alivicwil

fringedweller

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 03:43:29 GMT

Before

After

spillage

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 12:45:32 GMT

holy shit...

in 10 hours, the political party that forms my government, will vote on its leadership.

if you're so inclined, you can follow the spill on Twitter.

chances are good that Australia may have its first ever female prime minister by morning tea time...

lessons learned

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 08:57:12 GMT

This evening, maldini_3 has learned that I am not a quiet spewer...

This evening, I have learned that maldini_3 is a good looker-afterer...

my adopted home town

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 13:07:14 GMT

bliss

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 12:12:38 GMT

I scored a last minute invite to tea at Turk and his gf, J's place (I *really* need to name her...) yesterday. A thoroughly enjoyable evening... We really should catch up more often. J scolded me for such at one point -- "I told you before I moved down; you're my only friend here!" (Not entirely true; one of her sisters is down here, and she works nearish her home and sees workmates socially, but point taken :) I need to be more proactive about doing things with people...)

This morning, I had a lazy sleep-in with maldini_3 - the first for a ridiculously long time. I made us brunch around 11am when we surfaced, then we mucked around on Little Big Planet - a game gnomeangel got me onto.

A few hours later, we headed back to my room for an even more lazy afternoon of lounging about, bantering, wrestling and D&Ming. 'Twas seriously wonderful. It's been way too long since I had a day that didn't require things-to-do or places-to-be.

I mean, I could have done without the migraine that hit me around 5pm and stuck around... but other than that, today was lovely.

A much-needed rest before a busy week: we're off to Sydney on Tuesday night to see Phoenix - and planning on making work on Wednesday! Then we're back to Sydney again for the weekend and the Future Music Festival... Not quite sure when I'm going to recover from that - I've got my first uni assignment due the following week, then it's exam time for my yr12 kids (which means I have to write - then mark - their papers. Busy, busy!)

Yves Klein Blue About The Future Tour

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 09:40:06 GMT

the lazy girl's guide to an lj post

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:33:09 GMT

yoinked from the gorgeous piecesofcandy

Reply to this post, and I'll tell you one reason why I like you.

Then you re-post this & spread the love. With a spatula.

It's official

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 07:07:36 GMT

Fuck me, I'm a moron.

Next time I mention that I'm going away to a show of some description, will someone please ask me if I've got the tickets?!

Fortunately, maldini_3 is understanding, gnomeangel is generous, HMT is home, and Turk is going to the BDO tomorrow too, but hadn't left Canberra yet when I called him!

Crisis averted... Though I'm still in shock that I could be such a moron!

Posted via LiveJournal.app.

long weekend

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:16:40 GMT

we're off to Sydney tomorrow...

We've tickets to Lily Allen tomorrow night - along with maldini_3's sister (who I haven't met yet), and his best mate and his gf.

Friday, I'm hoping to catch up with my friend, V. We did an M.Ed together... She's been teaching ESL in China for the last little while, but is back in the country for a month.

Saturday, we've got the Big Day Out... I cannot tell you how much I'm looking forward to it!

Home on Sunday, after catching up with eliiiiza at some stage...

Thankfully, I'll have Monday to rest, before Australia Day on Tuesday, then back to work on Wednesday.

(Let's not talk about the assignments I haven't marked yet!)

quick question!

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:18:09 GMT

View Poll: home made shoes

Not for the faint hearted!

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:18:38 GMT

For those of you who aren't familiar with them, this os a huntsman spider. (Well, the underside of one, anyway!)

Yes, Murray... I realise that's a CD... Look to the left of the CD. That's the huntsman.

Posted via LiveJournal.app.

oh i wish i had a river i could skate away on...

Sat, 02 Jan 2010 03:42:41 GMT

I am about to start cleaning out HMD's room.

He's not paid rent in 3 weeks... Was last seen on Dec 21 or 22 and reminded that I wanted him gone by Dec 28. He thought that was do-able.

I went home for Christmas and came back on the 28th to find the freezer and bathroom clear of HMD's stuff, but everything else here (though no car).

Texts and Voicemail messages left. No word back. Some time on the 29th, his phone was switched off, so calls went direct to message bank. I tracked down his work number online - both the phone and fax get picked up by fax machines. beeeeeeeeep to you, too.

Gnomeangel told me to have the locks changed, but I let HB get in my head with his "you're being unreasonable, over-reacting, ridiculous..." - that, combined with not being able to get a locksmith until the new year, made me wait. (HB's still paying his half of the mortgage, and popping by - when I'm not hear - to take more of his books and things. I don't want him to be accusing me of locking him out of 'his' house, and my solicitor-friend agrees that I need to be keeping him in the loop.)

I get home from Sydney yesterday; everything's still here.

Snooping in HMD's room this morning, I discovered a stack of business cards: drug and alcohol counselling, and an AFP an a Parole officer's cards included. Joy oh fucking joy.

So: the possibilities are: he's a complete jerk; he's gone fishing; he's dead somewhere; and, a late entry, he's in jail.

I go down to the local cop shop to ask them what my options are... Move his stuff into the garage and change the locks. I text HB to tell him I will be changing the locks. He calls me back; he's all "are you sure? really? you think so? well, I suppose if you really want to, then I wouldn't have a problem with it." Umm, yeah, thanks.

A couple of hours later, he texts me: "I can help you move HMD's stuff on Wednesday, if you like." FFS. Remember the part where I've told you multiple times that I've got someone moving in on Tuesday the 5th? Wednesday's no good to me. And I'm not feeling generous enough to issue points for effort; sorry.

Bah!

I don't want another year of being negative. I want my baggage gone. I don't want to have to deal with HB's wishy washiness anymore. I don't want to have to deal with HMD's stuff. I don't want to have to be a grown up, and have to deal with sorting out what to do with my house. Do. Not. Want. I also don't want to keep interpreting things in the worst possible way (OMG the world is ending). I don't want to keep on with these pity parties... And so, I'm going to get off my backside now, and go be productive :)

Voice Post the second

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 12:30:53 GMT

Voice Post the first (incomplete)

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 12:29:18 GMT

I got cut off before I finished this one, but it's possibly a little clearer than the other one?

I hate the way I seem to be ending every sentence with a question mark... It's an Australian thing to do, but I hope I'm not usually as bad an offender as I am here!

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 02:31:58 GMT

Happy birthday, seal_clubber!!

I hope your day is as tops as you are... :D

Posted via LiveJournal.app.

Fri, 25 Dec 2009 09:48:30 GMT

Behold! Prawn Day :)

Posted via LiveJournal.app.

Happy Christmas to me

Fri, 25 Dec 2009 05:13:21 GMT

My grandma has dementia. She lives at home and my pop looks after her, but I'm not convinced this is the best solution. She wanders off, refuses to bathe, and sleeps most of the day.

Dad picked my grandparents up for Christmas day and brought them back to mum's. Immediately when they arrived, I noticed that grandma smelled - a real pooey smell. I commented to mum and she agreed.

We offered grandma the opportunity to wash up before lunch, but she declined.

After lunch, she asked for the bathroom, and we directed her to it. She insisted that she was fine. After 20mins she comes out; I see her closing the door kinda furtively. "Are you ok?" "I think so."

Once she's back on the lounge room, I check the loo. It's decidedly not ok; I clean up, save for a few things that will need to be washed - after she leaves. Mum comes in as I'm finishing.

Dad's oblivious.

Grandma's sitting next to him on the couch. Her shirt is a little messy - she refuses an offer of a clean one, and dad shoots me a filthy for suggesting it. (He also glares at me for suggesting she sit on a towel on the couch. Seriously; has the man no nose?) Dad is showing my Pop photos of his trip to Tasmania - "on day two, I took 475 pictures," he proudly proclaims, and Poppy is being shown each and every one of them.

I'd kinda like to get a move on dessert. That way my grandparents can head home, and grandma may clean herself up before bed - I can't think of a way we can do it here without humiliating her - and we have no clothes of hers she could change into. Dad's still showing his photos.

I excused myself to mum. "I'm just gonna lie down for 5mins; I'm a bit..." and I pat my tummy. I head to my room and flop on the bed... Ah, relief!

Within a minute, mum walks in. "Gosh," she says, screwing up her nose. "It's a strong smell, isn't it?"

Through a fit of giggles I explain that I'd actually just farted!

(Seriously, that post-fart giggle fit was a high point of the day... Today was not the worst Christmas ever, but it rated reasonably highly!)

Posted via LiveJournal.app.

ch-ch-ch-changes...

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 04:37:28 GMT

So, it's coming up fast to the end of the year, which generally means that it's meme time. I say generally, because the tumbleweeds continue to blow through my friends list.

undergroundsea has recapped her decade beautifully (but sorry, it's flocked, so only a very few of you will be able to read it) - I may attempt similar before the week/year/decade is over - and maldini_3 did a meme of his year, but I'm loathe to copy it... I found the last year-recap meme I did, but wasn't really taken with it, so I'm going to do something different (tho' not original; I've seen it about the place before).

To provide a summary of your year, repost the first sentence you wrote in your LJ each month

January
Despite his emphatic reassurances that he is not turning 30 on Monday, History Boy has decided that he will permit his extended family to gather together this weekend to celebrate him... as long as they bring gifts. •

February
i'm exhausted. •

March
home again after Josh Pyke •

April
I'm not sure I can stay here much longer. •

May
I met up with the guy who took my number on ANZAC Day tonight. •

June
It's just over a month short of 10 years since HB and I met. •

July
Today was a good day. •

August
For the first time in my life, I own Kiwi boot polish. •

September
Words cannot express how pleased I am to see the back of Health Minister (and former Education Minister) John Della Bosca. •

October
I had the boy over for dinner tonight... •

November
My Modern History kids did their final exam today. •

December
A good day at work. •

As you'd be aware, 2009 has been massive for me. Huge changes. Some really difficult times. Quite a few "firsts". But mostly, lots of love and support from you lot.
I've learned a few things this year; namely that I am stronger than I thought I was.
Thanks to each of you who helped me with that lesson.

an email today...

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 13:25:46 GMT

Dear AliVic,

Thank you for applying for the Asian Language Training Scholarship Program 2010. A panel has considered all applications and has recommended you for a scholarship in Japanese. Pending approval of the Manager, Languages, you will shortly receive a letter of offer and Deed of Agreement by email. The Department is finalising arrangements with the University of New England for delivery of a distance education program.

Scholarship recipients must sign a Deed of Agreement with the Department. The deed outlines both your and the Department’s responsibilities and is legally binding for both parties.

A sample Deed of Agreement and advice from teachers who have studied part-time are attached for your information. Please read the sample deed and advice carefully and consider the commitment you will be making.

After reading the sample deed, you will then need to confirm your interest in proceeding with the scholarship. Please email your confirmation to me by Wednesday 23 December 2009. Confirming your interest does not commit you or the Department to proceeding with a scholarship at this stage. Also let me know if you no longer wish to be considered.

Please do not return the sample Deed of Agreement. A final deed will be prepared to meet your situation, in accordance with the length of the scholarship offered and the financial assistance to be provided.

Yours sincerely

view from the top

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 12:30:44 GMT

The view from Telstra Tower, on Black Mountain, Canberra:

Last time I was up here on the external viewing deck, I was four years old. I was with my parents and a bunch of year 12 geography students; we were on our way to the snowfields. Anyway, the only thing I remember about our stop off at Telstra (then Telecom) Tower was that, when I stepped outside on that blustery winter afternoon, a gust of wind hit me and blew my bag of popcorn out of my hands... Tears ensued...

I'm happy to say, though, that there was no lost popcorn and definately no tears. In fact, it was a pretty damned awesome afternoon...

What took me up Black Mountain this arvo? I was on a motorbike ride with maldini_3 and a mate of his... (I haven't been on HB's - or anyone's for that matter - since before I went to Canada.) 'Twas the first time I've been on a ride with other people, and the first time I've done big hills - after Black Mountain we hit Mount Ainslie. It was more fun than I thought it would be (not that I thought it would be a dull day...). We swapped bikes around up the top of Ainslie and did a few laps of the carpark... I'd tell you about the bikes (I'm sure seal_clubber wants to know) but... I'm a girl and I'm kinda sketchy on the details!

Tonight, the three of us hit the cinema for Avatar in 3D... If you haven't seen it yet, you should totally get onto it! Visually stunning - unlike anything. Yeah, ok, it's kinda cliched and predictable in places, and Marc Fennel's right - Sam Worthington's American accent is atrocious, but the cast is good, and it's just gorgeous...

Day one of school holidays? Most definately a success.

Day two is shaping up to be pretty good as well... I want to hit the markets in the morning, then I've got lunch plans, then tomorrow night I'm off to see an Aussie singer-songwriter, Darren Hanlon, with gnomeangel and her hubby, and maldini_3 . Should be good - he's just lovely.

Posted via LiveJournal.app.

the exodus continues

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 10:52:48 GMT

remember this??

well, it turns out that my Good HT is actually actively looking for another job. He's been applying for promotions left right and centre. It's only a matter of time before he gets one - he's good at what he does.

Another one of my good friends has left (as of this Monday past), cos he's split with his wife. It sucks. He's awesome, and she's quirky and gorgeous. He's not coping very well; he's gone back to his hometown.

The news has left me feeling kinda flat. (I'm not feeling the best tonight, either, which isn't helping my mood.) I'm feeling the appeal of up-and-going... Actually, that's not true. I'm too much of a control freak to do that :D I expect that I'm going to feel pretty lost at school next year, with no-one to debrief with. I might be inclined to apply for HT positions a little further afield than I may otherwise have considered, because I won't have such strong collegial/social ties to here. ('Course, that'd create a whole 'nother set of problems for me outside of school.)

Meh...

Can you tell I'm 'Meh' tonight? :)

Fark

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 04:54:35 GMT

Late-breaking news this arvo adds more weight to my theory...

2009 continues to be the Year of the Breakup.

C'mon, peoples... We've only got 17 more days to survive. I really don't want to hear about anyone else calling it quits with their significant other!

Posted via LiveJournal.app.

Writer's Block: Voulez-vous parler ...

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 02:56:16 GMT

Which language(s) do you currently speak? If you could learn only one other language, what would you choose, and why?

First question listed was submitted by stormvoel. (Follow-up questions, if any, may have been added by LiveJournal.)

View 1417 Answers

I'm a native English speaker - though some might argue that Strine isn't actually English.

I took German lessons through most of primary school (with a couple of years of after-school lessons as a kid, and a year of evening classes when I was 21 or so).

I did some Japanese at uni (then at night as part of a language school), and I taught it to year 7 for a couple of years when I first started teaching.

I know some basic greetings and thank yous in a couple of other languages, but the 3 above are the only ones in which I can sing 'heads, shoulders, knees and toes'...

The first

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 06:07:40 GMT

I recieved my first Christmas card of the season today...

Red? Thank you; it's lovely. You have beautiful penmanship!

And how did you know I loved a dapper mo' on a fellow? (Especially one as beautifully adorned as this one is...)

Posted via LiveJournal.app.

helpful

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:01:34 GMT

so, I'm on the Internet, under the guise of doing 'school work' (actually - I have to finalise some classes and email them to a couple of people - I have been making the changes, but I've also been fart arsing around on facebook)... while the boy is in the kitchen making fairy bread for my yr7 class party tomorrow.