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Jul. 26th, 2008 @ 11:55 am The outside
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Current Mood: slightly defrosted
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That blue stuff, in the sky, what's that again? And that bright yellowish thing?

Have returned from a lovely little walk along the coastal footpath Sorrento/Marmion way. Good clear out for the lungs, and we saw some tiny doggies. It's been too long. Best part was the shedding of my coat along the way. I didn't have to wear the maximum amount of clothes possible to feel vaguely warm! Yay!
Jul. 25th, 2008 @ 10:56 pm Casino Royale
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Current Mood: grumpy
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Husband has been keen to see the 2006 edition of Casino Royale, the first of the new Daniel Craig Bond films, and so tonight was the night. I would have much preferred to visit [info]redbraids, but I wasn't safe to drive :-(

( Brief review-like spoilers )

ETA: Oddly enough after a good night's sleep I'm feeling much better about the film in retrospect.
Jul. 25th, 2008 @ 03:15 pm Affix stamp here
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Current Mood: weakly ranty
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Forced by the crushing weight of government pressure, I finally got around to my 2008 Q2 BAS today. Actual income tax return awaits the arrival of bits of paper. Income=pitiful. Medical expenses=ouch. Lump sum in savings=rapidly depleting. Determination to be well=apparently irrelevant.

( In which I complain briefly about language )
Jul. 24th, 2008 @ 04:31 pm LJ as catharsis
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Current Mood: other
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This is going to be one of those posts that I thought might be a threat to my professional reputation. Not so much a violation of grammar, but an angry ranty stabbity (great word [info]mynxii) kind of post that would make someone hestitate to employ me. I. Don't. Care.

( Neither sunny nor whimsical. Not playful, not quirky. Utterly lacking in charm or humour. )
Jul. 23rd, 2008 @ 11:34 am Can't resist a good radar image
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Current Mood: anticipatory
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That would be the front* arriving, I expect.



(*) For the pedants, OK, probably the rain band just in front of the front.
Jul. 23rd, 2008 @ 10:05 am Faceplant attempts
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Current Mood: tousled
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Have just returned from a walk down the Terrace, along which the winds are howling. I was fine walking against the wind, but when an eddy (in the space-time continuum) suddenly took the pressure away I very nearly fell flat on my face.
Jul. 23rd, 2008 @ 08:37 am She's back
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Mother has returned safe and sound from WYD, but somewhat partied out.
Jul. 22nd, 2008 @ 10:34 pm Patent application
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Current Mood: sooky
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Birman: A device for converting cat food into love.
Jul. 22nd, 2008 @ 04:23 pm I'll grant you...
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Current Mood: squeezed and pleased
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They're a bit firm and were incredibly cheap; there's something you could uncharitably class as overspill; and they were purchased with an anticipation of the near-future stretch in the fabric, but...

( but )
Jul. 22nd, 2008 @ 10:11 am That's odd
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Current Mood: puzzled
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Several Magic Rain-Detecting Bodyparts(tm) (parts sold separately) are clamouring about a change in the weather. That doesn't seem right.
Jul. 21st, 2008 @ 10:35 pm Whatever floats your boat: The Twist by Richard Calder
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Current Mood: surprisingly forgiving
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If you're keen on gothic horror western urban fantasy (punk) with a touch of lesbian vampire eroticism tossed in, you might enjoy Richard Calder's The Twist. And that's just the first two and a half chapters.

( The rest is no more spoilery than that. I cut because I care. Like Dexter. )
Jul. 21st, 2008 @ 05:37 pm Fire. Fire is warm.
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Current Mood: freakin' freezing
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Burn burn burn it all.

I actually have a firebox in the house and am thinking about selectively forgetting the questionable (sigh) flue so I can set something alight.

*eyes wooden furniture*

Pretty flames. Warm. Watch them dance. Watch them play. Hear their song. WARM!

Just think how much we Perthites are going to enjoy Spring this year.
Jul. 21st, 2008 @ 04:38 pm Curse that niggling thought
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Current Mood: inspired
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Just as I believed I'd found the colours for the bedroom, a thought began to intrude today: it's very brown. It being Taurus Red, destined for the wall initially intended to be festooned with the elusive Bordello Red. Colours. Chatty things.

( Read more... )
Jul. 20th, 2008 @ 10:49 pm Samplemania
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Current Mood: experimental
Dusted off the colour charts and sample pots this afternoon and painted up some big pieces of cardboard. My initial eeeewwww reaction to the pot of Suede FX 'Tuscan Gold' was a good one. Painted on a decent amount of board it was gold and shiny and picked up highlights from the curtains perfectly and absolutely not what I want on my large bedroom walls. Whoa. Not in my lifetime, sunshine. I'd never sleep again.

( More lessons in colour )
Jul. 20th, 2008 @ 02:31 pm Oh bacon! Bacon!
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Current Mood: impatient, hungry
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A couple of days ago I allowed myself a celebratory rasher of bacon, thinking only of the amine load. And how incredibly yummy the stuff is.

( Preservatives, you idiot )
Jul. 20th, 2008 @ 12:23 pm You should hear me on the phone
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Having a spot of difficulty breathing the last few days, which is putting a bit of a crimp in my let's-get-back-to-real-life plans now the ACS talks are done.

Definitely had enough of the cold.

*grumble grumble*

I shall have to find a spot in the sun, remove the cat from that spot, and stretch out and catch some rays. This probably means my driveway, favoured spot for star- and cloud-gazing. Lucky neighbours.

BTW last night was clear and beautiful.
Jul. 19th, 2008 @ 11:51 pm Speed
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Current Mood: kablooie
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Just caught the second half of Speed, which was much more fun.
Jul. 19th, 2008 @ 10:32 pm Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
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Current Mood: deeply disappointed
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( Reviewish therefore spoilerish )
Jul. 19th, 2008 @ 05:07 pm I'm down with the young persons now
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Current Mood: neutral
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Well, I've now caught all three acts of Doctor Horrible's Sing-a-Long Blog so I can take my place in internet society. It was amusing enough--and nicely produced--but nothing to drop IQ points over.
Jul. 18th, 2008 @ 10:44 pm It followed me home
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Current Mood: appreciative
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Was very happy this evening to make it to [info]shrydar's first solo exhibition of beautiful CG works at play with light and shadow. With the promise of celery nibblies, and Husband to do the driving through the storm, we made it to the venue.

( Shiny things )
Jul. 18th, 2008 @ 10:14 am And the dead shall walk
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Current Mood: wind-tossed
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No, nothing to do with the Pope. This time.

Fortunately for my little slice of suburbia, the council have removed both garden and general rubbish from the verges. A few streets away, however, what the scavengers have stirred the wind has scattered.
Jul. 18th, 2008 @ 09:05 am New Simon's Cat video!
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Current Mood: deeply amused
From A Man Who Knows A Cat: 'TV Dinner'

Jul. 17th, 2008 @ 10:43 pm Reward and Punishment
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Now on the far side of my ACS talks (details still forthcoming, if I ever get around to it) I decided to let the beige off the leash a little.

( Read more... )
Jul. 17th, 2008 @ 09:57 pm That would be the front arriving
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Jul. 17th, 2008 @ 05:42 pm :P
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If the Pope were to watch a game of AFL, would there be any possessions?

--

Good luck and have fun to Mother who flew out to join the WYD Thing today.
Jul. 17th, 2008 @ 03:24 pm New toy
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Current Mood: amused
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Husband went out for a carton of milk and returned with a cheap 7" portable DVD player. So, what's the ideal test for such a device? Lawrence of Arabia of course :-)
Jul. 16th, 2008 @ 11:11 pm ACS Part The Second
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Current Mood: tired but happy
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I have been to Bunbury and back. Somewhere in the middle I delivered my Tech Writer talk to an intimate group of a dozen or so. At some point I will report at length on the experience, but not now. It went well. I even got to use the old heckle response "Yeah, I remember my first beer."
Jul. 15th, 2008 @ 08:14 pm One down, one to go
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Current Mood: pleased
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Have duely delivered the first of twin talks to the ACS this evening.

( Read more... )
Jul. 14th, 2008 @ 11:06 pm Performance art
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Current Mood: thoughtful
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Tomorrow I deliver my Tech Writer talk to the ACS. Like an exam this has been hovering on the calendar for quite some time, but unlike an exam I'm really looking forward to it. Most of my dumb things to say are scripted in advance, so I hope my energy levels will pick up enough to last me the rest of the night with some dignity. Then Wednesday to Bunbury and back for round II and I can relax a bit. Not that I'm stressed now, but after a while you just want even the nicest events to just be over.

( Thoughts on preparation for public speaking )
Jul. 14th, 2008 @ 09:21 pm Seeking a wedding dressmaker
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Greetings mighty network! One of your fellow nodes seeks a wedding dressmaker. Any recs?
Jul. 14th, 2008 @ 05:53 pm Big Brother bites the big one
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Current Mood: unmoved
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No, not *my* BB. What do you think I am? A monster? He's fine.

Channel 10 has announced the cancellation of Big Brother 2008, with the added bonus that it will not be returning in 2009.

( Ramblings masquerading as social and media commentary. Plus I'm too tired for grammar and coherency. Sue me. )
Jul. 13th, 2008 @ 10:54 pm Husband meets David Stratton
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Current Mood: chuffed by proxy
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Jul. 13th, 2008 @ 10:19 pm What do you mean "bland"?
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Current Mood: surprised
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If you live in a world without normal human standards of flavour, red lentils (soaked and ever so briefly stir fried with a bit of butter) taste like peppery pumpkin.

I've been avoiding them--who needed another tasteless staple?--but was pleasantly surprised by the experiment. I got me fresh ideas!
Jul. 13th, 2008 @ 08:20 pm New Who Love
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Current Mood: happy
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Ooh, now I've seen a properful episode I *love* Donna.
Jul. 13th, 2008 @ 07:19 pm Happy Birthday old friend
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Well, not *that* old :-)

Hope you had a happy day [info]doctor_k_
Jul. 12th, 2008 @ 10:44 pm Run Fatboy Slim
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Current Mood: amused
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I am a fan of Simon Pegg, so when my eye was caught (ouch) by Run Fatboy Run, home it came rather than the Ratatoille I sought in the pirate section. What's a pirate section? Are all the films illegal copies? No, they all start with ARRRRR!

( You know why we have to make this cut, right? )
Jul. 12th, 2008 @ 10:30 pm La Tour
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Current Mood: frivolous
I see the Yellow Wiggle is still doing very well.