Me: Happy Birthday Nikolas, what did you get?
Nikolas: I got $190 plus the $50 you gave me!
Me: Wow, that's $240, you're gonna be rich at this rate!
Nikolas: Everyone is telling me that, but that's not much money.
aaaahh Yeahp.
21 April 2008
20 April 2008
Canberra balloon festival 2008 - another disappointment
Yesterday I woke up at 5.15am to capture some photos of the 2008 Balloon Festival. We got there at 6.00 only to find the reflection pool empty. The only reason anyone would get up at that hour would be to take some great photos of hot air balloons in the reflection of the pool. Last year I also got up at some ungodly hour only to get to the balloon festival to find a gaudy fence around the reflection pool. Why oh why would the Canberra council plan maintenance of the pool to coincide with the balloon festival? The mind boggles.
By 7.00am not even one balloon had been 'blown up' (because of some slight wind maybe) so Dave and I left. So I don't even have a photo of a balloon to post here.
The following photos I have chosen because I want to highlight a couple of things (mostly to non-Canberrans):
In this photo, note:
a) the lack of water in the reflection pool (bottom of the photo)
b) all the people up at the crack of dawn to see the non-existent balloons
c) only some of the beautiful colours you will see on the trees in autumn - truly, a beautiful sight - I cannot rave enough about this. This photo doesn't even do it justice, there are plenty more colours to see.
Getting up early for photography reasons does have some great advantages, note the pink in the sky. In this photo you can see the corner of Old Parliament House. And lastly, the tents of the 'tent embassy' bottom right corner.
Not great images by any stretch of the imagination, but they demonstrate my points.
These photos were taken on my old camera (the 350D) that I borrowed back from Richard. He thankfully replaced the kit lens with a decent 28-135 'all-rounder' type lens, a 3.5 to 5.6.
By 7.00am not even one balloon had been 'blown up' (because of some slight wind maybe) so Dave and I left. So I don't even have a photo of a balloon to post here.
The following photos I have chosen because I want to highlight a couple of things (mostly to non-Canberrans):
In this photo, note:
a) the lack of water in the reflection pool (bottom of the photo)
b) all the people up at the crack of dawn to see the non-existent balloons
c) only some of the beautiful colours you will see on the trees in autumn - truly, a beautiful sight - I cannot rave enough about this. This photo doesn't even do it justice, there are plenty more colours to see.
Getting up early for photography reasons does have some great advantages, note the pink in the sky. In this photo you can see the corner of Old Parliament House. And lastly, the tents of the 'tent embassy' bottom right corner.
Not great images by any stretch of the imagination, but they demonstrate my points.
These photos were taken on my old camera (the 350D) that I borrowed back from Richard. He thankfully replaced the kit lens with a decent 28-135 'all-rounder' type lens, a 3.5 to 5.6.
17 April 2008
When is a schadenfreude not a schadenfreude?
Today wasn't a great day at work. Someone (a full-timer) had a dig at me for being a contractor. Contractors I have worked with in the past used to tell me this sort of stuff went on, but today I understood what it felt like. On top of that the reality of working again and the stresses that go with it are starting to hit home.
But the corker happened well after I had left for the day. By some sheer miracle I decided to leave my brand new laptop locked up at work for the night, and you will read why I will be eternally grateful for that.
I parked the car on the kerb as I thought P wasn't home yet. Walking towards the door, an invisible one centimetre piece of cement protruded from the ground. My right shoe hit the invisible piece of cement and immediately grounded my right foot. However my body was still moving. Staggered seconds later, two hands and two knees hit the ground with all my weight forcing me down. Gym bag a metre to my left, hand bag and all its contents sprawled a metre to my right, and I couldn't believe what had just happened.
The pain in my palms was excruciating, but before I even got up (I kid you not, both hands were still on the ground), I checked to see who had witnessed this humiliating fall. Thank Fuck, no-one was in sight.
I picked myself up, checked that the brand new suit didn't have premature holes, and entered the house. Saw P there... and immediately burst into laughter.
Hours later, as I type this, my belly literally hurts and there are tears streaming down my face....from laughing.
If you didn't laugh at this post, there is seriously something wrong with you.
But the corker happened well after I had left for the day. By some sheer miracle I decided to leave my brand new laptop locked up at work for the night, and you will read why I will be eternally grateful for that.
I parked the car on the kerb as I thought P wasn't home yet. Walking towards the door, an invisible one centimetre piece of cement protruded from the ground. My right shoe hit the invisible piece of cement and immediately grounded my right foot. However my body was still moving. Staggered seconds later, two hands and two knees hit the ground with all my weight forcing me down. Gym bag a metre to my left, hand bag and all its contents sprawled a metre to my right, and I couldn't believe what had just happened.
The pain in my palms was excruciating, but before I even got up (I kid you not, both hands were still on the ground), I checked to see who had witnessed this humiliating fall. Thank Fuck, no-one was in sight.
I picked myself up, checked that the brand new suit didn't have premature holes, and entered the house. Saw P there... and immediately burst into laughter.
Hours later, as I type this, my belly literally hurts and there are tears streaming down my face....from laughing.
If you didn't laugh at this post, there is seriously something wrong with you.
13 April 2008
Conversations from a hen's night
Prior to heading off to ICBM (a Canberra night club).
Me: I once got asked for ID at ICBM. I had just turned 30, so I responded (with hands gesticulating towards my face)... "Take a good look at me!"
Laughter all round.
Anita: Yeah I soon started to realise that they were checking I wasn't too old.
More laughter.
Me: Ah! So that's what they were doing, checking that I was under the age of 50. It's all so much clearer now....
Much fun, laughter, dance and drink was had at Lisa's hen's night lastnight. Everyone had a great time. And Lisa looked amazing. Can't wait til the wedding guys.
Wow.....L&F are getting MARRIED.
Me: I once got asked for ID at ICBM. I had just turned 30, so I responded (with hands gesticulating towards my face)... "Take a good look at me!"
Laughter all round.
Anita: Yeah I soon started to realise that they were checking I wasn't too old.
More laughter.
Me: Ah! So that's what they were doing, checking that I was under the age of 50. It's all so much clearer now....
Much fun, laughter, dance and drink was had at Lisa's hen's night lastnight. Everyone had a great time. And Lisa looked amazing. Can't wait til the wedding guys.
Wow.....L&F are getting MARRIED.
09 April 2008
Settled in Canberra and up to old tricks
Firstly, apologies to my loyal readers (all two of you Rosanne and Lily!) for not posting an update before now. But, as you can imagine, I have been a tad busy.
So I flew into Canberra on Saturday. Good flight except for the god-awful landing that Virgin Blue pilots insist on imperfecting. Oh and lets not forget the $20 excess baggage I had to pay for being 6kgs over the limit, only to find half the god-damned plane empty! Pooja kindly took me to eat a bowl of the best ever laksa (another thing I must add to the "things I like about Canberra list").
Sunday we went to breakfast with Lisa and Frank. And by golly if we all weren't up to our usual old banter in no time. Like I'd never left in fact... Went shopping in Civic and bought two tops from Events...how much excess will I have to pay on my return flight I wonder, being day two in Canberra and already two extra items to get home?
Of course Sunday night I did not sleep a wink, the nervousness was bound to kick in the night before I had to start work in a new job, (after holding one job for 19.5 years I think I had a bit to be nervous about). Anyway got told lots of stuff and met lots of people that I may never remember the names of... Even did a bit of work - Jaysus. Day two at work, did work although still familiarising myself with the new environment, so albeit a bit slowly. My assessment though is that everything is the same. There really is no difference in the bureaucracy and politics that takes place within Government Departments. I fit right in.
Tuesday night out to Element for one fabulous meal with some fabulous friends.
Day three at work and I get three phone calls from three different agents about work in Adelaide. Go figure. Thanks, but for now I'll stick it out in this hell-hole and look towards my first pay cheque!
Must do a foodie post soon... and take some photos...
Am very surprised at how few comments I have against my previous post.
So I flew into Canberra on Saturday. Good flight except for the god-awful landing that Virgin Blue pilots insist on imperfecting. Oh and lets not forget the $20 excess baggage I had to pay for being 6kgs over the limit, only to find half the god-damned plane empty! Pooja kindly took me to eat a bowl of the best ever laksa (another thing I must add to the "things I like about Canberra list").
Sunday we went to breakfast with Lisa and Frank. And by golly if we all weren't up to our usual old banter in no time. Like I'd never left in fact... Went shopping in Civic and bought two tops from Events...how much excess will I have to pay on my return flight I wonder, being day two in Canberra and already two extra items to get home?
Of course Sunday night I did not sleep a wink, the nervousness was bound to kick in the night before I had to start work in a new job, (after holding one job for 19.5 years I think I had a bit to be nervous about). Anyway got told lots of stuff and met lots of people that I may never remember the names of... Even did a bit of work - Jaysus. Day two at work, did work although still familiarising myself with the new environment, so albeit a bit slowly. My assessment though is that everything is the same. There really is no difference in the bureaucracy and politics that takes place within Government Departments. I fit right in.
Tuesday night out to Element for one fabulous meal with some fabulous friends.
Day three at work and I get three phone calls from three different agents about work in Adelaide. Go figure. Thanks, but for now I'll stick it out in this hell-hole and look towards my first pay cheque!
Must do a foodie post soon... and take some photos...
Am very surprised at how few comments I have against my previous post.
02 April 2008
Things I hate about Canberra
Well I am finally resigned to the fact that from next Monday I will once again be living in Canberra (for 3 months). I have accepted a position there as I feel the time is nigh to be working, and I haven't managed to find suitable employment in Adelaide.
When I was living in Canberra last time, I composed a list of things I hate (and like) about Canberra. It seems appropriate to review that list before I head East once again. Is it my destiny to end up in Canberra permanently?
Things I hate about Canberra (in no particular order):
- Road/street signs - suburbs are introduced 500 meters out, but the street sign is provided two meters before you need to turn.
- Shops - you can't find everything you need in one store. You have to go to a minimum of 5 shops before your grocery shopping is done.
- The cold.
- Ice on the car in winter.
- Your next suburb is kilometers away.
- No corner shops/delis.
- Tuggeranong.
- The Hyperdome.
- Houses in individual suburbs all look the same (e.g. mission brown in Kambah).
- Where is the really good fresh fruit and vegies?
- Cost of Real Estate.
- Circles i.e. suburbs; roundabouts.
- Have to turn left in order to go right (directly related to circles).
- No beach.
- Fake lakes.
- Fog in winter - can't fly out of the place, then flights for the rest of the day are late.
- Can't get a coffee in a cafe after 11.00pm at night.
- Canberra drivers.
- Yellow fire trucks - one question - WHY?
- The time it takes to get an appointment to see a doctor, dentist etc.
- The seafood is pretty crap.
- No restaurants where you can get really decent cheap food. It's either expensive and good or cheap and nasty.
- A massive population of over qualified people doing the work of clerks.
- The cultural events are almost non-existent.
- Things are expensive purely because locals will pay the higher price.
- People think that Kingston and Manuka are great. Whoopie.
- People complaining about peak hour traffic. Go live in a real city moron.
- Pavements are crooked everywhere - not flat.
- The balloon festival for the last two years has been tragic - this year there was no water in the reflection pool and last year a fence around it.
Ok, now for the things I actually do like about Canberra:
- The roads/infrastructure.
- Heating in public places in winter (it needs to be good otherwise no-one would go out).
- Peak hour traffic.
- Proximity to Sydney.
- The road to Sydney.
- The colour of the leaves in Autumn .... pretty.
- Found an awesome physio.
- The people are friendly and welcoming.
- Lots of intelligent people.
- Some of the local shops have pleasant and unexpected surprises.
- The cheap drinks at clubs.
- There does seem to be a diverse range of cultures represented in Canberra.
- Pearce Vietnamese - good and cheap (this one actually defies one of my hates above).
- Blue Poles - Jackson Pollock.
- Pepe's Paperie.
- The level of tolerance towards gay and lesbians appears to be higher than anywhere else (I think this is directly related to the higher number of intelligent people).
- Floriade.
- The Italian marble in Parliament house.
* Please note that this list has had input from other people who dislike Canberra.
* More importantly, this is not intended to offend any Canberran. It's the place I hate NOT the people, and this list merely aids my therapy.
* Please comment, I am happy to update either list with your additions.
When I was living in Canberra last time, I composed a list of things I hate (and like) about Canberra. It seems appropriate to review that list before I head East once again. Is it my destiny to end up in Canberra permanently?
Things I hate about Canberra (in no particular order):
- Road/street signs - suburbs are introduced 500 meters out, but the street sign is provided two meters before you need to turn.
- Shops - you can't find everything you need in one store. You have to go to a minimum of 5 shops before your grocery shopping is done.
- The cold.
- Ice on the car in winter.
- Your next suburb is kilometers away.
- No corner shops/delis.
- Tuggeranong.
- The Hyperdome.
- Houses in individual suburbs all look the same (e.g. mission brown in Kambah).
- Where is the really good fresh fruit and vegies?
- Cost of Real Estate.
- Circles i.e. suburbs; roundabouts.
- Have to turn left in order to go right (directly related to circles).
- No beach.
- Fake lakes.
- Fog in winter - can't fly out of the place, then flights for the rest of the day are late.
- Can't get a coffee in a cafe after 11.00pm at night.
- Canberra drivers.
- Yellow fire trucks - one question - WHY?
- The time it takes to get an appointment to see a doctor, dentist etc.
- The seafood is pretty crap.
- No restaurants where you can get really decent cheap food. It's either expensive and good or cheap and nasty.
- A massive population of over qualified people doing the work of clerks.
- The cultural events are almost non-existent.
- Things are expensive purely because locals will pay the higher price.
- People think that Kingston and Manuka are great. Whoopie.
- People complaining about peak hour traffic. Go live in a real city moron.
- Pavements are crooked everywhere - not flat.
- The balloon festival for the last two years has been tragic - this year there was no water in the reflection pool and last year a fence around it.
Ok, now for the things I actually do like about Canberra:
- The roads/infrastructure.
- Heating in public places in winter (it needs to be good otherwise no-one would go out).
- Peak hour traffic.
- Proximity to Sydney.
- The road to Sydney.
- The colour of the leaves in Autumn .... pretty.
- Found an awesome physio.
- The people are friendly and welcoming.
- Lots of intelligent people.
- Some of the local shops have pleasant and unexpected surprises.
- The cheap drinks at clubs.
- There does seem to be a diverse range of cultures represented in Canberra.
- Pearce Vietnamese - good and cheap (this one actually defies one of my hates above).
- Blue Poles - Jackson Pollock.
- Pepe's Paperie.
- The level of tolerance towards gay and lesbians appears to be higher than anywhere else (I think this is directly related to the higher number of intelligent people).
- Floriade.
- The Italian marble in Parliament house.
* Please note that this list has had input from other people who dislike Canberra.
* More importantly, this is not intended to offend any Canberran. It's the place I hate NOT the people, and this list merely aids my therapy.
* Please comment, I am happy to update either list with your additions.
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