Burra - a hole one day, not so bad the next

This weekend it was time for me to revisit Burra, a place I'd labelled a hole after my last trip there involved a boring drive, shocking hayfever which developed into a flu, and backing my car into the only pole in all of Burra. I was determined this time around to enjoy myself, and returned to Burra armed with all the hayfever drugs a human being could take in one sitting.

I left on Friday shortly after work, and popped into Mum and Dad's on the way as they did my camping food shopping for me. There was enough food to feed an entire family for a week I think, but I took it all with me anyway. This time I went a different way and not only was the drive shorter but it was also a bit more scenic. This time the group had a Threatened Species Grant so we managed to book some caravans with the money, so it was more of a holiday then the camping trips I've become used to. I got there with about half hour of sunlight left and discovered everyone was across at the pub getting dinner. I'd already eaten but thought I'd go across there anyway and have a drink with them. On the way there, there was this big commotion at the Town Hall, very unusual to get more than 10 people in the one spot at Burra I think. It seems the local high school were having their formal and the entire town had come out to see the kids arrive at the hall. It was all very exciting. So I got to the pub, chatted and had a couple of drinks, and then the night was called to an end pretty early, with us retreating to our caravans at about 10pm. Doreen was the girl I was sharing my caravan with and she was really nice, so that was good. Ofcourse, the town hall was just across the creek so we were kept awake by the DJ for a while, but it wasn't too bad.

The next morning we got up and got ready and a few more people had joined us. At 8:30am we all hopped in cars and went to begin our Pygmy Bluetongue search. I love going to these things because I always get to meet new people, and so I hopped a ride with Chris so we could chat a bit. I'm on the committee with most of these people and don't even know them, so on these trips that's what I try and do. Anyways, we searched at various locations for 10 hours with no luck. 10 hours without a toilet sucks, and usually when you go camping a girl can find some alone time to take a squat behind some trees or something but this was Burra - grasslands as far as the eye can see with the ability of seeing anyone within, well, some distance. Anyway, that was my only real dilemma, but by the last hour my hayfever tablet had worn off and I was starting to get pretty bad, but thankfully not as bad as last time in Burra.

And I think my fear of spiders, while still present, fades somewhat when I'm put into situations where if I don't do something about them myself, no one else will help me. After our last site we were driving and I noticed a spider on my knee - it wasn't a big one but wasn't small either and had a fair sized body. Without even thinking, I slapped it into oblivion then flicked it off my knee, all casual-like. That is so not me. Perhaps I've improved, yay!

That night Zoe joined us in the caravan, I don't know how I feel about her. She can seem nice and then she'll make some curt remark, but I've learned not to bother with those people too much so I just acted normal around her. Except to bitch about it in this brief sentence, hahaha, guess it did bother me a little.

Anyway, better go, glad to be back. But yeah, Burra's not so bad, in the end.

SuperSammo

I've decided (perhaps the decision was forced upon me, I can't remember) to write a little something about each of the people I've met in the Cogs gaming community and have gotten to know a bit. So I might do a couple a day, or just whatever I feel like at the time, and so this entry will be about SuperSammo.

He's like my best Cogs friend, even though that does sound really lame. I think it's because we both have such a wierd sense of humour that we can just be silly and laugh. At the same time though, he is also very mature, and I often have to remind myself how young he is. He's someone I can have a serious conversation with as well as lots of laughs, and I think that's what's really cool about him. Ofcourse, living in Canberra, he's probably the coolest thing there, hehehe.

Aww damn, I made this one a bit soppy. But I can't say anything bad about Sammo. Oh wait, yes I can. Why must he always be the one to kill me in battlefield? Why??? Why can't he miss with that damned Bazooka every now and then? It has gotten so bad that I can't stand being on the opposite team anymore, and if I am, and I manage to kill him, I congratulate myself for about 5 minutes. It's just not right! Curse you, Sammo :P

Oh, and some time last night I had my 1000th visitor, w00t!!

Xy

Xy asked why I failed to mention him (her?) in my blog, so this brief update is so that I can mention Xy in all his (her?) glory.

Xy is a wicked battlefield player and a great guy (girl?) too. We've had lots of funny and meaningful discussions and I have nothing but good things to say about Xy, despite what he (she?) thought I was going to write. If Xy gets a job next year as planned and leaves the battlefield community, I'll be missing a friend. (insert violin music here).

Enough of an ego stroke Xy? :P

You rawk.

Good news Mark II

So, it was about 1pm at work when my mobile rang, and as soon as I saw the number I could tell it was a phone call from Berri, but nice and calm, I answered the phone. The polite "Hi, how are you?"s followed, and I tried to sound as relaxed as possible, knowing this call could have been the "we appreciate you coming in but unfortunately...." type of call I've gotten so many times before. And then he said the magic words - "We'd like to offer you a job". I was already sitting down but I still felt like I was gonna fall, my heart was pounding and a massive smile spread across my face. I forgot about trying to be all calm on the phone and let the guy know how happy I was. So, after 9 long years, I can finally hand in my notice at Bilo. I haven't yet done that, but I'll have done it by Friday, and I can't wait to do it.

So, this job is in Berri, around 3 hours away, so I'll have to move a lot of my stuff there and live between two places. My week-long rental at Berri, and my weekend place here in Adelaide. On the way home, after being all excited initially, I guess the shock started sinking in and I got really sad and emotional. All of a sudden, I just got so scared of what might happen, being all alone, etc etc. Bloody women and their emotions. Since then I have realised that, in terms of other positions I've interviewed for that were located in Canberra, Berri is probably ideal. Some time on my own might be just what I need to branch out and extend beyond my safe little bubble. Going to a place where I know no one will enable me to come out of my shell, to make new friends, to reflect on the things I already have and am grateful for, and perhaps appreciate life a bit more. All of the reasons I was so eager to find a job outside of Adelaide. And it's a double bonus, because it's inevitable that I will get homesick occasionally, and so being a simple drive away from home will make me feel better. I mean, I've gone camping on weekends further than what Berri is, so it'll be a breeze. And the time I spend with loved ones will probably be more quality time, because I'll cherish seeing them more. I think this is exactly what I need, and so I go into the New Year, for the first time in my life, with a sense of hope. Above all else, I hope for some clarity, to de-clutter the thoughts in my head. Who knows what this de-cluttering will mean, but at the end of the day, it'll be decisions I've made while having the time to reflect on them within myself, with no outside influences.

The more I think about it, the more excited I get. I think of the little things, like setting up my new place, buying new furniture, going for walks around a new neighbourhood. No doubt I'll be lonely at nights, but I intend to set up an internet connection (even though it will only be a 56k, not the high speed i'm used to) so that I can talk to people. My clan duties will have to be restricted to playing on weekends though, so I'll miss that, but the nuts and bolts of it is I'm extremely excited.

So this weekend I'm going camping at Burra - the place where I got really sick last time. So this trip has to be an improvement on the last. This time we're staying in caravans so it won't really be camping at all, rather a civilised holiday. And I'm going prepared with eyedrops, nasal spray and, well, an entire drugstore almost, to ward off the evil spirits that live in Burra. This time I'm leaving on Friday afternoon, leaving work a little earlier.

Anyway, best get going. Not that I have anything else to do, so I will resume sitting here staring blankly at the screen.

Good news

Well, the interview last week went better than I thought because I got the job!!!

I intended to write a lot more, but it's TV night tonight so will leave it for tomorrow :P

But yay!!!!!

RIP Jonathan Brandis

I just read this and I can't believe it, I am in total shock. I used to love this guy :(

Wow.

Past and Present

Yesterday Mum, Maria and I went to visit Michelle and the kids because Mum hasn't seen little Alisha yet. It was nice to see them and catch up again, and Mum was so happy, she commented on several occasions afterwards how well-behaved Jacob was and how Michelle is naturally a good mother. She really is. I don't know how she does it, but she just knows what to do, and I guess it stems from just loving her kids and spending time with them. I hope I'll be a good mum like that one day.

Afterwards we went shopping at Marion for my Union Christmas dinner which was on that night. I really didn't think we'd find anything that I looked ok in but good old mum always finds something, so I had my outfit set for the night. We had a quick lunch then I had to dash off for a facial. So, now, fastforwarding to the night.

I wasn't really looking forward to this dinner because this girl I used to work with at Modbury, Sarah, was going to be there, and last year we had a bit of a falling out. The details are kinda sketchy and hard to remember let alone tell someone else about, but basically, she was blatantly flirting with Ivan then when she found out I got upset by it basically accused Ivan of spreading stuff about her or something. Anyway, at the time I tried to sort it out but she never returned my phone calls so stuff her. So yeah, didn't really want to see her. But, we decided to go anyway because we very rarely go out and I do like getting all dressed up occasionally, as most girls do.

So anyway, the dinner was at the Adelaide Convention Centre which has stacks of different rooms, so in the foyer there about four different signs pointing people in the directions of their parties. And one of the signs pointed in the direction of the Salisbury East High School formal! I was so excited even though the kids graduating weren't even in Year 8 when I left that school, but it was still kinda freaky. And because there was so much going on, some people are idiots who can't read so there wre ushers directing people aswell. And, although Michelle is the only person that will know this name, Rebecca Walker was one of the ushers. I think it was just sheer coincidence that she works at the convention centre on the night her old high school are having their formal.

So anyway, we had some drinks in the foyer and played the "avoid Sarah" game. Thankfully Julie was there and she saved seats at her table for us. Apparently Sarah asked to sit with her and Julie told her she couldn't, because she was gonna sit with us. To which Sarah replied that I was the one with the problem, not her. Utter bullshit, I sent no nasty emails and I wasn't the one who didn't return the calls. Anyway, felt like I was actually in high school myself, was rather childish. As always happens when you go to such posh places, the food is not only in tiny portions but often disgusting. It was lucky Ivan and I planned ahead and ate a hearty meal before we left. The main course was pretty good but the rest sucked. After dinner we stayed and chatted for a bit and then pretty much left, although by this time it was already 10:30 or something. As we were walking through the foyer we noticed the Salisbury East kids were getting their photos taken, and even though I didn't know anyone, I just had to stay and watch for a while. They all looked so good, the boys never looked so handsome at my formal, I'm sure of it. I tried to look for teachers I might recognise but didn't even have any luck there.

So was an interesting night, glad it's over. Yeah, it's fun getting all dressed up, but I'd rather go to like a wedding or at least dinner where I know I'd have a decent meal with people I actually want to see. Today has been a lazy day, and I dread work tomorrow as usual. Nothing changes.

Portrait of a Lady

When I was younger and trying to impress the boys (it never worked, the message here is never try), I would try to avoid summer days where I'd have to wear shorts without having shaved my legs. For a time while I was still in my early teens my mum would forbid me from shaving my legs too often, but once I got a little older she could no longer stop me, and so there'd rarely be stubble on days when I wore shorts.

These days I no longer shave because my skin has gotten all sensitive and used to break out in rashes, so now I wax. But in between waxes, the hair gets fairly long and so I keep it hidden behind pants or long skirts. But lately we've had really hot days here, so wearing cooler clothes has been essential. And then I realised how my attitudes had changed over the years - I had stubble but didn't care. I still went out shopping and everything and didn't care. Does age do this to women? Because sometimes my mum really lets herself go and doesn't care, and I was always embarressed for her. Anyway, thought it was rather amusing so forgive me for my "different" blog entry today. Let's move on.

Tuesday was my interview and I underestimated how long it would take to get there so I arrived 10 minutes late. I thought "Well, you're screwed Mel, may aswell turn back and go home", but I guess it's something that happens often because they totally didn't care. First I did this computer exercise and it was really easy thank goodness - was just testing to see if you knew how to do formulas and charts in Excel. Then the interview - 3 completely different personalities. When they set up these interviewing panels, do they do it so the people have different personalities or different work backgrounds, because I'm starting to wonder. One guy just joked around a lot (and sometimes stared at my chest, how rude), the second guy was just a nice friendly guy, and the third guy was so straight-faced the entire time I couldn't read whether he liked my answers or wasn't even listening. Interesting combo. But yeah, the interview went ok, I hate when they ask you something, you answer it, and then they say "Is there anything ELSE that...." because you obviously haven't given them the answer they wanted to hear. That happened once or twice, but the rest of it went well I think. One good sign in my opinion was afterwards one of the guys showed me where my office would be and stuff. But yeah, am trying to just stay centred and not think anything positive because chances are I won't get the friggin job so I don't want to be disappointed.

Apart from that I haven't been up to very much. You know what I've really missed when life got so busy? Reading. I never had time to read. Occasionally I could get through a book but my books have been piling up lately, being bought but not getting read. I guess one good thing has come out of working at Arkaba - the TV doesn't work so well in the staffroom so instead of spending lunchtime watching Jerry Springer, I now read. I've just finished The Hobbit and have just started reading the Diary of Anne Frank, and it's so good to read again! Yesterday I ordered a book online that you can't get here in Australia, Michelle will find this funny - it's written by Wil Wheaton, hahaha!

Anyways, have embarressed myself enough. Will people please comment again? I feel so unpopular (oh my god, I'm in high school again!).

Rush rush rush

I have to cook dinner before my Mammal Club meeting tonight so I haven't got heaps of time but wanted to write. Firstly, Michelle, you were absolutely right in your guess on why exactly I got upset after reading that list of names - you got it in one. Perhaps if she was actually a nice person it wouldn't bug me so much, but never mind.

So, tomorrow is my interview, so I have to try and get an early night tonight. I think I'm as prepared as I can be, perhaps tonight I'll just read over a couple of things but aside from that there's not much more I can do. And after today at work, I am desperate for a change. The day was great until the last 5 minutes when Grant decided to have a go at me about us running out of change on the weekend. The problem was, I was sick early in the week and no one thought to order any change, so we had to wait until this Wednesday for our next delivery. So there wasn't even anything I could have done about it. But somehow, I was made to be the one in the wrong. And I guess the reason it pissed me off so much is because I like to think I do a good job in there - if we ever got audited I make sure everything is the way it should be, and instead of hearing positive things I get a bit of a blasting about something I shouldn't even be accountable for.

Aside from that today, things here have been pretty good. I had my last Grass Identification workshop on Saturday and then mum, Maria and I went to Harbourtown to do some shopping. Mum and Dad wanted to buy me some new clothes for Christmas so we bought a few things. Harbourtown here is tiny compared to the one in QLD, but they're still developing it so in time it'll get better I hope. I was hoping to find a nice dress for our christmas dinner this weekend but it didn't happen.

That night Darren, Christine and Alex came over, and while the guys played computer games Christine and I watched some old dvds. Was a pretty good night actually, and Sunday was recovery day. I love recovery days.

Anyway, had better get going. Tomorrow is gonna be hell.

Mundane title #63

Well, went back to work on Wednesday and as expected, was a real mess. Today I caught up on all the paperwork and so tomorrow I have to squeeze in everything else. The couple of days rest did me good but made me realise how much I love staying at home and not having to do anything, hehe. I'm feeling a lot better now, just a bit nasal but aside from that better.

So the last couple of days haven't been very exciting, I have just been getting back into the swing of things. I've been called up for a job interview next week, for a job I applied for back at the start of September I'd forgotten all about. The interview is all the way up at Berri though so most of the day will be spent driving there and back, but no matter. So this weekend I have to study up on the Water Resources Act and prepare myself for god knows what. I'm not going in with any confidence, been disappointed too many times, so am just gonna take things as they come. I'll still give 110% in the interview, just not gonna make a big deal of things yet.

Today I went to the old SchoolFriends website and read some stuff people have updated. Sorta made me sad. There was one update in particular by this guy who I only chatted to a little, but he'd basically gone through a list of people he'd recently run into. So, made me realise, not much has changed in my life, and I don't really keep in touch with people from high school anymore. The note for me would have read something like "Melinda - nothing's changed, she's just a bit fatter".

Yep, I'm in another one of those moods.

So, what happened?

I've done something that's a big no-no when you work in Admin at Bi-Lo and that's taking a Monday off. I am just so sick, which gives you a pretty big clue as to why my camping weekend was so crappy. Last night I went to bed at around 8:30 and had to get up at 5am to call them and let them know I wouldn't be in. Eventually fell back asleep and had the biggest sleep I've had in ages, about 10 hours in total. I really needed it.

So I suffer from hayfever on a regular basis, but was prepared for the trip away because I had some tablets I could take. So Saturday morning, I'm up, packed and ready to go, and take a tablet before I left. Was a beautiful morning, perfect weather for a drive. I stopped in at my parent's place on the way for some breakfast then arrived at Burra a couple of hours later.

The drive up there was really boring, that area has been drastically cleared for farming and there were hardly any trees or roadside vegetation. We were staying about 25Km south of Burra at Burra Creek Gorge which was quite nice. So I got there about 9:30 and everyone had already left to start their work for the day, so I set up my tent, read The Hobbit for a while, went for a little drive around the place and managed to reverse my car into a pole. Great start. I forgot to mention that almost as soon as I got out of the car my hayfever hit me something fierce, even though I had tried to prevent it from happening. From this point on for the next two days my nose was like a running tap.

They still weren't back at lunch time so I had some lunch then lay down for a while. I fell asleep but then awoke when I realised my tent had become like a sauna and I was burning up. Eventually they all got back around 3:30 and we headed out again to one last site before dark. It was about this time, digging pitfall lines and setting up traps that I got a mild case of heat exhaustion, but was ok when I sat in the shade and drank heaps of water.

That night we had a bit of a campfire and I took some Sudafed to try and get some sleep without my nose flowing all night. The next morning I woke up in a terrible state. My eyes had become extremely puffy and were bloodshot. I had also developed a cough and so realised this was more than just hayfever. But I felt bad for Katie who had all this work to do so headed out with them. We were half way through one site and I just couldn't do anymore, I felt so sick. All I wanted to do was come home. Usually I go on these trips and don't even think about home because I'm having such a good time, but this time it was all I could think about. Because I had to get a lift with someone who had a 4WD I had to wait until the work was done before I could get back to camp to pack up, so didn't get home until about 6pm. By this stage I was in quite a state, hence the early night last night. But the eyedrops and medication haven't seemed to help, and I have a doctor's appointment soon so I'd better get going.

But yep, work are gonna hate me. Especially considering I have a feeling my doc will give me tomorrow off too. Ahh stuff them, I've done my share of filling in for other sick people. Fight the power.

Worst. Weekend. Ever.

I am not feeling up to writing at the moment but wanted to let everyone know I got home ok, but had the crappiest time camping I've ever had, and hope never to repeat it.

Will fill y'all in when I am up to it.

Zzzzzzzzzzzz.

On the road again

Tomorrow I leave for Burra, just going for the weekend but thought I should update this before I go. I've never been to Burra before so I'm looking forward to it and the weather is set to be beautiful, yay!!

The other day I was talking to Squash, who is still in high school and was just listening and offering a bit of advice when he said something that shook me up a bit. "It's so good to get an adult's perspective". An adult. I have never been called an adult before, I mean I go to the movies and pay adult fares and all that but have never had anyone I actually know refer to me as an adult before. After the initial shock and heart failure, I realised it's not such a bad thing. Thinking back to what high school used to be like for me and hearing Squash go through some stuff I'm glad it's all over. I mean, yeah, those times were often fun and back then I didn't need to worry about things, and those days probably shaped me into the person I am today, but I'm so glad I'm over the whole awkwardness of it all. At the same time though, just because I am officially called an adult doesn't mean I'm suddenly wiser to the world. I still mess up, still do silly things, still take those chances that sometimes only young people take. Age is a state of mind, not a number, and I guess my own feelings show that.

So anyways, what have I been up to? Let me think. Yesterday I took a day off work and went to visit Michelle. Jacob and Alisha have just grown so fast and are so cute. Then after that went to see The Matrix Revolutions with Ben, my movie buddy. And, despite what some people said, I really liked it. Not gonna give away any spoilers but I really think people shouldn't listen to what other people say and go and see it and make their own minds up about it.

Aside from yesterday the week has been the same as usual, working, the odd conservation meeting, and now another busy weekend is here.

Anyway guys, hope you have a great weekend, will see you in a couple of days. I suppose I had better pack some things, too....

Happiness

On days like today when I've had little sleep and am feeling a little emotional, I like to think of the little things that make me happy. Thought I'd share some with you.

- rain, and the smell when it first hits the pavement
- my pot plants flowering
- lying in bed and hearing birds chirping outside
- spring days
- bushwalking
- a deep and meaningful chat
- hugs
- a good book
- getting dressed up
- romance
- offering advice
- seeing happy little kids

These are a few of my favourite things...

Weekends that fly

Yesterday was a really busy day so it flew by. Went and picked up Misch in the morning, got to Belair and dropped her off at her building and went on to the Native Grasses Workshop. We seem to keep having these on horrible cold days so we spend our time inside instead of outside actually looking for grasses. I almost fell asleep, and then it stopped raining for a bit so we went outside for about 10 minutes to look around. The last class is in a fortnight and I have to try and find some grasses at home to identify. All well and good when you live in the hills but I'm in the city and live in a flat. We have lawn out the front but that's it. One type of grass. So may have to plan my own little excursion or something. Anyway, after that we had a BBQ, and I was naughty. There was nothing vegetarian, so I ate a pork sausage. Sorry vegos :-/

So then after the BBQ we had a meeting and that finished a bit early so I went for a half hour walk before I went to collect Misch. At home when I go for walks there's like maybe 3 large Eucalypts to marvel over, but out there there are hundreds. I think maybe I wanna live in the bush.

After that went to visit mum and dad, and finally arrived home extremely tired at about 7:30pm. Michelle logged on again last night, it's like our friendship, even after all these years, has developed into an even closer one. I am so grateful and lucky to have friends like her.

I was hoping to sleep in today, got up at 10am but when you've gone to bed at 2am it's only the 8 hours you need really. Went for a walk, and now just having a veg session. Mum and dad are coming over later. Have a great week all.