If they say it ain't broke, x-ray it again

One week. One week since my last x-ray where nothing was broken. One week of pain that I knew meant something was wrong. One week of being called a wuss.

It's a little sick that I feel so vindicated by the second set of xrays..... Vindicated that I know broke when I feel it and that I wasn't being a wimp.

Only question left - to cast or not to cast? I'm voting cast - figure it might be a way to an upgrade on my flight Friday.....

Silver lining folks. Gotta look for the silver lining!

Surprise! It's Your Birthday!

I confess, I've been a little sneaky of late. Planned a bit of a surprise and had to be a little vague to keep someone in the dark - which, thanks to the wonders of codeine, was really no effort at all.....

So my Little Sister's sister's Big Sister (did you follow that?) is having a birthday on Tuesday, so today, the remaining three of us threw her a surprise. I arranged for her to pick up the girls then come by my place to pick me up so we could go out for lunch - the upside to a gimpy arm is that I had such a good excuse...

When they arrived she was still in the dark - the girls were so good at keeping the secret! As a surprise, we made her lunch, her Little Sister made her a birthday card and we had cupcakes with candles and sang Happy Birthday.

We were so good! She was very surprised. And you know what? It was really fun having 'the girls' over for the afternoon and making a meal together.

Frustrated

Do you know how long it takes to brush my hair with my left hand??? Forever. Good thing I don't always brush my hair so expectations are low....

Brushing teeth as a lefty? Ineffective.

Tearing off some tp is a nightmare. Never mind having to use it....but I won't go there..

Upside? My one-handed typing is getting a little faster. And I have mastered the art of unhooking my bra with one hand....shoulda been a guy.... Can do earrings one-handed but still can't get a necklace on....

Apparently I was a little short-tempered at work Friday....My lack of patience with myself is showing.

I promise to pay more attention when walking from now on. Promise. Just make my arm better. K?

I hope

From the mouths of my favourite chicks from Dixie:

I hope
For more love, more joy and laughter
I hope
We'll have more than we'll ever need
I hope
We'll have more happy ever afters
I hope
We can all live more fearlessly
And we can lose all the pain and misery
I hope, I hope

It's my new favourite song

i fall down. i go boom.

i fall down. i go BOOM on elbow BOOM on knees. i roll over on back and fight nausea and pain. strangers come over to help. pick me up. i nearly pass out. they let me lie down again. finallly can get up. they walk me to a bench.

ferry i was rushing for long gone.

call my brother and start to cry. he no help-he tried but he 800 kms away so pretty hard.

call friends. no one around but one friend gets HER friend to meet me when ferry arrive. other friend calls back and takes me to hospital.

all that and nothing broken. very good but feel like baby. mind you they've given me very nice drugs to ease pain.

still can't use right arm and both knees blue

sucks to type with only left hand-hence not using shift key.

another good thing besides no breaks? three days off work. doctors orders.

brother good brother. he check in many times to see if i'm okay. nice.

will still make trip to ireland. maybe just a little wobbly....

I'm a Superhero!!

Your Superhero Profile

Your Superhero Name is The Ruby Photon Your Superpower is Mathematics Your Weakness is Glitter Your Weapon is Your Magic Knife Your Mode of Transportation is Boat

What's your Superhero Name?

Gotta Kick It

That's the name of the cheesy movie I watched today. It falls under the category 'So bad it shouldn't have been made for tv'. Yet - I sat and watched it. All the way through. Making fun of it - yet still managing to shed a few tears.

Kind of like the other night, when I watched an equally bad movie called 'Uptown Girls'. Of a slightly higher quality seeing as it starred Brittany Murphy, Dakota Fanning and Heather Locklear. Yet ... still bad. Yet... still a tearjerker. Bordering on waterfalls.

What is happening to me? (she asks in mock horror)

Since when did I become such a softie? I mean - I had three older brothers who mocked me as a child if I dared to shed a tear - especially or should I say particularly if because of a tv program (actual physical pain they had a little more sympathy for - but perhaps that was because they were usually the cause of it and mollifying me meant perhaps less trouble for them... but I digress)

What has happened to me? (she asks incredulously)

I think I'm becoming a girl. I mean a girly girl. Think I should follow up on those plans to take kick boxing lessons - that'll toughen me up again!

Things I miss about home

In a word?
Maple.

More specifically?
Quaker Oats Maple & Brown Sugar.

You just can't get flavours like that out here....

The other side of the table

Due to my wonderful managerial skills, one of my staff resigned the other week (okay - it was for a better offer) and I've been given the mandate to recruit before I go on holiday. So what that means is I've been doing marathon interviewing over the last few days.

What I've discovered? People who do the interviewing really deserve some sympathy.....

Also, people are... well.... strange.

I won't go into detail - because I still haven't decided what I'm doing, but I have to say - it's awful to interview someone while knowing a few minutes after meeting them that there's just no way you'll hire them. I believe you really have to give people a chance - I mean first impressions can be wrong - but the first five minutes generally aren't.

I'm not good at faking. I feel so sorry for some of these people....

Things that make me happy

1. Eating a package of chocolate ripple bikkies with a hot cup of tea.
2. Doing my taxes and discovering I'm getting a refund.
3. My new vacuum
4. Getting approved for a credit card at David Jones and buying a new washing machine interest free for 18 months. Now I will be able to do laundry without having a flooded laundry room and/or need phone books to hold the lid of the washer down.
5. But most of all?? Going to my Big Sister's review and discovering that my Little Sister has rated me a 10 out of 10.

Did you hear that??? I'm a TEN!

This scares me....

I bought a vacuum yesterday and I'm very happy with how well it vacuums...

Does this mean I'm officially an adult?

How not to obtain feedback....

If you work for Sydney ferries and you want to get a customer's perspective on how the timetable changes have been communicated and how well received they are- it's probably best not to take one of the prized window seats and/or ask someone on the 7:45 am jet cat what they think. Especially when the person you ask obviously has only been up for about 10 minutes (no makeup, dripping wet hair, rushed aura about them...), you're creepy looking and most importantly, you have the worst breath on the planet.....

I'm generally not at my best in the morning as it is. Today was a pearler....

My 19th Nervous Breakdown

Also known as 'jean shopping'.

So last week I was moving boxes at work and as I bent down to pick a box up I heard that lovely sound: "rrrrrippppp". Yup, they were toast. Not because they were too tight (I can't emphasize that enough!!!) but because I had completely worn them out.

You know that 'worn out' stage where you've just got them broken in perfectly? and they're one thread away from the garbage? well, mine are no longer one thread away.....

So last Saturday I went jean shopping. And I gotta tell you - it was akin to going straight to hell.

So I gave up.

But tomorrow is casual day and I was out shopping with a friend - and despite having a minor meltdown while trying on a suit - I somehow thought it was a good idea to try for some jeans.

I used to love Levi's - but now they're my sworn enemy!!! For life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But luckily, the person I was with has the patience of a saint AND had taken valium. She right smartly got me out of the teenage stick figure shops and the first pair she picked up in a regular shop? fit. And they even make me look good! (Not that a 'person who shall not be named' will even notice or care. Well, it's hard to notice if you don't see me...)

God, I hope they never wear out because I don't think my friendship could withstand the strain a second time! Nor could I remain mentally sound...

I'm going to look hot tomorrow in my new jeans and funky new necklace (which was a 'make me feel better' present to me, from me). Might have to go a trolling....

My Brush with Fame

So I was walking to work today... I was a little later than usual (read: late) as I had gone to the doctor this morning for my head...but I digress....

Anyway, I had just gotten off the Jet Cat and was wandering towards Martin Place from Circular Quay when I saw this group of men walking towards me. They stuck out for some reason - I don't know what it was particularly,but I was kind of watching them..

and then I realised the guy in the middle looked kinda familiar.... k inda like John Howard.... (the Australian prime minister for those non-Aussies out there)

And lo and behold - IT WAS!

I waved. He didn't notice.

My observation? He looks much more normal and less goofy in person than he does on tv.

Kookaburras

Look at these little charmers - they're cute aren't they?








But at 5am? They're loud mother f**kers.

They sound like hyenas and cackling monkeys all wrapped up in one. Large bunches of them were going off this morning.

Usually I'm grumpy in the morning, but it my sleepy fog this morning, the sound of them made me smile...

Life in Australia is good. 

A lazy Sunday morning....

It's just one of those days. One of those easy, lazy days. I've been awake for hours but stayed in my warm comfy bed because.... well, because I could. I eventually hauled myself up and made myself tea while making my new favourite breakfast (wok fried eggs and rice - YUM). Now I'm sitting on the couch watching Video Hits (as you do) and it's got me to thinking..

(you know - that it takes 'Video Hits' to get me to think can never be a good sign....)

They just played 'One Crowded Hour' by Augie March and you know, the lead singer, he's not so cute. He's not so cute - but I BET he gets laid... A LOT. It's that rock star musician quality that suck women in thing, but I was thinking 'I wouldn't do him'. But then, in the video there's this shot of one of the band playing the piano and my interest was suddenly piqued...

Which made me realise we all have our rock star weaknesses... mine is just for piano players (they are SOOO sexy in my books). Never was it so clear as when I was in a jazz club, and the piano player wasn't so cute, but MAAANNNNNNN, I would have been all over that if he hadn't been wearing a wedding ring...

So, I've decided everyone has their own rock star weakness hierarchy (does that even make sense??) and this is mine:

1. the piano player
2. the lead singer
3. the acoustic guitar player
4. the drummer

So, now that I've bared my soul - what do you think? What is your rock star weakness hierarchy?

The Bull

First, it started with stolie and her 'Hey baby, what's your sign", then mitch had to post about what being on the cusp of Sag and Scorpio mean and its just all gotten too much. I can't resist! Yes, I'm going to have to blog about me - and the wonders of being a bull......

So I looked up my signs characteristics on the net - and the following are a few of my favourite excerpts:

TAURUS

The Taurean's characteristics are solidity, practicality,
extreme determination and strength of will

Strength of will? Man, I really like the sound of that....

They are stable, balanced, conservative good, law-abiding
citizens and lovers of peace,

If you regularly read my blog, you may wonder about the 'stable' bit, but stick with me..

they have a horror of falling into debt

Horror is definitely the right word...

somewhat hostile to change.

If that's true - explain to me how I ended up halfway across the world....

Their character is generally dependable, steadfast, prudent,
just, firm and unshaken in the face of difficulties. On rare occasions a Taurean
may be obstinately and exasperatingly self-righteous, unoriginal, rigid,
ultraconservative, argumentative, querulous bores, stuck in a self-centered rut.

I'm taking the 5th on this one...

they sometimes need someone to stroke their egos with a
frequent, "Well Done!"

you guys get that one?

They are faithful and generous friends with a great capacity for
affection, to which they are ordinarily excessively faithful. In the main, they
are gentle, even tempered, good natured, modest and slow to anger, disliking
quarreling and avoiding ill-feeling. If they are provoked, however, they can
explode into violent outbursts of ferocious anger in which they seem to lose all
self-control.

So, that's what happened!!!

Taureans are gifted enough in singing to become opera stars or
to excel in more popular types of music.

Me, myself, I prefer music that's more mainstream, but hey, if I'm ever out of work again, I'll give it a shot.....

They are more than averagely amorous and sensually
self-conscious

I should start telling people this - maybe it'll improve my social life!!

they can be a determined enemy, though magnanimous in forgiveness
if their opponent makes an effort to meet them halfway.

Hey, I'm really starting to really like me....

No other sign in the zodiac is closer to earth then Taurus. Their
inner spiritual sense longs for earthly harmony and wholesomeness. The greatest
indication of value to a Taurean is beauty, which cannot be owned, only
appreciated.

Yeah, I rock.

So, enough about me, how bout you?

It's so not your mother's fault....

blame it on your siblings!

There's an article in Time this week about siblings. Apparently there's new research that reveals its not genetics, it's not your parents, it's your siblings that shape who and what you become. At one point, it even talks about sibling fights and how that prepares you for the adult world and handling conflict (so tomama - the kids squabbling? it's all good!)

I'm so tempted to photocopy the article and mail to all three of my (older) brothers with a cover page that says in block letters: "If there's something you don't like about me - you've only yourself to blame!!"

It would really amuse me.

Have some pride!!

Apparently there's a drinking game out here that everytime someone cries on Big Brother (oh wait - was that the Biggest Loser??) - okay - let's compromise on ANY reality show - if someone cries, you have to drink.

Well.... if any of you had been watching the Australian version of Big Brother over the last day or so, you'd all be in hospital for alcohol poisoning!!

No joke. These people are pathetic.

So what's happened is - as rumour has it - the other night, two of the guys in the house pinned one of the girls down when she was in bed and rubbed their crotches in her face. Supposedly all a joke - but Big Brother decided it was sexual harassment, indecent behaviour and against the code by which contestants have agreed to behave - so the two boys in questions were removed from the house.

Now, we could debate ad nauseum as to whether it was harassment - the girl in question wasn't happy about it but laughed it off and refused to press charges (though they're thinking the police out here might well press charges anyway. Didn't see the footage, but they must have been right assholes considering some of the behaviour Big Brother generally thinks is okay....) - but that's not my main point. The point is these two guys get kicked out for being jerks and the rest who have remained in the house walked around for HOURS crying, hugging each other, telling each other to 'let it all out'.

Gag me with a knife!!

Really people - GET A GRIP! They simple got evicted from a reality tv program - IT'S NOT LIKE THEY'RE DEAD! And they got evicted because they behaved like morons.

There's this one guy (in his early 20s) who basically SOBBED. I"m not kidding: SOBBED until one of the girls went to find him and comfort him.

I think they need some counseling. There are much bigger issues in the world then two boys getting punished for doing bad things. I wouldn't have shed a tear for either of them. Sounds to me like they got off lightly. Why is everyone crying?

Thank God I've given up alcohol for Lent (yeah, I know it's not Lent, but it's easier to write that than explain why I've decided to have a small reprieve....) - otherwise, if I'd been playing the drinking game - I'd be comatose in a hospital.

Wait till these guys see tapes of themselves once they're out! That'll give them something to cry about....

HAPPY CANADA DAY!!!

I may live half a world away - but I never forget what today is. How I wish I was home so I could see the flags and celebrate with my friends, but I'll have to come up with an alternative here..... Have heard about a Canada Day party in the city near the Quay.....

In Canada's honour, I'm changing my avatar for the day to reflect my nationality.... well, one of them. (One day I will find one that reflect both. I'm working on it, but not there yet...)



Today is a day best spent in the company of Canadians - and I for one do not plan on missing it...