Dear Liz and Tessa
Thanks guys. Times like these, a girl needs her friends' active encouragement. :-) xx
I had a "mediation" today on these issues, that I won't go into publically for legal reasons, but suffice to say the mediator (who is also a lawyer) was... ummm... perplexed... at both the ex's and the ex's solicitor's behaviour. He was also very kind to me.
It seems, no, the ex's not going to stop this sort of thing for the kids' sake, Liz. And this hasn't gone unnoticed to the Powers That Make These Decisions. Tessa, the benefit of the doubts have been given and the gloves are off. He'll get his. And I won't have had to do a thing to cause anything that will now befall him on these issues, he will have brought it all on himself with his own words and actions. I am not as kind as people think: if I or my kids are being taken advantage of (I think the mediator's exact words were "he's holding the kids to ransom here"), then I will do whatever's necessary. Think I'm angry? I'm not. But I do believe that consequences catch up with us eventually. They're catching up.
I'm also OK with the money thing, for a while, at least. And, let's just say, my offer to him is no longer on the table. He should've taken the money when he could. My lawyer is glad he didn't--she's rather angry, much angrier than I am, actually. Incensed, she said. I couldn't be bothered with anger, the ex is throwing around enough vindictive behaviour for the both of us.
He's a very, very silly boy.
Sinking to a New Low
You know, I knew the ex was a bit scummy, especially when it comes to me, but I never thought he would be deliberately vindictive in a way that hurts the children.
I've moved house. Oh yeah, I'm in! And back online (er, obviously). And that had its dramas, but not too bad, just involved some rain, mushy grass, spinning truck wheels, a tractor and a couple of near-missing cats, but they were more delays than true annoyances. Actually, didn't bother me too much. Gave me an hour to sit down. Yay. :-)
Oh, and St Kilda won again. By a huge landslide. Woohoo! Do the Dance of Joy (non Angel fans will not get that. Watch season 4. You'll understand me much better :-D ).
Anyway, I haven't mentioned why the house
had to be sold, thus denying the bairns their home, too long and sordid a story to be told in public, really. I think I've mentioned the ex is trying to claim some of the proceeds, which he isn't legally entitled to, and despite that, I'm giving him some anyhow.
Well, he's managed to freeze the funds, but was supposed to release some so I could pay for moving expenses, new school uniforms, food, services, that sort of unimportant stuff. His solicitor had already OK'd it, so I went ahead borrowing bond and rent money from my mum (thanks mum!) on the presumption I could pay her back when the funds were released last Tuesday.
Which they weren't. Apparently he sent a letter saying he never had agreed to release the funds and never would. Despite the fact I'm sure his solicitor has (or should have!) told him by now he has no entitlement to any of the funds. Despite the fact the older 2 boys literally can't attend school without their (unfortunately) rather expensive uniforms. Despite the fact that without any funds, the kids will be without new school books and some services. Despite the fact that the only reason I have a full-ish pantry now is that a couple of friends are practical and kind and filled my freezer as a move-in present, even before they knew of his behaviour.
I expected the ex to be bitter. After all, he feels I took his family from him (never mind the fact that if he had just stopped
hitting, it wouldn't have been necessary. I think 15 years of "second chances" are fair, eh?). I didn't, however, expect this level of vindictiveness aimed in the kids' direction, especially at a point where he is seeking MORE time with them, time the children don't want to spend with him. (I'm not sure if I am relieved or unhappy about that. I think neither. Everyone misses out there). For my part, I have no feelings for the man whatsoever, even when annoyed by his behaviour. I don't like him. I actually don't hate him either. I couldn't be bothered.
Chalk it up to yet another show of abject stupidity on my behalf. For some insane reason, despite my supposedly genuis-level IQ (no, really, hehe!) I really do expect the man to act reasonably when given the chance. I will keep expecting it even when faced with year after year of unreasonable behaviour, time after time after time. One day, he may just surprise me.
I look forward to that. It'll do the children good. :-)
Aaron Hamill
This is a reprint from the saint's website, original URL, http://saints.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=197500
Tough as nails
12:08:44 PM Wed 20 April, 2005
Luca Giacobello
When Aaron Hamill puts on his gear and crosses the white line, it is like a great Roman gladiator putting on his battle gear and entering an arena. Many would agree that Hamill is the muscle, the intimidator of the St Kilda side. This has been proven time after time, most recently in Round 1 when Mal Michael and Chris Scott continued to bump Nick Riewoldt’s injured shoulder. The skipper was wounded and it was Hamill, closest to the action, who remonstrated with the Lions defenders, not backing down an inch to defend the young champion.
Hamill was originally selected with the 79th pick in the 1994 National AFL Draft by Carlton. Hailing from the ACT, Hamill quickly became noticed in the Blues’ forward line, becoming the heir apparent to the retiring skipper and legend Stephen Kernahan. This was quickly recognised upon his retirement, when Hamill donned the #4 and became the key target up forward. Hamill displayed his true abilities and enjoyed great success with Carlton. In the thrilling Preliminary Final, Hamill was reported and subsquently suspended.
However, the important player Hamill was, the Blues moved heaven and earth to orchestrate an appeal and his suspension was later reversed, clearing him to play in the Grand Final. Hamill controversially left the club at the end of 2000 after fives years, 92 games and 114 goals.
With St Kilda undergoing an extreme makeover, St Kilda wasted no time in snapping up Hamill, sacrificing the 4th pick in the draft and Sam Cranage to lure the key forward to the club. In his first season with the Saints, Hamill showed he was the great forward target and quickly became noticed as a ‘hard man’ with his intense tackling and ferociousness for the ball. Hamill’s career at the club couldn’t have gotten off to a better start and in 2002, his magnificent form continued. His leadership, skill and raw toughness did not go unnoticed and he was the first player to be captain under the new rotation policy.
He led the Saints into an exciting new era, showing glimpses of what was to come in the future with a string of massive wins late in the season and an apparent stronghold over the Telstra Dome. 2004 started off great for Hamill, playing in his second pre-season premiership and in the first ten rounds, kicking 20 goals. Along with Riewoldt and Fraser Gehrig, St Kilda had the most dominant and intimidating forward line in the league.
However, Hamill was struck down with a knee injury, one which hampered his ability to perform and keeping him out of the finals. He was sorely missed in a series that saw St Kilda so close to playing in the Grand Final.
2005 hasn’t exactly gone to plan for the Saints with a couple of losses and injuries to a handful of senior regulars. The game against the undefeated Melbourne was crucial if St Kilda wanted to kick start their season. With Brownlow favourite Cameron Bruce slammed to the turf by a ferocious Brent Guerra tackle in the early seconds, it was clear the Saints came to play. Being a key forward, Hamill was displaying his physical presence as well, running hard and presenting his teammates with a target.
Hamill finished the day with 16 touches, eight marks and 2.1 goals, another great effort. He helped the side slam on nine goals straight and capped off the game with a spectacular grab to cause a 47 point upset and reclaim the stronghold of the Telstra Dome, “Getting through the week, no one gave us a shot but in the end, a terrific effort by the boys with a 100% effort for all. It was great to see 22 consistent players having a real hot go and everyone playing their parts.”
Robert Harvey may be their spiritual captain, Gehrig their spearhead, Riewoldt their superstar but there is only one intimidator, one player who is tough as nails…And he's cute, too. ;-)
Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy comes out here on April 28. Looking forward to it. :-)
Really Bye this time.
Alluring? Nope
No. No admirer messages for me yesterday. Darn MM, getting my hopes up and all.
I want my money back.
:-P
Be gone for a few days. Don't suppose I'll be missed /Eeyore voice off. ;-)
A Good day?
From
Mystic Medusa for me today:
La Luna in Virgo feels so good for Sea-Goats - you are inspired, artistic and mega-efficient all at the same time. Romance is similarly enhanced - someone finds you unbelievably alluring.Well, I don't know about the alluring thing, I'm not exactly built for "alluring" (although, if true, that would make the "unbelievably qualifier make sense ho ho, oh, I crack myself up) hehe, but mega-efficint is good. Today I have to make about 100 phone calls (OK, slight exaggeration, but not by much), to power, phone companies, etc to swap residences, buy stuff, keep packing, get the car rego up to date (it expired on the 16th and I missed it! Yikes!), change my name & address on my rego and driver's licence, organise and pay for a storage unit for my stuff that won't fit in the house, rubbish, wash clothes, pack, clean out the fridge, get make sure I have the kids' stuff packed for their weekend jaunts, pack, get the mail forwarding organised, oh, and did I mention, pack? I should fit in a shower, too, I guess. Kids have to go to school.
Fortunately, my mum is coming up today to help. Yay mum!
And I actually do feel mega-efficient today. :-D
2 days to go until moving day.
Happy Birthday to...
I'm not saying his name just in case he has security concerns. He knows who he is.
Old man. :-P
xxx
How to drive a couple of cats crazy
1. Live in the sticks, where no real cat registration laws apply.
2. Be responsible, like get them desexed, feed them right, etc., but acknowledge that a) bells on collars can actually hypnotise birds, not warn them, and b) underpampered cats actually prefer catching mice to natives, and I need mice caught, and c) collars are a PITA for the cats.
3. Move to a city area, where laws are a bit different.
4. Realise suddenly that you'll need to make sure your cats can be determined as "owned" rather than "stray" or you're likely to lose them.
5. Buy collars. Put on cats.
6. Watch the fur fly.
Oh, dear. They hate me right now. Three days later, they still don't like 'em. They're going to LOVE me when I add the tags.
Off to Brissy today. See ya.
Whhhhhhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!
Saints won.
That's all. :-D
Whimper
I just -- almost -- finished cleaning up outside for packing, tools, garden stuff, getting rid of rubbish and tidying up the garden a bit, and suchlike. Haven't even started on packing the inside. Can't, really, until I've been back down to the new house tomorrow to measure to see what furniture I can fit, and what will go into storage. Normally, I'd start packing with books, but I don't know if I'll be able to fit in 2 or 3 of my bookshelves, so I'll have to carefully plan which of my books to store. Sigh.
At least I know my horse gear goes into storage.
I think the title says it all.
But enough about me.
Persuant to some of my post the other day:
Brother rents out Di's bedroom
By Jane Kerr
April 17, 2005
PRINCESS Diana's brother is to rent her old bedroom to rich Americans for $73,000 a night.
Earl Spencer is hiring out his family ancestral home Althorp, where she is buried, for "weekend stays or longer".
He is advertising the Princess of Wales Room, where she slept with Prince Charles, as one of its main attractions.
He morbidly points out the room has a painting of a Spanish princess who "could not disguise her haunting unhappiness".
Guests will have full run of the mansion and can stroll around the lake that encircles Diana's island resting place.
Asked if overnight visitors can use the wine cellar, he gleefully insists: "It is all available." He expects groups of around 30 people, each paying $2440 a night.
The Earl stopped renting it out after her death for fear of being accused of cashing in on her memory. His new offer will cause dismay.
Last night a royal source said: "It's actually shocking.
"The Earl is very wealthy already, but apparently there's no end to his desire for commercialism. I'm sure he believes no one will find out."
He makes his tacky sales pitch in the current US issue of a magazine for owners of American Express's exclusive Centurion card, reserved for the super-wealthy.
Britney Spears and teenage actress Lindsay Lohan are said to own the cards, available only by invitation.
The Earl claims he has never recently considered hiring Althorp out except when Madonna wanted it for her wedding to Guy Ritchie in 2000.
He scrapped the plan, claiming their detailed requirements would overwhelm security arrangements.
The Earl tells the magazine: "I haven't aggressively pursued renting out Althorp."
He declined to confirm how much he was charging and said: "Everything is done on a bespoke basis, so it depends on what the guests require."
US sources confirm he expects guests to cough up around $2440 each. But they will not be allowed on to the island where Diana is buried.
The estate has an exhibition dedicated to her life and work. And the sleeping quarters include five state bedrooms, each boasting lavish oil paintings and antique furniture.
Diana's former room, originally named after Edward VII, was renamed in her honour in 2003 and opened to the public.
It also once belonged to one of Diana's ancestors, the fourth Earl Spencer, who died in it in 1857.
The magazine also tells how the Oak Bedroom is allegedly haunted by the ghost of the third Earl's favourite footman.
The current Earl promises US clients they will be lavishly fed and have access to a well-stocked bar.
He says his chef is Elizabeth Parker, who has worked for Princess Caroline of Monaco and the Duchess of York.
He adds: "Usually all guests choose to have the same things, although individual tastes can easily be catered to."
But he warns: "If you are looking for internet in every bedroom, you have come to the wrong place. This is somewhere to come when you have done everything else. You shed the modern world when you drive through the gates."
An American Express spokesman said: "I can confirm an article ran in a recent issue of US Centurion magazine.
"Earl Spencer extended an invitation to Centurion card members to rent Althorp."
Earlier this month Diana's brother revealed her exhibition lost $573,170 last year amid falling visitor numbers. Fewer than 80,000 people went to Althorp when it was open from July to September last year.
Yesterday, a spokesman for the Earl said: "Althorp has hosted corporate and private hospitality for 30 years. This is a normal way of helping with the upkeep of a historic house." The woman's dead. Let
us lie down? Ewwwwwwwww. Tacky, Earlie dahling, very tacky.
(On another note, what's with all of the colons in this report? The correct punctuation is a comma, Ms Kerr. Sheesh, and I can't get a job with these people. *rolls eyes*)
HA!
The bottom-of-the-ladder Hawks took out the Lions last night.
'Nuff said.
Of course, chances are the Saints will be taken out by the D's tonight, but, hey, if the Lions are losing--big time--to the
Hawks, perhaps we're in with a bigger chance than I thought (I previously had us at about a 50-50 chance. Now I could almost try 60-40 in our favour). Football's a funny game. :-)
Well
Finding the house was the easy bit. I move on the 22nd. I just realised how much I have to do this week.
Forgive me if I start yelling again. ;-)
Actually, annoyance central right now. My ex is playing silly buggers with the "property settlement". Essentially, legally, because of his financial behaviour over the last 2-and-almost-half years since we separated, his debt to me has grown to the point where he is actually not entitled to any proceeds from the sale of the house (actually, he still would owe me a fairly substantial sum of money).
I don't give a flying trapezoid about the money, so I've decided to give him some, anyway. I think it's the easiest option: it makes things quick, he'll get off my back and (mostly) out of my life. However, this is the last iota of "control" he has over me, so he's not playing ball: he's managed to get all of the proceeds frozen pending a decision by a magistrate (which is like cutting off his right arm just to spite me. If it goes to court, he will not only receive absolutely nothing, he will also get a debt for his solicitor, he'll still owe me child support, and, probably, will have to pay my solicitor as well if the mediator decides he's been "unreasonable" -- which is likely. I hope he comes to his senses soon, for his own sake).
The annoyance there is, it means that
everything I need to spend to move, rental bond, etc, cleaners the house for the new people after I've gone (so I don't have to drive back up here to do it myself), needs his approval. He's actually not legally allowed to "disapprove" these expenses that keep a roof over his children's heads, but it still irks me that I need to ask HIS permission to use MY OWN money. It's like 600 steps backwards. After 2 years of working to
finally getting out from under that man's bootheels, I'm right back there again, even if it's only temporarily.
I guess I shouldn't let it bother me, but it still does.
Women 'not impressed' by daredevils
From news.com.au today:
Women 'not impressed' by daredevils
From correspondents in London
April 14, 2005
From: Reuters
DAREDEVIL men who believe they can attract women with their reckless behaviour, should think again.
A survey of 100 men and women by researchers at the University of Maine, showed women are not impressed by bungee jumping and other risky types of behaviour but actually prefer men who take fewer chances.
"Men thought women would be impressed by pointless gambles, but women in fact preferred cautious men," New Scientist magazine said today.
One theory to explain risky male behaviour is that men are showing off their strength and bravery to woo potential partners.
But researcher William Farthing said women prefer high-status males to risk-takers.
"So if he has higher status among other men, women might like him for his status, even though they don't like risk-taking itself," he said.Duh.
Yes, he's strong, manly, and completely bloody stupid. We're
real impressed by that. Everyone wants a partner who is likely to a) spend all their time planning to climb Everest, and B) likely to die before he's 30. That works. :-D
Actually, I think that presuming that men indulge in risk taking behaviours to "impress women" is simplistic anyhow. I ahte generalisations, even if I indulge in them sometimes for the sake of simplicity.
I believe some guys are addicted to adrenaline and some are born wired that way. My # 3 son, for example. If there's a risk to take, and I'm not around to yell, "THINK!!", he'll take it. He was 18 months old, taking slippery slides my older two sons (aged 5 and 3-ish at the time) wouldn't take. I came out one morning to find, at a little over 13 months old, he'd climbed up my almost-ceiling-high bookshelf and, of course, couldn't get down again. He's the one who could walk at a little under 9 months old and wants to play cricket for Australia (and probably will, determined little blighter that he is). He was a freakin' nightmare.
He still takes some inordinate risks, but for some reason never seems to hurt himself (touch wood). Bright red hair (like mine
used to be) and all the stereotype implies. Great kid though. :-D
On another note:
Diana case back in French court
April 14, 2005
From: Agence France-Presse
FRANCE'S top appeals court have ordered a lower court to review the case of three photographers acquitted of charges that they broke privacy laws by taking pictures of Princess Diana on the night of her fatal accident in Paris in 1997.Holy conspiracy theories, Batman!
The woman's dead. Let her lie down.
I have a house!!!!!
Phew.
Well, how bizarre
I had an insane moment this morning and stood on the scales. I've taken off 4 kilos since the last doc's appointment a couple of weeks ago (for the US readers 1 kilo = 2.2 lbs, so that's 8.8lbs. Now, that's the last time I'll do the maths for you, it's about time you guys joined the rest of the known universe and went metric. :-P)
Thing is, I'll be flujibbered if I can figure out where from (I don't look or feel lighter and I'm not a measurement-taker, who has TIME???), or how. I haven't changed my diet (except I eat brekky more often, so I'm eating more food), and stress has made me put on weight in the past, not take it off. I've just taken off 10% of the total I should probably take off and you can't tell. Go figure. :-S
Perhaps the old adrenal gland system normalising is helping my metabolism go back to normal. Sheesh, it's almost enough to make me consider doing some sit-ups or something.
Nah. ;-)
She takes a deep breath and...
quickly warns everyone to shut their ears....
And...
ARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!
's ok. New project. Loving it, but frustrating myself with my writing ability... or lack thereof... at the moment.
So, just needed to get that off my chest.
One thanks you. :-D
The Go Ahead Has Been Given, so,
here is a link to my friend Liz's blog:
The Blue Sky Tavern.
I admire Liz's writing a lot, even though she claims she's not as good as I think she is, like we all do from time to time.
Well, like most of us. One writer I know insists his first drafts are perfect, and it can be difficult, sometimes to work out if this is his usual overweening arrogance or if he is, in fact joking.
:oP !!! :-D *evil grin*
(It doesn't help that the man is actually very good. I probably shouldn't admit that).
She must face it, though. The woman has a truckload of talent. Yeah, Liz, and I'll
keep saying it, and you know I won't blow sunshine where the sun don't shine, so ner. :-D
Whatever the truth may be...
in regards to astrology, I certainly hope
Jon Cainer is right about me (I was just rejected on another tenancy solely for the number of children involved, which another Real Estate Agent told me yesterday is actually unlawful under the discrimination act, but what can you do? If you tell the landlords that, they'll just find "another" reason. Thing is, there aren't any other reasons. Money isn't an issue, you know, selling house, can pay rent a year in advance if I wanted to...):
Unfair restrictions are being placed on you now. These are making your life difficult and are tempting you to indulge in feelings of resentment. [True! And not just in regards to housing, either].
You do not, though, intend to succumb to this urge. [Also true!]
You don't have time and energy to spare for negative thought patterns and self-pitying moods. Continue to handle, with grace and decorum, whatever is now so difficult. Do I have a choice?
It won't last long. But the confidence you are now building up within yourself can last forever.I'm off to Brisbane, again, today. Hopefully this time, I'll find something. The good news is, one of the houses I'm looking at today is actually administered by a goverment department, which means that if it will fit us, a) the rent is cheaper than the market rate (by about $100 a week) and b) they won't (and can't!) discriminate.
Fingers crosses. And toes. I'm running out of travelling funds and don't get paid until Thursday...
Ben Peek's Meme
As a part of his "Week of Whoring" (pimping your stuff),
Ben Peek has posted
The Interview Meme (Go On, Subject Yourself to Five Questions)Basically, it goes like this:
1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me."
2. I will respond by asking you five questions. I get to pick the questions.
3. You will update your livejournal/blogger/website with the answers to the questions and leave the answers as comments here (or at least provide a pointer to your site).
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.So, to be interviewed by, leave me a comment, even if you don't have a blog. You have a forum. Yes, I'm talking to you. :-)
Pop over to
Ben's Blog and have a look. Trent is there. Trent rules. Trent is a Capricorn, he would. So is my Arch Nemesis, Stu, who has an
SF Cookbook out (Don't ask. I don't know, honestly. Stu is a bit strange sometimes :-P Buy the book though. It's only AU$11.00. Less than the cost of an American cup of coffee. Sorry, coughed-upon. Sorry, geshundheit).
My questions brought to you by
Tessa.
1) Mary Queen of Scots and Queen Elizabeth are mud wrestling. Do you a) bet on Mary, b) bet on Liz, or c) join in? Why?Hmm. B.
Why. Hmm. Because I strive for historical accuracy in all things, and Elizabeth won. And Elizabeth was more likely to actually enjoy the whole mud thing, from what I hear tell. I also think, of the two women, Elizabeth was the cattier. She didn't play fair. Mary was too easy to dupe.
2) You suffer from writing diaorrhea, and your short stories aren't very short. Why is this?Well, gee, thanks for giving away my big secret. :-P Why aren't they short? Because I suffer from writing diaorrhea, silly (and I know you only asked me this so you could legitimately use the word "diaorrhea", you aren't fooling me).
Seriously, it's because whenever I start a short story, one of two things happens.
a) I end up with something stupid inviolving fake unicorns and chooks, or
b) I get so involved on the project keep adding bits, planning more world building, more characters, more complication, more political stuff, more motivation and it... sorta runs away with me. I'm not fond of reading short stories for the most part, because the really good ones leave me unsatisfied. I always want to know more.
An example is a story called "The Final Battle", by Scott Robinson, which appeared in the anthology
Encounters, put out by the CSFG. The first time I read it in a crit session, I hated it in the way I hate all good short stories. I said to the author, "THIS is an example of exactly why I hate short stories." You see, it's a snapshot of a couple of characters and you knwo there's this whole backstory to the characters and the world and the battle, and you want to know more, but you've been sitting there for five minutes and just as you get
interested in the characters, they're gone, and you'll (probably) never see them again. Cory Daniells writes similar stories, you want to see more of the world, they're so wonderfully detailed. So does Margo Lanagan.
I like to spend time with the characters ghetting to know them. I'm the same with my friends in RL. And, I'm the same with my own characters. Beth (the main char in my current SF books) has been with me for a long time, she's part of me. Or vice-versa, it can be hard to tell.
So I guess, in short, it's because I'm nosy. Or lonely. Or just too bloody verbose for my own good.
3) You are granted one purely materialistic and selfish wish. What is it?I don't want to say this, because it's so gob-smackingly unoriginal, but I'd go for the million bucks. Not because I never want to work for the rest of my life, but because, given everythign that is going on right now, I don't ever want to worry about getting, or keeping, a roof over my kids' heads again. Hmm. That's not really selfish enough is it? OK. And I want a horse. No, two horses. A black, imported pure-bred Friesian mare. And a pure-bred Arabian stallion, Crabbet, please, with a wee bit of Polish blood.
4) What are you most proud of?More gob-smakingly unoriginal, but my kids, and how they've handled the whole divorce thing. My boys are growing up, and the best thing is, they're maturing as well as growing. My daughter is the same, except for the being a girl part. Hey, my three year-old vacuums. Ya gotta love that.
But if you're talking of something I'm proud of myself for? That would be finally having the guts to stand on my own two feet and divorcing my ex. See, that's changed the kids, they're happier now.
5) You get to be a Mary Sue in a story of your choosing. Give us the gory details.I don't know how gory it would be, I'm not a violent Mary Sue. ;-) Oi, this may be hard, It's been a long time since I wrote any sort of fanfic... although I suspect the original Beth was a
Mary Sue... ;-)
- My name is Bethgael Amberhair, I am an elf. I am leggy, tall, redheaded. I am well-loved, popular with men and have a pet unicorn who I can telepathically communicate with. I'm a great singer and also otherwise musically inclined. I have guilt issues. (Oh, dear).
- I never finished my magical training because I wanted to do something better, forbidden, like fall in love with the bad guy. So I have guilt issues. (Oh, dear).
- Despite this, I have the potential to be the bestest mage ever, even though I don't want to acknowledge this. I am supposed to be the bearer of prophetic wisdom, though, and because I fail at this, I have guilt issues. (Oh, NO!).
- Then one day, when I really need it, my magical potential shows itself in a huge, powerful way (Oh, thank goodness. This doesn't happen in the books. :-D) and I save the world, even though I am still a young elf and fulfilling the Prophecy (Yup, this also doesn't happen in the books. Prophecy shmophecy. Insert sigh of relief here).
Hoi, that was hard. :-S
It's All About Love
Watched a DVD by that name last night, starring Claire Danes and Joachim Pheonix. Sean Penn was also in it, along with a bunch of actors that you see all the time in character roles but never know the names of.
It was an interesting, although perplexing, film.
It left me thinking at the end, although I think part of that was because I completely missed what was going on in some places. Either I was having a Heather day (likely), or it really wasn't clear.
Sean Penn played Pheonix's older brother, and I think they were all Polish. Thing is, Penn spent most of his time sending messages to Pheonix's answering machine (in the presumption he'd get them--he didn't) while flying around on an aircraft that couldn't land because of freezing conditions.
Claire Danes played a Polish ice skating star, that Pheonix's character needed to meet to serve divorce papers to. You get the impression it's a bit weird to start with, just an inkling... but then you realise that nothing is as it seems because people are stepping over a dead body at the bottom of an escalator without thinking twice about it. The comment is made "don't worry about that, it happens all the time".
And this is where it gets weird. A perfect example, I think, of trying to fit too many themes into one film so it gets way too... er... confusing on a first watch. See, there is apparently an impending Ice Age, but you don't really "get" that until half way through the film. As the planet is getting stuffed up, going to winter, turning to ice, there is also, at the same time, people's hearts failing, in what seems to be a metaphor for the emotional Ice Age this world is suffering at the moment. IE, no love = no healthy heart, and you can drop dead at the drop of a hat. And no-one gives a flying treacle if you do.
Actually, it's the title of the film that explains that, more than anything within the movie. Which is a sign of rather poor filmmaking, imo.
But that's not the main story. And, in fact, has nothing, really, to do with the main story (just as Sean Penn's character has nothing to do with it!), except to serve as a foil at the end for why the pair of lovers (for, yes, predictably, they still love each other very much and never wanted to divorce) go through everything they have to go through.... only to fail, just as Penn is saying into his headset, "I know you'll make it" as his plane keeps flying through the fozen, snowy night with nowhere to land. Nice image, but pointless bloody film. For, you see, it seems Pheonix delayed his return too long and Dane's heart fails just as they seem to be able to escape... except, as far as I can tell, they weren't going to escape
anyway.
And don't worry, I'm not spoiling the film for you by giving away the ending, for it is rather obvious from the start. It would have been nice to take something away from the film other than, "Oooooooooooookay?" because, as readers of this blog would know, I actually rather liked the metaphorical concept (no love = death). But it was poorly set out, even if rather well acted. And there was enough going on (although, as I've said already, probably too much) for me to continue watching just to see what happened.
Then the ending makes you just go, "Oh. Was that all?" and you're left with the concept that perhaps the writer or director saw the whole love thing as a pointless struggle that didn't, and couldn't, save anyone anyway.
On another subject, the Saints lost against the Kangas by 7 points. After being 17 ahead with 5 minutes to go. Sigh. :-(
Didn't see the game so can't really comment but from what I'm told our half forwards are reluctant to shoot at goal. Gentlemen, Nicky Roo is injured, Fraser is below par and Aaron Hamill can't do
everything. Give it a go, boys. I know you can.
On a brighter note, though, the Swannies took out the Lions. HA! :-D
Oy vey, Sir Tessa!
You had to do it: use the words "buttocks" in near proximity to the word "cemetery".
Oh, my eyes! My eyes!
*grin*
You get the booby prize. Report to the One with Great Magic.
No, wait...
For everyone else (except one other person who actually knows what I'm talking about who is very busy right now so will probably not see this anyhow), no, I'm
not explaining that one. It wouldn't make any sense, anyway, it was a "had to be there" moment. But I will, er, better say that there was no actual rudeness involved, and there are some weird moments of synchronicity happening here. :-S
Hoi. Shutting up now.
Must go and sing bad Whitney Houston songs now. Bye.
Don't you hate it when....
after a frustrating half hour trying to get blogger to post a very small post, and getting "cannot be found" pages and errors, you turn up the next day to see what's what and find the selfsame post published, not once, but three times?
Well, no, I don't hate it, exactly, it's more of in the realm of mildly irritating. Hate's a very strong word. *grin*
I know blogger's having some stability issues at the moment, so that's OK. I guess I should file these under the term "should have expected this errors" :-D
My friend Liz has a shiny new blog, I'll post the link if she says it's OK, which will have to wait as she's having puter problems. Actually, the number of people around me having technical issues computer-wise and communication stuff ups right now is staggering.
Hello. Mercury in
retrograde.
Joking. :-D
Actually, only half joking. My own comedy of errors ('scuse the pun) right now is not even worth going into. I will look back on this one day and laugh. I will look back on this one day and laugh. I
will look back on this one day and... who am I kidding? One day, I'm going to be a bitter old woman in a rocking chair living alone with a myriad of cats wondering what the hell happened to my life. Er, I'm actually not serious about the bitter and the wondering, I add, because I know my mum reads this and I don't want to worry her. (Hi Mum!) :-) I actually expect I'll know what happened to my life because I will have been there, mostly, and I expect to be reading, at least. And I won't keep more than 2 (desexed) shorthaired cats at any time.
I daresay I'll be old one day, though, presuming the human race doesn't annihilate itself any time soon or a piano doesn't fall on my head. I'm rather optimistic there, not sure why hehe. And probably alone, except if the kids visit (they assure me they will but then, most of them haven't hit puberty yet. I'm still relevant ;-) ). But it'll be quiet. Quiet is good.
I want to work in a library. Libraries are quiet. They have books. And... er.... Nothing. What is said at The Lifeline, stays at The Lifeline (*evil grin*)
Or a cemetery. Cemeteries are also quiet. Not much to do, though. And... er.... Nothing.
Don't you love it when...
just as you're doing a whole "Pit of Despair" routine in true
Princess Bride style, a friend phones you and asks how you're going?
I do.
:-)
Oh, btw....
When I said earlier today, "Bring it On", I was
joking!!!. Danged universe, no sense of humour. Can't take a joke.
I'm feeling the need to write angsty and meandering poetry.
You know, usually, I won't admit to being scared at any time for any reason, but...
that's truly frightening.
:-P
Search Engine Hits
I've had a lot of 'em lately, and hence a lot of new visitors (*waves* Hi. No. G'day!), however briefly they drop by before going, "Erhm, no, that wasn't exactly what I was after... actually that was nowhere NEAR what I was after. Stupid search engines. Who is this idiot bird?"
Because I can track "referrers" I can see what's been typed into a search engine that's led to the link (and it's fun having a look to see what page the blog's on).
So, if someone has clicked a link at, say,
Tessa's Blog where she has a link to mine, I'll get the referrer as "http://www.silence-without.blogspot.com". Or "Direct Hit" if someone's typed this URL into their browser or used their bookmarks/favourites menu. You get the drift.
Funny. I can understand why people are getting a hit here if they type in "Aaron Hamill" (page 3, Yahoo Search) or "Riewoldt cry" (page 6, google), I've been fairly vocal re both. I get "Hukabees" (page 2, Yahoo search, between 2 Spanish language sites), because I went to see that film and had a bit to say about it. Not
really sure how I got the hit from an entry "Fraser Gehrig" (page 36, Yahoo search, but not there when I went to look-see. Out of curiosity, looked at the other pages... I'd slipped to page 38 by then, oh, well), because I don't think I've mentioned him. "musing thoughts of the meandering mind" is obvious (Yahoo search, page 3, entry #26 of about 1,820, which took 0.64 seconds to find, and brought up that Implosion post referred to below).
But how the howbrahaha, did I manage to end up on a search for "boyaboya.com"??? At entry number 9 on the first page, no less? As the only site in English? And what's a "boya" (and the first person to tell me that it's the opposite of "girla" will be severely punished :-P). I know it was my
Implosion Archives entry, but still....
Oh, and speaking of Sir Tessa, I cadged this link from her blog:
Uncycolpaedia: Australia. It's furney. A quote:
Origin
Australia was created in a freak magical anomaly that occurred as a side effect of the magical wars between the wizards of the last age, who are now known as Walter Cronkite and Socrates. After the magical emanations cooled, Australia was inhabited by peaceful sheep and primitive tribes of humans, and lots of alcohol.
Then a bunch of criminals (see: Government) got dumped there.hehehe.
I Really Can spell "sponsor"
Blogger was having errors again last night, which meant edits weren't working. At least they weren't "unexpected" though; they were just simple "errors". It'll probably self-edit sometime today. :-)
Well, today is the dark 'o the moon before the astronomical new moon, and the first in the astrological new year (apparently quite important, I'm told), and it's in Aries. So, as a treat, here is the Aries forecast from
Cainer:
No phoenix can emerge, gloriously and inspiringly from the ashes of a ruined city till there has first been an awful lot of smoke. You need to see nothing less than a total transformation in one key area of your life. Attempts to compromise are failing. So, too, are your efforts to make progress by taking modest steps. You don't really want the upheaval that major change is bound to cause - yet you do want the result that nothing less than a complete revolution can bring about.Today, I am going for another drive down to Brissy and trying to fit as many house look-sees into the time between dropping my kids off to school and having to get back up here to pick 'em up. The good news is, a house became available up here yesterday: it's just a little small but it could work, so if I get that house and none down in Brissy from today's effort work out (or, alternatively, there isn't some major impetus or change that definitely pushes me in Brisbane's direction and keeps me looking down there), then the kids can, at least, stay at the schools they're in, which would be a Good Thing.
My house contract goes unconditional today, so barring any major problems (can't be now, the buyer's already said they're happy with the pest & housing inspections), the house is definitely sold. Yay. I think. :-)
My Cainer today says:
You've got a battle to fight and a point to prove. So why are you smiling? Don't you know how difficult your task is? You like a challenge you can sink your teeth into. All you ask is to know that there is a chance, however remote, of success. If, as now, you suspect that the chance is not so small - and that you may just be able to manifest a little magic, you really feel happy. Enjoy your opportunity. If you really work hard, you'll succeed.To paraphrase Gimli from the movie version of
The Return of the King:
"Large chance of death. Small chance of success. What are we waiting for?"
Bring it on.
Well, the world does run on ads...
I always find it amusing when I'm googling for something (er, no sniggering allowed Nicky :-P), how they have their little sponsor box on the right side of the results page?
I was googling Cyrano de Bergerac and apparently, there is a "Huge selection, great deals on Cyrano De Bergerac. Aff eBay.com.au".
I'm thinking, the man died in Paris, 28 July 1655 at age 36 when a beam fell on his head (research pays, you know), he's probably a wee bit past his prime. And I'm reasonably sure there's a huge selection of one (Gerard Depardieu, Steve Martin and David Wenham--who played De Bergerac in an Australian production of Rostand's play--notwithstanding).
Oh, btw, the Rostand play was wrong. Apparently, apart from the time spent in the army (even though he was opposed to the war of the time, whatever that was) Hercule Savinien Cyrano de Bergerac was a serious writer of pilosophical romances and a virile lover. And quite a writer of political satire disguised as speculative fiction, if the quotes I've read are accurate.
(BTW: Anyone who can track down a copy of Bergerac's Histoire Comique for me in French or English, will have my undying gratitude or a big fat kiss, whatever the preference).A quote from De Bergerac:
A kiss is a rosy dot over the 'i' of loving.Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.
:-D
Nicked-ified from Jen's blog...
What sort of Sixties Person Are You?
You are a Folkie. Good for you.
I think that's the "default" picture for when they don't know what else to use. *grin*
Another Thankyou
I couldn't post on blogger yesterday (comments or whatever) after yesterday's post because, as the blogger default page said, blogger was experiencing "Unexpected Errors."
Hehe. Gotta like that. When is an error actually "expected"? I mean, if you expect the error to occur, you'd stop it and there wouldn't be an error, would there? :-D
The reason I wanted to comment was because I wanted to thank Liz for saying nice things. Yes, I actually think my kids are awesome, too, but, see, I would be fairly biased on that score. It's always nice to hear it from someone else, especially someone who stayed in my home for 3 weeks and therefore saw some of the worst!. :-D
Going to have to have a boast now, of course. I just had to tell my kids' primary school that they would probably be going elsewhere after Anzac Day, and the teachers involved (3, this is for childrens numbers 3, 4 & 5) all started to tell me how wonderful my kids were and how disappointed they were we were leaving. That's nice, actually, although I seriously credit that school for helping my kids get through everything we've been through over the last 2 years. I think a lot of primary schools could look at Cooran Primary and learn a lot -- there's a limited amount of homework, a balanced male to female teacher ratio and a "no tolerance" attitude towards bullying -- and they handle "girl bullying" (which usually isn't physical but involves ostracisation) with a similar no tolerance attitude.
I really don't want to leave this area for the schools alone, but there's nothing to rent up here, unfortunately. And most of my personal support base is in Brissy, although I have actually tried not to make that a factor in my decision process (choosing between my friends and my kids' friends is hardly fair). I am very evenly split in the pros and cons of either place, and it would only take one thing, probably, to tip the balance one way or the other.
But, basically, I'm looking in both areas and the first place that comes up, I will take. I'm letting fate, the Universe, God, chance, whatever, to make the decision for me, because it's just too much for me to handle the sale, divorce, kids, moving, bills, blah blah blah and try to see into the future as well. So, I'm taking a hands off approach to that decision.
Never thought
that would happen. hehe.
Edit: the unexpected error of the error is the comment I tried to post yesterday showed up today. Go figure. :-)
Wonder what "homeless" feels like?
Unfortunately, none of the housing applications I put in over the weekend worked out. I can understand. I've been a landlord. Landlords hear "single mother with six children" and jump straight to the stereotype (welfare mother who had all those kids to whoever for the money. Yes, the
money, I tell you! Don't get me started...) Of course, if there are many children, I must be stupid/insane/mixture of both, or at the very least, unreliable with no understanding of how contraception, or sex (er, what's sex???) works. Of course "ALL THOSE KIDS!!!" are a
huge burden to me, and I can't wait to get rid of them, because they must, by definition, be little monsters.
Grr.
My kids are normal, by most standards (although I am regularly told how good they are even on days *I* think they're acting out and my 14 year-old got 3 ticks from 4 different teachers in the behaviour column to emphasise how polite he is in class). My 3 (almost 4) year-old is a handful: he's three. They tend to be. Energetic and nowhere to put it yet. He wants to be at school but can't be. He wants to be with his brothers but can't be. They all have their off-days. We all do. There are some days I'd like time to myself: that's not a function of having 6 children, that's a function of being me: I was like that as a child. Ever since my ex moved out, once the adjustment happened, home life has been relatively quiet, in all truth, I am the worst offender when it comes to temper, etc. They're not angels, but they certainly aren't horrible little brats who don't know how to behave, either. Children are human, and they are children, learning to become adults, not miniature adults born knowing how to act.
Rant over.
The good news is, I should receive a reasonable amount from the sale of the house, so I've decided to up, slightly, what I can afford on rent. That's opened up the market somewhat (an extra $20 a week makes a rather large diff, it seems). The other good news is, I'd miscalculated the settlement date: it's April 26, not April 21, so I have an extra weekend.
I'd be lying if I said I was nervous, deep down, though. Despite doing the "responsible" thing (you know, making sure my kids aren't actually becoming homeless and getting everything done that needs to be done), I can't actually bring myself to care much. Complacency isn't a Good Thing, but I'm not concerned. Maybe I just believe it will work out. Maybe I'm just protecting my brain from massive overload (I look at my To Do list for the next week and my brain starts dribbling out of my ears). I have no idea. I have a lot on my mind. besides housing, I have a healthy dose of URST and also need to get over a certain ridiculous "thing" before a friendship goes up You-know-what Creek.
Oh, I've taken off a kilo and a half, a Good Thing. The only thing that's different? I'm eating more. Have been doing so since the last doc's appointment or so. Haven't even started up with the regular walks yet. Will.
Pftht. Better go. School's back today and the To Do list calls.
Edit: I just read my
Cainer for today:
Little, if anything, is going to plan. Crucial resources are in short supply. Intense desires, some reasonable and some far-fetched, are preoccupying you. Arrangements keep changing. Promises keep being made and then broken. Funds keep floating away from you like feathers on the wind. Yet, oddly enough, you hardly care. It is as if you are being driven by a need that you don't understand yet which is right... and which will be met.Hmm.
S'pose I should just let my control-freaky self go with the flow. heheheee. Yeah. right. Like
that's going to happen. *snorts*
Thankyous...
Listening to:
The Bodyguard soundtrack. Realised I'd never actually listened to the song I posted a week or so back all the way through, used to just guess at the tune for the second bit (that you don't hear on the movie... you know "will you stay, or will you run away"). Turns out I was only out by a note. Songwriters these days are so predictable *winks* hehe.
It's April already. APRIL, I tell you!!! Argh!!!
Sorry about that. But, I'm going to say (just like everyone else that is over 30 tends to say), is it just me, or are the years going by more quickly with each passing year? I'm sure it was January, like, you know, just yesterday.
I have a theory about that, actually. It has to do with percentages. Time (as we know) is relative. I've never really gotten what it's relative
to, but I suspect that as Truth is the daughter of Time, as an old proverb asserts, it certainly has relatives. Oh, ha ha. I crack myself up.
What was I saying?
I reckon the reason the years go by so fast (apart from the fact that you have so much more to do in a day than when you were a kid) is that each year is a smaller percentage of your life. When you're 6, a year is a sixth of your life, when you're 34, a year is one-34th. You get the idea.
It's a bit simplistic, but there you go.
Well, I spent Friday doing house hunting. Put in a couple of rental applications (I am SO annoyed by being on the rental treadmill again, I can't tell you). Will find out in the next coupl of days or so if I get any of them.
But I think public thankyous are warranted here. Thankyou to Nicky, Scott, Mum & Nev, Damon and Sally for babysitting, driving, dinner, coffee, place to stay, conversation. And stuff. :-D
Oh, and the Saints beat Freo by a point on the weekend ina closely fought, low scoring match that was down to the final minute of the game on a tie until Aaron Hamill made an unlikely, hard-won tackle and scored the point and Penny (who replaced Nicky Reiwoldt) made a final defensive save up the other end with 5 seconds to go. Hamill tied for best-on-ground honours with a Freo player. Disappointing to hear of him indulge in some Lions-like behaviour, though I didn't see the incident so cannot comment (although it seems out of character).
And the Lions lost to Port Adelaide (I am tempted ever so slightly to say HA! but that would be wrong :-D). Going to be an interesting season.
