Random mutterings

Well folks, it's been a flurry of activity over the last four weeks. So much has happened that there's no way I can do this bloggo thing every weekend. Far too busy for that. So instead of "weekly wonders" it might well become "random wonders" or "annual wonders" or "wonders when I bloody well feel like them." Thing is, I'm trying to write a book, get a column and construct a play at the mo. Then there's the whole job thing. Major inconvenience. Takes up the best part of the day. A wise man once said to me, "it's a question of priorities." This is totally correct. Very wise. Very unhelpful.

Right, let me think now, last time I wrote about family stuff was my birthday week. Which means I missed the end of November and start and middle of December i.e four full weeks. Ooooh doesn't time fly?
Some snippets that come to mind...William's been a very good boy, doing super trooper at school and, if I may be so bold, seems to be maturing somewhat. Becoming a tad more sensible, respectful and other adjectives one would like to describe one's eldest son by.


Examples? Hmmm. Tricky. Doing what he's told at the third time of asking, rather than not at all. Take the other day's breakfast,

"William can you put the Coco pops away, please?"

"I've got spelling today, dad."

"Right, nice one son. Can you put the Coco pops away, mate?"

"Kamran's got Pokemon cards."

"Yep, right, William. Can you put the Coco pops away?"

"Are the trains running on time today dad?"

"William just put the Cocoa pops away."

"Dad?"

"Arrrgh. Yes, son?"

"Why do you always ask me to do things three times?"

He's been getting bronze and silver certificates at school now. They're super big on praising the kids here, really focussing on good work that they do and making sure it's rewarded. Katy has done super well too and scaled the dizzy heights of getting into the school band. On flute.
I'm proud of them both for settling in so quickly in a new school, with new kids, in a new country, half way through the academic term. Wouldn't fancy it myself, so hats off to 'em, I say!

I remember very well William's first day when he was introduced to two of his new class buddies who were tasked to look after him. He'd been pretty upset about the whole going to school thing right up to the point where he met those guys. I was worried he would collapse in a pool of self pity and come over all wimpy in front of them and be the class soft lad. Not a chance! With his back to them he wiped his eyes, took a deep breath, turned round then looked them straight in the eyes and shook their hands. There was no way on earth he was going to appear wimpy to them.

Tom happily continues to eat his way around the day care centres of the world in the way that oblivious two year olds with no clue where they are or what they are doing can do. At the moment he's super big on Vegemite sandwiches. That's Oz equivalent of marmite. He's also thoroughly enjoying screaming hysterically every night in bed. And who can blame him? What with possoms and cockroaches snoring their heads off all around him, under sweat box conditions, I feel much the same way.

All three are swimming like beasts - having swimming lessons on a Saturday morning then hours of practice duting the week. We're talking kids in pool for four hours plus. Right enough generalisation.

List of random specifics starting from now - been promoted (no extra salary -I'm so laid back now I couldn't be bothered to ask), putting out eight patent applications (wooohooo! One of the main objectives career wise for coming here) Jenny set up new bunting company, my mate's wife has cancer (gulp but hopefully ok), Santa at the village fete was disgracefully sweaty and rude, temp is 35oC, re-started keep fit regime after 4 weeks rib convalescing was up - took it easy by running Monday, Tuesday; golf wednesday; work footie Thursday then proper footie on Sunday. Hurrah!

Then...Disaster! Did my back in after 3 minutes and am out for rest of year (arrrrrrrrrrgh), doesn't feel festive at all as far too hot, concern over sprouts. Wonder if I should change career and become technical writer. St Andrews day was a non-event, caramel wafers aside. Concern I've still got no mates here. Miss my mates from back home and can conclude that OZ would be super fanatstic if they all lived here. Without them it's just fantastic. Found the best park in the world ever. It's in West Pymble. Going to Kylie next week - Jen at Billy Joel tonight. Had day off work as couldn't stand. Boss took us out for curry lunch to celebrate birthdays, and St. Andrew's day (coolio or wot!). Had first poor quality barbie - sausies burst but luckily it was just for kids and after a few pints of coke they didn't even notice, still nasty surpise as I'd thought I was becoming skilled in the trade.

Right let's pick one from the list....What d'ya fancy?

Actually, don't think I'll bother as I'm editing this two weeks late.

I'll start a new blog covering this week.

Honest.

I will.

Really.

I'm going to do it right now...

Thinking of M & T & family.