Am I doing the right thing?

So tonight J, Chickie and I went to a birthday dinner for a three year old. Her parents are in the process of splitting up and both were there. It was a little awkward at times but it wasn't nasty or anything.

I'm friends with both. I used to work with one and the other was a member of our mum's group (disintegrated now but I still catch up with most of the mothers). I'd like to stay friends with both.

I've heard some details about what happened from one and tonight the other asked me what I knew about it and what the other had told me. I played dumb and just said I didn't really know much about it all. Was that the right thing to say, do you think?

I have no intention of passing information on to the other. If one tells me something, I feel that information/discussion is in confidence. I didn't feel comfortable saying 'yeah, x told me what went on but I don't feel comfortable telling you what s/he said' - particularly when I've only heard the story from x. I feel that would be a little like saying I was on x's side.

Once y has told me their story (if they feel they want to, I don't want to push them either), should I then tell them both that I have no intention of revealing what's been said to me from either side? Or should I continue to play dumb? I can't see how they'll believe that for long really.

It's all a bit messy. Relatively civil, but messy. I just feel so sad about it all - they looked like the perfect family and then this, seemingly out of the blue.

A bit of introspection

I've been thinking today, about the effect of reading someone's blog regularly. When you read a prolific poster you tend to find out quite a bit about them. Their likes, dislikes, how they feel about people, how certain events affect them.

You really start to think you know them.

And you start to care.

The past few days a blog friend (Carmelo) has been through some... well interesting times, to put it mildly. Now, he assures me that he's fine with it and even had a bit of a laugh, but I'm rather angry about the way he's been treated. There's been a few times where I've wanted to wade in and make some not so nice comments. I was going to say there were times I was biting my tongue but given the medium, I'll have to settle for 'put my hands behind my back'. It's his life and his 'fight' to deal with.

The whole thing is just messy and spilled over to another blog I read - Nicenurse. Another person who did not deserve the attacks he received.

In the end it looks as if Carmelo will no longer be blogging. I really hope it's not forever, as I quite enjoyed hearing about his experiences in learning to be an EMT/Paramedic.

Then there's the worry about another blogfriend fairsCaPe. She's currently undergoing chemotherapy to battle cancer. When you don't see a new post in a while, you start to be a bit concerned. Hoping the treatment isn't taking too much out of her. You'd like to see a new post but, at the same time, you feel selfish for wanting it when she may be tired or not feeling well enough.

It's funny how you feel you know someone through what they write. Is it the full story - heh, not by a long shot, says the logical part of me. I guess there's a bit of 'presumption of intimacy' when you regularly read someone's blog. It sort of feels like riding the same train, morning and night, and always sitting near the same group of people chatting about themselves. You overhear all about their lives, their hopes, their dreams and feel you know them, but you're not really a part of it all. It's a bit voyeuristic, isn't it?

As for the full story about me? Well, I will admit that I censor myself sometimes. Thoroughly sure anyone reading doesn't want to hear me moan on about stuff, or being boring and just prattling on about nothing. Though for some reason, I'm fascinated by the daily minutiae of other people's lives.

Ah well, I never claimed to be logical about it.

Mac Beautiful

Ok, I love my Mac but obviously not as much as this woman...

quick catch-up

J and I went out on Sunday - sushi was good, though missed out on trying the black sesame icecream because their freezer had broken down that day. Saw Deja Vu at the movies - excellent movie, though J couldn't quite suspend his belief so he didn't enjoy it as much as me. My advice - just go with it and don't think too hard about it. Not going to say any more in case you've not seen it and want to... would hate to be a spoilsport.

Since my usual massage guy hasn't been around lately (he went overseas just after Christmas and then was sick when he got back), I tried a Chinese massage place yesterday. Was quite good and just what my back needed.

Today and tomorrow I'm home because I don't have childcare for Chickie for Wednesday and Thursday for the next three weeks. Since my days off are Sunday and Monday, there's really no point in then working Tuesdays... so for the next three weeks I'll be working two days and having five off. Now if I could just work out a way to keep doing that at the same pay rate, I'd be right!

Well, better be off, I promised Chickie we'd go out for lunch and then we're visiting a friend. Hope your day is a relaxed and happy as mine!

Probably The Best Caramaena In The World.

Carmelo had this link on his blog and I think it's quite amusing. It's an advertising slogan generator. You can put in your name or whatever word you like and it will randomly come up with stuff (that's where I got the title from). Some of the other's I've seen are:

Super Caramaena is Almost Here.
Better Living Through Caramaena.
It's a Caramaena Adventure.
All Caramaena, All The Time.
It's Slightly Rippled with a Flat Caramaena. (rofl)
Show Me The Caramaena!

Ok, that's enough of that silliness...

It rained yesterday, all day. Not a heavy rain, no flooding (where I am, at least) and definitely not a drought breaker. I was watching the news last night (state news - though they call it 'national') and the rain was not only the first story, but they did a live cross to their weatherman, who was at the state head office of the Bureau of Meteorology!

Slow news day, I guess. Perhaps all the local crims were out, peering upwards, wondering what this wet stuff falling out of the sky was?

Still, it has continued to rain a bit, though it's warming up again now and it's so humid outside. A bit more rain would be nice. My lawn sure could do with it (it's just a teensy bit parched).

Thanks!

Thanks for all the birthday wishes everyone :) Much appreciated.

I had a lovely day, even though I had to work. I was given some gorgeous flowers from my two special guys, amongst other things (yes, I did get the Sims expansion pack I hinted at). I just love getting flowers.

We had takeaway chinese food for dinner (chicken and sweet corn soup and prawn with cashews - yum!) and Vienetta icecream for dessert. I haven't had that in a while.

Chickie actually wanted us to go out for dinner instead of doing the takeaway. He's asked to go out to restaurants several times recently. He's a little social butterfly! Since we're all going to a 21st this saturday and then J and I are going out by ourselves on Sunday night (sushi and a movie) though, I wanted a quieter night last night.

We're thinking of seeing Deja Vu on Sunday, has anyone seen it? Is it any good?

I declare today...

to be all about me!

Last year, the company I work for instituted a paid day off on your birthday, and have decided to continue it this year. You can take your actual birthday off or another day - provided it's in the same week. My birthday is tomorrow but I had Sunday and Monday as my rostered days off so I took my birthday leave today to give me a three day weekend.

So far I've slept in (just a little) and I've spent the morning with Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law (yum) and Jack Black. This afternoon I plan on either playing Rollercoaster Tycoon 2 (got it for Christmas) or spending some time with Keanu Reeves (yum) and Sandra Bullock, whilst trying to make a necklace of a design that's been bubbling around in the back of my mind for a week or two. As for tonight, well I guess I'd better do some exercise because I plan on not doing any tomorrow. Since I'll have to actually work on my birthday, I figure I might as well take it easy during the evening.

You may possibly notice that today's activities are very indoor based. That's because it's bloody hot out! It's meant to get to 40 C today (104 F) and currently it's 38 (100). I think it feels hotter though because there's also a very hot dry wind going on. It's the sort of day you just hope there are no bushfires about.

Now a question for those of you who have visited the Gold Coast recently. We're planning on taking Chickie up to Wiggles World in March. He's been talking about it forever and we figure it would be nice to take him while he still has the interest, plus it's easier to take him before he starts school (so we can go in non-school holiday periods). I'm thinking Australia Zoo might be cool and possibly Sea World. Chickie's not really a water person so Wet'n'Wild Water World may not be the best option. So any other recommendations?

I've been tagged!

Carmelo tagged me! So here it is:

A - Available/Single? - Nope. J and I have been together 10 years, this December.

B - Best Friend? - J, of course. I also have an online best friend who goes by the nickname bunny. We've known each other for almost 10 years and I'd love to meet her one day (she lives in America).

C - Cake or Pie? Well, I shouldn't really eat either very much. I'd have to say pie though. My grandmother used to make the most delectable lemon meringue pie... mmmm

D - Drink Of Choice? My everyday choice would be regular coca cola, but because I can't really have that (and I'm not a huge fan of diet drinks), water is what I drink most. Booooring!

E – Essential Item You Use Everyday? Ummm, is it just too sad to say it's my computer? Yes? Thought so. It is, though.

F - Favourite Colour? Teal Green

G - Gummy Bears Or Worms? I used to love the sour gummy worms. I love sour lollies.

H - Hometown? - I grew up on the mid north coast of New South Wales.

I - Indulgence? Beads. I buy way more than I use in my jewellery making. Problem is I can't really do any beading around Chickie because he loves to play with them and they're a real pain to pick up if they get spilled. I do have some time off where he'll be at childcare soon though, so I have plans to do more beading.

J - January Or February? January - coz it's my birthday month (this wednesday, in fact!)

K - Kids & Their Names? I have one sweet little boy but I'd rather not say his name. I will tell you that it's not very common, all the baby books say it's Irish and the only times I've seen it used as a first name recently, is by a supermodel for her son and a tv character.

L - Life Is Incomplete Without? Chocolate ;)

M - Marriage date? No plans for that at the moment.

N - Number Of Siblings? 3 younger sisters.

O - Oranges Or Apples? I prefer oranges but I eat more apples. They're much easier to take to work as a snack.

P - Phobias/Fears? I really don't like bugs much. I recall working at a radio station once, where I was on air reading the weather. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted a cockroach and believe me, you've never heard the weather read so quickly! I ran out squealing as soon as I could and had to get someone to go kill it for me.

Q - Favourite Quote? May you live all the days of your life - Jonathan Swift. That and Carpe Chocolate (no idea who said that).

R - Reason to Smile? Getting a hug from Chickie and him telling me I'm "the best mum". Also, purely selfish here - going clothes shopping and having to go get smaller sizes to try on.

S - Season? Autumn - I love trees that change colour. I once lived in a town that had a lot of trees like that and it was just beautiful.

T - Tag people? Charm School Reject, House & Baby and Four Legged Furry Penguins

U - Unknown Fact About Me? I've been married and divorced previously.

V - Vegetable you don’t like? Pumpkin, brussell sprouts, asparagus, cabbage - blech.

W - Worst Habit? Being late. I don't know why, but it's near impossible for me to be on time for things!

X - X-rays You’ve Had? My knees, my lungs and teeth. I've never actually broken a bone (that I'm aware of - I'm told it's quite common to break a toe without realising it).

Y - Your Favourite Food? Roast lamb with rosemary, roast potatoes and spinach. yum!

Z – Zodiac Sign? Capricorn.

iWant??

I wouldn't mind one of these...



I am a Mac fan through and through. They even call me Macgirl at work :)

Nothing much really

That's what I've been up to lately. A big ball o' nuthin...

Christmas and new years has been and gone and they were relatively quiet, but nice. Next year's Christmas should prove more lively, as most (if not all) of my family should be here for it.

Lately I've not been doing much more than work and try to get Chickie back into his normal routine. He's had so many late nights over the past few weeks that he's looking really tired.

Had some sad news at the new year's party - a former team mate and his wife are splitting up. I'm close to both of them and they seemed so good together, so I'm sad to see this happen. Came out of the blue too, there was no hint that things weren't going well.

Work's been crazy busy, since our team has basically taken on a new role to do with adsl tech support. We're still feeling our way with it, but it has its moments. For those not aware, adsl is broadband delivered by the phone line. Now I was trying to help someone whose adsl wasn't working. I asked him to unplug all phones and other equipment and just plug the modem in by itself. I asked him to ensure that the phone line was going directly from the back of the modem to the wall socket - several times in fact, because it just wasn't working! I was thinking I'd have to start doing a few of the more drastic troubleshooting steps when he asked me, out of the blue, if the phone line should be plugged into the modem... (insert image of me slapping my forehead here!).

I have to admit, I'm feeling so much happier at work. Even though it's busy, I feel like I'm actually using my brain. I'm learning all sorts of bits and pieces, like how to figure out the distance from the telephone exchange the customer is, and how to recognise a line fault from the lines tests we do.

The only other remotely interesting thing we've been up to, is we're looking at pulling up the carpet in the lounge/hallway and replacing it with floating floors. It will be a big job though. Not only will we have to pack everything up and shift it out of the way, but the carpet is glued to the floor. Pulling that up will be a real joy.

I've actually been wanting to get rid of it for some time. It's mint green and shows everything! Particularly stains from where it's been thrown up on (kid and cats). I've mostly got rid of the stains from ages ago when Chickie was sick but the cat was recently sick on it and I'm having no luck getting rid of the stain. Anyone got any hints for me? I have a feeling the problem is food colouring from the dry cat food.

Anyway, once the mint green carpet is gone, that'll just leave the lovely red carpet in Chickie's room to deal with. We'll do that later. I tell you though, the person who did the decorating in this house previously had some interesting taste... mint green carpet in lounge room (with dark green velvet curtains to match - now replaced with cream coloured ones), brown swirly stuff in the main bedroom (long gone because it was shredding - thankfully), red carpet (glued up on the skirting boards) with apricot coloured walls in Chickie's room... blech.

Ah, now I'm just rambling - I'm off to bed. Night night!

I bought shoes!

Yeah I know, any guys reading this will be saying 'big deal'. Honestly though, for me it is. I am so not a shoe person. I'm slightly flat-footed so a lot of shoes just look strange on me.

Anyway, I was given a new handbag from J's brother and fiancee after they visited Hong Kong but it really didn't look right with any of my current shoes. So I've been looking for a new pair to match it. I saw a really nice pair with a cute little leather flower on the top, only they didn't have my size. Probably for the best since they were $90. Eventually I found an el-cheapo pair that are quite cute - on sale for $21.

I'm very glad I didn't have to spend $90 on shoes, since I've spent a bit on clothes the last few days as well. In the last few years I've not enjoyed shopping for clothes, but since losing a bit of weight it's kind of a novelty to take stuff into the change rooms and find they're TOO BIG! Woohoo!

I must admit I haven't gone overboard in my spending. Apart from the fact that the post-Christmas credit card bill arrived (more than I'd like but not too bad), I'm still working on losing more weight. I'm hoping that by the start of summer 2007 (next December) I'd like to be in the position of having to buy a whole new wardrobe!

Happy New Year!!

I hope 2007 is a wonderful year for every one of my blog friends - and any anonymous readers I'm still to 'meet'.

I've decided no new year's resolutions this year. Pretty much like last year - I'm doing the stuff I 'need' to do as an ongoing project (still 3 kilos from my ideal weight for height, but I will get there soon).

We went out to a friend's place for new year's last night. He's a friend I used to work with, plus another ex team mate was there too. Was great to catch up. It was also fun meeting some new people.

One of the people we met had a very interesting question to ask. "If you had your own half hour tv show with unlimited budget, how would you fill it?" There were various answers ranging from a reality show following around a real medical student (yes, he was a medical student hehe) to bringing back It's a Knockout! So what would you do with it?