Greetings from Adders

This will have to be the quickest post ever as I'm taking advantage of the fact the mater has "nipped down to the shops" (Adelaidian for "going to the supermarket") and is therefore not berating me over internet usage.

She has dial up. Bless. So old school.

Anyway.

First Christmas in Adelaide in, oooh, I don't know... years. Its been quite nice because we went to my sis's house Christmas day which was very laid back. Usually we either have it at my mum's or my brother's, both of which are stressful enough to have me reaching for the valium, the champers and the nearest sharp object, simultaneously.

My sis doesn't cook. Says she wasn't born to. So we had cold chicken, ham and salads.

The day before my mother had done the full roast turkey with all the trimmings for lunch, so I don't feel I missed out on anything.

My sis bought me a bottle of Moet as my Christmas present. Of course I had to share it with her, but that's ok. My mum bought me the Dr Who Series 2 box set which was exactly what I'd ordered. I've already got her hooked... I think she might be taking a trip back to get one for herself.

Its been a bit dismal here weather wise but its nicer today. I didn't really pack any warm clothes so I'm a bit unprepared. I did, in the wisdom that comes with packing your suitcase at 4am when you're drunk, pack 7 little sundresses. I'm only here for 5 days. Obviously I need to be more organised next time and pack during the day. Sober.

Yesterday I sat on the sofa and watched the cricket all day. When it wasn't raining of course. How good was Roy's ton today? Love that boy.

Yoiks! Mater is home. Gotta go.

Love to all!

Today's post brought to you by the letter H.

Today's award for excellence in broadcasting goes to (insert drum roll here)...

Matt Newton

For correct pronunciation of the letter 'H' (in this case used when saying "HSC" on the breakfast show on Nova this morning).

It brought joy to my heart. Especially when he started to correct Akmal Saleh, who was quite frankly starting to do my head in every time he incorrectly said the letter H.

It is a pet peeve of mine. It hurts my ears. Much like a flat note or Kasey Chambers' voice.

I blame my parents.

Anyway.

Aitch. Not Haitch.

Snaps Matt, snaps.

This Life + 10

Very excited by this report.

I love love LOVED this show.

I don't think there was any better (drama) programme than this in the 90s. Brilliant writing, brilliant acting, brilliant everything.

But I could never choose between these two lovely chaps:

The dapper and dashing Jack Davenport

or

The sexy, soulful Andrew Lincoln.

*Sigh*

I still can't choose.

Although Egg was the nicer character of the two. Miles was a bit of a prat, truth be told.

Let's hope the ABC snaps this one up quickly so we can see it here before 2010.

Keep On The Sunny Side

Methinks I've been listening to the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack a leeetle too much in the last week.

I'd forgotten how much I love the cheesy songs on it.

So.

How are we all? Fine? Well? Happy?

Top banana.

I've got a touch of the pink eye again. Remember? Pain in the arse. I spent four hours this morning at the eye hospital and Dr Dracula took another gazillion vials of blood. At least this time Dr Dracula was a young and HOT intern. Matt. Or Mike. Maybe it was Mitchell. Anyway, it was something starting with M. Whatever his name is he didn't do a very good job though... I have the biggest bruise and my arm is still sore six hours later.

Anyway, now I HAVE to go and see a rheumatologist. I'm not allowed to put it off any longer. Boring. But I can't get in to see her until January 11, so meanwhile, I have to go back to two different types of drops every hour, no contact lens wearing, which REALLY pisses me off (for f***'s sake, its the silly season and my glasses don't match ANY of my party frocks!) and minimal screen time (TV & computer).

Just bring out a shotgun and shoot me now. Please.

So over this crap of being unwell but not sick.

And to add insult to injury, I was the only one of my friends (it seems) who didn't get to see boy-o on the weekend. Doesn't matter that I've seen him a couple of times before, I missed seeing him this time and that peeves me.

However, on the sunny side, his old mates have the number one single and album in the UK. Being the tragic I am, I have already downloaded it onto my iPod and it has had multiple playings, much to the amusement/disgust of my flatmates.

Oh and my mother let it slip that I'm getting this for Christmas. HURRAH!! Hours of fun for everyone. Especially me.

Finally, today is Lulu's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY LULU! You are gonna love love love your present... I consider it one of my more inspired MK & A* purchases.

xoxo




* If I have to tell you who MK & A are, then you probably wouldn't be interested in the present. Lulu knows. And will probably be jumping up and down with excitement.

Quickie!

I'm sure you're all dying to know how I went on Monday.

Monday. You know. Day of filming this:

What do you mean you forgot??

Rude.

Anway, I had much more fun than I expected. My fellow Alchemist and I mangaged to do lots of plugs for our theatre company, Peter Everett loved us because we gave him lots of backchat and after discovering I didn't have a boyfriend like he first thought, my chef tried to chat me up and invited me back to his hotel "for a swim"!

Bless his cotton socks for trying it on.

I wonder how many other contestants he's tried it with?!

Oh and no. I didn't go for a swim. I was too busy lugging home my prize... a microwave!

Anyone need a microwave? I have one already.

I was actually hoping to win second prize which was a coffee maker. Much more appropriate for me.

Ah well. Winners are grinners and all that.

And it was quite flattering to be chatted up by someone who knows his way around a kitchen. Honestly, if he'd been a few inches taller and cut off that hideous ponytail, he might have succeeded. His food was DIVINE. Way to a girl's heart, etc...

I'm off for a run now. Got to work off all that food...

Oh and if you want to know which chef I'm talking about, either go to the website and work out which chefs have ponytails, or wait until February and watch the show.

xo

This time 11 years ago...

Today whilst cleaning out a cupboard I found an old travel diary which was written in November/December 1995.

On 3 December 1995 I was in California, staying at the YHA in Santa Monica. Very good hostel by the way. Highly recommend it. I'd spent the day being a tourist at Venice Beach with a very cute documentary filmmaker named Matt and we were scouring the classifieds because I'd suddenly decided to ditch my Amtrak pass and purchase a car. All because taking a little drive* across the USA sounded more fun than catching trains.

Three days later I'd purchased said car and was speeding my way up the coast to San Francisco with Alannis Morrisette blaring out of the stereo.

I used to be spontaneous like that.

What the bejeezus happened?

Someone get me a plane ticket, stat. I'm getting in a rut here.





* West to East, East to South, South to North, North to East... 32 states in total. And on my own.