beyondthe_sea

Very Big News

2008-03-11T02:06:57Z

(Apologies to those who see this twice, it's for the benefit of overseas family)

I called my parents today.

"Mom," I said, "would you please tell my fiance that I'm not going to lose my new engagement ring?"

From the noise that followed, it seems like my mom is as happy as I am right now.

My lovely, darling, amazing boyfriend has now become my lovely, darling, amazing fiance. A few hours ago I recieved a gorgeous ring after putting together a custom made puzzle that said "Always meant to be because we just fit" and featured silly pictures of us as kids.

I'm over the moon right now and we're in the middle of calling people and fielding calls from people who already checked their Facebooks. SF and I have a big seperation coming up and I feel so loved and secure going back with this lovely ring on my finger.

A close up of my lovely ring...

We're so so happy and really looking forward to spending as much time as possible together, forever.

I'm in yr sooots, jumpin yr tower

2008-01-12T04:53:43Z

The subject line is something I said to dragontail as we suited up in our blue and yellow flight suits, strapped on our harnesses (which added five kilos to my weight, honestly...) and prepared to jump 192 meters (630 feet) off of a rather tall building.

This morning SF and I wandered over to Auckland's tallest structure (and the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere) to see a girl about a (sky)jump. We'd been considering trying some sort of bungee jumping before our arrival and we saw on the plane's "Welcome to Auckland" video that you could jump off the SkyTower. So, we trotted over to see what was up with that.

We waffled for a moment or two, debating price (it wasn't cheap) and fears. But, the video clinched it. It wasn't traditional bungee jumping, where you jump off upside down and bounce around for a while. You're hooked to a line by your harness that guides you down, like a controlled fall. It looked excited, thrilling and a whole lot of fun. So, we signed up, signed waivers, passed over our credit cards and got into our sexy blue and yellow suits. I felt like an X-Wing pilot. Or an X-Man. We were weighed (hence the five kilos mentioned above and have since been walking around with our weights written on the inside of our wrists) and sent up the elevator to the jumping platform.

There were two people ahead of us and we waited with them, joking and looking down and around, psyching ourselves up and trying not to get too freaked out. SF decided he wanted to go first and I was more than happy to cheer him on. He was double and triple checked, given the lowdown and ready to go. With a wave and a grin, my baby went over.

And then there was one. Me.

I'm not afraid to admit I was pretty nervous. It was freaking high (630 feet!). The two guys running the rig checked my harness and tightened everthing, clipping a safety line to my back to walk out onto the platform. Alistair took my picture standing there with Ryan, the city behind us, and then Ryan hooked me up to the bungee bit. A safety line on my front loop and the actual cable on the back. Ryan guided me to the edge, me hanging on to the ropes on either side very tightly. Then was when the real freaking out set in. It had not looked so high from the ground. I was terriby nervous and trying to cover it up, joking with Ryan about the roofs around us. He held the back of my harness, leaning me out and gave me a countdown.

I jumped. I fell, but stopped after a few meters. As instructed, I looked up and posed for a great, flail-y, picture and then they let me go the rest of the way. Shrieking giddily, I dropped at 85km/hr in ten seconds. It was incredible. I had my arms spread, my legs splayed and I was loving every milisecond. I landed on the giant red and white bullseye set up and tackled Sf for a giant hug and lots of giggles. As one of the staff was leading us back to the building, he made us an amazing offer. Since it was a bit slow, would we like to have another go, for free?

We took a tenth of a second to think and agreed as fast as we could. Later, we realised we'd each made up our minds without consulting each other, like we do with every other decision. We each had thought that this was too good to pass up if the other didn't want to. So, we did.

Like old hats, we took the elevator back up and prepared to go again. SF went first again and I waited, but eagerly this time. I couldn't wait for the adrenaline rush again. This time, though, there was no posing for pictures. I jumped off and it was straight down, giggling like a fool. We finally de-suited and after seeing our pictures and the DVD they prepare for you, we decided to take those home, too. We wanted to have proof for the disbelievers and what better great way to relive the moment then by watching it through the camera attached to one of the guide wires?

We've since wandered a bit and been to the Auckland Zoo, and I'll post more on that later, but that was such an amazing, cool thing that I never would have done without my amazing boyfriend and really made the whole trip just incredible, that I just had to post about it straight away. We're off to have dinner soon, so I should go, but I'll be back with pictures in a few days!

Wheeee!

2008-01-10T19:27:37Z

It's nearly 6am and I'm excited; it must be travel time!

SF and I are just about to head off to the airport for our weekend jaunt to New Zealand. We're spending three days in Auckland and I'm really excited. My Mom, Dad and Nana have all been and they keep telling me how lovely it is and I cannot wait to see for myself. SF's never been, so it's a new experience all 'round.

I should go brush my teeth so we can leave. I shall return with photos and stories!

We wish you a merry merry...

2007-12-21T10:55:19Z

Nice to know somethings are the same no matter what hemisphere you're in.

This was our first choice for a Christmas tree. A little small for my taste, though.

An old tradition begun with someone new.

Awww, they're so adowable and pwoud!

Santa's Helpers.

I'm so glad I convinced SF that lights are right on Christmas trees. I love the way our tree looks, our first family tree. I draw your attention to LJ's magnificant decorating of the bottom six inches. No one can tell me that's too many decorations in such a small space. No way.

Merry Christmas to everyone and hope your holidays are great!

C'est L'Hallowe'en!

2007-10-27T07:07:59Z

As it is well known, I love Halloween more than any other holiday. And, despite living in a Halloween-less land, I am determined to have my birthday party the way I've had it for the past twenty years - COSTUME PARTY!!

The family. LJ as The Fairies fairy Harmony, SF as Transformers's Optimus Prime and myself as the first lady of the Justice League, Wonder Woman. I handmade LJ's costume all by myself and cannibilised a kid's Transformers costume for SF, stitching it to his shirt and jeans. Mine, I bought at Just Imagine. Why let a good tradition go to waste?

Dem boyz. ma61_turbo as James Hetfield of Metallica, my boy, and doggypanter as sexy 60's Batman.

Batman and Wonder Woman, ready for action! Bring it on evil- ooh cake!

Lovely matron_jojo as Batgirl and princesstani in her sparkly hat of awesome.

And, rounding out the pack is my mate, Mel, as the Hallowwen standard, the black cat. Meow!

Much fun was had by all and I'm so glad everyone could make it. A birthday party to remember. Now, I'm off to play my new SingStar game with LJ!

Back in Oz

2007-10-17T21:41:50Z

So, I have returned. Sitting at the computer, at my new computer desk (thanks alvon!), there's an LJ in the background waffling over her breakfast choices and an dragontail beside me drowning his Weeties in milk. Life am good.

Last night LJ came over earlier than her usual day because she "missed her Daddy so much", so SF and I hurridly cleaned up the mess we'd made rearranging shelves and the comic room and had an evening full of fun. We gave LJ her presents from Canada and she had a ball going through them all, from tshirts to action figures to books. There were also gifts from my Mom and my sister, Pookie, which LJ loved. It was so wonderful to have her in the house and with us. I'd missed her so much.

I started making dinner while LJ and SF were deeply involved in the fridge-magnet puzzles Pookie had sent. After they were finished, LJ dragged a chair over so she could sit in the kitchen with me while I cooked. We sang mangled versions of High School Musical songs and danced a bit before her dinner was ready, SF having been summarily banished from the kitchen.

"Did you miss Jussie?" he asked her.

"Oh, yes," she replied.

"Was it Jussie you missed and wanted to see, not Daddy?"

A wicked smile. "Yes..."

I felt about ten feet tall. I still feel great, even though, as per usual LJ, she was up at five thirty and came in to give us cuddles at six. It was great to be getting hugs and kisses in SF and mine's bed, after having been cuddled by SF all night. I feel so happy and so very home.

(X-posted to stareyednight)

Champions of geekitude Part 2

2007-04-25T03:27:00Z

Because I'm obsessed with details, you all get to put up with the close-up shots!

Doctor Who is my newest OMG!!!LOVE!!11!! fandom, following CSI and Buffy closely (why are there no CSI figures?) So, we have two Doctors, two Rose's, Captain Jack Harkness, a Cyberman and two Daleks. Also, a tin dog. And a TARDIS that talks. I love stuff.

SF's two main guys -Peter Parker and Kyle Rayner.

He says the Spider-Man shelf is the one he's most proud of, out of all the displays in the room. It took him upwards of five years, swapping out past figures for new ones as sculpts got better.

Kyle Rayner, meanwhile, is his most obsessive collection. "I realised, back in the mid-1990s, I'd never have every piece of Spidey merchandise, nor every Transformer. But Kyle, who at that time had just been created... yeah, that I could do. I have (though not on display) every piece of Kyle Rayner merchandise produced save one - a cheap-o-rama plastic mask given out at a US theme park. Curses."

Justice League Unlimited is, honestly, the best version of the DC canon. And not just because it's a world without Hal Jordan. (Or has characters voiced by Adam Baldwin, Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Amy Acker, Paul Guilfoyle and George Eads) We used to have the big Watchtower on display where the statues are, but it was taking up too much room. One day, though we're planning to do some JLU fics, too.

"Girls who kick butt". This is my shelf and I'm super proud of it.
L to R we have: (Back row) Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft, Max from Dark Angel, S1 Buffy, 'Bad Girls' Faith, Xena, Wonder Woman tin from ruggerdavey, comic canon Storm and movie canon Rogue.
(Front row) Princess Leia from all three movies plus chibi Leia, Jaina Solo (!!!!!!), Lego Hermione Granger, Elizabeth Swann from PotC 2: DMC, Elektra, Sporty Spice, chibi Elektra, bean Elektra, JLU Wonder Woman x2 and 1984 Wonder Woman that SF gave me.

SF's Ultra Magnus collection.

Rrrasslin'. The Sting is a mix of three different figures - one of the WCW "Bash at the Beach" toys, the coat from the original Sting figure and the "baseball bat" is a missile from the re-release of G1 Jazz, and the Hogan is also SF's. The John Cena on the side is obviously mine, as are the three minis of Triple H, Cena and Shawn Michaels.

The many faces of Peter Benjamin Parker. Cue annoyed rant from SF about the Spider-Man 3 figures being in a different scale to the figures released by Toy Biz. Curses, again. I love how we use every inch of space in the room, as these are above the door on the inside.

Tomy was a talking bump-n-go toy originally but his electronics atrophied long ago; now he lives in the comic room and has adventures with LJ. Speaking of the munchkin, she's responsible for the item in Robbie's hand... the one-and-only Transformers fairy wand in existence, which she made for SF. Mine is Harry Potter with a black ribbon (she knows me so well).

We're fast running out of room, but I know that just means more creative solutions as we nab bits and pieces as we find them. I love that room.

(x-posted to dragontail)

Champions of geekitude

2007-04-25T03:00:53Z

Want to know how cool we are? SF and I have elected to spend the day off Anzac Day has given us by redocumenting the comic room. It has changed a lot since I arrived and with my departure coming up in only 3 weeks, we decided it was a good time to mark the changes.

The main wall of the room, facing the door. This houses SF's collection of G1 Transformers, with Decepticons on the top shelf and Autobots on the centre shelf. The bottom shelf features the Autobot cast from his ongoing fanfic, which he posts over on primus_trilogy and has a huge following for. He mainly buys stuff that he likes or can fit into his fics because there's no use in owning one of everything if you don't really like it.

More of the fanfic cast.

Fanfic cast, the finale! (For more detailed description, check SF's version of this post.)

"I've got a jet-black heart, it's all %^$ed up and it's falling apart..."

The shrine to wrestling - Sting and Hulk Hogan are SF's, the mini DX boys and the John Cena figures belong to ME! Above them stand the statues and coveted limited-run V for Vendetta mask (released only to the media to promote the DVD release). The GL and Spidey prints are to either side. The black frame by the TV houses an original page from a Green Lantern comic, pencilled by Kyle Rayner creator Darryl Banks. The smaller frame is an RID Optimus Prime print bought for SF at Botcon by newsy891.

The comic boxes; home to a run of Amazing Spider-Man issues that go back to 1979, as well as all of our other comics. I've got a box of my very own containing: Amazing Spider-Girl, Astonishing X-Men, Buffy Season 8, the CSI that Mom got me for Xmas, Heroes for Hire, Justice Society of America, Runaways (now written by Joss Whedon!), White Tiger (written by Tamora Pierce!!!), Wonder Woman and Xena. Right now I'm reading more than SF is. *is proud*

Between them and the colourful storage boxes lies the homes of the other collections: Doctor Who, Spider-Man and his rogues gallery, Green Lantern, Justice League Unlimited and my awesome "Girls Who Kick Butt" shelf (we'll see that in detail in a minute).

Barbies! In a comic room! MWAHAHAHA! These are most definately mine... save for the Mary Jane Barbie, which is SF's. I collect the "Princesses of the World" Barbies and I just love them. They're exactly what I've always wanted and I keep them out of the boxes because I like to rearrange and touch and play with them.

Even from the outside, there's no mistaking the comic room. Kingdom Hearts figures and assorted bits to one side, yet more Spider-Man stuff to the other. The security shutters go down over them at night, because the boy's a paranoid git at heart. *grins fondly*

Part two coming soon... (once SF finishes typing it up)

(photos x-posted to dragontail)

beyondthe_sea @ 2007-03-12T22:05:00

2007-03-12T11:51:14Z

Hurray! I got the job! I just heard back from the job at the mobile phone company and I'm super stoked. Apparently T was supposed to call me a few days ago, like Saturday, but forgot until just ten minutes ago. I'm working tomorrow at 11am and I'm so excited and so very glad I have a job. I was getting a little worried about going another week without earning any money, but very very hopefully the payday for the new job is next week so that this week will reap benifits sooner rather than in two weeks if this week is pay week. (Did that even make sense?)

It's nice and close to home, only twenty or so minutes by bus and in a medium-sized shopping centre I'm pretty familiar with. YAY.

In summery: I have a job! Yay me!

(x-posted to stareyednight)

beyondthe_sea @ 2007-03-10T11:58:00

2007-03-10T01:32:34Z

I have a confession to make.

SF introduced me to the WWE in June, coaxing me into one episode, filling me in on the back story as Triple H and Shawn Michaels reunited as DX, and now it's my best guilty pleasure. Better than Top Model and a Cadbury bar. We're Raw people and I've got a mad love for John Cena (a cute, clean-cut Marine who enters like Frankenstien on PCP). He's so much fun to watch, a great 'superstar' who can do promos and taunts and everything on the mic with humour or scary intensity.

Who else do I love? Johnny Nitro and Melina (especially Melina, who just became Women's Champion). They're so much fun, like what I would like to be as a wrestling couple. Plus, it's so awesome to see the huge push the Women's division has been getting lately. The quality has gone up and the previous champion, Mickie James, is a great wrestler, too.

What's really drawn me into it and made me a devotee is the show of it all. It's all about the bumps and the heat and taking a fall and putting someone over. Awesome moves and grandiose theatrics. Mic skills and pop. I love how Triple H and Shawn Michaels can get a crowd on it's feet cheering and screaming and so invested in the match that you haven't realised it's been twenty minutes and they're still going.

Edge, aka The Rated R Superstar, is my favourite 'heel', or bad guy. From Toronto, he's vicious and edgy and charismatic. He's everything a good bad guy should be and oh so much fun to watch. Plus, then it's even better when he loses. *grins* He's been in a feud with DX, and Shawn Michaels once Triple H was injured, recently and it's been awesome to watch him displaying his badness to full potential. And before that he was feuding with John Cena for the WWE championship belt, which was lovely to watch, culminating in Cena tossing him in the Long Island Sound. *sighs blissfully*

So, yes, I'm a scary, scary wrestling 'smark' (smart mark, or fan). And, yes, Mom, I'll be watching it every Monday when I'm staying with you. Hee hee hee.

(Reposted from stareyednight

My inevitable return

2007-03-09T09:02:47Z

For whom it may concern...

SF and I have a new postal address. If you want to send us lovely things, please drop me an email.

Also, it looks like I will be returning to the Land of the Maple Leaf in May (towards the end of the month) for a little while. I need to touch Canadian soil once every twelve months or I shrivel into the four hundred year old vampire I really am. Or, you know, I need to make some money and switch to a different visa to go back to Australia. (Honestly, if I'm not there I'm terrified of what the house will look like. The boy can't cook.)

My plan so far is to go back to Canada, work for a few months, live with my parents (*shudders*), go back to Oz on a 12 month visitor's visa and apply for the Auslan (Australian Sign Language) Certificate course I want at TAFE and possible switch to a student visa. Very complicated, but it works for me so far. I like it here and I really want to stay if I can.

In other news, I just finished my job of six months and am in the process of looking for another. I have a lead on a part time job at a mobile phone dealer, so I hope that pans through, and I've also dropped off a bunch of resumes at a bunch of stores. Here's hoping.

First post of the Year

2007-01-10T11:18:51Z

And what a year it's been...

First off, Happy New Year to everyone! I have a feeling 2007 is going to be a great one. I've got a few resolutions this year and they all seem to apply to this journal, or you all who are reading this.

To post once a week, at least. Mom and Dad have suggested this one and I'll really try. I'm sorry to admit that I get wrapped up in my life over here and forget that I haven't spoken to some of you in months. I think about everyone so much that it doesn't feel like we're so far away until I stop and really count the months.

To reply to all comments. If you've been nice enough to reply to my post, the least I can do is acknowledge and thank you for the support you've all unwaverangly given me. I'm truly blessed in my friends.

To catch up on my emails. Frances, Linda/Mike, Angel, and Auntie Kathy, expect things from me soon.

Also, to write more, but that's less this journal. I'm still brewing on two Doctor Who fics and some original fiction. God knows when I'll finish it, but I'm plugging away every little while. I just feel so much less inspired than I used to. I want to write, but I'm just stuck. Myabe I should drop back into CSI for a ficlet, get my groove back. *grins* How J Got Her Groove Back. Riiight.

Going back a few weeks, Christmas was great, despite Canada Post wanting to make me commit (justifiable) homicide. The short of it, for those who don't know, is that thanks to some (explitive deleted) in the Delta PO, my Christmas from Canada will be in February. But, because my parents are the best of the best, and SF is teh awesome, I had a great christmas with love from everyone. Honestly, it was a great day.

New Year's ws pretty low key. We had a few invites, but elected to stay home and put a sizable dent into Season 2 of Entourage on DVD. Awesome show. I'd like to slap Turtle into next year if I met him, but I've met his type so many times before, it didn't take away from my love of the show.

Work's going pretty good. I managed the team last week while my Team Leader was on some well deserved vacation and it went pretty well. I got some great appeciation from the bosses and Papa Bear. (Our team is called the Bear Team. Everyone's got a nickname; I'm Singing Bear.) This week's been tough, but alright. This mall is the biggest of the area (like Metrotown) and seems to give itself airs. I've been getting pissed off, especially today, because of how much I'm getting ignored. I get dozens and dozens of no's a day, but it's the rudeness that gets me mad. I hate being treated like I just don't exist, or getting looks like I'm below them. I was almost in tears at work today because the people were getting to me, I wasn't getting any leads and my replacement was an hour late. That cut out my trip to Immigration so that I could get started on staying here and a trip to the bank I needed. Why do we have to work? /whine

But, I'm making pretty good money all together and I'm still liking it. Life's been good, thank you very much, and I'm still happy. Huge love to everyone. Missing you all.

incoherant joy

2006-12-16T06:56:44Z

My sister had her baby! She had a baby boy! I don't know anything else, except she had a baby and I'm an auntie!!!

Mom's calling me back when they have stuff like a name, but she wanted me to be the first to know. So amazing!

beyondthe_sea @ 2006-12-12T22:33:00

2006-12-12T12:03:05Z

I've never been a video game girl. I can button mash my way through Street Fighter and Tekken 3 against the boys, but I never owned a Nintendo or Sega or Playstation in my young life. I've been sort of scared of the games because I worried I'd screw up and fall of a ledge or hit the wrong button and there was never a time for me to practice alone because I never had a unit at home. I was sort of embarassed to make a mistake in front of my friends. But, I moved in with a guy with a PS2 in the comic room and video games are part of the geekdom I'm assimilating. I started watching as he played, knitting sometimes while he battled monkies or with Captain Jack, but I never really wanted to try.

Then, he brought home Kingdom Hearts II. I'd heard so much of it, and even given the beginning of the first one a try, so I was interested when he popped the disk in. After ten minutes I was a hooked as he is and a week later he brought home the guide book. From then on I became the official navigator, pointing out where the treasures were hidden and reading ahead for the boss battles. It was incredible and for me like watching a movie unfold. It took about two months but last week, at 2am, we finished the last battle. Totally awesome. And I feel confident saying we because even thought I never picked up the controller I feel like it was a team effort.

As luck would have it, a little while ago we stumbled upon another game that seemed pretty much tailor-made for us. With our love of superheroes and comic books, Marvel Ultimate Alliance is the perfect game. Fighting and great story and fucking awesome cinematics. You get to create your own four member team of a selection of heroes and run through massive, gorgeous levels beating up stuff and collecting upgrades and such. SF and I each picked two of our favourite characters and created the perfect team. The Nightwatch consisted of Spider-Man (SF's all time favourite) for agility and web-throwing and the Thing for brute force for SF and Storm for lightning and flying and Elektra for slashing and ninja skillz for me. SO awesome. We could clear a room like nobody's business.

Yesterday, SF and I swept through the last Act and a half of the game. We finished it at eleven last night, still pumped and jazzed about it. Really an awesome game with nothing I could quibble over. Easy to get the hang of, very customisable with costumes and upgrading and clever quips and a good canon true storyline. I really really want to go and play some more. We might have to go back in and play again... Yay!

It doesn't feel like Christmas when it's 40 degrees...

2006-12-09T13:05:19Z

God, it's freaking hot.

It was 39.8 degrees today (103 degrees F for all my Yankee girls) and apparently 42 yesterday (107 degrees F). I've never been anywhere it was that hot before. Las Vegas would only have been in the ninties when I was there and I have no idea what Florida was like when the decoteaugirls were visiting carolinecrane, but I know it wasn't that hot. I'm coping. It could be, and still will get, worse, so I'm doing my best. Drinking lots of water appears to be key. As is shade and air conditioning. Travelling by car or bus is torture.

I worked today, all day, and thank christ for it. A beautiful air conditioned mall where I made heaps of money. And, I didn't get beat up this time! Yay for me! (This is the mall I was travelling to when I was attacked) I took the train almost everyday and it was a bit scary, but I'm glad I was able to get past my stigma. I'll never get over the unease, but I'm not scared anymore.

On a funner note, SF, LJ and I had a "special day" on Friday. It was freaking hot (see above temp), but we made the best of it. because of the insane heat, we forwent the beach during the day and instead did some errands and groceries in the morning and after a lovely chat with my folks we headed out to Nana and Pa's. Sean's parents have a caravan right by the beach and it has a swimming pool in the complex that we are free to use. So we did. Ahh, bliss, I tell you. Yes, Mom, pictures will be forthcoming. I just need to resize and upload them.

Finally got to try out my new bikini and scarily, it's a bit big. I appear to have dropped a hell of a lot of weight. I'm down to 125 from the 140 I was the past five or so years and I feel incredible. I need to get some new shorts and summer things, but I've honestly never felt this good about how I look. I know it's not a really dramatic loss or anything, but it's enough to make me feel so much less like the 'heavy' sister. (It does help that my sister has gained about twenty pounds, but she's about to give birth any day now, so we can cut her a bit of slack. A bit.) I'm guessing that eating more at home and chasing after a 2 and a half year old is a big factor. I'm a bit more active here; the mandatory walk to the bus is a bit further and I do spend a lot of time wandering around trying to find the mall I'm working in.

So, to recap: HOT, both the weather and me (*snorts*), work is good and life is great. I missed the snow in Vancouver (*pouts*), but got lots of pictures of it. In exchange I will be popping up some of us in our sunny glory.

Love for everyone and I'm missing you all like mad, especially now. Going to bed in my stuffy "copic" room, but may shift to the living room if it's too much.

Ow.

2006-10-17T12:54:20Z

I tried to post this yesterday, but my computer siezed up for the whole night and I lost it, just before I could hit post. So, here I go again, replacing the todays with 'yesterday'.

I was jumped by two girls on the train yesterday on my way to work. At 12:30 in the afternoon, in a train car with a dozen other people and my wallet was stolen from my bag. I'm okay, aside from some bruises on my scalp from where they tried to rip out my hair and some swelling and bruising on the left side of my face. I've got some bruises on my arms, too, but it's not too bad. I'll go back and start at the beginning, but those were the important bits.

And we begin at the beginning... I was on the train, heading to work, a new site for the week. At one stop, two girls and two guys got on the train. All about seventeen to nineteen and one girl had a pusher with a toddler in it. She immediately began bitching very loudly and rudely about people not getting up for her to sit in some of the seats. She insulted a few people to their faces, calling them all fat fucks and lazy pigs all within a minute of her getting on the train. After five solid minutes of her being absolutely disgusting I looked up and said "Oh, shut up." Four heads snapped over and Girl #1 threw a few insults my way, but one lady redeflected her attention by also telling her to shut up. The lady, who was rather large, and the teens had it out, with Girl #1 doing most of the insulting. Finally, the lady tossed some of her milk she was drinking at the girl, who retaliated by throwing her cup of coke, unfortunately getting the guy sitting behind the lady the most.

As she continued bitching out the woman, she alternated with insults at me, making some very immature faces at me (who makes faces after the age of five?) and threatening to beat me up when I got off the train. I ignored them, as I always ignore fuckwits, and kept my expression indifferent, even though they were still insulting my appearance and calling me pretty much every name in the book, as well as threatening me. The lady got off, and after Girl #2 and one of the guys threw a soda at her from the door, they all turned their attention to me. They started to escalate, telling me how they were going to smash my face in, rip out all my hair (my "stupid black hair" Bwa?), steal my iPod and necklace, yada yada. I was getting a bit more nervous, but kept an eye on the map and waited for my station. Girl #2 kept playing with two lighters and glaring and Girl #1 continued with her ranting and really childish faces.

I got up when my station arrived and, as I made my way down the aisle, Girl #2 grabbed my hair from behind and yanked me back. I turned and looked at her for a second, giving her a 'what the hell?' look before throwing the only punch I made in the altercation. It wasn't a good one, unfortunately, and one of the guys pulled her out of the way (and my bag as it seems) as Girl #1 jumped me, beating on my head with her fists and yanking on my hair. We tumbled onto a set of seats and I managed to pull away enough to yell at the train at large for some one to help me. Someone must have, because she was off me and immediately a lovely, lovely lady pulled me aside and sat me down. She took both my hands in hers and told me to take a few deep breaths and that it was over and I was okay. I was sobbing from pain and shock and she asked if I had anyone she wanted to call. I produced my cell phone and dialed SF, managing to give her my name and his so she could communicate it properly. She told him and after I talked to him, and called work, a transit officer, or Passanger Service Assistant had come into the train. The lovely lady flagged him from talking to the four ferals, pointing out that they had attacked me, and he sat down to get my story. When he asked me for my ID so he could take my name and details, I realised my bag was missing, and upon finding it discovered that my wallet was gone. That's when I really started to panic and demanded that he stop and serch them right now, because they could just get off the train with my stuff. The PSA then told me that he couldn't stop them, or hold them for the assult, or seach them for my wallet because he simply didn't have the authority. The ferals stood there, openly mocking me for crying and still slagging me as the PSA took my info and told me to get off the train at one of the stations, as he would call the police and get a report filed. Meanwhile, two of the ferals got off the train, still mocking me through the wndows as the train pulled away. The other two, Girl #1 and her guy, got off at the same station the PSA and I did.

Ann, the lovely lady, offered to drive me home if I needed it, because I was now stuck an hour away from home and completely distressed. SF was at work with no car and really no way of getting out of work anyway. She gave me her phone number and offered to be a witness before I had to get off the train. Also, a lady who must have seen my distress when I discovered my wallet gone handed me five dollars as she passed me getting off the train. Ann also gave me fifteen dollars in case I needed anything before I could sort out my finances. The kindness of strangers in the middle of chaos...

The PSA took me into the staff room where I could wash off my ruined makeup and take down my wrecked hair. He took all my details and info and after he reported it through his offical channels, we waited for the cops to arrive and I called SF to reassure him I was okay, and his mum, who very thoughtfully offered to help me as well. The police ended up not being able to show up because they were responding to a higher priority call, so the PSA arranged for a cab to come and take me to the police station nearest to home, on the Transit Aunthority's tab. My cab driver was very sweet and sympathetic, offering to look for my wallet it if was dumped, as that's his regular area. He even walked me up to the door of the station and offered to wait with me. I didn't need it, but again, his kindness was so appreciated.

SF's mum picked me up from the station after I filed my report (Aggravated Robbery, I believe) and took me home so I could call my Mom. Mom was clearly shocked, but she managed to get right on some of the things I needed done from her side of the world, including having my Visa stopped in ten minutes. My Mom rocks. I also got a new bank card issued for my Australian account. SF's mum took me to the doctor (thanks again to her for being so completely lovely to someone who is only her son's housemate) and we made sure I don't have a concussion, just shock and some very painful bruising.

I went back to work today, put in a good full day, and thanks to some plans made last week, I had a ride in and back from my Team Manager, so I didn't have to take the train. I was going to, though. I was going to suck it up and face it and take the train, but I'll admit to being glad that I didn't have to. I woke up with a ton of muscle soreness, the kind you only get after sleeping with injuries, and everything still hurts. Ladies who are reading, you know the tight soreness feeling on your scalp after you take a ponytail down? I have that all over my head and it tugs when I raise my eyebrows or touch my hair. Washing it this moring took forever and still hurt. My temple is still a bit swollen and it hurts in my jaw to smile or yawn or eat, but there's only a little bruising around my eye. The way it hurts, I thought it would have been black and blue, but alas.

SF was so furious and enraged, not only that his best friend was attacked, but also that someone was assulted in broad daylight and no one could do anything to detain the very obvious perps, that he's arranged for me to speak with the transit writer at the Advertiser (I didn't know they had a transit writer...) tomorrow and she might be doing a story about that. I definately think it's worth it and I really hope that it would make someone sit up and take notice of the fact that the trains just aren't safe. I'd hate to think of what might have happened if it had been someone less healthy and resiliant than I. So, I'm to become a transit crusader. Somewhat appropriate, I think.

Now, I'm off to a cup of tea and possibly bed, because today took a lot of effort and I still have moments of wanting to cry if I think about it too much. But, I'm doing my best and I've pretty much hit sarcastic mode when it comes to talking about it. You all know me, I'm a fighter, despite my crap-ass punches.

Night.

An update of a job.

2006-10-12T08:59:06Z

Money is in my bank account. My job paid me, rewarding a week's worth of work and training. Hurrah!

This job has been good fun and I expect it will continue to be so for a good long while. The girls I'm working with are lovely and fun. I'm really getting into playing with the balloons we hand out and having fun grooving to the music the nearby shops play. Also, I'm getting very good at hand pumping balloons, tying them onto the little cups and putting a stick on. I see purple and orange balloons in my dreams... No, not really.

A lot more fun in this job is the rejection. People are mostly a lot nicer in their rejection, especially when they hear we're not selling stuff. Also, we always try to say hello to everyone, even if we don't pitch them, and "have a nice day" to even those who say no. I like it a lot. A bad day is when I only sign up seven or ten people for the contest, not none. A few days ago I had twenty-one entries, eleven of which are considered a "paid lead", or one that is elegible for the product. Everyone can enter, but if the kids aren't in school, than they don't get a follow up call.

Some people are still rude or ingore you like you're not there, but it's WAY fewer than with Viper. We're a lot more laid back and won't hassle people once they've said "No". A few people each day will say 'no thanks' after I ask them our standard question ("Do you have any kids in school?"), which proves go me how much people don't listen to what you say. I really want to say to them "Don't worry, I'm not trying to sell you any", meaning kids, but I don't.

Aside from being sick as hell this week (yeah, thanks SF), it wasn't a bad week. Slow, but alright. Next week is a gold site, meaning that it's awesome. Ros, my Team Leader, says she expects I'll switch over to commission, or bonus structure, at that site because of the awesome money I would make that way. Right now I'm still on hourly, and it served me well at this slow site. I still would have made about what I made in hourly, but it allowed me to feel a little more relaxed yesterday when I was coughing and sneezing and today when I went home after two hours because I threw up in the bathroom at the Centre.

I've been working my ass off and I'm really happy with it. The one complaint I would make is that I'm working six days a week, Monday to Saturday. But, some of those days are just four hour shifts, so I don't miss out on my whole Saturday. They've been really great about working around my play schedule and I wouldn't be surprised if a few of them went to a performance. That reminds me, I should transfer next week's roster from the back of my hand to my white board.

There. Done.

Tomorrow I'm working back at Movie Maniacs as help for the sidewalk sale. Nine til nine. *moans* Aoud nine til five on Saturday. I agreed to do this three weeks ago, before I had a full time job, and although it's going to mean excellent bank, I'm miffed I'm losing my Saturday and working twelve hours tomorrow. Ah well, a promise is a promise.

Oh, and Mom? My birthday present has arrived. Seven days after it was sent. You rock. SF confiscated it immediately and shoved it under his desk. I begged and pleaded with him to open it and let me have anything that wasn't wrapped as a present or card, but I was cruelly rebuffed. Seventeen more days until it is mine!

So, off I go now to lay down and try to forget how crappy I felt today. Part of it might have been the 35 degree sun that I'm not used to yet. I will, though.

Second verse, same as the first

2006-10-03T21:55:46Z

So, guess who's got a new job? Hurrah!

The terribly funny thing? It's the same as my last one, but ten times better. Shall I elaborate? Yes, I shall.

I went in for an interview for a job in a call centre after sending my resume in to a bunch of places looking for work. I got this interview and went in, knowing a little about the company. I had seen their booth when I was working for Viper (my last job) and it looked fun and cool and I figured I could totally call the people they sign up. The girl I got info from in the mall was so enthusiastic and sweet, so I was really looking forward to seeing their offices and what the business was like.

I went in and the met the guy I spoke to on the phone, Jason, and almost right away he asked if I was sure I didn't want to do the promotions side of the business, because he thought I was so perfect for it. I explained that I love promotions and face to face, but the hours I was working for Viper were killing me, as was the no pay thing. He explained everything to me and, basically, it rocks so hard. You start on a per hour pay for the first four weeks, but you can switch over to commission at any time, or after four weeks. It's just signing people up for a contest and then asking if they're interested in a free consultation. Easy peasy. It's a kids math tutoring program, so it's not going to be tough like the last one, with selling people stuff. Also, if I want to, I can work in the call centre as well, a few days on promo, a few days in the call centre, or if I don;t like promo I can switch to the CC.

So, it's 7:20am, I'm in jeans and a t shirt and I'm getting ready to leave with SF. None of this going into the office first crap, which is great. Also, I can wear sneaker and normal people clothes, which gets an "A" in my world. I have an hour in the field (paid!), and then back to the office for proper training, and then shifts on Thursday and Saturday, both 1-5pm. My team leader, Ros, was so excited that I had previous promo experience, that she just put me straight on the roster. Jason came in to give some details and she was already giving me a script and going over the product. Yay!

Let's see how this one goes, shall we?

beyondthe_sea @ 2006-09-14T12:18:00

2006-09-14T03:31:11Z

So, my cool new job? I quit yesterday. After three full days. I am teh roxxors.

The job wasn't so bad, and the people were awesome, enthusiastic people around my age. The biggest problem was the hours. I got up at 5:30am, left before 6:30 and after two busses arrived at work for 7:30. Then, a bit more training, a quick meeting and then off to a mall to stand for eight or so hours. Back to office around six and then two busses back home for around 7:30pm.

Oh HELL no.

Add to the fact that people are basically saying "No" to you all day, and some can be very rude, and that I didn't make any sales in my first two days. I was working my ass off, trying so hard, but I could hardly get people to stop and hear half my pitch, let alone agree to sign up. My knees still hurt and my ankles are a little twingy, but I'm at home, wearing jeans and a Superman t-shirt and relaxed.

The good thing about yesterday, though, was even though I knew I was going to resign at the end of the day, I still tried really hard and managed to make three sales, though one voided and I won't get the credit for it, and was first off the mark and I think get a $50 bonus. Not a bad way to end a very short promotion sale career.

So, I'm back to slacking, but I plan to apply for some part-time retail work so that I can still earn some money, but be able to have some time for the play and the people I'm actually here for.

beyondthe_sea @ 2006-09-08T08:47:00

2006-09-08T01:10:49Z

Guess who got a job? Me! A real job, not just casual, every few weeks work to help someone out.

Monday morning I was walking through the Myer Centre in Rundle Mall and someone started to whistle the Canadian anthem at me. I was wearing my Canadian Women's Hockey cap, so I turned, surprised someone here knew the anthem. It was a guy at a telecommunications booth who mentioned he'd lived in Canada with his girlfriend for a little while and asked where I was from. I told him and we chatted about both countries before he asked me if I had a job here, or was planning to get one. I told him I was definately looking and he asked if I was any good at sales. I mentioned that I had worked in customer service for years and had done some non-sale promotion work. He asked if I thought I'd like an interview for the company he was working for. I was stunned, but agreed and he declared he was going to call it in right now and see if he could get me in as soon as possible. "You up for an interview today?"

"Uh, I look like crap," I replied. I was not wearing interview clothing, especially because Tom and his co-worker were dressed business casual and I was wearing army green cargos and a black long sleeved shirt and my cap. "And, I don't have a resume."

Tom just waved me off as he made the call. "Doesn't matter. How's noon?"

"Uh, okay." He gave me a card and some directions and sent me on my merry way. I panicked only a little and scurried to a chemists to get some hair ties so I could at least do something with my hair.

At noon I arrived at the office, filled in my forms and had an interview with the boss. He talked very very fast. But, he was lovely and thought I was great, so he decided to send me on to the next step, which was a day out with a team to observe and for them to decide on me, too.

So, early next morning I dressed up and left to be at the office by 8:15 (*moans*). I met back up with Tom and he and Jess, who was with him the day before, took me out to the shopping mall in Elizabeth, about half an hour outside town. Tom and I had coffee and he explained the company to me.

Viper is a marketing and promotions company that is under the umbrella of a larger company. Accounts go to the parent company, who then passes the job onto their members. Basically, they're the people who stand in the mall and go "Excuse me, do you have a minute to hear about this great offer?"

After we chatted, we went back to the booth and I watched them do their work. It's 95% rejection, but no one takes it personally, because it's the product not you as a person that's being rejected. In other words, way better than an audition. *grins* I even almost sold something! Tom and Jess were both busy singing people up and there was a couple looking at the signs, so I went right up and started to give them the run. It was very cool and really helped me to believe that I could do this job.

At about one, I took the train back into town and went back into the office for my final interview. Aden asked me a few more questions about the job and what I thought and after he sped through a bit more about it, asked me to join the team! I have training Saturday morning at 9:30 and even though I'm a little worried about it being a commission-based job, Tom thinks I'll do well, and I really want to try and make good.

So, possibly starting next week, I'll be selling phone service to Australians in malls across Adelaide. Go me.

Yo ho, a thespian's life for me

2006-08-14T00:02:03Z

As some of you may know, as well as singing I also act(or attempt to). I haven't done much since G-Force, despite auditioning, but I knew I still wanted to persue it while in Australia. Adelaide doesn't have a version of the Georgia Straight that I can find, so I turned to my old friend, the Internet and came across a site devoted to the Adelaide theatre scene.

I followed up on casting for a community theatre production and after my first audition was called for a callback for one of the supporting roles. I ended up not getting it (my Canadian accent was too strong, even through my British accent), but was still offered the role of the main character's servant. I accepted, because I really just want to act and be on stage and be around other actors, too. All I can do is learn, right?

The play is called "The Busybody", and I play Scentwell, maidservant to Miranda. There's a bit of info on the play and adaptation here, and then our version and character breakdown. Rehersals start in two weeks and performances are in November. I'll keep you updated on the ups and down of a new play in a new place!

I cooked!

2006-07-30T11:03:51Z

Yes, the above is not a typo. I actually cooked something and it was goooood.

SJ asked SF and I what we wanted for dinner, as she was about to go grocery shopping for the week. SF requested something filling and hearty and I agreed, and we pondered what exactly it was we wanted. I wanted chili. Mmmmm... chili, but such does not exist as a viable meal choice down under. So, I took a breath and opened my mouth: "If you want, I'll make chili for dinner. I just have to call Daddy for the recipe."

They handed me the phone and I dialed up my Daddy. He and Mom gave me their chili recipe and I gave SJ a list of what was needed. When she returned from the trip of shopping, I set up my ingredients and bided my time until it was time to cook by illegally downloading music now that I have Limewire. (Goooo file sharing!)

So, I cooked. I chopped and browned and drained and mixed and tasted and added spices and then let it simmer. LJ has come into an almost obessive love of the kitchen lately, so I set her up on the little stool SJ bought her and she watched me finish and clean up and then helped me stir the pot a few times as it was needed. She even tasted it and helped me take some to Mummy and Daddy to taste, who had both never had chili in their lives (as newsy891 and I said, it's a crime against nature). The first taste passed muster and we proceeded to dish it up for dinner, with LJ at my legs asking "LJ have some. Have some in LJ Dora bowl. Yummy yummy."

And, I have to say, it was a hit. *beams proudly* SF wolfed down two bowls and what LJ didn't finish (she had half her bowl, which is a victory in itself) and SJ managed to get past her aversion to kidney beans to polish off her portion. Next time I'm doubling the recipe.

But, yes, I cooked good, it was not only edible but enjoyable, and I now have one more thing in my pitifully small arsenal of "foods I can make". YAY. Thank you, Mom and Dad.

Holiday, celebrate... (Part 2)

2006-07-16T03:46:57Z

So, I promised more, eh? I shall deliver! *grins*

Sunday started out bright and early as we packed up and scoured the suite for anything we'd forgotten before checking out. Our first goal was to head to Granite Island, which is an island devoted to penguin habitat. There are penguin burrows everywhere, but unfortunately the penguins had all headed out to sea to fish and feed when we arrived at ten am (They go in and out at dawn and dusk). But, we walked around the island a bit and saw the amazing rocks and waves and everything and it was breathtaking. Cold and windy, but breathtaking

Granite Island and the view looking south, towards Antarctica.

And the rocks Granite Island is known for.

After the horsedrawn tram ride back across the causeway to the mainland, we stopped and had a baked potato covered in cheese, sour cream and bolognese sauce, which is entirely heaven. We need baked potato stands at our tourist venues in Vancouver. Then, when I demanded animals to make up for the ones missed on the island, SJ grinned and delivered.

Our next stop was Urimbirra Wild Life Park, an open plains zoo where you walk in the gates and there are animals wandering around. Some, like the llamas, koalas, ponies and dingos, were in enclosures (electrified in the dingos' case), but others, like wallabies, swans, peacocks, wild guinea pigs(!) and kangaroos are just wandering around waiting for you to stumble across them.

Warning! A million and a half kangaroo pictures ahead

Like this guy:

My first kangaroo! (Is still excited about it) We had a bag of dry kangaroo food and literally walked around a corner and saw this little guy and he hopped right up to me and ate out of my hand. LJ gave me a hand, and SJ and SF fed him too, and I was giddy as a little girl when we finally moved on along the path.

Then, as we were heading in the direction of the crocodile pool for the feeding time, we came upon a mob of kangaroos in what must be their sort of family area and approached, food at the ready.

It started with two. You can see a few of the others in the background, some pretty big.

Then their were four, drawn by the food and my stylin' sweatshirt.

And, then there were, like, six. The look is for the one directly in front of me, who gripped my hands with both his paws to stop me from moving away. I was mobbed by a mob of thrilled and very sweet kangarooooos.

SF and LJ are observed by a roo and her joey. I actually got to pet this joey on his soft little head and then I stroked the backs of his feet which are poking out. So cute!

Meeting of the babes.

Kangaroos on video! As usual, I sound like a dork. A really excited dork.

We finally left the kangaroos be (after they cleaned me out of food) and saw three crocs get fed, which was neatness. LJ has an odd love for crocodiles, thanks to Dora, so she was happy, too. Then, we got to go see koalas.

Koala!

We got to go in and touch the koalas, which was neatness. There were three koalas and they were just letting us pet them, as long as we didn't interfear with their eating. Koalas eat for four hours of their day and sleep for twenty. Not a bad life.

After the awesomeness of the koalas, we dicided to head for home, as we'd been in the park for about three hours. I also saw kookaberras and a giant black swan tried to eat us. Okay, not really, but it was blocking our path and it's just fun to say.

We got back in the car and began a lovely senic route home, with a stop off once to let LJ run around in a park and another stop to let SJ pick up some of her favourite cookies at her favourite bakery. We listened to 'Rent' all the way home, both movie soundtrack and original cast recording, and I got to tell all my little bits of trivia as we listened. *grins*

Got home in time to talk to Mom and Dad via webcam and give them the lowdown on the weekend and wish them well on their vacation. Then, then there was sleep.

All in all, it was a pretty good weekend. Okay, BEST WEEKEND ever.

Holiday, celebrate... (Part 1)

2006-07-15T14:21:18Z

Now that I've driven you all off with the Madonna lyrics... Last Friday, SF, SJ, LJ and I packed up the TARDIS (the Toyota Corolla model) and headed out to Victor Harbour, about two hours away and further south, for a weekend away and my first look at the area surrounding Adelaide.

We stayed in a great suite with an incredible view and on Saturday morning began the first part of our adventuring.

The view from our balcony.

Bright and early Saturday morning we headed into town, which reminded me very strongly of Victoria, quaint and touristy. We stopped in a bookstore and for a very fresh bakery breakfast before dropping into the Whale Centre. I love whales, it must be told, and the local whale is the Southern Right Whale. We were told at the Centre that some whales had been spotted in a bay not far from us about fifteen minutes earlier, approximately 100m off the shore. We booked it, arriving at the beach to see four right whales cavorting off shore.

It was incredible. Thank god for my awesome new camera (actually, thanks Mom and Dad), which allowed me to get some great shots, and then zoom in even further on the computer and actually show you what I was seeing.

Look! Whales!

And for a bit of scale, as to how close they were, you can see a tiny bit of the shore at the bottom of this frame.

LJ, Dora the Explorer-ing against some incredible waves.

And, thanks to my awesome camera, a bit of video of the whales. I sound like a really excited five-year-old and the focus is a little off one in a while, but whales.

After that, we drove all over the place. We visited the Murrey Mouth, where the Murrey River meets the ocean, and as far south as I've ever been. That was kind of mind-boggling to think of. After blowing my mind, we went to Horseshoe Bay, where SF used to holiday as a kid. Every day he would take a stack of comics up these amazing rocks and sit above a 200ft drop, and he wanted to show it off to me and LJ, who's never been either.

I claimed a rock for myself. The view behind me was pretty awesome. It's amazing how far out you can see. (By the way, my t-shirt says "Canadian Hockey Rocks". Because it does.)

The view from atop my rock. Lovely. Also, very high.

And, that was Saturday. I mean, we had dinner and chilled out a bit, but that's all wortt noting. Next up: Sunday, teh bestest day of all.

Fathers Day from far away

2006-06-19T03:58:16Z

If everyone else will please excuse this, except for my Daddy.

Love,
Rocket