The Itch

I have cuts on my legs. I have little red marks on my arms. I'm itchy and I can't stop scratching.

I get dermatitis sometimes. I get it from two things. Dust mite, and stress. Why is it that I am awake at 11pm on a Sunday night because I'm thinking about work. Why am I thinking about getting in early to move the BHP Billiton manuals and chuck the contents into the recycle bin? Why do I need to remember to ask Tom about the manuals for the surface rigs so I can clear some out? This isn't even one of my job tasks. I just do it because nobody else will. And the person that did it before me, was fired 3 months ago. The backlog is enormous. Customers are starting to withold payments. And how is this my problem? I'm an engineer and I'm packing boxes and filling out picking slips. What. The. Fuck.

And then how does a person off the street, without a degree, who is meant to be my "assistant" start on a higher salary than me? Am I being taken for a ride? Or should I just put less effort in and not worry so much?

I'm itchy behind my knees, I scratch my hands until they bleed. There's something very wrong with where I am right now. The only things keeping me sane are the ones that around me that I love. Those that actually want to know how I am and listen even if I'm not alright.

I apologise for rattling on but deep down inside, I'm not really a happy camper for the 8 hours of the day where I get paid. The boss is avoiding me like the plague, I'm not getting a lot of support and frankly, I'd rather not be there. I work too many hours for the credit I (ocasionally) get. I'm taking two days off in lieu next week and I really don't care if shit hits the fan because I sure as hell won't be reading any emails or answering any calls. I will have four days off with my man and we will be left in peace. Rain, hail or shine.

Now I'm thinking about other things I still haven't done. My wireless isn't working and I'm typing this as a draft in good ole Notepad. I need to vacuum my car and chuck out all those god damned spare bike parts that I will never use. I need to stitch the velcro pad back onto my bike gloves. And change the sheets on my bed which I should have done on the weekend, and wash them. Take all my fencing gear off the line and vacuum the inside of the roller bag from all the dust and grass that gets in there. I need to book an appointment with my hairdresser to get my colour refreshed and a trim. It's always those little things that I just can't get around to doing. I'm not sure why I have so much trouble in finding time or motivation to do them!

Well, the wireless still isn't working. And I've already played about five games of Spider Solitaire so I really should get back to bed as it's a school night and I need to get up at 0630.

I'm still itchy. Is it July 10 yet?

Holiday at Home

The parents are going to Europe for 3 weeks soon. For me, that means a holiday at home. I will have more time to myself and to finally get the things done that I've been putting off for ages.

Like repainting my leathers, fixing my gloves, chucking stuff out, selling off some gear like bike parts, doing a wardrobe clean out.

I'll be able to make more of a racket for longer.

Only 10 days to go...

Fencing A-hoy!

Last Saturday was the Cavaliers School of Fencing Quiz Night. The aim of the evening to bring the fencing families together and raise some money for the club to buy new equipment.

The night raised nearly $200 for Cavs, a great effort.




In other fencing news, I have decided that I will be taking part in the AFF #3 held in Perth from August 1st to 4th. My sabre lamé came in the mail today from the USA, now its a matter of taking some good guesses and ordering a jacket, breeches, some more sabres and maybe a new mask.

A Proud Parent

I would like to congratulate Robin on the arrival of his new baby Effie (aka Robert de Nero) on Wednesday June 4th. She was delivered at 5:02pm, weighing in at a healthy 192kg.

With the TurboR1 growing up and moving out of home, little sister Cagiva Mito welcomes the new baby on board. Robin is excited now to have two Italian mouths to feed.

And here she is!

a 2006 MV Agusta F4 1000 Nero
#13 of 21

Conferences and the Common Cold

Well, I got a little package in the mail on Monday. It was a letter from QANTAS apologising for the cluster that happened last Friday with a voucher for $300 for any QANTAS or oneworld airline for a year.

Here was the plan: Perth to Adelaide. Adelaide to Gold Coast. Gold Coast to Sydney. Sydney to Orange. Orange to Sydney. Sydney to Perth. Easy, right?

On Sunday the 18th, I flew to Adelaide with my workmate Brad, to be both told that our tickets to Sydney from the Gold Coast had not been paid and we couldn't get on the plane. Nice. Out come the credit cards. After that small hurdle we bundled into the Coopers Ale House for ein coldie then ran to the gate to board the plane. Hey, there's Andrew Gaze, cool! Jeez he's getting old....

Off to the sunny Gold Coast for the yearly Sales and Marketing Conference for work. Wining, dining and generally sitting around in uncomfortable chairs trying to stay awake. One highlight was the visit to Dracula's and the Beasts of Burlesque show. A total hoot! There was even a ghost train ride.

From Sydney it was off to L'Orange in NSW to visit a customer and talk automation. I don't have any photos on me as my camera is in the car and its cold outside so I'm not leaving my warm bed!

EDIT: Photos!

Gold Coast, Queensland

Orange, New South Wales

I had upgraded my flight from Sydney to Perth to Business class and I was looking forward to a nice relaxing afternoon at home. Until sitting at the QANTAS Club, waiting for boarding, waiting... waiting... Engineering Difficulties. I know what that means. Something fell off and they can't fix it. Noon flight rescheduled to 21:30. BOG! Luckily I managed to get a flight at 19:20 and at least it was still business class. So I spent six hours at the Mercure Hotel in Sydney wasting the time away with a nap, some TV, and the most awesome triple decker club sandwich ever.

From one conference to another, I spent Monday and Tuesday at Mining Automation WA. Luckily it was held in the city so I got to catch up with Hornet for lunch with some good Swedish food at Miss Maud's.

I also managed to catch a cold, more than likely from the evening out on the Mito with Robin on Sunday night. I'm still recovering and just having some trouble sleeping. It's 02:26.

More fencing tomorrow - I will be taking a kids class and showing them sabre. Woo. Hoo. (not) Well, at least it is a long weekend, meaning more sleep, more chilling out. Just what I need after a week of travelling.

Yeah, more sleep. Like, now...

Central Park

Robin and I were in the city tonight and I noticed that Central Park had some more glow than usual. I didn't have a camera on me, but the breaks in geometry on the tower have red and green lighting. Someone has riced up Central Park!

I can't find anything on the website... What's with all the new bling after they participated in Earth Hour last month?

Back in Black... er, make that White

Yes, for the first time in frikken years I participated a fencing competition.

On Sunday I went in the WA Open Epee and Open Sabre #2 at Belmont City College. What a laugh. Epee? Was I insane!?!?!

To say I was thrashed was an understatement. I had a good time, but I definitely don't have the patience to do that weapon. I finished 13th out of 13 - that's 100%!!!

At noon it was time to fire up for the sabre. I won one pool and came very close to winning a direct elimination, but alas lost 14-15 to the girl that eventually came second. I made her shit her pants though... an outsider having a crack and actually doing alright!

No trophy this time around, but the results are here:

http://www.wafafencing.org.au/results-2008