The slap of soccer

It's been a long time between drinks I know, but here it is.

Another Soccer injury.

Heaths housemate, Dylan, organised a five-a-side comp in Edinburgh Gardens on Boxing Day and I took a carload of Elthamites in to be my team. Mark, Heath and the prodigal Katja and Leon.

We were a shit team and the losers of the losers, but it was fun.

Except, of course, when some seriously competitive boys took us on and one of them kicked full pelt for goal when I was standing less than a metre in front of him. Thanks to the healing powers of Hirudoid, Traumel cream and Arnika it has only bruised around the edges where i missed with cream, but nearly a week later I still have hexagons tatooed on my upper thigh.

Back in the Winner's circle!

Things I've won lately;

A Crumpler bag from the rrr OB,


$5 on a scratchie,


Christmas album of the week on rrr,



Things I've lost lately;


Trent- to a white Christmas in Canada.

Extraction

Well, I finally bit the bullet,

Or the scalpel, drill and pliers,

And got all four of my beloved not so little wisdom teeth out.

All in the chair under local anaesthetic with the worst bit being the needles into my soft pallete. Apart from that it was really quick an easy with the whole procedure taking about half an hour. And I go to keep my teeth. Apparently it's not really allowed, but the nice little dental nurse lady gave them to me in a canister of formaldehyde anyway.

I've got minimal swelling, no bruising and not even much pain.

Yesterday was a different story though.
I came home and dutifully took my two kinds of painkillers, both just the over the counter type, and antibiotics. But after that I couldn't get out of bed. Every time I tried- to get something to suck, or just to get out of boring old bed I got so dizzy and faint I had to rush back to bed have have a cool washer place don my head by my lovely boyfriend.

I've stopped taking the strong analgesic and have just had nurofen today and I feel so much better it's amazing.

Now I just have to deal with this 35 degree heat, and still keep drinking my meals.

Mexican Fiesta

The last of the birthmonth celebrations happened this weekend, with the annual trip to the Prom- Mexican themed. Lucky there were so many sombreros going around it was blue skies and sunshine all the way. Tortillas and fajitas, huevos rancheros and corn on the cob. More pictures on facebook.

Eri's birthday hoodie

Short sleeves, front pockets, flouro zip and lining, personalised print on inside back neck.

Ha, haha, haha, haha.

It's my birthday and I'll do what I want!

























This time that includes stretching out the celebrations for as loooong as possible.



It started on Tuesday - birthday dinner with the girls from work. Cafe Bedda on High Street, Northcote.



Birthday breakfast on the big day of Thursday morning. Ice cream, ribbons, bows, pancakes and presents!





(A small interlude of work during the day)




That night birthday dinner. A Thai sensation!





The night before Trent and I were busy grilling and shredding chicken to go in the chicken basil and cashew lettuce cups,

and rolling up the prawn and pork spring rolls.

Mum had made the thai salad, so all was left to do was cook and dress.

THEN EAT!!!!

Finishing off was the birthday brownie cake,

and oiksta boiksta.

Hoch soll sie leben, hoch soll sie leben, Drei Mal hoch - hoch - hoch - hoch.

Friday brought an extra special 'small packet' all the way from England with summer frocks for the coming summer visit of joeyjojo.

Then dinner and drinks last night with all my beautiful friends. At least 25 of us at pizza, then owning North Bazaar. Only a couple of other people dared come in and out while we were there. That was until CASIO NOVA hijacked the proceedings. All came good in the end though.
Thanks to everyone who came. Love you guys. And to all those who couldn't I know you were thee in spirit. To all those who didn't want to I hate you too.

Stitching the ear back on this toy bunny I couldn't help but feel like I was in surgery.

For the Greater Good

It seems I'm getting better at this drinking caper.

Saturday night I had three vodkas and was fine at work on Saturday.

Yesterday Trent and I were inspired by Entourage at Cannes to drink champagne in the sun, preferably there would have been proffiteroles involved and the champagne Dom Perignon, but we settled for eclairs and Jacobs Creek (and when that ran out Yellowglen Bella). Today I'm only starting to feel a bit crappy cos at 6.30 I went in to Polyester to line up for tix for Meredith.

'Hang on', I hear you say. 'I thought you already had a ticket from HG for that?' Well I do. But for the enjoyment of all concerned I took it upon myself to go shopping for my friends.

Aww shucks it's no problem guys.

We were well looked after by the good people of Meredith, making sure we were all ok, bringing us coffee to keep us going, the queue providing entertainment in the form of people dressed up in their car seat covers, Sarah bringing me a chocolate muffin.

I'd just like to apologise t my new found line friends. Although I may have forced this friendship upon you, as soon as I had my tix I was off without so much as a wave or a nod. I hope you all have a great time and the sun shines, but not too much that you get heatstroke.

Owie, but not so bruisey

Ok.

Now I know what all the fuss is about with snowboarding.
The aches and owies.
The total body fatigue.
And the inability to move without wincing the next day.

I think I was just being a woosy girl in New Zealand, not pushing myself far enough.
But when your first run away from Bourke St on Mount Buller is a black run your boyfriend tricks you into going down, you know you're going to be hurting.


AND I LOVE IT!

I had so much fun.
We just went up for the day on Monday and I actually saw it snow. Not just the snowmakers hurtling fake snow at you as you go past on the chair lift, but real snowy snow, which makes it really hard to see were you're going. But the rest of the day was beautiful.
So now I'm off to the end of season sales to get me some of my own gear.

I'm a film star!

Or just a mere extra.*


But still- I'm up there on the silver screen.

"Crystal, a young Indonesian girl, is in an Immigration office being questioned about her false papers and illegal refugee application. About to be sent to a Detention Centre and deported, her allegations of multiple rape and appalling captive conditions seem to make little difference to the Immigration Officer. Brought in by human trafficking syndicates to work as prostitutes, she is one of the many modern sex slaves in Australia that are conveniently deported when they hit their 'used by date'.

Meanwhile a young Melbourne woman, Ashley Hudson, reluctantly agrees to help a Thai mother search for her missing daughter. Hooked on caffeine and bored with her job and loveless life, Ashley is unwittingly drawn into the darker edges of this sophisticated cityscape and soon becomes fearful for her own life.

Inspired by actual events and court transcripts, the story unravels the sinister workings of illegal prostitution and governmental deportation and is filled with twists and surprises."

From http://www.thepicturetank.com/jammed.html

Inspired by actual events and court transcripts,

Inspired by actual events and court transcripts,

Inspired by actual events and court transcripts,

My Aunty is the producer, my mum was the caterer, my brother was the something or other and my uncle was the runner/driver.

When the screening times come out we'll organise a session with dinner somehow involved.

For more info go to http://thejammed.com/ or http://www.thepicturetank.com/jammed.html

*May contain images of a shocking nature-(KJ's in it too)

As you may have guessed from the highly visual content of my New Zealand post, I did indeed buy a camera duty free. YAY!!! So now expect a lot more posting, as I will now have evidence to back me up.

Man am I bruised!

It's not so much from the constant falling down, but the constant whacking of the chairlift into the back of my leg every time I sat down on it. Maybe?

I'm just back from a fantastic weeks holiday.

I haven't even been to the snow in about 10 years, and now I've had my first time snowboarding, with a trip to New Zealand to boot.

It's unbelievable how beautiful it all is.

We flew into Christchurch, but were staying in Queenstown, no more than an hours drive to any of four amazing mountains. Our room had an amazing view of Lake Whakatipu, and every direction you looked was a picture postcard backed by the snow capped alps.

Of the five days we had in Queenstown, four of them were spent on the mountains. A pretty mean feat for a first timer, if I do say so myself. On the first day Trent cracked his head on a patch of ice, resulting in a trip to the first aid tent,

and a reminder of just how dangerous it can be up there. People with all sorts of limbs in all sorts of directions. Luckily I got away with only a jarred wrist and one mean landing right on my coccyx, plus the aforementioned bruises.

Our favourite ski area was at The Remarkables.

Beautiful views, no queues for the lift and runs to suit our varying degrees of ability. (Trent has been boarding before, and Ronni was on skis.)

The one day off we did have off, the one morning when we were allowed to sleep in, was rocked by an ear piercing beeping ripping through the silence of 3 in the morning. I had no idea what was going on until from the next room Roni's "Umm, guys. I think we need to get out" so out we got. The entire hotel evacuated to the foyer, too cold to go outside, with no one to tell us what was going on, and two fire trucks int the drive. All the while this incessant alarm that made me think my head might explode. Then the alarm finally stopped and everyone just headed back up to their rooms, still with no idea what had happened.

It turned out in the morning that the incident was of a "non hazardous nature". Read- kids fucking around.

We did still manage to get out that day though, a leisurely drive in the direction of Paradise.

After about half an hour of driving we were still by the side of the lake,

beautiful views abounding.

Then on to the Glenorchy cafe, highly recommended, and the wharf.

Very Japanesey.

Our journey was cut short before we could reach Paradise, with water over the road turning into a frozen lake over the road, and with an $1800 bill looming over our heads we decided it wasn't worth risking the hire car.

All in all it was a fantastic week of freezing cold and snow. I think I may now be addicted to boarding, so I'll see you guys on the slopes.

Not yet.

Well, it turns out I am not yet a Master, but good enough to sit just below the ranks.

Last night was the awards fo rthe Australian Masters of Fashion. Our gowns in the Contemporary Bridal section were just a liitle too diferent to be judged winners, but they will be taking the tour of Australia in the Judges Finalist parades.

It was so amazing to see these full on beautiful gowns come down the catwalk at the Grand Hyatt, and to know that you created them. Such a buzz. Such a fun night.

I'll post pictures as soon as I get my hands on some.

Yay for Community Cup. Yay for short shorts. Boo for hangovers.

Hey guys.

I've copped some slack about not going to red futons for all my slut needs, so click on the link and satisfy Stubbsy with some extra site traffic.

Have you ever seen a man drink a beer from his own sweaty boot?

Hardwareing

Bunnings has opened!


The giant of all hardwares has finally opened it's new giant store in Eltham. The construction of which has caused chaos amongst the traffic, new traffic lights and consequently traffic build up at peak hour and will be taking business from the smalled individual building supply stores in the area.


A few weeks ago when sourcing materials for my new 'sluts' for my bed base I went in to Bunnings and hated it. I'd always loved going int here for odd things that i just new such a big store was bound to have, but when I actually went looking specifically for something hardwarey, ie. timber, I needed help- and Bunnings couldn't give it to me. I stood there staring at the product for ages and eventually figured out which lengths, widths and how many I would need, but still nary a worker in sight.

So I left, and headed out to the scary 'man' hardware on the other side of Eltham. I could tell that they just though I was a stupid girl who didn't belong in their timber yard, but they hid it the best they could, showed me the product, compared prices, cut it to length and I was done. Easy. Not really so scary after all. And much better than stupid old Bunnings.

But, to make it up to us (and I think this more than does it) on Friday they are having fireworks, that's right fireworks, at Bunnings.

We'll have to wait and see if the customer service is any better in this new building, but for now I'm happy just with fireworks.

Community Cup XIV

Woo hoo hooo!





Community cup has just been announced for June 24th this year.



Who'd have thought I'd hang out a whole 12 months for a football game?



Anyone who's never been before I highly reccommend it.



Anyone who has been, I'll see you in the usual possie.

Slight alteration. I went back through the archives and found the party should be on the 21st, not 22nd. So I'll see you all Thursday night. Shorted up to the max!

Who wears short shorts?

How quickly the time goes these days.

It's nearly been a whole year since the last short shorts party, so on Winter Solstice it's time to head on out to the bonfire down the lane and party in a pair of shorts.

A 'brief' history (get it?)

I think it would have to be about 5 years ago the tradititon began. Winter solstice is the dead middle of winter, when the nights are at their longest, and the days at their shortest.

A little out of party season it's a good excuse to see everyone.......wearing shorts.

There's a big bonfire and plenty of mulled wine, so no chance of getting cold, we've even stuck it out in the rain.

This is the first time the Solstice has fallen on anything but a school night.

FRIDAY JUNE 22ND.

NO EXCUSES!!!

Be there.......
...or...
...be............
long?

NO ENTRY WITHOUT THE WEARING OF SHORTS

You can't stop progress

Oh my god!!!

There's traffic lights at the Fitzimons Lane roundabout.

For Real!

I don't know if this was the first night they've been in use, or if tonight was the first time I've come home early enough to catch peak hour traffic, but there they were. Making my lane of traffic slow. And just generally freaking me out.

But you know what they say......

This morning I sent my sister off to play in the Australian girls team in Thailand. Here is a photo for my mum to see that she was off safely.

How gorgeous is my lovely mum?

Here she is at Richard's 60th in the UK. Casablanca themed at Rick's Cafe Americain. Complete with band and the birthday boy on guest vocals. We all miss you.

random though # 1

I hate it when the audience sings along to the slow, quiet, heartfelt songs.

Oui, jet'aime!

If Rob dances like a rapping lizard, then Jarvis dances like a rapping chicken.

I'd forgotten how good he was on stage. Such a presence, and he actually talked to the crowd. Some guy behind us was yelling at him to shut up, but I thought it was nice. Seeing as most of the crowd was there to see him, not necessarily his music, he should have been allowed to talk as much as he wanted, even if it was inane babble.

The highlight of the night beyond a doubt though, was Phoenix. They absolutely rocked the house, and the pants off most of the female audience members.

Sexy French music boys.

Mmmm mmm! I wasn't that into their music before the show, but they did it so well live. An amazing sound, the mixing was so much better than Jarvis, and just their whole vibe on stage was awesome.

The whole night got me back into a music frame of mind, so I followed it up last night with The Drones at The Corner. Again, great show. These guys really can't go wrong, although my night was very close to ruined by a certain shot of cheap tequila.

So, two sleeps 'till I'm off to Byron. I was looking at The Apollo Bay Music Festival line up, it looks quite entertaining........... but then I had to remind myself that after Easter I'm on festival detox. We'll probably have to add a few more things to the detox list after that too.

Lord Of Magic Dance

He does love to Dance, but this is nothing on the rapping lizard.

Goodbye summer

I got another email today saying how great I was. When work is shit and you really don't want to be there, that makes all the difference.

Only 2 weeks now 'till I'm off to Byron. Then I guess I'll have to stay in cold old Melbourne. Today was the first day it's actually been wet, and vaguely cool. Still sticky and humid, but a chance to get into the new season fashions. Bearably wearing long sleeves is quite a change to being uncomfortable wearing any clothes at all.

Music fan found dead at festival

Paul Anderson
Herald Sun, Melbourne
March 13, 2007 12:00am


A YOUNG medical student has died at a country music festival after an apparent booze binge at the Golden Plains Festival in Meredith.The student, 21, of Prahran, was found dead in his tent at about 8am yesterday.
He died in his sleep as a friend slept beside him.
Police were awaiting autopsy results yesterday, but sources said the young man may have choked on his own vomit as he slept.
The death is not being treated as suspicious.
Paramedics at the inaugural long weekend music festival worked for half an hour to try to save the man, who had a cardiac arrest, said Rural Ambulance Victoria spokesman John Mullen.
The man was a medical student who was doing rounds at Melbourne hospitals as an intern.
News of the death spread through the scores of groups preparing to pack up as the festival wound up about noon yesterday.
Police are preparing a brief for the coroner.
A day earlier, five people were treated in hospital after a car crash near the festival.
One woman, 32, was flown to the Alfred hospital with spinal injuries.
Other patients with neck, head and leg injuries were taken to Ballarat and Geelong hospitals.
Unconfirmed reports suggested one of the
cars had been driven from the festival just before the collision.
Other music festivals experienced troubles at the weekend.
Police at the four-day Port Fairy Folk Festival broke up a scuffle between several young men as a large crowd urged them to fight.
Two men, both 21, were in hospital after they were stabbed during a brawl at the Future Music Festival at Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Sunday night.
One had surgery for seven stab wounds, but police said the injuries were not life threatening.
A Broadmeadows man, 21, was helping police with their inquiries.
The stabbings followed the arrest of 36 festival-goers on suspected drug offences.
Event organiser Future Entertainment said in a statement: "We are shocked and saddened that a needless violent incident like this could occur at one of our events.
"Our primary concern is for the wellbeing of the young men injured, and our thoughts go out to them and their families.
"We work very closely with Victoria Police and fully support their PAD (drug dog) operation, which resulted in arrests outside the venue.
"We are still working with police, medical staff and security to ascertain all the facts surrounding this (stabbing) incident."

Festy

Off to another festival tomorrow.

Oh when will it end?!?!?!?

Easter.

Definitely Easter. Then I'm on festival detox 'till Meredith.

What's an ipod?

Is that when you punch a jellyfish in the face?
-Matcham Skipper 2007

Good Luck

This morning I decided not to wear a hat on my daily morning walk.


Normally I stick a cap over my frizzy hair, and to disguise the fact I'm still nearly asleep. But this morning I thought I didn't need it.

Turned out I was wrong.

Just over half way I felt a drop on the top of my head...

That was just water.....

It's got to be water......

Right....

Turns out I was wrong.

I don't know why they had to change blogger. I was perfectly happy with the old one, and now it's all large fonts and unfamiliar windows.

Only 9 days to Golden Plains! Woo hoo! Very excited. Obviously not as excited as Meredith. But hoping for just as good a time.

If anyone needs Golden Plains tix, I have people.

No Jokes!

Sent: Sunday, February 18, 2007 7:32 AM
Subject: Fantastic Service


I just wanted to write to express my thanks for making the very first day of trying on bridal dresses the most lovely experience.

Amy was very friendly and patient and her recommendations were highly valued. Her vision and skills were very impressive. Your other staff member was also lovely. The fact that every dress was stunning made things very difficult but also showed me the extreme quality of workmanship.

The level of service compared to my other appointments so far has been second to none. This made such a big impression on me as it was such a special day for me.

I have a year until my wedding but am already in love with one of your dresses and will be sure to be back, and be sure to recommend your shop.

Thanks again,
Kim

It's funny where life takes you sometimes. Yesterday I spent the aftenoon talking to Zac Protopapas, at Ruebar, for Lochie Ashelford's going way drinks. I haven't seen either of those people since hgh school and I wasn't loking forward to it, but I actually had a good time. I did spend quite a lot of time talking about weddings though, not something I ever thought woud be my small talk area of expertise.

I have to admit it...... I hooked up a myspace. I know I will never live it down. Now I have been burned. Evil, Evil, Evil.

Watch out for the killer palm trees!

St Kilda Festival rally sucked this year. It was blowing a gale, and 'cos it's so dry dust, dirt and grass was constantly flying in your face at a million miles an hour. This did make for some funny times watching people scamper out of the way as huge chunks of palm tree came flying down at them.

We took our solace and solitude from the good old RSL. Well, not so much solitude, as it was packed when we walked in there. But we still managed to get ourselves a neat litle patch of ground on whch to park our be-hinds.

We only emerged to see 'the mighty crane' put on their rock show. I loved it! Singin' along and all.

Awesome to see Daisy too,




and hang out wiht my sister drinking vodka red bull.

No matter how many times you climb Mt Oberon to watch the sunset it remans unbearably beautiful. Last Friday nigh especially.

We set off early so as to set an easy pace, so even when we got to the top it was still warm with a mild breeze floating across fom the ocean. Cardies were needed after the sun went down but as soon as we satred off back down the hill it was singlet and shorts again.

When I woke up yesterday morning at The Prom I did not expect to finish the day drinking absinthe at a burlesque show.

As usual it was really hot for the pack up of the site with just Rob and I trying to figure out what to do with all the bits and pieces left over from two weeks at the beach, peaking with 30 people for dinner on my mum's birthday.

Then driving home with a trailer which sent my car down at the back on a 45 degree angle and no lights. Fun, fun, fun!



Then, just for something completely different I went to a burlesque night at the Spanish club. Unfortunately it was a little disappointing. It felt like I was at some dirty high school talent show.

Excepting of course the lovely Amelia Wood. Although I have seen her in her underwear before, part and parcel of a costume job, it was very odd to see someone you know stripping all sexy up on stage. My old 'new best friend' Marawa was there too, doing he hula thang. She is one foxy lady.

It's good to be back home, at least until I go back to work, can't say I'm looking forward to that one.

The weather's looking up! So it looks like I'll be at the Prom till at least Saturday!

Snake on a Bush

This is what I woke up to on Wednesday of last week. A liitle blury I know, but a big fat tiger snake, just outside my bedroom window. My bedroom window which I had left open all night in the hope that the blistering heat would subside. Unfortunately the temp outside didn't drop below 28, so I risked my life through snake bite for nothing.

This sighting made me paranoid for about a day- keeping my doors and windows shut, wearing shoes whenever outside and making plenty of noise, looking around whenever I heard a rustle in the leaves around anywhere.

Over it now though, but I am still thinking about a flywire screen for that window.

Since Christmas I've been reading a book, The Kite Runner and been totally enveloped by it's story and the world it is set in.

I had to stop reading on the train on the way home this morning 'cos I kept crying. It is a seriously good book, and I'm not just a wussy girl.

Turns out they just finished a film version of it in America. If they can pull it off it should be amazing!

As promised

The birthday bonnet, as expertly constructed by Dalm and I.

Ev also had a small bottle of Jamison in his tummy, hence his willingness to wear said bonnet, and play with Harry.

Another event that took place this day, which goes into the hallowed hall of fame along with Wellsie and the boomgate incident......


After sculling about 5 standard drinks worth of Jamison Ev stood up, tripped over his own feet, and fell headlong into the two terracotta pots full of duckweed and goldfish at Mel's place.


Freakin Hilarious!

Dirt and Gritty

It finally feels like summer.

Hot days.

Hot nights.

Hot mornings.

Hot afternoons.

And of course, all just in time for me to have to go back to work.


Saving grace.....

only 14 sleeps till the Prom!

Ta-daa!

It's taken nearly a week, but after finally recovering from New Years' and getting back to work U've gotten my phone connected to my pc.

And voila!

Pictures for your perusal.





This is the sun in the morning sky, tinged red by the fire in the air.









A small sample of the debauchery which went on at The 'Vat Christmas Party. Keep in mind that this was early, and before such events as 'nudie runs' took place.



Raph on Christmas Day.

I had a face painting gig for the kids of the English Cricket Team and when I returned to lunch it slowly degenerated into family face painting.