Odd Jobs

I’ve got two days off before I start this new job, so it’s time to get down to some odd jobs. I like making a list. I also know that in making the list I won’t get through half of these things, but it’s nice to set the intentions. 

Anyway, here is my list of things I would like to get done before I start my new job on Wednesday.

1. Find the couch

Everything gets put on my couch. It’s a bit like a tardis, you never know what you’re gonna find on there. I’m missing a pair of bone conducting headphones that I would really like to find again. And put a few things away. And maybe throw a few things away. Regardless, I need to go over the content of my couch, and what’s under it - hat’s just as much of a minefield as well. 

2. The floors

I hoover the floors once a week. I’m up once a fortnight. I know it should be more. I will feel better if I do the floors. I hate doing the floors, still I have the time to do them.

3. A clothes cull

There is no room in my chest of drawers. Time to make some space. Even if I go through just one or two drawers, it will be an improvement.

4. Drop off towels and blankets at The Lost Dog’s Home

I’ve been meaning to do this for months, and now I have the time. I wish I could go in and get a cuddle with one of the puppies, but that’s probably not gonna happen. I would take home all the puppies. We know this so it’s probably best not to chance fate. Lucifer wouldn’t like a puppy. 

5. Meet a friend for lunch on Tuesday

She’s down from Darwin, it will be fantastic to see her.

6. Go to the physio tomorrow

Intermittent knee pain needs to be investigated. I’m glad I’ve got the time to do it. I’m trying to be proactive with minor injuries at the moment. I’m sick of being injured.

So, along with everything else, I think that’s enough. I’m also getting back into knitting again and would like to finish my big scarf in the next month or so. I’ve always wanted a Doctor Who scarf. I’ll have one soon.

Today's song:

Sunday Stealing with Steph

 I've got no idea who Steph is and I don't really care. But the questions aren't too bad, so I'll give them a go. 

Questions, as always have been set by Sunday Stealing. 

1) Are you the sort of person who can nap or sleep anywhere, any time?

No. I can't nap unless I'm horizontal, warm and quiet in a darkened room (or sick) and even then, I don't sleep well during the day or on planes. 

However, by the end of my stint going up to Darwin on a monthly basis with very anti-social flight times and a lot of red-eyes, I was getting better at sleeping on the planes. 

2) Have you ever walked in your sleep?

 No. 

3) Do you chat with your Uber/Lyft/taxi driver?

It depends on the driver. I've had some great chats with taxi and Uber drivers - then again, I also know when to shut up and keep my own company. It's very much dependent on the driver and the mood at the time. 

4) Do you remember what you did on Valentine's Day?

 No. Well, nothing. I went to see Wuthering Heights the night before and I did the Sunday Stealing questions on the day. It's a Hallmark holiday. 

5) How many laptops have you owned over your lifetime?

Far too many. I was an early adopter and I tend to replay my personal laptop every couple of years. Saying that, I bought an iPad this afternoon. I've not had an operational one of those for a while. 

6) How many countries have you visited?

 Okay, let me think about this:

1. New Zealand (I was there last weekend)
2. Indonesia (Bali)
3. Thailand
4. Malaysia
5. Singapore
6. India
7. Greece
8. Italy
9. Spain
10. The Netherlands
11. France
12. The United Kingdom (England / Scotland and Wales, but not Northern Ireland)
13. Ireland
14. The United States
15. Hong Kong
16. Vatican City (it is technically a country)
17. Germany (but only for a few hours on a train.)

You can also add Finland as I had a few hours of stopover there a few years ago. 

7) Did you/will you go to work today?

No, because it's 1) a Saturday and 2) I'm between jobs. I finished up my last job on Friday as I'm starting a new one on Wednesday. I'm looking forward to a few days off. 

Today's song:

Theatre Review: The Book of Mormon

 The Production: The Book of Mormon

The Theatre: The Princess Theatre, Spring Street, Melbourne. 

Booking until 19 July

Stars: 4

I always qualify my reviews of musicals with the words, "I'm not into musicals, but...".

I'm not into musicals, but The Book of Mormon is just how I like my musicals - high energy, irreverent, great fun and about 15 shades of wrong, which makes it so good. 

After seeing this around 10 years ago, I knew I could see this and be amazed by it all again, because it's not only the fine details which assist with the appreciation of this show, but it's the shock value that makes it so funny. 

It's a simple story. Elder Price (Sean Johnston) is just out of Mormon school ready to go on is mission. He's hoping to be sent to Florida. Elder Price is a good Mormon. Elder Cunningham (Nick Cox) is everything Elder Cunningham is not - a bit of a dud Mormon, who hasn't done the work. He's also prone to the odd fib. 

The two are sent off on their mission to deepest darkest Uganda, where The General (His other name is not suitable for work) is terrorising the villagers. 

The young men must proselytise and try to bring new members to the faith. Cunningham, somehow brings them around through some unconventional needs. 

I won't say much more about this so not to ruin it for first times. 

The singing and dancing are fantastic. The songs are irreverent - I loved "Spooky Mormon Hell Dream" and "Turn It Off" in particular. 

This is not for anybody who gets offended easily. There are some terribly off colour jokes in there and the crude humour isn't for everybody, but I really enjoyed this. I know I liked it more the last time I saw it as the shock value made the laughs louder. Still, this production is sound. And it still takes the absolute piss out of organised religion - but what more would you expect from the creators of South Park, who also created this wonder. 

Tickets are selling through until 19 July. Keep your eyes out for ticket deals - there appears to be some decent cheap tickets on the market.

I'm glad I saw it again, although I won't enjoy singing "Hasa Diga Ebowai" for the next few weeks. If you know you know. 

Today's song: 

The Other Bennet Sister

 After a quiet penultimate day at work meant that the ironing got done and I've got some knitting done and I have finally got to watch The Other Bennet Sister. 

As a lover of Pride and Prejudice, I've always been of the impression that Mary got a bit of a bad rap. 

This series, based on Janice Hadlow's book of the same name, is awesome. 

I relate to this Mary a little too well. Ella Bruccoleri, who play's Mary, is awesome. 

Short episodes, encompassing another side to Jane Austen's seminal work. 

Comes highly recommended. 

And because of this, I left the blog until late. 

But it was worth it. 

The Other Bennet Sister can be seen on Binge (which is having a cheap month sale at the moment). 

Today's Song: 

Last Days

 The last days of a job can be good, if you're lucky. Thankfully, my luck has come in. I'm at what's called the "Rats and Mice" stage of the job, finishing off the loose ends, doing some handovers, saying goodbye to the crew. I've really enjoyed this job. Great people, and I'm sad to be leaving them behind. But it's my last few days with the company, and this means I get to do things like get a lunch break and go out for coffee. 

Which is what I did today. 

For an hour. 

Unheard of. 

Regardless, I went out for coffee with an old colleague from way back when - back in the deepest darkest naughties when we worked in merchant banking. Back when the lunches went on for hours, the alcohol flowed and all of these behaviours. 25-years on it's been lovely to reconnect. It's funny how people don't change that much. We congratulated ourselves on doing well. We don't look our age. We're solvent. We're single, pretty much by choice (but also have you seen the dating pool out there - sheesh!)

It was lovely.

I'm not sure of the moral of this short blog, but it is nice to reconnect with people, just as it's good to get a bit of downtime. 

Two more days of this contract, then four days off, starting a new job next Wednesday. 

It's all good. 

Today's song:

New Zealand Observations

 I'm not going to write about how cute my cat is being. He's being hideously sooky after his little holiday at Blarney's place. Making it even more fun, he's decided it's cold enough to sleep with me again. I woke up this morning with him cuddled up next to me and Manky Mouse (his aptly named favourite toy) on my pillow. Thanks, mate. 

No, I'm going to provide a few of my observations about New Zealand. Not that I'm unaware of this place. I've been over "The Ditch", also known as the Tasman Sea, ten or twelve times - but mostly to the South Island. Geetangeli lives in Christchurch. I make a point of visiting. There's a difference between the North and South Islands

In saying this, New Zealand is not really a foreign country, even if it is classed as one thanks to the use of my passport. I mean, so much is familiar. The electricity sockets are the same. They drive on the same side of the road. The food is similar, if not the same, coming from, similar British roots. Yet, there are some differences that I saw, and rather liked from my short stay in Auckland. 

1) People seem to be universally nice

Sure, people are nice all over the world, but as Canadians are known as the nicer cousins to Americans, New Zealand seems to have similar relationship. People appear to be universally welcoming. Maybe a little quieter, but welcoming. I'd heard some things about people from Auckland - akin to how people from Melbourne view people from Sydney. It didn't make a difference. 

2) Walking through groups of people

Maybe it's a big city thing, but randos seem to walk right through groups of people. How rude? It was noticeable while walking down Queen Street. 

3) Their National Anthem is much, much nicer than ours

Have a listen to this. It's sung in both Maori and English, and it doesn't contain the word 'girt'. It goes to show that a National Anthem can be both stirring and lovely. 

The song of the day is the alternative national anthem. 

4) The incorporation of the Maori language around the country

Another great thing New Zealand does better than Australia. We're about 50 years behind them. I really like the way signs and words are in both languages. It gives a sense of belonging for all. 

And they've got some great words, like whanau (Friends and family), kia ora (g'day) and my favourite, whakeparu (toilet). It's great being a part of this. 

5) The food and coffee punch above their weight

Kiwis like their food and coffee and it's lovely to be a part of the culture. Saying this, a lot of my eating was done in the refectory of a Freemason's hall where and excellent CWA (Country Women's Institute) spread was provided. Asparagus rolls! I'm happy. 

6) Petrol prices are worse than here

And don't get me started on what they do with diesel cars and the extra tax they have to pay. If they had a scheme like this over here there would be civil war. 

7) Feijoas

They are everywhere. Wherever you go, there seemed to be a box of feijoas in a cardboard box in the lobby. They must be in season. I love the soda you used to be able to get. 

8) Whittaker's Chocolate

Have some spare New Zealand dollars at the airport. Spend it on Whittaker's chocolate. My favourite is Jelly Tip - Geetangeli always brings me some over when she's about. it's addictive. 

Okay, I best be off - the cat wants to go to bed. 

Today's song: 

Who are you and what have you done with Lucifer?

 I collected the lad tonight after the gym. 

When I walked into Blarney's place she told me I could find him in Lance's room. He's normally stationed at the back of the house in the spare room. When I dropped him off, I left him in the spare room. 

"What happened?" I had to ask. 

Blarney smiled. "I went down to play with him and he got out. He doesn't know what outside is, but he ran into Lance's room, and he's been sitting in the cupboard ever since."

"He'd like that."

See, I know Lucifer hates staying with Blarney, but I know he's fed, watered, uses the litter box and plays a lot at night - for a few days, he'll cope. And he's got a cupboard to sit in - he feels safe. All is well.

Tonight, I collected him from the cupboard, put him in his carry cage, had a cup of tea with Blarney with him sitting next to me (in his box) on the couch, with Blarney's two cats, Rey Rey and Kylo sitting with her. 

There was no hissing or spitting. Everybody was relaxed. 

I took him home a bit later. He's great in the car.

We got home I let him out. 

And he hasn't shut up since!

Lucifer is normally a quiet boy. Nope, he's chatting away like a dinner lady in a canteen. He can't leave his scratching post alone. He's being smoochy? 

Here I was thinking I'd be getting the cold shoulder for a few days. 

I think he's pleased to be home.

Today's song: