I do love to travel. Even though I leave my loved ones behind...
I'm back in Brisbane aka Brisvegas. After a delayed flight (at least they called me beforehand), I got a seat in the aisle with nobody next to me, Bacardi and coke flowing, having my baggage arrive last, waiting 45 minutes for a taxi then having the crazy Indian taxi driver get us lost in the damn city... I made it. Checked into the Mercure, room service has been served, red wine has been consumed and I'm ready to kick back and have a nice sleep.
It's conference time again in Brisbane for two days, then I'm flying back home on Friday. I'm really hoping that QANTAS don't mess me about as I need to pick the parents up from Europe early on Saturday morning.
No camera with me this time around so no photos either. Which sux because Brisbane in winter would have been pretty nice to check out.
Oh, and they have Schweppes lemonade here in little glass bottles.
Best. Lemonade. Ever!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
The Nationals are Coming
No, not the political type. The Australian Fencing Federation #3 (AFF #3) event that is to be held in Perth next weekend.
Who would have thought that after all this time, I would actually be *in* a National competition? I'm in the Cavaliers Women's Sabre Team. Wahoo!
All my new gear came in on Tuesday so I've been wearing it around the place. Robin snapped a photo of me in the 3-stripes yesterday afternoon.
Yesterday I went in early to teach the Bladez (under 12's) group sabre. They mostly like sabre because you can "hack" at people. "Hey, you're 'Sabre Chick' " says one of the boys. That's me; Sabre Chick. Haha!
Strangely enough after visiting another fencing club on Tuesday, I haven't really felt like fencing. I've been sore and hurt over the last two sessions. Wacks on the hands, and my knee isn't really doing me any favours either.
Fencing on Tuesday at Excalibur in Fremantle however, was awesome. The warmup and footwork sessions are intense. Keep up or crash trying! It was awesome to bout against some of state's best sabreurs. I learnt a lot more in those few hours than from the last few weeks. Mind you, the last couple of weeks at Cavaliers was mostly just electrics, with not much actual tuition.
Regardless, I'm still really excited to go into the Nationals. No fencing this week though, as I'm in Brisvegas again for another conference, this time its Automated Mining Equipment. Bring on those frequent flyer points!
Who would have thought that after all this time, I would actually be *in* a National competition? I'm in the Cavaliers Women's Sabre Team. Wahoo!
All my new gear came in on Tuesday so I've been wearing it around the place. Robin snapped a photo of me in the 3-stripes yesterday afternoon.
Yesterday I went in early to teach the Bladez (under 12's) group sabre. They mostly like sabre because you can "hack" at people. "Hey, you're 'Sabre Chick' " says one of the boys. That's me; Sabre Chick. Haha!
Strangely enough after visiting another fencing club on Tuesday, I haven't really felt like fencing. I've been sore and hurt over the last two sessions. Wacks on the hands, and my knee isn't really doing me any favours either.
Fencing on Tuesday at Excalibur in Fremantle however, was awesome. The warmup and footwork sessions are intense. Keep up or crash trying! It was awesome to bout against some of state's best sabreurs. I learnt a lot more in those few hours than from the last few weeks. Mind you, the last couple of weeks at Cavaliers was mostly just electrics, with not much actual tuition.
Regardless, I'm still really excited to go into the Nationals. No fencing this week though, as I'm in Brisvegas again for another conference, this time its Automated Mining Equipment. Bring on those frequent flyer points!
Friday, July 18, 2008
The Week Alone
It has been a week since mum and dad went on Holiday, and it has also been a week free of the boss at work. He has been travelling and there hasn't even been that much to do around the place to warrant stressing. The lunches this week have been free, and the work has been slow to the point of boring.
I've had Robin with me in my week alone (hence not really "alone" as such) and I've had a great time being able to stay up later without being told off for making noise, I've had to cook for myself, and tidy up for myself. The cooking bit is pretty new, but I haven't poisoned myself just yet and I haven't starved yet either!
I'm really looking forward to this weekend, with fencing, riding, a birthday and I might even be able to get some things done around the house! Holy cow!
In other news, my Adidas fencing gear left the USA and should be arriving on my doorstep in no time. Hoping that I will get it all before I fly to Brisbane for another mining automation conference. Not that there's anything wrong with going to conferences, I just don't want my gear lying in the office on my desk unattended for days on end.
Tonight its off to The Dark Knight. I don't know much about this movie other than its a Batman movie and that it stars Heath Ledger as the Joker. I think I will enjoy it as I'm going with some good mates, seeing it in Gold Class and I don't have any expectations of the movie other than to be entertained.
Can it be home time now? I'm at work and I just want the day to be over already.
*le sigh*
I've had Robin with me in my week alone (hence not really "alone" as such) and I've had a great time being able to stay up later without being told off for making noise, I've had to cook for myself, and tidy up for myself. The cooking bit is pretty new, but I haven't poisoned myself just yet and I haven't starved yet either!
I'm really looking forward to this weekend, with fencing, riding, a birthday and I might even be able to get some things done around the house! Holy cow!
In other news, my Adidas fencing gear left the USA and should be arriving on my doorstep in no time. Hoping that I will get it all before I fly to Brisbane for another mining automation conference. Not that there's anything wrong with going to conferences, I just don't want my gear lying in the office on my desk unattended for days on end.
Tonight its off to The Dark Knight. I don't know much about this movie other than its a Batman movie and that it stars Heath Ledger as the Joker. I think I will enjoy it as I'm going with some good mates, seeing it in Gold Class and I don't have any expectations of the movie other than to be entertained.
Can it be home time now? I'm at work and I just want the day to be over already.
*le sigh*
Friday, July 11, 2008
Hai-yaaaaaah!
WOW. A little time alone really is something precious. Two days off work = nice.
I woke up yesterday morning at 02:50 to take mum and dad to the airport, and was back in bed by 04:00. My day started around 9 - and to my dismay, I was as motivated as ever. The last couple of weeks had left me drained. I was given some of my energy back.
Mind you, I will still powering until about 9pm when Robin and I got hungry, sat down with a jar of mayo, some kessler, some ham, some bread and butter and a most delicious amaretto and coke. We then both started to fail and it was off to bed.
This morning I woke at 06:00 and was straight into it. I've updated my first aid kit from the car, done two loads of washing and have done online orders for the SATA cable and a new case fan for the computer. Might even do lunch again with Hornet :)
I woke up yesterday morning at 02:50 to take mum and dad to the airport, and was back in bed by 04:00. My day started around 9 - and to my dismay, I was as motivated as ever. The last couple of weeks had left me drained. I was given some of my energy back.
Maya has returned! Hai-yaaaaaah!
It was full on yesterday. In between buying a new Samsung LCD monitor and Pioneer DVD burner, heading into the city, doing MEGA bog laps looking for parking, catching the train without tickets and talking our way out of the Perth station, spotting Pisano and Jason in the city, doing a most awesome Thai lunch with Robin and Hornet (except the mouthful of coriander), eating chocolate crackles from Yummy Mummy, getting a haircut and colour, buying a nice black leather belt, having boot errors on the hard disk, running out of SATA cables, touring around Officeworks and filling up a third of a wheelie bin of crap I've thrown out? Whoa!Mind you, I will still powering until about 9pm when Robin and I got hungry, sat down with a jar of mayo, some kessler, some ham, some bread and butter and a most delicious amaretto and coke. We then both started to fail and it was off to bed.
This morning I woke at 06:00 and was straight into it. I've updated my first aid kit from the car, done two loads of washing and have done online orders for the SATA cable and a new case fan for the computer. Might even do lunch again with Hornet :)
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Over for Another Week
Work is over for another week. A tear shed, a document filed, a coffee spilled.
Four days off; long weekend.
I'm home alone (almost) for the next three weeks as of tomorrow morning. A fresh start, free time. Much needed.
I'm "Big Kev" excited!
Four days off; long weekend.
I'm home alone (almost) for the next three weeks as of tomorrow morning. A fresh start, free time. Much needed.
I'm "Big Kev" excited!
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
The Season of Orange Sunset
It's usually a 25 minute drive home from work, even when the traffic is slow. It took me 55 minutes to get home today. Bad driving all 'round. People pushing in, drivers not indicating, merging, overtaking on grass. A bit of everything.
I have Rammstein (Sehnsucht) playing in the car. Up on 18. Almost loud enough I start to hear distortion through the back of the Integra. The beat is loud and fast. Usually enough to get me "pumped", but not today.
It's been a hard couple of weeks. Not on a global scale, as there are others that have it a lot worse than I have, but on a private scale. Life hasn't really been that nice to me. Today, my heart rate doesn't rise. I blink slowly. I stare off into the distance. I patiently wait for another light change. I have the orange glow of the sun on my face. I see whispy pink high cloud to the West. I sigh and enjoy the natural light.
I usually like to know what the future holds. I like to have goals, and I like to have a path. Recently my path has been covered in gravel by others. And I hate riding on gravel. Luckily I have awesome support from the ones I love and those that care for me.
The future is... coming.
Soon.
I have Rammstein (Sehnsucht) playing in the car. Up on 18. Almost loud enough I start to hear distortion through the back of the Integra. The beat is loud and fast. Usually enough to get me "pumped", but not today.
It's been a hard couple of weeks. Not on a global scale, as there are others that have it a lot worse than I have, but on a private scale. Life hasn't really been that nice to me. Today, my heart rate doesn't rise. I blink slowly. I stare off into the distance. I patiently wait for another light change. I have the orange glow of the sun on my face. I see whispy pink high cloud to the West. I sigh and enjoy the natural light.
I usually like to know what the future holds. I like to have goals, and I like to have a path. Recently my path has been covered in gravel by others. And I hate riding on gravel. Luckily I have awesome support from the ones I love and those that care for me.
The future is... coming.
Soon.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
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?
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?
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