“Falling Fence”, Herring Island sculpture park

I’m so insecure
but one thing would make me sure
if you’d
send me an e-mail
that says “I love you”

–Pet Shop Boys, E-mail

 
I had planned for a weekend away at Jan Juc, my favourite beach, which included refresher surfing lessons. But then I had a health flare-up (my version) or “blip” (naturopath’s version), so I had to cancel the surfing portion. So upsetting. Then it rained like never before, so the camping portion got nixed, too.

To entertain ourselves on Saturday night, we saw Seriously, the cabaret-style musical made up of Pet Shop Boys songs. Seriously boring, I thought, but you’d never know it from the freelance review printed in today’s Age. It was entertaining in parts and offered a new way of thinking about their lyrics, but I think we’d have been better off spending the money to replace my old PSB albums instead.

I’m so spoiled by Mark Kozelek’s reinterpretations of other people’s songs (Jack Rabid of The Big Takeover nailed it when he said Mark could sing the phone book and make it sound good), that I sometimes forget it’s a hard thing to do.

On Sunday we took a trip to Herring Island, which was also a bit of a dud, really*, but the heat could have had a lot to do with it. The best bit was the tiny historical room in the tiny art gallery, where I learned that Tullamarine — the suburb where Melbourne’s airport is located — was the name of a prisoner in Melbourne’s first gaol/jail. And I learned that Bunjil is the name of the spirit father for the Aboriginal people of this area. Bunjil is also the other name for Eagle, my favourite sculpture. I loved him before, but I love him even more now that I know the spirit father’s watching over the Docklands, with his wee beady eyes.

* I might come across all woe-is-me, but I’ve been informed that I giggle while napping, so things can’t be all that grim, now can they?

little girl’s bedroom window, Pridham Street, Prahran

 

a closer view, or why I took the picture

 
I posted an old image because I am sick with a cold. I missed out on going to L.A. for New Year’s, and I’ve been pretty much bedridden for the past four days, too tired/achey to even knit. I’ve been watching TV marathons of What Not to Wear, Project Runway and the new Degrassi but had to call it quits with TV today because I value my remaining brain cells.

Best. Vacation. Ever.

My new Moleskine arrived today. While transferring stuff from the old diary to the new one, I found this list in the pocket (which I’m sure I haven’t seen since writing it, whenever that was):

GOALS:
* surfing …nope, but I plan to this summer
* learn to play the guitar …received a guitar for my birthday but can’t play yet
* enter at least 3 scarves in scarf festival …attempted one scarf three times but was unhappy with the results
* update websites …added some old diaryland entries to this site, but not all
* redecorate/paint apartment …redecorated but haven’t painted
* make some new friends (at least one male) …made a few new friends, but the only males were dates or friends of friends

I am not bothering to make resolutions because it only makes me feel bad when I realise an entire year has passed without me doing something I intended. Some general directions in which I’d like to head, though, are financial security, longterm good health and permanent residency.

I stole this next bit from Jenny but deleted a few of the questions.

What did you do in 2005 that you’d never done before?
[late edit: I forgot to add “drank alcohol” and “gambled” to the list! Oops.]
* lived alone in Australia, for an entire year
* was headhunted for work
* craved Vegemite
* bought a car on my own, without male assistance
* signed divorce papers
* left a love note on someone’s front door
* made friends with another American living in Australia

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Staying happy and relatively healthy, on my own terms. Also, getting my work visa.

What was your biggest failure?
No failures, only close calls and good learning experiences.

What was the best thing you bought?
A fake, white, Japanese maple tree from Savers.

Whose behavior merited celebration?
Sparky. And the three Ks.

Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
Let’s not go there.

Where did most of your money go?
Replacing items lost in the separation, legal fees, student loans.

What thing did you get really, really, really excited about?
I get excited easily, but if I had to choose one, I would say Melbourne Cup Day.

What songs will always remind you of 2005?
* Ben Lee: Gamble Everything for Love
* Rilo Kiley: Portions for Foxes
* Martha Wainwright: Bloody Mother F***ing A**hole

Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? happier
b) thinner or fatter? fatter, but it’s probably a good thing
c) richer or poorer? my salary increased, but so did my debt

What do you wish you’d done more of?
Spent more time on creative endeavours; taken care of bills/taxes more promptly.

What do you wish you’d done less of?
Driving.

Did you fall in love in 2005?
Sure did.

What was your favourite TV program?
Hardly watched TV, but was happy to catch Andrew Denton and Media Watch when possible.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don’t hate anyone.

What was the best book you read?
A book about management in my particular field, which I won’t mention here.

What was your greatest musical discovery?
Dan Kelly and the Alpha Males

What was your favourite film of this year?
Me and You and Everyone We Know

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Went to the horse races in a fancy frock on Melbourne Cup Day with Sparky. I turned 28.

What kept you sane?
Counselling; having my own apartment; my cat.

What gigs did you enjoy most?
The Candle Records birthday mega-concert at the Corner, Darren Hanlon and Jens Lekman at the Northcote Social Club, Paul Dempsey solo (twice).

Who did you miss?
Grand Salvo, the Go-Betweens.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005.
Make sure to eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, even if you’re vegetarian. You’ll feel better.