Being There

Too much work. Not enough time. Blah blah blah. If I post regularly, I can somehow find something interesting (to me, if not anyone else) in the minutiae of life. When I haven't posted for ages, it just seems like a long list of boring, boring trivia.

1. Holden ran the City2Surf in 80 minutes.
2. Holden's soccer team lost their second semi-final in a penalty shoot-out but we had a great post-season party at our house anyway. I themed it orange to go with their soccer shirts because I am sad.
3. Phoebe doesn't like her new dance teacher because apparently she treats the junior dance group 'like babies'.
4. Phoebe's birthday party this year is going to be camping at The Basin, which we did for Hol's birthday a couple of years back (when I cleverly dislocated my elbow trying to keep the kids under control while the other grown-ups were playing guitar and singing bloody Fernando).

2001: A Space Odyssey

For an 11-year-old boy, Holden is quite interested in furniture and design. But only if it's mid-20th century modern. And red. Like this chair, which he got as a belated birthday present from his extravagant and over-indulgent mother (yeah, it's a fake).


Last weekend, Hol and Andrew did the Bay Run. They were so fast we missed seeing them finish.

Not to be outdone by the running boys, Phoebe had her school athletics carnival today and entered everything she was allowed to. Apparently she got 3rd place in one of the sprints, but in true Phoebe fashion couldn't remember what distance. This is her after the 800m.



This is her finishing - I think she expends so much energy bouncing UP that she doesn't actually move FORWARD.

Mamma Mia

You know, I am starting to enjoy this school holidays business. Not having to pack lunches and make sure uniforms are ironed and get people to the other side of town is quite lovely. AND I haven't really been doing much work for the last few days either. So if you're someone I owe work to ... you'll just have to wait.

Not much has happened, except for Phoebe losing teeth. She was so excited to get her new iPod shuffle (not quite in the pic) on the eve of Hol's birthday that she rushed to hug me, bumped me and her loose tooth fell out. It's an awfully big gap for not a very big tooth! Then she lost another one yesterday while watching Mamma Mia. As you do.

Instead of working, I'm updating our family photo albums. I may have to take another week off work just to do the Big Trip album (yes, not even started THAT one yet).

This afternoon, a neighbour and I are rather ambitiously going to teach our kids to cook spaghetti and meatballs. I will take my camera ...

Spinal Tap

I'm supposedly on two weeks holiday beginning today. Unfortunately I did tell people I'd finish jobs and perhaps take on one or two small things. So of course I have a lot more work on than I would like. My own fault.

This morning Phoebe went to vacation care (because she wanted to - go figure) and Holden and I went and bought a drum kit. Yes, I will rue the day. I know that. It is currently set up right in the middle of the living room. See.


Andrew decided he wanted to contribute to my blog last night, so he photographed dinner before it went into the oven. It's a beef fillet with an anchovy, onion and breadcrumb stuffing. Those pink things are these cool silicon wraps that don't look as rustic as string but work a treat. Unless you're Andrew and you cut one in half while carving yourself a slice of beef.

The Day After Tomorrow

The day after tomorrow is Holden's 11th birthday. Due to an ill-timed tantrum on his part, there is to be no party this year. This leaves me at something of a loss. Every July since he was a very very small person indeed there have been massive festivities, insane invitations, ridiculous cakes, wild sleepovers and a lot of preparations. We were going to have a sleepover plus 10-pin bowling and laser skirmish but, in a rage about something, he decided that it was stupid and he didn't want a party. Now, of course, he regrets it deeply, but we can't resurrect it.

We will, however, be having a birthday dinner. And there will be gifts, including (I know we will live to regret this) a drumkit.

Wondering why there is a picture of a Moreton Bay Bug on this post? That was dinner last night. They are expensive but delicious, especially with chermoula and couscous and harissa and eggplant.

The Office

You know, most of the people I work with are very nice. Some are not. Some refer to me as a 'resource' or 'the copywriter' (in my hearing).

This evening I received an email that referred to 'resorting issues' (I assume they might 'resort to' someone who can speak English?) when I suggested that being TOLD (at 5.38pm) to deliver something BY tomorrow morning might not suit me. I was then informed that my recalcitrance would be discussed with The Manager. Oh no, not the manager! He might marketing-speak me into submission. I quake.

All I needed was a polite 'if you could get this to me tomorrow, that would be great' ...

I quite like being old and obstreperous. It beats shit out of being sycophantic in the hope of getting your bonus.

Green Eggs and Ham

I've already used Green Eggs and Ham as a post title. So I'm using it again because otherwise I will get stuck and not be able to post anything.

On Saturday I decided to bake a ham for dinner, mostly for the joy of leftovers and ham bones in soup or sauerkraut. So on Sunday morning, naturally, we had to have an omelette (or frittata or whatever you want to call it) with leftover ham, leftover roast spuds and eggs from the Community Garden chooks. The eggs were so searingly yellow the omelette looked dangerous. But I'm still alive.

On Sunday Andrew decided we had to be tourists and check out Newington Armory (not that he works for the Minister for the Arts or anything). There was a great exhibition of Chinese propaganda posters, plus artwork by Chinese artists and artists working to a Chinese theme. Andrew and I bought about $100K worth of art. In our heads. I've worked out that this is why you need a BIG house with lots of white walls - for all that wonderful ART out there.