Its my birthday and I'll blog if I want to....

So I kinda went off the whole blogging concept. To tell you the truth, it still seems a little wild and wooley for me. I write, to myself, almost every day and usually thats enough. I also feel a bit like a stalker sometimes reading other people's blogs and am way way more comfortable reading a good novel - I feel more at home living vicariously through fiction. Truth is too scary and up close for me. Someone's fears and disapointments, hopes and happiness written down on the page in the rawest form for all to read is, for me, too much information. I like a filter thanks.

Except today is my birthday and sometimes on your birthday you feel reflective and want to tell someone about it. I could ring someone, or I could send emails, but that involves listening as well and today I feel a bit selfish. Sometimes you've just gotta be out there.

Grief is a scary powerful thing. You think you can control it - you think its not affecting you. I am learning that grief is possibly one of the most driving forces in my life and has been for a long time. When it comes down to it, it seems to motivate almost every action and reaction in my life. I am trying to learn to accept it and live with it. I am trying to learn to be at peace with it. Sometimes I even feel like I'm getting there. Most of the time I know I am not.

The human body is a really beautiful thing. This morning I watched and tried to learn. I got a glimpse of the power that I could have if I wanted it. I want the control and tenacity to really give my body that kind of gift. I love watching someone who has undergone This afternoon I will ache because my body will remind me how far I still have to go.

I spend a lot of my time worrying about other people. What they think, how they feel, are they ok. Sometimes it becomes overwhelming. I am trying to let go a little and trust them to look worry about themselves. Having said that, I think its going to take more work because as I write this I am worrying :)

Roll on year.

memory lane...

I went to the fabulous "Gallileo's Gazing" event at Glenworth Valley on the weekend. I had a great time, even though we arrived after most of the collegia had finished. It was so nice to see lots of friends and just be outside and surrounded by trees.

On the way home we took a detour and stopped in at a little town called Mooney Mooney which I used to call home way back in 1983/1984. My mum was principal of the local school for 2 years - there were a whole 32 kids back then. Now the enrolment numbers have dropped so far that they have had to close the school, thus the school and the teacher's residence (where we lived) are now locked up. We had the good fortune to run into the maintenance person who let us look around while they mowed the grass..

I was glad to note that the enormous hill that I rode down without brakes on my bike and broke my collarbone on was still fucking enormous.

our old house now empty and run down

the school playground and school buildings

view from the main school building

Our old front porch. Used to look a lot more liveable!

BYE BYE FLU! Hello Happiness! so long fluiness...

Its been a bit of a struggle the last couple of weeks. I caught a horrid flu thing that has to be the worst flu thing that I have ever had. I have been ill a bit this year and I have to say that I am not impressed with it at all! I know that its because, as my mother would say, I burn the candle at both ends but I have been cutting back on reckless partying and mostly staying in for weeks and STILL I get the flu! It has been a bit of a stressful year though and I REALLY need a holiday.

What I hate about the flu:

• Sniffling
• Snot
• Dumb sore throat
• fevers that make you feel like you are going to collapse when you walk up the stairs
• no tastebuds (that one REALLY sux)
• blotchy head
• horrid sinus infection that came along with it, although at least I got antibiotics for that one
• not being able to go to the gym thus sabotaging my exercise routine.
• The expense of lemsips, antibiotics, strepsils, panadol and the doctors appointment (who told me I had the flu and identified the sinus infection but couldn't do much about it)

Other then having the flu though, life is pretty good at the moment. I am finally feeling like I have a little idea where my life is headed in the next 12 months and that is making me giddy with relief!

What is making me happy at the moment : (thanks for the pollyanna moment DV - thought I might have my own...)

• less pirates today
• feeling like the flu is almost gone
• I'm going to trivia tonight and I know the answer to the homework question
  
• Its nearly the weekend
• I am doing a new creative writing class on Saturday
• My boy has finally finished NIDA and is starting to get PAID work!
• My show is finally on stage
• Having my first opening night at the Opera House (with only one costume malfunction - shoe flew off! Not my fault!)
• That my boss and supervisor are happy with my work and my contract has been extended
• They are giving me a permanent job come January
• My next show has less pink flowers in it
• Its not too long till Dr Scruff comes back again
• My mum is hopefully moving home in December
• I'm finally feeling like sewing again (although I have no space to do it!)
• I'm gonna eat some wedges with sour cream and damn the calories!

So its finally all ok in Jimmyland. Lets hope it continues for a while. The only thing that would top it all off is a nice holiday - hmmm can't have everything!

What I need...

Was intrigued by Anti Ob's mememe on For Battle to type in your name and needs in google.

Apparently i need: -
1. to be refashioned in a more demure British "garb. . (odd)
2. this... (odder - what is "this"? )
3. _____. 06] (scary. And kind of techno.)
4. Your Help (very fucking scary)
5. help (repetitive and still scary)
6. to be pushed (violent and scary)
7.to lose weight and get a nice body in time for summer. (yes I did know this but I'm bothered that Google had to point it out to me).
8. Ford because he, too, has always been an outcast; (i do like JD Salinger but this is kinda creepy)
9. blood donors. (does google know something I don't?)
10. to-jet-set-around-the-world-again fund (yes yes yes. Bring it on! )

The upshot of the whole exercise? i should drink less and probably avoid ego searches on Google.

Still here!

Wow. New job, sewing project, unpleasant anniversary, facebook... not really helping the blogging.

I have been busy and sad but I am feeling better and not too bad today, although feeling like I need a holiday.

I saw Tales of Hoffmann Open Dress today which was cool because it was the first big show I ever bought at the Opera and it looks beautiful. Its a bit hard to be critical of something you have been working on for so long. It was so nice to be down at the opera house today given the beauty of the weather and the sun sparkling on the harbour. We were in the theatre a lot but we did get glimpses. It was also nice to hang out with Millie. I miss her and its nice we are building a relationship again. There is life after NIDA after all...

More soon. New month resolution... Blog More!!!

Out of the lounge....

I’m finally getting back into things a bit – less hibernating, more venturing beyond the confines of my loungeroom and I’m feeling better for it.

I have also started a biggish and vaguely ambitious (given the timespan) sewing project. This is helping too – nothing like getting into the “Zone” (the place I go when I am just working and things are happening the way I want). Its really nice to finally have time (and energy) to do some sewing that I WANT TO DO! Good for the soul.
Check out my plan in Girly frock blog. xxx

feebleness

I have been hiding a bit lately and hence not blogging. About two weeks ago I was overtaken by a great tiredness ("pungee" haha) and its taken me all this time to start feeling almost myself again. It has been a bit stressful changing jobs but that aside I just got knackered and needed a break. Luckily my boss let me take Thursday and Friday off last week and I have not had too much to write about because mostly I have been resting, sleeping, eating, resting and sitting on the couch since then. I realised (during my resting) that I have not really had any kind of break at all since I left NIDA and not only that, I was expecting to get one when my opera contract ended in June. So when my contract was extended I think my body/brain got very confused as the expected holiday did not eventuate and I just got very very run down (and felt like I had been run over). I was so tired it felt like I was ill! I am feeling better- normal tired rather then scary tired but I have very much been trying to take it easy and not doing anything to stressful or tiring as I don't want to bring the pungee back.

What have I been doing?
Shopping- 3 pairs of ballet flats for $20 each. Bargain! And one pair is sparkly!
Haircut - feels much better! NEW HAIR!!!
Movies - I saw Harry Potter 2 weeks ago which I loved. My that boy is growing up... (TOO YOUNG TOO YOUNG)
- I also saw the Simpsons Movie on Sunday which was unexpectedly hilarious. I have always been a bit of a simpsons fan, but just kind of forgot how funny it is. I really needed a cheer up and a good laugh and 2 hours in the cinema eating pods (still find that name funny) and laughing at Spider pig really did the trick.
Videos- I am almost through my 3 series box set of Inspector Lynleys. And now they are playing the new ones on Saturdays. I can never go out on Saturday nights again!
Manly - rather then a long drive short break long drive , Nick and I took the closer holiday option and caught the ferry to Manly on Friday and stayed over night in a lovely hotel. (bring on lastminute.com!) We ate yummy food at "Whitewater" restaraunt and got up and went for a walk along the beach in the sun on Saturday
Trivia - The GP has reinstated our trivia on Thursdays now so we sent a team ofMingers. Not only did we win the quiz but we won the Jackpot question too! We tied with one of the local guys Dave, but we still walked away with $40 each!
Sewing - I started working on my frock for R25. I am only up to the petticoat but at least I won't be nude!!!

Streetcar Named Desire...

I went to see the open dress of the Opera's version of Streetcar today and really really enjoyed it. Being a contempory opera the music was a little more discordant then I am used to but you just can't go wrong with a Tennessee Williams story really can you? Yvonne Kenny was fabulous (And looked fabulous obviously... after much stress). She did a fabulous job of the role of Blanche and really does have an amazing stage presence. I really enjoyed the performance of the girl who played Stella (whose name just fell out of my brain), especially given that I know she took on the role halfway through the rehersal period as someone pulled out. The set was beautiful, set on a revolve so it moved around from the outside of the house to the two rooms inside. A really nice day at the theatre (especially given that technically I was "working").

its over...

its so annoying. I finished THE BOOK on the weekend and now Nicko is reading it. I wish he would hurry up so I can read it again without someone sitting next to me chanting "read read read". Hurry up!

abduction from the Seraglio...

On a work freebie Nicko and I went to see Abduction from the Seraglio at the opera today. It was a really interesting production. I did a bit of work on it so I knew what to expect but I think Nicko was surprised when the curtain went up on a run down airport terminal. Michael Gow directed it, so it was an interesting modernised interpretation of the original mozart. Some of the acting was a little stilted but the singing certainly made up for it. Everyone at work is at home tonight dreaming of the hot tenor...

Live Earth - by Scruff - my pic of the pics.

Chicken and I measure up to Mr Garrett

View of the Crowd!

Me bailing up the security guards. They wanted a pic of Andrew but I obliged...

Son of Wolf rocks out!

The boys take a final bow.

For all Scruff's pics, see his flickr here!

Live Earth with the Wolfies...

Scruff, Chicken and I rocked out at Live Earth yesterday in the VIP bar courtesy of the Wolfies.

I have to say it was one of the most enjoyable concerts I have ever been to. The vibe was great, and the predominantly Aussie line up was awesome. We arrived in the middle of Eskimo Joe and yes J we swayed along with the crowd! How could you not? Up next was the fabulous Missy Higgins who is just utterly adorable and performed a really wonderful set. She brought tears to my eyes (girly moment #1).
After gorgeous Missy was the John Butler Trio who were way more interesting live then I expected and really got the crowd going. Nothing like a good mexican wave!
Then HOORAY it was time for the Wolfies. Chris's little boy Pascal was sitting behind us and was utterly gorgeous throughout. He was partying like a real little rocker and totally charmed everyone. The boys really rocked and we had a great time.

Then we hung in the bar and missed Jack Johnson. We were too busy being star struck over the fact we had been sitting next to Toni Collette (girly moment #2). We also saw Peter Garrett and we worked out that Chicken doesn't even come up to his armpit!

To cap off a great evening, Crowded House wrapped it up. I was so so so excited I was jumping up and down (girly moment #3). I missed their opera house gig 10 years ago and I thought I would never get to see them live. They lived up to all my expectations - so so awesome. They finished up fittingly on "weather with you".
After the gig the VIP bar started handing out free drinks so it was even fun afterwards!

Scruff took lots of piccies so hopefully I will beable to post some soon! xxx

The triple pillar of the world transform'd into a strumpet's fool.

On Wednesday night I went with Ms saggy pants to see "Antony and Cleopatra" at NIDA. My frock looked alright, especially given that it was made in a rush. It helps that the actress who is wearing it is utterly adorable.

I really enjoyed the show. It was a second year show so the acting was a bit hit and miss but the girl playing Cleopatra was wonderful. Aubrey Mellor directed it and pulled off another wonderful twist in interpretation. As it is unlikely that anyone reading this will go see it, here's the spoiler - he had the corpses of ant and Cleo strung up by their feet at the end in a line of rotting corpses. Oooh that nasty Caesar!

Only just staying afloat...

Its been a while! I no longer have my own office so its harder to sneak in a little blogging. And Nick is using my puter for uni and he is in the theatre every night till 11 at the moment so I can't do it at home either! Frustrations...

Work has been a bit hectic to say the least! The person who I have been replacing has been putting me through the ringer and I don't like it. Then on Thursday the person whose assistant I am about to become got ill and I had to take over her fitting schedule. Nothing like treading water in the deep end. My first fitting was with Yvonne Kenny. The second was with Teddy Tahu Rhodes. That was a deeper end then I was expecting, but it was ok. Unfortunately though I was then behind on the work for the other person so had to catch that up. I probably could have got out of it but it wasn't worth the grief.

Anyway, it should be all good from now on.

Goodbye to buying...

Today is my last day as buyer. I am struggling at the moment to tie up all the loose ends necessary and clean up. Its been a pretty hectic day so far. The good news is that I have finally finished the silver lame numbers (at NIDA till 11 last night - felt like old times!) so I will actually get to have a weekend! Bring it on!

SILVER LAME OVERLOAD!

I found out at lunchtime today that I have to have 6 silver slip dresses ready for a tech rehersal tomorrow! AAGGHHH! They aren't complicated but still, 6 is a lot. Only three are patternmade and cut out. None have been fitted yet. Even if each one takes an hour, that's 6 hours work. I do however anticipate they will take longer then an hour each. There goes any life I was planning for the next 48 hours! I have to make them up tonight, ready to fit at 6pm tomorrow and then I plan to hang around in the NIDA costume department and finish the babies by 11 tomorrow night. My loungeroom is already feral but it will not only be feral but have the strange appearance of an exploded discoball by midnight tonight. Silver silver silver everywhere.

But then I will be FREE! My mind is already turning to the wonders of tudor frockage I can make when this commission is over.....

Next time I'm in France....

Magnifique!

cheeky bugger!

I took it into the shop. I went out of my way and everything. I walk to the counter and I say " I have a problem with my phone. It seems to be stuck on volume control" and I open it up to show the lady behind the counter and GUESS WHAT? YES, ITS WORKING.
I am not unhappy about it working. I just wish it could have done it yesterday and this morning when I needed it to. And I wish it hadn't embarrassed me in the shop. I suppose at least I don't have to pay for a repair now though.

It obviously just needed a break!
At least I have an alarm clock for tomorrow....

Dependant on modern technology?

Yes. My phone is not working. It just started going crazy yesterday and I think one of the buttons is stuck. I am taking it in for a repair job today so hopefully it will be fixed soon. In the meantime I have no mobile. It feels strangely like having a body part missing. What is really annoying is the fact I have given up wearing a watch and I no longer own an alarm clock. This is in fact more annoying then not being able to contact people. Although I no longer own an address book either! So if anyone needs to contact me, its email or my home number until further notice!
I wonder how long I can survive in this modern world phoneless?

That was a weekend?

Yes, as usual it flew by!

On Friday after work I went and did a fitting at NIDA for my Antony and Cleopatra frock. Its looking pretty cool now, but I am looking forward to getting it finished. Then I went off to meet the Mingers at Bligh Bar in (surprise surprise) Bligh street where we partook of some bevvys and chatted to Ms Minger’s English work colleague who was tres amusing. Then we met Nicko and walked down to the rocks with the intention of going to the Lowenbrau. Then the combo of no food, bacardi, grumpiness and tiredness combined and the clever people at the Lowenbrau thought better of allowing me entry. I can’t say I blame them. If I had knocked on my door I would not have allowed me entry either. We went into the bar behind where I proceeded to get more grumpy and finally we went home.

I woke up feeling (surprising indeed!) much better thank you very much! Neither ill nor grumpy! Hooray!
Nicko and I went in to the city for a 10.30 dress run of Barber of Seville at the Opera House which turned out to be hugely enjoyable. The music is just beautiful and we both loved the show. It was exciting for me as I had a biggish part in buying for it so it was great to see the stuff on stage. The designer is a young guy Leon who studied at WAAPA and it’s nice to see younger designers getting a chance to show what they can do. I think he did a great job.

Then, as it was $15 all day parking we took advantage of the blue sky and went for a walk in the botanic gardens and then had lunch under the toaster. It was a really lovely Saturday!

Then in the evening we went for yummy Nachos dinner at Nw and DV’s . Thank you Miss DV – I’m sorry I didn’t at the time realise you had gone to bed. I thought you had gone to check on Torby! So thank you for yummy dinner!

Then I got up yesterday and had to go to Spotlight (grumble grumble) as a result of crap supervision by a NIDA Student which left me without suitable elastic. Then I made a slip dress for Sweet Charity and kept working on the Ant and Cleo dress of doom. While doing this sewing I watched 10 episodes of The Office (and fell in lurve with Tim all over again) and the second season of Men Behaving Badly (my favorite). I also made carrot soup and minestrone soup and burritos for tea! Phew! No wonder I am tired!

So I was busy busy all weekend - and now it is gone. Come back…………