Droids at the Exhibit.

These are some of the droids that were at the Star Wars Exhibit. They had little cards near them that told you all about the actual piece as well as lots of information on how the exhibit was relating to our actual world and on the role the piece plays in the Star Wars Universe. It was way cool and totally worth doing again. And probably again.

Han Solo's Boots

These are the boots! Okay, they look less than perfect; they're scuffed and don't reach quite to the knee, but I still love these boots!

I have seen them!

I like boots. Especially knee high boots. For as long as I can remember they have been my favourite footwear.

What does this have to do with the topic? I hear you ask.

Well, I can tell you exactly when my love of knee high boots started. It was the first time I saw Han Solo's boots in Episode IV. I love those boots. I want those boots. I'll never get them, but I have seen them now. On Friday we went to Melbourne to see the Star Wars exhibition at the Scienceworks museum (which is awesome, btw) and the boots were part of the exhibit. *sigh* I have a photo of the boots, and a photo of the whole Han Solo costume, which I shall post soon. But I saw them, and they were beautiful. *sigh*. I still want those boots...

I've seen it!

I did go and see the new Star Trek movie and I loved it! I thought it was fantastic. It was different to the book in some aspects (ie the Admiral Archer's dog incident) but it was very enjoyable.

*Spoiler Alert* just in case I tell you stuff about it you didn't already know...and *Geek/Nerd Alert* because I'm probably going to discuss the whole AU-ness (alternate universe-ness) of the movie.

I really enjoyed the opening sequence of the movie where you met George Kirk. In fact, I almost think that Chris Hemsworth (who plays George) should nearly have been James T Kirk. He is (IMHO) better looking than Chris Pine (who was James). Anyway, that part of the movie was really well done. (It was very definitely AU, as George and Winona Kirk were potato farmers in Idaho in the Shatner Kirkverse. )

My favourite character in the whole movie was...Scotty. He was funny and I just enjoyed his whole situation; punished by being sent to the middle of nowhere for being too smart. I also really liked Dr McCoy. Ben thought that he was almost more Bones than the original. Karl Urban really nailed it. At least he still had the same reason for going into Starfleet as in the original universe, as we found out when he meets Kirk for the first time. (The dialogue in the movie novelisation was much wittier for this scene than in the movie.)

It was a surprise to see Real Spock (Leonard Nimoy) in this universe, but it worked well in the plot development. A nice touch, and I think that this picture at the top sums it all up, tongue-in-cheek... (thanks to roflrazzi.com for the caption!)

All in all I loved this movie and I would see it again and own it on DVD. (If only for the entertainment value of irritating my husband...*smirk*)

Movies

I am so very excited. This Saturday I might finally get to see Star Trek! I can't wait. I've read the movie novelisation and I loved it. I just realised that there's kind of a bittersweet bit in it for me. Most of you who know me, know that I adore Star Trek: Enterprise. Especially the character of Captain Archer. Well, he at least gets a mention in the new movie, and one of his pets appears in the movie, right at the end. I realised the other day that he never gets to see his favourite beagle again because of *insert spoiler*. That made me kind of sad. :'( However, I still want to see the movie. I can't wait to see Scotty! Woohoo for Simon Pegg.

Cars. *sigh*

As many will know my husband has a hobby. Cars. Restoration and racing, although both may not apply to the same vehicle.

At the moment I have six cars in my driveway. Six. There's my little, everyday car (a Peugeot 306), Ben's work car (a dual cab Hilux, supplied by his employer), Ben's old work car (a Ford Falcon RTV ute), Ben's restoration project ( a 1967 XR two door Ford Falcon, left hand drive), his racing car (a white Peugeot 405 Mi16) and the new car, a donor car (a black Peugeot 405 Mi16).

As for how we came by so many cars, I really don't know. It just happens. I should never let the man look on ebay motors! That's where we (and yes, it was partly my fault) found the XR and the black Peugeot.

On Sunday Ben went down to Phillip Island and took his toy for a spin. He did okay, he wasn't the fastest, but he wasn't the slowest either. He was really happy with the way that the Pug cornered and braked, but he just didn't have enough get up and go for the straights.

On Monday, he was trawling Aussiefrogs (an Australian Peugeot site) and various other motoring sites for parts to correct this problem. I said: "Let's have a look on ebay motors." So we did and I found a 1992 Mi16, just like his toy except that it was black. It was going cheap, and the sale ended the next day at about 9pm. So we kept watch on it.

On Tuesday, we checked out the auction and it was still cheap, so we placed a bid on it. Then we had to go out to dinner (see previous post) so it was down to Mike to keep an eye on it. And he did. And he placed bids for his father. And we won! Oh joy! Another car!

(Really, I do not begrudge my husband his hobby. At all. He can have as many cars and parts as he wants, as long as he still loves me at the end of the day. )

So yesterday Ben went to collect his prize. He says that the car body isn't as good as his toy's, but the engine is better. So hopefully, soon, I'll have five cars in my driveway, not six.

Tuesday Night

As many of you know, we've had some communities devasted by bushfires over here in Victoria. A lot of people will have heard of Kinglake and Marysville but less about Callignee and Traralgon South. There were fatalities there too, just nowhere near as many as Kinglake and Marysville.

Well the local Rotary groups decided that the people who fought the fires there in Callignee and Traralgon South and the people and groups who are helping to rebuild these communities deserved some public recognition. So Rotary went and caught up with Max Walker and asked him if he would come and be the guest speaker at an awards night for these people. And Max said yes, and he wouldn't charge them an appearance or speaker's fee. So on Tuesday night Ben and I went off to dinner, dancing and Max Walker.

It was a really good night. The band was great (loud, but great) and both Mike's music teacher and Gabi's music teacher were playing; the singer was an impersonator who did really good impressions of Dean Martin, Tom Jones and John Lennon (we left early, so we didn't see if he did anyone else) and Maxie was really funny. Everyone who got a certificate of recognition (or thanks) also got their photo taken with Max. It was a good night.

I've found it! I've found it!

AT LAST!!! There's a release date for 5 Greatest Warriors! Woohooo!!!! 20th October, 2009. On Matthew Reilly's blog (http://www.matthewreilly.com/reillyblog/09-03.htm) it even has cover art! *swoon*. I think the shield shows the Great Machine personally...
WOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

Cross Stitching

At the moment I have several UFOs (unfinished objects) hanging around my house. I am working on a dragon design from the creator of the Dragon Musings blog (she creates wonderful designs, some of which she lets you download for free!) in blue for my daughter. I am also working on an embroidery of a cat in a garden called The Cat nature's beauty and I have a Tatty bear design to finish as well. (The Tatty bear came as a kit with a magazine.) I have also just ended up with some 11 kits from Spotlight (see my last post) that I would love to do and a Sorceress chart that I will have to buy the material and floss for that I really, really want to do, but it will take me ages to get it done, because it's just so detailed.

I love doing it though. I like seeing a project come together, and having something that I made to share with others. *Passes out warm fuzzies for everyone* I will have to post some photos soon...

I love Spotlight

Hey! Long time no blog, I know! In my defense I have been busy, being a mum and doing the odd bit of temping and research...but I just have to tell you about the Spotlight store in Sale. It was having a sale! It had two big clearance tables out the front, and when I visited Sale yesterday, I gave them the go over. Found loads of stuff that I would have liked to buy, but it was still too expensive...so I went in to have a browse...and while I was in the store they announced that if you went and got a bag from the staff member out the front who would write $8 on it, then you could have as much stuff from the clearance tables as would fit in your bag, without overflowing or breaking the bag! Well, did I have fun! I ended up with twelve cross stitch kits and at least eight charts/books, two copies of a DMC programme to convert photos to charts, a mini scrapping tote, an organiser bag, several expandable folding wallets and more stuff than even I could poke a stick at! (I later added up the price tags on the items and found I had bought about $200 worth of stuff, at sale prices, for $8!) It was amazing... *sigh* I may even post photos of my haul later...

Temping

is an interesting occupation. I have recently signed up with an office labour hire firm in Traralgon and have had two temping jobs since. They were both babysitting jobs, i.e. go in, sit in the office all day and mind the phones and the walk ins, leave messages for the appropriate people and go home again. The second temp job was incredibly boring. There were virtually no phone calls to answer (and I don't count the boss calling to check in as a real phone call) so for the second day of that job, I actually took work that Ben needed to get done with me and did that. I am hoping that this sort of work might lead to a part time position somewhere, but at least it will look good on my resume. I have been applying for jobs in the area, but I guess it's an employers' market at the moment...

It's been so long

since I last blogged! So much has been going on! I have been temping (which was okay, good money, boring occupation) and I've done tuckshop duty; we've been looking at houses in Sale; picking up Mike from Band Camp; having friends around; just lots of stuff!

We had a lovely time last weekend. Mike went to Band Camp, which he enjoyed and I got to spend some one on one time with Gabi. It was really nice to be able to do that. Mike did miss his first soccer match of the season, though, which was a bit sad, but that's the way the cookie crumbled this time. Mike brought home the camp permission form on Monday of last week, with a note attached from his instrumental music teacher saying Mike will be attending camp, starting on Friday. Nice notice there, huh? Of course we wouldn't have said that Mike couldn't go; it was just the slightly arrogant presumption of the teacher in the note that got me. While we were listening to the concert on Sunday morning, Gabi got really excited about learning the trombone so she could be on this camp next year. That would be pretty cool; both Mike and Gabi at the same music camp. The camp caters for the junior musicians of the school, from Grade 4 upwards to Grade 8. As a side note, Gabi was also excited by the prospect of playing her grandfather's compositions at the camp. And the grade 5/6 band did indeed play two pieces written by my dad. I told my mum about this, and she told Dad and then she emailed me that he was "pretty chuffed" about it all. Not bad progress there.

So proud...

I would just like to say that I am proud of my children, usually just because they are mine. Yesterday, however, I was able to experience that feeling because of my daughter. Gabi has been asking for sometime now if we could arrange a playdate with one of her friends from the school bus, Sarah. Well yesterday, Sarah's mum called and asked if we could possibly go over that afternoon for the playdate. We didn't have any other really, really pressing plans, so I said yep, we could drop in for Gabi and Sarah to spend some time together, no problems. Now all I've ever known about Sarah is her name and that she travels on the bus with Gabi. That's it. That's all that Gabi has ever told me. We arrived at Sarah's house and Sarah was just out riding her pony (a lovely white pony) called Toy. When Sarah arrived, I discovered that she has Down Syndrome. All at once I was so proud of my little girl because it hadn't mattered to her at all. Yep, my Gabi had made friends with Sarah because she liked her and she wanted to go and play with her and have Sarah at our house and that was that. I love moments like that. I must be doing something right after all.

New cds

Okay, today I bought two new cds. One was the Bushfire Aid cd (all proceeds to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal), and the other was a Russell Watson cd, Outside In. I have to say that I am especially enjoying the Russell Watson cd. It has several really good arrangements on it. I really like the Amazing Grace track, and the swing songs but the two stand out tracks for me are One More Time and Love on the Rocks. Yes, the Neil Diamond song. Russell does it quite well. I still think the original is the best, but this cover comes a very, very close second. I was quite surprised by the sound of Russell's voice on this cd. It has very definitely changed over the years that I have been listening to him, but I think it has been a change for the better. Anyway, i just wanted to let you know that it is a good easy listening type cd, if you're interested. And too bad if you're not, because I am! :P

Music

Exciting news! Both Mike and Gabi came home this week with news about instrumental music for the year! Mike has received his clarinet and had his first music lesson on Monday. Gabi came home on Thursday and told us her music teacher for the band program had assigned her to the ...trombone! We're deadlocked at one all, again! (For those that don't know, we have a small battle in the household, over which is better: woodwind or brass. I played brass instruments when I was younger, (and I still can,) and Ben played woodwind (and he still can). ) It looks like we're going to be stuck with brass vs woodwind and boys vs girls until Gabi reaches high school and is given an opportunity to change instruments. Although, hopefully, by then she won't want to...

More swimming!

Watch out for a new post on lazymikey.blogspot.com about his swimming carnival tomorrow. Today we prepared by buying red face paint, red pirate scarf and a red wig. (Mike's house colour is...RED!) He's not swimming but he is planning to cheer to the max. I shall have to try to get a photo of him in the wig at least!

Swimming!

Today was the Inter House Swimming Carnival for Gabi's school. We had a fantastic day, but Gabi said it would have been more fantastic if she had been in more events. (She had to wait until the very last event to compete. However, her team did come third, so she got a ribbon! Yay!) I helped out with the timekeeping for a while (managing to get sunburnt, despite wearing a hat and everything!). I really enjoyed this swimming carnival. Everything worked like clockwork. It even finished before the stated time of 2pm! (Amazing!) The absolute highlight of the day (after Gabi's event of course!) was the fact that Gabi's house won the day overall. Go Blundell-Bogong!

Five Greatest Warriors

I was cruelly reminded tonight by my son of just how long I have to wait to finish the story of one of my favourite book characters, Capt Jack West Jr. I have to wait until Christmas of this year before the book is even released! I loved Seven Ancient Wonders, and I couldn't put Six Sacred Stones down until I'd read it all (I did it in less than a day!) and then... then came the cliffhanger. I was so cross that Matthew Reilly only puts out a book once every two years (I know he does it for quality,) but still, to leave your fans hanging (with the hero!) like that for two years is horrible! I think I'll start a countdown gadget...

I had a date!!!

I just had a date! I just had a date!

Well, it was really just coffee, with my husband. He rang and said he was on his way home, just before 3pm and would I like to have coffee with him at Gloria Jean's? So of course I said yes! How could I refuse an offer like that? So we had coffee and he drove me home. He stayed and worked at home for about an hour and then had to go back to work for shift change. *sigh*. On the way back to work he dropped me off so I could meet the kids' bus and bring them home. But - it was still a date!

What to do, what to do...

So many things to do and I don't want to do any of them. Not the ironing, or the washing or the cleaning or the dusting. So here I am having a quick blog. Mmmm, very constructive. Not.

This week has gone by so quickly! Sending the kids to school seems to make time fly by faster. I've been up to Sale three times this week alone! And all school related visits. Gabi (my daughter, for those of you who may read this blog and not know me) has after school Japanese lessons (to catch up with those in her class who have already learned some Japanese) on a Tuesday. So i have to go and pick her up, because there is no bus for her to catch afterwards. On Wednesday there was an information night at Gabi's campus for parents to find out what the children will be doing for the year and how we can help our children and their teacher. On Friday night there was an information session at Mike's campus (he's my son, who's just started high school this year) about what we can expect for him for the year. This was followed by a welcome drinks and nibbles from the P&F for new parents (and families) to the school. Next week looks just as busy for trips to Sale. There's the Junior School Inter-House Swimming Carnival (on Tuesday, so that's one trip for two activities!) and there's a meeting on Wednesday night at the Junior School for a P&F support group for the Junior school. (It sounds fantastic, NO FUNDRAISING required at all! Just meet & greet and form a network of parents. I like it!) After that, I don't think I'll have to go to Sale for a while. Well, at least not until Tuesday week. Unless Ben decides we need to go and look at houses on his day off. (Yes, he is planning to take one next week. Amazing! I think I'll faint if it actually happens.)

Family

I am very happy that Robert & Emma (some cousins who were travelling overseas) have made it safely back to our shores. Rob sent a text, asking if we had been burnt out, but no we haven't. (And I am so thankful, see previous post!) Following their blogs it appears that they have had a wonderful trip and will have much to tell us over the coming weeks. I am looking forward to seeing photos of all of Rob's souvenirs. (His uncle Ben will probably roll his eyes oevr the toys, but hey! that's Rob's collecting thing.) I am also looking forward to finding out what Emma brought home, other than photos and Rob. We heard so much about Rob's purchases, but not a whole lot about Em's. Gotta go and organise my dragon cross stitch patterns now! TTFN.

Thankful.

Yesterday was a day of thankfulness for me. I was thankful for all the mundane chores I had to do, and the other stuff that just had to get done, because it meant that I was not affected by the bushfires raging in Gippsland. I knew where all my family was, I had an abundance of things, and I had the basics too. (Food and water, shelter etc.) Everytime I went to grumble about having to do stuff (like washing the soot off the clothes line before I could hang my washing out) I reminded myself that I should be thankful that I could still do those things, unlike others who have lost everything in the fires. So that's what I did. I thanked God for every thing that I was grumbling about.

Saturday night was the worst night for us, over this last, black weekend. We could see the orange glow of fires three quarters the way around our horizon. It was as black as black by six o'clock in the evening, and we were getting gritty, sooty winds blowing really, really hard at our place. When it rained later in the evening, it was black rain. It was nearly good enough for handmade ink, the rain contained that much soot. Ben tried to get to work on Sunday,(he's back at work now) to check some stuff out, but the road up to the Loy Yang coal mine was closed, as fires were raging near Traralgon South. There are still fires in that area, but the CFA are on to them. They have been truly amazing, the CFA. They had to work so hard the weekend before and all through last week, on fires further west and then these fires occur. But these volunteers have not quit or said it's all too much and I'm not going to go on. No, they have given their all and then some. The emergency service workers have been just as amazing and the people who have suffered the loss of their homes and loved ones and are still going are truly inspiring.

First Blog!

Hello everybody! Welcome to my first blog. I would like to thank the other bloggers in my extended family for inspiring me to join the ranks of the blogging. It should prove to be very interesting...

Just a housekeeping thing: please, when you comment, no nasty words, or comments. If you can't post anything neutral at least, then don't post at all.