shu_shu_sleeps

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Below are the 10 most recent journal entries recorded in the "shu_shu_sleeps" journal:

June 4th, 2012
06:16 pm [Link]	Best laid plans are no match for a good fog! Okay it's been an interesting day in many senses of the word..... I spent the bulk of the morning in the Qantas club at cbr airport, waiting to see if I could get to Sydney to make my 1210 connection to Perth. You see, it seems the entire eastern seabord was fogged in this morning! I know I've spelt seaboard incorrectly in the previous sentence but my iPad fingers are still kicking in and I can't seem to move my cursor back to correct it. Flights started arriving from Melbourne and Brisbane by about 1045or so, but not from Sydney. About 1120ish I went up to the furiously working staff at the counter in the QC to see if I could change my flights to go via melb or even Adelaide to try to get to Sydney to make my connection, which the staff were telling might also be delayed anyway. No such luck- not only was the syd flight leaving on time, I knew that 'cos mr QC told me it was when I called him to say there were issues with me making the flight, but also chaos reigned due to fog everywhere and flights were oversold or booked out as airlines moved passengers about. The lovely Robyn, who really was being amazingly helpful under enormous stress, ended up booking me on the direct flight this evening from cbr to Perth, getting me the veery last seat! So I went back to work and did a day's work, amid the many texts and phone calls between other members of the travel party, Mr QC and other personnel already in Perth. Mr QC made his flight, it left Sydney on time, and I organized for a handily placed LtCol who was already in Perth to look after him when he arrives, which is about now. We have three staff stuck in Melb, that's as far as they got, and they are on an overnight flight, hilariously I've just been told I will be in Perth before they will be! The boss is also in Fremantle at present, she flew home last Friday...... My flight is at 1930, so far we have an on time departure....... I am settled in the Qantas Club, with glass of bubbles, food to eat and my iPad to keep me amused. I may even read and review another submission while I'm waiting....... Or I could just run my iPad battery down by playing bejewelled blitz :) I should arrive in Perth at 2215' will then grab a cab to Fremantle, and handily placed LtCol has organized for my room key to be waiting for me in the night safe at reception. I think I might be just a tad tired tomorrow..... Dealing with submariners. At least they smile nicely at you....... (2 comments \| Leave a comment)
June 3rd, 2012
06:52 pm [Link]	Football, bagpipes and packing..... My weekend in a nutshell :) Football - very excited to report the Adelaide beat Fremantle yesterday, and even more excited to report Brisbane beat West Coast (by two points in what they have reported was a seriously exciting game)! Port Adelaide - well of that we shall not speak....... but the Adelaide beat Fremantle, and Brisbane beat West Coast !!!!!! And while Brisbane were playing the fourth quarter of their lives, I was off tending to my vanity, and getting another spray tan. Off to WA for the week tomorrow, and its actually sort of warm over there, so even thoguh I need to be wearing long sleeved shirts as I track around Naval bases, over Naval vessels and see some stuff relating to Army, I still need to not be my normal pale pasty self, in case I can actually roll my sleeves up :) Bagpipes - spent yesterday surrounded by the sound of bagpipes for the bulk of the day, at the ACT Highland Dance Championships. Ms S's elder daughter was competing, and Ms S and I had agreed to volunteer for part of the day. Young E did very well, competed in seven dances, got two thirds and won a trophy dance. PArt way through Ms S had to dash off and collect her mother and daughter no 2, so I got to be dance mum for Young E. Having done those competitions, it was fairly easy to track what was happening, making sure she didn't miss her calls to the marshalling area, make sure she drank enough water, cheer her on as she did her sword dance (she did a lovely job) etc. But the best part of the day for me was the sound of the bagpipes playing all day - all those familiar tunes. Packing - well away this week in WA, and need to take a stack of paperwork for work. And clothes that are 'dressy' enough for inspections with the Tribunal, but will survive climbing up and down vertical ladders and through hatches... At the same time I wanted to have the choice of more than one pair of shoes this time! Although I probably could have fitted everything into my small cabin bag again, just like I did for the Sydney trip recently, I decided I was going to spoil myself and actually take a larger bag this time. So I will have not one, not two but three pairs of shoes at my disposal while I'm away. YAY! So - that's my weekend basically. Going to be one hell of a busy week I think. (2 comments \| Leave a comment)
May 27th, 2012
07:36 pm [Link]	Crazy Cat Lady is sad about football results :( It is an unhappy evening in Chez Shushu, B-cat has gone into hiding he is so disappointed, and J-cat is sleeping his disappointment off. The football results have not been good. Port won (dang it), and the Lions lost (though not by much) and the Crows also lost... sigh At least I spent a pleasant morning doing the bridge to bridge loop in the company of two adorable huskies. A pleasant little 6km walk. Pace wasn't too bad and I got coffee thrown in as well (and I now know the little coffee place by the carillion gives out dog treats). I stopped after one loop and the huskies and the friend walking them headed off for a second loop. Legs are starting to stiffen up now, so its all a bit ouchy. Going to have to stretch tomorrow morning, I expect to have rather achey legs. Theoretically I should get out for a good walk tomorrow, but that's not going to happen. So instead it will be stretch in the morning, and some pilates on my reformer Monday night. (2 comments \| Leave a comment)
May 26th, 2012
10:14 pm [Link]	Eurovision - semi #2 That was a hard semi-final. Liked a lot of it.... Bound to end up with some of the ones I want to go through missing out. Just waiting for the results and then for the final tomorrow. Think I'll be getting the DVD of this year's competition. (Leave a comment)
09:51 pm [Link]	Eurovision - Slovakia I wanted to like it, but Max's tendency to keep sliding off the note just broke me... (Leave a comment)
09:31 pm [Link]	Eurovision - Georgia what were you thinking? Anri has a good voice, but people - that song - it sucks! (Leave a comment)
07:54 pm [Link]	A dot point list - the week that was, the week that will be.... * Managed to fit clothes for the week into small cabin bag (along with massive folder of submissions etc). Limited to one pair of shoes, went with the long boots. Amused to note that I had the smallest amount of luggage out of the four of us from work attending the course. * Conference went well with QC on Monday * Training Course on Strategic Negotiations was very interesting, presenter takes quite a different approach, thoroughly enjoyed conversations with her about neurology, biochemistry and stuff in general. * Was back at Chambers on Thursday after course - further conversations with QC about materials for hearing in mid June. * Flew back Thursday afternoon and went in to work. Left at 8pm to finally go home.... * Long day Friday, but eventually got home to cook farewell dinner for Ms B who has now moved to her new home * Ended the work week by watching first semi-final of Eurovision (yay for the power ballad!) * Tonight is second semi of Eurovision, crazy cat lady night, J-cat has taken up position on my shins, makes it difficult to get up and make the next cup of tea..... * Tomorrow off to test my stamina - doing the bridge to bridge loop with friend walking two huskies.... they will be doing at least two loops, I've only promised to try for one, and that's assuming I can keep up on that loop! * Need to file submissions on Thursday with Tribunal, mad rush to prepare witness statements and have everything ready this week. I predict another week of long days * Budget cuts mean I am now NOT doing fabulous course on Advocacy in Tribunals - sigh..... (Leave a comment)
May 20th, 2012
07:11 pm [Link]	Crazy cat lady football update Well all packed for my trip to Sidenee, the work laptop only just fits into my work bag - its huge (thin but huge). I had to put the massive folder full of work stuff I need for the conference on Monday with QC into my checked luggage which has my clothes in it. Haven''t decided if I'm wearing long boots or ankle boots - can't fit an extra pair of shoes in - can only take one pair and I'll be wearing them. iPad and mobile phone both charging. Have purchased a season ticket for season 2 of Game of Thrones through iTunes stores but the downloads are listed as waiting... will have to ask the boss what that'sa ll about. Ok - football. Have had a quiet weekend, well except for my outing to buy the iPad and netbook. Unfortunately Port broke their losing streak yesterday and sqeaked home by two points - sigh. BUT in the good news - the Lions whalloped GWS - 19 18 (132) to 5 10 (40) and Adelaide then whalloped Carlton 19 10 (124) to 8 7 (55). Such a pity I'm not at work tomorrow,there are a few Carlton supporters I could have smiled quietly at...... not that I'd gloat or anything..... Time for a cup of tea, and something yummy to eat (already had my curry for dinner) and then some Sunday night TV. The week begins! (Leave a comment)
08:26 am [Link]	I can haz an iPad..... Spoke to the flexirent people Friday afternoon, no charge to keep my existing equipment assuming I spent a minimum of $500 on my new flexirent contract. And they pre-approved me for up to $10K expenditure on my flexirent (not that I was going to spend anywhere near that much). So yesterday catsathome and I went over to Hardly Normal, and the delightfully helpful Doug assisted me (with additional assistance from the very helpful Aidan) to flexirent an iPad3 (with wifi and what used to be called 4G here, but is actually 3G plus), smart cover, plus cover with bluetooth keyboard, stylus, applecare package and prepaid micro SIM. Plus a Sony Vaio netbook because I couldn't quite sell out completely to the dark side..... :) Yes Paris - I am a hardware slut once more.... :) The netbook is on order, well stock transfer from another store actually because there were none bar the display models in the ACT. I was advised that netbooks are a dying breed, and everyone is moving to Ultrabooks and tablets - which are just too large for the purpose I keep a netbook for. The Sony netbook is an inch bigger than my current little ACER, but significantly smaller than the ultabooks I saw... Not to mention I was significantly more comfortable paying $700 for a netbook rather than $1400 for an ultrabook that was too big and didn't have sufficient USB ports. And I got a free Smart phone (I would have taken the XBox if it had a blueray player in it, which it doesn't) - as a Flexirent special. So I now own a Nokia Lumia 800. Don't know what I'm going to do with it though. In order to use it, I will need to get a micro SIM - quote of the day from Aidan - how long have you had this mobile number, this SIM is archaic?!!! as he looked at the SIM card in my phone in stunned disbelief.... Answer - well I've had that number since the 1990s.... I have to admit I like my current basic Nokia phone. Bought it last year in Darwin after my phone went for an unintended swim alongside a frigate. The SIM card survived, my previous mobile handset didn't. - all the connecters corroded from the salt water. Hmm - perhaps I should have taken the XBox instead of the smart phone - but the truth is I don't necessarily have a use for either..... but it was free..... well sort of - both require additonal stuff to set up and use, and by flexirenting the other equipment I do pay a small premium (which probably helps cover the cost of the freebie thing they gave me for flexirenting to a certain value), but the payments are tax deductible as I use the equipment for work and work related study. I also like the size of my mobile phone - the smart phones are bigger and less comfy in my hand. At least the Lumia is smaller than an iPhone... haven't quite crossed over completely to the dark side but accepting it. Anyway - the iPad is up and running but I need to learn how to use it properly, and also need to get some Apps (the one that allows you to note up and play with PDF docs for a start) and stuff. I will be taking it with me to Sydney this week, and will have a bit of a play with it. At worst, I can download episode 3 of season 2 of Game of Thrones to watch while I'm away. The copy I was supplied won't play properly (sniff) so I haven't got past ep3 of the current season - and I want to know what's happening! Need to find a name for the iPad - any suggestions? (7 comments \| Leave a comment)
May 13th, 2012
08:45 pm [Link]	It's the little things.... ...that help put a smile on my face. Like the Dockers beating Port by 40 points :) See - Port losing (again) makes so many people happy....... Crazy cat lady signing off, nap time. (Leave a comment)

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