Eleanora Martinez in the Land of the Rising Sun

You haven't lived til you've been attacked at the Exeter & have diamonds in your hair

2007-09-19T22:53:00.000+09:00

It's been a difficult couple of weeks.
If it's not one thing, it's another - or to be more specific, one person or another.
Adelaide feels more and more claustrophobic as I struggle to do anything or go anywhere that isn't likely to lead to bumping into someone who currently hasn't got an issue with me or something of that nature.

A bright spot on the landscape was a belated and unexpected present in the form of a parcel from Japan from my good friend Ryoko. A cute little summer top. I miss her and yet taking the time out to sit at the computer and correspond seems to get me down so . . . . catch 22.

Friday turned out far more eventful than I had dared/feared to imagine.
I had the pleasure of unexpectedly bumping into Naoko and Chris - but separately. We went to Sumo Station for dinner - and amazingly the entire party turned up within minutes of each other. It was an enjoyable evening and Jess and I enjoyed a hearty number of ume-shus (typically translated as 'plum wine' but better described as plum liquor). We were pleasantly surprised to have Naoko waiting on us - hadn't seen her in an age.
Then we all pottered over to the Exeter to see some friends wouldn't not been in A-town for a goodly deal of time. It was at this point that my night became more interesting as I was squeezed into a corner, and happily got to chat and catch up with Chris, but then ended too soon as he suddenly jumped up and said to me in Japanese that he was leaving because the girl on his other side was scary. If only I had paid more heed to this statement, my night would have been different.
I was then accosted by this complete random who started to demand who it was at the table that I was or would like to be involved with. Then this developed into her demanding information about the personal relationship history of a male friend of our party. Quite rightly, I thought, I politely refused to divulge any such details (as it's very little of my business let alone her's!) but she just wouldn't stop her insistent and increasingly rude pestering to the point that my other neighbour leaned across and told her to get real and stop bugging us; to stop even talking to us. This culminated in her continuing to interrogate me and then in a sudden frenzy she started to punch me. I was completely shocked. When I said that she had in fact hurt me she justified her actions by saying that she just really wanted me to tell her.
WHAT ??
This was the first of two instances over the weekend in which people, whom I feel should be bound by the social formalities which are dictated by the ties of mild acquaintance, have overstepped the boundaries to behave in a manner which I would deem abominably juvenile.
When I don't really know you I just don't expect you to behave like a petulant younger sibling trying to berate details out of me or score points over obscure knowledge.
Jeez. Fucking grow up.
Needless to say, things got a bit uglier from there and through a misunderstanding two of friends got a bit narky with their fingers before the situation regarding Psycho Punching Girl was resolved and we resumed our seats minus her and continued to chat.
Jess was then mildly affronted when she discovered that Sarah had thought she was the Psycho Punching Girl, this may have been the result of far too many tequilas (on Jess' part not Sarah's)

We then moseyed over to Urtext, in the guise of a posse of protection . . . things kind of quietened down for me from there. I found the music boring but I had a pleasant chat to Simon Gray (about zine plans) and to Matt pinball, fame, the nature of Adelaide and about nothing in particular. Then I decided it far too cold and early in the morning for riding home so we left the party and Jess and her crazy rampage of drink-nicking and ex-bumping-into and went and drank hot chocolate and watched tv before crawling into bed at some silly hour.

Sunday I felt a little the worse for wear, so I leisurely pottered over to the market to meet Karenski for a mid-morning coffee which started the landslide of emotionally draining tran-wreck weekends to end all such weekends.
Karenski was great, even if the weather was a bit below par in our estimation.
John was a great ear in the wee small hours - I do apologise for the craziness.
Kate and I lushed it up on Sunday arvo and I devoutly avoided study and she recovered. It was fabulous to spend so much time catching up after all these years.
To all the others I variously saw, I'm sure you know exactly how I feel about you, thanks.

Monday continued my bender of failed study and emotional turmoil.
Thank god for JessJess, Jess, Cathy of Goulburn & Alice of Perth.
Pips and I also went for a nice wander in the streets of Unley Park and bitched about the rising number of 'Bore Water In Use' signs and what we'd like to do to them and the inhabitants of these richie suburbs who're so sanctimoniously stealing everyone's water.

SareB and I had a lovely dinner and walk and talk together - she rocks - I think it must be in the genes~!

So, I've reached the decision that I need to go away again. This idea was consolidated through talks with Pippa and Jess. Millinery in London ?
Ahhh . . today I had my elbow lanced, I got lots of study done in the morning but not nearly enough and it was cold but Jess & I enjoyed some fabulous coffees and mooching about town.
Oh the beautiful dresses I could buy if I didn't think that spending anything above $50ish on about one item of clothing is rather obscene.
But yes, leaving again - I'm not sure it's advisable, but then I never thought that returning was such a flash idea and look where that got me . . . well, that's precisely the point!
Organising writer's weeks, young writer's groups and attending meetings about politics and art ventures have been great additions to my schedule.
There have been some great things to come out of what has been almost a year back in the country but there have also some clearly super shitty things that I'd just rather not have had to go through.
Who wants to be stronger anyway ???

Oo! OOoo!! Got my hair coloured the other day & though I may never sport liberty spikes I do now have diamonds in my hair~!

Does anyone know of anything Kalgoorlie is famous for other than its brothels ?
Help me to see the positives here.

2007-09-14T18:20:00.000+09:00

So, it's been recommended I post something to demonstrate that I still exist.
I blog therefore I am ?

I note that another friend most cleverly ended his old blog upon his return to Auslandia and I wonder if I oughtn't to have done the same . . . Ahh well . . . It's coming up for a year to the day that I returned to A-town so maybe I could have a memorial service and make a clean break. But me and clean breaks . . .

Soooo . . . tonight it's off to birthday dinner.

Uni's been getting busier but I've been ignoring that and focusing on coffee and lunch dates which are much more enjoyable especially now that Spring has appeared on the scene.
Have been transfered back to Norwood - thus there has been increase in the number of anal, pretentious people I have to deal with.

Thanks to the following peeps for being yayness to hang out with . . .
Kara
Olivia
John
Wiz
SareB
Beenz
Jude (for her tshirt enthusiasm)
Kate F (in advance)
Jess (all varieties)

Ooops- better go or we'll be late~!

June, July and August in Uber-brief mode

2007-08-18T17:32:00.000+09:00

Em visited and coerced us into a ridiculously early brekky on a chill Sunday morning in June.

I made a snap decision to go to Sydney for a week in June and had a brilliant time acquiring dresses, gorging on vegan Yum Cha with Soph and have a massive chin-wag and also spending some quality time with JessJess (the girl so nice they named her twice!)

Don't blink or you'll miss it - Geet and I working our metal chopstick magic at MAPO for my birthday~! I'm officially unyouthful!

Family resemblances ? Is you blind ?

The well-attended Tea and Scones opening of T-works for SALA.

Thank you to everyone who came - I sold/got a huge number of orders and then spent a week sick in bed so I've been going great guns in the studio printing this week! It was quite validating to get such a hugely positive response to my work.

A special mention to Gordon who managed to work out which were mine
("Wearing one ? Never!")

Thank goodness today was the last day and I'm finally done printing . . Well, almost . . I got another order today when someone came to pick up their purchase and liked one of my tank tops so much they decided to buy one of them too (You're most welcome, Phili!)

A hellish month

2007-05-23T15:12:00.000+09:00

I suppose if I'd studied like mad all semester things would be easier now but even so I think, yet again, I just bit off more than I could chew. For those who've managed to catch a glimour of me or 2 minutes of my time, it's been great to see you but really, when catch-ups consist of mutual walks/dashes to the other side of the city you know things have gone slightly pear shaped.

The only reason I'm feeling it's okay to break from study with blogging is because I have had a few comments lately about the lack of posts and I've got a migraine - just woke up with the beginnings of one when I really needed to be feeling okay enough to get ready and rush off to a photo shoot. Lack of cars had me paranoidly making my way, half-blind, to the cafe by bike, buffeted by the strong winds of late. Almost stacked it once - I've been really nervy since I randomly heard at the bike shop that Geet got taken out by a car last week and ended up in Flinders - have yet to have time to go see her but she's not in a good way. I suppose it's just likely it wasn't worse and I'm not down a friend.

Study is, as always, stimulating, but I'm getting to the point of over-stimulation and just want a holiday!
Had a tute presentation yesterday and a full day of classes so for once I decided to give myself a break and had the evening off. It was well worth it - we went to Wah Hing, all slightly sodden from our various rides across town in the early evening showers and then spent the rest of the night lounging, chatting and in the fine company of Haighs dark chocolate peppermint frogs. Come to think of it, some of the nicest moments in this past month have been when I've managed to take some time out of study stress-land and spend quality time various of my peeps - was great to shop with Sair lately; spend a pre-Eurovision hour or so with Pippa debriefing; having dinner with Wiz and J; waffling with Nicholas & Kate; lounging with J; catching up with Phili, Sal and Alice on occasions; early Sunday morning mochas with Jess, Amber and J; fun and mild inebriation at house of aforementioned crew; dairy and gluten-free chocolate muffins with a pre-David Michele and Ange; carrying on and chatting away with Beenz.

Only one tute paper and 4 major essays away from study freedom . . in the next 3 weeks - how terrifying!! And the question most on my mind presently is, that now I'm most likely not to be heading to Japan again anytime soon or to Canberra, do I do one more semester at Uni or do I just quit now while I'm ahead ?? And then what ????????????

WRITE oN! is over!!!!

2007-04-20T17:40:00.000+09:00

It's been interesting but incredibly tiring!
I don't think I've slept for 12 hours straight in a very long time but I did Wednesday night.
Umpossible!

I'm looking forward to the weekend which oughtn't to be too tiring, and if it is it'll only be in the name of fun and not lousy arts event wages.

We had good turn outs to the seminars and workshops throughout the week and have had a good number of submissions for the anthology already.
But I don't have to worry about that for a few weeks . . .
It's back to the terror of a mamoth workload for uni that I just can't see myself surmounting.

Ahhhhh but it's friday night so I might go and do an Easybeats and have fun in the city . . . even if my pretty girl is not.

A restful busy weekend

2007-04-15T21:09:00.000+09:00

I find I'm not sleeping very well at the moment.
Things have been messed up since my crazy essay writing stint.
Last night I recall waking up partway through the night, having imperceptibly drifted off, and asking what is was we'd been doing - looking at photos ? .... weird.
I was pretty tired after the day's sailing - slacker! And had to pike early during karaoke and go home before the room got any more spinny than it was.

We had a lovely time sailing with the fantastic Mikeyg and Wizard . . . I got to change the backstays and even steer until the boys got fed up and wanted a go themselves. I was wayyyy great. With a little trickery we even managed to get all the way to Hallet Cove for a late lunch. It probably rates as the most saily sailing trip I've been on so far . . . Last time was just great for the laughs it provided with Beenz.

It was nice to finally get to the end on my busy busy week and meet Brenda (Mr James' sister)and get a chance to hang out with her. She's uber lovely and fun and we share similar allergies which makes life unusual - people with crazy dietary requirements finally in the majority! - almost! On friday we went to the markets for dinner and I had a great Tom Yum noodle soup which proved popular all round. Then we popped out to the Wheaty to hear Running with Horses and Little Ice Age. I also got to give Sair my present to her for her b'day (She's such a cradle snatcher! \(o-<)/) It took a fair bit of running around and a lot of fiddling but I'm glad that she seemed to like it and that many a giggle was had at piccy of Aidan and her cross dressing night at Karenski's exs party.

Brenda all rugged up as it got a bit chilly in the wind . . .

Kara, Sair and Megan are an annoyingly yuppy coffee place I'm sure we all know on Gouger before we made our way next for karaoke of the dodgey Adelaide variety. All topping off a great start to the night at Wah Hing with a beautiful meal and lots of chatty chatting.

But Kara has me terrified about the upcoming/current workload for the course we're both taking. I'm really staring to freak out about how I've bitten off more than I can chew this term in an effort to finish up in the first semester but also do lots of interesting and beneficial classes.

Ohhhhh dear . . . It'll be nothing but study from here until the end of June for me!!

Shoot me now.

Work today was dumb - really really slow all morning and afternoon until about 4pmish when everyone came in to make sure I couldn't possibly get out on time.

But then Mr J and I made a city . . . spazville (yes, all lower case!) Powered entirely by wind!
We have a lot of power problems - but just wait til we get our solar energy plant going!

Tomorrow is the first day WRITE oN! at the Unley Library - fingers crossed!!

As promised!

2007-04-13T12:59:00.000+09:00

My linguistics essay is done and handed up. Just in the nick of time, or a little bit after.
So I can now post more photos of Easter mayhem . . .

Eggly creations.....

The eggs go up on display and the degree of embarassment that should be intrinsically associated with doing such Easter activities without children present as an excuse was discussed.
I hold Kana up as a perfectly legitimate explanation for our activities - it's not like we actually enjoyed ourselves or anything ~

A random (though given the camera angle, clearly not a work of the moment) image of The Kids making pizzas. Nothing better than Gourmet Vego Pita bread Pizzas!
I am captured consuming more than creating.

Further Easter Activities.....

We had a 'family dinner' of a whole Salmon which was accompanied by a Saga that involved me and it's procurement. I made amazingly fantastic salads! The newest creation is something I shall dub 'Walnut Japanese Special' for lack a more fitting title. It rocks!

Kana really got into the spirit of Easter once we'd explained that it was all about reincarnation and people wafting up into the sky. Plus the abundance of chocolate made this addicted J-kid very very happy - I worry her mum might blame us for her daughter getting to whale-like proportions ..... They eat whale you know! Could be a health hazard in more ways than one!
I found an aptly Australiana themed chocolate koala for her too! Soooo rock!

I'm desperately in need of sleep but still so many errands to run!

Have to finalise my RPG's birthday present - Running with Horses and Little Ice Age are playing at the Wheaty tonight which should be a lovely gig to attend.

Despite fatigue I had to get up earlyish this morning for a photoshoot and then an interview on radio to promote Write On! that's happening next week. Don't forget to bring your biros and come check it out if you have time ~~ Open seminars by local writers from 10am and 1pm daily at the Unley Library - at the best price there is - FREE!!

Easter, Life, The Universe and Everything . . And thanks for all the fish on Good Friday

2007-04-11T12:56:00.000+09:00

The weekend was a whirl.

Lots happened and most of it was lovely as pie.

I was being a bit mental though which caused a few angsty moments.

You know when you can see something happening but somehow have very little control over your reactions which cause you to be angsty and then you feel angsty about feeling angsty.

Ohhh cyclic angst.

A group of very secular young 'uns got together for a bit of Easter crafty celebrationness.

An awful shot but captures the revoltingness of the moment so well . . . this was the second attempt. The first egg had a fatal flaw which caused its contents to explode over my face!

Our gorgeous and egg-blowingly talented host Ms Amber . . . always so genial even when Kana broke one of her bowls.

As the afternoon wore on things got increasingly creative and messy in the kitchen . . .
I worked myself into a corner with the oven prefering to smear myself with favoured chocolate having fun with a multitude of predominantly non-Easter themed moulds.
Hope that Owen and Anna weren't actually poisoned by my dubious experiments.

I was finally convinced to leave the chocolate concoctions for a moment and to try my hand at the egg decorating . . which proved to be quite amusing.
The one featured below was my more efficient second attempt.

** Disclaimer regarding this image**
The author of this blog is in no way inferring that anyone (excepting the author herself) pictured herein was involved in the making of chocolates or decorating of eggs, in fact, I believe they spent the afternoon proving their masculinity steadfastly being engrossed by a PSP or Playstation or something else electronic of that nature.
(NB This disclaimer may, in fact, only have very limited grounding in actual realtime events, and be aimed at protecting and upholding some weird construct of masculinity)

There are more great shots of the finishes eggly product but you'll have to wait until I've done my essay for them!

I finally heard about the result of my JET application! Which removed one underlying cause of semiconscious tension.

I've just finished a rather hack job of an application to DFAT as well.

Things are kind of coming together for next week's Write On! at Unley.

I'm being interviewed on radio and by our fine city's awful tabloid on friday.

It's my RPG's birthday tomorrow!!

Now I've had my celebratory break after my application submission - It's back to the drawing board for my essay - due at 12 tonight.

I would contest that my siblings and I look nothing like each other - Amber and James' views are simply an anomaly . . . Help me prove this by trying to guess to whom I'm actually related to. . . .

For the information of S....

2007-04-06T11:31:00.000+09:00

Last night I plowed through injury induced headaches and pains finished work perfectly on time and spent a lovely lovely late evening catching up with my much missed RPG who has been understandably busy with honeymooning! We looked at many photos, drank yummy soyaccino and ate wheat, lactose and peanut free bikkies and chatted deep into the night having a rather cleansing chat about some of those things that have been on my mind and that you really need an RPG for to deal with them.
As I was telling S last night there are some strange photos from her wedding.
The following are some of the most insane photos of Wiz and myself that have ever been captured....

Not quite knowing which was the weirder I have included both as a little sequence.....

And here is a here is a less odd image of me and pip doing our matching outfitted bridesmaidly thing. Awww don't she look purdy! It was sure nice of her to come all the way back from Finland for the event and other things.

ouch!

2007-04-04T09:53:00.000+09:00

Yesterday afternoon Pulteney St struck again!

With very few exceptions, bad things (of the physical kind), me and bikes only ever come together on Pulteney.
I went flying over my handlebars and have a ridiculous number of massive bruises and a few bloody scrapes to prove it. It was also pointed out to me that my major concern at the time was not myself but my bike. Well, as it should be! And Oh My!! it is a sorry state. It was still rideable and I'm sure it only adds character and will mean that it will be much less of a target of theft, but still - my pristine bike! I'm not sure whether getting the crossbar fixed is something I should worry about straight away or whether, in fact, it doesn't just make me look super speedy and racer now that it's bent at an even more acute angle.
At least it still goes! So I winced my way home and spent the better part of the evening with an ice pack between my legs.

***

On another completely different note.....

If anyone has any interest in writing or being 'a writer' in the future when we all grow up, I'm involved with the Unley Council organising a writers workshop week at the library for Youth Week and YOU should come along! It's all free, anyone of any age from anywhere is welcome and we've got a good line-up of local writers so I encourage you all to get out during the fine autumn holidays that the Uni kids are all to be enjoying and lap up the writerly vibe.

Pippa, Joel, Sophie, Anna, Owen . . . I'm looking at you, my pretty Unleyites~~!

A few more 'thousand words' to get me back in to the blogosphere

2007-04-01T22:37:00.000+09:00

Two posts for one month is rather woeful but it's been a big one.

I was run off my feet today at work and have uni tomorrow so I might run with a few choice images......

There is an excess from my Nan's 90th but I'll stick with the numerous wedding photos for tonight.

James and Peach got married!

It was soooo nice to catch up with Han after such a while, and they had the best themed cake I've ever known. They also had the most kickarse Bridal Waltz (read Timewarp) only rivalled the next day with an amazing performance by The Noises to It's Oh So Quiet.

Thanks to Sair's uber coordination skills and time management the girls were totally ready on time! I can't believe S made her dress and our accessories and all and that her wedding went off so beautifully was a testament to her's and A's superpowers!

My reading went off quite well in the end - with the ubiquitous technical difficulties - ironic given the setting was a sound tech's wedding - Oh well, it drew many a titter from the well-informed crowd and my operatic training came in handy and apparently you couldn't really even tell the mic wasn't one expect when the bus went past.

The happy bride getting to the 'church' on time - extreme precision timing such that it's a good thing I was part of the bridal party or like Jo and Luke, I'd have been rushing to bet the bride into the garden too!

Sair and Aidan looking oh-so-happy.

Ahhhhhhhh

It's great to have lots of spesh people around to share lovely events with.

It's equally as wonderful to have aforementioned people around when things go a little haywire with too much alcohol and feelings get brutalized. There are many a time when I wouldn't survive half as well as I manage without, in particular, 2 lovely boys in my life.

Thanks to you both, Mr James and Wizzy Wizz Wizz.

Catch-ups, Many a Hen's Night . . . No time for details!

2007-03-09T13:47:00.000+09:00

Sal and I enjoyed a fantastic catch-up over Korean BBQ.

The ever-gorgeous Marni as we blew bubbles and people gazed
over Rundle St for Peach's Hen's Night.

The lovely bride-to-be seemingly enjoying be made a fool of as people nibbled at the lollies sewn to her chest - 10 yrs time = 5 kids without hats ?

Yet another Hen's night! All in the same week! It's a bit much but I figure that it's good preparation for the fact that they're on subsequent days next weekend!

Pip and I made sure that Sair's night was all class . . . well mostly. Heidi was a most welcome addition and a great time was had by all. Especially the bull.

Sair gets concerned when we tell her that she is about to be shorn or possibly dressed like one of the daring Indian ladies with jewels dripping from their navels and other places.

I'm off to the Mt for my Nan's 90th!

3 days in one and 30 yr old sherry

2007-03-02T13:01:00.000+09:00

Thursday morning I had a multitude of things I wanted to get done but I struggled to get up (again) even after not watching Star Trek til all hours and getting to bed at a decent hour following Lawn Bowls and a late night snack of sushi that Kana brought home from her new work at Sushi Train on Gouger St. I got a few of them done and despite being on the go for hours then managed to be late (again) for my Politics lecture - oops. But this afford me the fine opportunity of seeing MikeyG who was also doing the trendy thing and running late to his lecture. A strange aspect of study for me this semester is my status as an Arts student; for the first time in my 9 or so years at uni (has it really been that long ??) I don't have to run all over campus but simply make my way about the labyrinthine stairwells of Napier and Ligertwood.
Then I enjoyed the benefits of studying at a uni in the CBD and decent vego cafes by enjoying a bite in the now airy confines of Joy Division or whatever. We've decided next on the list will have to be the Vego place next door which apparently offers up chips and not steak!

Also, Ben, I've heard about another highly recommended Laksa place for Laksa Lunch!!

I stayed awake with much difficulty during my Asian Studies lecture after finally locating it in the revamped LG of Napier - do my head in why don't you ??!
Then dashed up to see Bel at the Writer's Centre to bug her for things for the Youth Week Writers thingo that I mentioned in a previous post.
Back for Asian Studies Tute, where I had a chance to get to know some of the other students - three of whom are exchange students - 2 from America and one from Tokyo.
Then I put on my riding clobber and headed to work . . and so began the next busy part of my day.
Had to spend a fair bit of time restocking the shelves with PreFrames, but we were fairly quite so that was fine. Of course, come 8pm things picked up and I had a man and his son looking through catalogues til not long before 9 so yet again I was out late. Also had a whole lot of sms coming all night which was a highlight but made for chaotic thought.

Dinner the visiting Sal tonight.
An invite to Pip's for late night pantry raiding.

So I hooned off home on my bike, had some dinner at 10 (wayyy healthy) then James, Kana and I popped over to Pip's to enjoy some surprisingly lovely sherry and conversation (it was the alcohol that was unexpectedly good, not the company, which never fails to be first-rate).
This whiled away a good number of hours til I suddenly realised I was falling asleep where I stood with weariness.
So off we trundled home, another day thoroughly seized and trumped. Though I notice it was well past 10:30 and housies were getting grumpy at a lack of action before we made a start on this fine day!

Big crazy weekend up of catch-ups with friends now living rurally or interstate, film festival, fringe and clipsal related nuttiness, Peach's Hen's night and work. It's good to have some time to relax!

Pix ya later

2007-02-28T16:02:00.000+09:00

That's right!
It's that way that you want to be going on now.

Seez ya.

Just happy to see a favourite lady.

Wiz takes a noice shot. Sometimes.

The Life and Times of a Happier Buiser Me

2007-02-28T12:21:00.000+09:00

All this New Blogger junk . . hmpf.

Life is all a bit ridiculously rosy at the present.
The weather since Pip returned has been exquisite.
Although on Sunday I only got to experience a little of it whilst riding like the wind out to work because it was a trifle difficult to tear myself away from a comfy bed after a late night. Work was not so much the never ceasing pain fest I had anticipated after a night of "Anna Nicole Smith would have wanted it that way" pain killers and alcomahol - so tops to that. The obnoxious intoxicated loud voiced, mobile toting hipsters running amok in the mall and my shop were decidedly irritating and I found the whole Norwood Food and Wine Festival seemed to simply be an excuse for a demonstration of the less than attractive side of white middle class a-town. As SuperBike and I plowed through fields of fashionista dress-clad inebriates we managed to remind none too few of the greatness and glory of pedal power~!

Sunday was also noted for realising that I wasn't the only one who didn't make it home on Saturday night - Not pointing any fingers, Kana! Shock Horror~!!

Saturday night at The Dollhouse party was highly entertaining.
It was so uber superly great to have Ms Pip back in the house!! When I got her afternoon sms it was all I could do not to wet the bed as I hopped up and down in a most ridiculously overexcited manner.
Highlights of the night ...
Catching up with Pippa and BenMoss.
Chatting away in Japanese with Naoko who is the awesomest.
Talking Japanese glasses with Chris.
Doing shots with the aforementioned twosome.
Seeing the lovely ladies of wigs themselves - Martine and Karenski after too long an interval of separation.
Simon Gray being morose and me trying to cheer him up.
Chatting with Owen of Hughes St yet again.
Doing at dance for Stubby in order to encourage him not to go home.
Chatting Art Stuff and exhibitions with Mark of Downtown fame.
Randomly and unexpectedly getting to catch up with Amber, receiving a big dopey hug and learning I'm not the only who's missing our Salisbury St meetings.
Taking photos out the back on the couch with Mikey G and Wiz - I think this must be a prerequisite to a successful party.

Then I knocked back offers of lifts to ride off into the starlit sky, meandering my way from the start to the end of Young St! Three whole suburbs all along one street - how much more rock can you get - it made the drunken navigation easy.
Lights were ablaze at jounery's end despite the late hour, so we watched a little YouTube as recommended by both Pip and BenMoss. According to Nick (who wasn't the picture of sobriety himself), I'd reached a point where my eyes were acting independently of each other.
Hmmmm . . . seeing is believing.

IN OTHER BIG NEWS FOR THE WEEK
On Friday night I hung out with my RPG - it was fantabulous. Some much required hanging was done. I also got to try on my dress for the wedding in only a few short weeks and we got excited - well, I did.
Saturday, I tidied and did laundry in the morning, then I went and did some shopping in at the Market - making the most of my Saturday off.
Had bubble tea and vegan delightfulness, then we intended to go watch a movie but ended up having beers on the couch and chatting the afternoon away until we had Spoils of War (aka Market produce - Weird Note To Self: I used to enjoy the Market and now the stressed out atmosphere of Saturday arvos there really does my head in and makes me want to run screaming for the hills) for dinner.
Then the cold that I caught through rash abandon came back to haunt me and I felt all headachey just when I was trying to get ready to go to The Dollhouse Party. I just downed a few pills and it was on with the show.

Monday!!
It was my first day back at Uni!! It was my first time back to the place as a student in over 3 years! And I actually found it a bit tricky to get back into lecture mode despite the enthusiasm I possess for the subject. Linguistics rules my world.
Then I biked it over home and to my physio . . well, where I used to love going to have mad chats with Matthew who has abandoned us all for a lady and a job in Canada. New physio was okay.
THEN SareB, Sair, Kana and I went out to see a movie on some free tickets. I decided that I'd adopt the kind of mentality you would with any foreseeable and predictably unpleasant occurence - block your senses and hope it'll all be over soon. And as a result it was unexpectedly bearable. I was also super happy that I was able to have so many of my lovely ladies in one place at the one time. It was good to be able to share something with three lovelies when I knew they would enjoy it.
So yay for having friends, being with them and being able to share great and stupid things with them.
I wouldn't have foreseen that I would be this content so quickly back in atown after all the shit that has happened.

Tuesday!!
I struggled to get up again in time to rush about and get everything together for my second day back at uni. Cut it fine on my race into town - though I did take the time to talk to an old veteran cyclist as took the lights by noses to each other all the way into town. He had that amazing spindley looking form and despite the creaky looks had his pro cyclist flat back style going off. He was wayy sweet - Just made it into class and ended up down the front and right behind Nick which was ironic. I figure at least he's not younger than me - it might do damage to my ego if my tutor were younger than me! I'm not that much of a mature age student yet!
I spent much of the day by the Torrens and under assorted trees about the place doing readings and trying to be prepared.
My last lecture of the day - Asian Studies - is one I was initially dubious about taking, and while the lecturer was a tad on the incomprehensible side, I'm really happy with my choice. It seems like it will be interesting; the readings so far are insightful, accessible and well written (the same cannot be said for the Politics, Ideaology and Discourse subject, sorry Nick) and I think it won't be as much work as some of the other classes - though we do have a group assignment which could be interesting.
I forgot my wallet and skipped lunch, but after classes headed over to Gouger for a lovely early evening Vietnamese meal. Then it was home for assortment of chats, random movie and Red Dwarf episodes and lounging.

This morning I had another meeting about the writers workshop week that I'm helping to organise with the Unley Council for National Youth Week. All went without too many a hitch and our schedule is now really coming together.
As part of what I'm doing I NEED ZINES!
Anyone who has a zine that they wouldn't mind selling to me so it can be put in a pack of random and interesting writerlyish things that we'll be distributing to participants, let me know.
I've tried to talk to as many people as I can about this and if I haven't spoken to you directly yet I'm merely getting around to you - so don't be shy and get in touch with me!!!!
A council is willing to pay you so for all of you out there getting involved with zines throughout Fringe and in general, take this opportunity to make some money out of what you love doing!!

4000 words or more

2007-02-23T12:11:00.001+09:00

Kana, Midge and I enjoyed a market lunch on a warm Tuesday afternoon not long after Kana had arrived. She started classes the day after she moved here but seemed and still seems to be coping well.
She still has a few little Japanese idiosyncracies that we have communicate to her will not be tolerated in this land of The Lucky, alied as we are to the Land of Freedom . . . Those darn peace photo fingers are a dead give away!

We finally found a Hills Hoist for Kana to get excited about and from which to learn important lessons about South Australian history.

Thanks to James, Jess-Rex and Amber for allowing us access to this fundamental learning tool.

Then we went and saw Notes on a Scandal with Cate Blanchett and Judi Dench in it. It was kind of eerie and creepily black . . . I figured even if Kana didn't follow it it was good exposure to something other than Hollywood bollocks.

I'm not sure but I think calling it a 'Tussy Mussy' though it may be it's correct name by definition just doesn't do justice to the appealing scent of this lovely herb bouquet.

I can't remember what's called but I have good associations with the lemon scented leaf stuff that was a feature of this cute little conglomerate.
Anyone remember ?

I had fun with it and rediscovering the macro functions on my camera.
Plus it made my room smell beautiful.

Poorly

2007-02-21T17:33:00.000+09:00

The interview last week turned out not to be quite as I had expected. The interview section was mainly conducted in English and thus nothing to really worry about. The comprehension passages were slightly more dubious. The first was ridiculously easy and then the second was rather difficult. I was mightily relieved it was over and pottered off for what I anticipated would be a lovely night involving some sailing . . . This didn't eventuate but it was lovely none the less even if I did have to crash and be dropped home feeling rather under par. I am enamoured of airconditioning.
I was called in to work on Saturday which didn't impress me but I rode out there which always makes me feel better - particularly when the rides go off in a fairly uneventful manner with regard to life threatening situations. Then the afternoon was relaxing enough with a little grocery shopping and hanging with Kana before we headed off into town on our bikes to the PA.
I caught up with the charming Elysia and we had a good all gasbag in the absence of JessJess ("the girl so wonderful they named her twice").
We enjoyed the gig and then a natter with Sair and Aidan . . . and someone took a fancy to Kana - it was cute and she deserves the ego boost.

My social calendar is looking hectic on a nutty scale!
No free weekends from now til late March!!

Today was such a lovely day and apart from a morning spin about the streets of Unley on a few errands I've had to spend it feeling lousy inside. I've just got this headachey cold thing - not really a sore throat or anything like that now but just this mild headache, inability to concentrate on the preparatory readings for the courses I'm starting next week and that irritating feel like it but can't quite sleep thing going in.
No Lawn Bowls for me tonight.
Ugh.
Might just crawl into bed and rest my itchy eyes.

Procrastination ?? Me ?? Never!! It's dedication to my posting!

2007-02-13T13:42:00.000+09:00

Apologies to Josh for what is clearly a lack of one of the highlights of his week - being one of the few to comment in my ether silence.

Also, it's probably a good thing you didn't look at my blog Sal! There's nothing here to be seen.

Kana arrived in Adelaide last Sunday. It's been a busy week plus. I wasn't terrbly well prepared to receive her what with one thing and another - work and the like. How is it that I never seem to have time for all the things I need and want to do ? I feel like I run myself ragged just trying to do the bare minimum!! Then I get told off for not looking after myself and not being able to relax. It got so bad last week that I had to cancel pilates because I'd been so tired when I'd gone that I almost fell asleep three times and just felt exhausted and grumpy.
But it's been great to give my linguistic brains a workout.
It's been wonderfully timed too.
I have my interview for a Coordinator of International Relations position with JET this Friday.
Maybe that's why I'm posting.
I'm terrified!!
This interview really requires so much of you! You have to be able to conduct an interview in Japanese and as part of this you are required to read a passage in Japanese on a current political/news event relating to Japan and whilst managing to read the characters and all correctly you must also be able to then comprehend the thing and answer questions about it from the interview panel. Jezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
I'd be freaking out about it even if it wasn't in a language another than my native one!!!
I should be swotting.

My work hours are cutting down now as I prepare to go back to Uni - good in terms of having time for doing fun stuff but not so good when it comes to being able to afford to do the aforementioned fun stuff.

Beenz is back from visiting her Falls Boy this arvo.

The new frames I might buy have just come into the store (optometry not picture wise) and as it turns out I was given the wrong contact prescription so maybe my eye situation will improve in near future!!
Geet was also hugely helpful in the goggle hunt.

What else has/is happening???

I caught up with a few more old friends recently as well as a spate of making new ones - it's been a crazy month or so.
Hope to see Kate sometime soon for coffee - just have to find time - will probably have to wait til this interview is out of the way - a few drinks or 4 on Friday night.
Mad and Josh I will hope to see again in Kingston when on my way back to A-town early in March - Going to the Mt for an insanely big Harris Clan do for Nan's 90th.
Beenz is not impressed she is expected to spend her birthday driving home.

I caught up with Geet for brief chat on Friday and then had a long one of coffee at Lucia's with Steph - the lovely Matt then tried to feed me Death and Cheese . . the limey eggplant was great!

We've got Lawn Bowls again tomorrow night.
We put together a hotch-potch team last week so capably lead by Wiz (less so by me) hoping to mix it up again a bit for this week.

On Sunday night a crew of us headed to the Capri to enjoy their amazing new chairs but I'm not sure we could say the same of the movie - Notes on a Scandal. Bloody dark.
Was very lucky I had a hand to hold and felt sorry for Kana who had to be struggling with some of the more florid language.

The bike is still going beautifully but I've been a bit tired lately and the wind strong.

Kana and I rode into town on Saturday night to see a bit of the Symphony Under The Stars.

I managed to make it to Henley twice in two days.
The first involved the cliche of F&C as we were chilled by the sea breeze and the second, a hoon down on a motorbike with chais and a walk on the foreshore to follow. Picture perfect stuff.

Wellll . . . .
That's a post and a job application done.
Maybe it's time for a shower . . . what else needs doing ??

Agghhhh!! Tomorrow is the 14th and I've yet to complete my Farewell-that-became-a-Valentine-present for my Lady Jess Jess!!!
Oh dear!

And the sheets must come in off the line before Beenz gets home to her unmade bed!

Late night thoughts and photos

2007-01-23T00:37:00.000+09:00

The finer arts of lawn bowls . . . were never really discovered by us.

I think it'd be fair to say that victories by each opposing team were generally more a matter of luck than anything else. This maybe contended by some *cough* nerds!

Some fine young things enjoying beverages and the sight of many an untrained yet enthusiastic lawn bowler novice.

Oh!! How I shall miss Jess Jess when she leaves us for Sydney oh too soon!

Sair's expression is the look of a lady in the throes of conquering the mammoth list of TO DOs in preparation for those planning a wedding.

I try to explain the concept of a bias to Teagan Harris
my little second cousin or is that my first cousin once removed ?

She was my second shadow as her mum nursed the results of celebrating her wedding anniversary the night before. Ahhh Adoration! How I bask in the glory!

No, Jess Jess, I don't think we're winning on any techinicalities at all . . .

Think it's time to resort to plan #2 - Kneecapping!

We now have plans afoot to get more organised about Night Owls!

That who ever so shall maketh Lord of The Rings where the walking is surplanted by a whole lot of bike riding shall engender much happiness in the world and great fortune shall rain upon them.

My world is one in great flux. As is my mind.
Things are changing - they always do.

This seems to me a particularly unsettled time.

I'm not sure where I'm heading - where doorways will open next

and which of those I will choose ?

I'm trying not to think about any of it too closely at present.

Running with the fun.

And loving it.

So many inspirational things have happened since I have returned to Atown.

Many difficult things have also happened too

These mould me in the most subtle but keen of ways

Still I think of those people:

And I knew that you were a truth I would rather lose
than to have never have lain beside at all

Back with avengence

2007-01-22T22:11:00.000+09:00

The joy of wireless LAN!

I'm posting from the comfort of the expense of clear floorspace in my room~~!!

I will also finally be able to access all of my Japanese langauge correspondence for the first time in weeks!

Thanks muchly to the efforts of Pooj and James.

Happy Birthday to Midge!!
Much fun was had as I was drugged up the eyeballs yesterday.
Lawn Balls, curry and lovely company.
Photos to follow now that it's my weekend!!

Also much fun had at Martine's Catholic themed party on Saturday night - just a pity I was so flat with the beginnings of my cold/flu - ick! I hate being sick!!

Night!

My jumbled and chaotic week in review

2007-01-12T16:57:00.000+09:00

Thank gog (yes, gog . . . remember those cat books?) it's the weekend!!
My weekend anyway.
I have had two most hellish days.
Sunday I finally got out of work after 6, long past the scheduled 5pm!
Yesterday I finally was on my way at 7:30 - having topped the night off with missing pilates and locking my keys in the boot just as I was ready to leave the nightmare of the day behind me to go help celebrate Geet's b'day with her.

Like Sunday, yesterday people just wouldn't stop coming in with their framing orders in a steady stream from about 2 onwards. Just before that I managed to make a huge sale of stuff that unwittingly included works that the lovely lady from the shop next door's relatives were considering buying. She came in as the sale was finalizing to borrow our ladder and said "oh, you put them away for me?" I was completely shattered from having to deal with so many people by this point that I just didn't know what to do. I had been vaguely aware of the prices on offer for the sale but didn't have a clue what works they were looking at - still felt terrible about it. And I then couldn't bare to go and ask for her to mind the shop while I went to the loo . . . Eventually I begged a couple to let me pop to the toilet before I burst . . .

It was only of those days when everybody wants to look at all the mouldings on the wall and the desk ends up a complete shambles - littered with a multitude of matt board samples and frame mouldings.

The dopey young couple with the giant pink toned photo, presumably of their daughter with a massive pink teddy. We spent about half an hour pulling half the mouldings of the wall

There were the weird rude guys - I thought one of them had spoken to me earlier so I said "Oh, you're back!" and he looked at me like I was nuts so I had to do a quick back up. Then we messed around with ideas and colours but when I gave him a quote he just said "Wellllll PASS then! I've had much cheaper quotes than that" and stared at me accusingly. Ughhhh.

The woman who kept changing her mind about which five massive works she wanted to buy . . . First she wanted an APRO but then didn't want us to take an imprint of her card so she decided to buy. But then her card declined because she'd already spent $300 with us the previous day and it wouldn't cover the $1000 plus of this sale so I had to take a cheque . . . when my boss came in to save me at 5pm after my mercy plea and was doing the money 2 hours later she said that we're not to take cheques anymore - soooo there's me feeling stupid.
Apparently we've had two bounce already.

There was the couple with their icky oil canvas who spent agggggess messing about with frames as I had to leave them to it and deal with a million other customers - when they finally chose and I gave them a quote they were shocked at the price and had to start all over again. In the end I found them a cheap and nasty composite silver and black moulding that they were happy with, only to hit the stumbling block that she wanted it by the 24th. Not only that but she initially expected that it would be ready by tomorrow!!!!! Are people mad ? I rang my boss - No Deal on the 24th but could get it done by the 2nd of Feb. Still the woman sooked around saying "But I wanted it for my birthday!"

The guy with his banal Grecian seascape canvasses who I tried to overcharge by $100 on a mounted print because I was so frazzled and misread the pricetag. He was quite friendly but I was wayyyy passed saving.

Then the lovely couple who were the evening's saving grace. They let me dash off to the toilet! They had the sweetest little girl who was so well-behaved and demonstrated that common baby trait of a love of keys. Their watercolours were really quite nice, but it was slightly irksome that I had to full half of the mouldings off the wall before they agreed that I was right with my first suggestion!
Further to this story is that I gave up at 6:30 and never got around to writing up their invoice and then the guy came back in last night when I was back at Sefton and I still didn't have it done for him - bugger. Didn't get it done either because I had another demanding customer who just wouldn't leave and meant that I didn't get out on time yet again and was late for dinner. By 10:30 neither of us felt like the yumminess Ying Chow overly much. Zannen

My Monday night mayhem was topped off by my muddled mind allowing me to lock the keys in the boot so I was even later for Geet's B'day dinner but it all worked out in the end. And we all lazed about and enjoyed a most beautiful Indian banquet.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GEETY!

So now it's Friday and I've achieved little but get up, buy phone credit, have lunch, tidy up and do a little washing - feels very Sunday. Ugh - working weekends messes with my mind. It also means that it's hard to schedule hanging out with people - sighhhh.
I've had such a busy social calendar too . . . Tuesday (my Saturday) was crazy.
Pilates.
Lunch on Hutt St.
Bumped into Richard, whom I hadn't seen in such a long time - we spent hours in an impromptu chat over coffee. Always such wonderful conversations to be had in his company. Just lovely.
Then I popped over to the market and bought lovely things from Geet and spoke to Leo.
Saw Peach hanging out in WISH - Here comes Dumpling-Off #2 . . .
Bumped into Midge as I was going to visit her and then we had a tea together and a chat.
As I was taking off on my Deadly to go home I had another chance encounter with Tori, who was as Shudo for the last 6 months of my time there.

Wednesday was spent in the most entrancing company of RPG. We went to THEA for lunch and then went off in search of flowers for March. Such a lot of fun.
And how many times do you get to hang out with your lady friends and measure your bust?
I was struggling to stay awake by the time A got home so I rode home, had a Vegie Wrap and crashed at 9:30 - oh so early!
Only to be woken for a very dopey and dazed (on my part) chat at 10:30pm - but can't complain when it resulted in having a plan for not eating alone after working a split shift day and late night shopping hours - always makes me feel so lonely.

I love Death Cab!
I think, MikeyG, that we have impeccable taste - end of debate!
I love the feel of listening to a rollicking thrumming bassline. Noiiiice.

And so I now I ought to go do my boxes-have-arrive-from-Japan-unpacking and getting ready for pilates and then the loveliness of hanging with my peeps that should be SimonGray's partei.

Then Saturday it's Tamara's and Sunday dawns the day of Dumpling-Off #1.

Being so popular is killing me.
Sleep is such a wonderful commodity.

Next weekend proper it'll be Martine's Birthday and Midge's Non-Birthday parties respectively.
And I have so many nice dresses for the airing!

New Year's Eve in a thousand words, or two

2007-01-02T21:02:00.000+09:00

Right on the somewhat confused dot of 12 sparklers were enjoyed with enthusiasm as a substitute for the more raucous fireworks experienced elsewhere. Anna's party was top notch event - all props to her, her lovely house and present housie Owen-the-comics-guy.

Note the lovely Karenski before she started mixing cocktails in her mouth.
And the ever sweet and charming Michelle was unable to enjoy the moment in any state other than sobre due to having to drive her boss' son down the coast the next day - WHAT ?

It was a totally danctastic event - Simon Gray is the sweatiest man on earth!
But he waayyy has the moves especially when it comes to East End Girls and West End Boys.

Michelle was looking amazing in her barely there outfit.
Always such a pleasure to bump into her.
So we decided to celebrate the occasion with some classy dance moves.

There are so many other fan piccies just waiting for your viewing pleasure at Two Degrees - cheecccck it out.

Today was spent in a peaceful fashion. More tidying, washing of sand from hair, shopping for groceries, making of salad for Sair, much chatting with Sair and shopping down the street with Sair.
I got the most awesomest dress - it's orange!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBORRRDY

2007-01-01T23:52:00.000+09:00

It was nice to get back to A-town after the family overload at Xmas.
Busy weekend of work, now less enjoyable because I no longer have the lovely company of Liisa to be an ear when we're bored and I'm practising for my stand-up/radio show routine - just TRY and shut me up!
Had a few random funny moments.
Caught for with S&A for some quality time in the post-Xmas period . . . dinner and chocolate with the RPG posse - what could be finer ?
Escorted them home - and we're all so flash and fast now that Sair has her brand new Chrissie-present bike and A forked out big bucks for an overhaul of his treddly.

Rode to work and had people clamouring to get in early - nutcases!
Deadly slow arvo allowed me to rush off and get supplies for the NYE festivities, the thought of which were getting me through the day.
Cycle home, couple of hours to relax and get on the clobber and it was off again to Clarence Park for a terribly civilised BBQ with fantastic mango punch. School crowd that I never associated with consisted the majority of party-goers so it was an odd affair which I left for the more boisterous event going down at Anna's in Hughes St.
Adelaide turned it on and reminded me just what a small town it is.
Yet again I have been AdelaideD well and good.

MikeyG and I finished the night with some heady G&Ts and heavy consideration of double suicide prompted by third time repeats of some already initially dodgey music choices.
Then it was a inebriated wobble to crash out at 4am to awake again at 6am seized with an urge to tidy.
Hopefully photos will follow, curtesy of Wiz.

Spent the afternoon hours at Semaphore lazing on the beach and pondering the smallness of this town, wishing for mayonnaise.
Went for another catch up with Al - a lovely dinner at her parent's while she's on a whirlwind visit back from Perth. Think I will have to make this the year of random short holidays about the nation to discover and reacquaint myself with it's wonders.

Time to catch up on some Zzzzzs.

Hello to the ether from Robe

2006-12-28T08:57:00.000+09:00

Xmas has been mad.
Last year so many things conspired against me and all I could think was how desperately I wanted to be with my family for Xmas because I just couldn't bear what I was going through all alone at that special time of year.
Well, I did and now that I'm back to tell the tale I've been doing a lot of thinking about how it was that I thought being here could possibly help.
My psycho aunt and I have done bitter battle simply because she keeps biting my head off and I've come to the conclusion I don't have to put up with that but she thinks this is somehow disrespectful ? Her responses were so aggressive when I tried to make peace and she was accusing me of needing to grow up.
She just kept pulling out personal attacks because she was so self-righteously angry.
Urghh- family.
Thank god for the sanity of the chaotic Martin farm - sweet relief from the middle-class angst of the Harris'.
SareB rules my world.
As do Sair with frequent sms and Wiz with his sanity saving calls.

Looking forward to New Year's Eve back in Adelaide.
Get to come back to an empty house, quiet work and my wonderful new ride.
Yippppeeeee

Hope everyone has been enjoying themselves.

Seasonal Fear . . Cheer ?

2006-12-21T00:18:00.000+09:00

Lack of posts . . .
Still don't have my computer online again.
Have been riding a fair bit this week. Rode to work today despite the heat - I was a beetroot for a good half an hour after my arrival - certainly earned me a few looks. It only takes 30 minutes which is the same as in the car! I just get a massive cardio work out and go really red. FANTAST*C!

Apologies to those to whom I may have spoken to on Friday night after the Blank Tapes movie showing - I have very little idea of what happened. I was having some weird episode where I felt like I was in a dream - I was speaking and responding to what people were saying but don't recall what was said . . only that at the time I was paranoid something weird was about to escape my lips because I had no control - no conneciton between brain and communicative functions. Scary. But I do recall being very happy to see Cuchulain again - such a charming young man!
It was variously explained away for me as a panic attack and low sugar.
Whatever it was was not something I wish to repeat.

I'm back from a little Xmas cheer with my peeps, S&A. I'll miss them terribly in the short time I won't get rides and chats, chai. But I'll proudly wear their wonderful present~! Unfortunately my unpreparedness for the season even extended to them - A got a Xmas Heineken.
Experienced the nuttiness that is SingStar for the first time - the wonders that can be achieved by following lines on a screen despite a complete lack of knowledge of the song you're singing!

Went to Peach's family carols on Tuesday night - saw their lovely house. They live just around the corner yet they work so hard we never get to see each other.
They're getting married on the 17th - the day before S&A! It's going to be one big weekend!

Tuesday was a toughish one. I took a trip to Goolwa which proved revealing.
In terms of my own past and origins.
It's kind of unnerving to have preconceptions of selfhood pulled out from under you.
Then being told not to let it get to you because life is just like that, and well, it's done and happened . . . present day reality is no different. "You just deserve to know"
I feel a little rattled with what I have learned of my own beginnings . . . long suspected, but only in a half-hearted way.
Isn't it strange when suddenly the twistedness of reality appears in your own life - Kind of like my own version of Secrets and Lies.
And now I'm not sure if I should take the on the responsibility of telling anyone else.
Do they need to know ? Did I really ?
Should I tell them now or later ?
Should I let someone else ? Would they feel betrayed if I don't tell them ?
Will they care ?
Will the other people involved feel betrayed because I've revealed something that they themselves refused to disclose to me ? Do they think it's something better left unsaid; unexposed ?

Geet and I have been having my crazy escapades . . . bunny hopping, beach-going and an attempted 'dumpling-off' with Kevin for his birthday. Hopefully it will occur for Geet's.

What else have I done ?
Had a lovely laksa lunch and then had to ride to the physio through the mud and rain - My white dress wasn't thanking me after that - yellow down the front and black down the back.
Also got back my repaired birkis.

Had to return my bike light after it ceased to function porperly the first night I used it and then broke further on Sunday when Wiz and I were galavanting about the Torrens and Elder Park - ahhhh the lure of fireworks for nerdy people. Alison and I have the exact same bike light too - but oh so soon she and her 5 LED amazingness will be departing for Oz tour extravaganza.

Hope to be seeing the wonderful Shelley, lately of NZ fame, tomorrow and then have a crazy-full day of early morning breakfast with Alice, removed to Perth and back here for an Xmas flying trip, work and then the drive to the Mt for family celebrations.

How has this weekend crept up so ?
TOTALLY disorganised!
I have done some super cool framing of photos and the like . . . I love my job. But suspect that perhaps my workplace target potential employees who are likely to spend their pay packets before they leave the store. I have no idea where my latest purchase is likely to fit - in my new and as yet unbought and undiscovered house ?!!

SO I shall take this opportunity to wish all my faithful readers a happy and safe festive season.
May there be many more in the future~!

Merry Christmesssss~

PS Who's up for NYE madness ? So far I only have about 4 engagements . . . What's everyone else doing ?

Time for some music, packing and hitting of the hay - pilates in the morning!

Pa-tei~!

2006-12-14T11:28:00.000+09:00

I think I'm in love . . .
. . . . bikesexual~!

Sair and I went for a 'cherry-popper' last night and damn, I'm enamoured of my life right about now.
Weather
Friends
Wheels
Inspiration and motivation
Work

Wonderful!

We had a super nice time at Karenski's party on the weekend.
Met lots of lovely new people and caught up with lots of peeps ~ Will back from China & his friend who was possibly called Simon, Chris & Naoko, Martine, Mykradz, Jess , James, Bel . . . of course, the amazing MikeeG and Karenski, Wiz, Stubby, S & A.

Then I think we all struggled a little to get going for the 2pm start of Stubby's show.
Then I had the best fight I've probably ever had in my life. It set a really important relationship back on it's feet by finally clearing the peasouper about us. Topped by a lovely dinner together.
Ace to you~!

Me at Karenski's pa-tei hardness . . .

Wiz, MikeeG and Karenski and I were all going for the trifecta with a dinner date on Monday, but K had to pike due to illness.
Wiz complained about the nerdiness of his companions but I would maintain that when two nerds cross their standard nerdy boundaries to find common nerdy ground that it's almost not nerdy.
We all then variously rode and walked back to MikeeG's for Wii!!!
I love the fishing game!

Work yesterday was also lots of fun with me messing around with framing my own photos in the morning and then I ended up staying late to help process the two massive orders of preframe stock that arrived together.

Then went via town for bikely madness - Thanks to Geet and Chris.

Winds of . . .

2006-12-13T16:47:00.000+09:00

There have been shifts and changes in this past near two weeks.
Hard to define yet things seem a bit different.

There is so much that has happened but it's hard to point the turning points.
Hanging out lots with Geet, Sair, SareB and Beenz has been wonderful.

Talking to Peta for the first time despite having known her for some time, and having numerous serendipitous encounters with the lovely Tamzin. Hanging with old and new friends at the French Festival.

Meeting lots of random new people and having lots of new crazy A-town experiences to get the chronology moving along and taking me away from the landscape of the past.
Starting work at the framers has been great.
Liisa will be leaving to go and work at the Norwood store which is sad, but I might be going there too. I find the work quite enjoyable and inspiring . . . I finally have all these flowering ideas for art and craft again for the first time in so long.
I was also telling the genial MikeeG that I wish to study to be a milliner . . . I plan to look into courses for next year . . . So many exciting possibilities!!!

Yesterday Geet and I such day together. It was almost perfection - culminating in a fantastic purchase which I brought home today . . . Pictures will surely follow when I manage to connect up my laptop to the internet again.

Must away to more funness but just wanted to put some of the good vibes out in to the ether.

ALSO!! I meant to call but forgot on Monday night . . .
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PHILI!!!!

Work, knocks offs/ups and art

2006-12-02T19:36:00.000+09:00

No photos lately . . .

But today at work as the predicted flood of people picking up and making orders failed to appear I was getting a little inspired . . . I was looking through our print catalogues and pondering conceptualism and the consummerist/commerical nature of the 'art' we have.
Having seen a little of various of exhibitions on Wednesday night I've been thinking about this a bit. And wondering why I shouldn't do a bit of what lots of others are doing and cash in on the desire for 'art' that matches the walls and preexisting furnishings. It could be the start of a sell-out money-making scheme to finance a life of luxury.
Possibly.

What else . . .
Today I asked "When're you 'til?" . . . bemusedly realising the customer was addressing me, thinking he was referring to my having just filled in my time sheet, I replied "Oh, I'm here til 5".
"I thought I saw little bump there" he said still evidently not embarrassed by his mistake.
So taking a sidelong glance at Liisa, completely flabbergasted and as not to make him realise what he'd said, I piped back that that was also due at 5 too and just waited for him to get out of the shop before we laughed ourselves redfaced silly.
Liisa was worried that I'd be really offended and be rude, but I was more freaked out at the suggestion - what if he was some kind of savant without any social decorum.
Hmmm . . . not that likely. Probably just another northy nutter.
I figured it was my Moo-moo style dress that did it and I'd also like to blame it on his crazy eyes - It's not as though I normally look pregnant . . . weird.
I'll miss working with Liisa when I finish my training. She's such a champ.

Friday night after shutting the shop by myself with numerous incidences.
Had the Xmas party . . . that was also eventful as I didn't know what my coworkers even look like (Liisa being off at the Kylie concert) so I was lostly wandering about the Ed looking for people I didn't even know. Was a lovely evening despite this. Coworkers all chatty, especially enjoyed talking to the other youngy Bec, a jeweller.

Now it's already time to go out with Geet for an evening of party hopping.

Earthly disappearance

2006-11-30T14:12:00.000+09:00

This post is for Sarah. Because she sent a concerned email to inquire as to where I had gone.
She got the uncensored version of my nutty week since my last depressing post.
I think I may be going more insane since my return to this town.
Makes you consider if it's all worth it.

On Thursday last week I got a job.
It's a nice job: I don't have to worry about people being anal about bread products, the pay is decent and it's vaguely arty.
You'd think this would have prompted an enthusiastic post but no.
All the unhappy things just seem to cramming themselves in and pressing down.
I wonder if I shouldn't quit writing this blog.
I really find that I've started to use it almost like therapy rather than providing the ether and my avid readers with interesting facts about my life in a foreign country.
But this is kind of about that experience . . . People talk about being warned about the 'coming home' thing. I was never warned.
And damn it's been hugely hard. It still is.
I'm scared that if I go away again it will all happen again upon my return.
Or maybe this time I just won't come back at all.

~Intermission~

Beenz cut my hair just before.
Now I'm off to pilates and then perhaps to bike riding madness.

On the positive side I had a lovely night last night viewing various art exhibitions in the west end and ended up at East Taste with we-used-to-be-dressed-up-as-clowns-together-at-one-year-old-Tamzin, her gentleman Peter, Ann, a prawn-devouring guy who's name I've already forgotten because of the white wine fog, and the most lovely Andrew and Peta. It was so nice to hang out with them all, get reacquainted with Tamzin (we might do bake stuff together) and chat extensively to Peta for the first time even though we've various connections for a number of years.
It was super lovely.

Off I dash.

2006-11-22T02:04:00.000+09:00

Today has been one of the lowest points of my return.

I wish I wasn't still up because at least when I'm asleep (as S tells us through song) there's less time to think.
The day was improved by Geet turning up in the evening for a D&M but took a slight slide into the mudlin when we took a jaunt out to Pembroke. Ughh. Freakin' wannabe-hippie monie kids shit me. Now I find myself irritable all over again about things that I ought not to distress myself about. All the problems, hurts fell away listening to someone else talk about their issues and offer up the good and the bad for contemplation . . . now they come flooding back with renewed force.

Why does everyone I know have to work fulltime or be too busy with study ?
I can't even find anyone to go to a movie with me.
It's just depressing . . . Wish I could see a path through the mire but these days it feels like trudging through an endless mindfield of frustration bombs.
It's not quite boredom . . . it's a sapping inefficiency.
When will it end ?
I'm considering accepting/begging for respective old jobs just to reach an end of sorts.

AUTHOR'S DISCLAIMER**Note to all those wonderful people who get me through the days - which is pretty much all of you who do (and don't) read this blog - this is not intended to offend or depreciate the important and appreciated role that you play in my life. I simply feel lonely, confused and shitty right now at 2am on yet another fruitless Wednesday morning and feel like a little wallowing in self-pity is about the comfort it will afford.
So wallow I shall.

Goodbye.

News in brief, or not so

2006-11-20T11:09:00.000+09:00

One of my boxes from Japan has arrived.
Just the one.
I hope the others do, but I think that this one has come all on its lonesome because it's the one that I used the last of the rabbit tape on. The others got strawberry tape and apparently were sent back to my home after I'd left because Japan's interpretation of Australia's tought quarantine laws is that if anything happens to have pictures of fruit and veg on it then it will come back. But this was cutesy strawberry tape that no one in their right mind would use for commercial packaging of product! Apparently one of the boxes also had "mushrooms" written on it in kanji too which caused a fuss . . . yeah, rightttt, customs officers are all well versed in their asian scripts.
Sooooo . . . it'll be exciting to see what's inside but then again I still haven't quite finished the room revamp so I haven't quite made all the space I need for the incoming stuff.
Funnily enough though I have too many clothes Beenz aka my stylist tells me I don't have enough - at least of things that I like.

The weekend was a whirrrl.
Friday afternoon following painting and washing activities I had a fantastic time with SareB but didn't buy material - then piked on Sair only to spend Saturday with her after early morning pilates with Beenz. I picked up a beautiful new bedspread at IKEA and a fantastic bargain pair of shoes.

Then I raced home changed, wrapped a present and a found a card for Angelique and Ryan's engagement party, dashed up to Amie and Simon's house to meet Ry, had a stiff drink, wrote in both sets of cards, promptly forgot the card for Ry and myself and arrived fashionably late at the lovely Old Jam Factory where the party was being held. It was quite nice apart from the odd moment of running the old school buddies gauntlet of Ryan's friends. Ahhh the weirdness of being made to mingle socially with people you never went out of your way to get to know for five years over 8 years ago.
But it's nice to know that I'm still good with names and faces.
Also had a good chat with my previous employer who may now use me if she needs any extra hands . . . also an ex-coworker who went on about how nice it had been last time we were at a party together and she and her husband had had a lovely time nattering away with my now-ex. Fun topics of conversation.
Also caught up with Michelle and Matt who are now expecting their second child.

Then the night's activities get stranger . . . Having only partaken of the reasonably lightly champagne laced punch I decided I was fine to drive into town to make a lateish entrance at MikeyG's Speakeasy party which I'd received a late invit to about 4 hours prior. Picked up the fabulously dressed Wizard and Jess-who-is-soon-to-go-to-Kenya, got a brilliant park, walked past the the seething vortex of human atrocity which is Mansions, around the corner to MikeyG's beautiful new place. The man has the most extrodrinary gift for finding exceptional rentals.
There was many a fancy cocktail flying about and I spent most of the evening bonding with Chris and Naoko . . . wayyy wonderfull kids. It was soooo nice to be able to chat about and in Japanese especially when there were matters that need discussing diploamtically. Yayyyy! For near-bilingualism!
I met Alison for about the 4th time but hopefully this time she will remember me because we had numerous photos taken together, and you have to recall someone if you have your photo taken with them, right?!!
Also had yet another lovely chat with ever-fashionably attired Bel.
I didn't bother taking photos because soooo many others were (see Two Degrees) except when I just could resist getting one of these two looking the quintessence of Speakeasy . . . . Randomly turned out nicely because Jess-who-is-soon-to-go-to-Kenya took a photo that perfectly coincided with mine and provide a surprise flash and some extra ambient lighting. Much nicer than using the flash myself! Perrrrfect.

There were some very beautifully dressed people there . . .

Karenski looked exceptional as only Karenski can in a wig.

Big props for the lending of lovely looonnng gloves which made me look a little less conspicuous.

3am rolled around which it's requisite enthusiastic dancing by Martine and Karenski.

4am came on with calls from Beenz and a drive by sighting.

5am staggered on with the dawn, nausea and a desperate need for the pizza we were waiting for.

6am brightened the room as I devoured cheeseless vego pizza in place of the dinner I never really got the previous night . . . and passed out.

Was is 8:10 or 9:20 I decided I ought to go home because I didn't like to miss my Sunday morning routine ?
I passed out on the couch again.
10:30 I think I had the same thought again . . . I passed out on the couch again.
At 11:40 I insisted my esteemed colleague get up and pay attention to me so we looked at photos while I got impatient about being inside and then decided I was famished again.
So we went and had dumplings at BBQ City which always reminds me of Pippa.
We had a great long chat about all sorts of interesting stuff.
Then we removed for coffee and a continuation of aforementioned chatting.
When it was hitting 5pm I felt the irrepressible need to for a shower so I went home to hear about Beenz's night running about after Paul The Drunkard. The she went out for more of the same.
I put on some sheets to wash and ended up going out for a completely unneeded Indian meal with Pooj and his lady and my Dad. I got there and started seeing lights and being unable to read the menu which is always the warning signs that I am getting a migraine. I started to panic, got told off for having changed into clothes that were clearly too warm for the evening and dashed outside for a breath of fresh air, careering about the footpath.
I went back to the restuarant and the waiter tried to accost me but I barged past him to the toilet, stripped off the offending woollen jumper, splashed myself with water and was able to chug back enough icy water to keep the disco in my head at bay.
I'm in love with their Eggplant pickle/chutney - it's just scrumptious.
There was much lively conversation and then despite the imploding skull I was the homebound driver for the youthful drinkers.

Then the sweet oblivion of sleep.
My head still hurts this morning and my cold has reawoken. Perhaps it didn't agree with the blur that the weekend became.

I still have to try and get a ticket for the French festival this coming weekend because the guy who did the Amelie soundtrack is going to be playing or somesuch . . . Anyone interested ??

Time to check out that box!

AdelaideD

2006-11-17T23:03:00.000+09:00

Today I was AdelaideD.
This is the new word that I how come up with to describe the phenomenon that we all regularly experience when A-town bound.
It is perfectly exemplified by those times when you discover that the lady-friend of your friend that you haven't seen much of in the last couple of years and randomly see at a party, whom you heard all about during a drunken coversation that included too much talk of breasts as you were both dressed the most outlandish manner, turns out to be be someone you went to school with and used to bump into all the time and serve at work before you finally fled this small pond.
AdelaideD.
Maybe it's because I've been away that I am struck by the number of times a day in which I am AdelaideD but really~! It's all just getting a little too much.

Coincidentally the friend of this story went to great lengths to show me a photo of myself as taken by Mr Squiggle aka Dylan of The Church only for me to find that the wonderful RPG has commented up a link to it for me!! Warm fuzzies!
But that really is a nuts photo!

It was soo totally fabulous to get an email from Shelley who's globetrotting currently have her away from her adopted home in NZ and over in Hawaii~! Amazing!

I also spent almost an hour on the phone to Mel in England tonight after I got home from visiting Geets in the Market and feeling irate at all the stupid car people doing their stupid car thing and getting in my bicycle-riding way! It was soooo good to talk again and took me back about 10 years.

Now should be in bed having piked on RPG and not gone to Rocket (still haven't been right up inside there yet) because my stomach played up all of a sudden and after I'd dealt with that I figured by the time I got there I'd be wanting to turn around and come home again. Fatigue has suddenly set in.

Also big props to SareB who is just completely ace! We spent ages just wandering in town and talking and she has the best advice for crafty ideas so oh so very soon (hopefully!) my daybed project will be very much on the way to beautiful completion!

Feeling sick is sucky

2006-11-17T12:50:00.000+09:00

So yes, that band that I was enthusing about the other day . . .

The Blowwaves! They were so much fun!
And musically accomplished too.
The vocals were so impressively tight I was quite blown away.

My eyes were causing me such grief that I decided to just sit back and enjoy rather than fiddle about too much in bad light trying to take decent photos so I can only offer one of Running With Horses because they were on first, before I became complacent. S&A did some really nice work - They did some songs off their demo CD which went down well and I reallyed enjoyed a new one, their last song but I've forgotten what it is called.

But back to The Blowwaves. Just really really good. I find that I often take time to warm up to new bands and songs but these guys had me hooked straight off. Their lyrics were pretty funny in the entertaining sense - as were the stage moves of the lead singer. And I was just so impressed by how competent they were musically. Being reasonably ignorant bandwise but fairly well educated when it comes to knowing a bit about voices . . . they were a joy to hear. The songs were good and the general sound was loud and enthusiatic which is great, but they are a band that do great things vocally. The balance and blend was beautiful.
Well, that's enough waxing lyrical - thought they were fab and just wish they were playing in Adelaide more often.
I can't wait to get my hands on a CD.

Regarding things to make myself feel better . . .
I did very few of the things on my list - sighhhhh

I rang the shoe store - looks like I was badly informed and it's super super unlikely I get another pair of my shoes. The woman on the phone was a bit snooty and abrupt - poo to her too! So I've emailed a place in Melbourne but that's not turned up anything different.
A family friend turned up so I chatted away to him whilst dealing with the soothing activity of folding clothes and hanging out washing.
I rode to pilates having taken panadol to suppress my coldiness.
Then went out for dinner at a Thai restaurant. Didn't have to wait quite as long as when Sair and I went out last Thursday night for dinner - but it was almost on a par. That was some 15 minutes! But in that instance we still arrived with plenty of time for seeing/hearing the wonderfulness that is the voice of Travis in The Unspoken Things. Really just about one of the best voices I've heard in a band in Adelaide. Most boys are too in love with their Shout Voice to know the meaning of singing.

Today I expect not to hear from the people who interviewed me on Wednesday because I hold out no hope of getting the job. Sighhhhhh

I ought to get out into the sunshine now and finish the last coat on the daybed and print-type drawer.

Then I get to go hang out with SareB in town.

Anyone for Lawn Bowls ?

References for my JET application are all coming together . . Now I just have to write about how truly fabulous I am and convince them of the fact.

Ughh!

2006-11-16T16:10:00.000+09:00

I miss my Japanese friends.

It was really quite chill this morning, for the weather of late.I have a cold and so despite the weather having cheered up since this morning I haven't much energy for going out and enjoying it.I was up late feeling yuck and the woke at quarter to 5 feeling yuck. YUCK! Sleep a bit more after 7 but then got up to run Midge about as she is going to Perth for a week.Then I cashed in some of my good parking karma and got a perfect-for-some-unfathomable-reason-non-ticket 2 hr park and went to the Market. Put some Birkis in for repair and asked about buying a replacement pair for my most favouritest shoes in the world. Unfortunately I listened to a friend a while back and didn't purchase a second pair before heading OS and NOW!! Oh dear . . . they are discontinued!! Some searching over hill and down dale, and soul selling may be required.

Haven't been in touch with Ryoko (pictured) since she wrote to say that her grandpa had died - no reply to my email, which I completely understand. Emails are just boring - I want to be able to see my friends face to face. But I suppose thems the breaks. I have A-town folks for face-to-facing with!

I made a second batch of chutney today with some apples that I got in the Market.Realised that I place I applied to work at is pretty much a glorified butcher - thank goodness I haven't heard back from them!!
Had an interview yesterday for a job that would be great if it had been around a couple of years ago or alternatively was around in a few years time. I'd love the job but just don't think it fits with where I "am" (where is that ?!!!) at present. I have no hopes for actually being offered the position though the employer seemed to like me . . . there was a lot of really strong competition and my interview got cut short because of time constraints at the end of the session.
Fatalism - I find it a great attitude.
I forgot about the job and went and met Sareb for a wander in the city.

Had bit of an air-clearing with Pooj last night as we made pizza for dinner. This seemed to have a good affect on us as we suddenly started talking to each other and being friendly again after weeks of niggling.

Things I should do that would make myself feel better . . .
- ring the birki shop about the shoe order.
- return library books and borrow more based on Pippa's recommendations.
- go for a wander about the leafy suburbs in which I live
- finish and post letter to P*
- go get my glasses realigned - wish I could just wear my contacts but my eyes have been giving me hell and I hate going blind like I did last weekend.
- hang out the washing after taking the last lot off the racks.
- do the third coat of paint on the daybed.

. . . and that's just the really easy to do things . . .

Damn I find life mind-bogglingly full of menial tasks that I like to avoid because they rarely provide you with any great sense of fulfillment.
Then tonight I have pilates which I live for these days.
A dinner date and if I don't feel awful again due to my cold I even have after dinner plans!

uggh! maybe I should just crawl back into bed.

A day seized and trumped, if only in feeling

2006-11-14T20:57:00.000+09:00

Today I feel like I have kind of accomplished something. That is not to say that I have done much. In fact I have probably done less than other days in the past month but somehow I feel like I have done something. As I believe I have said before I have been suffering from frustration because I feel like I never get anything done in my days. Yesterday when I saw my counsellor he suggested that I should plan my days . . . schedule in time for fitness stuff . . . job application stuff . . . crafty stuff. So today though I got up lateish because I was exhausted by Sunday night's sleepless night - it's been a while since I saw in the dawn . . especially without the excuse of partying on down at one of Karenski's fantabulous shindigs. But then I walked to pilates, saw Geet (she got hit by a car on Friday!! Right near where I got hit years ago - Look out for that South Tce/Unley-Pulteney intersection Bicyclops!), did pilates and then went home via Woolies. Got some brilliant bargains and went home to work on a chutney recipe. Some of you may know that I have also been suffering from a complex regarding food and cooking. I don't do that much of it anymore. But I decided that killing off a part of you . . . stopping a hobby that you enjoyed just because someone else doesn't appreciate it isn't a healthy approach. Get some perspective and move on. SOooooo . . . after Denni's encouragement on the weekend I decided to try my hand at making up a chutney - having become an avid connoisseur of the stuff. It turned out to be a rather soothing occupation. It did take hours . . but I was doing lots of other things while it boiled so it doesn't really feel like a long time. All the chopping . . . somehow it all produces a quantifiable outcome that makes you feel productive.
Then I made pumpkin soup for dinner but no-one was here so I watched Geldof being wanky. It was annoying because I thought at least I might learn something but all I got was some Englishman prattling on with far too many "arty" shots that would have been better had they not included the aforementioned Briton.

I have msned with Ryan and Mel today which was lovely . . also had brief chats with my J-land buds . . . Lane, Karl, Evan . . . Keinan (aka Chijimi)

Yesterday I spent much of the day in town by myself - at Uni doing random things and then I went for a break to the Botanic gardens and finished my latest book that I've been reading. I enjoyed it but there were far too many editorial mistakes and misprints for my liking. Where're the standards these days, I ask you ? It was so nice to laze about in the dappled sun that I stayed there for a while longer writing a letter to Pippa that strangely mirrors and reflect upon a lot of the stuff that she talked about in her posts of the past few days. Weird.

Then last night I had the strangest dream . . . I can see where bits of it are drawn from life but it was still disconcerting . . .
I was at a party or something. Then friends who have asked me to be a bridesmaid for their wedding suddenly just got married at this party - but they're not even bothering to have an engagement party anymore so I thought it couldn't have been that they'd decided to do the same as other acquaintances and just turn up and get married at their engagement gathering . . . . but that's how it abruptly happened. Then we were somehow at some banquet that consisted almost entirely of all weird and various Chinese style mushroom dishes. Somehow I talked through the dinner and most people had left when I started looking at all the mushrooms and filling a plate. And I hit someone - I put my plate down, and then someone behind asked me insistently to move, I picked up my plate which was suddenly empty and as I was looking for where my food had all gone this person patted my arse to get me to move so I turned around and hit them. But I think these things didn't happen together so immediately . . . then this girl, Sarah, that I hit and her boyfriend looked aghast and asked how I knew the bridal couple as I profusely apologised about hitting her and introduced myself. It was sooo weird. I felt awful about hitting her and couldn't quite work out why I'd done it. I haven't hit anyone properly since I used to fight with my brother as a kid and the violence of it really freaked me out even in a dream.
All I can say is that, Sair, if you know anyone called Sarah and you invite them to your wedding, you'd better let me know in advance!

Last Wednesday my uncle was given a dinner as a celebration of his being made a life memeber of SAFF (SA Farmers Federation).
It was a nice night - I got to sit and talk with my sister and SareB. Many talks were given . . . most of them noting how my uncle would single-handedly keep Telstra in business so it was worth buying T3 shares or something to that effect. Must be in the genes.

Mum told a story of my Poppa . . .
He was out somewhere and a bloke came up and said . . . "Now . . Len. I think my wife knows your wife". To which my Poppa replied "If I went to the North Pole the bloody penguins would know my wife".
My Dad lost it completely, along with the family sitting in a long line down one of the tables.
That was my Nan for you.

Saturday was pudding making day.

In our extended family it has always been mine that provides the Xmas puds for both the Harris and Martin aspects of our SouthEast Xmas extravaganza.

Lane doesn't even know what one is . . .
I don't like to eat them - think they're yucky once cooked even if the ingredients taste good for being boiled to buggery.
And someone asked why we were making them so early . . .

Where's the tradition people ???
It makes me think of Dan's pig experience.
It is a bonding thing . . . a thing of traditions; a handing down of cultural institutions. Most pudding makers have their own family recipes - their family's tradition that is intimately bound with their memories. It's not just about the proof of the pudding (the eating). It's about coming together to spend hours in each other's company; to chop, stir, gossip, ponder, to philosophize, to counsel and be counselled.
My experience in Japan has further served to highlight to me how the culture of food is a really interesting thing. Japanese culture is just that in many ways - it's so dominant that even Italian pasta dishes have nori in them. Australian food and food culture reflects our migrant country makeup. And our eating habits as a nation are so different . . . just look at an old Green and Gold cookbook.

On Sunday I went to a great show (sneak previewed on Saturday night as well) but I meant to wind this up much earlier but got chatting to Mel.
Stay tuned if you want to hear what band I thought were completely fabulous!!

ただのNotifications minus angst

2006-11-10T10:12:00.000+09:00

Meant to get up and on the go early this morning but again was exhausted and couldn't get out of bed.
Now it's late morning and I'm about to head to the beach . . . so much for productivity.
Finished yet another book this morning though.

Yesterday I sent off another job application . . . I sanded and did the first coat on the daybed, my latest project.
Got an engagement present for Ange and Ryan - so, other Ry, if you read this, we can go halves in that and then we're both sorted. The present was spotted randomly whilst shopping for Xmas pudding stuff so that was nice and easy.
Xmas pudding making extraganza is happening tomorrow morning after our early pilates start.

Sorry to Sareb about the photos . . . will send the when I get back home this arvo.

Looking for to going out tonight for some Friday loveliness in the Mall with RPG. Looking for fabrics . . . dinner . . . coffee . . . bands . . . limitless loveliness!!

Must dash!

Musings, sewings and super heroes

2006-11-08T10:35:00.000+09:00

Yet again I should be writing another job application, but quite frankly it's all wearing a little thin and I've not the motivation for it. I'm sick of spending copious amounts of time and effort for very little gain. Sure, it's good experience; I've improved my ability to churn these things out and got my resume up to date, had a few interviews - one of which was my first experience going for a reasonably professional job. But I'm over - can't someone just hire me into any old brain-less job already ?!! Just need some coinage and little occupation to get me going.

But there a projects aplenty . . . if only someone would pay me for doing something I really enjoy.
I'm currently applying for what would be a fantastic job - was selected for an interview from a list of 122 . . so that's a good start. The process is sure to be competetive but then I'm not even clear on whether I want it. If I didn't have all the crazy qualifications and dreams and schemes then it would be the perfect job for staying in Adelaide. It'd be interesting and keep you on your toes; it's in a line of work that I think I'd love . . . the arts, people, food, organising things . . . what's not to love ? But I'm just not sure that if I even managed to get the job that I'd want it - it's unlikely it's fit all that well with my proposed study plan for next year . . . and then, if I'm successful in my other big application for stuff then I won't even plan on being in Australia by mid next year. As I was saying to AW, great as the job may seem I'm not sure if it actually suits my current trajectory. And by trajectory I more mean something like "I've been catapulted into orbit by numerous forces and am not sure when or if or which boosters are going to kick in . . and there's an asteroid belt coming up".
What a to do . . .

I'm loving pilates at the present. So glad to have finally come back to it! Have been going 3 times a week and it's really helping my back. The frequency is meaning that my general aware and technique is greatly improved and I'm feeling much better for it.
*POSITIVE THOUGHT NUMBER ONE*

More positive thoughts . . .

Slowing weeding through the detritus of my life - Sculpting my space and days into more of a semblance of something I'd prefer to live.

Soon I will have a new bike!! yayyyy

The weather may be what other describe as "unmysterious" but it's affect on my mental health is alllll gooooood.

Though this job stuff is frustrating I'm pretty fatalistic about it because I just don't care that much - something'll happen eventually and then whatever that is will work out fine. This is usually the frame of mind that I'm in when good things happen. Here's crossing my fingers then . . .

Ahhh . . MSN can be so good for somethings . . . I'm catching up with my "sister" Maki who has been living in New York this year. It's the first time we've been able to do so and it rocks!

How is it that days drift away like they do ???
Soon it will be December already!

As promised or threatened . . I now present the photos that I took of the costume making events leading up to and including the recent Halloween party that I attended . . .

This is Sair being wayyyyy handy with her sewing machine . . .

My costume would have been heaps 微妙　(びみょう - bimyou - "lame, average") if it hadn't been for her!!

Thanks RPG!

The super hero crew

We have the power of the universe at our fingertips!

Sair and I in full swing a the partei with labour of love costumes finally complete and out doing the rounds.

Sair looked absolutely gorgeous with long blonde hair but perhaps it'd be too much of an ask to get her to grow her real tresses to that length by March next year . . .

We were shocked and appalled by the lack of awareness for the greatness of Sheera and Sailor Moon, amongst the other party goers. We came to the conclusion it must be a generational thing.
A. preferred simply to put it down to the ignorance and unculturedness of the masses.

A weekend of projects and socializationing

2006-11-06T10:00:00.000+09:00

My cousin Jess ended up staying with us on the weekend after she called me up on Thursday to see if I was in the country. We haven't seen each other for a few years and it was good to catch up. Beenz and Jess had a craving for sushi . . . as Jess said she finds the cuisine of Horsham a little limited . . . "I feel like I'm back in civilisation and eating proper food again". . . "No steak and chips"
What would people of only 50s year ago thought of this comment . . . The food cultures of this country have changed so drastically . . it's incredible.
The dishes were beautifully presented and I can't imagine why anyone would go to anywhere that wasn't Sushi Train.
Though Genki is probably best.

It was interesting to hear her perspective on family stuff and see that no matter the paths we all tread to get where we are today . . . no matter the past we can communicate these days. Family . . .

Apparently they'll be around for Xmas in the Mt this year so that'll swell it to 4 of the 6 of the "kids" . . should be interesting to see how it all turns out. I wonder who it was that ever thought that getting large numbers of obsessive and neurotic family members together in a small confined space with the task of getting along and producing a large-scale meal would be a good way to create a festive and enjoyable atmosphere and event.
Well, Nan is more spaced out these days so it just washes over her and she's ceased to get upset.
If we can keep some of the mothers and daughters, brothers and sisters in separate corners then we might get through.
Perhaps we'll just head off to the far less complex Martin homestead. We stopped doing that a long time ago when Mum and I started to take on a pivotal role in actually producing the Xmas lunch . . . last year it didn't happen and while I spent the day as a spent it far far away in J-land the fam pigged out on a gourmet meal as prepared by my uncle and cousins.

Then in March the entire extended Harris clan will be coming together for Nan's 90th.
It's going to be a season of family stuff . . weird.

Spent most of the afternoon on Saturday at the Central markets . . . Chai, organic strawberries and sitting in the sun.

I've been loving renewing ties back in A-town. Well, not so much renewing in a way but networking in a new ways but in the same places.
Geet and I have been spending significant numbers of hours at various produce market venues and it's such great fun. I want to work at the markets!! I love the networking aspect and talking to people about the products that they produce and are so passionate about.

On Friday night at a dinner a slightly barbed query as to whether I was stilllll studying had me thinking. There's no way I would give up what I've done. No one can make me feel bad about my choice to leave and go away. The last 18 months of my life I have spent in a way that was so valuable. I am so happy when I consider what I have done and no amount of snideness will ever make me think it wasn't a brilliant way to spend my life.
Can everyone say the same ?? I hope so.
One of the worst feelings I get is associated with the thought that I am squandering the light and time of my life.
Still no job . . . but I've suddenly gained motivation for a various projects and so that feeling has featured less this weekend. I did a whole lot of cleaning and tidying . . . painting and organising.

This morning I've been reading up on JET and all of the stuff I need to get together for my application, due December 1st. Need to get a move long and organise my referees . . . Have it in mind to ask Parker from Shudo for one . . . but who to get to do the second ??
Then there's a rather odd personal medical analysis form.
I'm all confuddled about electing preferences for where I might like to work should I actually be successful in my application . . . Do I want to go back to Hiroshima ? Or do I want to be in that area but a different town ? Or do I want to go somewhere completely different ? Okinawa ?
There are seemingly lots of posts to be had in Shimane generally so maybe my chances would be better if I applied for there . . it's a beautiful prefecture and not far from Hiroshima . . . I'd be close to my Japanese family and friends but also somewhere different . . . but still in the country which I think is probably more likely to prove the more interesting and edifying option.
Hmmmmmmm

Saturday night .....
Went to karaoke with a group of lovely peeps.
Whilst I think that a good time was had by all I must take Tom-of-the-House-of-Organics-and-extreme-dance-moves-and-Japanese-prowess's advice and check out the more low-key karaoke booth further down the street from K-box because as an experienced user of various karaoke machine I can honesty say that K-box is a joke! And while there may be categories for male and female singers and bands the distinction between the three seemed to get a little fuzzy . . or almost non-existent . . . Bet you didn't know that Bruce Springstein was in fact a female artist ?!
I also found it almost impossible to locate any recent J-pop.
But there was sure some enjoyable septets going on at the end of the night . . . Crowded House went down amusingly and we were in hysterics at Kara's rendition of The Bee Gees "You Should Be Dancing".
Then went down to JIVE for a last drink and heard ABC for the millionth time . . . and we have the inevitable giggle at intonation as only pansy music nerds can.

Anyone have any suggestions as to what one can give a couple who have anything they are likely to need already ? Engagement parties! Phffft!
Ever heard of de facto ?

poisoned!

2006-11-03T11:57:00.000+09:00

Had an interesting last night, gastro-intestinally speaking.
Somewhat reminiscent of China, but perhaps not so bad because there weren't the compounding factors of heat and traffic noise blaring all night.
But still no fun.
I've had a less than positive attitude towards Ohh Sushi for sometime now and it was only the fact that it was around the corner and that the person I was having lunch with wanted to go there that even got me in the door. Plus, while I think their sushi is woeful, Beenz and I were always a little partial to their carrot and bean sprout salad.
Well, never again! is all I can say!!
Never Ever Ever again!

Did some crazy house cleaning yesterday that involved the wire screen door and window cover thingos . . . yet more vaccuming.
Today I have been painting.
The boring thing about non-acrylic paints is waiting for them to dry.
I wanted to ride into town and buy some material for my latest project but I'm not sure my fatigue body could deal with it. It's a rather exicting medium-sized project that without much work will hopefully result in a much nicer piece of furniture.
Just have to find some fabric that I like and is sturdyish . . . decide on colours . . .

Stomach is still acting up! Ugh! Went to bed at 9:30 but couldn't sleep til 3am. Then Beenz come home at 3:30 but left again slamming the door in her wake . . which also woke me.

Going to that new Benini film tonight.
Might also be attending the pageant with my cousin. She was saying "oh, yess apparently I'm going to a pageant with my friend on Saturday morning" . . . to which I responded "not A pageant! THE pageant" . . . haven't been for a while . . . what with one thing and another, and I wouldn't generally bother but I thought it might be a laugh to go along with Jess.
I've been to Melbourne (her hometown) any number of times but it's evidentally her first trip to A-town. How amusing.
Hopefully the weekend will also involve further merriment with Geet.
And the possibility of karaoke !!!

Scotland meets J-land

2006-11-02T10:36:00.000+09:00

Super Granny
Originally uploaded by 絵理.

Spent time chatting with the lovely Super Granny aka Martine at the Halloween party on the weekend. It was nice to have another opporuntiy to natter with her as she is a fabulous lady whose reputation proceded her - heard all about her whilst in J-land but had never made her acquaintance. Now parties are all the better for it.
Plus she takes a lovely photo . . .
I had reached the point of the night where I thought it was hilariously appropriate to make peace signs at all present cameras (VERY Japanese!!) and chatter in J-lingo if lost for words in Engrish!
It was a night of ups and downs as are all such events in these days of Adelaide, but all up it was an enjoyable night and I am much indebted to the costume making prowess of the lovely Sarah Masters. Keep tuned for more photos of her brilliant handiwork.

Oooo . . . the day is looking up.
Have a lunch date.
Just had a phone call from a cousin I haven't seen in years - now I have plans for tomorrow night!
Also talked to another one, who is in the US, on msn.

Grey skies and lack of inspiration

2006-11-02T08:44:00.000+09:00

Waiting for people to come and see the car we're trying to sell.
I know very little about it but have ended up today's delegate.
They should have been here a while ago. Just before I saw a bit of a hoon car pull up and sit across the road for a few minutes and then roar off. Maybe they took one look and decided not to even bother coming to the door. Even though they drove from Elizabeth to see it.
Not sure we'll even get the lump of metal off our hands.

Did another job application on Tuesday. Still no response confirming they got my application.
It'd be a great job to get and I think I could do it well . . . but how knows . . .
Still no word back with verdict from the interview last week, but although it went okay I don't hold out a great amount of hope.

Monday was a bit of a write-off day . . . already can't remember how I wasted it. Other than pilates in the evening.

Tuesday . . . Got up to be informed Beenz had a gentleman caller - one of the boys that I have been less approving of . . . So I was distracted from writing job applications by their presence. Had a chat to him. Was pleasantly surprised, but maybe he'd been briefed . . . Can it just be coincidence that he seems to be a LOTR fan ? "Have I seen the movies?"
Went to the physio . . . thrilling stuff. I had fun, but really this doesn't seem to be the stuff of which interesting posts are made . . .

I feel like I have nothing interesting to say anymore.
Is it the simple fact that I'm no longer commenting on life in an alien land and culture?

As Josh so kindly pointed out, he thought my blog had died with my return to A-town. Given that I am no longer in "the land of the rising sun", as Pippa so eloquently put it.
But the blog goes on . . the blog goes onnnnn.
Why ?
Because it's become a bit of a habit.
But I feel doubtful that I have much an audience for the mundane and the menial that passes for the life and times of me these days.

And so continue the litany . . .
Tuesday afternoon . . . wrote the job application with great zeal and then rode over to S&A's place for various reasons . . . 1) perfect weather 2) peak hour traffic that I'd rather ride than drive in 3) the need to use functioning internet 4) discussion and rehearsal of music stuff 5) the transference of photos from memory stick to computer.
6) and not least, the enjoyment of pleasant company

Met extended and immediate folks for dinner on Gouger.
Then enjoyed a solitary ride home in the cool night.
Read more of LOTR until late . . . funny how now I've read it a fair bit the chapters fly past but I'm still reading in such a way that I take in new bits and rediscover forgotten lines each time.

Wednesday . . . dragged myself out of bed for a challenging pilates class that I almost forgot.
Managed to upload photos to flickr, wash my hair and just make it in to meet Ry for lunch. Had Bibimbap, which was decent. I really liked it when in Korea, and used to have it a bit in Japan.
That is my 'osusume'　おすすめ (my recommendation) for all of you culinary goers out there.
Then we wandered into town looking for a present for Ry's niece, generally discussing life and catching up with each other's doings and thinkings of the past 6 months; 2 years. Then instead of 3pm coffee we ended up drinking with Beth-the-house-and-workmate at the Stag. Much conversation and alcohol were had, but I wasn't really feeling it when we tottered off in time to bump into Sare-b on her way to meet me for movie-viewing.
We parted ways with Ry and Beth, heading on up to the academy. Where we met S&A.
My right eye contact fell out halfway through Flags of Our Fathers . . . I was stuck in the middle of a row though so had little choice but to sit there with one irritated eye shut or blurry vision. Took the edge of the movie's impact somewhat but not to worry . . . the gore was still clearly visible and even with both contacts in place I hardly recognised Ryan Philippe anyway . . .
War . . . it's just an awful thing and people should be forced to watch this kind of thing more often . . then maybe some might start to wonder how it is that this is possibly considered a way for the resolution of conflict. The world is nuts.
It made me think a lot of how all these war films are received . . . That Pearl Harbour thing which I never deigned to see . . . When I was first in Japan there was a lot of talk about the filming of a movie the translated titles of which would be something like "Men of the Yamato". The Yamato was one of the biggest battleships ever built in the world and it was sunk in a bay . . . I think in Kure or somewhere. It was partially filmed in Onomichi, to coastal town not far from Hiroshima and I visited the set with friends - NB the WORST toilets I ever experienced in Japan - something akin to those in China.
There was concern about Men of the Yamato . . . would it incite more nationalistic fervour ? Given all of the talk about Yasakuni jinja and A-class war criminals was the portrayal of these men of war a good or bad thing ? I never ended up seeing it.
But why did it occasion such discussion ? Is it because the Japanese lost the war; that history pins them down as the losers and thus the unrighteous ; the less worthy; the baddies.
Does victory make the nationalistic and purile Pearl Harbour any more correct and acceptable than Men of the Yamato ?
It is all sad and a waste.
Then and now. So many more important things that money could be spent on.
But funds are poured out to provide mediocre fodder for the consumerist masses and it's just depressing.

And so is this.

After the movie, more pleasant conversation was had in lovely company.
Then I rode home again through the night to a darkened house.
Read more LOTR and woke up to this grey morning.

And still no one comes for the car.

Had a momentous weekend....

2006-11-01T11:15:00.000+09:00

I met Sponge Bob!
Originally uploaded by 絵理.

I met Sponge Bob . . .
and a whole lot of other fantastic super heroes . . .
Mr Squiggle was even there but no Black Board . . . how unfortunate!
Hurrrrry Upppp!

Which is what I must do! I've been trying to upload these photos for agggges and the internet has been crazy . . . for some reason it has just worked and is making me late for a very important date!

See flickr for other amazing shots! Or just wait for me to have more time for posting!

These are a few of my scarier things . . .

2006-10-27T12:32:00.000+09:00

Scary Cat
Originally uploaded by 絵理.

No, Elysia! He is Scary Cat!

It's all in the attitude! And the ears. And his squinty eyes.
I wrote all about it in The Post That Was Lost . . . but Scary Cat has no fear. Scary Cat sits opposite my driveway and sneers in the face of oncoming cars. He never bats an eyelid . . . which makes me wonder if he can? He certainly does not deign to MOVE for any that might happen to be backing out of the driveway with the very real potential of hitting him.

I admire Scary Cat though I find him intimidating.
I also fear the day I will come home and find him smooshed as a result of his great moxy (if only he would transfer a little to me so I could regain my hair moxy!)

And that is all the time I have to explain about Scary Cat the Loiterer.

I just had my interview . . . now all I have to do is forget about it and enjoy my crazy weekend! Wait for the call next week to ask me in for another interview or set me back on the depressing track of finding far less interesting jobs to occupy my time and pay me.
Off soon to do costume preparation for Halloween party tomorrow night!!
But am also trying to do another job application that I need to get in before I head off.

I expect to see a White Rabbit any second!

A disjointed post . . .

2006-10-26T16:40:00.000+09:00

Phili of the Feet
Originally uploaded by 絵理.

Blogspot seemed to be going crazy this morning and now the photos won't upload . . WHY does this always happen ? And so I have given up and will post the images individually . . .
This post has been written over the day . . . spent inside . . think I'm about to go stir-crazy. Just need to get out! Am feeling really pent-up and sick of computers and websites and reading wordy and jargonistic articles.
But I also feel at a lose end . . . not sure what I want to do. Argh!
Hate this feeling!
Hereafter follows the beginning of my post . . .

I have a job interview tomorrow! I should not be writing a post. But it seems I have been slack this week as I notice my last post was Sunday!
I'd really like this job but am not sure I'll manage to pull off getting it.
But at least today has started off better than some of the previous days in this week. I've been sickly and tired. There is so much that I need and want to get done but the days just evaporate.
I dislike the way my house is so dark. Dark dark dark!
I look out into the backyard now though and it's green and bright, like these photos.
Phili of the Feet and I went to the beach and walked along between the jetties. We did lots of lovely talking. Phili is such a good listener - I try to be a good questioner but sometimes I think my mouth runs away with me.
It was rather refreshing to the soul; invigorating to be down there. My first visit since returning. Have been meaning to ride down there but things keep getting in the way.
It was also funny that both P and I were decked out entirely in hues of green.

Last night I was exhausted - felt like piling into bed at 7pm. I dragged myself in pilates in the morning and then never even made it to the post office to post red skins - apologies P* - As I explained to Phili, much to her amusement, I tried lying on the front porch and sunning whilst immersing myself in Tolkien. This was to little avail. Cycling in the sun didn't do much either.
Had a couple of phone calls regarding various job opportunitites . . . but the day just weeeeeeent onnnn bye!
(yes, that was intentionally spelt with an e)
Jeez this is turning into a mopey "every little boring thing I did" post . . . .
This morning I have done much better after a fitfull night of strange dreams featuring nearly forgotten high school classmates. Have listened to Bowie songs for Sair, been to the post office for Pippa related stuff . . . and well not much else but I am feeling like motivation of a sort is somehow seeping back into my bones after a spate of feeling like lead.

And now for the rest . . .

Adelaide Traffic Art

2006-10-26T16:39:00.000+09:00

Adelaide Traffic Art
Originally uploaded by 絵理.

On the way home Phili spotted some great new street art!
We were really impressed with the efforts of local and city councils to beautify our roads and suburbs. So much so we had to take a photo and share it with everyone.

And today's post continues . . .

2006-10-26T16:37:00.000+09:00

In the Japanese Gardens
Originally uploaded by 絵理.

I received a bouquet of native flowers at the Farmer's Markets a couple of Sundays ago and since then have taken time every so often to do quick sketches.
I was inspired by Pippa's latest endeavours . . . I have had so many keen arty interests over the years that there period of prevalence in my life is always on the wax and wane. After high school fine arts really seemed like the direction I was headed, but I went and studied classical voice at the con. Spent a lot of the time questioning the intelligence on my decision, appplied and was accepted to the UniSA Underdale course . . . suddenly things looked up in music and so I refused the position. But all through that time I made far more money selling my art work than I ever did making music.
But I was more likely to make crafty stuff than draw much . . . Make cushions . . . Decoupage mirrors . . . Produce ornate invitations and posters . . .
Music . . . don't know what'll ever happen there.
Sometimes thinking about it really upsets me, but I felt that I made a pragmatic decision when I decided to take a break from the stress and pressure and go to Japan - try something new again.

But now where am I going ?
What am I doing ?

I don't have a plan past the next few months. Then just expect to keep on following the path that is laid down by the decisions and outcomes of this time.
But that's doesn't seem so unusual . . . I don't know anyone with a "5 year" or a "10 year" plan. I assume there must be people in the world who think that way . . . But I can't say as I know any of them.
That's probably all to the good for my self-esteem.

Anyhooooo . . . I put this photo up because it reminded me of the native flowers I've been trying so had to capture in 2D with a hugely limited pallette. I also saw it randomly in a bunch of images and liked the unusual depth of focus on the middleground cones.

Australian flora is unique and stunningly beautiful I think . . . I hope that what I've sent you, Pippa, brings a little of that to you wall garden!

Having had problems with blogger I saved this post but could never get it all up again properly.
Then I added on to it as I was doing some reading . . .

Reading about careers theory . . . weird. There are theories on everything these days. And it’s funny to me to think about how I’m categorized. I’m part of “the post-1970s generation” . . . I’m not a Gen X, but a Gen Y, I believe.
What are all these crazy boxes ? These codes ?
Categories and subcategories . . . .
I’m now reading about how recent studies have shown that lots of people in Australia don’t regard their occupation; their paying work as the cornerstone of their identity.
Again, do people . . presumably people used to think that way a lot . . . “I’m an accountant”. But it’s so clear that one can never just be one thing isn’t it ?
Aren’t we all little walking Venn diagrams, not just three overlapping circles, but thousands . . we must look like flowers!
All the people to touch and who touch us . . . all the things we do shape us.
I think I realize now that I’ve known and know some amazing people.
I should be preparing for this interview but I just wanted to record these thoughts.
And say, thanks peeps! For being so open-minded, interesting, inspiring . . . for being such wonderful influences . . drawing, coaxing, enticing, dragging me to where I stand today.
On ya!
Big props.

Another footnote . . . I got a funny call from Kath today - It's nice when friends share the love by ringing up to tell you that others think you are hot or "really super super cute" or whatever.
That kept me at the interview preparation for another dedicated hour at least!
Warm fuzzies, lady!

Lazy Sunday afternoon

2006-10-22T20:48:00.000+09:00

Karenski, Hels and the other Dollhouse crew threw a wayyy fun party last night. Much merriment was enjoyed with a few hairier moments just to keep the score even.
I felt the worse for wear at about 2:30 but enjoyed watching to final antics of the last party harders of the like of Mykradz. Then slowly wended my way own propped up by my bike and slightly vexed by my high-heels, wonderful purchase from Osaka though they be. As the sun was dawning I decided I was sober enough to make the final section riding. After some fortifying toast (white! yuck!) and orange juice I piled back into bed as the birds were singing their wake up song. For 5 hours!

Then I went to the Farmer's Market at the Showgrounds again with Geets. We had another beautifull morning and perfect Sunday afternoon chatting away. Soon enough we'll have time to go in search of a new super bike for me and then there'll be cycling jaunts aplenty! And Geets has asked me to be her designated overseeing driver!! How hilariously cool! Geets has long put off getting her licence and now I'm more than qualified to help her build up her hours behind the wheel - it's sooo much stricter than it used to be!

Did a few other minor things but it's really just been a day of recovery and relishing the weather.
And this week many contain a pleathora of exciting developments! See how we go . . .

How Exciterming!

2006-10-21T13:46:00.000+09:00

Weather has been wonderful.
Pilates yet again today - getting better allll the tiiime.

Had an email and a call from Kana this morning saying that she plans to come to Adelaide, though it appears that she didn't get into the exchange programme with Shudo, and asking if she might live with me. Suuuuper exciting!

Now I'm about to rush into the markets for a few things. I couldn't get to sleep last night for thinking of exciting things I want to make . . . and a nutty stomach. Ironic as different people asked me yesterday and the day before how my stomach had been lately and I had been able to say "pretty much not a problem" . . . Last night was a big exception and made pilates rather painful.

But Beenz and I are having fun together . . . it's like the halceyon days of youth I never had.
We've both got seperate parties and the like planned for tonight's entertainment but are intending to do a girly get ready together with some of her friends.

Musings from a day in the life . . .

2006-10-19T21:36:00.000+09:00

I dragged myself out of bed for early morning pilates despite last night's exhaustion and late night. It was tough and I got sweaty after a sprint on my bike to get there in a record ten minutes. Tough in a good way but then I think I pushed it a little harder than I ought to have given I've only just resumed classes after a long time off. Particularly after my ride into town, pain set in from my lower back (always weak since my dancing injury 5 or so years ago) right down into my arrrse. My lunching partner being the medically well-educated young lady that she is agreed that arse pain was not something to be aimed at.

After the class I went home to ponder things, feel sleepy, consider hunting for red skins and sherbies but draw flowers instead. I got a bunch of native flowers randomly given to me by a stall holder at the Farmer's Markets at the Showgrounds last weekend when Geets and I spent a lovely Sunday morning together. Riding proved with said flowers proved to be somewhat antic-inducing. Since then I have taken to studying them almost daily in an attempt to get back into the drawing and arty activities that I used to do what seems like an age ago.

Then I dashed out on my bike again to meet up with the lovely Court who is looking fabulously fit these days. We had a charming lunch followed by basking in the sun whilst indulging in gelati and d&ms. Lovely was to pass the afternoon.

Then no sooner had we parted than I got a phone call . . . would have been funny if it wasn't kind of depressing, upsetting and all the rest.
"Beware. Spotted, heading in your direction"
But I was on a mission . . . red skins and sherbies are required for posting to Finlandia.

Went and pondered many a thing in the Japanese gardens again. Such a haven of a little spot.
The gate keeper was 9 minutes late coming to close the gardens . . . It struck me that only because I have been in Japan for an extended period do I expect such things to now occur promptly.
Then I finally went for a more concerted search for aforementioned lollies. Woolies failed me so I dropped by to check out Jess and Sarah's floury white baps. No red skins there either.
Then I had an unexpected call from the Pooj suggesting dinner.
Indian it was.
Lovely it also was.
Until my heart exploded with surprise and I lost my appetite.

This town is tooooooo small.
And/or Fate just has it in for me.

At least I feel confident that if I retire to the seclusion of my room for the evening I will be safe from any further events of such a nature. For today.

PS Though I think the world of Vego n Lovin' Its Mullogatawny (or however you spell it) soup, I had forgotten it's potency. Enjoy with caution.

the silver lining

2006-10-19T00:07:00.000+09:00

山賊できれいな青空を見えた
Originally uploaded by 絵理.

I'm exhausted. For what reason ??
I hate the way that days run away from me when I have so little focus and connection to outer forces.
I'm time rich but it feels so inefficient.

There are so many niggling little upsets; sadnesses; tensions going on and it's depressing.

I still have no job.

But I'm a lady of leisure.
With a Real Proper Girlfriend, as I tried to post about the other night and then managed to delete. And asides from this wonder who is making life a ball, I'm managing to finally come out of my cocoon and see people again.

So the positives as I see them are . . .
. . . the weather . . . which continues to be on that lovely cusp of crisp and sun shiny.
. . . the enjoyable company of friends in social settings.
We had a simple night of pleasure at a quiz night at the Gov tonight. It was an intimate group of knowledgeable lads and lasses (I decided my lack of useful contribution was due to my "having a life" and not being a nerd . . . and maybe being out of the country has had an impact . . . who ARE all these wolves ?? No, I don't feel like dancing, no dancing today - how sad would Leo Sayer be to hear that now, hey? I thought the lack of a general knowledge section was a complete travesty!)
We didn't triumph but we did respectably and various members of our table did very well out of the silent and 'loud' auctions. And many wedges and gummi bears all the way from Germany were devoured with relish (but not literally because I don't think that jubes and tomato sauce would taste all that nice together).

Randomly . . . anyone want to go see a movie with me ? I can dangle the lure of free entry in your faces . . . . . and my pleasant company shall be provided free of charge also.
Not something to sniff at! They'll fork out top dollar for it in J-land! (~>~<")~

1000 words . . .

2006-10-17T19:31:00.000+09:00

Soooooo frustrating and disappointing after all that work! I can't get it back and I can't even fix it because as sometimes happens the photos won't upload. Damn. I had such a long and beautiful post and it all ready to post and all . . . . Now I only have the start to offer . . .

A giggly couple and Mr Big

Going to the chapel and they're . . gonna get marrrried . . . these two will be in March - how excitaming! Glad I will be here for all the fabulousness!

One of the first things I did when back in A-town and finally braving the streets again was to make a trip in on the deadly to share a meal with some of my favourite peeps.

Aliese was kind enough to do the oragnising for us and it was a lovely event. Must say that the Australian servings got the better of me but it was all good food - much better than the Chinese that I didn't enjoy when I was in China. Though I'd hate to think what my Chinese friends would make of it. They generally complained bitterly about the quality and price of Japanese Chinese cuisine. Am sure we have an Australian equivalent, but what the hell . . . it's all a matter of what you're accustomed to, but I still pity them their awful rice - or maybe that again is my Japanized sensibilities.

After the meal the hangers-on stood on the footpath chatting away for about half an hour before we decided that we may as well get a room or at least some coffee or the like. So we moseyed on over to The Bar on Gouger (do you know that this is the exact example sentence provided for for the word "mosey" in the dictionary - without the capitals and the bit about it being on Gouger St . . . not that I looked it up or anything . . . would I be that nerdy??)
And for a night of the playschool week it got rather late as we whiled away the hours together chatting away. Lovely.

The wonders of chocolate and soy return to me as we become reacquainted after my exxxxtended period in the milk-chocolate satured J-land. And resultingly get a little silly.

Yes! I have a dimple!

And I'm trying to make another!
Surely it can't be good feng-shui to have only one ?! It must make ones face assymetrical.

And we all know how much humans are intrinsically attracted to symmetry . . . weird.

And that's all that's left!! Booo hooooo. And I can't think of any more of the lost witticisms.

So now I'll have to try and add the rest about Scary Cat and my weekend later, if only the photos will upload!

2006-10-17T18:29:00.000+09:00

Frrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaakk.
I just spent over an hour on a post and then accidentally deleted a photo and it wouldn't come back so I tried recovering the post when undo wouldn't work and now I've lost nearly the entire post!! Oh my god!

I just bit my hand so hard and now that hurts tooooooo.

Aghhhhhhhhh. Crap crap.
If this was paper I would never have this problem!!
Bugger bugger!

I am hoping that consideration of this photo will calm me . . .

It's not working!! Ahghhhhhhhgggghhh! How annoying!

BTW this is not J-land as you may think. But A-town.

I had a weird experience in the Japanese gardens the other day.
I met for lunch with someone because stuff needed to be talked about but ironically Lord Stompy came and parked himself in front of us just as we were about to eat. That kind of put a stop to any meaningful dialogue.
Afterwards I went to the gardens to think.
I fell asleep.
I woke to someone whispering my name. But there was no-one there.
Just a dero looking bloke sitting away across the pond and smoking as he gazed in my direction. That was kind of freaky but so was the whispering.

Maybe I shall attempt to rewrite that post now.

Wanted: a ride . . .

2006-10-10T20:39:00.000+09:00

Shikoku Sunset
Originally uploaded by 絵理.

Tonight I didn't see the sunset.
Yet again I was busy planning for the future.
Then when the session was done I almost went for a bike ride. The night was so nice - compared to Saturday night when I rode home without enough warm clothing at 4am~! Ugh! Remind me not to do that again in a hurry. But I did get a chance to exchange pleasantries with another half-frozen young cycling enthusiast - ahhh bonding.
BUT I didn't - somehow my wheels started off pointing west but something took ahold and I found myself on the usual deviations through the south-western corner of the city.
It was sooooo frustrating. I wanted to go but somehow the stars weren't aligned for it. Perhaps Misty just knows she's not up for that kind of jaunt anymore.
I need a new bike, better lights and a helmet that fits.
How fortuitous that I bumped into Geets at the market on Saturday afternoon. It was a brief but heart-felt reunion; mobile numbers were confirmed and hopefully soon all will be aright in the cycling world because I will have a nice new ride.
And thus will ensue the glory days of cycling - night rides! I took a great liking to them in Japan and wish to continue them.
The streets are safer - well, there are still nutcases out there who like to play tough-guy hoonies but there are less cars getting in my way and there is much less risk of sunburn!
All round it rules.

So who's going to be up for some cycling goodness?

(PS thanks to the kindly person who loaned me a helmet when I forgot in my busyness and Japonized state that it's illegal not to wear one here - it stood the test well and I survived another day on the roads! Imagine my surprise when I glanced at my helmet-less shadow on Pirie St and thought "I could be dead from brain injuries already! Where on earth is my helmet??")

Loving being back into pilates!!
Another one of the great things that A-town has to offer!

Beenz or I took this shot in Matsuyama one night as we climbed the hill up to the shrine on our way back to the youth hostel (highly recommend - rather unusual place but the sauna rocked as did the free internet access)
It looked rather more impressive in the flesh but this wasn't a bad attempt at capturing the view.

I give this day of semi-frustration away to the ether . . .
May there be many more sunsets like this and time in which to enjoy them with lovely people.

Cool and blue

2006-10-10T17:20:00.000+09:00

四国から帰りのフェリー
Originally uploaded by 絵理.

That's what I get from this photo - the memories it conjures up.
It's what I got today - only today was perhaps a little warmer.
I love the blue sky and today I took a trip out to the north-eastern suburbs (first ever visit to TTP) and got some great glimpses of the russet and umber hills. Gee they look brown . . . so different to the green blooming earthy bulges rising everywhere in Japan.

I'm tired.
I'm sick of human relations today.
People are complicated and lately all I ever want to do is switch off. I feel like every attempt somehow only increases the difficulty.

But maybe tomorrow will feel different.
One can but hope . . .

And now it's onto my bike.
In to town for a session at some hotel in town.
Who knows where life is leading these days . . .

Job stuff tomorrow too.

PS The previous post that most of your probably can't read was a Happy Birthday shout out to Rina my little host sister - she turns 8 today.

大好きな妹の誕生日

2006-10-10T11:03:00.000+09:00

向原、おばあさんの浴衣を着た
Originally uploaded by 絵理.

今日は鈴苗というあたしの日本の妹の誕生日だよ！
楽しい日になるといいね！。。。
会えなくて寂しくて切ないんだけど。。。またきっと会える感じがするね、鈴苗ちゃん！6ヶ月一緒に住んでいていい想い出をいっぱい作ったね。全然忘れられない妹で友達だよね！

8歳になり、一個になってね　\(＞~＜)/　
(もういい子になったなんでしょう！！そうならいつだってオーストラリアにおいで！）

残して隠したプレゼントを気に入ってくれたら嬉しいよ。

またすぐ電話するよ！

お誕生日～おめでとうございます！

Can't feel blue or down beneath a clear sky . . .

2006-10-05T12:51:00.000+09:00

I think that in order to get the best from the abovementioned clear skies of the lovely weather we're experiencing I'd need to be out in it a bit more, but even just being out to look out at the jittering yellow-green leaves and blue sky is pretty heart-warming.

Yesterday's weather was rather awful and especially non-conducive to getting about on my bike but the events of the day left me feeling more positive than all the weather has since my rather inglorious return.

Strangely things have fallen apart and then realigned themselves all within a few days so that plans have almost perfectly slotted in and I have a clear path again for the first time in ages . . . Not that this doesn't bring with it its own feelings of doubt and insecurity . . . Is this what I want ??
Am I sure I don't want to go to Spain and study there for a year ?? Crazy and completely unplanned though the idea may seem . . . But this will allow me some time . . . though not lots . . how will I feel when the time comes to go again ?? Will I be ok being in A-town this long ? And then will I want to go or will the days be dragging towards that moment again ?
I've always been impatient for answers; to know the outcome.

But at least for now I have a few more plans . . . some positives and I've got the weather.
And dinner with lovely friends tonight to look forward to.

2006-10-03T13:22:00.000+09:00

I buggered up big time.

All my vague plans are now in vague tatters.

I'm not having fun either.
What's the good of this weather when I haven't a decent bike or anyone to hang out with.

**GRUMP**

Shock Horror/Amazement!

2006-10-02T16:15:00.000+09:00

Two things that I just forgot!

One of which I have been meaning to write of for an age!

Last week was the end of Richard Gere's reign supreme in J-land. That was it! And out he went to be succeded by a man who apparently intends to reform the Uni system, and whilst I'm naturally all against the notion of politicians interfering in the running of educational institutions . . .VSU and all that. Japanese Uni students are almost entirely without drive or focus, taking their clubs activities more seriously than their studies, and thus seem in need of a bit of a shake up. The way the entire system is geared is a complete farce . . . even if you don't like your course once you've chosen it, no matter how uninformedly you did so, you'd have to lose a leg to get out again.

So it's Sayonara to Koizumi.

Number 2: I just saw my results from last semester - and so it's official that when I'm not suffering for sleep deprivation and an inability to stop crying or leave my room I'm brilliant! I got AAs for all of my Intermediate Japanese classes (one of which I got a C for last year because I didn't turn up to class for about two weeks and do my presentation) and for Advanced Japanese that consisted of studying mainly with Koreans and Chinese students who'd been in Japan for a number of years and were students doing the entire degrees at Shudo, I got an A and B!!! And they were sooooo hard!

AA for Linguistics which was to be expected though I don't think I did anything except turn up to classes every two weeks and hold sway in the class having debates with the teacher or else writing drawn out letters to Sarah of RWH fame.

Only got an A for the crazy class with Chris the Pol. I fail to see how I could have done more though . . . we three girls paid attention most of the time, all wrote the extra and unrequired essay and even accompanied Chris to a festival whilst the boys refused to participate. Though we weren't required to wear big nappies in order to do so . . . maybe that had something to do with it.

Other than that I got two Cs for rather unimportant classes . . . both difficult in different ways. One seemed to have no subject content and would lull you to sleep in the early afternoon of the long slog that was Monday. It featured an exam which required you write about cultural assimilation and disassociation themes in Japanese . . . yeah right! I couldn't remember a whole lot of specific terms that we needed to know and everyone else had stuck into the memory of their dictionaries except me - I bombed it evidentally even though I worked really hard in class to participate this wasn't enough to salvage my grade . . . waste of time class anyway - no regrets.

The other was the World Cultures and Languages - you try reading academic texts in another language in a couple of weeks and then write an essay about it. Especially difficult because of kanji. If it were English, French or some such language that was your second language then I'm convinced it'd be easier to read them but the kanji thing makes it so much harder because you have to spend hours searching for the readings just so you can read the word!! It's not just a matter of simply looking up a word you don't know . . . I'm sure I wrote about the hellishness of it at the time! Well, I worked hard on the first essay but when exams were done and the second report's due date came around I did my best but it was the literally non-existent piece that I handed up at the end of the day so I'm not surprised that I didn't do any better.

Well . . . I'm super happy because the bits that really matter were great and the bits that don't I need not even concern myself with!!

Now I just have to find some way to convince the Japanese Proficiency Test people to accept a late application to take the exam in December or my plans for the future are going to be in even more of a whirl . . . . . Ahhhhhhh frenzy!

2 degrees is it ?

2006-10-02T15:08:00.000+09:00

Have been seen and seen so much already.
Missed and missing already.
Tears and luggage, confiscated mayonnaise (not something I planned - a random gift at the last minute, and NO Mr Grumpy Quarantine Man, as opposed to the Mr Lovely Quarantine Man who only laughed and mistook Sam for Frodo, you can't get Mentaiko Mayonnaise in A-town no matter what you think! It's hard enough to get in Japan!)
But the blue skies are glorious as is Soy Chai Latte . . . lunch in the park with Jess.
Dinner with the Fam and Sophie.
Surprising peeps by rocking up to gigs unexpected.

Here is Elizabeth lovely with her trusty keyboard and bow.

And that's Denni Blur looking rather rock in the background.

It was fun to see the brillig kids doing their thing after such a spell . . . . enjoyed the spin chiller with the blonde going on in as accompaniment but am now at a loss as to what was going on with the lady at the window, the loping zombie walk and did the nice black butler (like something straight out of a southern Shirley Temple movie - all class) survive or was he eventually targeted and succumbed to the strangling by coat?

Also bumped into Bec and had a chat . . . Turns out Aliese was coldy and had left so I missed out on completing all of my aims for the evening - but 2 out of 3 ain't bad according to one big man of 'rock' so I figured I was doing okay.

Then I had to take my increasingly croaky voice and my spiderless bike and hop on back over to the Exeter to catch . . . .

Running with Horses.

Had gone there first in the evening because they were supposed to be on early and I had my schedule all worked out so that I could manage to be at all places, all things to all people! But a tired West Coaster threw a spanner in the works and I got to enjoy even more cruising about town than originally planned - damn I love coasting the downtown streets. Adelaide's so freaking safe. I didn't enjoy being overtaken by the paunch in lycra but I figure it's しょうがない on that front whilst I have yet to invest in my Dream Ride.

GEETS!! Where are you ??? You're keeping me from riding off into the sunset in a blaze of self-powered glory . . . Just like Tammy Smith . . . you're so hard to find . . . do I have to doorknock the houses of Blackwood ? or is it Black Forrest ?

Well, I've been keeping busy doing things that have needed doing for years and having a interesting time trying to fit all of my clothes into the limited space available . . . Even I didn't know how many pieces of clothing for the upper body I had managed to accummulate until now and others are still arrive in boxes. I think I must have super human powers when it comes to this kind of thing - wonder if there is a way to harness such power for the betterment of civilisation ?

PS Wiz - sorry I didn't come through Sydney!

Goodbye . . . and floodgates

2006-10-01T14:39:00.000+09:00

Offering

2006-10-01T00:33:00.000+09:00

Offering
Originally uploaded by 絵理.

Decided I should pop in a post at about 10:30 but then got caught up with uploading photos to flickr so as not to swander an entire month's worth of capacity whilst some a backlog of images languish on my harddrive. And now tomorrow will be a nice day with a fresh upload limit to be run through!

Keep meaning to send out emails to all my J-land pals, but will leave that for tomorrow again now.

NOW . . despite being tired I'm taking advantage of seeing Mel online for the first time in months and we're having a lovely old natter.

Hmmm . . . not feeling inspired tonight . . .
Took this photo in Koyasan when there with Beenz.

Oh the weather at the moment - warmish sun . . . wide wide blue skies. Nights a little chill for my liking.
Riding through the night with blazing stars last night was enchanting.

What a difference a day makes . . .

2006-09-25T23:11:00.000+09:00

1、2、3　。。。。日間後にここから消えちゃいますよ！

Beenz has become a major fan of Hiroshima Okonomiyaki since she first tried it on Friday night when we went out for dinner with Keinan. Tonight we had an Okonomiyaki party - eating our fill after a long day . . . We spent the morning at a Kindy, then caught a bus into town so Beenz could do the Peace Park thing so synonmous with visitors to Hiroshima. Then caught up with Nami for get back some stuff, raced to the station to meet Marie to return some stuff to her and then bought shinkansen tickets for Thursday morning as the Beenz vetoed the night bus. A plus of the new plan is getting to see Hide once more before we head off. He left yesterday for a work trip to Kyushu.

Tomorrow will see repacking and meeting up with Ayumi!!

Hope this won't be our last date . . . (It's late!)

2006-09-24T23:27:00.000+09:00

For the first time tears looked like flowing.
Neither of us could really believe that this would be the last, maybe the last time . . . I don't knowwwwww . . oh no! But to recall myself from The Stones, despite feeling a little seedy and tired we had a good day and I managed to refrain for too many purchases that will send me rocketing about with fear at the prospect of further packing and repacking.

$55 for one kilo of excess baggage ? My god?! Will they take an arm instead ?

Whilst Kana is the most likely of my friends to be coming my way anytime soon it's hard to imagine the fact that I won't be seeing her most days of the week anymore. So today we had our last shopping/lunching outing together for what is sure to be at least 6 months. 6 months. Funny to think of where I was 6 months ago. Many things are the same and many are different. And one of the great and different things is the number of really wonderful friendships that I have had the chance to deepen in this past half year. Kana wrote me a beautiful little note sealed up in a tiny bottle . . . a lovely line of which was . . .
エリーはオーストラリアに帰ってしまうけどエリーのふるさとは広島でもあるよ。
Ellie's returning to Australia but Ellie, your home is also in Hiroshima.

And she's right. It's been a life altering time and I won't forget it or the wonderful people who have made it so. I will miss them dreadfully and hope that we will have the chance to meet again soon.
I DEMAND they all come and visit me in Auslandia ASAP! Just in case I have trouble getting back to Japan soon myself!

Another early day tomorrow- going to a kindy and then will take Rene in to see the Peace park and museums. Must also catch up with Nami and Marie to hand over various items.

Counting on one hand.

Beenz was devastated about the Crows. How disappointing!

酔ってないじゃん！！\(o~<)/

2006-09-24T00:53:00.000+09:00

Pretty much indicative of how I'm feeling and how I remember the night . . . even though it only ended about two hours ago. Haven't been like this for a while now.

I drank at my own pace which seem to exceed everyone else's excessively. Had a great time . . . time went so fast. How is it that this will all end so soon ?

Today was a massive mix of so much topped of which a great night of getting rather tipsy, eating lots of food, singing, dancing, laughing, taking purikura (which I now barely recollect - good thing I have evidence!)

Beenz is already in bed . . . ought to get there myself as we have yet another early morning in order to get out to Marina Hop to meet Kana by 11am.

My friends here are so lovely and I will miss them so much. There's so much I want to do before I have to leave but there's just no time . . . and excess baggage looms scarely on the horizon frightening me into reconsidering my packing until now . . . $55 a kilo!! Are these guys from Syria ???

Ohh . . . got to get me some water . . . Can someone tell me, what's my age again ?

Catch ya on the flip side kiddos!

Decision in: Buddha was a Laaadddddy

2006-09-21T20:46:00.000+09:00

Today was momentous . . . we saw something giant in Japan!
Coffs Harbor has met it's match. There's not just one banana, but a WHOLE bunch as well as a giant hand!!
And all in the middle of nowhere in Shikoku.

Had perfect spring weather today - the kind I am looking forward to when I return to A-town. Only it's Autumn here - So I evidentally rule the world! It was such a lovely day. We finally decided not to move out of the Matusyama Youth Hostel, but stay here for our last night. Then we headed off for Uchiko 内子 on a day-trip and I was so happy with our choice! Not only was the town well worth the visit but we got to ride an An-Pan-Man train! It kicked arse - playing the An-Pan-Man theme song to notify that it was about to leave the station! Oh how I will miss this land of kitsch.
It only took 30 minutes to reach Uchiko from Matsuyama via a rapid train and then we had a lovely time wandering the near empty streets filled with Edo period buildings. We bought some sweet sweet dirt cheap mandarines and discovered a lying Buddha. This led to much eating of mandarines and esoteric discussion on a breezey mountain top shaded from the midday sun. We came to the verdict that Buddha must have been a lady based on the breasts, lack of a package, pregnant lady feet and earrings. ENLIGHTENMENT achieved.
And for our next trick . . . tomorrow we plan on a sauna and tour of a park here before a mid-afternoon ferry back to Hiroshima to meet up with Keinan for dinner.
Then begins our insanely packed Hiroshima-Tour-De-Force . . . .

Saturday - Miyajima with Nami and her family.
Piss up and Karaoke with my friends.
Sunday - Shopping and lunch with Kana at Marina Hop
Monday - Kindy and Peace Park et al.
Okonomiyaki dinner with Mansion peeps (*In Japan when you say Mansion you mean apartment building)
Tuesday - Rene will see Ayumi for the first time in 10 years.
Wednesday . . . Anything yet not done . . .

To shinkansen it or not to shinkansen it? That is the question . . . Night bus . . .

適当な旅行する方の再開

2006-09-19T21:09:00.000+09:00

And so recommences the saga of me and spur of the moment travels.

My cold meant that I wasn't really on the ball despite being up early AGAIN!
But we got out of the house by about 11am and then we got into town to replenish funds (which helped morale) and made it to the port with an hour to spare for lunch before the ferry departed. With improving health Beenz's appetite has returned somewhat but now she has a thing against Japanese food when not prepared by Kumi, it would seem and she requested Indian Curry. It wasn't too bad but the Nann tasted like cupcake!
Then for dinner yet again she had McDonalds! Dear me!

We couldn't find a supermarket so I ended up with tofu, mandarines and cups of tea.

Ahh! Why am I still awake .....

The ferry trip was truely beautiful . . . such a small boat really but you're never out of sight of the many scattered lush green islands and the waves were almost perfectly calm. So peaceful and I felt that I could have been anywhere in the world as I listened to Split Enz and other assorted stuff that brings up those nostalgic feelings.

We got into Matsuyama with minimal fuss and whilst on the train we made a snap decision to skip the information centre and just ring ahead to the Youth Hostel - vacancy - no problems! We then wandered about for a few hours in the centre arcades of the town and the like. Then a weary blistered-feet Beenz requested a tram. When we tramped up the hill and into our room we saw from a distance the giant candy wheel Ferris Wheel that was sitting atop the department store we had first entered . . . had no idea!!

Really really am going to bed now!
Will look forward to Onsen hopping . . . Sweeeet felicity.

Uphill battles aplenty . . .

2006-09-19T00:20:00.000+09:00

My skin feels great after the day at the spa . . .
. . . even if I do have a few crazy bruises on my back from the strength of the bubble jets.
Only problem is I feel a cold coming on!! Feeling pretty awful and my throat is hurting.
But I have to ignore this, read guide books and search for information on how to get to Shikoku otherwise nothing will happen. Uhhhhhhhhh . . . . Sleeeeeep is calling . . .

Riyo's speech development is amazing us at the moment - we have some hilarious footage!

Ohhh Onsens . . . lovely!! Looking into going to Dogo Onsen tomorrow or maybe the next day. One of the places there, in Matsuyama was apparently the inspiration for the Bath house featured in Spirited Away . . . Sounds appealing hey!??!

Sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep.
Goodnight.

arghh! Have I had a chance to mention PornStarBoobs before now ? Or was it that I promised not to ?? Maybe that one will wait for another day.

The sun is up, the sky is blue . . .

2006-09-18T09:42:00.000+09:00

. . . and we're off to an onsen. There's no sign of last night's typhoon.
I think I'm going to give up on Kyushu and maybe we'll try and get to Shikoku this week instead. Always thought it was a bit lame that I hadn't managed to get there yet when it's so close, and I think it'd be a more manageable proposition than trying to get all the way to Kyushu when it's not that easy and cheap to get there . . and I'm not sure how to get about it. There used to be a ferry but it's no more.

Ahhhhhhh . . . feel like a day off in the nice weather! This will be far more relaxing!

I'm not sleeping properly. Up late but then unable to sleep in. I think it's the nervousness that comes with all of the big things that are happening.
I'm coming to see that there is likely to be a VERY big excess baggage fee to be paid. Any suggestions for me from the many seasoned travellers out there ?????
I'll be so glad when the move is over despite what it will mean . . at least then the packing won't be hanging over my head anymore . . . poor Damacles.

Today is 敬老の日 - Respect for the elderly day . . . Rina is calling around to all of the older family friends and relations.
Wish I could ring my Nan. Should at least get that old letter in the post!

But where is the green parrot ?

2006-09-18T00:10:00.000+09:00

This trip has been different. It has been highlighted by super organisation mocked by numerous train-catching mishaps; a sick travelling partner; a number of wonderful incidental meetings . . . one conversation that started over Hello Kitty just after we'd arrived in Nara and lead to us almost missing our 11pm curfew when we were still all wildly nattering away in the sporadic rain. The same conversation also has me even more determined to get back to pilates and particularly that ever-calling NEW DREAM BIKE. The boys made what is sure to be a gruelling week sound like the most fun one could possibly have!! One day I'll find my way to Iowa! (Do I have the state right, Matt and Pirate Jake ?)
Been less about the places and more about the people.

But I also got to a range of places that I'd previously missed. We took things at our pace and had a number of fantastic late night chats as we made over way from beautiful temple accommodation to well-appointed comfy-futoned ryokan. I was really happy with my choices in this regard - especially the ryokan in Nara. It was a little out of the way but a lovely room with a view and hearty traditional breakfast that kept us going all day - shower did leave a little to be desired. Our ryokan in Kyoto's eastern district was a little hard to locate in the quickly darkening rainy night but it was such a spick and span little place - lovely bath (though breakfast was wanting - repulsive ham as the main feature!! Ughhh! Even Meat-Eater Beenz couldn't stomach more than two slices) . . . but I was so happy with the place for location. Despite the flagging spirits and health of Beenz we did a lot of worthy exploring of the charming cobbled streets of the eastern mountain flanks.
Another a sickness induced rest in Maruyama Park we did finally make it to Heian Shrine . . where I took the above pictured photo. I was expecting a bit more of the gardens but Beenz had lots of fun feeding the carp and turtles in the lake . . unpaid for . . . a small sweet victory for we cash-strapped travellers. Kind of how Beenz's cheeseburger apparently improved in flavour greatly after we informed her that eating as she waled along really was taboo in Japan.
I am ashamed that she lowered herself to a 100 yen cheeseburger in favour of the Takoyaki and Akashi-yaki that Ryoko and I enjoyed on our flying trip to Osaka on Saturday morning, but I bowed down to her in her dire condition, given that she's barely eaten (and then kept down) any food since arriving.
Ohhhh Osaka - home of some of the most homely Japanese food, wonderful shoes and physically abusive bagladies . . . I'll take the safety of Hiroshima and the relevative peace of Tofu-capital Kyoto any day but such a great place to visit every now and again!

Oh packing . . . . horror of horrors!

Another typhoon on it's way - winds are terrible tonight. Howling gale.

Must shower off the day's sticky muck and get to bed.

A wrong time to visit . . . ?

2006-09-17T15:53:00.000+09:00

Home after a week away. Somehow this one seemed harder than the last. It's really nice to be home. I think it's been a bit more taxing because I've been the one very much in charge again; leading someone else around and being responsible for them. Beenz has been sick since she arrived and this has made things rather tricky. I think she's enjoying the day off today - watching Howl's Moving Castle and hanging about resting. Think we might change plans and stay for tomorrow too.

Seems to be odd comment season in the land of blogginess . . . There was a comment on my blog from some unknown person to the effect that I had made a mistake by being in and travelling about Japan in September. Amusing. According to this person the ONLY time to visit Japan is Cherry Blossom Season . . . I'm here at COMPLETELY the WRONG time! How silly of me!! Should have known that countries of the world have very specific dates, excepting which, it's not worth seeing them!Given that I've been here for two of those brief seasons now and would hardly think that I fall under the short travel category of visitors to Japan it made me laugh. This year what has struck me on my travels is . . . what a difference a year makes . . . My interests have changed after a year here. Why is it that tourists are hell bent on Temple-Burn-Out ?? Sure, that's an interesting aspect of Japan . . a part of the traditions of the country but there is so much that is far removed from that. Sure, when I first saw the effect of masses of Sakura I was impressed. My imagination had always failed me when trying to conceive of why Japanese people seemed to become so transfixed by the whole Sakura viewing thing.

For me, Japan has become normal. Didn't really expect this. I know that other friends who'd been here longer seemed to be surprised at my interests in aspects of Japan sometimes and now I'm on the way to understanding. Japan is the country where I live and it's losing some of the alien, freshness that it used to possess. I still love being here but what I enjoy most has altered a little.
I'm glad to be HOME - in Hiroshima. I love playing with the kids, wandeirng to the shops together, joking with Kumi - being made fun of.

But we've had a great week, none-the-less......
* Took some nice photos.
*Had some amazing talks with Beenz. These have lead to a few unexpectedly but rather eye-opening revelations - Emotions have suddenly started flowing in a way that shocks me.
*Stayed in some lovely places and ate yummy food.
*Met some lovely peeps. Matt and Jake in Nara were a highlight!
**Perhaps the most amazing and noteworthy!! I got PUNCHED by a BAGLADY in Osaka!

Plans plans plans . . . and minor panic attacks

2006-09-08T12:19:00.000+09:00

Never been a phone person.
Last year I developed a sense of fearless whilst making hotel bookings and the like by phone simply because it was call or sleep out in the wild streets of Kyoto or mountainous slopes of Hokkaido. When I have time to think and plan I start procrastinating. (Thus this post)
But I just made a quick decision about one place to stay and though it's getting close to that day which makes me nervous because they are likely to simply say "we're full" and then I have to ring someone else, I checked it on the intermanet and then rang. The lady on the other end sounded quite lovely, and I had been reassured by the bloglike posting that I read with info by some previous tourist who'd stayed there, and I managed the whole thing perfectly in Japanese. I felt rather elated - jeezz, there must be somehting a bit wrong with me when I get all fluttery and happy over a phone call - just like a crush. It felt very much like Happy Dance time, but I restrained myself.
So I thought it called for a celebratory post before I move on to handling a call to Koyasan. I am tempted to ring the place we stayed last time but I'd like to try somewhere new despite how lovely it was. Last year I rang on the day and it was a rather traumatic experience with an irate travelling partner and a lengthening list of places that I had already tried and weren't available . . and a looming deadline for the train if we even wanted to get there (had also just farewelled The Then Love, which didn't help for emotional stability at a pinch point). Koyasan was fantastic and worth the pain and torment of getting there.

This is all part of waiting for an reply email to let me know what I ought to do about my bank account. As banks in Japan close at the ridiculously early time of 3pm, I'm not this little task will get done today but that presents a problem because soon the Beenz will be here and then it OUGHT to be Non-Stop-Party-Time.
Also have to go pay the Ward Office money and show the a piece of paper so that they'll believe I'm finally leaving the country.

We now have about a week's accommodation all lined up. Very different to last year's rather intense run where things take us approach. This time I'm focusing much more on Ryokans and one YH in Kyoto. Business hotels had their good aspects last time but I've learnt and this time we're running with going to some fancy, lovely places that aren't that much more really - and while in Japan you may as well check them out otherwise why bother coming at all.
Also have my home this time! Where we will spend at least 7 or 8 nights - that'll save us some money and be nice all at the same time. I have NO money . . . I'm not just -saying that, for those of you who knew me through my "Crazy-save-for-Japan-I-have-no-money" phase. The money is finally gone. I shall just make it back to Auslandia . . . then, oh dear! I must find a job or something!
Keep your ear's to the ground for me, kiddies!

Righto, I'll get on with it then!

2006-09-08T01:02:00.001+09:00

So I'm back. From round one.
Just thought I should let y'all know!
Am glad that I made the (fairly forced-hand) "decision" to come home before 第二ラウンド！(dai ni raundo - the second round) with the Beenz . . . . the 11th is almost upon us!

I have lots of photos and some great new experiences. Funnily enough I was in the same places at exactly the same time last year - how things change. Osaka, Kyoto, this time with the addition of Kobe today. It was a very different trip.

This time has taught me something about travelling with others. As did last time. I have a lot to say but a fair bit of it is not on the positive side so I think I'll leave that for tomorrow. Suffice to that things ended on a nice note and I can home to a late dinner with my loving funny - Riyo has evidentally been waiting for her Ice-giver to come home and feed her ice from the freezer at her command. Thanks to my travels with Ara I have learnt a lot about how to choose a travel partner (am looking forward to travelling with Beenz anyway) but I have a lot to thank Ara for . . . without whom the trip would have been very different and maybe more like before. This has been one "interesting in unexpected ways" trip, the experience of which I am thankfully. I am fairly much assured that Ara won't be reading this so I might get into a few nitty gritties tomorrow . . .

I have three nights and two days for organising here before I

Just wanted to say HI.

Thanks to Aliese for many informative emails - I thought that the Steve Irwin one was a joke but even Kumi was able to tell me that it had been on the news here too.
To Midge, am still alive and kicking ~ packing going ok ~ I was surprised to come home and realise how tidy I left my room looking now that I've shut away most off it - a bit worried about opening the cupboard until Beenz arrives with many a space case in hand.

It was also nice to hear Pippa's voice (all the way from Finlandia) tonight for the first time in a long time. Even if all I could do was listen and try to write back quickly hoping she'd comprehend my train of thought through the lack of punctuation.
** To those in the Pippa know . . . Strangely I have been having the same crazy urges to studying print making again and particularly fabric design and the like . . . I was so excited by a lot of the stuff that I saw in Kyoto again . . . It (and the numerous cups of sugar-loaded tea that pass as dinner) had my head racing all night and then again early in the morning with Beatlesque "very ingenious plans" . . . if only I can get them all down on paper and then out in the wider world . . . I think there will need to be a new round of cushion making. But this time I shall selfishly keep all the prettiest ones for myself!!
Also really glad to hear that Pips liked the crazy J-pop CD that I made for her . . . if anyone else wishes to subject themselves to the latest in my J-pop delectations . . . You know where to post a comment!!

BTW . . . must get to sleep - so many errands tomorrow - it's my last weekday left before TRAVELBEENZ extravaganza begins . . . BUT, yes, Aliese and Denni there was only one glove in there on purpose . . . it's not a Japanese idea, simply one of my own . . . please refer to some early post . . . can't be bothered finding and referencing it myself . . . . Exam time . . . mid-july?? Look it up if you please. I decided the whole crazy two glove thing was dumb but I was subverse their weirdo obsession with white skin but disturbing only one glove sets.
Plus I only bought a small number of those pretty buttons and they weren't that easy to sew one right down at the fingertips. Glad to know you liked the package.

Oh so many different ways to say . . .

2006-09-02T23:43:00.000+09:00

I wish that right now it was as easy as creeping up close and giving a kiss to show how I feel.

二人の間に海がある

So many people have been concerned about me for a long time now. And particularly of late I've been struggling with responding to this in the written form (which is the only form currently available to me). I am appreciative of the efforts people have been making for me and I'm so sorry that I've hurt and offended through an ability to overcome stuff enough to treat you as I would want to be treated in the same situation.

So big hugs and a sorry to one of my specialestest of ladies and supporters, Aliese.

Also a Hi to the Midge and Dad who have suffered from no communication as well - Yes! I am still alive, just very very busy!
I have the sinking feeling that tomorrow is Father's Day and the package I was accordingly working on is still in bits in my packing-frenzy room.

To The Beenz - you'd better bring a backpack and a suitcasey thing on wheels if there's any such thing in the offing for usage! Damn books weigh a tonne!

Now to final packing and organisation for tomorrow's 6:30am start . . Oh, don't you know who'll be sleeping on the train!

PACKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2006-09-02T11:28:00.000+09:00

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHaaaaHHHHHHHaaaaaaHHHHHH
It's terrifying but how to make it smaller without discarding things that I want . . .

I'm back to wanting to rush out and buy that extra case!

One case done - 19.5kgs.

Okay . . . calming down now . . . calllmmmming dooooowwwnnn.
One bit at a time.

Next I will put the breakable things in the padded Moomin bag that I will carry on board with me.

Then get all the rest of the clothes I won't wear before I go home and put them in the backpack.

Step by step . . . Grey elephants on a piece of string.

Ouch!

2006-09-02T09:45:00.000+09:00

向原、おばあさんの浴衣を着た
Originally uploaded by 絵理.

I went to bed at 3am and woke up to a beautiful morning at 7am. I decided not to waste the lovely cool time so I started pulling out stuff from all over the room in a final big pack up attempt.
I weighed some stuff . . . 16kgs . . . 3.6kgs . . . 3.2kgs . . . Goodness me, what shall I do ?? I thought , this is never going to all get home even with Rene's help!! I must rush out now and buy another wheeled case!! . . . . but now it's ALL out and scattered about. And I'm weeding out some more stuff and it's looking a little more managable . . . Maybe I will send a box of things by sea - stuff that I can do without for 3 months or so.

I must have sat in seizai for too long because my legs went to sleep . . . I then changed my position but continued to work scrunched up on the floor. A minute ago I tried to get up and fell over, twisting my ankle and landing in a drawer. It would have been funny if it hadn't been me and hurt! I'm worried as to what to do in any it's is sore for this week's travel! What a goose!

PHOTO is me and Rina at Mukaihara. We all went there to Hide's family home for Obon. His Mum is a bit doddery and I get the feeling that Kumi doesn't like her though she's always polite when they speak, but she insisted I try on one of her Yukata because she thought I'd probably not had the opportunity to do so before.
The problem with having hips is always clearly demonstrated when I wear Yukata as the lower half tends to gape open when I sit that is more reminiscent of a hostess rather than a traditional girl next door look . . . .
I have been so lucky with my host family and all of the 'normal' (to them) but amazing (to me) everydayish kind of things I have been able to experience with them . . . Homestay!! Brilliant; one of the best life experiences . . . (Caution to User of Homestay Product: There have been cases of adverse reaction. Please note when using the aforementioned there is a small possibility of misery if handled indelicately. May lead to tears, fires and other natural disasters.)

Oh dear . . . we're having another Kumi and Rina fight-off. Rina has become a bit difficult of late, likely as a result of a family friend whose behaviour is attrocious.
There is pretty much argumentation every morning.
Should get back to the packing! 頑張れ～絵理ちゃん！

Family Time

2006-09-02T01:11:00.000+09:00

Cooking with Rina
Originally uploaded by 絵理.

This photo is of me and Rina cooking dinner a week or two ago.
Tonight (as in the 1st) Kumi had a headache and was collapsed on the couch so I took the girls on a walk to the supermarket and we bought a bit of a feast which I put out all nicely for them.
Kumi came good after some miracle medicine and we've been sitting around talking. It's nice to have some time just for hanging out together.

Tomorrow everyone is leaving for Miyoshi and then to Kobe for Kumi's work. I'll stick around to go to a "Chorusline" performance with Claudia. Was supposed to be going with Kumi but now it's not worked out for various reasons. Home alone tomorrow night I suppose . . then an early morning to head off to Osaka with Ara.

2 days in Osaka.
3 or so in Kyoto.

Due to train ticket issues I'll come home for 2 nights and a one day then head off to Kansai again to meet Rene. This will give me extra time at home and the chance to dump dirty clothes.

Then it's Koya-san, Nara, Kyoto . . . Hiroshima, Kyushu . . . Kumamoto, Aso-zan . . . Kurokawa Onsen . . . Beppu for ferry home to Hiroshima ????? . . a few days for Hiroshima with many many plans afoot for that last time with my Japanese friends and family . . . . and then . . . . . . . .

Also managed to get to the Ward Office today, send off a long-time-in-the-making package and burn two need DVDs!!
Now tomorrow I'll have to concentrate on more packing up.

鈴苗と一緒に...家族

2006-09-01T21:20:00.000+09:00

鈴苗と一緒にゲド戦記を見に行って帰ったところ、8月16日
Originally uploaded by 絵理.

Exchange

My days in the house are numbered. I can almost count them on one hand.

Kumi said "why don't you just stay" . . . but there are so many reasons I think now to start a move on. I wish I had more time to spend with the family here but then again we're all busy so even when I am around they are often not - like tonight. They should be home in a minute though.
Stay longer and maybe you risk souring what is now a good relationship. Only Riyo is finally saying my name and when I came home after being away for a while the other day she came up to me and wanted to be held and stayed with me for ages.
Rina has been acting up lately.
Kumi is great - lots of fun.
Hide is Hide - amusing when I see him, but that's not that often.
I'll miss them and I'm so thankful for this time in which they've taken me in and shared their lives with me.
But I think there are places to be going and things to be doing. As much as it's soooo tempting to try and pull some strings again I think that my plan to be in Auslandia with the family and such for a while is a good one. I need to readjust and spend time back 'home' for a while to make sure I don't really turn Japanese.
I wonder how others have felt . . . Denni . . . Elizabeth . . . Tamara . . . other people who have done exchanges overseas for a long period of time. Did they feel torn in two ? Did they happily return 'home' . . . well, obviously not in one of those cases, because she's still in her adopted country . . . What about other people ??

Will I turn out to be like Ryoko who meant to head straight back but hasn't and now doesn't look like going back.

Must go buy dinner. Kumi has a headache . . taking the kids to buy dinner.

The feeling of popularity diminishes . . .

2006-09-01T14:16:00.000+09:00

海で泳いだ！
Originally uploaded by 絵理.

This a photo of some of the group of us that went to Karugahama a couple of weeks ago. Front right is the lovely Yuko - see previous post - and Asumi who is also lovely, and Toni, the German girl from the afore/below-mentioned camp is her friend.
Then Jehil and Keinan.
It might be kind of dirty but it's so a great wall for swimming out to and lazing on. The water is really deep but there's a net so I only have to worry about jellyfish but not sharks!! Beautiful!

Another WHY ?

Why is it that no-one seems to comment on my blog?? huh ??
Other people seem to get lots of comments and yet they write less frequently . . . . Maybe I don't get angsty enough . . . But I kind of thought that keeping that stuff to myself was more like shielding the rest of the world from a festering puss-wound . . . Much better to focus on the fun bits with photos and occassionally wander into dysfunctionally self-analysis land.

Should I blog less ? That doesn't seem to work . . .

Do I have no friends . . . Don't think so, I have trouble keeping up with those I have . . .

Are you all too afraid to write because my blog makes me look so incredibly popular and amazing that you're scared you'll look uncool by comparison ??? I think it's more likely to work the other way - the aura of my wonderous presence with rub off o(>~<)o
So go ahead and be brave!
Make a comment today!

Why ?

2006-09-01T14:05:00.000+09:00

良子、8月6日
Originally uploaded by 絵理.

Why are friends friends ? Why do we click with some and not others ? Why are there some people we can't do without ?

I have so many photos of Ryoko with a plate of food in front of her . . . When I look at my photos I realise that we are dinner date friends. Last night when we were out her phone rang, and correctly assuming it would her long-distance relationship boyfriend who presently resides in Osaka, I kept hissing at her to say she was out on a date . . with a hot boy etc . . . .
Who knows quite why we became friends but she is one of those people who (in both A-town, Auslandia in general and Japan) have kept me going in the hard times. How many people will make room for you in their bed and stroke your hair as your cry your heart out until you fall asleep??
After the camp that I'd been on I was in a weird pattern of English and Japanese because another foreign girl, a German, was there and though she doesn't speak Japanese her English was brilliant, so I was her translator with some other Japanese girls as well as just having a nice time chatting away with her. I found myself interjecting in the opposite language to which I was mainly using, whichever it happened to be at that time. Those little things like 'yeah', 'uh-huh' and the like were all done in the opposite language . . . it got rather muddled . . .
I'm still recovering but also had a lot of turmultuous thoughts rushing through my head last night . . . travel plans going awry . . . no time for packing and seeing people anymore . . . the fears that surround returning to Auslandia. So it was great to have the listening ear of Ryoko . . . like with Maki we can have these crazy conversations jumping about like frogs from one language to another . . . or funny half and half conversations . . . where I'll conjugate a Japanese verb in English or one of us will be using English and the other responding in Japanese. It's fun and useful when discussing those slightly inappropriate for a restaurant themes.
I'm going to miss so many people and am constantly demanding when people are coming to visit me . . . so far I haven't managed any concrete plans but two suggestions that we do Auslandia and NZ together! So watch out Shelley!! A Japanese frenzy might be headed your way sometime in the not-too-distant future!!!

It's Friday . . one of my last days for doing things but I'm moving slowly and working on communications . . . letters ought not really to be on the top of my list of things to do but my social links all seem a little in uproar of late and thus are demanding special attention. Should phone some hotels . . . but I'm just not a phone person!! Need a cattle prod for myself.

Further to friendship and the camp . . . on the first night we slept in tents and did the whole stay up late and talk about stuff in a very high schooly girl fashion. So much fun to return to that kind of thing - where did sleepovers go ?!!! A girl Yuko who was the group of people with whom I went to the beach a while back was there and we ended up becoming really good friends - just when I have to be leaving! We had some amusing late night conversations - discovering some interesting cross-facts that enlightened her understanding of a drinking binge by some kaikan kids one night a while back - It was you!! She cried with sudden delight as light dawned. It gives one that delicious feeling of promise in life to stay up late gossiping. Unfortunate when you awake at 6am the morning and realise you won't have time to reclaim that sleep time you whiled away on our pasttimes! But a good few days!!
Just need more time in my life!! Maki has started me on MIXI - which is all the rage with J-kids. It is good to be involved in now but I just don't have the time for this blog, MIXI and replying to emails as well as maintaing a life about which to write!!

That's your blooming lot for today! Blood and Bone ~ Aieeee (Imagine you are wearing a pirate eye patch when you say that . . and that you're also pruning roses at the same time . . . . just for kicks!!)

The culture of food . . . .

2006-08-29T09:22:00.000+09:00

ICL送別会
Originally uploaded by 絵理.

While I have come to think nothing of sashimi, eating rice topped with raw egg and soy sauce, eel and fermented soy beans. Eating bbq grilled whole shishamo (small fish) was a recent development at the BBQ we had the other night . . . . but I doubt that even that change could alter my distaste for the idea of eating the tiny whole crabs that were served up at the farewell for the club that is linked to the International Exchange Centre and for people who want to learn foreign languages and do exchanges. Most of these kids are in the English Faculty which can result is some rather boring interchanges in English because people want to practise ~ but once the underagers all got dangerously drunk to the point of being annoying that was much of a problem and I had a great time with Kana, Kaori and others that I've known since last year. That was also the night that I ended up doing all-night Karaoke.

Buying foreign food ingredients in Japan is an expensive business ~ It strikes me that there is a big cultural difference in the food cultures of countries populated by immigrants and those where the population is largely of a single and relatively harmogenised race. A regular question asked is "what is Australian food like?" or things to that effect. The other day I discovered my tube of Vegemite so thoughtfully given to me by Pippa so long ago when I first left Adelaide to come to Hiroshima. Well, Pavlova is unique to Auslandia . . . so are lamingtons. But they're not cuisine - you can't make a meal of them. So you have to give a lengthy description of how people eat a whole range of food from countries around the world, but traditionally with a strong influence from England, etc. But thenthe food people consume can depend on their family and it's ancestry or it alters with the individual depending on any political views or allergies as in my case, where I eat a whole lot of food that most people probably wouldn't touch with a barge pole!

Soon Kana will head off to Korea for ICL stuff and also to see Hyuk for the first time in a long time. They started dating last year not all that long after we all arrived and are still going well despite so many of the issues that can rear their ugly heads where international and long-distance relationships are involved.

Then we'll both be back in Hiroshima, me with Beenz in toe and there's many a fun plan in the offing.
It's not long now before this will be over and I'll miss Kana, who's been a fabulous friend particularly over the past 6 months - but hopefully won't have to wait long so see her again because she'll come to Adelaide next year!

From this afternoon I'm heading off with Marie and others to Mitaki for a bit of a camping adventure ~ There's a long list of things to be bring . . . slippers for using inside . . . a cup of rice . . . So normal but at the same time so quaintly Japanese. Bit worried that like last time we'll end up eating curry . . . not all that much fun for me. Should be fun . . . Unfortunately due to some big problem with the water system in the Hiroshima area at the moment we can't go to Etajima as planned so I still won't have been there in the end . . . but at least Mitaki is also a new place to go even if it is just another suburb not that far away - in the mountains though so the whole 'suburb' image of plainland A-town doesn't really convert.

Time to getting on with organisation!

A day out with Kyoko

2006-08-28T22:08:00.000+09:00

Today Kyoko and I finally went to an Onsen in the mountains. It was fairly far out in the country, surrounded by mountains. Unfortunately this photo was taken with the most unsightly background that we could possibly have found but them's the chances you take when you hand over your camera - at least it's in focus! No-one much seems to be able to handle my camera. We spent most of the day going from pool to pool to spa to sauna. If only one could spend all one's days in such leisure - how swimmingly life would go along!　For obvious reasons I don't have any photos of the inside of the onsen! \(＞皿＜)/　Though for the most part you wore bathers . . . rather unusual for a Japanese onsen. This was us after our second dip which followed a 10 minute nap in the rest room which turned into a 2 hour afternoon nap . . . that 2am bedtime caught up with me it seems!
Just a random point but this morning amazingly I did make the 1 minute train change this morning!! It was like a continuance of Button Luck!!

On the way home we went to see a whole collection of Jizou statues . . . we all got stung by insects! There were all sorts of jizou for different reasons . . . I think my favourites were those for obtaining happiness and the '出会い' Jizou who will help you to find a special someone . . there were also Jizou for aborted foetus . . . nice mix. Guess where Kyoko and I made our 'negai'~~ o(＞ヘ＜)o

I found the relationship between Kyoko and her mum hilarious. It'd be a bit harder to pick if you didn't understand the language but the way Kyoko speaks to her mum you'd think their roles were reversed ~ using the colloquial imperative form, telling her what to do all the time or telling her off. It was pretty funny and had me laughing all afternoon. She also did this thing of translating what I was saying . . repeating what'd I'd just said as if her mum was hard of hearing or had mild dementia. It was rather odd but fun none-the-less.
Her Dad also seemed pretty nice when we all went out for sushi at a 100 yen sushi train restaurant which belongs to a chain, one store of which Kyoko works. I liked his face and thought this was a really great photo of her parents together. Kyoko looks quite like her Dad. She is such an out-going, pratical, organisational person. She wants to go on exchange but can't really fit it in now that she's part way through her nursing degree. She'd have to pay a lot of money just to be allowed to take a year off. I'm trying to encourage her to come and visit even just for a week if she gets time sometime. She's been such a great friend. I've been a lot of place and done a lot of things that I might not have thanks to her!

2006-08-28T21:07:00.000+09:00

Now I think I do love technology again . . maybe techonology didn't like being up at 2am.

富士山の上でご来光だよ！

I brand new day beginning above the clouds. Pity that Nami and I got separated just before it happened so were a little unsettled, not to mention freezing as it all happened. Funny how that's just so typical of life - Pictures make it look so much cleaner. You can't see the sleepless hours on a cramped bus or the bruised knees, the red eyes and struggle of hours of clambering about in the rain and the dark. But regardless of how much it may have hurt to get there I was going to! And no matter that bits of it are a blur of cold and fatigue I have some amazing memories captured in digital form and in my mind.
I never thought to be moving above the clouds, brought there by my own steam.

Also learned a new word - 雲海　(うんかい - unkai）which sounds unfortunately like 'unko' which means poo, but means the 'sea of clouds' that you see when you look down on them from above. Seemed very poetic to me. Even if the sight of it was slightly terrifying on the descent when I was able to see how precariously close I was to a steep sandy cliff that would start one on a long long tumble if one strayed too far or want just that little too far on one of numerous slips and slides.

The thought that counts . . .

2006-08-28T01:59:00.000+09:00

三段峡にある滝
Originally uploaded by 絵理.

This is one thing that I almost forgot and one that CAN be broadcast publicly!
Not a very Happy Birthday like photo but one that I was really happy with. Taken at Sandankyou when I went there with Risa.

And the special Lady who turns 25 today at some time in Australia, who is currently (I believe) in Italy is Mel. My old friend of GPS and Marryatville. We've both come a long way from that time . . . life has lead us twisted and far-flung paths, but I think there will always be a thread that stretches between us regardless of where we will go or end up. No matter the hurts that run through life there is a an unquenchable sense of love, I will only ever wish and hope for the best for her.
There is a package to be sent but as ever present day life gets in the way of the more abstract . . .

So, Mel, whether you see this or not. I'm thinking of you on your 25th and am sure you're having a good time.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

2006-08-28T01:15:00.000+09:00

Today, even with the sleep deprivation and soreness from the Fuji climb and long bus trips, capped off by the last two trains home being stopped due to an accident on the track . . . I dragged myself with surprisingly speed off to an afternoon of wonderful weather at the beach. Which itself was capped off with a great makeshift BBQ out the front of Keinan's place, up a hill overlooking the sea and city lights.

Damn - why won't the insert image option work ??? I used it the other day to post one up . . . It was an amazing and unexpected find that I was sure would revolutionise my blogging by allowing to post post post photos to my heart's content.

Isn't it crazy the way life can feel so up and down. It's been back to the emotional rollercoaster for me for the past week. I don't like it too much. Somehow I've become a crier. Not sure when it happened . . well, actually I could probably do a pretty good job of pointing it - around that time when tears seemed to flow rather unceasingly for about 3 months . . that might be it, hey! (笑) Looking on at the hurt of others and being reminded of my own that won't go away no matter how busy I try to be, listening to music, getting reprimands for lack of communication, forgetting things that I said I'd do . . .

Bugs seem to be suiciding against the glass doors out to the balcony. I should be asleep because tomorrow I have to be out early to go to an Onsen with Kyoko. But I've just finished a batch of washing from Fuji and swimming today and I also downloaded photos and got inspired to write . . well at least post photos - damn technology and my limited understanding of it!

But I did find a button for changing the colour of my text!! Whoopeee . . . There's an actress one doesn't hear much from these days . . .

Speaking of buttons - today I dropped one and then I found it again many hours later and having been far away from said button - It seemed kind of special that I could come back and there it was - like it had been waiting for me. Special little button.

This is a rather blabbery post . . . there are things that I want to say to certain people - gee things can get messy and complicated and ugly. Things that ought to be said . . if only they could ever be said face to face. But I think that as they can't they should at least be sent out in a more private forum than this. I am fairly sure that for all of my dreams (笑) of fame via my popular popular blog, it's really only read by a few people who know me relatively well. I've been hurt a lot in my life ~ that might sound dramatic, it's not as though I'm a victim of abuse or anything, I really only mean that I take people pretty seriously and ever since I was little I've been super sensitive and been emotional hurt a lot ~ this tends to mean that I can have an angry front and though I may spit and fire from time to time this is from fear of getting hurt and wanting to be perfect like I know I never will be, so that I'll finally be invincible. . . . Hmmm . . thoughts are wandering and I'm not sure this will make sense when people read it or why it's all coming out now. I suppose I want to reach out to the people who I know are really hurting now but I don't like to air these things in public - it's that protective thing. Maybe it seems that I do say a lot in this blog . . and I do. But there are things that I think will never get in here. A pity in a way because this has become an fairly constant documentation of my life as it has been happening for the past year and a bit. It has actually changed my life in some ways . . . started interests and concerns in areas that were previously blanks. It's not that I don't trust my lovely reading audience. A lot of the things that I am refering to are things that were few people know. And as one special friend once said 'all these written things - these words - are play; a way that we present ourselves - a whole lot of it is persona' or something to that effect. We all know it and use - at different times for different purposes and it had amazing and varied effects - like a new and separate being - a little white lie of yourself. Like one of those mirrors in a magic mirror maze that show aspects of you all out of proportion . . . a different you - sometimes more and at other times less, appealing. What was the point - this is getting unpleasently introspective . . . .

Point . . perhaps. That I should be writing emails to a number of important people rather than waffling on here! But I have to find the strength to overcome a lot of sadness in order to try to help others. Or maybe by just trying to talk to them eventually I'll come right.

Tonight I got a lovely email as I was coming home on the train from Keinan's . . . . it was simple but surprising and had me tears - how unusual! Still means a lot!
If you can't read it, go learn Japanese! (Or ask me sometime in a more private forum! (笑))

It's probably more kind than I deserve from a person who has been very good to me with little in return. If only I could give more . . . Life is a backward place sometimes . . . times, people and places.

“好きな彼氏と別れて辛いと思うけど、母国に帰っても楽しい毎日を送るように～”

Now I should be off . . . photo or no photo as the case is unfortunately!

It's 2am yet again . . . .

BTW - Angela Aki - turning into a big fan of her's.

I have republished - and I love technology again

Look out world . . . here I come!

2006-08-27T01:57:00.000+09:00

I CLIMBED MT FUJI!!!!

I also got home EVENTUALLY and found a letter from Finland waiting for me and ate vegemite for the first time in what feels like a lifetime.

First Mt Fuji, then the world

2006-08-24T12:29:00.000+09:00

Maki
Originally uploaded by 絵理.

I'm exhausted after an emotionally stressful afternoon and evening. A whole lot of things came to a head and I forgot an engagement I had made in a rush to meet up with Maki for the last time before she returns to stinky New York and return to the A-town 'burbs for an unspecified period of time.
This is a photo that I took of her last week at karaoke - I thought it was a good but apparently she was of a different opinion.
Slept on the couch last night when we finally got off to bed at 3am. I was in the curve and the end chair kept sliding away all night so I had an interesting time of it. For some reason my calves are all sore and so I'm getting jittery about tomorrow. I should have left the house already to return home and then rush into town to do errands but it's hard to work up the gumption to leave the cool of the house to navigate my way down the hill to the train station - no umbrella either - will have to lather on the sunscreen.

We had another long talk over breakfast about the perils of student exchange and how it can really jeopardise certain things in life that you might previously have taken for granted.
It's been so nice to have this last chance to hang out together and indulge in the wonderful traditional cuisine of Maki's Mum. She really is an ace in the kitchen . . . さすが、(Alex!) she used to be a cooking teacher or something and is rather the perfect traditional Japanese homemaker. Such a lovely lady - like my Japanese Mum. If Kumi is my Japanese big sister!

Will report back once I get home from Fuji . . . should have lots of good shots if only I had more flickr capacity!!

2006-08-23T16:03:00.000+09:00

Aliese is the best.
I'm sorry I forget to say that, but I think it all the time and know I'd never be okay without her.

O(>o<)O 大好きだよ！

Photos, photos and more photos!

2006-08-23T15:22:00.000+09:00

ICL送別会、徹夜でカラオケした！
Originally uploaded by 絵理.

This is me and Kaori a while back doing all night karaoke. She's now in California, no longer homeless and seems to be enjoying herself - have just been chatting on msn.

Soooooo many photos from this last month of goings on . . .
It's been another morning of being at homeness even though I was thinking I'd go into town and get a whole lot of errands done. Instead I have done more MD making and uploaded lots of photos. Done more planning of travels for September and will soon head out to visit Maki. Going to hang out with her for the evening and have dinner with her family. She doesn't head back to New York until Friday but I'm off to climb Mt Fuji tomorrow night.

Have cleared out a lot of photos from my memory card in preparation for tomorrow's trip. Should read the list of other things I need to take - the tour group sent a 4 page list for us! How super duper organised.

Anyone ever been to Kyushu ?
I should call a temple in Koyasan and make a reservation today too . . . but I dislike phone calls in English, let alone Japanese! Koyasan is a village of temples on the top of a mountain and you go there and wander about in the high altitude coolness, stay in temples and eat yummy vegan food. Should be fun - last time I went there was a typhoon hitting and it rained.

Should get off to the post office.

2006-08-23T00:18:00.000+09:00

I somehow had no idea this much time had passed since my last post. It's evidentally Wednesday - ah! I see, I still have today left to while away . . I've had Tuesday and it's just gone Wednesday - that's a bit of a relief. Thursday I go to climb Mt Fuji. But has just taken me a while to dredge up what it is that I have been up to . . . . Last week was busy busy.
Monday - beach with Keinan, et al.
Tuesday - raced home, bought watermelon and dashed off on my bike to meet Risa. Went to Sandankyo.
Wednesday - Rina and I spent most of the day hanging around together in Soleil - saw Gedo Senki. Purikura and yet another shirt - but a reasonable purchase because it will shield me from the harmful UV rays . . . any excuse!
Thursday - After a surprise phone call, spent the day with Maki who had returned unexpectedly from NY.
Friday - Caught up with Kyoko after an age of not seeing each other at all! We used to see each other most weeks before I returned to Auslandia in March but since then we haven't seen each once! We had a nice time though, unfortunately we ended up shopping which is no good for my packing efforts!!
Saturday I did organisational stuff and then spent the afternoon with Osan doing cooking stuff - She wanted me to make Lasagna and I wanted her to teach me how to make Manju. I thought it was amusing given I can't eat lasgna for a number of reasons and thus haved made the stuff for almost ten years. The white sauce sure was a battle! Then family friends turned up for a bit of a dinner party and we all stayed up into the wee small hours - You wouldn't expect it of young families - well, I don't. But then kids just pass out one by one and we keep on keeping on.
Sunday - Osan stayed over Saturday night and we had a leisurely family morning before hitting the road to Iwakuni for the afternoon. There was much splashing in the rather muddy river by the kintaikyo - see some of the very first photos on this blog/my flickr site. Then we trekked further into the mountains and had dinner in some mountain enclosed out-door restaurant site. It was a long trip home and Kumi and I nursed the girls whilst Kumi counselled me on certain troubling issues of late and we discussed various cultural differences between Australia, Japan and China amongst other things.
Monday - Caught the train a station away to meet Marie. Rented a few Japanese videos and bought ingredients for lunch. Made said lunch and watched said videos and have thoroughly enjoyable and edifying time. I learnt all about different kinds of traditional Japanese ghosts and the like. Had dinner with Marie's family and then got home in time to cook dinner for my own. Made a white sauce based chicken and vegetable pie that Osan had meant to make on Saturday. Went down a treat and then I tried making a kind of lactose-free trifle. It was a mild success and reminded me of why I have given up cooking in the main.

And today . . . ughh! It was one of those days when my life seems to be being sapped away. Right when I was going to go out and do errands it poured down so I changed my plans and did more home jobs. But when I don't get out of the house for a bit in the day I always end up feeling as though I've accomplished nothing! And I HATE that feeling.
But I have made some progress on travel plans - and even almost finalised some bookings for September.
Completed some parcels and CDs and the like . . . .
Heard my Nan struggling to come to grips with the idea that I could hear her even though she was talking at the computer - pity that my mic is still playing up and she couldn't hear me!! Scary how people can start to age really quickly. Will be glad to get to see her soon.

Uhh! SO hot that I almost need another shower before bed . . there's sweat on the backs of my hands?!???
This week Fuji. Home. Beach again with Keinan probably. Onsen with Kyoko.
Must find time to see Ryoko.
Group trip to neighbouring island, Etajima.
THEN it's September. Seeing some 'chorus line' performance with Kumi. Ara and I will go to Osaka and Kyoto.
Then Beenz arrives on the 11th!! Plans very much coming together on that front.

But then kind of dreading the end of September and all that it will involve.
Should get to bed - meant to have an early night but not after sudden drive of energy regarding travel accommodation and dish washing.

Goodnight ether.

PS To Sarah - thank you for your email - big warm fuzzies! o(>o<)o

Ahh! Still some many photos that need uploading!

Reunions before the big farewells

2006-08-18T23:59:00.000+09:00

月曜日の６時限目のクラスの送別会
Originally uploaded by 絵理.

Another of the Farewell parties from the end of semester. Kaori has already headed off for a year in California ~ She left without her accommodation finalised and I haven't heard from her. Hope she's doing okay!! We had a great time getting drunk together and were appalled to discover that we were quite mistaken about how old most of the boys in our class were ~ Oh the pain of being an Uni student when I'm really not the age for it anymore!! this is mainly because schooling here is so structured in the way that one genereally passes through it. There are 4 years and you are classified by what year you are in - people will know your age and know whether you are a senpai or kouhai. Now that I've been here a while I'm classified as a second year but am not the prerequisite 19 years old!! But in many ways I love the fact that it's like getting my early Uni years all over again without having to try so hard, having more freedom, a bike, more self-confidence in my own brilliance, a second language to make mistakes in and a better tolerance for alcohol.

The past few days have been ones of unexpected reunions.
Maki popped back to Hiroshima from New York and rang me out of the blue. We spent all over yesterday together. Eating too much wonderful organic vegies and drinking endless tea, coffee and juice over crazily bilingual conversation and photo viewing sessions. Then we did some random window shopping and maki bought some English pop CD she'd been unable to obtain in the USA - apparently it all gets grouped under "world music" - Australia, English, Japanese and the rest of the world that we more commonly associate with the 'world music' genre - well as least I have has always done so. * Note to Em: I accidentally stumbled across Snow Patrol - I liked tracks 2 and 6 . . didn't get much further than that . . but it was good to have a chance to hear them after you'd talked about them ~ Oh, how's Ro going ?!! o(ーo＜)／

Printed photos, went to karaoke for a few hours, took purikuri - god how Japanese have I become ?? . . . Went to Tower Records and even though I know I have no money and and no room for luggage I bought stuff - only it's stuff I don't expect to keep. Harry Potter 1 for Kana because she has 3 but nothing else - weird hey. Then I randomly found a double CD set of Cat Empire beingh featured which struck me as entertaining and so I made Maki have a listen. She took a liking to it and as I had not realised it was her birthday last week - somehow I don't seem so good at getting these things sorted out here and I had a vague idea it was in October - so I bought it for her. Figured it was a step up from Hilary Duff and others that young women here somehow end up listening to . . .and I've decided that I should be trying to introduce people here to stuff other than the really mainstream stuff coming in from the USA if I can - at least now some of my friends and associates are vaguely aware of the fact music is being created and performed in Auslandia.
I decided I should head home to hang with the family at about 8:30 seeing as it takes 30 minutes on the bike. As I was seeing Maki off to the tram a voice called out and it was a dolled up, new head-do bedecked Nami! We're going to climb Mt Fuji togethe rnext week, but rarely catch up these days. She was going to meet friends from work to head out bowling so I waited with her and we had a fun time chatting away about various things - have made a plan for her to come with the Beenz and myself to Miiyajima and Iwakuni in Septmeber. I'm getting rather well organised with all our plans now which is exciting.

Dammit - Kumi and Hide are watching some show about strange thing scaptured on films - presumably ghosts and stuff. And though I don't go in for that kind of thing really I find the constant hunting out of weird stuff is getting to me. I've always been a person who gets scared by those kinds of things if I think about them - ick! I'll probably have a distrubed night's sleep. And the annoying thing is that I know I don't have much time for this kind of thing but it still manages to freak me out!! Arrrgghhhg!

From last night we had news of a typhoon coming our way which meant that though I was meant to be meeting a friend Kyoko whom I haven't seen since I left Hiroshima in February to return to A-town for a bit. Though I said to her I didn't want to go shopping and suggested we go to one of the art galleries because there was an exhibition that Marie had gone to see and said was good, we ended up shopping - Oh Dear Me!! What shall I do ?? Whilst I know that I am having a hard time with the current load of things I own - I now have to more lovely jackets. Nice, useful and decently priced but what shall I do ??? I shall hope that the Beenz is capable of carrying many bags and brings very little with her. ～(日o 日)～
Not only was Kyoko useless at discouraging me from buying, unlike Kana, she was lovely enough to bring along a present she'd had for me for my birthday. I also had presents for her so that cool, but her's is a bowl and little teapot - how on earth am I to get these things all home ?? We also took purikura!! I made a number of amazing discoveries! I usually go to the place we went today but before now I didn't know that the rental of the costumes and props there is free!! Not only that, but they'll make your photos into a badge for you for free too!!! Top stuff!!! Another thing for the list of Beenz activities!!

Even though Kumi kept harping on about how the typhoon was coming and the buses and trains were likely to stop and the wind would be fierce I ended up riding into town just like I always do. That was nice and I didn't get too wet so I'm glad I did.

Tonight Kumi and I prepared dinner together - in English. It was pretty funny. I also discovered that my intonation of the word 'mizu' is so times backwards so that instead of saying 'water' I am saying 'don't look/without looking' . . . Aghh! The frustration of learning a language where word meaning is altered according to intonation rather than stress like my mother-tongue. So hard to hear and be constantly aware of.

Tomorrow I have given myself the morning off for odd-jobs and package organising. Then O-san is coming over and we're to make Vegetable Dumpling Buns and Lasagna. Not being able to eat Lasagna for a plethora of reason i haven't made it in years - wonder how I'll go. Ingredients for said 'exotic' food are bloody expensive so it'd better go ok! Ohhh 野菜饅頭　（Yasai Manjuu） - how I love thee - let me count the ways . . .

Kids, timing and an unexpected return

2006-08-16T11:17:00.000+09:00

花火大会を見ながらたくさん写真を撮った
Originally uploaded by 絵理.

Whilst washing up brekkie dishes I missed a call - from Maki.
She rang again just before - she's back in Hiroshima!!!
So exciting!! Hopefully we'll catch up tomorrow!

We've just missed the two morning sessions of the movie so now I'm taking Rina by train to Soliel for the 2pm session. I figure if me leave now we should make it, hey!!

Summer traditions

2006-08-16T11:07:00.000+09:00

三次の花火大会
Originally uploaded by 絵理.

Here on a summer night you will hear the sound of fireworks going off. Like the smell of a BBQ in the evening as the day cools off a little in Australia.
It's not illegal to set off fireworks here and you can buy them at most combinis. The fireworks at the show at Miyoshi were rather different to those at things I have seen in Australia. Mainly blasts and the interest of individual fireworks as opposed to making shapes or patterns. Not many on the ground either. But there were ones that shaped into Helly Kitty and Doraemon's faces and the SMILE face - some that exploded into birds or flowers.
The one pictured was one of my favourite kinds and I was excited that I managed to capture both stages of its explosion, and which the mountains vaguely visible in the background with the lights of the road, houses and cars.

Summer here is the noisy sound of セミ insects crying.
Seasons are different . . .

The Fam

2006-08-16T10:25:00.000+09:00

芸備線で向原から三次に行く
Originally uploaded by 絵理.

Kumi-chan, Riyo and Hide - another of my families away from family.
How cute does Riyo look in here little jimbei ?? Very! is the answer!

It now feels very much like family in this home. I will be sad to leave - it has been a most amazing 6 months with these lovely people. How time flies.

Today we're having a bit of a girl's day in the house - but may eventually manage to get the kids ready and out to the movies. Will try and get to ゲド戦記 (Gedo Senki - newest Ghibli anime based on The Wizard of Earthsea series). Good to rest my mangey foot probably too.

I hear on the grapevine that Rebecca got the parcel I sent . . . if others in places such as Finland would only send their addresses then more packages would start winging their way about the place!!

A while back we did a typical Japanese summer activity of going to a fireworks show. There was one the night before last at Miyajima - always popular and packed out so I thought the beach was a much better option. But last month we all went to Mukaihara in the car and then on to Miyoshi on a twilight train ride through the green countryside. Family friends whom Rina was staying with had already saved a spot and provided us with a bit of food as we all sat along the raised concrete wall overlooking the river with a backdrop of mountains. It was probably one of the nicest fireworks event I've ever been to! Now horrible music blaring and set in rather beautiful natural surroundings. I also had some fun taking lots of photos . . .

Right - time to get on with the rest of the morning.

My life as a waterbaby

2006-08-15T23:43:00.000+09:00

宮島で泳いだ
Originally uploaded by 絵理.

I have done so many water-related activities this past few days . . . I realise that I do really love the water. My issues with it mainly arise from bad ears, a massive (and substantially reasonable) fear of sharks . . and a less reasonable one of crabs - of the larger variety that inhabit the shallows of Henley and Grange and like to snap onto innocent waders who even have the decency to scan the water for them before they enter - hmpff!!
I am a water sign so it all makes sense . . the bit I don't get is that I'm cancer and all - what's with the crab attacks ??

We went on a holiday holiday to far-flung Shimane-ken . . . yes, the one above us about two hours away - how terribly tiring by Japanese terms. As an Australian it's rather laughable!! I got up early to help Kumi get stuff organised but she seemed a little behind in all the things she wanted to get done the night before. I stayed up quite working in a sudden frenzy of luggage packing and paper sorting - you see the amount of paper - I'm sure I have enough for a couple of trees - how hideous!! But as those of you who have received recently sent packages you will be aware I am doing my best to recycle and provide either edifying, unusual, interesting and/or illegible items as wrapping for your enjoyment!!

Anyway . . .

We went to Aquas - the aquarium in Shimane and it was a little depressing because the tanks were so bare of foliage in the main that despite a large majority of the creatures being sharks I did feel for them. Didn't look at all like an interesting place to live - except for a couple of the tropical/Australian fish tanks.
But there were two humorous displays of the Sealions and Seals . . well I'm not so sure what they all were exactly because they used the Japanese names. But one was definitely like the type you see on Kangaroo Island - I think~. It was amusing because there were three of one kind and only one of the other but the solo animal was evidentally the smart and capable one of the bunch. One of the slower ones was used in the show to wave rather feeebly at the end of the show whilst the other one that I shall name KI was the star. It made me wonder whether though he seemed popular in fact the keepers thought he was a stuck-up jack-ass whom one must put up with as best as one can simply because he's the crowd-winner. Kind of like rockstars who smash things in hotels and the like . . . or maybe the aquatic world is less fickle and just because you can't walk about on either simply your front or hind flippers, instead lumbering in an ungainly way, maybe you don't burn rage and jealously and you enjoy the fish. Maybe deep down he's a kindly down-to-earth seal/sealion who will end up with the girl next door type of sealess because he's intrinisically such a good guy.

. . . made me wonder what that Sea World place used to be like in Adelaide - I only remember it through photos of me being there as a little kid before it closed.

That night we ate grilled meal on a balcony outside of what I'd always imagined the Loveshack of tacky sing along, dance along drunken haze song of the same name, would look like if it existed. It seemed very relaxingly natural and unJapanese to me. Beautifully cool by the crashing waves, with the horizon blazing with the lights of the squid fishing boats. Apparently from space they are the brightest thing on earth . . . brighter than Manhatten, Tokyo . . various places depending on the time of telling, teller and amount of alcohol imbied.

The next day we decided the sea would be overcrowded by the time everyone got going so we headed inland to a forest and splashed about in a river. I ended up just jumping in fully clothed with exhiliration of how nice it all was. This turned out to be a bad choice for my new tshirt which is now rather saggy but a good thing for my skin as I remain relatively pale despite hours of sitting in the cool waters for hours on end.

Yesterday was hot and I had three showers before I left the house. I went to the beach with Keinan, meeting him half way and then meeting up with others already there with a little shaded platform all sorted out for us. I was feeling a bit out of sorts about it all but we had a fantastic time. I got the better of my sunscreen-hatred and lathered up, but kept the old painted splattered cargo shorts on - Ugg! Skinny Japanese girls! No boobs - I must console myself on that one. There was a big wall and net surrounding the swimming area which meant that despite the rather extreme depth of the water I was able to calmly swim about and all the way out to the wall. People were surprised that I could swim 'so well' - I'm sure people who know me well enough will realise this must just be a case of relativity!! But it was a lovely way to spend the hot day. I also broke the whole don't swim for 30 minutes after you've eaten rule for the first time that I remember - and lived to tell the tale. I wasn't worried about the depth thing at all but maybe that was helped my the cloudiness of the water - not quite as unclean as when we braved the water at Miyajima after the festival there some months back just before exams. *See the photo featured in the post of the ladies taking a dip with rain clouds coming in on the horizon over the oyster harvesting bays and the distant coast of Hiroshima city.
Why is that that whenever I go swimming with boys I slice up my toes ?? The blood was quite incredible. I find that people here tend to overreact so much to injuries which makes me tend to downplay them. Did make walking home up the hill to Keinan's a bit too difficult as my birkis were slicked with blood that wouldn't stop running even hours later. So once we were safely past the police station (amusing because POLICE was written in english on the outside and the English-ignorant Keinan tried rather hopelessly to work on his pronunciation of the word - He does okay with 'promise' and 'i knows (nothing)'='eye nose'. My Chinese is equally hopeless so I can't really make fun) I ended up riding pillon on his bike - yet another rule-breaking experience all in one day!! How reckless! Felt quite vulnerable on the bike - haven't ridden once since I was quite small and Dad would drop me to school on the back of a much bigger one than Keinan's.

Surprisingly lovely afternoon when I hadn't been looking forward to it at all for random other reasons. And it turns out that the two other girls who were there will also be on the club trip to Etajima later in the month - that I had forgotten. They said they had seen what they thought was my name on the list but I said I hadn't been invited and wasn't going though I knew about it. An hour later it occured to me that Marie had invited me ages (2 months or something) ago!!! Crazy me! That's more time suddenly gone - but nicely filled with what should be an interesting experience - haven't yet made it to Etajima.

Woke up kind of late (9am) this morning and had to getting going to meet up with Risa back near my place in Hesaka, so whilst showering Keinan made more yummy Chinese food for brekkie and dropped me off at the station on the bike again . . . I used to want to get a bike license . . . maybe I will one day.
I got home and had a lot of emails from the family concerning issues in the home - hugs peeps. Then dashed off on my mama-chari to grab a half a watermelon and pineapple from the shop and hot footed it over to Omachi to meet Risa. Were intending to go to her house because she'd invited, hence the fruit=presents, but when I rocked up she said today wasn't such a great day (lots of relatives around for Obon and stuff. NB Her Dad is one of those Japanese blokes who's been moved about for work and thus lives separately from his family - he's currently in Chiba, near Tokyo and comes home about twice a year - Sometimes I think, what kind of a society is this ??) So instead we headed off to Sandankyo in her flash car that she OWNS!! It was fantastic - not what I had imagined would exist in Japan despite having been to lots of places here, I still wouldn't have thought that any places like this still remained in Japan. It was brilliant despite the difficulty of my slow healing cuts to my toes and finally dying Birkis - way do the soles always give out on me within about a year of purchase??? I won't struggle to describe it but say that water was involved, of course, and it was quite a bit cooler than Hiroshima in the city. Other than that I shall sleep on it and post some photos soon.

Well, seems like despite block I can still spin a wod of a yarn once I get rolling.

Have also come up with some really good ideas of some new and interesting places to take the Beenz when she comes!

Night peeps.

Slurp those noodles Japanese style

2006-08-15T22:29:00.000+09:00

送別会
Originally uploaded by 絵理.

I seem to have been suffering from bloggers block. Despite the fact that I have time and quite a deal pile of things to write about and photos to accompany said accounts . . . I just can't do it. I figure there must be something freaking me out but I'm not really sure what it is.
Tonight I have decided that as I'm here alone I will take on a blogging spree to catch up with photos and information. Maybe that will get the verbal juices flowing.
Apologies to all those who have repeatedly sent me emails but got very little in response - it's all part of the same problem but I've had such a wonderful last few days that I figure now was the time to start pulling out the stops.

A photo from our Farewell party what seems like an age back in June. I had a lovely time chatting away with Marie. E-san and Lane are blurring about in the background but that has more to do with the alcohol and excitement in the room that bad photography if you ask me! I'm tucking into Itokonyaku (noodles made of konyaku, a fairly tasteless and rubbery substance which I quite happen to like, but Alex can't abide) . . . I thought it would make a pretty funny photo to have all of those jellyfish-leg like gross looking strands hanging out all over the place - ばっちり！
I will miss Oden Konyaku . . . yummy yummy!

Big hugs to a struggling lady in Atown - who's made a big and tough decision today and is feeling sad. Love you HEAPS (my English maybe getting rusty but I do remember that much Adelaidean) and wish I could be there to give you big hug. Whip you away on a fantastic holiday o(～皿～)o

Right -maybe that's even for a start . . . Family are home.

Holidays sap

2006-08-07T15:08:00.000+09:00

送別会、すき焼き
Originally uploaded by 絵理.

Lost in Translation is on in the background. Weird to see it again after all this time and understand all of the Japanese I didn't understand at the time. And also be struck by how self-absorbed the main characters are. I suppose it's a bit something to do with depression . . . that people lose track of perspective or whatever. I just figure that they have also this money and are lounging around complaining bitterly when they could be doing something about it. Not that money is the be all and end all that make everything all better but they just seem kind of whingey if you ask me.

This is a photo from one of the farewell parties I've been to in the past couple of weeks. This was probably one of the most enjoyable events. Lots of friends always make for a good combo. Pictured enjoying the Sukiyaki (which was very yummy once I'd order lots of vegies to go in it) are Ara and Nami, both of whom I will be travelling with before I leave. From the 24th to the 26th Nami and I are going on a worldwind 3 day trip to climb Mt Fuji with friend's of her's. Should be crazy and tiring I expect.

Ara and I will head off on the 3rd of September to the Kansai region to do some sightseeing in Osaka and Kyoto. Then I'll spend a few days wandering about on my own and then meet The Beenz on the 11th.
Getting plans in order but must get on to booking accommodation.

Thursday, plans to hang out with Kana. Lane is going home. Tori has already left for Tokyo and then Europe.

Friday I go to Shimane with the family and we go to Mukaihara for Obon with the extended family.

I realise that with my planned travels in September I must now make sure to see everyone in August. Time flies . . . .

Holidays . . .

2006-08-04T21:31:00.000+09:00

View from my window
Originally uploaded by 絵理.

Lots of photos that I want to post up.
Lots of things to say and stories to tell.
. . . there's a chair as well.
But somehow now that it's holidays I have no time.
I was at home all day today despite meaning to ride into town and deal with a few things.
But nights I somehow get lonely and have taken to watching Japanese films and dramas that I have borrowed from the rental shop as a way of working on my language - truth be told I'm wanting to burn them to watch when I go home later in the year but my computer seems to have decided that it's not feeling like burning the abovementioned items for me! How frustrating.
So I keep sleeping in. This is a view I see a lot of . . .

This whole sleeping thing was not assisted by all night Karaoke on Wednesday night. Which was rather fun and is another thing I can now cross off my list! ～(＊ヮ＊)～ I rode home in the surprising cool of 6am - feeling quite refreshed and happy 　o(@ - @)o but crashed out til 1:30 when I awoke to three messages and a missed call from Kana say she'd arrived in Hesaka to come and watch Kill Bill. Which we did all afternoon after I'd done a flashquick clean up of all the things I'd strewn about the room in an effort to start the pack up. It was a lovely way to spend the weary time. We had lots of discussions about English and Japanese, it was a very edifying way to watch. And though I'm not a massive fan of Quentin Tarantino or anything I love Kill Bill - especially no 1 for it the interesting way in which it's part together.

Today I mended some clothes, watch 今、会いに行きます　(Ima, aini yukimasu - Now, I come to meet (you)) which I remember being a film available for viewing on my first trip to Japan those few years ago. It was nice to finally see it and I had forgotten that this was that particular movie and had wanted to see it because I like the theme song by Orange Range and I am a bit of a fan of the main female actress.

Lots of letters on the go.

Also had a wonderful and unexpected call from Maki which was fantastic! まき、電話をかけてくれて、ありがとう！　まきの声を聞いたら嬉しかった。

Also had the first chance in a while to chat to Beenz about plans for ouor September trip - how is that 15 days is both long and far far too short??! Should be a great time.

Oi, Pips! Email ya freaking address lady! o( ＞ゥ＜)／

Geets?? Are you still alive and kicking ?

Shining light

2006-08-01T00:14:00.000+09:00

Shining light of Miyajima
Originally uploaded by 絵理.

　。。。夏休みに入ってきた！　ウレッチ～

I have at last hit the shining brilliance that is summer holidays! Whilst I went out with a bit of a fizzle, disappointing myself with a hopeless effort at my last remaining piece of work. I've already put that in the past and am looking forward to the amazingness that I plan to make of this next two months!

Got the Astram stright into town this evening and pick up Rina from the Royal Hotel where Kumi had work and we went wandering about together which was quite lovely. Then we ended up being asked to dinner with the local government bloke whose show it had been which was quite pleasant. Ended up spending most of the time speaking to the official"s wife in English because evidentally they had spent 3 years in America about 20 years ago and she was clearly happy to chat anyway and polish up her language skills, which were still surprisingly still very good. I don't really like people speaking to me in English but when I don't know who people are in such settings I feel it's best to err on the side of politeness and respond as they seem to wish. Plus, when I get tired I find it hard to switch back and forth between languages so agilely.

Tomorrow I have hanging out plans with Yoko.
Wednesday Tori is heading off to Tokyo and then on to her OS travels, and in the evening there is another farewell party - a rich ￥3300！
Saturday Rina has a dance performance.
Sunday I'm going to hang out with Kana and we're going to work on our English together in the hope that she'll get the 7 extra points on the English Language Test when she takes it again so that she will be accepted to the exchange progamme to come to Adelaide next year!! Would be sooooo great if she did come!

Have to start planning the trip with Beenz.
Ara (Korean exchange student) and I also want to go somewhere together.
Obon is coming up too so that will invole some travelling with the family and going to Hide's family farm, which should all be nice.
Besides which it will nice just to have some to hang out with the family and do random fun stuff.
Ghibli Studio movie that just came out of the weekend. ゲドの戦記.
AND there is the trip at the end of the month to climb Mt Fuji!

And so many other things that I have yet to come up with.

Oh, and start that dreaful process of trying to pack up all of my stuff - it just grows and grows - can clothes breed?

Endings . . .

2006-07-30T11:47:00.000+09:00

My last Thursday lunch with the Alexmiester!
Originally uploaded by 絵理.

On Thursday we had our last exams. One either side of lunch. Alex and I sat in Forest as we have many times before and ate our last lunch together. Today I'm trying to motivate myself to read the Czech history book and write my essay but I can see it's going to be a hash job tomorrow at school; a race to hand it up - again! If it was English there'd be no problem but the prospect of an entire book in Japanese on a topic that I'd have difficulty following in English (Czech history is complicated~~All that changing of borders and country names that goes on in eastern Europe . . .ugh!) is soo demotivating!

Anyway, I plan to go and see Alex off at the Shinkansen entrance at Hiroshima station this arvo . . . Funny how you can look back on a year and see all sorts of things. Everyone is different, but Alex is one of those special ladies who doesn't hold back on the kindness to the peeps. She's very shrewd and straight up. If she hadn't listened and comforted me on countless occasions the last 6~9 months especially in Hiroshimaland would have been much closer to insufferable without her.
So big bugs and fishes to a great lady!
Will miss your perceptiveness in this land of craziness! Thank you so much!

Then there's apparently a party for Keinan moving out of the Kaikan, Victoria and Lane are also heading out of Hiroshima in the next week or so . . . A whole lot of endings . . .

Took some good photos at the 花火大会 (Big Fireworks Show) on Friday which I'll try and post tonight.
Oh the freedom of holidays is just around the corner.

And I must lament general inability to accurately gauge ages of people of different racial backgrounds . . . Oh so cute but farrrrrr too young. The pain of hanging out with Uni students and hitting an age where by all rights you ought perhaps to be out there winning your bread, how it stings! o(>~<)o Hee hee

Oh righto, back to old Praha~