Where the Grass is Greener

DNA is beautiful...

2009-05-14T09:35:00.001+10:00

Auctions and Crockery

2009-04-22T16:55:00.001+10:00

Witness, the delightfully retro (or possibly just 'grandma') crockery set I got yesterday:

On Saturday husband and I bid at an auction. The auction was good. Well, good experience anyway. Very much more stressful though because this time we could have afforded to bid more but didn't think the house was worth it so pulled out. We thought that $350k was a good price for the house but guessed that $360-70k was more likely at auction.

Part way through the auction I was feeling a bit cheeky. I asked the auctioneer to give me five winks in a row to get another bid out of me, which he gave me somewhat embarrassedly.

When we were inspecting the house I said that I thought the crockery in the kitchen would have to stay because it matched the daggy kitchen so much. I knew the little old lady had gone off to a home and jokingly said I'd ask for it at auction. So when I was on my cheeky streak I asked them to throw in the crockery, much to the amusement of the 40-odd people watching. 'The crockery is on the market!' was the response from the owners.

All up there were four other bidders. We'd got rid of three and thought the house was ours but then a guy piped up at about $370k. Gah! I asked him (well, called out across the street) if he really wanted the crockery that badly. I like to put on a bit of a show! Unfortunately it is in the rules that you can't intimidate other bidders, so I thought masking it with friendliness would be the way to go!

We pushed to $379k, he went $380k and we decided not to go more.

A disappointment but at least we got the old lady a good price by driving it up!

On Monday I had a call from the auctioneer - the vendors (old lady's sons) were disappointed that we didn't get the house because we seemed like such a nice young couple. They're pretty sure the guy who got it will just subdivide the land and develop (damn baby-boomers! they always out-bid us!). BUT they'd like us to have the crockery. So yesterday I went around and picked up my new brown floral crockery. God knows what I'll do with it! Apparently 'Johnstone' is a good brand and I could fetch a tidy sum for it but it has such nice story now!

Ah well. Back to house hunting on Saturday...

When do you show your hand?

2009-03-26T11:41:00.002+11:00

Ah the trickery and game play that is house buying. We've found a little house. It is:

Little.
Semi-detached (shares a wall with the neighbours).
Quite well maintained.
New(ish) bathroom.
Big yard (yay for doggies).
We can afford it.
Mum assures me she will still love me even if we do live in Reservoir.

It is being auctioned in a few weeks but we're keen to make an offer. Problem is, I don't know how much one should offer. If I show too much interest they know I'm going to be willing to pay more. Clearly the price has been understated on their advertising but if I offer too much they know how high I'm willing to go and will push up the price at auction automatically. Basically, I feel like to buy a house you have to show complete indifference whilst still bargaining.

I told the guy a price we'd be happy to start from (which is more than their advertised price) and he said it was probably too low. Which we thought it would be, but we felt on the whole it was good to start too low so that he doesn't have very high expectations, yet it shows we are still interested and want to be kept in the loop. But if we make a good offer it could be too high but enough to take it off the market - alternatively it could just make the vendor think there's lots of interest out there and wait till auction and drive the price up.

So why to they always advertise such a low price range? Why does this all have to be such a bloody game? When you are bidding at auction everyone is straight faced. No one is bidding until they know it is on the market. It all just seems so fake. There are all these unwritten rules that you have to learn to play properly. Of course, if it was me selling I'd be wanting to get the most I could but it irritates me that the advertised price brackets never seem to encompass the sale price.

Why can't I just meet the owners and charm them into selling to us? That would be much better. We are fabulous and lovely and really just the perfect people to leave their old mum's home to. We'll have lovely little babies that will grow up and enjoy the lovely little house and wouldn't it be nice if you could sell it to us? We just love the roses and we'd fit in so well! Can you see my puppy dog eyes? No? Let me introduce your to our dog Buster then...

Who Watches the Watchmen?

2009-03-06T15:16:00.003+11:00

Turns out I do!

We went to the opening night for The Watchmen at IMAX as someone at work had organised a group booking. Being based on a comic I'd never read I had no idea what to expect. This probably was for the best as one is rarely impressed with transition from page to screen.

It was a lot gorier than I expected (lots of hands covering my eyes moments) and there was an awful lot of penis on show (mutant human who is all blue and glowey so that makes it OK to show apparently...?) but all in all I quite enjoyed the story line. I liked that the superheroes weren't always very good in the sense of 'do the right thing' (yes, he's a kidnapper and murder, slice his head open with a cleaver, that seems reasonable) and did bad things in the name of justice. They were also very fucked up individuals.

I'm starting to develop a theory that you need to be the product of bad parenting or be orphaned to become a superhero or villain (Harry Potter, Voldemort, Batman, Spiderman). Bad luck for me then. Turns out I'm not the first to notice - someone at WiseGeek had the same idea.

The movie did prompt me to want someone (not me) to write a little paper on why alternate/futuristic realities always seem to have bloody zeppelins in the sky. So impractical! They don't strike me as being very responsive to steering, they are also slow and full of (one assumes) flammable gas. None of the characters actaully got around in one, they just kind of floated aorund the city. But what happens if it flies into a building? Do they have some sort of traffic control? Do you log your flight path? Are there air-roads? It came to mind during the movie because the Doctor Who episode this week was full of them (and they were in an alternate reality).

On the topic of page to screen, I must say I am looking forward to the 2011 Tintin movie (apologies for the shite looking website, couldn't find a better one to link to) as Simon Pegg and Nick Frost are playing Thomson and Thompson.

Love love love

2009-02-27T10:02:00.003+11:00

heh heh - online shopping is so much fun! especially from the I Heart Shop.

twitchy, backward bending knees

2009-02-27T09:34:00.002+11:00

i have been feeling like i was finally getting into the exercise routine - water aerobic, boot camp, gym session and daily walks each week. my knees have always been a bit of trouble (hurrah for growing spurts in puberty!) but hadn't been sore since winter. coincidentally they stopped being sore when we stopped walking the dogs (waaaay too cold at 6am in Melbs). in an attempt to further the exerciseyness we started wlakign again in January - but the morning walks seem to have made my knees angry.

i bit the bullet last night and went and had some physio for my knees. lots of massaging and pushing my kneecaps around (in my undies cos my pants didn't rollup high enough, v awkward). i had a weird electrical treatment in which i had two currents running through my leg and i had to turn up the electricity as i got used to it. lots of twitching muscles and very very strange feeling.

now i have exercises to do and anti-inflam cream to rub in, another appointment on Monday night and hopefully i can go to boot camp on Tuesday. sigh.

also apparently i have hyper extended knees - they go back too far. so as well as having lopsided knee caps and inflamed joints, i apprently have backwards knees like a bird. humph.

So distracted

2009-02-12T09:48:00.004+11:00

I've been completely distracted by Christmas, hot weather, attempts to get fit, lots of knitting, work and summer in general to be spend much time on the interwebs.

I've managed to control myself and haven't become completely addicted to Ravelry. Much.

Made this lovely tea cosie (thanks Grand Purl Baa) which I am very much pleased with. Apart from the grapes (which took forever) it was a pretty cruisy and enjoyable knit.

In non-knitting news, little bro has started teaching (go team full-time job!) and I'm sure after a few weeks the kids will be totally besotted by him. Talented and clever little cookie that he is.

Little sis is coming down from the 'Berra next week because her Scottish Boy is arriving in Melbs to start a PhD. Woo woo! (imagine me making kissy kissy faces) Look forward to meeting the boy who managed to capture the interest of my intriguing girl.

Husband and I just passed the 9 year mark of being a couple. Hurrah for Bless this Chick adding boys as an accessory for Valentine's Day...

I swear we will go back to house hunting this weekend. Once I realised the first home buyers boost ends in June I began to get nervous - why oh why are the pretty houses not the right price? Well, they probably are the right price for them, but not the right price for my bank account. We had meant to start last Saturday but, well, 46 degrees doesn't really go well with being outdoors so we spent the day inside with the air con on (joy of joys) drinking beers.

By the afternoon I felt pretty guilty about our laziness, because of course the big thing that day was the fires (which makes me teary most morning over breakfast - why I continue to watch the news I don't know).

The family up in Buxton (near Marysville where they think one in five people have died) are all safe (phew) and miraculously the CFA managed to save their house (I have always loved firemen, I now I can love them for more than their uniform). I can only imagine how much survivor guilt people are going to start feeling when they are all able to return to their properties (or what remains of them).

It really is quite awful and I feel guilty thinking about getting my hair cut, or going shopping for food, or having the luxury of clean underwear when some many people not very far away form me have nothing.

Not meaning to end on a downer... so here's a nice piccie in honour of Darwin's 200th birthday today and 150th anniversary of Origin of the Species:

Sometimes there is no room in my life for shame

2008-12-12T11:54:00.004+11:00

Voila ici - me in my drag persona 'Dawn Service' at my work Austrliana themed party (we did Priscilla). In case you don't recognise me, I'm the one in the red (perhaps not surprisingly). We made two silver stilettos to go ont he side of 'Ophelia Bits' wheelchair, a la scene on top of the bus (which you can see better in the bottom pic).

Once can be so much ruder and cheekier (especially to excecutive staff) when one is a drag queen.

And then somehow I got the microphone from the band and the drag team performed 'I will survive'...

Unfortunately the video evidence of this performance is too large to load onto Blogger...

When 'Out of Office Assistant' goes bad.

2008-11-25T09:32:00.002+11:00

Pic below shows a real Welsh 'translation'.

see more pwn and owned pictures

No one has even published my Out of Office Assistant before - I'm feeling rather left out.

Full story is here.

Stormy Auction

2008-11-24T09:13:00.002+11:00

On Saturday we prepared to bid at our first auction. I had spent some time getting advice from various people and was slightly nervous about the whole process.

Finally Saturday morning arrived. Saturday brought with it more crazy weather* and husband, back from Brisvegas. I would have accused husband of bringing the weather from Qld but it had been shitty all week - not to mention blowing our side gate open on Friday so that our dogs could have free run of the neighbourhood. They got as far as our neighbours' yard who thankfully are lovely and kind and put them back, wedging the gate shut for us. This made me feel terribly guilty as we have never really spoken to them very much so I bought them some flowers.

I digress...

The weather was crazy stormy, but we hoped this meant that less people would be at the auction. There were about 30 people, all in the garage, and the auction kicked off. Slowly. As they do. The auctioneer ended up making the opening bid at $350. I had wanted to wait until they went in to speak to the vendor (although I'm pretty sure sometimes that is a sham and they're just prolonging things) but nothing was happening so I made a couple of bids. We held the bid when they went inside at $375, and then when they got back things got going a little more.

It was basically between us and one other guy - he was pretty confident and we happily bid away until we reached out limit. It was down to bidding in ones and twos which just felt silly. We went to $405 ($5k over what we said we'd do) and then pulled out. It went for $407 but we thought we should be good and not push our budget - and to remember we were bidding for what we thought the house was worth, not to compete with someone else.

It was actually quite enjoyable and although disappointed I'm not heartbroken by any means. I'm still not sure that my mother will love me if I live in Reservoir so that is a good reason to miss out this time. But I think we'll be in better stead next auction. Husband wants to bid next time but I had too much fun - we might have to auction off the right to bid between ourselves...

--------------------------
*8 degrees! 8 degrees! It is summer in one week, I'm wearing gloves jackets and scarf, have put the heater back on, and all people can say is - "Well, it is Melbourne..."

Dear SW

2008-10-30T15:33:00.002+11:00

I'm really sorry, but I just don't miss you. New job is being very nice to me and I haven't been sad about leaving you behind. I thought I should be honest and tell you the truth.

love Miff xo

There is a morning ritual.

2008-10-29T11:52:00.004+11:00

6.45am - radio alarm comes on. pretend not to hear it.

6.50am - struggle to get up.

6.51am - struggle to get up.

6.52am - pretend I don't really have to get up and snuggle back in.

6.53am - stop trying to trick myself and struggle to get up.

6.54am - wonder how late I could potentially be to work if I wanted to lay in...

6.55am - this time for sure... manage to sit up. husband cruelly rolls over into my warm spot and snuggles in.

Tasks then occur as follows:

put on uggies and dressing gown.
open door to madly excitable doggies. not sure why they are so excited - it isn't like we've been anywhere...
allow madly excitable doggies to jump all over husband, giving him lots of licks. (i love that they have worked out how to find their way under the doonah to lick him if he hides - they are so clever!)
ask madly excitable doggies if they'd like to go outside.
struggle to get past madly excitable doggies to actually open the door.
sit on back doorstep so that madly excitable doggies can jump onto my lap and lick me, thus calming them mildly.
watch slightly less madly excitable doggies to make sure they DO go to the toilet.
let doggies back in to jump all over husband again.
shower, dress, cup of tea, breaky, etc etc.

Today I had a nice little interruption to the ritual. As I sat on the doorstep watching the doggies I noticed the sound of a little birdie having a nice little sing. Not sure what type of bird but it's repertoire was amazing! It was singing in very short bursts but every single burst was different. It really was beautiful and special, almost magical (there you go little bro - a magical moment for you, which you were asking for last time we saw each other). This little birdie had so many different songs!

I listened for a few minutes before going to drag husband out of bed to enjoy it with me. Nature realy is quite lovely sometimes (other times not so much, a la blue bottles and mozzies).

Based on my somewhat aged knowledge/memory of the behavioural ecology of birdies, I would assume this one was a male practicing his songs to attract a nice lady birdie by his marvellous repertoire. He certainly sounded very pleased with himself, and I would have applauded except he probably would have flown away.

I'm hoping to see and hear lots more nature over the next week as husband and I trundle up to the 'Berra and then on towards the coast. The wildlife in Melbs is a bit limited - there's cats and dogs, sparrows, minors (the bird kind, not the under 18 kind) and those funny little pigeons that make a noise when they fly off. I miss the sound of magpies, parrots and cockies from my morning ritual. Can't wait to get home to hear them again.

Hard core peppermint tea drinking

2008-10-13T13:06:00.005+11:00

I feel like I've just had a long weekend - I suppose the feeling comes from having busy evenings leading up to the weekend. Also I'm totally exhausted (but mostly because I'm still getting over working my last ever weekend the week before). The ever lovely Anna flew down late on Wednesday night, and we got the week off to a rock 'n roll style start by having a peppermint tea and going to bed. Hard core. I guess that's the problem when you are both early to bed kind of girls. (^_^)

Thursday morning saw us breakfasting on Lygon St before I went to work at the Museum. Anna was going to spend the day touristing around the city and going to the gallery. I was late for my meeting because the shop was having a sale and I got caught up buying lovely things I hadn't known I'd needed before they became super cheap. After the meeting I decided to do a little bit of my new job before heading back across the river... half an hour later I realised I was now late for a meeting that started 5mins ago and it would take me about half an hour to get there. Ah me. Doing two jobs at once is a challenge.

After work I met Anna in the city and we headed for home - I was hosting craft night with the regular girls and some invited guests. Much crafting, Thai food and cake eating ensued.

Friday was my last day at Old Job. I was pretty disappointed when I realised that my boss had not organised a farewell on any level and didn't even do that thing awkward one-on-one thing where they try to thank you for wasting the last two years of your life working stupid hours and for being totally awesome in your job. Humph. Even though technically I'm only going to another campus for twelve months, as long as I don't hate New Job I know I'll be able to stay in it and don't really intend on coming back. When people go on holidays for more than a month we do them a farewell party, and what do I get? Well, I took my gel wrist pads for my new desk, but seeing as it is the same organisation that doesn't really count as being given anything does it?

Thankfully my teammate had organised after work drinkies and we had $2 pots at the pub. I managed to not get too drunk so was very proud of myself. Husband and Anna managed to trek over the river to meet up with us for dinner and banana fritters (and more beer) so that was very nice!

I awoke on Saturday morning tired, very thirsty, but not headachy. A trip to the markets followed by Anna and I going shopping with the Infamous 12yr Old on Brunswick St, followed by Anna and I going to Blondies in Clifton Hill, then going to a cafe and eating way too awesomely cheesy pizza, a scrumptious cupcake and then being too full to eat the donut we had also purchased in our haste to attempt to not impulse buy everything at the cafe because it looked so yummy.

We had a lazy crafternoon and then go dressed up to go out. We decided a little cocktail at the Atrium Bar (35th floor of the Sofitel) would stimulate our appetites (we were still full from the cafe). mmmm, strawberry-licious! We were right, it did wonders! We wandered to China Town for tepanyaki and then realised it was almost 9pm - a very late dinner for two early bed girls! We ate slowly so managed to eat all the food as well as drinking a bottle of champers.

A shot of icy vanilla vodka when we got home rounded out the evening.

In true hard core style we also had a peppermint tea.

Sunday morning we had a big breakfast and then went back to do the rest of Brunswick St. We tried on just about every hat at Scally and Trombone. I love hats! I just wish I had somewhere to wear them regularly and could justify spending that much on them.

Then it was off to the airport to say goodbye for a few weeks (reunion so soon! how will I become fit, rich and famous in three weeks? eek!). I crashed out on the couch reading for the rest of the day - I'm too obsessed with my book at the moment.

Today I'm at New Job. It is quiet. You can't hear kids screaming. My boss isn't here so it is just me sitting doing what I think is my job. My chair is uncomfortable. I'm wondering if I can ask to bring old chair to new desk? I've got two monitors. Weird. I'm starting to worry about how much work I'm about to have cram in and learn as I go.

Well, I think I'm just going to have to hold my breath, shut my eyes and jump in (and hope that the water isn't shallow).

Maybe I'll make a cuppa first... peppermint tea anyone?

Preparing to depart

2008-10-09T14:13:00.003+11:00

It has been a long time since I've written because work and life has been a wee bit hectic. Nothing bad, just busy.

But I'm beginning to move into a new phase of my life, that will hopefully be a a good one! Husband and I have just had our home loan approved, which in this current economic climate may not be the best timing, but dammit! I want a house! House shopping is exciting, but also very depressing and not very interesting. Also I seem to have inherited the mater's snobbery about certain suburbs in Melbs - even though she hasn't lived here for almost 30yrs, and I've only lived here for 2yrs. And why do people mispronounce street names and suburbs (Reservoirians, you know I'm talking about you)?

I'm also about to start a new job at a different campus of my organisation. Same money, same team, but no more working weekends and no more presenting shows. In preparation I took down all the photos and pics surrounding my desk and they filled a calico bag (an ANU O-Week one for those playing at home). My desk is back to having big blue partitions - no more smiling and loving faces staring out at me. *sniff sniff*

So to cheer me up I've got a new favourite Desktop pic on my putey. As seen below. Sunset at Cottesloe beach from 18months ago. So much has happened since then!

I also went through my drawers and shredded lots of stuff which was quite enjoyable. What is it about shredders that makes them fun? The destruction? The way it sucks the paper in? The way I imagine throwing the shredded paper all around the room and having a little dance in it?

I've found lots of pens that have tried to make their escape over the last two years by falling down the back of my drawers and plan to take them with me to my new desk. Do you think I could take my chair too? I love my chair.

I'm excited about new job as I can tram to work (which means I can have little beersies after work without having to say 'no'). I know there are all sorts of dangers on public transport - such as the freak who want to sit next to you, the drunk/druggie who needs to vomit, the school kids, the invasion of personal space when it is full, the riding backwards and feeling sick, and so on. BUT there are also good things - I can read a book (which you can't do while driving), watch the Melbourne scenery go by (always entertaining), locate shops or cafes I might like to visit, and sometimes you get to talk to not-freaks. Or maybe sometimes I'm the freak? They do say if you can't spot the freak on the tram, then you probably are the freak. Oh dear.

I'm worried about going back to being the person who doesn't know anything. I've spent the last two years becoming the 'go to' person and now I'll have to start learning all over again! I think this will be a good learning and experience opportunity though, and will go some way to chasing that perfect work-life balance one hears about (I just want a dishwasher and then things would be perfect!).

In other news, 10yr school reunion is coming up in a few weeks, so a trip to the Berra is in the offing. This will coincide with the return of the weary pilgrims who have walked 200kms in Spain. A good effort, but nothing like as good as the Proclaimers and their 500 miles...

Peace out.

The Nappy Library

2008-10-09T14:10:00.002+11:00

If you know any parents who are considering trying out cloth nappies (for their babies, not themselves or aged parents...) check out my friend's new business: The Nappy Library

Hurrah for the environment! Hurrah for poo and wee staying in their pants! Hurrah for trying it out for real cheap, even cheaper than disposables!

Miff xo

3am blood sports in Prestonia

2008-08-06T09:05:00.002+10:00

I was given a nice wake up call this morning at 3am when the dogs starting fighting. Mostly it involved Beans yelping, which is semi-normal. It seems that Buster regularly wakes up to find Beans next to her (or maybe he wakes her up by moving?) gets a surprise and instinctively bites him. It is also possible that she just takes advantage of his sleeping state and maliciously bites him. Poor Beanie.

Last night Buster must have got an especially large fright (or feeling particularly malicious) because Beans went on yelping and when I got up to see what the ruckus was, blood had been spilled. Again, poor Beans!

Buster was still cranky, especially because I was growling at her and making a fuss over Beans. I cleaned up the blood while husband checked Beans over for damage (which was difficult as he is very wriggly). We couldn't find anything and he seemed chirpy enough.

So then it took me about an hour to get back to sleep and I was pretty restless the rest of the night (morning?). So tired. So very tired...

Makemake and the Funky Dwarf Planets Bunch

2008-07-29T15:48:00.002+10:00

Hurrah! They've named a fourth dwarf planet! Last week Makemake (mah-keh mah-keh) was named a dwarf planet, joining that funky little bunch including Pluto, Eris and Ceres. This brings us to eight planets and four dwarf planets.

A dwarf planet is an object that orbits the Sun (that is not itself a satellite of another object), is large enough in mass to form a sphere, but has not cleared its orbit/neighbouring space of other object.

Makemake is out in the Kuiper Belt (with Pluto and Eris) with lots of other icy objects and was previously known as 2005FY9 and was nicknamed Easterbunny. It is slightly smaller that Pluto and is a reddish colour (apparently frozen methane).

News item here.

Moon Halo

2008-07-20T09:57:00.002+10:00

This past week there have been some pretty impressive halos around the Moon down here in chilly Melbs. Unfortunately I don't own a good camera so wasn't able to photograph it myself. I did, however, drag several relatives out into the cold and forced them to appreciate the sight. In this pic (from here) you can see Jupiter near the edge of the halo.

Moon halos are made up by light from the Moon being broken up into the colour spectrum by ice crystals in a cirrus cloud (in a similar way to how rainbows are formed by light refracting through water droplets). You can also get them around the Sun and apparently around street lights too (if the ice crystals are low enough).

In other astronomical news, there will be a full solar eclipse over China on 1 August (so not visible from here) and a partial lunar eclipse at about 6am on the morning of 16 August (visible in Australia at moonset).

Giant Squid Dissection

2008-07-18T09:15:00.002+10:00

There was a live dissection of a 245kg giant squid at Melbourne Museum yesterday. We managed to take a break from a half day meeting to watch the start and went down to catch the end as well. It was only smelly at the end after they had emptied her stomach contents.

Have been waiting for the cafe to announce that today's special is giant calamari...

There are some piccies below (also on facebook) but aren't great quality as they are taken on my moby. Also they are mostly of the giant screen that was broadcasting it to the hundreds of people watching on site (not to mention the 1000-odd who streamed it live).

Check out the video of the giant squid dissection held at Melbs Museum here.

Big squidy tentacles

Rasp-like teeth were on her suckers

The two super long tentacles that this squid would have had if she were intact can join together like a zip. You can see the bumps and indents where they join up.

" Oh grandma, what a nice big beak you have! "

"All the better to chomp my food up with so that I don't get a headache (because my food tube goes through the middle of my donut shaped brain) my dear!"

And this is why I would be crap at being homeless

2008-07-15T09:33:00.003+10:00

I always notice people asleep on the tram or train and can't figure it out. I would never feel safe or comfortable enough to sleep on public transport - especially by myself. If I were homeless I'd never sleep (which I assume is actually the case for some people, with good reason).

Husband is one of these people - happy to sleep anywhere if he's comfortable and a wee bit tired. So much is the case that several years ago siblings and I had joked about taking photos of him asleep to assemble a photo album for him for his birthday. I guess the rumblings of the train might lull one to sleep, and can understand that after a lovely Sunday dinner one might have a little kip on the in-laws couch, but recently husband gave cause for me to really be surprised.

Bra shopping is no mans favourite pass time (I'm tahking about buying functional bras, not the type that only need to look good on the floor) but needs must and he kindly followed me into the underwear section of Myers. I left him sitting on what I always think of as the 'Man Chair' outside the changing rooms and went in to, well, change. A few minutes later I emerged, with the winning bra in hand.

What greeted me was quite a funny sight. Husband was totally and utterly asleep in the Man Chair with two little children peering at him, trying to work out if he was a) a mannequin or b) real but asleep. I seriously expected one of them to poke him. Several women were walking past giving me looks of 'aww, isn't he cute, poor little tired husband'. As much as I would have liked to leave him having a nap (he obviously needed it) I thought it was probably not appropriate so I woke him up.

The man can sleep anywhere. I on the other hand seem to take at least half an hour to sleep even when I'm really tired. Woe is me.

Some short stories for you

2008-06-21T11:45:00.006+10:00

Story 1 - Surprise visits to the Berra
A couple of weekends ago I secretly arranged with little bro to come up to the Berra to surprise parentals and sister before they motored of to Canadia. Credit where credit is due - he managed to keep the secret and arrange for a special dinner out without anyone catching on (he is a terrible liar). Everyone was suitably surprised and (thankfully) pleased to see me!

We had dinner at Telstra Tower in the rotating restaurant. Only slight motion sickness which was soon washed away by champers. A delightfully expensive dinner and 6 bottles of champers later we poured ourselves into bed.

I managed to coordinate breaky with my gals and the siblings before spending the afternoon with little sister watching a girlie movie while mum edited her thesis.

All too soon it was time to fly off home. Only one night and I didn't get to see many people but it was lovely.

I had the realisation that I've been away for two years now, and although I lurve Melbs, I do miss my peeps in the Berra. *insert small whimper*

Story 2: House Hunting
...is depressing and annoying. We've yet to see anything that really stands out that would fit all of our stuff! Why oh why am I not a millionaire?

How do people afford to buy houses on one income? How do people afford to take a year of mat leave?

Still, it is exciting to think that we are looking for something to really call our own. I am going to put up sooooo many shelves. Why do rentals never have shelves? And I'll have lots of photo frames - mmm, hooks in walls...

Story 3: Ice Skating
Turns out I remember how! I took the infamous 12yr old (infamous because of the make up job, see post below) ice skating last weekend. I hadn't been in about ten years and 12yr old had never been. We were both slightly nervous and we having hot chocolates waiting for our session to start when an ambulance turned up to take away a woman with a broken wrist - this did wonders for our confidence.

Once we were on the ice though we did well. I remembered a few small tricks (small be the operative part there, and tricks being a bit of an exaggeration). Neither of us fell over, which did wonders for my already cold bum.

I chatted to an older gentleman who looked pretty skilled - turns out if you are 82 and have been skating since you were 10 you get pretty good at it. I requested tricks (of the proper kind) and he politely acquiesced to my request.

Story 4: Migraines
I had a headache for two days - the first day was pretty excruciating and I began to wonder at what point one ought to go to hospital. Possibly a slight over reaction, but I was in pain! Pain!

I have got some new drugs from the doc. When I took a second dose I got hot flushes and felt like throwing up. I left work in the afternoon, husband drove me home and I slept. I dreamt that Lan and I were refused entry to an RSL because they didn't believe that we'd spend money in the pokies. Bastards. they were right of course, but it was mean of them.

Unfortunately when I woke up I was still in a lot of pain. I was totally lucid though (nice change from before the nap) and wasn't photophobic anymore so I could happily watch Neighbours. Even that didn't fix my head! I thought Neighbours cured everything...

That night it took me forever to fall asleep because of the late afternoon nap. Ooh was I tired and cranky the next day!

Story 5: Friday Night Live
Many weeks ago I had promised the 12yr old that we'd watch Friday Night Live together. A trip to Preston Markets for our weekly meat, fruit and veg, as well as going via the Asian Grocers to buy random treats, some slices of pizza and we were home on the couch. Watching TV with the 12yrd old is an interesting experience. I am coming to understand why Big Brother and Idol etc are so popular and why Shannon Knoll got as far as he did. Of course she likes the blonde girl and the blonde boy the best. The 12yr old pissed herself laughing last night as we watched FNL - she was totally ROFLing.

Story 6: Miff Days
I'm working this weekend and am pretty tired. Have designated Monday and Tuesday as Miff Days. I don't have to go anywhere or do anything. I may indulge in some Buffy, possibly some shopping and a lot of tea on the couch.

Embrace your inner drag queen

2008-06-04T09:32:00.004+10:00

Alternative title: Reasons why you shouldn't let a 12yr old do your make up.

My little sister (of the non-biological kind) and I have been having lots of fun, shopping, cooking, just hanging out. Last weekend we decided to do makeovers.

I got out my selection of wigs, my jewellery and makeup.

We did two lots. First she gave me pink eye shadow with brown above (all the way up to my eyebrows) and for some reason brown underneath my eyes as well. The lippy was a nice pink colour to match the pink wig I was going to be wearing.

Second lot is the pic above. First she gave me lots of green eyeliner, black liquid eyeliner underneath and then wanted dark lippy. The darkest I had was black. So that's what I got! She then wanted to cover my face in blush - a nice bronze colour. So I was a lovely orange goth girl. With a purple sparkly wig (not shown here for your health and safety).

The real funness was when she suggested we walk around the block in our make up and wigs for a dare. So we did. A man called his kid out of the house to look at us, and we chanced to meet the group of guys who run the snowboarding shop around the corner form my house. We laughed a lot, but I looked more, um, interesting that she did!

Time for a catch up and a Mars landing

2008-05-26T10:15:00.005+10:00

Have had a really really really (or 'tellement' as the French would say) busy few weeks. I've been completely exhausted for the last week and a half, leading to dry eyes and bed times of 8.30pm.

Have finally got a day off, and being a weekday have got it all to myself. Bring on the multiple cups of tea, the knitting and Phryne audio books.

Relaxing as I'm planning my day to be, I've also got a dentist appointment this arvo to get a couple of little fillings - oh the shame!

So, what's news? Well, mos tof it isn't news any more. Niina has joined the smug marrieds club (well, is engaged). A most pleasant engagement party followed closely on the proposal. I must admit I'm a little bit glad the trays of Tall Blonde vodka weren't going around or I wouldn't have been feeling quite so chirpy the next day! Not that I was feeling all that chirpy - late night, singalongs and a ride home from perhaps one of the scariest PE teachers I know was followed by a day of sloth as husband and I watched DVDs all day.

I've been to Brisvegas and back for work (lets not talk about how much I'm NOT loving engineers right now) and I think that really tired me out last week, so didn't really recover enough for my seven days straight that has just passed.

The L word has recently blossomed for a deliciously lovely friend for whom I am extremely happy.

Am thinking of Fitzie-girl who is scheduled for a c-section this week. Wishing I could be back home to be there.

There have been murmurings of a ten year high school reunion - facebook turns up so many random things doesn't it? I'm looking forward to it as it means an excuse to visit home.

Cher maman is working hard to finish her thesis before trundling off to Canadia avec papa et petite soeur - all I can say is you had better be delivering all my lovely presents in person! Bon chance with the thesis maman - you always wanted to be the world's leading expert in something, and you are so very very close now! Just think of all the lovely papers you'll be able to publish over the next year and the book you'll be co-authoring - you are so very clever.

Husband's birthday was a week ago. I was sooo excited about giving him his pressie - a lovely official Luke Skywalker light saber - so I gave it to him two days early. It went down very well! Although he isn't really all that keen on sharing his toy... (^_^) We had dinner with BB and HP at Jim's Greek Tavern, and I left feeling full but not physically ill as I did last time.

Here is a little video of the man himself wielding said pressie. It has motion sensors so makes all the right noises when you swish it around and hit things.

Cooper and BB have been joining us on our morning walks with HP, so it is doggie central down here at the moment. Buster had a little doggie seizure resulting in a trip to the emergency vet at Essendon (all is fine now), and Beans had a swollen eye, so a pleasantly expensive vet week. Ah me. Who can afford to buy a house when you have dogs?

Have been house hunting on the net, but not been to any inspections as things have been slightly out of control. Finding it quite depressing knowing what I can and can't afford, and looking at the pretty pictures of houses I can't have.

I've got my three month review coming up for Big Brothers Big Sisters, I'm recruiting new staff, I've got a stint of higher duties coming up at work, and had a weird weekend at work which reminded me of how much I dislike people sometimes. Work-wise I'm also a bit panicky about how busy I am going to be over the next few months. I had a look at my calendar, and I won't be freed up until October. I'm hopign to take some time off then as I really need a break.

Some actual news today, Phoenix landed on Mars this morning - hurrah! I'm excited about Phoenix - one of the problems working in a Planetarium I suppose. I spent the weekend telling visitors how exciting and important the whole thing is, so I guess that has made me interested too! So sucked in to you, here's what I know about it:

The Phoenix mission is different to the Mar Rover expeditions which explored the surface of Mars, sampling different rocks (they were ‘scratch and sniff’ missions according to NASA). The Phoenix mission is more specific and is closely related to water. Mars’ surface is too cold and the atmospheric pressure too low for water to be liquid. Water is integral to life here on Earth, so finding it on other planets (or evidence of it in the past) may help find out whether there has ever been life, and whether there could potentially be life.

The Phoenix has landed close to Mars’ North Pole which has a polar ice cap of water ice. The Phoenix is not highly mobile so will be closely examining its landing site. It has a robotic arm which will sample and test the surface soil around the landing site. It will also (most importantly) be digging into the first metre of soil, which they believe has about 80% water content. This will (all going to plan!) be the first time we (meaning something we made) will touch water on another planet.

The mission is looking to answer these questions:
Can the Martian arctic support life?
What is the history of water at the landing site?
How is the Martian climate affected by arctic dynamics?

For more info on the science objectives see: http://phoenix.lpl.arizona.edu/science03.php

The Phoenix took seven minutes to move through the Martian atmosphere before touching down on the surface. It used the friction of the atmosphere to help slow down, followed by a parachute. When the parachute opened it began radar transmission and to locate itself. At about 1km above the Martian surface the Phoenix underwent free fall, finally using rocket engines to slow and then touch down.

Communication between Earth and Mars takes 10mins, so the Phoenix had actually landed by the time mission control got first transmissions of its descent.

So, have communicated some science, some news, and am now going to communicate with my CD player and knitting needles (and possibly pat the dogs) all in my big red dressing gown.

It's been a whole year

2008-05-06T21:20:00.004+10:00

Can't believe it has been a year since we went to Perth!

I miss youse crazy bee-atches!

Hope you are having fun OS Sherdles. I hope you are having luck making your decision Albs. I hope you are getting the bank to give you lots of money Lan. And Miff, I hope you stop having laryngitis.

The end, love me, kiss hug kiss hug.

Winter has arrived

2008-05-06T20:51:00.003+10:00

And fuck me if it isn't getting cold. As one would rightly expect. The dogs have been sporting rather cute doggie jumpers that husband's sister knitted for them for Christmas. Not sure if they like them, but they haven't torn them off or chewed them, so I'm taking it as a good sign.

Beans has once again taken to laying over the heater vents, although I found him hiding under the pile of doggie bedding I'd shoved together when vacuuming the other day.*

I've proudly knitted husband a rather lovely beanie which I think he looks very spunky in. I've been looking at my colleciton of random wools trying to think what I can start making for myself, but then I look at my coat rack which is full of beanies and scarves I've knitted that I don't often wear. Perhaps I need to give them away and start anew?

One bad thing with thecold is that it is really starting to put me off getting up at six in the morning to go walking with HP. As if getting up at 6am wasn't punishment enough! However I'm sure it is doing me good - I'm starving hungry by 12pm because my metabolism has gotten a good kick start. My knee has been playing silly buggers, but apparently that's my fault for refusing to do exercises I was supposed to (do care of a physio) when I was in yr6. Damn my parentals for letting me make my own decisions in life and giving me responsibility and trust!

But the worst thing about it getting cold is that people are getting sick. Unfortunately I work with people - well, children mostly - and when they get sick, I get sick. Lucky me had laryngitis last week when little sister** Nellstar was in town for a visit.

We bravely soldiered on, bought new Cons each (mine have ladybugs - so cute!), tried on hats at Scally andTrombone and did enough shopping at Dangerfield to satisfy any young woman sporting a skull, star and wings tattoo (not me, the sister). We vegged out on the couch, watched movies, had a lovely crafternoon, drank lots of tea and talked about boys (and how lovely they'll be in Edinburgh and wouldn't it be nice of her to bring one back).She obviously practices 'blue steel' far more than me - hers is way too convincing.

Anyway, we had a lovely week, which I treasured greatly.

I had a little cry at the airport when I realised I probably wouldn't see her before she jets off around the world in June for four months. Although I've survived stretches of four months without seeing family since we moved south of the border, somehow knowing she isn't going to be in the same country makes it a bit harder. It's also knowing she'll be having a fabulous time doing something I'll probably not get to experience!

Well, all I can say is she'd better come back with a Scottish boy in tow, or my missing her will be all for nothing. So there.

Still feeling croaky this week, but I've still carried on the good name of science and have been presenting science shows (much to my joy). Can't wait for the weekend!

-------------------

* you heard it here first - I vacuumed the house. the domestic goddess is not dead yet!

** the biological one, not the mentoring one

So you think you can botox

2008-05-06T20:18:00.005+10:00

Have been meaning to post this for a while, but our computer has been having sleepovers at the repair shop and I've only just reloaded the program to download pics from my phone...

A woman I work with had a face lift last year - well, I'm assuming she did because she had crows feet one week, had a couple of weeks off, and now just has smooth cheeks with what looks like ironed-out fold lines.

If you feel you need to have a face lift to look beautiful or feel good about yourself, no problems (who knows how I'll feel in 20yrs time). Hopefully it was to make her happy and not to please her bogan (I'm assuming again here, but it's a pretty safe bet) husband. And hopefully it did make her happy. But obviously not enough or not for long enough. Who would have know that one keeps ageing evena fter a facelift? Damn that time passing business.

A couple of weeks ago this woman was off work for a week and then came back with a very puffy face. This was no allergic reaction to a facial, as someone tried to tell me when I tried to subtly ask what was wrong with her face. She had little red marks each side of her eye that looked like injection sites to me - the woman has had botox. Mmm, botulistic...

It just seems so weird to me to think that paralysing facial muscles using a botulism toxin is a good idea. Was bemuses me most of all is that actors seem to invest heavily in it - the stuff stops your face from being able to move or convey any expression, possibly an important part of acting? Good old 'bat face' Kidman springs to mind.

And then, there's Natalie Bassingthwaite.

So, in my opinion she is just a bit crap. Totally my opinion. I'm sure other people think she is lovely and great.

She was a dreadful host on 'So you think you can dance' but I think that is mostly due to having such an insincere face - everything she said seemed fake because her face stayed still, which I'm attributing to botox. The woman's face barely changes when she talks. Plus I reckon her left eye (so the one on the right in the pics) is a bit droopy. Which I think is suspicious.

How much do you want to bet that in 20yrs time I'll be the queen of making myself look younger?

Not likely, but you never know!

OK, mini bitch over. And out.

Adrenalin junkies must have early bed times

2008-04-24T09:00:00.003+10:00

I've always thought husband would look particularly dashing in motorbike leathers, riding around a la James Dean in Rebel Without A Cause (I could be Marilyn if I dyed my hair...):

(source)

But - of late there have been lots of ads on TV pushing the line 'What's between you and the road' trying to encourage motorcyclists and moped drivers to wear proper protective gear when they ride. It also reminded me of the time someone from the Museum's Discovery Centre rang us on a weekend looking for one of the collection penis pumps for a series of motorbike ads.

So despite how spunky he would look, I really do prefer husband all in one piece, with his skin on and all.

Yesterday I had a further little reminder as to the dangers of bikes when I assisted at an accident on the way home from work.

We were just stopping at a set of lights when I saw a guy in bike leathers and helmet hopping off the road, take off his helmet, lay on the footpath rolling around screaming. I quickly pulled in and jumped out to see if I could help.

A young girl in a car had done a u-turn into this guy on his bike and now the bones in his left foot were poking through the leather of his Blundstones. He was not very happy! Husband grabbed the quilt from the boot of our car, and myself a lady from Spotlight and a couple of guys helped keep him calm and called an ambulance.

The ambos were really nice guys and got to play bandage passer girl (my best role yet!) as well as watch one of the guys cut his boot and sock off to check out the injury properly. The biker got to suck on one of those morphine sticks and kept checking that his bike was safe and off the road (which it was thanks to another passer by).

The words gruesome, sinewy, boney fragments and ow sum up the situation quite well.

They then put on an inflatable cast to keep his ankle and foot nice and still and trundled him off to hospital. The cops hadn't shown yet so I left my business card with a guy who was happy to hang around and I trundled off to craft night.

I was sooooo full of adrenalin. My legs were shaking and I felt like I was on a bit of a high. Husband jokingly said to be careful with my knitting that night becuase I was so jittery - jokes on him, I was knitting him a beanie.

When I got home I was exhausted - adrenalin junkies must have early bed times.

Welcoming baby Jack

2008-04-21T14:47:00.003+10:00

A very big welcome to the newest edition to my family - Jack Peeter Heffernan. My ever lovely cousin Aeron gave birth after a brief 45minute labour - quite the feat!

Little Jack is the second bubba in the Heffernan-Pilli line after Thomas. This leads to my favourite topic - Genealogy! What relation do they bear to me? I am continually having this argument with people - what do you call your cousin's children?

Dear old Anthropology in first year, dear old Chris Gregory and his sacred versus profane, and most relevant to this conversation, dear old kinship.

Leaving the cultural anomalies aside (such as marrying your maternal parallel cousin) you describe your cousin in degrees (first, second or third) and by removes (once removed, twice removed).

Degrees - this is how many steps away your common ancestor is. If it is your grandparent then that is a first cousin. If it is a great grandparent, then it is a second cousin.*

Removes - this describes any generational gap. A great example of this is your first cousin's child - this is your first cousin once removed. Similarly, I would call my mum's cousin's my first cousin once removed. I would call my grandparent's cousin my first cousin twice removed.

So Thomas and Jack are my first cousins once removed. Quite the mouthful.

When you don't share an ancestor, technically you aren't cousins, although I've always called my cousin's cousin my second cousin.

Scarily, if my sister married my brother in-law (this is a pretty BIG if!) then our children and their children would be double cousins.

Piccie below is from Wiki and may vaguely help those of your still reading...

Tune in next week when I explain the difference between cross cousins and parallel cousins, and why you can't marry your cross cousins... or not.

---------------------------
*If it is your parent then they are your sibling, you nonce.

The ****ing Count

2008-04-16T09:42:00.000+10:00

Ah, comedy gold!

Some Random Stories

2008-04-08T10:10:00.006+10:00

Have got a series of small stories to share and rather than do a mad multiple post thing, have put them all together pictorially...

Story 1: Skanky Seagulls - Hitchcock eat your heart out
I think almost all of Melbourne's seagulls live in the old glass factory next door to work. You can just see the tiny little specs along the factory roof. Lucky us, the staff car park is behind this building (which is fenced off because of the asbestos - woo hoo). It is now seagull breeding season and the little bastards are not only shitting all over my car, but have started dive bombing! Eek!

They scream at you as they dive so you have plenty of time to wave your arms around. So they aren't as scary as magpies who silently swoop and cut your head open, but are somehow skankier so less pleasant.

Every afternoon I get that scary Hitchcock-esque feeling that it is only a matter of time until they just keep throwing themselves at me until I get rid of the love birds... or whatever the love bird equivalent is for seagulls.

Story 2 - Small dog hides under layers of bedding
The ever charming Beans doesn't have a lot of body fat - this is his own fault for being far too over active. No matter how much he gets fed, the little bastard (I'm assuming his parents weren't married) stays skinny. This means he gets chilly easily. Consequently it is not unusual to find him hiding under: the clothes horse standing over the heater; our bedding; our clothes; all of the dog bedding piled on top of each other as per the picture above.

I'd thrown it all in a pile to do the vacuuming and came back later to find Beans nesting underneath it all.

Story 3 - Late nights, big lunches and alcohol makes blonde boy sleepy
Husband and I celebrated Easter Sunday at HP's palace (see Trouble with a capital T). It was a fabulous meal, which I neglected to mention in the previous post. Just thought the piccie of the sleepy blonde boy above (lets call him SP) illustrates well how we all felt after the delicious meal and copious amounts of alcohol, and alcohol fuelled conversation.

Story 4 - Raw Comedy

Husband and I went to Raw Comedy last weekend to see a friend from Canberra compete. Hadn't been to the main hall at Melbourne Town Hall before - would be a fun venue to perform in. Had lots of laughs, especially over a story about Croesus which I was pleasantly surprised about.

Story 5 - Buster wears a Buster

Buster's eyelid surgery went well and she is wearing a bucket/Elizabethan Collar for the next week. I was amused to see the bucket brand was called Buster. She wasn't so amused. I feel evil for laughing when she gets stuck places, tries to pick up her ball through the plastic, tries to lick us through the plastic, tries to bite Beans through the plastic, tries to scratch through the plastic, etc etc.

The good news is that the vet is v pleased with how it is healing and she can have her stitches (and hence bucket) out early - Friday evening.

Story 6 - Effing Giant Ferris Wheel

Can't wait for this massive Ferris wheel in Docklands to open in November. I drive past it every day and have watched it slowly come together. Apparently you'll be able to see Geelong from the top of it. Not sure why I'd want to do that, but I guess that's a good thing?

I heart my mum (and my scarf)

2008-03-27T10:28:00.002+11:00

Cher maman

Merci pour le, um... scarf... de couers. J'adore le... um... scarf.

Miff xoxo

________

So pleased it is freezing cold today so I could wear my new heart scarf mum bought me at NGV when she was visiting a couple of weeks ago. I heart it so much!

Poor Little Plumpy

2008-03-26T08:56:00.002+11:00

My poor little plumpy dog Buster had to go to the vet yesterday because she has an infected dew claw. I also wanted the lump on her eyelid checked out again (you can sort of see it above her eye on the left of the piccie).

The dewie is fine (got some ointment for that) but the eyelid lump is an impacted glad which is starting to rub on her eye. And this means surgery. And general anaesthetic. Which means $300 off the bat, plus whatever they charge for the actual surgery, vet's time etc.

I'm wishing it was an impacted anal glad, which a quick squeeze would solve - much cheaper if not grosser!

I'll be taking her in on Monday morning (I've got RDO's Mon & Tues) and then she'll be bucket head girl for a week or so until she's healed. I can just foresee that Beans is going to be a total pain in the arse and keep trying to lick her eye or something.

So, house deposit remains ungrown (is that a word?) again as savings keep getting dipped into for random costly things.

All cyber hugs, pats, treats and kisses will be forwarded to Buster post haste.

Trouble with a capital T and that rhymes with B and that stands for Beer.

2008-03-24T16:46:00.002+11:00

Husband and I walked to HP's new Preston palace yesterday via the drive through grog shop. It was all a little bit too easy.

A six pack, some red wine and a glass (or two?) or champers later we walked home.

All too easy.

I'm in trouble.

So much for drinking less...

Drive Straight

2008-03-19T09:06:00.002+11:00

I was bemused this morning to find myself driving behind a girl who was straightening her hair as she drove.

Do they make these so that they can now plug into the cigarette lighter or something?

Can they make anything plug into a cigarette lighter?

'The Island' farewells big blondie

2008-03-19T08:55:00.003+11:00

Have had RDOs the last two days after working the weekend. On Tuesday I had a few errands in the morning, had hot cross buns for morning tea, watched the start of Dr Phil, realised I hate Dr Phil and then went to the gym on my own (this is v significant).

Got home stinky and sweaty to find messages from husband wanting to be collected from the city and go to South Melbs to see Glen & Michelle off on the Spirit of Tassie as they make the move off 'The Island' (apparently this is what the mainland is referred to by those very well bred Taswegians).

The boat is effing huge! I mean, I get that is takes people and cars across the water, and that it takes a lot of people and cars, but it really is enormous!

The 12hr trip saw them arrive safe and sound is Tassie at 8am this morning.

Hope y'all are settling in OK and that your cabin in Snug is nicer than the deluxe boarding kennel your cats are in.

Run Fatboy Run

2008-03-16T10:47:00.003+11:00

I heart Simon Pegg, which is perhaps why I was expecting a lot of Run Fatboy Run. It was... good. Nowhere near the brilliantly funny Hot Fuzz, and not as clever (or gross) as Sean of the Dead, and not as many gold moments as in the TV series Spaced, and no Nick Frost.

Still, it was... good. I enjoyed it but it was a leetle bit predictable and far more safe (perhaps even formulaic?) than Simon Pegg's other movies. Not one you have to see at the movies, but worth watching.

Simon Pegg was Simon Pegg, it was nice to see Dylan Moran out of Black Books, and I was pleased to spot Noel Fielding as an extra.

I must say my favourite bit was the banana flavoured choc-top, but I ate that in the previews... it was really yummy.

National Sports Museum

2008-03-15T11:11:00.004+11:00

This week I went to a preview of the new National Sports Museum, located at the MCG. I am perhaps not the best person to appreciate the NSM, based on the fact that I don't like sport, but hey, if that's your bag then check it out. Just don't ask the little old man in the MCC exhibition a question or you'll be there for hours!

The layout was nice, and the lighting was good, but then that's the sort of thing I say when I go to a theatre show that was a bit shit and I don't want to tell the actors they were a bit crap or that I hated the text!

It is a very museumy-museum - lots of text panels and glass cabinets. I did enjoy the Olympic exhibition, which is apparently one of the largest collections in the world, second only to on in Lucerne.

An ex-colleague now works there are he took us up to the top of the MCG after the museum viewing (and nice cold beers). Everyone was a bit excited, but again, I was probably not the best person to appreciate it as it seems to be something in the blood of born and bred Melbournians.

I'd never been to the MCG before even though people keep telling me they will take me to a game of cricket or football (depending on their preference) - I clearly haven't shown enough enthusiasm for them to follow through! What would excite me is being part of such a huge crowd, the sport itself isn't really a draw card.

Nonetheless, it was interesting to visit, and special to see it completely empty. I just wanted to get down on the field and sing!

Garden Guilt

2008-03-15T08:51:00.004+11:00

Yesterday we had a 40 degree day and a 38 degree day before that. One of the only times I'm happy to be locked up inside at work! The heat was pretty stifling, but thankfully a cool change came through in the evening so sleeping wasn't too traumatic (it only got down to 27.7 degrees the night before which was not pleasant). I like to check the weather patterns at the Melbs Uni earth sciences page and it is quite scary to see just how small a drop we had on Thursday night.

But the garden guilt - oh the garden guilt! Our tree ferns (which have been cleverly planted in full sun by our land lord) have survived the last two years of you habitation without much love and care - despite my mother's best guilt trips about them needing water every second day. But the heat of the last two days seems to have been the last straw - they basically went brown over the day causing me to water them with grey water last night, and before 8am this morning with the hose (we can only water between 6am and 8am on Saturdays and Tuesdays).

I'm hoping to rejuvenate them as we have already killed a birch tree and my land lord is such a nice little man! Even though I think that it isn't a very good use of water (particularly because we don't own the house) seeing those brown fronds yesterday guilted me good.

Watch out Tuesday morning, here comes the hose!

To the husband

2008-03-12T16:36:00.003+11:00

Hello baby

I know you don't often check in because you think I need my own private space, but really I'm too much of an exhibitionist for that.

Anyway, if you do read this I just thought you should know that I think you are lovely. This probably doesn't come as much of a surprise to you, seeing as I proposed to you and then married you, moved to Melbs with you etc etc, but I thought it worth saying.

Also, you cook great bolognaise. The first time you cooked it for me, you used sauce from a jar. I almost died of shock! I didn't know that people didn't cook bolognaise from scratch. But now you have that absolutely glorious recipe which I lurve! I never thought anyone would cook it better than how my parentals do, but you do (sorry parentals!) so go team you.

So, basically, I think you are tops. And I love you. Mwah!

love Miff xoxoxoxo

PS Thanks for baking such yummy shortbread this week too. mmm, buttery goodness....

PPS Also thanks for having such a nice bum.

PPPS And arms. You have nice arms.

Miff in Brisvegas - Girl goes to karaoke

2008-03-12T11:23:00.002+11:00

Last weekend I had the pleasure of travelling up north (thankfully on Qantas) for work. It was only the second time I'd been to this fine city (last time was in Dec 06) and managed to snaffle up two days of time from my ever lovely, shoeless, cute flat owning Sherdie.

Last time the blind date was with the city, this time I had a blind date with a potential new friend (who is moving from Brisvegas to sunny Melbs) and a karaoke room.

The meeting of new friends is always nice, and much giggling about boys, grumbling about jobs and drinking of beers added to the enjoyment. Certainly a person I'll be happy to see again.

The karaoke room was an interesting experience - nine people fighting over two microphones drinking beer and wine for three hours and everyone screaming the lyrics at the top of their lungs (not sure why we bothered with the microphones to be honest). Certainly something I'll be happy to experience again.

I liked the private atmosphere - no one (except one boy who was named 'Vain John' in a Carly Simons burst of song) was too shy to get up or take over, everyone picked songs and some of us (read: Sherdie) shook our booties and blocked the TV screen...

Car Trip Traditions

2008-03-12T09:12:00.007+11:00

Spent a weekend recently in Bendigo at a friend's winery bottling wine (shiraz mostly) - about 9,500 bottles all up.

We drove up on Friday after work, eating cheese and bacon balls in the car. Traditionally I'm a chicos car-trip-treat kind of girl (thanks to Lan), but I was happy to try something different.

It put in me in mind of all the car trip traditions I've experienced over the years.

From a young age my family had lots of car trips (much to my motion sickness delight) - mostly to Potato Point and Melbourne. I have always been a big fan of singing (der) and have many fond memories of forcing my siblings to sing rounds in the car...

Miff: OK, so you are going to sing 'one bottle of pop'. Do you remember how that one goes?

Nell: Yes... *rolls eyes*

Miff: And you will sing 'fish and chips and vinegar', alright?

Hugh: No. I'm not playing.

Miff: Yes you are. You are singing 'fish and chips and vinegar'.

Hugh: But I don't-

Miff: 'Fish and chips and vinegar'. And I'll sing 'Don't throw your muck in my backyard'. Ready?

*resounding silence*

Miff: 1, 2, 3...

Other car favourites (according to me) included singing the theme song from the Pippi-Long-Stocking movie but starting every word with the same letter of the alphabet, and then running through each letter. Favourite letters included 'B' (you got to say 'Bum') and 'P' (saying 'Poo').

Not long after this, for some reason, my parents started playing audio books instead. Not sure why the singing, and arguing about singing, wasn't entertaining enough. The ongoing favourite was The Hobbit (I still have the cassettes) and for years I believed that the Clyde Mountain was one of the misty mountains from the Hobbit (or wanted to believe that anyway).

Least favourite audio books were War of the Worlds and Day of the Triffids - stories which frightened me so much that I stole them from the car and hid them in my bedroom. I found them about 10yrs later when I moved out of home.

Another great car game is randomly yelling "Ow! Hugh! That hurt!" and then watching him get in trouble for whatever it is my dad thought he'd done. We also used to be able to earn money by spotting number plates from different state and territories.

These days husband and I tend to stock up on lollies, Redskins, Starburst, Mentos etc. Because husband is particularly fond of soft Redskins I oblige my warming them up in my bra. hmmm, breast-toasted Redskins... I just have to remember to take them out when we have a pit stop. Husband and I try to avoid listening to music as our tastes differ wildly (I love Regina Spektor, he loves AC/DC) but we have enjoyed listening to random podcasts of late - Ricky Gervais care of Hugh (I do enjoy Monkey News), Dr Karl care of husband.

Although I don't really enjoy car trips (motion sickness, woo!) I do enjoy experiencing other peoples little traditions as well as making up new ones.

For some reason I can't get any buy in from people to sing rounds anymore...

I want a tiny pterosaur for my birthday

2008-02-22T16:25:00.002+11:00

For anyone who is starting a list now for my next birthday (only 10months away people!) here's one for you: a tiny little pterosaur (not a dinosaur)!

I promise to feed it and walk it and take real good care of it. And train it to catch ladybugs for me. Puh-leeeaase can I have one?

love Miff xoxo

Bringing the HP Home

2008-02-19T09:41:00.002+11:00

Escaping the evil clutches of stupid overlord in Sydney, HP is making a return to Melbs. I think everyone here is more excited about it than she is! Me particularly, as it is rare for me to never have lived in the same city as one of my favourite people.

I know she is sad to be leaving Sydney, but a fresh start away from idiotic co-workers is good for the soul.

I'm worried that this could mean bad things for my body as her arrival may mean the consumption of much beer. However, if she is still on her pilgrimage training, it may be a good thing for my fitness levels.

Sending her lots of kisses and love, hoping that the move isn't too traumatic and that the dickhead possibly pulls his finger out and actually talks to her. Not that I'm cranky at him or anything...

Proud mum

2008-02-19T09:28:00.002+11:00

I am the proud mother of two small dogs who took their first ever swim on the weekend! So cute! Husband and I drove our dear little rat-dogs to the doggie beach at Brighton for the second time. Last time they had a little paddle, but this time were brave enough to go out of their depth and swim around.

Now I'm behaving ridiculously like an overly proud parent - which of course I am - I think though my excitement is a little bit over the top. I'm not convinced they were having fun, more that they were trying to follow husband and I, but they seemd pretty willing to swim to us and then turn around and swim back.

Buster was using her tail for a rudder, but Beans, who must have had his tail docked when he was a pup, seemed to manage OK without.

Mostly I'm proud of their braveness, but it is quite daunting to think that they trust us enough to be encouraged to come to us when we call* when that is possibly a scary thing for them.

Buster even put her head under the water to pick up a golf ball. And then sneezed.

We met lots of other dogs - mostly big water loving ones who gulumphed around wanting pats and trying to steal our ball.

They both rolled in lots of muddy sea grass, got very sandy, did wee on lots of sand castles (well, anything that was mound shaped) and chased sea gulls, so all in all a very good day.

------------------
* although that begs the question - why don't they come when I call them normally?

Solar Eclipse - here's what it looked like

2008-02-07T16:04:00.000+11:00

Below is what the eclipse looked like using a sun spotter (just lenses and mirrors). Also had some solar telescopes set up but didn't have the technology to take a photo through that!

Partial Solar Eclipse

2008-02-07T09:38:00.000+11:00

On 7 February there will be an Annular Solar Eclipse. Imagine the Earth out in space, then put the Moon between us and the Sun - voila! You have an eclipse. An annular eclipse (as opposed to a total or full eclipse) is when the apparent size of the Moon is smaller than the Sun, leaving a ring of light around the Moon.

The annular eclipse will be visible if you are lucky enough to be in Antarctica. For those of us who won't make it to Antarctica this afternoon, a partial eclipse will be visible from the eastern states of Australia. In Melbs we will get a 9% eclispe, like the image above.

Not totally impressive, and not noticable unless you are looking at it - however, don't look at it! Unless you have solar telescopes, not a good idea to stare at the sun, what with the blinding and the ow and the pain and the burning. Lucky for me I will be running the solar telescopes at work for the public - my favourite kind of people.

The next Total Solar Eclipse will occur on 1 August 2008 and will be visible in Canada, northern Greenland, the Arctic, Siberia, Mongolia and China. Australia will see its next partial eclipse on 26 January 2009, but will have to wait until 13 November 2012 for our next Total Solar Eclipse.

In daylight saving time -

Eclipse begins: 2:39pm / Eclipse maximum: 3:28pm / Eclipse ends: 4:15pm

21 Pirate Salute

2008-01-31T09:55:00.000+11:00

Little sister turned 21 over the long weekend and we celebrated in the 'Berra on a pirate ship. Well, more of a boat really, but the fake shark and pirate dummies on the top deck certainly made it piratey. Oh, and the forty pirate attired guests.

The less piratey side of things was the pole for pole dancing and the strangely gross and slightly creepy 'captain' (read: dude who drives boat).

I felt v creative and talented as hubby and I sported home made costumes that I had actually made. I am soooooo the domestic goddess! I bought some cheap pirate flags - the $2 shop (where everything is not actually $2) was having a 20% off closing down sale so I bought all of their pirate flags - and turned two into a dress for me and two into pants for the man.

Unfortunately I don't own a sewing machine and was only able to borrow an over-locker. Over-locking is a commitment and one not to be taken lightly - once you over-lock there is no turning back!

How does one make pants and a dress without patterns? Deconstruct old clothes of course! The dress was easy enough - all I really did was cut around another dress and sew up the sides. Pretty straight forward. Pants on the other hand are more of a challenge. I wanted each leg to be wrapped in a flag so only want to do the pants in two pieces (usually you'd do four I think) so I cut up an old pair of my jeans to make the man's pants. I had the idea that because I'm bigger than him that they'd be sure to fit, so did a quick 'fitting' with the pants pinned up and the went merrily on my over-locking way and made a pair of pants.

All was travelling well, they looked like an actual pair of pants and because I had no elastic, zipper or button hole maker so I decided I'd be clever and make wrap around top that he'd just tie up so they'd stay on. Hurrah for me! The domestic goddess reigns supreme!

Then he tried the pants on.

Turns out when you copy a pair of girls pants to make a pair of boy pants there isn't enough doodle space (to put it delicately...). This small (but tight) problem was no problem for the domestic goddess though - ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce to you... THE GUSSET!!!

Yes, through the help of a gusset, or modesty panel, my husband was contained and was ready to party! Although he seemed to have a slight squint all day, which originally I attributed to the glare form the water, but in hindsight it may have been a pants problem.

Peanut butter is good for the soul

2008-01-22T09:05:00.000+11:00

Saw this on a road sign in North Fitzroy - the only correction I'd make is that the drawing should be of crunchy peanut butter, but I think the message still rings true.

Peanut butter has been useful the last couple of days - best way to get the dogs to take tablets. Both puppies are on antibiotics after a $270 trip to the vets on the weekend. Hurrah. So the peanut butter has saved the day again.

Actually I'm slightly addicted to nut butter at the moment. Bought a jar at the supermarket which had cashews, almonds, peanuts and something else - basically it is crushed oily nutty goodness and I wish I could eat it all day... instead it encourages me to get up early and walk the dogs, because this means I have time to have breakfast at home rather than having cereal when I get to work.

Liquid Nitrogen - I resisted

2008-01-11T08:38:00.000+11:00

I managed to resist the urge to pour liquid nitrogen over myself in the heat, so froze some metal, a balloon, a flower and some lettuce instead. Not quite as satisfyingly cooling, but it was better than nothing. And I suppose the 500-odd people watching probably found that more interesting than watching me hurt myself.

We are in for another scorcher here today, and very cheekily slept with the air con on all night (it is already 33degrees outside at 8.30am). Hanging out for that cool change...

No more holidays.

2008-01-05T10:22:00.000+11:00

Had such a ncie Chrissy break at the beach with my bee-atches that it was hard to come back home and go to work. Actaully, it is quite a relief to be back in my own bed and my own town - I just wish I lived at Potato Point!

Weather has been ridiculously hot here in Melbs, and I'm glad we have air con in the lounge room. I am very not amused by the lack of cooling down at night though.

I'm pretty sure I used to like summer, but maybe I just think that in winter, cos I'm pretty sure I don't like winter during winter...

Currently presenting a liquid nitrogen/Antarctica show outside at work during the hols. Even though I know liquid N would burn me/cause cell death I still get urges on those hot days to maybe just pour some over me. Have managed not to give into that one, so snaps for me.

Haven't got much work on, which is boring and a little frustrating. This is what you get when your manager forgets they are your manager and goes on leave without giving you any work... ho hum. Am about to spend 4hrs straight in the Planetarium, which I am not all that excited about. Boredom usually hits about 15mins in.

Gee I sound liek a happy little sparrow today! That's what working weekends will do for you I suppose!

Christmas Birthdays

2007-12-18T09:17:00.000+11:00

True story. It happened to a friend of a friend of mine...

Actually my parents told me this story from the weekend and it was just so lovely I had to post it.

Picture a small 6yr old talking to her mother.

6yr: Mum, What's the name of that man you were telling me about? The one who's having his birthday soon?

Mum: Jesus.

6yr: Oh yeah. He must be the luckiest man in the world - imagine having your birthday on Christmas Day!

Too cute. I told this story to a man I work with who has his birthday on Christmas Day (which I think explains a lot about him, especially the bitterness...) - his response was along the lines of: "Ha. Lucky. Yes."

In other birthday related news, mine is this Friday - woot!

Geckos and Bananas

2007-12-14T09:03:00.000+11:00

I had no idea we had geckos in Victoria until husband spotted one on our backyard umbrella this morning.

I'm very curious to know what type of gecko it was, so have emailed the Museum Victoria Discovery Centre. They have an 'ask an expert' function where you can email them and they either research the answer or find out through one of the Museum scientists / curators / historians / museoligists etc.

While I was there I noticed their question of the week - is a Banana a vegetable, fruit or a herb? Surprisingly the answer is two of these... see here.

G is for Greedy

2007-12-08T10:39:00.000+11:00

I think from now on there should be a ban on anyone dying, or if that isn't possible, no more wills. Or something.

It seems to me that perfectly happy families can have the most outrageous and serious fall-outs when someone dies. Secrets come out, people begin to associate material objects as a measure for love/relationship strength (myself included), greed and theft is discovered...

Suffice to say husband has not had a pleasant week with the passing of a family member, and consequently, neither have I. We've had numerous moments of shock, disbelief, and more than one rant about the craziness and greediness of people. Secrets will out, and people expose themselves as unthinking and stupid, so much so that they then can't bring themselves to attend their own mothers funeral as it would mean facing up to their actions.

Almost everyone has a story about a family fall-out following a death. I've always found it very easy to 'pooh-pooh' these situations - how could you possibly be that angry with someone who you love (and share your genes with) over something as trivial as money and objects?

My experiences over the last couple of years has shown that there really is a darker underbelly that lurks, waiting to inherit... and all this time I just thought I had a nice tan going on.

Don't you love being at work on a weekend?

Me? Worm in a hat? Hell yeah!

2007-12-07T09:16:00.000+11:00

Arrived this morning to find a christmas card and cute cookie sitting on my desk: Is it wrong that I probably am the most likely person to appreciate a worm in a hat?

These Boots have gone to bed

2007-12-04T20:44:00.000+11:00

We won, we won, we won!

My four teammates and I totally just won the Singing Office and a shiny trophy too - oh yeah baby, we totally rock. It is such a pretty, shiny trophy that a drag queen tried to steal it. OK, so he was actually from Four N Twenty Pies and was still in his make up, but still, it speaks volumes of the loveliness of the trophy.

Hence it needs close guarding...Was ever grateful to the beautiful QKC girls who all made the special trip down for a second reunion for the year.
We drank. A lot. And then we woke up and did it again. We were bemused by drunken Irishmen, two of us suffered bumps on the head (from the same evil seat), and lets face it, we all faniced ourselves in the pink cowgirl hat!

I'm sad that the singing and performing and receiving of the attention is all over, but at least I can watch the DVD anytime and remember when I had my fifteen minutes...

Admittedly that 'anytime' has been several times. I know its considered a problem when you drink by yourself, but is it so worng to watch yourself by yourself?

Fiestas, Cocktails and Polish Festivals...

2007-11-19T15:59:00.000+11:00

Was lucky enough to have my very own Judges Associate visit for the weekend.

She flew in on Saturday and after a morning tea of canoli we decided to hit Brunswick St. Much to our surprise half of Johnston St was close doff for a Spanish Fiesta - I have never seen so much paella in my life! We settled down to share a plate of paella behind some bins in the gutter (there were no seats anywhere and you can't share paella standing up!) and consequently ended up with saffron fingers. Because we were planning some nice boutique visits we thought it best to wash our hands. Unfortunately the pub had no soap, but water was better than nothing.

I had some success though - sepite having been up Brunswick St only five days prior I actually managed to buy some Christmas presents! So I'm feeling very good and polishing my halo as we speak. Or write. Or read. Whatever.

So the whole afternoon was spent looking at beautiful things, marvelling at the crazy Melbourne weather (hot, cold, raining) and wishing we had thousand sof dollars to spend on ourselves.

We went home and had a little lemoncello to prepared ourselves for a tram trip back to Brunswick St to go to a cocktail bar. I can never choose what to have so the bar staff picked for me. Four hits and one miss (I hate cherry flavour). Several lovely drinkies, a proscuitto and rockmelon pizza later we tottered back home on the tram.

Talk of school days for some reason inspired the dreaded 'bringing out of the year books'. I seem to have been a slightly twisted and possibly bitter young woman - it was the scribble on the sporting pages saying 'Death to all netballers' and the scrawl across the Rock Eisteddfod page saying 'That was shit, utter shit' that worried me most of all.

Husband arrived home from games conference mildly squiffy, the three of us talked shit for another hour or so and then went to bed. An hour later Buster freaked about the storms that was brewing and made her unease felt by woofing and crying at our door then breaking into the spare room to frighten the life (and sleep) out of our guest.

The next day opened with rain -lots of rain. I was higly dubious of the predicted 30 degree day - more fool me. Of course, I'm in Melbourne, so I only had to wait an hour and it was boiling bloody hot!

We decided to check out South Bank - we parked at Fed Square and as we were heading toward the bridge, the Judges Associate noticed a guy at a market stal with a Polish flag on his hat. Being of a Polish persuasion she wanted to check it out. Suddenly we realised we were in the middle of a Polish Festival! Where else could you accidentally stumble across two festivals?

We enjoyed the sea of red and white clothes, made some purchases at the stall and made our way on to South Bank, where we found ourselves in a craft market. So many market stalls had launched themselves upon us poor innocents! But we survived... with ice cream from Trampoline mostly. I had peanut nutter and white choc raspberry. Yummy!

I dropped my Judges Associate at her hotel and we are hoping to catch up again before she flies back to Sydney and I fly up to the Berra.

Have jsut had a small Singing Office rehearsal, have another on Wednesday. We are on the telly this Sunday!!!

Getting nervous...

2007-11-16T17:10:00.000+11:00

I'm getting strangely nervous about visiting Old Work next week. It wouldn't be too bad if I was just going for a catch up, but I'm going in a professional capacity.

I think part of the weirdness will be that everything will be the same at Old Work, whereas I've been away, had adventures, changed and don't regret leaving.

Not actually worried about the content of my presentation, which in itself is a worry! Hmmm, perhaps I should focus on this first?

Is it wrong to feel weird about going back to Old Work?

Christmas Uninspirationness

2007-11-12T15:05:00.001+11:00

I was getting myself geared up to do some Christmas shopping today, but it hasn't really gone to plan. I was going to come back today with loads of presents and inspiration and ideas for what I would like for myself.

BUT

I came home with wrapping paper (good start, at least it is for Christmas) and rugs for home from Ikea, Swedish beer also from Ikea, a $1 hot dog (good old Ikea), rope toys for the dogs (go team Reject Shop!), some pumpkin and potatoes. I also came home with an overwhelming feeling of dread and total uninspirationness (so totally a word).

I think the problem lay in the fact that I was shopping in a mall - not the most inspiring of places when it comes to buying unique gifts.

And I couldn't help but go to Ikea - I was in Richmond and kind of accidentally tripped over and my car fell into a parking spot at Ikea and then I felt sort of obliged to go in...

Tomorrow I shall adventure beyond the mall and head into Fitzroy I think.

The difficulty this Christmas is that everything will need to fit into a suitcase to fly to Berra, and all of my millions of presents (hint hint) will need to go back in same suitcase. So be prepared to receive small, flat items this year people!

On another note - I also came home with pamphlets and an appointment at the bank for tomorrow about home loans. So that is exciting. But also worrying.

Where did the year go?

2007-11-10T08:40:00.000+11:00

The other day a had that little thought one has about this time every year - "I should really start my Christmas shopping early this year."

I then felt good about myself for remembering to think that.

A few days later, when of course I hadn't yet started my shopping, I realised that in all likelihood this wasn't going to happen. I looked at what remaining weekends were left of the year and what I'd be doing on those weekends and found that I probably won't have time to shop until mid-December. So not really the 'early' I was hoping for.

I'm working this weekend, so might be a good girl and shop on Monday and Tuesday. Although how am I going to get presents to Canberra? I might have to borrow a large suitcase and fill it with pressies, leaving room for only my swimmers and maybe a spare pair of undies.

Where the hell has the year gone? And why is the rest of it quickly evaporating?

Suddenly husband and I were celebrating our 2nd wedding anniversary with two bottles of Moet (we figure it should be one for each year, we may need help when we get to our 5th year). Lovely meal of Cafe La again as per last year (why break with tradition?) followed by cocktails in the Atrium Bar. I was so drunk I was speaking in a French accent, but had a marvellous time!

This week I did a segment for a kids science show on Ten called Scope. So watch out at 4pm on New Years Eve and watch me crap on about what a solar year is. It was a lot of fun actually. The cameraman said he was impressed that I could remember a whole sentence. Apparently weathermen and reporters can't. Not really sure how challenging it could possibly be, but then I suppose I'm used to learning science shows.

Rehearsals are going to start picking up for the Singing Office finals, so I've got These Boots stuck in my head again. Can I get a suee? Can I get a yeehah? Have got QKC girls dropping in for the finals weekend and a certain Brisvegans birthday.

Have got my very own Judges Associate coming to stay next weekend and have commiseratory (is that a word?) drinks over a boy, possibly go to the Speigl Tent for a burlesque show.

Husband is MC-ing the Games Connect conference again this year, although it is in Melbs so no free trip to Brisvegas for us this year.

Will be having a flying visit to the Berra for work and for a certain little brother's Emo themed birthday in a couple of weeks. Slightly scared about going back to Q. Feeling very weird about it, but not sure why.

Anyways, gotta turn on the Planetarium before the punters arrive...

Post Traumatic Stress Dress-ups

2007-10-30T17:06:00.001+11:00

After having scared myself on Saturday afternoon (see previous post) I decided to play dress-ups. I had been shopping to buy crappy jewellery and a top for the work Christmas party which is 80s themed (and admittedly about seven weeks away) so had already been rummaging through my dress-up box.

Now begs the question - is it wrong that I have a dress-up box? I've got a few wigs, random outfits and costumes that I've collected over the years. I've got a mother who will make costumes under sufferance (well, she rolls her eyes, but I'm not convinced that she isn't actually enjoying herself) so have got a couple of nifty bits and bobs.

So below is some piccies of me playing dress-ups from the neck up.

I can't help having a short attention span! I think I need a new hobby...

How to freak yourself out

2007-10-30T16:59:00.000+11:00

Step 1: Get really bored on a Saturday afternoon.

Step 2: Decide that you want to see whether you can give yourself a faux-hawk.

Step 3: Use lots of wax and hairspray and mould hair into shape.

Step 4: Prance around the house proudly demonstrating new hairstyle to uninterested husband.

Step 5: Get out mobile phone to take photo of self.

This is where the freaking yourself out bit comes into it...

Step 6: Look at photo and realise the YOU ARE IN FACT A CLONE OF YOUR YOUNGER BROTHER!!!! Eek!!!!!

Step 8: Get little to no sympathy from husband who can't understand why I should be surprised that I look like my sibling.

Step 7: Immediately go and wash hair and decide to play dress-ups instead.

Busy Girl

2007-10-26T08:44:00.000+10:00

I feel like I haven't had much time to myself of late (or time alone with the internerd, to be more precise). The new job has, perhaps not surprisingly, meant I'm a lot busier. HOwever I'm still also doing my old work until the position is filled. Ah me.

The busyness at work has been due to a couple of things - the big one was the Model SOlar Vehicle Challenge which we hosted over last weekend - and I was the "lucky" person who got to cooridntate it on the day (thankfully not the organiser). Below is a piccie of myself and ever lovely workmate Stina on the roof at work checking out the exciting solar action. Well, mildly interesting solar aciton anyway.
We also had a quick excursion out to see ASIMO the robot, who is built by Honda. I'd read a bit about him (info and footage of him was part of my Winter Holiday program) and was quite disappointed with the show Honda had put on. Admittedly the show was at Chadstone Mall, which I equate to the Tuggeranong Hyperdome (this may not be fair on Chadstonians, but it was the first time I'd been there and there was definitely a 'South of the Lake' feel about it, Canberrans will know what I mean).

The show seemed to be mostly ASIMO being preprogrammed - i.e. not actually being a robot at all - and also about selling Honda cars. Plus the script was awful. ASIMO was quite cute, a little bit creepy and had a dreadful prerecoorded Australian soundtrack which was supposed to be his voice. He is an amazing piece of technology, just a shame they didn't actually showcase his robotic skills.

I was lucky enough to receive two Ccanberra visitors over the last week - Lan and Ryan (at different times). A nice break from thinking about work and catching up on lots of goss.

Husband, Stina and I also went to the Comedy Club on Collins St - four comedians who all told similar jokes (mostly about how young policemen are and about fingers up bums).

Also caught up with baby CHarlie who is four weeks old now. Had lots of cuddles. THankfully hormones havne't taken over my body and I still have some consciousness left - not feeling clucky at all! Yay!

Blistered thumb and sore fingertips

2007-10-13T22:42:00.000+10:00

How do guitarists keep their fingers from dropping off? Everytime I have a little guitar session I seem to end up with tender fingertips and a blister on my thumb from strumming. I try to use a pick but sometimes that makes it too loud to sing with.

There also seems to be a correlation between how drunk I am and how damaged my hands are the next day.

Suffice to say my fingers are very sore and I'm still drinking lots of water this evening.

At least I had company last night - although husband is not musically inclined (other than listening to a lot of it) his bestie had a little sing with me and his brother was happy to get on the microphone and break it down old skool style. No really. Dear god we were pissed. And probably loud. And I tried to play ukelele which took way too much concentration.

Anyway, I'm enjoying having dad's leccy guitar and amp down in Melbs now. Once I've got some batteries for the wah wah peddle there'll be no holding me back!

New job, conference and apple stickers

2007-10-12T08:49:00.000+10:00

Was happy to find I was successful in a job application recently, and this week I started in the position. I'm now the Senior Programs Officer - so basically I've just got an extra word in front of my job title. More responsibility, more of the boring admin, but longer term projects and a little bit more money.

This was nicely timed as the job came with a registration for the Australasian Science & Technology Exhibitors Network annual conference which ran on Monday and Tuesday this week here at work. Whilst the conference was very interesting, it meant I got to spend two days hanging out with Robyne from Questy - who would have to be one of the nicest people I know. We had a lot of fun catching up on ALL the gossip, drinking champers and laughing.

Both of these things means I've been super busy, but thankfully husband provided me with some light relief earlier this week when he asked me on morning whether I'd stuck an apple sticker behind his ear the day before. Amidst my giggles of bemusedness I managed to admit that no, I had not stuck an apple sticker behind his ear. Even though I wish it was something I had somehow managed to do, I really couldn't take the credit for it. I can't really recall the last time I ate an apple near him (seeing as I eat them at work).

Thus began our little own X-File - how had the sticker got there? Was it a sticker from one of our apples? He didn't know. How long had it been there? He wasn't sure. How had he not felt the sticker on his ear? Had someone stuck it on his jumper and it got transferred to his ear maybe? Seemed likely, but who can say? Thinking of this has kept me amused the rest of the week.

Then yesterday afternoon one of the girls suggested I do something a little bit naughty - that I should take her apple sticker (different type of apple to ours) and stick it fairly obviously behind my ear. I didn't think I'd be able to keep a straight face when I picked him up form work, but when he did notice I managed to cover it OK... I began by accusing him of putting it there to get me back even though I didn't actually put it there, then followed up with lots of giggling in confusion. I kept randomly giving him accusing stares and then giggling in the car on the hour drive home. Is it wrong that I find myself so funny?

With the arrival of husband's best mate and brother, I quickly organised for them to have apple stickers behind their ears, just to really confuse matters. Unfortunately I couldn't hold it together any more and totally cracked, admitting that I had set him up slightly.

Still - I wasn't the original apple sticker sticker, I just took a good idea and ran with it...

Get Up's climate change ad

2007-09-29T11:49:00.000+10:00

In case you haven't seen it yet: Get Up's climate change ad.

Hoping it actually makes it to public telly...

"Have you seen one of the penis pumps?"

2007-09-29T11:18:00.000+10:00

...was the question we got on the phone at work this morning.

Yes, someone at the Museum was looking for one of the three penis pumps in the collection, with some urgency (as you can imagine - when you need a penis pump you really need one) for some ad they were filming apparently. Something about having motorbike accidents and then breaking your penis. Or something. Apparently one had been borrowed last year to take to a conference (dear god I hope it was in a professional way) and the others (yes, there's more than one) are apparently here in our collections (which you can't access unless you are a collections staff member).

The girl looking for it thought we may have one of them out on one of our Touch Trolleys here.

Yes. Penis Pump. And Yes. Touch Trolley. I'm not sure of the appropriateness of the "Penis Touch Trolley" in a family museum. Our Touch Trolleys are more feathers and animal skins, and less penis related items.

Then she suggested maybe it was a prop in an old science show - the "Phallic Fun Show"? "Penis Power Show"? "Pump it up show"? Suffice to say we were stumped, but went searching for it anyway.

Mind you, I wouldn't know what it looked like - the description was along the lines of two cylinders with a pump. hmm... So I thought I'd do a quick search of the collections on our database, and here it is:

Kind of scary actually. And certainly not an object I have ever seen in my daily working life.

We couldn't find the penis pump, but it has provided endless mirth for us this morning.

Yackandandandandandandandandandah

2007-09-27T09:11:00.000+10:00

Spent last weekend in the little town of Yackandandah (like the word 'banana' it is easy to get carried away when trying to write it). Only about a 3.5 hours drive from Melbs, near Wadonga. The weekend was in aid of celebrating mum's 50th and the grand plan included a bush walk in training for the Camino Pilgrimage in Spain next year.

The dogs went off to the kennels for a mini break and husband and I jumped into the Forester and headed north. We met up with the family at the B&B we were staying in. Now to comments on the first B - the Beds were those weird foam core ones (no springs in the mattress) which, after a couple of nights on it, I was not well sold on. The second B was less than desirable - Breakfast was cereal and toast (hello - I can have that at home!) and a cooked breaky was extra. I thought the point of B&B's was that you got nice and special B's, not weird foam core ones and toast/cereal ones.

However, it did have a beautiful surrounding, garden full of birds and a pond full of frogs. Lovely green grass, smelling nice and clean. And the best part of all was having an en suite! Yay!

I'd forgotten how blue a sky can be when there's no pollution, and how many stars you can see at night when there's no light pollution.

We had dinner at the Star Hotel, a nice little pub where the boy who served us had a nice red stripe in his hair that matched mine. This pub was also the filming location for Strange Bedfellows a Michael Caton/Paul Hogan flick from 2004.

Saturday was the day of the bush walk. I had done something to me knee at the gym earlier in the week so was sporting a lovely knee brace. We drove to Beechworth (20km from Yack) and first walked around the gorge. A nice 5km walk, not too stressful, slight inclines. We picked up some lunch in the bakery and then headed off on another walk.

There were lots of mine openings from the gold rush days, some of which had mesh covers because they were on the track - walking over them was a little creepy.

This walk was much more of a hike - lots of hills and valleys. My knee was getting pretty sore, but seeing as I enjoy whinging this was OK. 15km later we got back to Beechworth - I was absolutely rooted. I was tired and my feet were really sore. It was then I realised that I only had heeled boots to wear to dinner that night. eep!

Dinner again at the Star Hotel, but we were mostly too tired to get drunk. I couldn't even finish my glass of Moet. That's when I realised it was definitely bed time! Good old foam core.

The drive home on Sunday was nice and quick, despite having a bit of a stressful moment when my several cups of tea from breakfast caught up with my bladder. There was a moment when I really thought I might have to find a convenient bush on the side of the road - thank god that truck stop came up when it did! Best wee ever.

Singing Office

2007-09-18T09:28:00.000+10:00

Can I get a yee haw?

Video below isn't of me, but you can hear me singing in the background.

Blow me a cornflour fire ball

2007-09-16T17:58:00.001+10:00

How to get your workplace on TV show you are participating in? Easy.

1) Make yourself iconic by wearing lots of red (easy becasue that's all I own) and ladybug jewellery and handbag (again, simple because I own these things).
2) Offer a desk covered in ladybugs and talk about how great it would be if they could have seen it rather than filming you at a random desk somewhere else.
3) When the producer agrees to film you at your workplace, ensure you perform something a little bit spectactular that needs little to no effort on your behalf - ta daa! Cornflour fire ball!
4) Ensure you have a crowd of children around who say 'ooh' and 'ahh' everytime you make said fire ball.

I love my job sometimes.

The Scarlet Witch

2007-09-12T16:45:00.000+10:00

Took the Marvel Superhero Personality Test (I do so love online tests and quizzes) - and check me out baby!

heh heh. Well, I do love red... and I'm sure husband would agree with the 'lacks the specialized mystic training required to fully control her powers.'

Cinderella moment

2007-09-11T09:17:00.000+10:00

Once upon a time in a Kingdom far, far away (well, south of the border)...

I had to buy some new knee high stockings because my dogs had managed to play tug-of-war with all my others. Not that this is exciting news for anyone, but sometimes you need some back story.

The new stockings are much silkier and slipperier (is that a word?) than my old ones, which meant that as I came upstairs to work this morning I kept leaving my shoes on the stairs.

Felt very Cinderella, although my size 10 clod hoppers aren't exactly crystal slippers.

I sat at my desk singing 'One day my prince will come' for a bit, looking around for small birdies to sit on my shoulders before realising that was probably a Snow White thing and nothing to do with retrieving shoes, and more about eating bad fruit.

No fairy godmother and no Prince Charming appeared so I was forced to go and retrieve the shoes myself.

What is the world coming to when a Princess has to retrieve her own shoes from the stairs where they fell off because her stockings were too slippery?

Rest In Peace Mr Tesla Coil

2007-09-07T09:18:00.000+10:00

I was cleaning up after a Lightning Room show on Wednesday when the other person in the theatre with me ran out and told me that the Tesla Coil was on fire.

It was sooooo exciting! Usually I have to hunt the firemen down when they come on site - but this time they came to me!

He burnt very well, melted real good and made lots of smoke.

More piccies on Facebook.

These Boots Are Made For Walkin'

2007-09-01T16:38:00.000+10:00

If anyone ever says to you - 'Would you like to go on a random TV show where you and a team of people from your work compete against another team of people by having a dance and a sing off?'

Make sure you say 'Hell yeah!'

Have had so much fun the last two days. Spent most of the time being filmed singing and dancing and am absolutely effing exhausted, but it was totally worth it. Can't wait to perform in front of a crowd with the costume and hair and make up and cameras.

Will let you know if a clip shows up on You Tube (there is rumour that it will).

Check it.

Singing it up

2007-08-23T16:55:00.001+10:00

I'm going to a singing audition tomorrow for work, which should be interesting. Slightly nervous as I didn't realise the auditions were going to be filmed.

Also deathly embarrassed at having to fill in an application form. The bit where you have to write down your hobbies and interests is depressing because I can only ever think of writing 'knitting' - which probably doesn't thrill the producer and makes me sound very very lame - I'm ntor eally lame! I swear! And yes, I'd love write down an embarrassing moment - that would be just great. And a sad moment too? Are you hoping for a nice touching story with tears? No worries - I'd love to have an emotional outburst captured on film.

However, it will be a lot of fun if I get past the audition stage. And if I don't they'll probably get that emotional outburst they were hoping for... *winks*

Spanish Pilgrims

2007-08-19T17:00:00.000+10:00

This weekend in Melbs we had a few interstaters fly in to discuss and plan a trip to Spain next year. We were blessed with chere maman from the Berra and all the way form old Sydney town came the ever lovely HP - whose hair is in a very spunky and spikey purpley-red style at the moment.

This trip to Spain is not just any old trip - this (apparently) is a pilgrimage. Husband and I are not participating. I think the crew are planning to walk around 20km a day for some number of weeks. I can't remember exactly.

It was hard to interpret precisely what they were saying as husband and I arrived for dinner a couple of hours after they had got together, and by the floor show we were getting I'm assuming they had been drinking during this time period as well.

With all these pilgrims sitting around with drinks in hand, it wasn't long before stories and tales began to pour out. I was wondering if this was how Chaucer put his stuff together. Pilgrims certainly are entertaining...

Because the basis of a pilgrimage is usually about atoning for ones sins, there was discussion of trading 'goodness' points so that they would all be on equal starting points (as I'm pretty sure some of these pilgrims would have been having to walk a lot further than others to 'de-sin' themselves). I think this pilgrimage will probably more have its basis in wine drinking than anything else. And if small blonde sister has anything to do with it there will be many detours via museums and interesting architecture.

Conversation somehow got onto the topic of using a panadol as contraceptive by holding it between your knees...

I lost track after that and could drink enough to keep up with (read: understand) what they were saying, but it was fun to watch nonetheless!

The world is way too small

2007-08-14T15:05:00.000+10:00

Today I was hosting a visiting school group from Lyneham High School (back in Canberra) whose school concert band is on a one week tour at the moment. They came to my work to play a couple of sets and visit our exhibitions.

It was effing freezing here today, and I had already been complaining about it being a very Canberra morning because we had a frost. I was in the middle of welcome this kiddies when I said something about being from Canberra and one of the boys piped up and said "I know you! You taught me drama at Youth Theatre when I was in year 1". Freakily enough I recognised him immediately after eight years.

I then said something about having worked at Questacon, and one of the teachers said "I used to volunteer there!".

Freaky deaky. This world is totally too small. More specifically, Canberra is too small.

Burnin' down the house

2007-08-08T12:10:00.000+10:00

Last night the church from my old primary school in Canberra burnt down. see here. Although I'm not a practising Catholic, it is sad to think of this beautiful building being burnt out. So many times we had school masses and I'd sit staring at the stained glass making pictures in it.

Husband is convinced we were slightly brainwashed as children because every time we drove past the school church I'd burst into some random church song. I think this says more about me loving music (and the sound of my own voice) than brainwashing - I would parallel it with remembering random themes songs from TV shows or ads from when I was little (Astro Boy anyone?).

Anyways, just wanted to give a small nod to a building in which I spent time in over many years(all be it not necessarily by choice) that holds some nice memories.

Watch out who you call a nerd

2007-08-07T16:35:00.000+10:00

I find the term 'nerd' quite endearing and will happily admit to being a science nerd. The word 'geek' however has more of an IT feel to it to me and wouldn't ever use that term for myself.

Some people (read 'Americans') may take a bit of offence at being called a 'nerd' over the internet (read 'internerd') and, you know, want to drive 2000km to kill the person who called them that... right? That's normal... totally. Yup. Normal.

Yeesh.

How does one buy a house exactly?

2007-08-05T12:13:00.000+10:00

Recently the average cost of buying a house in Melbourne has been its highest ever - $420,000.

Husband and I aren't the best of savers*, but we are trying. We figure it will probably take us at least a couple of years to save a deposit.

Out of interest I thought I'd have a play on some on-line home loan calculators. Which was a sad mistake. We'll probably end up with some ridiculously lengthy loan which means that we'll end up paying $950k by the end of a $350k loan. That is soooo much interest!!! And the repayments aren't likely to leave us with much cashola - but is it worth it just to own a house?

Then, out of some sort of need to torture myself, I jumped onto Domain to see what house prices were around the place. I don't think I could bring myself to live further out than we already do, but price may prohibit that choice. Why oh why do the pretty ones cost so much money?

I know people buy houses, but how exactly does one do that?

And how do people afford kids into that bargain as well? We've always thought we'd like to own our own house before having kidlets, but I may be retiring before that happens.

Current plan is to make husband and I the sole beneficiaries of everyone we know and then start bopping them on the head. But then who would we invite to our house warming?

If anyone is feeling philanthropic I'm happy to give you my banking details. Think of me as an investment. I can be very entertaining and I'm sure you will feel your money is well invested. Plus I'll happily have a cup of tea with you at ANY TIME. I'll even throw two small dogs into the bargain... although perhaps that isn't a selling point... I'll let you, um, drive my car?

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*Problem of living in Melbourne is that there is too much fun shopping!

Driving the steam engine

2007-08-03T09:49:00.000+10:00

Last October I got to drive a small tractor and have a ride on the Cowley Steam Traction Engine (see here). Last weekend I was brave enough to actually drive the massive Cowley around the arena at work.

Because it is so huge it has a lot of momentum, but it also goes very slowly. So as I was navigating my way around the outside of the arena, each time I'd come to a corner I felt like I was about to run into the fence - just very very slowly. It was a little bit scary just because of its enormity.

My favourite bit was blowing the big whistle every time I went past a bunch of kidlets. I had many compliments afterwards on my whistle blowing skills.

I love the random adventures I have here!

The next obsession

2007-07-31T13:48:00.000+10:00

Thanks to Hebby I am now addicted to another bloody number puzzle.

I present... Hitori!

Hebby suggested I try it and sent me the link. Yesterday (being a day off after working the weekend) I decided to give it a go. Two hours later I realised it was two hours later, and that I had been playing for two hours.

It took me a while to develop some strategies and suffice to say now that I have the hang of it I can't stop playing. I catch myself saying 'just one more, then I'll stop'. I'm starting to worry that I have an addictive personality.

Fairy godmothering

2007-07-31T13:29:00.000+10:00

I had a lovely surprise visit from my fairy god-daughter, Cynthia (CJ), today. She (and her parents) were down in Melbs to introduce their southern family to Patricia (now 14 weeks old).

Being the good fairy godmother that I am I had a box of Duplo (like giant Lego - did anyone else have that when they were a kid?), bags full of soft toys and lots of hats and treasures to put on and show off. I am also SUCH a good fairy godmother that I gave CJ several 'wizzy dizzies'* in the back yard, despite it making the two of us incredibly, um, dizzy (as the name implies).

I love surprise visits, especially when it means I get to go to one of the Greek cake shops, stare longingly at the cases until they offer to just pick out cakes for me to save me the heart breaking decision of leaving some cakes behind. mmmm, cakes....

Pictured here is Cat JK (aka 'mummy'), myself and CJ.

Who knew it would be so hard to explain to a two year old what a Thelma and Louise photo is?

It was lovely to have a cuddle with little Patricia, who is a very happy and wriggly baby. It was doubly lovely to see Cat JK and Euan again, even though I saw them at Rup & Bek's wedding it was nice to sit down with a caffeinated beverage, several sweet things and just chat. A lovely way to round off my Monday/Tuesday weekend.

_________________

* In my family a 'wizzy dizzy' is when a big person (usually my poor dad) held you by the hands an spun you round in the air. Not sure what everyone else calls them. Dear god it made me feel sick though. The older I get the easier I get dizzy and the less I like it.

A cultural weekend with Nellie

2007-07-24T13:11:00.001+10:00

I was lucky enough to have little blister Nellie down in Melbs for the weekend (due to certain stinky boys whose name is an actual word, which is just silly, and as if you would have orange as your favourite colour - what.ever.). She flew in Thursday night and our planning of a very culturally inspired weekend began to take shape.

Friday morning saw us trotting off to Melbourne Museum to see the Great Wall of China exhibition, as well as some of the other permanent exhibits (Phar Lap, Bugs Alive, blah blah blah). A couple of interesting hours there and it was back to Preston to pick up our aunt who took us to Heide, contemporary art gallery. It's always beneficial to have an art teacher along with you when visiting galleries.

Friday night we went out to a Japanese restaurant in Northcote with said aunt, Niinz and Anne. Yummy! I'm sooooo loving Japanese food right now.

Saturday was slightly less than cultural and more than a bit indulgent. After a quick breaky at the mall (mmm, muffins) we spent THE WHOLE DAY reading the new Harry Potter book. Which we enjoyed. Every ten minutes or so we'd have to do a quick 'where are you up to? what did you think of...' I managed to finish mine off that night. I enjoyed it, very different to the others. A little on the predictable side, but seeing as it is children's fiction I suppose I can let that one slide!

Sunday saw us back on track with our cultural plans - breakfast at the Vic Markets (well, jam doughnuts anyway) was followed by a visit to ACMI to see a Pixar exhibition. Tasty lunch was followed by a visit to the NGV Ian Potter gallery at Fed Square - both this and Pixar we inspiring and made me miss painting a lot.

Monday Nellie and I caught the train into the city (much less stressful than trying to work out where to park) and went to NGV International to see the Guggenheim Collection. We hired iPods and did an audio tour, which was brilliant. Several hours later (and a quick trip to the NGV shop, I lurve shops at galleries) and we were back on the train home.

A Sodoku race on the train kept us entertained and distracted from the schoolies. A kebab made with Turkish bread kept us warm for our windy (blowy, not curvy) walk home.

Then it was off to the airport!

All in all a lovely weekend, filled with giggling, walking along arm in arm singing stupid songs we made up about each other, lots of chai tea, lots of dog licks and excited squeaks, both wearing jeans and red cons every day, rolling our eyes about random adventures by our bruvver, drinking champagne and doing Marilyn Monroe impressions at each other.

Yay for us and Boo to stinky boys (not you hubby, you are lovely and good and I love you).

LOL Dogs

2007-07-19T11:21:00.000+10:00

LOL cats seem to be taking over the world, and admittedly I have a leetle chuckle at them every now and then. There is even an article on Wiki!

But ultimately I am not a cat person. Whilst husband and I were busy yelling 'oh noes' and 'i can haz insert various item here' at each other last night, I took some piccies of Buster and Beans.

Yes, terribly witty I know.

When I grow up I want to be a robot.

2007-07-17T15:38:00.001+10:00

You Give Me Fever

2007-07-17T15:26:00.000+10:00

Not sure what it was that did give me a fever on Sunday night, but it was not welcome.

Have you ever done that thing where you know you are about to get sick/suspect the milk is off/seen that the bread is mouldy but pretend that you haven't in case it isn't true? I went to bed at a nice reasonable 10.30pm on Sunday night and laid awake for about two hours. I was attributing this to having drunk too much tea throughout the day and was pretending that my joints weren't aching, because that would imply that I had a fever coming on. And having a fever just wasn't on my list of priorities for a Sunday night.

Unfortunately I couldn't actually trick my immune system, so it did what it does best when it comes to things invading my body, and gave me a raging fever. Until about 4am. Well done team.*

Husband said he had thought about telling me to go and take a panadol, but thinks he fell back to sleep instead of actually saying it. Never mind actually offering to get up and bring me panadol in my fever ravaged state! I thought about getting up and doing it myself but I was cold! So cold!

The fever induced some bizarre dreams (more bizarre than normal anyways) such as tracking down kidnapped children using GPS in small dark sewer-like tunnels and finding them drugged and almost dead. Very comforting.

Feeling much better now but am curious what could have set the fever off (or who?) and why I always get fevers in the middle of the night?

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* Not sure if I mean that sarcastically or not. I mean, yes, it is good that my body fought off infection, but really, is the wee hours of the morning a suitable time for this?

Dancing in the mall with strangers and my new handbag

2007-07-10T15:57:00.000+10:00

Yesterday I had a weird experience in the mall. Here I was, strolling along, proudly toting my new handbag (merci maman!), pleasantly relaxed because I wasn't at work and had just had a massage. I had a series of a about three people almost run into me in a row, and each time we both did that thing where you decide to go around each other on the same side, then both go the other way, and then again, coming to a stop, finally make eye contact and you both realise you're doing the weird 'get past a stranger' dance and negotiate who is going where and mumbling sorry through a bit of a giggle.

Although not unusual for this to happen, it happened about three times within one minute.

I think it was because I was trying to watch people to see if they were checking out my new fabulous handbag, rather than paying attention to where I was walking. But where were the other people looking? They didn't have fabulous handbags to distract them! My new purse doesn't quite fit in, but what price beauty?

Foggy Days

2007-07-10T10:27:00.000+10:00

Today has brought with it lots of fog. It is pretty chilly and I'm about to nip off to the hairdressers for about three hours (that's the average length visit anyway).
As usual the dogs have found the toastiest places the laze around (before I cruelly eject them into the cold). Beans has taken to laying under the millions of clothes horses I've got set up to attempt to dry washing. They create nice warm pockets of air which this pretty little boy seeks out.

Good old Melbourne weather. Came across this in my lazy day reading today:

"The day had brightened as much as it was going to, just before the sun prepared to leave. This is a Melbourne weather custom and never fails to annoy both inhabitants and visitors. Melbourne is the only city I know of where you must, at all times and in all seasons, carry an umbrella and a pair of sunglasses. A full change of clothes, a lot of coins to buy tram tickets, sunscreen, a snakebite kit and a charm to repel beggars are also useful. No, I exaggerate. You don't often need a snakebite kit... Late morning would bring clouds and by afternoon it would be either (1) raining or (2) freezing or (3) both. That's why the sunnies and the mac are essential on any day in our great city, where there are four seasons in one day. If there were six seasons, there'd be six."

Kerry Greenwood, Devil's Food

_____________________

UPDATE:

Was at hairdressers for three and a half hours! Gah! Oh well, had time to finish my book.

Visit from the Ho and should I visit Home?

2007-07-05T09:26:00.000+10:00

Well, that's what I call my little bro anyways. I call him 'Ho' he calls me 'Mo'. It all works out pretty fair...

So, Ho and Kaz (Ho's girl) came down on Saturday for a little weekend visit (hurrah for Virginblue sales!) and we had some small adventures. First stop was the Vic Markets, which was uber busy. The jam donuts helped though. Most of the stalls were very samesy, which was disappointing. The Old Bus Depot Markets in 'Berra are good because when they take bookings for stalls they don't allow doubles (although it is considerably smaller).

We went out for dinner to a Thai restaurant in Northcote with Ho's best friend, Ray (aka Sing Star addict). They went out for drinkies and dancing afterwards and I took my sickie-moo-la-la hubby home for more drugs and some sleep.

A lazy Sunday morning for us all - although I got too hungry and had to wake the kids up at around 11am for breaky. They disappeared to go shopping at DFO (I resisted, having been only two weeks previously) and husband and I spent the afternoon playing X-Box and reading, respectively.

The evening brought with it Ray and a Play Station and eight Sing Star discs. And some random Estonians who I didn't really know (gotta love when guests invite people over without telling you). We sang the night away, although I kept getting cranky because I wasn't winning. Damn that Kaz! I drank a bottle of champers, so lets pretend that's why I wasn't winning.

The parentals also flew back in from OS on the Sunday, and it was nice to speak to them in the same time zone. The mater had, of course, an entirely dramatic flight and customs experience (as is her right and royal duty) and the pater a small hiccup with one of my (many hundreds? hopefully?) presents at customs which had bark on it.

Looking forward to seeing the parentals soon, as it has been many many months and I am in bad need of some presents. Trying to think of a good way to either guilt them into visiting, or convincing myself that I feel like driving home for a week (and perhaps visiting the grandparentals ont he south coast who are continually guilting me about not visiting although I now live 12hrs away not 3hrs).

Problem with going home is that I'll have to sleep in the spare bed - evil of evils. It's a double (not a queen - oh the shame!) and much shorter and squeakier than my bed. And it is next to the bathroom, so a bit noisy when you are trying to sleep in.

Would be nice to see my little Nella though...

Hmm, will sit and ponder small holidays.

Lady Bird Mouse!

2007-07-03T13:10:00.000+10:00

How awesome is Glen - he sent me a new mouse for my putey at work! Soooo cute! If only everything in my life came in lady bird versions... my car, my house, my bed, my clothes (practically already are), although perhaps not my husband.

Something about the phrase "check out my new lady bird husband" just doesn't sit right.

The grass is greener

2007-06-28T13:23:00.000+10:00

Check it: grassisgreenerblogspot (as opposed to mine, which is 'wherethegrassisgreener')

Husband thought person was masquerading as me and got worried.

Funny how similar names crop up with websites and blogs - inevitably I always end up at the worng one (usually one with porn).

Time for some anniversaries...

2007-06-25T12:59:00.000+10:00

I realised over the weekend that the 23rd of June was the anniversary of me leaving Questy after nine years.

Followed this week by the anniversary of my aunt Liz dying from mesothelioma last year.

The 30th of June is the anniversary of me leaving Canberra and moving to Melbourne.

To think about where I was this time last year, what was going on, who was sick, who was alive, is all very alien. Thankfully I've still got my dear old papa around, although this time last year I didn't know for how much longer that would be. Be given a very enthusiastic thumbs up by his doctors earlier this year was fabulous, and he and mum are currently in France working on fattening him up again (much to their displeasure, I'm sure!).

The fact that I've been living in Melbourne for a year now (well, 360 days anyway) is just bizarre. Although I was excited to be moving last year, it was so daunting. I had no idea how I was going to cope in a big city away from family and friends. I love it here, and it was a nice feeling when husband and I agreed to sign our lease for another twelve months.

As to who is still alive, this has been less than nice. Of course watching Grey's Anatomy last night may not have been very timely - I seem to bawl almost weekly watching this of late, and it didn't help that the episode included lots of dying. It was strange getting large pieces of furniture from Liz's house just two weeks ago after her house was sold and things found new homes. I missed not getting my birthday card from her in December - the first time in living memory.

The one that still chokes me up, and perhaps has left a bigger hole in my little world, is my uncle Peeter's death in October last year. I still find it hard to understand how much strength his beautiful family have managed to maintain.

Hmmm. A little melancholy for a Monday. Apologies!

Looking forward to visits from brother and his gal this weekend, and the triumphant return of the hopefully plumper parents from France (and my Duty Free perfume - ooh la la!).

Tarantula Web Cam

2007-06-20T16:30:00.000+10:00

Tarantula web cam from Melbourne Museum that is living in quarantine. mmm, spider-licious!

Red Shopping

2007-06-19T11:09:00.000+10:00

Did lots of shopping with the girls on the weekend, and I was very good about not spending too much money.

I bought some little red canvas shoes with white dots and a big bow on top, a pair of red cons, a pair of red sunglasses and a new spangly red wallet.

Is it wrong that most things I own are red or black? It makes it easier getting dressed in the mornings (once I've gotten changed about three times).

Tepanyaki

2007-06-19T09:43:00.001+10:00

I lurve China town, and I especially like to take visitors there. Saturday night we had tepanyaki (which none of us had done before). We shared our table with four drunken women, who were a little on the inexperienced side when it came to chopsticks (which is always cruelly entertaining). One managed to eat her whole meal without actually separating the wooden sticks - I was impressed.

We were draped in paper bibs, and one of the courses was cooked prawn legs (which Lan is eating here).

Natnou couldn't bring herself to eat her prawn legs. They were very crispy and kind of made me think of eating crunchy spiders. They were also uber prawn tasting.

Also on the menu were mushrooms, beef, chicken, bean shoots and baby spinach. We had miso soup and sushi for entree and a yummy lemony icecream for dessert.

How old is my house?

2007-06-15T14:13:00.001+10:00

I've been curious to find out how old my house is. In Canberra a house was old if it was built in the 1970s (no really!) and my mother had suggested our house was probably built in the 1920s. This seems terribly old - almost 90! - so I thought I'd do a bit of research.

Turns out the history of my suburb is actually on Wiki. Wiki tells me (and you have to believe it if its on Wiki) that Preston was first founded on about 1850, but really boomed in the 1920s when the train and tram lines we connected through. Who knew my mother would be right (considering she grew up in Preston I suppose I should have believed...)!

It is so odd/nice to be living in a city with history (that doesn't involve political scandal).

Turns out my local football team (VFL) are the Northern Bullants. Go team!

Everybody needs good Neighbours

2007-06-15T08:43:00.000+10:00

The first time I saw the Neighbours - Official Tours bus I had a little giggle. Who would go on that? I mean, I do like Neighbours but there's something about going on a bus tour to see various Neighbours sites that just seems a little bit lame.

Then I saw the bus again - full of people! Hmm, so obviously someone thinks its a good idea.

Again and again I've seen the bus and begun to wonder where is 'Ramsay St'? Maybe such a tour isn't the silliest thing in the world...

Each time I see it is wears down on my resistance. If I were to get a Melbourne visit from Fitzy (who I know loves Neighbours more than me) I think I would actually consider going on this tour.

Is that wrong?

Harry Potter in the Stars

2007-06-14T13:23:00.001+10:00

Prepare yourself for Harry Potter Fever!

With the fifth movie and the last book due to arrive in July, I'm starting to get the feeling that Harry Potter Fever is going to be taking hold of us all once again (much to my pleasure!). In an effort to make my Planetarium shows a little more 'cool' with the kids I've been looking into Harry Potter in the stars.

Many of the names in Harry Potter have their origins in ancient Greek or Latin. Several names are taken from ancient stories – Hagrid was the name of the keeper of Mount Olympus and the Watcher of the animals. However, some of the names of Harry characters are also in our skies – as stars, constellations and galaxies.

Sirius Black is Harry’s god-father. He can also turn into a dog.
Sirius is the brightest star in our skies, also nicknamed ‘the Dog Star’ and is part of the constellation ‘Canis Major’ (which means ‘big dog’). During winter Sirius can be very low on the western horizon. We won’t see it again until late Spring.

Draco Malfoy is Harry’s arch-enemy at Hogwarts.
Draco is the constellation of the dragon. It is very close to the Northern Celestial Pole so we don’t see it in the Southern Hemisphere. (There is also a story of a battle between Draco and Minerva – Professor McGonagall’s first name.)

Professor Remus Lupin taught Defence Against the Dark Arts in the book Prisoner of Askaban. In the book it is revealed that he has a special link to wolves…
‘Lupin’ comes from the word ‘Lupus’. Lupus is the constellation of the wolf. ‘Canis Lupus’ is also the scientific name for ‘wolf’.

Bellatrix Lestrange is Sirius’ cousin and is also Draco’s aunt.
Bellatrix is the third brightest star in the constellation Orion (one of his shoulders).

Andromeda Tonks is Bellatrix’s sister (also Sirius’ cousin and Draco’s aunt).
Andromeda is a constellation named for an Ancient Greek story about a princess. It is near Pisces in our night sky. This constellation is also home to the Andromeda Galaxy, which is a spiral galaxy about 2.5million light years away from Earth (you can see it with a pair of binoculars).

Regulus Black is Sirius’ brother.
Regulus is the brightest star in the constellation Leo. Leo looks like an updside down question mark and is in the north west at the moment.

Orion Black is father to Sirius and Regulus.
Orion the hunter is a constellation we don’t see much of during winter, but in spring and summer he will be high in our skies.

Merope Gaunt is the name of Voldemort’s mother.
Merope is one of the seven stars in Pleiades, which is a cluster of stars (sometimes called ‘the Seven Sisters’) which are on the shoulder of Taurus the bull. Pleiades is best seen in Spring and Summer.

There are also constellations of a centaur, a unicorn, a giant snake and a phoenix. Many ancient astronomers are also named as wizards on the Witch and Wizard collector cards.

Two heads are better than one?

2007-06-10T09:55:00.000+10:00

I saw a little man walking to work today, heading into one of the large factories on my way to work. There's nothing unusual or special about this except that he was carrying two hard hats.

Firstly, why do you need to take your hard hats home with you from work? Is it a domestic violence matter? Is your house dodgy and falling apart? Do you live on a construction site?

Secondly, why do you need two? They both looked the same, and I can't imagine you would try to wear them both at once. Is it in case one of them gets dirty and you need to change? Does it matter if your hard hat gets dirty? Surely it still functions?

Perhaps he lends one to his mate - but why doesn't his mate own one? You would be issued one when you started, wouldn't you? Are hard hats a commodity - the more you have the better off you are? Does he have an imaginary friend? A second head a la Zaphod Beeblebrox from Hitchhikers?

Perhaps this is too many questions for a Sunday morning, but this is my seventh day straight at work, so some allowances need to be made.

New addiction

2007-06-09T13:13:00.001+10:00

Oh bother. I've become addicted to Facebook.

I'm not quite sure I know exactly what I'm doing, but I'm enjoying myself!