Life: One of the boys

Last night. WOW! Last night.

I was invited to M's (friend of R's who I've been told I've met before) 30th birthday party on a boat in beautiful Sydney harbour (we are so spoilt). There we were, V, R and me waiting for the boat to arrive outside Star City Casino. We noted there were a few men around the pier, kinda cute, we were assuming they were likely to be on the same cruise as us. The boat arrived, we were standing waiting to board, we were looking around surrounded by men. All men. We were deliberating passing on the adventure...

All aboard! Well I counted 39 men (we were told there were over 40) there were 4 waitresses wearing either lingerie or bikini's, the captain, the DJ and us - the only 3 fully dressed girls! We were told approximately 90% of the men are single, 95% of the men are from Lebanese decent, 3 single girls.

We were in great need of alcohol... Champers and more champers (4 bottles in total). The guys took a while to talk to us, about 20minutes into the cruise we were being entertained my a group of guys who were "old school friends". I stuck to my 7 minute rule, most lost my interest after the 2nd or 3rd question, I then moved on and was happily circulating within the crowd. Information through R, a couple of the boys were interested in getting to know me a little better (ME!- YAY!)

Dinner time. The 3 girls were seating at the same table, I was declared M's date for dinner (35 year old ex-police officer turned property developer). I haven't laughed so much in a very long time.

After dinner and a couple more glasses of champers we went out side and after my 15th (modest guess) getting to know you conversation I met D, caught up talking about everything and nothing, we went upstairs (to get away from the smokers) and had the entire deck to our selves. It was so nice talking to a man who isn't afraid to say what he wants out of the next 5 years, marriage, kids, 2 dogs etc...

An interesting exchange. He asked how we felt when we noticed we were the only girls on board (other than the bikini girls). If we were intimidated at all, we were slightly, but V and R knew a few of the boys and after a couple glasses of champers, the salty air blowing through our hair and the music pumping we started to feel at home. D said it was more likely the guys felt intimidated as they would all be trying for the attention of only 3 girls.

The entertainment arrived. 2 blonde, tanned and toned strippers.
The highlights:
- The guys wearing blue t-shirts were attracting all the attention from the strippers
- The boys did behave themselves during the show
- Pink is the costume colour of choice
- In a private show the girls go "full Monty"
- Doing the splits naked sure does take some confidence
- The girls looked like they were having a ball working
- The girls did a "slip and slide" act on each other
- The boys advised they don't get "turned on" by the strippers

After the show and back to mingling with the boys, D attentively at my side and the cruise coming to an ending soon a small group of us (okay not small 15-20) decided we would all go to Cargo for more drinks, it was only 9.00pm

At Cargo bar we all made a mention of the late Kerry Packer and saluted the great man with a drink.

As the night progressed V andR were both being whisked away and pashing some boys, I'm still chatting endlessly to D, he sneaked in a couple of small kisses on my check.... V and R both sufficiently drunk called it a night about 10.30pm and I stayed. I stayed with a group of 10 guys that I had only met earlier that night (don't tell my mum).

D walked me safely to get home, he asked for my number and I happily gave it to him as well as a kiss good night...

Christmas Long Weekend

Friday night
Casual drinks with J. at the Robin Hood Hotel (up the road) Great little catch up, a little pressie exchange over a bottle of our favourite faux champers. Home by a decent hour as planned.

Saturday (Christmas eve)
Where did the day go? Before I knew it I was running late for cocktail hour at The Dolphin Hotel. We enjoyed a cocktail each which took too long to make (they should bring the cocktail to the table. Service?)

I had intended on joining V. and the girls for a drink at Cabana Bar, but the streets around Surry Hills and the city were bare (what would the North be like?). I went to I.'s new abode, well where she is house sitting for the next month. The house is amazing! 3 story waterfront in point Piper, 2 outdoor pools (as we all know 1 isn't enough) private jetty and cruiser, fully equipped gym and billiard table, Ohhh the list goes on... We had pizza and a great bottle of wine.

Sunday (Christmas Day)
Up out of bed bright and early, the leg of lamb in the oven, prepare the vegies to follow. The last tidy up of the house. 11.30am before we knew it, my sister and nephew were due to arrive, cheese, pate, dips and crackers ready. Food, food, pressies and food, after a few hours of eating we all went to my aunt's house for dessert. Yummo! We arrived home approximately 8.00pm there was no way I was making it another celebration that night, camped on the lounge and laughed my self silly watching "Bad Santa" (unsure if it's the most appropriate movie for Christmas night)

Monday (Boxing day)
I paid $6.60 for a smoothie! WTF? Cafe Bondi, Bondi Beach. Ok it was a damn good smoothie, but not worth $6.60! Lucky I had Christmas Day leftovers for lunch ;-) Our destination was the beach, great weather = too many people at Bondi. I was with a few school friends, MS. MS and 1 blast from the past, SS, I hadn't seen her since School, 9 years! She was living in Indonesia for a few years, married and divorced now back at home with mum and dad. This house I have the fondest memories of pool parties between the ages of 8-14.

The Sydney to Hobart races kicked off and there were so many people in Dover Heights trying to obtain the best vantage point on the cliffs, the 4 of us girls go straight in the drive way make a bee line to the pool, strip down and jump in. Fantastic. Bonus. We had a view of the yachts from inside the pool!

Later that night I had drinks at The Golden Sheaf at Double Bay with H. Great night. I met a boy, a cute boy. Yes, I do have his number ;-)

Tuesday (the public holiday AKA the biggest sale day of the year)
I battled the crowds, only for 2 hours that's all I could handle. My pre-Christmas shopping instructions need to be leveraged to post-Christmas sales. Insane! Never again!

Of course I pick out the only pieces not on sale.

One word - beautiful

Voktor & Rolf
Valentino

Ellie Saab
Christian Lacroix

Stumbled across some new music

I'm a huge RnB fan - have been since I can remember, both modern and old school.

I always have a variety of music in my car (10CD stacker) consists of approximately 6 RnB compilations, some happy music on a rotation eg. Britney, Michael Jackson, Ricky Martin, Chaka Khan, Prince, Robbie Williams, George Michael, Madonna, I recently purchased the best of Blondie.

At home I love THE KING -I dance around the house to Elvis. Also Barry White, James Brown, Ella Fitzgerald, Sinatra, The Dean, ahhh Ray White and good ol' Stevie Wonder (I also love the B).

Well I'm listening to radio online and WOW I'm really enjoying: Chuck Brown, Slave, Change, Bass Construction, Heatwave, all in the FUNK genre... I had never heard of these artist - I'm loving it!

The best gelato ever!

I met dad and Gloria for dinner last night as they will be away over Christmas. We went to a traditional little Italian restaurant in Botany (on the wrong side of the tracks - but it was worth it). After my big Christmas lunch with TC. I wasn't overly hungry so we shared a salad and some pizza based garlic bread for entree, the menu was impressive, traditional Italian food - none of that arty farty crap we have become accustomed to.

I looked at my main course and swear I gained 2kg! It was so tasty.... I had chicken breast with Camembert cheese and avocado. So rich. So delicious. Dad & Gloria had veal, of course a sampled both.

9.30pm we bid all goodnight and exchanged Christmas well wishes.

I rang my dear friend SL as I was around the corner from his house - the corner takes me to the better side of the tracks ;-) As luck would have it, he was near my house! We met for a gelato and ventured to WBJ as the entire shopping centre would be open for the Christmas shoppers.

My gay boyfriend and I purchased our gelato and started wandering around the shopping centre, good looking men as far as the eye could see. I tended to be attracted to men wearing navy blue shirts for some reason? Hmmm... I highly recommend battling the traffic and the car park for a little perve - we didn't leave until 10.50pm and the shopping centre was still pulsing with the sound of credit cards being exchanged for copious amounts of goods. The night will go down as the best gelato ever!

It only take a couple of people to bring back my Christmas Spirit

My Christmas story...
I completed all my Christmas shopping last week, I usually do try and have it all done early so I beat the crowds (as per my recent shopping instructions).

For Dad and his partner I bought a set of White Egyptian cotton fluffy towels and face washer, I was informed yesterday by the queen of Sale Scoop and my dear friend that Sheridan was having a 30% off sale! (of course I'll purchase a couple of towels at the discount price for Jules too "jinx") I feel like this always happens to me, but it wasn't too late - I thought I will go to Sheridan which is conveinently located 30 seconds walk from my adopted office and purchase the towels at the discount price and return the others (cheeky I know, but this saving I need - I'm soon to be unemployed again).

As I was seeing Dad last night I really needed to do the dash and buy the goods. I had lunch plans and couldn't get away. After work it is, its Thursday late night shopping - I finish my work day at 5.30pm, easy.

Not so, I went straight after work - Sheridan was closed! I almost walked into the glass doors so convinced the shop would still be open, especially since WBJ was trading til 12.00am. The sales girl took pity on me, she opened the doors and let me in....

Merry Christmas to the lovely 2 sales girls at Sheridan Double Bay!

Mum's Christmas story...
Mum caught the bus home from work as usual on Wednesday and she found a purse, not convinced the driver/bus company would track down the owner to return it.

Mum brought the purse home and looked for some ID or contact number. Mum found a little piece of paper with "mum" and a mobile number. She called, the woman on the receiving end was sounding ahhhhh drunk to say the least and didn't have a pen to take down our number and asked is mum could call back in 10mins! (unbelievable) Mum called again later and was finally given Taryn's contact number, mum arranged to do her grocery shopping at Eastgardens as opposed to Randwick so she can return the purse...

Taryn, a young girl with $175, centrelink information and not much else in her purse. She was gob-smacked when she saw my mum and handed over a box of chocolate and a thank you card which read "Dear Pam, Thank you so much for your effort and thoughts. It's people like you that make Australia the wonderful place it is, Taryn"

Given the recent events in Sydney this little note almost brought a tear to my eye...

I can't deal with some people - they are idiots!

I feel like screaming at these people! So my temporary job is: Customer service. How can I service these idiots?

Phone call:
Me: "Standard office gre...." cut off
Client: "I need to speak to "name" urgently."
Me: ""name" isn't in the office at the moment, would you like "name's" mobile number, I can transfer you to "name's" voicemail or I can take a message" please note: this person is at lunch, but it's urgent
Client: "I don't want to be put through to his voicemail!"
Me (again!): "Would you like his mobile number?"
Client: "yes, that's what I asked for"
Me (through my teeth): "Certainly, his number is 0402...."
Client: "Wait, I need a pen!"

Where do I start? She was aggressive to begin with. Didn't listen to my helpful options. If all she wanted was another contact number she didn't even have a pen - Idiot!

The office Christmas Party

Last night, yes a Tuesday night, I had our office Christmas party. I've only been here for 2 weeks today and I'm only a temporary member of staff (contract terminates 23rd January 2006) I was totally stoked about the invitation being extended. I have been working weekend contract work for the company for over a year (along with half a dozen other people who were not invited)

We finished work for the day at 5.30 and headed straight down to have pre-dinner drinks at W Bar Woolloomooloo. I'm a huge fan of Water Bar, the extensive cocktail list the welcoming ambiance, the friendly bar staff (not overly competent but the amicableness makes up for it).

Water Bar has been named "Bar of the year" for countless magazines and given "top ten bar in the world" status by Conde Naste Traveller. Built in what was once a giant wharf warehouse (for sheep shearing) the interior is simply stunning. The lighting is dreamy and the furniture not only looks the part it's also the sort you never want to leave! I had 2 Mellow Yellow cocktails, a taste of French Passion and a Lycee Martini and of course an Apple Martini, then went back to my Mellow Yellow. YUM lemonchello and strawberry liqueur....

Dinner at the famous Kingsleys Steak and Crabhouse on the finger wharf, where the kept flowing and the seafood platter was delectable. The steak cooked to perfection smothered with bernaise sauce for dessert Belgian dark chocolate mouse and a coffee to complement accompanied with my ultimate favourite side chocolate covered coffee beans.

I have been to a few work Christmas parties in my time, never had I seprofessionalional team over the age of 40 throwing the chocolate covered coffee beans? That's not all folks there were a couple rounds of Quick Fucks to top us off.

Half "the team" (I say it like I belong) went back to W Bar for another cocktail, closing at 12.00am 4 of us decide to venture out further. We went to a quaint little bar at Kings Cross, a few more vodka's and 1 member of our group crossing to another table with a couple guys who were making eyes, there was a glance at my watching saying 3.00am and it was then time for me to find my bed. Conveniently 1 of the guys lives around the corner from me, sharing the cab ride home, jumped out at the pedestriantrain crossing near my house and said our "see you tomorrows and goodnights"

Walking across the road I was thinking "was that an intentional goodbye kiss on the lips?"

Men wearing diamond encrusted sunglasses are not for me

Seen! Yep. At Cabana Bar on Sunday afternoon. I was out having a couple of summer drinks with the girls, a little get together before the Christmas break, we were drinking Rose' (yes, again. Great summer drink).

We were observing our surroundings of the upwardly trendy, when our attention is drawn to a group of whom could only be described as in high school terms as "the cool group" 2 of the guys were wearing huge Dior sunglasses with diamontees.

Not only were 1 of the boys wearing the diamond encrusted sunnies, he was also wearing a pink shirt! Okay, we all thought "same sex orientation's" but, he had his girlfriend there next to him stealing a couple of kisses etc...

We all decided we couldn't consider dating a guy who would wear something like that! That's when the notorious topics of what we look for in a man comes up (as 3 out of 4 of us gals are single we entertained this). What we found even easier is to make a list of what we don't want in a man...

Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin and Domino's Pizza

I really needed a quite night in (preferably a quite weekend). From October until last weekend I've had a birthday party or drinking function to attend. This last weekend I needed a break the most extreme outing I was anticipating was seeing a movie or a cheap eat somewhere.

Friday night I went over to J's armed with 2 dvd's planning on consuming our joint birthday present from RFi. We ate Domino's Pizza and drank a bottle of Veuve Clicqout Ponsardin. So unfortunate we took to long to get together and enjoy the flourless chocolate torte - it had mould growing on the base on 1 side....

My "to do list" for Saturday was as follows: A substitute date for a Christmas party, a birthday party for a friends boyfriend and attend a nightclub opening. What did I do? I went over to I's house and drank a bottle of Rose' and had a great chat, MS Joined us and her flat mate and 2 friends came later in the night.

Places I've been and want to visit Part 2 - DUBAI

LOVE DUBAI!

The shopping WOW! The Shopping!

The Gold Souk in Deira...

This place is indescribable. Must be over 1000 shops all in rows, selling nothing but Gold, Diamonds and Pearls. The gold is all minimum 18ct (its the law) and the diamonds are amazingly cheap. No tax or duty.


The day we ventured to Deira Gold Souk our hotel had a black out - little did we know the ENTIRE CITY was experiencing the black out. No air conditioning when it's 39 deg! We wanted to purchase a couple of items from Deira, knowing how cheap the gold is, the gold is priced according to weight and not design.

The shopping list: me a necklace, my dad a gold bracelet, me a watch, dad, buying his partner a necklace and earring set... Unfortunately the merchants weigh the gold using electronic scales, and of course unable to work without power. We went looking around in approximately 30 stores trying to find the perfect necklace / earring set. Approximately 3 hours of looking around and many people at the hounding us all the time "You want copy watch?, copy handbag? Copy DVDs?" but as soon as you tell them "no", they leave you alone. The heat starting to get to us and many bottles of water later....

We went back to a jeweler and negotiated the best price for my Raymond Weir watch. Basically - they wanted to make "a" sale during the day and we had a limited amount of cash, no eftpos or credit facilities available during a blackout ;-) We did find one store (along with too many others - there was a line up outside) in the midst of the souk with a power generator, we knew there had to be another. Searching and searching we found one with the most stunning arrangement of necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Done. Purchased a necklace for me. Necklace, bracelet and earrings for Gloria. (Dad wanted another design which we found later at the airport).

Upon return to our hotel I striped off my recently purchased Gianfranco Ferre White linen pants to find the red top I was wearing had the dye run! No air conditioning and sporting red top with white pants is not recommended!

After an afternoon at the beach a shower we were off again shopping. This time we went to one of the largest malls Deira City Centre

We had authentic traditional dinner here at 9.30pm. The food hall was so full we had to wait for a table!

Shopping was totally satisfied! Purchased:

- 2 pairs of 4" high heel shoes (me)

- Dupont lighter (dad)

- Gianfranco Ferre black leather bag (me)

- Marc Jacobs pink bag (me)

- Balenciaga red motorcycle bag (dad bought for me)

- Carton of cigarettes (dad) he was over the moon a carton of longbeach cost AU$12!

- Camel snow globe (sand globe) so very cute gift for my nephew

- Louis Vuitton scarf for my mum

- Louis Vuitton black leather belt for my sister

- A fridge magnet (embarrassing, but yes)

Of course we did do the tourist adventure, that included the fish markets, the grand Mosque, drive past the Race course where the Camel Races are held, the Spice Souk and taking in again the Gold Souk.

Typically as in all destinations while on holiday we went to the museum. Brief history on Dubai... Originally a small fishing settlement, Dubai was taken over around 1830 by a branch of the Bani Yas tribe from the Liwa oasis led by the Maktoum family who still rule the emirate today. An independent emirate for most of its history, in 1971 Dubai came together with Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah and (in 1972) Ras Al Khaimah to create the federation of the United Arab Emirates. The discovery of oil in 1966 dramatically transformed the emirate by allowing the development of the economic and social infrastructure which laid the foundations for today's modern society. Much of the credit for this development can be traced to the vision of the late Ruler, HH Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who ensured that Dubai's oil revenues were deployed to maximum effect. His work has been continued by the present Ruler, HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

inevitable to say, the Museum was fairly modern and the gift store consisted mostly of camel statues.

When we booked our little tour through the hotel they organised a German tour company! Ahhh... I speak ohhh about 5% Deutsche. Luckily my father is fluent and the entire Dubai tour was being translated for me. Now, UAE is liberal when it comes to Westerners, they have to be as 75% of the population are not UAE residents, in my opinion we are to respect the traditions and culture of the country we visit. One of the girls was wearing a singlet and a knee length skirt. Not on.

I don't think I put enough emphasis on the huge camel population - 1 more pic to be sure ;-)

Places I've been and want to visit Part 1 - DUBAI

BEEN THERE!

I want to go back! Recently I've been obsessed with my memories of Dubai. Dubai holds the world building summit annually and recently Australia's Multiplex has won the $389, 000,000 building contract - I want to go there and work...

Dubai. The quintessential home of sand, sun and shopping, mountains, beaches, deserts, camel racing, Bedouin markets and legendary duty-free shopping, all packed into a relatively small area.

Driving from Jumeireh Beach to the city along the 4 lane road comprising of many 4 lane round-a-bouts (Very hard to imagine not being involved in an accident there on a daily basis) on the left there are science-fiction skyscrapers alongside the mosques and to the left wind towers of Old Dubai with too many camels to count *slurp*

Dubai is one of the richest citys in the world with grat thanks to oil. Dubai, where you can have The World if you wish or The Palm Islands which has been self-declared 'Eighth Wonder of the World'.

I was lucky enough to be staying at Jumeirah Beach Hotel. This hotel was luxury. Luxury. Luxury. I was spolit by this 6 star hotel. Beautiful Egyption sheet, goose down pillows, godiva chocolates on the pillows and what a view from the balcony!

I stayed here:

I loved being in the middles of the dessert and able to go to the beach!

Of course I went to Wild Wadi Fun Park! The most amazing water slide collection, with slides that actually push you UP the slides, not using gravity like they normally do when you ride down them.

I'm just not interested...

It's the Christmas silly season. There are so many events to attend and I'm just not interested at the moment. I don't want to be out mingling. I don't want to have to fight over the last canape. I don't care to have free champagne and feeling like crap the next day. I don't want to be a friends substitute date for an evening. I'm interested in enjoying the company of my closest and dearest friends over dinner or taking in a movie (as there are so many good ones presently).

They should take more care

I love my Audi therefore she gets a good bath every month @ $32 a wash & vacuum and my recent employment position I think my little baby should be happy.

I always go to the same car wash and relax with my book and the free coffee (well, included coffee). I jumped into my car after she had a wash and what happened? The rear view mirror wasn't there! Of course I approached the staff to make it known, I was asked if it was like that when I came in. WHAT! I drive around like that and prey on others to take responsibility and make payment - I don't think so! So, after another complementary coffee and the on duty manager making many calls to find a mechanic open at 5.30pm on a Saturday afternoon I still don't have a rear view mirror.

I must say it is extremely inconvenient driving without a rear view mirror (No I'm not one of those girls who applies their makeup at the lights utilising my mirror). 4 days and I'm going crazy and getting it fixed this afternoon. I have experienced more difficult driving arrangements eg. No clutch. No air conditioning. A piston not working. Blocked fuel line therefore having to rev the car to hell. The list goes on... Thankfully these weren't my cars ;-)

I feel like I can't escape

I'm working at Double Bay for the time being, on contract/temp role - how very convenient it is, the office I have been on contract with for the last 9 months working Saturday and Sunday on one of their projects has their receptionist and sales secretary has gone on holiday for 6 weeks, could it better timing? This role will see me over the Christmas / New Year period and give me the flexibility to attend job interviews. YAY!

Well, I've been here 1 week.

I've already dated 1 of the boys here in April this year.

I went out for lunch on Tuesday and I see a man I dated in '99, and experienced that long I recognise you stare and we both move along without any further exchanges of acknowledgment. OK. I did have the 1 date with him, coffee, a few days later I walk past him on the street. I honestly didn't see him! He then popped into my office at the time as accused me of being a snob! Oops....

Yesterday I'm happily walking to buy my afternoon chocolate when I see my last boyfriends mother. She gives me 1 of the biggest loving hugs, tells me she is going to visit my ex-boyfriends sister's new office. She said I should come as S would love to see me, she puts her arm around me and almost kidnapped me to S's office. I'm welcomed by a huge hug and kiss. Wow this family is so beautiful. S's office is literally 6 doors down from my temporarily adopted office.

What will next week hold?

A small bite to eat and a much needed drink

I met J. & her friend J. at Mu Shu at Bondi Beach. What a great little treasure this place is. They have "beds" instead of tables at the front where we are obligated to remove our shoes and lazy about eating great nibbles from the bar menu and sipping on cocktails. I didn't have much of an appetite therefore the deep fried sticky egg and a dirty martini was right up my alley - I had forgotten how hard it was to drink a martini :-o

I couldn't go through with it...

After many appointments to try and establish what this damn lump is, it was my ultra-sound deep core biopsy appointment yesterday.... It sounds horrible. I was there with my mum to hold my hand - I freaked! I starting crying hysterically. My breathing was faster than I've ever known. I started seeing little white dots before me. I couldn't go through with it.

The technician sent me up to see "the specialist". He had been notified of my anxiety attack. When I walked in the good doctor pointed to me and instructed me to SIT! I felt like a 6 year old who has just disappointed her teacher. My fear of needles has been prevalent since I can remember kicking my doctor when he was going a tetanus shot when I was knee high to a grasshopper. I now have nightmares so similar to Mia Wallace in Pulp Fiction.

We discussed my options:
1. Go back and try again (no)
2. Wait until January and have it removed (yes)

I will go under the knife in January and basically skip the biopsy step, I will be knocked out and not have to see the needle and another bonus in this process I will save $280.

My mother told me "now I have something else to worry about, I'll probably have a heart attack, you have to do it". On the way home my mother didn't talk to me.

The silence was deafening...

Dinner, Dinner, Dancing and Drinks

On Thursday night I took my dad out to dinner at Peacock Gardens in Crows Nest, in my humble opinion the best Chinese restaurant in Sydney. We ate till our belly's were full of great pinot noir and seafood. I bumped into an old buddy of mine whom I haven't seen for a year or so and jumped back into each others life as if we hadn't skipped a beat of course the topic of conversation consisted of the hype of Australia making it into the world cup! As soon as N left the table Dad and G asked if he had "a friend".

Friday night was J's birthday dinner. G works at Chez Rene it was magnificent! I had for entree Escargots a I'Ail (snails served with champagne garlic butter sauce), main: Filet de Buffle au Vin Rouge (Buffalo fillet, served medium-rare with a French mushroom sauce) for dessert we shared: Vacherin Glace (Three layers of homemade icecream on a meringue base) - My mouth is watering thinking about it....

After dinner we went to join S's celebrations! He finally graduated from Uni! Congratulations! We were dancing to ol' 70's & 80's classics (I usually enjoy this tunes after many alcoholic beverages, but I was designated driver).

Saturday morning I was up bright and early to watch the World Cup 2006 draw. So exciting! 178 days to go!

I then met L and her mum for day number 2 wedding dress shopping. L had been flicking through numerous wedding magazines and always been drawn to a specific designer. She slid the dress on and was dancing around the store - happiest I've ever seen her... L put the 50% deposit on the dress right there and then! We discussed the dress for the next hour over brunch at 5 ways. I'm so unbelievably happy for L.

Saturday night was at Cargo Bar for drinks. V's birthday celebrations. V and her friends are so beautiful I so enjoyed spending time with un-pretentious girls and guys with plenty of pink faux champers flowing (no one was asked to leave this weekend).

Two Words... Tom Ford

Tom Ford

Unfortunately he quit the runway early last year, Tom Ford showed up a lot in 2005. The former creative director at Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent launched a sunglasses collection, sexed up Estée Lauder, took a high-profile guest editor gig for Vanity Fair's Hollywood issue, and announced plans for a menswear line.

But the place we saw the most of Ford was the November issue of W, where he appeared in a 19-page photo spread. Nude.

Single life has its ups and DOWNS

I've been single now for 11 months. There has been very few instances I have missed having a significant other in my life.

1. When I visited the Archibald exhibition at the art gallery followed by a walk through the Botanical gardens (very similar feelings to Pissarro visit)

2. Aranka & Mikal's wedding in Czech Republic. I'm realistic enough to realise I was at a wedding, love was in the air but not for me, I was also the only person unable to speak more than a dozen words in Czech.

3. Yesterday. I had an appointment with a "specialist" to prod at my body (again) to investigate this damn lump I recently found. I really wanted someone, a man, a man I love and loves me to be holding my hand.