Reflections: the Story of Luke and Bel

Warning: Tragic long soppy love story ahead!!!



This weekend is my 4th anniversary with Luke.... well sort of. We actually "hooked up" on New Years Eve hehe, but this weekend is the anniversary of when we got together properly and had our first date.

After you've been with someone for four years, it's easy to forget the magical good times and just remember the here and now, but I like to use this time of year to remember our story. This year I'm sharing it with you too!

So, it was Christmastime 2005, my best mate had a new boyfriend, and I was going through a really weird phase in my life, so I took to hanging out at my best mate's boyfriend's house a bit. I've since found out that every group of boys has a "drop in house" and this was it. Anyway, there were a lot of summer BBQ's in their backyard, and all of his friends seemed to drop in a lot. One caught my eye. He had a wicked sense of humour, a cute smile, gorgeous eyelashes and sometimes he'd look at me when I was talking and he was listening and the look on his face was so intense that I. Would. Just. Die. A. Little.

On to New Year's Eve. There had been a lot of flirting up to that point, but there was something in the air that night. My best mate and another close girlfriend of mine decided to spend the night at my best mate's new boyfriend's mates house, because they were having a backyard party. Meh, why not, I thought. I didn't know Luke also lived there. Anyway, we made jelly vodka shots to take along. We walked in, I saw Luke and wow, my heart fluttered. I played it cool. After a billion jelly shots, I worked up the courage to ask my best mate's boyfriend if he thought Luke would mind if I kissed him. He laughed and gave me a funny look.

Another billion jelly shots, I decided I needed a glass of water. I walked into the kitchen, drank a glass of water, and someone snuck behind me and put their arms around me. Wow, what a warm hug that was. I turned around and we had our first kiss. Oh, it was good. So good. Then Luke told me that he had bought new bed sheets that day (???) would I like to see them? I blame the jelly shots. I will spare you the details, suffice to say that when we walked back out to the party, everyone gave us a big cheer. Hmmm. Now do you see why I can't get married to Luke? What do you think the best man's speech is going to be like?

So we counted down to 12am, I got another lovely kiss, and despite Luke's protest, I decided to go home for the night. Like I said, I was going through a weird phase in my life, I didn't need anything complicated.

So home I went.

The chase began.

Luke would call me, text me, all hours of the day and night. Oh he was obsessed. One day he just turned up at my house? That was a strange situation, he wouldn't sit still the whole time he was there. He would do weird things like call me at 11pm, tell me he has insomnia (which I now know is a COMPLETE lie - that boy is asleep before his head hits the pillow) would I like anything because he was going to the service station for some supplies? Yeah right. Was he kidding? So he could come over my house at 11pm at night? Huh, he must think I was an idiot. No thanks, good night.

NOBODY believes this part of my story about me and Luke. Pffft he didn't chase you Bel, c'mon now. He's not very expressive. But he did chase me, hard. Once on the phone, he told me that I was everything he wanted in a girlfriend. I didn't realise the significance at the time.

Three weeks later, I gave in, and agreed to let him take me out, but I was very clear that it was ONLY for a drink, NOT for dinner, because dinner is far too serious, and I wasn't into that.

On 24 January 2006, he walked up the driveway to my house, fidgeting in a nice white shirt (which I later found out was ironed by his female room mate hehe) and what smelt like an entire bottle of cologne. I got my jacket, we walked down to his car. "Where's your hilux?" "Oh I sold it, i need a van because I'm starting my own electrical business". Mmmhmm, I thought, so he's a dreamer.

We went to the Saint, for a drink. The whole time, he kept saying how hungry he was, was I sure that I didn't want dinner? No thanks, just the drink. The whole time, I remember being nervous, and fidgety. It was getting late, it was time for him to take me home, but as we walked back out to the car, this torrential summer storm started. Argh it was such heavy rain. I got soaked, my shirt went see-through, my jeans were all wet from the puddles. "Come and warm up back at my place, we can watch a movie, then I'll take you home". I felt bad for him, so I went.

His room mates went to bed as soon as we walked in the door. Strange, because it was about 8pm. We watched Shrek. He said it was his favourite movie. Mmmhmm I thought, he likes fantasy.

It finished just before 10pm, and he asked me to stay the night. I hesitated, for a long time. There was a fairly awkward silence. He leant over and whispered in my ear "it's okay, we don't have to... do anything, I just want to sleep next to you". How could I resist? Besides, he said, he was leaving for work at about 5.30am and he could drop me home then.

So into his bedroom we went. I refused to take my jeans off. or my shirt. I slept in my clothes alllll night. How uncomfortable. He offered me a pair of his boxers, but I didn't want them - then I'd have to take my jeans off in front of him and he'd see my sexy date underwear and I didn't want to give him any ideas. And yep, the bottoms of my jeans were STILL wet from the rain.

It was a long long night. Made even weirder by the fact that every time I turned over (uncomfortable in all my clothes), I'd look over at him and he was LOOKING at me. EVERY time. 5.30am came around before I knew it, and he dropped me home and went off to work.

I went inside my house and slept all day.

The next day, I went on a planned trip to Kalgoorlie for the Australia Day long weekend with my friends. A wonderful weekend, but Luke would call me, like EVERY hour. And ask me whether I had met any nice "boys" there. Uh huh, he's pretty keen, I thought.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, absence makes the heart grow fonder, I came back from Kalgoorlie and it was on. And very serious, right from the start. He fell for me, hook, line and sinker. At the beginning, he kept telling me "I could see you falling hard for me" and dammit he was right. Every now and then, he'll look at me with this very intense look and I'll think, yep, that's it, right there, that's what got me in the beginning, that's what get's me now.

Even though now is less conversations about the hopes and dreams for our lives, and more "Babe, can you PLEASE STOP LEAVING YOUR SOCK PILES ALL OVER THE HOUSE!!!". Although I think that's because now, the hopes and dreams for our lives are the intertwined =)

Deceiving Appearances

I was 21 years old. An adult, legally, but I was still naive in every sense of the word.

The notice came in the mail. "Summons to Jury Duty". How exciting, I thought. I was at uni, and working part time. I could have gotten out of it, being a student. My part time job was with the government, and they have an obligation to continue paying you when you serve Jury Duty. I was looking forward to analysing the structure of the court room, exposing myself to the element of danger in having a criminal look at you and know you're judging him. .

The date rolled around, and I woke up early that Monday, to catch the train into the city. The trains were late, as per usual, so I rushed from the train station in the city. It was winter, and the wind cut me through to the bone during the long walk to the Central Law Courts. I subjected myself to the security screening process, and took myself up to the Jury Room.

I don't know what I expected, but I certainly didn't expect 300 people in one large room. I was given my "number", and ceased to exist other than to be known as Juror Number 317. I'd brought a book with me, because I expected some waiting around, but found a spare seat near a TV and watched Kerri-Anne.

Half an hour later, the room sprang into action. Numbers were called, and groups trouped off to different court rooms. I was one of 25 people called to travel on a bus to Fremantle Court. "Wow, a trip" I thought.

We got on a bus, and the driver skillfully manipulated us around the busy mid morning city streets. We got to Fremantle, and I managed to fit in a smoke in between the walk from the bus to the building. It was still freezing, and the cigarette warmed me up. My group of 25 were lead into the court room, which was suprisingly modern. The defendent had his head down, shamefully, and looked like a bogan. 13 jurors numbers were chosen, myself not being one of them. We had to stay though, while the charges were read out, in case one of the jurors were challenged. "Grevious Bodily Harm". Boring. Finally we were off.

Back at the Central Law Courts, and my number was called out again. I was lead with another group, through a seemingly rabbits warren route to another court room. Again, my number wasn't called to be a juror, but the charge was read out. "Theft". Boring.

Back in the jury room, we were told we could go home. Could I come back on Wednesday? Sure, I'm able to serve on Wednesday.

Tuesday was back to work, and Wednesday I found myself on a cold, packed train again. On time and used to the process, I found myself in that large room. "Eh, they won't call me today, it'll be boring again" I thought. I'd forgotten my book this day, but remembered some snacks. An hour later, I was once again led through a rabbit's warren to a court room. The defendent was in his box, and was a clean cut, suited, kindly looking man in his 50s. "I bet it's fraud or something" I thought to myself. There were a pile of video tapes on the prosecutors desk, "I bet they have him on tape stealing from his company's safe"

My number was called. I was number 6, of 15 jurors, and the trial length was expected to be 5 days. Finally, some action. The charges were read out. "Mr X Z, To the charges of 11 counts of indecent exposure, 7 counts of sexual interference with a minor, and 5 counts of sexual penetration with a minor under the age of 12 of Miss Y Z, how do you plead?" "Not guilty".

My blood ran cold.

It was a monster, in a normal looking person's disguise.

There were so many counts of the different charges. He'd been doing something dodgy, with a little girl, someone that was relating to him in some way, someone that shared his last name, someone that trusted him. And some of the evidence was video tapes.

No, no, no, no, I can't do this, I can't listen to what this man has done, I don't want to know, I can't know.

When the voice of the defendent reverberated around the court room "Not guilty", there was a sob from the back of the court room, and I realised there were people, that looked too similar ot the defendent to not be related to one another.

The judge turned to look at the jurors. He peered at us, looking over his glasses, and said in a gentle voice, that the evidence in this case was of an extremely disturbing nature, and if any of us had experienced sexual trauma, we were to write our reasons on a piece of paper, and the judge will determine whether that person may be excused.

I've been very lucky, and could not be excused that way. Neither could anyone else in the jury box, it would seem.

Juror number 1 stood up and took the oath. Juror number 2 stood up and took the oath. Juror number 3 stood up to take the oath and as she opened her mouth, the defence lawyer looked at her and said "challenge". Juror number 3 left the stand. Jurors number 4 & 5 took the oath, and then it was my turn. I shakily, nervously rose to my feet, put my hand on the bible, and looked at the piece of paper that had what I was supposed to read out.

I looked over at the defence lawyer. Her head was down, she was writing something in a notepad. "Please look up, please please challenge me, please" I willed her, hoping she might be able to receive my message via ESP, hoping she would see the pleading in my eyes. She kept her head down.

I drew a big breath and opened my mouth to read my oath.

"Challenge"

My legs nearly buckled with relief as I left the jury box. I sat with the court officer, until they were ready to take us from the court room. Out of 15 jurors, 5 were challenged, we were all females under the age of 30. I guess the defence lawyer thought we would identify with the victim. She was right.

They had to reselect jurors, and a few of them were challenged, til there were 14 jurors, all unchallenged, all sworn in.

I got back to the jury room, and was discharged from jury duty.

I walked back to the train station, with the image of the kindly looking monster in my head. I chewed it over and over, why was I so disturbed. Then I figured it out - this was a man I would smile at if I saw him on the street. This was a man that I would make small talk to, if he was behind me in the queue at the grocery store. This is a man I would immediately put faith in, yet he had betrayed the trust of someone close to him.

Thus began my real adult life. Cynicism, and waryness began to rule my head. Every normal looking person, could be a monster underneath the disguise.

The Immune System from Hell

Judging from the title, I bet you're thinking that my immune system is really crap right? Well actually, after 2 years of working in a chemist, handling snotty grotty money from sick customers, I have a super duper immune system that handles everything.

Why is it from hell then? Because every time everyone else gets colds, they come down with a cold, are sick for a few days and get better. Me? I come down with the cold, struggle and fight it off for about 2 weeks and then that's it. So for a good 3 weeks I wake up with sore throat, phlegm everywhere and general lethargy and dead-on-my-feet tiredness. But it never gets bad enough for me to take some sick leave and rest myself better. Argh. And usually, I feel worse on weekends, when I've been working like a dog all week and am run down to the max.

It sucks.

Is there some sort of name for this ailment?

Conflicted

Once upon a time...

There were a group of boys that went to high school together. They were naughty boys, very disruptive in class and getting up to no good on the weekends. But they were all good at heart.

They all did the typical teenage boy thing, and started to experiment with drugs. The hardness of the drugs increased. Some of the boys in the group stopped at experimentation, others got more serious about it.

Those that were more serious about it eventually saw the light, one boy got into the career he always wanted, another boy got a job with drug testing, another got a serious girlfriend. They all got their second chances and everyone forgave them for their indiscretions and the boys built their lives up. In the end there was one boy left.

Along with the drugs came the crimes. There was the lying and stealing from friends to support the habit. There was the other general underworld that came with the drugs. But the boy kept it close to him, and tried not to let it rule his life. He tried to keep it away from his friends as much as possible, and was generally a nice guy to be around.

It all culminated for the one boy when he was away for work, and his new roommate cleaned his room for him and found evidence of the lying, the stealing and the underworld that he had kept so well hidden.

The police were called, the boy was arrested, and taken away. The boys friends and the boys family turned their backs. The boys friends that had been given their second chances were most judgemental of them all.

Can someone out there please please please tell me how I am supposed to feel about this? On one hand, the boy has done the wrong thing and should be punished for this. On the other hand, the boy has freely admitted that he needs help, and has taken steps to seek this help - but all his friends and family are still turning their backs.

Does everyone deserve their second chance?

Cuh-raziness with the in-laws

Last week, I led a campaign aimed at Luke, to go away for the Australia Day long weekend. I didn't want to just sit around at home, as per the long weekends over the past... well 2 years. However, with such late notice, there weren't many options available to us, so we decided that we wanted to go and stay at his Dad's beach shack up at Ledge Point - about an hour north of Perth, just outside Lancelin.

There was just one catch - his Dad and de facto and her daughter were going to be there. Hmmmm. There was a lot of umming and ahhing before Luke assured me it would be okay - we'd just go up for one night, and there was plenty we could do without them if we needed.

It wasn't that I don't like them - it's just that I think I've spent about 8 hours in total with them since I started my relationship with Luke - and it's always a bit awkward. I tried to view it as an opportunity to get to know them better, but deep deep down I had this funny feeling in my stomach - what if I do something dumb and they don't like me, what if this, what if that, what if the other. There's not a lot to do in Ledge - apart from the beach, fishing and the pub, that's it!

But I had nothing to worry about in the end - we had a lovely lovely time and everything was fine!

We were meant to get up there on the Saturday at 5pm, but Luke finished early (it was an anniversary miracle) and we managed to get up there by 4pm. We did a little exploring, then installed a ceiling fan in the main room for them - fun fun!

Then we played a little wii (tennis is always a good ice breaker) and we went to the pub for dinner - chinese buffet and a lot of wine loosened me up big time. Then it was home for a movie, I fell asleep on the couch from a little too many Oyster Bays and that was that!

The next morning I woke up at 6.30am raring to go (very unusual for me!) I sat outside in the glorious morning sunshine on a beach chair and read my book til the rest of the house started to stir. Everyone was up and we went to the beach at about 9am - I didnt swim, but I put my feet in and went exploring on the sand. Luke then gave me a tour of Ledge Point, which took all of about 2 seconds, and he pointed out places where his friends used to stay and told stories of the mischief he used to get up to as a kid when he would come on holidays with the family.

We got back to the house and Luke's dad was nearly finished cooking us Bacon and Eggs - bliss! After that was all done and cleaned, we went on a little trip to Lancelin, went to the lookout, the dunes, the pub and the bakery, then back to Ledge for some more relaxing in the sun. 4pm came around - when we were supposed to leave - but we were having such a great time that we stayed for dinner and BBQ was great! Then we left at about 6pm, and I spent the journey home with my eyes peeled for kangaroos while Luke fell asleep in the passenger seat watching the Simpsons in the car DVD player. Hmmm.

I had such a lovely time, and can't wait to go again. I can't believe I was worried for nothing about the in-laws!

Product Plug

I'm not one to usually plug too many products, but I've recently started using Al'Chemy hair products and Oh.My.God sooooo good.

I have been looking to change over for a while, and I had two important pre-requisites: 1. product must help me break my scalps apparent addiction to head and shoulders and 2. product must come in a pump pack for ease of use when fumbling around in the shower early in the mornings.

And so I found Al'Chemy in my local priceline. Now I'm not into organics and all that rubbish, I figure if harmful chemicals didn't affect my grandparents quality of life, I may as well save myself some stress wrinkles and just get whatever, but i don't know what they put in Al'Chemy but it's good! Apparently, they don't put anything in it at all! I think that's the point of organics, right?

My hair is glossy, healthy and (shock horror) my natural wave has made a reappearance! I feel like I'm doing a pantene ad, so I think I might stop now.

But to swiftly change the subject, I remember when I was in early high school, and I wanted my hair to be shiney so much that I once put one of Dad's beers in it. Oh it gets weirder - I remember also washing it in vinegar, and another time putting a whole, beaten up egg in it. I also once put lemon juice on my head and sat in the sun, cos apparently that lightens your hair - not. Hmmm, I was a confused kid! I'll stick to Shampoo and Conditioner now I'm growned up, I think!

Credit to purist.com for the image

Different Perspective

Luke and I are lucky enough to celebrate 3 years together on Saturday.

While discussing this with a friend the other day, she commented that we must be really special to have lasted 3 years.

I went away and thought about it - and I've come to the conclusion that we're not even a little bit special, and in fact, it's our total utter ordinariness (is that a word?) that has kept us together.

Luke and I haven't really had the fireworks - we started our relationship, and two weeks later, he started his business and spent a lot of time there. The first two weeks were amazing, there were butterflies in my stomach every day and every time I saw him my heart jumped into my throat and I thought "wow". But then his business started, and he worked 18 hour days, 6 days a week, so he was tired, and stressed and etc etc. Don't get me wrong - I still look at him and go "wow" and I still get butterflies, but everything changed in a major way, before I was ready for it to change.

BUT he made the effort to spend every night sleeping next to me, right from the beginning, no matter how tired he was. He made an effort to listen to me when I missed him and got angry. And when I was upset that he was working so hard and we were missing out on a normal relationship, he'd wait til I calmed down and he'd outline why he was working so hard - because he could see himself doing well, that he could see a future with me, and he wanted to do retire early and work hard now so he didn't have to work hard when he was ready to have kids.

In the same way, when he was dog tired and disheartened, I would wash his clothes, cook him a proper dinner and always make sure there was enough chocolate in the house to keep him going. I'd give him advice on his employees and business decisions, while I'm no expert, I'd like to think that my view from the outside helped. I would come with him when he had to work on Sundays and hand him screwdrivers on jobs, or do his filing in the office, and just be there so he wouldnt have to worry about me at home. After 6 months, I made Sundays a mandatory day off to spend together - some Sundays we just watch movies on the couch, but it really helped us grow.

When I tell people how Luke and I started out together, they often say that it must have been a hard time. It was hard, and sometimes I look at his friends and their girlfriends and think "why can't he be like them - they're so happy together, and they only have to work 9 to 5". But on the other hand, I think it strengthened us - we got through it, and I think we can get through just about anything. I dont think I'm so fabulous for sticking by him, and I don't think he's so great for taking a risk on a business - I think finding Luke was a blessing, and that you cant choose the timing of your blessings.

I think that love works when you have common goals you're both working towards, and you focus on the little ordinary things - sharing a meal together, catching each others eye when you're out and smiling, catching the other looking besottedly at you when you're driving in the car.

Well at least I hope so.

Another one of these things

1. What time did you get up this morning
6.58am
2. Diamonds or pearls?
Diamonds
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
Seven Pounds
4. What is your favorite TV show?
Law and Order: SVU, Home and Away, Australia's Next Top Model, All Saints...
5. What do you usually have for breakfast?
Toast with vegemite and avocado
6. What is your middle name?
Elizabeth Francesca
7. What food do you dislike?
Eggplant blech
8. What is your favorite CD at moment?
CD? Pfft are you kidding? I'm an ipod girl
9. What kind of car do you drive?
The barina
10. Favorite sandwich?
Meatball
11. What characteristic do you despise?
Self righteousness
12. Favorite item of clothing?
My pj's
13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?
Paris
14. Favorite brand of clothing?
Hmmm Tokito
15. Where would you retire to?
Somewhere near the beach
16. What was your most recent memorable birthday?
23rd (it sucked)
17. Favorite sport to watch?
Tennis
18. Furthest place you are sending this?
London
19. Person you expect to send it back first?
Surprise me
20. When is your birthday?
13 December
21. Are you a morning person or a night person?
night
22. What is your shoe size?
8.5
23. Pets?
none
24. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us?
my air con is getting installed soon!
25. What did you want to be when you were little?
a doctor
26. How are you today?
sleepy and i have a sore finger
27. What is your favorite candy?
Peanut M & M's
28. What is your favorite flower?
tulips
29. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to
26th January Australia Day Public Holiday
30. What is your favorite pastime?
Sleeping in on Sunday mornings
31. What are you listening to right now?
You Found Me by the Fray
32. What was the last thing you ate?
Red apple
33. Do you wish upon a star?
no i make my own fate
34. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
I'd be the brightest crayon in the box
35. How is the weather right now?
Sunny and warm but not stinking hot
36. The first person you spoke to on the phone today?
I haven't spoken to anyone on the phone yet, how awesome is that?
37. Favorite drink
Paul Conti Fronti
38. Favorite restaurant?
Balthazars
39. Real hair color?
I don't die my hair, it's brown, what you see is what you get!
40. What was your favorite toy as a child?
My books
41. Summer or winter?
Summer
42. Hugs or kisses?
Hugs
43. Chocolate or Vanilla?
Chocolate
44. Coffee or tea?
Coffee
45. Do you want your friends to email you back?
Of course
46. When was the last time you cried?
Umm on Sunday when I was watching Seven Pounds
47. What is under your bed?
Nothing it's an ensemble - too low
48. What did you do last night?
Watched the first ep of Home and Away for this year Wahoo
49. What are you afraid of ?
Being broke
50. Salty or sweet?
salty
51. How many keys on your key ring?
7
52. How many years at your current job?
1
53. Favorite day of the week?
Sunday
54. How many towns have you lived in?
Sydney, Carnarvon, Kalgoorlie, Perth
55. Do you make friends easily?
I think so!

One of Life's Only Sureties - Taxes

I was talking to somebody the other day and they had an interesting point of view on Australia's Tax System.

He said that the system doesn't make sense to him - if you do the right thing, and work very hard, the Government takes heaps of your money. If you do the wrong thing, the Government rewards you by giving you money for free (the dole).

In the same way, if you do the right thing, and work hard during your life, and put money into your superannuation, the Government won't care, and taxes you on it. If you do the wrong thing, and don't save for your future, the Government will reward you by providing a pension.

Food for thought huh?

Clumsiness

About a week ago at work, I was walking out to my car, and there were a bunch of people crowded around.

It turned out that one of our IT guys had fallen over the wire cable gate to our staff car park and was seriously injured.

Cristian is okay, he broke both (!!!) bones in his lower leg, and has had to have an operation, but work is being very understanding, and he's all health covered up. But he can't drive to work, and his wife doesn't have a license and they have a small child.

It made me think about all the terrible accidents I've had, and I've had many:.

• Dislocated my elbow joint. Elbow hung out of joint (causing excruciating pain) for about 8 hours in a Sydney hospital before they could operate on it. Did they knock me out when they were manipulating my joint back into place? No - they gave me a drug that gave me temporary amnesia, however, as I get older, I can remember more about this fantastic time, including a fat nurse sitting on my legs to stop me from trying to jump off the table and run away, and seeing my parents crying in the window to the observation room adjacent to the theatre.

• Swallowed a bobby pin. Another great time. Don't ask how I managed to swallow it, but apparently, as it can puncture the bowel, the bobby pin had to come out the same way it went in. I was knocked out for this operation, but they ripped the bobby pin back up sideways and scratched all down my oesophagus. I still can't eat very fast because of the scarring. The bobby pin in my stomach made for some very interesting xrays though.

• Ripped half of my big toe apart. At the Kalgoorlie town fair. Let's just say there was an incident with a dodgem car. My entire toe nail fell off and the nail bed was very damaged. Then the nurse put the wrong dressing on it and the wirey dressing had to be ripped off to where it had become embedded in the raw, tender skin underneath the nail. Took about a year to get back to normal.

• Broke my ankle. I was wearing high heels, and stepped down a 5cm high step at work and rolled my ankle. I had managed to convince my mother to let me drive to an adjoining town from Kalgoorlie (about 60km away) and stay there the night so I could attend a friends 18th (FREEDOM). So I was convinced my ankle was just sprained, I was fine, let me go already. My boss insisted on taking me to the hospital where it was revealed I'd broken the damn thing. No 18th for me. And as I'd recently got my P plates, even more painful was that there was no driving for me. And as I was doing a lot of house sitting at the time, I had to live back at home with the folks which meant complete and total freedom fail. Also, the hospital set the cast on my ankle wrong - so my foot was at an angle to my leg instead of 90degrees on. This meant it healed improperly. Now I'm like an old lady - my ankle can feel when there's rain coming. Also, as I was a contract worker, there wasn't even a workers comp payment for it - expensive medical bills meant having to go back to work the day after you've broken your ankle = super awesome times

And there's many more smaller ones. So there you go. I'm a clumsy clumsy girl. Touch wood the next few years are my non-clumsy years.

In the meantime, I'll keep hoping Cristian comes back to work so I can give him a big hug and tell him how much I hope his poor leg heals fast!

Recipe: Potato Salad

Ingredients:

550g potatoes
5 rashers bacon
3/4 cup of mayo
3 eggs, hard boiled and chopped into 8 pieces
3 spring onions, chopped
salt

1. Cut potatoes into four and boil until soft. Remove skin if you want.
2. Fry cut up bacon until browned and crispy (the trick is not to remove the rind)
3. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl
4. Serve! Will feed about 4 as a side dish

There is nothing I love more in summer than cooking up some steak and serving it with this. It's tasty, nice and easy

Quote of the Week: Kings of Leon

"You know that I could use somebody

Someone like you and all you know

and how you speak

Countless lovers under cover of the street"

9 Things I Like About Right Now (Homebody Themed)

1. Coming home from work during daylight savings and watering the vegie patch
2. Sitting on my favourite seat on the couch and catching up on my shows after I've done the chores on a Saturday
3. Cuddle times in the morning and then going back to sleep before my alarm goes off
4. Wearing my cleaning thongs and cleaning up a storm
5. The feeling of crisp dry washing that has dried in the sun
6. Watching a scary movie with the new sound system turned up high with the sub pumping - makes it so much scarier!
7. Cooking steak and salad for dinner
8. Wandering around Bunnings on a Sunday, looking at cupboard handles and taps
9. Waking up late on a Saturday morning, and the wind is blowing the bathroom door softly open and shut

New Years Resolutions

This year for my New Years Resolution, I vowed to try and stop judging others.

Now it is November, I guess its time to reflect on how I did. I can honestly say that I tried my best, and got halfway there. Which is an achievement for me!

It's a hard thing to do, when it has been part of your habits forever.

I have noticed other people judging, and then broadcasting their judgements very loudly. For me to notice it, I must have improved and been conscious of me not doing the same thing.

I have achieved a lot this year, but my new years resolution has been my largest achievement, and I'm very pleased with it.

Now: to next years new years resolution - I think I might work on my temper!

Proof that Perth Customer Service is crap-ola

Monday's experience at the dry-cleaner

As background, this happened on THIS Monday, which was the day before the Melbourne Cup.  It was 12.30pm, I was the only person in the dry cleaning store, and they didn't look particularly busy.

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Me: Hi, (big smile) I would like to have these 2 ball gowns dry cleaned please!

Dry-cleaning lady (DCL): (In frantic tone) When do you need it by!?!?!?

Me: Well, I guess as soon as possible, I was hoping to drop this black one back to my friend, she lent it to me to wear, so I'd like to get it back to her sometime this week.

DCL: WHAT YOUR FRIEND IS GOING TO MELBOURNE!?!?!?!?!?!

Me: What?  Huh?  No my friend isn't going to Melbourne!

DCL: WHEN IS SHE GOING TO MELBOURNE????

Me: NO she's NOT going to MELBOURNE

DCL: Oh okay. (crosses arms across chest).

Me: (Not really knowing what to do, in total shock, takes dresses out of bag, lays them out on counter)

DCL: (inspects dresses) okay LOVE well I'll put them through for you, usually it doesn't take as long as there doesn't seem to be any stains on them.

Me: (still in shock at the bizarreness) Uh okay

DCL: (Walks over to register/computer thing and starts tapping away) Okay DARL you'll need to present this receipt when you pick the dresses up.  Okay see you later

Me: Okay can you let me know how many days you think it will take?

DCL: A COUPLE OF DAYS LOVE I SAID A COUPLE OF DAYS OKAY?!?!?!?!?!

Me: Okay, sorry, I must not have heard you say that.  I guess I'll see you then.

DCL: OKAY BYE (Big audible sigh as I walk out of the shop)

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So uh I still don't really know WHY she treated me with pure hatred...And the dry cleaning was pretty expensive to boot.

In her defense, I guess she's probably underpaid and not fulfilling her life's dreams by working in a dry cleaning store, but I was so shocked that  I could hardly speak after leaving the store.

I just hope I get the dresses back and she didn't slash them to bits as soon as I left!

Quote of the Week: Leonardo Da Vinci

"When once you have tasted flight,

you will forever walk the earth

with your eyes turned skyward,

for there you have been, and there

you will always long to return"

Lobbying the Government to Oppose Internet Filters

I have a politics degree and my job is to lobby all three levels of government, so my contribution to opposing the internet filters is to provide you peoples of the internets with advice on the best way to get heard.

There's no point writing letters to Senator Conroy. He came up with the proposal, and most pollies are prepared for opposition to their ideas and largely ignore it.

There's also no point writing to your local member. Once the electorate votes them in, pollies tend to forget about you all.

I recommend you target an MP that is likely to take up your cause. In most cases, this is usually someone in the opposition party of the time.

Yesterday's Sydney Morning Herald had an interesting article on Family First's support of the internet filter which had the Opposition's position included: "The Opposition said it would take 'a lot of convincing' for it to support the mandatory filtering policy, so the Government would need the support of Senator Fielding as well as the Greens and Senator Nick Xenophon to pass the legislation"

Also, the Leader of the Opposition, Malcolm Turnbull, seems to be pretty technology savvy - he even has a Twitter account!

So my advice is this: Write a letter or email to Malcolm Turnbull.

Include the following in the letter or email:

• explain why YOU think the internet filter is a bad idea,
• ask for his support in representing people that enjoy freedom of choice on the internet
• say that you would like your name put down on any petitions against the filter
• make sure you sign off with your full name and current home address

Carbon copy in Minister Conroy, Senator Xenophon & Senator Bob Brown (Leader of the Australian Greens).

Contact details for all of these MP's are available on the Australian Parliament home page by clicking here.

Who knows - maybe we can make a difference?

Restaurant Review: Blue Water Grill

I have wanted to go to Blue Water Grill for as long as I've lived in Perth.

Someone told me about this restaurant, up on the hill in Applecross that used to be Heathcote psychiatric hospital, and it piqued my interest. I heard stories of bumps in the night, and other supernatural happening, but all that aside, I wanted to go and stand in the spot where so much history was created.

After pestering boyfriends and family members to go there for a few years, my work decided to have 2 planning days in 2 months in one of their function rooms.



The view did not disappoint, neither did the function facilities, but the menu did.

I think to market a high end restaurant to the people of Perth, it really needs to have a stand out menu, to keep people coming back on special occasions. There was limited choice of mains, with ONE seafood choice, ONE meat choice, ONE chicken choice. And while the staff were very attentive, and the food on the menu was good, I just think that for it's reputation and for the price, it could have been a little more creative. I shouldn't have been bored with the menu on my second visit there.

I did enjoy learning about the history - from memory, the Catholic Church owned the site and were going to make it into a school, but then ended up donating it to the State Government with the provision that the site not be subdivided and sold off for land. The State Government at the time were looking for a suitable site for a psychiatric hospital and hey presto! West Australian psycho's resided in a facility with one of the best views of Perth for a number of years before it was converted to a restaurant, and museum.

Maybe I just had high expectations for the menu, but I hope to go to the sister restaurant, Frasers in Kings Park for my next "special occasion". I hear the steaks are melt-in-your-mouth nom-nom!

I would recommend the Blue Water Grill if you haven't been there before - but I would only recommend going once!

credit to bluewatergrill.com.au for the image

Recipe: Green Bean Salad with Homemade Dressing

Ingredients:

4 leafs cos lettuce
1 punnet grape tomatoes
2 lebanese cucumbers
1 hass avocado
1 quarter red onion
handful of green beans
handful of snow peas
Olive oil
Balsamic vinegar
Seeded mustard
Minced garlic


1. wash and cut up lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, avocado and red onion. Put in a big serving bowl.

2. Cut the ends off the snow peas, then put them in boiling water for 15 seconds. Rinse in cold water until cool enough to touch. Cut into bite sized pieces and add to salad.

3. Cut the ends off the green beans. Put in boiling water for 3 minutes. Rinse in cold water until cool enough to touch and add to salad.

4. Put a generous teaspoon of seeded mustard, a generous teaspoon of minced garlic and about 1 and a half tablespoons of oil and 1 teaspoon of balsamic (vary according to taste)

5. Mix well and serve!


TIP: salad doesn't last because avocado goes brown overnight - but putting a bit of lemon juice in sometimes helps.

13 Things I Like About Right Now (Summer Themed)

1. Singing along to the part of Pearl Jam's song Alive where it goes "now I can't see, I just stare"


2. Not having to wear a jacket


3. Looking forward to a black tie ball at the end of November


4. Summer dresses


5. Not feeling like I'm drowning in paper at work


6. Looking forward to a little bit of time off between Christmas and New Years


7. My soon-to-be unit in Dianella


8. That little window of time in the morning where I wake up before my alarm and it's light outside and I can lie in bed and listen to the birds chirp.


9. My new favourite thing to make: green bean salad with homemade dressing


10. Being able to see my back fence due to the lawn being cut


11. Leaving the windows open on a Saturday afternoon and being able to smell a bbq in the neighbourhood


12. My newly painted pink toenails in open toed shoes


13. Luke scratching the inside of my arm.