Argh! I hate opportunities!
The boss comes along and tells you, boy have I got an opportunity for you! And there it is. A big nasty job. That they want done quickly... *dies*
So, this will be a quick one. Cause you can guess where I am.
Most of last week was spent in prep mode to get the Teen underway and set up for her holiday to visit the Elder. And calming some ruffled feathers because of stress.
I had decided to be generous and lend her my suitcase to take with her. It's cool, covered in purple and white spots. Then she came to me, Mu-um, how do I get my shoes to fit in? Why I asked. You only need two pairs of shoes? She nearly died. Of course, what was I thinking? One pair of casuals, one pair of sandals, one pair of dress shoes, and a couple of spares. Oi! *rolls eyes*
Eventually I thought about including a small 'care' package. Just a couple of things. So what could I put them in? Here, Teen, take the honkin' big suitcase and I'll just tuck these into a corner. Sure, they'll fit. Won't they?
Friday afternoon, I thought I would pop by on the way home and get her shoes for the *ahem* Formal. They don't call it Prom here.... I put them on layby and apparently, as luck would have it, they were the last of that style/colour in her size. w00t! Sometimes you can win.
Friday night I arrived home and MOTH was standing on the front lawn. Uh oh. Ummm so why are you out here? Just looking he said. Did you get a lift, cause I thought I heard a car door closing. Nope, I said, someone just got picked up. Ah. Well he says. The car is broken. Broken. Yep, broken. Gave it a degrease, and a bit of a tidy up, and one of the bolts holding the distributor cap broke. Oh..... But he'd gone to Paulie and picked up some replacements. All he had to do now, was try and remove the broken bolt. It was inside the part somewhere. Great.
Ah well, I guess it doesn't matter because I use public transport more than the car.
Saturday morning was a little lazy. MOTH spent a bit of time working on putting the car back together. I tootled about the garden pulling bindii. A lot of the grass is dying - MOTH is terrible with yard work - and the bindii is moving in. I'm going to have to find out when our watering times are. Getting the grass back in order seems to be the only thing that will keep the bindii at bay.
*dammit, thinks there was something funny that MOTH did I was going to include but can't remember what it was*
Sunday we were up relatively early to get Teen underway. She's not usually up at this hour and staggered about for a while. She finished off the last of the packing and we drove to the station to catch the train in. The train left on time and I was sad to see her go.
Since we were now at a bit of a loose end, I thought I might be able to convince MOTH to spend a little time in the city while we were there. He agreed, and we wandered down to the mall. I had a little money, so asked what he wanted for a late father's day present. He didn't know, so Teen and I took him to lunch and bought him Darrell Lea licorice and rocky road.
Sunday afternoon was quiet, so I wandered out to check the telly viewing. Gods, I hate weekends. How can you have so many channels to choose from and all of them are showing sport of some description? It's pathetic! So I chose to watch a dvd - Romeo Must Die ... again.
And it's still quiet. I'll notice again tonight, when she's not there to make noise and ask How long till dinner's ready?
Monday, September 14, 2009
Monday, September 07, 2009
What the heck was that?!
I was staring out the bus window on the way to work this morning. And going the opposite direction was a scooter. One of those little communter scooters. It had TWO front wheels......
So, a wrap up for the last week. As you can see from my previous post, there was a little bit of activity. But not much!
The Teen had Tuesday and Wednesday off school. They were sitting the QCS tests, and she wasn't one of the 'lucky' ones required to sit them. Wednesday morning, MOTH took her to sit for her learners.
I wasn't feeling too great so asked MOTH to pick me up from work when they were finished.
Well, she didn't mention anything when I got to the car and I let it ride for a little. She and MOTH started discussing something which quickly degenerated into an arguement. Uh oh.
So ... you didn't get it then? No, she said. She had all the give way questions right, but got too many of the others wrong for a pass. Oh dear. She had to wait 24 hours before she could sit it again.
When we arrived home I went to lay down for a little while and awoke two hours later. MOTH was nowhere to be found. Alright then, he's left the house. He came back sometime later with .... boxes.
Okay. It turned out to be a desk. And a chair. We laid out the contents, I checked them off against the 'homework' sheet and lo! All the pieces were there. And all were numbered too. VERY handy. It took most of the afternoon to put together. Once the desk return was assembled, I thought it would be too big to keep in the bedroom where is current desk is. When placed against the wall there was only a small amount of room between the end of the return and the end of the bed. Well, that wasn't going to be any good.
Eventually we positioned it in the formal dining area. Then MOTH moved it again and now he sits at reception, facing the formal lounge area. Which is the waiting room. Perfect!
Thursday night we met a friend down visiting his Doctor for surgery followup. We haven't seen Rob since he was a young man. This weekend was his birthday and he would be turning 31!
Rob asked if we would join him for dinner at a place to close to where he was staying. None of us had been there; but he knew where it was! I met up with Rob when I finished work; we had an hour to waste before joining MOTH and heading to the restaurant. Rob likes to play the tables so he took me to the Casino. I've been living here for 6 years or so now, and this was the first time I've set foot in the place. Whoo! It's easy to get lost in there.
Dinner was up a very steep hill. I wasn't sure that MOTH was going to make it! I'm not fit either and I was somewhat overheated and gasping when we hit the crest. It turned out that the Mill is a small pub; open, airy, and modern. The meals range in price from $15 to $30. Two mains and a coke for MOTH cost $48. But the food was very good, and service was pretty fast.
Friday afternoon MOTH took the Teen for another try. A pass! Whoa! My baby can now get behind a wheel. I took one look at the log book her driving supervisors must complete. Hooley Dooley. That's no fun at all! It requires completing a log book, signatures, calculating minutes, taking odometer readings and making lesson plans. Not looking forward to this at all!
Friday night MOTH and I stayed home, as did the Teen. She was joining us for lunch on Saturday. I think she wanted to go out for a walk, but I had managed to get MOTH away from his desk to join me to watch Transporter 3.
Saturday morning was raining and I thought it would last all day. Which would have been typical! It had cleared by lunch time and the day turned out to be beautiful. A lovely breeze blew as we sat near the chosen venue and waited. Rob was also meeting a cousin he hadn't see for some time. He hoped he recognised him!
It seemed he was running late. And when he did finally step through the door, phwoar! He's a personal trainer. Buff!
Saturday night was quiet as the Teen headed off to Wogboy's place. She didn't take her wallet. Heaven forbid - Wogboy's mother might try to get her out in the car.
Sunday, Sunny dropped by. We had a date to work on his tax. I had suspected it might take a while, depending on how much I had to read/research. It didn't take anywhere near as long! We got it finished and lodged; went to have lunch, and he napped. The Teen and I dragged ourselves along the way to the shops so she could buy hair dye for her extensions. They arrived earlier in the week. Her bribe? If you come with me I will buy you a chocolate!? Well, okay. I couldn't argue with that.
Sometime later, I went to sit in the rumpus room to read. Sunny was still napping in there as well, and the Teen was colouring her hair. Sunny awoke and I watched him for a while untill the Teen came in. She plonked herself down and spoke. Sunny twitched but didn't say anything. Then I replied, and he just about died. Heh. *evil grin* The Teen smiled. I was looking all over for you too she said, looking at me. Then proceeded to point out a blister she was developing, telling me it hurted and she wanted it popped. I wouldn't do it though, but did kiss a finger and put the kiss on her sore blisser...
MOTH decided to shift the remaining packaging from the desk. I had shifted a big one earlier that had fallen during the night and was blocking the front door. From the rumpus room, I heard him drop it; Sunny mumbled something. A pause, then Sunny spoke again; this time I got a clearer understanding of what he said. I went to the back door, and sure enough, MOTH had tripped going out the door and fallen. He was still laying on the ground and I was a little worried as he hadn't gotten up. He told me afterward that he had let himself go down as a preferred option against possibly breaking his ankle.
Pfft! No sense of adventure some people......
So, a wrap up for the last week. As you can see from my previous post, there was a little bit of activity. But not much!
The Teen had Tuesday and Wednesday off school. They were sitting the QCS tests, and she wasn't one of the 'lucky' ones required to sit them. Wednesday morning, MOTH took her to sit for her learners.
I wasn't feeling too great so asked MOTH to pick me up from work when they were finished.
Well, she didn't mention anything when I got to the car and I let it ride for a little. She and MOTH started discussing something which quickly degenerated into an arguement. Uh oh.
So ... you didn't get it then? No, she said. She had all the give way questions right, but got too many of the others wrong for a pass. Oh dear. She had to wait 24 hours before she could sit it again.
When we arrived home I went to lay down for a little while and awoke two hours later. MOTH was nowhere to be found. Alright then, he's left the house. He came back sometime later with .... boxes.
Okay. It turned out to be a desk. And a chair. We laid out the contents, I checked them off against the 'homework' sheet and lo! All the pieces were there. And all were numbered too. VERY handy. It took most of the afternoon to put together. Once the desk return was assembled, I thought it would be too big to keep in the bedroom where is current desk is. When placed against the wall there was only a small amount of room between the end of the return and the end of the bed. Well, that wasn't going to be any good.
Eventually we positioned it in the formal dining area. Then MOTH moved it again and now he sits at reception, facing the formal lounge area. Which is the waiting room. Perfect!
Thursday night we met a friend down visiting his Doctor for surgery followup. We haven't seen Rob since he was a young man. This weekend was his birthday and he would be turning 31!
Rob asked if we would join him for dinner at a place to close to where he was staying. None of us had been there; but he knew where it was! I met up with Rob when I finished work; we had an hour to waste before joining MOTH and heading to the restaurant. Rob likes to play the tables so he took me to the Casino. I've been living here for 6 years or so now, and this was the first time I've set foot in the place. Whoo! It's easy to get lost in there.
Dinner was up a very steep hill. I wasn't sure that MOTH was going to make it! I'm not fit either and I was somewhat overheated and gasping when we hit the crest. It turned out that the Mill is a small pub; open, airy, and modern. The meals range in price from $15 to $30. Two mains and a coke for MOTH cost $48. But the food was very good, and service was pretty fast.
Friday afternoon MOTH took the Teen for another try. A pass! Whoa! My baby can now get behind a wheel. I took one look at the log book her driving supervisors must complete. Hooley Dooley. That's no fun at all! It requires completing a log book, signatures, calculating minutes, taking odometer readings and making lesson plans. Not looking forward to this at all!
Friday night MOTH and I stayed home, as did the Teen. She was joining us for lunch on Saturday. I think she wanted to go out for a walk, but I had managed to get MOTH away from his desk to join me to watch Transporter 3.
Saturday morning was raining and I thought it would last all day. Which would have been typical! It had cleared by lunch time and the day turned out to be beautiful. A lovely breeze blew as we sat near the chosen venue and waited. Rob was also meeting a cousin he hadn't see for some time. He hoped he recognised him!
It seemed he was running late. And when he did finally step through the door, phwoar! He's a personal trainer. Buff!
Saturday night was quiet as the Teen headed off to Wogboy's place. She didn't take her wallet. Heaven forbid - Wogboy's mother might try to get her out in the car.
Sunday, Sunny dropped by. We had a date to work on his tax. I had suspected it might take a while, depending on how much I had to read/research. It didn't take anywhere near as long! We got it finished and lodged; went to have lunch, and he napped. The Teen and I dragged ourselves along the way to the shops so she could buy hair dye for her extensions. They arrived earlier in the week. Her bribe? If you come with me I will buy you a chocolate!? Well, okay. I couldn't argue with that.
Sometime later, I went to sit in the rumpus room to read. Sunny was still napping in there as well, and the Teen was colouring her hair. Sunny awoke and I watched him for a while untill the Teen came in. She plonked herself down and spoke. Sunny twitched but didn't say anything. Then I replied, and he just about died. Heh. *evil grin* The Teen smiled. I was looking all over for you too she said, looking at me. Then proceeded to point out a blister she was developing, telling me it hurted and she wanted it popped. I wouldn't do it though, but did kiss a finger and put the kiss on her sore blisser...
MOTH decided to shift the remaining packaging from the desk. I had shifted a big one earlier that had fallen during the night and was blocking the front door. From the rumpus room, I heard him drop it; Sunny mumbled something. A pause, then Sunny spoke again; this time I got a clearer understanding of what he said. I went to the back door, and sure enough, MOTH had tripped going out the door and fallen. He was still laying on the ground and I was a little worried as he hadn't gotten up. He told me afterward that he had let himself go down as a preferred option against possibly breaking his ankle.
Pfft! No sense of adventure some people......
Sunday, September 06, 2009
Please take a number from the reception desk!
Just lately, MOTH has been a little dissatisfied with his computer set up. Time for an upgrade says he!
Off he trundled to Sam's Warehouse - his fave shop for all things - and home he came with a flat pack. A desk no less. And a new chair. Since I was home sick that day, I decided to follow the assembly progress...
The stranges part was that ALL the holes were drilled in the right places. ANNND all the parts were there. Not bad for a cheap shop!
etc..... Now you have to walk past it to get to the back of the house. Please report to reception on arrival!
Off he trundled to Sam's Warehouse - his fave shop for all things - and home he came with a flat pack. A desk no less. And a new chair. Since I was home sick that day, I decided to follow the assembly progress...
The stranges part was that ALL the holes were drilled in the right places. ANNND all the parts were there. Not bad for a cheap shop!
etc..... Now you have to walk past it to get to the back of the house. Please report to reception on arrival!
Monday, August 31, 2009
What was I SAYING?!
Did I rather foolishly mention something about summer? I take it back. Today is overcast and showers. Standing in the city waiting to cross the road, it truly felt like August. The wind was cutting; my face, ears and neck were freezing. I was wearing my one and only jumper with a jacket over the top. 3/4 sleeve knit top, lined skirt, stockings and sketchers.
Brrr!
The week has flown by. I've been devouring my books. And alas, I fear that may be detrimental. Like a drowning man, I've been grasping the books and of all that I have bought, most are finished. Well, perhaps I exaggerate slightly. I've finished two and three quarters; I have three left. Not to mention the one I borrowed from a workmate and finished on Saturday.
Ah. The joy of reading!
Most of the week has been prep for the return of the Mac. Well, no. The return of the Elder. Briefly. To collect belongings. Jawsome was also supposed to be returning but due to reasons to which I'm not privvy, had to delay.
The Teen lit out on Friday evening as is her usual. And returned Saturday morning to wait the arrival of the Elder. They were going to hang together. But Elder had been delayed by work matters. And alas, the Teen had to depart for a 21st birthday dinner before she arrived.
Saturday morning, I bit the bullet and decided that it was time to replace my favourite tote. It's a great size, I've had it for years, it always got comments but I can no longer use it without taking blood samples. Yes, the plastic on the outside is breaking and splitting. While that was happening on the bottom corners I could ignore it. Not now. The replacement is about the same size, has several zippers/pockets and is shiny red reptile print. I likes!
Late evening arrived, bringing with it the distinctive shound of Team Shitbox. Yes, it's still going!
We spent some time together then let her set herself up for the night. Around ten o'clock the doorbell went. The Teen had arrived back home after the dinner. She was very impressed with her meal....
Sunday morning, MOTH and I went out to Wogboy's new abode so Teen could collect her gear. I asked MOTH to come along so he could drive. He knows the way so much better than I you see. *beaming smile* We left Elder at home. She had stuff to pack you know!
Sunday afternoon, we three ladies lit out for the city. We had planned to see if we could book passage for the Teen to visit Elder on her turf during the school holidays. No such luck! The travel train office was closed. We thought it might be, but you never know. Turns out it only does business Monday to Friday.
Oh dear. Well, I shrugged. We'll just do it online when we get back home. Elder was starving so we decided to have foodage at Coffee Club. Where Elder's friend Ranga works. She's also one of my 'daughters'. I like her a lot. She's always cheerful and glad to see us.
Or so it appears....
Eventually after stuffing ourselves we managed to get up from the table to make a move home. But only made it as far as the dessert cabinet. Back to the table then! Elder had mudcake with cream and icecream. I think she got preferential treatment - she had more icecream than I did! I had key lime pie with cream and icecream. The Teen is watching her food intake, so she had a plain choc chip biscuit. Or maybe it was fig and pecan. I wasn't there when she chose it but she did mumble something about fig during our conversation. We spent a lot of time talking about strange things and laughing. I would love to know what snatches of our conversation were picked up by passing wait staff! Must have been good from some of the strange looks.
Time was getting on and it was time to head home. On the way back, we indulged ourselves kicking those hard seed pods that litter the ground this time of year. Someone went to kick one. The Teen or the Elder, I'm not sure which. And she missed. And staggered. I looked at one of the older ladies coming toward us. They were grinning. As was I.
Further down the street we approached the pub. There were three doormen lurking. And some random bloke walking toward us. He passed, and Teen turned behind him, making faces and waving her arms. When we finally stopped giggling, I looked up and one of the doormen had a smirk on his face. I leant toward the Teen. I think you were spotted. The Elder grinned. So it wasn't just me noticed that then, hey.
We arrived at the crossing; ready to push the button. I don't know what Teen had been smoking but she leaned forward to push it. With her head. Which apparently connected before she was ready. She heard the bang before she felt the hurt. I thought Elder was going to expire. She was laughing hard and gasping for breath at the same time. Luckily, there was no drool!
When we eventually calmed down we found our footsteps wandering past the Ed Hardy store. Teen noticed the OMG SALE sign and turned in. Just so we could look. The Elder had already dismissed a stop earlier in the afternoon; the opportunity had now arrived. There was some good looking stuff. And a totally great sale! Teen wanted to purchase. After some consideration of finances and spending money for the trip, she purchased a t-shirt. It was reduced to $50 - from $150. A good bargain.
On the way home she discovered she had drastically miscalculated and overspent. Oh dear! But what the heck! You, my dear, now own for the first time a proper brand label. And for cheaper than eBay. Well done!
Alas, that also meant she didn't have enough for the train tickets. *sighs* But hey! She has an Ed Hardy tee! We went online to book and pay for the tickets. It's travel during school holidays and you know how quickly those seats fill! We decided what dates she wanted to travel. We decided what times. I went to fill out the booking form. I added the leg for the return. Nope, it couldn't book one of the seats - mind it doesn't tell you which one, and you have to start over.
I started over. I changed the northbound date. I booked the northbound trip. I booked the southbound trip. Now it's telling me I have a student fare north, and an adult fare south. No! No, no, no! I have to start over. I do it again. Still! Student north, adult south. I have to start over. Bugger! This time I do one leg at a time. I book the northbound trip for the original date. Nope, not available. Dang. I start over. I book the northbound trip for the changed date. Yes! I decide I had better book the return. I book the southbound trip for the original date. Yes! Perfect. She has the journey booked. And I'm down $95. *kisses and soothes credit card* It just means I must find other monies for our dinner out on Thursday. *sigh*
Will have to let you know how that goes in my next update, won't I....
Brrr!
The week has flown by. I've been devouring my books. And alas, I fear that may be detrimental. Like a drowning man, I've been grasping the books and of all that I have bought, most are finished. Well, perhaps I exaggerate slightly. I've finished two and three quarters; I have three left. Not to mention the one I borrowed from a workmate and finished on Saturday.
Ah. The joy of reading!
Most of the week has been prep for the return of the Mac. Well, no. The return of the Elder. Briefly. To collect belongings. Jawsome was also supposed to be returning but due to reasons to which I'm not privvy, had to delay.
The Teen lit out on Friday evening as is her usual. And returned Saturday morning to wait the arrival of the Elder. They were going to hang together. But Elder had been delayed by work matters. And alas, the Teen had to depart for a 21st birthday dinner before she arrived.
Saturday morning, I bit the bullet and decided that it was time to replace my favourite tote. It's a great size, I've had it for years, it always got comments but I can no longer use it without taking blood samples. Yes, the plastic on the outside is breaking and splitting. While that was happening on the bottom corners I could ignore it. Not now. The replacement is about the same size, has several zippers/pockets and is shiny red reptile print. I likes!
Late evening arrived, bringing with it the distinctive shound of Team Shitbox. Yes, it's still going!
We spent some time together then let her set herself up for the night. Around ten o'clock the doorbell went. The Teen had arrived back home after the dinner. She was very impressed with her meal....
Sunday morning, MOTH and I went out to Wogboy's new abode so Teen could collect her gear. I asked MOTH to come along so he could drive. He knows the way so much better than I you see. *beaming smile* We left Elder at home. She had stuff to pack you know!
Sunday afternoon, we three ladies lit out for the city. We had planned to see if we could book passage for the Teen to visit Elder on her turf during the school holidays. No such luck! The travel train office was closed. We thought it might be, but you never know. Turns out it only does business Monday to Friday.
Oh dear. Well, I shrugged. We'll just do it online when we get back home. Elder was starving so we decided to have foodage at Coffee Club. Where Elder's friend Ranga works. She's also one of my 'daughters'. I like her a lot. She's always cheerful and glad to see us.
Or so it appears....
Eventually after stuffing ourselves we managed to get up from the table to make a move home. But only made it as far as the dessert cabinet. Back to the table then! Elder had mudcake with cream and icecream. I think she got preferential treatment - she had more icecream than I did! I had key lime pie with cream and icecream. The Teen is watching her food intake, so she had a plain choc chip biscuit. Or maybe it was fig and pecan. I wasn't there when she chose it but she did mumble something about fig during our conversation. We spent a lot of time talking about strange things and laughing. I would love to know what snatches of our conversation were picked up by passing wait staff! Must have been good from some of the strange looks.
Time was getting on and it was time to head home. On the way back, we indulged ourselves kicking those hard seed pods that litter the ground this time of year. Someone went to kick one. The Teen or the Elder, I'm not sure which. And she missed. And staggered. I looked at one of the older ladies coming toward us. They were grinning. As was I.
Further down the street we approached the pub. There were three doormen lurking. And some random bloke walking toward us. He passed, and Teen turned behind him, making faces and waving her arms. When we finally stopped giggling, I looked up and one of the doormen had a smirk on his face. I leant toward the Teen. I think you were spotted. The Elder grinned. So it wasn't just me noticed that then, hey.
We arrived at the crossing; ready to push the button. I don't know what Teen had been smoking but she leaned forward to push it. With her head. Which apparently connected before she was ready. She heard the bang before she felt the hurt. I thought Elder was going to expire. She was laughing hard and gasping for breath at the same time. Luckily, there was no drool!
When we eventually calmed down we found our footsteps wandering past the Ed Hardy store. Teen noticed the OMG SALE sign and turned in. Just so we could look. The Elder had already dismissed a stop earlier in the afternoon; the opportunity had now arrived. There was some good looking stuff. And a totally great sale! Teen wanted to purchase. After some consideration of finances and spending money for the trip, she purchased a t-shirt. It was reduced to $50 - from $150. A good bargain.
On the way home she discovered she had drastically miscalculated and overspent. Oh dear! But what the heck! You, my dear, now own for the first time a proper brand label. And for cheaper than eBay. Well done!
Alas, that also meant she didn't have enough for the train tickets. *sighs* But hey! She has an Ed Hardy tee! We went online to book and pay for the tickets. It's travel during school holidays and you know how quickly those seats fill! We decided what dates she wanted to travel. We decided what times. I went to fill out the booking form. I added the leg for the return. Nope, it couldn't book one of the seats - mind it doesn't tell you which one, and you have to start over.
I started over. I changed the northbound date. I booked the northbound trip. I booked the southbound trip. Now it's telling me I have a student fare north, and an adult fare south. No! No, no, no! I have to start over. I do it again. Still! Student north, adult south. I have to start over. Bugger! This time I do one leg at a time. I book the northbound trip for the original date. Nope, not available. Dang. I start over. I book the northbound trip for the changed date. Yes! I decide I had better book the return. I book the southbound trip for the original date. Yes! Perfect. She has the journey booked. And I'm down $95. *kisses and soothes credit card* It just means I must find other monies for our dinner out on Thursday. *sigh*
Will have to let you know how that goes in my next update, won't I....
Monday, August 24, 2009
Hellooooo ... Summer!
How bad can it get I ask? Today's forecast is a top close the 30deg C. It's August! What will it be like when Summer truly arrives?
And now for something completely different....
This is the image of the engagement cake that I promised I would eventually post.
So. This last week. What can I say really? A week of indulgence. I do lead a simple life you know. It's all me Me ME!
Some time ago, I joined the book co-op on campus. And every so often, I'm obligated to actually purchase one of the things. Books. Not co-ops. I sighed. My wallet cried. And I pushed open the door.
I like it in there. It's almost impossible to find anything. Oh, it's all laid out neatly in its categories. But I never know what I want. I spent some time wandering around the shelves looking for a particular book which failed to advertise itself. It didn't. But lo! On the shelf was a paperback copy of Harry Potter's second volume *changes sentence from HP's number 2* which I no longer had. The Teen donated it to an aquaintance at school who never returned it.
While I was there, I thought I would grab John Connolly's The Lovers.
There. Obligation fulfilled.
And Friday afternoon, I was walking through the city on my way to the bus. Suddenly, my feet spun me off my course and detoured me down a side street. I blame my feet. What else could it possibly have been?
Right into Dymocks.
I wandered around the shelves in their new super small temporary store. And hey! Right there on the shelf is the book I couldn't find in the co-op book store. I checked the price and grabbed it. Hey. *shrugs* Books are my passion, but the wallet still rules. I went to step around the end of the shelf and did a double take. Whoa. One of the few authors I collect has a new book out. The start of a new trilogy. Ignoring the sound of my credit card frantically screaming, I took that one too.
So now I have three books to read. I knew I rearranged my bookshelf for a reason!
Saturday morning, I went out to the local shops with MOTH. Now there is something entertaining! *drips sarcasm* MOTH likes to amuse himself sitting and watching the world go by. I can handle it, but only for a short time. We'd already heard an ambulance racing up the street with siren blaring that morning. While on the road, we were keyed to another siren. Looking in the mirror, it turned out to be another ambulance! We moved over slightly and as we approached the traffic lights, ANOTHER ambulance moved through the red so the siren sounding one could pass. There, says MOTH, even other ambulances get out of the way.
Later that day, another went past the house. Lights flashing, but no siren....
Busy day somewhere!
The rest of Saturday was spent lazing about, playing the Sims. For the first time in ages. The Teen was not home to steal my laptop. Sunday was more of the same, with a bit of washing, sweeping and mopping thrown in.
*man! someone has a hot lunch and boy does it smell good!*
Sunday afternoon I was a tad restless. I wanted out of the house but where could I go? It's not like I could jump in the car and head off for the beach. *note to self: find close places to drive to that might be nice this time of year!* Not long after, the Teen called me. Do you want to come pick me up? I'm at Wogboy's new place.
w00t! Something to do on an otherwise altogether lazy weekend.....
And now for something completely different....
This is the image of the engagement cake that I promised I would eventually post.
So. This last week. What can I say really? A week of indulgence. I do lead a simple life you know. It's all me Me ME!
Some time ago, I joined the book co-op on campus. And every so often, I'm obligated to actually purchase one of the things. Books. Not co-ops. I sighed. My wallet cried. And I pushed open the door.
I like it in there. It's almost impossible to find anything. Oh, it's all laid out neatly in its categories. But I never know what I want. I spent some time wandering around the shelves looking for a particular book which failed to advertise itself. It didn't. But lo! On the shelf was a paperback copy of Harry Potter's second volume *changes sentence from HP's number 2* which I no longer had. The Teen donated it to an aquaintance at school who never returned it.
While I was there, I thought I would grab John Connolly's The Lovers.
There. Obligation fulfilled.
And Friday afternoon, I was walking through the city on my way to the bus. Suddenly, my feet spun me off my course and detoured me down a side street. I blame my feet. What else could it possibly have been?
Right into Dymocks.
I wandered around the shelves in their new super small temporary store. And hey! Right there on the shelf is the book I couldn't find in the co-op book store. I checked the price and grabbed it. Hey. *shrugs* Books are my passion, but the wallet still rules. I went to step around the end of the shelf and did a double take. Whoa. One of the few authors I collect has a new book out. The start of a new trilogy. Ignoring the sound of my credit card frantically screaming, I took that one too.
So now I have three books to read. I knew I rearranged my bookshelf for a reason!
Saturday morning, I went out to the local shops with MOTH. Now there is something entertaining! *drips sarcasm* MOTH likes to amuse himself sitting and watching the world go by. I can handle it, but only for a short time. We'd already heard an ambulance racing up the street with siren blaring that morning. While on the road, we were keyed to another siren. Looking in the mirror, it turned out to be another ambulance! We moved over slightly and as we approached the traffic lights, ANOTHER ambulance moved through the red so the siren sounding one could pass. There, says MOTH, even other ambulances get out of the way.
Later that day, another went past the house. Lights flashing, but no siren....
Busy day somewhere!
The rest of Saturday was spent lazing about, playing the Sims. For the first time in ages. The Teen was not home to steal my laptop. Sunday was more of the same, with a bit of washing, sweeping and mopping thrown in.
*man! someone has a hot lunch and boy does it smell good!*
Sunday afternoon I was a tad restless. I wanted out of the house but where could I go? It's not like I could jump in the car and head off for the beach. *note to self: find close places to drive to that might be nice this time of year!* Not long after, the Teen called me. Do you want to come pick me up? I'm at Wogboy's new place.
w00t! Something to do on an otherwise altogether lazy weekend.....
Monday, August 17, 2009
Wish it were a nightcap!
What a week it's been.
I think I blogged most of the journey midway through the week. And it was good to see people I haven't seen for ages.
The amount of time that had passed between visits was staggering. You don't think of it until you step back and take stock. The last time we had seen most people was Uncle D's 60th birthday. Approximately 10 years ago.
One of the cousins that the Elder had played with at that time now seems to have kids of his own. *they breed 'em young out there* Kids who were teenagers then now have multiple kids of their own. I don't know who is who anymore. And this time, I felt like I was an outsider; all of them know each other and all the young ones keep in touch.
I had also made sure I spent money on getting mobile internet for my laptop. There were three of us going to be using it so I thought Yes. I would finally do it. It was $149 upfront, including $10 worth of credit. I recharged for an extra $60 for 750MB. That lasts 30 days and I thought it might do for all of us while we were away. Especially the Teen. You know how they get when they can't be in constant contact with the world. I had checked and our carrier did not do anything except telephony out there.
And you know, we didn't even use up the $10 credit. MOTH was on for a couple minutes before bedtime, and so was the Teen. I used it the most. And even then, not much.
Friday was spent catching up on the housework that didn't get done earlier in the week. Washing. Mountains of it. Dusting. The usual. And as I stood looking at the floor I thought, This is it. I am definitely going to buy myself a new mop.
Saturday morning I did it. Yes. I dragged MOTH to Bunnings. Anyone who knows me knows that this is a HUGE deal. I do NOT do hardware stores. Ever. Well ... usually. But they were bound to have a better range than the supermarket.
And I found something. A sabco broom that doubles as a mop. It has static furry stuff for the sweeping and microfibre for the mopping. Damp mopping and wet mopping. I haven't tried that side yet. Saturday I tried the dry sweeping. It picks up most stuff - dirt and hair - but solid heavy stuff still needs the dustpan. But I think that's ok.
While I was there we wandered around the gardening section. I stopped to buy a couple of herbs. I have a spot picked out in the garden, cleared it of weeds but not bought herbs to put in there. So this time, I did. Italian parsley and basil. And a new plant for the front garden. Something spikey with coloured foilage. I can't remember what it is, but it is shaped like one of those old fashioned Happy Plants, but doesn't grow tall like that. It has silver and green 'stripes' on the leaves.
Saturday night was the engagement party of an old neighbour. He is wheelchair bound and has finally met the girl for him. She is also on wheels. She seems very capable. Pretty, feminine but definitely with a sharp edge! The cake was lovely. A mud cake with fondant icing. It was shaped like a ring box, with a blue satin cusion and a large ring on top. The satin was also icing.
It was good to catch up with his parents. Since we've moved, we don't get to see them very often. Also attending were some old neighbours from further up the street and the Spanish couple who really held our end of the street together socially. They are a whole pot of fun. *yes, that is pot, not lot. or should i say wine bottle?*
Sunday I was up early and checking out the things I had planted. Wha?? Looks like SOMETHING had a party on my parsley! There weren't very many leaves left of the poor little things. Plenty of stalks though. The basil, on the other hand, looked just fine.
Off to Bunnings again for more plants. Oh, and a sausage inna slice of bread. This time I came home with a couple of strawberry plants, two azaleas, some lavender, chives and an african daisy. My gardens don't get a lot of sun so it's hard to choose something that will work. The herbs are in the second sunniest spot. I think. The lavender and the daisy are in the very front garden. It gets the afternoon sun, and I think it's the patch exposed to the sun the longest. The strawberries and the azaleas are around the back. The Teen wanted something pretty to look at out her back window. That area gets limited sun; mostly late morning.
Fingers crossed everybody. Cause heaven knows, I don't got green thumbs and they're going to need all the help they can get....
I think I blogged most of the journey midway through the week. And it was good to see people I haven't seen for ages.
The amount of time that had passed between visits was staggering. You don't think of it until you step back and take stock. The last time we had seen most people was Uncle D's 60th birthday. Approximately 10 years ago.
One of the cousins that the Elder had played with at that time now seems to have kids of his own. *they breed 'em young out there* Kids who were teenagers then now have multiple kids of their own. I don't know who is who anymore. And this time, I felt like I was an outsider; all of them know each other and all the young ones keep in touch.
I had also made sure I spent money on getting mobile internet for my laptop. There were three of us going to be using it so I thought Yes. I would finally do it. It was $149 upfront, including $10 worth of credit. I recharged for an extra $60 for 750MB. That lasts 30 days and I thought it might do for all of us while we were away. Especially the Teen. You know how they get when they can't be in constant contact with the world. I had checked and our carrier did not do anything except telephony out there.
And you know, we didn't even use up the $10 credit. MOTH was on for a couple minutes before bedtime, and so was the Teen. I used it the most. And even then, not much.
Friday was spent catching up on the housework that didn't get done earlier in the week. Washing. Mountains of it. Dusting. The usual. And as I stood looking at the floor I thought, This is it. I am definitely going to buy myself a new mop.
Saturday morning I did it. Yes. I dragged MOTH to Bunnings. Anyone who knows me knows that this is a HUGE deal. I do NOT do hardware stores. Ever. Well ... usually. But they were bound to have a better range than the supermarket.
And I found something. A sabco broom that doubles as a mop. It has static furry stuff for the sweeping and microfibre for the mopping. Damp mopping and wet mopping. I haven't tried that side yet. Saturday I tried the dry sweeping. It picks up most stuff - dirt and hair - but solid heavy stuff still needs the dustpan. But I think that's ok.
While I was there we wandered around the gardening section. I stopped to buy a couple of herbs. I have a spot picked out in the garden, cleared it of weeds but not bought herbs to put in there. So this time, I did. Italian parsley and basil. And a new plant for the front garden. Something spikey with coloured foilage. I can't remember what it is, but it is shaped like one of those old fashioned Happy Plants, but doesn't grow tall like that. It has silver and green 'stripes' on the leaves.
Saturday night was the engagement party of an old neighbour. He is wheelchair bound and has finally met the girl for him. She is also on wheels. She seems very capable. Pretty, feminine but definitely with a sharp edge! The cake was lovely. A mud cake with fondant icing. It was shaped like a ring box, with a blue satin cusion and a large ring on top. The satin was also icing.
It was good to catch up with his parents. Since we've moved, we don't get to see them very often. Also attending were some old neighbours from further up the street and the Spanish couple who really held our end of the street together socially. They are a whole pot of fun. *yes, that is pot, not lot. or should i say wine bottle?*
Sunday I was up early and checking out the things I had planted. Wha?? Looks like SOMETHING had a party on my parsley! There weren't very many leaves left of the poor little things. Plenty of stalks though. The basil, on the other hand, looked just fine.
Off to Bunnings again for more plants. Oh, and a sausage inna slice of bread. This time I came home with a couple of strawberry plants, two azaleas, some lavender, chives and an african daisy. My gardens don't get a lot of sun so it's hard to choose something that will work. The herbs are in the second sunniest spot. I think. The lavender and the daisy are in the very front garden. It gets the afternoon sun, and I think it's the patch exposed to the sun the longest. The strawberries and the azaleas are around the back. The Teen wanted something pretty to look at out her back window. That area gets limited sun; mostly late morning.
Fingers crossed everybody. Cause heaven knows, I don't got green thumbs and they're going to need all the help they can get....
Friday, August 14, 2009
Part ... Duex
We had arrived a little earlier than anticipated. After much consideration on my part, midday sounded like a good plan. Here it was, 10.30am and we were ready to check in.
We took a drive down the main street to see what had changed. Or more likely, what hadn't. Mellors was still there! *a clothing store that had been there since Adam was a boy* Ooo look. A bronze statue I don't recall from last time proundly pronounced the Gayndah Jockey Club. It was, ironically enough, a jockey on a horse. I thought to myself that I would have to come back and photograph that. And hey! That's a gorgeous stained glass looking design in front of one of the buildings. I think it was promoting Gayndah. I would have to come back and photo that too. I wasn't driving, so we didn't actually stop to look at anything. What happened to that old tradition of parking and walking down the street, I ask you!
Needless to say, we didn't get back to take photos!
We checked in at the motel, and they were happy to have us. Even if we were early. And the rooms were a very pleasant surprise. I was expecting someting very old and shabby. But although they were very basic, they were quite well appointed. And you know, even the pool looked tempting!
The only other person to have checked in at that point had the room at the end of our block. The woman on reception asked if we were related. I had no clue - the name wasn't familiar. I found out afterward that she was Renae, Darryl's daughter.
After we had loaded our gear into the room an eaten our complimentary mandarines, hammed it up for the camera and taken stock of our surroundings, I decided to look at the local attraction The Big Orange. Right next door to the motel.
There is the orange itself, attached to a small tea and souvenir shop. You can walk inside the orange and look at some of the history painted on the walls. Of course you are welome to sign the guest book. I didn't, but as I glanced, I noticed it had been signed by Sophie, from France. She had been fruit picking and seemed to have enjoyed herself.
In truth, there wasn't much to see. I wandered back to the motel. Ma and Pop eventually arrived along with Uncle C and his better half, and Uncle G and his other half as well.
The time to head off arrived and I had had to text a sibling to find out the address of the church! *shakes head* The day has turned out to be warm and somewhat sticky. Not cold at all. I signed us in while they searched for seating. Where had they seated themselves? I couldn't see them in the crowds. Eventually I found them. Right at the back and tucked into a corner. We sat there for a short time. I suggested we move to the Reserved for Family area. There were so many people, they had to open the annex to allow access to the rest of the seating. We moved.
I wasn't game enough to go to the casket. And no one else had either. Not even anyone else from the family. It was golden oak with silver handles. A huge arrangment of flowers, purple, yellow, and some Australian natives sat in the centre, with Dud's favourite hat and his stockwhip. A slideshow of photographs played in the background along with Slim Dusty. A photograph of Dud stood next to his hat.
I thought I would be okay. Then Walt led Jeff to the seat in front of me and I knew I wouldn't make it. Luckily I had waterproof mascara! Jeff broke down sobbing and Walt led him outside. I was alright after that.
The service was led by Pastor David Jack.
Billy - Dud's son - spoke of Dud growing up; Richard - Judy's son - spoke of Dud joining them. Billy hesitated on a couple of words; Richard became shaky. He made reference to the church youth groups Dud had led, and read a note from one of the backpackers Dud had befriended. Her name was Sophie. She was French.
A guest Pastor who knew Dud and Ruby very well also spoke and read a poem that Ruby had written many years ago about Dud and his friends growing up. They were typical larrikins!
After the service, the Pastor asked on behalf of the family that we move quickly to the cemetary and that greetings be saved for the hall where light refreshment would be served. We trickled out following the casket and indeed the service did move quickly up the hill to the graveside. Pastor David committed the casket to the ground while people filed past. And it was over. He disappeared shortly after that and gradually people moved off to the Gayndah Bowls club where refreshement was to be served.
So many people! It was a veritable crush; standing room only. We drifted a little, somewhat at a loss. I don't know most of these people! Even the relatives. I couldn't identify most of them.
I discovered later that I had missed most of the photo oppotunities because most of the family had moved out the back to the bowling green and were talking out there. One of the big disadvantages in not constantly keeping in touch is that you feel like an outsider when everyone meets. All the others know who everyone else is.
Christine came to fetch me. *nearly called her christine m till i realised there were 2 christine ms!* Apparently they were doing a cousins photo. I'm thinking that if she hadn't fetched me for this, I wouldn't really have been missed.
It took a long time to find individual family members I knew and chat quickly to them!
But because I had been called to the cousins photo, I actually managed to be in the right place for a family photo!
We took a drive down the main street to see what had changed. Or more likely, what hadn't. Mellors was still there! *a clothing store that had been there since Adam was a boy* Ooo look. A bronze statue I don't recall from last time proundly pronounced the Gayndah Jockey Club. It was, ironically enough, a jockey on a horse. I thought to myself that I would have to come back and photograph that. And hey! That's a gorgeous stained glass looking design in front of one of the buildings. I think it was promoting Gayndah. I would have to come back and photo that too. I wasn't driving, so we didn't actually stop to look at anything. What happened to that old tradition of parking and walking down the street, I ask you!
Needless to say, we didn't get back to take photos!
We checked in at the motel, and they were happy to have us. Even if we were early. And the rooms were a very pleasant surprise. I was expecting someting very old and shabby. But although they were very basic, they were quite well appointed. And you know, even the pool looked tempting!
The only other person to have checked in at that point had the room at the end of our block. The woman on reception asked if we were related. I had no clue - the name wasn't familiar. I found out afterward that she was Renae, Darryl's daughter.
After we had loaded our gear into the room an eaten our complimentary mandarines, hammed it up for the camera and taken stock of our surroundings, I decided to look at the local attraction The Big Orange. Right next door to the motel.
There is the orange itself, attached to a small tea and souvenir shop. You can walk inside the orange and look at some of the history painted on the walls. Of course you are welome to sign the guest book. I didn't, but as I glanced, I noticed it had been signed by Sophie, from France. She had been fruit picking and seemed to have enjoyed herself.
In truth, there wasn't much to see. I wandered back to the motel. Ma and Pop eventually arrived along with Uncle C and his better half, and Uncle G and his other half as well.
The time to head off arrived and I had had to text a sibling to find out the address of the church! *shakes head* The day has turned out to be warm and somewhat sticky. Not cold at all. I signed us in while they searched for seating. Where had they seated themselves? I couldn't see them in the crowds. Eventually I found them. Right at the back and tucked into a corner. We sat there for a short time. I suggested we move to the Reserved for Family area. There were so many people, they had to open the annex to allow access to the rest of the seating. We moved.
I wasn't game enough to go to the casket. And no one else had either. Not even anyone else from the family. It was golden oak with silver handles. A huge arrangment of flowers, purple, yellow, and some Australian natives sat in the centre, with Dud's favourite hat and his stockwhip. A slideshow of photographs played in the background along with Slim Dusty. A photograph of Dud stood next to his hat.
I thought I would be okay. Then Walt led Jeff to the seat in front of me and I knew I wouldn't make it. Luckily I had waterproof mascara! Jeff broke down sobbing and Walt led him outside. I was alright after that.
The service was led by Pastor David Jack.
Billy - Dud's son - spoke of Dud growing up; Richard - Judy's son - spoke of Dud joining them. Billy hesitated on a couple of words; Richard became shaky. He made reference to the church youth groups Dud had led, and read a note from one of the backpackers Dud had befriended. Her name was Sophie. She was French.
A guest Pastor who knew Dud and Ruby very well also spoke and read a poem that Ruby had written many years ago about Dud and his friends growing up. They were typical larrikins!
After the service, the Pastor asked on behalf of the family that we move quickly to the cemetary and that greetings be saved for the hall where light refreshment would be served. We trickled out following the casket and indeed the service did move quickly up the hill to the graveside. Pastor David committed the casket to the ground while people filed past. And it was over. He disappeared shortly after that and gradually people moved off to the Gayndah Bowls club where refreshement was to be served.
So many people! It was a veritable crush; standing room only. We drifted a little, somewhat at a loss. I don't know most of these people! Even the relatives. I couldn't identify most of them.
I discovered later that I had missed most of the photo oppotunities because most of the family had moved out the back to the bowling green and were talking out there. One of the big disadvantages in not constantly keeping in touch is that you feel like an outsider when everyone meets. All the others know who everyone else is.
Christine came to fetch me. *nearly called her christine m till i realised there were 2 christine ms!* Apparently they were doing a cousins photo. I'm thinking that if she hadn't fetched me for this, I wouldn't really have been missed.
It took a long time to find individual family members I knew and chat quickly to them!
But because I had been called to the cousins photo, I actually managed to be in the right place for a family photo!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Tomorrow today
So where was I up to?
Ah yes. We decided to take the Burnett Highway rather than the Bruce. Google told me it was at least half an hour quicker that way.
'Karen' - MOTH's pet GPS - was all programmed up and we were ready to be off. It was 6am. I think Karen might have still been a little sleepy; she told us to take the Brisbane Valley Highway about 5 metres before the turn. I happened to be looking that direction and saw the sign. Whoops! We had to do a Uturn and go back.
Car fun. Now why doesn't this camera have an image stabliser? Even my darned phone has one of those!
We passed through Wivenhoe and Esk
And wound through the ranges. And I think that was where I left off yesterday. We passed an accident around Blackbutt in the ranges there. A truck had gone over the side. I had heard about it on the radio but had forgotten about it. It had happened, apparently, at around 1am. They were doing forensics at 8am when we went through. I didn't have my camera ready. Luckily, the driver had been rushed to Esk hospital *Esk has a hospital??* so I took that as a good sign, rather than off to Brisbane.
We made good time. Much better than MOTH was thinking we would. While MOTH took a wee break at Goomeri, I staggered out of the car and sat on a bench at the service station.
And we arrived....
Ah yes. We decided to take the Burnett Highway rather than the Bruce. Google told me it was at least half an hour quicker that way.
'Karen' - MOTH's pet GPS - was all programmed up and we were ready to be off. It was 6am. I think Karen might have still been a little sleepy; she told us to take the Brisbane Valley Highway about 5 metres before the turn. I happened to be looking that direction and saw the sign. Whoops! We had to do a Uturn and go back.
Car fun. Now why doesn't this camera have an image stabliser? Even my darned phone has one of those!
We passed through Wivenhoe and Esk
And wound through the ranges. And I think that was where I left off yesterday. We passed an accident around Blackbutt in the ranges there. A truck had gone over the side. I had heard about it on the radio but had forgotten about it. It had happened, apparently, at around 1am. They were doing forensics at 8am when we went through. I didn't have my camera ready. Luckily, the driver had been rushed to Esk hospital *Esk has a hospital??* so I took that as a good sign, rather than off to Brisbane.
We made good time. Much better than MOTH was thinking we would. While MOTH took a wee break at Goomeri, I staggered out of the car and sat on a bench at the service station.
And we arrived....
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Mobile. At last...
I'm sitting in the car as I type this. Somewhere out back of beyond it seems. Somewhere out past Esk. After a rather spectacular sunrise
the temperature dropped quite considerably and I am FREEZING.
Mind, by the time this uploads it might very well be midday!
We've been through Wivenhoe, and a little spot named Esk. Argh. My signal has dropped out again. I'll update later today, or maybe perhaps tomorrow. When I'm not having to rely on an intermittent signal.
the temperature dropped quite considerably and I am FREEZING.
Mind, by the time this uploads it might very well be midday!
We've been through Wivenhoe, and a little spot named Esk. Argh. My signal has dropped out again. I'll update later today, or maybe perhaps tomorrow. When I'm not having to rely on an intermittent signal.
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Dessert. The most important meal of all.
Not that I'm sayin' that MOTH is dessert, but the dessert pic looked a bit lonely by itself....
Monday, August 03, 2009
Remine ... remenes ..... remembering old things....
This morning I was excited and happy. My spirits soared at the thought of a new adventure. The bus missed it's turn off and as we headed up the busway and it missed another possible point for turn around I thought w00t! A cross country trip.
But it turned out that the new busway is open...
I must have missed the fanfare somewhere. Ok, so I don't follow the news much, but I thought there would have been SOME announcement. The new trip did take us a little way cross country into almost virgin territory. Well, some bus would have been there before us, but hey, it was new to me. And maybe even, if I hadn't had my nose stuck in my Harry Potter novel, I might have even looked up and seen a bus on the new way as I had passed beneath it earlier.
But I digest. I'm supposed to be providing an entertaining wrap up of the week just gone. Or something.
This was the week of the test for the Teen. We fronted up to the surgery on Wednesday for the test; the Teen has been suffering from a chest infection which is lingering. I had to postpone the orginal test as the medication would have played with the results of the test. So, off to the surgery and boy. What a mood. I put it down to the fact she was nervous. After a short while, our turn came and she was called up for a weigh in and height check. She was so very less than impressed with the weigh in. She informed me it was close to Wogboy's. *shrugs* I'm sure the weight she was expecting is like, child level, and she IS no longer a child.
So the Holter device was attached, and they ran a test to have something to measure it against. Typical, the reading came back in the range of normal. For those not in the know, a Holter test is a mobile ECG. You have the dots/leads attached and you wear a small over the shoulder harness which holds the monitor. She had to wear it for 24 hours. MOTH had one many years ago, just after his heart attack. Mind the size of the monitor has changed. A LOT! Oh, they also gave her a small form where she was to note anything strange, an event, so they could check it afterward.
Wednesday afternoon, she mentioned she had lost the diary. D'oh!
Thursday we headed back to have it removed. No worries. The young chap who removed it asked if there had been any events. She said there was, but we'll wait and see about results.
$200 later and all is finished and detached. Except adhesive residue and complaints about itching. And then I found the diary.
Friday night Wogboy was going to be staying. When I arrived home, MOTH informed me that Teen had gone out, but he didn't know if she would be back. *shakes head* Sometimes I wonder that he can find his own way down the hall. I went to find out what was going on, and there was a text message to tell me that she would be gone for the weekend.
Which suited me fine. I actually had somewhere to be on Saturday.
Saturday we had been invited to a work bbq, held for a colleague who has been in the office on a short term contract. He's been there just over two weeks now, and will be returning to the Netherlands at the end of next week. It's been a very fast 4 weeks! We rocked up at lunch time; as usual, the first ones to arrive. Except the bloke who bought the protein. And we even arrived after the start time.
There was a pretty decent turn out, and most of them were people I have a lot of fun with. MOTH likes them too - he tells me they always make him feel welcome. There was plenty of food. And for something to do, I even took a photo of the desserts. Perhaps I will upload it. It's on the home computer though.
Sunday I didn't do much. MOTH went out for the usual bread and paper stuff. I stayed home. I did the washing and got it all pegged out. I looked at the floor and decided it needed some work. But couldn't quite bring myself to plug in the vacuum cleaner.
This morning while suspended in that twilight just between sleeping and waking, I came to the conclusion that I know why everyone is having so much trouble with chest complaints this year. Even I'm coughing a lot. And I don't think it necessarily has much to do with the fact it's a rough flu season. While I was attempting to tidy a little, I actually used the dustpan and brush. I had to clean up the 'potato dirt' that had accumulated on the floor in front of the pantry where the potatoes live. And as I swept it into the pan, the angle of the sun showed me how much DUST was actually circulating with each sweep of the brush! An amazing amount. COPIOUS amounts. And each sweep set it swirling into the air. I have noticed the house is terrible to keep clean. One morning, I swept the same area three times and still kept finding bits that seemed to have missed the broom, and by the time I finished, it didn't look like I had done anything at all.
So this morning, I swiped the pledge duster around the floor. Perhaps I need to consider getting one of those things that pick up the dust instead of pushing it about. *sigh* I hate housework.
And on the way up to the office this morning, I watched a girl walking along the path in front of me. The way her converse lowtops scuffed across the ground as she walked. And it brought back memories of the way we scuffed through the schoolgrounds in our gymboots and sandshoes. And playing 'lastics in our lunchhours for weeks on end...
But it turned out that the new busway is open...
I must have missed the fanfare somewhere. Ok, so I don't follow the news much, but I thought there would have been SOME announcement. The new trip did take us a little way cross country into almost virgin territory. Well, some bus would have been there before us, but hey, it was new to me. And maybe even, if I hadn't had my nose stuck in my Harry Potter novel, I might have even looked up and seen a bus on the new way as I had passed beneath it earlier.
But I digest. I'm supposed to be providing an entertaining wrap up of the week just gone. Or something.
This was the week of the test for the Teen. We fronted up to the surgery on Wednesday for the test; the Teen has been suffering from a chest infection which is lingering. I had to postpone the orginal test as the medication would have played with the results of the test. So, off to the surgery and boy. What a mood. I put it down to the fact she was nervous. After a short while, our turn came and she was called up for a weigh in and height check. She was so very less than impressed with the weigh in. She informed me it was close to Wogboy's. *shrugs* I'm sure the weight she was expecting is like, child level, and she IS no longer a child.
So the Holter device was attached, and they ran a test to have something to measure it against. Typical, the reading came back in the range of normal. For those not in the know, a Holter test is a mobile ECG. You have the dots/leads attached and you wear a small over the shoulder harness which holds the monitor. She had to wear it for 24 hours. MOTH had one many years ago, just after his heart attack. Mind the size of the monitor has changed. A LOT! Oh, they also gave her a small form where she was to note anything strange, an event, so they could check it afterward.
Wednesday afternoon, she mentioned she had lost the diary. D'oh!
Thursday we headed back to have it removed. No worries. The young chap who removed it asked if there had been any events. She said there was, but we'll wait and see about results.
$200 later and all is finished and detached. Except adhesive residue and complaints about itching. And then I found the diary.
Friday night Wogboy was going to be staying. When I arrived home, MOTH informed me that Teen had gone out, but he didn't know if she would be back. *shakes head* Sometimes I wonder that he can find his own way down the hall. I went to find out what was going on, and there was a text message to tell me that she would be gone for the weekend.
Which suited me fine. I actually had somewhere to be on Saturday.
Saturday we had been invited to a work bbq, held for a colleague who has been in the office on a short term contract. He's been there just over two weeks now, and will be returning to the Netherlands at the end of next week. It's been a very fast 4 weeks! We rocked up at lunch time; as usual, the first ones to arrive. Except the bloke who bought the protein. And we even arrived after the start time.
There was a pretty decent turn out, and most of them were people I have a lot of fun with. MOTH likes them too - he tells me they always make him feel welcome. There was plenty of food. And for something to do, I even took a photo of the desserts. Perhaps I will upload it. It's on the home computer though.
Sunday I didn't do much. MOTH went out for the usual bread and paper stuff. I stayed home. I did the washing and got it all pegged out. I looked at the floor and decided it needed some work. But couldn't quite bring myself to plug in the vacuum cleaner.
This morning while suspended in that twilight just between sleeping and waking, I came to the conclusion that I know why everyone is having so much trouble with chest complaints this year. Even I'm coughing a lot. And I don't think it necessarily has much to do with the fact it's a rough flu season. While I was attempting to tidy a little, I actually used the dustpan and brush. I had to clean up the 'potato dirt' that had accumulated on the floor in front of the pantry where the potatoes live. And as I swept it into the pan, the angle of the sun showed me how much DUST was actually circulating with each sweep of the brush! An amazing amount. COPIOUS amounts. And each sweep set it swirling into the air. I have noticed the house is terrible to keep clean. One morning, I swept the same area three times and still kept finding bits that seemed to have missed the broom, and by the time I finished, it didn't look like I had done anything at all.
So this morning, I swiped the pledge duster around the floor. Perhaps I need to consider getting one of those things that pick up the dust instead of pushing it about. *sigh* I hate housework.
And on the way up to the office this morning, I watched a girl walking along the path in front of me. The way her converse lowtops scuffed across the ground as she walked. And it brought back memories of the way we scuffed through the schoolgrounds in our gymboots and sandshoes. And playing 'lastics in our lunchhours for weeks on end...
Monday, July 27, 2009
Strange weather we've been having here. The mornings are freezing - I can see my breath when I haul arse to the bus stop. If I choose to look on the bright side, it's good to have that affirmation that I'm actually alive early in the mornings.
But I'd much rather be in bed.
The days turn out balmy, then the afternoons cool again. Until, by the time I'm ready to leave the office, it's cold again when I'm off to the bus stop.
I'm rather reptilian in my weather habits *quiet you!* I love the sun. But only if it's not too hot. I hate the cold. My blood freezes and I can't get warm. Often, during winter, you'll find me standing in a patch of sun in front of the window. As the ice in my veins thaws a little. Summer time, I'd rather stand in cold water; even wallowing in the mud sounds preferable to putting up with the heat...
*ouch! swallowed too much of the soup i'm lunching on*
So how to cover what, all in all, has been a quiet week?
Now that all have vacated, I offered the Teen the chance to swap bedrooms. Only if she wanted to. And she didn't think she would. MOTH had been doing some patchwork on the walls. When Sunny and Judah moved on, they took their artwork with them. Along with some of the paint. Stupid double sided tape.
So he'd been patching. It wasn't quite finished, but Teen decided good enough! She shifted all her furniture. I shrugged. Fair enough. MOTH shook his head. And I moved all the ironing stuff clogging up the small room that is supposed to be a study into the vacated bedroom. Now all I have to do is remember that I no longer have to walk the length of the house with the laundry basket. Nearly done it a couple of times too!
I had mentioned that when it was clear, I would transform the study into a study. That left MOTH free to move things. *he loves doing that* When I returned from work on Friday, it was all done. The desk had migrated with, he informed me, Judah's help. Judah has been borrowing the phone to try get an internet connection for them sorted. I discovered that the only place to put the desk was back to the door. Uh oh. No where else without losing precious space that is! But I did a wee bit of research, and apparently it's not so bad if you aren't directly in line with the door. Luckily for me, the door is not in the middle of the wall so I moved the desk. Sweet. And then I have to fill it with things I love. So, I have a white bookcase *not loved* with some books *loved* some junky bits that my travellers bring back from overseas *loved* some old toys *loved* a single couch from the suite *not loved* with a sheet and an old red cushion *not loved!* And now my study is complete. I like being in there, and I guess that's the whole purpose, right?
But I'd much rather be in bed.
The days turn out balmy, then the afternoons cool again. Until, by the time I'm ready to leave the office, it's cold again when I'm off to the bus stop.
I'm rather reptilian in my weather habits *quiet you!* I love the sun. But only if it's not too hot. I hate the cold. My blood freezes and I can't get warm. Often, during winter, you'll find me standing in a patch of sun in front of the window. As the ice in my veins thaws a little. Summer time, I'd rather stand in cold water; even wallowing in the mud sounds preferable to putting up with the heat...
*ouch! swallowed too much of the soup i'm lunching on*
So how to cover what, all in all, has been a quiet week?
Now that all have vacated, I offered the Teen the chance to swap bedrooms. Only if she wanted to. And she didn't think she would. MOTH had been doing some patchwork on the walls. When Sunny and Judah moved on, they took their artwork with them. Along with some of the paint. Stupid double sided tape.
So he'd been patching. It wasn't quite finished, but Teen decided good enough! She shifted all her furniture. I shrugged. Fair enough. MOTH shook his head. And I moved all the ironing stuff clogging up the small room that is supposed to be a study into the vacated bedroom. Now all I have to do is remember that I no longer have to walk the length of the house with the laundry basket. Nearly done it a couple of times too!
I had mentioned that when it was clear, I would transform the study into a study. That left MOTH free to move things. *he loves doing that* When I returned from work on Friday, it was all done. The desk had migrated with, he informed me, Judah's help. Judah has been borrowing the phone to try get an internet connection for them sorted. I discovered that the only place to put the desk was back to the door. Uh oh. No where else without losing precious space that is! But I did a wee bit of research, and apparently it's not so bad if you aren't directly in line with the door. Luckily for me, the door is not in the middle of the wall so I moved the desk. Sweet. And then I have to fill it with things I love. So, I have a white bookcase *not loved* with some books *loved* some junky bits that my travellers bring back from overseas *loved* some old toys *loved* a single couch from the suite *not loved* with a sheet and an old red cushion *not loved!* And now my study is complete. I like being in there, and I guess that's the whole purpose, right?
Monday, July 20, 2009
I'm disappearing out my own existence!
I liked that Yellow Submarine movie. I wouldn't mind seeing it again. Just for something different.
Quite a bit has been on the agenda this week.
I stayed home a couple of days early in the week. Monitoring the Elder. Apart from one minor brain explosion, she went really well. *is proud*
Sometime on the Sunday I believe, she was working on her jobsearch stuffs, and just for something to do, applied for a position in a different town. Nothing would come of this one but what the heck.
Monday we went shopping because there was something burning a hole in her wallet and there is nothing like a dash of retail therapy the help one along. Her phone rings in the middle of Sanity and she ducks out to answer it. The music in that shop is a little loud, but hey, it's Michael Jackson so who cares.
She came back and said, You know that job? They've just offered me an interview. Ulp! So, the logistical nightmare - how do we deliver her on time to get to the interview? We abandoned the therapy and dashed home. And I mentioned to MOTH, why don't you drive her and you can visit your mother while you are there.
He didn't bat an eyelid. Some quick calls were made and they were frantically packing. The Elder was explaining the phone call. The caller found out where she lived, and weren't keen on giving her an interview time after all. Because she lived so far away, and it was an awful long way to come just for an interview. *helloo! in this economic climate, any interview slot is a good one! duh!* They gave her a time though, and asked her to call if she couldn't make it. Hence the fuss and rush to get there.
So Tuesday morning, somewhere about mid morning they left. Return due for Thursday.
The days they were away were deathly quiet. Only the Teen and I existed in our own little universe. And like Gods, we got to spend our time our way, and eat what we wanted when we wanted. The Teen had been off sick for the first couple of days back to school, so I had to return to work on Wednesday and leave her at home. She wasn't phased. I didn't for one second think she would be. *smiles* But we did manage to finish off the prawns that were taking up space in the freezer. She and I are the only ones who eat them. They were an impulse buy at $6 a kilo at the end of the shopping night in the supermarket.
On Wednesday night, I got a call. Guess what! What? I've got the job! Really? No wai! Yes wai. And guess what? What? I start on Tuesday! Holy hell! She had the interview Wednesday morning. Wednesday afternoon they asked her to come back and meet the store manager. That night they told her she had a start. So much for not wanting to offer her an interview time.
So what now? That gave her two days to organise accommodation. Her bestie friend has a family and no room. Her grandparents are overcrowded so we didn't even go there. Her aunty has no room either. Mouse and Grandma thought it darned silly to come up for a job without accommodation.
But why would you organise accommodation just to attend a job interview? When there is no guarantee you'll get the job, and the Government will penalise you most severely if you move from your current location to a place that offers less job opportunites. Who expected she would get a job from somewhere she applied for just as a spur of the moment thing to add a name to her list?
But congratulations Elder! I'm hoping you will really enjoy your work.
So it was back home Thursday and try to organise things for a Sunday departure. Luckily a male friend who lives by himself was willing to put her up for a while. That was a relief. And a person I never even thought of asking.
Friday I was at work, and she bummed about a bit. I don't remember what she did, but there was a LITTLE bit of packing in there.
Saturday I had plans to catch a movie. I had asked the Elder to go with me. No point asking the Teen. She's never home. So we caught the bus to the cinema. It's not the closest, but it is the cheapest. And it's IMAX so we timed our session to catch the movie on the 25 metre screen. We found seats - up the back of course - and watched people stream in. We had thought that the 09:30 screening on a Saturday wouldn't be that busy. We were wrong. While we waited for the movie, the Elder noticed someone who looked familiar. It was my best friend and her family! I haven't seen them for some months. We just don't seem to be able to coordinate ourself. She spotted us and we waved at each other.
The movie was Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. I knew the plot. I knew it was coming. And still I cried. I hate to see a grown man cry and I started to lose it a bit then. I lost it properly when he died. And I knew it was coming....
After the movie, my friend waited for me and we all decided to go for coffee. As we came down the stairs to exit the cinema, they announced that all the Harry Potter screenings for the remainder of that day were sold out! Soooo glad we chose the early session!
I hadn't been to this coffee house before. It was expensive, but it was really nice. The coffee cups are huge. You get the cup, a jug of coffee and a jug of hot water. I guess a jug of milk too, but the woman had ordered a long black. And you mix it the way you want. I had a spider, so I got a tall glass of icecream and the softdrink in a jug. We also had a plate of tiny gourmet cookies with a creamy chocolate dipping sauce. I think I'd go there again.
And a quick trip into the city to the movies turned into a full scale almost all day outing.
Home again and the Elder started doing some serious packing. Not serious enough though because she was still packing late into the night. I did give her some help, but not that much. I wasn't sure what she was going to be taking. Sunday morning, at 03:00 she and MOTH were up. MOTH never went to bed. She was still packing last minute stuff, and MOTH was loading the car. She managed to get away at 04:00.
So we are back to three in the house. It's so very, very quiet.
I think I'm disappearing out my own existence...
Quite a bit has been on the agenda this week.
I stayed home a couple of days early in the week. Monitoring the Elder. Apart from one minor brain explosion, she went really well. *is proud*
Sometime on the Sunday I believe, she was working on her jobsearch stuffs, and just for something to do, applied for a position in a different town. Nothing would come of this one but what the heck.
Monday we went shopping because there was something burning a hole in her wallet and there is nothing like a dash of retail therapy the help one along. Her phone rings in the middle of Sanity and she ducks out to answer it. The music in that shop is a little loud, but hey, it's Michael Jackson so who cares.
She came back and said, You know that job? They've just offered me an interview. Ulp! So, the logistical nightmare - how do we deliver her on time to get to the interview? We abandoned the therapy and dashed home. And I mentioned to MOTH, why don't you drive her and you can visit your mother while you are there.
He didn't bat an eyelid. Some quick calls were made and they were frantically packing. The Elder was explaining the phone call. The caller found out where she lived, and weren't keen on giving her an interview time after all. Because she lived so far away, and it was an awful long way to come just for an interview. *helloo! in this economic climate, any interview slot is a good one! duh!* They gave her a time though, and asked her to call if she couldn't make it. Hence the fuss and rush to get there.
So Tuesday morning, somewhere about mid morning they left. Return due for Thursday.
The days they were away were deathly quiet. Only the Teen and I existed in our own little universe. And like Gods, we got to spend our time our way, and eat what we wanted when we wanted. The Teen had been off sick for the first couple of days back to school, so I had to return to work on Wednesday and leave her at home. She wasn't phased. I didn't for one second think she would be. *smiles* But we did manage to finish off the prawns that were taking up space in the freezer. She and I are the only ones who eat them. They were an impulse buy at $6 a kilo at the end of the shopping night in the supermarket.
On Wednesday night, I got a call. Guess what! What? I've got the job! Really? No wai! Yes wai. And guess what? What? I start on Tuesday! Holy hell! She had the interview Wednesday morning. Wednesday afternoon they asked her to come back and meet the store manager. That night they told her she had a start. So much for not wanting to offer her an interview time.
So what now? That gave her two days to organise accommodation. Her bestie friend has a family and no room. Her grandparents are overcrowded so we didn't even go there. Her aunty has no room either. Mouse and Grandma thought it darned silly to come up for a job without accommodation.
But why would you organise accommodation just to attend a job interview? When there is no guarantee you'll get the job, and the Government will penalise you most severely if you move from your current location to a place that offers less job opportunites. Who expected she would get a job from somewhere she applied for just as a spur of the moment thing to add a name to her list?
But congratulations Elder! I'm hoping you will really enjoy your work.
So it was back home Thursday and try to organise things for a Sunday departure. Luckily a male friend who lives by himself was willing to put her up for a while. That was a relief. And a person I never even thought of asking.
Friday I was at work, and she bummed about a bit. I don't remember what she did, but there was a LITTLE bit of packing in there.
Saturday I had plans to catch a movie. I had asked the Elder to go with me. No point asking the Teen. She's never home. So we caught the bus to the cinema. It's not the closest, but it is the cheapest. And it's IMAX so we timed our session to catch the movie on the 25 metre screen. We found seats - up the back of course - and watched people stream in. We had thought that the 09:30 screening on a Saturday wouldn't be that busy. We were wrong. While we waited for the movie, the Elder noticed someone who looked familiar. It was my best friend and her family! I haven't seen them for some months. We just don't seem to be able to coordinate ourself. She spotted us and we waved at each other.
The movie was Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. I knew the plot. I knew it was coming. And still I cried. I hate to see a grown man cry and I started to lose it a bit then. I lost it properly when he died. And I knew it was coming....
After the movie, my friend waited for me and we all decided to go for coffee. As we came down the stairs to exit the cinema, they announced that all the Harry Potter screenings for the remainder of that day were sold out! Soooo glad we chose the early session!
I hadn't been to this coffee house before. It was expensive, but it was really nice. The coffee cups are huge. You get the cup, a jug of coffee and a jug of hot water. I guess a jug of milk too, but the woman had ordered a long black. And you mix it the way you want. I had a spider, so I got a tall glass of icecream and the softdrink in a jug. We also had a plate of tiny gourmet cookies with a creamy chocolate dipping sauce. I think I'd go there again.
And a quick trip into the city to the movies turned into a full scale almost all day outing.
Home again and the Elder started doing some serious packing. Not serious enough though because she was still packing late into the night. I did give her some help, but not that much. I wasn't sure what she was going to be taking. Sunday morning, at 03:00 she and MOTH were up. MOTH never went to bed. She was still packing last minute stuff, and MOTH was loading the car. She managed to get away at 04:00.
So we are back to three in the house. It's so very, very quiet.
I think I'm disappearing out my own existence...
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Silence is golden the saying goes
And there is altogether way too much of it around here.
What a week. I mentioned last post *listens to dogs howl* that I had that cough. I went to work on the Wednesday, but couldn't repeat the performance on Thursday. Or Friday for that matter. So last week, I managed one day of work.
MOTH is still coughing from his, although nowhere near as badly. He happily informed me that I have about another three weeks at least of coughing to look forward to. *sarcastic voice* Excellent. Although mine has nearly gone. *touches wood, cause you know i've just jinxed myself*
The Teen started her cough somewhere around mid week. So did Jawsome. *punches fist you know i'm so awesome to be gifting this about*
Around Friday, the Teen started complaining of muscle soreness, chest pain, wheezing, aches, headaches, fever....... I phoned the doc on Saturday and made an appointment for Monday. They don't work on Sunday and charge like a bull for work on Saturdays. So she had to wait. I don't think she was very happy at all. After the doc consultation, taking the medication means that we have to reschedule the Holter test that she has to have. Did I mention that before? The Teen seems to have tachycardia - fast heart rate - and was supposed to have a 24hour Holter test. That means she gets a monitor the size of a messenger bag attached to her for 24 hours. That would most likely put a cramp in her style! She also has to keep a diary of her activities while she is wearing it. And EVERYTHING has to be put in there. Even when she goes to the loo. *heh heh heh* But since the ventolin increases heart rate anyway, that has to be postponed for a couple of weeks. Hopefully she's mended by then.
Saturday, the Elder surprised the heck outta me by asking if I would go with her for a walk. To Maccas, of course. You can't do that exercise stuff without a goal at the end. On our way, I had a text from Sunny. Since he had been touring the markets and become bored, he joined us for a snack. Afterward, he invited us to the unit. It's the first time I've seen it since they moved. I like it. It's snug and cozy and just right for them. Sunny is very happy with it.
Sunday was the day though. Jawsome had mentioned he would probably leave around 06:00. It seems he didn't sleep too well, and by the time he had packed what he could in the car, he left before sunup. Mind, that's like around 05:45. Most of his belongings are still here, waiting for his return with a truck. He couldn't fit much beyond a couple of suitcases and some other random stuff in the supra. There is no boot...
The Elder is doing much better than I thought. There doesn't appear to be the anger and bad vibes there were with the last one. I'm hoping that this will continue. The last breakup she seemed to be handling it well, until a week or two later and she fell in a screaming heap. I'm hoping that experience will help her be calmer and stronger for this one.
And for something to keep her occupied, I've sent her up the coast to her old stomping ground for a couple of days. Just a short break. She travelled with MOTH. I'm hoping she can spend a little time with her best friend.
So at the moment, there is only the Teen and I in the house. She's in her room. And apart from the occasional cough, it's bloody quiet in this house.......
What a week. I mentioned last post *listens to dogs howl* that I had that cough. I went to work on the Wednesday, but couldn't repeat the performance on Thursday. Or Friday for that matter. So last week, I managed one day of work.
MOTH is still coughing from his, although nowhere near as badly. He happily informed me that I have about another three weeks at least of coughing to look forward to. *sarcastic voice* Excellent. Although mine has nearly gone. *touches wood, cause you know i've just jinxed myself*
The Teen started her cough somewhere around mid week. So did Jawsome. *punches fist you know i'm so awesome to be gifting this about*
Around Friday, the Teen started complaining of muscle soreness, chest pain, wheezing, aches, headaches, fever....... I phoned the doc on Saturday and made an appointment for Monday. They don't work on Sunday and charge like a bull for work on Saturdays. So she had to wait. I don't think she was very happy at all. After the doc consultation, taking the medication means that we have to reschedule the Holter test that she has to have. Did I mention that before? The Teen seems to have tachycardia - fast heart rate - and was supposed to have a 24hour Holter test. That means she gets a monitor the size of a messenger bag attached to her for 24 hours. That would most likely put a cramp in her style! She also has to keep a diary of her activities while she is wearing it. And EVERYTHING has to be put in there. Even when she goes to the loo. *heh heh heh* But since the ventolin increases heart rate anyway, that has to be postponed for a couple of weeks. Hopefully she's mended by then.
Saturday, the Elder surprised the heck outta me by asking if I would go with her for a walk. To Maccas, of course. You can't do that exercise stuff without a goal at the end. On our way, I had a text from Sunny. Since he had been touring the markets and become bored, he joined us for a snack. Afterward, he invited us to the unit. It's the first time I've seen it since they moved. I like it. It's snug and cozy and just right for them. Sunny is very happy with it.
Sunday was the day though. Jawsome had mentioned he would probably leave around 06:00. It seems he didn't sleep too well, and by the time he had packed what he could in the car, he left before sunup. Mind, that's like around 05:45. Most of his belongings are still here, waiting for his return with a truck. He couldn't fit much beyond a couple of suitcases and some other random stuff in the supra. There is no boot...
The Elder is doing much better than I thought. There doesn't appear to be the anger and bad vibes there were with the last one. I'm hoping that this will continue. The last breakup she seemed to be handling it well, until a week or two later and she fell in a screaming heap. I'm hoping that experience will help her be calmer and stronger for this one.
And for something to keep her occupied, I've sent her up the coast to her old stomping ground for a couple of days. Just a short break. She travelled with MOTH. I'm hoping she can spend a little time with her best friend.
So at the moment, there is only the Teen and I in the house. She's in her room. And apart from the occasional cough, it's bloody quiet in this house.......
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Takin it slowwwwly
What a week. *shakes head* At least, I think it was.... *wanders around trying to stimulate remembery*
MOTH hasn't been well over the last week. He's had a wheezy asthma-like cough that started as a tickle in his throat. And when he coughs, boy, he coughs. Like, 110%. His face goes red. His eyes bulge. And if he does it properly, he passes out and has something that looks like a small seizure.
I had a day off to stay with him on the worst day. Just in case.
The Teen has been, thankfully mostly in her room, playing Michael Jackson songs non stop. Even a headcold hasn't stopped her.
*runs screaming from room*
Alright, I shall come out here in public and admit that I like his music. It was big when I was growing up. How could I not like it? But I find I can only listen for a while before it becomes necessary to put the songs away and take a break. That might just be coming a bit sooner than usual. Hopefully she takes a break soon!
Around mid week the tickle started in my throat. Uh oh. That doesn't bode well. And it gradually got worse. Till I started my own asthma like wheezy cough. My coughs though are rather pale in comparison to his. And sometimes, I can even get a grip on mine to calm them down.
Didn't take long though to figure out what he meant when he told me that it drains you! I've had two days off work and really was ready for another today. Last Monday, I woke after 9.00am, went to lay down at around 1.30pm, woke up at 4.30pm and still went to bed at my normal time of 10.30pm after Good News Week. *whew*
So MOTH is slowly on the mend. He still coughs but not as much or as hard. He aches all over from the strain. Even his little belly button hernia hurts. Poor doll. *gets as close to sympathetic as she can*
It's been a tough weekend for the Elder. She and Jawsome are going their separate ways and Jawsome will be returning to his former place of residence. I'm led to believe the actual leaving of the house will be this weekend coming.
I shall be sad. I liked this one. MUCH better than the last one.
Thank you Jawsome, you've been a very important part of her healing process. Now I'm hoping that she can continue the journey to its completion.....
MOTH hasn't been well over the last week. He's had a wheezy asthma-like cough that started as a tickle in his throat. And when he coughs, boy, he coughs. Like, 110%. His face goes red. His eyes bulge. And if he does it properly, he passes out and has something that looks like a small seizure.
I had a day off to stay with him on the worst day. Just in case.
The Teen has been, thankfully mostly in her room, playing Michael Jackson songs non stop. Even a headcold hasn't stopped her.
*runs screaming from room*
Alright, I shall come out here in public and admit that I like his music. It was big when I was growing up. How could I not like it? But I find I can only listen for a while before it becomes necessary to put the songs away and take a break. That might just be coming a bit sooner than usual. Hopefully she takes a break soon!
Around mid week the tickle started in my throat. Uh oh. That doesn't bode well. And it gradually got worse. Till I started my own asthma like wheezy cough. My coughs though are rather pale in comparison to his. And sometimes, I can even get a grip on mine to calm them down.
Didn't take long though to figure out what he meant when he told me that it drains you! I've had two days off work and really was ready for another today. Last Monday, I woke after 9.00am, went to lay down at around 1.30pm, woke up at 4.30pm and still went to bed at my normal time of 10.30pm after Good News Week. *whew*
So MOTH is slowly on the mend. He still coughs but not as much or as hard. He aches all over from the strain. Even his little belly button hernia hurts. Poor doll. *gets as close to sympathetic as she can*
It's been a tough weekend for the Elder. She and Jawsome are going their separate ways and Jawsome will be returning to his former place of residence. I'm led to believe the actual leaving of the house will be this weekend coming.
I shall be sad. I liked this one. MUCH better than the last one.
Thank you Jawsome, you've been a very important part of her healing process. Now I'm hoping that she can continue the journey to its completion.....
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
It's good news week!
*is amazed! jez found the missing original post!*
Monday. And it's a cack.
Heck of a lot of Michael Jackson specials on telly. And the Teen has decided she would like to play all his old songs that she liked. All the time. And loudly....
So this week has been the crackling excitement of the interior of buses, as I consider the last time I had a holiday and wonder if I'm entitled to another. And when I check, yes, I have enough days owing. But my last holiday was ... Easter. Not that long ago really. So tell me, do I deserve another week off?
The Teen's report card turned up in the mail today. *sighs* I'm not sure what I expected. She's had a lot of time off due to illness. And never bothered to catch up. What I don't really appreciate is the Teacher requests for a parent/teacher interview. I hate those things. Why do I have to go along so they can tell me that she's not doing as well as they think she could. I mean, she's 17 for heavens sake. Take it up with her and leave me out of it. I think that she is more than old enough to understand the consquences of not putting in the work.
You know, on my trips to work, I haven't even seen anything that struck me as memorable. No toilets on the side of the road, no strange outfits. No strange behaviour on the bus. Not even by me.
It's quiet on campus. Mid semester break. And the students are away. And the main refectory is closed. And likely the old Red Room. Which now has a different name. When the Elder worked on campus, we used to go there all the time. To the point where the chef behind the counter knew who we were and told us to come straight to the head of the line. Yay for being regulars!
Last Wednesday, I decided on the spur of the moment to catch my other bus choice. This one goes through some back roads and some traffic. It takes about an hour. My other service is a fair bit faster. So, I'm on the slow bus. And it catches up to my fast bus.
I found out that the FIRST stop of the fast bus run is about a 15 minute walk up the road. So I tried doing that a couple of mornings.
And when I got off the bus at terminus, I found a friend whom I haven't seen for some time. It was only a brief chat, but it was really really good to catch up.
And since nothing really exciting happened during the week, I've decided to post the Teen's video. Complete with dodgy production values.
Of course, if I'm not actually allowed to post this, you'll hear about it from there....
Monday. And it's a cack.
Heck of a lot of Michael Jackson specials on telly. And the Teen has decided she would like to play all his old songs that she liked. All the time. And loudly....
So this week has been the crackling excitement of the interior of buses, as I consider the last time I had a holiday and wonder if I'm entitled to another. And when I check, yes, I have enough days owing. But my last holiday was ... Easter. Not that long ago really. So tell me, do I deserve another week off?
The Teen's report card turned up in the mail today. *sighs* I'm not sure what I expected. She's had a lot of time off due to illness. And never bothered to catch up. What I don't really appreciate is the Teacher requests for a parent/teacher interview. I hate those things. Why do I have to go along so they can tell me that she's not doing as well as they think she could. I mean, she's 17 for heavens sake. Take it up with her and leave me out of it. I think that she is more than old enough to understand the consquences of not putting in the work.
You know, on my trips to work, I haven't even seen anything that struck me as memorable. No toilets on the side of the road, no strange outfits. No strange behaviour on the bus. Not even by me.
It's quiet on campus. Mid semester break. And the students are away. And the main refectory is closed. And likely the old Red Room. Which now has a different name. When the Elder worked on campus, we used to go there all the time. To the point where the chef behind the counter knew who we were and told us to come straight to the head of the line. Yay for being regulars!
Last Wednesday, I decided on the spur of the moment to catch my other bus choice. This one goes through some back roads and some traffic. It takes about an hour. My other service is a fair bit faster. So, I'm on the slow bus. And it catches up to my fast bus.
I found out that the FIRST stop of the fast bus run is about a 15 minute walk up the road. So I tried doing that a couple of mornings.
And when I got off the bus at terminus, I found a friend whom I haven't seen for some time. It was only a brief chat, but it was really really good to catch up.
And since nothing really exciting happened during the week, I've decided to post the Teen's video. Complete with dodgy production values.
Of course, if I'm not actually allowed to post this, you'll hear about it from there....
Monday, June 29, 2009
I did have a post here.....
But I tried to upload a video. But it took way long. And long and long and long.
And when I cancelled the video upload, it cancelled the whole blog post. *grrrrrrr*
So, I guess the upshot is that I can't remember what the heck I posted.
Ummmm. There was something about Good News Week. Which I'm watching right now. Well, I would be if there wasn't an ad on about ice additiction. Yeah, I can see the fascination of getting your tongue stuck to the fridge.....
I think I should stop watching and just download the podcast. That way I can have a legitimate reason to laugh like a maniac on the bus.
Speaking of which, Wednesday I decided to take the slow bus to work. And ended up following the fast bus. From that, I found out the FIRST stop for the fast bus is about a 15 min walk up the hill from my normal bus stop.
And when I debussed at terminus, I found a friend whom I haven't seen for a very long time. It was only a quick chat, but it was good to see her.
The Teen's report card arrived today. It was better than we were expecting, but not as good as it should have been perhaps. All her teachers want a parent/teacher interview. Man, I hate those things. Like, I want to go out of my way so I can sit there and listen to them tell me what I already know? She's 17 for heavens sake and quite old enough to understand the consequences of not doing her work. Take it up with her.....
I did try to post her rather dodgy video. Perhaps I won't do it again. Cause I don't want to lose this post again....
And when I cancelled the video upload, it cancelled the whole blog post. *grrrrrrr*
So, I guess the upshot is that I can't remember what the heck I posted.
Ummmm. There was something about Good News Week. Which I'm watching right now. Well, I would be if there wasn't an ad on about ice additiction. Yeah, I can see the fascination of getting your tongue stuck to the fridge.....
I think I should stop watching and just download the podcast. That way I can have a legitimate reason to laugh like a maniac on the bus.
Speaking of which, Wednesday I decided to take the slow bus to work. And ended up following the fast bus. From that, I found out the FIRST stop for the fast bus is about a 15 min walk up the hill from my normal bus stop.
And when I debussed at terminus, I found a friend whom I haven't seen for a very long time. It was only a quick chat, but it was good to see her.
The Teen's report card arrived today. It was better than we were expecting, but not as good as it should have been perhaps. All her teachers want a parent/teacher interview. Man, I hate those things. Like, I want to go out of my way so I can sit there and listen to them tell me what I already know? She's 17 for heavens sake and quite old enough to understand the consequences of not doing her work. Take it up with her.....
I did try to post her rather dodgy video. Perhaps I won't do it again. Cause I don't want to lose this post again....
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
My day.... and a bit left over
Remember I said Sunday was so good I took some photos? Alright, I confess. I used my camera phone. Which, for some reason, usually takes kick arse outdoor photos, but really crappy indoor ones.
Taco taco!
My kick arse jammies though are Jim Beam *loves*
This one caught my attention, but not today....
So, and on to my day. I missed some really good photo ops today. A brush turkey watching me walk by. A sheila with purple hair and carrying a hand bag with a thigh bone motif. A solitary bloke standing at a bus stop reading the timetable. Hanging on to his package. Maybe he thought it would shrink?
I really wanted to add some photos of people, but I'm too shy to stop and ask... there was a busker playing an accordian, surrounded by people clapping and singing along. They seemed to be the busker, his singer and a bunch of people all from the same ethnic group. They were having a great old time.
I thought about taking photos of the fountain in the middle of the mall. They have cleaned it up a bit and it has lovely coloured lights that shine under the water in the evenings. But to get a good shot, I needed to stand on the edge. And for some, that could be just way too tempting. I know it would be for me...
1. Breakfast!
2. Snackage!
3. A seat with no graffiti. Rare find that. Although there seems to be a few on this bus...
4. Random stop. Now closed. Due to graffiti?
5. See the wind from these vents? One second nothing, the next I'm pinned like a bug in a display case....
6. Just a bit o'landscaping visible from the window
7. Random shoes. Why oh why can't this phone (5mp) pick up detail properly?!
8. Random busway stop
9. Farmer's Markets. Every Wednesday 11 till 6!
10. Bus isn't really this long, but looks great
11. View from a bridge. Can't take any more. But wait, there's glass....
Taco taco!
My kick arse jammies though are Jim Beam *loves*
This one caught my attention, but not today....
So, and on to my day. I missed some really good photo ops today. A brush turkey watching me walk by. A sheila with purple hair and carrying a hand bag with a thigh bone motif. A solitary bloke standing at a bus stop reading the timetable. Hanging on to his package. Maybe he thought it would shrink?
I really wanted to add some photos of people, but I'm too shy to stop and ask... there was a busker playing an accordian, surrounded by people clapping and singing along. They seemed to be the busker, his singer and a bunch of people all from the same ethnic group. They were having a great old time.
I thought about taking photos of the fountain in the middle of the mall. They have cleaned it up a bit and it has lovely coloured lights that shine under the water in the evenings. But to get a good shot, I needed to stand on the edge. And for some, that could be just way too tempting. I know it would be for me...
1. Breakfast!
2. Snackage!
3. A seat with no graffiti. Rare find that. Although there seems to be a few on this bus...
4. Random stop. Now closed. Due to graffiti?
5. See the wind from these vents? One second nothing, the next I'm pinned like a bug in a display case....
6. Just a bit o'landscaping visible from the window
7. Random shoes. Why oh why can't this phone (5mp) pick up detail properly?!
8. Random busway stop
9. Farmer's Markets. Every Wednesday 11 till 6!
10. Bus isn't really this long, but looks great
11. View from a bridge. Can't take any more. But wait, there's glass....
Monday, June 22, 2009
PA? Maybe not....
I always wanted to be the Personal Assistant to a high powered person and travel with them to exotic places.
Then I watched Devil Wears Prada. Aaaannnnddddd maybe not....
__________________________
I had a brilliant idea for this week. How about I post my week in ... ... photographs. Yes, I was going to take photos of interesting things I have seen or done for the week.
Then I realised that I spend a good 3 to 4 hours every day inside a bus. You'd soon get sick of photos of seat upholstery. Yes indeed. Pretty as they are, you soon be sick of them. And for some reason, anything on the outside of the bus gets a bit blurry when you are moving. Or trying to shoot through foggy windows just isn't going to work. Bugger.
[insert light bulb here] Or maybe I could .... wait, I've forgotten .... [bulb switches off]
Mind, the rest of the week just pales into insignificance when held against my Sunday. It was overcast, and showers abounded. I determined I would stay in bed. My stomach soon put a stop to that. *shakes fist at stomach* And once I'm outta bed, the chances of my going back are, like, pretty slim. So once I fed myself and several others and tidied up, I plonked myself on the couch in front of the tv. With my laptop. I didn't rise again until lunctime when I thought I would do something completely out of character. I made a toasted sandwich for MOTH. And one for Sunny. And since there was too many slices of cheese left over, one for myself as well. Jawsome decided he would make his own.
Whoa. Take that back. I left the couch for a few minutes to help the Elder write out a job application. She tells me that joblink DIDN'T teach her to write to a selection criteria. WHY THE HELL NOT?? It's only a major part of applying for a job these days.
So, where was I? Oh yes, back on the couch. And I watched the Devil Wears Prada. I so love Meryl Streep. She is brilliant. And decided I wouldn't want to be a high powered person's PA because I couldn't handle being on call 24/7.
When the movie finished, I looked at the clock. Hmmm. 3:40pm. And w00t! I'm still in my jammies! WHAT a day! I had accomplished the absolute bare minimum and it was ALMOST as good as staying in bed all day.
Ok, so I had to cook dinner *TACOS!* but it was good.
So good, in fact, I took a couple of photos just to include here. However, I've changed bags for the day and left my USB cable at home....
Clever.
Perhaps I will add them later.
[wait! light bulb back on] maybe I could just photograph the graffiti on the bus instead of the upholstery ....
The Teen had her exams this week just gone. I think I mentioned that in a previous post. I hope she did well. She got one result this morning and was really pleased with it. So was I. *congrats!* She had been working really hard to catch up with some very overdue assignments. Ones that teachers have been chasing. I think I actually saw her spend the whole day and into the night on the computer one day. *imagines how much of that was actually SCHOOL WORK*
During the week, the Teen, Wogboy, Elder and Jawsome got together to make a short film for an assignment Teen's been working on. I have seen the end result. VERY dodgy production values combined with some bad acting and some good music choices make for a very entertaining video. Perhaps, with her permission I will post it one day. After it's been submitted for marking of course!
Jawsome has been working some hours at a local supermarket. We think this is excellent - when he applied for the transfer they weren't sure how many hours, if any, they could offer. I think he's feeling a little homesick. He's a bit mopey, although he's doing well fitting in. Deep down, he's just as crazy as the rest of us.
The Elder is still unemployed, and getting uber bummed about it. Never mind honey. Something will come along. It always does. Maybe not a soon as you would like, but it will come. Be patient.
Sunny and Judah are moving out. It has happened very quickly! The timing of the moving out wasn't necessarily their choice, but they have managed to secure a lovely little unit just up the road. Very handy to the bus stop. They missed out on the first one and were disappointed. Then suddenly, they had three or four places to choose from. I wandered into the kitchen this morning and there were boxes and heaps of stuff in readiness for their move. They hope to get the keys today. This move is happening so quickly. It's been raining all day today; hopefully they have managed to avoid their gear getting too wet. I'm not sure when moving day will be, but I imagine it will be in the next day or so. Good luck lads, I hope you really enjoy the freedom to be yourselves.
MOTH. He's just been basking in his MOTH-iness. Takin it easy. Jez chillaxin'. Until today. Someone left the back door open. The dry clothes in the basket near the door ... are now wet. *oh the drama!*
Then I watched Devil Wears Prada. Aaaannnnddddd maybe not....
__________________________
I had a brilliant idea for this week. How about I post my week in ... ... photographs. Yes, I was going to take photos of interesting things I have seen or done for the week.
Then I realised that I spend a good 3 to 4 hours every day inside a bus. You'd soon get sick of photos of seat upholstery. Yes indeed. Pretty as they are, you soon be sick of them. And for some reason, anything on the outside of the bus gets a bit blurry when you are moving. Or trying to shoot through foggy windows just isn't going to work. Bugger.
[insert light bulb here] Or maybe I could .... wait, I've forgotten .... [bulb switches off]
Mind, the rest of the week just pales into insignificance when held against my Sunday. It was overcast, and showers abounded. I determined I would stay in bed. My stomach soon put a stop to that. *shakes fist at stomach* And once I'm outta bed, the chances of my going back are, like, pretty slim. So once I fed myself and several others and tidied up, I plonked myself on the couch in front of the tv. With my laptop. I didn't rise again until lunctime when I thought I would do something completely out of character. I made a toasted sandwich for MOTH. And one for Sunny. And since there was too many slices of cheese left over, one for myself as well. Jawsome decided he would make his own.
Whoa. Take that back. I left the couch for a few minutes to help the Elder write out a job application. She tells me that joblink DIDN'T teach her to write to a selection criteria. WHY THE HELL NOT?? It's only a major part of applying for a job these days.
So, where was I? Oh yes, back on the couch. And I watched the Devil Wears Prada. I so love Meryl Streep. She is brilliant. And decided I wouldn't want to be a high powered person's PA because I couldn't handle being on call 24/7.
When the movie finished, I looked at the clock. Hmmm. 3:40pm. And w00t! I'm still in my jammies! WHAT a day! I had accomplished the absolute bare minimum and it was ALMOST as good as staying in bed all day.
Ok, so I had to cook dinner *TACOS!* but it was good.
So good, in fact, I took a couple of photos just to include here. However, I've changed bags for the day and left my USB cable at home....
Clever.
Perhaps I will add them later.
[wait! light bulb back on] maybe I could just photograph the graffiti on the bus instead of the upholstery ....
The Teen had her exams this week just gone. I think I mentioned that in a previous post. I hope she did well. She got one result this morning and was really pleased with it. So was I. *congrats!* She had been working really hard to catch up with some very overdue assignments. Ones that teachers have been chasing. I think I actually saw her spend the whole day and into the night on the computer one day. *imagines how much of that was actually SCHOOL WORK*
During the week, the Teen, Wogboy, Elder and Jawsome got together to make a short film for an assignment Teen's been working on. I have seen the end result. VERY dodgy production values combined with some bad acting and some good music choices make for a very entertaining video. Perhaps, with her permission I will post it one day. After it's been submitted for marking of course!
Jawsome has been working some hours at a local supermarket. We think this is excellent - when he applied for the transfer they weren't sure how many hours, if any, they could offer. I think he's feeling a little homesick. He's a bit mopey, although he's doing well fitting in. Deep down, he's just as crazy as the rest of us.
The Elder is still unemployed, and getting uber bummed about it. Never mind honey. Something will come along. It always does. Maybe not a soon as you would like, but it will come. Be patient.
Sunny and Judah are moving out. It has happened very quickly! The timing of the moving out wasn't necessarily their choice, but they have managed to secure a lovely little unit just up the road. Very handy to the bus stop. They missed out on the first one and were disappointed. Then suddenly, they had three or four places to choose from. I wandered into the kitchen this morning and there were boxes and heaps of stuff in readiness for their move. They hope to get the keys today. This move is happening so quickly. It's been raining all day today; hopefully they have managed to avoid their gear getting too wet. I'm not sure when moving day will be, but I imagine it will be in the next day or so. Good luck lads, I hope you really enjoy the freedom to be yourselves.
MOTH. He's just been basking in his MOTH-iness. Takin it easy. Jez chillaxin'. Until today. Someone left the back door open. The dry clothes in the basket near the door ... are now wet. *oh the drama!*
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
My way or de bus way
It's been a rather strange week for buses this week.
Or perhaps I mean so far this week...
Saturday, I made plans to go into the city to visit a friend of mine who lives outta town, but was down to see the football. The Broncos v Bulldogs match. I am soooo over league these days. Too many faces grace the screen for all the wrong reasons.
But anyway, back to the buses.
The Elder decided to join me. It made me miss the bus I was hoping to catch. Turns out that was cool - lookit the bus we caught.
I dived on, and wow! Someone went to a lot of effort. We walked up the blue side and sat there. Is there any other colour? We did notice that down the aisle was split by a white line. Each side had pictures of blue cockroaches or canetoads. Each with a number and a players name. I loved it.
Sunday I think it was, Sunny was telling me his bus tale. He and Judah were waiting at their city stop, and there were an old "senile" couple on the platform. I don't remember what she was doing, but he was walking up and down talking to himself, and every so often he would go back to her and start talking about his shoes. Nothing suss there. Then, at one point, the old man walked past them. Blaaat! He farted! They had to bite tongues hard so as not to burst out laughing until he'd gone!
The tale continued. On the journey home, they were sitting near the front and could hear the base radio going off. There was lots of air traffic, and more than one mention of police. Suddenly the bus stops. In front of a service station. The driver leaves the bus and disappears. Everyone wonders... Eventually the driver returns and all continues as normal.
They arrived at their stop, and as they were last off and the driver's run *not drover, if anyone ever watched mcleod's daughters * had finished for the night, he got out took out a packet of cigs and lit up. He told the lads what had happened... He had picked up a passenger from a certain major stop. This passenger had a ticket for 3 zones but wanted to travel 5. The driver made him purchase the difference. No worries. Passenger sits, then begins to hassle other passengers. Driver calls a halt and sticks up for hassled peoples. Passenger steps up to the front, grabs driver, slams him against the plastic divider and starts abusing him and *i'm told* laying into him. The disappearing act was the driver stopping off to buy smokes. After kicking the habit for 27 months!
Monday just gone, I hopped a bus to work. No problem until we get most of the way there and stop at one of the major pickup points. The back door won't open. Hmmm. Then the front door won't close. So, says the Conductor as she leans in to talk to the driver, you'll have to turn it off and restart it. So he did. Except. It won't start. We have to leave the bus and wait for another....
This morning I'm on the bus to work. There is roadworks where the turn off is for the motorway, and the drivers now have to go past it to the next roundabout then come back. But it seems that they are left to discover this for themselves. Fair enough. So, he pauses at the no longer available turn then works out he has to go past. Well done. Out on the motorway, and he calls back ... there is an accident on the city bridge and we've been told to keep on the busway to avoid it. It will take a couple minutes longer but I'm going .... blah blah blah. Hoookay. Off we go. And grind to a halt. I should have taken a photo. I don't know how many buses there were, but we were stopped. And the ones trying to merge were stopped. And there we sat. For a while. I didn't time it. Eventually we started moving. In a stop start fashion. Turns out a bus had broken down in a tunnel. Took up the whole lane and they had to direct the buses around it, one at a time. My normal 45 minute run into the city turned into almost an hour and a half.
Been a great week for buses.
Oh, for the rest of the week? The Teen is now in exam block. I wish her well. Jawsome has managed to pick up some hours at his new store. Considering they weren't sure they would have anything for him before he moved, he's seems to be out nearly every day.
And my highlight? I saw a hummer. A stretch one. Hot pink. With black wheel arches and chrome accents. Very eye catching!
But not a bus...
Or perhaps I mean so far this week...
Saturday, I made plans to go into the city to visit a friend of mine who lives outta town, but was down to see the football. The Broncos v Bulldogs match. I am soooo over league these days. Too many faces grace the screen for all the wrong reasons.
But anyway, back to the buses.
The Elder decided to join me. It made me miss the bus I was hoping to catch. Turns out that was cool - lookit the bus we caught.
I dived on, and wow! Someone went to a lot of effort. We walked up the blue side and sat there. Is there any other colour? We did notice that down the aisle was split by a white line. Each side had pictures of blue cockroaches or canetoads. Each with a number and a players name. I loved it.
Sunday I think it was, Sunny was telling me his bus tale. He and Judah were waiting at their city stop, and there were an old "senile" couple on the platform. I don't remember what she was doing, but he was walking up and down talking to himself, and every so often he would go back to her and start talking about his shoes. Nothing suss there. Then, at one point, the old man walked past them. Blaaat! He farted! They had to bite tongues hard so as not to burst out laughing until he'd gone!
The tale continued. On the journey home, they were sitting near the front and could hear the base radio going off. There was lots of air traffic, and more than one mention of police. Suddenly the bus stops. In front of a service station. The driver leaves the bus and disappears. Everyone wonders... Eventually the driver returns and all continues as normal.
They arrived at their stop, and as they were last off and the driver's run *not drover, if anyone ever watched mcleod's daughters * had finished for the night, he got out took out a packet of cigs and lit up. He told the lads what had happened... He had picked up a passenger from a certain major stop. This passenger had a ticket for 3 zones but wanted to travel 5. The driver made him purchase the difference. No worries. Passenger sits, then begins to hassle other passengers. Driver calls a halt and sticks up for hassled peoples. Passenger steps up to the front, grabs driver, slams him against the plastic divider and starts abusing him and *i'm told* laying into him. The disappearing act was the driver stopping off to buy smokes. After kicking the habit for 27 months!
Monday just gone, I hopped a bus to work. No problem until we get most of the way there and stop at one of the major pickup points. The back door won't open. Hmmm. Then the front door won't close. So, says the Conductor as she leans in to talk to the driver, you'll have to turn it off and restart it. So he did. Except. It won't start. We have to leave the bus and wait for another....
This morning I'm on the bus to work. There is roadworks where the turn off is for the motorway, and the drivers now have to go past it to the next roundabout then come back. But it seems that they are left to discover this for themselves. Fair enough. So, he pauses at the no longer available turn then works out he has to go past. Well done. Out on the motorway, and he calls back ... there is an accident on the city bridge and we've been told to keep on the busway to avoid it. It will take a couple minutes longer but I'm going .... blah blah blah. Hoookay. Off we go. And grind to a halt. I should have taken a photo. I don't know how many buses there were, but we were stopped. And the ones trying to merge were stopped. And there we sat. For a while. I didn't time it. Eventually we started moving. In a stop start fashion. Turns out a bus had broken down in a tunnel. Took up the whole lane and they had to direct the buses around it, one at a time. My normal 45 minute run into the city turned into almost an hour and a half.
Been a great week for buses.
Oh, for the rest of the week? The Teen is now in exam block. I wish her well. Jawsome has managed to pick up some hours at his new store. Considering they weren't sure they would have anything for him before he moved, he's seems to be out nearly every day.
And my highlight? I saw a hummer. A stretch one. Hot pink. With black wheel arches and chrome accents. Very eye catching!
But not a bus...
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
No, wait come back!
And that is good for more than one situation! My fingers went spaz, and I ended up posting half a headline. *shakes head*
And of course, being June we've just waved goodbye to the last public holiday of the year. Until Christmas. *much wailing and gnashing of teeth*
It's been a rather odd week this week. Perhaps. But then, my life is usually odd, so perhaps not.
So Thursday last week was the day to be out and about. I was standing on the corner in the city *not what you think, i was waiting to cross the street* between buses. I glanced at a bus going past, and lo! It was filled with blue and white streamers and decorations. Not to mention somewhat disgruntled passengers. I was a tad disappointed that NSW didn't win the game. Perhaps Queensland cheated? No, let's be honest. I was more peeved that they changed the timing and we didn't get the game to coincide with the week of the conference. Gypped!
I managed to make the bus change. As we snuck around the corner, the traffic being slow and all, and I could see smoke billowing around the street. No activity from any pedestrians except a glance or two over shoulders, no sirens. Nothing. I wondered what it could be that was so exciting to everyone? And there it was. A harley. Parked on the footpath. Smoke coming off it. And all the chrome was sprayed with some sort of stuff. Someone had a fire extinguisher perhaps? Oh, and a rather pissed off looking rider type person. One of the yuppies who think they are bikers. Tall, dressed in his black leathers. Clean shaven. Ha! If he were a real biker, he would have avoided the fancy leathers and probably picked an older model harley. IF he had to have one....
On up the road we went, toward the Uni. I glanced down. A VW! An old one. Pained bright red and covered in black spots. *wonders* Some people do seem to have rather too much time on their hands, don't they.
Friday was a pretty ordinary day. The one saving grace was that it was the prelude to a long weekend. I made it out of the office, in time to catch the 17:25 bus home. And while standing at the corner in the city waiting for the lights to change, I espied a maroon version of the blue yesterday bus. *is happy. the world is in balance* So, I'm waiting for my bus. The last one of the day. It's allotted time came and went. Not unusual for this line. And we waited. And we waited. And we waited. The crowd dwindles. Eventually, there were only 4 of the regulars still waiting. One decided to leave for an alternative. Another suggested we remaining 3 catch a taxi. With some trepidation, I thought well, maybe. And then I found an e-cab voucher in my wallet. *yesssss!* The bus did arrive though. At 18:15.
I arrived home to find some random teens at the house. I did tell the Teen she could have friends over to celebrate her birthday. More gradually arrived during the night. The music and the voices got a little loud, but apart from one appalling noise, they were rather well behaved. I was sitting in the rumpus room and heard a Bang! It didn't sound good, and I wondered if I had the courage to go see what it was.
I did. After a little while. It seemed that one of the girls walked into the glass door. It's ok! She wasn't hurt. Except her pride. And neither was the door.
I packed up and trundled off to bed around midnight. With orders to the Teen that it was time to turn things down. I was very pleasantly surprised to discover that I couldn't hear them at all from my bedroom. *sighs and drifts off*
Saturday dawned somewhat dark and stormy. Ok, so not dawned. It stormed around mid morning. Maybe. I really dunno. I didn't actually get outta bed till just before lunchtimeish. And then I got mad at myself for wasting the morning. *sighs. just not built for sleeping in*
I spent the day tidying up little bits of the Teen's leftovers, and cursing because the house needed vacuuming and has done for some time.
Sunday I did some housework. Just a bit. Not a lot. Washing. But it was a bit wet again, so the dryer got a good workout. The Teen commented that she really liked having parties on the Friday. You get two whole days to recover, not just the Sunday. I decided that I really like Jawsome's bean bag ... thing. It looks like a giant blue tongue. But oooo boy, is it comfy. Not lying down though. I plant myself on it and use the back of it as an arm rest. It's just the right height... zzzz
I'm just dying now to get my mitts on the PS3. Darn *riffles through game box* why is there no good games in here?!
Monday. It was a great day. I did more washing. I vacuumed half the house. I stuffed myself full of chocolate icing left over from the rocky road cupcakes the Elder iced. I played a bit on the DS. Well, that's a bit of a misnomer. I actually read a book on the DS. Lorna Doone. Sunday night I cooked dinner and chilled in front of the DVD player. I decided that I would see if I could get Shrek 2 to work. And it did! *does happy dance* Because it wouldn't play at all on the other DVD player. And then I watched Beowulf. Hmmmmm. And then, somewhere around midnight, after MOTH did a mercy run to pick up a couple of stragglers who forgot it was a public holiday and therefore a SUNDAY timetable, I went off to bed.
Hmmmm ... flanny sheets in winter.....
And of course, being June we've just waved goodbye to the last public holiday of the year. Until Christmas. *much wailing and gnashing of teeth*
It's been a rather odd week this week. Perhaps. But then, my life is usually odd, so perhaps not.
So Thursday last week was the day to be out and about. I was standing on the corner in the city *not what you think, i was waiting to cross the street* between buses. I glanced at a bus going past, and lo! It was filled with blue and white streamers and decorations. Not to mention somewhat disgruntled passengers. I was a tad disappointed that NSW didn't win the game. Perhaps Queensland cheated? No, let's be honest. I was more peeved that they changed the timing and we didn't get the game to coincide with the week of the conference. Gypped!
I managed to make the bus change. As we snuck around the corner, the traffic being slow and all, and I could see smoke billowing around the street. No activity from any pedestrians except a glance or two over shoulders, no sirens. Nothing. I wondered what it could be that was so exciting to everyone? And there it was. A harley. Parked on the footpath. Smoke coming off it. And all the chrome was sprayed with some sort of stuff. Someone had a fire extinguisher perhaps? Oh, and a rather pissed off looking rider type person. One of the yuppies who think they are bikers. Tall, dressed in his black leathers. Clean shaven. Ha! If he were a real biker, he would have avoided the fancy leathers and probably picked an older model harley. IF he had to have one....
On up the road we went, toward the Uni. I glanced down. A VW! An old one. Pained bright red and covered in black spots. *wonders* Some people do seem to have rather too much time on their hands, don't they.
Friday was a pretty ordinary day. The one saving grace was that it was the prelude to a long weekend. I made it out of the office, in time to catch the 17:25 bus home. And while standing at the corner in the city waiting for the lights to change, I espied a maroon version of the blue yesterday bus. *is happy. the world is in balance* So, I'm waiting for my bus. The last one of the day. It's allotted time came and went. Not unusual for this line. And we waited. And we waited. And we waited. The crowd dwindles. Eventually, there were only 4 of the regulars still waiting. One decided to leave for an alternative. Another suggested we remaining 3 catch a taxi. With some trepidation, I thought well, maybe. And then I found an e-cab voucher in my wallet. *yesssss!* The bus did arrive though. At 18:15.
I arrived home to find some random teens at the house. I did tell the Teen she could have friends over to celebrate her birthday. More gradually arrived during the night. The music and the voices got a little loud, but apart from one appalling noise, they were rather well behaved. I was sitting in the rumpus room and heard a Bang! It didn't sound good, and I wondered if I had the courage to go see what it was.
I did. After a little while. It seemed that one of the girls walked into the glass door. It's ok! She wasn't hurt. Except her pride. And neither was the door.
I packed up and trundled off to bed around midnight. With orders to the Teen that it was time to turn things down. I was very pleasantly surprised to discover that I couldn't hear them at all from my bedroom. *sighs and drifts off*
Saturday dawned somewhat dark and stormy. Ok, so not dawned. It stormed around mid morning. Maybe. I really dunno. I didn't actually get outta bed till just before lunchtimeish. And then I got mad at myself for wasting the morning. *sighs. just not built for sleeping in*
I spent the day tidying up little bits of the Teen's leftovers, and cursing because the house needed vacuuming and has done for some time.
Sunday I did some housework. Just a bit. Not a lot. Washing. But it was a bit wet again, so the dryer got a good workout. The Teen commented that she really liked having parties on the Friday. You get two whole days to recover, not just the Sunday. I decided that I really like Jawsome's bean bag ... thing. It looks like a giant blue tongue. But oooo boy, is it comfy. Not lying down though. I plant myself on it and use the back of it as an arm rest. It's just the right height... zzzz
I'm just dying now to get my mitts on the PS3. Darn *riffles through game box* why is there no good games in here?!
Monday. It was a great day. I did more washing. I vacuumed half the house. I stuffed myself full of chocolate icing left over from the rocky road cupcakes the Elder iced. I played a bit on the DS. Well, that's a bit of a misnomer. I actually read a book on the DS. Lorna Doone. Sunday night I cooked dinner and chilled in front of the DVD player. I decided that I would see if I could get Shrek 2 to work. And it did! *does happy dance* Because it wouldn't play at all on the other DVD player. And then I watched Beowulf. Hmmmmm. And then, somewhere around midnight, after MOTH did a mercy run to pick up a couple of stragglers who forgot it was a public holiday and therefore a SUNDAY timetable, I went off to bed.
Hmmmm ... flanny sheets in winter.....
Monday, June 01, 2009
Gotta move with the times.
Well, it's finally happened. The big day finally arrived. The Elder and Jawsome have moved in. Yesterday. Today, Jawsome and MOTH are returning the truck to the depot and we won't see them again until Wednesday evening.
Safe trip fellas. Bring each other back in one piece. Miss you already.
There have been two other startling developments in the last week. Oh yes indeedy there have.
On Monday last, a no-longer-employed-with-us-cause-i-moved-on-to-better-things work colleague dropped by. Some of us decided to go out to lunch. The chosen place is a restaurant that does good steak. If you like that kind of thing. There are a couple of other items on the menu that don't involve steak. I had a prawn and scallop risotto.
But getting to this restaurant involves catching a bus. So off we trundled, down to the bus stop to share public transport with a bunch of the great unwashed. Who also think they need to use the bus. For those of us who use the buses on a regular basis, this is just a walk in the park. So to speak. And it's fun watching the confusion that takes over those who don't use the buses. And sometimes, just for something to do, some of us explain to the others what sorts of tickets they need etc. Not something I usually do though. No way.
So, back to the tale. We are on the bus. Tootling merrily away down the road. The strange thing is we have to go past the restaurant to get to the nearest stop, then walk the block or so back.
But the bus takes a wrong turn. Instead of taking the way down to the busway, she goes up toward the bridge. Uh oh. And no reversing; there's a car up the clacker. The driver calls down the bus, Can anyone help me? One of the GTs sent her up to the bridge, right turn, and round the block. How did he know this would work? A bus he was on some other day did exactly the same thing.
We did make it to lunch. Just a little later than planned.
But, as was pointed out a couple of times; at least the airconditioning on the bus worked. Our office airconditioning hasn't been working for the last 3 weeks. Thank heavens it's not summer.
The rest of the week was pretty quiet. I did end up with a headcold which tried to make itself known on Tuesday. On Wednesday, I sent MOTH out to see if he could find something that I could use to keep it at bay. I am not allowed to take pseudoephadrine *dangit there goes the lab* so I have to try other things. Usually I take Zyrtec, but it doesn't do much.
This time after seeking a recommendation from the chemist, he came back with something completely different. I've never seen it before; it's supposed to be all natural. Whatever the heck it was, it worked. Even made me sleepy. And since I've passed the box on to Jawsome, I can't tell you what it is.
So, Wednesday I had off sick. But the meds were good. I couldn't even tell I had a cold.
The weekend just gone, MOTH finally caught up with the digital age. Yes people, he took a friend's advice and has himself a Facebook page. An old friend of his who now lives across the brine had been inviting him to join. So he finally did. Not sure what he thinks of the whole process, but he seems to be enjoying it so far!
Long live new tricks, old dogs and things of that nature....
Safe trip fellas. Bring each other back in one piece. Miss you already.
There have been two other startling developments in the last week. Oh yes indeedy there have.
On Monday last, a no-longer-employed-with-us-cause-i-moved-on-to-better-things work colleague dropped by. Some of us decided to go out to lunch. The chosen place is a restaurant that does good steak. If you like that kind of thing. There are a couple of other items on the menu that don't involve steak. I had a prawn and scallop risotto.
But getting to this restaurant involves catching a bus. So off we trundled, down to the bus stop to share public transport with a bunch of the great unwashed. Who also think they need to use the bus. For those of us who use the buses on a regular basis, this is just a walk in the park. So to speak. And it's fun watching the confusion that takes over those who don't use the buses. And sometimes, just for something to do, some of us explain to the others what sorts of tickets they need etc. Not something I usually do though. No way.
So, back to the tale. We are on the bus. Tootling merrily away down the road. The strange thing is we have to go past the restaurant to get to the nearest stop, then walk the block or so back.
But the bus takes a wrong turn. Instead of taking the way down to the busway, she goes up toward the bridge. Uh oh. And no reversing; there's a car up the clacker. The driver calls down the bus, Can anyone help me? One of the GTs sent her up to the bridge, right turn, and round the block. How did he know this would work? A bus he was on some other day did exactly the same thing.
We did make it to lunch. Just a little later than planned.
But, as was pointed out a couple of times; at least the airconditioning on the bus worked. Our office airconditioning hasn't been working for the last 3 weeks. Thank heavens it's not summer.
The rest of the week was pretty quiet. I did end up with a headcold which tried to make itself known on Tuesday. On Wednesday, I sent MOTH out to see if he could find something that I could use to keep it at bay. I am not allowed to take pseudoephadrine *dangit there goes the lab* so I have to try other things. Usually I take Zyrtec, but it doesn't do much.
This time after seeking a recommendation from the chemist, he came back with something completely different. I've never seen it before; it's supposed to be all natural. Whatever the heck it was, it worked. Even made me sleepy. And since I've passed the box on to Jawsome, I can't tell you what it is.
So, Wednesday I had off sick. But the meds were good. I couldn't even tell I had a cold.
The weekend just gone, MOTH finally caught up with the digital age. Yes people, he took a friend's advice and has himself a Facebook page. An old friend of his who now lives across the brine had been inviting him to join. So he finally did. Not sure what he thinks of the whole process, but he seems to be enjoying it so far!
Long live new tricks, old dogs and things of that nature....
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