Monday lunchtime... feels like a good time to write in my blog. It gives me a break from the time sheets and last minute orders that inevitably come in. Today, I have a candidate currently registering downstairs while I type this, and feeling all rather reflective today for various reasons.
Weekend... strange one. Ant went to the doctor on Saturday morning to discuss the reoccuring stomach and chest pains he has been having. The doctor, perhaps a little too bluntly, mentioned that it could be something rather serious, and promptly suggested Ant go in for tests. Now, Ant ain't always the most responsible with keeping appointments, but I pointed out to him that, in this instance, it ain't like a cold that is just going to go away. Obviously, our fingers are crossed that it isn't as serious as what the doctor thinks, but i'm stressing to Ant the importance of following up on this.
We ended up going to the Williamstown Concert Bands Last Night Of The Proms on Saturday night, which was rather fun and different. Deborah (as in Colin and Deb) invited us along as she was in the choir, and it was fun to catch up with Colin and Imogen as well. Ant had never been to anything like that before, and I think he enjoyed it although I know his stomach was giving him a lot of grief.
Afterwards, we went to my friend Kieran's 33rd birthday, which was nice since I have not seen Kieran properly in some time. It was a fairly subtle affair by the time we arrived, but we stayed for a few drinks and chatted with Tim and Kieran. Afterwards, at Micheal Ritchie and Lyle's insistence (they came along with Kieran's), we went to The Peel for a little while. Lyle was in monster party mood - I was not. Budget is weighing heavily on my mind lately, and I was concerned that Ant doesn't push himself too much. I feel Lyle felt a little let down that I didn't want to party as much as he did, but I was tired, broke, and moreso concerned about sleep.
We got home fairly early in the morning, and I had a monster sleep in... waking up just in time to accidently let down another friend! I was supposed to catch up with David Knox for brunch. Somehow, I thought we were to make a time on Sunday morning and go from there. However, looking back over email discussions, realised that David had clearly stated midday. D'oh! He was having a shocking morning of his own, and in the end, we decided it was better to just reschedule. It left me feeling awful though, feeling that I had let down a few people this weekend.
I woke up this morning feeling in a foul mood, and not entirely sure why. It was only as I worked through time sheets that the penny dropped, and I remembered that today was Mark's birthday. Mark's ashes were being scattered at the Melton Golf Club today, and when I spoke to Mum before, she said that pretty much everyone except Colin and myself had gone. I had spoken with Colin on Saturday about it, and felt that I had said my goodbyes last month; if I had gone, it would've merely been for support, and knew that many others would've been there to offer that. It worked out to be fortunate, as Michelle at work here had a car accident, Craig was late, and Michael wasn't in, leaving poor Spencer by himself - it would've been hard to cope had I not come in (although i'm sure he would've been able to do it). I am struggling today though, and being shortly after lunch, my mind is already wandering towards hometime. Still, I have one interview and one client visit to get through before then!
Best I get back to it... I have a quarter of a tuna roll to finish and then try to get across as much as I can before I head out (feeling rather scrappy too, I might add). At least my persistent neck pain from last week is beginning to disappear, although still a little tender. Optimistically, although busy, this week should be managable if I get some good sleep tonight.
What a weekend i've just had, and little surprise as to why i'm feeling so tired and sore today.
Began with a marketing breakfast with Michael, seeing me up and out of bed around 6.00am... which for me is fairly unheard of. Interesting topic though, looking at marketing to the baby boomer generation and the myths attached to it. From there, we had a day of brainstorming meetings at work, which felt productive but had me constantly worrying about what other work was coming through, especially since I harboured ambitions to get out early due to my high school 15th anniversary reunion that night. I managed to get out of the office around 4.30pm though, and head my way out to Keilor.
We met over at Matthew Sand's place initially to have a quick bite to eat and a couple of 'encouraging' drinks. I wasn't so much nervous about going, but the closer it was to the event, the more apathetic I felt I was becoming. All day Friday, my only concern seemed to be superficial; that I wasn't the fattest there... or the tiredest... or the baldest... which in the end I wasn't. My motives for going were somewhat a morbid fascination, keen to see what 15 years has done to the young and hopeful I shared my classes with. It turned out to be a bit of an eye opener in many ways.
Firstly, I got the impression I wasn't as unpopular at school as I thought I was. This might have something to do with the fact that I probably didn't like me terribly much in high school, so how could I expect anyone else to? I was greeted extremely warmly by the 10 to 15 former class mates on arrival, almost throwing me into confusion with the scurry around me and my tiredness colliding. I had looked through the list of names the night before that the organizers had managed to contact, and if the truth be known, didn't know/remember/recognize most of them. However, everyone that was there I remembered, and so it was a great evening. Apparently I haven't physically changed much at all since high school, so this is either a great or really horrible thing... i've yet to decide.
I went home and went to bed. I was supposed to go to Rob's 30th, but feeling so tired and drained, knew that it would be pointless. I SMS'd my apologies and fell to sleep, only to be awoken again when Ant got home at 3.30am.
Saturday was all about throwing my mothers pseudo surprise party into action. The plan was that Ant and I were to arrive around 6pm and bring up dinner. At 6.30pm, everyone else was to arrive (bring a plate), and vola!... instant party! The night went well - too much food and mum was suprised. Following on from recent events, it feels like the family are making far more of an effort to see each other more often and keep in touch, which i'm really happy about.
After that, Ant and I caught up with Jimmy and Michael since it has been a couple of weeks, and spent much of Sunday just resting, recovering and recouping.
I have the worst pain in my neck today though - which tends to be a reoccuring theme for me and something I should really see someone about. It is putting me into the foulest mood today though, as no matter what I do, i'm in pain. I can't lie down (apart from the fact that i'm at work) cause it hurts too much. I can't turn my head because it sends a sharp, stiff pain through my body. Someone suggested a massage, but I hate being touched when i'm in pain. Best to just keep going and suffer in silence, hoping that nothing too annoying sparks up my day.
Things that have excited me lately: ...Arrested Development on the comedy channel - very funny and I think I might have to track down the DVD's since they've had a local release... ...bought a new power supply for my keyboard after Sambuca 'ate' the last one, and have been rediscovering my passion for playing with music and experimenting with VSTi's and Cubase SX2... ...Depeche Mode's new single 'Precious' is definitely a return to form for them; subtle but still melodically intriguing... ...and slowly but surely discovered The Killers 'Hot Fuss' album after their fantastic performance of 'All These Things That I've Done' at Live 8 a little over a month ago... ...cheese cake, not because i'm necessarily eating it daily but i've had two in the space of two months to enjoy, and geez - I do love them... ...but that last one makes me look rather daggy.
Best I get back to work - had a lovely spanish rice with chicken for lunch, and although struggling today because of my neck and tiredness, would rather get on with it than not.
A survey that I completed on June 11th... always intended to put it up here but, what with everything that happened shortly after, didn't really get around to it. Figured now was a good enough time to place it online.
> What Time is it now? 11.37am Saturday 11th June > > What is your full name? Lawrence John Akers > > Single or taken? Taken > > What does your name mean? No idea. St Lawrence is the patron saint of the > arts, apparently. Although my mother denys it, I know I was named after > her crush on Peter O'Toole. > > Who picked out your name? I suspect my mother. > > What's your nickname ? Lol > > What colour are your eyes? Brown > > Do you have an innie or an outie? Innie > > What size are your shoes? I actually don't remember. I think it is about > a 9. > > How tall (or short) are you? 5ft11 > > What do you like about yourself? A lot of things, but it is often directly > proportioned to what I don't like about myself. > > What do you always get complimented on? I don't remember - Compliments are > nice but rarely stick with me. > > What is your worst quality? Often too cynical and nostalgic. > > What are the last four digits of your phone number? 5561 > > Do you think you're cute? I don't think i'm ugly but I think I feel the > same way about myself that most people feel about themselves. > > Hair colour? Mouse brown. > > Do you wear contacts? no > > Living Arrangements? In Prahran with my partner. > > ~*FAVOURITES*~ > > Favourite drink? Pepsi Max, Vanilla Coke and Vodka (not all together) > > Favourite alcoholic drink? Vodka. > > Favourite Month? December > > Favourite Food? Pretty flexible there but I do love spicy curries > especially. > > Favorite board game? Haven't played one in ages... probably Monopoly or > Cluedo. > > Favourite Clothing Brand? I used to be big on CM's and Industrie, which > are really just a sportsgirl for gay men, but I can't say I really > perceive myself as being a trend setter and so labels aren't a priority. > > Favourite Day of the Year ? Any public holiday will suffice nicely. > > Favourite colour? I tend to like blues a lot. I'm more an audio person > than a visual person though. > > Favourite animal? I have two cats (Caspar and Sambuca), although i'm > really partial to any small, cute animals. Just ask my partner - the > easiest way to get a silly sound out of me is to put a small, cute animal > in front of me. > > Do you have more girl or boy friends? Considering the minority group i'm a > card holding member of, it will come as no surprise that I have more male > friends. Having said that, I don't really keep tabs and do have many lady friends. > > Who are your friends? On a good day, the world. On a bad day, no one. > > Are your parents together? Yes. And hopefully for a lot longer too. > > How often do you get together with the family? Not as often as I would > like or that I should. > > Do you tell your parents or your friends more? friends, cause I see them > more. > > Anything special about your parents? They raised five very different and > very unique kids over a period over 50 years - that's pretty feckin' > remarkable to me. > > Any siblings? Yes, one sister (Leanne) and three brothers (Colin, Mark and > Russell) - i'm the youngest. > > ~*YES OR NO*~ > > You're a flirt? Is there a sometimes option on this? Not as much nowadays > cause i'm happily settled down, but i've been known to 'play' in the past. > > You're slutty? No. > > You're mean? I can be moody, therefore difficult, therefore mean. > > You like someone? Since I have a partner, we can suspect the answer is a > yes here. > > You can keep secrets? Yes, I can keep a secret. I view from afar. > > You dance in front of the mirror? No, I loath mirrors actually. > > You sing in the shower? Sometimes. > > Like Britney Spears? Since 'In The Zone', i've become accustomed to her > face. > > You've liked a cousin? No. > > You been in the bathroom of the opposite sex? Yes. > > You've seriously hurt someone? Physically, no. Emotionally, always a > possibility. That's life though. > > You've been hurt seriously? Physically, no. Emotionally, who hasn't? > > You swear? Shit, yeah! > > You get your way? Sometimes. I am a Capricorn. We're notoriously stubborn. > > You're willing to try new things? Yes > > You've cheated on a test? No. > > ~*RIGHT NOW*~ > > What are you wearin? tracksuit pants and a terry towling top. > > What colour are your pants? grey. > > What are you listening to? Army Of Lovers. > > How are you feeling? ok - bit weary and thinking this questionnaire is far > more personal than ones i've done in the past. > > What are you doing? well, writing this... (der!) > > What are you eating? I just ate some cereal. > > How many people are online? I don't do the MSN thing. Kept giving me too > much spam. > > How's the weather? It was pretty disgusting when I woke up this morning. > Ant (my partner) has just gone down the street. I'm not game yet. > > What's on your mouse pad? It's an Ipex bland red one. > > What books are you reading? Reading 'The Consilation Of Philosophy' again > by Alain De Botton. Previous to that, I read Derek Acorah's last book. > > What type of cologne do you wear? It is usually CK One but I just ran out > and i'm on a budget, so i'm wearing a tolerable cheapy called UDV Blue. > > Whats in your pockets? a handkerchief. > > Boxers or briefs? either. > > Blonde or brunette ? not fussed. I would be scared if I accessed > someone's suitability by the colour of their hair. > > Tall or short ? see above. > > Piercings? no, not interested in them. > > What's the first thing you notice about girls? their conversation. > > ~*OTHER QUESTIONS*~ > > What was the last movie you saw? In the cinema, Revenge Of The Sith. > > What did you have for dinner? Tuna sandwich actually, cause I wasn't that > hungry. > > What are you hoping for? Oh yeah, cause I can answer this is 25 words or > less, right? Game of skill competition... What am I hoping for? > Contentment. > > What movie do you really want to see? Madagascar. > > Tell us about those scars? I have a small one on my left wrist which I > have no idea where it came from. > > Where is your favourite place to travel? Paris. Would go back there in a > flash. > > What did you last dream about? don't remember. > > What was the last thing you ate? my cereal for breakfast. > > If you were a crayon what colour would you be? a happily abused, smudged one. > > Who was the last person you talked to on the phone? my friend Michael > Sakellaris. > > Do you like the person that sent this to you? absolutely. I don't know > him all that well but he has always made a lasting impression on me. > > Ever had a crush on a teacher? yeah, surely at some point. No names > though. > > Are you too shy to ask someone out? God, no. > > Scary movies or happy ending? plausible ones. > > Summer or winter? Summer - it's easier to be life affirming then. > > Relationships or one night stands? I used to not care either way, but I > am enjoying settling down. > > Chocolate or Vanilla? Either - no reason why I can't have both. > > Do you want your friends to email back? their call really. I love them > regardless of if they write back or not. > > Who is most likely to respond ? Don't know. > > Who is least likely to respond? Most of them. > > What did you do last night? Stayed back at work until 7pm by myself cause > everyone else had gone, and then came home and passed out cause I had done > a 10.5 hour day with a half hour break. > > Anything else you want to add? No... Can I go now?
