I think a very large proportion of 20-somethings and early-30-somethings have vacated Wellington this weekend. Me and Ange both have our flats all to ourselves.
1.
My birthday was a very middling 'average'. It wasn't bad - just nothing particularly memorable about it (except the Dashboard Diva, of course!). It was topped off by my dad and stepmum ringing in the morning saying they were couriering my gift up.... and it not arriving til the next day. I got a pang of disappointment every time I went past my desk or the office and it wasn't there...... I had visions of some sneaky kid nicking off with it.
One amusing thing was my little Marlene told everybody who'd listen that 'It's my form teacher's birthday today! She's very young - only 29!' (and she wasn't being sarcastic). Even before school started for the day she'd camped out at the gate and told about 4 teachers who came up to the staffroom and mysteriously knew it was my birthday when I'd been trying to keep it on the down-low from colleagues (I hate that kind of attention at work). She's a cutie... she made me two birthday cards and got the class to sing happy birthday for me.
Perhaps worst of all was that I started sneezing in the mid-afternoon and didn't stop all night. It turned into a miserable cold the next day (temperature, swollen glands, more sneezing) and I actually went home at lunchtime. VERY unlike me, I'm a trooper. But it was a teachers only day, so no big loss...... Just missed a bunch of debates on the new curriculum, which is as interesting as it sounds.
Having said that, I know people who've actually had TERRIBLE birthdays (Ange had one this year). Being in the middle of break-ups and what-nots (Nicky had a bad one where Ken dumped her and she was in the middle of a stressful first-section at t-coll).
I liked having dinner with Ange and Sam. That's always a pleasure. And I felt virtuous for calling up my brother and seeing him for the first time in two months. He seemed to enjoy me buying him beer.
And I guess the 'birthday period' has been tainted by some .... 'odd' decisions by Matt, which don't help. Sometimes boys are frustrating.
I'm still a bit under the weather today. Stink!
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Sunday, November 19, 2006
My Weekend
I have a secret fantasy of wanting to be locked in a toilet cubicle and having to figure out how to escape.
Myths our parents made is believe....
So far me and Ange have come up with....
1) Never put a plastic bag over your head - you will suffocate. We were both petrified for years.....
2) If you swallow chewing gum it will be in your stomache forever.... I remember the first time I ever swallowed some by mistake, I was quite worried.
3) If you swallow a fruit-pip it will grow in your tummy/out your ears.
4) [on State Highway One] If you and your brother don't stop fighting your father will stop the car and you will both have to WALK from here.....
Friday
I had the interesting experience of meeting 'new people'. My flatmates had drinks round at our flat and lots of their friends came along. Almost all primary school teachers - so good folk.
I liked that most of the guys were decked out for Movember and looking porn-starish. Also interesting was the guy who (allegedly) has killed 14 people for the French Foreign Legion. We had a good conversation about people who dress pets up in home-knitted jumpers (somehow stemming from the fact that I'm an English teacher...).
Saturday
I drove to the Hutt for the first time ever! I was fairly slow for the motorway, but to be fair it was drizzly and wet conditions...... and we got a little 'confused' once we entered the labyrinth of the suburbs. But we found Fish and Sam's house eventually.
Ange says my driving has 'improved lots'.
Cassie's move seemed to have gone ok. Our reinforcement muscles were not needed.
Monday, November 13, 2006
1. Corsage (beautiful and rose pink to go with my BA hood)
I am mildly concerned about my corsage progress. It is a school tradition that form captains organise for the class to buy a colour-coordinated corsage to go with their teacher's graduation hood and gown for our prize-giving. My form captain has known about this for a week.... and today, last period she is talking to me in the hallway and mid-sentence gets one of those lightbulb expressions and suddenly says.... 'Wait out here, Miss!' and runs into the classroom (having just remembered about having to organise this for tomorrow night).
I catch the tail-end of her talk to the class as she says, 'And don't tell Miss!'
* Note that the girls at our school call all female teachers 'Miss' - some are at first put off by not being addressed by their full names, but I like it.
I tell her when she comes out that teachers whose classes don't manage to get them corsages look like 'losers'.
I am crossing my fingers.
2. Becs
Hey Cass - Becs is engaged! Since last week. Getting married over in Samoa in January. About time - she has already picked out a dress.
3. Reading Books
Matt rang up on Friday and said, "What're you up to?" I answered, quite earnestly that I was reading a book.
I think he thought I was trying to get sympathy out of him - but really, I was enjoying reading my book. I was enthralled and not at all embarrassed about that being my Friday night plan. I haven't read a good book in ages.
He took pity on me and requested I go pick him up, get pizza and DVDs and hang out for the evening. We watched V for Vendetta which was kinda interesting, though not genius. Wouldn't be a bad lesson to leave for a Media Studies class (with some theoretical questions on 'censorhip' and 'propoganda'). I guess it's nice that the Nazi-like dystopia was happening in England, showing that any society can fall prey to fascist leaders in the right circumstances.
4. No more big kids!
I taught three of my classes for the last time ever today. They are off for exams now. I am happy to wave them off and say, 'Good luck!'.
This is offically the start of 'cruise time' for secondary school teachers. For example, I have one class to teach on Wednesday, no classes at all on Thursday and one class on Friday.
What do I do to fill in the time? Whatever I darned well like! Little projects I'd never find the time to do at other times of the year. I might even start using the school gym equipment for lunch-time workouts (maaaaybe). I will plan in advance for next year's classes..... I will prepare for my roll as 'The Caterpillar' in my form class's pantomime of Alice in Wonderland. I will finally mark my form class's assignments for last term...... (shhhhh).
I am mildly concerned about my corsage progress. It is a school tradition that form captains organise for the class to buy a colour-coordinated corsage to go with their teacher's graduation hood and gown for our prize-giving. My form captain has known about this for a week.... and today, last period she is talking to me in the hallway and mid-sentence gets one of those lightbulb expressions and suddenly says.... 'Wait out here, Miss!' and runs into the classroom (having just remembered about having to organise this for tomorrow night).
I catch the tail-end of her talk to the class as she says, 'And don't tell Miss!'
* Note that the girls at our school call all female teachers 'Miss' - some are at first put off by not being addressed by their full names, but I like it.
I tell her when she comes out that teachers whose classes don't manage to get them corsages look like 'losers'.
I am crossing my fingers.
2. Becs
Hey Cass - Becs is engaged! Since last week. Getting married over in Samoa in January. About time - she has already picked out a dress.
3. Reading Books
Matt rang up on Friday and said, "What're you up to?" I answered, quite earnestly that I was reading a book.
I think he thought I was trying to get sympathy out of him - but really, I was enjoying reading my book. I was enthralled and not at all embarrassed about that being my Friday night plan. I haven't read a good book in ages.
He took pity on me and requested I go pick him up, get pizza and DVDs and hang out for the evening. We watched V for Vendetta which was kinda interesting, though not genius. Wouldn't be a bad lesson to leave for a Media Studies class (with some theoretical questions on 'censorhip' and 'propoganda'). I guess it's nice that the Nazi-like dystopia was happening in England, showing that any society can fall prey to fascist leaders in the right circumstances.
4. No more big kids!
I taught three of my classes for the last time ever today. They are off for exams now. I am happy to wave them off and say, 'Good luck!'.
This is offically the start of 'cruise time' for secondary school teachers. For example, I have one class to teach on Wednesday, no classes at all on Thursday and one class on Friday.
What do I do to fill in the time? Whatever I darned well like! Little projects I'd never find the time to do at other times of the year. I might even start using the school gym equipment for lunch-time workouts (maaaaybe). I will plan in advance for next year's classes..... I will prepare for my roll as 'The Caterpillar' in my form class's pantomime of Alice in Wonderland. I will finally mark my form class's assignments for last term...... (shhhhh).
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
No Time!
I had to a million little magazine things today. I literally did not have more than two minutes of down-time all day. Any time I was actually not doing anything I was sitting at a screen watching a file-transfer and willing it to transfer faster, or waiting for pages with lots of pictures on them to print faster..... NOW NOW NOW. HURRY HURRY HURRY. Printer coming at 4pm. Gotta get it done.
I only taught two classes. One of them I left happily watching Carrie. The other one expected me to TEACH them. The cheek. Of course, I refused and merely gave them a bunch of handouts and told them to read and highlight. I had too much to do. NO TIME, NO TIME! I sent two girls on a mission to get photos from the special needs unit and find out the names of the school librarians. Another girl went and tracked down a 7th former who had a free period and could type something out for us. It was like a working-bee.
I ate not much and drank some coffee (which my colleague generously got for me while I was glued to my computer screen). It was an adrenalin day. I think I had a wild-eyed look to me. Nobody got in my way. Not that I get cranky when I'm busy - you can just tell by the way I'm moving (with much purpose and tunnel-vision) that I'm in a zone. People pity me for having the magazine burden. I get away with not going to meetings. That's a perk.
The printer-lady came and collected what we'd done thus-far (pretty much everything except the cover and front page). It was all written to CDs, labelled, printed out with explanatory notes and there was a master-checklist. It was an impressive pile. The only things we haven't got yet are things other people haven't done. I only have so much leverage over the principal when it comes to my deadlines.... she is a force unto herself. I think her motto is, 'Deadlines, schmedlines'.
Then I had to get home, have tea, wax legs and be off to basketball by 7pm. Basketball was much fun! I have a sore back so I hobbled around a bit, but got very puffed and scored lots of points. I even did a few 'flash' things like get steals and do cross-over dribbles to beat players down the court. (I love playing against kids!) We lost by two again - damned 40 point handicap.
Am tired now. Have to consider what to teach tomorrow...... Can't wait for next week to be over.....
Me think I'm running on empty...... Need a day at work where I can sit down for half an hour and do the Sudoku in the paper and eat a proper lunch.
Need to buy something pretty to wear to prizegiving which goes with a 'rose pink' hood and gown.
Hope my class buys me a nice corsage (one of the better school traditions - and you're always supposed to act 'surprised' when they present it to on the night and act dumb when they surreptisiouly ask what your favourite colour is beforehand). You look like a loser-teacher if your class forgets to give you one. Hasn't happened to me yet but my form-captain isn't very organised. Might have to organise a backup. Anyone got a good flower-garden at home?
I only taught two classes. One of them I left happily watching Carrie. The other one expected me to TEACH them. The cheek. Of course, I refused and merely gave them a bunch of handouts and told them to read and highlight. I had too much to do. NO TIME, NO TIME! I sent two girls on a mission to get photos from the special needs unit and find out the names of the school librarians. Another girl went and tracked down a 7th former who had a free period and could type something out for us. It was like a working-bee.
I ate not much and drank some coffee (which my colleague generously got for me while I was glued to my computer screen). It was an adrenalin day. I think I had a wild-eyed look to me. Nobody got in my way. Not that I get cranky when I'm busy - you can just tell by the way I'm moving (with much purpose and tunnel-vision) that I'm in a zone. People pity me for having the magazine burden. I get away with not going to meetings. That's a perk.
The printer-lady came and collected what we'd done thus-far (pretty much everything except the cover and front page). It was all written to CDs, labelled, printed out with explanatory notes and there was a master-checklist. It was an impressive pile. The only things we haven't got yet are things other people haven't done. I only have so much leverage over the principal when it comes to my deadlines.... she is a force unto herself. I think her motto is, 'Deadlines, schmedlines'.
Then I had to get home, have tea, wax legs and be off to basketball by 7pm. Basketball was much fun! I have a sore back so I hobbled around a bit, but got very puffed and scored lots of points. I even did a few 'flash' things like get steals and do cross-over dribbles to beat players down the court. (I love playing against kids!) We lost by two again - damned 40 point handicap.
Am tired now. Have to consider what to teach tomorrow...... Can't wait for next week to be over.....
Me think I'm running on empty...... Need a day at work where I can sit down for half an hour and do the Sudoku in the paper and eat a proper lunch.
Need to buy something pretty to wear to prizegiving which goes with a 'rose pink' hood and gown.
Hope my class buys me a nice corsage (one of the better school traditions - and you're always supposed to act 'surprised' when they present it to on the night and act dumb when they surreptisiouly ask what your favourite colour is beforehand). You look like a loser-teacher if your class forgets to give you one. Hasn't happened to me yet but my form-captain isn't very organised. Might have to organise a backup. Anyone got a good flower-garden at home?
Monday, November 06, 2006
RETURN OF THE NETBALLERS
Player of the Game: Morgan
Very glad to finally have a reason to cut my fingernails. They had gotten ridiculously long and seem to attract dirt. It was game #1 for 'Sparkle Motion' (I get a kick out of choosing such a dainty and feminine name for a mixed-sex team - we will be Nanoo Nanoo next season, Sammy - your name is on the waiting list). We should all eat packs of Sparkles before the game......
Not too bad. I'd say we should've won - they were athletic but very raw. Had a bit of a machine as their male shooter. He had a very quick release once he got the ball and rarely missed, though Morg did a nice job on him and managed to steal some ball away. Seemed like they were having a competition to see who could be most apologetic and nice to each other between plays after they'd 'accidentally' banged into each other. It amused me to watch this guy manhandle Sam Robinson when she tried to block him out..... Poor little Sam!
We had the usual problem in the mid-court of throwing away too much ball. Our shooters were all fairly solid once we got the ball in the circle and we got some 2-pointers (I was one-for-one!). Might just be a matter of refiguring our combinations there. Dare I say it.... but I think we missed Ken in there..... He always makes himself available and isn't afraid of the long pass (a bit of a mixed blessing sometimes). And without James we can't put Morgan in there as much as we'd like. Hmmmmm. Any volunteers to be our coach? You'd have to wear a suit and pace the sidelines with a mini-whiteboard.
I was most impressed by Aaron's tactical decision to draw the male-defender out of the circle. Worked a charm in the third quarter. Morg tells me he's even better with his Dodgeball tactics (I felt the need to capitalise that for some reason....). Having team tactics.... could be the theme of the season. I say we start having deeply secretive huddles between quarters and come up with plays that have code-names like 'Green Angel'.
This was perhaps the most pointless blog ever, since I discussed most of these things v-e-r-b-a-l-l-y at the game with the people who would be interested. Damnit. I should stop having conversations IRL and save the good stuff for my blog. Priorities!
Very glad to finally have a reason to cut my fingernails. They had gotten ridiculously long and seem to attract dirt. It was game #1 for 'Sparkle Motion' (I get a kick out of choosing such a dainty and feminine name for a mixed-sex team - we will be Nanoo Nanoo next season, Sammy - your name is on the waiting list). We should all eat packs of Sparkles before the game......
Not too bad. I'd say we should've won - they were athletic but very raw. Had a bit of a machine as their male shooter. He had a very quick release once he got the ball and rarely missed, though Morg did a nice job on him and managed to steal some ball away. Seemed like they were having a competition to see who could be most apologetic and nice to each other between plays after they'd 'accidentally' banged into each other. It amused me to watch this guy manhandle Sam Robinson when she tried to block him out..... Poor little Sam!
We had the usual problem in the mid-court of throwing away too much ball. Our shooters were all fairly solid once we got the ball in the circle and we got some 2-pointers (I was one-for-one!). Might just be a matter of refiguring our combinations there. Dare I say it.... but I think we missed Ken in there..... He always makes himself available and isn't afraid of the long pass (a bit of a mixed blessing sometimes). And without James we can't put Morgan in there as much as we'd like. Hmmmmm. Any volunteers to be our coach? You'd have to wear a suit and pace the sidelines with a mini-whiteboard.
I was most impressed by Aaron's tactical decision to draw the male-defender out of the circle. Worked a charm in the third quarter. Morg tells me he's even better with his Dodgeball tactics (I felt the need to capitalise that for some reason....). Having team tactics.... could be the theme of the season. I say we start having deeply secretive huddles between quarters and come up with plays that have code-names like 'Green Angel'.
This was perhaps the most pointless blog ever, since I discussed most of these things v-e-r-b-a-l-l-y at the game with the people who would be interested. Damnit. I should stop having conversations IRL and save the good stuff for my blog. Priorities!
RETURN OF THE NETBALLERS
More netball! Yay!
Very glad to finally have a reason to cut my fingernails. They had gotten ridiculously long and seem to attract dirt. It was game #1 for 'Sparkle Motion' (I get a kick out of choosing such a dainty and feminine name for a mixed-sex team - we will be Nanoo Nanoo next season, Sammy - your name is on the waiting list). We should all eat packs of Sparkles before the game......
Not too bad. I'd say we should've won - they were athletic but very raw. Had a bit of a machine as their male shooter. He had a very quick release once he got the ball and rarely missed, though Morg did a nice job on him and managed to steal some ball away. Seemed like they were having a competition to see who could be most apologetic and nice to each other between plays after they'd 'accidentally' banged into each other. It amused me to watch this guy manhandle Sam Robinson when she tried to block him out..... Poor little Sam!
We had the usual problem in the mid-court of throwing away too much ball. Our shooters were all fairly solid once we got the ball in the circle and we got some 2-pointers (I was one-for-one!). Might just be a matter of refiguring our combinations there. Dare I say it.... but I think we missed Ken in there..... He always makes himself available and isn't afraid of the long pass (a bit of a mixed blessing sometimes). And without James we can't put Morgan in there as much as we'd like. Hmmmmm. Any volunteers to be our coach? You'd have to wear a suit and pace the sidelines with a mini-whiteboard.
I was most impressed by Aaron's tactical decision to draw the male-defender out of the circle. Worked a charm in the third quarter. Morg tells me he's even better with his Dodgeball tactics (I felt the need to capitalise that for some reason....). Having team tactics.... could be the theme of the season. I say we start having deeply secretive huddles between quarters and come up with plays that have code-names like 'Green Angel'.
This was perhaps the most pointless blog ever, since I discussed most of these things v-e-r-b-a-l-l-y at the game with the people who would be interested. Damnit. I should stop having conversations IRL and save the good stuff for my blog. Priorities!
Very glad to finally have a reason to cut my fingernails. They had gotten ridiculously long and seem to attract dirt. It was game #1 for 'Sparkle Motion' (I get a kick out of choosing such a dainty and feminine name for a mixed-sex team - we will be Nanoo Nanoo next season, Sammy - your name is on the waiting list). We should all eat packs of Sparkles before the game......
Not too bad. I'd say we should've won - they were athletic but very raw. Had a bit of a machine as their male shooter. He had a very quick release once he got the ball and rarely missed, though Morg did a nice job on him and managed to steal some ball away. Seemed like they were having a competition to see who could be most apologetic and nice to each other between plays after they'd 'accidentally' banged into each other. It amused me to watch this guy manhandle Sam Robinson when she tried to block him out..... Poor little Sam!
We had the usual problem in the mid-court of throwing away too much ball. Our shooters were all fairly solid once we got the ball in the circle and we got some 2-pointers (I was one-for-one!). Might just be a matter of refiguring our combinations there. Dare I say it.... but I think we missed Ken in there..... He always makes himself available and isn't afraid of the long pass (a bit of a mixed blessing sometimes). And without James we can't put Morgan in there as much as we'd like. Hmmmmm. Any volunteers to be our coach? You'd have to wear a suit and pace the sidelines with a mini-whiteboard.
I was most impressed by Aaron's tactical decision to draw the male-defender out of the circle. Worked a charm in the third quarter. Morg tells me he's even better with his Dodgeball tactics (I felt the need to capitalise that for some reason....). Having team tactics.... could be the theme of the season. I say we start having deeply secretive huddles between quarters and come up with plays that have code-names like 'Green Angel'.
This was perhaps the most pointless blog ever, since I discussed most of these things v-e-r-b-a-l-l-y at the game with the people who would be interested. Damnit. I should stop having conversations IRL and save the good stuff for my blog. Priorities!
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Haven't blogged in what feels like a whlie. I left my laptop at school accidentally and have had a busy-yet-unproductive weekend.
* * *
Men vs Women
Men interpret things weirdly. I was in town on Friday night, around 8pm and gave Matt a ring to see what he was up to. He was just on his way home from work drinks, said he was 15mins away. So, I said (and I quote) "How about I meet you at Fusion then?" Fusion is a clothes shop in Manner's St that is open late on a Friday night.
Anyhow.... I went in there and loitered around looking at clothes for a while, then thought I'd better try something on or else the shop assistants would start to look at me funny. Besides which, if I liked it I could get Matt to give a second opinion.
Half an hour later, he hadn't shown up. And other than my time in the cubicle (which was lengthy, I try things on slowly.... then retry them ....) I had kept an eye out for him. I ended up purchasing a couple of things and thought I'd better leave. I gave him a call and said, "Where are you?" He said he was at home and invited me around. I was perplexed by that - thinking my plan had been entirely clear and foolproof.
Turns out he had interpreted 'at Fusion' as 'outside Fusion' and hadn't gone in. He'd stood outside for a while, gone home (around the corner) and come back and stood outside a while more. Never once thinking to go IN. Now, I had stood outside for a minute while I called him and felt very ill-at-ease due to the congregation of drunken homeless people perched on the benches around there. So I wouldn't have suggested loitering in that locale for very long.
Having surveyed a few of my girl friends, we all see 'at Fusion' as meaning 'IN Fusion'. Why would you NOT go and browse while waiting for someone???
Do boys think differently?
* * *
POOL CHAMP
Hey Sam - I won a pool competition at work. It was inter-departmental and each department had two pairs competing, with the total points added together at the end. Me and my pair ended up winning five out of six games - we rocked! I think it was because while I wasn't the best player, I was very solid and my parnter wasn't crap. Most other pairing had one good player and someone comically terrible. Anyhow, my competitive streak may have surfaced again... English ended up beating Maths in the final, due to us strategically leaving six balls on the table and them missing the black....... Who says English teachers are no good at sports???
* * *
I greatly enjoyed Ken and Holly's BBQ on Saturday. I like that bunch of friends. Very easy to mingle with. I like a party where you can crank up the Beach Boys and sing along too! And who woulda thought, but Ant was right and fresh pineapple goes beautifully with fresh basil leaves....
I think 15 minutes of fireworks is plenty. I was well ready for the finale. Loved those floaty ones that hung in the air for a few seconds and left little tails behind them - like golden rain (not that I could use that term in front of Ryan without having to restrain him).
* * *
Luncheoned with my dad and Lynne on Sunday. Caught up on family gossip. How envious am I of my step-brother who has started a new consultancy firm and rather than rent an office in town, decided it would be wiser to buy a whole floor of offices in Lambton Quay and use a few and rent out the rest to other people...... He's r-i-c-h. They own a 'couple' of apartments in town too.
A cute thing was my one-year-old neice. Apparently she was sitting on Dad's knee, reading one of those books with textures in it you can touch. She came to an amimal one that had a 'furry' patch to touch. She sat there for ages, touching the book and then very carefully touching a tuft of Dad's chest-hair that was sticking out of the top of his chest, with the same finger. He said you could just see her going through a thought process, thinking 'Mummy and Daddy aren't furry - but Merv is... hmmmmmm....... Furry.' How fun to see kids learning and making connections!
I might be going to Elton John with them. Fun!
* * *
Work has been busy. I have been immersed in magazine-stuff. I took two days of relief and buried myself in the workroom all day, not even making time for a proper lunch break. So many little things to do and perfect. Haven't got a cover idea yet.... that's a worry....
Because magazine-stuff in consuming me at work people feel sorry for me and always give me sympathetic looks and say, 'How's the magazine going?' I think it gives me a bit of lee-way on my actual teaching at the moment. I let one class watch 'Friday the 13th' as relief. I actually WAS relevant to our study on the horror genre..... but also a slightly dodgey thing to show them.............. Oh well! I am bullet-proof at the moment because they don't pay me any extra for doing the magazine. They owe ME. Perhaps I have become a little complacent and arrogant................
* * *
Cautiously planning birthday stuff for the 25th of November. Pencil it in if you're keen. I haven't made any bookings yet but should do this week.
* * *
Looking forward to the first game of the netball season! I haven't done anything sporty in ages! I think my legs have become pure sticks of skin and lard stuck together by god knows what. All my muscles have disappeared since I don't walk to work anymore. Cars are a bad thing! Expensive and bad for your health! James is away watching Pearl Jam in Aussie, so I'll accept his apologies. Everyone else should be there.
* * *
* * *
Men vs Women
Men interpret things weirdly. I was in town on Friday night, around 8pm and gave Matt a ring to see what he was up to. He was just on his way home from work drinks, said he was 15mins away. So, I said (and I quote) "How about I meet you at Fusion then?" Fusion is a clothes shop in Manner's St that is open late on a Friday night.
Anyhow.... I went in there and loitered around looking at clothes for a while, then thought I'd better try something on or else the shop assistants would start to look at me funny. Besides which, if I liked it I could get Matt to give a second opinion.
Half an hour later, he hadn't shown up. And other than my time in the cubicle (which was lengthy, I try things on slowly.... then retry them ....) I had kept an eye out for him. I ended up purchasing a couple of things and thought I'd better leave. I gave him a call and said, "Where are you?" He said he was at home and invited me around. I was perplexed by that - thinking my plan had been entirely clear and foolproof.
Turns out he had interpreted 'at Fusion' as 'outside Fusion' and hadn't gone in. He'd stood outside for a while, gone home (around the corner) and come back and stood outside a while more. Never once thinking to go IN. Now, I had stood outside for a minute while I called him and felt very ill-at-ease due to the congregation of drunken homeless people perched on the benches around there. So I wouldn't have suggested loitering in that locale for very long.
Having surveyed a few of my girl friends, we all see 'at Fusion' as meaning 'IN Fusion'. Why would you NOT go and browse while waiting for someone???
Do boys think differently?
* * *
POOL CHAMP
Hey Sam - I won a pool competition at work. It was inter-departmental and each department had two pairs competing, with the total points added together at the end. Me and my pair ended up winning five out of six games - we rocked! I think it was because while I wasn't the best player, I was very solid and my parnter wasn't crap. Most other pairing had one good player and someone comically terrible. Anyhow, my competitive streak may have surfaced again... English ended up beating Maths in the final, due to us strategically leaving six balls on the table and them missing the black....... Who says English teachers are no good at sports???
* * *
I greatly enjoyed Ken and Holly's BBQ on Saturday. I like that bunch of friends. Very easy to mingle with. I like a party where you can crank up the Beach Boys and sing along too! And who woulda thought, but Ant was right and fresh pineapple goes beautifully with fresh basil leaves....
I think 15 minutes of fireworks is plenty. I was well ready for the finale. Loved those floaty ones that hung in the air for a few seconds and left little tails behind them - like golden rain (not that I could use that term in front of Ryan without having to restrain him).
* * *
Luncheoned with my dad and Lynne on Sunday. Caught up on family gossip. How envious am I of my step-brother who has started a new consultancy firm and rather than rent an office in town, decided it would be wiser to buy a whole floor of offices in Lambton Quay and use a few and rent out the rest to other people...... He's r-i-c-h. They own a 'couple' of apartments in town too.
A cute thing was my one-year-old neice. Apparently she was sitting on Dad's knee, reading one of those books with textures in it you can touch. She came to an amimal one that had a 'furry' patch to touch. She sat there for ages, touching the book and then very carefully touching a tuft of Dad's chest-hair that was sticking out of the top of his chest, with the same finger. He said you could just see her going through a thought process, thinking 'Mummy and Daddy aren't furry - but Merv is... hmmmmmm....... Furry.' How fun to see kids learning and making connections!
I might be going to Elton John with them. Fun!
* * *
Work has been busy. I have been immersed in magazine-stuff. I took two days of relief and buried myself in the workroom all day, not even making time for a proper lunch break. So many little things to do and perfect. Haven't got a cover idea yet.... that's a worry....
Because magazine-stuff in consuming me at work people feel sorry for me and always give me sympathetic looks and say, 'How's the magazine going?' I think it gives me a bit of lee-way on my actual teaching at the moment. I let one class watch 'Friday the 13th' as relief. I actually WAS relevant to our study on the horror genre..... but also a slightly dodgey thing to show them.............. Oh well! I am bullet-proof at the moment because they don't pay me any extra for doing the magazine. They owe ME. Perhaps I have become a little complacent and arrogant................
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Cautiously planning birthday stuff for the 25th of November. Pencil it in if you're keen. I haven't made any bookings yet but should do this week.
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Looking forward to the first game of the netball season! I haven't done anything sporty in ages! I think my legs have become pure sticks of skin and lard stuck together by god knows what. All my muscles have disappeared since I don't walk to work anymore. Cars are a bad thing! Expensive and bad for your health! James is away watching Pearl Jam in Aussie, so I'll accept his apologies. Everyone else should be there.
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