Friday, April 28, 2006

*gurgle*

I feel so disorganised. I'm thinking this is mostly because I'm in here posting a blog entry instead of packing for my trip. I have been procrastinating a lot more than usual these last few days. Today I even went to see the Egyptian exhibit at the museum (it was very cool) when I should have been getting things organised for the people looking after the beasties while I'm away.

Hmmmm, my eyes would like me to sleep now...

Ok, I clearly have nothing much to say, so I'll just make a little announcement:

I'm off to have fun in another city for about a week and a half! Yay!

Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Organisational Freak Out

I'm trying to find out information using this amazing interweb thingy in front of me, but it's being a bitch. Perhaps I should swear at it a bit more...

I'm looking at maps of Sydney, and trying to plan where I need to go. I'm a little scared, because a few of the places are ones that I've heard nasty things about... It's difficult to tell how much to believe from interstate. How much of what I've heard is that little bit of extra drama that gets added for the sake of a good story?

Oh well. I'm sure I'll survive...

Meanwhile...

I just broke my watch on the fridge.

I'm still not sure exactly how I managed to do that. I put the milk back and somehow caught my wrist on the door as I was closing it. I've never done that before. Ever. It's not like I've got monster wrists that get caught on things all the time. If I did I would have been prepared. The fridge door would have been padded, and I would have been wearing my watch on my ankle instead.

Hopefully I can fix it. Otherwise it's another addition to my pre-Sydney shopping list. I have to get birthday presents for three people before I go. I should stop messing about in here and go to the shops...

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

ANZAC Day

I went to an ANZAC day memorial service today. We used to have a short memorial at school with the minute's silence, but it's quite different to go to one of your own accord. My fifteen year old cousin was the only one who wanted to come with me. I shouldn't be that surprised, it's not like anyone in my family has ever shown much interest in things like that.

My interest was sparked by my unplanned visit to the museum last week. I had almost an hour to fill while I waited for a bus, and the museum was right across the road from my stop. They'd moved the exhibit of a relative of mine who died in the first world war so that it was right out the front. This was the first time I've been able to stand there and take it all in...

So now I've been using the interweb for something other than completely pointless time wasting. Doesn’t happen often, but it does happen. So 'The Last Post' is in my head now. If you’d like to also have it stuck in your head there is a version here. Not quite as haunting as when you hear it on a clear morning amongst a crowd of contemplative people.

And here's a rather nice photo of a Dawn Service with the Light Horse Brigade.

Monday, April 24, 2006

"You're something like a phenomena baby, something like an astronomer"

I’ve been having “one of those days” all month.

Things have changed quite a lot here in Skvid City. I feel like posting a whole lot of random junk mosaics, which I’m taking as a reflection of how fragmented my thoughts are at present.

I’ve been questioning almost everything I’ve been doing. And not just big life changing decisions which deserve that kind of reflection.

“Why am I having cereal for breakfast again?”
“Why did I wear these stupid impractical shoes?”
“Why am I laughing at this Rob Schneider movie?”

Ok, that last one was clearly a joke. Even via the anonymity of the internet I will not admit to having seen a Rob Schneider movie… (I really haven’t seen one. I’m being totally honest here. Aw man, you’re never going to believe me are you?)

I have cleared one thing up. I’m definitely going to Sydney! Yeaaaaaaah!

Ahem.

We’re going by road. 10 hour drive! (First person to make a lame “are we there yet?” joke has to sit in the trailer with the horses!) Fortunately I love a good road trip, and I’ll be going with two very cool people so I’m definitely looking forward to it. One downfall is that they have very different taste in music to me. Some people might even say their taste is abysmal, and that they should never be allowed to select any music to be listened to by anyone ever. I’m way too nice to say that though. *cough*

I keep running into people who take themselves way too seriously. What’s the deal with that? The fact that I laugh quite a lot, often at really simple things (you can read that as ‘childish things’ if you like), is completely at odds with these people. The only sensible response is for me to growl like my dear old Aunty Sue when she’s been out on the turps with her Treasure Island re-enactment club.

Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Sunday, April 23, 2006

Random Junk Mosaic # 784

  • I saw a budgie escape from a pet shop. The girls working there thought it was hilarious. Ummmm, they work there because they love animals… Of course they do…
  • Puppies should never be impulse buys.
  • I bought music yesterday. I love getting new music. I got Augie March – Moo You Bloody Choir, Clare Bowditch and the Feeding Set – What Was left, and The Flaming Lips – Yeah Yeah Yeah Song. Two very laid back and very gorgeous albums, and the single of my current favourite driving song. I love them all equally, there are no favourites amongst my children.
  • I might be going to Sydney soon. I’m excited.
  • I need some Belle and Sebastian. I have none. Any recommendations of a good place to start? I am so behind on this.
  • I’m listening to Clare Bowditch and the Feeding Set as I write this. I’m singing along to Little Self Centred Queen. I need to get more music with female vocalists that sing like Clare. Then I can turn the volume up and pretend that I can sing like that.
  • Speaking of listening, (how's that for a link?) I think my horse is deaf. Ok, perhaps that's overstating things a little, but he definitely can't hear very well. I've suspected it for ages, so I finally did a dodgy DIY hearing test on him and I have concluded that there is fairly serious hearing impairment going on there. I'm currently considering the implications of this for him. He seems to be coping with life fairly well. I know several hearing impaired peoples so I will ask for their expert opinions.

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

The BFG was my maternal great-great-grandfather

So far I’ve managed to avoid turning this blog into a hippy-style dream diary, and I have made a promise to myself that I won’t let that happen!

However, I have decided to make dream interpretation my new hobby. This is mostly because I want to have a valid reason for having an afternoon nap (i.e. “I’m not having a nap because I’m lazy, I need more material so I can develop my skills.”)

Here’s my first effort:

Dream 1
I’m talking to my cousin, and he’s got a small cut on his arm. I tell him he should get it checked out by a doctor. Next thing I know it’s some time in the future, and he’s had to have his arm amputated because he didn’t get it looked at. He seems happy enough.

Interpretation – I shouldn’t go to the Guatemalan swing dancing festival next weekend, it will only end in tears. They will laugh at my dress because it’s not a genuine Guatemalan swing dancing dress. :(

Dream 2
I am on a train on the Cleveland line. I miss my stop because I attempt to disembark from the wrong side of the train. I get off at the next stop, and have a bit of trouble trying to get another train back again.

Interpretation – I should go see a shrink. This dream is clearly evidence of a complex personality disorder, which can only be assisted by years and years of expensive therapy. The Dream Interpreters Handbook has the following to say about transportation dreams:

Transportation Dreams
If you dream of a car
In life you’ll go far

If you dream of a bus
Why make a fuss?

If you dream of a tram
You’re about to win spam

But if you dream of a train
You must be insane
(go see a shrink you freak!!!)

Sunday, April 16, 2006

Random Junk Mosaic - Easter Special

- I need to catch a bus tomorrow. The timetable on the internet isn't working. It is very broken. This is very annoying. I am using short sentences. I will stop now.

- I hear that people mess about with mosaics as a way of relaxing. I hope this works...

- I ate too much food today. I think I'm going to do the same thing tomorrow.

- My little cousin made an easter egg hunt for me this morning. I feel special.

- When I got up this morning I put ten little fluffy plastic chickens around the place for my lovely relatives to find. I went out for a couple of hours to go horse riding, and when I got back they had all mysteriously disappeared. Everyone was pretending that they hadn't seen them, and I couldn't even get any info out of the cousin who is always the first one to cave in. I eventually found them standing in a very nice formation all around my stuff. Extremely cute, but also slightly unsettling...

- As I write this I have five little yellow chickens on top of my monitor. I initially had a chicken on my desk lamp, but I thought it's feet might melt with the heat. The last thing I need today is a little chicken rendition of the scene from the Wizard of Oz where Dorothy throws the bucket of water on the Wicked Witch of the West (Oooooh! I'm melting! Melting!)

- OK. I have finally managed to get the timetable to work. The first bus gets to where I want to go half an hour after I'm supposed to meet people. Stupid holiday timetable! Now I'm going to have to send more text messages. Argh!

- John Safran and Father Bob are on the radio now. A bit of 'witty banter' about controversial issues between a Jewish comedian and a Catholic priest will definitely help me cope. If my computer wasn't crafted by the Wagga Wagga knitting circle I could download the podcast of my favourite show about 'religion, politics and hoochies' and listen to it on my non-existent MP3 player! (in case your wondering, the 'hoochies' bit isn't serious...)

Saturday, April 15, 2006

Simple things...

They make me happy:

~ Family

~ Friends

~ Chocolate

~ Long Weekends

~ Mushy lists on blogs about things that makes people happy

I think it's great that simple things make me happy. No need for extravagance, just give me a paperclip and three grains of rice and I'll be amused for hours...

(Wow. This is the soppiest blog entry I've made in ages.)

I get like this when I meet up with people that I haven't seen for a while.

I'll just wander off down memory lane again now...

Friday, April 14, 2006

I got the music in me

Ok, so I decided that my poor little computer could cope with a bit of extra music, so I'm going to be a little copycat and do the meme from Samirah's lovely blog.

1. How does the world see you? Calypso - Spiderbait (Sunshine, on my window, makes me happy, like I should be)

2. Will I have a happy life? Song for the dumped – Ben Folds Five (Oh dear...)

3. What do my friends think of me? Devil’s Haircut – Beck (I've got a devil's haircut... in my mind??? My friends are clearly quite cryptic thinkers...)

4. Do people secretly lust after me? Opera Singer – Cake (after each performance, people stand around and wait, just to tell me that they love my voice, just to tell me that I'm great. So does that mean yes, but I've got an ego problem?)

5. How can I make myself happy? Buy Me A Pony – Spiderbait (hahaha, that is so awesome that I am almost starting to believe this stuff... although the lyrics are nothing about ponies, I will just go with the title on that one)

6. What should I do with my life? Space They Cannot Touch – Kate Miller-Heidke (I don't need to sleep to dream, I just hope, I am good enough to keep you. It's pretty, but it's a little vague don't you think?)

7. Will I ever have children? Over The Ocean – Nine Black Alps (Well I do want to travel, so that's cool, but I'd like any children of mine to be little Aussies too - Why's it happening, over the ocean?)

8. What is some good advice for me? Don’t You Wanna Know – The Pictures (Well yes actually I do want to know!)

9. How will I be remembered? Make Me Love You – Pivot (instrumental, try again), Commisioning a Symphony in C – Cake (I’ll be an Austrian Nobleman! They'll be transfixed, forgetting just to breathe, they'll be so taken by my symphony in C! Awesome!)

10. What's my signature dancing song? Glockenpop – Spiderbait (Singing is easy if you can remember the tune, it can be something to do on a bright afternoon, it doesn't matter if all of your songs sound the same, cos people are happy to hear them over and over and over again)

11. What's my current theme song? Back Then – Pegz (actually I am a bit of a nostalgia junkie - Who remembers Ice T was king, Flat tops were in, Swatches were bling. Although I did have to google Ice T...)

12. What do others think is my current theme song? Sleep Less – The Devoted Few (it's appropriate if I take this bit out of context - everything you think makes no sense at all)

13. What shall they play at my funeral? Derelict - Beck (ummm, this is kind of creeping me out now - I dropped my anchor in the dead of night, I packed my suitcase and threw it away, I fell asleep in the funeral fire, I gave my clothes to the police man, Blow back derelict wind, lay my soul in the foul of the air)

14. What type of men do I like? Montecore – Pivot (Instrumental, try again), I Don’t Care – The Pictures (Eek!)

15. How's my love life? Tijuana Lady – Gomez (Apparently some guy is chasing me around Mexico saying Tijuana lady where did you go? he admits that he's no head honcho, but it's ok because he'll keep me warm in his second poncho. Yep. It's messed up, so I guess that's pretty spot on...)


Out of the 226 songs that I was using for this, 2 were by Pivot and they both turned up... and what's with the repetition of Beck, Cake and Spiderbait? Oh well, who am I to question the almighty wisdom of the meme?

Thursday, April 13, 2006

Hey hey we're the Wiggles, people say we wiggle around, but we're too busy singing (and raking in cash from small children), to put anybody down...

Once again I've got a song stuck in my head. If only I could find a way of harnessing this power skill strange habit for the greater good...

Today it's:

D-O-R-O-T-H-Y,
Dorothy the dinosaur

The Wiggles write such catchy songs. My friends and I used to sing that when we were in high school. Not exactly their target audience, but I guess that's why they're so successful. The reason they are in my head today is because The Wiggles are now Australia’s highest paid entertainers. It used to be Nicole Kidman, but the 4 guys in the colourful outfits have overtaken her. I wonder if she minds. I guess if she's feeling upset she can always roll around in her (alleged) secret underground money pit for a while. That always cheers a girl up.

Or so I hear...

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Woooo!

I found $60 today that I forgot I had! Yay for forgotten money!

Monday, April 10, 2006

Human juke box

This afternoon I went to change into some different clothes and immediately got a song from the Brady Bunch in my head.

"When it's time to change you've got to rearrange"

At least I think it's from the Brady Bunch.

Sha-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na!
Sha-na-na-na-na!

When it rains I usually get:

"Raindrops keep falling on my head"

Why can't they be cooler songs? Why does my brain go for the super corny songs? (Sometimes with extra cheese...)

Wednesday, April 05, 2006

Random Junk Mosaic #1234

  • Last weekend at a family barbecue we invented a new game. It’s a mixture of Trivial Pursuit and Darts. I won!
  • My dog broke his collar chasing a brush turkey. I’d loosely tied him to a post while I was doing something to stop him from running down the back of the yard to bark at people walking past. The turkey flew from the shed roof up into a tree, and he took off after it. The dog is extremely strong, but he doesn’t understand that chasing a bird that is about 5m up a tree is a bit pointless. He now has a brand new collar. It’s pretty.
  • My exam supervisor has gone to India. I hope she gets back in time for me to do the exam when I’m supposed to. I guess I should’ve asked how long she’s going for. Oops.
  • I jumped the scary jumps course on the weekend and survived. I even placed 6th. Woo Hoo! (Ok, so 6th may not sound that great, but for me it was an achievement to not chicken out in the first place). That was what all that rambling in previous posts about being out in the sun all day and being really tired was about. I’m still a bit muscle sore in my legs, back and arms. Some people think horse riding is about just sitting there while the horse does all the work. Well it’s not! So there! (I sure told them!)
  • One of my friends has gone to New York for a holiday with her family. Make sure you wave if you see her! Hmmm, I should probably give you a description so you’ll recognise her. Um, she has brown hair. Yep, that’ll make her easy to spot. And yes, I do realise that the population of New York State is almost the same as the population of Australia… So yeah, if you see an Aussie say hi and tell them you know me. The fact that she doesn’t know I have this blog means she would have no idea what you’re talking about, but that shouldn’t hold you back! Freak out some Aussies today! I do it all the time, it’s great!
  • We booked our Ross Noble tickets!
  • Ice cream is great stuff. I’d better end this list now because there’s no way I can top that.

Random Junk Mosaic-er Out.

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

Sheesh

People are doing annoying things. I can see several reasons for this:

- Things are just as they normally are, but because I’m tired I’m less than my usually superbly patient self.

- The entire world is conspiring against me!!!

Those three exclamation marks are very convincing. It must be the second option!!!

Narcolepsy

You know what? When you don’t sleep properly for about a week straight, and then spend half of Saturday and all of Sunday out in the sun, you get a little bit tired.

Yes. Yes. You do indeed…

Of course you probably shouldn’t make a blog entry about it, because it wont really lead anywhere, and even if it's coherent it will be very boring.

Yes. Yes. It will be indeed…

I don't think I've done a single useful thing today.