Out of Australia

Things I do when I am bored...

2007-05-24T20:47:00.001+08:00

... I calculated that during my holiday I travelled 43,200 kilometres or 26, 844 miles. Luckily it was by aeroplane.

New blog

2007-05-20T10:13:00.001+08:00

I will update this travel blog with video and bits and pieces as I sort through my files. However, for my local activities etc, you can go here

What have you done today to make you feel proud?

2007-05-20T08:50:00.001+08:00

Well, one week later and I think I am finally over the jet lag. The flight home was not too bad actually. From San Francisco to Sydney I had a seat behind the bulkhead which meant more leg room (YAY!) and I could even be a ruffian and put my (shoeless) feet up. Managed to actually get some sleep.

The young couple sitting next to me were lovely. He was Canadian she was an Australian living in Vancouver. She was taking him for his first visit to the big brown land. She and I spent an amusing few minutes during takeoff filling him in on how to be a Canadian in Australia. It was hilarious. He had a great sense of humour and provided some hysterical alternative meanings for the pictures on the aircraft safety card. I considered throwing her off the plane and making off with him... sigh.

Anyhoo, the plane landed in Sydney and I cried. What a wuss. Then we all piled off the plane and I sprinted to the baggage claim to get my bags so I could check in at domestic and catch my connection to Perth. I had two hours. You would think that enough time yeah, expecially as I already had a boarding pass. Clearly you have not been to Sydney airport lately.

What a @#$%&! #$%@#*&! mess. First my bags were the last ones off I kid you not. Then I had to sprint to the other end of the terminal to transfer to domestic. The queue of people who wanted to do the same thing actually snaked from the check in counters back into the main terminal. They only had four counter positions open for people trying to get on flights to all cities in Australia. There were hundreds of them.

Finally got through and bags checked in.Had to queue for customs. Had to queue again for security. There were two security check stations. Two. TWO!!!!! I looked at my watch and knew that my flight was nearing closure and I still had to get across the tarmac on the shuttle bus. What a total cockup Sydney airport is. How did they manage during the Olympics???? How embarrassing was it to hear international visitors who had just had very long flights complaining about the facilities? Bad airport. Bad. The thing is, you now have to go through Sydney when you fly in to the east coast no matter what city your destination is. My bags had to come off and go through customs in Sydney and couldnt go through to Perth so I could go through customs there. What pillock thought of that? Even people with a short flight to Melbourne had to do the same. Anyway, it ended up that I made the transfer to the domestic terminal and RAN full pelt to catch my flight. Just made it. I have not had to do that in any other place I have been in the world. Catch up Australia. I mean seriously. Jeeeeeeez.

I had a whole row of seats to myself so stretched out and watched Perfume (Alan Rickman - sigh), The Dead Girl, and half of Becoming Jane. Ate food.

Jess and Here Be Dragons were at the airport to meet me. They were holding signs that read: "Welcome Dee. World Traveller" and "Dee, friend to the stars (in particular
Alan Rickman and Daniel Radcliffe)"

I laughed out loud and hugged Jess and we both promptly burst into tears. LOL.

It has taken me a week to unpack, wash clothes, tidy the house and stop waking up at 2am starving hungry. I think I am in the zone now. I also immediately got sick with a cold that both Brenda in California and Jess at home had. Also, have to get some tests done early next week for a worrying health problem that raised its ugly head when I was in San Fran. So, a bit of a downer there but hope that it turns out to be a false alarm. I will be back at work on Tuesday and life will assume normal-like proportions from then on. This is seriously depressing. I am already planning my next holiday abroad which is likely to be New Zealand as things go.

I will be flying to wherever December Boys premieres (Adelaide?) in September and might be going to Melbourne with The Fringed One and Here Be Dragons to see Order of the Phoenix in July.

Perth is small. It is soooooooooo far away from well, anywhere. I feel so out of it here. Well, I did expect some effects from being away and seeing the world didn't I?

LOL I had become surpirsingly used to going into a supermarket and seeing 65 varieties of everything. Shopping back home was a bit of a shock. However, we have what we need if not everything we want.

So the time has come to end this blog which is a bit sad really. So to stop the girlie wah wah tears, I am going to start a new blog and post to it. Enough weird stuff happens to me here to warrant a home-style place to post pics and stuff. Once I have the thing built, I will post a link here and on Dan's site.

For now, the dream has come to an end. Thank you to all of you wonderful people. I had such a great time meeting with you all and seeing your cities. You all have a room here if you become insane and want to visit the west coast of Australia.

Keep it real.
Dee

Vancouver and San Francisco

2007-05-14T08:00:00.001+08:00

Want to know what this Bill Reid sculpture is all about? Go here

You gotta love it when a naked man greets you at the anthropology museum of the university of British Columbia.

Packing by backpack in SF...

The view from the top of Lombard Street. The windiest (as in bendiest) street in the world. And below the view from the bottom.

Pier 39 Fishermans Wharf SF

Fog creeping up on unsuspecting island in the bay.

Me dining in Sausalito...

A man with a real chicken puppet in a street in SF. Doesn't everyone?

The wattle tree in my backyard.......

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So this is it...

2007-05-10T03:59:00.000+08:00

... the last day.

I am sitting in the lobby of my hotel in San Francisco waiting for Mediterre to pick me up for a last whirlwind tour of the sights before she drops me off at the airport. My flight to Sydney is at 10.20pm. It is all over. I am pretty sad for a range of reasons and will be glad to get back home and process all the stuff that has happened and the stuff that did not get to happen.

I need to post pics of my last few days in Vancouver and the time I spent here in San Francisco. SanFran is pretty cool. I got to do some stuff like watch sealions basking, swimming, fighting and making hideous noise down at Fisherman's Wharf; I rode on a cablecar; shopped in Macy's; went over the Golden Gate Bridge; had dinner in Sausalito where I watched the fog come in over the bridge; went to see Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf at the Golden Gate Theatre; had coffee in the Haight; roamed around Chinatown. Drank California wine which is pretty good; Walked up and down hills. Saw lots of hills. Did I mention the hills? You can hang glide off these hills. Seriously.

So it's not all bad really.

San Francisco is quite like Perth in a lot of ways. They have like almost more eucalyptus trees than at home. In fact, the street trees are almost the same as those you find in Perth. Hell, they even have bottlebrush trees. The people are friendly and the weather is mild. It was lovely and warm while I was there with temps in the 30's. The locals complained about the heat. However, I renewed my tan which had faded alamingly during my time in cooler parts. I really enjoyed the freedom of just wearing tshirt and jeans without jumpers and coats etc.

I am now faced with the trip home. Only 2 more flights. How strange is this feeling? I feel like I have been away for years. Once I get back I will finish off this blog with photos and stuff that I have missed out in previous posts. For now, I will try to get my head around the fact that this epic journey is nearly done and wish you all love until next time.

DUST IN THE WIND -KANSAS
I close my eyes, only for a moment, and the moment's gone
All my dreams, pass before my eyes, a curiosity
Dust in the wind, all they are is dust in the wind.
Same old song, just a drop of water in an endless sea
All we do, crumbles to the ground, though we refuse to see

Dust in the wind, all we are is dust in the wind

[Now] Don't hang on, nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky
It slips away, and all your money won't another minute buy.

Dust in the wind, all we are is dust in the wind
Dust in the wind, everything is dust in the wind.

It is going to be so hard to leave here...

2007-05-04T09:12:00.001+08:00

This is the forest walk at the other side of the Capilano Suspension Bridge. The trees are magnificent, tall and straight and beautiful and so GREEN. Some of the views I saw when I was there were so beautiful it sort of hurt.

OK, so you can see right up my nose but check out what I was looking at...

And at the end of it that wonderful time in the forest, I got to hug a bear.

In other news...

Em and Dee travel by toy ferry to the amazing market place of Granville Island.

The ferry dudes were er... friendly.

This is what Vancouver looks like.

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Whoops, I did it again...

2007-05-03T11:58:00.000+08:00

This is a stylised raven an image of an animal that was central to the First Nations People of British Columbia. The art of this area is absolutely amazing and so my Canada tattoo had be something that had meaning on a deeper level.

If you want to see some more examples of Haida art, go here or here.

Oh Em got herself a little tatt as well. Hers is a reference to her profession as an archaeologist. Cute, huh. It's a trowel and brush.

Vancouver

2007-05-01T11:10:00.001+08:00

I am in Vancouver. It reminds me a bit of Perth mainly because there is a lot of water right near the city. It is a very pretty place with mountains as a backdrop.

We arrived via the ferry from Swartz Bay which is just out of Sidney. Then we took buses and taxis into North Vancouver where our motel is. On the ferry over we had dinner OMG. Buffet style all you can eat (is reminded again of Homer Simpson). YUM.

The motel is very comfy which is great but next door there was a family of Loud People with a child who obviously has ADHD because at 1am they were still rolling up and down outside the rooms on a skateboard. The family had obviously missed out on door closing lessons in childhood because all they seemed to do when opening and closing doors was wind up and SLAM. I found myself fantasising about all sorts of booby traps within their room and piano wire across the path to deal with the young skateboarder. (note to readers: I am not normally a violent person)

Anyhoo on Sunday morning we went and had Dutch pancakes for breakfast. This is a ZOMG situation, people. I think I died and went to heaven.

After that we went here. It was AWESOME. I tell you, again AWESOME. I hugged a tree and also a giant stuffed bear outside the giftshop.

Then we went off to the Vancouver Aquarium which is in Stanley Park, the much beloved public park of Vancouverites. It has been badly damaged in the ferocious storms that the NW coast suffered this winter but it is still gorgeous (like me, LOL). The Perth equivalent would be Kings Park except Stanley Park is like, flat.

The aquarium was great. Everything there is the Largest in the World (except for the sharks) The otters are HUGE and sooooooooo cuuuute!!! I saw Beluga whales. They are all white and are amazing.

I will post pics in here but now have to go eat brekkie and then out for more fun.

Byeeee. Love you all.

A funny thing happened to me on my way to the cafe.

2007-04-29T03:03:00.000+08:00

This morning I was minding my own business walking down the street to the cafe for a spot of brekkie when I heard a voice say, "Hey, gorgeous." What the...? I looked up but there was no one near me at all but when I turned my head, I saw this young man looking at me. I checked but there was still no one else there so he had to be talking to me, yeah?

Young man: "Hey gorgeous, come home with me."
Me: Laugh.
Young man: "No, don't laugh. I'm not joking. You're gorgeous come home with me."
Me: Laugh. "Are you THAT desperate?"
Young man (now walking beside me): "Why do you say that?"
Me: "Um, I'm like old and past it."
Young Man: "Age has got nothing to do with it. Really."
We walk along for a few minutes.
Me: "So how much success have you had with this approach?"
Young man: "Well this is my first time doing it."
My thought bubble: "Yeah, right." My voice: "I see and what made you try this with me?"
Young man: "Well you are gorgeous, you really are, and if you came home with me I would so go with you."
Me: (after a pause druing which I started to think about it - well people, he was kinda cute): "You know, I am from Australia. Have you ever been there?"
Him: "No. But I really want to."
Me: "Well you should go. You would be very successful there."
Him: "Really?"
Me: "Yes really.What's your name?"
Him: "Matt."
Me: "I'm Dee. How old are you Matt?"
Matt: "20."
My thought bubble: "Dear God, I have a son 5 years your senior".
Matt: "I am so serious. Like if you came to my house right now..."
Me:(Long pause) "So, what are you going to do instead?"
Matt: "Right"

We chatted while waiting at the crosswalk. I said I was going for breakfast. He said he was going to buy cigars (ewww). As I sat in the cafe, he later passed the window and I waved and smiled...

So there you go. Opportunity number 2. And that was all before 10 am this morning. Sigh.

Views of home...

2007-04-27T08:18:00.000+08:00

Perth Webcam
Trigg Beach

Well today is my last day on Vancouver Island. Tomorrow Em and I head off for the mainland and Vancouver city for a bit of full on sightseeing and general fun type stuff.

General randomness.

2007-04-25T00:47:00.000+08:00

Am currently majorly loving on Nine Inch Nails newy, Year Zero. Trent Reznor writing stuff that is not about himself... who knew? It's noisy and good. Very very good. Not all that US friendly though:

Nine Inch Nails-Survivalism
I should have listened to her
So hard to keep control
We kept on eating but
Our bloated bellies still not full
She gave us all she had but
We went and took some more
Can't seem to shut her legs
Our mother nature is a whore

(chorus:)
I got my propaganda
I got revisionism
I got my violence
In hi-def ultra-realism
All a part of this great nation
I got my fist
I got my plan
I got survivalism

Hypnotic sound of sirens
[ Lyrics found on http://www.metrolyrics.com ]

Echoing through the street
The cocking of the rifles
The marching of the feet
You see your world on fire
Don't try to act surprised
We did just what you told us
Lost our faith along the way and found ourselves believing your lies

(chorus)

(cut-up speech)

All bruised and broken, bleeding
She asked to take my hand
I turn just keep on walking
what you'd do the same thing in the circumstance im sure you'll understand

(chorus)

You got your pacifism - I got survivalism

In other cultural news...
Have just finished reading Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides. A giant 529 page rollercoaster of a novel crammed with adventure and sizzling gypsies. No, wait. That is something else...

Next read is Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand which I have often picked up and put down again but without actually reading any of the words. I hope to remedy this today.

May be going to University of Victoria today and might speak to boffins there about possibilities etc... Once I have finished my Master's Degree, who knows?

Also need to remedy a small problem with US Immigration or I may not be allowed back into the States. I forgot to submit a little piece of paper when I left Dallas. My experience with little pieces of paper like this is that they can be deceptively benign in appearance, yet cause all sorts of bother...

I find my thoughts returning home more often. Main train of thought concerns the question of whether the house is habitable after number one daughter and The Fringed One along with Here Be Dragons have been partying in it. Sigh. Seriously, I find that I need to get home in my head before I actually physically arrive there, otherwise I end up like really sad, dude.

I continue to be appalled at failure to find a sugar daddy to keep my in the manner to which I would like to become accustomed. Distraught at prospect of resuming mundane life. Resigns self to fact. Terrified at thought of looking at Visa statement. Decide not to look.

The main thing I like about being in the Northern Hemisphere is the feeling of connectedness to most of the major things that are going on in the world. Perth is SOOOO ISOLATED. The world is accessible from here. Also, people here have access to awesome music festivals that make me go weak at the knees when I read the lineups.

I have also had ample time to reflect on the comparisons between life in Australia and that in other places. Australia has some serious deficits, people, and I don't mean consumer type stuff. I mean in terms of attitude - toward the environment in particular and towards people and the world in general. I have to sort out what my conclusions are about a lot of stuff but that will happen when I get back home.

I am rambling on but in so doing realise I am at the transition between the fantasy of holiday and the reality of 'normal' life. This generally sucks. However, as usual I will carry on and see what happens next...

I miss my dog. Sniff.

So I hugged a moose. Got a problem with that?

2007-04-24T10:22:00.000+08:00

(It's not a real moose but it is the horniest thing I have got close to so far... Can I say that in Canada?)

I drove along this pretty road today. Spring has sprung on Vancouver Island, that's fer shuuuuure.

Apparantly, Em woke up to this one morning...

We went to the BC Museum and oh boy, it is fantastic. Outside, there are magnificent examples of First Nations totem and house poles thusly:

Now, that is art.

Inside there is the most fantastic display of art from the First Nations people. Also a terrific historical exhibit of Victoria that you can walk in and around. I had a great day.

IN other news...
Darth Vader spotted busking in downtown Victoria, BC

And finally what it is like to not be at work.

Sigh...

2007-04-24T10:13:00.000+08:00

Dee: What do you have to do to find a hot man in this town?
Em: Age fifty years...

Problem with comments

2007-04-21T23:44:00.000+08:00

I notice that the last post I made and one other earlier one, did not allow comments. I am suspicious and blame Blogger for this. I, however, am on holiday and will not engage in any work-related activity re: debugging html code etc etc and so on and so forth, until I return home.

If you want to leave a comment for me (and I hope you will as I love getting feedback!)please email me:

dudledee@gmail.com

It was sunny all day yesterday...

2007-04-20T23:15:00.000+08:00

...and the good denizens of Sidney walked around the town without their Goretex coats on!!! I kid you not. I goofed around at the B&B then went for lunch with Em after which I sat in the cafe next door and drank tea and ate mango passion cheesecake whilst writing cards to send to all and sundry. Then I put in a few solid hours on my book (Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides if you must know)as I sat on a park bench overlooking Roberts Bay. It was horrible and I was glad when it was time to go home. LOL. Em and I had fresh sole and vegies for dinner followed by fruit salad with raspberries, strawberries and stuff. But get this: you can buy a CRATE of strawberries, huge strawberries, for $6.50 Canadian. OMG. Food is so much cheaper here.

Anyhoo, thought I would post a map so you can see where I is. The red arrow points to Sidney where I am staying and the green arrow points to Tofino where Em and I will be going overnight on the 28th April. I think. The yellow dotted line between the island and the mainland is the border between the USA and Canada.

I love it here. The only thing that worries me about living here though is death by 1) earthquake and 2)tsunami. The west side of the island is extremely vulnerable to tsunami as is in fact the whole island. At least on the east side you get the warning of houses and stuff floating by from the west to alert you to the fact that something is not quite right... I am seriously tempted to spend a couple of years in BC though. Having said that, the pull of Australia is SO STRONG. I don't think I could leave there permanently. Sigh. I am all thing and internally windswept about the whole business.

In other news...
Em and I were waiting for a bus and I spotted a snake curled round a small branch just lying there in the grass at the side of the bus stop. He was sooooooo cuuuuuute and I wanted to keep him and call him Squishy and make him mine. I didn't though. The mean men at Australian Customs wouldn't have liked that.

I came across a pod of logs that had beached themselves. Their navigation systems must have gone wonky or something. Sad, eh?

You can stop looking. I have found it...

Average sized moth sighted in Butterfly Gardens.

Actually, it is called the Atlas Moth and is the freakiest thing. It just sleeps all day in the tree (like a koala) and only moves at night (unlike a koala which doesn't move at all if it can help it) and as you can see it resembles a low flying aircraft in size.

I've seen a cockatoo!

Me with 2 flamingo at the beautiful Butterfly Gardens. We had a great time there in the heated environment while it bucketed down with rain outside.

Just don't ask...

The following is part of the interior of the place we are staying at. It's for sale if you want to buy it - $800,000 Canadian. Not bad seeing as it has separate business premises out the front and a fully self contained flat at ground level, 5 bathrooms and 3 bedrooms and an office area in the main house.

I'd show you our room but it's too messy... LOL

On Sunday we are off to the BC museum. They have amazing stuff there. Em has all next week off work so we will be hitting the trails and doing the real thing.

See you all soon. Take care and loads of love.

Holiday tally so far...

2007-04-15T00:40:00.000+08:00

The Dee awards brought to you by ... Dee.

Best cheesecake: Boston. In the market with Jen. Andreas baked vanilla cheesecake was the best I have ever tasted, and that is saying something. I wish I had got a whole slice for myself now.

Most useful item: The magic umbrella. Whenever I carried it with me, it refused to rain. If I left it at home, it bucketed down.

Most astonishing sight for an Australian: Seeing pasty English people swimming in winter in a lake in Hyde Park. I think I am still traumatised.

Biggest disappointment: The lack of actual English people in London. Seriously. We will not speak of this again. Also, the absolute and horrible changes in the land of my birth. Sigh. The place is almost unrecognisable yet I still love it. Was seriously homesick for London after I left.

Strangest building: The Atomium in Brussels. It's made of balls, people. Balls.

Best day out: Camden Town with Em. Just brilliant. I love Camden.

Most enchanting critter: The marmot. Roderick the marmot to be precise. He lives at the end of Chance's road and is so cute. I love marmots (but I couldn't eat a whole one).

I also liked the teeny weeny umbrella jellyfish at the New England Aquarium.

Thing I forgot to tell you: I had my right ear pierced in Belgium. On the little flappy bit not the lobe or the top. Ow.

Most emotionally complex experience: Visiting my childhood neighbourhood and seeing the house I lived in. Also, seeing Lake Michigan, full of fresh water. Still can't get over that.

Most unpleasant airport: Chicago. No question.

Nicest airport: Tie Between Denver and Vancouver.

Most unpleasant airline: American Airlines: Staff, planes, baggage handling (they lost my bag at one point) all up to poop.

Most charming men: Definitely Canada. OMG

Place where I have offended the most people: It has to be Canada doesn't it? I get the most disapproving looks by jaywalking across intersections which I, of course, NEVER do on purpose. *grin*

Most hilarious sound: Skaila's voice when I told her I was at the airport. She thought I was arriving the next day.

Most hair raising experience: Tie between the drive from Heathrow to Watford in Nikki's car (23 hours of utter safety in a plane and I am now going to die on this English motorway) and experiencing being in a car driven on the right hand side of the road for the first time (Brussels). I had my hands over my eyes most of the journey. The taxi driver thought it was funny. Oh ha ha.

Best food: Don't make me choose. Oh OK it has to be the clam chowder at Point No Point, Vancouver Island. And of course there is the grilled salmon at Fish on Fifth. Did I mention the deep fried Mars Bars??? Definitely not for the faint hearted. In fact, a nifty way TO HAVE a heart attack... yet, strangely delicious (gazes off into the distance).
Not forgetting the salmon and shrimp (shrimp, LOL) melt at the place next door to Em's work.

Biggest suspicion: That Canadians practise being polite in the mirror before leaving the house in the morning.

Best girlie day out: The beauty salon and lunch day with Joan in North Carolina.

Most strenuous day: Aspen and Hanging Lake trail with Chance. Lack of oxygen is a startling thing.

Australian thing most missed: The stars and the sound of magpies warbling in the morning on next door's roof.

Stupidest thing done by a grown woman: Getting drunk (Nikki made me do it) and lost in Brixton after midnight. Was hilarious though.

Best celebrity sighting: ALAN RICKMAN. (Fans self) I would have loved a picture of my face. Totally gobsmacked would be an apt description. In fact I wish someone had smacked my gob. I might have actually said something. No, wait. That might not have been a good idea...

Weirdest thing sighted: A huge carved chicken sitting on a swing that is hanging from the back neighbour's wooden deck here in Sidney. Here is the proof:

Most expensive indulgence: $45 Australian dollars to get my eyebrows waxed. You guessed it - London.

Thing I am most ashamed of doing: Buying things in Walmart. Doh. Idealogically unsound people. I feel tainted.

Funniest email received while on holiday: From number one son - 'Hi Mum. Am in Toronto. Balls frozen. Love T.' (Son was on tour with band)
Creepiest thought: 'I have to go back to work. Can I do that? Who have I become in the last few months? What does my life mean now?' Relax, that is as deep as I am going to get.

Absolutely the best experience ever: Seeing our Dan on stage in Equus and meeting him and his lovely dad. I mean, how cool is that? Totally and utterly the best night of this holiday.

Check back for more additions. I will post them as I remember or as events occur.

I'd forgotten how much I like Gordon Lightfoot

2007-04-14T05:07:00.000+08:00

In the early morning rain
With a dollar in my hand
With an achin in my heart
And my pockets full of sand
Im a long way from home
And I miss my loved ones so
In the early morning rain
With no place to go
Out on runway number nine
Big seven-o-seven set to go
But Im stuck here in the grass
Where the cold wind blows
Now the liquor tasted good
And the women all were fast
Well there she goes my friend
Well shes rollin down at last

Hear the mighty engines roar
See the silver bird on high
Shes away and westward bound
Far above the clouds shell fly
Where the mornin rain dont fall
And the sun always shines
Shell be flyin oer my home
In about three hours time

This old airports got me down
Its no earthly good to me
cause Im stuck here on the ground
As cold and drunk as I can be
You cant jump a jet plane
Like you can a freight train
So Id best be on my way
In the early morning rain
You cant jump a jet plane
Like you can a freight train
So Id best be on my way
In the early morning rain

...

Fish on 5th...

2007-04-14T01:07:00.000+08:00

... A humble looking fish cafe on Fifth Street in Sidney. Don't be fooled by the exterior folks ( I will post a pic when I take one! LOL). Inside dwells the best fish and chips (yam fries OMG) that you will eat and that is saying something. Have been there a couple of times now and enchanted by the cheeky waiters one of which I professed my love to last night.

Me: I think I love you
Waiter: You do?
Me: Well, you bring me food and beer.
Waiter: (laughs)

I may propose to him tonight.

But truly a fun place with great food. After dinner Em and I went to a bookshop and I bought a couple of half price Harry Potter calendars (only for their archival value and the sake of completeness you understand) and a book called 'How to be a Canadian'. Quote: 'There are no roads in British Columbia. There are only corners joined together.' and ' The natural habitat of Canadians is the shopping mall. Canadians are timid, but they will respond if approached. The best way, we find, is to offer them a handful of seeds whilst speaking softly in a calm but firm voice.' and 'Canada is a big, bold country. Most of the people in Canada live as close as they can to the U.S. border, where they huddle together for warmth. If you want to appear
Canadian, all you have to do is tuck a beaver under your arm and stroll along humming the Hockey Night in Canada theme song.'

I think I may enjoy this book. Perhaps I should write one on How to be an Australian... hmmmmm.

Anyhoo, I have just remembered my trip to the Roots clothing store in Victoria where I was immediately asked by the male store assistant if I was Australian.

Me: Yes!
Assistant: Ah. Are you offended? (he meant by the whole 'Roots' thing. In Australia root is a verb and refers to the procreative activities as well as referring to the bit on the end of trees that goes in the ground. For further explanation, please send me an email.)
Me: Naaaaaaah!

I bought several items of clothing which as we all know are the best kind of souvenirs. Em insisted on taking this picture of me modelling the baseball cap that I bought for number one son.

Ridiculous isn't it? PLease note favourite Camden Town tshirt bought in Camden Town.

Me on ferry going across to Victoria

Point No Point Resort Restaurant wherein dwells the best Clam Chowder in the universe.

It was raining but the view out of the restaurant was very calming.

Fat seals who became disinterested when it was obvious we had no food for them.

Sidney Marina and Marine Observatory (the little building). I spent a happy hour there on Thursday, looking into little tiny tanks and using microscopes to see the marine life in them. It was awesome and in lots of ways much better than a big aquarium. There were about 20 little tanks on desks that you could look at. The centre caters for school groups and tourists and is just terrific. I bought a tshirt, of course.

Seagulls conspiring to steal fish from the fish market on the pier. These guys were hilarious.

Seagull on the bathroom skylight. He later moved and started pecking the glass and looking in. Cheeky bugger.

There are flowers everywhere. Its the only way to tell that it is spring here. (Waits to get whacked by Em)

Em at work. Impressive eh? She is making a mockup of an archeological dig. I reckon she just likes cutting and gluing.

The view outside Em's work area. She looks out on this folks. Feel free to hate her.

The view across to the USA, Washington State. You can just see Mt Baker.

travel whinges

2007-04-13T00:07:00.000+08:00

I do believe I am getting tired of living out of a suitcase. Everything is always crumpled and the thing you want always scuttles to the bottom of the bag. Grumble.

Am feeling a bit down as certain of my plans have fallen through for various reasons. The California bit is looking bleak. Looks like I will be there on my own which is sad. I was really looking forward to seeing it with Em but she can't come with me. I look like not seeing Mark either which is the biggest bummer and makes me sadder than sad.

Might kill myself by eating Rogers chocolates...

oh Canada!

2007-04-11T23:34:00.000+08:00

Sidney by the sea,Vancouver Island. I could live here in a heartbeat. Am thinking of doing so in fact. If I don't report for work, you know where to find me.

Well, Em met me at the airport holding up a sign that read "Strange Australian Woman" (Oh HA HA. slap) much to the amusement of the woman standing next door to her. The flight had been delayed due to yet another set of luggage boarding the plane sans owner. All the luggage had to come off and the absconders removed and the hold reloaded before we could leave. But I digress...

Chance and I got to Eagle airport and I checked in with 4 minutes to get through security and on the plane. Hee. You guessed it. I got searched. Not my bags. Me. I was beeping even though I had no metal on me besides the rivets on my jeans. Got the full pat-down which took sooooooo long... Anyhoo, Finally got through that and repacked my carry on and got shoes on and all that and did make the flight. Had to go via Dallas Fort Worth and let me tell you how big that airport is. That airport is fecking HUGE. To make my connecting flight to Vancouver I rode a train that took 5 minutes to get to the other terminal. sigh.

I had the whole row of seats to myself. Sheer bloody luxury lad. Who needs first class??

When I got to Vancouver, the plan was to catch the ferry across to Vancouver Island but due to the delay we had missed the last one by one minute. Sigh. So off to a motel we went and then went out for something to eat. It was great.
Next morning we got on the ferry well, we got in a bus that eventually drove on to the ferry. Big ferry. We had delicious buffet breakfast as we powered through the teeny islands and gorgeous scenery. I will put photos up when I get my lazy ass on to it.

Em's dad man met us at the ferry terminal and we then zoomed off for a drive around the south part of the island. Sooooooooooooooo prettttty. All trees and moss and lichen and green and wet. Rainforest, gotta love it. Went to a little gorgeous place called Point No Point.

Me: This is called Point No Point?
Em: Yes
Me: What's the point in that?
Em: There is no point.
Me: That's the point?
Em: Yes.

The clam chowder was to DIE FOR people. Eating that looking over the little bay where there were seals swimming. Each table in the cafe had binoculars and Em's dad told a funny story of people down on the beach who were nude sunbathing once while the polite Canadian diners pretended not to notice. LOL. The manager had to go down and tell them that a restaurant full of people could see them.

Em and I are staying in a lovely bed and breakfast right in the middle of Sidney. On Monday we went shopping in Victoria because I need something decent to wear to the Empress Hotel when we go for afternoon tea. Get that! Me being posh, LOL. Around here
there are heaps of places to shop and poke around in and there is even a pirate shop Merri. Yes I am going in there. Don't panic. The sea here is grey but beautiful. The seagulls are freaking huge as is just about everything squirrels included. Yesterday I mistook a squirrel for a small cat.

Canadians are friendly and talkative. Bus rides are full of the sound of people chatter. Everywhere else I have been, the people are silent and try not to make eye contact. Paranoia. Here the people are relaxed and seem genuinely happy. Really. People smile at you as you go by. Can't work out if it is pathological or paradise.

I am well and happy and wondering how I will ever fit back into work and normal life again... off to explore some more of this wonderful place. Back with photos later.

Colorado to Victoria BC

2007-04-10T22:59:00.000+08:00

Colorado is dry. Very very dry. The first time I shook hands with Chance's husband, I nearly electrocuted him with static. 'Welcome to Colorado,' he said. I had a wonderful time up in the mountains with Chance and her family. We drove all over the place. I stomped in snow, was amazed by frozen waterfalls, got sunburned!!, saw big-horned sheep, deer (munching up peoples gardens in town, lol), marmots (omg cute miniature meerkat critters SOOOO CUTE), Canada geese (these dudes are all over the place but I havent yet seen one in Canada...), prairie dogs, red tailed hawks, mountain jays (brilliant blue), chipmunks, and one small spider that Chance converted into atoms one night in case it was a Brown Recluse. This spider kinda kills your flesh and stuff so not too nice. We have one like it in Australia.

Memorable moments:
Me leaping into the air when Chance yelled 'OUTTA THAT CHAIR!' when the aforementioned small spider was sighted.
The look on Chance's face when I said I wanted to see a rattlesnake.
Seeing a marmot for the first time.
Poking snow only to find it was solid ice. Small embarrassment to pokey finger.
The funny tshirt shop in Aspen. OMG I wanted to buy ALL those shirts. Laughed till I cried.
Yummy crockpot dinners at the end of a long day sightseeing.
The amazingly weird tourist shop with the pianola that started playing for no apparant reason.
The Continental Divide even though it did try to kill me to death with freezing.
Seeing a frozen lake.
The roadsigns: 'Move accidents off the road'; 'Road rage call (number)'; 'Beware falling rock' (Man, that rock was falling all over the place);'Beware avalanches'(er... what exactly are you gonna do???); The street called Bellyache Road; The town called No Name (now that's just lazy).
Seeing Orion the right way up. I miss not seeing the Southern Cross out of my back door when I get up in the night though. sigh.
Seeing Christopher and getting Christopher hugs. Hi sweety!!!
Debating the usefulness of the Monarchy with Katie.
Listening to Gordon Lightfoot while travelling to Aspen. Carefree Highway, let me slip away on you.
Reading the lightning safety brochure out to Chance. Man that thing was so funny. "Treat the apparantly dead first."
Going up to Hanging Lake. 'Is it straight up?' I asked. 'Not especially,' said Chance. I am paying you back for that one buddy. Chance is like a mountain goat skipping from rock to rock. I, on the other hand starved of oxygen, went 2 feet at a time then gasped for 10 minutes... Coming down was easier,even when the dumbass tourists going up didn't step aside to let us through. NO BRAKES PEOPLE!!! Souvenirs from the hike include a gash on my knee and assorted bruises. My lungs may never recover.

I loved Colorado. It's big and dry and rocky and looks like Wittenoom Gorge in places (except for the snow of course) The air is clean and clear and the people are Australia friendly. After Chicago and all the big cities, it was heaven to a girl like me used to big spaces and sky.

Chance and I had so many laughs. OMG. I love you buddy and THANK YOU for my stay. Se e you when I get my Green Card eh?

Colorado. Rocky Mountain High

2007-04-07T10:33:00.000+08:00

Let's just let the pics speak for themselves. OK with a little help from me.

Ski runs from the air.

Rocky Mountains from the plane. OOOOO shiiiny.

The view from Chance's house.

Everything's hunky dory here.

Sylvan Lake and yes, it is frozen.

The Continental Divide

Me getting my face blown off at the Continental Divide. I have never lost sensation to any part of my body so fast as I did this day. I couldn't feel my fingers after about 5 seconds and I am sure my face blew to the other side of my head...

Hanging Lake Trail that I hiked up today with Chance.

Me laughing deleriously through lack of oxygen on Hanging Lake Trail.

Mossy waterfall on the trail.

Hanging Lake.

Aspen. Can you say 'expensive'? Lots of shiny happy rich people wearing designer ski gear. YAWN. If Alan Rickman isn't there, there are no celebrities I want to see.

ANyhoo, I am really tired. I hiked up a mountain pass today so will write words tomorrow or the next day. I just wanted to show you how beautiful Colorado is. I love it here.

I am sadly leaving Chance and family in the morning... Off to Vancouver to see Em and to plan the slapping of Mark when we both go down to SanFran in a couple of weeks. See you with news of that when I next get a good internet connection.

I am having a ball. Still no luck but have not given up hope. Certain of you will get what I mean. I will definitely post if that situation changes *wink*.

Photos from Belgium

2007-04-06T04:42:00.000+08:00

Yours truly enjoying a Belgian beer.

The weird looking Atomium in Brussels. It looks like the balls are small even from underneath, but they are actually the size of very large rooms and the connecting pipes house escalators. The top ball contains a restaurant and lookout.

One of the escalators inside the tubey parts of the atomium. Oh and the back of Kevin's head which I include for perspective.

Leuven (downtown)I sat in a cafe overlooking this square and had coffee while I wrote a thank you letter to Dan's dad. Then it snowed.

Sheila's English class.

The Horst castle.

Bruce seemed to get on well with Simba...

Chicago. I think Frank Sinatra was mad. It's not my kind of town.

2007-04-04T21:32:00.000+08:00

Well, I am flying American domestic airlines now. No food service - you have to buy your own. I was thinking they might get us to push the plane down the runway too. Anyhoo, I left Boston and set off for the airport for Chicago. It was all good except the flight was delayed because the pilots had not had enough time between flights to sleep and could not fly against US regulations. So we were late getting off the ground.

Chance met me there and she had organised a hire car!!! Wheee. A black Jeep 4WD... shiiiiiny. So we piled in and headed off to my accomodation. Chance did a great job finding her way around. (Brownie points) The B&B was amazing. Ray's Bucktown B&B if you want to know and it is a weird eclectic place full of strange collections of things and slightly creepy papier mache statues. I had a room where the bed was under a slanted skylight. I could see the stars and clouds as I lay there. It was magic.

But let's go back a step. After dropping off all my shit, we went to Navy Pier which is a very touristy place on a pier (funny that)that juts out into Lake Michigan. We walked to the end of the pier and stood overlooking the water. OMG. The lake is huge. It is not possible to see the other side and it is all fresh water. I actually teared up as I looked out over the water. What could we do in Australia with a supply like that??? So much water and we are so dry... Sigh.

Anyhoo, we had a look at some of the shoppies there. I bought the obligatory tshirt ("Dead men dont tell tales. Navy Pier. Arrrrrrr." Complete with Jolly Roger. I thought of you, Merri when I bought it and now feel completely prepared for International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Arrrrrr) Then we had lunch in a fabulous place called Be Bops which is a Jazz Cafe. I had a local beer (naturally) which was OK.
Have I mentioned that serves of food in this country are obscenely large??? !OMG! Tip: Order kids size meals. They equal a normal adult portion in Australia.

Next we went up to Sears Tower and had a look at Chicago from above. It goes on and on and on and on.

Still couldn't see the other side of Lake Michigan. Bought a fridge magnet with picture of Sears Tower on it. Went back down lift and Chance took me home before returning the hire car and boarding her plane back to Colorado.

I sent out for pizza and settled down for the evening and reflected on the day. Oh, I was only there for the day because I had arranged to meet someone else there but that was not possible so Chance offered to come down for the day to show me Chicago as she had been there before.

I don't like Chicago. It is big, dirty, noisy and the people are rude. I have no idea how people actually live there. Maybe it is to provide employment for therapists, who knows? All I can say is I am glad I went there to see it but I will not be going back any time soon. The airport is an exercise in chaos. They actually lost my bags the next day but that is another story...

Way down South (Sarth to you Nikki lol)

2007-04-04T21:09:00.000+08:00

Boston to Raleigh, North Carolina

I’m in the South, folks. Well, I have been since Tuesday last and it has been a blast. I have been staying with Joan and her husband, John who have shown me real Southern hospitality. I have been shown around the beautiful countryside, fed, taken to the zoo, shopped and cared for.

But to start off, I arrived and Joan met me at the airport. When I left Boston it was raining and about 45 degrees F, in Raleigh it was 83 and sunny – WAAAAARRRM!!!! I had not packed any summer clothing so we went out of course and bought some after we went and had steak sandwiches and beer for lunch. YUM ! Back to Joan’s cute house and time for a shower and tea.

Joan had planned to take me to the beach the next day so we packed overnight bags and settled down for the evening. Unfortunately, the next morning I woke up with a stinking headache, stuffed nose and lethargy. A mix of jet lag, constant traveling and changing climate and POW! Dee was out of circulation for the day. Joan had to cancel the accommodation bookings and all and jeez, what a shit. But there was nothing I could do, I had to just stay in bed and sleep it off. By the end of the day with the help of gallons of water and cold and flu capsules, I felt better. By next morning I was well enough to go out with Joan. We both got manicures and pedicures, had lunch, coffee, Ben and Jerry’s ice cream and shopped. In the evening we went out for dinner to the 42nd
Street Oyster Bar where I had LOBSTER! - and bought a great souvenir glass which weighs a tonne. Today we went to the North Carolina Zoo where the people were often more entertaining than the actual animal exhibits. It was a great day. I am now sitting here, typing into Word, because Joan’s internet is down. Monday, I am in Chicago and meeting with Chance before flying on to Colorado. I will be cold again. Today I was at the zoo in Capri pants and shoestring top. Monday, I will be back in sweaters.

Raleigh is a very pretty place. It is real spring there and the Dogwood trees are all in flower. Such a pretty tree with lovely white flowers almost like a McCartney Rose. There are pink ones too and they are all over the place. The winter-bare branches of the other deciduous trees have a mist of light green as the new leaves emerge from buds. I was surprised to see so many pine trees – they are everywhere. Joan and I went for a walk around Shelly Lake one day which was lovely. The surrounding land is all natural woods with a walkway and people passed us walking their dogs or jogging (you’re still gonna die people. Why not walk?) Saw a couple of critters – squirrels and the State bird the Cardinal which is bright red. There were Canadian Geese and ducks on the lake and heaps of turtles swimming about.

We went on lots of drives around the place and saw where the posh people live.

Joan made her grandmother’s coconut and pineapple cake and John cooked a wonderful breakfast one morning and I ate grits for the first time. On my last night Joan did Southern fried chicken YUMMY!!!

Thanks Joan and John. I had a wonderful time even if your cat did near knock ma leyag orff while I was standing in the hallway and even if you did laugh at me for wanting to get in the drivers side of the car all the time. (hmph its you lot who have things backwards). I loved my stay there with yawl and I love you.

Paaaaahk the caaaaah in Haaaahvaaad yaaaahd

2007-03-27T19:33:00.000+08:00

Bostonians sound a lot like Australians. They don't sound their 'r's either. I have been mistaken as British about 5 times here. Sigh. Yesterday we went to Harvard Square and found this absolutely WICKED shop the name of which I can't remember but it is a mixture of CD/video/books/novelty items/ comics and anime/ figurines/trendy bags and stuff and buttons and stickers and everything oh my. I bought some particularly amusing fridge magnets and a button for Mark and a Nine Inch Nails CD to augment my collection. Amy and Merri the shop is a mix of JB HiFi, Black Plastic, and those trendy funky shops with tshirts of Astro Boy. I could have stayed there all day.

Bought a graduate school of education tshirt with Harvard printed on it. LOL Had lunch in a Mongolian BBQ restaurant called Fire and Ice. It was awesome. You just pick out your stuff and put it in a bowl and the guy cooks it for you on this huge round hotplate. It was another great day with Jen and family.

Need to go and get checked out and to the airport. Next stop: Joany!!! <3

Busman's holiday anyone?

2007-03-26T18:37:00.000+08:00

Righto, that was a good sleep. The story continues...

The next day, Thursday, I went to Skaila's college and spoke English to her English class. The teacher wanted them to hear a native English speaker because as you know, in Belgium they speak just about everything else. I said that I am Australian and therefore don't really speak English. LOL. It was nice. They wanted to know about spiders (How big are they? Do they come in the house?)and snakes (Do you see them all the time?) and kangaroos (I said they feast on human flesh). Sigh. I showed them our currency (oooo shiiiny they said). There were lots of questions about the cost of living and spiders. Some people asked questions about spiders. Spiders were a popular topic. I took a photo of the class which I will post with a whole lot of other photos that are in my camera. So, there I am at the front of a class of students... on my holiday!!! They were sweet considering I am a nutcase.

I have been to a Belgian castle! We went to one called Horst which was built in the 14th Century in a moat and all. It was unfortunately not open so we could not go inside but could walk right around. It is surrounded by mud which we tromped through (yay hiking boots! I win!!!!)We had lunch in the restaurant and I had Kriek which is a beer with black cherries OMG it is yuummy but Kevin said he doesn't like it. I think it is not a blokes drink really - one for the ladies. I liked it so much that I ahem, 'borrowed' the drinking glass. Sheila drove back and I enjoyed the countryside - little villages, green fields, rabbits. We dropped Kevin at his place and returned the car to Glenda's mum who gave me Belgian beer drinking glasses OMG I only wanted one and she gave me like four. Skaila is posting them home C.O.D Jess. (I really don't drink much people. I just realised that I am always talking about drinking.) Anhyhoo, the beer in Belgium is very strong - some like 10% alcohol content and there are so many types it is impossible to get bored. I think Kevin wanted me to fall down drunk - It ain't gonna happen, mate.

On the way to the bus stop Skaila and I went to the store to get cheese and crackers. Mmmmmmmm cheese. Fringed One, eat your heart out. Cheese goooooooood. We ate it when we got back to the studio. Then I packed for Boston. Next morning Skaila and I went on a hunt for a strap for my luggage, went into a CD store (Free Records) and I bought the Kooks CD and a soft funky cover for my pod. The shopping in Leuven is good - some VERY classy stores with prices to match. It is non-touristy at this time of year which is a joy. Most shop people speak English really well so I had no problems there. The best purchase I made though was the purple and yellow squishy cow which I gave to Skaila. (Oh and the chocolate. Mmmmmmmmmmm chocolate.) She loved it LMAO. Did I mention that she forgot to pick me up at the airport?

Also went into the very large church that is in the centre of the town which was nice. No stained glass though like in English churches.

I enjoyed my time there very much. Thank you Skaila for your hospitality and for introducing me to Kevin and Glenda who are great fun. I am sure I have left things out in this post but will catch up when I post photos that will jog my memory.

I am currently day 2 in Boston and sitting up comfortably in my lovely room looking out at the gray day. I have internet access (thank you, thank you, thank you). For the first time on this trip I am on my own. It is nice in a way. I will wander down the street to Starbucks in a minute and get a bucket of coffee. My B&B is in the North End, the oldest part of Boston and the US too, I think. Loads of lovely old brownstone buildings. Very close to town and eminently walkable. But I will start at the beginning...

It was exactly 0 degrees when I landed at the airport. Snowing. Preeettty to look at. Tired due to no sleep. Managed to keep clothes on going through immigration and security which was a relief. Fingerprinted and photographed. Luggage pickup was painless and has been at all the airports actually. Went through customs and declared a suitcase full of Belgian chocolate but was waved straight through. Taxi ride that went in the wrong direction because the driver only had two neurons. Got to the B&B about midnight. Heaved my bags up 4 flights of stairs. SHOWER! OMG I loooooove you shower. Fell into bed wet hair and all. Woke up next morning. Hair vertical. Mirror at foot of bed not good idea. Explore fridge. Hmmmmm waffles, maple syrup, yogurt, English muffins, cold piiiiiizzzza (no that is someone else's)and TEA!!!! they have TEA!!!!!! JOY. (pokes tongue at Skaila - you and your tealess country). Fortified, I set out to use the laundry facilities and then walked to the New England Aquarium to meet Jen, Andrea and their Mum.

They were late because of terrorist training on their train line. I am confused, are they training people to BE terrorists? Anyhoo, we did the greeting thing and then off into the aquarium which was just great. They had little sharks (tee hee).

After that we went to the market place where the food OMG!!!!!! Bought a giant pizza for $11.95 and gobbled that down between us. Wandered off after that along the Freedom Trail. Saw the spot where the Boston Massacre was. Drifted into Borders and found out that the book I want to fix up the website was in the other store downtown. So headed off for there and walked and walked past Boston Common and the Theatre District. Found book yay. Chatted up book guy. Sigh. Walked back through Boston Common which was full of people, to Park St station then train and home.

Boston is clean and attractive. The harbour is a bonus and I stood for a while there in the morning just breathing in the cold air and listening to the different bird calls. I miss Australian magpies, sob. There was a big pile of old snow... I kicked it when no one was looking.

Jen and her family are great fun. Andrea gets lost and chases pigeons. Jen likes following red lines on the footpath. I had a great day but boy was I tired when I got in. Today we are off to Harvard. More later and hopefully, photos next time.

Love and miss you all. Is great to be on the same side of the world as Mark and Chance and Em and all you US folkeses though. See you next time...... weeeeeee!

It rained in Belgium - situation normal

2007-03-26T06:43:00.000+08:00

Hi oh wonderous ones.
I have been consuming vast quantities of Belgian chocolate and beer and not necessarily together, either. But here is the story.
I arrived in Brussels after THE night whereupon i met Dan and saw Alan Rickman. Not sure if I have mentioned that before. I have? Oh well, I just mentioned it again. The fact that I met Dan and saw Alan that is. Anyhoo, what I didn't mention was that Nikki missed her last train from London to Watford and so came back to our B&B had a drink with us and dossed down on the floor for the night. We all got about 3 hours sleep. Sent Nikki off in the morning with a heavy heart. Bye mate. Will miss you a real lot. You are such a lot of fun but will think of you every time I look at the Watford Football Club bear. I had a blast with you even if you did swear at your car and got me drunk in Brixton.

The ride to the airport was uneventful. Expensive but uneventful. Em waited for me to check in and then we had breakfast and coffee and before I knew it, it was time to go through security. So I said bye to Em for the time being and look forward to seeing her later in the month.

At Heathrow, you almost have to take off all your gear to get through security: jackets, shoes, belts. Laptops out of bags, liquids in clear bags etc etc. By the time you get through, undress, put your stuff through get screened and then pick up your stuff and put it all back on and repack you are buggered. Bought a stripey scarf to compensate. MMMMM stripey warm scarf how I love you.

The flight to Brussels is comically short. Just enough time to gulp an orange juice and read a couple of pages of your book and presto you are there. I had packed messily the night before so my luggage was all over the place (I blame Nikki and Dan). Got it all collected and through security and sat to wait for Skaila to turn up. And waited. And waited.And waited.And waited.And waited.And waited.And waited. Had the bright idea to actually ring her and discovered that she thought I was arriving the next day. LOL. OMG. Anyway, she and Steve finally turned up in a taxi and we were soon off to Leuven with me covering my eyes because they drive on the wrong side of the road, the sillies. Don't worry Skaila, I have forgotten about it completely and will never mention it again... much.

The next few days were spent very pleasantly. I explored Leuven. It is a really beautiful place full of old architecture and little streets with shops and eatie places. Skaila lives in an awesome place. I had coffee in a little cafe next to the station overlooking the square where large pots of summer annuals are just starting to make a show. It snowed. I felt homesick for Australia and London. Skaila turned up after class with some friends and we all went for pizza where I had my first
BElgian beer. WOW. I could get to like this place. If only the sun came out.

The next day we all went to Brussels to have a look at the atomium,which is a building made of shiiiiiiiiiny large spheres joined by tunnels. It was built in the '50's for an expo I think and it is pretty cool. From afar it looks like it is hardly big enough for even one person to stand up in but in reality it is 9 huge spheres that contain various displays and a restaurant at the top. We had a lovely walk to it and a great lunch in the restaurant. The view from the top is terrific. Much like the London Eye, it is a good way to see almost all of Belgium without actually going there. It was sunny and a great day. IN the evening we went to a little bar called Amadee where you can have a drink, yes, but there are heaps of board games to play. The place filled up and it was a great night of, would you believe, Scrabble. Skaila, Kevin and I whiled away a few hours. I slept particularly well.

(To be continued. I am now going to sleep off the jet lag between Belgium and Boston.)

The last 2 days in London

2007-03-21T07:30:00.000+09:00

I am in Belgium. But first, here is the story of my last day in England whereupon I traveled far and met a certain person and saw my hero and then went home in time for tea…

Em was really sick so stayed in bed at the B&B on Sunday but was OK with me going out. I was going to return to Camden Town, but on a whim decided to get off the tube at Oxford Circus and have an explore. It was sunny when I got on the train but when I got off there was rain and hailstones. I bought an umbrella and the rain promptly stopped for the rest of the afternoon. Discovered some scriptwriting publications in Borders, went into the Apple Store on Regent Street OH MY GOD!! Two levels packed with everything and a lecture theatre for geeks right at the back. I avoided that. I also avoided buying another iPod just because they are so shiiiiiiiiiny. Went into Hanleys (?) the craziest toy store with everything EXCEPT Harry Potter Lego (hmph). Could have come out of there with a truckload of stuff… Skulked around in Liberty because they had the heater on and that was the only thing I could afford. The shops around that area are marvelous. I seriously need to win the lottery. Seriously. All the label stores. Sigh. Found Carnaby Street. It is not the Carnaby Street I remember-now very trendy very expensive shops… meh. However, there were some very, very funny tshirts to be had if you took out a second mortgage on the house or sold the kids into slavery. I can’t print what was on the tshirts because you will think that I am a very naughty person, which of course, I am not.

I had to collect some stuff from the aunties place in Watford, so went back to see if Em was still alive at the B&B. She was in fact sitting right in the open window taking a picture of the view from our room that made it look like we had stayed in a posh place. However, if someone took a picture of our building from the other side of the street, it would have looked like they lived in, well, not Holland Park darling. Anyhoo, I yelled out ‘what the hell are you doing?’ or some such other warm greeting before considering the fact that startling Em on a window sill more than 10 metres above the ground was not the brightest thing I have ever done. As it happens, Em did not in fact plummet to her early death from a second rate guest house. But I digress… Swapping places, I decided to do likewise and take a pic from the window and opened it right up to stand on the ledge thereby attracting the attention of two gentlemen who were standing on the steps of the adjacent building. We waved but did not exchange phone numbers. Decorum people. Decorum.

Got organized and left for the great metropolis that is Watford. Two hours later I am stuck at some station, no trains running to or from London because of the failure of a set of points on the line ahead. Trudged off to the bus stop because the replacement buses were busy replacing another train somewhere else that had broken down. Waited 40 mins in the FREEZING cold while every number bus EXCEPT the number 8 went by. Joined at the bus stop by a young Indian man who asked me if I was waiting for a bus… Lost the will to live.

Trudged back to the station and found the trains running again but just missed one. ARGH!!! Went into waiting room mmmmmmm heaaater. Long story short, got into Watford 3hrs after leaving London, a journey that should have taken 20-25 mins, tops.

Nikki picked me up at the station and we drove off then her car broke down again. She got out and for a minute I thought she was going to do a Basil Fawlty on the car with a tree branch but sadly, no. We administered first aid to the car and managed to get home. Decided to go for a quick drink and a bite to eat and while sitting there in the pub it started to SNOW. First snow I have seen since 1982 folks. It hasn’t changed much. Still white, wet and cold. It was too warm for the snow to stick but it was cool watching it fall and even cooler being not in it when it was doing so.

Monday dawned with a hint of excitement. Nikki and I had decided to go up West and see if we could get Daniel’s autograph at the stage door. It was do or die, you understand. Anyhoo, I rustled up a couple of items from my stock of Australiana that I thought he might like and got a card for Em and Nikki and myself to sign and waited for the evening. After checking on Em, we set off for Shaftesbury Ave and when we got there almost ran into Alan Radcliffe and Marcia Gresham (Dan’s mum and dad to you.) I asked would they give our gifts to Dan to which Alan said ‘Sure’ and that was that. We went round the back by the stage door and set up position right behind the barricade. It was 9.45pm and almost time for Dan to come out. Weeeee!

But get this! At just after 10, a tall man in a black coat worked his way gently through the gaggle of fans waiting for Dan. IT WAS ALAN RICKMAN OMG. I saw him and my mouth dropped open and I lost the capacity for speech. Nikki later said it was a beautiful moment (hmph). For the seconds that it took for him to pass by all I could do was stare. That is sad, hey? OMG my hero. He looks GREAT!!!!! Sigh.

And then Dan came out. Nikki started hyperventilating and needed breathing instructions. He worked his way around the crowd of fans and got to me. His dad was there and said to him that I was the one who had given him the presents. (What were they? Tim Tams and Vegemite of course!) He loves Tim Tams and said ‘Oh fantastic!!!!!!!! Thank you. Then we had a conversation about Tim Tam milk shakes. He signed my program and Nikki’s and said he liked my nails (sparkly silver French manicure – shiiiiiiny) Can you believe it? The whole thing rocked so hard. Afterwards, Nikki and I wandered off, happy and slightly unbelieving, into Soho before deciding that was not a good idea and returning to the B&B. That was the best day of my holiday. Happy Birthday Nik. You are a mate!!

Some pics and even a vid to follow when I can get to it.

Take care. Much love.

Platform 9 3/4

2007-03-18T19:32:00.000+09:00

THE platform.

Em at the platform.

Yours truly

Nikki being a total Muggle

And you thought I was obsessed????????

Didn't we have a loverly time...

2007-03-18T19:12:00.000+09:00

... the day we went to Camden. A beautiful day, we had lunch on the way (well actually,when we got there) and all for under a pound (well actually a lot more than a pound) you know...

What a brilliant place. Camden is just shopping heaven. I couldn't help thinking of Amy , Merri and Jess and Tristan while I was there. I feel sure that I would never see any of them again if I took them there. The place is just wall to wall market and wicked shops and eating places and every second place is a piercing/tattoo parour (no, I didn't get another one) OMG. Here are some photos.

Camden Lock

Another view of the Lock

Camden on Friday late afternoon. It was just starting to kick off.

I could live HERE. Oh yes. In fact, the cabbie who picked us up after the show on Saturday night actually does live in Camden. He was flirting outrageously with me too. He didn't get off work till 3am though... Yes yes, I know what SHOULD have said. Damn.

Deb bought a coat and a dress. I bought prezzies for Amy and Merri which I will not reveal here. Heeeee. I bought a Camden tshirt (essential) and other assorted stuff. Saw a shirt that said "Legalise Canada" which I am now sorry I didn't buy so I could wear it and piss Emm off LOL. Could in all reality sneak back up there today.... hmmmmmm (taps chin thoughtfully).

If you want Goth, punk, emo, hippy or any other subculture gear (and I mean ANY) Camden is THE place. I avoided the music shops. That could have meant a premature end to the holiday due to lack of funds.

Anyhoo, must off and embark on other adventures involving parting with cash. Take care and loads of love. Soon there will be news from Belgium (waves to Sheila).

Horsing around

2007-03-18T18:29:00.000+09:00

I have posted in the main site about the play but here would like to rave a bit.

RAVE RAVE RAVE RAVE RAVE RAVE RAVE RAVE RAVE RAVE RAVE RAVE RAVE RAVE RAVE

There you go.

I mean, what can I say about the production? Thea Sharrock, take a bow. Dan, Richard and the cast were simply wonderful. I enjoyed two nights of sheer entertainment. Dan is so talented as a stage actor. His range of expression and mood is amazing. The way he commands the stage, impressive. He was 100% Alan Strang.

The stage design was so simple. If you are not familiar with Napier's approach, the 'horses' are actually dancers with sculpted wire heads and on their feet they wear 'shoes' which are steel platforms with horse shoes at the base. The way the dancers toss their heads and prance makes you believe they are horses even though if you shift your perception, you can clearly see the face of the man beneath the headdress. (OMG! Will Kemp *ded*)
The stage contains 4 benches, (the ones that Dan and Joanne posed on in the promo shots) and these are manipulated by the actors during the play so that they in turn become beds, seats, stable etc. There were no seats actually 'on' the stage - these seats were above and at the back of the stage sort of like a reverse dress circle. The lighting was well done and discreet but did not make any concessions during the last very dramatic scenes during which Joanne and Dan were both naked. The last scene will live on in my memory for a long time and not for the reason you are all thinking. Dan's performance of Alan Strang reliving how he blinded the horses was dazzling. Dan is lithe, totally fit and yes, he is beautiful. However, it was as Alan that he brought tears to my eyes.

Em and I both enjoyed the play very very much. I got to meet Dan's dad and shook his hand and had a little chat which was lovely. He had nice things to say about the website (squeeeee!!!) Dan did not come to the stage door on Saturday as far as I know so no autograph... Peter Shaffer went into the back so I suppose he was talking with him. Also, it was St Patrick's Day and the West End was totally mental. There were quite a few fans waiting there and quite a few drunk non-fans too. It seemed to be a situation that could easily have gotten out of control. There have been some fans taking certain liberties with Dan lately - apparantly (and NO I am not one of them...)so no surprise that Dan does not come out if there is any chance people may get hurt etc. We left after about half an hour of waiting. Em was dreadfully sick with the flu. However, I will be attempting to get an autograph on Monday night if I can. Stay tuned.

Thank you Dan for two of the most memorable (theatre) nights of my life. :) Hugs.
I will get some pics of the outside of the theatre. Photograph inside is forbidden although some prats did take photos of the stage before the performance.

The first time we had second row centre stall seats which were AWESOME. We were so close that we could have reached out and touched Dan. The second night we had a box above and to the side of the stage so we were looking down on the actors but were still mighty close. Both times we could see Dan's face very clearly. I waved regally from the box to some friends down below. LOL! :)

On Saturday we had dinner before the show and met other Dan fans from danradcliffe.com. They are as comfortably nutty as me.

You are wondering about the tatt? No I did not show it to Alan Radcliffe. I think he would have had a heart attack had I done that in the crowded lobby, poor man. Not what one needs - a mad middle aged Australian woman flashing skin in public. I did however, show it off during dinner. LOL.

BTW and random. Where we are staying is about 2 mins from where I was born in St Mary's Paddington. I have really come home. But you know what? I couldn't live here unless I married a millionaire. And you all know that is not going to happen. My god but it is expensive. I shudder to think how much money I have spent just getting around the bloody place. Fortunately, the weather has been so good I have been able to use Shank's Pony a lot and hoofed it from here to there. I walked to the London Eye and went for a ride yesterday but that is another post (with pics folks). Love ya. Take care.

Another brewski?

2007-03-17T03:15:00.000+09:00

11th March, Nine Inch Nails day. It started out innocently enough - a quietish day off to Watford Junction to meet Nikki at about 4.30 and then off into London on our way to the Carling Academy at Brixton.

Everything was great. We went to Kings Cross Station and visited Platform 9 3/4. Nikki tried to push the luggage cart all the way through the wall. Sadly, it didn't budge. There were lots of other HP Muggles there too having a go at trying to get through the wall to no avail. Locals streamed by wearing smug or dismissive expressions and tried to not make eye contact with the Potter fans.

We then retired to the pub at the station and this is where the story takes a predictable turn folks. At this point, we propped up the bar and watched Nikki's football team, Watford, score the goal that won them their match while we consumed a few 'brewskies'. Then we got on the train to Brixton. The venue is two minutes walk from the station and in that time we were accosted by 8-10 scalpers wanting to sell us tickets. We managed to jump the huge queue and get in ahead much to Nikki's amazement. I think the trick was sounding simultaneously Aussie and stupid and not making eye contact with anyone in the queue.

Anyhoo, once in I marched straight to the Merchandise (of course) and bought a tshirt. Then off to the bar for a brewski and another and another... We piled into the auditorium which was VERY HOT and airless and full of smoke and found our seats. Nikki went off for another brewski.

And then the roadies were tuning up and farting about on stage as usual and then TRENT WAS THERE all in black and leaping at the mike for "Terrible Lie" OMG. He seemed smaller than I remember ( we were pretty far back, folks) but he was so full of energy I could feel it from where I was sitting. Sorry Merri, I didn't get the set list. I was disappointed that they didnt do "With Teeth" but they did do "Hand that Feeds" as well as a few from the new album and loads from older albums. "Pigs" rocked out so hard. When they did "Hurt" people held their cigarette lighters up. The crowd sang every song. What a buzz. The only thing was that there was very little fresh air and well, frankly we were a little under the weather. Nikki got up to go to the loo and a bloke at the bar asked her if Watford won and when she said they did, he bought her a pint of cider. Oh dear. It all went downhill from there folks. Remember what Auntie Dee has told you: Never mix your drinks. Anyway, at the end of the show (no encore boooooo!!!) We walked out into the cold fresh air and both of us were immediately blotto. Sigh. We stumbled along into a side street (very silly in Brixton which once had riots that did thousands of pounds worth of improvements and which looks like a war zone at night - all the windows are boarded up and the streets are deserted). A young man cycled by advertising at the top of his voice that he was willing to offer certain services... we decided it was time to get back on the train and get back to Watford.

Nikki blames me but it was all her fault. "Another brewski?" Never say yes, folks.

Anyway I win because I actually got up the next morning, had a shower, moaned in my aunties direction before going back to bed. Nikki didn't even surface until 3pm.

So there.

Four sunny days in a row... omg.

2007-03-11T20:20:00.000+09:00

Last few days have been lovely if you dont count the temperature - 16C today a real heatwave - break out the summer dress!!! There has been sun. I have seen women hanging out of windows cleaning them (why? they will only get dirty again)and men mowing lawns and trimming hedges. There are lots of hedges here and all of them are trimmed in fact I have never seen so many trimmed hedges in my life. The other thing is that almost every window has net curtain. Miles of net curtain. Miles of it...

Have been enjoying walking into town through the park. Here are some photos of the journey.

Daffodils in mud. I forgot how muddy England is. I now have muddy Sketchers. Aunt just tutted at me when I got home with brown feet and jeans. I felt like I was seven again. LOL

Oxhey Park through which I walk. These are chestnut trees. There are chestnuts all over the ground and big fat squirrels run about the place.

This is a side road off of Eastbury Rd near where I am staying. Cute huh?

This is a view of Watford from the park. The big building on the right behind the pyramid shaped building is The Harlequin shopping centre which is all shiiiiny and modern etc.

Yesterday I went back to Berkhamstead with my cousin. We took the scenic bus and 2.5 hours later arrived in the town. OMG. It was good though as I got a look at some lov ely scenery through all the little villages between here and Manchester and back. Just kidding it only seemed like we went to Manchester and back. Anyhoo, it was a great day and we had fun. I felt like I was home. We went into the Rising Sun for a drink. It is the smallest pub I have ever been in.

As you can see, the pub is right next to the loch that the narrow boats use to go uphill along the canal. It is great to sit with your warm beer (yes this one was room temp folks!!) and watch them work the loch.

A narrow boat (not a barge)

Whole families live on the narrow boats. Floating hippies.

How much would you pay for a house on the bank? 1mill anyone? Pounds that is.

George St - the street my grandparents used to live in. The playground I used to play on is still next door.

So, there you are - some shiiiny photos.
Am off to London tonight to see Nine Inch Nails. OMG. Trent. If you never hear from me again, know that I died happy (except for missing Dan of course.)
Em arrives on the 14th and I can hardly wait. So much to look forward to.

Love to you all.
Special love to Mark.

Beer guaranteed 1-3 degreesC!

2007-03-06T16:30:00.001+09:00

Found my own way into Watford town on Sunday. Weather? Hibernation level. Skulked around in shops looking for bargains. Bargains very thin on the ground. Went into HMV – large music and DVD shop with kinda meh selection of stuff. If you thought that CD’s were expensive in Australia kids, don’t come over here. Be thankful for JB HIFI and keep your money where it’s warm. OMG the horror. The new Kaiser Chiefs CD is £10.99 work it out on the current exchange rate and you will see why I do not as yet own said CD. Hey Merri, how much is it in Target?

Out in the evening for drink with Nikki.

Monday, out with Nikki. Posted stuff to Marie and Sheila which better not be opened when I get there. Bought lotto ticket. If I win millions you will never see me again.
Drove to St Albans where things are vv old (Roman town – wonderful race the Romans) There is a large cathedral and twisty turney roads and quaint shops on cobblestone streets. Little houses, omg so cute. There are corners around which the wind will rip yer face off. Went looking for face several times. Nikki moaned about the cold. Staunchly Australian Dee uttered not a murmer. Bought a replica Art Nouveau twisty amazingly1 weird looking clock which I love with a love that is pure and true. Had pub lunch (beef burger with chips. Had to order salad as a side. Sigh) Two pints. Omg. The pub was freehold so not owned by any one particular brewery which meant that they served real local ale. Very cold beer. An illuminated sign on the bar and one on the door assured me that it was between 1 and 3 deg C. I think the English are a bit sensitive about being teased for years about their warm beer. I could be wrong.

Went to Hemel Hempstead. More memories. Looks a bit winter-worn but largely as I remember it save the huge Debenhams department store and modern complex. Bought a Lonsdale hoodie for 8 quid and Lonsdale socks for 1.50 a pair. Eat your heart out.

Managed to stay out of trouble today. Suspect real trouble will start when Em gets here. *nods*

They are digging up the roads in the West End. Guess where they have started? Yep, pretty well right outside the Gielgud Theatre from what I can see. They are replacing the v old v decrepit leaky water pipes and causing mass congestion and inconvenience to say nothing of ruining my photo of the street. Sigh.

I am typing this in bed. The rain is beating on the windows. Apparantly it has been 42C in Perth for the last few days. I can’t help but laugh. Sorry dude. Having a heat wave here today if we are lucky – 14C.

So looking forward to having regular internet access when we go up to London. I am having Skype withdrawal.

Today off out again. Not sure where but suspect ear piercing is on the agenda. Nikki seems to want to see how much it hurts – me that is. Am itching to go to London but will hold off till you get here, Em. Might see if we can get down to the coast. Stay tuned.

Day after the day before

2007-03-04T19:33:00.000+09:00

March 2
Went into Watford with Aunt. Bus drivers are actually friendly unlike the snarly bastards in Perth. The place has changed so much since I was last here – 25years ago OMG. Tristan was a baby in arms. I bought some new pj pants for ₤3 and a black wrap for Equus. It is going to be way too cold for just the green thingy I bought.

Watford is a bit grotty - lots of pigeon poo. Many of the old shops have been replaced by a large multi storey shopping centre, the Harlequin. Seems to have taken the heart out of the place really. Met cousin Claire and in the evening took both aunt and cousin to the local pub for dinner. Paid ₤2.65 for a stubbie of Becks beer. Confused the waiter by asking for salad with my steak – ‘you want salad instead of chips???’ Is it possible to have both I wondered. ‘Both,’ he said, unconvinced.

Slightly tipsy and giggly we walked back to the flat in the rain.

Day one

2007-03-04T18:52:00.002+09:00

Feb 28 4.15 pm Perth Airport

Typical. It’s raining.

Suddenly I want nothing more than to just go home and sit on the sofa with a cup of tea. My new tax free watch feels funny on my wrist. It’s a Swatch dudes, yo.

I am amazingly calm as if this is all happening to someone else. Despite there being several million small children on the plane, thankfully none are next to me. In fact no one is next to me. I have an empty seat, yo!

Very uneventful flight from Perth to Singapore. Watched ‘The Queen’. Helen Mirren irritated me again. Ate something that had the taste and texture of a broiled rubber doorstop. Looked out window, saw clouds and sea and the loooooong WA coastline slowly disappear. No gremlins pulling engines to pieces a la Twilight Zone. Strangely relieved.

Indulged spur-of-moment shopping impulse with inflight duty free. Spurned Kath and Kel style jumpers for booze (Absolut vodka Merri and Amy) and perfume (Prada!!!!). I am such a label whore.

No likely talent on plane. Vv disappointed at missed opportunity to join mile-high club. Looked in vain for Ralph Feinnes. No luck there either.

Singapore Airport was there, which was handy as that is where we were landing. Piled off into shopping paradise – a dangerous window of 3hrs among Armani, Gucci, Burberry, etc etc. Could have blown all spending money but instead bought wheelie trolley for (illegally) heavy hand luggage. Pulled trolley which immediately flipped over on its head, endangering the life of bottle of Absolut which was stashed therein. The horror! Swore in Australian. Booze intact, I explored and marveled at beautiful orchids. I walked, walked, walked kept walking. Walked some more. Big place Singapore Airport. Got on moving escalator thingy to get back to original spot. Thought about getting a massage but then remembered wearing anti embolism leggings and thought again. Sat and talked to a man about the stupid Australian government about which I had very little to say (shifty eyes).

Lined up to board plane. Watched as the security dude made a woman drink out of her bottle of water to prove it was indeed water. Had visions of drinking whole bottle of Absolut vodka for similar reasons. Broke out in cold sweat.

Departure delayed due to there being a bag on board with no accompanying passenger. Don’t you hate it when your luggage goes on holiday without you? Anyhoo, they had to unload the hold find the bag and take it off. Then we had to wait for a new takeoff window but finally started taxiing and taxiing and taxiing and taxiing. Fell asleep. Woke up. Still taxiing and taxiing. Considered the possibility that we were going to drive to London. Still taxiing. Read Equus again. Still taxiing. Wrote the Lord’s Prayer on the head of a pin. Still… you get the picture.

Took off. Looooooooooooong flight. Knees under chin. Hissed at those flying first class. Marvelled at how many gay flight stewards can fit in one plane (eat your heart out Mark). Endured the serving of dinner (again) hot towels, cold towels, drinks, coffee, tea, more duty free... Prayed they would eventually leave me alone to sleep or upgrade me.

Fell on man’s lap on way to loo. Mmmmm shiiiiiny. Discovered one shoe missing. No idea how this happened as laced double knotted. Suspect Twilight Zone gremlins. Flew v v long way. Still not upgraded to first class.

(Insert long boring flying details here.)

Landed at Heathrow. Man at Immigration asked me where I had come from. “The plane,” I said to which he raised an eyebrow and patiently asked where the plane had come from. He said I was mad to come to London for a holiday from ‘sunny Orstralia’. I smiled. I am here to see Dan you silly man. Anyhoo, I smiled at him and was through in about 30 secs. Everyone else seemed to be taking ages. Decided I liked nice man at Immigration.

Walked straight through Customs. Got bag. Approached by gentleman with electronic gizmo. He was from the Airport Authority wanting to ask me questions about my experience at the airport – did I mind answering them. No mate, I have come from Perth for no reason but to do just that. Nothing would give me greater pleasure. Sigh.

Nikki arrived. BIG HUGS!!! YAY!!! Thanks for picking me up mate. <333. 6 degrees outside. Not shiiiiiny. Big hairy ride in Nik’s new car to Watford. Considered the possibility that after traveling 23 hours across the world I may just die on a London motorway. Amy you have lost your number one mad driving position.

OMG OMG OMG drove past Leavesden Studios. Put neck out craning for view. Saw the set for Privet Drive. Sigh.

The drive to Aunt’s house was very strange. Everything looked so familiar yet so strange. ALL the trees are bare. The grass is GREEN. There are daffodils and crocuses (crocii?) and primroses all over the place. Aunt pleased to see me – this could change. Had CUP OF TEA omg and bath and then set out to stay up all day. YAWN. Went to Aunt’s coffee morning. Won purple teddy bear in raffle. Where the @#$% am I going to put a large sparkly teddy bear in my luggage?

Managed to stay up till 8pm. Not bad. Can’t really think straight though. Went to bed and slept like the dead.

Day one

2007-03-04T18:52:00.001+09:00

Almost un jetlagged

2007-03-03T17:17:00.000+09:00

I am here and safe. Am dying from lack of internet. Hope to go to internet cafe and make proper long post today. Miss all you lot online v v much. Is raining after two sunny days. Have been misbehaving as much as possible.

Messages: Em will you check my email I think there are things in there that might be posts? I have sporadic wireless connection here.
Nikki Please rescue me from the at home with rellies situation.
Marie is it ok for me to post a load of stuff to you instead of lugging it all in my hand luggage.
Sheila please prepare chocolate shops for invasion.
Mark BIG HUG
Pam *waves*
Jess and Amy has the house burnt down yet? Did you feed the dog?
P & T yahoooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!
Love to all. I miss you heaps.

Hope to fill in the details soon.

OK now I am getting excited

2007-02-26T09:32:00.000+09:00

It's Monday morning. I am packed and have just realised that I need something that is in the bottom of my backpack. Sigh. I will just go buy another one. I have to sort out a couple of things to do with work and my payrise (YAY) have lunch with T and P and then tomorrow it is hair and nails and I have until Wednesday morning to freak out.

Oh and Mark? You win at life.

The joys of pre-holiday shopping

2007-02-22T19:43:00.000+09:00

I went grocery shopping today and had to endure the quizzical looks of other shoppers as I tried to surreptitiously load up my trolley with Tim Tams for all you lot *points to various countries*. I bought a tube of Vegemite and in a last minute panic, a small tin of Milo. Number one daughter said 'but you don't even drink Milo' to which I replied that knowing I can't drink Milo will make me want to drink Milo. Well, I can see the logic even if you can't.

In other shopping news: I had no idea of the absolute and utter kitch of souvenirs until this week. OMG. I have seen some truly awful things people and yay, have purchased some for you because, you know, I love you all so much etc etc. Taking here be dragons souvenir shopping is a great idea because she zones right in on the most 'beautiful' of the merchandise there. I got to the counter to pay and the young guy there said, "Going overseas?" to which I should have replied, "No, just getting a few things for around the house" but instead said, lamely, "Does it show?". I passed by a currency exchange place on the way out and was reminded of the depressing fact that for $100 I am going to get about 30 quid. Ouch.

I am out tomorrow shooting some vid for you to see when I get there *points to various countries again*. Saturday is 21st party. Sunday is dinner with the Ancient One (AKA my mother). Monday lunch at work with P and T. Tuesday hair and nails and packing. Wednesday morning, panic because I remembered the nagging thing I have forgotten then off to airport...

You Tube fun

2007-02-22T08:42:00.000+09:00

I have uploaded a vid of my dog, Tonks
If you click on the You Tube icon (eyes right people)you will access my account. The vid has been over compressed so is not v good quality but you get that sometimes with the Dee.

Future videos will be better quality. I just thought you might like to see that my dog is really as weird as I have been saying.

6 days to go...

It's a strange world we live in...

2007-02-19T19:54:00.000+09:00

Today I read that Mariah Carey wears high heels even when swimming which made me wonder:
1] Does she wear them in the shower and in bed?
2] With people like this running around the place, is it really safe to get on a plane and fly to the country where they actually live?

*taps chin thoughtfully*

Other preparatory news:
I am getting my Will done tomorrow. If the plane goes down or a crank gets me with a pot-shot I don't want to leave a mess behind for the kids. If the plane goes down on the way there, I will be severely pissed off. It's bad enough missing Bloc Party by one day in Boston (oh the pain, the pain) without having to miss Dan and Nine Inch Nails too.

Went to see Soojin at the tattoo shop today. The tatt does not need any retouching which, quite frankly, is a relief. I mean, Dan is great and all but geez, that tatt hurt.

Number one daughter has 21st birthday party this weekend. 21. How did that happen? I forked out 185 for a cake. I probably won't even get a bit.

How about this? It looks like I will have to get myself to the airport as everyone I know will be either at work or university. *pouty face* Oh well. The Fringed One returned from her travels on Saturday and showed loads of photos that just made me want to leap on the plane NOW dammit!! Oh and something I learned on Saturday night: When severely jet lagged it is possible to sleep in an unsupported sitting position in the middle of a rock gig. Fringed One, you win at life!!! LOL

The dubious diary of the Dee - 11 days to go

2007-02-17T17:09:00.000+09:00

Only 11 days to go until I fly out. I have a nagging feeling that I have forgotten to organise something important. I am mildly disturbed by the fact that I reached for a jumper today when the temperature went below 23 degrees celcius... How am I going to manage in Europe and North America?

Sigh...