So, here we ae on the 1st day of September, and I can't help wonder at both how the year is just flying by (as usual) and secondly, what a rather peculiar year it has proven to be. Honestly, I can't recall experiencing a year that has seemingly had so much crammed into it in a long time... well, not since 2003... so I guess I can recall... but still, crammed in such a different way.
Things don't seem to stop happening at the moment. Lots of extreme things. This isn't a bad thing, by any means. When things feel like they happen, it gives me more than years where things DON'T feel like things happen.
The latest is due to the recent stormy weather Melbourne has experienced, and definitely effects Andrew and Mark upstairs more that Ant and myself. In short, many of the bricks on our roof at the front of the place decided that they really didn't feel like being on the roof anymore, and promptly decided to depart... straight down onto Andrew and Mark's cars, waiting directly below. It totally destroyed the cars, shattering the fronts and pushing the engines down and back into the car bodies themselves. Fortunately, I had taken my car to work that morning or else it would've been hit too, and since I just had it returned to me, this was rather fortunate.
The insurance company instructed Andrew and Mark NOT to move the cars. The SES came out to inspect, since the roof was open and exposed, and the wind showed no signs of letting up, and promptly told the guys that if they could not move the cars, they couldn't do anything. The insurance company was called again, and finally gave in, saying that if they could take photos, they could move the cars. By the time this happened, the rain had started to pelt down and the SES said that there was nothing they could do and wished the guys luck. They brought some of their belongings downstairs, as the chances of the roof just lifting off seemed fairly high, and I was terrified that additional tiles would come smashing down through our bedroom window (also directly below) - or worse, that the kids would get out! In the end, nothing more happened. However, there is now a giant blue sheet covering one half of the house, including our bedroom window, so I hope I don't wake up in the morning and sleep in because I cannot see any natural sunlight coming through. Anyone who knows me knows that this is a likelihood.
Thank you to everyone who has shown concern over Ant. After some mix ups, he has a specialist appointment this coming Tuesday and so we hope to find out more then. He has been feeling better and, although exhausted from work, in good spirits.
Speaking of work, we have been going through a MASSIVE period lately. And if the truth be known, although I am tired, exhausted and sometimes overwhelmed, I am rather enjoying it. I love results. I love seeing things go the right way. I love a happy boss and a productive team. And I feel more back on track with work than I have since the whole FMR deal, which left me rather shattered and down. Since taking over the temp desk solely on my own, i've brought in two consecutive weeks of the highest freelance hours in the companies history - an achievement i'm feeling rather proud of myself for and feeling justifies the black bags under my eyes. Still, there is a lot of work to do and, if the pattern follows as it usually does historically, it won't let up.
Of course, all this just in time for the massive birthday season. And to add to this, engagements galore lately too. Firstly, many happy returns to my gorgeous friend Michael Sakellaris, who had his birthday yesterday, and who we'll celebrate on the weekend. But then, this weekend also sees the wonderful Margeaux and Jodi celebrate their 30th birthdays (and they both look so young!), and then shortly after that will be Lyle's. It's just one big party season, so lets see how I shape up in about a month, shall we... wonder how much of me will be left?
I've been in party retro mode lately. Since MMM have had their 80's mix tape promotion on, i've pulled out many of my old favourite 80's compilations and started converting them to CD and taking them to work. The first one I did was my absolute favourite - 'Throbbin' 84'. What a compilation! Cyndi Lauper, The Cure, Lionel Richie, Mi-Sex, The Romantics, Quiet Riot, Matthew Wilder, Marilyn, Elton John, Van Halen, Bette Midler, Big Country, INXS, Paul Young, Mondo Rock and Michael Jackson all on one compilation... they don't make them like that anymore!
