I was feeling somewhat profound before, and thought writing a blog update would be a smart move. However, if the truth be known, i'm just feeling a little grumpy now, so I have no idea what kind of blog this will turn out to be.
I guess I should comment on Christmas; it was actually a fairly good day although extremely tiring. I had thought we had agreed to meet at Russ and Debs at 8am... thus getting up at 6am. We were running late, and so I gave them a call around 7.30am to tell them so, only to find they were still in bed and expecting us around 10am... obviously, crossed wires there! Ant and I went to mum and dads first off, having some breakfast and giving them their presents, before making our way over to Russ and Debs.
After that, we went to Col and Deb's for lunch, which was a great afternoon - although I did feel well and truly stuffed afterwards, not just food wise, but physically too. By the time we got back to Melton, I had decided that it was perhaps wiser to just drop in on Leanne and Sid and say hello instead of heading over to Cindy's, as I felt like I would just get there, not eat, not be social, and fall asleep in the corner - great way to make an impression.
We got home, had some rest and then eventually made our way over to Michael and Jimmy's to see Michael since he had returned from China.
All up, pressie wise, we scored big this year. A couple of JB vochures (which never goes to waste - in fact, I bought Madagascar with part of one today)... Little Britian Series 2... some new shirts... some gold class cinema passes... and from Ant, a gorgeous Picasso print of one of his sketches that he knew I liked, along with a new Industrie shirt and a watch. I've yet to figure out the watch, but the Picasso is already on the wall and i'm thinking of the shirt for NYE.
Michael and Jimmy also gave us an outside table (Ant was over the moon), and Hussey gave us a gorgeous book on cats, along with the David Hasslehoff Christmas album... yeah... right!
I've spent the last few days just resting, catching up on my review blog, and general bits and pieces, which has been most relaxing. We're both looking forward to NYE - especially since it is also Ant's birthday. In the meantime, we have a visit from Russ and Deb tomorrow, i'm catching up with Miles on Friday for coffee, and I think we're considering taking in the film Narnia in the meantime... lots on!
We've been good with our diets (except Christmas day!), and have been at gym the last two mornings, with the intention of going everyday! Yay for fitness!
Best get back to it but thought, with a few minutes spare, would be wise to get down that life is good.
Well, it's getting towards that time of year again where I get somewhat nostalgic. It's almost an automatic thing. I actually have little control over it. It just is this natural thing where, as the year draws to a close, I think over the year and reflect on what it has been. I've come to the conclusion that 2005 wasn't actually too bad. It did have some really horrible things, such as losing my brother, and ending up in hospital with a chest infection because I was a little too run down for my own good. But then, it also had some fantastic highs; great friendships, my family coming closer together, and Ant and I hitting the two year mark.
It was the year where I got to see Scissor Sisters, Cher and Bette Midler.
It was the year that I finally returned to Mardi Gras, taking close friends with me.
It was the year that I felt I finally got my career back on track.
It was the year where I solved the mystery of what happened to Miles Buchanan, and caught up with him over a decade later.
It has been the year where i've weighed the most than I have before, but, while still having issues with it, have a companion that has made me feel ok about it.
It hasn't been the creative year I wanted it to be, but I suspect that might be what next year could be about (if I can plan it and find the time... which is a big IF lately).
It's been the year where i've not been afraid to tell people to get f*cked if need be.
It's been the year where going out clubbing hasn't been such a driving urge. In fact, for a lot of the year, the least thing i've wanted to do is going out clubbing.
It has been the year where i've taken steps towards getting my finances under control.
The other day, I was feeling in a somewhat philosophical mood (which isn't too uncommon for me), and a friend sent me an email saying how her definition of a good year is to end it with close friends. I came back with my own definition of a good year... well, a ramble-on-the-spot-blur of words that tried to define it:
"I believe the key to a good year is diversity... to have ups and to have downs... to feel like there has been some substance and texture to the year... so that you get to the end of it knowing that you've been touched, experienced, and changed, and that it hasn't been a year spent in a seemingly non-ending cycle of routine. That's a good year for me. Take in the low's cause they remind you of how great the high's are. And take in the high's cause they remind you of how great it is to be alive. Ying and yang... light and shade... they co-exist and are dependent on each other... one can't exist without the other, as is the same with life... in order to be whole and complete, we need that light and that shade, cause we're not just living in a grey world."
So many email surveys in the past few months, so I thought I might as well share at least one here for the time being.
1. First name? Lawrence 2. Were you named after anyone? I used to say Lawrence Of Arabia, but my mother says it is purely coincidence. 3. Do you wish on stars? Not really. 4. When did you last cry? Honestly, don't remember. 5. Do you like your handwriting? Yes - sometimes - for a lefty. 6. What is your favorite lunch meat? Smoked Ham 7. What is your birth date? Jan 8th 8. What is your most embarrassing CD? Probably Steps or Sinitta. 9. If you were another person, would YOU be friends with you? I'd say yes. 10. Do you have a journal? You're reading it. 11. Do you use sarcasm a lot? Always. Apparently it's the lowest form of humour, which is probably why I like it. 12. What are your nicknames? Lol 13. Would you bungee jump? I'd have to say no. 14. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? Usually not, especially since I often wear boots. 15. Do you think that you are strong? Emotionally, yes. Physically, a bit weak. 16. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Cookie Dough. 17. Shoe size? 9 18. Red or pink? Red 19. What is your least favorite thing about yourself? My weight, at the moment. 20. Who do you miss most? Rarely miss people because I often still feel them around. 21. Do you want everyone you send this to, to send it back? It doesn't worry me - I like to think if they want to share, they can... but I don't expect it. 22. What color pants and shoes are you wearing? Black jeans and black blundstones. 23. What are you listening to right now? Ant talking. 24. Last thing you ate? Tuna Steak and salad. 25. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Smudged up one - but well loved. 26. What is the weather like right now? Dark and a bit windy. 27. Last person you talked to on the phone? My friend, Hussey. 28. The first thing you notice about the opposite sex? Their conversation (i'm sure i've used that line a few times now). 29. Do you like the person who sent this to you? Of course - Jodi is fabulous. 30. Favorite Drink? Ant has put me on a caffine limitation at the moment - so i'm drinking more water and diet sprite. 31. Favorite Sport? I do like going to gym, but rarely watch sport. 32. Hair Color? Mouse brown. 33. Eye Color? Brown 34. Do you wear contacts? Nup. 36. Last Movie You Watched in the theatre? I honestly don't remember. It might've been Hitch Hikers Guide To The Galaxy. 37. Favorite Day of the Year? Saturday - which is even better since it is a weekly event. 38. Scary Movies Or Happy Endings? Some so called happy endings ARE scary. 39. Summer Or Winter? Summer. 40. Hugs OR Kisses? I have to choose? I'd go for both. 41. What Is Your Favorite Dessert? Baked cheese cake. 42. Who Is Most Likely To Respond? Since it is online, no one. 43. Who Is Least Likely To Respond? As above. 44. Living Arrangements? With my partner Ant, and our two furry 'kids'. 45. What's your favorite book? The Little Prince 46. What's On Your Mouse Pad? Ipex red mousemat. Exciting, yes. 47. What Did You Watch Last night on TV? Watched a couple of films in bed actually. 48. Favorite Smells? Really nice after shaves. 49. Favorite Sounds? Music that I love. 50. Rolling Stones or Beatles? The Beatles 51. What's the furthest you've been from home? Paris/London/Manchester/Nunawading. 52. Do you have a special talent? Some would say none, and others might say many. 53. What is your ring tone? I actually accidently downloaded a Jessica Simpson ringtone recently. My phone wasn't on lock and I was out, dancing away, totally unaware of what my strange grooves were doing to my phone. Next day, my phone rang and 'These Boots Are Made For Walking' came blaring out. Ant looked at me and said, "That's your phone..." I thought, "What the..." Looking on my bill, it cost $10 to download a song that I didn't even like... By the way, it isn't my ringtone. I think some generic Nokia one is. 54. What's your current favorite song? 'How High' - Madonna, 'You're Gonna Want Me' - Tiga, Wonderland Avenue - 'Whitehorse'
