I have a little widget on my blog that counts the number of visitors and page views and all that malarkey. It also provides me with a wee breakdown of how folk find the blog, countries, websites and search key words - that kind of thing.
Yesterday whilst I was bored analysing other people's data at work, I decided to look at my own. I had a look at the google search keywords that have led people to my door this month. I was a little puzzled to see 'husband wears thongs' on the list.
Then I remembered this post. If only my little widget gave me the power to see which poor soul had obviously found their husband in a compromising position and decided to do some internet research, hoped against hope that they had found a support group, or at least a like minded surprised wife - only to find my inane ramblings about marmite and flip flop blisters.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Monday, June 25, 2007
The Bleak Midwinter
Well I suppose it isn't really all that bleak on the whole, but the weather has certainly taken a turn for the chilly in the last couple of weeks. I haven't yet succumbed to the temptation to wear a scarf, gloves and hat in the office, but everyone here is very smug that I have finally started wearing long sleeves and jackets and the suchlike. At least it's raining though - it's nice to see the parks and stuff turning a little green, rather than drought brown as they have been (perhaps a nice suggestion for a dulux colour palette).
Not an awful lot of news to report from the Robinson house as usual. We are finding ourselves desperately skint at the minute - it's a costly business setting yourself up all over again. Bloody bloody Allied Pickfords have given us a wee rebate though, which is nice and will go some way to making my final payment to Reed for what I owe them for the privelege of being made redundant. However in typical Robinson style in order to combat the money blues we have booked ourselves a couple of touristy trips that we can't pay for. In a couple of weekends we'll be going to Toowoomba, above 130ks west of here. Don't know what prompted it to be honest - I just saw a travel type program about a lovely B&B there and decided we needed to go. It'll be nice to get out of the city at least, although I am assured it will be positively freeeeeezing there (the temperature may even reach SINGLE FIGURES PEOPLE).
Also we're going on a whale watching trip to Hervey Bay in August, to see some Humpbacks before the Japanese kill them all in the name of scientific research. I am so excited I could pee, so probably should not bang on about that too much as I am currently at work and peeing at my desk may be considered inappropriate.
This weekend we went to see Dame Edna Everage for a work paid jolly by Stu's company. It was a very nice do - champagne and canape reception and whatnot. We were all pretty concerned when we got our tickets that we were in rows A-C which implies front row, which is not necessarily a good thing in what would probably be an enforced audience participation show. Fortunately we were spared too much humiliation - unlike the poor soul who was hoiked up onto the stage and made to give up his Mum's phone number so Dame Edna could ring her up. Very amusing.
Ummmm.... not much else to tell. Other than - if you remember - there is a big building site over the road from our building, right in the line of fire of our view of the botanical gardens. Turns out that not only are they building there, but they are building the biggest bloody tower in Brisbane, twice as tall as everything else. Fab.
Not an awful lot of news to report from the Robinson house as usual. We are finding ourselves desperately skint at the minute - it's a costly business setting yourself up all over again. Bloody bloody Allied Pickfords have given us a wee rebate though, which is nice and will go some way to making my final payment to Reed for what I owe them for the privelege of being made redundant. However in typical Robinson style in order to combat the money blues we have booked ourselves a couple of touristy trips that we can't pay for. In a couple of weekends we'll be going to Toowoomba, above 130ks west of here. Don't know what prompted it to be honest - I just saw a travel type program about a lovely B&B there and decided we needed to go. It'll be nice to get out of the city at least, although I am assured it will be positively freeeeeezing there (the temperature may even reach SINGLE FIGURES PEOPLE).
Also we're going on a whale watching trip to Hervey Bay in August, to see some Humpbacks before the Japanese kill them all in the name of scientific research. I am so excited I could pee, so probably should not bang on about that too much as I am currently at work and peeing at my desk may be considered inappropriate.
This weekend we went to see Dame Edna Everage for a work paid jolly by Stu's company. It was a very nice do - champagne and canape reception and whatnot. We were all pretty concerned when we got our tickets that we were in rows A-C which implies front row, which is not necessarily a good thing in what would probably be an enforced audience participation show. Fortunately we were spared too much humiliation - unlike the poor soul who was hoiked up onto the stage and made to give up his Mum's phone number so Dame Edna could ring her up. Very amusing.
Ummmm.... not much else to tell. Other than - if you remember - there is a big building site over the road from our building, right in the line of fire of our view of the botanical gardens. Turns out that not only are they building there, but they are building the biggest bloody tower in Brisbane, twice as tall as everything else. Fab.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
File under "I'll believe it when I see it"
Dear Mrs Robinson
I am writing to advise that your effects have been loaded to vessel:
NYK Vesta
Sailing on 15/6/07
ETA 19/7/07
Monday, June 11, 2007
Liz's Birthday
Hello hello.
Today we had a public holiday in honour of the Queen's birthday. I love that we get a day off work for that here, especially since it's actually nowhere near the Queen's birthday. I would imagine that the reason the aussies voted to keep the queen was so they wouldn't lose a bank holiday. And good on them I say.
We decided to be very british on Saturday and throw a barbecue for some of Stu's work mates, even though it was actually really cold and everyone turned up in scarves and jumpers. We went to the farmers market in the morning in order to stock up on all necessary bits and pieces, and when I mentioned that we were barbecuing a deathly hush fell over the market and all the stall holders gaped at us. I explained that we were poms and it was perfectly acceptable for us to barbecue in sub 20 degree temperatures - hell we've even barbecued in the rain. I still can't quite get over seeing all the natives wandering round in woolly hats, scarves, gloves and the whole winter kit and kaboodle, when really and truly it is actually about 20 degrees still, which let's face it is not that cold. I think that the day I start feeling chilly in this weather is when I know I have been here too long!
It was a very nice day though, good food, good drink etc. I think our usual hospitality failed us slightly though as all the food was eaten - usually we stock up on enough to feed twice as many folk as are coming, so I am a bit worried that we are slacking.
Yesterday I spent the whole day talking to god due to the amount of barbecue beers consumed, which was no fun at all, but today we had loads of fun. We decided it was high time that we went out and did some touristy stuff as we have turned into work and sleep types lately. So went out to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary on a lovely river boat cruise. I've been before to the sanctuary so was relatively calm but Stu was ridiculously over excited, especially when he got to cuddle David the Koala. We also went to the birds of prey show which was really exciting, and fed the kangaroos and wallabies. It was great. Also really nice to get out of the city and remind ourselves that we have actually moved to Australia, and haven't just replaced one city and commute and work with another one. We had a great day and are about to sit down and plan loads more touristy stuff to do - yay!
Today we had a public holiday in honour of the Queen's birthday. I love that we get a day off work for that here, especially since it's actually nowhere near the Queen's birthday. I would imagine that the reason the aussies voted to keep the queen was so they wouldn't lose a bank holiday. And good on them I say.
We decided to be very british on Saturday and throw a barbecue for some of Stu's work mates, even though it was actually really cold and everyone turned up in scarves and jumpers. We went to the farmers market in the morning in order to stock up on all necessary bits and pieces, and when I mentioned that we were barbecuing a deathly hush fell over the market and all the stall holders gaped at us. I explained that we were poms and it was perfectly acceptable for us to barbecue in sub 20 degree temperatures - hell we've even barbecued in the rain. I still can't quite get over seeing all the natives wandering round in woolly hats, scarves, gloves and the whole winter kit and kaboodle, when really and truly it is actually about 20 degrees still, which let's face it is not that cold. I think that the day I start feeling chilly in this weather is when I know I have been here too long!
It was a very nice day though, good food, good drink etc. I think our usual hospitality failed us slightly though as all the food was eaten - usually we stock up on enough to feed twice as many folk as are coming, so I am a bit worried that we are slacking.
Yesterday I spent the whole day talking to god due to the amount of barbecue beers consumed, which was no fun at all, but today we had loads of fun. We decided it was high time that we went out and did some touristy stuff as we have turned into work and sleep types lately. So went out to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary on a lovely river boat cruise. I've been before to the sanctuary so was relatively calm but Stu was ridiculously over excited, especially when he got to cuddle David the Koala. We also went to the birds of prey show which was really exciting, and fed the kangaroos and wallabies. It was great. Also really nice to get out of the city and remind ourselves that we have actually moved to Australia, and haven't just replaced one city and commute and work with another one. We had a great day and are about to sit down and plan loads more touristy stuff to do - yay!
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| Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and other bits and bobs |
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Now THAT'S what I call winter
We arrived here in April, which is kind of mid Autumn down here. I was by turns puzzled/amused/annoyed by the insistence upon referring to winter, the prevalence of cold medication and electric blankets, and the impossibility of buying any clothes that are not woollen, long sleeved, or lined with feathers. To give you a context, when we arrived the temperature ranged between 25-30 degrees, with about 70% humidity as a rule.
In the last week or so the temperature has dropped below 20 degrees consistently for the first time, and there has actually been RAIN. I swear if you walked the streets of Brisbane you would think there was some kind of compulsory eskimo fancy dress policy going on.
Yesterday I left work, it was dark and raining, and I actually for a moment span out about where I was. I walked home, got in thoroughly soggy and miserable, and had to cuddle up on the sofa with my warmest pyjamas on. Now THAT'S what I call winter!
No news really, which is why I have been a bit quiet of late. Still no sign of our stuff, and no response from Allied Pickfords. I reckon they're checking under all the carpets, down the back of the sofa, through all the drawers and right at the back of the wardrobe under a pile of shoes for our shipment. I have lost all hope of seeing my belongings ever again. Also my new work seem to expect me to actually do stuff in return for my wages. I'm really not sure how I feel about THAT!
In the last week or so the temperature has dropped below 20 degrees consistently for the first time, and there has actually been RAIN. I swear if you walked the streets of Brisbane you would think there was some kind of compulsory eskimo fancy dress policy going on.
Yesterday I left work, it was dark and raining, and I actually for a moment span out about where I was. I walked home, got in thoroughly soggy and miserable, and had to cuddle up on the sofa with my warmest pyjamas on. Now THAT'S what I call winter!
No news really, which is why I have been a bit quiet of late. Still no sign of our stuff, and no response from Allied Pickfords. I reckon they're checking under all the carpets, down the back of the sofa, through all the drawers and right at the back of the wardrobe under a pile of shoes for our shipment. I have lost all hope of seeing my belongings ever again. Also my new work seem to expect me to actually do stuff in return for my wages. I'm really not sure how I feel about THAT!
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