Uh-oh, the fight - perspective?

So, in retrospect, it wasn't so big a deal. But in the middle of what was our longest 'fight' (even if not really about anything) it felt like a whole lot more than that.

With the dan camp, seminar and tournament looming, I'd obviously been coming under more stress - stressed Enny is not a bundle of fun (you all know hormonal Enny is also not fun) but I'd hafta say I had no idea how cranky I'd be getting in the middle of it.

The entire seven days (Tuesday - Monday) were spent with a pain across my shoulders - some days it would ride right up into my neck and down my spine, other days it was nothing more then a noticeable tension - this is where I carry my stress.

The seven days were also a collection of 5 hour sleep nights, dreams of tournaments, fleeting moments of panic before dawn where I'd grope around my bedside table for clarity on the bedside clock to double check I hadn't slept in and had set the alarm. I'd come home late in the night, prepare everything for the next day (uniform, food bag, check the to-do list), shower and go straight to bed without much talk to The Hun in between.

Part of the organisation of our tournament including organising helpers - people selling food, taking the wife of the Grand Master out sight seeing, selling merchandise, operating the sound equipment - and I'd asked The Hun to be at the hall at 8am on the Sunday to sell the merchandise. I'd also asked Mumsy and Dadsy to be there as The Hun didn't want to miss out on anything I was doing, and figured they could manage it between the three of them.

Sunday morning at 3:30am, The Hun crawled into a bed after a day /evening / night / morning LAN at a friends house... "Is it ok if I'm not there at 8 tomorrow? I'd only get 4 hours sleep...." "Yeah, sure, that's fine".

NOTE FOR BOYS: THAT NEVER MEANS IT'S FINE.

I got up early and left quickly on the Sunday and proceeded to run around like a headless chook all morning. The parents were also late (8:30/8:45ish) and I think The Hun got in just before 9.

I will admit that I wasn't really THAT angry at the time - I was too stressed and busy with other things to really think about what I was feeling, but I knew he would be in trouble later, and I knew he knew it, and he knew I knew he knew and so on.

The day was deemed a success, we packed up, I got changed in the car in front of where the priest guys live and Magf, the Grand Master, his wife, my senior instructor, my next senior instructor and I went out to dinner. Then Magf and I went onto drinks with others from around the place, getting home 20 hours after I first left the house and promptly fell into bed.

The next morning he took me into work with him as I had to pick up my car - it all seemed fairly fine, and I met up with him for lunch after dropping my seniors at the airport. All also seemed fairly fine that night night, tho there was some tension as he made some digs about my veganism at my parents house, causing them to arc up on me about how it's bad for me. Then talk turned to my plans for the next day (Me: QUESTACON!; Everyone else: DO YOUR ASSIGNMENT). You should all be fairly aware that questacon won out.

Back at home that night was when (more) reference was also made to the fact that he was glad as I was back as there was no food in the house as well as some other 'special time' references. Being totally exhausted I crashed out almost straight away...

The next morning I made some reference to him about how he was in trouble for not being on time - I lost my cool a bit, but sent him an email apologising for being snappy at him, with no reply. He came home that night and it was almost like I hadn't said anything, until the time I went TOTALLY NUTS that he'd LEFT THE HOT WATER TAP DRIPPING AGAIN (please note, this is my pet hate) and I went to sleep in a bit of a major rage.

The NEXT morning (Wednesday now, ppl), some more tense words were exchanged. It was then that my moment of 'brilliance' came about and I reeled off a massive email to him at work about how the tap pushed me over the edge, I resented the way it seemed he only wanted me back for groceries and 'special time', I resented the way he didn't respect me enough to turn up on time and I resented the way I didn't feel that I was special to him.

No response.

And when he came home late that night after sports? No talk.

And when I asked if he had anything to say? Nothing but a snappy no.

That's when I posted what I did and stayed up until 3am.

Thursday morning he got up without a word and STILL wasn't talking. It wasn't until Patch Adams was on Sunrise talking about how everyone should just love that he came up and gave me a hug.

And it's been great again since then.

The morals of this long winded story?

It's a hard one.

I HATE people being late - to me it is disrespectful, discourteous and a plain old insult. The Hun feels no such urge - he is a late bunny.

I HATE feeling taken for granted. I have no doubt that this is also proddly due to the proximity of the dan camp, seminars and tournament - you don't spend a week having close to 100 people answer your every beck and call and your seniors praising your hard work, to sliding back into real life where you're just 'one of us' without feeling some culture shock.

I HATE the way I compare everything to everyone else - watching the way my Grand Master ALWAYS opened and closed doors for his wife, let her order first, listened to her every word (You woulda loved him D'jen!) made me feel that I was pretty special too and should be treated so - and I didn't feel that I was.

I HATE the way that him turning up an hour late and not missing anything STILL wasn't good enough for me. He was still there for almost 9 hours...

His main issue seemed to be the same as mine - feeling unappreciated.

And on the one hand I could see that, but on the other two hands - Surely he coulda got up an hour earlier or finished earlier the night before when it was something I'd been planning for two years AND would I have even appreciated it had he been there on time?

Food for thought....!

Tournament Wrapup!

Thanks for sticking round guys, and thanks for the support on my last post - I PROMISE to go into that one a bit more because I'm curious.

So here's my wrapup from the last time you properly heard from me!

Tuesday 10/10/10: The daytime was spent cleaning out the hall where the 3 day camp was to be held, sorting and filing papers, picking up instructors from the airport and dinner with all the 3rd, 4th and 5th Dans.

Highlights:

• Catching up with all the guys from all over Australia;
• Lovely Turkish from Pide House in the City; and
• Seeing the keyrings we ordered and getting one before anyone else!
  

Lowlights:

• Arriving only JUST on time at the airport and having to run through the terminal as we mistook the carrier for another;
• Standing in a wardrobe sized room that is to be for your GrandMaster in less than 24 and realising it's packed full of rubbish, mould and rat turds and stanking of RAT P!SS!!!
• Being told by the Grand Master to 'just relax' after you get into the lift last and realising you're staring at everyone, so turn around quickly but not quickly enough that the don't see you cringing bright red.
  

Wednesday 11/10/10: Up at 6:30 for first day of Dan Camp - got kicked AGAIN in shin bruises! Long day, fell asleep on the couch at The Hun's parents house and so left at 9 - only to find a possum someone had hit and left abandoned in the middle of the road.

Highlights:

• Being inspired by the Grand Master; and
  
• Yummo vegan patties at The Huns parents.
  

Lowlights:

• The kicks in the shin bruises that caused me to hobble straight away;
  
• Finding the dying possum in the middle of the road with it's dead baby nearby, and watching it for 20 minutes alone while waiting for my old boss (who works with WIRES) to arrive - jus before she arrived, a different lady stopped to help and she got a person in a nearby house to bring out a towel to wrap it up and then he buried the baby. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the dark of the road and the night, and the light of the headlights on the dying animal as she'd limp around and then sit very still for a minute or so, before coughing and moving again. She had to be put down that night; and
• Driving around for two hours with youngest bro as we waited for the Darwinian who stayed at our place a few months ago to meet up with our senior instructor to get Chinese herbal remedy for his Monkey Aids infected leg sore, only to find out he didn't have time to be seen to.
  

Thursday 12/10/10: Up at 6:30 for the second day of Dan Camp - LUCKILY I wore my super new shin guard on my right leg so the kicks I got didn't hurt! Did, however, get taken down a bruised on the spine. Mmm - spine bruising.

Highlights:

• First dinner with the rest of the Dans; and
• General training goodness.
  

Lowlights:

• Before mentioned spine bruising;
  
• Getting kicked in wrist and seeing toenail marks from the 2nd Dan I CAN'T STAND!; and
  
• Only one vegan option at El Dorado in Dickson that gave me "firebelly" all night.
  

Friday 13/10/10: Up at 6:30 for the final day of Dan Camp!

Highlights:

• Dinner with a smaller group of dans at Zeferellis in Dickson - fantastic company and a good time!
  

Lowlights:

• More spine bruising;
  
• Forgetting my lunch bag; and
  
• Doing a demo with the Grandmaster and getting super self concious, then being told I need to act more sporty and confident and coordinated.
  

Saturday 14/10/10: Up at 6:30 for the seminars, running through the rules with another visitor and the social mixer that had to change venue less than two weeks ago!

Highlights:

• Seminars going really, really well;
• Catching out the girl who we've had training 'issues' with that said that she was unable to attend the tournament due to a family trip to Sydney... walking through the Civic foodcourt;
  
• Social mixer for 120 people at Red Belly Black in the city - everybody should go there, the boss man was so lovely and saw us off with 'Thankyou for giving us a chance!'; and
• 'Bling' jewellery from the Grand Master and his wife as token of appreciation.
  

Lowlights:

• Super nerves before radio interview at 7:30 in the morning - eep!; and
  
• Having to setup ANOTHER hall and having to use an 'adult voice' to get the students to do what we were asking.

Sunday 15/10/10: AGH TOURNAMENT!!!

Highlights:

• Winning first (out of 6) in weapons;
• Getting Magf back with a palm heel in the cheek (she kicked my face last time!); and
• MASSIVE bunch of flowers for thanks!
  

Lowlights:

• SUPER HIGH STRESS LEVELS;
  
• Getting second out of two people in both form divisions;
• Being paid out for my 'un rightful' first when both Magf and I were awarded first place for out two person sparring;
• Nearly being involved in biffo after Magf accused a 2nd Dan and 3rd Dan of 'colluding' after all their scored were the same for one session and they were talking during the judging (UNPROFESSIONAL!) AND they awarded our three students the same marks as the 'slow' guy when it was VERY obvious they should be at LEAST a little higher!
  

Monday 16/10/10: Day off work!

Highlights:

• Knowing it was over and I could start to relax; and
• Having someone come look at the car who may be buying it this weekend!
  

Lowlights:

• Getting lost on the way to the airport from the city with the Grand Master in the car - TWICE!!!
  
• Being asked by the Grand Master when I am finally going to relax; and
  
• Not being fully prepared for my karate kids class.
  

Tuesday 17/10/10: Another day off work!

Highlights:

• Taking the other Darwin guy sightseeing - Questacon, New Parliament House, War Memorial, Mount Ainslie, Fyshwick, DFO - HOORAY!
  

Lowlights:

• Going to Nutrimetics at Magf's and feeling ready to sleep straight away.

Wednesday 18/10/10: Back to work =o(

Highlights:

• None.
  

Lowlights:

• Telling one of the first dans we'll only grade him if he adjusts his attitude - and him gettin gupset, emotional and monkey sh!t at me; and
  
• Staying up until 3am attempting to do accounting.

There you are - the week that was!!!!

Normal posting to resume NOW!

Yes

Yes, I'm here.

Yes, I'm alive.

Yes, I'm tired.

Yes, I left my assignment to the very last minute.

Yes, I want to blog everything about the last week or so.

Yes, I'm in the middle of a fight about something stupid.

Yes, I'm sorry if you're hurt.

Yes, I really was hurt too.

Yes, I wish the world would stop and just give me some time to catch the f()ck up.

Chook's Day

I was planning to wait until I had access to some of the photos, but I have no idea how long that is going to take!

So - the much discussed hens day!

I'd only been to one before - a wholesome dinner with lotsa family and some school friends, sitting around four seperate tables, answering questions on a form about the girl and her partner, their relationship, their stories etc - if you got a few answers right you got to peel a piece of cutout paper off a piece of paper shaped like a gingerbread man. Then we went home.

This one was a little different. We met out the front of the racecourse at 12 - I offered The Hun to pick up girlA (I've FINALLY given a name to one of my old housemates!) because I didn't want to arrive alone - but also so she could drink! There was about 12 of us in the group - The Hen, myself, girlA, boyA (another old housemate)'s gf (who was organising it), The Huns ex, Mrs Batman, W (who I think I am yet to mention but had a great time with so should give her a nickname), MrL (who I went to primary school with and is really lovely and also just broke up with his bf of five years *frown*) and some of the brides sisters and other friends.

We were set up in a marquee by the track, sharing with another hens party of women in their 40s with a hippy theme, a group of bucks and a group that might have been two groups of other hens (I think their theme was blue ribbons on their wrists - we had red and black garters on our wrists as well as some tiaras). There was also a quadranted off section where I THINK they had a 21st and a stripper - there was a lot of whooping and squealing etc and we weren't allowed to pull down the tarp to see what was going on.

The ticket price included unlimited grog for the five hours, so people were straight into the champagne and OJ - boyA's gf had mentioned they were gonna try and get some cruisers in there for me but it looked like a no go, but once I saw ppl with OJ in their champagne, I thought 'oh! I can drink that!' forgetting until the car trip home that the reason I couldn't drink it was due to the potential milk-filtering rather than the terrible taste. IDIOT. BAD VEGAN.

boyA's gf handed out a pack of cards with nickname things on it - Mr Mullet, Mr Loves his Body, Mrs Dances like a Stripper etc - and then you had to find someone like that in the crowd, show one of the 'judges' (boyA's gf and MrL) and then give the judge your card - once you got rid of your four cards you got to take a layer off the 'pass the parcel' (each layer with naughty things inside) - once I got one of the people in the group to dance like a stripper for me I won myself a pack of novelty condoms (four different sizes, one of which ended up on the Hens head with her eyelid turned inside out...)

There was also a list that you shared between two ppl (W and I) where you got points for completing tasks on the list - such as getting a picture with a jockey, get a photo of a guys undies, getting a guy to show you his tattoo, three legit numbers etc... Can you see where this is going...? As the day wore on and the alchohol flowed..?

Now this is where I'd just like to get on my lil soapbox for a moment.

{Deleted by the Author - sorry dudes!}

By 5, there was a LOT of ass grabbing going on, the beginnings of people hooking up, lots of D&M's, lots of dancing and lots of slurring.

And this is where I'd like to give a shoutout to the boy man who thought he should come and talk to us, but then proceeded to carry on about how he was only 22 (he looked 28), was in trading for banks (or some nonsense) whinged about how his old job made him go to vegas every second week, his new car cost him 220 thou (he wouldn't buy my 200 as it wasn't black), he had to pay for all his friends to come down and how he wanted Monday off but that would $1200 he'd never be able to get back. Please plan a better pick up conversation because it REALLY wasn't working... tho may have worked a lil later on one of the group.

As I was leaving, the group were celebrating the fact that the place was open until 7pm, then they were planning to head off into town - I last heard from boyA that they were still out dancing at 11pm.

{Deleted by the Author - sorry dudes!}

The lunch? They forgot to cater for the veg*ns, so brought out seven veggie skewers half an hour after everyone else finished. Four pieces of veggie on a skewer, plus we could have some of the green salad (drenched in balsamic). That was it. Also not condusive to drinking ;o)

The shoes? Lovely BUT A SIZE TOO BIG!! I'd love to know how they got smaller between trying them on and actually wearing them... tho I WILL admit that MAYBE I only tried on one in the store (I was in a hurry!) but lesson learnt (sorry D'jen!).

The dress? Also a success - v race suitable and the puppies were looking good (I got 'snaps' from some in the party) BUT the fact that the hollywood tape was a little precarious before I was even in the car shoud have been a warning for me - eg, nipplegate whilst putting on my shoes BEFORE EVEN LEAVING THE HOUSE! I tried to resist the urge to fiddle, but couldn't help myself - this was one of the closing conversations with MrL:

"The puppies are looking great but you need to stop fiddling with your dress!"
"What?"
"You've been fiddling all day with it - haven't you heard of that hollywood tape?"
"I HAVE got it - that's why I'm fiddling with it - I keep getting looks from people when they see the sticky glue on my chest"
"It's not the glue they're looking at!"

and so on.

My procrastination time is almost up - I'll post some pics of the day when/if I get them.

But now I'm off to get ready to start greeting seniors for our Dan Camp - I have to be on the other side of town by 7am for the rest of the week - my shoulders and neck are burning already!

WISH ME LUCK!

Eye of the Liger!

It's less than a month to exams - I have an accounting assignment due shortly and I have done NONE of it.

I've been at work after 7pm twice this week and past 5 for the other day (Monday was a public holiday) and I also expect to be there late tomorrow (tho I have a Dr appt @5 tmr re: b12 and folate - eep!) as I launch the project we've been working on since last year - alone. NORMALLY I feel bad putting in for overtime - only putting it in when pretty much told to (I tend to put it in as flex) but this week I'm all 'tears in bucket etc' and putting in for EVERY MINUTE - I'm on HD atm - hooray for time and a half at my bosses pay, thankyou very much!

And the Dan Camp, Seminars and Tournament are getting close now... VEEEERY close.

So, with all this tournament stuff getting closer, I deemed last Friday to be a good time to practice sparring as I hadn't done any yet. I msg'd youngest bro to come to the hall early with me, and I was getting my butt KICKED when I got a hit into my shin that caned through my shinpad - you know the type of hit that makes you hobble around, grasp at your leg, mutter and feel a lil nauseous?

No?

I'm sure you know, Adam.

Anyways, I accidentally kicked him in the 'boybits' a little later, so we rested until class started.

The class itself was fairly informal - we had two rings going and rotated through so that everyone got a few fights in, and somewhere in there I copped TWO MORE kicks thru the shinpads on the same leg, one right on top the previous bump from youngest bro!

(In a kind of sentimental note, he was one of the ones that hit me in the same place but then saw I really WAS hurt and asked if I was ok in that tone of voice that you very rarely hear from a bro)

The night carries on and I jump in for another fight (against the lovely gup who's 18th I got hammered at not that time ago) and I managed to cop a knee to the OTHER shin! I was cursing and limping, couldn't put weight on it, almost teared up and felt a terrible rising in my stomach... "It's fine, keep going" the Dan running the ring says... "Easy for you to say, it's not on your frickin leg!" I wail around my mouthguard - I pull up my pants leg and it was bleeding! The friction of this guys (heave) knee thru his canvas pants and my canvas pants into my poor shin cut up the shin and bruised it blue straight away!!! I've NEVER seen that happen before - the poor guy was so apologetic!

After class I had to go with Magf to look at a few bridesmaids dresses (still not finalised on one) and then onto her house for another 5 hours of paperwork (this Friday will be the third in a row, not to mention the weekend time we've been putting in) and sit with my shins covered in an icepack and a bag of brussel sprouts. It hurt to walk on the Saturday, and I still can't lean down on my shins. Luckily they're now a palish yellow (plus the grazey scab) as opposed to the black-purple-blue they were, but it ain't gonna be pretty at the races, believe you me.

ANYWAY, the real point of my story is that I was FURIOUS at myself for getting hit so poorly and letting it affect me so much. I was whining at Magf (who copped a swollen engagement finger knuckle (of all the fingers to hit in!)) about how much it hurt and pointing at them and she asked why my shinpads weren't covering all my shins...
"...they should go all the way up to your knee!"
"Really? Mine only go about halfway up...?"
"How long have you had them for?"

Good point - I've only ever had one pair, meaning since I was 12 I've had the one pair. Ignoring the 'ew' factor, I've grown some over the last 12 years, so they proddly ARE a lil on the bitsy side:

(They don't go up this far, nor are they that well padded OR that white!)

So during my uni break on Wednesday I went into the city to have lunch with The Hun and check out the martial arts store for some new shinpads - I showed the dude my bruises, and came out with THESE BAD BOYS:

BOO-YAH!

"These are the only ones I'll use - the only ones you'll ever need - With these, you'll feel invincible! It will do wonders for your confidence!"

They are ROCK hard but toally legit - they cover my entire food and my entire front and sides of my shins - I jus gotta wear them around the house a bit so they loosen up - and now I'm kinda looking forward to it! This has also been helped by the fact that the only people in my sparring division now (excluding the team sparring) are Magf and I!

Wanna come see me get my ass kicked kick some ass*? Email me and I'll send on the deets!

*(I'm expecting 3 second places for my 3 2 person divisions, and unsure about the rest...)

Every Good Vegan Deserves Tofu

"I'm here to pick up a package!"
"Ok... let me have a look here...."
"I think it's that one under the bin there."
"Oh! You already know which one it is!"
"Yeah... It's coming from Japan and that ones got Japanese on the box."
"You're right!.... Okay.... Now, you've got some ID with this name on it?"
"Um, no... I got it from the internet so I didn't use my real name..."
"Oh.... um, okay... well, you've got some ID with this address on it?"
"Um, no... I'm renting, so all my ID has my parents address on it..."
"Oh... um, okay... "
"I can tell you what it is if that will help?"
"Oh... um...can I see some ID with a signature on it?"
"Sure!"

*views ID*
*returns ID*

"Okay, just sign here thankyou... have a great day!"

WILL I EVER!!

Ta-da!!!

(taken from Lulu (as well as sent by Lulu!) as I STILL need to get my ass into gear and get that camera cord!)

HOORAY!!!

Taking after others

I spent a fair bit of time with my parents this weekend - Sat morning we went to Floriade, the new Brand Depot and then to Fyshwick for some outdoor furniture (good, ok and ordered). While we were out and about I asked Dadsy if he could call his friend who'd promised we could borrrow some PA equipment to use for the tournament (LESS THAN 2 WEEKS TO GO - ACK!) and he mentioned they'd be coming over for dinner one night this weekend - so last night I went back to Gowrie for dinner with Mumsy and Dadsy, the two family friends and youngest bro.

And I got to thinking about how influenced we are by our parents.

Me? I take after my father....

"Is that Nana's necklace?"
"Yup"
"I bought that for her for Mothers Day... she was so happy... do you wear it all the time?"
"Yup"
"It's a diamond in there, isn't it?"
"Yup"
"She'd be so proud..."

My Nana died when I was in primary school, and my Pa gave me the necklace a few years ago when he was in the process of giving things away, preparing to "move along" (it was years before that actually happened!).... I wore it from the day I got it - it's generally only removed for martial arts - present in almost ALL my photo's for the last few years.

It's not one I would've picked out myself, not one thats 'in style', not one that I can even tell what it is - I've been asked why I have the Eiffel Tower or New Parliament House around my neck - but it stays on all the time. Becuase it means something to my parents and woulda meant something to my Nana and Pa.

My life so far is full of these occurances - my choice of name for a future daughter is one my parents wanted to use, I spend the same way my parents spend, I drink like my parents (tho different drink of choice), I was a blue cheese addict... I'm like a little mini-them.

While we were driving out to the Brand Depot we were talking about Magf's upcoming wedding and the number of people that might be coming along.

"When you get married, So and so will hafta be there.. and so and so, and so and so, and so and so too..."

As a part of this, I've inherited my parents friends too. People that have been around as long as I can remember, people almost considered as friends of my own. And people that will no doubt be around when I have children of my own.

And over laksa and margerita's, the conversation flowed - trivial pursuit, bathing in soft drink, robots and movies.

With the arrival of The Huns BF's (he doesn't technically have a BEST friend, but he was the best man at this guys wedding and best man friend sounds a lil... well... y'know) first child earlier this week, I begin to think about a time in the future when we'll be those friends - maybe not for The Hun's BF, but for someone.

To integrate into multiple generations of a family that is not your own, to be entangled and touched by the influence of many.

Oi love youse all!

I'm heeeeEEEeeeere!

Things are actually going quite well (suprisingly!) - not that stressed atm. That said, I'd be lying if I said there hasn't been study related tanties (1:30am Wednesday morning), getting cranky at work (today) and procrastination (Brand Depot anyone?!).

But, I've got some free time and I mixed myself a vodka and diet golden circel soft drink for pre/during/post drinks and I mixed it too strong after I stuffed up dinner (noodles and sauce shouldn't taste like cigarettes!) and now I'm rambling, so I'm going to partake in a little rejoicing of the dot points as Lulu has reignited my love for the lil bastards!

• Speaking of Lulu - go check out her awesomeness if you don't already! She's super lovely and has awesome hair, and is sending me over one of these:

Mine will be green. Then I will purloin the rest of the colours and kick-the-cheat and I shall rule the earth (go tofu!) - won't we Mr The Cheat?

'Meh!'

Damn straight.

• Speaking of wonderful people sending me wonderful things - I (kinda) won a (consolation) prize over at D'Jen's! She was looking for a name for her jewellery company that she's hoping to set up and wanted suggestions for names - mine were lame-o but I STILL got sent a prize! And it arrived today:

They're delightful! *loves them* I'll be sure to post the link for her online store once it's up and running, but in the meantime, I have a lil question... do you think I can wear them wtih Dress One to the Hens Day? I took them into my room and the aqua is THE SAME aqua as on the dress! So, to all you lovely peeps who helped me out before: vote, Vote, VOTE!

• AND speaking of the Hens Day, I finally went and bought some shoes. I STILL can't find my camera chord, so I'm'a hafta draw you a piccy:

NOW. Before you write in and complain about the monstrosity - lemme explain. One - well, there's really no excuse for the crap pic. Basically, I had to get cheap shoes as I don't wear leather, and as a result of this, the dodgy company that makes the shoes doesn't have a website so I can't show you an actual pic. The shoes are shiny silver (at D'Jen's advice!) to match the tiara haircomb that I bought the other week. The heel isn't stilletto - it's kinda rectangle (hence the thickness in the pic) and it's not too high. It straps around my ankle and the circley things are diamante circley things that ALSO match the tiara! I'll be sure to get someone to send me a pic of me so I can edit and post if for you =o)

*Breaks personal record for longest time between posts*

Sorry guys, I've been a bit 'absentia' of late, and it's proddly going to continue on and off for the next six weeks or so.

Because it's been keeping me awake at night /all night / every night and whirring through my head 24/7, I'm gonna jot it all down here (relish in the joy that is my to-do timetable) in three main segments of stress - Work, Uni, Martial Arts (MA):

Sat 23/9 - Finish Org B essay
Sun 24/9 - Study for Acctg Test
Mon 25/9 - Study for Acctg Test / Run grading for my little kids / Training
Tues 26/9 - Hand in Essay/ Uni till 3 / Study for Acctg Test / Get Acctg Assignment
Wed 27/9 - Acctg Test / Planning Day / Training
Thur 28/9 - Work and Overtime
Fri 29/9 - Work / Training / Tournament Meeting

Sat 30/9 - Mon 2/10 - Meant to be going to Sydney or sumn'n similar for gf1 bday / Overtime to catch up on work of which 20 of 163 parts was done by Friday 22/9 / Training

Tues 3/10 - Uni till 3 / Work like madman as boss on leave busiest week of month AND implementing project been working on for last 18mths
Wed 4/10 - Uni till 11 / Keep working like madman / Training
Thurs 5/10 - Final implementation of project that has potential to crash and burn and can only be done once all national staff are logged off computers (work late into night on top of full day)
Friday 6/10 - Deal will all calls re: change that will no doubt shock and awe users / Meeting with Dr about my b12 + folate levels/ Training / Tournament meeting

Sat 7/10 - Hens Day / Acctg Assignment / 'Girls night in' for cancer research
Sun 8/10 - Acctg Assignment

Monday 9/10 - Rush around like madman to ensure all tournament stuff organised / Acctg Assignment / Training in hall that is too small
Tuesday 10/10 - Rush around like madman greeting 60 seniors and juniors from around Australia as well as USA / Set up hall for 3 day camp / Dinner
Wednesay 11/10 - Get up at sparrows fart to ensure hall is ready / Train 9 - 5 with Grandmaster from USA / 'Social obligations' / Ensure other students are still running normal training
Thursday 12/10 - Get up at sparrows fart to ensure hall is ready / Train 9 - 5 with Grandmaster from USA/ 'Social obligations'
Friday 11/10 - Get up at sparrows fart to ensure hall is ready / Train 9 - 5 with Grandmaster from USA/ 'Social obligations' / Ensure other students are still running normal training / Setup different hall for tomorrow

Saturday 12/10 - Radio interview / Ensure hall setup running smoothly / Assist in seminars from 9am - 3pm (including herding small children 5yo and over) / Assist in Training 30 people in how to judge for tournament / Setup for tournament / Mandatory social mixer with 110 people in small cafe type thing
Sunday 13/10 - Ensure hall ready for tournament / Oversee entire day / Perform three forms (which will need to have been learnt somewhere in this time) and fight some girls

Monday 14/10 - Acctg assignment due / look after interstate guests
Tuesday 15/10 - Uni till 3 / look after interstate guests
Wednesday 16/10 - Uni till 11 / Work
...
...
(carries on trng 3 x week, uni twice a week, work)
...
...

Thursday 02/11 - Acctg Exam pm
Friday 03/11 - Org B Exam am

So somewhere in there I also need to:
- Sell my car
- Fulfill bridesmaidial duties
- Learn my three forms and practice fighting
- Learn syllabus for three day camp before tournament
- Study for exams
- Try to keep going to the gym
- Find out if my work area is to be made redundant
- Buy groceries / cook meals
- Keep trying to lose weight
- Not pull my hair out
- Schedule breakdown
etc etc etc

I just feel like I need someone to walk over the back of my neck it's so tight!

So yeah, posting may get a little patchy in parts, but bear with me - I'm sure I'll have LOTS of ranting ;o)

What do you MEAN stop procrastinating!!

People - I need some help.

I have a hens day to go to early next month, and it's a day at the races.

Having never been to said races before, I have no idea what to wear.

The way I see it, there are three options:

Option #1: The first dress (in the middle)

This was my 'hooray I lost tonnes of weight' dress - it still does up but is a lil snug (keep in mind I jus had some curry for lunch and there is still time to slim down!). I've worn it to a cocktail party (seen above with gf2 and gf1) and my uncles wedding in Brisbane - but I think only one person was at the cocktail party (like Feb 05) that will also be at the races.

Pro:
It makes me happy to wear it as it will forever be known as my skinny dress
Cons:
Outdated? (You know I'm not fashion minded)
Worn a few times before.
Forever navel gazing to ensure everything is tucked away.

Option #2: The Other Dress

This was bought specifically for The Huns cousin wedding in Sydney, and was also worn to a wedding earlier this year - no one at the Hens Day has seen it worn before (For reference it finishes a but above the knee).

Pros:
I like the colour.
Has not been seen by people attending.
Cons:
Gives me neck pains/chafe combined with navel gazing.

Option #3 - A new dress!

Perhaps people will let me know what sort of thing I should be aiming to wear and I can seek it out...

Pros:
New dress!
Cons:
Money.
Time.
Trying clothes on is depressing.

VOTE VOTE VOTE!

Egads - it's uni time

So, I have an essay due next Tuesday(26th) and a test on the Wednesday (27th), so this was supposed to be a study weekend... I also have tmr off and the next monday off too.

So far this weekend I have:

• Been to floriade
• Caught up with friends
• Gorged myself of sugar cinnamon macadamias and almonds
  
• Watched ALL the LonelyGirl15 and DanielBeast videos
• Researched what her religion might be
• Put on a load of washing
  
• Been out to dinner
• Seen Ollie Browne and Holly Throsby live
• Lined up for her CD's
• Checked all the blogs on both of my blogrolls almost ten times
• Done the groceries
• Chatted to an old friend on MSN
• Called my parents house twice
• Brought in the washing
• Bothered The Hun
  
• Ripped Holly Throsbys music to my iTunes so I can sing along
  
• Read Lulu's archives and requested a link so I can order a plush tofu
• Not gone to the gym or hit the punching bag
• Received ZERO calls about my car
  
• Watched Meerkat Manor
• Watched It's me or the Dogs
• Watched Australian Idol
  
• Cooked Dinner
• Eaten more than my points allows and STILL feel ravenous
  
• Done about 7% of my essay

I feel I should stay up late and make more of a go on the essay but I just don't think I can be arsed. Like seriously - does ANYONE go nuts for the Ohio and Michigan studies of behavioural leadershup and the influence they have on Fiedlers Leadership Contingency theory and Hersey and Blanchard's Situational Leadership Model?

blech.

Holly Throsby!

We got into Tilleys at around 7:30 (having incorrectly gone to O'Connor shops first) and met up with one of The Huns friends and her new partner (he was lovely!) to grab some dinner before the show. When I'd called earlier in the week to see if we could book a table for dinner (you can't) I asked if they had vegan options there - "oh yeah of course". Unfortch, the way it works is that you can't get in until 7pm on show night and they only have a snacks type menu - dips or an antipaso place (vegetarian option available) - luckily for me (as I was STARVING) they put together a vegan one which was quite nice.

Anyways, enough rambling.

The lights went down and we were treated to Ollie Browne (of Art of Fighting fame) and he was fantastic! I hadn't conciously listened to any AOF stuff - tho The Hun was singing/playing/strumming one of the songs before we left for the show (and was a lil dissapointed I didn't recognise it!) - but that guy is HAWT - yum (tho his gf was in the audience BOO!) He had a really smooth voice - my closest comparison was John Meyer, but not as 'whiney' - he was fantastic. He did five or six songs - all lovely and quiet and soft, and he talked a lil in between and was entertaining.

Then the delightful Ms Throsby came on, supported by bass/cello/mandolin (Jens I think his name was) and a local girl who played drums, xylophone, keyboard etc and did some backup sining (she got a big cheer from the crowd).

I thought I had only heard one song of hers (the myspace one) but discovered during the show that I had also heard two others.

If I could sing and perform etc, I'd love to be like her. She uses low tone, she articulates very well and her lyrics are very descriptive - it's enchanting. And at the end of the show? I lined up like a fangirl and bought both albums AND her EP - I didn't have enough money for Ollies stuff though, so we're hoping that it'll be available elsewhere (tho I don't know if the band stuff will be AS good as his solo stuff - we'll keep you updated).

My only criticism had NOTHING to do with the show - some rudef()cks had their mobiles on. All through Ollie's show you could hear the interference coming in and out, and you could see ppl with their mobiles on, texting away all the way through. It continued on all the way through Holly Throsby's show until after the third or fourth song the drummer piped up in between songs asking ppl to please turn off their mobile phones as you could hear all the interference - hardly anyone moved. I will be honest and say that I didn't turn mine off (though it was on silent) and I had my handbag between my feet so that I'd feel the phone if something happened.

Anyways, the song like two tracks later was a really quiet one - jus her and drummer - and the ENTIRE TIME there was phone interference! It wasn't just once or twice and all spread out - there was continuous back and forth texttag going on!!! I looked around and there was a lady sitting at the bar right in front of the sound equipent texting away (her message tone was audible!!) and an older lady in like her 40's sitting behind me was doing the same!! So after the next song they asked again for all phones to be turned off and lotsa ppl applauded, and the owner lady (I think) came on over the PA and told everyone who owned a phone to please double check their phones were off, otherwise the lights would come all the way up and they'd check them all!

So there you go - besides the rudeness of some VERY ignorant people, it was an absolutely fantastic show. I loved all her songs and found it entrancing, and the albums are guaranteed to be on high rotation for the next few months until I can sing all the words and visualise myself on stage - catch her if you get the chance!!

Speaking of bizarre coincidences

Remember this?

Yeah, a month to the day ago.

I'm not lying - I had another dream about her last night.

We were like at a beach house or something and were put together for something (yeah, sorry - I'm a bit vague!) and we made small talk. We both knew what had happened but we didn't say a thing about it. And then we started to talk some more and though I can't remember what really happpened, I remember thinking it was nice. And there were no hard feelings.

So there you go - I guess you're forgiven, Kate!

Dot Points

Heeeeeere's Dot Points!

• Go to Bevis' TV is my life (if you don't already!) and check out Big Blogger - this guy puts tonnes of work into doing this just for our entertainment and I'M FINALLY IN THERE! Hoorays!

• Do you think it was intentional that the Win/Nine lineup for tonight is 'The Great Weight Debate' and then 'Body Doubles - The Search For The Worlds Most Beautiful Identical Twins' - how's your self esteem/body image/binge eating going now, fatty?!

• Running out of time to sell me car! Curious? Know somebody who might be? Email me or give them my email address!

Dark green/blue 1996 Nissan 200sx (Luxury Spec s14):

Turbo 5 speed manual;
18 inch chrome wheels;
3 inch exhaust with 5 inch tip;
Boost controller;
Blitz blowoff valve;
Pod filter;
Turbo timer;
Alpine Double-DIN MD/CD player;
Fibreglass box with subwoofer;
Pillar mounted gauges;
Lowered;
Non-stock front bar;
New sports suspension, New ABS Brakes and New tyres;
Power windows, Sunroof and Side mirrors;
Dual Airbags;
Full 3 year service history;
Female owner/driver (as was previous owner/driver);
145,000kms.
Serviced, detailed inside and out & full tank of petrol
$15,500 ono (all serious offers considered)

• In other 'stalking Enny' news, we're going to Tilley's on Saturday night to see Holly Throsby (you can usually hear one of her songs here). I'm really hoping it's good - The Hun jus finished saying that he proddly wouldn't like her on CD but should be really good live.

• TJ is blogging again! Ch-ch-ch-ch-chuh check her out - NOW!
  

• I'm also looking forward to checking out Floriade on Saturday as well - I'm meeting gf1 and gf2 - hooray for flowers!

• When we were kids my dad would always yell at us 'IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY TO ME, COME HERE AND SAY IT!' if he couldn't hear it - it was so frustrating! Now? Now I'm yelling it at The Hun, as he has decided the time he most wants to talk to me is whenever he's in the kitchen and I'm in the loungeroom and the door is closed and the TV is on. BUT HELP HAS ARRIVED! Today I bought these and one of them is about to go in the kitchen:

G'night!

BLOGGER BETA IS A PIECE OF SHIT!!

Why did I 'make the change?!'

*SLAPS FOREHEAD*

So, if I haven't commented with you recently, it's coz of frickin beta - you hafta sign in with your gmail account... so if you allow only Bloggers to comment, I AM BEING CENSORED - YOU CAN SEE MY MOUTH MOVING BUT CAN'T HEAR THE SCREAM!!!

Maid of honour update

So, I promised an update on the engagement party? It was pretty good! Small, at the Bride and Grooms house - mostly family and martial arts people. It was cold outside, but I had my vodka, lime and Diet Sprite, so I was all good. I also found out the date and the location of the wedding and reception (via one of our new martial arts students - Magf thought she had already told me where it was).

So today we did our first bridal party dress shop. You may be aware from my previous posts that I'm not all that educated on the whole 'bridal party' thing - I was under the impression that the bride presents a dress to the bridesmaids and says 'here you go'. I was wrong. My job today was to pick out any dress I liked, and as long as she liked it then it could be approved. Unfortch, I'm not much of a girly girl (duh!) so didn't have much idea - but quickly got into the spirit of it all.

We visited four shops today - Rosies in Fyshwick, White Doves in Fyshwick, Annabels in Kingston and some place on the main road of Queanbeyan.

Rosies: looked icky from the moment we pulled up outside the red building. We had an appointment and rocked up early so that we were prepared, and were 'greeted' once we caught the attention of one of the staff. She gave us a half assed 'intro' and left us to our own devices - the appointment time came and went - 15 minutes after our appt time we were standing at the counter trying to get the attention of somone - ANYONE! Some girl was actually paying for something so she got the full attention of the boss while our lady was busy with someone who musta jus walked in. Jus before we were about to walk out we were finally seen to - there was actually another staff member working who had been standing there watching us trying to get served! They took Magf into the changing room and she tried on a few dresses with the assistance of the staff member - the dresses seemed overpriced and of a fairly poor quality (they'd been up to Sydney the week before to have a look at some others). Then it was my turn.

To my disgust, the lady decided that she would stay in the change room while I tried on my stock standard simple bridesmaids dress. Not only that, I had to wrap my head in a scarf before she'd 'dress' me (I kepy my jeans on under). Needless to say, Claustrophic and BodyIssues Enny was NOT impressed with this experience at all. AT ALL. And that was BEFORE I realised that all the ones I was trying on needed to be a size bigger.

Next stop: White Doves. It was lovely in there - clean, nice smelling, open, bright, friendly young things willing to serve. This the store where Magf found her first choice - a fair bit more than what she'd planned to spend - but it was BEAUTIFUL. I tried on a few and yet again - they wouldn't do all the way up at the back.

Then on to: Annabel's. I didn't like most of the staff there - they were a bit too snooty - but there was a fun young newer girl who helped me out, and I found the first dress that I looked at myself in and went 'Hm! I really like this!' Magf wasn't AS sure, and didn't really find anything in there that she liked.

Finally: The one in Queanbeyan. At first I was a lil weary, but the little Chinese lady that served Magf was really lovely and helpful, and encouraged her to try a few styles she wasn't keen on at first sight. This is where she found her second and third choice for her dress, and the most likely candidate for mine:

In Peacock:


When I first saw it in the book I wasn't so sure, but it does look better on. And it was Magf's fav which is the most important thing.

We also witnessed one of the other sales assistants practically snatch a veil away from a 'customer' as she thought she was looking too closely at the veil - ie, steal the idea to save money ($170 for a veil!!!).

So now? I just need to lose 10 kilos so I get some sort of shape to look good on the day/in the dress/in the photos.

Time for bed - I'm pooped - and I'm off to the gym for a hardcore cardio fat shifting workout at 12 tmr.

Today I was standing at the sink

and thinking about holding my wrist under the burning water, for a mark to remember how sad I felt.

Hormones? PMS? Tiredness?

Proddly.

But seeing as I'll proddly never tell anyone, I might as well chuck it in here before another 'lighthearted' post.

Another Thursday, another kickboxing class

*phew!*

Went a lil better than last week tho, I think.

I went thru my drawers (chest of drawers, not undies) and dug up my rib-moulding sports bra - DEFINATELY DON'T REGRET THAT! However, my shoulder is sore - methinks I need to adjust the straps a little....?!

Anyways, there is point to this -

Kranki has pointed us to this site, and because I lack imagination, I've been looking EVERYWHERE for things I can sketch and send in! Note: I have discovered that your sketch doesn't need to be any good for you to be able to see one (they're all approved before they can join the 'swappage') but I'still d really like to send a good one through!

BUT.

I haven't thought of one.

BUT.

I though I'd show you a drawing illustration of something I realised at the gym tonight anyway.

In kickboxing tonight we were doing a circuit thing that involved something we do fairly often - one person kneels while the other person does situps and punches the mitts thusly:

Being the person on the left there, you're left with a lot of time to catch your breath, look around and become a bit more self aware.

Here's what I learnt tonight:

THERE IS NO WAY FOR ME HOLD THE MITTS WITHOUT TEH WIBBLEWOBBLE!

Each time the mitts get punched, you feel the wobble in your arms:

So you tense your arms, and feel it in your boobs:

Tense your arms and your boobs, then feel it in your belly:

Tense your arms and your boobs and your belly, then your partner will think they're not hitting it hard enough and will try to hurt you:

Relax too much and, well, y'know...

*tee hee*

Time for bed!

Taking Compliments AND Becoming A Real Girl

"She said you're really good with the kids - really patient!"
"Ah" I mocked "It's because I'm so maternal, heh heh"

Why did I have to mock in my response? Why couldn't I just take the compliment?

"Really? She only had nice things to say about you..."
"It's all an act"
"Maybe you've been overly influenced...?"
"No, because I've seen more and I'm more with the other side"

Why do I make other peoples problems my problems? And why did it hafta take me saying out loud to my mum to realise jus how petty I can be?

"It looks good hunny - you're beautiful"

Why can't I just take the compliment without pulling a face or making a smarmy comment?

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

(So here's the second part)

The last compliment was nice enough, but then the hole got dug deeper.

Basically? It would appear I go to efforts to make my self unattractive - I could be beautiful, but I seem to make some effort to hide myself as plain jane - so not many people can see how beautiful I can be, not that he really wants any other people to see it anyway...

So I'm taking it on board...

Can anyone give me any hints on how to not be a plain jane?

The thing is, I'm lazy. I like my comfy pants around the house, I like my tracky dacks and sloppy joes, and I like thongs and jeans and singlets when it gets warmer. I don't wear makeup (my concealer is from my year 10 formal), I can't straighten my hair and I can't do anything with it other than attempt a straighten or put it in a ponytail.

I don't know what's cool, I don't know what's attractive, I don't know what's in, I don't know what's hott or nottt.

So I'm asking for a little help for a mini-overhaul.

Any ideas, ladies and gents?

Mike Goldman you C-DAWG

You STILL haven't told us what's happening to Shakespeare - QUIT LEAVING IT HANGING LIKE THAT! THIS IS NOT BIG BROTHER! THIS IS ACTUALLY IMPORTANT!!!

(Also - who's a good vegan? Enny is! I did the groceries this arvo and bought TWO types of beans (including the one in the cupboard that's THREE!!!), two types of tofu, two types of veg burger and lotsa fresh veg! Go team!)

Another of those 'circle of life' things.

SO. I was at the doctor this arvo to get my 'ladies pill' script refilled and decided I'd pack in a few questions to get my money's worth - I actually booked in with the 'lady doctor' such was my desire to not get ripped off (see: here).

So, after she went through the typical 'you're happy with the current pill you're on?' and started scribbling out the new script, I jumped in with the 'I had some questions about that cervix vaccine?'...

Now, some of you should be aware of this - it hit the news this week. They released a vaccine to the public on Monday, that, administered over three shots, prevents four strains of HPV - two of the strains are directly linked to the development of cervical cancer, the other two are more complimentary. It's not on the PBS yet (ie, costs the full $155 per needle (x3!)) and they're currently lobbying to get the needles done at school, similar to the Rubella etc they do at the mo'. The main issue is a bit of a sticky one... for the needle to be fully effective (ie, 100% effective at preventing the 4 main HPV strains) it has to be administered before the girl is sexually active - they're currently estimating between 9 and 14.

"Well, it's not yet in the computers and I don't have any information, and to be fully effective it should be administered before a girl is sexually active... how long have you been sexually active?"

*quick calculation and cringe*
*pause*

"Um... about eight years...?"

*pause*
*THE look*

"well.... I suppose I could handwrite a script and you can go think about it...it DOES say it's for people aged up to 26..."

I also managed to walk out of there knowing that my clicky knees aren't quire ready for the gunk clearing tube to go through them, and a referral for a blood test so I can get my Iron/B12/folate tested (beats my last appointment where the doctor just told me that, as a vegan, I should 'um, just watch your iron and calcium - I think that's what vegetarians don't get much of' (end consultation)).

I haven't got the vaccine yet - seems v few places have it in stock atm, so I'm gonna hafta see about getting it ordered in and making the doctors appointment (and getting my dad to pay as he offered and I don't have $450 to splash around in atm - I think if he hadn't offered I wouldn't have decided to get it as it's obviously a bit, er, late for me to start.. but YOU try and have that convo with your parents!!!).

As I was milling around the chemists waiting for my boring-sounding-microgynon-pill to be ready, I walked past a woman who looked familiar... OMG! my internal monologued tooted IT'S YOUR FIRST BOYFRIENDS MOTHER!! HIDE!!!! And I did. Until the chemist called my full name out loud to pick up my script

Chances of running into the mother of the boy who deflowered you on the same day you're refilling your pill script and contemplating a jab directly linked to how long you've been hitting it?

Well?

Do you know what I love most about going to the gym?

I love being breathless after the warmup, then being partnered with the spunky instructor who remarks 'you don't like to run, do you?' just before I then have to lay in front of him to do situps and punches into the mitts so that he gets the full effect of my stinky pre-worn gym clothes and sweaty stank.

I like it even better when I can feel my belly and handles and wobble when I run.

And to top it off, what I really love, is to catch my reflection in the mirror as I tug up my bra straps yet again and realise it might be time to buy a new one as my boobs are flopping around (in time with everything else) and the worn out bra cups makes it look like I've got giant norky devon slappers.

And the moment of realisation that this may have something to do with the instructors earlier comment.

Did I not inlcude the asterisk to say this was sarcastic?

SO. I just thought I'd let y'all know that upcoming events (tournament, friends wedding, bridesmaiding, ppl not believing I'm vegan as I pack on the pounds) has had me back on my own WeightWatchers regime for a few days now. I was emailing gf1 with my daily point intake but taken it up a notch (*BAM!*) and started a blog for my diet.

It's called Welcome to the Enny-point.

(original, non?)

Nayways, I'm not expecting any obligation to go read it, but it may be helpful/entertaining/interesting to some out there.

And I'll have it riced up with statcounters and weatherpixies and those slidey counters in no time, believe you me.

Changing friendship

I think I'm getting to the point where I need to feel good that people are my friends, rather than feeling bad.

Let me explain.

{Deleted by the Author - sorry dudes!}

And so no, it's not a suprise. And no, it's not sad. Because friendship can be found in many forms and we're both happy with where it's at.

Hey you - YEAH YOU!

Canberran who's been reading thru here since 10pm tonight - say hello or sum'n yeah?

YOU'RE MAKING ME PARANOID!!!*

*friendly tone

Melbourne WrapUp

Enny's back and she hasn't done anywhere NEAR enough study!

The flight on Fri morn got us into Melbourne jus before lunch. The Hun, Eldest Bro and I bummed around the city a bit - Eldest Bro was looking for work shoes and street shoes, so we were weaving in and outta shops all afternoon. We walked past Haigh's chocolates and I jus had to get outta there - too much milk chocolate for this poor vegan! But I relented and went back in for another look and discovered that I was able to have the dark chocolate, so it was peppermint choc frogs for all! I also dropped past Lush and I made a mental note to come back and spend up.

We got back to the hotel where Eldest Bro met up with his gf who had been down there all week, and then we met up again to head out for dinner a lil later on (after a lil nap and watching a LOT of WWE on Fox8) (btw - the hotel rooms were really lovely, nice and central, nice and roomy, and nice with a kitchen and sofa as well!).

For dinner we popped onto the CityCircle and ventured out to Lygon St- Eldest Bro's gf was walking in front and almost got suckered into the first place that stopped us! After explaining to him exactly what 'vegan' was he assured us he could cater for that, and he directed us to an ATM that was down the street away from the other restaraunts - we jus walked up the opposite side of the road instead. In the end we stopped at a place with a younger guy out the front who called all the ladies Bella and he made an effort to call you by name. I had pasta with tomato sauce and basil in the end - massive plate of food and VERY nice!

After that we headed into Melbourne Uni for the med revue JUST before starting time, where a real F()CKTARD was manning the ticket counter - get this:

Enny: we have four tix put aside under (insert surname here)
D!ck: we stop holding tix at 7:40, but you can buy some
Enny: OK, but we have four tix put aside
D!ck: well you can buy some, they're $15 each
Enny: OK, but our cousin put some aside for us
D!Ck: yeah, well it's past 7:40 etc etc etc.

By the time we FINALLY get tix off this dipsh!t there were only four tix left - STILL makes me mad jus thinking about it!!!

So anyway, the revue was great! We went last year as well, but I think the musical bit flowed better - last year I found myself getting a bit distracted/bored towards the end, but I didn't have that this year, tho I did have some nerves before my...

FIRST TIME METTERING A REAL LIFE BLOGGER!

That's right! The lovely Erica and I dained that we'd meet up while I was down there, and she made her way to the uni, red shoes and all! I was sooo nervous, and the whole thing felt a lil internet date like (not that I've done that before!) - before it I was all 'can I have your number?' 'I'll be wearing purple shoes' 'how should I wear my hair' etc etc etc THEN afterwards I was all 'It was great to meet you' 'I had a great time' 'Did you think I was weird' etc etc etc. *sigh* I'm such a fangirl.

BUT, it was really great to meet her - It didn't feel that awkward at all and it was just like meeting up with an old friend! The pub thing that all the uni show ppl went to was a smokey lil place on the corner that oh-so-subtley moved us on by playing 'Closing Time', turning on the lights and then just telling us C'mon guys, we got the health inspectors in tmr, you really gotta get out before they nearly locked my cousin in the loo! After some time at the 7-11 and the busstop and taxi corners, we bid Erica farewell and made our way back to hotel.

The rest of the weekend was fairly uneventful - we traipsed round Bridge Rd on the Saturday, stopped back into Lush so I could buy a deoderant block (yet to see if it works), bought some MORE Haighs chocolates, visited the mall thing on Spencer St, searched for a technical bookshop that seems to be The Huns Holy Grail (we're determined to find it NEXT time) and met up with The Hun's aunt and uncle in a cold cafe on Hardware lane (or wtf it is named!) - I was in post-chocolate-post-shopping-post-tired nausea and not very 'animated' - and had dinner at SouthBank at that busy Automotic pizza place.

Today we slept in a bit and went back to the mall where I spotted some AWESOME all synthetic shoes in that crazy Myer basement (I'd spent all of Bridge Rd bemoaning the show bargains that were all leather) but they were too pricey! Guess how much for these:
They look better in the real thing - $180!!! (You can by them for me here).

The lines at the airport were INSANE, AND I got picked for the bomb dusting both times - in Melb it said that my bag had traces of explosive on it!!! However, a passerby security guy noted that the machine was stuffed, and the scanner guy made the obligitory "the machine says this girl has an explosive personality" and aplogised for scaring me by having to test me twice due to said explosives.

That's pretty much the wrapup (I know you're all ENTHRALLED!) - There are a few more things that I'd like to post about, but I'm guessing that there's one or two ppl in particular that will proddly come here to see what I say about the trip, so I might leave that for another day, another way... (also, Cuz, if I DO end up sending you the link - Hullo! The show was fantastic! Well done!).

Must get some study done now, and mebbe some dinner (11pm?! ALREADY?!)!

Yes, there will be a Melbourne roundup post...

... but is anyone else watching the Meerkat reality TV show?

I'm gonna be bawling if Shakespeare doesn't make it...

*muah!*

A chat with Erica inspired me today for this post - tell me about your:

• First Kiss;

• Worst Kiss; and

• Favourite Kiss.

I'll go first!

First Kiss
When - September 1998
Where - Hoyts Tuggeranong in the screening of that Movie with Liv Tyler where he has to go to the moon...?
What - A quick peck on the lips then a full on slugging. Imaine warm pokey tongue trying to force its way between two dry clamped lips... Mmm, memorable.

Worst Kiss
(Seeing as my first was my worst, this will hafta do)
When - April 2000
Where - Beachhouse in Narooma
What - So much vaccuum force I thought my skeleton was going to be sucked out! It actually hurt the next morning....

Favourite Kiss
When - February 2004
Where - In Blue, on the dancefloor
What - After YEARS of waiting, a peck on the forehead from The Hun in the middle of his hipshake dancing, and then later on the loungeroom floor at the Chifley house when he called me his girlfriend...

Share, won'tcha?!

Sunday? WHAT Sunday!

I was SUPPOSED to spend this weekend studying for my test on the 29th.

29th? It's only the 20th today - THAT'S early for you Enny!

I know! I was SUPPOSED to do it this weekend because next weekend (Fri to Sun) I'll be slumming it in Melbourne.

And by slumming, I mean staying here:


Oooooh. Aaaaah.

That's right! I'm coming DownUnder DownUnder to see the comedy revue at Melbourne Uni. *larfs*

Anyways, it seems that I don't operate well under pressure, nor without pressure! I imagine my study panic will set in on Saturday - let's wait n see how accurate my guess is, m'kay?

Nayways, yesterday was spent sitting around on my ass, avoiding studying by doing some washing, roasting some 'taters, looking at my new punching bag frame which was at that stage still unassembled without instructions, flirted with my eTax, napped.... before I knew it I'd watched both The Witches and Jarhead and it was 1:30am (and only half of one chapter of seven had been read)!

This morning? I was at Magf's house at noonish, for 3 1/2 hours of work for the upcoming martial arts tournament we are organising. LESS. THAN. TWO. MONTHS. AWAY. PEOPLE! Let me tell you, it's getting to make or break time. Either I can make my seniors do what we need them to do, or they will break me in the process. Any other martial artists out there are proddly not envying the position I am in at the moment... needing help and hearing offers of assistance, but how to take those offers up without upsetting the delicate balance of martial hierarchy?!

Then I went to the gym for my final personal training session (note: I now get to add weights to the bar in one of my two freeweight exercises! *flexes*).

Then I did the groceries and lamented over the contents of my shopping trolley... chips, mandarins, redeye, condoms, skittles, toothbrushes, vegan chocolate cream biscuits - what was the elder couple thinking as I unloaded my trolley?!

I just don't feel like I've had time to unwind from the previous week and it's already almost the new week...

PS - I'm de-facto-ing a nerd. I should be aware of this as some sort of constant, but instead it comes in blinding flashes ... like how yesterday he ducked out to play 'little men' at a friends house, he built my punching bag frame while I was out WITHOUT instructions (yes, it's a BIG deal being an unspatial girl!) and he's currently engrossed in that STUPID universe show about the string theory, changing between predictiong what the guy will say next and debating with the flat screen about why he doesn't believe in it.

Hrm - work or filler?

Work is a bit stressful atm - there's some rumours going around that I know have a certain level of truth to them. I won't go into them here - so in the interest of updating, I'll answer one of these questionairre things that I'd saved in my drafts a while ago.

Enjoy!

Have you ever.....
Gotten stuck in an elevator? No - I avoid them as much as possible (or let semi crowded ones go on without me) for exactly that reason.

Egged a person? No - I've never thrown an egg at a person (or a house, or a car etc)

Stalked someone to find out where they work or live? No! Tho I used to 'stalk' gf1s lil brother in school (I can't remember what happned, but I think we'd go seek him out at school and say 'hi! we're stalking you!') - and he's STILL not over it! Almost every time I see him he's all like 'YOU USED TO STALK ME!!!'

Spent an entire day in nothing but your underwear? Nope! The occassional morning in bed, or arvo on the couch in the summer (HAWT)!

Read some friends mail or other personal papers without them knowing? I used to occassionally go thru ppls phone messages when their mobile was unattended before I realised how lame that was...

Gone skinny dipping? Yup! Down in Batemans Bay with Magf and two other MA boys... BLAME IT ON THE VODKA!!!

Been in a fist fight? Excluding sparring - No. Tho I DID scrag a friend at the bike racks in year 8 - he was bothering me so I yelled and pulled his hair then rode off on 'black beauty' (my bike!)

Lasts....
Time you tripped? Outside Foot Locker in the HyperD jus before Christmas (ie PACKED and IN WORK SKIRT).

Time you cleaned up the base of your toilet? Um - I do the outside and the duck neck every week or two, but I'm not so sure about scrubbing it out...! (Don't get the wrong idea, The Hun does it sometimes, I'm SURE of it!).

Gum you had? I normally have like 3 or 4 pieces of Eclipse a day! But today I ran out so I got some of that Blue Extra from a workmate.

Pair of socks? Newish white sportsocks that I had to battle to be able to wear - I bought them for The Hun but needed them today...

Beverage you had? Light Tropical Fruit Crush Cordial! (Shall we ignore the lunch and happy hour drinks? I think we will!)

Spur of the moment decision you made? I bought a gift for The Hun today - he doesn't get it till Monday and tho he doesn't really pop in here anymore I'm not game enough to post what it is!

Movie you watched? Confetti! Woot!

What would you.....
Say if your best friend told you they love you? Proddly do that awkard 'Oh... um.. I love you too! Aww....' thang.

Right now.....
What are you wearing? Ugg boots, sport socks, lazy couch pants, lazy couch top and the usual undergarments.

What are you thinking? Fark my eyes are tired....

What are you listening to? Stoopid AFL - ugly Ugly UGLY game!!

What would you like to be listening to? Waves on the beach!

Are you annoyed by the length of this survey? Nope!

Are you tired? Yeah - tireder than I realised when I started this...

How many people in the room? 2 (same number as in the house, on the couch etc)

Any cuts or bruises on your body? Nothing major - bit of a hole in my thumb from a WWstar badge, tho don't think I need a tetnis shot for it... I bruise pretty easy, so I'm suprised I don't seem to have any atm!

Are there any animals in the room? I'm a saucy minx!... No.

Are you eating anything? Not at the moment.

Not as interesting as I'd hoped - tho I imagine there'll be more shortly - I'm meant to be studying all weeked!

Tagalog!

I've been tagged! (ta &duck!):

1. One book you have read more than once:
The Kitchen Gods Wife by Amy Tan. I'd seen the movie for the Joy Luck Club after Eldest Bro had to do an assignment on it for school, and when my Grandmother passed away and we were cleaning out the house I recognised Amy Tan's name on the cover of the book and I got to take it home. I could read it over and over.

2. One book you would want on a desert island:
A book of maps and instructions on how to escape... or the bible because it's long!

3. One book that made you laugh:
That's a hard one! I can't think of one off the top of my head - the closest contender is any of the Scott Adams books.

4. One book that made you cry:
One of the Paul Jennings 'Un-something or other' stories about the dog who was stuck down the well and his neck was crooked up forever. I only read it once or twice and could never read it again. I was kinda glad when I accidentally dropped the book in the bath and it got all wrinkled....

5. One book you wish you had written:
Any of the Anne Rice Vampire Chronicals. Blood and Gold was the first that I read and I LOVED it - favourite series.

6. One book you wish had never been written:
The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy. Um - hullo? incest? not cool. UNNESESARRY.

7. One book you are currently reading:
I'm currently on the current issue of Womens Health before I get to the one in the next question - the last one I sorta skimmed through was 101 Questions To Ask Before You Get Engaged by Norman Wright and Gary Oliver. It was ok, sorta relevent but a bit too Godly...

8. One book you have been meaning to read:
The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche - I got given it years ago by a friend who I've lost touch with - everyone that I know that's read it has said it's hardgoing at the start but great once you're in there - I think I've started it twice...

9. One book that changed your life:
Living Buddha, Living Christ by Thich Nhat Hanh - I'd recommend it for those who want an understanding of the two, and some good ol' contrast and compare. For me, it gave me more of an idea of where I am, where I want to be, and how I'm going to get there.

10. Now tag five people:
WooOOOoh - I tag:
- Erica (to keep her updating often!);
- Delightful Jen (I felt bad after copping out of her last one!);
- The Student (to get him to update again!);
- Tokenwoman (if she has time to read atm!); and
- Boysenberry (I'd love to know what his answers are!).

I'm writing this because a dream told me I should. Seriously.

Open letter to a person from the past:

We were best friends in primary school - I can't even remember from when, or how or why we were friends. What I do remember is that day at the start of year six when I greeted you near the recycling bin and you told me 'My mum told me I should get more friends, for high school' and walked off.

I remember not understanding what you were talking about - why your mum would say that - why that meant that I couldn't be your friend any more. And I watched as you struggled to fight your way in - as you copied the other girls, tried too hard - they'd all laugh and imitate you. Like that time we had sports on the oval and you'd rolled your skirt at the top to make it short, but you'd rolled it so many times there was a big lump around your waist.

But then somehow you found 'success' and left me behind without a second glance.

The only time you spoke to me after that was to tell me not to wear my school socks over my stockings. Twice. Other than that, it was like we'd never met.

It was like you never stopped to think about what you were doing or what you had done.

How it would make me feel.

How I would lie on the floor of the loungeroom and cry - not understanding what I was feeling and what was going on. And in my teeny confused angst I'd sob along to Radioheads 'creep', thinking it was all my fault.

Do you realise now? Did you ever realise?

I often wonder how much of my behaviour has been dictated by what happened in 1993.

And in many ways I'm still waiting for an apology.