Saturday, November 29, 2003

Went scallop diving yesterday around Sorrento/Portsea on the Mornington Penninsula.

Scott and I brought home two shopping bags full of scallops. We thought this was great until we realized that now we have to shuck them all.

We shucked one bag full last night. Messy, fish-smelly work.
The rest were left in the sink with a bag of ice.

Now Scott's gone to the hospital and left me with the second bag. I think he messed up his throat on purpose!

Yesterday on the dive, something went wrong with Scott's throat. Although it was funny 'cause he sounded like he was on helium, it got progressively more painful. This morning, I looked it up on the Internet and found that it's very possible he has subcutaneous emphysema.

On the bright side, we're supposed to have a scallop dinner party tonight followed by a viewing of David's LoTR: TTT extended version DVD. Sooooo excited!

Can't believe I have to wait almost a whole other MONTH to see RoTK!

Also, got a postcard from my awesome brother, I.W. and my first Christmas card/gift from my mom!

Thursday, November 27, 2003

Went to the ScienceWorks Museum today with a bunch of underprivileged kids. It was awesome!

Totally loved the wall climbing bit and the reaction time game.

Now I'm off to do catering at Rippon Lea. Last night I catered a Nissan event at the Melbourne Museum. Had a wonderful time! Talked to many of the guests and had many offers for me to visit people in various parts of the country. It was GREAT!

Two men actually kissed my hand and thanked me for a lovely evening! I'm a star!

Tuesday, November 25, 2003

Today is the last day for 13 of my coworkers.

They're plotting how to stuff up the system. Several interesting plans in the works...

shredding faxes, putting smileys in all the system notes just to piss everyone off, phoning the talking clock in Hong Kong and leaving it there all day, inviting everyone to a company-wide Sametime slag-off, filling the yellow wagon with computers, three-hour lunches, telling the customer service monkeys who call with stupid questions cos they didnt read the notes what we really think...

<snip>

*Ring Ring*

"Hi, this is Bob from Customer Care"
"F!@K YOU"

*Click*

</snip>

I'm really going to miss 'em.
And David is sulking.

~pouts in his general direction~
It appears that I still have a job. WHEW!

I was one of two working holidayers to keep my job.

Although I'm changing departments (Account Support instead of Verify), I probably won't be able to sit next to my new best friend David.

~cries~

And mostly everyone else on the team is gone.

~more pouting~

Monday, November 24, 2003

I think I'm going to be fired at 4:30pm this afternoon.

Have just been called into a mandatory meeting and the word is that I'll be fired as of Friday, along with all the other travellers on my team.

I'm really, really sad and feeling very sick about this.

So I'm spending the afternoon applying for jobs on Seek.com.

Sunday, November 23, 2003

So Sarah has a new album and I didn't even know until today!

Go figure that they're not playing it here yet.

Having my first listen of "Fallen" right now. Liking it. Of course.

Can't wait to get home and buy it.
Christmas is definately on the way!

Last night, after work, I wandered over to Southbank, to walk around the casino and shops and in the hotel lobby, there was a giant choir singing Christmas carols on the steps.

Then there was this big sound/light show with all these massive moving decorations.

First the big New Years clock jingled its bells and the mini Santa drove his sleigh around the clock face. Then the fairy dropped from the ceiling and waved her wand to start the carousel. Then the giant snowmen started moving and an elaborate golden egg popped open to show a tiny rotating city snow scene and another to show a workshop. Then a big monkey pulled the power cord and all his mates dropped from the ceiling, playing their drums and cymbals, making a racket and rolling their eyes (quite scary really).

Finally, Santa popped out of the top of the carousel and HoHoHo'd and wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

Crazy. Then more choir singing.

And I went home to watch The Grinch on TV. Sigh. I love Christmas!
My friend Evelyn just had a baby!

He was born Friday night at 11:30 PM, at home after a rather long labour, but quick delivery. He weighed 8lb, 14oz, was 54 cm tall.

His name is Jude Sybrand te Nyenhuis Buckridan, named after his great-Opa. That's quite an impressive name for such a small human being.

Saturday, November 22, 2003

Well, as you may know, England won the Rugby World Cup.

I was at a party full of very happy POMs. Very happy, very drunk POMs.

Who wanted me to be very drunk.

So, I'm weak, what can I say?

And now I'm here at work on a Sunday morning, a wee bit hung over. But the up-side is that we got MacDonald's for breakfast. Mmm yummy greasy Mackers. And I get to listen to Radiohead and the Dandy Warhols at Capitol Records.

You can check out photos of me at the game here and here... and oh ya, here too.

Thursday, November 20, 2003

I have discovered the right amount of alcohol I can drink without being too hung over the next day to function.

Went out to FrostBites last night for a colleague's going away party. Bought an expensive pizza for dinner, but got free drinks all night.

Had the presence of mind to get David to drive me home just after 11pm so I got to bed at a decent time. (David is far too nice to me.)

Scott, on the other hand, rocked in at 4:30am and was surprised that I was there at all ("aren't you supposed to be out drinking all night?") and then ate my pizza that I was going to eat for lunch today. Grr.

He has a new "rental" condition: I have to ensure he gets to work on time after a big night out.

Wednesday, November 19, 2003

I bought SHOES!!!

I'm in love with them. Waited for a big Myer sale and dove into the meleé with the hordes of shoe-crazed harpies.

Came out alive with a cute pair of strappy-yet-comfy black leather sale shoes! My toes are wiggling in excitement!

*************

It was a magic night at Federation Square last night, with the airing of the final Australian Idol.

I sat down on the ground with Anne and the rest of the cheering Guy Sebastian fans. Of course, Guy won.

It was a great moment when we all jumped up and cheered en masse with the announcement of the winner.

Sadly, I'll admit that I already know his song "Angels Brought Me Here". Well, there are worse things that I could do...

Tuesday, November 18, 2003

Well, had another look into my web logs.

Checked my referrers.

Someone ACTUALLY searched for "friendship is like pissing your pants" and found my site.

Of course, someone also searched for "hot naked women" and found my site.

I suppose if I didn't want that to happen, I would stop writing "hot naked women" on my site, now, wouldn't I?

Monday, November 17, 2003

Another day, another yoga class.

I am definately making progress now. It's about time! I think part of it has to do with my new ability to accept that I can only go as far as I can go and I'm not out to hurt myself anymore.

I'm one step closer to the splits and the headstand. Crazy.

Also managed to make it to Pilates last night where I re-learned how to breathe. Who knew it was so much work?

Sunday, November 16, 2003

Finally got to update my site a little. Put up some new photos of my trip up the east coast. Now I just need to get some more film put on CD so that I can update some more.

I've also put up some of my journals from way back in September.

It was a tough decision between going to the art gallery and updating my site, but I got a message from Andy who was in withdrawal and needed some new photos. So there, it's all Andy's fault. He is also very cutely worried about me. It's nice to have people care that much to worry.

Also, in rugby news, the All Blacks lost last night to the Wallabys. Aussies were very happy. My Kiwi friends were... well, I might hear from them again when they've finished crying.

Saturday, November 15, 2003

Went to karaoke last night. Sang "Can't Hurry Love". Wow, am I a fantastic singer (that is a lie).

This morning, I had a lovely conversation with my parents at home. Talked for a good hour and, wow, did I ever need it.

Then I went for yum cha with Louise and Mike (friends of Theresa). It was so nice; they're great people and the food was soooo good!

Went shopping on Bridge Road, at all the factory outlet shops. Was looking for shoes, but didn't find any that fit (style, size and financially). Did manage to buy some new things at the Witchery outlet. I love Witchery. Don't think we have it at home.

Tonight I'm off to a friend's place for a small get together. Then tomorrow is another yoga morning. Yay Yoga!

Wednesday, November 12, 2003

Went out to Dandenong Myer yesterday. Was supposed to be working but it was boring so I shoe-shopped. Didn't buy anything though, since I am poor.

Went to yoga and think that I finally might be making progress.

I think I need a bed to sleep in so that my back stops hurting...

Tuesday, November 11, 2003

Saw The Matrix Revolutions last night.

Disappointed.

I think someone got mixed up and played Star Wars instead.

Here's a hint: more story, less testosterone-charged screaming from your APV as you shoot sentinels.

Infinitely less slick and cool than the first and second movie.

Now I just have to wait for LoTR: RoTK. I'd better not be disappointed. I might pee my pants in anticipation.

Monday, November 10, 2003

So I can't figure out why I'm not any better at yoga yet.

I've been going 2-3 times a week (OK, well, when I was sick I only went once). And I still find it difficult.

It takes a lot of motivation to go because I know it's going to hard, sweaty work. But at least I'm not so sore afterwards. That's a step in the right direction.

Of course, I could practice more on my own. But I know I'm a pansy and won't push myself.

Still, I need to practice more often so that I can become the serene, balanced, tightly muscled woman that I'm striving to be.

Sunday, November 09, 2003

Worked a lovely wedding on Friday night. But was very, very tired by 12:30 when I finally got to go home.

Was very, very happy to get home and relax with my Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix before bed.

Saturday I went to yoga and grocery shopping with Scott. We attempted to steal the cart to get our grocerieis home, but the wheels locked up so we were spared becoming criminals and took a taxi home instead.

I made a lovely salmon and rice pilaf dinner before we went out to the Fiddlers pub meet my Irish friends who were in town for the rugby.

Scott and I danced like idiots... mostly scott, though. He again invited everyone home with us... why does he always do that? It makes people all suspicious of our intentions.

But it was very tame as I served some munchies and then promptly fell asleep on the couch (AKA: my bed).

Sunday we went to the Victoria Markets to buy all our veggies for the week. I also FINALLY got around to buying a purse! My purse has been broken since I was staying in Nerang on the Gold Coast.

I'm sure I paid too much for the purse, considering that I'm a traveller, but I did get a bargain. Sadly, it's turned out to be a little small, but maybe it'll force me to carry around less crap.

There. I'm sure everyone wanted to know about my new purse.

Then we watched lots of TV and I made scallops and pasta in a peppercorn cream sauce that was interesting. Not my best work.

Restful weekend. Just what I needed.

Thursday, November 06, 2003

OK. I'm better now.

</vent>
I am about to cry.
Australians have been very mean/rude to me today.

I'm sure it was because it's over the phone and they can't see my friendly smile.

And the tearing-up might have something to do with lack of sleep, a headache and the thought of having to work until midnight tonight carrying heavy platters again.

Can you hear that?
It's the smallest violin in the world and it's playing a sympathy march just for me.
David (work neighbour) says that there are those who would literally worship me because:
a) I'm a girl
b) I like Star Trek and LoTR
c) I'm a Web-nerd and
d) I'm excited about watching Matrix Revolutions

(Incidentally, his verdict: they diverted too much from the sci-fi aspect - which made it unique - and focussed too much on the action. Plus, he SMS'd me that wants me to hurry up and watch it so I can explain parts of it to him.)

Have spent the morning reading ridiculously nerdy emails from my sister and brothers and laughing out loud, missing them madly. Thank god for email.

I am thoroughly jealous that they are all going to meet my sister in Calgary to go snowboarding, hiking and x-country skiing in February, when I will still be here.

I console myself that at least I will be sunning myself possibly in Perth while they are inevitably causing much injury and possibly dying from exposure.

Tuesday, November 04, 2003

Melbourne Cup.

Well, what can I say? It was very interesting. A big drunk fest, really. But the weather was beautiful. And I got a $20-tip.

I cannot believe how many drunken men wanted me to go out drinking with them! I ended up not going out with any of them, and ended up at Scott's neighbour's post-Cup party drinking wine.

Of course, it only takes 2-3 glasses to get me drunk, so that was accomplished quite quickly.

Got a call from my German friend, Andrea, who's leaving Australia today. It's sad that I won't see her again in Australia, but I'm sure we will see each other again either in Canada or Germany.

Scott and I decided that it would be a good idea to go out to Brunswick West to pick up my things and move me "home". Turns out it wasn't as much fun as that sounds (ahem - yes, I know it doesn't sound fun).

But we did have an interesting conversation discussing how I care too much about what others think of me. I wish I didn't. And we discussed my being too fat for him and his being too skinny for my taste. Well, at least we've established how unattracted we are to each other.;)
I'm back in the city after a short try at life in the suburbs of Brunswick West.

Conclusion: living conditions are better, but it sucks when you're trying to get home after midnight.

Sunday, November 02, 2003

My sister just took possession of her house in Calgary. The first of us "kids" to actually OWN a house.

And soon she's on her way to Brazil to play soccer.

I'm so jealous.
Sunday I had a lovely time with Wynsomme, Juris and Nik.

Went on a steamboat cruise of the Yarra River. Then to St. Kilda to have a peek at the markets there. Had a cuppa in a cafe nearby. Back to the city to look at photos and then go for dinner. Really lovely day (aside from the weather).

Thanks to Nik for today's quote:

"Friendship is like pissing your pants: everyone can see it, but only you know its true warmth.

He added: "Thanks for being the piss in my pants."

Saturday, November 01, 2003

It seems that every time I post, I have the equivalent of a novel to write about. Believe me, I really AM trying to keep it short...

Friday night was interesting.

Went out after work with workmates to our local pub, as usual. Even managed to get my neighbour, David, to come too (who also chivalrously lent me his umbrella for the weekend).

One by one, they all dwindled away until it was just the die-hards: me, Seph and Tom (all having an all-too-interesting chat about cookies, I might add).

Since it was Seph's birthday, we moved on to his venue of choice: some pub in St. Kilda. It was packed in there, but we met some of his friends and I drank MORE red wine (which I have discovered I CAN drink, afterall) and of course spilled much of it down the front of my white shirt.

More allusions to cookies.

I finally realized it was time to go home at midnight but all the trams would have stopped before I could get all the way home to Brunswick West. Seph gallantly paid for a cab ride home for me and decided that he needed to escort me to safety... I don't think he realized just how far it was in the suburbs. Poor dear. I explained it to him several times. He just kept asking me : "Where are we?"

Unfortunately, I woke up Saturday morning with a bit of a hangover and dissatisfied with my quantity of sleep.

But I was off to work at Flemington, where all the horse racing for the Melbourne Cup Carnival is happening.

I spent 45 minutes just looking for my work venue. What a huge place! And Peter Rowland caters so many areas of it: from Tooheys beer tents for the masses to champagne-and-strawberries for the well-heeled. I happened to be in the "Bird Cage" with all the corporate functions and beautiful people.

I'm pretty sure I saw many famous people, only I had no idea who they were.

I served much alcohol and even more yummy food to ladies in pretty dresses and ridiculous hats and men in suits from 9:30-6:30pm when the heavens finally opened up on us and they decided I could leave... It just means that I was thankful for the aforementioned umbrella.

On the way home, Scott rang my mobile and got me to turn around and come back into the city so we could go out for dinner in St. Kilda with his guests Kai and Nicole.

We ended up at a fantastic nouveau-Mexican restaurant, Bluecorn, and I had a lovely prawn/roasted corn fajita with mango chutney. Ohmygosh, so good!

But by this time, it was midnight and again all trams had stopped running to Brunswick West, so I stayed at Scott's place.

But not before stopping off at the Crown Casino and Entertainment Complex. What a cool place! Now I know where I can go shopping almost 24-hours a day, not to mention play video games, eat, watch movies, dance and gamble.

Today I'm meeting up with Wynsomme and Juris (whom I stayed with for a week on the Gold Coast in August) and their son Nik. They're in town for the Melbourne Cup and I'm so excited to see them again!

Even though it is raining yet again today... but one never knows in Melbourne. Four seasons in a day. If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes... oh look! Here comes the sun...