I’ve been sulking a little since a PR person knocked back my request to bring a plus one to an upcoming event. The PR said it’s an “intimate gathering“ at a fancy restaurant, so numbers are tight. She trilled that she was so happy that I could make it on my lonesome. I hadn’t indicated […]

I felt ancient over the weekend, and not just because I’m turning 52 in a few weeks time. Fifty! Two! Blimey. I spent Saturday clearing out the garage, so I can turn it into an art-studio-slash-rat-den for the eldest. I can’t take the mess and smell any more. It needs to be outsourced. Being the […]

I am deeply unsettled and I need to talk it out. The murder of Hannah Clarke and her three kids, plus the appallingly comments by Queensland police, are weighing heavily on me. The police inspector involved is going through hell over what he [definitely shouldn’t have] said. I don’t think we need to add him […]

My nostalgia streak continues, but the latest bout relates to a memory from just five years ago. It’s been sparked by DD attending a conference in North Carolina this week … as he did the week I first met him. We enjoyed a well-fated drink at a suburban tavern on the Sunday, fell madly in […]

My nostalgia grows with my years. Is it the same for you? Some of my most powerful memories are of the holidays I spent at my grandparents’ houses – first in Cessnock, then in Hawks Nest. The Cessnock years are pretty patchy – being rushed to hospital one night after having an anaphylactic reaction to […]

Many moons ago, when I was a slip of a girl in Year 10, I had a total meltdown about the subjects I should study for the HSC. I thought I wanted to be a pharmacist, so I’d signed myself up for physics and chemistry. The only problem was that I was very bad at […]

I watched a middle-aged woman do her lolly on a pedestrian crossing yesterday. She started smashing a metal cage-like object she was carrying onto a car, then punched the bonnet for good measure. The car was attempting to turn right as she crossed at the lights. I don’t think the driver saw her at first, […]

I’ve solved my house renovation puzzle. The plan is DONE. It only involves expanding an existing toilet into a hallway to become an ensuite and getting some new windows to replace the current crappy aluminium ones … oh and some plantation shutters from my brother-in-law’s Choices store at St Leonards. No walls to remove, no […]

Do you remember my colleague James? He looks a bit like Jason Momoa crossed with The Rock (see below, left) … which is pretty impressive for a vegan .. and has taken care of my dogs a few times when I’ve been on holidays. Today is his last day at work because he’s moving to […]

I was all set to write yeah, nah, five days without power isn’t my favourite  when … the power came back on yesterday afternoon! I’d just hit Woolies for the makings of spag bol and was steeling myself to light the gas cooktop with a match and cook the sauce while I waited for the […]