Halloween Capers & Ikea

Hi!

Well. Am sorry for not checking in last week. I'm pretty sure it was a busy week and then it was, I'm pretty sure, a really busy weekend..... And this week was kinda the same. But busy with stuff, not fun busy.... well, ok some of it was fun, but not Adventure fun. Hmmm.

So yes, work. Yep. Is good. I really like my job and as the time passes I seem to be getting my head around it all a bit more. But I will take this opportunity to mention that a gal at work in my old department got busted for whining about work on her MySpace Blog. Yeah. I've never been so bad, but, will suffice to say, I love my job, the coworker with the nose out of joint is still out of joint, my boss is still away on vacation, back next week - which is when the nail biting really starts for me; am on tenterhooks as to whether or not I'll be extended in my current contract (ending 31st Dec). As a matter of fact (and not corporate bitching), he told our acting boss that he actually has no idea what I do most of the time and to keep an eye on me. Yeah. So when he gets back from 5 weeks of vacation, I have to hope that he's in a good enough mood to just extend my contract without thinking about it too much. He's been told by numerous people what I do but he seems to have a selective memory.

Ok. I think have just broken the Corporate Bitching via Internet Rules.

Don't care cos no one at work will find my random little outburst if they tried (she says semi-confidently).

So, fingers crossed I get extended. I did actually just apply for a job a level above mine in my old department. I had like 3 people (the folks I do most of my work for, ironically enough) push me into doing it. Am not really qualified, or if I am it's in the broadest of terms. We'll see. I had to turn my application in late and I had to ask the contact gal (who'd also be my boss, whom I kinda know from department's past) if I could turn in my application in late, no less. Not a good start. Nevertheless, she took it and is short-listing tomorrow, so we'll see what shakes down from that. My old boss, from said Department Past, kinda hinted to me when I was there that this gig might come up, so I sort of felt like I'd be letting him down if I didn't apply. So! We'll see what happens!!!? Otherwise, all's well, I got my big project from the printing house and have started distributing it, and so far everyone seems pretty happy with it. Good!

And then there were a couple weekends in there........ Last week, well, it's kind of, well, foggy. The one shining thing I do remember, no, two shining things, no, actually three shining things are, starting with Friday after work - I went with Bruce and his two 14 year old sons to the Manly Halloween Parade. They don't really do Halloween here, but more so than in NZ. It really is an American tradition (cool), but like it or lump it it's catching on here. So this neighborhood, Manly/Wynnum (about 1/2 hour, 45 minutes from the City on the train east towards the bay) throws a massive block party on Halloween, complete with booths (not many) and a big parade. Bless 'em for bothering. I have to say, I had the best time! Then Bruce and I and the 2 boys headed to another suburb for a friend of his' Halloween party. Eh. Not so good. But we all bobbed for apples (I don't think I did that even when I was a kid), and can I just say I got mine on the 3rd grab. Yeah! But we didn't stay long. Such a good night overall tho. His kids are way cool. Far cooler than I was or anyone else at the same age back in the 80's was. They're really funny and cluey (smart/quick/clever, as the locals say) and just interesting. It was neat to meet them and they apparently liked me! Cool!

And that Saturday was recovery and chores (sorta). Then that Sunday I went with Sarah to one of The Happiest Places on Earth - Ikea! I spent a small fortune, but on stuff I've been wanting. Need? Not so much, but want - yes. Bookshelves. And some bits. I love the place, I don't care what anyone says. If you think about it, you go into any other furniture store, the prices are pretty much the same if not more for the same particle-board crap. It's just the design and color that's different. And the fact that at Ikea, 9 times outta ten you have to put it together yourself, which keeps it cheap. Hmmm. And, too, with Ikea, you get what you pay for - like anywhere else. You want Oak, you pay for Oak, etc. That's my rationale and I'm stickin' to it! Anyways, later that evening was celebratory drinks with a bunch of firemen who'd passed their test to go from regular firefighter to station officer. Am a bit hazy on what a station officer does exactly, and I probably should know for my job, but how it works is the guys (and gals) who passed put $200 bucks + on the bar and everyone drinks to celebrate their new lofty status. I was invited to "network". Well, it was a good night, I did meet some new folks and caught up with some that I work with all the time. But out of work and in civilian clothes, with drinks in their hands, it's always far more interesting! But unfortunately that night went a bit longer than sensibility dictated. Thankfully I'd already scheduled to have the next day, Monday, off. So that next day I feebly put together my Ikea stuff and napped. Sad.

And then it was into another week. Went fast and uneventfully. Friday after work a little group of us went to dinner at the pub next to work. It was nice and ended early. Saturday was chores, in 90 degree heat with a million percent humidity. After I finished that it was off to Bruce's house in Wynnum (again!) for a BBQ with his family. It was fantastic. But I unfortunately stayed past my bus times and had to impose on their spare room. Then this morning it was up early and back into the City to meet with a small group of folks from work for brunch and a wander around the Riverside markets, followed by a glass of wine and a pedicure.

I swear, sometimes I write this stuff and can't believe it's me doing this stuff. 'Course, it's not like it's scaling Mt. Everest........

And now here I am! WHEW! Tho I must say, in my travels today, I did buy an awesome old-school blues cd by a guy from Melbourne - you'd never in a million years guess that he's A) White, B) Australian or C) Released this cd in March of this year. It's sooooooo good! C.W. Stoneking "Jungle Blues". If you're into that kinda music, I highly recommend it. Oh, and I did have five minutes to myself at some point during the week where I was able to watch "The Prestige". Man. It was fantastic. I haven't seen a movie like that in yeeeeaarrss. I highly recommend it if you're into 1800's magician themes.

So there you are! Busybusybusy! Hopefully this week will be quiet and low-budget. I hope you're all well up there. I'll apologize here and now, again and again, for being so rotten with writing emails. I guess because I write this once a week and am on the computer all day everyday at work..... nah, lame excuses all of them. Am sorry. Either way, hope you're all well up there and are planning your trip down here!!!!?

BYE!
J!