Free at last!

All done, all finished. I've survived my final day at work and come through reasonably unscathed. There were quite a few tears, and I haven't managed to read my farewell cards completely because every time I start, I read something from one of my friends and start crying. I think I'll deal with them when I get back.

I'm off to the beach today for about 10 days with my boy. Haven't even started packing yet, let alone been to the supermarket for supplies for my housesitting brother yet, so this post will be really short.

I'll see you all in November. I'll be the slightly tanned, relaxed one.

Borrowing trouble?

Tonight is the last night that I come home from work knowing that I will be going to the same job in the morning. I feel a little like I did when I finished school, not knowing what will be happening next.

I'm daunted because I will be the new kid again, and won't be what I have been for so long now, the font of all knowledge and experience. Will the people at my new job like me? Will they get my sense of humour? Will they think that I am good at my job, and hiring me was the wise decision, or will they see through everything, and think that I'm a fraud? Yes, I'm suffering from a major case of self confidence today.

I know that I should get through my last day of work first, but I'm already starting to dread my first day in the new job, and it isn't for another 3 weeks.

One more day, just one more day and work is over.

Then....the beach!

Indecent exposure, public drunkeness and a police visit...

I had my first farewell lunch today. Only 2 lunches, one breakfast and drinks to go. Today was my official lunch, the one that my boss said they were not paying for, but was then shamed into. Bitter, me?

All 40 odd of us headed down to a fairly new restaurant on the bay, and sat in front of the glass windows looking over the sand and the water. Because it was such a beautiful day, there were lots of people frolicking on the beach, and occasionally braving the still cold water.

We kept watching 2 men, who kept removing clothes until they were both naked. They were surrounded by empty beer bottles. One of them tried to get dressed again, but got a bit confused, and put his jeans on, and then his boardshorts. Interesting look. The other man decided it was all too hard, and just decided to stay wandering around naked. Not the look he should have aspired to. Someone said something to him, and then he tried to put his boardshorts on, but just couldn't do it, and ended up doing an impersonation of a starfish, with his shorts around his ankles. Shudder. My boss very kindly hoped that I appreciated the male strippers that she had arranged for me.

The local constabulary arrived, and helped them to get dressed properly and escorted them off the beach.

Priceless entertainment, but I really hope that the sunburn and the hangover don't both hit at once.

Final playlist

I finally finished my playlist for my final music trivia at work tomorrow.

In the order I'll be playing them...

She works hard for the money - Donna Summer
Summertime blues - Eddie Cochran
I Love Work - Butterfingers
Summertime - Ella Fitzgerald
Work - Uncanny X-Men
I want to break free - Queen
Summer Rain - Belinda Carlisle
Bang the Drum - Todd Rundgren
Dreadlock Holiday - 10cc
In the Summertime - Mungo Jerry
Summer Holiday - Cliff Richard
The Way - Fastball
Summertime - DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince
Every day should be a holiday - Dandy Warhols
One Summer - Daryl Braithwaite (confession - I want to know how many people will admit to knowing this)
Holiday - Madonna
Summer Nights - John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John
Boys of Summer - Don Henley
Missing - Everything but the Girl (for the people I really will miss)
Schools Out for Summer - Alice Cooper

Thank you all for your suggestions because they have definitely helped. I don't think anyone will get the full 40 points :)

4 more days...

If you're happy and you know it....

Jump up and down with excitement because you were offered 2 jobs in half an hour!!

I've taken the first one I was offered, which I really really wanted, so I'm really excited.

They are couriering the contract down to me tomorrow, and I'll start in a month.

Wooohoo!!! I've got the job I want, where I get less stress and pressure, more money, and get to learn stacks of new stuff.

Too hard...

Some mornings, it is just too hard to get out of bed. Just ask George.

Merchant prince?

Him: I put a new button on my black shirt today
Me: Well done. Did you find the missing button?
Him: Nope, I had to go to Spotlight to buy a new one. Next time can you come with me please because I was really intimidated?
Me: What was so intimidating?
Him: There was all of this stuff there, I just wanted to find buttons. You know how to deal with these shops.
Me: Did you ask for help?
Him: No, I'm a man, I can find my way around a shop. I just wish that they would open a branch for men called Spotlite. All it would stock is simple buttons and thread and that way I don't have to go through everything else.

Think the idea would take off? Contrary to his belief I'm not an expert at finding my way around fabric and craft megastores, so there are times I would love a cut down version to just get the basics and get out of there. I can see it taking off in the CBD for when we all have those wardrobe malfunctions that we need to fix now.

I need some suggestions

On my last day at work (10 to go!!) I will be running my final Music Triva. My theme will be summer, holidays, and a little bit of leaving work. I need to have 20 songs, so that I can play the first 30 seconds or so and everyone has to guess them. I'm looking for song suggestions of any genre that I can use to hopefully baffle a few people, as well as some that will be quite familiar. The theme can relate to either the title or the artist. My audience will range from the late teens until the late forties, so anything you can think of will help.

So far I have:
Summer Holiday - Cliff Richard
Boys of Summer - Don Henley
Work - Uncanny X-Men (just for the line 'everybody wants to work, oh no not me')
Freedom - Wham
In the Summertime - Mungo Jerry
Summertime - DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince

I'm trying to avoid Boys, Boys, Boys (Summertime Love) by Sabrina unless I get really desperate.

Help!

Echoes

Before I moved into my current job, I thought I was OK at Customer Service. I built relationships with my clients, thought I was helpful most of the time, but was really happy to leave them, and all of their dramas.

This morning I was sitting at my desk, when the receptionist started walking towards me with a big box of flowers. I thought they were for the office behind me until she stopped at my desk. I thought that my boy had finally succumbed and sent me flowers (he has been teasing me about them and much prefers to bring me individual ones in person) until she handed me a 700 ml bottle of Absolut Vodka and a letter. Intensely curious, I opened it to find a long letter on letterhead from one of my former clients with the first line "WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO WITHOUT YOU". He wrote the most beautiful letter, said that I could use it as a reference and offered himself or anyone in his company to be an additional referee if the letter wasn't enough. Not in the least surprisingly, I burst into tears, again. It is more than 2 years since I looked after him and his account, and to be remembered like that was just beautiful.

I think sometimes that I forget that the impact of my words and actions can have an echo over the years. Today just served to remind me that anything I do can have an effect for years afterwards. I really hope that most of what I do have a positive effect, and that I'm not the cause of harm or negativity in others.

On a lighter note, my boy asked if that meant he didn't have to send me flowers now? Of course it doesn't :)

Morning Coffee

I've been sitting in my back garden drinking my coffee, just watching the colours of my garden and the morning visits from the birds. I had a visit from 2 kookaburras and moved very quickly yet quietly into the house for the camera. They flew away, but I thought I would share some of the colours with you.

Automatic pilot

I know that I'm running on automatic pilot when:

• I get in the basement lift to get to work and press B and wonder why the lift doesn't move and the door doesn't shut
• I wave my work security pass at my front door and wonder why it doesn't open
• I put food in the cat's bowl and then put the empty tin on the floor and the bowl in the fridge
• I pay for my coffee and then walk off without it
• My mobile rings and I answer the home phone

Wake up Australia!!!

Questions I would like answered

If an HR person is checking my references, just how close to this job am I?

Can I get through the next 2 weeks and 2 days at work without throwing a hissy fit like this morning?

Why are Chris and Lavina in the bottom three on Australian Idol?

Who was St Kilda?

It worked!

We survived the family day. Everyone had a good time. I've spoken to every parental figure I've got today and they all had a good time. We all managed to keep Dad off speeches, and that is an achievement. The weather calmed down, with the wind settling down, and the warmth of the sun coming through right as we were about to eat. We all grabbed the food, and headed to the back garden to eat.

I loved sitting outside in the sun with the people I love most in the world, just watching. Watching my younger brother and sister doing cartwheels, handstands and round offs, and then helping the 3 year princess to do them. Watching little miss 3 start at the top of the garden and try to somersault her way down to the back fence was hysterical. Catching the escaped males in the loungeroom; 2 of them sneaking looks at Bathhurst, and one engrossed in a Patricia Cornwell book. Throwing tennis balls around the garden, from me, to Dad, to my brothers, to my sisters, hiding the tennis ball from little miss 3. Shrieks of laughter from all of us when little miss 3 took her pink skirt off and Dad put it on his head. Frustration when he took it off when I pulled out the camera. Damn. Sitting in the sun, just holding hands with my boy listening to everyone.

No wonder Monday hurt at work today.

What's your favourite album?

While I've been catching up on blogs this morning, and writing the last post, I've had Rage on in the background, and been drinking my coffee. (Oh these young people, they just can't stay focussed on one thing at a time)

The ABC are running another survey this year, this time on Australia's favourite album. Over the last couple of years they have also done books and movies. Books and movies were much easier for me to think of. When it comes to music, there are so many that I love, and I couldn't choose just one. So, in no particular order, here they are.

World Party, Private Revolution
The first few times I heard the first single from this album, Ship of Fools, I hated it. But it grew and grew on me, until I went out and bought the tape of the album. I have listened to it so many times, I'm terrified that I won't be able replace it before it self destructs.

Brassed Off soundtrack
I love a good brass band, always have, and probably always will. One of my favourite songs (and poems), Jerusalem is done particularly well. Ewan McGregor on the cover doesn't hurt either.

Neil Diamond, Hot August Night
This always reminds me of family road trips across the country when I was a kid. My dad played this, I suspect ad nauseum, ad infinitum, every summer when we went interstate to visit my grandparents. Oddly enough, Mum not so much a fan.

Spice Girls, Spiceworld
This is bouncy, cheerful, and the best album to do housework too. Guess what will be on high rotation at my house today.

Skyhooks, Living in the 70's
When I was a kid, I loved the song Horror Movie. When I was about 15, my cousin lent me the whole album and I just loved it. Apparently I'm not cool, and was told that a lot when I listened to it, but I don't care, I just loved it. They sang about places I knew, and I loved that.

Uncanny X-Men, 'Cos Life Hurts
Work, 50 years, Yoko, Best Looking Guy in the Factory. Soundtrack of my early teen years (see Brian Mannix). I only recently discovered that it was produced by Red Symons of Skyhooks, who is also my compulsory morning radio listening.

Tony O'Connor, Rainforest Magic
I listened to this every night when I was going to sleep in year 12. A 7 track cd, I would always find myself falling asleep just after the thunderstorm in track 6.

Triple J Hottest 100, volumes 6 and 7
The soundtrack to being 24 and 25, some of the best times of my life, and some of the best friendships formed.

Garbage, Beautifulgarbage
Singalong, shoutalong songs, and the beautiful Can't Cry These Tears

Beck, Midnite Vultures
Road trips with with a friend I'm not as close to anymore, singing along, and dancing around the office with my friends.

Shrek, Soundtrack
Fun, bouncy, singalong songs, memories of my hysterical laughter in the cinema when The Proclaimers I'm on my way started, and the heartstoppingly beautiful cover of Hallelujah by Rufus Wainwright.

Live songs, Good News week tapes, volume 2
Paul McDermott's voice, some of the most unexpected duets, and the gorgeous Gadflys. More happy memories.

The Edge, Ultimate Rock CD
A compilation from a radio station, Layla, Patti Smith, Marvin Gaye, Jimi Hendrix. Loved the mix for a long time, but will always associate it with helping a very good friend paint his house, varnish his new kitchen benches, and scooting around sanding back the skirting boards.

Mad about the Boy, songs known from the TV commercials
A 22nd birthday present from an old friend. Dinah Washington, Louis Armstrong, Nina Simone, Fontella Bass, Muddy Waters, and the unexpected amusement of the The New Seekers wanting to teach the world to sing. I love to listen to this when I'm being lazy with the Sunday papers.

Oops, this was going to be a short post, but I didn't register just how much music is part of my life. Just looking over the list, I don't have a favourite album from the 2 years that I ate, slept and breathed music volunteering at a radio station. I think that in those years the music that I spent my time with was more singles, the quick easy disposable stuff - Urban Cookie Collective, Dr Alban, Culture Beat, Snow, Ace of Bass.

And speaking of music, here is something I saw yesterday - the rider for Iggy Pop's tour.

Weekend planning

I had such a good time feeding the family 6 weeks or so ago, so I'll be doing it again this weekend. Again, another good reason, this time for a very belated celebration of my brothers engagement.

When my brother got engaged, he told Mum that they didn't want to have an engagement party. A couple of months ago, my stepmother suggested that we have surprise drinks or dinner for them. She then said that Mum and my stepfather were welcome at their place for it, and could my sister and I discuss it with her and see what she thought. I raised it with Mum, who said that she would not spring a surprise on them, and would only be involved if they knew about it beforehand. She is trying very hard not to be an interfering mother(in-law), as she and Dad ending up eloping when her aunt took over arranging their wedding, and doesn't want to inflict that on any of us. We are now having a lunch at my house tomorrow - neutral territory, and the most central. There have been a few precious moments; my brother suspects Mum was lukewarm about it because she didn't think of it first, my other brother (the difficult one) has so far this week told me that he is coming, told Mum he is coming and then told Dad 2 days later he knew nothing about it, and would see if he could make it. Aaargh. I just *love* family dynamics.

I think we finally got the people sorted and there will be 12 people here for lunch tomorrow. The engaged couple, me and the boy, Mum & my Trinistepdadian, Dad and my stepmother, my sister and her boyfriend, my brother, and the babiest sister of them all. I really hope the weather forecast is wrong, and the weather will be good - I want to put them all in the backyard, not the lounge and diningroom. The more space everyone has the happier we will all be. The food is sorted - this time I've delegated the provision of food through the females of the family, and I've arranged to borrow some of Mum's plates (I don't have enough for 12) as well as another table.

Today will be a manic housework day - I just hope that no one will look in the spare bedroom to find all of the clutter I've relocated, as well as a trip to the market for cheeses and salad ingredients. Tomorrow morning the bakery run, and then hopefully a fun day.

Mantras for work

Or things I need to remember for the next 2 weeks and 3 days.

It is not OK to say "I'm really busy right now, so I'll get that done on the weekend or at home tonight"
I am not indispensable. The daily attempts by colleagues to make me feel guilty about leaving, and telling me that they don't know how to replace me are not helping. The company will not fall to pieces when I walk out the door on October 25.
It is not my problem that they have not started to interview a replacement.
It is my responsibility to leave the best handover document I can. If someone is hired to fill my role before I leave I will train them.

I will get another job. I know that when family members ask me if I have a job yet, it is because they love me and don't want me to decimate my savings. It is not because they think I won't get one. On that note, I had a second interview today with the person who would be my boss. I loved it. We spoke the same language, and just clicked perfectly. I walked out of the building with a big smile on my face, and nothing could take it away from me today, not even working back until 7. I was so excited during the interview that I found myself waving my arms around, and actually feeling the passion for my work again. I'm still bouncing off the walls. I really enjoyed the interview, and can see myself working for the company. Time to wait and see now.

Now, to enjoy the weekend.

The list

Over lunch today, we were talking about the list. Yes, that list, of people that we have always lusted after, and in some cases, people have free passes from their partners should the opportunity ever arise.

I was intrigued by some of the choices that were made, and started wondering about other peoples lists. So, in the interest of sharing, here is mine.



Jon Bon Jovi






Paul McDermott








Alan Rickman





Jason Isaacs






David Wenham







Brian Mannix






Martin Clunes






Ice-T







Alex Papps




Viggo Mortensen






Cary Elwes





Mandy Patinkin







Rhys Muldoon






Anthony Morgan





So, who is on your list?






I can't believe I forgot Dylan Moran!!!






And the ultimate Johnny Depp...