29 October 2005 Saturday
Happy Pride Day. I have been outside watching the Pride Parade go by. As you can see from the pic on the right - the floats were getting prepared right below my window ! I have photographed the last 3 parades and my sjots have not improved - I cant master moving objects in the dark. So I will stick with taking blurred coloured artistic shots !
In the distance - ok two streets away - I can just hear the strained vocals of Luciano Pavarotti - performing (if you can call waddling on stage and sweating out a number a performance) at the nearby soccer stadium.
What have I done this week. Hmmm on Monday I went to a private screening of John Waters new movie The Bouncer. About 2 years ago a writer (and director and producer !) named Derek emailed me via Johns site asking if I could put him in contact with John as he had a great script he would like to see if John was interested in. I forwarded his email to Johns agent and bingo. In July 2004 while John was over here with Glass Onion he met up with Derek and the cast for rehearsals. John returned to Perth in October 2004 to film it at a nightclub a couple of streets away from me. Its a great little local film. John does a hilarious Michael Caine Alfie style narrative that I thoroughly enjoyed.
22 October 2005 Saturday
Far out time flies. Havent had a chance to get online the last two weekends. So what has happened since then ?
Well Princess Mary had a little libran half aussie danish prince last weekend (15th). An event that broke into normal televised programming on the night of the birth and when they left the hospital 4 days later. Cute.
This week I got a nice commendation from the big wigs at work - and was offered a temporary promotion within my team - so of course I accepted. Only a small change in the pay - but it will be an experience that I havent had yet and really should experience if I want to apply for the higher up positions.
Hmmm I really dont have anything to whinge about right now - other than the fact that the RSI in my right arm and shoulder is killing me and happering my time online.
Mum spent last weekend with me and we shopped for curtain material (purple suede for the living area's and black velvet for my bedroom) and curtain rods etc and pink paint to start the balcony makeover soon.
To those I owe emails - I promise to sit down and get some written tonight or tomorrow - depending on how this shoulder holds up. PS Happy Birthday Dad.
4 October 2005 Tuesday
EGAD I AM 37 TODAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Depressingly, the only song I know of that mentions this age is Marianne Faithfulls Ballad of Lucy Jordon - and a fun loving full of life positive song it aint !!
The morning sun touched lightly on the eyes of lucy jordan
In a white suburban bedroom in a white suburban town
As she lay there ’neath the covers dreaming of a thousand lovers
Till the world turned to orange and the room went spinning round.
At the age of thirty-seven she realised she’d never
Ride through paris in a sports car with the warm wind in her hair.
So she let the phone keep ringing and she sat there softly singing
Little nursery rhymes she’d memorised in her daddy’s easy chair.
Her husband, he’s off to work and the kids are off to school,
And there are, oh, so many ways for her to spend the day.
She could clean the house for hours or rearrange the flowers
Or run naked through the shady street screaming all the way.
At the age of thirty-seven she realised she’d never
Ride through paris in a sports car with the warm wind in her hair
So she let the phone keep ringing as she sat there softly singing
Pretty nursery rhymes she’d memorised in her daddy’s easy chair.
The evening sun touched gently on the eyes of lucy jordan
On the roof top where she climbed when all the laughter grew too loud
And she bowed and curtsied to the man who reached and offered her his hand,
And he led her down to the long white car that waited past the crowd.
At the age of thirty-seven she knew she’d found forever
As she rode along through paris with the warm wind in her hair ...
Hmmmmm life doesnt necessarily end at 37 - someone needs to write me a more positive song for next year !!
My sympathies to those affected by yet more bombings in the Aussie tourist mecca of Bali. Saturday nights occurances were utterly disgusting.
1 October 2005 Saturday
I dont think I have ever had a week where I had such a run of bad news from friends. I wont name you as you all know who you are and that you are in my heart and thoughts.
One has found her deceased father in his home. One has a mother battling cancer and one has lost her home in the hurricane in New Orleans. My deepest sympathies go out to my dear friends in these stressful times. Consider yourself well and truly hugged << >>
Another shock this week was the discovery that one of the men arrested over the kidnapping and 3 week abuse of a 14 year old boy last month, use to be one of my co workers. I cant fathom that someone I knew could ever stoop to doing this to a child. No punishment will ever give this boy his childhood back. And its cases like this where I wish the Australian Judicial system harked back to the good ole days of 100 lashes and a neck swing from a tree.
On the work front its been a calmer week than the previous few months. Almost back to normal in fact. My brain doesnt actually know what to do with itself because its finished dwelling on all the crap that had been happening. My new boss is encouraging me to apply for the next set of promotions that are coming up in a couple of weeks. I havent written a selection criteria for five years and the very suggesion terrifies me - tho the extra money would be nice so I will practice writing something up tomorrow.
24 September 2005 Saturday
Well sadly my boys didnt win the grand final today. Its only 11 years since they last won - for Sydney it was 72 years in the waiting so I guess they were just that wee bit hungrier. It wasnt a thrashing - in the end there was only 4 points in it. I feel for the Perth lads - but over a decade ago there was a young Eagles team that had to lose a grand final in 91 before they went on to win in 92 and 94. So lets wait and see what next season brings.
On the upside there has been improvements in the work situation.
Naturally I had to spend last weekend dwelling on the previous weeks events - so I was stressed and sleepless by Monday and still pretty emotionally fragile. I got to the office and was surprised to see my boss at work (he was meant to be gone for 5 weeks for surgery). Turned out his op was delayed so he came in to work for the week.
He found me as soon as I arrived and we went off to a room to discuss the events of the previous week which he had not been around to witness. I spent an hour filling him in and explaining how concerned I was for my health as a result. I realise looking back that this man just doesnt have the skills to deal with issues like this. While he comes across as someone willing to listen - he doesnt pass the information upwards so the big wigs know whats going on - because of course that would make him look like he is unable to control his own team.
So I didnt come out of the meeting room feeling very satisfied. All he commited himself to was a bit of mentoring of the Pedant. I stupidly assumed he would start that same day. So later that afternoon when the Pedant came to my desk and set about picking on me yet again. I went straight to the boss and said it was tantamount to victimisation. I said I wanted a meeting with the big wigs (my boss's bosses) asap.
So tuesday morning I met with the BigWig. Obviously I was nervous and still a bit fragile. I havent had a lot of dealings with the BigWig - just occassional hellos or the mention of a case. I didnt know what he would be like in this situation. I was pleasantly surprised. He stated right away that when the Pedant and my boss came to him with just two sentences - that I had refused a directive, and that I threatened to resign - that he immediately said that didnt sound like me and what was wrong. Nice to know that hours of discussions with my boss were abbreviated down to those two sentences - I realise now he never had my best interests at heart - only his own.
BigWig allowed me to fully explain the situation from scratch - he didnt interupt me nor speak over me - he let me say all the words that had been filling my brain all weekend. I didnt ramble - I was clear and concise. It wasnt all Me Me Me either - I was clear to explain the teams issues as a whole - as well as how the Pedants treatment of me personally was affecting my health. I also pointed out that I had been raising the issues weekly with my boss for 8 weeks - this was not a new situation. Bigwig looked a bit shocked there.
BigWig asked how he could help, as I was a valued member of the project and he didnt want to lose me (major ego boost). I replied "Dont force me to continue working with the Pedant". BigWig earned my admiration when he immediately suggested a move to a team on the other side of the building - same project, keeping my existing cases, and the boss is the lovely lady who gave me a shoulder to cry on the week before. Its a small team of mostly females - no stupid power struggles going on at all.
Bigwig came to my desk about an hour later and gave me a smile and a big thumbs up and said I could move to the new team at the end of the week.
I dont think my body understood it could relax - I was still jumpy and stressed for two more days. I spent Friday moving all my stuff to the new desk and was warmly welcomed by the members of that team. Both the BigWigs came by and made small talk along the lines of "forget all the crap you had been thru and get back to being the excellent worker we know you to be".
I went to the doctor after work and she confirmed my pulse had been 96 the previous friday - and was now down to 72. I forget what my BP was but she said it was far lower than last week. Amazing how much stress affects the body.
So a new start on Tuesday. I see a big improvement on the way and the Bigwigs will see that in my throughput over the next few weeks.
Sorry for the lengthy ramble - if you are still there !!!!!
17 September 2005 Saturday
I will start with some great news - my boys, the West Coast Eagles - just half an hour ago, beat Adelaide to play the Sydney Swans in the AFL Grand Final next weekend. Our first grand final since 1994. In the distance outside I can hear big crowds of people cheering - there wll be some partying tonight I imagine. For the hunky lad on the right - Drew Banfield - the grand final may be his retirement game. I saw him join the team in 92 as an 18 year old - groomed to be the replacement for my hero Dwayne Lamb. Drew played in the 94 winning grand final and has been waiting ever since to be in another one.
As you can see - the hair tearing lady is still here. This week she had been joined by the crying lady. The situation at work isnt improving - and my normal ability to cope with crap like this seems to have left me. On Thursday the office pedant hassled me in a big big way - it was all I could do not to cry then and there - and you know me - I am not a crier. I spent the rest of the arvo seething and fuming and close to tears. Got home - rang a friend and cried for an hour on the phone. Friday I went to work but felt like a mass of nerves and anxiety - two guys in my team were so nice to me I damn near opened the floodworks in front of them. After a couple of hours I ended up finding my old manager and she took me into a private room where I cried and cried. She was shocked - she has never seen me like this and considers me "the strong one".
I decided it wasnt worth staying at work so I went into town and had some lunch and a chat with two workmates I dont get to see much anymore since they were moved to a different building. They managed to put me in better spirits.
Then I went to the doctors to see about my heart rate. I ended up crying in the doctors office. Three huge cries in 2 days - thats more than I would do in 3 years. Anyway - she sent me off for blood tests to see if its a possible thyroid problem causing my usual coping mechanism to not work. Once they are back next week we will discuss further.
Monday I have asked for a meeting with the pedants superior officer. Scarey but I have not other option.
11 September 2005 Sunday
Seems so strange to write that date these days. "September 11" has become a figure of speech more than just a date. Here we are 4 years on - watching yet again, footage of death and destruction in the US. Not quite as "man made" as the Twin Towers in NYC - but watching the death of New Orleans as a result of human error mixing with mother nature is equally traumatic.
The woman on the right represents me this week. Yep no improvement at work. I was so angry and frustrated all week that I was actually concerned about my heart rate - I just couldnt slow it down. At night I just lay there feeling it racing and pounding till I thought it might explode - to quote Meat Loaf - "Breakin outa my body and flyin away - like a bat outa hell".
The pedant at work - well not remotely any improvement on the horizon. I had an all out screaming match with him early in the week - told him he was patronizing etc etc. It was a relief to actually tell him what I was feeling - but it didnt improve the situation because he doesnt actually understand the character traits I was pointing out. So the week just got more and more stressfull - till I was literally pulling my hair out.
Friday night I needed to do something about it or I would have stressed and dwelled all friggen weekend. So I sat down with pizza and wine and watched Dirty Dancing FOUR TIMES ! It worked ! I havent thought about the work situation all weekend !!!! So I may have to watch it every night this week - or a bit of Love Actually or Four Weddings !!
So I have spent the weekend building a website about the 1866 shipwreck my ancestor George was in when he was 16. Its half built but feel free to have a look at The Netherby site.
3 September 2005 Saturday
Ok I solved the whole Explorer/missing images problem. It was the settings on my Norton Internet Security. I can view everything again. YEAYYYYYYYYY.
What else - well I have had some pretty murderous thoughts about two people this week. (If I wasnt an athiest that sentence would have started with "Forgive me father for I have sinned.........." bwhahahaha).
First one - the arsehole who has annoyed me since he moved in next door 18 months ago. I am sure I have mentioned him in previous blogs. The guy is so friggen thick he actually thinks pianos and apartment complexs make for a good combination.
So there I am on Wednesday morning - a full blown excrutiating migraine at its peak. I have crawled out of bed to call the boss, swallowed some pills, put the eye mask on, grabbed the ice packs and crawled back to bed. Only to be woken at 9am by the truly vile sounds of a piano being mutilated. Believe me - this wasnt the gentle tinklings of Mozart or Ravel. This was some kind of butchered garage blues bashing of the keys. No piano deserves that treatment.
And to top it off - he then starts singing. And guess what - piano playing isnt the only thing he cant do well !
So I stumble out of bed and send a text message to him threatening bodily violence to both him and the piano unless silence occurs NOW.
Naturally by now my blood is pumping - and that aint good cod its feels like it moves the migraine through the entire body. It took me hours to calm down.
So who else pissed me off this week. Well the new guy in my team - the overly pedantic arrogant one who believes knowledge is based on salary - whereas I believe knowledge is experience based. So he believes that because he earns more than me - he knows more than me - despite the fact he has been doing the job for 6 weeks while I have been doing it for more than 5 years. Anyway - I tried to assist him on Friday - with something the boss had given him - only because the boss didnt understand either - he had given the wrong directives. So rather than listen to the correct info I had for him - he went off on an embarrassing wild goose chase. And then had the temerity to come back and blame me for the boss's incorrect instructions.
And the worst bit - this dickhead is the acting boss for the next 5 weeks. I do not forsee a pleasant 5 weeks for me. It would be nice if I could just sit with my back to it all and do my job during those weeks. But this guy will make my life hell. I have already predicted it. So the blog may bear the brunt of it.
What else this week. Well the southern gulf states of the US - Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama were basically anialated by Hurricane Katrina this week. A category 5. The historical iconic city of New Orleans is so destroyed they are actually saying it may not be rebuilt. The footage on the news looks like a 3rd world country. Countries all over the world are offering aid - to the richest country in the world. Hope Bush is embarrassed a bit about that.
Tonight I watched To Kill A Mockingbird for the first time. How did I go so long without watching it ? Strangely - the last half hour was what I thought the whole movie was about. I had no idea so much of it was about the kids.
28 August 2005 Sunday
Well after 8 months of non stop work on the John Waters website - I published the 105 newly built pages in the wee small hours this morning. Yeay - you might think. But no - I have some bizarre problem with Explorer that means I cant view my own bloody site. So I have posted help requests on all my favourite forums and hopefully I will be able to view all my hard work.
Lost finished this week. Its a bizarre series - especially when we have grown up with some very obvious tv over the years. Its nice to have something that doesnt actually give you answers all packed up in a tidy 1 hour. It doesnt even give you answers in a whole season !! Anyway - the new series wont be on n Aus till Feb - and considering its starting in the US next month - thats a lot of avoidance us surfers have to do to not accidently see spoilers out there somewhere.
Anyway - for a refresher course - if needed in Feb - I have kept this article from the paper this week. ARTICLE.
It lists all the clues etc.
One more week of Taken left I think. I may have to give in and buy the DVD set for this show - ch9 has really stuffed viewers around - moving it from 8.30 to 9.30 and now 10.30 - 12.30. And it feels like a lot has been edited out.
Had my performance agreement with the new boss this week. I was surprisingly upfront and to the point. Told him the changes over past 8 weeks had been detrimental to the project, the team, and my work. Told him the project wasnt broken so why did the new team members feel the need to fix it. Now they really have broken it.
21 August 2005 Sunday
Well BB is over for another year. After having dominated an average of 7 hours viewing a week for me - I am left wondering what I will watch now ! Especially with Desperate Housewives and Amazing Race finishing last week and Lost finishing this week.
Anyway last Sunday was the end of the fabulous Vesna's run in the BB05 house. Considering her popularity it appeared to be a shock eviction. The crowd appeared to adore her - but how many actually bothered to vote. It seemed to be a repeat of the Sarah Marie story in BB01.
So that left us with the revolting patronising slimey Tim and the lovely Logan Greg up for the Monday prize.
I seriously almost didnt watch. I thought there would be a tonne of people like me who had spent their SMS allowance all week voting to get rid of Tim on the Sunday - and who had nothing left to spend on the Monday vote when he was still there.
The actual eviction night had some changes. Not all for the good. I am really against Ten and the way they leave voting open during the actual show. It should be done the way Ch7 did it for Restuarant Rules - closing voting the day before. I believe Ten influences the vote severely by the way they portray someone during the course of the show - and then to leave the lines open for an extra 15 mins when the western states are already closed is so east coast biased. They also allowed the boys to watch the eviction show on a big screen in their garden. So they were able to see how they were being portrayed - while the voting lines were still open.
The ex housemates opened the show with a Tap Dogs style dance routine - each wearing costumes from various tasks during their stay. It was fun but the cameramen appeared to have no concept of focus so it was hard to get an proper look at each person and their outfits.
Anyway - thank gawd the Logans friend, family and supporters had plenty of time to get those votes in and the Logans were named the winners.
So what else. Not much really. Its stressful at work with the crap going on with various personnel. I really enjoy the work but am sick to death of pedants and their foibles. Tbey are giving me migraines every bloody day.
7 August 2005 Sunday
Yes its been a while since I last wrote. Nothing to really say - nothing firing me up lately.
The poms caught all the terrorists - excellent news.
BB05 is down to 4 people - one will leave tonight. I hope Tim goes after that - god he is a patronising creep. I will be happy when either Vesna or Logan Greg wins.
It occured to me this week I have no plans. No concerts, no musicals, no holidays - nothing coming up. How depressing. But its probably a good thing cos I cant bloody afford to go anywhere and see anything.
Instead I dream of cruising around South America and Antarctica. Along with an addon tour to Macchu Piccu and Iguazu Falls. I worked out today I would ONLY need about $25,000 for this dream trip - and thats if I go for the economy choices on each trip ! Maybe I should start buying lotto ??? Or selling everything I own on ebay !
What to watch next ? BB finishes next weekend, Amazing Race finished last week - gorgeous deserving winners in Uchenna and Joyce - thank gawd the selfish lazy ex Survivors didnt win. Desperate Housewives finishes on Monday and Lost must only have a couple of weeks left. Back to the DVD collection after that I think.
What else - umm mostly I am just spending weekends doing the huge rebuild of John Waters website. Only a few pages left to build and then it should be ready to publish.
