Waiting for the Aliens

In 2003/04, I lived with a housemate, Kylie. As far as housemates go, she was one of the better ones. Unusually for an otherwise quite girly girl, Kylie was into rally-driving. So when some of my mates came to visit to go spectate at a rally, Kylie went along and soon was dating one of my friends.

Months pass, Kylie moves to Wollongong, and I later hear she’s married Sieben. Then I hear they were pregnant. I was pleased everything was going well for them. Sadly though, Kylie delivered extremely premature, and baby Nathan was not destined to stay. I think he survived two days.

In April, I finally caught up with Sieben & Kylie, in a park in Shellharbour where we gathered with some friends for fish and chips. Kylie was pregnant again, approaching the same stage where she had lost her son. She was clearly terrified of it all happening again.

But last week, I got an email to tell me Kylie and Sieben had a new baby daughter. Charlotte is well, and from the photos, Kylie looks well, although exhausted. I guess all new mothers would be.

Kylie and Sieben are the only couple I’ve ever introduced to each other. I’d call that one a success.

Ask quite loudly of the bloke at the next desk “Hey Kieran, is it just me, or do you have the theme tune for Scooby Doo stuck in your head? What’re the words again?”

I managed to get four of the five people in my office singing the tune to themselves.

Victory!

Six months ago, I thought I had found a lifestyle that coincided with my green tendencies. I lived one suburb from work, and one suburb from Lucius’ place. I drove a small car and could make a tank of fuel last 3-4 weeks.
Lately though, since moving to the Village, that’s been pretty much blown out of the water and it’s causing me to re-examine my lifestyle. I now drive a slightly larger car, but I commute more than 500 kms a week.

To counter some of that, I’ve been considering a more local job - less travel, less time spent in the car, less money spent on fuel. But as well as that, for the first time in my life, I am in the middle of constructing a vegetable garden in my front lawn. It’s a lot more physical work than I anticipated, and as a result will take several weekends. It’s a satisfying project though. I should include some photos?

The last few days have been the sort which start off cold and wet, and never really improve beyond that. It’s a pleasure to drive in. I just glad I’m in the office most of the day. It’s not inspiring for my weekend plans of building a vegie garden though.

The traffic lights all turned red and
we couldn’t be bothered waiting
(Skywriters, Lazy Susan)

Miss Loquacity & I have taken the next five days off. And we’re flying to Brisbane in the morning. It’s a work thing for her. But for me, it’s about catching up with some people, and going to a football game - Wynnum Vikings v Alexandra Hills. The Vikings have had a good season, and are 2nd on the ladder. If I’d known that, I’d have tried to get to one of the finals. But going to their final home game of the regular season will have to do.

And so she woke up
Woke up from where she was lying still

When I left Caerulia in 2002, I packed most of my life into boxes.

Nineteen moves and six years later, the boxes are now unpacked. And in doing so, I realise some of what I have lost. Not all of which I can track though. I know that in Hendra in 2003, I had a box I packed up with a Refidex on top. That box has disappeared, and presumably all the books in that box have gone too. I know I’ve lost boxes containing my VHS tapes (although I haven’t owned a VCR for years!) and another one with DVDs (thank god for torrents to restore most of those).

I’d not counted the moves before. Something came up last week that meant I had to. Nineteen in six years is a lot. Willett and I chatted about that aspect last week. It’s the lot of the ex-husband.

Today is my half-birthday. I’m 37 and a half today.

Last night, Miss Loquacity made roast lamb for dinner. And the evening was topped off with this croquembouche.

Moving house, getting a tooth dragged out of my jaw, settling into The Cottage, getting offered a new job and finding an associated path for my ‘embryonic business idea’. It’s been quite a week.

While recuperating for the last 24 hours, I have read 1984 (the ancient edition Miss Loquacity scored at the bookstore a while back). It’s quite something. Makes me want to read some more Literature. Just as well we’ve made friends with the local bookstore owner.

The Colour Me In entry shouldn’t be taken as a bad sign.

It was actually written in response to a feeling I had while driving home from work a while ago.
With moving to Miss Loquacity’s place, I have (for the first time) a chance to put some of my dream projects into reality. Some days, this seems like a wonderful opportunity. But other days, it seems big and intimidating and like I am taking premature BIG steps. I feel opposite things within moments of each other. Which seems to be to be a bit contradictory.
Apologies to those who read it and thought things in my world were less than pretty-damn-fine. They aren’t. Really.

I have a wonderful girlfriend. Who is supportive of even my most out-there ideas and dreams. My life is, in several ways, going better than I’d have hoped. A year ago, after all, I left Brisbane and returned to Canberra to (once again) start life off from scratch. I’ve achieved it and built something quite desirable. I like it. And I am happy.

Sure, some days I am confused, frustrated, tired, a little lost, and worried. But that’s all part of the great game.
I’m fine. Ticking along quite well. And putting into reality some things I have talked and thought about for years.

Oh, by the way, the neighbour’s dog killed Molly. “Go back two squares”. *sigh*

And you’re full of the wonder of spring
it’s all sweetness and lightness you bring
and a room full of people will fall to your infinite charm
but when darkness should quickly descend
you go quietly, my miserable friend
to the depths of despair you will crawl
Black and White Boy, Crowded House

Sometimes you can be charming funny inspiring wonderful company.
Other times you can be dark selfish evil and depressing.
You are both those people

It’s been obvious lately. Often on the same day. It’s most confusing to be inside. Hopefully, those on the outside don’t notice too much.