so, look at THESE!
i may be currently obsessed. HOW CUTE ARE THEY?
in other news, otters are also cute, and there was a frost ont he grass and the fence today. i hope my plants are ok.
29 June 2006
28 June 2006
FLAMING GALAHS!
We swear by the Southern Cross to stand truly by each other and fight to defend our rights and liberties.
Just come from rallying against the IR laws. Fun. Big! People gathered at parliament and at both ends of Swanston (Esther J and I hooked up with the teachers at Feddo) and marched to the corner of Bourke and Swanston, making a giant Eureka flag. Songs were sung, chants were chanted, and we all said the Eureka Oath, fists in the air. (Kim Beasley and Steve Bracks were there buying votes too...)
*
At the end of our street, there is a tree with pointy red and gold leaves (now mostly fallen) and prickly seedpods. Yesterday and today the tree was also adorned with galahs! Yay for their pinkness! And their uncoordinated attmpts at holding onto the seedpods!
*
Last night Dan and I had our first of (most probably, and hopefully) many Indian take-away nights. We were all out of red wine, however (ALARM!)... Luckily, in this time of dire need, a CAN OF WINE (yes, you heard) - bequeathed by Erin and Julia when they were Erin-and-Julia - made an appearance. At first we were afraid, we were petrified... but the thought of dining sans wine was too hard to bear and so we cracked it open. It was suprisingly nice. Thanks guys!
Just come from rallying against the IR laws. Fun. Big! People gathered at parliament and at both ends of Swanston (Esther J and I hooked up with the teachers at Feddo) and marched to the corner of Bourke and Swanston, making a giant Eureka flag. Songs were sung, chants were chanted, and we all said the Eureka Oath, fists in the air. (Kim Beasley and Steve Bracks were there buying votes too...)
*
At the end of our street, there is a tree with pointy red and gold leaves (now mostly fallen) and prickly seedpods. Yesterday and today the tree was also adorned with galahs! Yay for their pinkness! And their uncoordinated attmpts at holding onto the seedpods!
*
Last night Dan and I had our first of (most probably, and hopefully) many Indian take-away nights. We were all out of red wine, however (ALARM!)... Luckily, in this time of dire need, a CAN OF WINE (yes, you heard) - bequeathed by Erin and Julia when they were Erin-and-Julia - made an appearance. At first we were afraid, we were petrified... but the thought of dining sans wine was too hard to bear and so we cracked it open. It was suprisingly nice. Thanks guys!
15 June 2006
NOW IT REALLY IS OURS
so, at 2:30 on tuesday we got the call...
... saying that settlement couldn't go through.
because we gave them TOO MUCH MONEY. that's right. too much.
so i was pretty annoyed. because we'd done EVERYTHING right, but someone somewhere hadn't calculated the first homeowners grant into/out of the amount we owed. so we'd given them $10k too much, and they wouldn't give us the keys.
then our lawyer did a lot of phone-calling around to the vendor's conveyancer etc, and eventually they came up with the idea of getting us to sign a contract saying that we could only have the keys to the house that day if (among other things) we used the property only for residential purposes. so, there went our plan for an opium den, brothel etc. never mind. another day.
so we signed things and faxed them (the grumpy post office man was even nice to us! whacko!) and taxied to the estate agent for the keys. picture this: us on one side of the desk, agent on the other side of the desk, keys in envelope on top of desk... we considered doing the proverbial runner with the envelope, but decided we should try to make it all legal. eventually, at 5:10, the agent gets the call from the vendor's lawyer saying it's all good.
WE HAD THE KEYS! WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG?!
actually, surprisingly, nothing!
we went to the apartment (OUR apartment) did the rounds with candles and incense, opened and closed the cupboards, laughed at the heater (it is attached to the wall, and the cord is about 15cm too short to plug into the power point!), peeled an enormous sheet of wallpaper off the wall (whoops!)... erin, rachel and esther came over for pizza and cheese and wine (thanks ej!) and champagne (thanks erin!). managed to spill champagne on the carpet, and IT DOESN'T MATTER because the carpet is OURS!
dan and i slept over on the floor on tuesday night. cold, uncomfortable, etc. but an adventure!
yesterday may and sara-jane helped us move a heap of boxes (thanks guys!), drink tea, eat huge luncheons at sugardough on lygon st, etc. we all went for a constitutional walk along the creek (so close!), and at about 2:50 we got the call...
... saying IT'S OURS!!!
it felt different after that!
the agents gave us a hamper with wine and chocolates. free stuff! we should buy a house more often!
yay! house! ours!
... saying that settlement couldn't go through.
because we gave them TOO MUCH MONEY. that's right. too much.
so i was pretty annoyed. because we'd done EVERYTHING right, but someone somewhere hadn't calculated the first homeowners grant into/out of the amount we owed. so we'd given them $10k too much, and they wouldn't give us the keys.
then our lawyer did a lot of phone-calling around to the vendor's conveyancer etc, and eventually they came up with the idea of getting us to sign a contract saying that we could only have the keys to the house that day if (among other things) we used the property only for residential purposes. so, there went our plan for an opium den, brothel etc. never mind. another day.
so we signed things and faxed them (the grumpy post office man was even nice to us! whacko!) and taxied to the estate agent for the keys. picture this: us on one side of the desk, agent on the other side of the desk, keys in envelope on top of desk... we considered doing the proverbial runner with the envelope, but decided we should try to make it all legal. eventually, at 5:10, the agent gets the call from the vendor's lawyer saying it's all good.
WE HAD THE KEYS! WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG?!
actually, surprisingly, nothing!
we went to the apartment (OUR apartment) did the rounds with candles and incense, opened and closed the cupboards, laughed at the heater (it is attached to the wall, and the cord is about 15cm too short to plug into the power point!), peeled an enormous sheet of wallpaper off the wall (whoops!)... erin, rachel and esther came over for pizza and cheese and wine (thanks ej!) and champagne (thanks erin!). managed to spill champagne on the carpet, and IT DOESN'T MATTER because the carpet is OURS!
dan and i slept over on the floor on tuesday night. cold, uncomfortable, etc. but an adventure!
yesterday may and sara-jane helped us move a heap of boxes (thanks guys!), drink tea, eat huge luncheons at sugardough on lygon st, etc. we all went for a constitutional walk along the creek (so close!), and at about 2:50 we got the call...
... saying IT'S OURS!!!
it felt different after that!
the agents gave us a hamper with wine and chocolates. free stuff! we should buy a house more often!
yay! house! ours!
13 June 2006
SETTLEMENT DAY
so here it is. the big day has arrived - settlement goes through at 2.30 this afternoon, we get our keys and take possesion of our NEW HOME!!! we shall be spending our first night there tonight, camping it up in sleeping bags. yay!
as you can imagine, there is lots to do and we are sort of running around like headless chooks. so this is the end of this post.
as you can imagine, there is lots to do and we are sort of running around like headless chooks. so this is the end of this post.
8 June 2006
MOVING
settlement is in FIVE DAYS! woohoo!!!
we are wondering if anyone would like to spend a part of wednesday or thursday next week driving boxes from one place to another... i know, i know, a pretty fun sounding day!!! we can go out for lunch or dinner to make up for it!
(seriously, if you can, please text, call or email!)
we are wondering if anyone would like to spend a part of wednesday or thursday next week driving boxes from one place to another... i know, i know, a pretty fun sounding day!!! we can go out for lunch or dinner to make up for it!
(seriously, if you can, please text, call or email!)
5 June 2006
Uncles
This weekend, we became uncles! Orly and Adam have given us a nephew - nice work, guys! We shall duly play our appointed roles as the hip and cool uncles who live in Australia.
So, as of Saturday morning (Australian time - Sunday night UK time) we am an Uncle!
My parents are GRANDPARENTS!
My baby brother is a FATHER!!!
Aaaargh! What is the world coming to?
So congratulations and mazel tovs to Orly and Adam on the birth of their first born.
So, as of Saturday morning (Australian time - Sunday night UK time) we am an Uncle!
My parents are GRANDPARENTS!
My baby brother is a FATHER!!!
Aaaargh! What is the world coming to?
So congratulations and mazel tovs to Orly and Adam on the birth of their first born.
1 June 2006
RUCKSACKS, SACKS OF RUCK. WHAT?
we gots hiking packs from kathmandu. yay summit club with 25% off full price packs!
mine can is the conquest rucksack v2. it is red. that makes me go fast.
dan's is a slightly older version, and 5 or 10L bigger (mine's 40L) and less than half price. the two for $350, which i think is good, since we got pretty much exactly what we wanted!
also looked at expensive hiking boots. mmm, leather.
mine can is the conquest rucksack v2. it is red. that makes me go fast.
dan's is a slightly older version, and 5 or 10L bigger (mine's 40L) and less than half price. the two for $350, which i think is good, since we got pretty much exactly what we wanted!
also looked at expensive hiking boots. mmm, leather.
28 May 2006
BIRTHDAY
it's me berfdai!
come along to crooners (43-49 lygon st brunswick) this saturday 5th june at about 8:30-9pm. have a drink and a chat! we'll probably be there until 11pm-ish - and who knows, we might end up at cafe romantica later in the evening!!! (oh, the joy!)
* drinks are fairly average price (not cheap, but ok as far as i remember).
* light snacks are available (i recommend the eggplant chips!), though i'm not sure if they have vegan- or coeliac-friendly food.
* they have a 70s and 80s night on saturday, so i'm hoping for a mullet or two, and perhaps some stirrup-pant action!
* toilets are segregated (M and F only/exclusive)
please don't be offended if you didn't receive a text or an email. i've tried to contact everyone, but some emails have bounced, and i don't have everyone's phone number/s...
cheers, mateys!
come along to crooners (43-49 lygon st brunswick) this saturday 5th june at about 8:30-9pm. have a drink and a chat! we'll probably be there until 11pm-ish - and who knows, we might end up at cafe romantica later in the evening!!! (oh, the joy!)
* drinks are fairly average price (not cheap, but ok as far as i remember).
* light snacks are available (i recommend the eggplant chips!), though i'm not sure if they have vegan- or coeliac-friendly food.
* they have a 70s and 80s night on saturday, so i'm hoping for a mullet or two, and perhaps some stirrup-pant action!
* toilets are segregated (M and F only/exclusive)
please don't be offended if you didn't receive a text or an email. i've tried to contact everyone, but some emails have bounced, and i don't have everyone's phone number/s...
cheers, mateys!
24 May 2006
BOOKED
our flights to and from the uk later this year have been booked! we leave melb on october 12th, and london on november 7th. in our time there we will catch up with dan's fam and friends (there is overlap!), and do a wonderful walk - probably this walk along the thames path. we will probably do 5 days for walking, from the source to oxford. we will hopefully go all out, and stay in b&bs at kemble (night before), cricklade, lechlade, ummm, tadpole bridge (i think), and northmoor... maybe in oxford, but maybe hostels, as we could be broke by then.
we were also planning on visiting erin and julia in scotland, but sadly erin-and-julia (or julia-and-erin) is no more. we aren't sure if michelle and/or charlie will be there...? at any rate, this gives us more time for exploring other things, maybe even doing a second walk?
still haven't booked birthday things, but please get in contact with me - we'll probably go to crooners on lygon st (where we had our going away drinks last year), because it's easy. and yum yum yum eggplant chips.
we were also planning on visiting erin and julia in scotland, but sadly erin-and-julia (or julia-and-erin) is no more. we aren't sure if michelle and/or charlie will be there...? at any rate, this gives us more time for exploring other things, maybe even doing a second walk?
still haven't booked birthday things, but please get in contact with me - we'll probably go to crooners on lygon st (where we had our going away drinks last year), because it's easy. and yum yum yum eggplant chips.
14 May 2006
YOU KNOW IT
Which Princess Bride Character are You?
this quiz was made by mysti
is this because i answered: "What annoys you the most?"
with: "Stupid people"???
(what? if you worked in customer service, you would answer the same...)
13 May 2006
KEEP IT FREE
call out to all youse wot will be in melbs on 3rd june (saturday)
keep the evening free for my birthday party! no plans more solid than that - there'll probably be some sort of consumption of food followed by consumption of liquid.
keep the evening free for my birthday party! no plans more solid than that - there'll probably be some sort of consumption of food followed by consumption of liquid.
1 May 2006
30 April 2006
SIX WEEKS
six weeks until settlement!
we are beginning to start to contemplate the task of moving. also the possibility of having house warming parties. also whether we want to give the place a "lick of paint" before we move in. also, giving notice to our landlord. also, sending out change of address notes (though that won't happen for a while... as i said: "beginning to start to...")
melbourne is getting colder. we got the heater out and are using it almost every day, because we are wimps!
we are beginning to start to contemplate the task of moving. also the possibility of having house warming parties. also whether we want to give the place a "lick of paint" before we move in. also, giving notice to our landlord. also, sending out change of address notes (though that won't happen for a while... as i said: "beginning to start to...")
melbourne is getting colder. we got the heater out and are using it almost every day, because we are wimps!
16 April 2006
THAT WAS THEN, THIS IS NOW...
While that last post covers some of what we were up to 7 months ago, this post will detail some of our exploits from this month. To be more precise, from Sunday the 9th of April, between the hours of 8am and 5pm (approximately), when we headed out to the Dandenong Ranges and went for a little stroll through the forest.
We left home in the morning, but ran into trouble almost immediately - our tram (and most trams into the city) weren't running to their destinations because there was some sort of charity run (Run For The Kids) sweating its way through the city. We started walking earlier than intended.
After facing the reality of the Melbourne trains' Sunday timetable, we were well and truly ready for a nice bit of fresh countryside. From Belgrave station, we followed a roadside path to what surely must be a contender for the world's least useful tourist information offices ("They don't let us have any maps here...") - although, to be fair, they do sell roasted chestnuts. Anyway, despite the best efforts of the tourist information man, we found the start of our path. After a couple of kms of walking through dense forest of immensely tall trees, we came across a picnic area, where we stopped for a bit and ate an apple each, whilst being watched and circled by a large squawk of cockatoos (well then, YOU tell me what the collective noun is for cockatoos).
After this, we headed up a path that lead away from the road, and climbed and weaved, steadily higher and higher, through very green and peaceful bush land for another few kms. We came out of the trees, onto a quiet country lane, past country houses and a guesthouse, and a cute cast iron bench to which Rachel took a particular fancy. We followed this road for a while, then came across another picnic area, and decided that it was time for lunch. It was drizzling by now, and the only space in the area that was covered was the information board, so we sat on the ground underneath it, munching away happily as passers by gave us odd looks.
We then continued on our way, beginning our descent back towards the starting point, down an increasingly muddy path. We took a brief detour down some perilously slippery steps to take a peek at Sherbrooke Falls, then continued along the path, which brought us out to a point almost directly opposite where we had started our walk. Back in Belgrave, we stopped of at the surprisingly good Queen of Tarts cafe, before shivering our way home for a nice hot cup of lemon and honey drink.
Pics may or may not be forthcoming.
Today (Easter Sunday, and our 3 years 9 months anniversary), we went for another walk, this time shorter and more local. We trammed up Sydney Road to Pentridge Prison, then walked from Coburg Lakes down along the Merri Creek to our newly purchased home, then back over to Sydney Road, where we had a nice lunch of bread and dips at Alasya, and Rachel went bargain hunting at VMart (no, that's not a typo).
Days off are great.
We left home in the morning, but ran into trouble almost immediately - our tram (and most trams into the city) weren't running to their destinations because there was some sort of charity run (Run For The Kids) sweating its way through the city. We started walking earlier than intended.
After facing the reality of the Melbourne trains' Sunday timetable, we were well and truly ready for a nice bit of fresh countryside. From Belgrave station, we followed a roadside path to what surely must be a contender for the world's least useful tourist information offices ("They don't let us have any maps here...") - although, to be fair, they do sell roasted chestnuts. Anyway, despite the best efforts of the tourist information man, we found the start of our path. After a couple of kms of walking through dense forest of immensely tall trees, we came across a picnic area, where we stopped for a bit and ate an apple each, whilst being watched and circled by a large squawk of cockatoos (well then, YOU tell me what the collective noun is for cockatoos).
After this, we headed up a path that lead away from the road, and climbed and weaved, steadily higher and higher, through very green and peaceful bush land for another few kms. We came out of the trees, onto a quiet country lane, past country houses and a guesthouse, and a cute cast iron bench to which Rachel took a particular fancy. We followed this road for a while, then came across another picnic area, and decided that it was time for lunch. It was drizzling by now, and the only space in the area that was covered was the information board, so we sat on the ground underneath it, munching away happily as passers by gave us odd looks.
We then continued on our way, beginning our descent back towards the starting point, down an increasingly muddy path. We took a brief detour down some perilously slippery steps to take a peek at Sherbrooke Falls, then continued along the path, which brought us out to a point almost directly opposite where we had started our walk. Back in Belgrave, we stopped of at the surprisingly good Queen of Tarts cafe, before shivering our way home for a nice hot cup of lemon and honey drink.
Pics may or may not be forthcoming.
Today (Easter Sunday, and our 3 years 9 months anniversary), we went for another walk, this time shorter and more local. We trammed up Sydney Road to Pentridge Prison, then walked from Coburg Lakes down along the Merri Creek to our newly purchased home, then back over to Sydney Road, where we had a nice lunch of bread and dips at Alasya, and Rachel went bargain hunting at VMart (no, that's not a typo).
Days off are great.
12 April 2006
DANRACHEL APOLOGISES FOR THE DELAY...
6 months late, but nonetheless, we present more PICTURES FROM SCOTLAND! Go on, have a butcher's - you know you want to...
In this update, there are pictures from Orkney, Skye, and Lismore, as well as a few randoms here and there, and some pictures of a bridge that was in the Harry Potter films. Click on Photo Album Number 2 to experience the joy of pix.
4 April 2006
POLITICALLY CORRECT NURSERY RHYMES
someone has to pull this out, every now and then. just so we can say WHAT IS THE WORLD COMING TO? personally, i like the good re-writings of these ditties, because they really can point out the awful truth of the matter. yes, they're sexist. yes, they're racist. yes, they pick on people with disabilities.
georgie porgie, puddin' an' pie
kissed the girls and made them cry
when the boys came out to play
georgie porgie kissed them too, in the name of fairness
was georgie a girl or a boy? trans? gay, lesbian, straight, bisexual?
georgie porgie, puddin' an' pie
kissed the girls and made them cry
when the boys came out to play
georgie porgie kissed them too, in the name of fairness
was georgie a girl or a boy? trans? gay, lesbian, straight, bisexual?
3 April 2006
DAYLIGHT, SAVED.
this morning we slept in. this is always a nice thing to do on a monday morning! even nicer was the fact that the sleep in was til 8am new time, so 9am old time. and i went to bed early last night. i am feeling well rested.
dan's wallet got stolen last week, which was annoying. by "stolen" i guess it's more "left behind and picked up by someone who didn't return it"... so he's been calling banks and medicare and vicroads and all that stuff to arrange new cards. we are yet to find out if metlink will give him a replacement metcard (monthly)... knowing how stingy they are, though, i doubt it.
autumn/winter has made itself known in melbourne, with temperatures NEAR FREEZING (by which i mean a top temperature of less than 15 degrees). our next door neighbour, from sri lanka, asked me if she would need to buy 2 heaters for her flat... which made me think of getting our heaters out, which made me realise that for the coldest bit of winter (july), we will be in our NEW HOUSE! grand.
dan's wallet got stolen last week, which was annoying. by "stolen" i guess it's more "left behind and picked up by someone who didn't return it"... so he's been calling banks and medicare and vicroads and all that stuff to arrange new cards. we are yet to find out if metlink will give him a replacement metcard (monthly)... knowing how stingy they are, though, i doubt it.
autumn/winter has made itself known in melbourne, with temperatures NEAR FREEZING (by which i mean a top temperature of less than 15 degrees). our next door neighbour, from sri lanka, asked me if she would need to buy 2 heaters for her flat... which made me think of getting our heaters out, which made me realise that for the coldest bit of winter (july), we will be in our NEW HOUSE! grand.
28 March 2006
ACT: "GAY MARRIAGE"
hey, cool. a step further than the tasmanian deal... not a 'registration' but a scheme which "will essentially create domestic relationships." (how it creates a "domestic relationship" is, as yet, unclear).
i like this article from the age ( http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2006/03/28/1143441116253.html ) because it also points out that: "This is an acceptance of other relationships for same-sex couples and indeed for those opposite sex couples who don't wish or don't choose to pursue a marriage under the Marriage Act."
and yet... and yet... if it's gonna be there in all but name, what the fuck is the point of dividing it up? i mean, REALLY! ... unless we make "marraige" a thing that people can only get through a religious institution. it's religious morons (and not all religious people fall into this category) who have a problem with it; it's them who think that allowing two people who love each other and are committed to each other get married is wrong, just because the two people happen to have the same BITS; it's them who think allowing such a union is an 'attack on marriage'... so maybe we should have civil unions for EVERYONE, and marriage only for religious people who choose it - or even have RELIGIOUS MARRIAGE and CIVIL MARRIAGE - then we'd solve the 'problem' (and the problem here is not same-sex couples or intersex people or trans people)...
anyway, enough ranting for today.
i like this article from the age ( http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2006/03/28/1143441116253.html ) because it also points out that: "This is an acceptance of other relationships for same-sex couples and indeed for those opposite sex couples who don't wish or don't choose to pursue a marriage under the Marriage Act."
and yet... and yet... if it's gonna be there in all but name, what the fuck is the point of dividing it up? i mean, REALLY! ... unless we make "marraige" a thing that people can only get through a religious institution. it's religious morons (and not all religious people fall into this category) who have a problem with it; it's them who think that allowing two people who love each other and are committed to each other get married is wrong, just because the two people happen to have the same BITS; it's them who think allowing such a union is an 'attack on marriage'... so maybe we should have civil unions for EVERYONE, and marriage only for religious people who choose it - or even have RELIGIOUS MARRIAGE and CIVIL MARRIAGE - then we'd solve the 'problem' (and the problem here is not same-sex couples or intersex people or trans people)...
anyway, enough ranting for today.
25 March 2006
WHEEEEE!!!
DAN'S HOME! i went to collect him from the airport, and there he was! yay! i wish i always got a dan at the airport! he has some very cool pix of south africa, so eventually we'll have to put some up on photobucket (when we get around to doing the scotland ones, which will probably be when i get a new computer).
in other news, i waited for 40 minutes for a bus last night. FORTY MINUTES!!! well, to be exact, it was forty two minutes. and this was around 7-8pm on a friday night. this is why melbourne's public transport must die. i'm going to get esther j's kitten, toby, onto it!
last sunday i went for a hike with my aunt caroline (did i already write about this?) at wilson's prom. it was 23kms all up - 3 hrs from mt oberon carpark to waterloo bay (where the sand was white and round, and the sea was brilliant blue-turquoise), 1 hr for luncheon, and 3 hours back. wow. i can do it!!!
sorry i haven't updated for a while, but we'll try to get back on track! we did get some important letters from various house-related people (bank, bank's lawyers, our solicitor...) and the day drifts inevitably nearer!
in other news, i waited for 40 minutes for a bus last night. FORTY MINUTES!!! well, to be exact, it was forty two minutes. and this was around 7-8pm on a friday night. this is why melbourne's public transport must die. i'm going to get esther j's kitten, toby, onto it!
last sunday i went for a hike with my aunt caroline (did i already write about this?) at wilson's prom. it was 23kms all up - 3 hrs from mt oberon carpark to waterloo bay (where the sand was white and round, and the sea was brilliant blue-turquoise), 1 hr for luncheon, and 3 hours back. wow. i can do it!!!
sorry i haven't updated for a while, but we'll try to get back on track! we did get some important letters from various house-related people (bank, bank's lawyers, our solicitor...) and the day drifts inevitably nearer!
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