still alive

Just 8 days until Dfkan leaves for her European adventure!



Just 1 complicated hat to knit (which I will link to when I am not running so late for Marie Celeste).

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lessons learned

What I learned from the worst dust storm in 70 years:

If you wake up at 6.15am and the sky is orange, you are not dreaming and it is not the end of the world

If you wake up at 6.15am and the sky is orange, run outside and take photos!


The anzac bridge is somewhere in there

If you wake up at 6.15am and the sky is orange, close the windows! Else everything will be covered in a thick orange dust.

If you wake up at 6.15am and the sky is orange, do not walk to work - you will have difficulty breathing by journey's end

If you wake up at 6.15am and the sky is orange, do not walk to work - you will resemble Michael Kors by journey's end.

If you wake up at 6.15am and the sky is orange, do not walk to work in a white shirt, it will take on a peach hue by journey's end.

If you wake up at 6.15am and the sky is orange, the clever marketing will come out: Coles $5 car wash voucher, umbrella dude at cnr Liverpool & George selling face masks.

If you wake up at 6.15am and the sky is orange, you and your colleagues will be endlessly entertained by the white building near you turning progressively orange.

If you wake up at 6.15am and the sky is orange, do not come home and wipe down your orange dust covered benches with a damp cloth. Orange dust + damp cloth = mud.


Some excellent Orange Sydney pix at smh.com.au

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tre anni ... τρία έτη ... trois ans ... 3 лет ... drei jahre

This evening marks 3 years since our first date (awwww).

And what a fabulous date it was! Giacometti, drinks in a super-cool bar while listening to The Dave and superb Vietnamese¹

Don's awfully busy and exhausted, so we're postponing the celebratory dinner until later in the week, but he did come home with a treat:




I do like treats.


¹It was a superb restaurant then, now, not so much.

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but i do really need to dye my eyebrows

Well, the whole do something Nice for myself every day kind of fell by the wayside (as I am sure that you knew it would).

Wracking the brain to think of Nice Things during the week, when one is all tired and cross from dealing with the idiots, is not conducive to good mental health.

But, dear reader, you will be pleased to hear that my Mental Health has improved, and I give all credit to the oh-so clichéd ... exercise.

No, really! As horrifying as it is, dragging myself (and hating it) to the gym every day definitely has a cheerifying effect (and my calves and thighs are killerly muscular and I get to watch Murder She Wrote). And I feel that it is no small co-incidence that when I had the crying episode I had not exercised for some time (what with being in Melbourne and snowed under with work &etc).

This is not to say that I do not need to visit the MHP (because I really, really do), but things appear to be much more tolerable at the moment.

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the don and carol melbourne experience

I'm finding that twitter is much less useful than the blog for remembering what I did and when, so I've consolidated all of the Melbourne related tweets in one nice, contained location. This has the added bonus of saving me from the arduous task of writing.

If it is any consolation, dearest reader, the images and links did take quite some time (like forever, man) to organise.

I have also left the nonsensical bits (of which there are many), because, really, that is all part of the charm. Non-twitterly comments in plum 3

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Don suggested we not take computer to Melbourne. I'm up for the challenge, plus we'll have phones, so all will be okay (hyperventilates)
10:40 PM Aug 11th from TweetDeck

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Really shouldn't be drinking champagne at werk with GMs when I need to pack!
7:45 PM Aug 12th from Tweetie

packing all done (except for last minute things for morning). haus nice and tidy for kindly haus-sitter. Still admiring hair.
11:15 PM Aug 12th from TweetDeck

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Wow, Avalon airport really is in the middle of nowhere!
9:00 AM Aug 13th from Tweetie

Also, nice first jetstar experience. Cut our arrival very fine - 7am flights for lazy people who don't like getting out of bed not good idea
9:21 AM Aug 13th from Tweetie

First time I've ever drunk ale. In love. Watch out Carlton draught.
2:55 PM Aug 13th from Tweetie


Little creatures dining hall, Fitzroy
Seriously, if you're in Melbourne, you should go, I loved it! Great pub-style food.

Japanese @ takimi. Just lovely.

9:11 PM Aug 13th from Tweetie

Of course that should have been takumi. Ye verily, I *heart* waygu in all it's delicious meaty forms.
9:42 PM Aug 13th from Tweetie

Takumi
I swear the waygu in the entree tasted like butter - just amazing!






Drunken pix on the way back to the apartment
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At qv markets. The produce! The deli stuff! The sore feets!
1:44 PM Aug 14th from Tweetie

Is quite hot & sunny in today. Have walked lots and lots and lots. Also, why the hell don't we have markets like this in syd? The food!
1:47 PM Aug 14th from Tweetie










Evidence of the walking lots

Rest of qv markets as dodgy as paddys - so much cheap tat. But the food = xlnt.
2:30 PM Aug 14th from Tweetie

In all seriousness, and I have discussed this with many people and we can't come up with a decent answer) why the hell don't we have something like this in my beloved Sydney? DJ's is closest for cheese, smallgoods and the ghastly paddy's comes nowhere near for vegies. But every day! Why can't we do this?

So much pressure from colleagues to come back with loads of clothes from trip. So not really interested in doing so.
2:34 PM Aug 14th from Tweetie

At footy. MCG much more well organised than SCG. But why oh why do neither stock villi's pies?
7:38 PM Aug 14th from Tweetie

Holidays are good.
8:56 PM Aug 14th from Tweetie


I love footy (cue Spiderbait song). I could live in Melbourne for the footy alone






More drunken pix on the way back to the apartment
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3g access much better in melb.
8:08 PM Aug 15th from Tweetie

Frankly, I don't understand this whole "people are so very stylish/fashion capital of oz" thing. Perhaps am moving in wrong areas.
8:11 PM Aug 15th from Tweetie

In pub, watching footy with my delightful husband. Doesn't get much better. Melb. has much much better footy than syd.
8:35 PM Aug 15th from Tweetie


Go duckies!
8:59 PM Aug 15th from Tweetie

Not exactly sure why one has to wait almost an hour for ridiculously overpriced pub food. May have to ask for refund.
9:16 PM Aug 15th from Tweetie

Another instance of twittetering things making them happen.
9:18 PM Aug 15th from Tweetie

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Drinking coffee looking at art. Trying to decide whether to buy a painting & go to the poor haus.
1:01 PM Aug 16th from Tweetie



Bought art. Poorhaus here we come.
1:35 PM Aug 16th from Tweetie

In prahran. Waiting for burgers at grill'd. Dfkan will be jealous. Slightly more fashionable here.
2:59 PM Aug 16th from Tweetie

Currently enjoying a beer in quite possibly awesomest named pub ever: the lucky coq. Why yes, I am 12 years old.
3:44 PM Aug 16th from Tweetie


Lucky Coq, pub of my dreams

A double entendre kind of day. Currently about to eat at the New Kum Den. After drinking at the lucky coq.
7:23 PM Aug 16th from Tweetie


MSG heaven

Jealous of y'all in Sydney with your sunny day. Been pouring & windy & cold. News says warmest august night in years - was so very cold!
7:27 PM Aug 16th from Tweetie

Every Chinese restaurant review for melb seems to mention # of asians inside as measure of goodness.
8:28 PM Aug 16th from Tweetie

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At the espy enjoying beer in the sun. Just visited the NGV. Was quite good, tho not a huge fan of the Dali exhibition (not a big Dali fan)
2:54 PM Aug 17th from Tweetie





Some excellent modern art tho. Why I became member of Agnsw & not mca, am not sure. 4ish days until new poor haus painting arrives!
2:55 PM Aug 17th from Tweetie

European style lubricant??
4:06 PM Aug 17th from Tweetie



What I like in a pub (other than the European-style lubricant) ... Fire!!
4:14 PM Aug 17th from Tweetie





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Just finished the most spectacular cassoulet at the french brasserie in malthouse lane. So so so good. 9.75/10
9:43 PM Aug 17th from Tweetie

I used Shazam to discover Oh ! Les Filles by Au bonheur des dames #shazam
9:45 PM Aug 17th from API

Sitting here tagging the restaurant music with shazaam.
9:46 PM Aug 17th from Tweetie

Planning a cheapo meal tonight & ended up with one of the best meals ever (tho certainly not cheapo!!). Press Club for lunch tomorrow.
10:10 PM Aug 17th from Tweetie

the french brasserie. Just wonderful! Hard to find, but you should make the effort - really!

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I think I am going to need to fast for a week or two after I get back home. My belly is enormous!
10:49 AM Aug 18th from Tweetie

At press club. Food = magnificent. George sitting in corner looking v. George.
1:57 PM Aug 18th from Tweetie

Meals I could happily die after eating
3:04 PM Aug 18th from Tweetie



George's back, don's ear

3:11 PM Aug 18th from Tweetie

Just conversed w/ George #fangirly
3:48 PM Aug 18th from Tweetie







3.5 hour lunches are fabulous, should do it more at home.
4:09 PM Aug 18th from Tweetie

Make that a four and a bit hour lunch. Yay holidays!
4:51 PM Aug 18th from Tweetie

At one if those famed small bars: section
6:05 PM Aug 18th from Tweetie

That should be section8
6:06 PM Aug 18th from Tweetie

Heather& I want to start a small bar in sydney & get the hell away from Marie Celeste (& embrace a life of poverty, but contented poverty)
6:28 PM Aug 18th from Tweetie





I really could live in this city - for the bars & food. Not sure the babies & dfkan would care for the commute tho.
8:51 PM Aug 18th from Tweetie

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Now that was a hangover! Only left the bed to visit the bathroom. When will I learn?
7:41 PM Aug 19th from Tweetie

Head still very very tender. Noisy Mexican restaurant not really the best for sore heads.
7:43 PM Aug 19th from Tweetie

Abandoned cheapo Mexican (after about 15 minutes wait for a menu) for japanese.
8:25 PM Aug 19th from Tweetie

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Last day of hols. What sort of dickheads return to work on a Friday?
11:25 AM Aug 20th from Tweetie

Damn - don's suitcase too large for carry on. An $80 lesson learned (should have paid the $10 extra at booking). Still cheaper than qantas.
2:26 PM Aug 20th from Tweetie

Airport beer

2:30 PM Aug 20th from Tweetie



There's a bunch of middle aged dudes at an adjacent table who have their own stubby holders. Now that's packing the essentials!
2:45 PM Aug 20th from Tweetie

Amazing fireworks over at pyrmont. Thanks for the welcome home!!
7:26 PM Aug 20th from Tweetie





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So exhausted last night that we were in bed by 9.30. Back to work today . At least I'll be back to a new desk - with a window!
8:19 AM Aug 21st from Tweetie

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for the independent young woman with whooping cough

Finally finished the Dfkan hat! It was a breeze to knit, but hellish to find the appropriate buttons (hence the delay in completion). I had to resort to eBay and found a lovely English seller with a bargain set of just the right buttons.



Matching scarf to come, additional wool purchased this afternoon.


Hopefully, it *isn't* whooping cough - the alternatives are asthma or bronchitis (results of swab on Monday).

In the meantime she is quarantined, and coughing.

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slight change of plans

Observant readers may have noticed the removal of the "days until the big holiday" widgety thing from the sidebar <--

We have come to the sad realisation that there's no feasible way that, after spending all that dosh on eyes and teeth, we can afford a 6 week European holiday.

Well, that and we're now unlikely to have anywhere near 6 weeks leave accrued by that point (so the leave without pay would make the financial situation even more dire).

Bummer.

But 2011 very long French/Spanish/Italian holiday, here we come.

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ein kleines spiel cup perpetual trophy award for excellence: 2009 week 26

Apologies for the slackedness in regularly updating, I'd blame the crazy, but I fear it is simply sloth.

Current standings at the end of the regular season are below:

1. Carol (255 points)
2. Joe/Frank (245 points)
3. Don (231 points)
4. Dfkan (212 points)
5. Bessie (198 points)

And, for everyone playing at home, current standings in tip the tipsterer are:

1. The most excellent Harriet
2. The fabulous Jano (who will be exceedingly displeased with Don for forgetting to tip on two occasions)
3. The delightful Hazelblackberry (carol+bessie/2)
4. The lovely and mysterious Nikki

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any time, baby let's go, every day should be a holiday*

Today's Nice Thing was feasting on wine and cheese at the park in front of the Donandcarol haus.



Very nice it was too, even if we drank our wine from tumblers (Don calls it rustic, I pretend it is a wine glass).

While we do have the best view in the world (and a much better view than at the park), it is quite lovely to get out amongst it, so many people promenading and so many lovely doggies (although you can't tell it from the rather ordinary pix)!



I took the time to finish reading Annabel Crabb's essay on Malcolm Turnbull (part of my schwag from renewing my crikey subscription), which was really most excellent and well worth a read if you can get your hands on a copy.



And many thanks and hugs to my wonderful and beloved imaginary internet friends for their kind thoughts and good wishes.

*Dandy Warhols, from when they were good.

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go crazy? don't mind if i do

Spoke to Mental Health Professional on Friday to make an appointment. She asked if my GP had made me aware that she'd be on hols for the next 5 weeks. He hadn't made me aware (I'm sure he wasn't aware either), but I said I thought that I'd be okay to wait to see her when she returned. I've waited this long already and I do feel quite a bit better than I did last week. Even just seeing the GP made me feel as though I was doing something positive.

So I have an appointment with Mental Health Professional on 23 October. In the meanwhile I'm trying to be more gentle with myself and to make an effort to do something nice for myself each day (quite difficult and one of my hugest issues, along with beating myself up for every little thing and the perfectionistness and the bazillion other things that need fixing).

There was initially a rather complicated set of rules I devised around the Nice Things, such as not repeating nice things within certain time-frames etc, but this was quickly abandoned because I'm quite certain that if I have rules and don't obey them it will just be Asking For Trouble (it is pressure enough to actually *do* the Nice Things at all). So far I've relaxed quietly with brekkie in the DFH¹ cafe after my blood test [see below] (rather than racing to work and eating a bikky, as I would normally do), listened to my ipod at work (how sad is my life that this now constitutes a treat?) and acquired an awesome pair of bargain boots (and a couple of new items of clothing).

Today's Nice Thing was walking to Kirribilli with my lovely husband. The fish and chips we ate while in Kirribilli were definitely not Nice Things (perfectly revolting, ridiculously expensive things, in fact), but it was a very lovely day. I do love an urban hike. 12-13km later, my poor feets are not quite so appreciative.

The walk had a dual purpose - a Nice Thing and getting us out and about. While having his poor, hurty shoulder checked out, Don also had a health check (figuring he should do so, being 40 and all) and while just about everything was great, his cholesterol levels were not. They were so not great that he was immediately put on medication and sent to have his heart checked. They were so not great that his levels are more than double the danger level. Hence the exercise, and the acquisition of the bicycle (which I guess you would only know about if you're following me on twitter) for the getting to work. He's quite chilled about it all though. I think it goes without saying that, although trying hard, I am not quite as chilled as he is.

Given that Don and I have the same diet, he was quite insistent that I get checked too, which was one of the reasons I was motivated to make the GP visit (that and the crazy). I had loads of blood removed - mainly to see if there was any medical reason for me feeling as I do. There wasn't, although I do have rather low iron and ferritin levels (GP says not much I can do, given that I take iron supplements and eat loads of red meat, I guess I could start having steak for brekkie?), but my cholesterol levels are quite excellent. So I'll continue stuffing my face with butter and cream while poor Don is eating salad.


¹Dirty Fucking Hippy (for the uninitiated)

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I've a ton of un-posted photos from the iphone:


Once upon a time, there was a daddy trolley, a mummy trolley and a tiny baby trolley...

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see what happens when i don't have a desk?

Poor August, all alone down there with its solitary post.

Don was having dreadful shoulder and arm pain for quite some time, which I figured may have been related to the way he curled himself around his laptop on the couch. So I kindly let him use my desk for several weeks, to see if it would improve things ... it didn't. He since been off to the GP and physio and they initially thought he had torn a muscle (ouch) which would have taken forever to heal, fortunately investigations have proved otherwise. The down-side is that he's still got loads of recuperation and exercises and drugs ahead of him, but sitting at the computer is not something he needs to work on, so the desk is all mine again. And might I say that curling myself around a laptop is not really conducive to posting, so I am glad to be sitting up again.

But the blame for the absence of posts cannot lay entirely with the couch and lack of desk space, for not only has work been crazy, so have I. Last Friday I cried in front of everyone at the big annual Marie Celeste lunch, and followed up with a bit of a breakdown later that evening at the pub and another at home.

Am not coping terribly well with anything at present (I will not bore you with the details right now - perhaps later if you're unlucky!), so I finally sucked it up and went to the GP on Wednesday morning for a referral to the crazy doctor. It is a most enormous step to admit that I need some help and even more of an enormous step to seek it out (because, really, there are so many times in my life that I should have done so) - so yay for me and the journey toward the slightly less crazy. At the very least it will provide good blog fodder.

The stimulus holiday in Melbourne was excellent and deserves a post of its own, but here is one of my favourite photos from the trip (admittedly didn't take terribly many), I really like the light.



Love those trams. Truly, the public transport in Melbourne is a wonderful thing.
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