...last night..

there was wine and champagne
there was double bubble
there was pasta with a little too salty alfredo sauce
there was karaoke

then there was the headache.

Monday night drinking with the Tash's is banned.

MOVIE NIGHT!

The movie night was a roaring success (look at all those enthralled people above) Paul excelled himself in the creative category, by building a screen from foam core that was stable and of the perfect size and surface.The clarity of the picture was amazing . It was a real cinematic experience, with the added bonus of being able to eat, drink, smoke and move around freely.
Not too many people showed, which worked well because we were in a pretty confined area (confined because we never got around to mowing the jungle that our back lawn has become - hence the cinema being held under the patio rather than under the stars) What you can't tell from the photos is there was a bit of a glut of people at the rear. We had a chatters table. This enabled those who wanted to zone in and out of the film to chat and socialise without disturbing the viewers. It was certainly my favourite spot as a result of my very limited attention span and will be a permanent arrangement for the movie nights to come. We started the night with an overture of Happy Tree Friends - causing much concern for the littlies present, prompting me to force Paul to reschedule that particular presentation. Then, once all were settled with a stomach full of my world famous sausage rolls, a full glass of wine and obligatory bowl of popcorn, we got started with the main event. Who'd a thunk watching a film with your buddies on a Saturday night could be so fun, but it really was. I am much looking forward to the next one. The great joy of digital photography is its ability to soothe the savage narcissist. A great way to round off the evening was taking various photos of each other doing dumb stuff and projecting it immediately. Drunken dancing in front of projected images ensued, long into the early hours. I swear, it was more fun than it sounds....
The next scheduled showing will be a full costume night of Rocky Horror Picture Show for my birthday in February (a blatant excuse to drag out my fetish boots and fishnet stockings). I will provide all invitees with a full list of props required and prompts for any yelling, throwing, singing or dancing. Until then I think we will be able to squeeze a couple more movies in - stay tuned for details.

Thanks man....

So it's Thanksgiving in the U.S. and after checking some of my favourite american blogs this morning it has occurred to me that this yank tradition is a timely reminder of all things that I am grateful for . Such as....

Britney finally ditched Kevin Federline and is getting her groove back.
Thai fishing pants
This blog and the ability it gives me to keep in touch with distant loved ones - and of course the ability to endlessly talk about myself with impugnity.
My family - without whom I am nothing
My friends and their happiness
My gainful employment that allows me to live the way I desire.
That cuban delight - heaven in a bottle - Bacardi Rum
Paul. I can't believe I have found someone that I can really want to spend the rest of my life with.
Karaoke
George Clooney
Karaoke ( soooo grateful for karaoke I had to list it twice)
That my brother from another mother is awesome and so is his wife.
McDonalds breakfast menu
The remaining americans that did support the Bush regime, slowly seem to be coming around to the idea that he 'aint that hot - and maybe invading Iraq wasn't such a hot idea either.
Red Shoes
Cable TV
My niece

I could go on and on ( as no doubt you well know) But I will stop here. Obviously it is apparent that I am pretty darned happy.
What are you mob thankful for?

Boys and Toys

Paul has finally fulfilled a long time desire and bought a digital projector. I won't offend the delicate sensibilities of my readership by telling how much it cost - suffice to say, Paul gets no more new toys for a looong time.
As a result of this new piece of technology being in the house, and Paul's 24 hour a day obsession with it, on Saturday night we are hosting our first MOVIE NIGHT! It will be our very own backyard, deckchair cinema. There has been much discussion on which movie should have the honour of being, not only the first to be shown on Paul's new projector - but also, to be the first movie shown on what will soon become a regular event - MOVIE NIGHT!
We seem to have settled on the 5th Element. Half of those involved in the decision process refused to budge from the sci-fi genre so it was the only movie that could be agreed upon. Personally I was bang up for some cheesy 80s dance movies - those films had a massive influence on shaping the woman that I am today - however it seems I will be waiting for a girls night only to bring out those babies.
So, weather permitting, it's on - anyone in the neighbourhood you are welcome to swing by. I will provide the nibbly bits - you bring the wine.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRO

One more Birthday shout out - probably one of the last for this year.
It is my bro's birthday and he is 25. I am as proud as I possibly can be of this man.
I love you bro.
WE are bbq'ing at his house this afternoon. As he and Matilda have been holed up over at Mandorah and Kalinda has been busy with exams - I am much looking forward to seeing them all. I have missed thise 3 alot and can't wait!

Addendum

Man - things really are looking good.
My workmate just returned from running an errand with a cappucinoand a muffin for me from the cafe.
I just found out that my sis is coming home for Xmas!
Life is good.

Looking Up

As you may have noticed from the tone of my last few posts I have been somewhat down in the dumps over the last week or so. I put it down to hormones. Anyhoo, things are certainly getting better and I am feeling cheerier. A pleasant evening was spent last night , in the spa with Paul and Aaron (left) That's Asahi on Aarons lap - isn't he getting big!
The weekend passed was lovely - Paul sold a painting he had contributed to an exhibition - as did mostly all of the other artists - including Fergal which now makes him a legitimate visual artist now as well as a written one ... or does it?
All money raised at the opening was donated to a worthy cause - something about goats in Uganda. Fergals parents are championing it - and doing a fine job.
I spent all day yesterday in a happy clappy team building workshop (hence looking a little buggered in the above photo) so am sore as hell today but it was in fact really fun and I wasn't cynical or facetious whatsoever throughout it's duration.
Finally, Paul has shaved off that revolting moustache - even though he has received much encouragement from the mo-vember supporting public. He is back to his spunky self and I can bear to kiss him again.
So as I said - everything is looking up and you can anticipate lighter and hopefully more interesting posts in the near future.

However it does seem worthy of note that my most commented on blog post is no longer my teeth, but the pimple on my bum. Hmmm.

First, I got the flu. Yesterday I got my period. Today I woke up with the biggest pimple on my ass I'm sure it is actually classified as a "boil "(something which I have never experienced so am unsure what size the protuberance needs to be before it is no longer a pimple and becomes a boil) It hurts to sit. Sitting is one of my favourite pastimes.
If this isn't the Assiest. Week. Ever. I just don't kow what is.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANIELLE

Today is my beautiful little sister's birthday. She is getting older - as we all are. I know she has to work today (my personal creed is that you do not work on your birthday people!) and I also heard that she is sick but I am sure she will still rock it out.

I love you Danielle and you are too far away!
Have an awesome day and I hope you get lucky tonight.

Darwin's answer to Bruce Banner

I am a seething cauldron of white hot rage today dear readers – directed singly at all things automotive.
As most of you would be aware, I ride my bike everywhere I need to go. I have a basket that snugly fits my bag when I go to work and my esky when I go to play. I can fit a fair amount of shopping in it and at times the dog even rides in it. Apart from the odd occasion where the use of a vehicle is necessary, such as moving house or empty cupboards requiring a big grocery shopping trip, I tend to lead a pretty happy life without the need or desire to travel in a stinky, natural resource guzzling, fast moving metal shell of an environmental catastrophe.

But don’t get me wrong, I understand that this is my choice and I would not judge anyone else on theirs. I have never had the inclination or desire to learn how to drive , however I would never begrudge another person their choice to do so. I even understand the passionate enthusiasm that is evoked in certain people when they are faced with a particular car part, car model or even car stereo. I tolerate the blasting bass beats of the pimped up Toyota corolla’s that the teenagers drive by my bedroom window at midnight, waking the entire street. While I am enjoying a quiet drink at sunset with friends on the Nightcliff foreshore, I ignore the squealing brakes and burning rubber of the hoons doing donuts in the neighbouring car park. I even endure the choking emissions of hundreds of single occupant vehicles as I cycle along the highways in the understanding that we all have somewhere to go and we must share the road. Well, gentle reader, this has all changed. I am a furious ball of automobile based hatred.

Last week, as I was wending my merry way home, slowly pedalling through the peaceful suburban streets, I was hit by a car.
Yes, you did read that correctly, I was hit by a car.
Now fortunately for all involved I suffered little more than a bruised bum, a dent in my basket and an adrenalin induced nausea for the rest of the day. As a result I was pretty calm about the whole incident and put it down to experience. Many of my bicycles riding friends have had run-ins with cars and all have come out a lot worse for wear than I did.

…but then there was this morning…

As I do every morning, I waited patiently on the footpath to cross the busy road to get to the institution of my employ; a speeding nondescript silver sedan came toward me. Thinking nothing of this other than “man, when am I going to get across, it’s freaking hot out here..” I was surprised and more than a little shocked when a McDonalds drink container came hurtling out of the passenger side window. This drinking vessel so nonchalantly tossed from the rapidly departing car whacked me straight across the top of the head and it contents proceeded to dribble down my face and into the collar of my shirt. Yuk! This was a combination of my current least favourite things, cars and litter.
Imagine my disgust when I discovered that not only had the cup been recently used to contain a sweet and fizzy beverage, but it suddenly became apparent it was used by the occupants of the car as an ashtray also! A blend of what I can only assume was lemonade, black sludge and cigarette butts were now spread evenly across my usually cheerful and delightful visage.

Needless to say I got into my office, cleaned up and calmed down. Now I just have a simmering close to the boil rage. I am not sure of the action I will take but I can assure you my usual easy temperament and tolerance of those I do not know, is vastly diminished.
And if I ever see you again Mr Silver Sedan, I will be presenting you with a different kind of butt juice my friend.