Technorati
Monday, December 06, 2010
Friday, October 22, 2010
Wednesday, October 06, 2010
So High
higher than a skylark
resting in the sky
on a mountain pass --Matsuo Basho
Ah, that pretty much sums up what i felt Friday night . I cannot remember the last time i felt so happy and alive. Perhaps at last i have regained my "muchness" and more!.
Of course, what a cliche: girl meets boy, gets socks blasted off faster than a rocket. Granted, it may be one-sided, but i am not complaining.
Sadly, it may not proceed anywhere because of geographic logistics issues. They really don't make them like that in Australia. I may have to move to the U.K, where i may not even secure my target!. However, i give everything a good try and this bloke is amazing.
I have no plans to date anyone else after this, because how can you top it?.
*addendum: Sadly, good buddy J has pointed out to me there is no chance a man will go to the other side of the world to see a girl. After spending last night crying (the truth does hurt) , i was surprised to get an email. I hope J and i will be proven wrong. It was nice to be happy again, i would love to be happy at least once more**
resting in the sky
on a mountain pass --Matsuo Basho
Ah, that pretty much sums up what i felt Friday night . I cannot remember the last time i felt so happy and alive. Perhaps at last i have regained my "muchness" and more!.
Of course, what a cliche: girl meets boy, gets socks blasted off faster than a rocket. Granted, it may be one-sided, but i am not complaining.
Sadly, it may not proceed anywhere because of geographic logistics issues. They really don't make them like that in Australia. I may have to move to the U.K, where i may not even secure my target!. However, i give everything a good try and this bloke is amazing.
I have no plans to date anyone else after this, because how can you top it?.
*addendum: Sadly, good buddy J has pointed out to me there is no chance a man will go to the other side of the world to see a girl. After spending last night crying (the truth does hurt) , i was surprised to get an email. I hope J and i will be proven wrong. It was nice to be happy again, i would love to be happy at least once more**
Friday, September 03, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Spunkeymonkey in Esperance winter season
You know, when you read all these British based novels, seaside towns die each off-season. The latest book i read that mentioned this was Nick Hornby's Juliet Naked.
Esperance is different though. It's winter but it still feels alive. I reckon that's because it's not completely based on tourism. There's mining and farming. So far, the big thing in town has been a play called Captive Wives.There was the Sunday Market a few days ago, Soapbox Racing and of course, Coffee Cat.
It's been a bit more relaxed compared to Mt Barker. Sadly, i do think i've to give up doing hospital based work. I hate the constant barrage of calls from the ward, i hate having to run between the surgery and the wards and just feeling so worn out. Thankfully, the staff at the surgery have been super nice and for fasting month my schedule has been lightened somewhat.
Sleep is an on/off issue. I think if i do not make it an issue, i'll be right. Funnily enough, i sleep better after longish chats/video chats with a mate based in the Far east. I think we've been in touch on and off for maybe 5-6 years?. It is funny because we never actually emailed very often; if at all. However, it's been a life-saver for me literally as my mate's fun and non-serious banter really does help the blues. Too bad that now he's having same probs, i am not much help. Perhaps i need to take classes in how to be light-hearted and less a serious misery guts?. I reckon i can be positive, it's just that melancholia has been my default user mode since i was a little girl. Not much to be happy about then but i've loads to be thankful about now.
Esperance is a good place to lick your wounds and heal. It's quiet with a beautiful bay and endless lovely beaches. The daily gust that kick in at about 3p.m or so; is refreshing.
I don't think i've done as well as before. It's sad as it may be my last time here. But what can i do, i've lost my "muchness" to paraphrase the Mad Hatter. I'm getting it back in dribs and drabs but did i not used to be peppier, more aggro, more out there, crazier and louder?. I think i used to better. I hardly recognize myself .
I'm efficient but i feel my head's not right.
How did i get here, and what have i done?.
Esperance is different though. It's winter but it still feels alive. I reckon that's because it's not completely based on tourism. There's mining and farming. So far, the big thing in town has been a play called Captive Wives.There was the Sunday Market a few days ago, Soapbox Racing and of course, Coffee Cat.
It's been a bit more relaxed compared to Mt Barker. Sadly, i do think i've to give up doing hospital based work. I hate the constant barrage of calls from the ward, i hate having to run between the surgery and the wards and just feeling so worn out. Thankfully, the staff at the surgery have been super nice and for fasting month my schedule has been lightened somewhat.
Sleep is an on/off issue. I think if i do not make it an issue, i'll be right. Funnily enough, i sleep better after longish chats/video chats with a mate based in the Far east. I think we've been in touch on and off for maybe 5-6 years?. It is funny because we never actually emailed very often; if at all. However, it's been a life-saver for me literally as my mate's fun and non-serious banter really does help the blues. Too bad that now he's having same probs, i am not much help. Perhaps i need to take classes in how to be light-hearted and less a serious misery guts?. I reckon i can be positive, it's just that melancholia has been my default user mode since i was a little girl. Not much to be happy about then but i've loads to be thankful about now.
Esperance is a good place to lick your wounds and heal. It's quiet with a beautiful bay and endless lovely beaches. The daily gust that kick in at about 3p.m or so; is refreshing.
I don't think i've done as well as before. It's sad as it may be my last time here. But what can i do, i've lost my "muchness" to paraphrase the Mad Hatter. I'm getting it back in dribs and drabs but did i not used to be peppier, more aggro, more out there, crazier and louder?. I think i used to better. I hardly recognize myself .
I'm efficient but i feel my head's not right.
How did i get here, and what have i done?.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
The Haiku Poems of Matsu Basho
The Haiku Poems of Matsu Basho
I love Basho. There's elegance in the sparse verse .
Kochira muke
Ware mo sabishiki
Aki no kure
Will you turn toward me?
I am lonely too,
This autumn evening.
Kochira muke
Ware mo sabishiki
Aki no kure
Will you turn toward me?
I am lonely too,
This autumn evening.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Spunkeymonkey in Melbourne
Due to mistiming-spent 5 hours sadly trying to find a place to sleep. In the end, an exercise in futility. Aussie airports are singularly uncomfortable transit hubs. How i miss the sleep areas in Changi, the small rented cubicles with a shower and bed in Narita and the sheer breadth of food choices in Kuala Lumpur. Instead, you get a hard cold seat, very few power outlets and expensive wi-fi.
The Hilton across the road was full-up. Bleary-eyed and quite lethargic from blood loss,i stumbled back and started reading the Guardian. Huge mistake. Wikileaks had just released via the Guardian, NYT and Der Spiegel the Afghanistan War Logs. The next few hours were spent reading in horrfied silence the atrocities covered up by the coalition forces. Some i spent silently crying, just overwhelmed by what i read.
I've reposted links to incident reports on my Facebook:i hope Aussies reading this will back off their xenophobic war against refugees trying to come to their country.Banning/limiting refugees based on their race and religion is racism.
The Hilton across the road was full-up. Bleary-eyed and quite lethargic from blood loss,i stumbled back and started reading the Guardian. Huge mistake. Wikileaks had just released via the Guardian, NYT and Der Spiegel the Afghanistan War Logs. The next few hours were spent reading in horrfied silence the atrocities covered up by the coalition forces. Some i spent silently crying, just overwhelmed by what i read.
I've reposted links to incident reports on my Facebook:i hope Aussies reading this will back off their xenophobic war against refugees trying to come to their country.Banning/limiting refugees based on their race and religion is racism.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
Spunkeymonkey learns why a non-techie should never mess with .itl files
After 2 frustrating days, numerous attempts and basically trying every single suggestion made available to me, i have to admit defeat. My playlists and extensively compiled mix-tapes are in some techno limbo/heaven and i have no clue how to recover any of them.
It is rather amusing and ironic that if i analyze the cause, it was mainly because i wanted to publish the playlists as an iMix. However, whenever i wanted to publish, it kept coming up as insufficient memory. So, i deleted everything, changed from my D: drive to I:external HDD drive that has 1TB worth of memory with >500GB of free space. That should be enough right?. Nope,same prob. So i repeat the process with incoming uploads also into the EHDD so that there will be more than enough operating memory in my laptop (freeing up 72GB of space in the D:drive itself). Still no success.
Luckily, artist dude (who has emailed a few times most helpfully) emailed a few links that led me to mac users forums. Sadly, after trying a few of the different suggestions and losing my playlists,i have to admit defeat.
Also, it has taught me that i really do have to spend a few hours sorting and organizing my music!. There's too much overlap and some albums have been broken up even though when i check their properties all the labels are correct. I guess i really do have to start dating someone with computer skills. I have massive skills, but IT savviness is not it!
It is rather amusing and ironic that if i analyze the cause, it was mainly because i wanted to publish the playlists as an iMix. However, whenever i wanted to publish, it kept coming up as insufficient memory. So, i deleted everything, changed from my D: drive to I:external HDD drive that has 1TB worth of memory with >500GB of free space. That should be enough right?. Nope,same prob. So i repeat the process with incoming uploads also into the EHDD so that there will be more than enough operating memory in my laptop (freeing up 72GB of space in the D:drive itself). Still no success.
Luckily, artist dude (who has emailed a few times most helpfully) emailed a few links that led me to mac users forums. Sadly, after trying a few of the different suggestions and losing my playlists,i have to admit defeat.
Also, it has taught me that i really do have to spend a few hours sorting and organizing my music!. There's too much overlap and some albums have been broken up even though when i check their properties all the labels are correct. I guess i really do have to start dating someone with computer skills. I have massive skills, but IT savviness is not it!
Sunday, July 04, 2010
Spunkeymonkey does Broome in winter
It's my 3rd time out to Broome in the past 18 months or so. I've been pretty lucky in experiencing the Wet and Dry seasons here. Broome time is a different beast altogether and i do not think i can get used to that!.
An example: clients never arrive on-time. If their appointment is at 1400, they'll get there exactly 1405 or later. Of course, if they have to wait..then all hell breaks loose. Realistically, if everyone came in 5-10 minutes late, one session taking 15 minutes or more, then by the 4th person you can easily face wait periods of more than 30 minutes. So, do people bother showing up early?. Do they call beforehand if late?. Nope. I hate Broome-time. I am given to understand it is because it is relaxed and laidback and dreamy here but No. It is rudeness.
Broome in winter though,ah it is so nice (for me). The last few days have been cool in the mornings, enough for a light sweater and then heating up nicely to 30 degrees celcius and then at night cold enough that snuggling under a duvet is heavenly.
Today has been wonderful. I had stayed up late after a "house-warming" party at this new residence. All the key players showed up and it was fun and loud and lots of laughter. After all the rest left to watch Paul Kelly, i cleaned up, had a nap in preparation for footy. Dazed and delirious, saw that Germany won, tried to watch the Tour de France (at this point it was 0130h) and then conked out. Received text from Festival Virgin who was at Hop Farm fest in the UK, at that point it was 3 in the morning and i was still awake because i was bloody hungry but too lazy to get up.Finally got up and received rather cryptic message "Good advice about the wet wipes". Let us not ponder deeply about situations at music festivals requiring wet wipes. I put a mental block each time after a festival.
Knowing that i had sea-kayaking planned later at 250p.m, rather groggily and looking like a rock band groupie after a Hard Night with the band, i started walking on Cable Beach. It was ideal. Strong winds to drown out me singing-along to Goldfrapp's Supernature, cold enough to prevent my muscles overheating and full of life at 7a.m. By the time i finished Supernature and got on to Basement Jaxx it was nearly 9a.m and i had bloody well nearly walked all the way to Gantheaume Point!. A bit too much fun there yowling like a kitty cat but i climbed back into bed after doing all the exercises and stretches the physio taught me for my back.
Ah, my back. I have a torn QL, likely small tears in its attachments to T12-L1, a "divot" in my erectus spinae along T9-T12 and of course some minor disc compression L5-S1. For all that, i thank god for mental strength and general stubborness because i believe that's why i've still managed to get back to work full-on and recovering adequately just 2 weeks after the incident. I am still extremely pissed at DR CJ from DoctorCall at 121, Harley Street who basically said "It's just soft tissue and i won't examine further because you are just too sore". Right, thanks mate. I can't get registered as a GP in your country but i think that's just bloody crap. I have to say this is why i still trust Traditional Chinese Medicine doctors and other allied health like Chiropractors and Physios because they do listen to you and they do trust you. I'm a GP myself and i would never let someone leave after falling down a flight of stairs without checking them out. Or at least give the number and address of some allied health professionals so that early therapy can be started. Big breath out....
Sadly, kayaking has been cancelled as it's a bit choppy out there in the bay with all this gusty winds. I think another walk is called for but i'll make it reasonable, maybe 40 minutes instead of 2 hours plus.
It is wonderful up here at this time of year.
An example: clients never arrive on-time. If their appointment is at 1400, they'll get there exactly 1405 or later. Of course, if they have to wait..then all hell breaks loose. Realistically, if everyone came in 5-10 minutes late, one session taking 15 minutes or more, then by the 4th person you can easily face wait periods of more than 30 minutes. So, do people bother showing up early?. Do they call beforehand if late?. Nope. I hate Broome-time. I am given to understand it is because it is relaxed and laidback and dreamy here but No. It is rudeness.
Broome in winter though,ah it is so nice (for me). The last few days have been cool in the mornings, enough for a light sweater and then heating up nicely to 30 degrees celcius and then at night cold enough that snuggling under a duvet is heavenly.
Today has been wonderful. I had stayed up late after a "house-warming" party at this new residence. All the key players showed up and it was fun and loud and lots of laughter. After all the rest left to watch Paul Kelly, i cleaned up, had a nap in preparation for footy. Dazed and delirious, saw that Germany won, tried to watch the Tour de France (at this point it was 0130h) and then conked out. Received text from Festival Virgin who was at Hop Farm fest in the UK, at that point it was 3 in the morning and i was still awake because i was bloody hungry but too lazy to get up.Finally got up and received rather cryptic message "Good advice about the wet wipes". Let us not ponder deeply about situations at music festivals requiring wet wipes. I put a mental block each time after a festival.
Knowing that i had sea-kayaking planned later at 250p.m, rather groggily and looking like a rock band groupie after a Hard Night with the band, i started walking on Cable Beach. It was ideal. Strong winds to drown out me singing-along to Goldfrapp's Supernature, cold enough to prevent my muscles overheating and full of life at 7a.m. By the time i finished Supernature and got on to Basement Jaxx it was nearly 9a.m and i had bloody well nearly walked all the way to Gantheaume Point!. A bit too much fun there yowling like a kitty cat but i climbed back into bed after doing all the exercises and stretches the physio taught me for my back.
Ah, my back. I have a torn QL, likely small tears in its attachments to T12-L1, a "divot" in my erectus spinae along T9-T12 and of course some minor disc compression L5-S1. For all that, i thank god for mental strength and general stubborness because i believe that's why i've still managed to get back to work full-on and recovering adequately just 2 weeks after the incident. I am still extremely pissed at DR CJ from DoctorCall at 121, Harley Street who basically said "It's just soft tissue and i won't examine further because you are just too sore". Right, thanks mate. I can't get registered as a GP in your country but i think that's just bloody crap. I have to say this is why i still trust Traditional Chinese Medicine doctors and other allied health like Chiropractors and Physios because they do listen to you and they do trust you. I'm a GP myself and i would never let someone leave after falling down a flight of stairs without checking them out. Or at least give the number and address of some allied health professionals so that early therapy can be started. Big breath out....
Sadly, kayaking has been cancelled as it's a bit choppy out there in the bay with all this gusty winds. I think another walk is called for but i'll make it reasonable, maybe 40 minutes instead of 2 hours plus.
It is wonderful up here at this time of year.
Thursday, July 01, 2010
Pretty In Pink
After a rather horrendous day at work;i needed no more complex thinking and very superficial emotional engagements. Most people say, get in touch with your feelings. No thanks mate, mine are way too much in touch. Be more self-aware.
What does being self-aware mean?. I always thought it meant knowing your limitations, your strengths,weaknesses and when to give yourself a break. Obviously, i am no psychotherapist but i know how to get people to calm down and chill. Received a call today from a lady associated with the Hoffman Institute about pre-course preparation.
I am going for an 8 Day Hoffman Quadrinity Process course. Apparently, according to this very nice lady from Melbourne: "It is a massive psychic clean out" and will force you to face very difficult issues. I am actually scared and nervous but i have nothing left to lose. If it does turn out to be typical Caucasian-namby pamby touchy feely bullshit, hey i can still claim it under my taxes. No loss there.
There's a certain neuroticism i associate with people who do not have to really worry whether someone's going to bash in their door and arrest them based on their religion, persecute them in the name of politics or just when they do not have to worry about basic things like food, shelter, clothing. However, i realize i am being unfair.
I thought it was amusing when i had to describe why i wanted to go on the course. Mainly it was because i am losing the battle to stand up for myself against enmeshed family unit. Having someone describe what i am and have been going through as horrific seems a bit too much for me. However, i've had a relationship breakdown, another guy i hardly know and just met describing me as co-dependent and enabling with my parents and just too focused on serving and helping people that i was neglecting myself. It was even harsher to hear that i do not feel enough nor am kind to myself.
In the spirit of starting over and having lost everything that really was important to me: a future, future children, caring partner why not try this as a last resort?. Hey,if i still can not be "All i can be" or "feel more space" in myself then i know it confirms my basic belief that some people are meant to be happy, some with loved ones and some solitary. It is a bit tough sometimes, a bit relaxing at others, mostly lonely, but no big deal.
Watching Pretty In Pink made me feel more than i wanted to anyway. I was hoping for fun teen 80s style romance comedy. Now viewed through my jaded eyes,it is actually pretty deep for a teen movie. talking abandonment, fitting in, rejection of love, self worth and status anxiety. I feel like Andie.
It is surprising though that Andie's style is actually so fashion forward with her vintage and op-shop gear. In the movie, Iona's outfits too are amazing. I'm dressing more like myself these days, more vintage and classic gear.Less utilitarian gear as i do not have to dress down anymore, i can dress whatever the hell the way i like without some guy saying, your waistline should be lower. Well, honey, i'm a 38-31-42 kinda girl so my waist is my waist and that's not somewhere near the pubic bone. It is nice feeling gorgeous again and in a sense i had let myself go after being with someone who you just could not please. A silent protest when i could have just argued more!.
Although the magazines are touting the 1940s to 60s as the current style guide, realistically our society is way too buy and trash it in mentality. I think we need to stop following fashions too much and like Andie, piece together pre-worn gear, make your embellishments or alterations and have your own style.
Berty and Gerty at the Camden Market locks is a great bargain vintage store. I scored 3 dresses all from early to mid 1970s. One may actually be a late 1960s housewife dress with sweetheart neckline which i will wear to work tomorrow with a fitted belt from another dress i scored at Witchery-classic tiered ruffles that are soft and fitted and accentuate your curves. Although i do cringe a bit at all the excess cleavage girls seem to like showing here, they've got the nipped in the waist look to perfection.
Camden is also good for Allsaints- great store layout, simplistic yet timeless style, excellent material but pity the silhouttes can only work for the uber skinny.
Going back to Pretty In Pink: i hated that it made me cry, i hated that it reminded me in very quick succession 2 blokes have hurt me badly though unintentionally but i loved the dialogue, humour, style and heart of the movie.
Time for bed, not that i will sleep much, just random sad thoughts waking me up at intervals.
What does being self-aware mean?. I always thought it meant knowing your limitations, your strengths,weaknesses and when to give yourself a break. Obviously, i am no psychotherapist but i know how to get people to calm down and chill. Received a call today from a lady associated with the Hoffman Institute about pre-course preparation.
I am going for an 8 Day Hoffman Quadrinity Process course. Apparently, according to this very nice lady from Melbourne: "It is a massive psychic clean out" and will force you to face very difficult issues. I am actually scared and nervous but i have nothing left to lose. If it does turn out to be typical Caucasian-namby pamby touchy feely bullshit, hey i can still claim it under my taxes. No loss there.
There's a certain neuroticism i associate with people who do not have to really worry whether someone's going to bash in their door and arrest them based on their religion, persecute them in the name of politics or just when they do not have to worry about basic things like food, shelter, clothing. However, i realize i am being unfair.
I thought it was amusing when i had to describe why i wanted to go on the course. Mainly it was because i am losing the battle to stand up for myself against enmeshed family unit. Having someone describe what i am and have been going through as horrific seems a bit too much for me. However, i've had a relationship breakdown, another guy i hardly know and just met describing me as co-dependent and enabling with my parents and just too focused on serving and helping people that i was neglecting myself. It was even harsher to hear that i do not feel enough nor am kind to myself.
In the spirit of starting over and having lost everything that really was important to me: a future, future children, caring partner why not try this as a last resort?. Hey,if i still can not be "All i can be" or "feel more space" in myself then i know it confirms my basic belief that some people are meant to be happy, some with loved ones and some solitary. It is a bit tough sometimes, a bit relaxing at others, mostly lonely, but no big deal.
Watching Pretty In Pink made me feel more than i wanted to anyway. I was hoping for fun teen 80s style romance comedy. Now viewed through my jaded eyes,it is actually pretty deep for a teen movie. talking abandonment, fitting in, rejection of love, self worth and status anxiety. I feel like Andie.
It is surprising though that Andie's style is actually so fashion forward with her vintage and op-shop gear. In the movie, Iona's outfits too are amazing. I'm dressing more like myself these days, more vintage and classic gear.Less utilitarian gear as i do not have to dress down anymore, i can dress whatever the hell the way i like without some guy saying, your waistline should be lower. Well, honey, i'm a 38-31-42 kinda girl so my waist is my waist and that's not somewhere near the pubic bone. It is nice feeling gorgeous again and in a sense i had let myself go after being with someone who you just could not please. A silent protest when i could have just argued more!.
Although the magazines are touting the 1940s to 60s as the current style guide, realistically our society is way too buy and trash it in mentality. I think we need to stop following fashions too much and like Andie, piece together pre-worn gear, make your embellishments or alterations and have your own style.
Berty and Gerty at the Camden Market locks is a great bargain vintage store. I scored 3 dresses all from early to mid 1970s. One may actually be a late 1960s housewife dress with sweetheart neckline which i will wear to work tomorrow with a fitted belt from another dress i scored at Witchery-classic tiered ruffles that are soft and fitted and accentuate your curves. Although i do cringe a bit at all the excess cleavage girls seem to like showing here, they've got the nipped in the waist look to perfection.
Camden is also good for Allsaints- great store layout, simplistic yet timeless style, excellent material but pity the silhouttes can only work for the uber skinny.
Going back to Pretty In Pink: i hated that it made me cry, i hated that it reminded me in very quick succession 2 blokes have hurt me badly though unintentionally but i loved the dialogue, humour, style and heart of the movie.
Time for bed, not that i will sleep much, just random sad thoughts waking me up at intervals.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
World Cup fever
I am watching what is probably the 3rd replay of the Brazil vs Chile match.Watched it last night through an industrious haze of updating my Guardian Soul mates profile. What can i say?. I liked both teams as they are brown people like me, but Brazil were stellar. I am SO hoping they beat the Netherlands mainly because 25% of Dutch people voted for Gert Wilders. Now, i need another whole post to describe what a buddy of mine, who is a 3rd generation immigrant in the Netherlands goes through every day.It's atrocious and gave me the chills.
Sadly, all this World Cup viewing means i am not sleeping much which is a blessing and a curse. I cannot sleep that well anyway after falling down some stairs on 17/6/2010. It kinda hurts when you move around yeah?. Like a knife in the back. However, not enough sleep means delayed healing..what a vicious cycle. Anyhow, there is no way in hell i am going to get up at 430am to watch Portugal play. I abhor Ronaldo and hope they crash out.
It is sad being somewhere where there's hardly any World Cup fever. In Europe, at the airport they set up huge screens in the lounges for us to watch the World Cup. At train stations, public squares, cafes and pubs it'd be packed with people standing to watch the footy. There is of course the agony of your team losing but hey, it's a great we are all in this together now spirit yeah?.
Come on Brazil!.Send the Netherlands packing please.
Sadly, all this World Cup viewing means i am not sleeping much which is a blessing and a curse. I cannot sleep that well anyway after falling down some stairs on 17/6/2010. It kinda hurts when you move around yeah?. Like a knife in the back. However, not enough sleep means delayed healing..what a vicious cycle. Anyhow, there is no way in hell i am going to get up at 430am to watch Portugal play. I abhor Ronaldo and hope they crash out.
It is sad being somewhere where there's hardly any World Cup fever. In Europe, at the airport they set up huge screens in the lounges for us to watch the World Cup. At train stations, public squares, cafes and pubs it'd be packed with people standing to watch the footy. There is of course the agony of your team losing but hey, it's a great we are all in this together now spirit yeah?.
Come on Brazil!.Send the Netherlands packing please.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Spunkeymonkey & online dating
Hmm,it has definitely changed a lot on online dating (see previous post). Most sound like booty calls. After not much success with bustpersonals.com (what can i say, all the guys i thought were hot 5 years ago are probably married now), i went on to yahoo.com. Hey, that's where i met my last guy. Selection=disastrous.
Admittedly, i am super picky now. No more losers who teach high-school and earn 70K a year yet insist on living like 1st generation refugees with no stable income. That bites. I did all that throughout university and that is not what i want. I'm not rich but i like the simple pleasures of life-actually having an en-suite bathroom when travelling, maybe a fan and maybe gosh-darn it, eat somewhere nice and try a new restaurant. Also, after 6 years of you CANNOT go and attend gigs, clubs, concerts and festivals ;i am going all out now.
So far this year has been stellar: Cat Power, Southbound with Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Grizzly Bear and Metallica, On the Bright Side, Angus and Julia Stone and Sarah Blasko coming up. Travelling to Ireland to catch Gorillaz and yes, i am willing to lose my job over that as i fucking do not care anymore. It's been bloody tiring being a good girl, good daughter, good girlfriend who puts up with excessive frugality, skid marks in the toilet and inability to flush said toilet and stinky feet. Enough.
So, i try Guardian Soulmates as one dude taunts me (i do not take well to taunts) saying there's no way that i am what i am if i can't afford to subscribe. So, i subscribe but this dude gets weirder. I block him, inform Guardian Soulmates and that's easy.
Then, there's this very fascinating, absolutely lovely guy who can actually string together 9-10 word sentences in wonderful long emails. He emails regularly, we met up in the UK a few times. Alas, the lustre of the pearl has diminished so now, i am lucky to get an email a week. No chemistry on his part, on my part i thought he was super awesome in the personality department.
A spaniard living in the UK mysteriously says, i am interested in history and Renaissance art. So i emailed back and said, look mate,i'm actually going to the exhibition.If you want to come email me and you can join me. He chickens out and doesn't. I have a bloody good time with art of Fra Angelico, Raphael, Leonardo and Titian at the British Museum where i am now a member. God, if i ever ever win a house with the RSL, i am selling it and living in England. The British Museum, the British Library, Tate Britain & Tate Modern-it was just too awesome.
I think i am going to reactivate my Guardian soulmates account. I was pretty miserable after falling (literally) down some stairs and injuring my back. I'm back at work, have decided i want to live in Perth the next 2 years unless of course i majorly luck out and get my Fellowship earlier. Upon which i will apply for a medical post on the Isle of Wight and fucking rock the festival every year and buy that house in Southern France or Turkey.
Right, Slovakia-despite your loss i salute you because you guys kick-ass. I am heading your way in exactly 6 months.
Admittedly, i am super picky now. No more losers who teach high-school and earn 70K a year yet insist on living like 1st generation refugees with no stable income. That bites. I did all that throughout university and that is not what i want. I'm not rich but i like the simple pleasures of life-actually having an en-suite bathroom when travelling, maybe a fan and maybe gosh-darn it, eat somewhere nice and try a new restaurant. Also, after 6 years of you CANNOT go and attend gigs, clubs, concerts and festivals ;i am going all out now.
So far this year has been stellar: Cat Power, Southbound with Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Grizzly Bear and Metallica, On the Bright Side, Angus and Julia Stone and Sarah Blasko coming up. Travelling to Ireland to catch Gorillaz and yes, i am willing to lose my job over that as i fucking do not care anymore. It's been bloody tiring being a good girl, good daughter, good girlfriend who puts up with excessive frugality, skid marks in the toilet and inability to flush said toilet and stinky feet. Enough.
So, i try Guardian Soulmates as one dude taunts me (i do not take well to taunts) saying there's no way that i am what i am if i can't afford to subscribe. So, i subscribe but this dude gets weirder. I block him, inform Guardian Soulmates and that's easy.
Then, there's this very fascinating, absolutely lovely guy who can actually string together 9-10 word sentences in wonderful long emails. He emails regularly, we met up in the UK a few times. Alas, the lustre of the pearl has diminished so now, i am lucky to get an email a week. No chemistry on his part, on my part i thought he was super awesome in the personality department.
A spaniard living in the UK mysteriously says, i am interested in history and Renaissance art. So i emailed back and said, look mate,i'm actually going to the exhibition.If you want to come email me and you can join me. He chickens out and doesn't. I have a bloody good time with art of Fra Angelico, Raphael, Leonardo and Titian at the British Museum where i am now a member. God, if i ever ever win a house with the RSL, i am selling it and living in England. The British Museum, the British Library, Tate Britain & Tate Modern-it was just too awesome.
I think i am going to reactivate my Guardian soulmates account. I was pretty miserable after falling (literally) down some stairs and injuring my back. I'm back at work, have decided i want to live in Perth the next 2 years unless of course i majorly luck out and get my Fellowship earlier. Upon which i will apply for a medical post on the Isle of Wight and fucking rock the festival every year and buy that house in Southern France or Turkey.
Right, Slovakia-despite your loss i salute you because you guys kick-ass. I am heading your way in exactly 6 months.
My madness has no budget
I should have planned and budgeted for a 1/3rd life crisis. Why was i stupid enough NOT to have a back-up plan (i.e second boyfriend) stashed away somewhere in case your fiance dumps your ass?. This is what i get for saving up every cent for a home deposit and saving my courage to ask permission from my folks?. WTF?
So,i am slowly going mental because there's no one to talk to anymore at the end of the day. I have 4 times today, contemplated emailing a man i have only known recently since May. Everytime, it was something mundane about my first visit to a horse-race, specifically the Broome Turf Club racing. For a non-drinker and non-gambler it was still a lot of fun. Also, i wanted to tell him about Space Invader (http://www.space-invaders.com/) who is a grafitti/street artist in Paris i adore. He is heading off to Paris to do shopping in July and there's so many things i want to tell him about Paris.
I also wanted to talk about this massive mix-tape, now multi CD track listing of my favourite songs (not all of them) but,since there's been no response to my email since Friday,of course i cannot write at all. Usually i do not give a shit or write, but with this guy being all "i am so independent" and "i think you should read up on co-dependency", i am a bit freaked out. Me,co-dependent?. Right now, i am beginning to think he is right or i just so damn bloody lonely without any of my friends in the same town, let alone country or geographic distribution.
At the same time, i am also thinking what the fuck?. I make people music compilations, share my favourite music and make this dude a mix tape as he is way too musically deprived. But, no one has ever made me a bloody mix-tape ever?. I am SO worthy of a mix-tape. Now, you non Nick Hornby fans may not understand this at all, but just pretend.
The problem is, this dude i met in the UK, was the best kind to talk and talk and talk to because he actually knows shit. His eyes do not glaze over if i start talking about literature,art, science, music, comic books, nature and just trash talk.
Gah, i need to start dating younger men but the problem is they do not earn as much as i do and i no longer want to support 3 generations of a family. I want someone who'll make me laugh-a lot. Someone who can laugh at me when i get silly, or when i get uber passionate about some obscure art movement or artists. Who may not understand why i am devoted to Mucha, Miro, Seurat but love me anyway for being crazy.
I also realize no one really reads any of these blogs except well meaning friends yeah?.
So,i am slowly going mental because there's no one to talk to anymore at the end of the day. I have 4 times today, contemplated emailing a man i have only known recently since May. Everytime, it was something mundane about my first visit to a horse-race, specifically the Broome Turf Club racing. For a non-drinker and non-gambler it was still a lot of fun. Also, i wanted to tell him about Space Invader (http://www.space-invaders.com/) who is a grafitti/street artist in Paris i adore. He is heading off to Paris to do shopping in July and there's so many things i want to tell him about Paris.
I also wanted to talk about this massive mix-tape, now multi CD track listing of my favourite songs (not all of them) but,since there's been no response to my email since Friday,of course i cannot write at all. Usually i do not give a shit or write, but with this guy being all "i am so independent" and "i think you should read up on co-dependency", i am a bit freaked out. Me,co-dependent?. Right now, i am beginning to think he is right or i just so damn bloody lonely without any of my friends in the same town, let alone country or geographic distribution.
At the same time, i am also thinking what the fuck?. I make people music compilations, share my favourite music and make this dude a mix tape as he is way too musically deprived. But, no one has ever made me a bloody mix-tape ever?. I am SO worthy of a mix-tape. Now, you non Nick Hornby fans may not understand this at all, but just pretend.
The problem is, this dude i met in the UK, was the best kind to talk and talk and talk to because he actually knows shit. His eyes do not glaze over if i start talking about literature,art, science, music, comic books, nature and just trash talk.
Gah, i need to start dating younger men but the problem is they do not earn as much as i do and i no longer want to support 3 generations of a family. I want someone who'll make me laugh-a lot. Someone who can laugh at me when i get silly, or when i get uber passionate about some obscure art movement or artists. Who may not understand why i am devoted to Mucha, Miro, Seurat but love me anyway for being crazy.
I also realize no one really reads any of these blogs except well meaning friends yeah?.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Spunkeymonkey starts all over again
It appeared at one point, last January precisely, that i thought life was finally coming together and go easy on me. There was a bloke i thought would actually be good to stay with the rest of my life, there was my dream of going back to Canada coming to fruition. I had passed my specialist exams (MRCGP) and had passed the first part of my fellowship exams here in Australia.
One year on, engagement is over, failed to match to a residency program in Canada despite working as a General practitioner the past 3 years and my specialist pathway was up-ended overnight by the RACGP here in Australia, blocking my way to do my last 2 exams. My family faced financial difficulties as well so you could say it was an annus horribilis of huge portions. Having lost everything what is there to do but start all over again?. Pick up the pieces and travel and just enjoy my own company. Try very very very hard not to feel like someone just took a sledgehammer to your sense of self and whacked it vigorously.
What do you do when the one person you thought understood you thinks you deceived them?. Explain and try not to reel from the thought that after all these years, they really did not know you at all.
I am deeply grateful and thankful for my friends though. Having them to talk to, talk through things and have a good cry has helped immensely.
So, i thought why not start all over again on internet dating?. I'll be studying again for my Fellowship and keep trying to get a chance to write them. I will also still try to get a residency spot and if all else fails just go over to Canada and work as a "physician's assistant" and see how much of the torture i can put up with. Or, just not bother anymore, admit defeat and keep raking in the cash here in Australia. Hmm, perhaps internet dating will be a good distraction, plus you don't have to waste money going out. Plus, the optimist in me thinks, maybe i'll meet a great guy.
Not knowing what to do, fortuitously my answer came during a break in regular programming. Something called eharmony.com. Allegedly, they'll only match guys who fit your criteria or whose personality fits your own. In order to find this "match", a series of questions covering 27-29 categories were posed. I was tickled pink to find out i am soft-hearted, emotionally responsive, curious about the world, focused and a know-it-all. Not very flattering but hey, beggars can't be choosers.
Apparently, matches are hard to come by. Receiving 8 matches, 2 caught my eye. What do i look for?.Someone who sounds semi-intelligent, not a pervert, interesting and easy on the eyes. Although i am no supermodel, i clean up really well and i find i do need "chemistry" before i bother going out with anyone. A rocket scientist was offered (for real!) and an artist type person.
After 4 days, i've had about 5 guys try to "communicate" with me. Sadly, only the artist dude i quite like. However, after several rather painful emails -painful as i write nice juicy long ones and get a 3 sentence reply,i realize a good profile does not a match make (okay, that confused me too). Too bad, i rather thought artist dude and me had lots of things in common: a love of the arts, Natalie Portman, we are family-oriented, not much into the looks bit, both concentrate on financial security and our careers. Plus, we both have Indonesia as a common factor.
Well ladies, i can only say this: if a guy can only write 3 sentences in an email, either he does not dig you or he's too busy. The 3rd option, he has limited verbal skills is scary.Let's not go there.
Wish me luck, next dating website check is www.bust.com/personals.
One year on, engagement is over, failed to match to a residency program in Canada despite working as a General practitioner the past 3 years and my specialist pathway was up-ended overnight by the RACGP here in Australia, blocking my way to do my last 2 exams. My family faced financial difficulties as well so you could say it was an annus horribilis of huge portions. Having lost everything what is there to do but start all over again?. Pick up the pieces and travel and just enjoy my own company. Try very very very hard not to feel like someone just took a sledgehammer to your sense of self and whacked it vigorously.
What do you do when the one person you thought understood you thinks you deceived them?. Explain and try not to reel from the thought that after all these years, they really did not know you at all.
I am deeply grateful and thankful for my friends though. Having them to talk to, talk through things and have a good cry has helped immensely.
So, i thought why not start all over again on internet dating?. I'll be studying again for my Fellowship and keep trying to get a chance to write them. I will also still try to get a residency spot and if all else fails just go over to Canada and work as a "physician's assistant" and see how much of the torture i can put up with. Or, just not bother anymore, admit defeat and keep raking in the cash here in Australia. Hmm, perhaps internet dating will be a good distraction, plus you don't have to waste money going out. Plus, the optimist in me thinks, maybe i'll meet a great guy.
Not knowing what to do, fortuitously my answer came during a break in regular programming. Something called eharmony.com. Allegedly, they'll only match guys who fit your criteria or whose personality fits your own. In order to find this "match", a series of questions covering 27-29 categories were posed. I was tickled pink to find out i am soft-hearted, emotionally responsive, curious about the world, focused and a know-it-all. Not very flattering but hey, beggars can't be choosers.
Apparently, matches are hard to come by. Receiving 8 matches, 2 caught my eye. What do i look for?.Someone who sounds semi-intelligent, not a pervert, interesting and easy on the eyes. Although i am no supermodel, i clean up really well and i find i do need "chemistry" before i bother going out with anyone. A rocket scientist was offered (for real!) and an artist type person.
After 4 days, i've had about 5 guys try to "communicate" with me. Sadly, only the artist dude i quite like. However, after several rather painful emails -painful as i write nice juicy long ones and get a 3 sentence reply,i realize a good profile does not a match make (okay, that confused me too). Too bad, i rather thought artist dude and me had lots of things in common: a love of the arts, Natalie Portman, we are family-oriented, not much into the looks bit, both concentrate on financial security and our careers. Plus, we both have Indonesia as a common factor.
Well ladies, i can only say this: if a guy can only write 3 sentences in an email, either he does not dig you or he's too busy. The 3rd option, he has limited verbal skills is scary.Let's not go there.
Wish me luck, next dating website check is www.bust.com/personals.
Spunkeymonkey does Cape Leveque
Short 1 day trip to Dampier Peninsula courtesy of Kimberley Wild adventures based in Broome. We had an early start to the day, with the massive 4WD truck/bus picking up passengers at 650a.m. I was picked up from Cable Beach Club Resort which was about 10 minute walk from my current accommodation.
There were 17 of us, a good mix of newlyweds, older couples and a very fun bunch of Spanish emigres who are from Melbourne. I especially enjoyed listening to Estella, a very cheerful and sprightly Nanna from Spain, telling me about their family, how they live in Spain and her grandchildren. What can i say, a lot of oldies remind me of my own Gran who i wish we travel a lot more!.
The ride started off smoothly but once we got onto the turn-off to the Dampier Peninsula is what like riding a wild thing. The recent late heavy rains had caused deep corrugations in the road,and had covered bitumen with the bright red Kimberley soil. No sleeping on this trip!. The rough and wild ride lasted nearly an hour. It was with great relief we stumbled off the bus to visit Beagle Bay indigenous community. The main attraction here is the Sacred Heart Church which is has an altar made of Mother of Pearl and decorated with shells. A compact church, it serves the Aboriginal community of Beagle Bay. A quick morning tea courtesy of our guides with Anzac biscuits and Fruit cake. An unexpected attraction was a visit by a curious lad and his wonderfully adorable dog.
After a refreshing tea break, it was back on the bus to One Arm Point community. Both Beagle Bay and One Arm Point are self administered Indigenous communities and they are alcohol free. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beagle_Bay_Community,_Western_Australia)
One Arm Point is located on King Sound, which is a large bay that extends all the way to Derby about 200km away. Looking out North, you can see Thursday Island and the rapid and powerful tides that will give rise to the Horizontal Waterfalls. If the wave energy or current energy was ever harnessed, there would be enough energy to power the whole of Australia (according to our guide!).
At One Arm Point, we visited an amazing hatchery: breeding anemones, soft coral, barramundi, clown fish and greenback turtles. Some of these marine creatures were found in trouble and then rehabilitated here. I loved it as i fed one of the turtles and got to scratch their shells!. Apparently, turtles love having their shells scratched. All you had to do was be a bit careful where you position your fingers. If it is too much in their faces, watch out!.
Feeding barramundi was a highlight as well. These fish are agile and powerful. As soon as they grow to a 100cm long, it's barbecue time. There was also a Lion Fish:spectacular and deadly. Being able to gently stroke anemones and soft coral that are grown there was another highlight. A special species, Magnificent Anemones is home to clown fish and quite essential for their survival. Smaller clown fish hide amongst the tendrils and are kept safe from bigger clown fish that would have simply ate them!. Clown fish are very advanced. They are all born male and then if water temperatures rise to more than 25 degrees celcius they become female. In another circumstance, if a female clown fish is eaten, the male will change and become a female.
Barramundi are interesting too. As soon as they grow to 4-5kg, they switch over and become female. I would not mess with barramundi though. Just eat 'em.
Another highlight at the hatchery was lovely shells polished to a sheen for sale. Some of these shells were made into lovely bangles. As i did not know we could have purchased, i was short of money!. So sad, but i do recommend them as you cannot buy them anywhere else and the bangles are gorgeous.
After spending close to an hour at the hatchery, we stopped by the shore to get a closer look at the rapid tides going across King Sound. In the hazy blue horizon, a faint outline of Sunday Island can be seen.
15 minutes away was out next stop, Kooljaman resort, the only one in the area. Kooljaman is administered by the Indigenous community there. It is strongly advised to make bookings early on. Space is very limited at Kooljaman. However, it's location close to One Arm Point is well-worth the trip. It is MUCH cheaper to take a flight to view the Horizontal Falls from Kooljaman than from Broome ($290 vs $575 or $690 depending which company you go with). A very short and cheery lunch was had in one of the thatched shelters close to the beach. At this point it was midday and broiling.
Quite a few brave souls headed out to the beach for a dip. Sadly, they reported to me it felt more like a hot bath than a refreshing dip. Another quick tea and coffee and we were off to visit Lombadina.
Lombadina is another Aboriginal community of the Dampier peninsula. The main attraction there would be the Bush Church which is a wooden structure. It is quite rickety now but charming in its way. Lombadina was our last stop and our way back, Jeff our guide pointed out Cygnet Bay-a pearl farm. Cygnet Bay used to be closed to the public but now people can come and visit and there are tours from Broome that stop here as part of the Horizontal Falls trip.
The ride back was certainly wild and bone-shaking for about 2 hours. I swear, at times i flew up out of my seat, restrained only by the seatbelt. Sticky, tired but rather happy, i was dropped of at Cable Beach Club resort. Definitely recommend traveling with this company as you are well-fed on their trips.
1.www.kimberleywild.com.au
2.Horizontal Falls:
http://www.horizontalfalls.com.au/
www.kimberleyextreme.com.au/
www.bushflight.com.au/horizontal-falls-tour.php
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)