... is nervous. It's been raining again. The Bruce Highway is closed. Will the visitors be able to get home??
A sick day today. I haven't been feeling too great the last few days and since I have a Dr appointment this afternoon, I decide to stay home. I mentioned last week it was to check my medication. I had been on the higher dose for a time. As a trial I thought, with an increase in this med and a decrease in that one. But somewhere along the line, I got the old script for the lower dose filled *odd for me because i usually destroy redundant scripts* and that's where the confusion lay. I'd spent the last month swapping me back to the lower dose of this med and higher dose of that one.
Sigh. Getting older is such a crock.
On the way to the Dr appointment MOTH and I travel along the motorway. At this point it's four lanes, including the merge lane. Traffic is light but there are four cars in the inner two lanes. Two in the left, two in the right and offset so that viewed from above, there would be left, right, left, right.
It must have been an interesting sight as the two in the right lane indicate and move left. Immediately the two in the left indicate and move right. Beautifully choreographed!
One of the GTs has been spending his lunch time out in the *loosely labelled* canteen area. He's been making friends with one of the water dragons. It seems to be bearing fruit as he proudly, with a huge grin plastered across his face, shows me a photograph of the lizard sitting on his lap. Apparently it climbed up the leg of his jeans while he was sitting eating lunch.
It's 5.30am and I'm in the kitchen prepping my work lunch. The cats are sitting grooming themselves, waiting for me to serve them. *yes joe, there is a heck of a lot of fluff getting about from those two!* Sometimes Jerome can get a bit snuffly when he gets his nose deep into his fur. I can hear a strange honking noise. Wow. Jerome is really getting into it. I listen some more. Suddenly I realise it's MOTH snoring! The bedroom door is open and the sound is drifting down the hall...
It's been raining a lot lately and the humidity has set in. It's so muggy that it feels like I have been standing in a light mist!
I always wear long skirts. I'm really not a jeans/trousers/short skirt kind of girl. Today's skirt is giving me trouble. I keep rolling over it with the castors of my work chair. Uh oh. This is not good. I'm stuck. My skirt is stuck in the castor. Dang. I stand up. Yep. Stuck. I try to pull it out. Nope, it's not budging. I think about stepping out of my skirt for some manoeuvrability. Usually I'm the only one here but today someone else is in early so that's not going to work either. Eventually I free it. And almost repeat the same thing next day. Different skirt, same style.
I'm at work and on the phone to MOTH. *luckily!* I burst into a fit of uncontrollable giggles. One of the GTs has a huge grin on his face and is outside the office door. He is on the top step - I guess his entry swipe card is in his pocket - jumping up and down trying to bring the card close enough to the proximity reader to unlock the door.
The house is full this weekend. A music festival is on in town and I'm expecting visitors. I discover there will be six of them. And a kitten. No problem. We'll just bbq dinner. One of the young blokes is helping himself to sausages, bacon, bread and salad and he grins. I am seriously pleased, he says, with the amount of food here.
Penny *the kitten* is small, cuddly and a bundle of purring, fluffy fun. The boys don't take to her. At all. Well, we didn't expect much else really. They are cats after all.
The concert is today and The Elder and friends head out, leaving The Teen and I to spend the day together. She's the only one not going to the festival. We decide to watch movies. I'm clever this time - I've made a list. MOTH drops us off at the video store and as we look at the shelves, I realise I've left the voucher stuck to the front of the fridge. Bugger. The retail assistant overhears me and tells me she'll let me have them for the voucher price anyway. WIN!
The Teen has been at me lately to watch Across The Universe. I've never heard of it before. It's great, she insists. It's got heaps of Beatles songs in it. Are they original? No, covers, but they are very good covers. Sigh. Don't think I'm going to beat this. We pick three movies, one she wants, one I want and one we both want. We end up with The Three Musketeers, Final Destination 5 and the one I've already mentioned.
Watched that one first and ..... I'm very pleasantly surprised. The covers are good. There are no songs that I would say are butchered. And the actor who plays Sadie has an amazing voice. Wonder how come she didn't switch to the charts. Isn't that what they usually do these days? Wait ... it was made 2007. Maybe they didn't so much back then.
Wait up. Penny and Sheldon seem to be arriving at an uneasy truce.... Jerome. Not at all.
A couple of my visitors were heading home today. But it's been raining too much and the highway is flooded. Again. Stupid summer. I ask if it's going to cause a problem for anyone? We think it might for Harry. Elder points to her crew. His boss is okay with it, he's an unemployed hobo, Burrich doesn't have to work till Tuesday night and I'm fine. Harry has checked and his boss seems alright with it, although his mother is not pleased.
This morning I have fingers crossed that the highway will open again soon and they can head home safely.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
Cat! Get off that!
Kitties. They have a way of getting their own way, don't they.
A quiet week this week.
I've taken to driving to work 4 days a week. This last fortnight has worked out far more economical than the bus fare. I wonder how long it will continue now that fuel has jumped to around $1.50 a litre??
A VW classic! It's headed the other direction. Every panel is a different colour. A regular hodge podge of colours. I'm guessing it might not be intentional because it's not shiny. Make it so!
My birthday provides an opportunity for a day off. I intend to stay on the couch. All day. Catch up on my tv viewing and practice my negotiation skills. Maybe I can get MOTH to make me breakfast, lunch and dinner. I don't get to spend it on the couch.
I'm up early so no breakfast in bed. But I get bacon and a fried egg for breakfast. He's even sacrificed one of his round egg rings. Usually I prefer my eggs 'free range' in the pan, but MOTH likes order.
MOTH begs me to accompany him to the Village. I get dressed and go with him. He buys me a soft serve vanilla yoghurt with a forest berry puree. It's from Wendy's. Yes, here Wendy's sells icecream and hotdogs. Not burgers. The soft serve is delicious and the berries a wonderfully tart contrast.
Birthday money from Mother has arrived. What to spend it on? Decisions, decisions! I try on several items of clothing. That, or a new book. I'm torn. I eventually decide on the apparel.
Last weekend MOTH trimmed the trees. The branches are still in the yard waiting to be trimmed to put in the canvas bag. I trim some of those and give Fred a hand grooming. He's still shedding his winter coat. The patio looks like a black rug where I haven't yet swept.
I let MOTH off making lunch. *generous i know!* I don't feel hungry when he's ready for his. He cooks me dinner; chicken kiev with vegetables with icecream and Sara Lee cheesecake for dessert. Wicked!
I've just had a script filled but when I look at the box, the colour is different. I look again and the dose is different. Wait up a minute now! I'm confused. The script indicates it's been dispensed before. Many times. The pack that I've just finished shows it was dispensed last December and that was the last repeat. I'm not game enough to take the higher dose. I call the surgery to check. The receptionist tells me I should be taking the higher dose. Now I'm really confused. I make an appointment to sort it out with the doctor.
The visit is swift and we decide to leave it at the lower dose. I just don't know how that twist happened...
Monday, February 13, 2012
The Sounds of Silence
A great song really. But that's what I've got here - I'm first in again. And today it looks like three of our six carparks have been lost to interlopers. They aren't marked as reserved, and one chap I spoke to this morning doesn't intend to stop using it until he's told officially that it is reserved...
I'm in the bus hurtling home. Or is it to work? I can't remember. A stop sign catches my eye. Bright red octagonal. STOP and some wag has written underneath "it's hammertime".
Relaxing on the train on the way home from work. I've not decided if I like the train better than the bus or not. The guard this afternoon is a chirpy chap. He's reminding us of the quiet carriage rule. No yelling, no loud musical devices, no cartwheeling, no dancing ... although dancing could be ok if it's quiet... Several of the passengers in my carriage are chuckling quietly to themselves. Being a guard must be a boring job.
There's police tape cordoning off one of the city bus stops. I wonder if it's for real or someone's idea of a practical joke? What could have happened there? There's some substance on the wooden seats, but no obvious traces of blood...
The stove has spit the chips again. That's twice now. It seems to be shorting out and one of the elements gets very hot. MOTH told me last time the repairman looked at it and determined the problem to be one of the controls. The pot of tortellini boiled over a day ago. I wonder if water is getting under the control knobs and that's causing the short?
No boiled egg for breakfast for me!
We had a meet and greet bbq this week. At work, so that people working in different sections on lower floors could meet everyone else. I know that we and Property and Facilities were invited but I don't know if anyone in any of the other buildings was there. I met a couple of people so duty done.
After we'd eaten, some of the GTs decided to go for a walk to check the path that leads back to the main University campus. Apparently there is one. Admin2 decided to join them and I declined to head back to the office. It's the middle of the day, sunny and hot and I'm not that stupid. Errrr energetic. Ahem. The rest came back some time later but no Admin2. Apparently she had left before them. The manager who had gone with them was worried that she may have missed the gate. She was quite concerned. The GTs? One appeared almost as concerned, one confused, one pretended to care and me? Me? I was totally meh. She'll be right. Probably stopped off somewhere. Didn't sway the manager. Eventually she found her way back. She'd stopped off at the ladies ...
And it made me think ... I'd be a very good First Aid Officer. *i'm supposed to do the training* In the words of Froggy summing up - Oh. You've cut your leg? And it's bleeding? Well, looks pretty terminal to me. Just wait there for 5 minutes while I call the Coroner for you.
And MOTH laughed and agreed!
I'm in the bus hurtling home. Or is it to work? I can't remember. A stop sign catches my eye. Bright red octagonal. STOP and some wag has written underneath "it's hammertime".
Relaxing on the train on the way home from work. I've not decided if I like the train better than the bus or not. The guard this afternoon is a chirpy chap. He's reminding us of the quiet carriage rule. No yelling, no loud musical devices, no cartwheeling, no dancing ... although dancing could be ok if it's quiet... Several of the passengers in my carriage are chuckling quietly to themselves. Being a guard must be a boring job.
There's police tape cordoning off one of the city bus stops. I wonder if it's for real or someone's idea of a practical joke? What could have happened there? There's some substance on the wooden seats, but no obvious traces of blood...
The stove has spit the chips again. That's twice now. It seems to be shorting out and one of the elements gets very hot. MOTH told me last time the repairman looked at it and determined the problem to be one of the controls. The pot of tortellini boiled over a day ago. I wonder if water is getting under the control knobs and that's causing the short?
No boiled egg for breakfast for me!
We had a meet and greet bbq this week. At work, so that people working in different sections on lower floors could meet everyone else. I know that we and Property and Facilities were invited but I don't know if anyone in any of the other buildings was there. I met a couple of people so duty done.
After we'd eaten, some of the GTs decided to go for a walk to check the path that leads back to the main University campus. Apparently there is one. Admin2 decided to join them and I declined to head back to the office. It's the middle of the day, sunny and hot and I'm not that stupid. Errrr energetic. Ahem. The rest came back some time later but no Admin2. Apparently she had left before them. The manager who had gone with them was worried that she may have missed the gate. She was quite concerned. The GTs? One appeared almost as concerned, one confused, one pretended to care and me? Me? I was totally meh. She'll be right. Probably stopped off somewhere. Didn't sway the manager. Eventually she found her way back. She'd stopped off at the ladies ...
And it made me think ... I'd be a very good First Aid Officer. *i'm supposed to do the training* In the words of Froggy summing up - Oh. You've cut your leg? And it's bleeding? Well, looks pretty terminal to me. Just wait there for 5 minutes while I call the Coroner for you.
And MOTH laughed and agreed!
Monday, February 06, 2012
February, how do I love thee?
Not because it's St Valentine's day. Every day that I know he's in the house or waiting for me to get home from work is Valentines Day.
Nope, it's my birthday month! I get a phone call from my mum, the kids might text me and we don't do anything special. But I like it's my birthday. Odd, considering I don't like getting old.
The office move has happened and I think I'm all settled in. We're out in the middle of the scrub and there are no close facilities. But the office is much nicer. Another group from campus has been moved out here as well, so there is talk around the water cooler that they may be opening a canteen at some point. See. I said there were no facilities...
There are six car parks out the front of our building. I'm standing there and looking back at the office front door.
This is from the front corner of the building looking out across the back fence ... so to speak. The car parks are behind me. We are closest to the gate and there are other buildings further down the hill (behind the guard rail)
And here is my new desk.
Certainly more space, and the boxes are gone now.
Being surrounded by bush, there seems to be a variety of wildlife about. Not including me of course. *heh i'm wishin* Today as I look out the door *me desk is directly opposite the glass front doors* I see two bush turkeys run past.
I'm bored and step outside briefly. On the path outside is a water dragon.
I'm on my way out to the "facilities". There is a unisex one in the office but I prefer to head for the single sex ones below. Unfortunately, I have to exit the building on our level and come in again below. There is a butcher bird family on the grass. One of the chicks looks injured. It looks up at me with bright black beady eyes before fleeing. Must have been trying to figure out what I was ... *quiet in the peanut gallery!*
Whoa! There is a teeny gecko I've nearly stepped on. I pick it up and place it outside. Probably it will get eaten by a bigger one. Or belted up for tresspass. I might not have done it any favours at all.
MOTH has another sleep test tonight. He will be fitted for a CPAP machine. I finish work early and we head to Maccas for dinner before he heads off to the test. We walk past the outdoor area to the tune of high pitched screams. Sigh... But on a lighter note we espy two boys wearing morph suits! One is bright blue with a matching curly wig; the other is bright yellow. And I've left my phone at home tonight! Argh!
I look at the yard. It's been raining and it hasn't been done for ages. I'm sure I can see tigers. And I can't find the stepping stones to the gazebo anymore. I pull some weeds, taking care to avoid the HUGE spider that's built a nest among the taller ones.
Repeat that process the next day, although today MOTH is mowing a couple of patches. I watch him carefully. The day is humid and hot and I don't want him to over do it! Maybe I should think about mowing occasionally? ... ... nah!
We head out to the shops this morning. It doesn't feel right. The centre doesn't hold the markets any more. We decide to put fuel in the car before we head in. While MOTH works the bowser, I notice a young man in full leathers. He puts on his helmet and I see it sports a bright blue mohawk!
Plenty of oddballs out this week.
But that's ok, Bones is back! But I'm not sure about this Bones/Booth/Happy family thing...
Nope, it's my birthday month! I get a phone call from my mum, the kids might text me and we don't do anything special. But I like it's my birthday. Odd, considering I don't like getting old.
The office move has happened and I think I'm all settled in. We're out in the middle of the scrub and there are no close facilities. But the office is much nicer. Another group from campus has been moved out here as well, so there is talk around the water cooler that they may be opening a canteen at some point. See. I said there were no facilities...
There are six car parks out the front of our building. I'm standing there and looking back at the office front door.
This is from the front corner of the building looking out across the back fence ... so to speak. The car parks are behind me. We are closest to the gate and there are other buildings further down the hill (behind the guard rail)
And here is my new desk.
Certainly more space, and the boxes are gone now.
Being surrounded by bush, there seems to be a variety of wildlife about. Not including me of course. *heh i'm wishin* Today as I look out the door *me desk is directly opposite the glass front doors* I see two bush turkeys run past.
I'm bored and step outside briefly. On the path outside is a water dragon.
I'm on my way out to the "facilities". There is a unisex one in the office but I prefer to head for the single sex ones below. Unfortunately, I have to exit the building on our level and come in again below. There is a butcher bird family on the grass. One of the chicks looks injured. It looks up at me with bright black beady eyes before fleeing. Must have been trying to figure out what I was ... *quiet in the peanut gallery!*
Whoa! There is a teeny gecko I've nearly stepped on. I pick it up and place it outside. Probably it will get eaten by a bigger one. Or belted up for tresspass. I might not have done it any favours at all.
MOTH has another sleep test tonight. He will be fitted for a CPAP machine. I finish work early and we head to Maccas for dinner before he heads off to the test. We walk past the outdoor area to the tune of high pitched screams. Sigh... But on a lighter note we espy two boys wearing morph suits! One is bright blue with a matching curly wig; the other is bright yellow. And I've left my phone at home tonight! Argh!
I look at the yard. It's been raining and it hasn't been done for ages. I'm sure I can see tigers. And I can't find the stepping stones to the gazebo anymore. I pull some weeds, taking care to avoid the HUGE spider that's built a nest among the taller ones.
Repeat that process the next day, although today MOTH is mowing a couple of patches. I watch him carefully. The day is humid and hot and I don't want him to over do it! Maybe I should think about mowing occasionally? ... ... nah!
We head out to the shops this morning. It doesn't feel right. The centre doesn't hold the markets any more. We decide to put fuel in the car before we head in. While MOTH works the bowser, I notice a young man in full leathers. He puts on his helmet and I see it sports a bright blue mohawk!
Plenty of oddballs out this week.
But that's ok, Bones is back! But I'm not sure about this Bones/Booth/Happy family thing...
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Sleepy kitty weather!
It's still raining. Although I could have sworn the sun peeped through just enough to throw a shadow today. It didn't last long - perhaps I imagined it??
Forgot to mention last week ... Dr appointment to follow up some blood work. I was so sure she would be telling me the usual. Blood pressure too high. Cholesterol too high. Iron levels too low. But no! Everything is fine. Just fine. W00t. Finally.
Final packing today! Moving day is tomorrow and I feel like I still have so much left to do. Admin2 is back from holidays but doing very little to help. I know I've been working on it for about three weeks or so but it's just like packing a house. Everyone has packed their own draws, but there is also all the stuff in the kitchen, boxes and boxes of old records which have to be archived as I go, I have two filing cabinets to archive and pack, old conference stock we haven't yet managed to give away, old computer cables and parts that no one seems to know what to with, and everything from the stores cupboard. This afternoon before I leave I get to pack up my computer equipment so I down tools at about 3.30pm to do this. That's it and I'm ready to go. I think. There is still some stuff about that I don't quite know what to do with.
Moving day dawns and it's still raining. I head off to work and decide I'll go in to the old office today. I have no access to the new office anyway. I'm second in, beaten by the GM. Amazing. There is still some boxes to organise but the removalists are already starting on the huge pile of boxes. By day's end, progress has been slow due to the rain and a reluctance to get things wet. It might be a two day job after all. Later the removalists decide that they can't do it tomorrow due to other commitments and need to keep going.
A work bbq today for the whole of ITS. A chance for staff to meet the buildings existing inhabitants. All of ITS is invited, even though we are no longer on campus. It's also a chance to go back to the office to collect some things. The office looks bare now, but I see that other sections/schools have staked their claim on the furniture.
I make it to the city bus stop this afternoon just after the bus was supposed to arrive. Many familiar faces are still about so I'm guessing it hasn't yet arrived. It's late. I discuss the merits of catching the 5.01 train with a bus buddy. He leaves but I stay. Eventually the 4.50 pm bus turns up at the same time as the 5.10 pm.
I notice we're following a bus on the motorway. I don't take any notice of it until our bus pulls over. We take on her passengers because her wipers won't work in the rain. Luckily we don't have a full bus this time.
The Teen returns home today. She's worried about her suitcase. Maybe it's over the baggage weight limit? We're not sure. Hopefully she won't go into panic mode if it is. We don't have the funds to pay any excess baggage fee. They drop me off at work and continue to the airport. Turns out it was over the limit by about 5kg. She rearranges things and takes some of it on as carry on. It brings the weight down to 19.5kg. Whew.
Australia Day today! Whoo! Go Aussies. A public holiday and what am I going to do? Absolutely nothing, that's what. But today is still payday and there are bills to pay and shopping to do. The rest of the day is spent not doing much of anything at all. MOTH cooks a lovely lamb roast for dinner.
I've wrangled today off work. Today I shall also do not much at all. Yes. It feels like a Sunday and maybe I shall end up going to work tomorrow.
Saturday. And I'm still here. I didn't end up heading off to work.
It's still raining today. Still. There is a small break in the rain and as I look out the window, I see the bush turkey chick has returned. Or perhaps it's a new one?
Forgot to mention last week ... Dr appointment to follow up some blood work. I was so sure she would be telling me the usual. Blood pressure too high. Cholesterol too high. Iron levels too low. But no! Everything is fine. Just fine. W00t. Finally.
Final packing today! Moving day is tomorrow and I feel like I still have so much left to do. Admin2 is back from holidays but doing very little to help. I know I've been working on it for about three weeks or so but it's just like packing a house. Everyone has packed their own draws, but there is also all the stuff in the kitchen, boxes and boxes of old records which have to be archived as I go, I have two filing cabinets to archive and pack, old conference stock we haven't yet managed to give away, old computer cables and parts that no one seems to know what to with, and everything from the stores cupboard. This afternoon before I leave I get to pack up my computer equipment so I down tools at about 3.30pm to do this. That's it and I'm ready to go. I think. There is still some stuff about that I don't quite know what to do with.
Moving day dawns and it's still raining. I head off to work and decide I'll go in to the old office today. I have no access to the new office anyway. I'm second in, beaten by the GM. Amazing. There is still some boxes to organise but the removalists are already starting on the huge pile of boxes. By day's end, progress has been slow due to the rain and a reluctance to get things wet. It might be a two day job after all. Later the removalists decide that they can't do it tomorrow due to other commitments and need to keep going.
A work bbq today for the whole of ITS. A chance for staff to meet the buildings existing inhabitants. All of ITS is invited, even though we are no longer on campus. It's also a chance to go back to the office to collect some things. The office looks bare now, but I see that other sections/schools have staked their claim on the furniture.
I make it to the city bus stop this afternoon just after the bus was supposed to arrive. Many familiar faces are still about so I'm guessing it hasn't yet arrived. It's late. I discuss the merits of catching the 5.01 train with a bus buddy. He leaves but I stay. Eventually the 4.50 pm bus turns up at the same time as the 5.10 pm.
I notice we're following a bus on the motorway. I don't take any notice of it until our bus pulls over. We take on her passengers because her wipers won't work in the rain. Luckily we don't have a full bus this time.
The Teen returns home today. She's worried about her suitcase. Maybe it's over the baggage weight limit? We're not sure. Hopefully she won't go into panic mode if it is. We don't have the funds to pay any excess baggage fee. They drop me off at work and continue to the airport. Turns out it was over the limit by about 5kg. She rearranges things and takes some of it on as carry on. It brings the weight down to 19.5kg. Whew.
Australia Day today! Whoo! Go Aussies. A public holiday and what am I going to do? Absolutely nothing, that's what. But today is still payday and there are bills to pay and shopping to do. The rest of the day is spent not doing much of anything at all. MOTH cooks a lovely lamb roast for dinner.
I've wrangled today off work. Today I shall also do not much at all. Yes. It feels like a Sunday and maybe I shall end up going to work tomorrow.
Saturday. And I'm still here. I didn't end up heading off to work.
It's still raining today. Still. There is a small break in the rain and as I look out the window, I see the bush turkey chick has returned. Or perhaps it's a new one?
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Raggedy Ann! That's me!
Or the ragged bit anyway. I've been acquainted with boxes and packing tape for way too long now. I think I've gone deaf from the noise the tape makes as it runs through the gun. But at least I know now when I need to be finished by.
The General Manager has finally given us a timeline for finishing the packing. We need to be done by the end of this week. Whew. It feels like I have been packing for the last three weeks, doing most of the office myself. Admin2 is still on leave so she has not been here to lend a hand. Lucky her, missing out on all this extra work! Then again, with all the packing I've been doing, I've not done a jot of her work. Ok, let's amend that. Most of her work. Some of it can't wait.
I make a quick side trip to the supermarket this morning. I'm dying for chocolate. I confess to this most mornings but I usually keep my wallet empty to avoid the temptation. Works a treat in itself. I think it's Children's Week this week. I ride the escalator to the top and - OH MY GOD WHAT IS THAT!? I've just been accosted by a giant eyeball. It wobbles toward me and crouches in front of me. Indddeeeeeed is all I can think of to say. *what happened to my witty repartee?* Out in the mall there is a hand. Oh, and an ear. Children's Week? I think they missed the word Nightmare in there somewhere.
Never thought to get a photograph either....
I'm standing at the curb waiting for the lights to change. I notice there is a woman standing beside me. She's standing on a spot that's slightly higher than mine. And she's wearing two inch heels. And still I don't come up to her shoulder. I'm no giant but still. Wow.
There's an older lady getting on the bus the same time I am. She's carrying a bouquet. The flowers are pretty. I let her get on the bus ahead of me. The driver is a younger male. He looks at the lady with the flowers and says For me? You shouldn't have. And they both burst into giggles.
The Teen finally books her ticket home. I am sure I shall miss her when she does go. She's been here about six weeks now and I won't know what to do with myself. There'll be no competition for the computer. My stuff will be mine again. And the house will be so quiet.
I bring my stuff home from work. The stuff I keep in my desk drawer. Yes, my stash of coffee, tea, sugar etc. And then I realise that I won't be able to have coffee next week. Planned that well, didn't I!
The General Manager has finally given us a timeline for finishing the packing. We need to be done by the end of this week. Whew. It feels like I have been packing for the last three weeks, doing most of the office myself. Admin2 is still on leave so she has not been here to lend a hand. Lucky her, missing out on all this extra work! Then again, with all the packing I've been doing, I've not done a jot of her work. Ok, let's amend that. Most of her work. Some of it can't wait.
I make a quick side trip to the supermarket this morning. I'm dying for chocolate. I confess to this most mornings but I usually keep my wallet empty to avoid the temptation. Works a treat in itself. I think it's Children's Week this week. I ride the escalator to the top and - OH MY GOD WHAT IS THAT!? I've just been accosted by a giant eyeball. It wobbles toward me and crouches in front of me. Indddeeeeeed is all I can think of to say. *what happened to my witty repartee?* Out in the mall there is a hand. Oh, and an ear. Children's Week? I think they missed the word Nightmare in there somewhere.
Never thought to get a photograph either....
I'm standing at the curb waiting for the lights to change. I notice there is a woman standing beside me. She's standing on a spot that's slightly higher than mine. And she's wearing two inch heels. And still I don't come up to her shoulder. I'm no giant but still. Wow.
There's an older lady getting on the bus the same time I am. She's carrying a bouquet. The flowers are pretty. I let her get on the bus ahead of me. The driver is a younger male. He looks at the lady with the flowers and says For me? You shouldn't have. And they both burst into giggles.
The Teen finally books her ticket home. I am sure I shall miss her when she does go. She's been here about six weeks now and I won't know what to do with myself. There'll be no competition for the computer. My stuff will be mine again. And the house will be so quiet.
I bring my stuff home from work. The stuff I keep in my desk drawer. Yes, my stash of coffee, tea, sugar etc. And then I realise that I won't be able to have coffee next week. Planned that well, didn't I!
Monday, January 16, 2012
Plain week is Plain.
Summer finally crept up on us. After some unseasonably temperate weather, summer has kicked in full bore. An expected top today of 38C out our way. That's around 100F for those using Imperial. Humidity is high as well and it almost makes me glad I come to work. Working in an office building with thick walls, airconditioning and a corridor or two seems to take the edge off it a little.
It doesn't take more than a couple of days and the temps fall again. Rain today but the humidity is still higher than it should be. *so says I*
I'm sitting at the bus stop, fanning myself with my bus pass, waiting for my morning bus. It's 06:45 and the humidity is biting. There isn't much if anything like a breeze blowing. I see a 'flock' of very enthusiastic cyclists going up the hill on the other side of the road. They must be fit as I can hear a couple of them talking ... "Day?" "... lost me points!" "... effin cold!"
I'm staring idly out the bus window. I see one of the other buses has advertising on the side to say it's a WiFi bus! WiFi bus? How does this work? When did this happen? Which routes do they run on? So many questions! Because after all, NO ONE expects the Spanish Inquisition!
Some days are exciting in their own way. It starts normally and suddenly we get to a certain point on the motorway and traffic has slowed to almost a standstill. Things are moving, but slowly. The driver apologises for the delay and thinks it might be a breakdown or accident. Suddenly Base announces that there is a delay on the motorway *no kidding* due to *mumble* an accident? I didn't catch it. Traffic is back to normal flow further down the motorway.
The same morning and we've joined the busway. Traffic has come to a standstill with buses lined up as far as the eye can see. Waiting, waiting and I assume it's a breakdown. Busway lanes are only single so a breakdown stops traffic both ways while the traffic control come to direct things along. Eventually we move again. The 45 minute trip in has takien just over an hour. Not too bad considering.
The same day and we're coming home along the bus way. I'm zoning for something different *kaff kaff* until the ladies in front of me make an excited little noise and look out the window. I'm just in time to see that out on the motorway a white van is on its side with the windscreen smashed. There are some emergency vehicles there as well but most of the action has already taken place I think.
We're on the home stretch now and the bus has taken off from the stop previous to mine. Carefully over the bridge because it's on a slight curve which can cut room for the bus a bit short. The road straightens and curves to the left. We start the curve and the driver slams on the brakes. A car is overtaking another bus on the inside curve and it seems to have gone over the centre line in the process. Ye gods there are some IDIOTS on the road these days!
The Teen is still here and the Mexican is still in town. He goes home soon. She heads over to his place of temporary residence and is gone for two nights. MOTH is relishing the quiet. I was expecting her home the second night and had plenty of chicken thigh cutlets ready to be marinated and cooked. Since she didn't come home, MOTH and I had plenty of chicken to feast on. I served them with salad and there wasn't much left over!
There seems to be heaps of movies coming out or are out this month that I want to see. I decided on Sherlock Holmes. Teen met me at the cinema on the way home from Mexican's place and we settled down to watch. We decided that the two of us hadn't been to a movie together before. Not just by ourselves anyway. Possibly. I've seen the first Sherlock Holmes and let me tell you number two is far wittier. Excellent performances all round and plenty of one liners. I giggled most of the way through it. Teen had seen it before so she had a nap.
I put the ticket stub in my paper journal this morning. It's a slow process filling that book I tell you!
It doesn't take more than a couple of days and the temps fall again. Rain today but the humidity is still higher than it should be. *so says I*
I'm sitting at the bus stop, fanning myself with my bus pass, waiting for my morning bus. It's 06:45 and the humidity is biting. There isn't much if anything like a breeze blowing. I see a 'flock' of very enthusiastic cyclists going up the hill on the other side of the road. They must be fit as I can hear a couple of them talking ... "Day?" "... lost me points!" "... effin cold!"
I'm staring idly out the bus window. I see one of the other buses has advertising on the side to say it's a WiFi bus! WiFi bus? How does this work? When did this happen? Which routes do they run on? So many questions! Because after all, NO ONE expects the Spanish Inquisition!
Some days are exciting in their own way. It starts normally and suddenly we get to a certain point on the motorway and traffic has slowed to almost a standstill. Things are moving, but slowly. The driver apologises for the delay and thinks it might be a breakdown or accident. Suddenly Base announces that there is a delay on the motorway *no kidding* due to *mumble* an accident? I didn't catch it. Traffic is back to normal flow further down the motorway.
The same morning and we've joined the busway. Traffic has come to a standstill with buses lined up as far as the eye can see. Waiting, waiting and I assume it's a breakdown. Busway lanes are only single so a breakdown stops traffic both ways while the traffic control come to direct things along. Eventually we move again. The 45 minute trip in has takien just over an hour. Not too bad considering.
The same day and we're coming home along the bus way. I'm zoning for something different *kaff kaff* until the ladies in front of me make an excited little noise and look out the window. I'm just in time to see that out on the motorway a white van is on its side with the windscreen smashed. There are some emergency vehicles there as well but most of the action has already taken place I think.
We're on the home stretch now and the bus has taken off from the stop previous to mine. Carefully over the bridge because it's on a slight curve which can cut room for the bus a bit short. The road straightens and curves to the left. We start the curve and the driver slams on the brakes. A car is overtaking another bus on the inside curve and it seems to have gone over the centre line in the process. Ye gods there are some IDIOTS on the road these days!
The Teen is still here and the Mexican is still in town. He goes home soon. She heads over to his place of temporary residence and is gone for two nights. MOTH is relishing the quiet. I was expecting her home the second night and had plenty of chicken thigh cutlets ready to be marinated and cooked. Since she didn't come home, MOTH and I had plenty of chicken to feast on. I served them with salad and there wasn't much left over!
There seems to be heaps of movies coming out or are out this month that I want to see. I decided on Sherlock Holmes. Teen met me at the cinema on the way home from Mexican's place and we settled down to watch. We decided that the two of us hadn't been to a movie together before. Not just by ourselves anyway. Possibly. I've seen the first Sherlock Holmes and let me tell you number two is far wittier. Excellent performances all round and plenty of one liners. I giggled most of the way through it. Teen had seen it before so she had a nap.
I put the ticket stub in my paper journal this morning. It's a slow process filling that book I tell you!
Sunday, January 08, 2012
Someone fetch that dog!
I think Freddy should be renamed. To Rustle. Sheesh. It's 9.30 at night and I can hear things in the bushes. Is it rats? Possum? Or has that dog gotten into the rat baits? I shine the torch out the window but I can't see a darned thing.
I can still hear noises and suddenly Freddy jumps out of the stand of trees. Go to bed dog!
The Elder and Burrich have come for a flying visit. To collect some of her stuff and leave Freddy for a short time. She decided to take him from his previous lodgings as he had nipped at one of the children. Fair enough, it was admitted that the kids had stirred him up, but at the same time he has begun beating up on one of the other smaller dogs.
So, he's back here till she can sort alternative accommodation for him.
JD is over for a visit to catch up with Elder. He drinks beer and we sit and chat. He's a funny chap and we seem to find plenty to talk about. Mostly music.
MOTH, Elder and I are standing talking in the kitchen. We are talking about nothing in particular and the subject of the mixer arises. She decides to check things out. She can't get the beaters to stay in either. Suddenly she gives them a sharp push and presto! They lock in. Apparently we just weren't pushing them hard enough. Goodness knows, I tried, but they wouldn't go in easily and I was worried that if I pushed too hard I'd break them.
It's good to catch up with them. The visit is very short and they leave two days later.
We have a coffee date with one of MOTH's friends. She's not confirmed a time but we have a meeting place. He sends her a text and a message to confirm a time. She doesn't reply. We don't go out after all.
It's hot and I'm bored. Stir crazy in fact. I want to go out but fuel is short and MOTH is difficult to convince. I bend his ear a couple times and we head over to one of the shopping centres. Not too far away but it's something to do on a hot and humid Saturday afternoon.
It's hot and humid again today. Uncomfortable enough to want to go out to the local shops in the afternoon and sit for a while. We decide to get a couple of the snacks that are on special. Three small packets of chips for $3. And two 600ml coke for $5. We make our choices and head for the checkout. Turns out the twistie flavour isn't one of the ones on special. In spite of the labelling which just says Smiths, Twisties and a third brand. Dang. Which also means that we don't get the other two packets at the special price. Siiiiigh.
All is quiet at home. I'm running the dehumidifier and the fan. The room is cooling nicely. Dinner has been eaten early. I sit in the rumpus room to watch Narnia: Voyage of the Dawntreader. The lights are out. I have chips. And it feels like I really am at the movies. It's great. Until I hear rustling in the bushes and the mood is spoiled while we circle back to the beginning of the journal. *heh*
The Teen and Mexican have gone out tonight. I get a call to pick them up from a different station to usual. Okay, no worries. We arrive and it looks like the station has had a refurbishment. I don't get out of the car but the walls and approach to the platforms is different. I don't see that; my viewpoint is usually from the tracks above. We've seen three ambulances out tonight. Two with lights and one without. Perhaps one of the ones with lights was the paramedic; it wasn't the usual ambulance van.
But the kids are home now, I guess it's time to go prep for work tomorrow and then off to bed. G'night!
I can still hear noises and suddenly Freddy jumps out of the stand of trees. Go to bed dog!
The Elder and Burrich have come for a flying visit. To collect some of her stuff and leave Freddy for a short time. She decided to take him from his previous lodgings as he had nipped at one of the children. Fair enough, it was admitted that the kids had stirred him up, but at the same time he has begun beating up on one of the other smaller dogs.
So, he's back here till she can sort alternative accommodation for him.
JD is over for a visit to catch up with Elder. He drinks beer and we sit and chat. He's a funny chap and we seem to find plenty to talk about. Mostly music.
MOTH, Elder and I are standing talking in the kitchen. We are talking about nothing in particular and the subject of the mixer arises. She decides to check things out. She can't get the beaters to stay in either. Suddenly she gives them a sharp push and presto! They lock in. Apparently we just weren't pushing them hard enough. Goodness knows, I tried, but they wouldn't go in easily and I was worried that if I pushed too hard I'd break them.
It's good to catch up with them. The visit is very short and they leave two days later.
We have a coffee date with one of MOTH's friends. She's not confirmed a time but we have a meeting place. He sends her a text and a message to confirm a time. She doesn't reply. We don't go out after all.
It's hot and I'm bored. Stir crazy in fact. I want to go out but fuel is short and MOTH is difficult to convince. I bend his ear a couple times and we head over to one of the shopping centres. Not too far away but it's something to do on a hot and humid Saturday afternoon.
It's hot and humid again today. Uncomfortable enough to want to go out to the local shops in the afternoon and sit for a while. We decide to get a couple of the snacks that are on special. Three small packets of chips for $3. And two 600ml coke for $5. We make our choices and head for the checkout. Turns out the twistie flavour isn't one of the ones on special. In spite of the labelling which just says Smiths, Twisties and a third brand. Dang. Which also means that we don't get the other two packets at the special price. Siiiiigh.
All is quiet at home. I'm running the dehumidifier and the fan. The room is cooling nicely. Dinner has been eaten early. I sit in the rumpus room to watch Narnia: Voyage of the Dawntreader. The lights are out. I have chips. And it feels like I really am at the movies. It's great. Until I hear rustling in the bushes and the mood is spoiled while we circle back to the beginning of the journal. *heh*
The Teen and Mexican have gone out tonight. I get a call to pick them up from a different station to usual. Okay, no worries. We arrive and it looks like the station has had a refurbishment. I don't get out of the car but the walls and approach to the platforms is different. I don't see that; my viewpoint is usually from the tracks above. We've seen three ambulances out tonight. Two with lights and one without. Perhaps one of the ones with lights was the paramedic; it wasn't the usual ambulance van.
But the kids are home now, I guess it's time to go prep for work tomorrow and then off to bed. G'night!
Friday, January 06, 2012
Stop the world, I want to get off!
Before I fall off I think.
Work closes between Christmas and New Year and I usually like to make the most of it. By keeping myself at home and living the quiet life, MOTH down one end of the house and me at the other.
The Teen is still visiting so that went out the window.
MOTH bought me a square cake pan, about the size I needed for the recipe to test the mixer. Lindt chocolate brownies.
All is measured and I'm ready to go. But WAIT! The beaters won't lock into their slots on the mixer. What good is that? I've lifted the motor head to expose the slots. They go in and *click* but then slide right back out again. Same with the dough hooks. MOTH investigates. Maybe they aren't supposed to lock in? Well, what good would that be because they would want to slide when you lift them out of the bowl. Besides, there is an eject button so they should lock in. Desperate, we check the instruction booklet. A whole four pages or so. And nothing about how to lock in the beaters. I turn to Google. And discover that this particular brand is made in India. Should I be surprised or not??
Dangit, I'll go ahead anyway and remember to be careful when I lift them out. Turns out they work fine once in the bowl but it's a little disconcerting that there are no numbers on the speed dial. Just min and max. And a turbo switch if I want to go a bit quicker.
It certainly smells good. It feels firm on the top so it should be cooked. I cool it in the pan for a little and turn it out. When I turn it back over so it rests the right way up it breaks and I discover that it's not properly cooked in the middle. Bummer.
I cut it into slices and Teen and I go at the middle bit with a spoon. Delish! We eat the final couple of pieces the next day.
Saph has come from interstate to visit relatives and we make arrangements to meet. I've warned her that I shall be bringing MOTH and she's fine with that. As long as he sits in the corner and behaves himself! He's a bit cheeky when I give him enough slack. *grins* Turns out she has to bring her parents as well, so MOTH came in handy to keep her dad company.
We met at Coffee Club close to where she was staying and of all things, parked across the road is a vehicle from a computer shop in our old home town. I didn't take a photo.
When we went our separate ways, MOTH and I wandered the upper end of the street. There were some little sculptures on the footpath and across the road a large iron gate into what looked to be market pavilions. It was closed.
This is standing at the top of the street looking back toward the Coffee Club. Annnd now that I have seen the photo, I can see that the one closest to the camera is a person. I couldn't for the life of me make that out when I was standing right in front of it...
Not feeling particularly well since the previous Friday, I didn't bother to see the New Year in.
A trip to the doctor earned me a course of antibiotics and something to stop the spinning and a measure of tired that feels like I'm swimming in treacle. And only two days off work. I think I should have asked for the whole week...
Work closes between Christmas and New Year and I usually like to make the most of it. By keeping myself at home and living the quiet life, MOTH down one end of the house and me at the other.
The Teen is still visiting so that went out the window.
MOTH bought me a square cake pan, about the size I needed for the recipe to test the mixer. Lindt chocolate brownies.
All is measured and I'm ready to go. But WAIT! The beaters won't lock into their slots on the mixer. What good is that? I've lifted the motor head to expose the slots. They go in and *click* but then slide right back out again. Same with the dough hooks. MOTH investigates. Maybe they aren't supposed to lock in? Well, what good would that be because they would want to slide when you lift them out of the bowl. Besides, there is an eject button so they should lock in. Desperate, we check the instruction booklet. A whole four pages or so. And nothing about how to lock in the beaters. I turn to Google. And discover that this particular brand is made in India. Should I be surprised or not??
Dangit, I'll go ahead anyway and remember to be careful when I lift them out. Turns out they work fine once in the bowl but it's a little disconcerting that there are no numbers on the speed dial. Just min and max. And a turbo switch if I want to go a bit quicker.
It certainly smells good. It feels firm on the top so it should be cooked. I cool it in the pan for a little and turn it out. When I turn it back over so it rests the right way up it breaks and I discover that it's not properly cooked in the middle. Bummer.
I cut it into slices and Teen and I go at the middle bit with a spoon. Delish! We eat the final couple of pieces the next day.
Saph has come from interstate to visit relatives and we make arrangements to meet. I've warned her that I shall be bringing MOTH and she's fine with that. As long as he sits in the corner and behaves himself! He's a bit cheeky when I give him enough slack. *grins* Turns out she has to bring her parents as well, so MOTH came in handy to keep her dad company.
We met at Coffee Club close to where she was staying and of all things, parked across the road is a vehicle from a computer shop in our old home town. I didn't take a photo.
When we went our separate ways, MOTH and I wandered the upper end of the street. There were some little sculptures on the footpath and across the road a large iron gate into what looked to be market pavilions. It was closed.
This is standing at the top of the street looking back toward the Coffee Club. Annnd now that I have seen the photo, I can see that the one closest to the camera is a person. I couldn't for the life of me make that out when I was standing right in front of it...Not feeling particularly well since the previous Friday, I didn't bother to see the New Year in.
A trip to the doctor earned me a course of antibiotics and something to stop the spinning and a measure of tired that feels like I'm swimming in treacle. And only two days off work. I think I should have asked for the whole week...
Friday, December 30, 2011
No notes! What am I gonna write about now?
It's really really hard to keep to a routine if you aren't in the right place I've found. I'm not at work so I've missed updating my journal. Whoops....
And I've discovered I've not kept notes for the last week. Or two. Oh dear. I knew those holes in my memory were going to give me trouble one day.
-----------------
We're basking in the warmth of the water. Yes, the system was finally fixed. It's amazing what you don't miss till you haven't got it anymore. MOTH talked the plumber into fixing the mixer tap in the kitchen while he was about.
HOT WATER! And quickly too! I'm wondering how we'll go in winter. I suspect cold showers will abound. We tend to get hot water in summer and cold water in winter. Yay for us!
-----------------
I think I know why I have no notes. I didn't take my 'notepad' with me to work. But just realised I have notepad on my phone. *duh* But no, notes not there either.
-----------------
Friday morning 23 December seemed to fly. Permission to take an early mark *noon* and of course that's when everything needs to be done that morning, right? A plea to MOTH for a lift and he obliges. Wonderful wonderful taxi man. I make it out around 12.30pm.
-----------------
The oven gets a workout Christmas Eve. A roast duck and then roast pork. They are going to be served cold the next day. With salad. I'm so adventurous with my Christmas menu! There is no point really. The Teen, MOTH and I are lucky to make it through a packet of cheezels, a packet of twisties, the duck, some salad and the pork.
A quick nip out to the shops to pick up some last minute supplies and I decide I would spend the voucher that I had been told to open earlier. Yes, I was! Mother told me to open it. She did.
I come home with some new clothes and a little bit of change as well *is happy*.
-----------------
I find a text from the Teen on Christmas day. Sent just past midnight. It's Christmas Day, can we open presents now?? Cheeky thing.
-----------------
We have breakfast first. Bacon and eggs on the barbecue. I decide to give everyone the day off and load the dishes into the dishwasher for the day.
Usually Teen insists on MOTH donning the Santa hat and giving out the gifts one by one. A hangover tradition from my childhood. This year she throws herself on the floor at the tree and starts handing them out to everyone as she goes through looking for hers. I take my time, as usual. I think I've done well this year.
Although I don't have a photo of my WoW mouse mat or my vouchers ...
------------------------
I've been busy planning what DVDs I shall get with my vouchers. I have a list; when I get to the store in question I'll know what I'm looking for. Usually when I get to those places the choice is overwhelming I can't remember what it was that I wanted.
I end up with Serenity, Sherlock Holmes, Constantine. Also Transporter 3 *yaaaay! jason!* Red Riding Hood, Prince of Persia. That should keep me out of trouble for a little while.
The rest of the day is spent at Besties with her family. Bring your leftovers she says. That's difficult, the only leftovers we have is a little pork. And some duck, but she's not getting that! It's also a chance to catch up with a couple of her friendly neighbours. And another set we haven't met before. We leave as it's getting dark; MOTH doesn't like driving in the dark and when we look at the clock in the dashboard, we've been there for 7 hours!
------------------------
MOTH went for a sleep test last night. He's not sure what the results will be as he didn't get much sleep! I couldn't get comfortable, it was too noisy... Ah well, I guess we shall see.
------------------------
Today I plan to see how well the mixer works. Letcha know how that goes. When I figure out what pan to use since I don't have the required size or shape.
And I've discovered I've not kept notes for the last week. Or two. Oh dear. I knew those holes in my memory were going to give me trouble one day.
-----------------
We're basking in the warmth of the water. Yes, the system was finally fixed. It's amazing what you don't miss till you haven't got it anymore. MOTH talked the plumber into fixing the mixer tap in the kitchen while he was about.
HOT WATER! And quickly too! I'm wondering how we'll go in winter. I suspect cold showers will abound. We tend to get hot water in summer and cold water in winter. Yay for us!
-----------------
I think I know why I have no notes. I didn't take my 'notepad' with me to work. But just realised I have notepad on my phone. *duh* But no, notes not there either.
-----------------
Friday morning 23 December seemed to fly. Permission to take an early mark *noon* and of course that's when everything needs to be done that morning, right? A plea to MOTH for a lift and he obliges. Wonderful wonderful taxi man. I make it out around 12.30pm.
-----------------
The oven gets a workout Christmas Eve. A roast duck and then roast pork. They are going to be served cold the next day. With salad. I'm so adventurous with my Christmas menu! There is no point really. The Teen, MOTH and I are lucky to make it through a packet of cheezels, a packet of twisties, the duck, some salad and the pork.
A quick nip out to the shops to pick up some last minute supplies and I decide I would spend the voucher that I had been told to open earlier. Yes, I was! Mother told me to open it. She did.
I come home with some new clothes and a little bit of change as well *is happy*.
-----------------
I find a text from the Teen on Christmas day. Sent just past midnight. It's Christmas Day, can we open presents now?? Cheeky thing.
-----------------
We have breakfast first. Bacon and eggs on the barbecue. I decide to give everyone the day off and load the dishes into the dishwasher for the day.
Usually Teen insists on MOTH donning the Santa hat and giving out the gifts one by one. A hangover tradition from my childhood. This year she throws herself on the floor at the tree and starts handing them out to everyone as she goes through looking for hers. I take my time, as usual. I think I've done well this year.
Although I don't have a photo of my WoW mouse mat or my vouchers ...------------------------
I've been busy planning what DVDs I shall get with my vouchers. I have a list; when I get to the store in question I'll know what I'm looking for. Usually when I get to those places the choice is overwhelming I can't remember what it was that I wanted.
I end up with Serenity, Sherlock Holmes, Constantine. Also Transporter 3 *yaaaay! jason!* Red Riding Hood, Prince of Persia. That should keep me out of trouble for a little while.
The rest of the day is spent at Besties with her family. Bring your leftovers she says. That's difficult, the only leftovers we have is a little pork. And some duck, but she's not getting that! It's also a chance to catch up with a couple of her friendly neighbours. And another set we haven't met before. We leave as it's getting dark; MOTH doesn't like driving in the dark and when we look at the clock in the dashboard, we've been there for 7 hours!
------------------------
MOTH went for a sleep test last night. He's not sure what the results will be as he didn't get much sleep! I couldn't get comfortable, it was too noisy... Ah well, I guess we shall see.
------------------------
Today I plan to see how well the mixer works. Letcha know how that goes. When I figure out what pan to use since I don't have the required size or shape.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Time drags on as we wait for The Fat Man
At the start of each Christmas I am full of Bah! Humbug! But as the tree goes up and I lay the presents round it, Scrooge fades into the background and I start to get a little excited.
Probably a little too excited as I've opened two of my presents already. Relax! One wasn't wrapped and the other ... well, the giver told me to open it. Now I'm busy planning how to spend it!
--------------------
The house is full again for the next month. It's amazing how much difference one person can make. The espresso machine is getting a full workout. She needs the practice after all. I'm beginning to think I can't keep up with the milk quota.
But I don't mind.
--------------------
The Teen introduces The Mexican. He's her new boy. Quiet but not overly so. We met briefly at the airport and again when she asks if he can stay over. Four of them land on my doorstep but I don't have to feed them so I'm not worried. The lass with them is one of Teen's best friends who has recently made the permanent move south. It's the first time we've met face to face. They crash on the couch and settle in to watch movies for the evening. Teen laughs that M feels at home already. M calls back that she does. Very much.
I leave them be and retreat to MOTH's end of the house.
---------------------
I'm on the bus on the way to work. *whoo! something different* I spend my time staring out the window watching the traffic and noticing how the bus sways when you get a bit of a wind underneath it. We are travelling in the inside lane and a truck goes flying past us.
The driver is yapping on the phone. And it's not hands free.
---------------------
A passenger in the bus is becoming annoying. Why can't the bus have a quiet zone like the train? Preferably the whole bus. The man seems to be listening to something and he must have his headphones up loud. It sounds like something from Bollywood at first, but it just goes on and on warbling up and down the scale in one continuous effort. It must be a prayer chant. Or something. I try to look his direction without being too obvious. I don't think he's using headphones at all.
---------------------
We're all at the stop in the afternoon waiting for our bus to come in. Quite a crowd of us. Taxis pull into the stop all the time - I've seen bus passengers tell the taxis to rack off. A taxi pulls in. And sits there and sits there with the passenger door open. The bus has pulled in right behind him but he can't open the doors; he's too far down and close to the corner. The taxi sits there. The bus sits there. The people waiting tap their feet.
Eventually I'm second on the bus and the woman in front of me remarks to the driver that he was very patient. He grins at her. Yes, I was very patient. Did you see me being patient? We all laugh.
---------------------
We're headed through one of the stations on the busway. *lot of bus stories this week* and I hear an alarm going off. Odd. I glance out the window and on the other platform is a bus; alarm going, hazards flashing. He seems to be on the two way to base.
The 'destination' screen at the top of the bus shouts HELP!!! CALL POLICE!
I decide not to....
---------------------
I get in the shower and it doesn't seem to get warm. That's a bit odd. No one else is awake so I don't worry about it too much. I mention it to MOTH when he gets up.
Yep. Hot water system is on the fritz. Again. The realtor is notified and the plumber turns up for a look. Apparently that valve was only replaced in August. He doesn't have the right part. He should be back tomorrow with the right one.
Tomorrow has arrived but the plumber has not. No hot water again today.
---------------------
The Teen has decided to stay over at Mexican's place. Or at least, where he's staying while visiting. At least there she can get a hot shower! She asks and we drive them over. The trip takes less time than expected.
As we do the u-turn to head up the street after dropping them off, I see the parents sitting on the verandah. Oops. Maybe they wanted to meet us? MOTH didn't see them at all until he'd driven off but he's not going back. Besides, Teen never said come in and meet them *her usual thing*. I've sent a text to Teen to apologise. Apparently they had wanted to meet us! Whoops!
---------------------
Still no hot water. Modern tech has spoiled us. I have decided that I detest washing up when I have to boil the jug to get hot water. Aaahhhh who am I trying to kid? I hate it anyway!
Probably a little too excited as I've opened two of my presents already. Relax! One wasn't wrapped and the other ... well, the giver told me to open it. Now I'm busy planning how to spend it!
--------------------
The house is full again for the next month. It's amazing how much difference one person can make. The espresso machine is getting a full workout. She needs the practice after all. I'm beginning to think I can't keep up with the milk quota.
But I don't mind.
--------------------
The Teen introduces The Mexican. He's her new boy. Quiet but not overly so. We met briefly at the airport and again when she asks if he can stay over. Four of them land on my doorstep but I don't have to feed them so I'm not worried. The lass with them is one of Teen's best friends who has recently made the permanent move south. It's the first time we've met face to face. They crash on the couch and settle in to watch movies for the evening. Teen laughs that M feels at home already. M calls back that she does. Very much.
I leave them be and retreat to MOTH's end of the house.
---------------------
I'm on the bus on the way to work. *whoo! something different* I spend my time staring out the window watching the traffic and noticing how the bus sways when you get a bit of a wind underneath it. We are travelling in the inside lane and a truck goes flying past us.
The driver is yapping on the phone. And it's not hands free.
---------------------
A passenger in the bus is becoming annoying. Why can't the bus have a quiet zone like the train? Preferably the whole bus. The man seems to be listening to something and he must have his headphones up loud. It sounds like something from Bollywood at first, but it just goes on and on warbling up and down the scale in one continuous effort. It must be a prayer chant. Or something. I try to look his direction without being too obvious. I don't think he's using headphones at all.
---------------------
We're all at the stop in the afternoon waiting for our bus to come in. Quite a crowd of us. Taxis pull into the stop all the time - I've seen bus passengers tell the taxis to rack off. A taxi pulls in. And sits there and sits there with the passenger door open. The bus has pulled in right behind him but he can't open the doors; he's too far down and close to the corner. The taxi sits there. The bus sits there. The people waiting tap their feet.
Eventually I'm second on the bus and the woman in front of me remarks to the driver that he was very patient. He grins at her. Yes, I was very patient. Did you see me being patient? We all laugh.
---------------------
We're headed through one of the stations on the busway. *lot of bus stories this week* and I hear an alarm going off. Odd. I glance out the window and on the other platform is a bus; alarm going, hazards flashing. He seems to be on the two way to base.
The 'destination' screen at the top of the bus shouts HELP!!! CALL POLICE!
I decide not to....
---------------------
I get in the shower and it doesn't seem to get warm. That's a bit odd. No one else is awake so I don't worry about it too much. I mention it to MOTH when he gets up.
Yep. Hot water system is on the fritz. Again. The realtor is notified and the plumber turns up for a look. Apparently that valve was only replaced in August. He doesn't have the right part. He should be back tomorrow with the right one.
Tomorrow has arrived but the plumber has not. No hot water again today.
---------------------
The Teen has decided to stay over at Mexican's place. Or at least, where he's staying while visiting. At least there she can get a hot shower! She asks and we drive them over. The trip takes less time than expected.
As we do the u-turn to head up the street after dropping them off, I see the parents sitting on the verandah. Oops. Maybe they wanted to meet us? MOTH didn't see them at all until he'd driven off but he's not going back. Besides, Teen never said come in and meet them *her usual thing*. I've sent a text to Teen to apologise. Apparently they had wanted to meet us! Whoops!
---------------------
Still no hot water. Modern tech has spoiled us. I have decided that I detest washing up when I have to boil the jug to get hot water. Aaahhhh who am I trying to kid? I hate it anyway!
Monday, December 12, 2011
An Affair To Remember
Secret Santa at work this week. For the ITS Christmas party. I have no idea who the person I've been allocated is, but some research via the organiser revealed to me that he likes the old Hollywood classics. Managed to find one within the allocated budget too!
--------------------
I'm walking up the foot path and just about to enter my front yard when I spot a movement out of the corner of my eye. A brush turkey chick is in my front garden! Luckily it's only a chick - I'd hate to think of the damage an adult could do to my retaining wall. Here's one someone has prepared earlier....
I move slowly and follow it around the garden for a bit. I like to see what they are doing. Suddenly it takes off for the higher branches of the shrub. Oh yes, I'd forgotten they can fly. *these chicks are fully self sufficient from hatching and can fly within hours*
--------------------
I'm heading for the bus stop just down the road. The day is a little grey but hasn't reached drop dead humidity yet. As I pass beneath the shrub/tree/whatever that hangs over the path, I hear the wrens beautiful song. I pause but I can't see them. *easy to miss a patch of bright blue in among dark green right?* Now I know that summer is definitely here.
--------------------
I'm in the city and staring out the bus window at nothing in particular. I watch a tall, well shaped young man who seems to be talking to a youth walking at his side. They are dressed similarly, although the youth has sleeves on his white shirt and the man does not.
Suddenly they pause and the man lifts the youth to a standing position on his shoulders and they continue to walk down the street and cross the road!
--------------------
For something different I take the train. A woman gets on and the first thing I see is her trainers. The most amazing trainers I have ever seen! Purple! Yellow! Pink! Green! All washed together like a very shiny oil slick.
--------------------
There are bike lanes on some of the roads along the bus route. I think they should never have been put there. The road is narrow and the bus can barely fit by the parked cars. Usually the cyclists keep going while the bus slows to a crawl. There isn't any room to pass the cyclist as they continue their slow and sometimes wobbly way up the hill.
Today the cyclist pulls over and lets the bus past.
--------------------
The work Christmas party is this week. I need to get a present to contribute to the Secret Santa. I RSVP'd in the affirmative and would decide on the day how much time I had and if I would go. But hey! Secret Santa and now I feel obliged to attend.
So. ITS is a big place with over 200 employees. I have no idea who the chappie I have drawn is. The organiser is helpful and tells me some information. I'm not certain though how I can get something he might like on a budget of $5. I know they say these things are supposed to be fun but I really can't stand the thought of giving someone something cheap and of no use at all. Or getting one in return either.
I am looking to do a couple of things while out and I look to see if I can find a Sanity music store that's close. There are a couple and we decide to head for one of the shopping centres we've not been to for ages as it is likely to be less busy than the bigger ones. Parking at some of them can be a hassle this time of year!
No parking problems and in we go. Oooh, look, at BWS. Let's see if they have the apple cider I'm looking for. Yes! They do! I don't have to head out of our way to find the nominated supplier after all. We find Sanity and look about.
An Affair to Remember. Is that one of the blockbusters? Too bad, it should be. It has Carey Grant and Deborah Kerr in it. Good enough. And bonus? It's $4.99.
--------------------
The Teen is flying in tonight. It's been storming briefly but her plane is delayed. She's a bit worried, hoping it won't be grounded. They'll text when they board. And that works for me. MOTH has decided we'd leave at 7:15pm. I let him know the plane is delayed and they'll text when they board. Ok. And we leave at 7:15 anyway.
A forty minute or longer wait for us at the airport. I ask if he wants to go upstairs and get a drink. No. I'm a bit ansty but he's determined he doesn't want to go through security. Being a little familiar with the layout of the terminal, I know where I want to go but he wanders aimlessly *i detest aimless. unless it's me* around the Qantas end of the terminal. The only place we can wait is near the baggage carousels. We wait. The plane is still almost 15 minutes overdue. Luckily, Teen is paying for the parking. Again...
--------------------
I'm walking up the foot path and just about to enter my front yard when I spot a movement out of the corner of my eye. A brush turkey chick is in my front garden! Luckily it's only a chick - I'd hate to think of the damage an adult could do to my retaining wall. Here's one someone has prepared earlier....
I move slowly and follow it around the garden for a bit. I like to see what they are doing. Suddenly it takes off for the higher branches of the shrub. Oh yes, I'd forgotten they can fly. *these chicks are fully self sufficient from hatching and can fly within hours*--------------------
I'm heading for the bus stop just down the road. The day is a little grey but hasn't reached drop dead humidity yet. As I pass beneath the shrub/tree/whatever that hangs over the path, I hear the wrens beautiful song. I pause but I can't see them. *easy to miss a patch of bright blue in among dark green right?* Now I know that summer is definitely here.
--------------------
I'm in the city and staring out the bus window at nothing in particular. I watch a tall, well shaped young man who seems to be talking to a youth walking at his side. They are dressed similarly, although the youth has sleeves on his white shirt and the man does not.
Suddenly they pause and the man lifts the youth to a standing position on his shoulders and they continue to walk down the street and cross the road!
--------------------
For something different I take the train. A woman gets on and the first thing I see is her trainers. The most amazing trainers I have ever seen! Purple! Yellow! Pink! Green! All washed together like a very shiny oil slick.
--------------------
There are bike lanes on some of the roads along the bus route. I think they should never have been put there. The road is narrow and the bus can barely fit by the parked cars. Usually the cyclists keep going while the bus slows to a crawl. There isn't any room to pass the cyclist as they continue their slow and sometimes wobbly way up the hill.
Today the cyclist pulls over and lets the bus past.
--------------------
The work Christmas party is this week. I need to get a present to contribute to the Secret Santa. I RSVP'd in the affirmative and would decide on the day how much time I had and if I would go. But hey! Secret Santa and now I feel obliged to attend.
So. ITS is a big place with over 200 employees. I have no idea who the chappie I have drawn is. The organiser is helpful and tells me some information. I'm not certain though how I can get something he might like on a budget of $5. I know they say these things are supposed to be fun but I really can't stand the thought of giving someone something cheap and of no use at all. Or getting one in return either.
I am looking to do a couple of things while out and I look to see if I can find a Sanity music store that's close. There are a couple and we decide to head for one of the shopping centres we've not been to for ages as it is likely to be less busy than the bigger ones. Parking at some of them can be a hassle this time of year!
No parking problems and in we go. Oooh, look, at BWS. Let's see if they have the apple cider I'm looking for. Yes! They do! I don't have to head out of our way to find the nominated supplier after all. We find Sanity and look about.
An Affair to Remember. Is that one of the blockbusters? Too bad, it should be. It has Carey Grant and Deborah Kerr in it. Good enough. And bonus? It's $4.99.
--------------------
The Teen is flying in tonight. It's been storming briefly but her plane is delayed. She's a bit worried, hoping it won't be grounded. They'll text when they board. And that works for me. MOTH has decided we'd leave at 7:15pm. I let him know the plane is delayed and they'll text when they board. Ok. And we leave at 7:15 anyway.
A forty minute or longer wait for us at the airport. I ask if he wants to go upstairs and get a drink. No. I'm a bit ansty but he's determined he doesn't want to go through security. Being a little familiar with the layout of the terminal, I know where I want to go but he wanders aimlessly *i detest aimless. unless it's me* around the Qantas end of the terminal. The only place we can wait is near the baggage carousels. We wait. The plane is still almost 15 minutes overdue. Luckily, Teen is paying for the parking. Again...
Monday, December 05, 2011
Another week.
I cried this morning. On the bus. On the way to work.
As the bus pulled into the tunnel toward terminus, I could see the ambulance and police working desperately, administering CPR to a man lying on the ground. I could see him. I could see them working hard to revive him. I had to walk past a few minutes later to get to my next stop. They were still working.
I don't know this man. I don't know his family and yet ... it was devastating. Totally.
------------------
Harvey Norman VIP night. I RSVP'd for MOTH and invited myself as well. The crowds were rolling in by 6pm for the opening. A crush through the door and we were in. I steeled myself for much pushing and shoving and people just throwing goods at themselves but the crowd is well behaved.
MOTH and I weren't sure what we would get but it was fun just wandering around looking at things. The kitchen showroom is working as they prepare hot nibblies for the customers. The line is very long and although we are up the front it becomes a free for all when the food is released from the oven. I manage to grab two small portions of a sausage roll and usher ourselves from the crush.
MOTH has been looking for an electric shaver as normal razors and blades are way too expensive these days. He can get one or two shaves from each blade and at something like $20.00 for the razor and the same again for four blades the shaver might be better value!
We eventually find one. Originally priced at $108 and reduced to $58. Half hour wait in line and we're out.
--------------------
We start to think about the work Christmas lunch. I don't know where the tales of wild office parties come from but they certainly don't originate here. Not even for the whole department, let alone just our section.
No one has started coordinating it yet. Time is running out and venues will be thin on the ground at this time of year. No decision is made by the end of the week.
Possibly even the date is flexible. I'm not going to run it down; I'm quite happy to let it go this year. It means finding a way to get to the venue, chasing up stragglers, coordinating menus, fighting the whole split the bill thing. I really hate that whole idea. It seems to be becoming the norm and socially acceptable but I really really balk at subsidising someone else's lunch.
--------------------
There is a possibility the office may be moving. The building is scheduled to be refurbished and all occupants will need to find alternative accommodation. Our lot seems to be pushed to another old, mostly defunct campus. It's not close to civilisation and certainly not close to food. We go out for an inspection of the site. Admin2 and I seem to be alright with where we are slated to go within the new office surrounds.
GM won't let us have the staging area we want though. He's very stubborn about this. We have permission to use the boardroom for such things. However, we didn't seem to be able to get the idea across that although we only do these things once or twice a year, it takes several days to complete the job. How can we leave things all over the boardroom table for a week or two if people want to use it for a meeting? He flat refuses to back down.
--------------------
The Christmas function for the travel bookers is on this week. I've not been to any of their Christmas parties before. Admin2 isn't going and neither is my boss. I arrive in good time, get my name tag and my bright orange you're-allowed-in-here band. I'm greeted by one of the Campus Travel staff who settles me in with a glass of wine.
Eventually a face I know appears. She has a guest in tow. We sit down and begin with the glasses of wine and the chatting. It's raining tonight but the verandah is covered. Eventually some food comes out. It's become so busy that I am more or less trapped in my seat as everyone stands around me. I miss out on that tray of food. Eventually I have to go and track down a waitress to get something to eat. Great. Pad thai. A vegetarian meal. By the end of the evening I've managed about 5 glasses of wine but only two meals. Both pad thai.
There are prize draws, some smaller some larger. The guest wins a trip to New Zealand. Not bad for a tag along!
Too much wine and not enough food when you don't drink much isn't a great combination. I call MOTH to collect me. It's a long drive and I don't want to face an hour on the bus. He's totally wonderful and comes to my rescue. I have to stop off and get something to eat on the way home.
Straight home and tumble straight into bed.
MOTH tells me next day that he thought I did ok. I didn't look or act drunk. I'm sure I was. I was pretty impressed with myself for making it down the stairs to go find the car without falling over or staggering much.
--------------------
Christmas gift shopping today. I have finally decided what to get some of them so I have to research which shopping centre is going to have all three stores I need. The closest one is further away than we normally go. It's been a while since our last trip there so I'm looking forward to the change of scenery.
Everything is done, now I just have to wrap and post. That's the annoying part now that we are scattered to the four winds. And finding something nice that is small enough to post!
The budget is much leaner this year *long gone are the days when a $50 present for the kids was done without thought!* but I've managed to come in under.
Ma keeps pressing me to do vouchers. Vouchers are fine but I'd much rather buy a cheap present that looks expensive than let people know just how cheap I really am. Heh.
Really I MUST start earlier next year. Too bad if I have to let a bill slide for a while...
As the bus pulled into the tunnel toward terminus, I could see the ambulance and police working desperately, administering CPR to a man lying on the ground. I could see him. I could see them working hard to revive him. I had to walk past a few minutes later to get to my next stop. They were still working.
I don't know this man. I don't know his family and yet ... it was devastating. Totally.
------------------
Harvey Norman VIP night. I RSVP'd for MOTH and invited myself as well. The crowds were rolling in by 6pm for the opening. A crush through the door and we were in. I steeled myself for much pushing and shoving and people just throwing goods at themselves but the crowd is well behaved.
MOTH and I weren't sure what we would get but it was fun just wandering around looking at things. The kitchen showroom is working as they prepare hot nibblies for the customers. The line is very long and although we are up the front it becomes a free for all when the food is released from the oven. I manage to grab two small portions of a sausage roll and usher ourselves from the crush.
MOTH has been looking for an electric shaver as normal razors and blades are way too expensive these days. He can get one or two shaves from each blade and at something like $20.00 for the razor and the same again for four blades the shaver might be better value!
We eventually find one. Originally priced at $108 and reduced to $58. Half hour wait in line and we're out.
--------------------
We start to think about the work Christmas lunch. I don't know where the tales of wild office parties come from but they certainly don't originate here. Not even for the whole department, let alone just our section.
No one has started coordinating it yet. Time is running out and venues will be thin on the ground at this time of year. No decision is made by the end of the week.
Possibly even the date is flexible. I'm not going to run it down; I'm quite happy to let it go this year. It means finding a way to get to the venue, chasing up stragglers, coordinating menus, fighting the whole split the bill thing. I really hate that whole idea. It seems to be becoming the norm and socially acceptable but I really really balk at subsidising someone else's lunch.
--------------------
There is a possibility the office may be moving. The building is scheduled to be refurbished and all occupants will need to find alternative accommodation. Our lot seems to be pushed to another old, mostly defunct campus. It's not close to civilisation and certainly not close to food. We go out for an inspection of the site. Admin2 and I seem to be alright with where we are slated to go within the new office surrounds.
GM won't let us have the staging area we want though. He's very stubborn about this. We have permission to use the boardroom for such things. However, we didn't seem to be able to get the idea across that although we only do these things once or twice a year, it takes several days to complete the job. How can we leave things all over the boardroom table for a week or two if people want to use it for a meeting? He flat refuses to back down.
--------------------
The Christmas function for the travel bookers is on this week. I've not been to any of their Christmas parties before. Admin2 isn't going and neither is my boss. I arrive in good time, get my name tag and my bright orange you're-allowed-in-here band. I'm greeted by one of the Campus Travel staff who settles me in with a glass of wine.
Eventually a face I know appears. She has a guest in tow. We sit down and begin with the glasses of wine and the chatting. It's raining tonight but the verandah is covered. Eventually some food comes out. It's become so busy that I am more or less trapped in my seat as everyone stands around me. I miss out on that tray of food. Eventually I have to go and track down a waitress to get something to eat. Great. Pad thai. A vegetarian meal. By the end of the evening I've managed about 5 glasses of wine but only two meals. Both pad thai.
There are prize draws, some smaller some larger. The guest wins a trip to New Zealand. Not bad for a tag along!
Too much wine and not enough food when you don't drink much isn't a great combination. I call MOTH to collect me. It's a long drive and I don't want to face an hour on the bus. He's totally wonderful and comes to my rescue. I have to stop off and get something to eat on the way home.
Straight home and tumble straight into bed.
MOTH tells me next day that he thought I did ok. I didn't look or act drunk. I'm sure I was. I was pretty impressed with myself for making it down the stairs to go find the car without falling over or staggering much.
--------------------
Christmas gift shopping today. I have finally decided what to get some of them so I have to research which shopping centre is going to have all three stores I need. The closest one is further away than we normally go. It's been a while since our last trip there so I'm looking forward to the change of scenery.
Everything is done, now I just have to wrap and post. That's the annoying part now that we are scattered to the four winds. And finding something nice that is small enough to post!
The budget is much leaner this year *long gone are the days when a $50 present for the kids was done without thought!* but I've managed to come in under.
Ma keeps pressing me to do vouchers. Vouchers are fine but I'd much rather buy a cheap present that looks expensive than let people know just how cheap I really am. Heh.
Really I MUST start earlier next year. Too bad if I have to let a bill slide for a while...
Monday, November 28, 2011
Monday-itis
Another week and as the stores continually like to remind us, Christmas is drawing near and it's time to spend up big!
Which really annoys me cause I'm never prepared for Christmas. There is always too much year left over at the end of my budget.
--------------------
The lease on the house is due for renewal just prior to Christmas. I don't know quite how we managed that but yes, we moved on Christmas Eve a couple of years ago.
MOTH asked what we wanted to do. The rent is expensive *it takes almost half my wage each fortnight* but I really love the location of the house and moving is such a huge huge task. We decide to take the lease for another 12 months. I think we might like to take longer but they no longer allow leases to extend beyond 12 months.
The landlord has decided to rent again at the same price which means no rent increase and I don't have to find the extra bond money just before Christmas. Whoo!
--------------------
Christmas shopping has barely begun. Funds are short as always and I just can't seem to get organised to begin earlier in the year. I have managed to get gifts for Elder and the Teen *heaven knows what she shall be named next year. she's no longer a teen then* and one for my nephew. Just two nieces, two siblings and one partner, two parents to go. My wallet is weeping just thinking about it.
Nephew's present arrived from the USA with astonishing speed. Order place night 1; parcel delivered day 4. Very fast service!
---------------------
Elder has decided to give MOTH and I an early Christmas present. We have cable tv *foxtel here in oz* set up in MOTH's room. She is paying for an extra box to go in my room. Yay! Foxtel confirms that the tech will arrive on Saturday somewhere between 10am and 2pm.
I vacuum the floor. The tech has to have somewhere clean to work! There is so much cat hair trapped in the carpet. Elder phones early Saturday morning. The tech has phoned to say he'll be on his way. It's 8.45am.
He arrives not long after. Tech works quickly and gets the box installed. Fortunately there was an existing point in the wall so no extra drilling etc is required. He replaces the outlet with one that needs to be earthed. The new box is standard which means I don't have IQ so can't pause, rewind or record. That's disappointing but I can live with it.
He's hooked the box to the tv and it goes through the surround sound. Sweet. He climbs to the roof and adjusts the dish so the signal is 'perfect' *MOTH's words* and he recables MOTH's so that his too goes through the surround. MOTH is totally wrapt and says that he is very, very impressed with the tech.
The day is spent watching the box.
--------------------
Sunny and his friend pop round for a visit and to introduce their latest family member. Her name is Spirit.
She is a very tiny 10 week old ragdoll kitten.
Jerome and Sheldon weren't so impressed. I wonder if this is the first time Sheldon has seen a cat other than his litter mates and Jerome. I don't know his history.
She doesn't see them at first but they surely see her! When she does see them, she arches her back. Jerome hisses at her then leaves the room. Sheldon hangs around, watching like a hawk and growling occasionally. I'm a little worried he might try to beat on her but although he's very tense he keeps his distance.
As the boys leave, she begins to meow; a tiny little barely audible squeak. So little! Shame they grow up really...
Which really annoys me cause I'm never prepared for Christmas. There is always too much year left over at the end of my budget.
--------------------
The lease on the house is due for renewal just prior to Christmas. I don't know quite how we managed that but yes, we moved on Christmas Eve a couple of years ago.
MOTH asked what we wanted to do. The rent is expensive *it takes almost half my wage each fortnight* but I really love the location of the house and moving is such a huge huge task. We decide to take the lease for another 12 months. I think we might like to take longer but they no longer allow leases to extend beyond 12 months.
The landlord has decided to rent again at the same price which means no rent increase and I don't have to find the extra bond money just before Christmas. Whoo!
--------------------
Christmas shopping has barely begun. Funds are short as always and I just can't seem to get organised to begin earlier in the year. I have managed to get gifts for Elder and the Teen *heaven knows what she shall be named next year. she's no longer a teen then* and one for my nephew. Just two nieces, two siblings and one partner, two parents to go. My wallet is weeping just thinking about it.
Nephew's present arrived from the USA with astonishing speed. Order place night 1; parcel delivered day 4. Very fast service!
---------------------
Elder has decided to give MOTH and I an early Christmas present. We have cable tv *foxtel here in oz* set up in MOTH's room. She is paying for an extra box to go in my room. Yay! Foxtel confirms that the tech will arrive on Saturday somewhere between 10am and 2pm.
I vacuum the floor. The tech has to have somewhere clean to work! There is so much cat hair trapped in the carpet. Elder phones early Saturday morning. The tech has phoned to say he'll be on his way. It's 8.45am.
He arrives not long after. Tech works quickly and gets the box installed. Fortunately there was an existing point in the wall so no extra drilling etc is required. He replaces the outlet with one that needs to be earthed. The new box is standard which means I don't have IQ so can't pause, rewind or record. That's disappointing but I can live with it.
He's hooked the box to the tv and it goes through the surround sound. Sweet. He climbs to the roof and adjusts the dish so the signal is 'perfect' *MOTH's words* and he recables MOTH's so that his too goes through the surround. MOTH is totally wrapt and says that he is very, very impressed with the tech.
The day is spent watching the box.
--------------------
Sunny and his friend pop round for a visit and to introduce their latest family member. Her name is Spirit.
She is a very tiny 10 week old ragdoll kitten. Jerome and Sheldon weren't so impressed. I wonder if this is the first time Sheldon has seen a cat other than his litter mates and Jerome. I don't know his history.
She doesn't see them at first but they surely see her! When she does see them, she arches her back. Jerome hisses at her then leaves the room. Sheldon hangs around, watching like a hawk and growling occasionally. I'm a little worried he might try to beat on her but although he's very tense he keeps his distance.
As the boys leave, she begins to meow; a tiny little barely audible squeak. So little! Shame they grow up really...
Monday, November 21, 2011
Oh Lordy!
I realised this morning that it's November 21. Where did this year go?
-------------------
I'm staring out the bus window at the River. It's brown as usual and I wonder if both it and the Fitzroy flow upside down. But look! There's a kayak on the river. I sometimes see rowers but this is the first time I've seen a kayak. And it's bright yellow so a little more difficult for the Cats to run over!
Unless you're MOTH of course. Then wearing a bright yellow polo and being on a pedestrian crossing is not enough to save you from being bumped/hit by a car driven by a woman using a mobile phone.
-------------------
One of the GTs tells me he has a new wallet. He tells me it's a bad mofo and pulls it from his pocket and shows me. It's a Bad M'F*ker Wallet. Totally awesome. We laugh about it and trawl through YouTube for the appropriate scene from the movie. If you have seen Pulp Fiction you will know what I'm talkin' bout.
-------------------
I get on a different bus this morning and I'm first on. Excluding the driver and his escort that is. He must be learning a new route. We get to a stop with a woman and a toddler and a pram. I'm not paying attention until I hear the driver calling out. I look and the escort is out of the bus trying to fold the pram while the driver shouts instructions from the driver's seat. He laughs. Ask me about that he says and I'm fine. Ask me about anything else and I haven't got a clue!
------------------
I'm staring out the bus window at the River *de ja vu anyone* and I see a 'flock' of cyclists on the path below. One leads and the other two follow. Odd. They are all dressed the same. I don't often see that. Oh wait. They're police. On cycles. No wonder they look the same!
------------------
I book travel for staff at work as part of my job. I book for the managers and occasionally for other staff; very very rarely for Admin2 or myself. Prior to the new service that is part of my task we never traveled beyond our own conference.
As a travel booker, I make sure that I get to attend all the information sessions/morning tea events that the travel agent has. Most of the time Admin2 comes with me but just lately I made the mistake of inviting my supervisor and now she is on the invite list. Personally I get a little peeved because I regard these little outings as a reward for a stressful part of my job that goes unrecognised any other way.
This time one of the hotel chains that has a contract with the travel agent to service my employers travel requirements has just recently refurbished. We were invited to attend a viewing and a lunch. Brilliant! Supervisor was away so it was just Admin2 and I. She couldn't go on the day but I managed to find someone to take her place.
-------------------
Up to the room for a viewing of the King room. Drinks on arrival at the room while our second 'hostess' explained the refurbishment and fitout. The chain had conducted a survey of what guests wanted to see in a hotel. One of the things they found out was that with a vast majority of couples the woman sleeps on the right side of the bed with a soft pillow, men sleep on the left with a firm pillow. That is why the hotel rooms are set up with firm pillows on the left, soft on the right and the pillows are labelled for you.
They use a shower curtain that has been specially designed. The rail is curved. The curtain has a thinner fabric at the top to allow natural light in and a double layer so that one side goes outside the bath and the other inside. The inside bit can be ripped off and disposed of so you are getting a fresh curtain each time.
------------------
Up to the conference area for lunch. This area is large and spacious but not anywhere near large enough for our conference requirements. Lunch is served after a small presentation from the hotel chain. I have chicken topped with brie on a pumpkin risotto. Delish! Dessert comes out as an alternate drop. I have the macadamia tart. I think I'd prefer the chocolate mousse but the tart turns out to be very good.
We get a lift back to work in a Suzuki Swift. I'm surprised that the head rests on the back seat are not flush with the seat. Even I would have to adjust it if I were to spend any time in the back seat!
------------------
Time for a treat I think. Our local cinema offers members an occasional discount to a selected movie. This week it's The Three Musketeers. I think it should be good. Especially since the ticket is only $5.50.
The movie is a rollicking good adventure with well choreographed fight sequences, action played for over the top on occasion and the baddie gets his just desserts. Throw in a few good laughs and you have a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
-------------------
I'm staring out the bus window at the River. It's brown as usual and I wonder if both it and the Fitzroy flow upside down. But look! There's a kayak on the river. I sometimes see rowers but this is the first time I've seen a kayak. And it's bright yellow so a little more difficult for the Cats to run over!
Unless you're MOTH of course. Then wearing a bright yellow polo and being on a pedestrian crossing is not enough to save you from being bumped/hit by a car driven by a woman using a mobile phone.
-------------------
One of the GTs tells me he has a new wallet. He tells me it's a bad mofo and pulls it from his pocket and shows me. It's a Bad M'F*ker Wallet. Totally awesome. We laugh about it and trawl through YouTube for the appropriate scene from the movie. If you have seen Pulp Fiction you will know what I'm talkin' bout.
-------------------
I get on a different bus this morning and I'm first on. Excluding the driver and his escort that is. He must be learning a new route. We get to a stop with a woman and a toddler and a pram. I'm not paying attention until I hear the driver calling out. I look and the escort is out of the bus trying to fold the pram while the driver shouts instructions from the driver's seat. He laughs. Ask me about that he says and I'm fine. Ask me about anything else and I haven't got a clue!
------------------
I'm staring out the bus window at the River *de ja vu anyone* and I see a 'flock' of cyclists on the path below. One leads and the other two follow. Odd. They are all dressed the same. I don't often see that. Oh wait. They're police. On cycles. No wonder they look the same!
------------------
I book travel for staff at work as part of my job. I book for the managers and occasionally for other staff; very very rarely for Admin2 or myself. Prior to the new service that is part of my task we never traveled beyond our own conference.
As a travel booker, I make sure that I get to attend all the information sessions/morning tea events that the travel agent has. Most of the time Admin2 comes with me but just lately I made the mistake of inviting my supervisor and now she is on the invite list. Personally I get a little peeved because I regard these little outings as a reward for a stressful part of my job that goes unrecognised any other way.
This time one of the hotel chains that has a contract with the travel agent to service my employers travel requirements has just recently refurbished. We were invited to attend a viewing and a lunch. Brilliant! Supervisor was away so it was just Admin2 and I. She couldn't go on the day but I managed to find someone to take her place.
-------------------
Up to the room for a viewing of the King room. Drinks on arrival at the room while our second 'hostess' explained the refurbishment and fitout. The chain had conducted a survey of what guests wanted to see in a hotel. One of the things they found out was that with a vast majority of couples the woman sleeps on the right side of the bed with a soft pillow, men sleep on the left with a firm pillow. That is why the hotel rooms are set up with firm pillows on the left, soft on the right and the pillows are labelled for you.
They use a shower curtain that has been specially designed. The rail is curved. The curtain has a thinner fabric at the top to allow natural light in and a double layer so that one side goes outside the bath and the other inside. The inside bit can be ripped off and disposed of so you are getting a fresh curtain each time.------------------
Up to the conference area for lunch. This area is large and spacious but not anywhere near large enough for our conference requirements. Lunch is served after a small presentation from the hotel chain. I have chicken topped with brie on a pumpkin risotto. Delish! Dessert comes out as an alternate drop. I have the macadamia tart. I think I'd prefer the chocolate mousse but the tart turns out to be very good.
We get a lift back to work in a Suzuki Swift. I'm surprised that the head rests on the back seat are not flush with the seat. Even I would have to adjust it if I were to spend any time in the back seat! ------------------
Time for a treat I think. Our local cinema offers members an occasional discount to a selected movie. This week it's The Three Musketeers. I think it should be good. Especially since the ticket is only $5.50.
The movie is a rollicking good adventure with well choreographed fight sequences, action played for over the top on occasion and the baddie gets his just desserts. Throw in a few good laughs and you have a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Titus Groan
Gormanghast. Brilliantly different. Although I've only seen the tv series. And not all of that either because something interfered with the recording and blew it all to bits. We're talking VHS here people!
I was thinking of this because I was groaning. Monday morning and all.
-------------------
I've mentioned that I was away booth minding for some of last week. It was good to be home but I didn't enjoy the flight as much as I might have. There was some turbulence due to cloud cover. And for the first time flying, my feet looked like balloons. I had to spend the entire flight flexing my ankles and calves and bouncing my heels up and down to keep it at bay.
-------------------
Checking in is much better when you know how to do it. And you have someone to travel with who has flown many times. And who also has access to Qantas Club and can get you in as a guest. Free food! And drinks!
------------------
I decided to hell with the budget, let's do something different. Breakfast in the city with MOTH and the Teen. Topped up the go card and then tried to find a place to eat. We trudged past a couple of places and couldn't find something that appealed to all of us. Teen didn't want 'breakfast food'. We settled on Coffee Club. The big breakfast for him, shared nachos for us. Caramel cheesecake for me. Mugachino for him and mocha frappe for her.
The sun was shining, we were under shade and a light breeze came up from the river. Beautiful.
We cruised a couple of shops Teen wanted to look at. MOTH wasn't allowed to accompany us into one of them because he wasn't cool enough. I'm not sure what he thought but she had a huge grin. In we went and I looked at the stuff she pointed out - baseball and basketball jackets and caps and trendy shoes. Oh look, I say, that's got a nice design on it. She looked at me and hurried me past the shoe display. See what I did there? I slipped a little 'embarrassing dad' into the mix. She laughs.
--------------------
The Teen decides to fly home. Do you want me to come in with you, get you through to the Security point and nick off? Gosh no, I haven't flown by myself before so I want you to come with me. Oh. She offers to pay for parking *so not cheap!!* so we're set.
-------------------
Chattering in the car on the way to the airport. We have some time up our sleeves but the traffic is heavy and MOTH is beginning to worry. The flight departs at 3:40 pm. She has to check in an hour before she flies! Well, that's a good time but it's just a guide. They won't board before 2:20 or so, just as long as she checks in before then. Oh. He relaxes a little. Soooo, I say. Do you have your ticket? Silence. Then she bursts into tears. Oh dear .....
MOTH suddenly changes lanes. We don't have time to go back for it. We'll just have to hope that she can check in without it. I really need the reservation number. I investigate several options for checking in. After all, what good is an e-ticket if you still have to present the itinerary? Kind of defeats the purpose. After a while, she lets me know she has the receipt from the booking. It has the reservation number on it! We're set.
Check in at the kiosk and all is good. She can breathe a sigh of relief and we just have to get through security.
-------------------
The bag is through. Whoops. No it's not. Through again. It sits there and the chappie does nothing. Guess it's ok. The deodorant has to go back in. You can have it, says the Teen. No point, says I. I've not got anything to put it in. But I won't be able to zip the bag again. I roll my eyes and put the can back in the bag. Zip it up and the woman with the explosives wand calls us over and we have to unzip the bag again.
Sheesh!
------------------
I'm up early. Haven't played WoW all week and I want to catch up a little.
MOTH mows the back lawn. It's a rough job because it's uneven and the grass is patchy. The side lawn has already been done.
MOTH mows the front lawn. It takes about 5 minutes. It's a very small patch of grass that!
------------------
Over to visit Bestie and her hubby. He's been in hospital to remove a small piece of disc that has been pressing on a nerve in his back. It's far easier to visit at home than in the wards. Morning tea is the go. A cheese platter and dips.
It's a half hour drive over, and we visit for an hour and a half. Or something like that. Don't want to tire the old boy out!
I was thinking of this because I was groaning. Monday morning and all.
-------------------
I've mentioned that I was away booth minding for some of last week. It was good to be home but I didn't enjoy the flight as much as I might have. There was some turbulence due to cloud cover. And for the first time flying, my feet looked like balloons. I had to spend the entire flight flexing my ankles and calves and bouncing my heels up and down to keep it at bay.
-------------------
Checking in is much better when you know how to do it. And you have someone to travel with who has flown many times. And who also has access to Qantas Club and can get you in as a guest. Free food! And drinks!
------------------
I decided to hell with the budget, let's do something different. Breakfast in the city with MOTH and the Teen. Topped up the go card and then tried to find a place to eat. We trudged past a couple of places and couldn't find something that appealed to all of us. Teen didn't want 'breakfast food'. We settled on Coffee Club. The big breakfast for him, shared nachos for us. Caramel cheesecake for me. Mugachino for him and mocha frappe for her.
The sun was shining, we were under shade and a light breeze came up from the river. Beautiful.
We cruised a couple of shops Teen wanted to look at. MOTH wasn't allowed to accompany us into one of them because he wasn't cool enough. I'm not sure what he thought but she had a huge grin. In we went and I looked at the stuff she pointed out - baseball and basketball jackets and caps and trendy shoes. Oh look, I say, that's got a nice design on it. She looked at me and hurried me past the shoe display. See what I did there? I slipped a little 'embarrassing dad' into the mix. She laughs.
--------------------
The Teen decides to fly home. Do you want me to come in with you, get you through to the Security point and nick off? Gosh no, I haven't flown by myself before so I want you to come with me. Oh. She offers to pay for parking *so not cheap!!* so we're set.
-------------------
Chattering in the car on the way to the airport. We have some time up our sleeves but the traffic is heavy and MOTH is beginning to worry. The flight departs at 3:40 pm. She has to check in an hour before she flies! Well, that's a good time but it's just a guide. They won't board before 2:20 or so, just as long as she checks in before then. Oh. He relaxes a little. Soooo, I say. Do you have your ticket? Silence. Then she bursts into tears. Oh dear .....
MOTH suddenly changes lanes. We don't have time to go back for it. We'll just have to hope that she can check in without it. I really need the reservation number. I investigate several options for checking in. After all, what good is an e-ticket if you still have to present the itinerary? Kind of defeats the purpose. After a while, she lets me know she has the receipt from the booking. It has the reservation number on it! We're set.
Check in at the kiosk and all is good. She can breathe a sigh of relief and we just have to get through security.
-------------------
The bag is through. Whoops. No it's not. Through again. It sits there and the chappie does nothing. Guess it's ok. The deodorant has to go back in. You can have it, says the Teen. No point, says I. I've not got anything to put it in. But I won't be able to zip the bag again. I roll my eyes and put the can back in the bag. Zip it up and the woman with the explosives wand calls us over and we have to unzip the bag again.
Sheesh!
------------------
I'm up early. Haven't played WoW all week and I want to catch up a little.
MOTH mows the back lawn. It's a rough job because it's uneven and the grass is patchy. The side lawn has already been done.
MOTH mows the front lawn. It takes about 5 minutes. It's a very small patch of grass that!
------------------
Over to visit Bestie and her hubby. He's been in hospital to remove a small piece of disc that has been pressing on a nerve in his back. It's far easier to visit at home than in the wards. Morning tea is the go. A cheese platter and dips.
It's a half hour drive over, and we visit for an hour and a half. Or something like that. Don't want to tire the old boy out!
Wednesday, November 09, 2011
The odd photo
The bath/shower/spa that was so narrow one end that I could _just_ sit down...
Inside the Elephant and the Wheelbarrow. The ceiling is a stained glass pattern but I couldn't get a good photo...
The Gold/Silver sponsor area. We were exhibition sponsors so tucked away in a different room...
In the city, see the tram go by...
Pellegrini's! This place is apparently a local institution. A long narrow shop where you order Italian and sit on stools at the counter to eat. It was full so we were shown to a communal table in the kitchen...
My dinner on the table in the kitchen. A little bland, but hearty. The granita made up for that, as did the view while he ate his meal and chattered away in Italian to the woman who was cooking...
The foyer decoration of the conference venue. I'm looking at it from the balcony on Floor 1...
The departure gate at the airport on my way out. Telstra sponsor this area. Chairs, coffee and lots of signs. Possibly wifi too but I was busy reading...
Visitors! ...
Tuesday, November 08, 2011
I'm late! To update my blog!
I usually update on a Monday, but this one has been a little busy!
------------------
A sad day. A very sad day. There is a construction site across from us. One of the workers was fatally injured. I heard nothing and only found out that something was amiss when one of the GTs mentioned that the Ambulance and Fire Brigade were in attendance. I hoped the man would make it, but it was not to be.
The television has only just begun running advertisements for Safety Week. I cannot imagine kissing MOTH goodbye for an ordinary work day then not having him return. I cannot.
------------------
First on the bus this morning! Yay. One of the regular routes is running a more frequent service. I usually choose not to ride this one - waaaaay too many school kids. But I bite the bullet and jump on. Hardly any kids on this route today.
I sit on the left side of the bus. The next series of passengers also sit on the same side of the bus. How interesting would the bus ride be if everyone sat on the same side? Would we tip over, or at the very least, lean heavily to that side? Hmmmm. These things keep me occupied until others get on and the load evens out.
------------------
I'm taking my regular route home and day dreaming as I walk down the stairs to the railway platform. A face drifts past in the crowd and I think he looks familiar, but no, it couldn't be.
Sol! he says and Yes! It IS him! Richard, from my old town; someone I haven't seen for some considerable years. He still lives there and the chances of a random meeting on a train platform are slim. My train isn't due for another ten to twelve minutes so we chat while I wait.
It was really really good to see him.
-------------------
The Elder and the Teen return home; Elder to collect some belongings, the Teen for a visit. Elder has brought her latest with her, a shy quiet young fellow I'll name Burrich. He's younger than she *why do my kids always pick younger ones???* but I guess that's alright. He has a job, is quiet and polite and doesn't seem to spend his time with cars, booze and parties like a lot of them. Teen really likes him too so I guess he can't be bad.
They arrive fairly late Friday night and Elder and Burrich plan to leave early Monday morning.
------------------
I am in a different capital city for work. Boring, boring stuff being a Booth Bunny at a conference. I did get to spend one day with the girls before I had to leave though.
Taxi to the airport and we went the toll way. >$100 later! Glad work has provided cab vouchers! Check in at the airport has changed somewhat and I am a little stressed. I've not flown without another workmate before and it was several years ago so I'm feeling a little lost. The flight wasn't bad in spite of a heap of kids on the plane and I spend the flight reading.
Check into the hotel and the buggers have swiped my credit card for $100. So. Card now overdrawn and any money I had planned to spend for meals etc the conference didn't provide now also gone. Stupid, stupid, stupid hotel policy. How would it work if you went into a department store and they swiped $100 on a card 'in case' you purchased something? It just wouldn't go over so why do we let Hotels get away with it??
The GT I am here with and I decide to ride the tram into town. Fun trying to get the ticket on the tram. I'm surprised how dirty and vandalised it is. I can barely bring myself to sit on the seat *i have this thing about upholstery* but the ride is interesting. We walk the streets for a little while before returning to the hotel. The return tram is newer, in much better condition.
-------------------
Dinner in the city, having been joined by another workmate. We choose Pellegrini's. Atmosphere galore! Plain, hearty Italian fare. But the place is full and we are shown to a communal table in the kitchen. Brilliant! We are served what seems to be a watermelon granita for drinks with dinner and I eat while I watch the woman prepare meals. She is very fast. I have a photo but no way to upload it at present. I'll add it later.
------------------
A sad day. A very sad day. There is a construction site across from us. One of the workers was fatally injured. I heard nothing and only found out that something was amiss when one of the GTs mentioned that the Ambulance and Fire Brigade were in attendance. I hoped the man would make it, but it was not to be.
The television has only just begun running advertisements for Safety Week. I cannot imagine kissing MOTH goodbye for an ordinary work day then not having him return. I cannot.
------------------
First on the bus this morning! Yay. One of the regular routes is running a more frequent service. I usually choose not to ride this one - waaaaay too many school kids. But I bite the bullet and jump on. Hardly any kids on this route today.
I sit on the left side of the bus. The next series of passengers also sit on the same side of the bus. How interesting would the bus ride be if everyone sat on the same side? Would we tip over, or at the very least, lean heavily to that side? Hmmmm. These things keep me occupied until others get on and the load evens out.
------------------
I'm taking my regular route home and day dreaming as I walk down the stairs to the railway platform. A face drifts past in the crowd and I think he looks familiar, but no, it couldn't be.
Sol! he says and Yes! It IS him! Richard, from my old town; someone I haven't seen for some considerable years. He still lives there and the chances of a random meeting on a train platform are slim. My train isn't due for another ten to twelve minutes so we chat while I wait.
It was really really good to see him.
-------------------
The Elder and the Teen return home; Elder to collect some belongings, the Teen for a visit. Elder has brought her latest with her, a shy quiet young fellow I'll name Burrich. He's younger than she *why do my kids always pick younger ones???* but I guess that's alright. He has a job, is quiet and polite and doesn't seem to spend his time with cars, booze and parties like a lot of them. Teen really likes him too so I guess he can't be bad.
They arrive fairly late Friday night and Elder and Burrich plan to leave early Monday morning.
------------------
I am in a different capital city for work. Boring, boring stuff being a Booth Bunny at a conference. I did get to spend one day with the girls before I had to leave though.
Taxi to the airport and we went the toll way. >$100 later! Glad work has provided cab vouchers! Check in at the airport has changed somewhat and I am a little stressed. I've not flown without another workmate before and it was several years ago so I'm feeling a little lost. The flight wasn't bad in spite of a heap of kids on the plane and I spend the flight reading.
Check into the hotel and the buggers have swiped my credit card for $100. So. Card now overdrawn and any money I had planned to spend for meals etc the conference didn't provide now also gone. Stupid, stupid, stupid hotel policy. How would it work if you went into a department store and they swiped $100 on a card 'in case' you purchased something? It just wouldn't go over so why do we let Hotels get away with it??
The GT I am here with and I decide to ride the tram into town. Fun trying to get the ticket on the tram. I'm surprised how dirty and vandalised it is. I can barely bring myself to sit on the seat *i have this thing about upholstery* but the ride is interesting. We walk the streets for a little while before returning to the hotel. The return tram is newer, in much better condition.
-------------------
Dinner in the city, having been joined by another workmate. We choose Pellegrini's. Atmosphere galore! Plain, hearty Italian fare. But the place is full and we are shown to a communal table in the kitchen. Brilliant! We are served what seems to be a watermelon granita for drinks with dinner and I eat while I watch the woman prepare meals. She is very fast. I have a photo but no way to upload it at present. I'll add it later.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Monday morning confusion
The ducks finally hit the water on the weekend, but not without a small amount of drama. Someone decided to set the $10,000 duck free and it was found floating some hundred of metres downriver. He was brought back home, the race launched, the PA Research Foundation raised a bucket, and someone lucky won a car.
----------------------
I transit through the city in the mornings on my way to work. Not because I have to, but because I love the bustle and I don't have to fight students for a seat. I'm standing at the lights and the woman standing next to me is wearing a soft knit dress with a black bodice and striped skirt. It's about knee length, a little higher. And as my eyes travel down I see she is wearing black leggings .... and black socks. Teamed with lovely strappy silver sandals with a mid heel. Wtf?
----------------------
There's a man on the corner selling raffle tickets. I've not seen him for ages. He suffers from cerebral palsy and he's possibly very confronting for some. Most people seem to ignore him, some are downright rude. I just smile and shake my head. I do find that I am uncomfortable, even though any ticket seller makes me feel so. I wonder why this is.
----------------------
Daydreaming out the bus window when I catch sight of a sign in a little grassland area "Laughter Park". Laughter Park? What the heck? Oh wait ... it's Laugher Park ...
----------------------
The student who has been working in our office has finished his project and today will be his last day. I did not realise, thinking he would be here till the end of the year. He brought in a cake.
I pronounced it chocolatey and good.
----------------------
I know I take my chances but as a regular public transport user I still get really pissy when I get missed by the bus. I see it coming down the road. It's still a way back - is it the right number? Yes! It is. I hail the bus and dig in my bag for my pass. I look up. There is no blinker on. I signal again. Still no blinker. I SIGNAL AGAIN. WHAT, ARE YOU BLIND? I think there's still a small amount of room for the bus to pull in although it might actually come to a halt just beyond the designated stop. A last second wheel swing and the driver decides, nope, no room. He shrugs at me through the closed doors and continues driving down the road.
LOSER! Learn the stops on your route.... It's 20 minutes till the next bus.
---------------------
I can hear a lot of noise outside today. The office is on floor 3 but only 2 flights above ground. It turned out to be about 7 male students playing some form of handball on the concourse. Wow. I thought there was a crowd.
--------------------
There is a crow and a magpie, duking it out on the footpath. I don't know what started it and I wonder what will finish it. Which one would win? It's like asking if Jet Li fought Bruce Lee?
--------------------
I decide I'm going to treat myself to lunch, seeing as I actually have a couple dollars in my wallet. I decide on a sausage roll and front up to the bakery. They're dressed for Halloween. Yay. I'm served by a zombie. I try to make up my mind if I will take a photo. I chicken out and head back to the office. Froggy and Elder tell me I should have so I head back out.
Oh darn! They've decostumed and I can only photo these two.
Peter Pan had a lovely accent....
--------------------
I thought I would spend some dollars on an 'on demand' movie from Foxtel. It kept telling me I needed to have an active telephone line. I can't figure out what the heck it's talking about.
I grab a voucher for the local video store and go for a look. Dammit. Pirates of the Caribbean 4 is all out. I find another instead and when I head to the counter I ask the girl if a copy has come in. It has so I grab it. Turns out to be cheaper than on demand anyway.
I'm glad I didn't see Battle in a cinema. Oh my good goodness, it would have been the wettest cinema ever! I tried so hard not to cry in places!
--------------------
And now for something completely different ... a photo of my flat black cat, Jerome.
----------------------
I transit through the city in the mornings on my way to work. Not because I have to, but because I love the bustle and I don't have to fight students for a seat. I'm standing at the lights and the woman standing next to me is wearing a soft knit dress with a black bodice and striped skirt. It's about knee length, a little higher. And as my eyes travel down I see she is wearing black leggings .... and black socks. Teamed with lovely strappy silver sandals with a mid heel. Wtf?
----------------------
There's a man on the corner selling raffle tickets. I've not seen him for ages. He suffers from cerebral palsy and he's possibly very confronting for some. Most people seem to ignore him, some are downright rude. I just smile and shake my head. I do find that I am uncomfortable, even though any ticket seller makes me feel so. I wonder why this is.
----------------------
Daydreaming out the bus window when I catch sight of a sign in a little grassland area "Laughter Park". Laughter Park? What the heck? Oh wait ... it's Laugher Park ...
----------------------
The student who has been working in our office has finished his project and today will be his last day. I did not realise, thinking he would be here till the end of the year. He brought in a cake.
I pronounced it chocolatey and good.
----------------------
I know I take my chances but as a regular public transport user I still get really pissy when I get missed by the bus. I see it coming down the road. It's still a way back - is it the right number? Yes! It is. I hail the bus and dig in my bag for my pass. I look up. There is no blinker on. I signal again. Still no blinker. I SIGNAL AGAIN. WHAT, ARE YOU BLIND? I think there's still a small amount of room for the bus to pull in although it might actually come to a halt just beyond the designated stop. A last second wheel swing and the driver decides, nope, no room. He shrugs at me through the closed doors and continues driving down the road.
LOSER! Learn the stops on your route.... It's 20 minutes till the next bus.
---------------------
I can hear a lot of noise outside today. The office is on floor 3 but only 2 flights above ground. It turned out to be about 7 male students playing some form of handball on the concourse. Wow. I thought there was a crowd.
--------------------
There is a crow and a magpie, duking it out on the footpath. I don't know what started it and I wonder what will finish it. Which one would win? It's like asking if Jet Li fought Bruce Lee?
--------------------
I decide I'm going to treat myself to lunch, seeing as I actually have a couple dollars in my wallet. I decide on a sausage roll and front up to the bakery. They're dressed for Halloween. Yay. I'm served by a zombie. I try to make up my mind if I will take a photo. I chicken out and head back to the office. Froggy and Elder tell me I should have so I head back out.
Oh darn! They've decostumed and I can only photo these two.
Peter Pan had a lovely accent....
--------------------
I thought I would spend some dollars on an 'on demand' movie from Foxtel. It kept telling me I needed to have an active telephone line. I can't figure out what the heck it's talking about.
I grab a voucher for the local video store and go for a look. Dammit. Pirates of the Caribbean 4 is all out. I find another instead and when I head to the counter I ask the girl if a copy has come in. It has so I grab it. Turns out to be cheaper than on demand anyway.
I'm glad I didn't see Battle in a cinema. Oh my good goodness, it would have been the wettest cinema ever! I tried so hard not to cry in places!
--------------------
And now for something completely different ... a photo of my flat black cat, Jerome.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
The duck
Yes, the duck is still there. I think about getting a photo but the bus is never stopped where it might be visible in a camera.
--------------
I like catching the early bus during the spring/summer. Positively detest it in winter. In summer the sun is peeping over the highway and everything is cast with a golden glow. There is plenty of greenery beside the highway, open areas between the roads with grass and trees, or untamed bushland. This morning there are cockatoos ground feeding on one of the open spaces. That's something I don't get to see every day.
--------------
The suburb down from mine seems to be growing at a rather phenomenal rate. New houses are springing up everywhere and I miss the odd glimpse of wallabies, peeping through the long grass at the bus as it goes past.
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I glance up as we head along the highway to the shopping centre a couple of suburbs over. The light pole swoops over in a graceful arc, artfully decorated by several galahs lined up and looking down.
I wonder what they are up to. If they were corellas, I would suspect they are 'bombing' unsuspecting cars.
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I applied for a position outside my current work unit. I found out yesterday I didn't get it.
Totally devastated as I think I would have done really well. I think I'm ready for new and exciting. I guess though that I should be thankful. I did make it as far as shortlisted for an interview. The lass who gave me the news told me I interviewed really well. Surprising because I thought I flubbed it.
The successful applicant has experience in a field *ok, so it was mentioned in the job description, but desirable not essential* relevant to the position that I don't. I imagine in fact that very few people would have this experience. I'm not quite certain how it would fit into the job aside from making people feel like they were dealing with another funeral director!
The position was Bequest Coordinator and oversees the Body Donor Program among other things. See. Interesting and exciting.
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I like catching the early bus during the spring/summer. Positively detest it in winter. In summer the sun is peeping over the highway and everything is cast with a golden glow. There is plenty of greenery beside the highway, open areas between the roads with grass and trees, or untamed bushland. This morning there are cockatoos ground feeding on one of the open spaces. That's something I don't get to see every day.
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The suburb down from mine seems to be growing at a rather phenomenal rate. New houses are springing up everywhere and I miss the odd glimpse of wallabies, peeping through the long grass at the bus as it goes past.
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I glance up as we head along the highway to the shopping centre a couple of suburbs over. The light pole swoops over in a graceful arc, artfully decorated by several galahs lined up and looking down.
I wonder what they are up to. If they were corellas, I would suspect they are 'bombing' unsuspecting cars.
-------------
I applied for a position outside my current work unit. I found out yesterday I didn't get it.
Totally devastated as I think I would have done really well. I think I'm ready for new and exciting. I guess though that I should be thankful. I did make it as far as shortlisted for an interview. The lass who gave me the news told me I interviewed really well. Surprising because I thought I flubbed it.
The successful applicant has experience in a field *ok, so it was mentioned in the job description, but desirable not essential* relevant to the position that I don't. I imagine in fact that very few people would have this experience. I'm not quite certain how it would fit into the job aside from making people feel like they were dealing with another funeral director!
The position was Bequest Coordinator and oversees the Body Donor Program among other things. See. Interesting and exciting.
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