Reading

Why are we at War?, Norman Mailer

The Warrior's Honour: Ethnic War and the Modern Conscience, Michael Ignatieff

4:25:00 PM

 
-sigh-

So not getting work done this weekend. But apart from the usual boringness of work.

Daria had a dinner party on Friday night. Deluxe salmon steaks on broadbean mash, with mango salsa, green beans with pine nuts, and roasted tomatoes. Yum (except maybe the broadbean mash, which was a bit stodgy in comparison to everything else). Caught up with ppl (Daria her housemate and one of their workmates - who I was somewhat concerned they were trying to set me up with - and Fleur and Neiman). Then checked out a new club/bar around the corner from Daria's, but it was a bit boring.

[*wavy flashback effect*]
Did I even mention we had dinner at Larissa's on Wednesday (yes, should've been staying late at work instead)? She made a really good moussaka. Apart from Larissa, Blister was over from The Island, Ellen and Lain of course, Doug and Della and Lauren (Della's exhousemate who I may not have mentioned before). Had lovely conversation about politics and playwrights and public relations. And we had heaps of excellent cheese both before AND after dinner. Egg arrived in time for dessert, which was (sadly, not home made - didn't have time) sticky date pudding and Cookie'n'Cream Commotion. Was a really good night.
[*wavy flashforward effect*]

Spent 5 hours here (work) on Saturday, and got Not One Thing done. V depressing.

Saturday evening I went for cake for Della's belated birthday. Happily, Ellen and Lain had organized a birthday present which all I had to do was contribute cash for. Was supposed to catch up with Tim, down from Sydders for the weekend before heading off travelling for most of a year, but we hadn't managed to organize anything concrete, and I was feeling quite tired by 11ish, so went to bed instead. Had a fantastic 9-hour sleep.

Sunday everyone got up at a reasonable hour and gave the house a once-over before housemate interviews. Managed to get one. We interviewed 6 or so (in addition to the 2 dodgy ppl last weekend), and 3 were acceptable and interested. Got our first choice, who seemed the most together, and most aware of sharehousing ethos and requirements. Hope it works out.

Last night I went for drinks for Lain's birthday (on wed) at cool bar on Smith St. Drank too much. We all went back to hers afterward and hung out for a bit. I managed to catch Tim for a quick drink and say "Bon Voyage", then home for another glorious 9-hour sleep. A bit groggy today - may have slept too much.
12:46:00 AM

 
Heh. Forgot to mention that "quick drink at Revolver" actually turned into me having a boogie until 6am. Hung a tiny bit with Hyper and friends, mainly to try and be welcoming to Hyper's oldest friend (from primary school) who seemed potentially a bit uncomfortable with the setting or with Hyper's other friends (the Unexpected Houseguests), and to whom I think Hyper may have not been as good a host as I think he should have. But abandoned them for massive dance in front room. Was good.
1:09:00 AM

 
Really nice weekend all up (apart from not getting nearly enough work done).

Drinks on Friday night. I actually made it to the pub across the road from us three days in a row! (Wed, Thurs, Fri). Just for a sensible single pint. Except Friday. Drank way too much. Went to Revolver. Was good.

Saturday, came in to work. Tired to be productive with hangover. Not very successful.

Sat night, went to Xavier's birthday party at his cool townhouse in a converted Fire Station. Had good conversation with some nice people. Afterward was meant to go for a boogie with Lain and Ellen, but we (Haclev and another couple of friends I'll have to think of blognyms for) drove by the venue and there was a massive queue outside, and then there was absolutely no parking. So dropped Haclev and co off and headed home, but via Revolver to just have a quick drink with Hyper and friends.

Sun night went and saw Loud's boy do stand up for Comedy Fest. New show and mostly new material, was good. Loud is understandably annoyed at Hyper's unexpected houseguests. Don't know when he knew they were coming, but he didn't tell Loud or I. And three houseguests at once is getting a bit much. He may have mentioned to Chris the day before. And we still don't know when they're leaving. He's so inconsiderate. Really must try and train him, or Loud may leave because of him. And I'd hate that. Am pretty sure she's seriously considered it already. She may only be staying because of me. Sheesh. Heh. Dysfunctional de facto family. At least it's just cos she loves me, not because she thinks I need her to be there.
12:57:00 AM

 
Consumerism
So recently have bought:

1. jeans;


2. Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations (2 volumes);


3. 2 potplants - Vern the Fern and one of those lovely geometric succulents which I need to identify and still haven't named;

Am also thinking about buying socks and underwear. Feeling very consumerist over all this. And still haven't looked at laptops properly. Really should.
5:01:00 PM

 
Hm. Have these cheapo jeans stretched or have I lost weight in the past three days? Or they may actually be designed to loosen a bit and fall down and expose your undies as is the fashion with kids these days.
7:35:00 PM

 
Weekend was good. Another deadline unsatisfactorily completed on Friday arvo. Got home and hung with the housemates and had a few beers and lost a game of scrabble to Loud and had an early night.

Saturday I was up at 8am to trek across the city to participate in an "Environmental Communications" type workshop at 10am. Had lent car to Daria for the week, so was reliant on public transport and really didn't know how long it was going to take. The (venue) was rather further north than I usually go, and I wasn't sure about connections. Gave myself 1.5 hours, and then got perfect connections and no waiting and it only took 40 mins. So strolled through their markets and browsed books, then had a lesiurely organic brekky before going and learning about recruiting and leading and multiplying and influencing and walking and obstructing and speaking and gesturing and pausing and breathing. Home for a rest. Hung with Loud and Chris and then Ben came home too. Played scrabble with Loud and fortunately made up for ignominous loss on Friday. Then got ready to go out and invited everyone else to come with. They were already going to come to Daria's housewarming later, but I kind of last-minute decided I should also make the effort to go to going-away drinks way on other side of city first. So yeah, invited them, and they all decided to come, and we went to a bar and I introduced them to the Going-Awayers who I don't think I've mentioned here before (they were at the Organometallicist and Neuroscientist's wedding last year), but then proceeded to totally not mingle (well, went and had a chat with Xena before we left, but...). Stayed for 2 drinks, then off to Daria's. Got muchos trashed.

There may have been cake fights toward the end of the night. Strawberry sponge with cream. And licking of cake off other people. And then cleansing ice. Down backs. Cleavage. Pants.

Set alarm for morning, but forgot to set Sunday. Loud walks in at 9 and asks if I should be leaving for workshop. "Yes. Yes I should."

Somehow manage to leave house, hungover, dehydrated, within 15 mins. Crap Sunday PT timetable means I have to wait 20 mins in the city for next tram, and end up getting to workshop 20 mins late. Practice speaking and interviews and media and debating and arguing and forums and events. Is 34 degrees. Warm. And then clouds form and within minutes it's pelting down and 15 degrees. And then we finish at 3pm and I stop in city and finally buy new jeans - old ones getting massive holes in pocket and butt which I've repaired like twice and are getting inappropriate for work. Looked in Myer at $220 Kenneth Cole jeans. Meh, they were ok I guess. Didn't like them $220 worth. Also considered a $160 Marc Jacobs pair. Icky fake wear patterns - haven't those gone out of style yet? Even looked (briefly) at Country Road for only $140. But still can't wear Country Road because of NS! The image is so wrong. All tried were very average. Found more satisfactory jeans, all-round better, for $40 at Target.
4:24:00 PM

 
Whoa - this place really is quite easy to find if you have any clue what I like to do, or where I might have been lately, or ... stuff. Oh well. Um. Do leave a comment and say hi if you drop in and know me.
4:43:00 AM

 
Hm. Have just spent way too much time trawling blogs and lj's from my area. Had forgotten how addictive strangers' lives can be. Now have urge to make this blog more interesting, e.g., by making shit up about people I know and writing about it here. Even though I really don't need to make up stuff about them. Like how Hyper is a bloody idiot who has actually made me angry. Which I really don't like. And which I really don't have the time and energy to deal with right now. He also now knows this blog exists, and it may just be a matter of time before he actually finds it through judicious use of google. Or I may (sometime in the far future when this has blown over) actually tell him where to find it. Am quite glad I resisted venting about his previous shenanigans in gory high-res detail. And will probably regret venting even this far about his current idiocy.
4:12:00 AM

 
:P should so do an allnighter. maybe tomorrow?
12:07:00 AM