Hello Holiday

Today was my last day of work for nearly 3 months, and I did pretty much nothing. I made myself look busy and did a lot of 'supervising', but it wasn't until 4 o'clock that I realised I only had an hour to go! (I did end up staying till 6 and then working at the Vat till 9 though.)

My hot friends celebrated with me last weekend.

And I went out to a gig for the last time on Thursday to see The Process at the Corner.

That blur in the middle of the shot is my brother rocking out.

Sorry

Big, Dusty, Crowded, Sober Day Out

Man was I exhausted today. I could hardly get out of bed this morning after such a 'Big Day Out'. I didn't have a drink all day, but was so dehydrated from the sun and had so much dust in my lungs I felt like I'd been out on a hard night.

Even though the organisation of the day was barely minimal I still managed to see just about everyone on my list even with the time clashes.

I was very nerdy and organised for the day, printing out the schedule as well as my own personal timetable of events, I texted everyone the time they were to be on the train and I even packed a cut lunch- including mini muffins.

Getting on the train I found even more friends than expected starting with these two,

and then found the Devlins and the Parsons and the Wells', (representatives at least).

The only two bands that I saw the whole sets of were Faker

and Midnight Juggernauts, B and I were right down the front in the 'D' (that must stand for dancing 'cos that's what we were doing a lot of).

We then tried to make a mad dash to see Dizee Rascal but, even though there was heaps of space in there, the gate was so small there was just a jam of people coming in and out through the same 2 foot gate way, so we gave up.

It was then that we found the lush side of the grounds with Spoon at the Green Stage and Billy Bragg at the essentials stage. We dubbed this the Meredith stage 'cos everything was so much greener and laid back. No queues for the toilets or water, no dust and a grassy bar from which you could see the music and on the way in you passed under a giant mister and free iced tea!

Arcade Fire were another highlight except for the fact that the main stage had the worst view of all, then we eventually made it in to the boiler room to catch LCD Sound System and UNKLE.

Trying to get out of there proved nigh on impossible with 40 000 people trying again to squeeze out of a funnel towards the trains. You'd think they may have thought ahead, but there wasn't even anyone with a megaphone yelling directions. Once we got on the train it was the most ridiculously squashed I have ever been on public transport. You weren't even supporting your own body weight. I was convinced if I jumped up my feet wouldn't touch the ground again and I would just be carried by the crowd, but there wasn't even space to jump.

Promed

My 'Summer of Prom' is over with a grand total of two nights clocked up. It would be depressing really if I weren't going to Ecuador in 35 days!

It was very easy to slot into total relaxation mode, especially since there was no set up to be done. My only worry with the tent hopping was that I slept in a tent with my Dad who got gastro, and then in Chris' the next night and he woke up hurling too. I'm hoping I'm just a carrier.

The short stay didn't make it any easier for me to leave, let me tell you.

I forgot the battery for my camera so I have no photos, but I'm hoping some kind souls will let me see theirs.

Tim....Berrrrr!

A massive tree just fell down out the back of my place

and Lena rescued a bird which was flung from it's branches.

The drought had taken it's toll and the roots just cracked off.

It's like a heatwave!

The last week and a half has been a blur of hot, hot, hot weather.

New Years Eve was the hottest of the hot, but luckily we went down to Rosebud so we had a bit of coastal breeze. It was the most perfect couple of days.

We had the fans going full on inside the house the whole time, the shade of the backyard and also the jetty to jump off when it all got too unbearable (or we had just been a little overindulgent the night before).

Everyone had a job when it came to organising food and everyone did exceptionally well. Breakfast, lunch, dinner,

dessert,

punch,cocktails,

platters, midnight snacks, all served up to us as a magnificent spread each time on the ping pong table in the back yard.

I must admit the stuffing of the chicken and the slapping of the beef were a highlight, both of these helped along by Mark's wonderful baking.

The hot weather has continued since then with not much to be done but lying around in front of the fan and swimming every now and then. Back to work for real next week which means I have the luxury of air conditioned comfort, but I miss out on fun in the sun.

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.