Life: Japan

Japan, it was a phenomenal experience.

Let me digress… It was Wednesday 30 June; I had deadline to achieve at work, as at 11am one director had executed the documents therefore we were on track, my anxiety slightly alleviated, distractions were achieving their utmost goal – an email arrived in my inbox ‘travel sale’… How I was longing for a holiday, I had started planning months ago to take a trip to China and Japan early June, planned the dates, looked up flights, accommodation, relevant if required vaccinations, all I needed was the ok from my manager. No, my colleague was going to the World Cup at the time I wished to be away. Disgruntled and somewhat brat like I threw out all the glossy magazines and brochures, so when I saw return flights to Osaka for $681 I thought to myself ‘I can do it!’ I looked at my calendar filled with deadlines and commitments and saw an opportunity, an opportunity soon between the theatre and a friends movie premier, I sent a quick email to my mother telling her my intentions, she said I was crazy, it’s less than 3 weeks away. I felt crazy. I looked at flight dates, it worked, 10 days in Japan between commitments. I conferred with my manager, initially he asked if he had a choice, I said I hadn’t hit ‘confirm’ yet, ‘do it’.

I booked a holiday to Japan, I had never traveled alone before, I can not speak the language, I do not have any accommodation in mind, I do not have a single book on Japan. I have never acted this spontaneous ever before, totally out of character. I was excited, I hadn’t felt exhilarated in the longest time… I liked it. As in all aspects of life I organised, researched and enquired over the next week and booked everything I needed, the bare minimum. The plan was to fly in and out of Osaka, spend a few nights in Kyoto, a few in Tokyo and back to Osaka… Accommodation and transportation arranged, no it was time to sit back in business class style and wait for the journey Japan will take me on…

It was a sensational, a total mind and body detox… No coffee, no liquor (other than my first night in Kyoto where I had to have sake), no men, healthy food, no make up, no heels, no TV, lots of walking in the sun, no shopping, visiting temples and shrines, onsen spas, no talking to people superfluously – at first I couldn’t with the language, then enjoyed it.

My intention was never to remove myself entirely from any social conventions during this holiday, however, the self imposed disassociation has thus far the best thing I have pursued in life. During this time alone with plenty of time to think clearly about all segments of my life I developed many resolutions, devised methods for re-invention of my well-being, created ideas for self promotions, desires emerged for embracing some relationships, decisions to let others slowly dissipate into abyss. Typically for me, my fantasies may have blended ever so slightly with reality; I have come to the conclusion my blurred sense reality will be an ongoing issue, one to thieve on and have fun with.

- To new adventures
- To new resolves
- To re-invention

Story: The Arrangements

They finally got their act together and decided to throw a party at their not so new home, it was supposed to be a house warming but considering they have been in residence since May 2009 it was more like looking for a mutually convenient date, an event to be celebrated, Easter Saturday when most people were free...

Now came the game of invitees, a few different groups of friends to which over the years they both established do not always get along amicably therefore the recipient list needed a fair bit of attention!

What she decided upon was inviting only the people that she had seen THIS YEAR, people that were fun, the people that have been a 'friend'. Not the few girls that judged other for their life choices - so this is it. The moment of self rationalisation that involving people in life that do not enhance happiness were not to be included. The resolve was set, the party feels like it could be a start of something new - now so she doesn't drink too much, make a fool of herself and remember the event.

Story: The 'Other' Woman Left the Party...

The invitation to his house warming party has been sitting in my email inbox for over a week, do I accept or decline - I don't have any other plans, options or commitments. This is the new place that he and his girlfriend have moved into... If I go do I bring a date with me, a hot man that all the other woman will drool over, do I do it alone, do I drive and not drink or try to car pool and play up a little. I have already made the comment that I've only been to that area of town once before, he laughed at me saying he thought I wouldn't travel that far - is that a hint, did he only invite me as to not offend. So many questions, most of all do I go?

It was one of the best couples at the office's 30th birthday; naturally we were invited including him... And his girlfriend, I don't understand how he can consider bringing his girlfriend to a function were the woman he is having an affair with sips champagne so casually engaging in conversation with his girlfriend, is he really that confident that nothing will be said. So me, the 'other' woman left the party, funnily enough as I was leaving at 930pm my work mates wife was convinced I must have a 'hot date' or 'someone waiting for me back at home'. I said good bye to my work mate and he was shocked 'YOU can't be leaving!' Yes, I know I am usually one of the last men standing but not when she is there...

The general manager, my boss's boss invited the team over to his new waterfront property for a house warming being the ONLY single person invited I asked my flatmate ever so politely to be my plus one and he kindly agreed. Most of the team were there, many of the wives were asking me about my 'kids', shock horror! The house is amazing, views over the northern beaches, so peaceful, so far away. There was endless supply of wine and beer, the aroma of paella cooking on the outside webber was intoxicating and I couldn't wait to taste the first sensation, the paella was filled with shellfish, most people would know by now that I do not peal prawns (huge effort for reward issue). Without hesitation, he pealed a prawn and handed it to me. His girlfriend giggled uncomfortably and rolled her eyes.

A few weeks ago it was another work colleagues birthday celebration, we stared at the opera bar for a drink. We went to the matinee of Tex Perkins doing Johnny Cash, he sat next to me between his girlfriend and his occasional lover. The show was amazing, I stifled a snuffle when June Carter insinuated Johnny Cash had lovers as he shuffled in his chair. Later the group went to the orient followed by the Australian and the birthday boy had booked karaoke for the night. I was suggesting songs Blondie, somehow how I ended up being the first person out of 30+ to sing, and I belt it out 'Cover me with kisses, baby. Cover me with love. Roll me in designer sheets I'll never get enough!'. Later that night, he sent me a text 'the way you look the way you smell I'm yours'. He left with his girlfriend.

Review: Foveaux

I am first to arrive for the evening, I descend to the intimate cocktail bar amid the sandstone and rich fabrics, I smile Nina Simone is playing, slipping into the comfortable leather chairs I feel at home. The ever so handsome barman delivers the cocktail list to me, couldn’t fight myself from flicking my hair back as I say ‘thank you’. Perusing the menu by candlelight I am amused by the witty commentary and description of each of the cocktails ‘Ssshhh the actors and actresses of the silver screen’ ‘The House always wins’ I am torn between Charlie Chaplin and Little Red Riding Hood, who am I kidding, the roaring twenties and the word ‘tramp’ included in the title, I must devour it! My two other friends arrive within minutes of each other, delighted at my recommendation of venue with Sinatra singing, sipping on their flavoursome cocktails and comment that the next birthday celebration should be hosted here.

Our cocktails glasses were empty, we make our way up stairs to the restaurant with the rustic exposed brickwork, crisp white table cloths, and smiling waitresses. We are seated in the high backed chairs, linen napkins gently placed on our laps and we are taken through the options for the night… We chose the 6 course degustation with complementing wines.

To start we are delighted with an amuse bouche, unfortunately for me yellow tomato and cucumber jelly with a splash of olive oil, tomato and cucumber, my least favourite foods (after pork); my friends are more than happy. A further hors d’oeuve selected drunken oysters with caviar, delicious, full of flavour, with roe bursting in my mouth at the perfect moment. We wash is down with Champaign from the Bordeaux region.

Two courses before the dedicated degustation menu! We are then presented with the trout with smoked trout ice cream, we exchange quizzical looks and tentatively scoop a small tidbit, it’s interesting, complex and surprisingly lovely. Following on was the scallops and venison heart, I’m generally not a fan of offal, if you’re open to trying offal this is the place to come, surprisingly supple and full of delight. The waves of flavours in our next course of barramundi and zucchini flowers was overwhelming and leaving us wanting more and more we had, veal fillet with roasted peppers and onion with an olive paste tantalizing our taste buds, the wines, the wines were bold, fruity, dry from all regions of Australia.

We basked in the break for our final course, the dessert but wait, another amuse bouche to cleanse the palate, mango infused with kefir leaves a familiar flavour usually associated with Thai cuisine topped with coconut sorbet, so refreshing. At that point we pass on the cheese plate before dessert. My much anticipated tobacco roasted pears with pecan gelato, raspberries, candied celery and chocolate wafers is placed in front of me with a Botrytis Semillon that was drank in almost one gulp. The celery pushed aside and the pears savored in every bite, wafers crunched and once again the grand textures and exquisite combinations of flavour were abundantly obvious. It was suggested to have one more drink at the divine bar downstairs but the tobacco roasted flavours satisfied my desire of retiring to the den with a cigar and port.

Life: Happy Anniversary

An anniversary... Usually reserved for the most happy of occasions - for me, maybe it is. Yesterday was my 5th anniversary of being a single woman. Independence, freedom and without the emotional roller coaster of many relationships past.

Trials, tribulations, lust, tears... All the same.

Life: Today...

Woke up with a bounce in my step for the first time in weeks (maybe months), tottering around in designer clad outfits, again for the first time in months, feeling on top of the world after childish giggles… Then his name appeared at the bottom on my screen and email from RR – I hadn’t heard from him since a couple days after my birthday with a somewhat nonchalant ‘well I tried happy birthday’. Over the last couple of months I had told myself that ‘I am over it’ but seeing his name, it felt like my heart skipped a beat… Now do I reply or let it go?

Life: Happy New Year!

I am surprised my last post is over a month ago...? So many stories to tell, I thought I had recorded them.

Let's see since 29th November what has occurred

I was coerced to go on my bosses boat in beautiful Sydney Harbour to drink wine, have a sausage sizzle and eat some prawns (somebody peel them for me please?) and talk absolute balderdash!

Saw SKUNKHOUR for the first time - they were awesome!!

Went out on a pseudo date with my flatmates mate, so not interested, nor attracted and somehow I ended up kissing him. Came to my senses and sent him home after a movie at my place.

I blew the turbo of my car, D's workshop were my saviour - unfortunately to this day the car is still not working to full potential even after many hours hovering around my car in the heat. Actually enjoyed a couple of beers afterwards.

Saw Royal Crown Revue, love the music! Some reason I think I would've had more fun if it were just the girls (my flatmates mate and his friend followed us there, don;t know if it's because his interested in me or that no one else would've been left at his birthday celebration) .

Christmas party galore, I actually declined some!?!?! I know, I am in shock too!

Christmas eve came along and my plans were altered somehow I ended up at my flatmate mates aunt and uncles house for dinner, did I fall into a relationship, am I dating someone...?

New Years Eve - came ever so quickly, had the crew over to my place for a BBQ, GREAT night, food and dancing to 4am. The boy presumed he could 'stay at my place' - never should assume it's ok. Not even a snuggle and pretty much kicked him out the next day.

New Years Resolutions: BROKEN - lets see, I drank excessively, I smoked, I lied and I 'cheated' (use that phrase loosely given that I never had the 'exclusive' conversation), regardless kissing another man at my NYE party when the guy I am dating.

Sydney Festival is maybe my favourite time of year (good food month is a tight toss up!) we were listening to a Japanese funk band, dancing on the street at Chifley Plaza, watching 100 saxophonists lining the mint, admiring acrobats flying through the air, singing along to Al Green’s greatest hits, drinking and chatting the night away.

Saw Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on Sunday night - AWESOME! Same set as the last time I saw them, but really I could watch them regularly and still enjoy it. That for the last couple of nights I've been thinking about the double bass player (or is it string bass?) fantasising how he could play me... Hmmm

Last night saw Avatar, don't get the fuss - maybe it's the fantasy / sci-fi spin. Maybe it's because the big bad corporate dude said a few comments that I, myself have said. 'can't we just pick them up and move them' and what was that mineral they were trying to get 'unobatianium' come on, unobtainable. Rocket scientist there.

Liffe: I Won A Stubby Holder at KARAOKE!

I won the most prestigious accolade...

The night was to be a quite one, my plan was to enjoy ONE happy hour drink at the pub down stairs from work. During the ONE drink at the pub my girlfriend said she was planning a quite night in watching a dvd and cooking dinner *bright light* I invited her over to my place for dinner and a movie - why both be home alone when you can have company.

After our ONE drink we jumped on the bus to my place, now it was my intention to cook a nice meal but I was talked out of it (easily). Thai food it is...We needed to get cash so walked into my local pub for the second time and saw that they were setting up karaoke, we giggled and said after dinner we may consider coming back. We purchased a couple bottles of wine and went back to my place, sat in the courtyard enjoying the balmy evening. The first bottle always goes down so easily.

Sticking to our plan I put on a dvd, My Father The Hero - what a feel good little ditty, after such a movie, almost 2 bottles of wine and funky music we freshened and HIT THE PUB! Now this is a place that I've only been in once before for a reason, old dudes lined up along the bar beers in hand, woman in their early 40's with cellulite down their arms and the local drunk boys, which I later found out to be the local cricket team. I picked my song based purely on seeing the B52's in concert the preceding Thursday. We had to wait some time until our song was up. GLITTER ON THE MATTRESS... GLITTER ON THE HIGHHHWAAAY... GLITTER OF THE FRONT PORCH... GLITTER ON THE HALLWAAAAAYYYYY!!!!

Since we were on a high from the duet (and the man that I ended up exchanging more than just witty banter) we NEEDED to hit a dance floor, not initially what I had in mind at all we went to Minsky's to sing along with the piano man close to midnight.

Jumped into a cab, kissed the boy that will now be known as the guy I met a karaoke that never called. As we were waiting for the security check at the piano bar a woman was run over - my first aid training was almost put to use, went over to assist and the drunk scary man that was closer was taking control and doing the WRONG methods, I tried to say something... Ambulance called, nothing I could do but continue my awesome night.

Glass of water in hand and prime seats around the piano, we sang along, laughed at the clientele, all in a good night. A lady approached me and asked if my name was Mary - I was taken aback for a moment, my friends name is Mary..? "I saw you at the Bridgeview!" she exclaimed, further "You sang loveshack! You were fantastic!" CRAZY STUFF!

I chilled and listened to the piano man, was talking to the lady and her husband to the right and one of the most gorgeous men I've ever seen to my left, we were singing along and playing around 'You walked into the party, like you were walking onto a yachtYou're so vain. You probably think this song is about you. You're so vain, I'll bet you think this song is about you Don't you? Don't you?' all in good fun... He introduced me to his father, we were all talking, singing and dancing a little. Mary wanted to leave, I didn't want to leave this man - I mentioned ever so coyly that my friend was leaving, he told me I should go to as ever much as he would like me to stay he has his girlfriend at home! So after a bit of a sing along to 'You've lost that love and feeling' I glanced at my watch and it was 2.05am, decided to call it a night myself. Said my goodbye to the most gorgeous man in North Sydney and his father, his father told me to stay 'nothing good ever happens after 2am' with that said I turned away and walked out, home within minutes later. A great impromptu night

TIN ROOF RUS-STED!

Article: The Primitive Animal Instinct

I do find it rather humorous when a friend finds it necessary to send me articles titles 'He's Just Not That Into You'... If *he* was in fact interested in me, there would actually a *he* in my life - it's pointing out the obvious. With rant over, the article puts in writing much more eloquently than me the behaviour I've be accustomed to recognise.

Closer to you

The first principle is that of proximity. For animal males, proximity is all about who they let into their space. This means staking out their territory by wandering around and pissing on trees and fighting with any other male they come into contact with. For human males, that usually happens on Saturday nights after the footy. When it comes to girls, however, it’s pretty straightforward: if we like you, we’ll try to spend as much time as possible near you. The law of proximity means we’ll make the effort to be close to you (and not just when we want something). That “things-are-really-hectic-at-work-so-maybe-I’ll-see-you-in-a-week” guy who only communicates via SMS? Not into you.

Attention feminine disorder

The second principle is attention. If a male woodpecker sees a woodpecker hottie he likes, he taps out woodpecker songs he knows she digs, fetches her little woodpecker presents and generally tries to figure out what it’s gonna take to make some sweet woodpecker love to her. In short, he pays attention. The same holds true for us Homo sapiens.

So if it’s your birthday and he nonchalantly gives you a book by an author you’re crazy about, he’s been paying attention. And if he pays attention to what you’re saying and what you do, chances are he probably wants you hold your hand, test most of the Kama Sutra out on you, and then make you tea and toast in the morning. But it’s a bitch that men have one-track minds. We’ve got a lot of things to keep our mental processors busy – like keeping track of what’s happening in the premier league, memorising all the cards so we can rule at Trivial Pursuit and figuring out whether one can, in good conscience, substitute lemons for limes in a mojito. So the fact that we know that you like ‘70s rock and hate mango juice means we’re tuned into who you are. And we don’t do that for just anybody,

Mating rituals

The third principle is courtship. While for some male mammals, this means performing weird and complicated dance moves and then jumping on a female’s back and biting her on the scruff of the neck, things in the human kingdom are slightly different. Still, we no longer live in an age where spreading cloaks over puddles in front of you or challenging those who insult your honour to duels is how we show we care. But I’d like to think we do make small courtship gestures. We notice if you’re cold and whether your drink needs topping up, and rescue you if you’re being hassled at the bar by sweaty marketing managers trying to get you to touch their iPhones. We tolerate you having to play your new favourite song again and again. And we actually clean up a bit if we know you’re going to come by. We send you goofy links on Facebook if we know you’re having a hard time and need cheering up. OK, so maybe it’s not quite like writing a Shakespearean sonnet, but we do try.

Life: A Birthday Note

Some of my friends are just so wonderful!!! I had lunch with one of my girlfriends today, we spoke at great length about the year ahead being 31. The revelations, the relationships and expectations. After lunch she sent me the following email - it brought a tear to my eye... I'm so happy that she is in my life:

I think your 31st birthday should only mark one thing; your brilliance, your strength, and an acknowledgment of all the things you have experienced in life so far.

You should be very proud of yourself and know your self worth as you are an extraordinary human being.

I know your not into God but maybe the universe has given you extra hurdles to make you stronger than those around you. Maybe you are actually meant to be doing something more significant while you are on this earth than those around you.

Disappointment from those around you just creates a clearway to re-evaluate yourself, your soul’s development, and your own evolution into something even better. It is a time to move forward and that is a wonderful thing.