Well the first week of "gardening leave" is nearly done, and what a week!!
Pretty full on with everything that needs to be done before leaving. So much to do, so little time - hate to admit it, but damn, I'm happy to have this time off!!
It's been a case of biting off more than I can chew each day and then just chewing like a madman in an attempt to get through it all…
The weekend saw the folks visit to assist with sorting through everything, cleaning, putting stuff on ebay and taking stuff back to Adelaide. Sunday night finished at the Dickens for Spurs v Man U, only to see two penalties for the good guys turned down in time for the mancs to get a goal for themselves in the later stages… typical!!
Monday was a morning of planning and sorting, before an afternoon and evening of wine tasting with Charity at 'Wines to Dine For' - a wine industry expo. Some excellent wines available!!
Tuesday began a little more subdued, although a very pleasant run along the bay in the early morning sunshine with all the dog walkers, runners, and pram pushers. Reckon I'll miss this in London, although I'm sure I can make up for it on weekends in Spain, France or Italy!!
The day continued with a solid team effort at Charity's storage shed going through everything to place on ebay for her - pretty amazing what you can stuff into one of those storage places!!
Wednesday was a very full-on day for myself, attempting to get everything needed to be done in the city as I could. Including getting a parking ticket!! But all up I managed to run myself ragged all over the CBD to get 15 of 17 tasks done.
Thursday was a little of the same, but a bit more through the 'burbs this time, including locking the keys in the car when I picked up my tickets from Flight Centre. Cheers to RACV!! At least this morning's run in the sunrise with a few of the rabbits along Kororoit Creek was a great way to start the day!! Ahh, this not working business is pretty good!!
Well, tomorrow will be a bit more of city running about, but only to sort about 5 or 6 things out in the afternoon before Mark n Jen and Mike n Roy arrive from Sydney and Adelaide for the weekend!!
But for now, it's back to ebay…
Last count, there's 104 items on ebay for sale, with 91 sold in the last 60 days alone.
All Good!
Thursday, 30 August 2007
Friday, 24 August 2007
End of An Era
Well there goes 12+ years of working for CU, CGU (IAG). All done n dusted. Only in true 'me' style I still have to go back next week because I forgot to bring in the mobile phone charger for the work phone!!
A pleasant day all up - finished off the last of the required tasks and pretty much cruised on from there. Indian restaurant lunch on the company, which was good - not that I was expecting a watch of any sort! (really, I wasn't!).
Ended up with over 50 something emails to respond to from well-wishers throughout the afternoon, which gave me a pretty good feeling - so thanks to all of you who did!!
I'd probably feel more excited or enjoy the day more, but I have so much that is yet to be done before leaving Melbourne, that it's a little distracting. No matter. Keep moving forward and into the future...
A pleasant day all up - finished off the last of the required tasks and pretty much cruised on from there. Indian restaurant lunch on the company, which was good - not that I was expecting a watch of any sort! (really, I wasn't!).
Ended up with over 50 something emails to respond to from well-wishers throughout the afternoon, which gave me a pretty good feeling - so thanks to all of you who did!!
I'd probably feel more excited or enjoy the day more, but I have so much that is yet to be done before leaving Melbourne, that it's a little distracting. No matter. Keep moving forward and into the future...
Thursday, 23 August 2007
Footprints from a Train
While neither of you will read this, Thank you Tien and Jess for your conversaions on the train both this morning to work and tonight on the way home.
Both were unexpected and very pleasant!
Jess, our discussion on the works of Raymond Feist was a revelation. Never have I known someone with such a passion for one of my favourite authors! Regardless of how brief our meeting and chat were, it was most refreshing!
I could go on about "paths being crossed" and "meanings left by such meetings", but I won't'. Suffice to say, I will just leave it as knowing that my last ever commute to work by train in Australia for some time will be marked by two memorable chats with strangers...
Tuesday, 21 August 2007
Resignation
So that's it. One resignation put in today - 4 weeks notice to both abide by company rules and allow management time to find a replacement so as not to hurt my team too much. All good. Well, so I thought...
Come the afternoon, and I get told that "it would be in the best interests of all involved" if I finished up this friday instead - with pay in lieu. Go Figure! The wiley ways of senior middle management I suppose... Not all that keen on the idea of leaving my teamate stranded by himself for several weeks, but I'll take 3 weeks paid leave that won't affect my current leave level (and hence payout amount!).
All this means that my "Final Day" night out that was supposed to be on the 14th of September will no longer be my final day at work... oh well, 'dems da breaks' I guess. Should still be a top night though, so if you're in the area...
Come the afternoon, and I get told that "it would be in the best interests of all involved" if I finished up this friday instead - with pay in lieu. Go Figure! The wiley ways of senior middle management I suppose... Not all that keen on the idea of leaving my teamate stranded by himself for several weeks, but I'll take 3 weeks paid leave that won't affect my current leave level (and hence payout amount!).
All this means that my "Final Day" night out that was supposed to be on the 14th of September will no longer be my final day at work... oh well, 'dems da breaks' I guess. Should still be a top night though, so if you're in the area...
Tuesday, 14 August 2007
The Cure
Sunday night saw my first Cure concert at Rod Laver Arena, and I really don't know why I've never been to see them before! So good of B to get the tickets! Thanks mate!!
Truely Brilliant!!
Fantastic light show, and Robert Smith's voice was astoundingly clear, with none of that usual let-down from listening to CD's to hearing a singer live. His voice was no different!
After a small debarcle with our seats - thanks to two nitwits who were in the wrong row, we were ready. Then for over 3hours, B and I watched, danced and sang along to so many well known and favourite songs, as well as to some that we'd not heard for ages, or couldn't recognise at all (still liked them though!).
I still find it pretty incredible that they could perform continuously for just over 3hours and yet not include 'Love Cats' in the playlist!! We were expecting them to finish the show with it, as it's pretty much the song we all learned about the Cure from, but they chose to finish the show with "10.15 on a Saturday Night" and "Killing an Arab". I'd take a guess that this was more of a stand considering there's been talk that this last song was to be banned...
If I see anything about The Cure playing somewhere when I'm in London or the UK, I will now be heading along to see them again. Well worth the silly money for the ticket!!
On a side note, there was one incident that was worthy of mention, and no, it had nothing to do with how great it was to hear 'Lovesong' live! We were seated in the stands to the side of the show with a view of the General Admission section down in front of the stage. As most of you are aware, there's the usual 'crush' at the front while the crowd tends to spread out more towards the back of this section. Amongst this rear section was one girl, who epitomised the saying "Dance like no one is watching". She was brilliant! Just happily doing her own thing. Certainly something to see amongst a sea of people hardly moving in this back area. She may have been on something, but who cares, as I'd rather not ruin the perception. Good on her!
Truely Brilliant!!
Fantastic light show, and Robert Smith's voice was astoundingly clear, with none of that usual let-down from listening to CD's to hearing a singer live. His voice was no different!
After a small debarcle with our seats - thanks to two nitwits who were in the wrong row, we were ready. Then for over 3hours, B and I watched, danced and sang along to so many well known and favourite songs, as well as to some that we'd not heard for ages, or couldn't recognise at all (still liked them though!).
I still find it pretty incredible that they could perform continuously for just over 3hours and yet not include 'Love Cats' in the playlist!! We were expecting them to finish the show with it, as it's pretty much the song we all learned about the Cure from, but they chose to finish the show with "10.15 on a Saturday Night" and "Killing an Arab". I'd take a guess that this was more of a stand considering there's been talk that this last song was to be banned...
If I see anything about The Cure playing somewhere when I'm in London or the UK, I will now be heading along to see them again. Well worth the silly money for the ticket!!
On a side note, there was one incident that was worthy of mention, and no, it had nothing to do with how great it was to hear 'Lovesong' live! We were seated in the stands to the side of the show with a view of the General Admission section down in front of the stage. As most of you are aware, there's the usual 'crush' at the front while the crowd tends to spread out more towards the back of this section. Amongst this rear section was one girl, who epitomised the saying "Dance like no one is watching". She was brilliant! Just happily doing her own thing. Certainly something to see amongst a sea of people hardly moving in this back area. She may have been on something, but who cares, as I'd rather not ruin the perception. Good on her!
Saturday, 11 August 2007
Something about Saturday Mornings
There must be something about Saturday mornings and riding. I haven't been out on either of the bikes for over a month now thanks to colds n other things (like late nights drinking, or crap weather). Yet this saturday morning I decided to just ride, regardless of the weather.
Got up looked out the bathroom window towards the city and Beach rd to see gray clouds but no rain - Excellent!! Only something happened between that sight and making it to the front door fully kitted to go, as I was greeted by a light drizzle. "oh, that's not too bad" went through my head. Good old 'famous last thoughts'!!
I hadn't made the end of my street and it started raining properly. So despite my lack of fitness I continued to make my way to Beach rd in the rain. I need to gain my fitness back, and I was already wet, so what difference would it make to continue or not...
Eventually after a brief stint on Beach rd, things did clear up a bit, and having a tailwind the whole way helped too (although, not on the way back home!!!). On topic of things that helped, so was a visit with Charity for breakfast. Originally, we'd intended to go to a cafe, but the weather and my state of being a drowned rat curtailed that idea, and we made do from the fridge. Excellent stuff!
It was then just the return journey home, with said headwind and 20kms+ of feeling like you're getting nowhere fast despite the increased effort. At least the rain had stopped...
Got up looked out the bathroom window towards the city and Beach rd to see gray clouds but no rain - Excellent!! Only something happened between that sight and making it to the front door fully kitted to go, as I was greeted by a light drizzle. "oh, that's not too bad" went through my head. Good old 'famous last thoughts'!!
I hadn't made the end of my street and it started raining properly. So despite my lack of fitness I continued to make my way to Beach rd in the rain. I need to gain my fitness back, and I was already wet, so what difference would it make to continue or not...
Eventually after a brief stint on Beach rd, things did clear up a bit, and having a tailwind the whole way helped too (although, not on the way back home!!!). On topic of things that helped, so was a visit with Charity for breakfast. Originally, we'd intended to go to a cafe, but the weather and my state of being a drowned rat curtailed that idea, and we made do from the fridge. Excellent stuff!
It was then just the return journey home, with said headwind and 20kms+ of feeling like you're getting nowhere fast despite the increased effort. At least the rain had stopped...
Monday, 6 August 2007
Farewell Sydney!
And that marks my last weekend in Sydney for some time.
Friday - at the Porterhouse in Surrey Hills with the "Yid"-ney Boys of OzSpurs. Start the day off with a couple of pints and lunch with 'No Prawns', Tommy and the Villian Brother (yeah, Mark). Continue throughout the afternoon and into the evening with Paul, North's, Paxton, Fozz, WM, Col, Ridspur, Moller and Co. All up a top afternoon and evening, not that any of us expected someone to end up asleep at the end of their bus route!! I can also recommend against drunken sms text messaging, as I discovered the next morning...
Saturday - recovery and just hang out with Mark n Jen. Quiet night in, beers, jam donuts and kick-arse pizza! Couldn't tell you what the movie we watched was - doesn't matter really.
Sunday - Brunch with the only other relatives I have in Sydney - Fraser, Tine and my "little cousin" Klaer. Nice brunch, good catch up and with just that little extra something that only a 4 year old can give you. Thank you for my card and the pictures Klaer. I will miss watching you grow, little one. (even if I will see you soon in Denmark!)
Back to Canada Bay for a cruisey afteroon with Jen n Mark to finish off a top little weekend before flying home.
Thank You Sydney.
Friday - at the Porterhouse in Surrey Hills with the "Yid"-ney Boys of OzSpurs. Start the day off with a couple of pints and lunch with 'No Prawns', Tommy and the Villian Brother (yeah, Mark). Continue throughout the afternoon and into the evening with Paul, North's, Paxton, Fozz, WM, Col, Ridspur, Moller and Co. All up a top afternoon and evening, not that any of us expected someone to end up asleep at the end of their bus route!! I can also recommend against drunken sms text messaging, as I discovered the next morning...
Saturday - recovery and just hang out with Mark n Jen. Quiet night in, beers, jam donuts and kick-arse pizza! Couldn't tell you what the movie we watched was - doesn't matter really.
Sunday - Brunch with the only other relatives I have in Sydney - Fraser, Tine and my "little cousin" Klaer. Nice brunch, good catch up and with just that little extra something that only a 4 year old can give you. Thank you for my card and the pictures Klaer. I will miss watching you grow, little one. (even if I will see you soon in Denmark!)
Back to Canada Bay for a cruisey afteroon with Jen n Mark to finish off a top little weekend before flying home.
Thank You Sydney.
Sunday, 5 August 2007
Holy Cow! Victorians can make wine!!
As you can imagine, growing up in Adelaide, nestled between the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale wine regions, you tend to be rather biased towards these two world class wine making regions. Couple that with the usual bias against most things Victorian, and you'll have a fairly good idea of my opinion of Victorian wines.
Wednesday night however, has opened my eyes. At her suggestion, Charity and I attended a wine tasting in the Atrium of Fed Square. Points to her for even knowing that it was on! Anyway, there were dozens of wines from vineyards and wine regions throughout Victoria. And it is with some humble pie that I have to say that there were some very nice wines on offer!!
Although it might have been nice if we could got our deposit back on our wine glasses, but them's the breaks for trying a few extras after the place was closed!
So, whilst I may still be biased towards, and love the South Austrailan reds, I'll now keep an eye out for some of the local ones on offer - even if that is only for about 6weeks.
Now if I could just find my glasses...
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