Today I went to my Centrelink-employment-rehabilitation place. The name makes me feel like I'm going to rehab, but it's really about helping people with medical conditions get back into work. So, as was required, I told them all about my 'condition' and they guy looked sympathetic. I had a huge sneezing fit just prior to going in, so I looked a bit wrecked and couldn't stop sniffing and blowing my nose, which I suppose helped my case. In a week or so I'll get assigned a case worker and they'll 'help me find suitable jobs' which sounds lovely. The guy I was talking to asked "Are there any particular jobs that you're interested in?", to which I quickly replied "I want to work in the night sorting room at Australia Post". Haha. He seemed pleased. Then I went down to the mall bought a soy banana smoothie and went to my mum's work to give it to her, which she appreciated and swapped me some fig flavoured yoghurt. Then I went and sat on the edge of the ocean baths and waited for C to bring me my swimmers so we could swim in it! Here are some (bad quality) photos I took today when I was waiting. By the time C got there it was windy and cold and we forgot towels, but I dipped my feet in and people-watched for about an hour and it was lovely.


^ That crane kind of ruined it.


^ Legs always look weird from this angle. That water was so nice.




^ Sun in my eyes weird face. THERE ARE BIRDS FLYING INTO MY EAR. That shirt is quite an heirloom. My mum had it for at least twenty years before she gave it to me and the brand is written on the tag in gorgeous gold thread saying 'GAYLORD'. Best brand.

I arrived home to find a beautiful card, lovely letter and some extra blank stationery from a lady in Holland via Postcrossing.



Also, while I'm at it, here are some things I sent this week;


^ I ended up adding more postage because I am paranoid, and too embarrassed to go in and ask.







^ Mail-tag letters to Paige and Sophie.

Also, in Paige's last mail-tag requests she asked for 'some amusing/interesting personal ads/classifieds' and here is what I sent (if you can't read them, go here);



I hope everyone is enjoying their Thursdays/Fridays depending where you are.

^ This is me wearing the idiot hat. (Photo circa 2006, in my cushy bedroom before my parents kicked me out, haha. PS. I still wear that ridiculous jumper, the teddy on the front is wearing a jumper of it's own which unzips and ♡'s to my Davey Havok poster, lawl).

Today C and I were wandering down Beaumont Street picking up a few things, and there were, as there often is, members of charity organisations cheerily asking for sign-ups to sponsor children and third world villages and the like. I'll say first that, one day, when I'm working, I'd really like to donate money to these organisations (the non religious ones) because I think what they're doing is genuinely important, necessary and often overlooked. Admittedly, I currently try to stay out of their way, because I have no money, at all, and it makes me feel bad to have to say no repeatedly. I know I have leagues more than the people these organisations are trying to assist, but right now I do need that money to eat and pay my own bills. One day I will be better off financially and will be able to factor things like that in. Today we were stopped by one such fellow who shook our hands, asked us our names and what we did (I answered 'nothing') and launched into telling us about what his organisation did, which was actually pretty interesting, though he spoke far too quickly. C eventually told him that we'd recently stopped donating money to a similar organisation due to the lack in funds, which is true. So, upon establishing that we weren't able to sign up to his cause, he then asked me (as I am unemployed) if I wanted a job doing what he does and started trying to sell it to me. I don't know why I was so shocked by it, but I just had no idea what to say and I basically um-ed and ah-ed for a while about how I would be anxious in a job like that and couldn't do it, to which he replied 'Why?' and I was like, 'Uhh... I just, uh wouldn't be good at it...', but he kept pressuring me and waiting for me to answer, so eventually I said 'Umm... I don't think I'm good and making people do things they don't want to do'. So, in essence, I'm the worst person ever. I basically demeaned his whole job. After I said that, he said 'Okay. Have a good day guys' and sent us on our way. Honestly, I would absolutely fail at those kinds of jobs because I am not good at talking to strangers, as this example shows, let alone 'making people do things they don't want to'. Many people feel they aren't well off enough to give to charity, and if they are, most of them would prefer not to, for whatever reasons. Now, I'm sure this guy gets much worse things said to him on a daily basis, or is outright ignored, but I feel pretty shitty because the guy offered me a job and I basically told him no in the worst way. In my guilt over this, I looked up his organisation and contemplated donating an amount relative to what I can afford (bearing in mind I live on less than $50 a week once bills are paid), but found that there was nowhere on their website that allowed you to make one-off donations (why?!), I seem to be required to sign up and pay per month. So I guess I'll just have to swallow my guilt and spend that money on stamps. Anyway, in the future I will go further out of my way to avoid these people so that I don't demean their jobs. What do you do when people from charity organisations approach you on the street? Do you regularly donate to charity?

Tomorrow I have a gig bright and early at 9.40am. It is likely that my voice will give in after 3 songs, but it should be fun anyway. Will probably practice more into the night. C is making a mysterious desert. He wouldn't tell me what. Also purchased the new Frankie today, sometimes it's a bit of a hit or miss, this month it's a hit.











Ps. C made caramel with strawberries and ice cream. Very good.

^ +.

● To ride a motorcycle
● Yoga
● A martial art
● French, Spanish, Welsh
● To knit
● More about my family history
● To cook 10 really good meals
● To sew, well
● To take good photographs
● To play piano
● To play guitar better
● To dance
● To save money
● To meditate
● To stop biting my nails
● Physics

A very basic list, nothing profound here.

My friend Doug came to visit last night while C was at work and we went to Coles to by 3 fifty cent bread sticks and came back to watch some Dexter. Was nice to hang out, although we usually spend the majority of it arguing. C and I went to hide a 'drop spot' this evening in Gregson Park in Hamilton. If you're nearby you should go find it! :)

I've been making magnetic poetry this afternoon with anonymous people. Strangely, very fun. You should take a look. Another link from my friend Jade, who is supposed to give birth today! C'mon little Charlie, we want to meet you.

I have a gig on Thursday, which I am dreadfully unprepared for and certain I'm going to screw it all up. I haven't played anywhere in so long. We'll see how it goes. I'm just playing some covers, but I'm so out of practice. Will let you know how it goes.

Just a postcard I'm sending to my friend Jackson anonymously;






And four postcards I received today;




Today C and his brother spent the day in the sun drinking boutique beer and fixing bicycles in our little yard. In a few days time I may just have a bicycle with which to ride around town. I don't have a helmet or a lock yet. I can't wait.

C is at work so I had ice cream and banana for dinner. I could smell next door's cooking as I sat here typing and I kept waiting for C to bring whatever he was making out. How disappointing. I am definitely going to starve by the time he gets back from Tasmania (18 WHOLE DAYS).

I am going to spend the evening watching Season 1 of Dexter and eating other unhealthy foods (Mi Goreng is first on the menu).

Also, you have to look at this collection of unusual and creative ice cube trays my friend Jade showed me. I've seen some of them before and I think I must have the lego; link.