Voiceless

In fine and typical fashion, having finally gotten my days back to myself I have managed to lose my voice. This could make day to day transactions more difficult than expected.

Oh well. At least I can blog...

I've been wearing my cape-coat at almost every waking moment much to Gene's amusement. It's nice and warm although it currently has a rather disconcerting scent of lighter fluid, but I think that's just the "wet new wool" smell that I haven't smelt of a while. A bit of airing is in order I think.

Having been given a three books for my birthday (one of them an audio book) I have already started two. It's only natural! I'm saving one of them for our trip to Singapore/Japan. Gene and I listened to Reaper Man last night as we were falling asleep and caught up on the other bits when we woke up this morning. I love audio books. It is important to note that laugher is not always conducive to sleep.

While passing time between shows I've been reading The Sandman Papers which has been most interesting. I'm up to the fourth paper at the moment and am rapidly discovering whole new branches of academia that I was unaware of. There is much more reading to be done at the end of this. So many books and not enough time...

Today's Blog Thing Insight

You Are Midnight

You are more than a little eccentric, and you're apt to keep very unusual habits. Whether you're a nightowl, living in a commune, or taking a vow of silence - you like to experiment with your lifestyle. Expressing your individuality is important to you, and you often lie awake in bed thinking about the world and your place in it. You enjoy staying home, but that doesn't mean you're a hermit. You also appreciate quality time with family and close friends.

What Time Of Day Are You?

Carnival is over

I figure this is my last procrastination post from my Games job as I finish up today. My document trays are finally empty. Files are packed and labeled in boxes. I have many badges for people, I've signed off on several invoices today (very scary by the way) and I've said my last round of goodbyes.

So I guess that's that!

I guess I'm feeling a bit excited and sad all at the same time. It's been hard coming to work to an increasingly empty office and today has been the hardest as there was no one left from the production team. It will be good to have my days back again but I'd do it again any time.

Here's to seeing my friends again!

23yrs 1hr 27minutes

I spent the first hour of my 23rd year learning zippo lighter tricks with Gene in the livingroom of our house. It's been a good year already :)

Having read Nomi & Lisa's blog I also did a quiz on Blog Things and this is what I have to show for it.

This may become a daily treat for me... I love quizzes!

Your Stripper Song Is

Master and Servant by Depeche Mode "There�s a new game We like to play you see A game with added reality You treat me like a dog Get me down on my knees" Yawn, dancing is so boring without a little spice.

What Song Should You Strip To?

i think it's pretty i reply

Gene arrived home last night to find me with cold and flu tablets, garlic & echinacea tablets and a bottle of water in hand last night. Having figured I wasn't feeling 100% he decided to cheer me up with my birthday present (albeit three days early). He had been insisting over the last few days, since he'd purchased it, that it was not on his side of the bed. Indeed it wasn't. It was hidden behind the TV. After a brief discussion of how I was planning to put his in the fireplace, we decided to do an early exchange of gifts. We've never been good at waiting to give each other presents. You'd think four years of practice and we'd have gotten better, but nooooo.... Anyway, he brought out a bag and passed me the cape-coat that I'd seen about a week ago. It's soooo pretty. Anyone who knows me well will already know that it's black. It's 100% wool and fully lined and looks like a shift/tunic that goes down to my knees, with a cape attached that goes down to just below the knees. The collar is a mandarin syle collar and it buttons down the front with "hidden" buttons and had a belt to tie up in the middle as well as hidden pockets in the front. Did I mention that I thought it was pretty? It's kind of hard to describe but anyone who sees me in the next week... month... year... on a cold day will probably get to see it. It is a wonderful combination of two of my favourite items of clothing, capes and coats. Okay, I'll stop going on about it now. :)

Today is ANZAC Day and even though I considered going to the dawn service, I decided that I was as unlikely to make it this year as I was the year before last (sorry Nick). Apparently as I age I am getting better at discerning between optimism and delusion.

What I should be doing is making some dinner.

Death warmed up

Today has been less productive than planned. To be honest it isn't that unexpected. Today is my weekend. The one day in the week that I can call my own. As always I had planned to do plenty of things.

Things I Planned To Do Today
- Do at least two loads of laundry (mainly because Gene's load needs to be redone, so that's why it had to be two)
- Obtain some boxes for packing
- Actually do some packing
- Dishes, dishes and more dishes
- Clean the bathroom
- Begin the monumental task of cleaning our bedroom
- Buy Gene's birthday present (largely dependant on working out what to get him)
- Buy a ink filling device for the fountain pen that Joe gave me
- Blog
- Write in the group journal
- Sleep

There has been no progress on the boxes or the packing front today. The dishes are currently being washed but as I am in the process of making dinner, I doubt I can consider them done. Bathroom is in the same state as it was last night. I won't even bother commenting on the bedroom. Gene's birthday present is 75% purchased. I'm still hoping for a burst of enlightenment as to the coolest present to get your boyfriend. Advice is appreciated. Ink filling device has been purchased and installed. Currently blogging. Journal to follow and plenty of sleeping done.

I guess I haven't done all that badly. I'm just grumpy because I've got a head cold and I hate being sick. Besides, I can't be sick now. There's drinking to be done in just a few days! Stupid cotton wool brain.

Anyway, today while I was on the tram coming back from town I was eavesdropping on a conversation between a 22yr old arts student (she's studying ancient greek myth and dragons according to the conversation and the books she was holding) and her 9-11yr old sister. They were talking about keeping diaries and how you can read them in the future and remember past events and thoughts. I guess I wonder what it is that drives us to write down our thoughts, ideas and memories. I have a blog (or two if you want to be picky), a paper journal (black, unlined) and a group journal. The paper journal is for me and me alone. It is my attempt at writing without self-censorship. It's a safe haven for my thoughts and feelings that are too raw for me to be able to share with anyone. My blog(s) are for me but they're also for my friends. I like being able to share my day with my friends. Particularly as I work silly hours and never seem to be able to catch up with them. Even with all these forms of diary/journal keeping, I'm still not sure what it is that drives me to keep them. I think it's largely to do with my inability to sort out my thoughts just in my head. I've always found it easier to put them on paper and then it seems to make sense. I think it's also because I like to write and it's nice to share that with other people.

Dinner and my ever wonderful boyfriend are calling.

Leaving on a jet plane

We're going away! After years of talk, we're actually going overseas. Gene's still sorting out the details as to when we're getting back (my guess is mid-June some time) but we're off on the 15th-ish of May. Can you tell this is a last minute thing?

In other exciting news, we'll be moving our house into storage. Donations of cardboard boxes are accepted. Currently books (and graphic novels), DVDs and the X-Box are going to the Nic(k)s. We're going to look at everything else and it'll either go into a box or round the corner to the Brotherhood bins.

That's right kids, it's all happening here!

We're heading to Singapore & Tokyo and then back to Melbourne via Hong Kong (apparently for an hour stopover so we're looking forward to touring the airport). I'm very excited (as is Gene) as we've never been to Japan before and it's been a dream for quite some time.

'Tis the year to be travelling. We're looking into going overseas again later in the year. It's just a matter of saving money, or winning the lottery. What's this I hear about having to actually buy a ticket to do that?

Anyway, must run away and do some knitting before I have to pack it all away.

Never was good at this game

Each player of this game starts with six weird things, unknown facts or habits about you...... People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own (or respond in a message or something!) and state six weird things or habits, and state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose six people to be tagged, list their names & leave a comment that says, "you are tagged", & tell them to come read your blog. No tag backs......

1- I squeeze the toothpaste from the bottom of the tube. (Not too neurotic about other people doing it, but I'll always "fix" it up otherwise... It's just more economical - no really)

2- My boyfriend's uncle is "Mr Adult Themes & Sexual References" from SBS

3- Usually just before I cut my hair short I buy several different hair accessories that require long hair.

4- Organising things for other people isn't a problem, but organising my life is.

5- I love people but I generally don't like big group things.

6- I love getting all gothed up, but just never seem to do it outside of the house any more.

I am going to tag Naomi, Lisa, Nick, Nic, John John and Sai
Mainly because these are the only people I personally know with blogs...

Things I Have Learnt About Gaffa Tape V1.0

1. It can hold most things together.
2. Cheap gaffa is not worth the discount as it will a) not stick, b) not stay black
3. If it is easy to tear then it's not proper gaffa
4. You can get double-sided gaffa (I have yet to lay my eyes on it but I am excited anyway)
5. It comes in many colours but I still love the traditional black.
6. You can do almost anything with gaffa, just look at 1001 things to do with gaffa through google.

That's all for now. More to be added later.

Old pleasures

It's 11:05 and I think I'm finally learning the art of sleeping in again. Just need to stop waking up at 08:30 first and then I'm there! Sadly I'll need to remember to get up earlier tomorrow. No staying up until 03:00 watching Dr Who tonight. Simply a catch up drink with a friend from work. Yes, just one drink. Oh dear.

The Comedy Festival is going as well as can be. Gene's visited a couple of times and Rami and Caroline came down to see a show and Nick (S) joined us soon after. We even managed to find a meal that Rami could eat over passover, a meat platter from Stalactites. Afterwards Nick, Gene & I retired to the Bella Union for some free music from the Shuffle Club (great jazzy, swing type music interspersed with comedy). The late night entertainment is revisited each week, for example if you're up for a late night (or nite as the case may be on the sign) spelling bee then you'll be wanting to come down to the Bella Union next Tuesday.

Shows are going well, it's pretty cruisy because I only operate two out of four shows at the moment. Had one of my shows, Am Dilemma (read A Minor Dilemma) open last night which was great.

Very happy to have received the journal back from Nic that was started back in October '04. Started reading it through last night, but have chosen to draw that pleasure out as it's been a while in waiting. Still considering the online version so more can join but we'll see.

It's so wonderful to have some time to myself again. I'm loving it. I made Gene a beanie, but I've stuffed up the tension. Should be less lazy and always make a tension square first. He's bought me some more wool though so I'm going to start on that when I eventually stop here. I've started on a free-form inspired wrap too which has been fun. It's good to make lots of little pieces to make up a whole. It's like cutting and pasting to make a collage but with bits of knitted fabric. Also means I get to play with lots of interesting yarns. God I'm so geeky when it comes to this kind of stuff.

Went shopping this weekend and bought Mirrormask on DVD. Thinking I might watch the special features while making the tension square so that I still have something fun to do while making it. It combines two of my favourite things... not obsessed at all.

Catch Up

It's been over a week since I posted and it feels like an absolute age. That doesn't make it any easier to remember what's happened in the intervening days, as I don't really think that much has happened!

I sort of finished with the Games on Friday but I'm staying on as a casual to tie up some loose ends. I farewell Joe on Tuesday which will be sad. I feel those post-show blues coming on fast.

Comedy Festival @ Trades Hall owns all my nights except Monday (which the Sandman owns). I've got some great shows in my room(s) and think everyone should come along. The bars are great too. There's the Bella Union (excellent music, great bar prices, less swearing than Deadwood's but probably not by much) and the Bystander Bar. Definitely hoping to see many of you on Friday night for 1982 with a bullet. Bring on those 80's hits I say! Show starts around midnight and it's free so be sure to check it out.

Well, time for an early dinner before running of to see/work on funny things. Will definitely write a better post later. Very interested in catching up on Lisa's blog and adding some thoughts when my brain wakes up.

Just slide

The dripping has ceased! Yay for the new showerhead and post that it attaches to... no more showerhead falling and causing pain in the mornings. I am eternally grateful to the plumber for fixing it and Gene for following him up. Yay!

Work was productive today. It also involved beer which is always good. Certainly helped get me through the last bit of my report. I'm very much looking forward to my day off tomorrow. There is much sleeping to be done before the next few days of sleep deprivation.

Finished reading Death: The High Time of Your Life last night. I liked it but I think I liked Death: The High Cost of Living more. Very excited about it being translated for the screen. (I know translated is not the right word but I'm tired).

Life's pretty good a the moment really. I couldn't ask for much more. I'm not even waiting for it to all come crashing down yet! For once I seem to be content with going with the flow. We'll see how that works out perhaps :)

'Tis the season...

Have only answered questions that I wanted to.

1. What time did you get up this morning?
09:16 - I overslept

2. Diamonds or pearls?
Oooh, shiny things...

5. What did you have for breakfast?
I didn't...

7. What is your favorite cuisine?
Japanese

8. What foods do you dislike?
I'm with Fran on the disliking brains... aside from that I'll try most things.

9. What is your favorite chip flavor?
Mmmm fake cheese.

11. What kind of car do you drive?
An aging camira which is actually Gene's.

12. Favorite sandwich?
Sourdough with a decent amount of butter, turkey breast, a bit of lettuce, beetroot, cranberry sauce, some onion, mushrooms and a hint of avocado (even though I don't really eat avocado much)

13. What characteristic do you despise?
Unreliable

14. Favorite items of clothing?
Boots of any kind, coats and scarves. Can you tell I'm a Winter loving girl?

15. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?
Everywhere.

16. What color is your bathroom?
White

18. Where would you retire to?
Somewhere with plenty of theatre.

19. Favorite time of the day?
Waking up next to my gorgeous boyfriend ties with falling asleep with aforementioned boyfriend.

20. What was your most memorable birthday?
My 21st was awesome, although as the party was a month later, not sure if that counts... Can't remember the year but I'd completely forgotten it was coming and had gotten in an arguement with my parents the night before about what time I was meant to have gone to sleep. They were always pretty relaxed about bedtime so I was a little frustrated with their insistance that I go to bed at a certain time. The next day I woke up and opened my bedroom door to be greeted by more streamers than I had ever seen as well as a balloon trail to a table filled with lots of exciting looking boxes and a big banner wishing me happy birthday. My folks had gone to the shops at 3am to pick up the decorations and stayed up all night decorating the house. It was wonderful.

25. What fabric detergent do you use? Omo for sensitive skin for normal washing, funky new special detergent for blacks.

7. Are you a morning person or a night owl? I love the night life...

28. What is your shoe size? 4-5 ladies and 2-3 kids

29. Do you have any pets? Herman our pet rat

30. Any words of wisdom you'd like to share with your friends? One of the first signs of maturity is to discover that the volume knob also turns to the left - Jerry M Wright

31. What did you want to be when you were little? A fairy

32. What are you doing today? Just finished work. About to have dinner.

33. Who is the last person you want to see when your life on earth is over? Just one?!

Cracking, clicking and dripping

Dad came home from his most recent trip to China yesterday bearing the news that while visiting the village in Canton that our family comes from they met a (distant?) relative who had a copy of our geneology. The crazy thing is that it traces our family back 130 generations to somewhere in the vicinity of 2000BC they think. I was talking to Nick about it and described it as being "ages" when it really has been ages! My mind boggles.

Work was good today. Our data was finally available again so it meant that there was plenty to do during the day and into the evening. I'm a little frustrated because it feels like I've wasted three days and I hate leaving work unfinished. I'm all too aware that I finish up pretty soon and it feels like there's still a fair bit of work to do with the reports I'm sifting through. *sigh* I have plenty of time, but it just doesn't feel like it. Besides, I'm discovering why finishing the reports at 02:00 a couple of weeks ago wasn't the most sensible thing to do... C'est la vie!

I'm feeling rather sore today in my neck and shoulders and I've got a twinge in the right side of my lower back. I think I've been sitting incorrectly at work... my wrists keep cracking.

After many a phone call and discovering my phone had been disconnected (that's fixed now), Gene and I are happy to hear that the plumber is hoping to fix our shower tomorrow. Drip, drip, drip... ARGH! The dripping is driving me crazy.

Everyone who reads this and happens to be in the state during the Comedy Festival has to come and say hi to me at Trades Hall. It's sounding like it will be good fun. I'm definitely looking forward to night work again. Although it does cut into your social life a fair bit... oh well, I'll see how it goes.

I must admit I'm fairly reluctant to leave the house at the moment. I'm still feeling a little partied out. The long hours and large social drinking work week last week's taken it out of me. I refuse to believe this is due to getting older. I know plenty of people older than me who party twice as hard and still have productive lives. :) Still, it means I'm torn between wanting to see friends and not wanting to leave the house. I'm still a little exhausted and oddly almost homesick for the house... weird I know.

Have had a brief browse at rental ads today. Love the house we're in but am acutely aware that saving money for travelling would be cheaper in a smaller place... or more importantly a cheaper place. There's a great sounding short term rental in town that sounds great. I wouldn't mind checking it out really. This would mean the hideous box packing period that Gene and I failled miserably at last time (sorry to those who had to live through that). However I'm sure we'd do better this time. It would be difficult not to.

Speaking of packing, I think I'm going to tidy the house a bit (it's actually kinda clean except for the disaster zone that is our room). Then it's wheat-bag-o'clock.

I vaguely wish my neck would stop clicking...

Winding Down

It feels odd not having posted for a few days. I kept logging on to the site but not being able to type anything despite having a few things that I wanted to note.

First and most excitingly I have started to sleep through the night again. Well for more than an hour or two at a time. I managed an average of five hours before waking up for the last three nights! Very exciting after several weeks of interrupted sleep. I think it helps that Gene's home and my hours are settling down a bit.

This is however a short term thing. I start work on Comedy Festival at Trades Hall next Monday. I'm sad because Gene won't be there working with me and it's the first festival of this size that I'll be working on without him there (at the venue) but I'm really looking forward to it. There look like there will be some great shows and I'm exicted about getting back into some technical stage management again. Happily I'll only be working about 36 hours a week for that so it should be good. There's only a couple of days overlap with the Games wrap up so as long as I can make it through next week, life should be just peachy.

Still seeing the osteo and gradually getting myself back into shape. He worked on my lower back again (silly hip tried to slip into old habits again) and my neck & shoulders. I'm really looking forward to my neck being in good alignment again. He thinks that I'll get less painful migraines then. He successfully realigned the left side of my neck (mmm crack, crack, crack, pop!) but there's a point in my right side that was just a little ball of pain the whole time. It's apparently just my neck muscles not wanting to let go of the joint that's out of line. Can't wait to get that one back in shape. I'm back at the osteo's again today. Hopefully we can get that fixed and I'll be less sore after the massage. Was having some difficulty moving a couple of days after the last one. Bad habits are hard to break I guess!

I can't get to my files at work as they're playing with our data so it's making for a very long day. I've been here a mere hour and a half and I'm ready to bail at any second. Still waiting for a phone call to confirm a ETA on our data.

My phone's just died on me... it's crashed and refusing to do anything *sigh* so I'm going to head home tonight and dig up the receipt and take it in for servicing. Stupid phones.

Anyway, I should probably try and find something to do.