Dreamworld

Went to Dreamworld today and had the BEST time, except for all the nausea from the thrill rides. I so don't remember having motion sickness as a teen. We tried two fairly tame rides first, then went on the Giant Drop which takes you up to the equivalent of 30 odd stories and then lets you free-fall for half the distance back down. It was cool fun, but freaky. Then we went on the Claw, which almost, almost made me chunder; I never fully recovered from that one. So glad it rained for most of the day though - there were hardly any line-ups. The best bits were definitely the animals. The tiger show was pretty amazing. There was also a baby wombat who was freaked out by the tourists and just wanted to be in his mum's (handler's) lap.
A few days ago we went to the Big Banana and saw real live honest to gd bats sleeping in the carpark! Um, what else? Spent a bomb on perfume at the local DFO, but it has been a while. Oh yeah! and met some lovely karate girls for all-you-can-eat Mongolian BBQ dinner. Was a fun night!

We're holidaying at my Dad's for a week - I love being here! He showed us how to use slings this morning (as in David & Goliath slings). I was pretty clumsy but I can see how lethal they could be if you had a lot of practice. We were aiming at a metal drum set up a few meters away and I only got the ball in once, in about 1/2 an hour of trying. Good fun though, I'll practice while we're up here and see if I'm any better by the end of the week. I would actually like to make one; just so I know how in case the zombies ever come. I have a few movies I'd like to watch while we're here and we want to go to a theme park at some stage too. Moda's got a bit of a cold; hopefully that won't last and we'll get back home "fighting fit" next weekend.
Moda suggested that we should indulge in little pleasures over our holiday. I told him I was feeling fat (I know it's just hormonal) and he said I should eat twice as much chocolate as I want this week. He's very good to me. Seeing you don't get a hangover from chocolate, I just might.

What a great weekend! First karate grading went smoothly, thanks to Moda getting up at 6am to train me most days for the last fortnight. Then a whole day at home on Saturday (I don't remember the last time we did that!), brekky and lake coffee with friends where I saw my first lake rat! A lovely dinner with old friends at Tarago pub, then a day trip to Sydney today to look for some new work clothes and catch up with some special adventurers. I'm very sleepy right now, but it was a lovely couple of days.

Today was a challenge.
I missed out on a good opportunity at work today, darnit. I understand that you need to roll with the punches and learn and keep getting back on your feet. But sometimes the focus changes from "speak your truth quietly and clearly and listen to others" to "listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story". Fair enough.
Sooo glad I had a backup plan in case today blew up in my face the way it did. Now is the time for taking a few risks. I have full support from Moda, for which I'm grateful. I'm going to take what I'm learning in karate about assertiveness and demonstrate it in the real world. My sensei asked tonight about a certain kata; he said "what do you think of when I say shi hin bun kai"? I replied "I think I'm frightened and I need to jump out of the way". He winced and said "...there is no frightened in karate".
Whoops....

SATC2

So I went along to the movie last night, expecting the very worst after reading all the reviews. I think Rotten Tomatoes gave it 17%. Well, for someone who never watched the TV show and was surprised when she really enjoyed the first one, I didn't think the sequel was all that bad. In fact as the credits were rolling, I thought to myself "were they really expecting it to be life-changing??" It's just another girlie movie. Great clothes, lots of indulgence, not the strongest storyline... but it that so surprising? The writers also could have been a little more sensitive in regards to their depiction of middle eastern culture, but I'd guess that plenty of American tourists behave pretty closely to what was portrayed. I only wish that they'd mentioned the comfort factor of the traditional clothing in those very hot climates (that bit always gets left out). I have a girlfriend who holidayed there and she told me the burka etc keeps you cooler. I'm glad I went. Could possibly have had something to do with the great company, but I did enjoy the night. Hot Tip: Only take a bloke to see it if he's into bronzed Aussie footballers in speedos.

The Grand Master Plan
I have developed a Brilliant Plan. I actually stole it from Moda but I won't tell if you don't. My Plan involves some waiting, (but not for long - only about a fortnight) and then a relaxing holiday and then some daring action and thrilling risk taking. Ooooh!
I have karate tonight & a grading coming up before too long. My Sydney girlfriend also has a grading coming up soon, how cool that we get to do this together!! Well, together in spirit at least.
I'm not such a fan of Flickr after all. I guess I'll have to find a tutor or something - it's not as easy as I had first thought. Hence my 3 lonely Michael Bolton pictures on there, not even in a gallery or an album & nothing new up there yet... But keep the faith - I will soon figure it out and delight the world with my picture taking and posting.
A few unintended things have popped out because of the extra pressures at work lately. I got a challenging email (which was CC'd into everyone btw) and while I was still fuming about it, a colleague popped his head into my personal space and asked me if I wanted to talk about it. I told him that I was in the process of taking aim and if he didn't give me some space he might become the target for my venom. Wouldn't you know; it worked? I think I ruffled a few feathers, but it was much better than if I'd screamed what I really wanted to scream.

Rained out.
African day pretty much got rained out today. We spent the morning driving around, looking at new window frames (so we can get rid of our old timber ones) and popped into the Narrabundah oval to see what was happening there. At least they had some hot food available - we had a black-eyed bean cake each and bought some yummy red beef casserole in a takeaway container that we'll have for tea. They only had light beer available there - no water or softdrink so we shared one of those too. As we were leaving some people started playing drums which was cool. Other than that, bit of a bust really. Shame. Nevermind! There's always next year. Yay for African Day anyway.

Yay for MB!
See my Photostream at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oonado/

How exciting - I'm that much closer to deleting all my stuff off Facebook & just using this account instead. First photo album on the photostream is Michael Bolton! He was terrific. He sang all the old hits (even some I'd completely forgotten about). The shaky recording I've made on my point'n'click doesn't do him justice at all. My two girlfriends and I had a really fun night, singing along with him & the rest of the crowd.

I do have to say though, that the promotional posters of him were False Advertising. He is not as tight and tanned and smooth as they suggest, and at nearly 60 I don't think he should have to be, poor bloke. He was absolutely lovely and very entertaining.

When some tool threw a pair of black undies at the stage he laughed and hung them on a mic stand. Ick; can't believe he picked them up! Two drunken "ladies" also tripped up the stairs in front of us when they were heading to their seats. It was an eventful concert! Shame they didn't sell more tickets. Shame also that they had it at the AIS and not at Tilley's cafe - he could have done 2 or 3 more intimate shows there instead. Moda might even have come along for that!

Memoirs
It's quite fun working on my memoirs. I should totally be working on school stuff, but that's nowhere near as much fun. Only 2 assignments to go and one of them is due next week. Woohoo! Can't wait. Also can't wait to go see Michael Bolton! I have to start organising those tickets soon. It'll be so much fun to be transported back to year 7 with "How am I supposed to live without you?" Oh yeah. There's a sale on at the moment, I might have to make a few calls tonight!

S.A.D.
My puppy has Seasonal Adjustment Disorder. I completely forgot until I complained to Moda this morning that she's been insane lately & he reminded me. She gets very sooky at this time of year, much more than usual. Always trying to climb into my lap regardless of whether I'm watching tv or standing in the kitchen cooking dinner. I suppose she could also be a bit down because we were away on the weekend, but she wasn't alone - she had two dog sitters so she should be fine. It's getting colder overnight; down to zero degrees the other day. She sleeps outside in a big warm (insulated) kennel that Moda built specially for her.
Funny girl. Last time I took her to the vet they told me I'd have to start feeding her senior's food this year. She's only 7! In fact she'll be 7 in about 2 months. There's a little male kelpie across the road that she's made friends with. He's out of his yard all the time and he comes up to our gate to visit her so we generally let him into the courtyard. He's only young - maybe 2 or 3 so he gets a bit excited and she can only handle him for 10 mins or so before she gets sick of him. When she's tired of playing she ignores him; turns her back and he starts barking. We let her in and tell him to go home.... Like sand through the hourglass and all that.

Karate Chick
I've started taking karate classes with one of Moda's friends. It's been good fun, but I am very uncoordinated - more than I ever thought. An interstate girlfriend of mine started lessons at almost the same time, so it's kind of a motivation for me to keep going. She said "I feel like an uncoordinated child" and I know exactly what she was talking about! When I become a brilliant black belt I'm going to buy a cool yellow tracksuit like Bea in Kill Bill. Yeah.
I'm usually the only girl in the class and last lesson a boy apologised to me for looking at my boobs. He said he just needed to focus where he was aiming his mock punches. Hmm. I need to buy a proper karate top so I'm not wearing little t-shirts anymore. Very awkward. A friend from work said she'd give it a punt with me tomorrow Yay!

Lovely countryside
Pondage
Dog jumping contest

My Facebook Protest:

Welcome to my new replacement for Facebook! I have a few blogs floating around in the ether and I think they're a great idea. Facebook was really good for sharing photos but the format was always changing and the privacy settings were always changing and I'm just going to do it this way now, so there. For the unfamiliar of you, don't panic. I try to use pseudonyms where I can.

This weekend, I had a Fantastic time with some good friends and my Moda. We went to the "Man From Snowy River Bush Festival" on the weekend - it was so much fun! The man from Snowy River is an Aussie bush legend - Banjo Patterson wrote a very famous poem about him: http://www.middlemiss.org/lit/authors/patersonab/poetry/snowy.html there was a rodeo (which freaked me out a bit with the raging bulls and the limping cowboys) and lots of buskers, poetry readings, markets and a bush idol concert with amazing talent! Most of the competitors sang original songs.
Moda had a "four pie day" on the Saturday since there was really only show food. The best part of the weekend was a campfire sing-along in the rain. An old bush whacker brought heaps of instruments, including a few homemade ones that he let us play. I'll try to figure out how to post photos up here. Next year I'll be dragging a few girlfriends out there and they will love it.

Hasty Hasty Oona.

The decisions we make in an emotional flurry. I need to cancel my FB account and start again, I think. It's great to have for photos, but so easy to misuse. Perhaps I'll just take all my photos off and make some photo books out of them. I love photo books. Mmmm gotta love a clean slate. Will consider what I can do.

Today's Haiku:

I am a faucet
My nose is dripping dripping
How to turn it off?

Playing in the crazy corner. OR, The Jerry Springer episode.

I've deleted a hurt and angry post from here. Venting is really good therapy, but I'm old fashioned and I still value my privacy a little bit. If I've learned anything from the last little while, it's to always consider anything that you put down in writing.
As the Soup Lady says:
"There are only two kinds of people in this world; those that learn from their mistakes and those that don't."

2010 is here and I've only got nine units to go until I complete my degree!

And I've just enrolled in two so at the end of the semester there'll only be 7 left! Which is just under a year full time. How exciting! Maybe I can look into taking a year's leave without pay & studying my butt off at the end of the fin year. I cannot wait until I'm finished. Maybe I can get into the public service as a graduate.. I'll have to look into that because I'm on a higher wicket than a 1st year grad would be, but I might be able to move up quickly...

Saw La Vie En Rose the other night & was inspired to learn French. I was so surprised that they didn't subtitle the lyrics of the songs! That's a very important part of the story! Anyway, I told my French friend that I already know lots of French so it shouldn't be too hard to pick up.

Well, I do!

- Croissant

- Oui

- Moi

- Excuse Moi

- Merci

- Chateau

- Bonjour

etc etc! .. How hard can the rest be??

Last day of work for the 2009 year, I'm sooo glad!

I've just realised it's been a whole year since I had a coffee. That's strengthened my resolve in thinking I can go without alchohol. How exciting! A whole new adventure. I'll be "one of those people". A teetotaler. I might have to get a hat made. The biggest benefit will be no more hangovers of course! I'm so over feeling like I'm dying. Next best benefit is that there'll always be a designated driver. I have a couple of good friends that don't drink & they never miss out on any of the fun because of it.

I'm having dinner with some old friends tonight & I'm really looking forward to it. Just have to forego the gdmnd sangria. Cross your fingers for me.

Rude-looking cherries

I know it's juvenile but I always smile when I get bits of fruit that are deformed & look rude.

Makes my day, really.

It is soo quiet here this arvo, most of my colleagues are out at a meeting. The aircon is finally working again and now the office is a touch too cold instead of too hot. You Never Can Please Some People! The awards dinner went well last night; I had a little black dress on that I'd bought in Singapore. I hadn't realised how much junk I've been eating but none of my other nice dresses fit me! Disgraceful. I'm going to buy a trainer for my bike for a few reasons: firstly I'm not confident to take the bike out in public (my balance is terrible and I'll just fall off then darned thing), and secondly, I should probably improve my fitness as well as my balance before I get out into the world. I'd hate to get halfway to somewhere & then have to call MODA to come rescue me when I can't make it back.. I think I should be able to pick one up for about $200.

I have a lot of Xmas organising to do too; would be great if the thank-you cards arrive this arvo or tomorrow so I can get that out of the way & get xmas done too. Just had a bit of a nasty shock - I hate it when you forget about automatic debits you've arranged, only to find out they've chewed away your entire bank balance! I had $8 left! So I went into my new account & transferred some dosh across to get me through the week. Crazy! But it means that I have a bunch of xmas shopping to do next pay. I've made shirts for most of my friends/family.. That's saved me money this year (but not time). Some of them are really cool! I'm slowly getting better at the designs. I think I'll do something creative again next year for xmas!

Hulkamania!

Going to the wrestling next weekend, how exciting! I'm dragging a girlfriend along but I'm sure she'll have a great time in the long run. Shame my Tassie friends won't be here to see it with me! Also crossing my fingers that Randy Orton will be part of the entourage. I used to have a Viva La Raza tshirt but it mysteriously disappeared and I honestly think it was nicked from my line :( That would have been ideal to wear., Never mind, I'll just have to be a bogan like everybody else I guess. I've been out so much lately; Kate Miller-Heidke with a close girlfriend on Tuesday (who was absolutely brilliant and such a cutie in her black velvet & shiny purple dress) then dinner with an old friend Wednesday, Miss Saigon last night. I could really do with a kip. I'll hold out another half hour & then I'll be on my way. I might have that kip before I start xmas craft though - wouldn't want to burn myself in my exhausted stupor.

Have a good weekend.

Friends take 2.

I think that real friends support you (when they see that something is really important to you), regardless of what they think. I think that smart people understand that their words and actions can manipulate your feelings sooo easily. If they don't see a reaction straight away they hit you again, harder each time until they wear away your strength and your protection. I only want to surround myself with people who make me feel good about myself.. and I will try to return the favour. I'm mostly very lucky when it comes to friends, but some of them leave bruises.