One day at a time

Since my last blog entry, I’ve been through a strange Christmas, took a trip to World Pride in Sydney and travelled over the ditch to the land of the long white cloud. This was the first Christmas with none of my parent’s generation still alive, so my usual trip to see my elderly aunt or call home to talk to my father did not happen. I did have a family Christmas and spent the day with my cousin and some of her family, but I avoided the traditional get-together held on Boxing Day (the day after Christmas) as it was going to be a very occasion with two extended families coming together. I spent that day with my best friend instead. In February, Sydney held events to mark World Pride and I went up there to meet up with one of my friends, who was there with some of his friends. There were some particularly highlights, namely the performances at the opening concert by Shelden Riley, Casey Donovan, Jessica Mauboy and the Minogue sisters. I also enjoyed watching the Mardi Gras parade, even t...

Spent the weekend of my birthday in Sydney, the same as last year but this time it has been less fun. No one to meet and the show at the Opera House was underwhelming. I don't think I will do this again, certainly not next year at least. Plus Campbell hasn't has a good time with Oscar, who hasn't been very affectionate towards him. Hopefully he will be more attentive after spending a few days at the cat hotel in November.

Busy morning vacuuming the apartment before driving to the airport, hope I can find my car again on Monday. Tiger has got self checking and baggage, but I'd already checked in and just had to have my hand luggage weighed, wish the other airlines would do this. Seats were very cramped but I don't think that their seats recline. Left on time and arrived slightly early. A bit of a walk to the train station, but no waiting for a train. All checked in and have a nice sized room. 

Checked out after the buffet breakfast and was suffering all the way to Melbourne. The trip back from the airport didn't go as smoothly as the trip to the airport. There seemed to be issues with the bus from the airport and had a wait at Broadmeadows for a train. At least I had two birthday cards waiting for me and the Qantas Q tags had arrived too. The apartment was fine and the car started first time. Work tomorrow unfortunately.

Final full day in Sydney. Had an interesting encounter this morning, before I set off to the QVB for lunch. From there I walked to Circular Quay and used the Motorola mobile phone to take some panoramic pictures of the harbour. Dinner was a salad and I watched a movie in my hotel room.

Second day in Sydney and I went to see South Pacific at the Sydney Opera House. Enjoyed the performance although the sound could have been better. Not bad for the cheap seats. Went to Grill'd again for dinner and had a quiet evening.

Took public transport to the airport and yes I had to change twice but it all went smoothly and on time. The flight up was comfortable but it was on one of the older Virgin planes. Took the train from Sydney Airport direct to the city (hint hint Melbourne) and got a nice size room with a queen size bed, but no view. Went shopping after having something to eat and then returned to the hotel. Caught up with Colin in the evening and had a very pleasant time.

Going to Sydney in February with my friend Neil to the Harbour Party. I had problems finding suitable accommodation, most of the twin rooms had already gone in the better hotels. Ended up trying one on Pitt Street, the reviews indicate that the rooms will be small, but at least they have twin rooms left.

At the airport waiting for my flight to Sydney to catch up with Graham and others (?) over the weekend. Lined up a nice meal on Sunday with Graham at the revolving restaurant.

Just got back from a weekend away in Sydney, where I attended the Harbour Party. Went up Friday evening, saw a performance of Carman at the Sydney Opera House and spent Sunday evening at an outside dance party, surrounded by beauty all around - great scenery whichever way I looked. Arrived back in Melbourne on Monday afternoon.

This has to be one of the best locations for an outside party in the world, not just Australia. Even the over-cast skies didn't deter many hundreds of people from joining in the fun down at the Fleet Steps.

Wednesday 30 September Can't seem to stop waking up early, but at least I will need to tomorrow. Breakfast was a lot quieter this morning, there wasn't any coach trips in the hotel or they had already left. Hung around in the hotel until about 10.30 and when I checked out I mentioned the small things wrong with the room, it got me a 10% discount and I didn't even have to complain about anything. I got a text message from Brian, who needed to postpone catching up this evening, he had come down with flu and talking of illness, I got an email from my manager, who's off for the rest of the week after losing her voice. This time I have been able to enjoy the Virgin Blue Lounge, eating and drinking what I like and using their wireless internet service. Still about an hour before flying off to Melbourne.

*Tuesday 29 September* Happy birthday to me. Woke up early, actually took a while to get off to sleep last night, I think it was just being in a strange (if very comfortable) bed. Showered and was just thinking about breakfast when my parents called. They used the Skype number that I gave them as it came through on Fring, although there was a marked delay between both ends. At least it proves it works, if not as well as I had hoped. Breakfast was very busy and I had to sit at the back, looks like they had at least one coach load of guests to deal with. Left the hotel just about 9 am and heading into the CBD to do some shopping. I was planning on getting a new umbrella and one of the Crazy John's prepaid USB wireless modems. Neither of which I got, my attempt to purchase the modem was thwarted by their lack of stock and although I did find some nice umbrellas in David Jones, I decided I might as well wait until I get home to purchase one. I went to Central Station to get ticket for ...

*Monday 28 September* Woke up early, but Craig had already left for work and had left a couple of messages on sticky notes around the apartment. Took it easy in the morning, watched Big Bang Theory whilst doing some ironing, as I had already packed. Took public transport to the airport, which worked out fine (had a short wait for the tram). At the airport, took three attempts to check in using one of the "Quick" kiosks. Although when I went into the Lounge, they offered to move me on to a earlier flight and even though this meant that I would have less time to enjoy the lounge, I took the offer. Kel was messaging me from Sydney on when I was arriving, which I took as a promising sign. The flight was fine, apart from I got tripped behind the food trolley after a trip to the toilet. Got into Sydney very quickly and found the hotel easily (looked it up on Google Maps on the way in). The room is very comfortable for a single person and so far there hasn't been much noise from...

31/12 Monday Got up early to meet the coach for the day trip, we were the second people on the coach. Unfortunately the ferry part of the trip had been cancelled due to the new year celebrations and they were supposed to have informed us of this. It was a full day with animal sanctuary and walks in the rain forest. I think the highlights for me were the views of the Three Sisters, the cable car ride down to the rain forest and the railway journey back up from the rainforest. We got back around 7pm and after changing, made our way to Pyrmont Park for the first fireworks display. The place was busy but not packed and we had a good view. Wandered away from there after the first set and found a nice restaurant behind Star City for dinner. Graham indulged and bought a bottle of sparkling wine. We finished dinner just about 11pm and wandered back to the park. It was busier for the main set of fireworks, but again we had an excellent view of the fireworks over the water and on t...

My flight to Sydney was not until the afternoon, so I spent the morning sorting out what I was going to do about the apartment and was far more calmer about the whole situation this morning. Sent several emails to banks and conveyancers, plus took some phone numbers too so I can follow up on Monday. Left for the airport before 2pm, thought I'd better go early since I was relying on public transport, although no problems. Had to try a couple of the auto checkin machines before one would accept my card, didn't bother to try to change my seat allocation to an emergency row. Spent about an hour in the VB Lounge, not sure if it's worth $30 a trip and I think I will keep the one remaining visit until my return trip in January. Flight up was busy, but passed quickly. Check-in at the hotel was painless, apart from having to pay. I think I should have said two people were using the room, but will see how it goes. I enjoyed the performance of My Fair Lady, but the acoustics were not...

Woke up early today, I guess I wasn't as tied as I thought I was last night. Filled in the morning by buying a travel shaver and going down to Circular Quay and then taking the ferry to Darling Harbour. Met up with the Hollywood guy, who was very nice but not interested. Oh well that's how life goes sometimes. Filled in a little more time with checking out the internet and discovered that the Bendigo home loan rate (after discounts) is comparable to the mecu one. I have got responses from both banks and they were both positive ones. I haven't heard from the conveyancers, I will have to follow that up on Wednesday. Not sure what to wear from dinner with Dean, opted for the only clean shirt I have at the moment. I met up with Dean and he is exactly what I have been looking for, intelligent, extremely witted and thoughtful, as well as extremely well built. However, the feelings weren't mutual, the main problems being my height and our locations, neither of which I can do a...

I'm going up to Sydney and will be attending a performance of "My Fair Lady" by Opera Australia in the Theatre Royal Sydney. I'm looking forward to this, one of the main characters (Prof Higgins) is being played by Richard E Grant - I wonder what kind of singing voice he has! I'm hoping that the rest of the time in Sydney will be busy meeting people, enjoying the sights and some shopping too.

.: Tina Arena- Discography I had the pleasure to attend Tina's first concert in Sydney and it was also my first time in the Sydney Opera House. I was blown away by her performance and had a hard time sitting in my seat - I just wanted to get up and dance !@! Blogged with Flock