I've never been a big believer of the afterlife, reincarnation or anything like that. Although in recent years I have started to believe in signs (or things that I want to believe are signs, haven't decided yet). But I'd like your opinion, which is why I'm posting this.
Today, 5 years ago, my father died. Of course there are heaps of memories that keep swimming around in my mind, but here are a couple of stories for you :)
We used to live in the country, 1 hours drive from the city I now live in. The trip would take us along the river and during spring and summer (and winter if we were really lucky) there would pelicans. So the Pelican Patrol was formed! My mum was secretary and she had a pewter pelican brooch that she would wear. I had a BBQ for my 21st last year at a bay that was/is a favourite with my family. Not long after we arrived, a pelican arrived and stayed for the day. I didn't think much about it until later in the day, but it made my day just that much better.
Fast forward to last Wednesday, my dads birthday. I posted about playing records and drums with him when I was younger and I knew that I'd loved this one particular song when I was younger and I can never, ever think of it. It's never on the radio, so I'd thought that it was just one more of those things that I would forget as time passed. Driving home after having dinner with my mum and adopted g-parents and I had this tune stuck in my head. Before long I realised that it was the song that I'd played drums for with him when I was little (funnily enough it was by the river where we always saw the pelicans!)
So, I'm not sure if they are signs or if I'm reading into it too much to make it seem like he is still around. Either way, I like it :)
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
...
Now I know why I don't want to fuck things up for people here when/if I leave.
We passed our audit today with flying colours and now I have the most beautiful bunch of lillies, gerberas, carnations and daisies sitting on my desk :) My boss even picked my favourite flowers.
It is a great place to work. I know I bitch and whinge about it from time to time, but I have it so easy here. No one complains about us using the net, we can take breaks whenever we want, we can take our leave whenever we want, all my requests for leave without pay have been approved, we have birthday parties every birthday, the "young ones" in the office just sit and chat and throw apples at each other after the senior staff have left. Talk about cruisy :)
We passed our audit today with flying colours and now I have the most beautiful bunch of lillies, gerberas, carnations and daisies sitting on my desk :) My boss even picked my favourite flowers.
It is a great place to work. I know I bitch and whinge about it from time to time, but I have it so easy here. No one complains about us using the net, we can take breaks whenever we want, we can take our leave whenever we want, all my requests for leave without pay have been approved, we have birthday parties every birthday, the "young ones" in the office just sit and chat and throw apples at each other after the senior staff have left. Talk about cruisy :)
Weekend wrapup (on a Wednesday!)
Thursday: Flew to Melbourne for the weekend. Had a www.reachout.com.au workshop and I was looking forward to it. Checked into my hostel, then wandered through North Melbourne, checking out noticeboards, room to let ads, notices for yoga classes. Thursday night is what my life should be like all the time. So why don't I move? I haven't answered that question yet!
Friday: Up early to start the workshop. Was a bit disappointing that people pulled out at the last minute, but oh well. Was a good day, got a lot done and learnt more than I expected to. We had dinner on Lygon Street then in to Melbourne Central for www.maxbrenner.com.au and Chocolate Pizza! Heaven on earth - a sweet dough base, melted chocolate, marshmallows, chocolate bits and cornflakes. Yum!
Saturday: More workshop, some killer table tennis and verticle twister (which I'm now addicted to!). A BBQ at the hostel with the rest of the people from the workshop, an ex-YA arrived which was lovely because I haven't seen her for ages (fingers crossed for that job!!) and spent the evening just chatting, laughing and playing silly games. Watched the rugby (All Blacks 35 d Box 17, fantastic first try!) and went to bed around 4.
Sunday: More workshop! Lack of sleep by this stage made me quite cranky, lots of snapping from me :) Got some amazing ice cream from Lygon Street, White Chocolate, Ferre Roche and Pasisonfruit. Got to try some Bubblegum which was incredbile, I was expecting to chew! A quick shopping trip, then to the airport to fly home.
Have been fairly melancholic since then. Can't decide where I want to go, what I want to do or why I want to stay here. I can't really move anywhere (interstate or overseas) until the end of 2007 because of my new job (well, I could leave but I really don't want to fuck up things for them). I have a trip planned for Sept/Oct 07 but it seems sooooo far away! Am thinking about a quick trip to an island, Fiji, Tonga, maybe Hawaii?! I just need a week on a hot beach, a good beach and sun. I think I'm just missing the sun!
Bluergh, I'll take my whinging and bad temper elsewhere :P
Friday: Up early to start the workshop. Was a bit disappointing that people pulled out at the last minute, but oh well. Was a good day, got a lot done and learnt more than I expected to. We had dinner on Lygon Street then in to Melbourne Central for www.maxbrenner.com.au and Chocolate Pizza! Heaven on earth - a sweet dough base, melted chocolate, marshmallows, chocolate bits and cornflakes. Yum!
Saturday: More workshop, some killer table tennis and verticle twister (which I'm now addicted to!). A BBQ at the hostel with the rest of the people from the workshop, an ex-YA arrived which was lovely because I haven't seen her for ages (fingers crossed for that job!!) and spent the evening just chatting, laughing and playing silly games. Watched the rugby (All Blacks 35 d Box 17, fantastic first try!) and went to bed around 4.
Sunday: More workshop! Lack of sleep by this stage made me quite cranky, lots of snapping from me :) Got some amazing ice cream from Lygon Street, White Chocolate, Ferre Roche and Pasisonfruit. Got to try some Bubblegum which was incredbile, I was expecting to chew! A quick shopping trip, then to the airport to fly home.
Have been fairly melancholic since then. Can't decide where I want to go, what I want to do or why I want to stay here. I can't really move anywhere (interstate or overseas) until the end of 2007 because of my new job (well, I could leave but I really don't want to fuck up things for them). I have a trip planned for Sept/Oct 07 but it seems sooooo far away! Am thinking about a quick trip to an island, Fiji, Tonga, maybe Hawaii?! I just need a week on a hot beach, a good beach and sun. I think I'm just missing the sun!
Bluergh, I'll take my whinging and bad temper elsewhere :P
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Tag
Jules (www.dragongirl76.blogspot.com) tagged me, so here we go...
A) Four jobs I've had in my life:
1. Soon-to-be Training Officer
2. Training administrator
3. Personal Assistant to Financial Planner
4. Pizza Hut waitress
B) Four movies I would watch over and over: (in no particular order, all are equally loved!)
1. All of LOTR
2. American Pie
3. The Man from Snowy River
4. Eurotrip
C) Four places I have lived:
1. Brighton
2. Hobart
3. Melbourne
4. Hobart
D) Four TV shows I love to watch:
1. Last Man Standing
2. The Great Outdoors/Getaway
3. Black Books
4. McLeods Daughters
E ) Four places I have been on vacation:
1. New Zealand
2. Thailand
3. Singapore
4. Margaret River
F) Four Websites I visit daily:
1. www.news.com.au
2. www.simplesavings.com.au
3. http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/
4. And a rather long list of blogs!
G) Four of my favorite foods:
1. Bauernfruhstuck
2. Sushi
3. Twisties
4. Chicken pad thai
H) Four places I would rather be right now:
1. Somewhere in South American having Spanish and dance lessons
2. With Damien, where ever he is
3. Port Arthur
4. Having coffee in Coromandel
I) Four people I think will respond:
1. Cecil/X
2. Julia
3. Obviously I have to read more blogs!!
4.
I'll tag X (www.theadventuresofx.blogspot.com) and Jules (www.relookage.blogspot.com)
A) Four jobs I've had in my life:
1. Soon-to-be Training Officer
2. Training administrator
3. Personal Assistant to Financial Planner
4. Pizza Hut waitress
B) Four movies I would watch over and over: (in no particular order, all are equally loved!)
1. All of LOTR
2. American Pie
3. The Man from Snowy River
4. Eurotrip
C) Four places I have lived:
1. Brighton
2. Hobart
3. Melbourne
4. Hobart
D) Four TV shows I love to watch:
1. Last Man Standing
2. The Great Outdoors/Getaway
3. Black Books
4. McLeods Daughters
E ) Four places I have been on vacation:
1. New Zealand
2. Thailand
3. Singapore
4. Margaret River
F) Four Websites I visit daily:
1. www.news.com.au
2. www.simplesavings.com.au
3. http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/
4. And a rather long list of blogs!
G) Four of my favorite foods:
1. Bauernfruhstuck
2. Sushi
3. Twisties
4. Chicken pad thai
H) Four places I would rather be right now:
1. Somewhere in South American having Spanish and dance lessons
2. With Damien, where ever he is
3. Port Arthur
4. Having coffee in Coromandel
I) Four people I think will respond:
1. Cecil/X
2. Julia
3. Obviously I have to read more blogs!!
4.
I'll tag X (www.theadventuresofx.blogspot.com) and Jules (www.relookage.blogspot.com)
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Making music
I wasn't terribly musical growing up. I used to love sitting on my stool in the dining room with dad playing his records and us acting out the instruments. Most of the time I was on the drum. Mum and I would listen to Beethoven or Chopin or Vivaldi to school in the car, with me playing a combination of violin and piano. I played recorder in primary school, but only because my best friend was doing it.
In high school, I played clarinet. Like many schools my high school had a compulsory music program for years 7 and 8, so I didn't really have much choice in the matter (other than between trumpet, guitar, piano, tombone, flute, percussion, tuba, violin, cello or sax). I bumbled my way through grade 7 music and joined the junior concert band in grade 8. It was fairly difficult as I'd never actually learnt how to read music, or count properly, which meant that that only time I could practice was after band practice on Tuesdays because I still had the tunes in my head. Kept playing through school, moving onto the senior concert band, a clarinet quartet and a Jazz quartet. I didn't continue in college because it just seemed too difficult.
In grade 7, my dad took me to a tiny, dingy, jam packed music shop in Hobart to buy a clarinet. We went there because he knew the guy through rugby and would get a good deal. We bought an ebonite de Noblet clarinet, which produced the most beautiful sound I had ever heard. I hadn't fallen in love with the clarinet until that time. It came with an old brown vinyl cover, frayed at the edges, but reminded me of suits in jazz clubs. Now, 9 years later, it's even worse for wear, but I cannot bear to replace it, it's just too perfect. The clarinet is old and falling apart as well. It needs a complete overhaul, needs a couple of it's keys replaced, they need repadding and it needs to be recorked. It lasts long enough to play Summertime on Sunday afternoons, but nothing more substantial.
In January this year, I attended an information session about a council beginners band that was starting not far from me. Every Monday night, 5-7pm since then, I've been playing the clarinet (albeit a borrowed one) again. I'm loving it! I can read music, I can count out rhythms, I can practice on the weekends and during the week. I'm making myself completely relearn it, I haven't played Summertime since last year. It's such a varied group, the youngest is a 10 y/o boy playing a alto sax and the eldest would be in their 50's and plays bass clarinet.
Now I look forward to going to work on Monday :) Who else can say that?!
In high school, I played clarinet. Like many schools my high school had a compulsory music program for years 7 and 8, so I didn't really have much choice in the matter (other than between trumpet, guitar, piano, tombone, flute, percussion, tuba, violin, cello or sax). I bumbled my way through grade 7 music and joined the junior concert band in grade 8. It was fairly difficult as I'd never actually learnt how to read music, or count properly, which meant that that only time I could practice was after band practice on Tuesdays because I still had the tunes in my head. Kept playing through school, moving onto the senior concert band, a clarinet quartet and a Jazz quartet. I didn't continue in college because it just seemed too difficult.
In grade 7, my dad took me to a tiny, dingy, jam packed music shop in Hobart to buy a clarinet. We went there because he knew the guy through rugby and would get a good deal. We bought an ebonite de Noblet clarinet, which produced the most beautiful sound I had ever heard. I hadn't fallen in love with the clarinet until that time. It came with an old brown vinyl cover, frayed at the edges, but reminded me of suits in jazz clubs. Now, 9 years later, it's even worse for wear, but I cannot bear to replace it, it's just too perfect. The clarinet is old and falling apart as well. It needs a complete overhaul, needs a couple of it's keys replaced, they need repadding and it needs to be recorked. It lasts long enough to play Summertime on Sunday afternoons, but nothing more substantial.
In January this year, I attended an information session about a council beginners band that was starting not far from me. Every Monday night, 5-7pm since then, I've been playing the clarinet (albeit a borrowed one) again. I'm loving it! I can read music, I can count out rhythms, I can practice on the weekends and during the week. I'm making myself completely relearn it, I haven't played Summertime since last year. It's such a varied group, the youngest is a 10 y/o boy playing a alto sax and the eldest would be in their 50's and plays bass clarinet.
Now I look forward to going to work on Monday :) Who else can say that?!
Monday, July 17, 2006
The weekend...
It's only Monday and already it seems so far away.
Friday: Chicken and sundried tomato pasta bake, popcorn and Walk the Line. Wasn't as fabulous as I had expected it to be, but I did enjoy it. Who didn't want to move to Johnny's house by the lake at the end of the movie?!
Saturday: Quick check of the pets and livestock column in the paper before heading off to the National Treasures exhibition at the museum Was bizarre being inches away from Ned Kelly's helmet, reading "The Happiness Box" and seeing the first draft of The Man From Snowy River (my favorite poem). Might have to have another look before it leaves. Then off to the market to get some apples and mandarins. Popped into Norman and Dann, a fantastic little shop with gorgeous chocolate and fresh, fresh pasta. Bought some Penguin truffles for a friend but nothing for me today.
Saturday night: Old friends 21st. Left after a couple of drinks and some cake (thick gooey chocolate cake, is there anything better?). We've gone from being inseperable to being two grown up adults doing our own thing, which is fine and everyone grows up, but I miss spending time with her doing nothing. We've promised each other dinner and drinks next time she's in town.
Sunday: Nothing :) The Man is now working Sunday to Thursday weeks, so I have every Sunday to myself and it's blissful. A long lazy read in bed with hot chocolate, an equally long lazy read of the newspaper on the couch with cheese on toast and some tea. Then some housework before I get settled into the movies. I watched the regular EuroTrip, an American Pie style movie, young guys go to Germany to find a girl. I love it :) Then the end of Zorro 2 with mash and tomato and basil sausages.
Friday: Chicken and sundried tomato pasta bake, popcorn and Walk the Line. Wasn't as fabulous as I had expected it to be, but I did enjoy it. Who didn't want to move to Johnny's house by the lake at the end of the movie?!
Saturday: Quick check of the pets and livestock column in the paper before heading off to the National Treasures exhibition at the museum Was bizarre being inches away from Ned Kelly's helmet, reading "The Happiness Box" and seeing the first draft of The Man From Snowy River (my favorite poem). Might have to have another look before it leaves. Then off to the market to get some apples and mandarins. Popped into Norman and Dann, a fantastic little shop with gorgeous chocolate and fresh, fresh pasta. Bought some Penguin truffles for a friend but nothing for me today.
Saturday night: Old friends 21st. Left after a couple of drinks and some cake (thick gooey chocolate cake, is there anything better?). We've gone from being inseperable to being two grown up adults doing our own thing, which is fine and everyone grows up, but I miss spending time with her doing nothing. We've promised each other dinner and drinks next time she's in town.
Sunday: Nothing :) The Man is now working Sunday to Thursday weeks, so I have every Sunday to myself and it's blissful. A long lazy read in bed with hot chocolate, an equally long lazy read of the newspaper on the couch with cheese on toast and some tea. Then some housework before I get settled into the movies. I watched the regular EuroTrip, an American Pie style movie, young guys go to Germany to find a girl. I love it :) Then the end of Zorro 2 with mash and tomato and basil sausages.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
