I’ve often thought that when you can’t write an opening paragraph, there’s an easy way to deal with it: write a paragraph about how hard it is to write an opening paragraph! See? It’s so easy when it’s spellt out.

Then you only need to worry about the second paragraph.

I think I need a holiday, though … 4-day weeks are tough. I haven’t got the money, though, so any holiday I took would be spent doing nothing. And when you realize that, you figure that you may as well be at work.

Today I think I’ll have KFC for lunch, and it might be an early lunch. I just need to get out of the office, and there’s nowhere besides lunch to go to in stupid Moorooka.

Dad’s asked me around on Saturday to help him with another web project, so I might be able to get a haircut while I’m there. Woo, you going to be home Saturday?

My other plans center on sitting around watching Good Eats and Arrested Development on tele. Ah, weekends. How relaxing thou art.

Something’s wrong with my eye. I’ve spoken to Godfrey about it, and he’s diagnosed either water (via a good eye-cleaning) or failing that, antibiotics, or something called “bleph” from a chemist. Or, good old fashioned “waiting for it to get better”. It’s a bit gross. Truth be told, I thought a long while about whether to post a picture of my disgusting eye on my website, and then I realized that if people wanted to see it, they could do so by clicking this link:
Pink eye. Actually it doesn’t look so bad in the picture.

Everyone done shuddering? Good.

Blacky and I made roast vegies and lamb chops last night. It was ok, but frankly my roast vegies always turn out a little disappointing. Too much oil, and very little “crispiness” on the outside.

Couldn’t sleep last night, and ended up installing some web software for Woo. That’s teh kinda guy I am. Generous to a fault.

Can you believe that the weekend (another long one!) is just around the corner? We’re practically there already! Opera in the Vineyard is on, for those organized enough to get along. I wasn’t, unfortunately, so I’ll be staying home. Maybe I’ll go shopping. Or sit in the dark, pink-eyed-hunchback-of-notre-dame-style.

So the weekend in Adelaide was pretty great. For those that don’t know, I went down on Friday for the CEBS national council as a delegate. It was basically a normal “business” meeting, but with some other agenda issues as well. But it wasn’t all late nights and meetings, we got to The Whispering Wall of the Barossa dam (you can have people on either side and have whispering conversations with people more than 100m across the wall) and Jacob’s Creek winery, and some other sights of Adelaide.

On Sunday I got to catch up with Megan. Megan and I met in New Zealand back in 2000 on the Exchange program, and we became really good friends over there, and when we went home, geographical distances made catching up difficult, but, for the first time in over 5 years, we caught up just like old times. The amazing thing is, she hasn’t changed a bit!

So I got home last Sunday night, and Bryce was out with the car. He came bumbling down the stairs, a little under the influence, not knowing I was home, so I caught him at the bottom of the stairs and jumped out at him, bare-chested, tongue out, arms up, and a quiet scream. Shoulda seen him flinch! :teehee:

And the next morning, Jake arrived (from Rocky) with two mates from Yepoon. We were gonna go into Southbank to catch a flick, but being a public holiday, that didn’t come to fruition. We ended up dropping the mates off to see some of their friends here in Brisbane. It’s been just like old times though, and it’ll be a bit of a bummer when they leave, but, oh well.

We went rock climbing last night, and earlier in the week I’d put my neck out while rolling onto my side in bed. About 4 metres up, my neck had a spasm and I had to come down, which was a bit of a bummer, but it got worse because it causeda dam migraine. Was fun though for the short time I was on the wall
Gotta get Deano’s bike at some stage today too. Not sure how that’ll work though in the corolla… but I’ve made it work before.

I hope everyone was grateful that I shared my long weekend with you. I’ll do it again next week, too. That’s just the kind of guy I am. Generous to a fault.

It was a fun weekend, too. On Friday I made a realy quite good curry, using the spice blend I bought at the markets. This is the recipe I favour: in a large pot, toast some cashews, and then remove them from the heat. Add oil, ginger and garlic. Fry for a bit, before adding the spices to activate on the heat. Add meat (I used turkey which turned out pretty good) an two sliced onions. Brown. Add a tin of tomatos and a tin of coconut milk. Stir really well, add vegetables and turn down the heat to a simmer. While that’s going on, chop up a bunch of coriander and cook basmati rice. When the rice is done, and the meat in the curry cooked, you’re almost there. Throw the coriander and a handful of sultanas to the curry and stir, and stir the toasted cashews into the steamed rice. Serve together with indian pickle and sour cream. :drool:

Also what happened on Friday was the 24-fest. Very good, we watched 5 episodes. Bek got tipsy, which was funny. And then we called it a night.

Saturday I had cleaning up to do that morning, and then off to M&D’s for a family party for Bryce. Got to M&D’s early and bummed around watching Full Frontal repeats on Comedy Channel … there’s some seriously funny stuff there. Interestingly, anything with Shaun Micallef is still funny, anything with the very stupid woman who might be Gabby Millgate or who might be Julia Morris was incredibly stupid. All in all, fun to watch. Party wasn’t bad either.

Sunday people were coming over for Leyton’s party at my place. Bryce got there hella early, under perhaps the mistaken impression that the games would start early. With the Lions to compete with, this wasn’t likely, even with the Lions performing so badly. We were starving by the time Leyton arrived, and the luncheon meat sandwiches on white bread flowed forth. :teehee: I fell asleep while people were still gaming it up. Sorry about that.

But I was up and ready for Renee’s 5th birthday party on Monday. Hit that up, and then went home and did some errands. Decided to make family night Monday this week (seeing as Bryce was home) and went to M&Ds last night for Foo. Mum made a family breakfast this morning, which was nice as we all had a meal together.

Alright, so everyone keep Sunday free, since it’s Leyton’s birthday and between now and then a plan will DEFINATELY firm up. :jerkit:

Hey did I brag how PP now has credit card processing? I’m proud of that, it took a comparitively LARGE amount of work to complete. Congratulations to me and Leyton on a job extremely well done.

Hopefully peeps have remembered that 24 is a “GO” tonight. I’m making food, so if Brek could bring drinks, and Leyts could bring snackarinos, we’ll have a gay old time. I mentioned that I’m making food, but I haven’t decided what yet. FEAR NOT BRETT, if it’s curry I’ll remember the sour cream, so you won’t burn your mouth with all the EXTREME HEAT :thefinger: Actually, I’d quite like curry, but this time it needs a pickle. I looooove Indian pickle. :drool:

I started cleaning our stinky kitchen last night, and I swear that by Saturday mid-morning, it’s going to be the cleanest kitchen in all of christendom. You’ll be able to eat of the floor folks, something I wouldn’t recommend right NOW, but then … sure why not?

Had a great meal at R&N’s last night. Thai-inspired chicken risotto. Deliciosa, and quite unusual. They both seem well, and have plenty of activity over the next few weeks.

I need a haircut. Maybe Woo’ll help me out with that on Saturday arvo?

Whoa, so I’m just finishing my pie and Pepsi Max breakfast, but I’ve got a little time available to share some love with you all.

Does anyone else think that Jamie’s School Dinners is an absolute cack? (note to self, is that how you spell “cack”?) I just loved it when he had a bunch of asparagus and he’s asking these young kids “who knows what this is?” and one of them answered “onions?” Jamie gets this horrified look on his face, and then remembers he’s on television and says, “Onions? No. Sit down.” One thing I think he’s missing is that kids these days (and I speak from massive experience, obviously) like really bland food. The palate for taste only develops later in life, doesn’t it?

Oh, Leyton’s birthday is coming up pretty soon. I’ve been actively looking for a good present for a while now, but have struck out so far. He was toying with the idea of converting the games afternoon on Sunday into a birthday bash, but I reminded him that 5 people is really the max for board games, and even if she makes the cut, Bek would be the only chick, as Lara wouldn’t want to come, and we don’t know anyone else. Haha, that sounds really lame when I just read it back.

Also, second cousin Renee has her fifth (?) birthday party this weekend. Most people would be hesitant for fear of family overload, but not I. At least the food’s good.

So, I finished digging MOST of the trench for the drainage today, and mum and I went out and bought 20metres of aggy pipe, which was PERFECT length, and then proceeded to dig in the beating sunlight. Fun times.

We’ve had a professor friend of ours staying here for the last 2 weeks, and he leaves for home tomorrow, so, as a token of appreciation, he took us out to dinner tonight. We ate very well at a delightful little French restaurant called Le Bressen, and I certainly have no hesitation in advertising for them - they’re on Stafford Road, near the skating rink - look for the French flag. It is BYO though, so remember that if you ever go, and weekends are reccomended to book. So, we’ve just returned from that.

I got a call from Bryce the other day. Some toolbag cleaned up his driver’s side-view mirror while parked on the road outside work - no details left, nothing. So, he did what he had to do and had it repaired. Then, another toolbag (possibly the same one) cleaned it up again. Canberra, not being a very large place, doesn’t have a lot of wreckers, and Bryce was hoping I could scour Brisbane looking for a 2nd hand replacement for him. Found one cheaper than he could, so I’ll buy that for him and leave it for him to collect when he comes up.

Friday I’m off to Adelaide for the weekend for Cebs National Council, so, that should be fun. I intend to catch up with Megan who I went to NZ with back in 2000, and haven’t seen since. I’ll hope to steal the digital camera to take with me… Dad? or if someone wants to lend me one… Anyone?
That’s about all for now. Take it easy - won’t see you until after the weekend I anticipate. Have a nice Anzac day long weekend.

Oops, I completely missed yesterday’s entry. I was busy. That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it.

Seriously, I was … the PP stuff, for one thing, Berny picking up his order from my place at lunch time, and trying to work out why my regular work’s customers who paid online were being declined 01 - REFER TO CARD ISSUER. And then we had this emotionally charged meeting where I thought Vivienne was about to cry. Once E left for the day, Vivienne then wanted to talk about ways to avoid meetings like that in the future. Emotionally charged. I went home, had some afternoon tea and headed out to family night.

It was great. Family friend Rod was still there, and Mum put on a real spread. Spectacular even. I had some “dog time” with Simba and Chaz, and then went home. Leyton messaged me and sweet talked me into working on stuff until midnight, which I cursed him for this morning when I thought I would DIE of tiredness.

It wasn’t that bad, truthfully.

I need to mention that Friday is a 24 night, so keep those calendars free if you’re a 24-head. Saturday I’m off to M&D’s for a “Welcome Back Bryce” do, which I’m allowed to bring people to if I want. Sunday there may be a games afternoon on the cards, stay tuned for that.

And another reminder about the Frustrated Musos Convention at my place, Sunday 15th May. Mark it in your diary peoples.

Do yourself a favour and see this movie. It was amazing and I cannot recommend it highly enough. About Quantum Physics, life, emotions, who we are and what we are here for!

If you do nothing else this year this is a must see!

www.whatthebleep.com

- Snod

In the last five days I’ve achieved quite a bit. Mostly gardening stuff. Cleared a heap of pot-plants off a large concrete apron, then pressure hosed it clean, as well as the adjoining stairs, and much of the surrounding walls. That took most of 3 days, and in doing so, I discovered a bit of a drainage problem, so, I’m going to get into that tomorrow too. That’s gonna be a big job. 20 metres of Ag-Pipe, lots of digging, and shovelling, and more digging etc. I hope I’m not in over my head.

Went to Berny and Karen’s for morning tea/lunch which was nice, and then tried to make a little bit of a dent on the drainage.

We’re supposed to have a game of netball at 6:45 on Monday night, which means I can’t go, because I have uni until 7. I should try and get to the gym at uni during my break instead. At least that way I’ll get some exercise.

I should go to bed now.