Carnivale - VENICE

Venice Carnival 2006 Saturday, February 18, 2006 - Tuesday, February 28, 2006

I have 7 years to save for my costume, flights and accommodation to go to Carnivale I want to experience the most magnificent of Venetian celebrations.

The Carnival of Venice officially began in 1296, when the Senate of the Republic authorized the carnival with an edict declaring the day before Lent as a day of celebration. After a break of almost two centuries, the traditions of the carnival were recovered by the Municipality in 1980 and since then the event has been held with great success each year.Each year has a different, underlying theme for the carnival, which is developed under various points of view, from one of culture to that of pure spectacle. For two weeks St. Marks' Square, the theaters, streets, squares and public buildings become the protagonists of numerous initiatives and shows: actors, acrobats, dancers and musicians bring a celebration atmosphere to the city for a few days, which is similar to that of the XVII century.

The Last Day of Summer...

Sydney summer time, my favourite time of year has some to an end.

+ Cocktails - check
+ Beach - check
+ Summer dresses - check
+ Tan - darker shade of white - check
+ Champers - check
+ Summer romance - no

Wild Park For Sale

I just stumbled across this listing (It's actually work for me)

The property features:
+ 53.16 hectares (approx)
+ Variety of animals eg. lions, tiger, Syrian Brown Bears, White Rhino, Hippos (Common & Pygmy)
+ Administration/quarantine building, souvenir shop, dining facilities, residential dwelling, plant & equipment


- Insert "oh my" where appropriate ;-)

Sunday Night Dinner

After a long day I met JY, PB & MM for a big Una's dinner, a huge Chicken Jaeger Schnitzel With creamy Mushroom Sauce, Rösti & Cabbage Salad, followed by a few drinks at Green Park Hotel I just wasn't in a great mood, it may have been any of the following: - (mentors mate) No longer coming - The model, no longer coming - Walking in the rain from Paddington to Darlinghurst - "You've put on weight" - "When is you operation" "How are you feeling about it" - Even though I'm not interested and it's so wrong to feel this way, hearing that your mate would hypothetically prefer to be with the other girl instead of me - Talk about the last time they all went to Una's for dinner, when I asked "where was my invitation?" The subject was changed - Having that extra glass of red that made me put more emphasis on the above - Getting very wet getting home

The TAB Guy... Scaryn Stuff

11:58pm my phone rings. No caller ID, I don't recognise the voice immediately.

"Is your audi blue?"

I freak! Who is this?

"Is your license plate "A##-###?"

Oh. My. God. He is outside my house!

"I'm outside, come and say hello!"

WTF! It's almost midnight, he's lucky I'm awake, I'm in my little satin nightie. I'm NOT going out. I tell him its late... After the many c'mon's I stick my head out my window very Repunzel-esque.

I'm hesitant in my speech, I tell him its inappropriate for him to come past un-announced, especially on a school night.

He's shocked of my reaction! Who is this guy? Who does this? My core group of friends wouldn't even consider "dropping over" without a phone call first at a decent hour and usually they would be experiencing some kind of crisis.

He said "We have history - you don't go to school anymore" "Your too hard to get a hold of" WHAT! He called once when I was at work.

After a couple of minutes of pointless conversation, I said "It's late, I'm going to bed"

He wanted to "get together" over the weekend, thankfully I had a chocka block weekend (couldn't think up an excuse after almost falling asleep on the lounge).

Next time he calls and enquires about my diary, I'll say I have a date.

Project: Hiking Boots

Hiking Boots in the Eastern Suburbs can not be found!

Me! Wearing hiking boots? Shock horror - what do you wear with them?

I need a pair for work, Thursday I'll be traveling up to Mackay, North Queensland to view our site, I've been shown pictures of mud, swap like areas that "I" will have to walk across.

When I hear boots my usual thoughts are my knee high stiletto, or my Gucci ankle boots - not going to happen in mud. I love the word mud... I just associate the word with men on constructions sites with sweat running down their muscular bodies...

Anyway, I went directly to Colorado thinking hiking boots would be a staple for the store. Nop, they no longer manufacture women's hiking boots. WTF! Then off to every shop in the mall including Rebel sport - nop, no where to be found. No store has stocked them for over a year.

One sales person recommended going to the camping stores on Kent Street. I call my girlfriend Lisa to ask if she knew anywhere, she has afterall gone camping and trekking through out Canada and New Zealand, after laughing she said Kent Street would be the way to go too.

I start heading out there, I call my mum to rant about my wasted time. Her response "If you can't find any you'd better give up the job" Yeah... Real help.

I get down to Kent Street there a 5 (I think) stores in the area. Who knew?

I am now a proud owner of hiking boots.

The stores feel like a foreign country to me, big backpacks, sleeping bags, tents... I walk in sheepishly "hiking shoes" "hiking shoes"

I told my story to my boss, he laughed at me. He also mentioned I'm far ahead of all the women up there as I have all my teeth - What have I got myself into?

On a positive, my shoe count is now at 38 and I can think about trekking Michu Pichu...

Happy 21st Birthday

I was invited to M'z 21st birthday party, I would say I was the second eldest person there (other than her boyfriend at 30)

It was held at The Roxy in Parramatta, I was designated driver. This little eastern suburbs gal missed the Parramatta turn off *blush*

It was a beautiful crowd, I'm so proud of Mez, she was approahed by FHM magazine for a photo spread.

Most of her 21 year old friends were wearing little belt sized dresses with their blonde hair following, long tanned legs drinking faux champers and falling over each other after 2 glasses.

After my initial reaction of seeing all these pretty little things running around and thinking taking pity on myself (when I was finding something to wear my mother said, you can't wear either of those dresses they make you look big - thanks mum!)

I was there in my black (slimming outfit) watching the girls eating deep fried curry puffs and spring rolls.

Hey girls I looked like that when I was your age - Look into your future

Finally

Saturday morning bright and early a breakfast burrito at New Orleans Cafe.

It's a must - The burrito is so good it gets me driving over the big bad bridge.

The Wedding

So quaint, only 13 people. What a love story...

The groom is from Ireland, the bride from America. They met in Australia a few month later engaged and they had their civil ceremony on Friday.

The grooms 2 brothers came over for the occasion and so did the brides brother. It was an intimate affair, everybody getting to know each other over dinner and wine at the local pizza shop.

I was playing date to one of my girlfriends to save her from coupledom.

Vegan for a Day Challenge

I found out last night that I failed the challenge.

Not intentional. My dietary choices were correct.

I wore leather shoes, leather bag and drove my car to work comfortably immersed in leather seats.

Oops.

I was bored....

You Are 92% Evil

You're the most evil person you know. The devil is even a little scared of you!

How Evil Are You?

I Own 1 Pair of Pants

My new built-in wardrobe is being installed (2 full days and still not finished!). Possibly taking them to The Consumer Trader and Tenancy Tribunal.

I went through all my clothes 1 by 1 before neatly folding or hanging.

I checked for condition (bye AX glowmesh top). Came across the "that's so last season" items. I asked myself does the colour really suit me? What does this piece say about me? The why the hell did I ever buy that item!?!? What shoes would go with this?

I tried on numerous items, ones I hadn't worn last winter or since last summer.

I was almost in tears, half my clothes don't fit me anymore. I took 2 "jumbo" sized garbage bags up to St Vinnies (I was thinking eBay, but seriously couldn't be bothered).

My straight leg size 6 skinny jeans I used to live in are now just a memory, my every day comfortable jeans barely fit, the manouver is laying on the bed, sucking in my tummy and using all my muscles to do them up... Then sitting down for longer than 8 minutes cuts of all blood circulation. I'm then afraid to go to the bathroom for the duration of my outing (ahhhh!). My 2 pairs of Marc Jacobs don't fit like they used to *tears* I was aware of my jeans issues as I had to dress for 2 sporting events of the weekend and I wasn't going to wear a little summer dress. I went shopping at WBJ and set myself a budget for what will forever be known as "my fat jeans" $60 maximum. I went to Jeans West - Customer service was great, when they showed me jeans at $80 I mentioned I only wanted to spend $60, they then said "no pressure if you don't have the money" - how cute! The thought never occurred to me. I found a nice comfy pair that I hope I will only wear for 2 - 3 months.

I tried on every pair of pants I own, the only item that fits me are my white linen Giofranco Ferre pants!

Items of note I'm hanging onto "just in case": black Morrissey pants, gold Chanel top, Red sparkly top I wore for my birthday party November 2004, the little red dress that got me into every night club when I was underage, black pin stripe Prada skirt, my favourite Ojay dress for work, black atelier skirt with split (circa 1999), Oscar De La Renta black silk skirt that I never wore. And of course all my gym clothes that I need to struggle to get into to work out in...

At least all my 37 pairs of shoes still fit!

A Review: "Vegan for a Day" Challenge

Yesterday was the first and last time I challenge myself as a vegan for the day. I did survive, thanks to carbohydrates.

We went to Govinda's for dinner and a movie (bargain at $21.90), it was a vegetarian buffet which I'll pass on in future. Tasteless sponge anyone?

Then we moved on to the cinema upstairs to watch Shopgirl (beautiful, touching movie) the movie room is filled with day beds, very comfortable other than my feet sticking out the end, I will go back (maybe wear socks).

Today's challenge: Vegan for the day

It sounded like a good idea many months ago (September last year, I think) while Julia and I were having dinner and a bottle of red that we would challenge ourselves to be a vegan for a week, it was oh so quickly reduced to 1 day. It was forgotten along with many other alcohol induced "bight idea at the time"

After watching Transamerica last week, quote "I'm a level 4 vegan, I don't eat anything that casts a shadow". We decided to book an alternate date.

Tonight we are going to Govinda's for dinner and to see Shopgirl, Govinda's a vegetarianian delights, so what better time to do it?

My first question of the day "Is honey vegan approved?" I'm now drinking coffee without milk. Hmmm what to have for lunch?

Perks...

The MD let me drive his car today (one of his cars)

A Mistake and I Can't Fix

I'm going to refrain from using any cursing. Deep breath...

My new job.

I received my first wages today (little late, was supposed to be Thursday last week).

I'm $220 per week less than my old job. Deep breath...

I was fully aware of the superannuation exclusive v inclusive would make a difference, I didn't prepare for this. Deep breath...

I'm no longer able to accept weekend overtime as I did last year as the work would now be considered "a conflict of interest" Deep breath...

The contract is signed. It's my own fault. I guess the process of saving to purchase my own pad will take a little longer.

Updated 22nd February - I just looked back, I was having a blonde moment.. It'd actually $285.50 per week!

The Winter Olympics

How good is it! I'm just loving the Torino Winter Olympics. (I've been wearing the shoes I bought in Torino more frequently too)

men's Moguls, our first medal of the 2006 Winter Olympics. Dale Begg-Smith, the favourite coming into the event after winning three of the last four World Cups, Dale qualified first for the final and continued that form into the decider, taking it out with a score of 26.77.

It's great that Dale is a Canadian and adopted Australia. Unbelievable that he was told by Canada and the US that he wasn't able to compete or be trained and keep his multi-million dollar company.

Curling! A sport!?!?! Where do I start?

Skeleton bores me to death so much so I want to lay on the snow and make a snow angel...

I'm addicted to Ice hockey!

How does an Aussie girl get wrapped up in Ice Hockey?

I was in Czech Republic this year when the Ice Hockey World Cup was on. I loved it! Besides the fact every thing on Czech TV is in Cesky of which I can not understand more than a couple dozen phrases, therefore watching sport I can be easily entertained and not require constant translations.... I was addicted.

Czech Republic was playing so well - in fact they won the championship (No one here in OZ seemed to hear about it) Not only was the game thrilling I developed a crush on Jaromir Jagr!

He wears the number 68 in memory of the 1968 Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia. The year my father escaped and came down under. My daddy also played Ice Hockey in his days, he was a goal keeper preparing to play in the Olympics for the former Czechoslovakia but he broke both thumbs and couldn't play... The love of the sport must be in my blood.

I'm so disappointed of the lack of coverage for Ice Hockey. Last night they showed 40 seconds of highlights, I got my crush satisfied immediately.

Figure Skating. I love it. Evgeni Plushenko from Russia his performance in the Men's Short program Figure Skating was unbelievable, the way he just glides over the ice... WOW!!!

The ice dancing was amazing last night, but so many of the competitors fell, the manner in which favouites for the event, the Italians behaved after the fall was deplorable. She just wouldn't look at her partner. I understand the disappointment, please a little sportsmanship!

The Americans below looked so fresh, they looked like they were having a ball out on the ice, I'm looking forward to the next figure skating qualifier (Where are the Aussie's?)

How was your weekend? Read my blog.

Is this the end of face to face communication?

I did it. I said it.

"How was your weekend?"

"Read my blog"

There was an article in one of the papers about how blogs are "contributing to relationships and building communities". A woman recently joked that she finds out what her two out-of-home adult children are up to by reading their blogs each day.

I can relate, put in a long day at work, I'm not going to call all my friends late at night to catch up.

Conversations with my friends who read my blog are significantly different to the one's that don't. The few that read my blog don't ask "what have you been up to?"

We have started to wake up to the idea that we need to be intentional and seek out meaningful relationships. The community we choose to live in often exists as a relational network rather than a geographical location. When we find that sense of community, it's little surprise that we're keen to use technology to complement it.

Most peoples opinion of us bloggers are that we are pretentious bunch oozing with self-importance, narcissists or so and of course the random journalism dropout. There are a few sheltered souls out there that ask "What's a blog?" I find the question so adorable and pathetic at the same time.

I kept my little blog private for many months, writing the highs, the lows and the real lows. What I do write is me, all my interests, events, feelings as I see and feel on the day, a record of events that mould me into who I am today. Hence the name "Mirror Mirror On The Wall" this is my opportunity reflect on my own actions and experience and I do hope anyone that does stumble across my blog enjoys my journey.

There's One in Every Crowd...

Friday night I went to the James Brown concert, the king of soul still has it! The music was sensational! The performance was fantastic! The back-up singers brought goose bumps to my skin. The father of funk did a tribute to another legend Ray Charles. I was in my element (I enjoyed the support act too - no idea who they are).

I took my dad to the concert as he is the only other person I know of that enjoys the music before I purchased the tickets.

We were in the "nose bleed section" second last row from the back and what are we subjected to throughout most of the performance? Some bogans talking! They hardly stopped chatting away, I wish they left and went for coffee, the people a row in front on me were looking back! My favourite quote from my dad "I hear Doonside accents behind us".

Saturday was a lazy day I couldn't even motivate myself to go to the beach, I joined mum for an afternoon movie Casanova, the movie in my humble opinion was rubbish, but I love Venice and I just adore the late 1700's early 1800's Italy. The story of Casanova enthralled me. I just love it!

We were enjoying the movie but we have some inconsiderate people behind us talking in another language through out - my best guess the woman was translating the movie to her husband, we were going crazy!

Saturday night I was sitting out in the rain watching the rugby league charity shield between Souths and St George. There were Souths supporters behind us, female's yelling obscenities! Like a drowned water rat we jumped on the train home and couldn't fathom going out anywhere else... Bed was calling (and so was a guy that's a blast from the past - different story)

Sunday I was preparing for the big day today, built-in wardrobe being installed, new entertainment unit, new bookcase. It was too hot!

I spent Sunday evening at the football. Sydney FC v Adelaide United with 30,000 other people, the record for the game, so fantastic! Except for that kid, that stupid kid that stood up for most of the match right in front of me, his father was sitting right next to him and nop, didn't pressure him to sit down. Discipline your kids please!

What next...?