Last post for 2006.

Maybe...

So I'm off to Sydney tomorrow for my annual Christmas pilgrammage. I'm really looking forward to seeing mum and dad, J1 and T, and even a handful of mates. I may even sneak in a visit to Camper Dan as she'll be in town as well.

I'm going to be without my computer for the next week as well so I'm not sure if I'll be posting again this year... But with the last gig coming up, you may get some nervous banter or post-gig ramblings. Who can say?

Anyway, I'd just like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and all the best for 2007. I could get all sentimental and list my highs and lows of this year but I'm feeling a little emotional this morning (in reality, I'm just tired because it didn't drop below 25 degrees last night and I couldn't sleep!).

This year began with devastating heartache for the Tsai family. Yet despite our loss, our family was reunited in more ways than one.

There have been other losses, illnesses and events have unfolded beyond our control, most of which can't be undone.

And there have been those exhilirating moments, flashes of sheer brilliance, side-splitting laughter and even the slightest possibility of hope that have made my heart beat a little faster, maybe even stop for a millisecond...

For all these things, I am thankful. It's been an interesting and challenging year, to say the least.

Fare thee well, 2006.

Bring it on, 2007.

Taxicab Confessions.

On Saturday night, CN and I went to the East Brunswick Club to see Jen Cloher and The Endless Sea... Jen and the band were absolutely brilliant and hopefully it won't be too long a wait before we see them headlining again.

Trying to get home, however, was not so brilliant. As everyone was purged out of the venue at the same time, there were around 30-40 people waiting for cabs. I had been waiting for a while but was a bit further up the street from the venue so as to get the first cab to come along (up here for thinking...).

Finally, a taxi arrived and I jumped in. As we were about to take off, a woman waiting further down the street flagged us down and asked my cab driver to book her a cab. He politely told her there was no point because it might be half an hour away. Knowing full well how annoying it is to not be able to get home, I asked her where she was going and because it was on my way, said that I would share the cab with her.

She ended up going back to her pack of 10 or so people and had a small conference about my offer - at least that's what I assumed she was doing. While this was going on, my cabbie just wanted to go and leave them all behind, bless him. Eventually, the woman got in the cab and another woman, talking on her mobile phone, hopped into the back seat with me.

As we started driving off, the woman in the backseat was still chatting away and said rather loudly, 'I just jumped in a taxi with two people I don't know. I'd better go.'

What the...?

Anyway, it was all very random and I met two new people... and decided I'm never going to share my cab again. Not with complete strangers, at least.

Last dance.

On Saturday, 30th December 2006, I will be playing what is most likely to be my last DJ gig ever.

This coincides with a change in management at The Glasshouse Hotel, which you will have read about in this blog over the past few years. It's where I have toiled for many hours of my 'spare time'.

As of 1st January 2007, Mother Hubbard will no longer be the lessee... it's time to move on. Befittingly, she is throwing the 'Kiss My Arse' NYE party there on the 31st with DJ Shannyn at the decks.

So if you can, join me for one last spin before I hang up the headies for good. I'm going old school... so basically everything from 1997 through to 2006... with a minor lapse 2002/03. We're talking disco, vocal, progressive, electro and tribal house. No RnB.

And naturally... I won't be taking requests.

See you...

The family.

So... J1 and J2 (and AM) have convened in Toronto.

Seeing as no one who was actually there is blogging about it, there was also some sort of family reunion with SAHM's family, the family doctors and their spouses on Sunday night. I would have liked to have seen something on YouTube with A1 throwing everyone out at 8:30pm... maybe that's in the works.

One can't help but feel a little bit left out. At least I got to see A&M when they made a drive-by visit to Melbourne a couple of weeks back. Unfortunately, there is no photographic evidence of the occasion. *frowns*

Anyway, I've spoken briefly to J1 and very briefly to J2 on ye olde MSN Messenger. J1 has also been updating me with text messages on my phone. Today I received a rather cryptic message from J2 asking if I preferred robots or sumo wrestlers... I'm not quite sure what's going on over in the Great White North but my curiosity (or paranoia) has been triggered.

It reminds me all too much of the 3Ts in the 80s and their not so secret club located in the basement of 21 Crowson Bay.

I wonder what sort of knitted robot I'm getting.

New Blogger?

Is anyone switching?

I don't have a Google sign in.

*hmph*

Game on.

The TXRD season 2006/07 began last weekend with the Holy Rollers defeating the Hellcats 52 - 35.

I love the M.F. Holy Rollers... They're my hot tip to take out the 2007 Calvello Cup.

*double derby hand gesture*

(photo courtesy of m.f.h.r.)

Vermin.

There seems to be some sort of infestation of tiny flying bugs here.

Every now and then, one will fly past my computer screen or hover around what I'm measuring and annoy the bejeezus out of me. Hardly an infestation, you say? Shut it.

Naturally, I try to catch the little bastards and smash them... Only they're rather agile and I end up looking like a mad woman.

So I've just announced to the fellas that there are indeed little flies and I'm not nuts, what with my cussing and banging about. Unfortunately, only the least sane of the group (myself excluded) has seen the little flies as well.

*hmph*

And no, this is nothing like the opening scene of 'A Scanner Darkly' - which happens to be my recommended movie of the week. Or month. Depends if I see anything else or not.

Note.

Photos which you will not be seeing on this blog that I would love to post are:

• the House of Sticks Summer Fashions parade featuring summer dresses and this season's tennis accessories;
• Big Easy's Etiquette 101 Class; and
• Camper Dan pulling on her wetsuit.

Pt. Addis, Great Ocean Road, 3rd December, 2006.

What a spunk! >=o)

Gipps Street, Collingwood, 15th November 2006.

From a distance.

Up close and personal.

By the way, that's hail, not snow.

10-12 November, 2006.

When burnt out, supremookie chooses to escape and rejuvenate at the Medina Executive Apartments, Fitzroy Street, St. Kilda.

3rd November, 2006.

This was the Hot Air Balloon invasion of 3rd November 2006. These photos were taken from my desk at work. (It takes more than a few balloons to make me stand up at that time in the morning!)

Cultural explosion.

Yesterday, my Australian Ballet 2007 season tickets arrived.

Now, based on last Friday's experience and the fact that the first show of the season is in March, what are my chances of making it to the show on time?

Don Quixote waits for no one.

No one, I say.

A pattern emerges.

Is it just me or has anyone else noticed that when the Js are posting, the architect, middlechild and SAHM go quiet and vice versa?

Jen Cloher and the Endless Sea

Will be playing their final headline act (until their next release) on Saturday, 16th December, 2006 at the East Brunswick Club.

I know where I'll be that night. Will you?

My other top ten.

Also in no particular order (and with PJ excluded, what with her own list and all):

1. Just Like a Man - Way Out West
2. Insistor - Tapes 'n Tapes
3. Whoo! Alright - Yeah... Uh Huh - The Rapture
4. Saints - The Breeders
5. Play My Game - The Donnas
6. Don Gon Do It - The Rapture
7. Drivin' on 9 - The Breeders
8. Inside and Out - Feist
9. Statues - Moloko
10. Streetlights Not the Stars - Jen Cloher and the Endless Sea

My Top Ten of Polly Jean.

In no particular order:

1. We Float
2. This Mess We're In (feat. Thom Yorke)
3. Long Snake Moan
4. A Perfect Day Elise
5. The Wind
6. My Beautiful Leah
7. Horses in My Dreams
8. One Line
9. Victory
10. Catherine

I am no longer a closet fan.

Trumped.

I was going to blog about my misadventures in trying to get to the symphony on Friday night, however, after reading J1's blog, mine would just be whinging. So I'll tell you about my weekend instead.

As stated earlier, on Friday night, I went to the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra with Camper Dan. We missed the first half, which is quite funny considering the tickets were booked in May this year, but managed to get in during the interval and catch the Rachmaninov, which is what we were there to see anyway. I wonder what they played in the first half.

Anyway, in our front row centre seats, we were able to see the intricate movements of the violinists... as well as hear some deep breathing by the conductor. It was utterly captivating and put 'learn to play the violin' on my things to do list.

Based on CD's scale of enjoyability, the score is MTC - 1; MSO - 1; and Australian Ballet - 0. Now it's back to the theatre.

On Saturday, I caved and went to the hairdresser's. When I booked, I was a bit reluctant to take the appointment because my regular hairdresser was taking the day off. However, seeing as it had been nearly 3 months since my last hair cut and after a week-long struggle with really bad hair, I decided to give Perry a go. It looks like I've found myself a new hairdresser. Perry's a little more forthcoming than Cisco in that he told me when to come back, what to do with my hair, how to do my hair, what he was doing to it and showed me some tricks with different products. The last bit may have been some clever up-selling but I didn't care. And while he did blow-wave and leave me with BIG hair, it didn't really matter because I had to ride my bike home anyway and the helmet crushed it back to normal height.

Now I have to work on my guilt for swapping hairdressers. You see, I've already pre-booked my next appointment with Perry. But Cisco's partner took my booking so maybe she can break it to him. I wonder if hairdresser's actually care that you swap. Is it worse when you swap within the salon or if you go somewhere new completely?

Sunday... I took my new pedometer out for a spin. 16,000 steps (approx 10km) from downtown Abbotsford to Port Melbourne. That includes sidetracking through Middle Park, walking along the beach, wandering through the residential streets of Port Melbourne and Bay Street Shops (there's a Coles!), and then finally cracking it because whilst I could see the city in the distance, I couldn't find a street that took me back to the city.

Sunday afternoon was spent at the pub watching the Ashes. Then I had a quick beer with CD in the park and then went home and chilled for the forthcoming week at work. Yippee.

An open letter to J1.

See you! Chat you soon!

Make sure you give J2 a big cuddle for me!!!

J1, permission to buzz the tower.

J1 is in town today. She flew in last night and we headed to La Porchetta for dinner and then spent a couple of hours together before crashing.

I wish I had pictures of the hideous laminate cupboards at her serviced apartment.

I had initial reservations about staying with J1, mainly due to sheer laziness and the convenience of where I live in proximity to work. Trust me, it's close. Plus she was staying in Kew, which admittedly, is not as far away as I thought it was. I actually left at the same time I normally do and arrived at work earlier. And there was the convenience of the taxi rank just outside so there was no hassle at all.

My, what a boring blog this is.

Anyhoo...

Thanks for letting me stay with you! See you at Christmas!

A-ha!

http://www.quirkyalone.net/

Snakes 1, S'mooks 0

Just when I thought it was safe to walk along the Yarra...

Last night I was watching 'The Great Outdoors' and Hawko was doing a story on a reptile pavilion at Taronga Zoo, Sydney, I think.

Anyway, at one point she had a great big snake draped over her shoulder and I was fine with that.

Then the snake was coiled around her neck and the handler was saying, 'Are you alright? Can you breathe?'

Whilst Hawko may have been fine, I certainly wasn't. I started to feel a bit constrained in the old chest plate and my heart started beating just a tad too fast... That's right, folks, it was a panic attack in the making!

*hmph*

Snakes are gross.

Ask yourself this:

How sincere is your pumpkin patch?

The Great Pumpkin is a-coming!

Office morale.

Lately I've been thinking of ways to increase office morale.

We're a pretty tight group here at work seeing as there are so few of us, but I thought it would be nice if we had outings, like a Golf Day or even going to a Day/Night Cricket Match. I know I spend more time here than anywhere else and why I would want to spend even more time with the fellas is beyond me, but I just thought it would be fun. And summer's here!

Anyway, I bought a toasted sandwich maker/sandwich squisher because I'm over having stale bread sandwiches towards the end of the week. The new appliance received such an enthusiastic welcome that I think we've all bonded through how much we love toasted sandwiches.

I still want to go to the cricket though. This year's Tri-Series is Australia vs. England vs. New Zealand... it's going to be a ripper!

Explosive Arts.

I'm off to see Bill T. Jones' 'Blind Date' as well as 'La Clique'. I'm rather excited.

Now, I've been trying to work out if Bill T. Jones is the fella that was in the milk campaigns back in Canada. I may have him confused with someone else.

I'm very chuffed that I finally get to see 'La Clique' as I missed them completely last year. 'La Clique' is a vaudevillian show described by the New York Times as "Cirque Du Soleil's more brash, less inhibited and more naked younger sister".

I *heart* the Melbourne International Arts Festival.

*claps*

And another thing...

During 'downtime' at home, I've been slowly progressing through 'American Chopper' on the PS2.

I say slowly because I've been trying to deliver a bike for about 3 months now and finally managed to do it last night. My play time on that particular mission was 20+ minutes. Disgraceful.

I may even attempt 'Medal of Honor: Pacific Assault' again.

Insen.

So we went and saw 'Insen' on Friday night. Judging by the number of people who left throughout the performance, I think it was maybe a bit too minimalistic and experimental for their liking.

There were occasions when I was hoping for more than chords from Ryuichi Sakamoto and in my head I was screaming, 'COME ON!!!' But overall, I was just so happy to finally see him perform, that it didn't really matter.

And in the encore (I think the 3rd), when I heard the subtle chords from 'Forbidden Colors' building into that infamous riff, I was in my happy place. Brilliant.

One of these days...

I'm going to learn to warm up and warm down.

I wish my glucosamine was here.

I'm a Star 1.

Went to roller-skating lessons on Saturday morning. I reckon I was at least 23 years older than everyone else having lessons but I had no shame. I'd rather fall down in a controlled environment around other people falling down then going for a full face plant on the street!

Our teacher, Shona, didn't bat an eyelid when we entered the rink. She was amazing. Her skates were like an extension of her body... like she was born with them. While she was instructing us, she was skating around and doing little tricks and I think she knew that we thought she was just a little bit cool... especially when she skated backwards and toe-stopped.

Anyway, the first part of our lesson was to learn how to T-start, T-stop and fall down. I was the least graceful of everyone doing the crouch and slide. I'm just not a slider, which explains some of my more horrendous volleyball injuries. It was rather amusing seeing everyone stretched out and lying on the rink. It was like some B-grade horror movie set in a roller skating rink.

After we had the basics down, we learned to crouch whilst moving forward. Shona thought that we were doing well so she taught us to 'shoot the duck', which is to extend one leg forward whilst crouching. She said, 'Have a go lifting that leg so you're on one skate.'

Easy tiger, maybe once we're Star 2s.

Then we learned to scissor skate, backwards scissor skate and jump. I reckon I got a good 2.5cms between my wheels and the rink on a good jump.

At the end of the lesson, we played 'Come over Red Rover' which is nothing like the playground Red Rover. Any breaking of arms was purely unintentional. Basically, we had to make a mad dash across the rink without being tagged. Anyone who was tagged became a tagger. In the first round, Shona was the only tagger. Watching her stalk her victim was terrifying as she floated across the rink, slowly extended her arm and executed the tag of death. She came after me in the 3rd round but I managed to skate around some kamikaze toddlers and was out of her reach. In the end, I was tagged by Rollerblade Boy who proclaimed, 'I GOT YOU! I GOT YOU!'

All up, it was an exhilarating 40minutes. I was a little bit sore yesterday but today, my right leg doesn't want a bar of me. I've dragged it to work with me against its will.

More next week... I think we're doing a 180 degree jump. I might bring my wrist guards for that.

Jinkies!

House of Sticks.

...

When you're sitting at your desk in the inner city and are suddenly overwhelmed by the smell of a bushfire, you know that summer is no longer coming... it's here.

Brace yourself, Melbourne... we are well and truly in for it.

Ryuichi Sakamoto is coming.

And I'm going to see him.

This is the man that brought us that epic piece, 'El Mar Mediteranni' which was performed at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, depicting the arrival of the Vikings to Spain and so on and so forth.

I think I may be correct in saying that he is also the composer of that very familiar Asian riff from 'Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence'.

For you children of the dancefloor, it's the sample used in 'Heart of Asia' by Watergate, as featured in Show 2 of Red Raw 2001.

How very, very exciting...

Another open letter. (ranting alert)

Dear Moronic Lady on Smith Street,

Just because I'm Asian and standing in a $2 shop, it doesn't mean I work there.

And when I tell you that I don't work there, don't roll your eyes and curse under your breath at me.

I hope someone slaps the make-up off your face one day.

And on another note...

Camper Dan is back from her overseas adventures.

Welcome home, honey!

The results are in...

I can't keep my poll open all day, you know!

I've opted for the iPod Nano. The possibility of having to re-build my music library started to do my head in.

Plus I can't wait for the 8th of November.

Now I bet that my current installation of iTunes won't work with the new Nano as it is associated with my dead Shuffle.

If that's the case, you'll be hearing about it here.

*grin*

A poll.

I'm having somewhat of a dilemma. Should I get the new Sony S200 2G Sports Walkman or a 4G iPod Nano?

This would boost my cache of MP3 players up to 3 but the Shuffle is cactus and the Zen has a crappy battery life.

This Walkman has a flash armband and has pedometer functions. My main concern is that the software will clash with iTunes, which hasn't been the most stable program on my computer. Will it copy all my music twice?

Anyway, it's very pretty. What do you think?

Happiness is not...

Wandering around the perimeter of a rural hospital and having the Project Manager say to you, 'Mind the snakes... I've seen a couple.'

I'm ready for summer... are you???

So I've got knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards, helmet, outdoor wheels, bearings, skate tool, toe stop wrench, watch (thanks J1!), 2006 Rollercon stubbie holder (hehe)... the only things missing are tickets, money and passport. But that's for the northern hemisphere summer anyway.

Oh... and the ability to skate. That's missing as well.

Hot tip: Now would be a good time to invest in Johnson & Johnson and the makers of Dettol and Elastoplast.

Something *wicked* this way come...

Detailed Results:

• Out of Foreign Customs, September 25, 2006, 12:35 pm
• Into Foreign Customs, September 25, 2006, 12:00 pm, AUSTRALIA
• Arrived Abroad, September 25, 2006, 12:00 pm, AUSTRALIA
• International Dispatch, September 22, 2006, 5:07 pm, LOS ANGELES AMC
• Enroute, September 22, 2006, 5:05 pm, LONG BEACH, CA 90810

Just as I was blogging this, they arrived... More on this later!

And by later, I mean tomorrow.

HOT!!!

Not long now...

Until Camper Dan returns to our shores.

I'll miss those random late night text messages but hopefully they will be replaced by random lunch dates.

I haven't forgotten about the 10 meal vouchers!

I'm ba-ack!

I took a week off last week and reclaimed some mental health.

It is *so* hard having to wear shoes again after 9 days of shoeless glory. Whilst away, I bought another two pairs of thongs/flip-flops for the summer. Them Crocs are going to take some getting used to, I tells ya...

Anyway, I'm back and ready to face my desk and inbox. In fact, I've been missing work. I reached my holiday threshold at around 1:15pm on Friday.

Bring it.

Abbotsford Convent.

Another beautiful day, another adventure.

Today, I woke up to another spectacular spring day in Melbourne. I was on my way to Port Melbourne again when I was distracted by the Salvation Army store. I ended up spending $7 on four books, which should keep me out of trouble for a while. I haven't finished reading a book since the last Harry Potter novel and I think it's time I start reading again.

Anyway, instead of going to Port Melbourne, I went back home and picked up the book I've been trying to read all this year, went to the milkbar for a newspaper and bottle of water, then headed over to Yarra Bend Park to soak up some sun.

Whilst in the park, I tried to do a J2 and use the macro feature of my camera.

The was my first attempt... Clearly I didn't know what I was doing.

This next one I quite like... But I have to admit that I didn't even see the purple flower when I took the photo. I'm never going to get this camera.

Baby steps.

I saw this sign last weekend whilst wandering around. For those who don't know, I am absolutely petrified of snakes. Can't stand them. Even when they're on TV. I don't even like the snake in the original Disney cartoon 'The Jungle Book', especially with it's whacky hypnotising eyes.

I'm trying to overcome this fear and in returning to the area where I found this sign, I reckon I might be making some progress. Next week I'm going to Melbourne Zoo... and I'm even thinking about going into the Reptile Pavilion.

Crazy stuff.

Crazy stuff, I say.

Port Melbourne to St. Kilda

Last Sunday, I was up early and decided I would head to Victoria Gardens and catch a movie. Halfway there, I realised it was probably way too early for the movies and because it was such a beautiful day, I jumped on the 109 and headed to the end of the line: Port Melbourne.

Once there, I decided to do the 4.4km beach front walk. This photo kind of shows the walk from start to finish.

good tag vs. bad tag

This I like:

This one... not so much. Moisti? Huh?

Lemming.

I finally succumbed to peer pressure and bought a pair of Crocs Cayman-style.

And when I say 'peer pressure', I mean 'J2 pressure'.

These should arrive sometime next week. I plan on spending a lot of time outdoors this spring/summer/fall, be it on foot, bike or quads, so I'm in dire need of a comfortable pair of shoes. 'Course, I won't need shoes if I'm in my quads but depending what I use them for, my feet might be very blistered in the next couple of months.

Plus my crosstrainers were muddied up a treat at the futbol back in July and I don't like wearing them in public.

The only downfall to the Crocs is that I worked long and hard getting my thong (as in flip-flops, you North Americans) tan last summer, which will now fade away. I wonder how hot these will get under the ozone-destroying Australian sun.

It looks like I'm slowly getting over my white shoe fetish. Although, Big Easy did bestow upon me a new pair of white Lacoste thongs (again, flip-flops) last night.

ARGH!!!

Can someone please explain to me where 'my bad' comes from?

WTF does it even mean?!?!

I find it to be one of the most annoying phrases *ever* and whenever someone says it to me, I just want to throttle them!

Is it because it's so grammatically incorrect? Who can say?

Jeez... *shakenbabysyndrome*

Another Tsai trait?

After an emotional and whirlwind trip back to the Philippines, J1 and I collected the folks from the airport in the early hours on Sunday morning. Mum and dad both had to work that evening and were exhausted but they both got stuck into unpacking. There's just something about leaving bags packed in our family.

When I arrived home after midnight on Sunday night, I was buggered (I fell asleep on the plane when we were *landing*!!!) and fighting off some evil airplane-borne lurgy but couldn't rest until I had unpacked my bags and put things away.

Anyway... as with most trips to the Philippines, there was a bounty of preserved fruit unearthed from the luggage:

'Pressed kitten.

Everyone seemed happier before the pending mortgage.

I remember J1 before the mortgage.

frisky pigeons @ bondi beach

Or are they simply doing 'The Bert'?

Bondi Beach, approx 1:30pm, 2nd September 2006

You know you go to the pub too much when...

I'm staying away this week.

Let's blow this popsicle stand...

Fingers crossed that there isn't a repeat performance of my last attempt flying out of this city, in T-minus 54 hours, I will be on a plane...

Don't get me wrong, I still love my adopted home but I have never wanted to get out of Melbourne more than I do right now.

Why? Because leaving the city means I won't be compelled to work this weekend. And I don't want to inconvenience Qantas and take my Dell with me - yes, as a matter of fact I do have a faulty battery.

And I'm going to take a couple of half days off as well.

But that's not the only reason I'm going.

On Saturday night, we're celebrating the 10yr anniversary of the illustrious career of one DJ Mandy Rollins.

And Sunday is Poppa's Day here in Australia so I'm going to surprise the folks and pick them up from the airport with J1. It's particularly poignant considering why the folks went to the Philippines in the first place.

>=o(

By the way... DON'T TELL MY PARENTS I'M GOING TO SYDNEY THIS WEEKEND!!!

Weekend update.

I had a day off on Friday. I didn't think I'd see a day off for at least another month so that was a pleasant surprise.

And what's a day off without heading down to the local? There I won a few free games of pinball. If you've ever seen me play pinball, you would be amazed as well. Whilst I'm not a double-flipper, I'm pretty bad and a complete wreck (think stress rash) when it comes to multiball situations.

Friday night I headed to the disco. Highlights from the night were running amok with L, Macca and her white boots and Mona playing 'Skydive'... HOT! Phooey to everyone at the disco who didn't understand that they were hearing one of the best tracks ever.

The evening ended with one of my best mates, a can of Haig, the floor of the upstairs hall and chatting away until the wee small hours.

Saturday, it was down to the pub again. There was a birthday party for a 2yo booked in - complete with dodgy celebrant - and we decided strength in numbers was the best bet. Who on earth would have a birthday for a 2yo at a pub? You'd understand if you saw these people.

Sunday, the body revolted and decided to debilitate me for the day. Clearly I'd had too much fun. But that's alright because I got to catch up on some DVDs that I bought many moons ago and it was probably best that I stay in and avoid 3 days of madness.

By the way, Mary Louise Parker and Elizabeth Perkins in 'Weeds'... get it.

Austin, anyone?

(Photos courtesy of A&E)

Happy camper friend.

This is Camper Dan's impression of me in 7 weeks.

We'll see... This blog is still in 'pressed mode.

Crushed.

Camper Dan... don't go.

>:o(

Point, Cloher.

I've turned my boss into a Jen Cloher & The Endless Sea fan.

See?

I'm good, not evil.

*tsai*

Things I look forward to in the near future:

• The sun being up when I leave for/from work.
• Not setting an alarm for Saturday and Sunday morning.
• Being anywhere but Collingwood on the weekends.
• Seeing my housemates more than just in passing.
• Catching up with old friends.
• Meeting up with new friends.
• Playing all the records I've bought over the past few weeks.
• Knowing what day it is when I wake up.
• Being a little bit less snappy at people.
• Buying the weekend paper.
• Having four hours to tackle the Samurai Sudoku.
• Being at home more than I'm at work.

That about sums it up. Hoorah.

Shoes 'n Boots.

I don't like people seeing my socks.

Red canvas isn't for grown-ups.

The Incredible True Adventures of S'mookie's New Shoes

For the next couple of days, I have to endure breaking in these shoes.

I just went downstairs to get a coffee (I finally have a new coffee whore) and my goodness, it felt like my shoes were trying to rip my toes off!

I like these shoes because they make noise when I walk... very much like fitzroyal and camper dan's cowboy boots. But not as Dubya-like.

Hehe... shhhhh...

Ah, the joys of new footwear.

Meanwhile, it's Census Night tonight in Australia... I hope I make it home in time. I wonder how many people will try to make 'Jedi' a new religion. I think it's rather amazing that I remember doing the Census five years ago with AG and CH in our penthouse in the sky. My how things have changed.

S'mookie's got new shoes!!!

Now let's see how long I can go before I split the sole of my right shoe.

Perhaps I should just take them off when I'm at work.

These shoes have a slightly lower heel than my last pair so now the hem of my pants drag a bit. At least it's not my knuckles dragging!

I also bought a new wallet and threw out the old one.

*slams book shut*

*tosses it in a fire*

Good times.

Hmmmm.

That non-visible hole in my shoe is actually a 2-inch horizontal split across the ball of my right sole.

This is the third pair of work shoes that have split in this exact spot.

I don't recall this ever happening in Sydney. But then I guess I did wear Doc Martens back in those days.

I wonder what I'm doing wrong...

Apart from buying poor quality shoes, that is.

Please explain.

I just had a look at the ingredients in my Natural Confectionary Company's 'Natural Snakes'.

Why is there paprika and turmeric in it?

A breather.

Thanks to Camper Dan for getting me out of the office yesterday afternoon... However, I must offer my most sincere apologies for being a zombie.

My venture outside kind of sums up how things have been in my life for the past couple of weeks.

While we were out for lunch/coffee, it started to pour. So we opted on staying for another coffee to see if the rain would go away. Alas, it started to rain harder.

Fortunately, there was a $2 shop nearby and we were able to buy umbrellas that looked like they just might survive the trip back to our respective workplaces.

As it turns out, we both just might get another use out of our umbrellas seeing as it stopped raining halfway back to work.

And I discovered that I have a hole in my shoe. Somewhere. It's not visible, but I had a wet foot for the remainder of the day. Meh.

And a special mention goes out to Ms. Lush for reminding me there's more to life than this.

cotton-eyed s'mookie

Last night I went to the pub to grab some dinner and after about half an hour, Basil said to me, 'Jude... you look like you're really stressed at work at the moment. I used to work in the city and would see the office people with the same look in their eyes as you have right now.'

I wonder if I'm foaming at the mouth too.

So you don't make the same mistake as I did...

There is nothing 'delightful' about Uncle Toby's Oat Temptations Date Delight with a hint of Golden Syrup.

I was opposed to buying the multi-varietal 12-pack box of porridge for this very reason.

As it is, I'm gastronomically opposed to dates and golden syrup (maple or nothing, honey), whether they be separate or combined, but in a bold move this morning, I opted for this one.

Every suspicion that I had about this particular flavour was confirmed. I foresee a collection of unwanted Date Delights in our pantry.

I'll never have that recipe again... A... gaaaaaaaaaaaaaain...

When measuring door hardware...

supremookie chooses to listen to Kate Monroe.

The other night (don't ask which one, I have no idea), I had an urge to listen to 'The Joshua Tree' while I was doing some work at home.

Most of my CDs are still boxed up from when I moved - at some point I will have to go buy some shelving. I realised that when I was packing, I must have been so delirious that when I labelled the boxes, it was in some secret code.

Having opened and searched through all 6 boxes, I finally found 'The Joshua Tree'... in the first box I had opened. Just because it said 'Misc. mixed DJ stuff' or something vague like that, I really should have known.

However, I did happen to stumble across both of Kate Monroe's 'down underground' CDs. And I haven't stopped playing them since...

Favourite song at the moment?

'Lost and Found' by D*Note (who also brought us the brilliant 'Garden of Earthly Delights').

'There's not a thing I can't take in my stride,

I'm on my way to a higher ground.

Feel so calm there is nothing to hide,

Once I was lost but now I'm found.'

Something has to be said...

When you've just spent the past 10 minutes cleaning the tea kitchen because you just couldn't be bothered tidying up after your meeting the afternoon before and while you're waiting for the water to boil so that you can have your first cup of coffee because you know you're going to crack'em if you don't, *someone* goes in there and repeatedly sneezes all over everything.

And we're talking f-off, sneezeguard shattering sneezes. Without covering his mouth.

Nevermind that you've already placed your coffee and milk in a mug (because one likes to be prepared for when the water doth boil) and silly you, you didn't cover it because why on earth would you be expecting germ warfare?

And while you're sitting at your desk cringing, he was considerate enough to finish making your coffee and brings it to you.

Seriously... I can't drink this. I don't even want to go back into the tea kitchen because of the cloud of biohazard. I'm going to have to accidentally knock it off my desk or something.

*places coffee mug vicariously on the edge*

Alright, I've cracked'em.

No surprises here.

*yawn*

Ever come out the other end of a weekend and felt more tired than ever?

The odd thing is that I was home and in bed by midnight every night.

I need a nap.

No... I need a holiday.

The World Game.

Just when you thought it was safe to go back outside...

Yesterday, we had a game of soccer ('futbol') in Northcote.

It was Skiers v. Boarders and whilst speculation was ripe that Camper Dan had unfairly stacked her team (skiers), in the end it was the skiers who had to do a lot more pleading to get all the ladies in red up and on the pitch.

I will admit that I was one of the reluctant ones. I had gone wearing a red shirt as I'm a skier (just... Bird's Hill Park, darlings) but my willingness to play was not overly enthusiastic. I haven't played soccer since Grade 6 and I think it was fairly noticeable. Plus I'm not big on contact sports. Or running. Or kicking.

In fact, my first instinct when I see a ball lobbed high above me is to set the ball for my attackers. Way wrong sport.

In true futbol form, we had a gaggle of Footballers' Wives on the sidelines. I think there may have been more wives than players at one point. Bygones.

Special mention goes out to fitzroyal who took a couple for the team. I never thought we'd have to invoke the Blood Rule at a friendly...

Anyway, Camper Dan's team prevailed before the showers settled in and so ended the 3rd Ladies' Soccer World Cup.

Something different.

After work last night, Camper Dan and I chose to forego our usual after work venues and went to the Gertrude Street Enoteca (www.gertrudestreetenoteca.com). I think this place is close to wine (wino?) heaven.

I had the very nice Moon 'Midnight' shiraz from the Goulburn Terrace Winery in Nagambie, Victoria. CD had a Spanish red which I can't remember and probably couldn't pronounce or spell anyway.

We even had a brush with a bit of a celebrity - although CD might not agree. It turns out that one of the owners of Gertrude Street Enoteca is Brigitte Hafner, who happens to be a food writer (amongst many other talents) for 'Epicure' in The Melbourne Age.

I've posted previously about how much I look forward to reading 'Epicure' on Tuesdays so I needn't go on about it again.

Anyway, a couple of hours here made for a perfect ending to the week. Thanks, Camper Dan!

Clarification.

As it turns out, JGT did not buy the Powerball that lights up for us. Which is fine with me because I don't look at it when I'm using it anyway! And it certainly isn't suitable for use as some sort of dance party accoutrement either.

So last night, I did a little bit of exercise and decided to incorporate a Powerball workout, if you will. I found that I'm much better at getting the thing going with my left arm than with my right.

However, I woke up in the middle of the night and both my arms were numb and tingling. Is this some sort of side effect? Am I giving myself Carpal Tunnel?

The wrists are a bit sore today, darling... A bit sore. I've got pansy paw.

You may recognise this photo...

Because I pinched it off tsaiWare's blog. Very cheeky, I am. (Thanks, J2!)

Yesterday, I received a Powerball in the post (I also met one of our neighbours in our office building but that's a story for another day). Thanks JGT!

Last night, Lady Susan and I attempted the Powerball. I think we managed to incorporate an ab workout as well because it was hilarious! I see what they're saying when they tell you to hold on tightly because if you actually get this thing going, the amount of force in your hand is incredible!

It's kind of freaky and a *very* weird sensation but I like it.

Now I can buff up my forearms for my Camper Dan tattoos.

By the way, does anyone know if this thing is supposed to light up? For some reason I thought it was supposed to.

My Super Crap Movie.

Whilst I embrace Uma Thurman's return to the big screen, 'My Super Ex-Girlfriend' is an awful excuse for a movie.

Horrible, horrible stuff.

The only thing that made it bearable was having good company. Thanks, Lady Susan!

Heaven's above...

I've just realised that I've been one day behind this entire week.

This has nothing to do with the fact that it's Saturday and I'm at work.

*hmph*

My subconscious must be trying to make me feel better about my upcoming deadlines...

Crap.

This is the house that Jack built.

Actually, this is what's used to cut my hair.

Fascinating.

A night at the hairdresser's.

Last night, I had my haircut. I really like that Cisco (sp?) doesn't actually use scissors to cut my hair. He uses some sort of blade-like device. I'll try and find a picture.

Because Cisco was a bit backed up with appointments, his wife, Sophie, who is a colourist at the salon, 'finished' my hair.

I have no problems with this because it's not like she's just there hanging out, but there were a couple of incidents that made me raise my eyebrows.

Firstly, I had issues with her saying, 'Your hair doesn't need much blow waving...' I don't recall asking for a blow wave. Can you blow wave such short hair? What is blow waving?

Secondly, while she was putting product in my hair: 'So... do you know where he was going with this? Is it supposed to be big or flat? I think he makes it big then smushes it down in the end.' You should have seen her accompanying facial expression. And since when is 'smush' proper hair-dressing terminology?

Lastly, five minutes later while she's *still* playing with my hair: 'I could play with this for days...' That's when I started squirming and saying, 'That's great... thanks... *tries to get up*.'

Anyway, now that I don't live around the corner, I had to walk back home... and I was smushing my hair back down the entire way.

By the way, congratulations to Cisco for winning the hair competition on Sunday! Good luck at Nationals!

Songs of the Week

Way back on the 25th of January 2001, I was out on the Prince Bandroom balcony, listening to Guy Uppiah DJ. It was Miss Collins' birthday bash and the birthday girl had yet to arrive. But that's beside the point.

Guy played a song which I'd only heard once before but loved and I was finally able to find out what it was called... That song was 'Shamefaced' by Coldfeet (Francois K remix).

Every now and then when I'm shopping on Hard to Find Records (www.htfr.com), I'll look up this track to see if it's there... and last week it was! Now I have my very own copy - and it was the last copy in stock. SCORE!!!

I also had a look for 'Believe' by The Traveller & In Motion. This track is on the very first Trance Nation compilation by Ministry of Sound. Now I own this record too... and it's a double LP.

Yes, it was a very good day at Hard to Find...

And a big round of applause goes out to...

Grace!

Happy Birthday!

33 today... 33 today....

Hehehehe...

I'm in my happy place...

Meow meow meow meow...

>:o(

Ouch.

I never realised how important my thumbnail was until I damaged it stripping speaker wires yesterday.

What started as a simple split in the nail turned into agonising pain when the bit of nail got caught in some clothing and ripped right off.

Yowch.

Crap.

My CD-burner is broken.

Now I have all this music *trapped* on my hard disk.

Double crap!

Because I believe in buying music.

I just discovered that I have an iTunes account.

So I bought the Feist album 'Let It Die'.

Another fine Canadian chanteuse.

Get it.

Embrace it.

Song of the week

You guessed it... 'Give it Back' by Gaelle. I prefer the Putsch 79 'Lectro Remix.

Give it back

You hijacked my mind so
I'm falling in circles
Can't catch my fall so
I need you to be close 'cause
Where you go, I'll follow
So give it back

In my bed
Sleeping not
I cannot explain what's in my head
Longing for
An empty thought
But I seem to think of you instead

You blew my mind away
And I can't let you go

Took it and ran away
Just had to let you know

Just dropped a line to say
That I lost all control

In my head
And in my heart
I cannot complain
No one competes
Longing for this pace to stop
Never been the same
Since you loved me

You blew my mind away
Now that I'm torn apart

Took it and ran away
Is when you come for my heart

There's nothing left to say
And I don't know where to start

Give back my thoughts to me

Nine records later...

I'm beginning to wonder if I ever will retire from DJing, once and for all.

Still... I can't wait to go home and play!!!

*claps*

She's gone... a thousand mi-i-iles away...

Most likely to be found on a dancefloor in Germany.

I'm not sure what this means.

DJ Grace, vamping it up.

Come back soon, Stasch! Your disco needs you!