call. He's very loud! I unlock the front door and yes, there's a cat sitting at the top of the garden steps. I shoo it away. Or I try. It just stares at me. I shoo it again and it heads down the steps. I can see it silhouetted under the street lamp. They're sneaky but I am too. I stand there and sure enough, it comes back. I chase it again and it walks away. I stand out there like a fool for a few more minutes but it doesn't return.

It's a time for Police cars I think. I'm on the bus and there are three of them parked in a bus stop. There is blue and white checkered tape closing off the top of the stairs. Uh oh. What's going on here???

The Elder tells me it's Starlight week this week. Her employer works to raise funds for the Starlight Foundation, a children's charity. I think she even managed an extra day at work. She was totally chuffed. AND she got to wear her pyjamas to work. Why can't I do that? Oh wait, I had to retire my mad fave Jim Beam jammies. That just wouldn't work.

Starlight Foundation is also a favourite charity of the 501st Legion. I get off the bus and there they are! Brilliant! I am rushing to the next bus stop and I only have my bus fare in my pocket. I wish I could have taken photos! It turns out that I did have enough time after all. I had forgotten I had actually caught an earlier bus and now had twenty minutes for change over. The costuming this group wears is amazing. Not something tacky, but Lucasfilm's preferred Imperial costuming group.

This morning I go past the bus stop where the Police were parked. The steps are still roped off but today there is a sign advising a partial collapse of the bike path. I hope no one was hurt yesterday.

I'm not in the office today. I have training so I'm out of the office. I've not done this training before and it's usually two days. They've squeezed it into one. I'm expecting a loooong day. The course starts at 10.30am and I'm not certain of the location of the training room. I arrive at 10.00am. Early I know but the trainer is already there. I apologise for being early; he directs me to the coffee and continues to pack up from the previous class while we chat look at some of the pictures hanging on the walls.

Closer to 10.30am and others start arriving. It looks like I'm the only woman in the class... but no another turns up. This training is for my department at work and I know the other lady well. We fill out our forms and the training begins. Yes, people I am now a First Aid Officer. But goodness knows how I became that. CPR was up first. I can't even remember if I actually used the dummy. I think I did. Briefly. I DID get to use the defibrillator. *whoo!* That's easy because it tells you what to do.

CPR finished and .... everyone else left. That left just me for the Senior First Aid certificate. Ummmm. The trainer gave me a multiple choice questionnaire to complete. Take a guess he says and we'll go through it when you finish. The first ten questions had been included in the CPR training so I started from question eleven. There were thirty questions in all. When I finished, we went through them all. I got five wrong. He was impressed, considering I've not held a certificate before. He did a quick demo of bandaging a bite, use improvisation for a wrist splint. Showed me how to use an epipen, an asthma puffer with an improvised spacer. We ran through a couple of scenarios. Someone has fallen over and hit their head, split their lip and hurt their elbow; which one would you treat first?

So, somehow, I'm a qualified First Aider. And the whole process took ... two hours...

Time is aflying!

The conference is looming and it all seems to be going too fast! MOTH still wants to come with me but I think this year will be more expensive than the last. We were told partners get everything. And perhaps they do. Just not everything everything. I'm thinking I will have to fund his lunch on a few days instead of having it supplied.

The week started off well too.

Been so tired lately. I can't even bring myself to cook a decent meal. You know, with vegetables and all that. I guess MOTH could do it but it hasn't even occurred to me to ask. Tonight I decide on a premanufactured chicken schnitzel with a fried egg. I'm talking to MOTH and dishing the food onto the plates. The egg is not dead. It throws itself from the pan to the floor. MOTH smiles and takes pity on me, even 'keeping' it after I offer him mine. He 'reassures' me while eating that there are no gritty bits so all worked out fine. Sheesh.

I'm a little later this morning and the line of traffic to get under the bridge is taking its time. The usual assortment of motorcycles go past, lane splitting in an effort to get ahead. I hate that. It's dangerous. Suddenly I notice the scooter which has just gone past has two front wheels!

A conference meeting today and I think it's my turn to supply the snacks. Usually Bee does it. I get up early and make cheese scones. I think they are pretty good. None of them came home so I guess I wasn't the only one.

It's a bus day today. I'm staring out the window and plotting the bus's next move. I do that sometimes especially if I don't ride the bus very often. I don't know why. Left here, I think. The bus goes right. Oh. I must have got it wrong. A passenger in front calls out YOU'RE GOING THE WRONG WAY! Nope, I was right. Now the driver is confused. So is her sidekick. I think they are learning a new route and the driver map seems to be marked wrong. She doesn't know how to get out of where she is; streets are really narrow here and there is no room for a bus to turn. One of the young passengers directs her down a side street and back across the traffic. We've effectively done a loop and are on our way again. I'm later than usual. But not too late.

I'm driving home and I can see red and blue flashing lights in the distance. Wonder what's going on there? I get closer and I see a police vehicle cross to the wrong side of the street. The lights are still flashing. I have enough time to notice that it has parked in front of an ambulance. Behind the ambulance is the paramedic. Parked on the footpath is another police car. Police get out of the car just parked and run toward the back of the unit complex. I can't see anything from the road. A little further down, a motorcycle policeman is headed that way with lights and sirens.

There's nothing on the news bulletins later that night that could have clued me in. *sigh. only time i'm actually interested in something and all is quiet*

Finally home for the weekend. That is, it's Friday and I'm finished work. MOTH has had some work done on his teeth yesterday and his mouth is still a little sore tonight. A light easy tea; he's cooked his winter supply of pea and ham soup so we have that. I had chicken mince out and decide that we can have it for lunch tomorrow. But I cook them up later that night and we snack on them. Miss Fisher's Mysteries is on and I settle down to watch that. And read a book.

It's raining this morning. In fact, it rains all day. MOTH is cooking roast pork. I make an apple crumble for dessert and send him to the shops to collect cream or icecream to go with it. He gets both. Cadbury caramello icecream in fact. MOTH comments that he hopes the crumble topping cooks through. The last few times I've made it, it browns on top but is still floury down near the apples. It's done this for as long as I can remember. I turn the heat up a little. Perhaps that will help? Time passes. OOPS! I can smell something crisping when it shouldn't be. I rush back to the crumble. I forgot I had turned the temp up. It's beginning to blacken on top, just. Juice from the apples has bubbled up and begun to caramelise in places, burn in others. And when I dish up, it's STILL floury underneath. *just can't win* I tell MOTH that maybe I won't bother to cook it anymore. He disagrees. The pork is amazing, the crackling perfect and dessert is accompanied by a chilled glass of wine. Marvellous.

Not raining so much today. I wander out and while outside I decide to pull some weeds while the ground is soft. I grab a handful of ferns. Ugh! It's tough. I don't have a garden fork. I keep tugging. Eventually it comes out but I've probably wrenched my shoulder from its socket. Well, not quite.

So much to choose from lately. Do I play WoW? Do I facebook? Do I watch telly? Do I read? Reading is winning the battle a little lately. It's that Song of Ice and Fire series. I've got to reread the first volumes before I can get to the new one, right?

Blogger has ... changed

Well, I'm sure they said it would but I am always slightly startled when the page looks different.

It's a bit of a pea-souper on the way to work today. I try to take a photo but I'm either getting no red lights or they change before I get the camera aimed. Why does that always happen? And how come it never looks as foggy in photos as it does in real life? Oh, my life's conundrums!

An invitation arrives in my inbox last week. To a cocktail evening at one of the hotel chains. I don't normally accept but this time I think I might. It has come from handing over my contact details while attending the travel expo last month. Was it last month? Or is the passage of time fogging my sense of life's direction? Ah well, no matter. I don't want to go by myself though. I've dismissed the idea of inviting Admin2. She wouldn't accept anyway. My supervisor, C has been ultra stressed lately so in the interests of self preservation I have asked her. It's on this week and I'm looking forward to it.

A taxi into the city and after waiting for C, we're away. As soon as we hit the venue door we are greeted by a very chirpy gentleman who escorts us inside to the sign in table. By the time I chat to the lass there, sort out my name badge and things, C has disappeared. I'm not worried 'cause I know exactly where she will be - at the drinks table. I find her there, we vote on bubbly, and meet some more very friendly Rendezvous staff. C and I stand together and are soon joined by other staff. They are all circulating and so very very friendly. C and I grab some nibblies from the circulating plates and gravitate to the outdoor area to admire the cityscape. We chat for a while then notice there seems to be a speech going on. The speech and prize draws over *i didn't win anything. hardly a surprise there* and everyone is directed outdoors. They have a surprise for us...

Everyone goes back inside for more food and drinks but C and I stay outside. It's a beautiful night. Soon we are joined by Roger, the bloke who greeted us at the door. He is from Christchurch and is very, very chatty. We sit and talk for ages. Something comes up about anniversaries and I mention I am looking for ideas for MOTH and I. *it's not till august but i want to begin examining my options* Soon C has to leave for another engagement and Stefan has joined us at table. Roger mentions to him about anniversary plans and Stefan offers some suggestions.

I think I've had about 4 glasses of bubbly by now. Roger asks if I want another, and talks me into trying a white wine. He leaves to get it and is gone for some little while. Stefan and I chat some more, with the occasion passerby stopping to chat to him. Roger returns - with a coffee. Gosh it's a great coffee. Not too hot. The crema is perfect and two sugars is just right. And absolutely no bitterness in the coffee at all, only flavour. PERFECT!

It's nearly 8pm and everyone has left *i'm still outside and didn't notice* and now the Rendezvous staff are all heading down to dinner. Roger, Stefan and I say our goodbyes and perhaps the bubbly has affected me more than I thought. I allow myself to be hugged and kissed before I head out to catch a taxi home.

A couple blocks walk and as I get to the rank I'm hoping that the lead is a silver service. Nope. Just an ordinary one. I get in and am very pleasantly surprised. It's a little worn but CLEAN! Very, very clean. Seat covers and all. I tell him when he drops me off that it was a pleasure to ride in such a clean cab. He seems pleased.

I have caught the bus directly to the office this morning, rather than to campus. I'll catch the shuttle over so I don't have to take extra stuff with me. I have arranged to collect something from another ITS staff member while I am there. I do my usual task then pop over to her office to collect the CD. We have a little time so we go to have a cup of tea and stand out on the balcony. Relaxing. I check the time; it's 11.26. Time to head for the shuttle. I get there and the driver is ready to depart and isn't looking he begins to close the door in my face. I knock, he opens it and says something cheeky. I look at the clock at the front of the shuttle. It says 11.30. Seems my time is a couple minutes slower than his!

The trip back is slow; there seems to be a car full of tourists out for a Sunday drive on a Thursday. They are doing 40km in a 60km zone and no passing opportunity. Up to a corner then suddenly decide which way to go. Swing really wide on the wide sections of the road but don't pull over. The shuttle driver is frustrated and shaking his head. There are a couple of comments from other passengers. But we get there.

Usually MOTH drops the scripts off at the chemist before joining the lads while he waits for it to be filled. I'm with him today and we've settled in the corner before he's gone by the chemist. After everyone has gone their separate ways we head to the chemist only to find there is a 25 minute wait. We're standing outside and for something different I decide to look in the bottle shop. I talk MOTH into coming with me. We're walking through and I see 3 bottles of wine I like. I ask MOTH if I can get one. He's feeling generous and tells me he hasn't quite blown the budget so yes, get one. I can't decide which one I want. Get two he says. REALLY? Yeah, why not. So despite the fact they are about $17 a bottle, I buy two.

One is cold so I put that one in the fridge and the other in the cupboard for another day.

I don't do much else on the weekend. I see in my email that Blizzard have offered me a spot as a beta tester for their new expansion pack. I'm excited because I think it will be a while before I can afford the expansion pack once it's released. I look at the specs. Ok, I need 10GB of free space. No problem there. I set to download and see that it is telling me I'm actually downloading 18GB of stuff. Whew. That's going to take ages! *maybe we are spoiled and think that ADSL is too slow? i'm not sure but ADSL+2 isn't available in our area so mighty downloads just seem to creep. glad we don't do dial up anymore!* I let it install overnight.

Alright! Ready to check this out. Everything is going fine until everyone else arrives to do the same quest at the same time. And people aren't waiting their turn and blocking the quest objective, a small brazier required to light a torch. Because you can see everyone else's character, imagine them all crowded around the brazier, six or seven deep and you can't click on the brazier because you can't see it. There are other questors trying to get people to back away so we can all have a turn in a multitude of languages *and being completely ignored*, people who are lining up to wait their turn, people who are completely disregarding the line and pushing around the brazier, and people spamming the chat trying to get a macro to work which clearly isn't. There are people complaining they've been at this for hours *it took me a couple* and the situation hasn't changed for them. The first time, I got to within a couple of the head of the line and everyone abandoned the line. I guess the line was rather futile since everyone was pushing in anyway. I tried again later but it was just the same. Eventually I got it completed using a mild 'cheat' from the first time I was there. I'd tried it then but couldn't get it to work because I wasn't fast enough. This time I must have been because I got the torch lit and I was away!

MOTH talked about purchasing some necessaries. I mentioned that I would like to purchase an ebook. Or a set of 4 novels for $27, otherwise it was $10 each. Volume 5, I said, was $14. Just do it, he says. Later that afternoon, I had forgotten and MOTH reminded me. Later again he came to me and said I may as well purchase Volume 5 as well. *falls off chair*

I shut the computer down and realised I hadn't made the purchase. I boot up again and do it. Oh my!

I have the iPad with me today - so much reading to catch up on!

Back to the grind...

Holidays are over and it's back to work tomorrow. I've spent the whole week at home. Doing not much of anything. I swear if MOTH hadn't forced me out to the shops I would have never left the house.

Up to the local shopping centre. For no particular reason I think. We meet up with the old folks. I don't know if I've named them. John, Stanley, Wombat and occasionally K and S, the daughters. Today we arrive at the shops around 9am and it's nearly lunch time before the group breaks up. K is there today and I laugh a lot as she gives MOTH a hard time.

MOTH and I get an invitation to the movies to watch Titanic 3D. I appreciate the invite, but alas I shall be back at work when they go. MOTH helps them sort out the timing of the screening they want to attend while I merrily chatter to Stanley. I have seen the movie once, and that once was enough. I'm not keen enough to sit through it again, let alone in 3D.

I have spent the week off and on doing a spot of weeding in the garden. Mostly trying to thin the ferns that are choking out the gazebo. I don't dig them out, but pull them out a couple at a time. The garden bin is full and I have to stop to wait for it to be emptied. That won't happen till the end of the week. I look about, but I can't really see where I've managed to make a dent. Luckily it's been raining off and on all week so the soil is softer than usual.

One of the posters on my rumpus room wall has decided to release it's moorings. I don't really care and haven't really endeavoured to pick it up. Too late for salvage now - Jerome found it and has chewed a hole in it. It would have served me right if it were one of the ones I really wanted.

Splurged a bit this week and grabbed a couple of dollars to get some dvds. On a Tuesday, and all dvds are only $1.95 to hire. Gotta love cheap Tuesdays. If I timed it right, Tuesdays could mean heaps of dvds and $5 pizzas for dinner. Sounds like a plan for the future. Shame MOTH doesn't like pizza.

So. Puss in Boots. Funny! There's some adult humour thrown in there as well. They're getting better at it - imagine Humpty Dumpty in a gold lame suit, no underwear and complaining of chaffing.

The Priest. Some sort of post apocalyptic or futuristic setting? I'm not certain. A faction of the Priesthood have killed all the vampires, blind animalistic things with no resemblance to humanity in any form. The Church has disbanded the warrior priests and insist that vampires no longer exist.

Xmen: First Class. The prologue to the other movies. Pretty much to formula but I enjoyed it and a great time waster.

Gran Torino. Wow. If you haven't seen this one, get and see it. Wow. I did cry. Quite a bit.

A visit from Zman today to hand back the modem. I had to bribe him with fresh scones, but he did arrive. He stayed for about three hours, just chatting. And eating scones with jam and cream. It was good to catch up.

Time to install the modem today. Uh oh. The computer recognises it. The lights on the modem that need to be flashing are flashing. But there is no internet connection. I can't figure out what is wrong. Diagnostics aren't picking up any problems. I send Zman a text to let him know and ask if he had changed any of the settings. And plug the old modem back in again. Zman phones back late in the afternoon and talks me through some diagnostic things. All it does is confirm it's not working. He thinks there might be a problem with the DNS setting. Riiiiight.

I think maybe MOTH might want to phone Telstra tomorrow to sort it out. We plug the old modem back in again. But it doesn't seem to work. MOTH is despondent. I switch off my computer. Later I switch it back on but Airport doesn't seem to want to pick up the network. I turn it off and back on again. Eventually it picks up and all is good. I tell MOTH that he can use my computer. He can't get his to recognise the modem. I go to look. Switch it on and it's there. It works fine. I can open the browser and connect. MOTH is much happier.

I convince him to cook dinner this evening. Steak on the bbq. It's lovely and I've done the dishes. Time to kick back with a bit of Poriot tonight I think.

Easter chocolate time!

It's been a very quiet week. Happening wise. I've been slack on the notes front, so if you smell smoke it's me trying to remember what I've done this week.

Conference preparation is ramping up this week. Oddly enough - or perhaps not that oddly at all - work has employed a full time conference helper for the next three months. I have reminded the temp that if she has too much work to pass it to me. About 40 - 50% of my position description is conference stuff, but I think maybe my supervisor has forgotten that. Even though I ask every so often what she wants me to do.

Plenty annoying and bringing the serious job searching a little closer.

I've caught the bus this morning. It's not a long bus today, but I have managed to grab a couple of those. Yay! I always go right down the back. Each morning as we travel through the city we pass a Synagogue. Sometimes I have seen a gent outside wearing his yarmulke. This morning I see an Orthodox, complete with black suit, white shirt, broad brimmed black hat. The only thing he was missing was the long curly sideburns. I wonder what role he plays, if any.

Second to last stop and the driver calls something back to the passengers who aren't de-bussing. We all look at each other, as strangers do when they aren't sure what is going on. It turns out she is getting us to swipe our go cards at this stop as the reader is about to die. That's helpful of her as not swiping incurs a penalty of $5. A bit excessive when the trip is less than that. You can claim it back from Translink, but that's a bit of a convoluted process.

A short week this week because of Easter. Late night shopping on the usual day - Thursday - and the shopping centre is packed by the time we've finished. I finish work early because I start early so we have it over and done with by 6.30pm. Yay for our cleverness.

I think about making cupcakes, but only I would eat them so I don't think it's worth it. Maybe I will make them before I return to work next Monday? I'll think about it some more.

Easter Sunday dawns and I give MOTH his Easter present. A block of Coles milk chocolate. He thanks me and droops a little. I didn't get you anything for Easter. Never mind, I say. I got myself a block of Coles milk chocolate as well.

It's now Tuesday and I've just opened it today.... Who am I and what have I done with myself??

Crazy days

Some days, it just seems like every fool and his dog is loose on the road. Someone did a 3 point turn, just below the crest of a hill near the lights this morning. We had red so that must have meant he was crossing against the green? Some drivers have no idea.

Not like this driving school. Obviously they have some idea. Mostly about what they might be capable of. I wish I had had the time to take a photo. "Dang Driving School". Has a nice ring, don't you think?

It's a bus day today. I'm early. Almost too early. I've decided that I have worked my full day and see if I can catch a bus slightly earlier than 3.50pm. Sure I can. 3.12pm. I ask permission to leave at 3.00pm and I wait at the bus stop to go into the city to catch my bus home. One of the GTs sees me and crosses the road. He has an appointment and tells me he will give me a lift. Don't argue! he says. Okay, if you insist! So I'm in the city and waiting for my bus. Along comes a likely young lad, headphones on, using his shoulders and arms popping and locking along to whatever tune he's got on the 'phones. Assuming of course they are plugged into something! I notice people are giving him plenty of room.

I'm driving to work and I'm in the 'office' stretch. I can't call it home really. The shuttle bus goes by and I'm distracted long enough to glance at it. Eyes back to the road as I come around the bend and ... holy cow! There's a pedestrian!! She's crossed just around the bend and her clothing makes her blend into the background a little. She's made to the the other lane before I'm anywhere near her but geez! That was a little too close for me.

I'm coming home and I've hit the long smooth stretch. Some of the roads are shocking, but not this piece. There's a fire and rescue field services van. A tall white one. It crosses to the lane in front of me and I think nothing of it. It transitions out of my lane to make a right turn and HOLY CRAP! The ute directly in front of it which I could not see AT ALL is at a complete stop! I'm soooo glad that I don't tailgate! I didn't realise how much of my vision that van actually blocked. Luckily I am able to slow down without screeching brakes but had I been any closer to the van it might have turned out so different!

Exciting week on the road, eh?

The office refurbishment is nearly done. Only the swipe access on the internal door to activate and the removalists to come shift our stuff back to our floor. And then it's finished. Oh wait. The conference room has to be set up again and a whiteboard or two hung.

Friday! I leave for the day and I'm heading to my car when a truck pulls up outside the gate. Think nothing of it and get into my car. And the truck pulls into the driveway. It's collecting the skip and now I'm stuck till that's done and he leaves. That gate is one vehicle only access. Sigh.

Dang! I've missed the show I wanted to watch. I had been gearing up for it all month but at the last minute, completely forgot and watched Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. Luckily for me, Foxtel replays things at regular intervals on most channels so I grab the guide and note it's on again the next morning. I settle in to watch Lynda LaPlante's Above Suspicion: The Red Dahlia. And I notice that all through this story line, the coppers and others all claim to have never heard of the Black Dahlia. Not playing this one for real, are they!

It's a quiet day today. It usually is, but I feel a little restless. I pace up the hall to talk to MOTH a few times. I make him lunch. I lean over the bathtub to open the window a little so Jerome can look out. I find myself clambering over the sides of the tub to pull the lace curtain down for a good soaking. The soaking water goes black quickly. Is it really that long since I washed curtains?

Curtains soak overnight and I put them through a wash cycle the next day. I put out some birdseed. MOTH goes up the street to purchase some things to have with dinner tonight. It's left over roast pork, sliced inch thick and charred on the bbq. MOTH asks me to make a butterscotch sponge pudding, a packet mix he bought a couple of shops ago. Go on, he says, it's a chance to give the mixer a go. Due to some trouble he has had with unauthorised transactions against his debit card his has been deactivated and I give him mine to purchase the goods. He comes back, shaking his head. He's only bought half the things he wanted. It didn't work. I was so embarrassed. You'll have to call the bank he says. It said 'contact bank'. Suddenly I'm hand to mouth. I've just realised I've given him the wrong PIN! No wonder it didn't work. Uh oh.

Luckily the card is only locked out for 24 hours.

Oh, my week has been so exciting!

Bright. And shiny.

My fancy new wall and some of the new carpet.

My desk from the front door. Notice the bright purple carpet? Yes. Yes you did.

The new storage cupboard they built behind Admin2.

Looking down the corridor toward the 'everybody else area'. See the contrasting blue patch there?

Outside. From the bus stop. Convenient, hey.

Part of the 'everybody else area'. Down the other end of the office. Away from the Admin section. Where they should be.

Much better than we had!

Visitors!

Left home this morning at 06:45. In the office at 07:20. Got to love this driving to work business!

Back in the office now, and all looks good. The outside of the building hasn't been touched beyond a clean, but inside. Wow. Looks great. There are still a couple of things that need to be finished, like the internal security door and the ceiling of the conference room. I will post some photos later when the cable is free.

Put your thumbs together. Go on. Humour me. Now put your index fingers together to form a circle. Yes. Now you've got it. That's about the size of the office visitor I had. Eight legs. Brown. Hairy. I watched it crawl across the corner of my desk. *terribly, terribly glad it went across the back and not under where it might have crawled across my feet!!!!* I watched it for a second. Do I deal with this myself or not? briefly toyed with the idea of getting rid of it myself. NOT!* I gave a half hearted yelp. Admin2 was sitting next to me and immediately bounced to see what was wrong.

Dodge, I call. He sits on the other side of the partition. He pokes his head around. I show him the visitor and then promptly withdraw to let him deal with the situation. Oooo. He agrees that it does indeed look menacing.

The monster senses he isn't welcome, bolts behind the fax machine and ... disappears. Dodge eventually finds him nestled in under my desk and close to my work box. A quick dash from there and he's hiding in the wiring exposed in the wall. Dodge takes the opportunity to put the fixture back flush with the wall and the problem is solved. Hopefully. It was a twitchy couple of days that followed.

On my way to the office door and I'm digging in my bag. I can't find my access card. Great start to the day. Maybe it's still on my desk. The door I need to access is too far away from other people for knocking. Hmmm. The glass door to our office is open, but the green door we need to use is not. Great. I decide to sneak in through the glass door. The builder is there and we chat for a while. I duck under the tape cordoning off the internal stairs. I have to get to my desk. Word to the wise, be careful when ducking under tape to go downstairs. You might just faceplant.

I tell Ma this story later while chatting on the phone and she falls about laughing with the idea that I snuck in the back way and broke into my own office. *shakes head* The imagination of some people.

There's my card. Sitting innocently on my desk. Where I left it last. Sigh.

My week for spiders. I walk down the path toward the bus stop. And through a cobweb. As I'm bent over, wiping it away from my face I'm sure I can see the occupant in my peripheral vision. Luckily, dangling near my hem. And it's not large. I think to myself that this cobweb thing has been happening so often lately that I don't even do the cobweb ninja dance anymore....

So. Admin2 and I have moved back into our end of the office and all seems to be back to normal. I have to decide what to do about putting my wall calendar back up. The wall next to me has been made a lovely feature wall so I doubt I will be able to use blu tack. Actually I'm doubting I'll be able to put up anything at all. I talk MOTH into going into Office Works to see what we can find. Dangerous territory for me. I love that stuff and could spend a fortune in there.

I find some poster strips that I can use. Small, clear double sided squares that are supposed to be removable. We'll see.

While there, I grab a belt clip for my card....

MOTH talks me into going up to the village to sit with the old folks for a while. One of the daughters is there and I spend a lot of time laughing as she stirs MOTH mercilessly. Glad I went after all. In future I just need to make sure that MOTH has enough change in his wallet to buy me something to eat while I'm there. Hmmm. His wallet and my waistline might very well regret this....

Hidden stashes.

I think I mentioned last post *listens for howling dogs* that I had come into the office and my work stuff was missing. I had to wait until Admin2 arrived but I found it! Or at least, she showed me where it was stashed. She decided there was important stuff in it and placed it locked away in a secure room. While I can understand the sentiment, an email or something letting me know where it was might have saved a bit of frustration. Given that I'm in the office at least two hours before she is.

Half the office refurbishment is done. The administration area is the last to be completed. No surprises there. We elected to remain down on level 3 while everyone else moves back into the office. We didn't see the point in relocating upstairs then relocating again. Since they've done the paintwork at our end, I have had a quick peek. I'm thinking it will take some getting used to - the walls are almost *but not quite* stark white and we have a huge bank of windows! So bright! I asked if I could get the wall next to me painted the same colour as the feature wall in the other end of the office. It's a wait and see thing. I'm not holding my breath.

Not a good start to my day. I've sent my back into spasm. How, I hear you ask? MOTH and Jerome combined to set the scene. It's dark. Jerome woke me and I decided to look at the clock. It's on MOTH's side of the bed and when he lies on his side, I can't see over the top of his shoulders. I prop myself up and look. Great, it's Sparrow Fart. I lean down to rub my nose on my pillow...

Decide to dine out of the office today. I take my book and sandwich down to the lunch shed. Dez *the water dragon* doesn't turn up, but a couple of the blokes working in the same area as I do. They take a table together further down on the other deck. Things are settling in nicely and POW! Just like that five other tables near me fill up with chattering, squawking people. All at once. I'm guessing lunch time peace and quiet is now a thing of the past.

The Site Manager is one of the blokes who sits in the same area where I am working. It's his birthday at the end of the week but since he will be on leave, someone is getting in early. *was going to upload a pic but i've deleted it off my phone* Pretty pages adorn almost every flat surface in the kitchenette proclaiming the fact that he is turning 60. So now we all know.

I decide to swap my desk around. Mostly so that if I decide to listen to the iPod at work, I can get the headphones to reach better if I put the laptop on the other side of the desk. I begin by moving the phone. I come back to my desk later, and the phone is missing! What happened there? Oh. Right. I've moved it to the other side of my desk already, haven't I. *feels sheepish*

Bus ride to work this morning. A regular thing, once a week. I have job to do on campus one day a week so I choose to do it the day I need to catch the bus. This morning I am idly staring out the window at the people on the footpath. Some young fella missteps and does a quick two step. AND KEEPS ON GOING WITHOUT LOOKING AROUND OR DOWN. That's self control for you people!

It's been raining off and on for most of the week. I only like rain when I'm indoors and there is absolutely no chance that I will have to go out in it. I don't know if it's the bush setting or not, but rain can make the office surrounds smell a bit swampy. It's almost knock off time and down it comes. Quite heavily this time, no light little shower this one. By the time I finish up about five to ten minutes later the rain is still heavy. I open the office door to go out ... and there is a HUGE puddle. Looks a little deep too. No stepping over this one, I shall have to walk through it. Just as well I'm wearing boots today. It's ankle deep...

New views

Today, I'm in a different office. A temporary relocation while they do the refurbishment of our 'real' office. I'm wondering what it will look like.

The relocation. Yes. Well. I have a window to look out of but my back is to the walkway. That gives me the heeby jeebies people. The monitor is on my desk, but look! ALL the cables are detached. Great. Dang. Now I can't get the laptop connected to the dock. It usually doesn't give trouble but today, it just won't go. Uh oh. I don't know which port to connect the ethernet cable. Ah well. Since I'm not using the dock I'll just use the wireless for now. Wait. My chair isn't here. And they've left me a scummy one. I cast around and find a suitable replacement. Sort of set up and in a lather of sweat, I can't see my work box. The one I packed and marked with my name and DESK so they knew it had to come here. I look around. It's not here. Great. That contains the work files I will likely need this week, my notepads and all my writing implements. Good one people! Looks like Admin2 gave me a thought while she was busy looking after her own stuff.

Oh dear. Now what will I do all day?

No notes again this week. All the excitement happened last week.

Off sick this week. I had arranged for a week of sick leave with my doctor before I left for north last weekend. And I'm glad I did. I would have had to take time off anyway. Gotta love summer head colds. It's been an age since I last had one.

I sniffled and sneezed most of the way through the early week.

It didn't stop me though from putting that autumn leaf from my friend to good use. Off to one of the larger shopping centres. I thought I would check to compare pricing from one of the big department stores and the local book shop. It's usually much cheaper that way and if I could get it cheaper, I might be able to purchase two books instead of one.

It turned out to be about $4 cheaper at Kmart. Well, I say, if that's all the difference, I spend the extra and shop independent at Dymocks.

I've been taking it slowly and dragging out the reading of the book. This author, Robin Hobb, usually writes in trilogies. But I've skipped forward *naughty, i know* and checked out some of the ending. Not all of it mind, but it gives the impression that this may not be a trilogy after all and I will have another long wait till the next installment! Bummer.

The only other note of interest this week has been Jerome. The cheeky fellow has decided that if I am not out of bed at 5.30 to give him his breakfast, he will sharpen his claws on the ensemble base. That gets a reaction every time! It's something he's learned from Sheldon it seems.

One of his favourite places to rest is an empty laundry basket. He sometimes curls up in it to nap, or he plays. I thought I would make it comfy for him and added a towel to the bottom. He leapt. Front feet in and he noticed it wasn't empty. Back feet came to a screeching halt perched on the edge of the basket. Sniff sniff sniff wriggle wriggle and out he got.

Guess he didn't like the towel after all...

Theme from Mahogany

... was posted in a different spot by a friend. I love the poignancy of the lyrics and it's been an age since I've heard it.




Wow. What a week! I thought I had made notes, but obviously I've been too busy!

The office has relocated. Again. Hopefully this will only be for a short period, say four weeks, while they do the refurbishment. Why didn't they do this before you moved in, I hear you ask. Politics. Need I say any more? I believe the contractor was lined up to do it all before we moved, and he was ready to go - teams in place and everything. But the building owner said NO at the last minute. But we still had to move.

So. Relocating again. And this time I had a week's notice. Not quite as much to pack up this time but I still have to do my usual work and repack the back room and the Admin area and the kitchenette. The General Manager was speaking to both Admin2 and myself when he told us this, but Admin2 decided there was other things she needed to do that required her attention.

She took a carer day. She had been organising the installation of new phone points for the move. The request for some paperwork came in while she was on Carer Leave. One of the managers and the General Manager insisted that I respond and fill in the necessary paperwork. Didn't matter that I was already busy and would have had to retrace back through the email thread to get all the necessary information. And they were dead certain it couldn't wait for one day. It was too much and I had a mini meltdown. I walked out of the office and went to talk to Dez. I spent my lunch hour there. By the time I got back to the office, they'd managed to establish the paperwork could indeed wait another day - in fact, the requestor knew Admin2 was away and wasn't expecting a response till she returned. *so there*

This is Dez.

I repacked the back room and half the Admin area. When she returned to the office after a carer day during the week, I suggested that she could finish the other half of the Admin cupboard and the kitchenette. She didn't quibble.

However, it seemed to take her forever. I think I mentioned about five times that she only needed to pack the cupboard under the sink, the contents of the fridge and the glasses on top. Simple, right? After helping the GT team leader pack the conference room, I returned to my desk to find her packing plates and glasses ON MY DESK! I went down the other end of the office and packed up equipment on the spare desks that no one seemed to be packing. When I returned to my desk she was taking a break and I moved the box to a work table for her to finish. And then she complained to me about how much cleaning gear she had to pack and maybe she should just lock it all in the bottom of a filing cabinet so she didn't have to pack it. *rolls eyes*

Up early at the end of the week to fly north to meet with Moose for mother's birthday. Excited! Froggy and Dobby came in through the gate we were departing from. They headed off to the amenities. A couple of minutes after they left, boarding was called. No pit stop for them!

The flight was uneventful *the flight that is. didn't say anything about us!* We couldn't get seats the same row so I sat in the row behind. Froggy put her hands over the top of the seat. Tempting! And I can resist anything except temptation.

The hire car was a small Ford Focus hatch. Comfy for the passenger and we spent a time laughing as the wiper and blinker switches were on the opposite sides.

We went to visit Moose at her work to pick up the spare key. We had a tour through the office, met the other staff and chattered like a flock of budgies. I had been telling stories about someone I referred to as "Fatty". Moose listened and laughed. After a short time she commented So, is Fatty her real name? *silence* Froggy responded Yeah, and her last name is Boombah! And she began to giggle. Moose protested. Her name could have been Fatima or something! I looked at Froggy who is helpless. That's Mrs Boombah to you! If i thought she'd been helpless it was nothing to now. She had to cling to the reception desk for support.

We spent the afternoon at Ma's place catching up with siblings, nieces and nephews. We toured the garden and talking to Spike. Spike is a cat. She is 15 this year and still catches birds and lizards and jumps the 6' back fence. I took a photo of a couple of the flowers in the garden.

The weather was ghastly. If I thought it humid here, I had completely forgotten what it was like up there! I'd shower each night then wonder why I bothered as I was just as bad immediately afterward.

The birthday dinner went really well. Service was slow but the waitress did warn us. I had garlic prawns. The Elder, The Teen and Harry join us. I spent a lot of time laughing. Which really didn't do my sniffles and sneezes very well at all. The cake was lovely too.

A really enjoyable night, but an early one.

Caught up with a friend the next day. I haven't seen him for some time. He hasn't changed! I was hoping to visit another friend but I didn't want to pass this cold to her children. Dammit. That's at least twice I've missed her.

Froggy started sniffling. Seems I've passed on my germs. Ooops!

Last minute visit with Ma and Pa before we head back north to catch the plane home. We have lunch at a local shopping centre then head to the airport to return the car and wait. Poor Froggy is feeling miserable. We've checked in but are seated nowhere near each other. The flight again is uneventful. One of the cabin staff tells me I can sit with Froggy for the flight as she has an empty seat near her. I head up to her row. We chat for a while. When I hear the engines wind down I assume we are ready for landing and go back to my seat.

It's a bit of a rush to get off the plane. I'm lucky, I'm near the back door and it seems that I make it off the plane, into the terminal and to her departure gate before Froggy and Dobby. Froggy is feeling worse and still has a three hour flight ahead of her. I offer her a painkiller but she's not sure she should take any more medication on top of the sudafed. I can see her plight, but I think it's been helping me. I took one before flying and I don't have a headache or sinus pain after the flight.

I see her off and head out for pick up. I've not long hit the footpath and I see MOTH drive up. Good timing I say. Not really, it's his third pass. Ah well.

Jerome is pleased to see me too. I think. There is a postpak waiting for me. MOTH says it's from Pauline. Whee! A card from an old friend with whom I've only recently caught up with on Facebook. I open it. *dies* Not only is it a card, but enough money to buy a copy of a book I have wanted for some time. I mentioned it once in a status update - this gift or that gift cause I didn't have enough money for both.

What a bloody amazing way to end the week!

Nervous Nellie...

... is nervous. It's been raining again. The Bruce Highway is closed. Will the visitors be able to get home??

A sick day today. I haven't been feeling too great the last few days and since I have a Dr appointment this afternoon, I decide to stay home. I mentioned last week it was to check my medication. I had been on the higher dose for a time. As a trial I thought, with an increase in this med and a decrease in that one. But somewhere along the line, I got the old script for the lower dose filled *odd for me because i usually destroy redundant scripts* and that's where the confusion lay. I'd spent the last month swapping me back to the lower dose of this med and higher dose of that one.

Sigh. Getting older is such a crock.

On the way to the Dr appointment MOTH and I travel along the motorway. At this point it's four lanes, including the merge lane. Traffic is light but there are four cars in the inner two lanes. Two in the left, two in the right and offset so that viewed from above, there would be left, right, left, right.

It must have been an interesting sight as the two in the right lane indicate and move left. Immediately the two in the left indicate and move right. Beautifully choreographed!

One of the GTs has been spending his lunch time out in the *loosely labelled* canteen area. He's been making friends with one of the water dragons. It seems to be bearing fruit as he proudly, with a huge grin plastered across his face, shows me a photograph of the lizard sitting on his lap. Apparently it climbed up the leg of his jeans while he was sitting eating lunch.

It's 5.30am and I'm in the kitchen prepping my work lunch. The cats are sitting grooming themselves, waiting for me to serve them. *yes joe, there is a heck of a lot of fluff getting about from those two!* Sometimes Jerome can get a bit snuffly when he gets his nose deep into his fur. I can hear a strange honking noise. Wow. Jerome is really getting into it. I listen some more. Suddenly I realise it's MOTH snoring! The bedroom door is open and the sound is drifting down the hall...

It's been raining a lot lately and the humidity has set in. It's so muggy that it feels like I have been standing in a light mist!

I always wear long skirts. I'm really not a jeans/trousers/short skirt kind of girl. Today's skirt is giving me trouble. I keep rolling over it with the castors of my work chair. Uh oh. This is not good. I'm stuck. My skirt is stuck in the castor. Dang. I stand up. Yep. Stuck. I try to pull it out. Nope, it's not budging. I think about stepping out of my skirt for some manoeuvrability. Usually I'm the only one here but today someone else is in early so that's not going to work either. Eventually I free it. And almost repeat the same thing next day. Different skirt, same style.

I'm at work and on the phone to MOTH. *luckily!* I burst into a fit of uncontrollable giggles. One of the GTs has a huge grin on his face and is outside the office door. He is on the top step - I guess his entry swipe card is in his pocket - jumping up and down trying to bring the card close enough to the proximity reader to unlock the door.

The house is full this weekend. A music festival is on in town and I'm expecting visitors. I discover there will be six of them. And a kitten. No problem. We'll just bbq dinner. One of the young blokes is helping himself to sausages, bacon, bread and salad and he grins. I am seriously pleased, he says, with the amount of food here.

Penny *the kitten* is small, cuddly and a bundle of purring, fluffy fun. The boys don't take to her. At all. Well, we didn't expect much else really. They are cats after all.

The concert is today and The Elder and friends head out, leaving The Teen and I to spend the day together. She's the only one not going to the festival. We decide to watch movies. I'm clever this time - I've made a list. MOTH drops us off at the video store and as we look at the shelves, I realise I've left the voucher stuck to the front of the fridge. Bugger. The retail assistant overhears me and tells me she'll let me have them for the voucher price anyway. WIN!

The Teen has been at me lately to watch Across The Universe. I've never heard of it before. It's great, she insists. It's got heaps of Beatles songs in it. Are they original? No, covers, but they are very good covers. Sigh. Don't think I'm going to beat this. We pick three movies, one she wants, one I want and one we both want. We end up with The Three Musketeers, Final Destination 5 and the one I've already mentioned.

Watched that one first and ..... I'm very pleasantly surprised. The covers are good. There are no songs that I would say are butchered. And the actor who plays Sadie has an amazing voice. Wonder how come she didn't switch to the charts. Isn't that what they usually do these days? Wait ... it was made 2007. Maybe they didn't so much back then.

Wait up. Penny and Sheldon seem to be arriving at an uneasy truce.... Jerome. Not at all.

A couple of my visitors were heading home today. But it's been raining too much and the highway is flooded. Again. Stupid summer. I ask if it's going to cause a problem for anyone? We think it might for Harry. Elder points to her crew. His boss is okay with it, he's an unemployed hobo, Burrich doesn't have to work till Tuesday night and I'm fine. Harry has checked and his boss seems alright with it, although his mother is not pleased.

This morning I have fingers crossed that the highway will open again soon and they can head home safely.

Cat! Get off that!

Kitties. They have a way of getting their own way, don't they.

A quiet week this week.

I've taken to driving to work 4 days a week. This last fortnight has worked out far more economical than the bus fare. I wonder how long it will continue now that fuel has jumped to around $1.50 a litre??

A VW classic! It's headed the other direction. Every panel is a different colour. A regular hodge podge of colours. I'm guessing it might not be intentional because it's not shiny. Make it so!

My birthday provides an opportunity for a day off. I intend to stay on the couch. All day. Catch up on my tv viewing and practice my negotiation skills. Maybe I can get MOTH to make me breakfast, lunch and dinner. I don't get to spend it on the couch.

I'm up early so no breakfast in bed. But I get bacon and a fried egg for breakfast. He's even sacrificed one of his round egg rings. Usually I prefer my eggs 'free range' in the pan, but MOTH likes order.

MOTH begs me to accompany him to the Village. I get dressed and go with him. He buys me a soft serve vanilla yoghurt with a forest berry puree. It's from Wendy's. Yes, here Wendy's sells icecream and hotdogs. Not burgers. The soft serve is delicious and the berries a wonderfully tart contrast.

Birthday money from Mother has arrived. What to spend it on? Decisions, decisions! I try on several items of clothing. That, or a new book. I'm torn. I eventually decide on the apparel.

Last weekend MOTH trimmed the trees. The branches are still in the yard waiting to be trimmed to put in the canvas bag. I trim some of those and give Fred a hand grooming. He's still shedding his winter coat. The patio looks like a black rug where I haven't yet swept.

I let MOTH off making lunch. *generous i know!* I don't feel hungry when he's ready for his. He cooks me dinner; chicken kiev with vegetables with icecream and Sara Lee cheesecake for dessert. Wicked!

I've just had a script filled but when I look at the box, the colour is different. I look again and the dose is different. Wait up a minute now! I'm confused. The script indicates it's been dispensed before. Many times. The pack that I've just finished shows it was dispensed last December and that was the last repeat. I'm not game enough to take the higher dose. I call the surgery to check. The receptionist tells me I should be taking the higher dose. Now I'm really confused. I make an appointment to sort it out with the doctor.

The visit is swift and we decide to leave it at the lower dose. I just don't know how that twist happened...

The Sounds of Silence

A great song really. But that's what I've got here - I'm first in again. And today it looks like three of our six carparks have been lost to interlopers. They aren't marked as reserved, and one chap I spoke to this morning doesn't intend to stop using it until he's told officially that it is reserved...

I'm in the bus hurtling home. Or is it to work? I can't remember. A stop sign catches my eye. Bright red octagonal. STOP and some wag has written underneath "it's hammertime".

Relaxing on the train on the way home from work. I've not decided if I like the train better than the bus or not. The guard this afternoon is a chirpy chap. He's reminding us of the quiet carriage rule. No yelling, no loud musical devices, no cartwheeling, no dancing ... although dancing could be ok if it's quiet... Several of the passengers in my carriage are chuckling quietly to themselves. Being a guard must be a boring job.

There's police tape cordoning off one of the city bus stops. I wonder if it's for real or someone's idea of a practical joke? What could have happened there? There's some substance on the wooden seats, but no obvious traces of blood...

The stove has spit the chips again. That's twice now. It seems to be shorting out and one of the elements gets very hot. MOTH told me last time the repairman looked at it and determined the problem to be one of the controls. The pot of tortellini boiled over a day ago. I wonder if water is getting under the control knobs and that's causing the short?

No boiled egg for breakfast for me!

We had a meet and greet bbq this week. At work, so that people working in different sections on lower floors could meet everyone else. I know that we and Property and Facilities were invited but I don't know if anyone in any of the other buildings was there. I met a couple of people so duty done.

After we'd eaten, some of the GTs decided to go for a walk to check the path that leads back to the main University campus. Apparently there is one. Admin2 decided to join them and I declined to head back to the office. It's the middle of the day, sunny and hot and I'm not that stupid. Errrr energetic. Ahem. The rest came back some time later but no Admin2. Apparently she had left before them. The manager who had gone with them was worried that she may have missed the gate. She was quite concerned. The GTs? One appeared almost as concerned, one confused, one pretended to care and me? Me? I was totally meh. She'll be right. Probably stopped off somewhere. Didn't sway the manager. Eventually she found her way back. She'd stopped off at the ladies ...

And it made me think ... I'd be a very good First Aid Officer. *i'm supposed to do the training* In the words of Froggy summing up - Oh. You've cut your leg? And it's bleeding? Well, looks pretty terminal to me. Just wait there for 5 minutes while I call the Coroner for you.

And MOTH laughed and agreed!

February, how do I love thee?

Not because it's St Valentine's day. Every day that I know he's in the house or waiting for me to get home from work is Valentines Day.

Nope, it's my birthday month! I get a phone call from my mum, the kids might text me and we don't do anything special. But I like it's my birthday. Odd, considering I don't like getting old.

The office move has happened and I think I'm all settled in. We're out in the middle of the scrub and there are no close facilities. But the office is much nicer. Another group from campus has been moved out here as well, so there is talk around the water cooler that they may be opening a canteen at some point. See. I said there were no facilities...

There are six car parks out the front of our building. I'm standing there and looking back at the office front door.

This is from the front corner of the building looking out across the back fence ... so to speak. The car parks are behind me. We are closest to the gate and there are other buildings further down the hill (behind the guard rail)

And here is my new desk.

Certainly more space, and the boxes are gone now.

Being surrounded by bush, there seems to be a variety of wildlife about. Not including me of course. *heh i'm wishin* Today as I look out the door *me desk is directly opposite the glass front doors* I see two bush turkeys run past.

I'm bored and step outside briefly. On the path outside is a water dragon.

I'm on my way out to the "facilities". There is a unisex one in the office but I prefer to head for the single sex ones below. Unfortunately, I have to exit the building on our level and come in again below. There is a butcher bird family on the grass. One of the chicks looks injured. It looks up at me with bright black beady eyes before fleeing. Must have been trying to figure out what I was ... *quiet in the peanut gallery!*

Whoa! There is a teeny gecko I've nearly stepped on. I pick it up and place it outside. Probably it will get eaten by a bigger one. Or belted up for tresspass. I might not have done it any favours at all.

MOTH has another sleep test tonight. He will be fitted for a CPAP machine. I finish work early and we head to Maccas for dinner before he heads off to the test. We walk past the outdoor area to the tune of high pitched screams. Sigh... But on a lighter note we espy two boys wearing morph suits! One is bright blue with a matching curly wig; the other is bright yellow. And I've left my phone at home tonight! Argh!

I look at the yard. It's been raining and it hasn't been done for ages. I'm sure I can see tigers. And I can't find the stepping stones to the gazebo anymore. I pull some weeds, taking care to avoid the HUGE spider that's built a nest among the taller ones.

Repeat that process the next day, although today MOTH is mowing a couple of patches. I watch him carefully. The day is humid and hot and I don't want him to over do it! Maybe I should think about mowing occasionally? ... ... nah!

We head out to the shops this morning. It doesn't feel right. The centre doesn't hold the markets any more. We decide to put fuel in the car before we head in. While MOTH works the bowser, I notice a young man in full leathers. He puts on his helmet and I see it sports a bright blue mohawk!

Plenty of oddballs out this week.

But that's ok, Bones is back! But I'm not sure about this Bones/Booth/Happy family thing...