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.