Shopping Day

For a shopping day, I had things go from bad to really good.  I didn't get any mail and my red umbrella crumbled into tiny little bits in my hands as the heavens opened up, but then, I was in luck at the Life Line store when I found a wallet from Switzerland and a set of Worry Balls that had musical notes and Treble Clefs all over them... very nice.  So, I bought those and brought them home; seeing I didn't find any clothes or anything of interest  to bring home otherwise.  In turn, I donated about five handbags I wouldn't have used in the last year; and most probably won't use in the future either.  So, that was a load off my mind; and out of my house, letting somebody else use it instead.  

I bought myself a new umbrella (and it only cost me $6.95 for it at 'Carolyn's' next to Woolworths) and it's a good one too... it has lasted me all day so far.  But let's see if it lasts me over the next two days and it would have broken the 48-hour record for umbrellas in my house. The last umbrella I bought was very pretty, cost me $10 and only last me 2 days... very bad craftsmanship if you ask me.  And the place I bought it from wouldn't give me my money back; especially seeing I had my docket with me and all.  They gave me a store credit; pretty crappy if you ask me.

Well, I made my way to Woolworths and bought up big in fruit and veggies.  The tomatoes had water damage, the bananas were completely green (I was expecting that; as I was told that they picked them all and cut down all the trees before Cyclone Yasi hit) and I bought three blocks of 72% dark chocolate.  

But I got on with my day and just made it to K-Mart Plaza as it began to rain.  My shopping there only came to around $109; not bad if you ask me.  And I stuck to my list and it ended up being a top-up shop fortunately; even when I posted off something overseas too.  So, not a bad day out.

I got home just in time to watch the rain pour from the sky... it seems like today I was just in time to see it all happen.  How fortunate.  Little Miss Stevie had her butt cleaned out with water this afternoon as her bum feathers were covered in poo and I had to do something about it; and she really didn't like it.  However, I think it'll help her if I get in and help with it each day until her leg is stronger and she can care for her bum feathers herself.  

Okay, enough gross stuff about my little bird. Gotta go and chill out sussing out what's on the net now; what's good to read, what's not and enjoy life while it's raining outside.  Take care, stay safe and I'll always be here.

Saturday Get Together

Yesterday, Mum, Dad and I went to Gabe and Kat's place for a family get together.  On the way there, Dad was dropped off at Tony's place to drive a limo to a wedding.  It's an old one and Dad's the best limo driver around to be behind the wheel; as if the engine stops, you don't have any brakes.  A lot of younger drivers don't know this; so this is why Dad's often asked to drive these older cars.

Once Mum and I took all these photos of Tony's cars, we chatted for a while and then took off; trying to figure out where to go to get to Gabe and Kat's house via the refedex.  It took us around half an hour and one wrong turn to get there and it was wonderful once we did.  Riley was there and she and I hung out and had some serious time together.  Then, we had some lunch and Gabe began on the pizzas - all seven of them - for dinner.  He makes the most amazing home made pizzas... they are delicious! 

By the time the yeast had risen and the ingredients had been cut up, Kat's family was all there, and the one-armed bandit had been working well and the space invader machine was getting a good work out by all the kids - young and old.  It was going well.  

We got some cheese and biscuits, chips and other nibblies going and then before long, Dad had called up and it was time to pick him up.  So, seeing Mum was picking him up, Kat said she'd drive Mum there and back.  It was a relief to know that she was with somebody who knew where they were going.  Anyway, they were back in no time and a good lot of the pizzas were done and the vegetarian pizza was almost ready to eat.  

As the night went on, we all talked and chatted, drank and enjoyed the night.  The bon fire got going and the kids cooked their marshmallows around it... some of them losing a few in the heat of the flames.  I had some; and they kids saw how good I was at keeping my double-decker marshmallows lit and charchoaled when I had pulled them out of the fire; and without them melting at the same time (the secret is to keep the stick spinning around so the sugar can't droop!).  I had six marshmallows before being handed a pavlova with fruit!  Yummo!  But then, there were other goodies that were being handed out too; like ice coffee... coffee push with ice cream!  Yummo... very rich and creamy.  

When everyone began to settle from all the excitement, I looked at Gabe and Kat's selection of books.  I love doing this as it tells a lot about the people who live in the house and their personality.  I found a very old The Skateboard Book by Ben Davidson from 1978 in paperback and cook books, motorcycle books and a large variety of gardening books too; as well as travel books.  There were funny books and also books on musicians by musicians.  I loved how many there were of those.  

By around 11pm, we were off to go home; and I got home here at around midnight; where I still had to have a shower and see if I could sleep (which I couldn't) and then I got myself online to look at a few things and once in bed, I found it hard to get to sleep.  Well, that was my Saturday.  Until my next post, take care and I'll always be here. 

Tired, Tired, Tired

Over the last week, I've been so very tired; and I know why.  I have been working on a book and it's been consuming my mind and keeping me awake over time.  However, as the day progresses, I feel better and more awake; it's really weird.  So, I try to get myself to do more things in the afternoon; and get myself tired.

Yesterday, I turned the computer off at around 3pm or so and did some washing up, had a shower, shaved my legs and sorted out the dirty laundry for today's washing.  Then, I sat down and had some cheese and biscuits and watched 'Head of the Class' after working on my self-portrait (which I'm finding harder than I first thought) and at around 5:30pm, I got in and made myself a simple salad wrap.  It tasted pretty bland, but I ate as much as I could before making a pot of Green Tea and grabbing some chocolate and then settling in for a few sitcoms and 'Neighbours'.

By the time 'Fringe' and 'Big Bang Theory' had finished it was 11pm and I dragged myself off to bed; being very tired and ready to sleep.  But once the head hit the pillow, and I had turned out the light, I was wide awake again.  I didn't know why; but I couldn't sleep and couldn't relax.  I had done all the right things and still felt like I needed to be somewhere besides right where I was... which was in bed.  My brain was still ticking over at the details of my last story I had worked on earlier that afternoon.  Bummer!  I really hate this part of being a writer; when I get into writing a book and it takes over my life to a point where nothing else really matters, but the book.  

But everything else does matter... my health, how I sleep, what I do and where I go does matter.  I must take care of myself otherwise I'll end up burning out because I've burnt the candle at both ends too much.  And this is what I don't like about being in this industry; not that I'm not published yet, that's not the problem.  It's that I have gotten some brilliant ideas, written them all down and suffered through the rough nights and horrible, zombied days that they cause and yet I still have to put up with not being able to sleep when I want to; when I'm supposed to.

The best thing I can do during these times is just look after myself the best I can and go with the flow until I lay down one night and am able to close my eyes and drift off without feeling like I'm supposed to be working on my writing.  Once I get back into the flow of sleeping well again, that's when I know I can go back to my work when I want; not because I need to but because I know it'll always be there for me to have a go at.

Dad's Birthday

Another hot and steamy day has been and gone across Brisbane and is coming to an end.  Today was also my Dad's birthday; but we'll be celebrating it next week as a family because my niece will be included in the dinner then.

I've spent my afternoon at my parents' house having lunch with them, dancing, singing and listening to music from the 1970's that I grew up with.  Even though I was born in that decade, I listened to - and still listen to - a lot of that music; on vinyl mainly.  It's always good to know something about that genre as well as today's stuff then you know whether music has improved or not.  Personally, it has in some ways; but not in others.

Gabe and Kat came over and brought Jay with them as they'll be away overnight; and Jay is staying at Mum and Dad's.  She's a great dog and is a real people dog; so sociable and friendly.

It was great to see my brother and Kat even if it was for a little while; as always.  They were feeling the heat as much as I have been.  But before long, they were on the road again and we were left with Jay.  The afternoon wore on and we sat out the front, drank tea, ice coffee (home made) and took photos - some of them silly - of all kinds of things.  Then, 'Nut Bush City Limits' came on and Mum and I did the dance and made it through the whole song - it was great!  Dad tried it and gave up after he accidentally kicked over the bowl of water we left out for Jay.  Now, it's just past 5pm and I've just put on the JazzTrack online... hot good is that??? I've never done that before. :)

It's a good thing we can get that on here at Mum and Dad's place.  It's the same show that's on the radio but you can put it on the net and play it through your speakers.  I do love my jazz; no matter what kind (well, okay, so long it doesn't sound like they can't play their instruments, it's great).  

I just wish I could play this kind of thing on my piano and really get into it... now that would be something else!  I'd love that.  I've been listening to JazzTrack for some years now and Mal Stanley plays some great music and goes to concerts and places where jazz is prevelent.  He's done tributes to some great musicians from history and I've found some great works I'd otherwise would never have heard of if I didn't listen to this station.  It's on Saturdays and Sundays 5pm - 7pm on 106.10FM here in Australia.  

Okay, enough plugging of this station and my taste in music... I gotta go.  It's getting late and I'm sure Mum and Dad are hoping to go out for Dad's birthday tonight with friends and relatives.  Take care, keep cool - or warm - and remember:  I'll always be here. 

Horrible Humidity

It's been dreadfully hot during the last week; and we all thought that after the cyclone up north, it would settle down and cool off, but we were wrong.  The heat has been just as bad and it's been horrible trying to get to sleep at night.

I've been taking showers where the hot water doesn't get used, eating salad wraps for dinner and turning the fan on at around 7:30am and turning it off just before I go to bed at 10:30pm... just to keep the place nice and cool enough for Little Miss Stevie.  And if that's not enough, I'll give her a spray from the water bottle to keep her feathers nice and cool before we go to bed; just a little so she gets to sleep without having to flap her wings to cool off.  I'm trying not to use the stove at around dinner time because the heat just seems to stick around afterwards and not go anywhere; even if I leave the kitchen window open.

Yep, this heat is dreadful.  I've slept with my hair in plaits and the bed wet down every night this week just so I could drop off to sleep.  And once I do, I kick off the sheets as it's too hot to curl up under it; and I've often woken up on top of it anyway to the cicadas singing away to the sunrise the birds outside screeching to the coming hot day... another one to carry on the Summer and sweat.

I've been escaping into the spare room with my computer and air-conditioner - which struggles to keep this room cool - and just fluffing around on here all day.  The fan is on pushing the air through the house as the radio plays all day with all the windows open; and Little Miss Stevie is by the front window catching any slight breeze she can to keep herself cool.  It's a bonus if a little bit of rain wets her; but she doesn't seem to realise it until I close the window how hot it really is.

I'd love to talk about how good it's been this week.  But really, I didn't get any mail until yesterday; an invite to a 30th birthday party.  I'll be going and taking a cool gift for the birthday girl; she'll love it!  And today, I received a very retro postcard from California; from a Bookcrosser who thought of me straight away when she saw it.   Otherwise, I've been trying to keep cool during the day and night; as has everyone else here in Australia.  People in Far North Queensland are trying to clean up after Cyclone Yasi, people in Victoria are preparing for floods and rain.  And people in Northern regions of America from Chicago to New York are suffering the worst snowstorms they've seen in 20 years (I think; don't quote me on it).  So, really, it's not just us suffering through something bad... I'm thinking about all of those right now who are either trying to keep water out of their homes, their homes together or trying to keep warm.  I hope you are too.  Until my next post, keep warm, dry and positive.  I'll still be here.

Weather Mayhem

Now, last night was a horrible night.  Not a single breeze came through my window and I had to leave my poor little budgie downstairs in a closed-up house on her own... but I did spray her with a little bit of water before I came upstairs and tried to nod off - which didn't happen until well after midnight.

And even this morning, I had kicked off the covers and the breeze that did come through the lace of my window was hot and very little... so we were in for a real stinker of a day.  So, I did my best to keep my little bird from overheating and left the fan on 2 and left the front window open with towel along the sill in case it poured rain (like last time) and came in.  

While I was out, I walked a long way in the boiling hot heat.  It wasn't so much the sun that was hot, it was the humidity that really got us all; actually reminded me of the time I went to Vanuatu when I was 19 and how dreadfully hot it was.  But at least there was a lovely cool breeze when you sat in the shade.  Today, there wasn't a breeze; or if there was, it was hot.

I scored well at Life Line; two items.  There's a lovely piece of artwork of petrified flowers dipped in gold from Hawaii and a dress I bought; a Suzanne Gray one made in Australia, a size 10!  And it fitted me very well!  So, I bought those.  The Hawaiian art piece was very 1960's and has a domed piece of glass over it; so I had to be very careful about how I carried it and I showed a few people who thought it was absolutely gorgeous!  

I made my way to Woolworths only to be advised that all their cash registers had crashed; this included their ef-pos machines too.  Despite it being lovely and cool inside the store, I really wanted to get my shopping done... so I thanked the greeter at the door for the offer to come in out of the heat and kept walking to K-Mart Central Plaza.  I ended up shopping for all my vegetables and groceries at Coles there and picking up my prescriptions too.  Just as well I arrived at Coles the time I did as the people at the cash registers there were finding it hard to keep up.  I said that Woolworths' cash registers had crashed and the lady who was serving me told me that they had to close the store; this was very new news to me.  Amazing how we have become so dependent on computers as the years have passed by; and once they screw up, we are lost.  Fortunately, I'm not so attached to them that I panic when the power goes or when the I have dies.  I can pack my stuff and find my way to another; whether it be at a library or my parents' house, at least I know where I can find a good computer and internet access when I need one.

Well, once I got out of Coles, I donated to the Food Bin - as a lot of the food there was going to the flood victims around Queensland now.  I only gave a tin of diced tomatoes; but you can do a lot with that.  Next time, I might give a little more if I can; if not, I might stick to one thing.  And I went to the newsagency, bought my 'Good Reading' Magazine (yay! It came in!) and asked about how to go about putting in a Gold Lotto ticket for tonight's draw and getting a Gold Lotto card.  One of the ladies was very helpful as I haven't bought so much as a scratch-it for about 10 years.  She understood that when it comes to inflation, it's a matter of making sure you feed yourself first and buying those absolute luxuries later.  I said that I haven't filled out anything to do with Gold Lotto in such a long time I had forgotten.  She just smiled and said it's good I'm trying it out; even if I only do it once a month, it'll be good if I do win something.

I braved the heat again only to  be told that the ticket machine at the taxi rank had begun eating $2.00 coins.  So, I joined the queue and waited instead.  The next thing we knew, eight taxis showed up and picked us all up, taking us home with our shopping.  The cab driver I had said it was because it's so hot and Yellow Cabs didn't want to leave any of us out there in the heat of the shopping centres too long.  How good was that!  At least we know they're thinking of us out there.  And the cab driver was so fast and efficient about packing and unpacking my groceries that nothing was broken... he even let me off paying the .20c I owed him.  

But it's such a hot day still and it's getting onto 3pm.  Little Miss Stevie was tossed into her bath this afternoon by me as she didn't have one when I got home.  I made my drink and guzzled it down quickly, and the air conditioner isn't really making much of a difference to the computer temperature but it's fluctuating between 35 - 36 degrees Celsius.  At least it's not overheating.

Well, wherever you are today, keep safe from the cyclone in the Far North Queensland.  If you're not there, say a heart-felt prayer for those who had to evacuated from the path of the Cat 5 Cyclone Yatzi and keep cool... I'm trying to at the moment; and failing.  Take care wherever you are; and I'll still be here.

Free To Air HD VS Foxtel

I've been noticing lately that there's a television airing war going on between free-to-air HD channels and Foxtel.  While it all seems harmless, it's really brainwashing and getting a little too much when they air the adverts during family viewing time.  Foxtel really do have some great deals; ad-free movies and a sports channel or two with free installation.  However, I've found the free-to-air channels are just as good and all I did was go out to WOW Sight'n'Sound down the road and fork out $100 for a HD box, plug it in - according to the instructions in the front of the book - and scan in my channels.  

Easy-peasey... no monthly charges... no extra charges for me wanting to watch a movie... and most of all, if I didn't like the adverts, well, that's what the mute button is for.  

But you see, this free-to-air HD service is all very new to Australians; whereas it's been around for a long time in America.  One of my Canadian friends told me recently that they have 41 free-to-air channels and he complained that there weren't enough channels... um, pardon me?  We were stuck with only 5 or 6 until around three years ago and once you plugged in a HD box, well, you got another 9!  Yay!  And I only plugged a HD box into my television to improve my reception because it really sucked on all 5 channels... I ended up with ABC2, ABC3 and another 3 channels I didn't know existed; not including channel 31 (which I never received anyway because the signal isn't strong enough to be received here).  

Now, HD is absolutely everywhere; not only on the television... it's also on the radio.  If you've got a stereo system that's less than a decade old, you can get HD stereo.  And it can be picked up on your television too if you want to catch a show that's being broadcast in a different band from your radio... that's pretty swish!

So, who needs Foxtel when you can get all this for just a little over $100 and no hoock-up fee, no monthly charges and not extras for extra channels?  I don't... do you?  Of course this only my personal opinion of this.  If you enjoy cable television, leave a comment and let us know why.  Until my next post, keep safe and I'll still be here.

January's Something Different!

This is the first 'Do Something Different' for 2011, and seeing it's January, it's always something completely different when I come around to writing this one.  I didn't start off this year with a bang like I normally do; instead, I had such a quiet New Year's Eve that I nearly missed it because I sat around the house and watched dvds until midnight, called Mum down the coast, then gave Little Miss Stevie a cuddle and went off to bed after all the fireworks around the place settled down.

I did plan to get a lot of writing done; and with the rain that had been bucketing down since the beginning of school holidays, I had plenty of time to do just that; as well as a lot of reading.  So, there was one thing I got myself into.

I also wanted to get myself in Brisbane City more; but that would have to wait for a few months seeing our poor city underwent some big changes thanks to Mother Nature.  Once Toowoomba had an Inland Tsunami - which took out the Lockyer Valley and some townships between there and Brisbane - well, there wasn't anywhere for the water to go but here.  So, along with flowing downstream along the Brisbane River - with the floodgates of one of our main dams open - Brisbane was in for one of its biggest floods since 1974!  This flood destroyed, displaced and took with it plenty of homes, businesses, cars, boats and anything else that happened to be in the way; this included a popular restaurant which was - ironically - called 'Drift'... because that's exactly what it did down the river on its barge and pontoons; coming to rest where everything else did at Luggage Point.

This flood peaked at 4.6 metres and the clean-up began; and as I write this, is still going on.  People are still trying to piece together their lives and finding it harder as a lot of them lost everything except what clothes they had on their backs; while others had time to pack precious belonging and move them to higher ground.

Well, on a lighter note, we celebrated my cousin's daughter's first birthday at Mott Park, Holland Park and everyone had a great time.  The day was hot, sunny and windy and the kids were enjoying all the home-cooked food.  A pinyata was there to be smashed open by the kids as lollies fell out onto the ground... lots of fun by them.  The birthday girl enjoyed meeting new people and eventually got that glassy, tired look all kids do when it's nap time; and her Mum took her home while the rest of us tidied up the shelter; putting it back to its former boring best for the next lot of people.

On the same day, I went off to Rockaways and scored myself two vinyls that I had been looking for: The Eurythmics 'Revenge' album and INXS KICK in limited edition red.  Very cool; and both in vinyl!  I got home and had baked beans on toast for dinner as I had eaten way too much food that day.

Australia Day was very much a special day for all of us Aussie this year; especially Queenslanders due to the flood.  I spent a day and a half at Thornside with some friends celebrating a Pre-Australia Day... a bbq by the pool there and some drinks and staying up late chilling out.  It was great.  I had a lovely swim in the huge saltwater pool and loved every minute of it.  Then, the next day, I had an allergic reaction to Hot'n'Spicy Pringles and that was the end of me for about two days... I actually suffered a full-blown hangover; something I've never had in my entire life of partying.  I was dizzy, nauseous and very off-colour for about half the day.  I really didn't feel good at all.  But then, at dinner, I made myself a good pasta dish and pushed myself to eat as much of it as I could and the next day I felt good.  The one main problem was that I forgot I had a morning shift at that the Logan Art Gallery; and I had to call in and apologise for not showing up due to my ills that morning.  They said it was just as well I didn't show.  

And now this brings up to this weekend.  Just last Friday, I went out to the chiropractor and he put all my 'usual bones' back into place; and I went to Rockaways again and found myself two more vinyls to play on my turntable.  'So' by Peter Gabriel and 'Good Vibrations' by The Beach Boys.  Both great bands/artists and I can't wait to play them on my stereo.  Then, I dropped off to Mum's house and she gave me a book to review (a request really by a family friend to help get her son's name out there; I was more than happy to do this for him).  Then, Mum showed me three more books she was going to toss out and I picked up another two of them; yep I added to my collection when I vowed to keep my collecting under control this year... to read only what I've got in this room.  

Well, this is what I've been getting up to this month.  So, what have you been doing that's regarded as something totally different to your usual routine?  Feel free to leave a comment and let us know.  Until my next post, keep safe and stay dry.

Friday Hot Friday!

After Australia Day, I woke the next day feeling as though I was going to be sick; physically ill.  It was the first time ever that I had a hangover from something; but I wasn't quite sure what.  So, I made a list of what I had eaten and - with Mum - we put it down to the Pringles I had scoffed into; mainly the Hot'n'Spicy ones I had grabbed in the morning.  They were so morish and delicious, but so very bad for me; and now I definitely won't be going near them again!  And it took all day for that stuff to get out of my system.

So, then, once the day had passed and I had tried to keep my eyes open, I finally turned off the computer and air-conditioner and had a cool shower and headed downstairs; feeling better for it, but still stuffed.  I made myself some pasta and watched television, wrote in my journal and tried to keep awake until around 9:30pm - after 'Big Bang Theory' and then I went off to bed; I was so tired and falling asleep in my lounge chair.

This morning, I woke to my alarm and felt so much better!  I had had a great night's sleep and didn't feel as seedy as I did yesterday.  Just before I got out of bed, Mum called me and asked if I'd like to go to the movies, but I've got an appointment with the chiropractor... not my favourite person in the world, but at least I sleep well after he fixes my back, shoulders and hips.  I've been going to a chiro since I began working at aged 18 to help with my back seeing I was a mail clerk for a good part of my time at RACQ.  Seeing I sit a lot now as well when I write my books or read them, I still need to go to one.  

Anyway, there's clouds outside and rain isn't that far off.  I'll have to have a shower soon to go out and catch the bus to Springwood to take a wander around Rockaways to look at their $4.00 range of vinyls; seeing I bought two expensive ones last week.  Well, until I next post, take care and keep positive.  I'll still be here.

Happy Australia Day!

Well, I only got home about forty minutes ago from Thornside and I feel pretty tired and wasted.  This is normal for me when I go to a party at Geoff and Viv's place; friends of mine who used to live here at my unit complex.  They held a Pre-Australia Day Party and I was invited.  So, I took them up and went; sending Little Miss Stevie off to Mum and Dad's for the night so she wasn't left here in the heat.  

Viv picked me up at around 2pm yesterday and took me out for coffee; as we had another person to pick up but his bus had been late, thus making him miss his train from Robina to Beenleigh.  So, we had half an hour to kill; and went off to 'The Coffee Club' at Springwood to have a lovely coffee and something to eat in gorgeous surroundings.  I hadn't been there for years.

Anyway, we picked up Geoff's mate, Jeremy, and drove the scenic round to their house at Thornside; near the Bay, where Geoff was just getting home to.  We hung out after the initial tidy-up was done and settling in where we put some of our drinks in the freezer to cool them down quickly.  Geoff took off to pick up ingredients for dinner and we began on the nibblies as the sun went down and the stars came out... and one of the neighbours - Ralph - dropped by to hang out too.

By around 8:30pm or so, our bbq had been and gone with a great salad, veggie sausages, meat sausages, a cheese platter and plenty of food to go around; with more than enough leftovers for today and tonight.  Stories were swapped and we all had great laughs at a gecko that fell from the ceiling of the bbq area, onto our table, dodged around the plates, onto the seat I stood next to, clambered onto and around my leg, then made very quick tracks to the bbq plate (which was still quite warm) and bolted onto the bricks of the wall nearby.  That was either one very clumsy and stupid lizard, or one gutsy one; either way, we all thought he was really cute and he managed to terrify himself in more ways than one.

Afterwards, I took a lovely dip in the saltwater pool.  this inground pool is in the middle of the complex, well-cared for and has a large fence around it; and at this time of the year, everyone swims in it at night as it's nice and warm and just wonderful to look up at the stars overhead.  And that's just what I did.

After that, I had a quick shower and found that the shirt I used to cover up my very old togs and swim in was the only shirt I had brought with me!  So, I had to borrow a shirt off Vivienne for the night; and thankfully we're similar sizes.  I hung out my wet gear on the clothes line over night to dry and had to wear it home today.

We stayed up talking and taking weird photos, laughing at funny jokes and anecdotes and stories about all kinds of thing until around 1am and then I hit the pillow.  Before I knew it, my alarm went off at 6am... blech!  But I wasn't the only one up; in fact, Stu hadn't even been to bed!  He was wondering around the place sipping on some German beer and smoking all night and he was the first one who greeted me when I came downstairs.  I said that once the alarm went off, there's a slim chance of me getting back to sleep; and it's been like that since I was around 18 or so... especially since I'm on medication I have to be up at that time.  He said it's not good when I don't have a choice.

Well, the morning progressed as each person rose from their slumber and greeted the day in their own unique way.  I had some cereal and a coffee, then we all shared some hot'n'spicy Pringles, French Vanilla Peanuts (which tasted like Cocoa Pops) and German Beer... yep, a crazy, weird kinda breakfast to have, but it seem to suit our feeling of wanting to get rid of the seediness we all woke up with (well, okay, except Stu).  Then, Stu went home, got onto Facebook and told us that Obama was doing his State Union Speech and we all watched channel 24 until it finished 2 hours later!  Wow... talk about somebody who repeats himself over and over... but that's how it all goes I guess.

Next thing I know, it's almost time to leave.  And so, we all pack our stuff, check and double check we've got our stuff and then pile into the car and I was dropped off home.  It's been a mild 24 hours; but fun too.  Until my next post, I hope you enjoy your Australia Day - whatever you happen to get up to - as I'll be snoozing the afternoon away, no matter what, I'll still be here.