My niece Katelyn was 21 last weekend (congratulations Kate!) and another niece, Michelle, is getting married
next month at the Gold Coast, beside the beach. Time is galloping along at a frightening pace. I don't think my age has much to do with it, even younger folk complain of 'this' and 'that' coming around again very quickly. Whatever the reason, I must be having loads of fun for it to be going so quickly, but it doesn't always feel like fun.
next month at the Gold Coast, beside the beach. Time is galloping along at a frightening pace. I don't think my age has much to do with it, even younger folk complain of 'this' and 'that' coming around again very quickly. Whatever the reason, I must be having loads of fun for it to be going so quickly, but it doesn't always feel like fun.
Rene and I have been very busy with our respective work. He has been slaving away to be ready for the opening this Saturday, and everything appears to be coming together well. The house is looking more settled, and last Friday a friend of ours helped us move our pot plants from the south side of Brisbane back across the river to Nundah. A big 'thank you' to Kay for minding them for so many months, another to Steve for the transport. A couple of plants in the living room, a lot in the garden and across the rear terrace and already the lack of a planted garden is less obvious.
The garden is going to be a major job, even though it is small. The ground is compacted 'fill' with a sold clay component and rocks galore. It'll need a truck load or more of good soil and some judicious selection of plants to make it look good, but there's no rush. I got the first two 'easy' garden beds planted out this week, but it's a slow process. It'll look OK for the opening.
Speaking of the opening, at 3:40pm yesterday (Saturday) friends of ours arrived beautifully dressed ready for the opening a week early. They arrived in time to not miss the 'welcome to country' ceremony, but they suspected all was not well when the street was comparatively light on for parked cars. Well, Polly, Kit and Chris joined us for a laugh, a chat, a walk around the park and suburb, drinks back on the deck then dinner at a favourite Asian restaurant of ours in Clayfield. We had a super time, really great, so good that we're going to do it all over again next week.
Work has been full on but interesting. This week I'm going with a fellow ESL teacher and good friend Torquil out to Ipswich to a seminar entitled - "Decision Making: Ethics in a Delicate World". Should be interesting, and counts towards our religious study component of registration to teach in Catholic schools. The things one has to do...
This week at the house we have the next chapter in the saga of getting the air conditioning working quietly enough not to be audible much at all. This is attempt #3. Also on Tuesday we have the insect screens for upstairs and security screens for downstairs windows arriving. They'll also install the powder coated aluminium privacy screens on the sides of the deck. Thursday sees a solartube skylight installed in the kitchen area to just lift the early morning light levels in that part of the room.
The Beijing Olympics conclude tonight, and I'm looking forward to the spectacular closing ceremony. I wonder what London contributes to the closing? It usually is brilliant from the next host country. Hasn't GB done exceptionally well? I've been very impressed indeed. Mind you, apart from the media here in Oz, Australians generally are very proud of our team's efforts over there in China too. Haven't our women produced some brilliant results? Rene and I haven't seen all that much of the Games, but we did come in from an exhibition opening in the City last Thursday night and we got into bed and turned on the telly to find The Netherlands playing USA in the final of women's water polo. Now, mind you, I don't normally care about this stuff, but because it was Holland we watched...and it ebbed and flowed quite a bit, it actually was quite exciting. The final result was gold to The Netherlands - adding to that country's more than impressive medal count. Last night Australia got gold in the 10m men's diving, the only diving gold medal that didn't go to China. I've enjoyed all the unexpected medals and the incredible reactions of the winners. When a silver medal is regarded as unexpected and unbelievable, it's a joy to behold the faces of these tenacious athletes. Yes, I like the Olympics, but if they were never to happen again I don't think I'd lose any sleep. I'm not totally ambivalent, just a little over it.
Hey, you'd never guess? 3013 people had viewed this blog as of this afternoon. Yes, the 3000 turned over without my even noticing it. I made a fuss not that long ago with 2000, this one has come quicker and without fanfare. Thank you so much for contributing to that total. I like sharing; I hope you enjoy the brief look into my world. Until next time...
PS I forgot George! He is the carpet snake that invaded the territory in Holland Park where Polly, Kit and Chris live. He was more than 2.5m long, much more, and was taken away yesterday after the snake catcher eventually 'bagged' him. Now I know they are of no danger to humans, but I just don't like any snake of any persuasion. 'Bye George!
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