Things are getting better as this new year progesses. Every day, things seem a little more light and promising (or perhaps just a little less oppressive and intimidating) Even work is looking up.



The big OH SEVEN started for me with more of a limp fizzle than a bang. The departure of key members of my posse making me reassess how I might or might not roll. For reals.

I joined Fergal and Tash on the weekend for a lengthy and illuminating conversation over a fairly substantial amount of bacardi which helped me realise the importance of not defining myself by those that surround me. I am not a product of my social life, rather it is a product of me. It might sound like a load of self indulgent codswallop , but just that simple concept brought everything rushing back into perspective for me and has made me fell a damn lot better. (It is also worth noting that it may take some people a shitload of time just hanging with a yak on top of a mountain in Tibet to come to the same conclusion)



Nonetheless, as most of you are aware I am a rabid social creature and I have jumped right back in that saddle. There is some stuff happening that y'all need to be made aware of.



Next Friday is Australia Day. In the afternoon we are going to be rocking out in what has become a tradition of listening to the hottest 100 on JJJ, eating bbq and damaging our elbows and knees in ways that don't bear describing by partaking in the glee of a home made slip'n'slide. There is also patriotic act of draping every possible surface/body/tree in the Aussie Flag.

Here, at last years Oz Day bash, Roni and I show how good we can all look revelling in our nations pride.

Hot on the heels of that we have Matilda's Birthday, Sister in Law Tash's birthday, Paul's Exhibition, MY BIRTHDAY and a holiday to Brisbane and Sydney.

This is how L-M got her groove back.

umm...

I have half an hour to kill - I have finished work but am hanging around waiting for Paul so that we may attend the art exhibition of a friend.
Obviously this is a good opportunity to take advantage of the spare time to write something witty and erudite to get y'all through the weekend - however I am having a mental block and can think of nothing other than "mmm...beer...mmm...cigarette...." This refrain is circling around my synapses much like a Homer Simpson moment.
So have a good weekend and I am sure I will be full of cheer and good wishes come monday morn.
xx

Save the Territory from Old Kent!

"Australian Monopoly is being put together with regions not streets, and each state/territory has 5 options. Now it's open to public vote what gets included.

From Jan 8 - Feb 10 you get one vote per state/territory per day. The state with the most votes gets to have the dark blue (mayfair) squares & lowest votes gets brown (old kent)."

http://www.monopoly.com.au/

Thanks to the lovely Corinne for the link!

If we were breeders

So I finally start feeling better about missing the Shortus-Donehue clan and what do I receive in my inbox this morning but the above picture, taken the day before the family departure. Don't we look cute? Of course I am referring to Paul and I. The kids look like they always do - diabolically endearing - we do love those little squids. Tracey mentioned in her accompanying email that Kaley (on Pauls lap) asked mum the other day if they could please go over to LM and Pauls place? SO they haven't forgotten us yet! Yay
Well there you go, the only photo you may ever see of Paul and I looking like parental units. Kind of awkward but happy all the same.

my boyfriend is better than yours..

Paul is having an exhibition. It opens on the 9th of February
Y'all better be there! (Virgin has some special deals going on - c'mon asshats , get on that plane!)
Check it out;
http://www.topendarts.com.au/whatson_details.php?id=2476

and this is the complement blog;

http://www.oldinknewpaper.blogspot.com/

so long...farewell...auf Wiedersehen..good night

The remaining Darwin mob say goodbye.

Goodbye Matt and Tracey. After a very long and prolonged farewell period Matt, Tracey and the kids have finally dragged their sorry Queensland lovin' asses up up and away. Although they are only two people (well - 3 and a half if you include the kiddikins) the gaping hole they have left is a void not easy to fill. Who now will drop in for a glass (or bottle) of wine after yoga classes on a tuesday afternoon? Who will tell us stories about the newest mosquito plague to hit far remote arnhem land? Where the hell am I going to host my next Australia Day hottest 100 extravaganza if not in M&T's backyard? Obviously it goes without saying but I must add - who can I share the karaoke loving joy of belting out Spandeau Ballet hit GOLD at top volume? These examples are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to how much I miss them. This clan were not just great friends, we had become a form of family - like they say - friends are the family that you choose.

Fare thee well also to Kym and Brett - more deserters (of a sinking ship? not sure yet...)

As generations before them have done , Brett and Kym have gone west in search of gold and glory .

Well not really - but Brett did have a great opportunity to take over the family business and I think they both wanted a bit of a change. Change however , is NOT what I wanted.

Kym and I have been friends for over 15 years. We have had some really big ups and downs, but just the knowledge that she was close and always there, was something so comforting that I took it for granted. Now that she has gone it has affected me alot more dramatically than I thought it would - I am hyper aware that I can't just go and visit if I need to - I can't email her and invite her over at a moments notice and she certainly won't be dropping in every thursday this year to watch Lost with me.

I had the great honour of being bridesmaid at Brett and Kym's beautiful wedding last year and I am so glad I got to share that process with this awesome couple - made all the more poignant due to their departure.

So now it's just us.

I was sad - but now others are returning from the end of year southern hiatus and things are slowly returning to normal. I know there is always change - the ebb and flow of social circles. The upside is I have more reason to go on holiday now and more people with which to stay.

I love and miss you mob!

another tale from the Bon Jovi "keepin the dream alive" club

My friend Sydney Sam greeted me in my email inbox this morning with the following anectode I am sure you can all empathise with;

"Yesterday I left work, I was listening to my IPOD and standing in the carpark elevator. The door closed and I was alone so I started looking in the mirror and checking out the dry skin on my face and singing my heart out to Blaze of Glory by the great Jon Jon and enjoying the festivities when unbenknownst to me someone pressed the button from outside and there were three people standing there watching me sing to myself in the mirror - it was embarassing to say the least. But you know thats how I roll."

I am currently eating a mint caramel toffee – and as delightful as those two flavours are independently, they make for one revolting combination. Why wasn't I warned.

...oh, and Happy New Year