...break in transmission...

My apologies for a break in transmission. It appears that life has got in the way of blogging, and that simply won't do.

First, this paid work caper has completely interfered with my lifestyle. How dare paid employment not only take up hours of my time but also stay in my brain during the hours that I am not at the workplace. I'm assured that this will improve with time and that soon I will wonder into work like a mindless drone and it won't hurt a bit.

Second, how dare my part-time job involve travel. Some people like travel in their work because it provides variety and the opportunity to stay in a nice hotel. Me? Just means I have to pack stuff, sit on aeroplanes and make complicated arrangements for the care of my children. It also seems that my employer prefers crappy hotels.

Third, my dear maternal grandmother passed away. This should really have come first on my list but I'm whining in order, so bear with me. Last Thursday night I flew to Perth for her funeral on Friday. Mama, as we called her, was 94 and had lived a long full life so it was nice to be at a funeral that celebrated a life rather than mourned a tragedy. I gave a Eulogy on behalf of the grandchildren, and in a last minute decision, was a pallbearer, in heels. Those of you who are regular readers may remember that my paternal grandmother died in January so I am now officially grandparent-less.

Fourth, at 8am Sunday morning, having flown in late the night before I was on duty at my daughter's Band Camp up in Narabeen. Luckily a fellow parent drove me because I may have fallen asleep at the wheel.

I'm away interstate for the last half of this week but on Friday I'm looking forward to a visit from Fairlie who is coming to stay for the weekend for the Sydney Writers Festival. We have a full weekend of sessions to attend and I hope to be able to report on those next week.

She's Fairlie Forty

My fabulous friend, and partner in many crimes, Fairlie is Forty today. Hard to believe, but true. I'll be hopping on a flight in a couple of hours to wish her happy birthday in person.

"35 is a very attractive age. London society is full of women of the very highest birth who have, of their own free-choice, remained 35 for years."

Oscar Wilde

Fairlie, no-one need ever know (except anyone in cyberspace who has read this).

I say you should claim to be 35 for ever.

Happy 40th Birthday!

See you later today...


Love, M

PS. everyone, pop over and visit Fairlie at fairliearoundthetraps.blogspot.com today
to spread the birthday cheer!

It always rains when Fairlie visits

True. It does. Poor Fairlie. But at least she was here for indoor pursuits (to see the Diana Exhibition before it leaves in May). I'm sure a full report will be on Fairlie's Blog soon.

Fairlie will be back soon for the Sydney Writers Festival. Yay.

Fairlie the White Rabbit Circa 1987

Gosh, it's not even Flashback Friday.

This is the photo I had intended for Fairlie's birthday blog post but hadn't sought permission. Given that a girl should be allowed to try and forget some aspects of her wild university days I thought it prudent to at least ASK.

Anyway, Fairlie has relented and has allowed the publication of this photo of her ready for the 1987 Opening of the Croquet Season at our university college in Perth.

Yes, we had such a thing. We also had regular "pondings" and other very Oxbridge-type rituals at our residential college. All fun and no study as far as I can remember. It was the time when a university education was free and we could repeat a year if need be. Aaaah, the olden days...

Edited: BTW this is my 150th post.

Fairlie is Fabulous but not Forty (yet)

I have a photo of Fairlie dressed as the White Rabbit on her way to our university college’s Opening of the Croquet Season in 1987. It’s fabulous, but I feel I need to have permission to publish it here and I didn’t seek it. Perhaps I could publish it by popular demand (sign the petition via the Comments form).

To me the photo symbolises the spirit of fun with which Fairlie approaches everything. She will not only go to the party, she will dress the part. Fairlie can equally work a room at a gallery opening as wrap herself in a doona and watch trashy TV. She’d make a killing as a consultant in popular culture and is easily one of the smartest people I know. And she has a library in her powder-room (how cool is that?!)

You know by now that Fairlie and I have known each other for over 20 years. We lived in the same uni college, then we lived next door to each other, she moved to Melbourne, then I did and now we live in different States. Sorry.

I miss the person who drove around to look after one child at 2am while I whipped the other one to hospital.

And I miss the person who came over late one night to just fold my washing when I was stressed out with a small baby and guests about to land on my doorstep.

At least we are living in the Age of Cyberspace and we can ‘chat’ by phone, email, SMS, Instant Messaging, and Blogs – sometimes all at the same time.

Happy Birthday Fairlie!

Why don’t you head over to her blog and wish her a happy birthday. The Festive Season can start from tomorrow.

Sunning it at the Egremont Writers Festival

There’s nothing like a writers festival to make you feel uneducated and poorly read. Quite apart from being unable to laugh at the subtle references to Proust or Kafka I am challenged, from day one, to draw a grammatical line in the sand by having to take sides on the Great Apostrophe Debate. Is it a Writer’s, or Writers’ Festival? I usually give up and leave the apostrophe out altogether. The MSWord grammar checker, BTW, wants it to be “Writer’s”.

Apart from this, writers festivals are not the preserve of the literary elite. They are one of the best ways to expand the range of books you read because there is nothing like hearing an author read from his or own book, or listening to them talk about why they write like they do.

This weekend I flew down to attend the last weekend of the Melbourne Writers Festival. I stayed with Fairlie and attended a total of nine sessions with Fairlie and, on Sunday, with Fairlie and Domestic Goddess. I was curious about how I would view this festival after four years away replacing it with the Sydney version. Fairlie has covered the sessions we attended in depth so here is my overall summary:

• The layout was much better than previous years. Setting up the bookshop in a marquee outside was a master stroke.


• The MWF is a much more intimate event than Sydney but has much less of a festival atmosphere. I wonder how this will change when it moves to Fed Square next year.


• It’s very tempting to buy the sausage sandwich for lunch but much kinder to your fellow attendees if you don’t.


• I’m sorry GossipPop but I just don’t get you. Perhaps if I read Kafka or Proust I would. But I doubt it.


• Alexis Wright has written Carpentaria in the voice of a male aboriginal elder; Adrian Hyland has written Diamond Dove in the voice of a 26yo female aboriginal woman and Gail Jones just has a squeaky voice. All seek to give voice to our indigenous people.


• Mark Crick wrote in 14 famous voices in Kafka’s Soup and did a great job at all of them.


• I thought there was going to be fisty cuffs on stage during the “Politics of Atheism” discussion between Val Noone and A C Grayling. But Grayling didn’t bite. Shame.


• The mob from Victoria University who were supposed to talk about creating identities in an online world had no idea what they were talking about.


• Visa Dockets are a perfectly rational source of notepaper. As are the backs of invitations to Quaker meetings.


• Alexander McCall Smith, Michael Robotham and Adrian Hyland all live surrounded by females and assume female personae in their books. AMS does, however, have a male cat.


• Katie Hickman was fascinating on the subject of Courtesans. She tells us that Lord William Melbourne, from whom Melbourne gets its name, is widely rumoured to have been the product of an affair between Lady Melbourne and Lord Egremont. So in a parallel universe we may in fact have attended the Egremont Writers Festival.
  

So what books did I think I might put on my TBR pile:

Courtesans by Katie Hickman
The Night Ferry by Michael Robotham
Diamond Dove by Adrian Hyland
Carpentaria by Alexis Wright

And perhaps

Caravan Story by Wayne Macauley


and finally, only readers of Kafka will find this funny:

“All knowledge, the totality of all questions and all answers is contained in this blog”

Don’t get it? Don’t blame you. See the original quote here.

Off to the Melbourne Writers Festival

I'm about to pack my bag in anticipation of my trip to Melbourne tomorrow afternoon. I will be staying with Fairlie and indulging in two days of Melbourne Writers Festival activities, being a 'blow-in' at Cousin It's 30th birthday and catching up with whichever members of the No. 1 Melbourne Ladies Bookclub are available to be at Domestic Goddess' house on Sat night.

When I booked this trip I didn't realise that Sunday was Father's Day. Ooops. However, KelpieBlossom assures me that she has the day fully in hand. I don't want to reveal too much in case Firegazer reads this blog; however, I hear that there is a Menu being planned. I don't recall ever giving KelpieBlossom or Padawan Learner lessons on how to make tea and toast but I guess they'll figure it out.

Luckily, the Fire Station is just up the street.

I will file a full report on my return.

I iz a Rockn Grl Blggr

Fairlie gave me this Award.

It was started by Roberta just a couple of months ago - you give it to girl bloggers you think are "Rockin'". It has since made the rounds, and eventually landed here. Which brings me to the question: I'm a girl, whether I'm rockin' is in the eye of the beholder BUT am I a blogger?

I like board games, but I don't call myself a "gamer". I have a degree in Linguistics but am not game to dare call myself a "Linguist" (yet). So am I a "blogger"? OMG maybe I am...I write to three blogs, I'm writing this on a lovely sunny Saturday afternoon, the unfolded washing is piling up and I don't think there is anything in the kitchen to cook for dinner.

So thanks Fairlie for outing me as a blogger. This award will go "straight to the pool room".

As for passing on this award, I hate to leave anyone out. I have about 15 girl blogs on my FeedReeder that I check out regularly and you all rock. I'll give it some more thought and get back to you.

Plotting my next trip to the Great Southern City

I don't get back to Melbourne as often as I'd like so when I'm there I like to make sure I visit certain things. Y'know, to make sure they're still there.

So as a minimum I

• Visit all the houses I've lived in. Happy to report that our first semi is looking great with a newly painted fence and nothing seems to have changed with our third house (but the neighbours are finally getting their reno done). KelpieBlossom remembers our last house but Padawan Learner doesn't, he was 3 when we left.
• Check out how the Children's Garden is progressing (great)
• Catch a tram (City Circle ride aborted due to cranky kids)
• Shop (just love the shopping strips in Melbourne - but I think Chapel St has gone off, too many chain shops now, or perhaps I'm just getting old)

Then I like to check out what's changed. Fairlie at Around the Traps has already posted about what we did so why don't you just visit here for our visit to the Eureka Skydeck and here for all the other stuff. Fairlie has great photos to check out, but here are some more:

Now must get back to plotting how to get a leave pass to go down for the Melbourne Writers Festival in Aug/Sept.

Restaurant Review: A Certain* Club, Albury

Thinking of driving straight through from Sydney to Melbourne? But no! Stop for the night and treat yourself to the best that club food has to offer by taking the family to A Certain Club* smorgasbord in Albury.

As you swipe your driver's licence, and sign in as a visitor, you know that you are in an establishment that cares about your safety. Proceed up the stairs and line up to receive your own plate and cutlery wrapped in a napkin before settling the children and lining up for your food.

The gentleman announces over the PA: "Children under 12 must be served by an Adult".

A sign above the Bain Marie reminds you "PATRONS MUST USE THE SERVING CUTLERY PROVIDED". It's five star all the way.

I treated myself to a meal of roast meat (beef?), potatoes, peas and gravy followed by Chocolate (?) Mousse and what was reputed to be Cheesecake. I'll let Fairlie explain further, however one member of our party was heard to say "I just hope this is not my last meal, because that would be a tragedy".

Actually, it was more animated than that but I don't want to risk my G rating.


* real name hidden to protect the innocent that actually like this food

Last Week of Term

The last week of term is generally fairly relaxing. Normally there is no homework due, activities have stopped and the kids have more free time in preparation for two weeks of holidays. This week has, so far, hasn't fit the mold. It's been relaxing but yet we've had more on than is usual for this time of year.

Staying with us this week is Fairlie and her daughters Queenie and Impossible Princess. Unfortunately we haven't been able to get around much due to the atrocious weather but it's lovely to have them here.

Other happenings this week:

First, KelpieBlossom played with her school band at the Yamaha Music Festival on Monday night. They were in tune and came away with a Silver. The band was marked on appearance as well as performance and they looked fabulous.

Second, you may remember that when the Fireworks Night was postponed one parent was left with 230 bears in her house which were destined for the "Adopt-a-Bear" stall. Well, that stall was held today at school. Despite the rain there was a bear-buying FRENZY. I was a little skeptical about the potential of this stall. I needn't have worried. They sold out quickly with disappointed children who missed out.

Third, I had forgotten that Padawan Learner had to learn, and recite, a poem for news today. Last night, Fairlie, kindly found the Spike Milligan poem "Worm" for him which was a big hit.

Worm
Little worm - wiggle wiggle,
You make me and my sister giggle.
You live in mud,
You live in wet,
Yet never ever see a vet.
You must be very healthy worm,
Wiggle Wiggle Wiggle Squirm.

Fourth, KelpieBlossom, despite having a term's notice, had to write a book report in a hurry tonight. Her chosen book? Judy Moody: Around the World in 8 1/2 Days. Thanks must go to Queenie for her help with the last minute colouring in and help with accompanying poster layout.

Fifth, despite the promise of more inclement weather the school athletics carnival is scheduled for tomorrow. It looks like it will be cold, and drizzly. And, hurray hurray I am on "Long Jump" duty (even though I specifically requested not to be put on any timekeeping or measuring activity - words are my thing; Charlie Eppes, I am not ).

Roll on the weekend when the kids and I will drive down to the Great Southern City for a week with Fairlie and the girls, leaving Firegazer to hold the fort and keep the Plasma company.

Tagged for the "8 things about Me" Meme

Fairlie tagged me for the "8 random things about Me" Meme. I could just devote this blog to the concept of a Meme*, however that would divert me from the purpose of the tag, which brings me to thing No. 1:

1. I am easily distracted. Hence I am blogging (again) when I am supposed to be writing my final assignment. If Firegazer finds out I'll be in BIG trouble.
   
2. I grew up on a farm in Western Australia. I came to live in Sydney 3 years ago via Melbourne (8 years) and Perth (including living at boarding school and uni residential college).
   
3. When I was preparing for confirmation (at boarding school) the Bishop asked all of us what we thought Jesus wanted us to be when we grew up. All the other girls said "a priest"; I said "an Egyptologist". This was announced to the entire school at our confirmation.
   
4. I named my first pony "Luke Skywalker". My son is obsessed with all things Star Wars. Is this my fault?
   
5. I love gifts that show that the giver has thought deeply, and/or searched long for, but not necessarily spent much money. Hence I treasure (among other gifts) my copy of The Long Ships that was found in the collection of a Norwegian who was moving house; my copies of The Caves of Steel and The Stars Like Dust which Firegazer spent weeks finding and cost $3 each and Theft by Peter Carey (that's a long story which I'll relate another time). I also love Handbags - and I really don't mind at all if they're the expensive kind.
   
6. I am finishing off my final assignment for a linguistics degree. I waited for 10 years to get the opportunity to study Linguistics.
   
7. I fear flying and worked in a job that required me to fly often, in small aircraft, across terrain with high levels of thermal activity...
   
8. Getting a cup of tea in bed on a Sunday morning will make me happy all day.

As there are no bloggers left who haven't been tagged I tag: The No. 1 Melbourne Ladies Bookclub and Books & Gossip. Eight random things about the clubs ladies!

*Meme: n. A unit of cultural information, such as a cultural practice or idea, that is transmitted verbally or by repeated action from one mind to another. (source: dictionary.com)

A blog meme is a type of Internet meme that requires active participation by the blogger and rarely traces back to an originating source. It's often a series of questions that a blogger answers to share some personal perspective or experience on random topics. (source: Quixtar)

Mono-tasking in the Kitchen

In a move which will horrify the team at Unclutterer I think it is time to highlight all those fabulous items we could have in the home that serve only ONE PURPOSE. Especially those that are large and difficult to store.

Mono-tasker #1: The Cupcake Stand


An essential item for anyone buying into the current cupcake craze. This little beauty is a steal at $35.95 and can be bought from My Little Cupcake in Neutral Bay, Sydney.

Will store beautifully in any purpose-built cupboard.

However, Fairlie pointed out to me that it could also be used to store onions...so maybe not a true mono-tasker?