The Contingency Plan

I've been trying to think of something positive and upbeat to write all week but feel dry, even though there's been a lot happening. Perhaps that's why.

I don't want to delve into any of the drama, my own head is tired of it.

Sometimes I feel as though certain friends live in a fantasy world and I'm the jaded one in a place where there are children, businesses, long-term relationships and complex families. I had free time last night and didn't know what to do other than work. I'm bored. And tired. And frustrated. And simply not willing to make a further effort.

I've been tagged by the always lovely Kyra

Three Things Meme

1. Three people who make me laugh:

• My Cousin D
  
• The team from "Chaser's War On Everything"
  
• My good friend Gordon
  

2. Three things I can do:

• Moonwalk
• Flirt
• Wiggle my ears
  

3. Three things I can't do:

• Roll my tongue
• Forgive my father
  
• Enjoy inter-agency meetings (e.g. when a company's PR, advertising, promotions and website agencies meet to be briefed on, brainstorm or discuss a new campaign). Every one feigns friendliness, tongues clearly inserted up client's ass, silently competing with each other for budget, refusing to challenge any ridiculous creative or expectation... they go on for fucking HOURS and leave me feeling like I'm left the lamp-post, counting the bills in my garter belt
  

4. Three things I'm doing right now:

• Negotiating kisses with my son while he watches Thomas the Tank Engine, resting on and smelling his head
• Trying to visualise what to wear tomorrow
  
• Estimating how much time will pass before I can own a Zhong Cheng painting
  

5. Three things I want to do before I die:

• Go on an expansive trip somewhere with family or a group of good friends
  
• Have more babies (at least one more)
  
• Dance again
  

6. Three things I hate the most:

• Children being abused and/or taken advantage of
• Seeing kids on those horrendous dog-leash devices
  
• Injustices I feel powerless to help
  

7. Three things that scare me:

• The thought of loosing my son or Luc or someone in my family or one of my close friends
  
• People in political power working with churches/organised religions, they're scary enough on their own
  
• Young girls looking up to people like Paris Hilton, the PussyCat Dolls or women on programs like 'Wild On'. I understand there's a level of fun and empowerment when men ogle, but nevertheless feel they take women back 50-100 years
  

8. Three things I don't understand:

• Why my stomach is reacting so badly to chilli lately... oh the folly!
  
• Jogging or walking to exercse (bor-ing)
• Where all of our money goes
  

9. Three skills I'd like to learn:

• Ultimate powers of persuasion
  
• How to say the right thing in every situation, especially the hairy ones and ones that require comfort
  
• Something visually artistic like drawing, painting or photography
  

10. Three ways to describe my personality:

• Cheeky
• Extraverted
• Sensitive
  

11. Three things I think you should listen to:

This would change everyday, so today it's:

• "Alone in Kyoto" by Air
• "I Want You" by Eryka Badu
• "This Old Love" by Lior
  

12. Three things you should never listen to:

• Tony Robbins
• My Dad playing the bagpipes or the banjo
  
• My Dad playing the bagpipes or banjo drunk

13. Three favorite foods:

• Yum Cha followed by mango pancakes
• Anything dairy
  
• My desserts, especially my trife, white chocolate cheesecake, flourless chocolate cake or sticky date pudding
  

14. Three beverages I drink regularly:

• Juice
• Water
  
• Coffee

15. Three shows I watched as a kid:

• Fraggle Rock
• Looney Tunes
  
• The Muppet Show
  

16. Three people I'm tagging to do this:

• Adriana
• Junebee
• Bente
• April (a fourth person, just because I can)
  

I feel pretty slack about the last of quality posts lately. And this is going to be such a boring one too as I feel the need to brain dump all of my washy wishy thoughts.

* I've decided to become more active as my body is feeling stronger now, a whole month after my operation. So yesterday I did two loads of laundry, weeded the garden, raked up all of the leaves, thoroughly scrubbed both bathrooms and tidied the house (I fired our last cleaner as he was hopeless) and I actually have sore muscles today.

* Chloe and I are absolutely bombarded with work lately and we're working any time that we can to fit it all in. This month marks our business' first birthday and we're entering an interesting phase as it's time to get out of survival mode and think more strategically about our direction.

* My Dad's getting re-married this Saturday. More than ever, I feel like I'm loosing him.

* I took Hugo to one of his playgroups for the first time last week and everyone thought I was his new au pair

* In between all of our consumer clients, I've been working with an amazing organisation to help establish a new national charity. I'll soon have to attend some pretty swishy functions again.

About a year ago, Mum offered me a two thousand dollar wardrobe if I lost about 10-20kgs. I haven't lost the weight out of pure laziness but have been pretty determined of late and am wondering whether I should take her up on this offer. This way I can look fabulous with a wardrobe to suit, basically for free.

Yes, I'm being totally fickle when there are more serious, human rights issues to action.

* For the first time in my life, I'm considering a diet pill. I realise fat bastards should work hard to rid themselves of lard, but I'm thinking I just need the initial boost to get me going.

Sure, I can justify almost anything.

* It's so fucking corny, but I just love the Carpenter's "Close to You"

Despite insomnia that kept me up until 5am last night, working without a lunch break today (who seriously takes them anymore??) and madly putting together a campaign proposal due to a client by end of play, this has made me chuckle...

Two legendary Australians died this week (Steve Irwin and Peter Brock) and I've been overwhelmed by the media attention these deaths have received.

Within hours, articles, footage from the site, videos, photos, blogs, career highlights and tribute messages had been posted online.

I know the media isn't renown for its tact, it just seems a little too much. Surely time to digest the news should be waranted.

we all know i love these quiet moments when everyone is asleep. it's been nearly two weeks since i've been able to enjoy this stillness.

our house has been full lately. rachael, our last au-pair came to stay with us for a week before leaving for germany (yesterday) and natasha's been camping out here quite a bit, not including all the visitors and phone calls. although i generally relish the company, i'm starting to crave alone time. less chaos. yeah right.

i've also been busy playing mum to everyone in the family and, between us internets, i'm so tired of talking about my dad. i don't want about hear of his wedding. i don't want to know the circulating stories about how he thinks i turned my brother and sister against him. i don't want to analyse his stupidity, re-play scenarios, or break any more news. i want it over with so we can all move on. i don't want to think about him anymore.

"Food is very important. It should never be wasted on thoughtless eating," Harry, my brother.

Harry has a "method" for eating everything.

Here are some examples:

* Pies: eat the sides first, leaving the soft centre for last

* Apples: munch on the bottom first so large, juicy chunks can be relished last

* Burgers: First take a bite of the burger, then eat a chip, then take another bite of the burger, followed by another chip and so on. Eat the burger so the bits with the most sauce are left for last

* Pizza: crust is last and you must ensure that there is a piece of pineapple or olive in eat mouthful

* Cake: Layered cakes are cut in half so it appears as though you have two cakes with two tops, normal cakes are eaten so a portion of the topping is left for the last mouthful

* Fish with two sides (e.g. mashed potato and salad): take a bite of fish, and then a bit of the mashed potato in the one mouthful. Leave the salad for last

* Salad: big chunks of anything are out - the aim is to try and eat as many bits of the ingredients in the one mouthful

* Sandwiches: eat the crust of three of the four sides, then you're left with the soft centre so you can finish it off with mouthfuls of soft centre and crust

Although it's a little eccentric, I'm fond of it and would advise any interested person that the way to this man's heart is most certainly through his stomach.

The days are drawing out, ushering in warmer, heavier currents that always force me to open every door and window in the house. Come in, Spring. You are very welcome.

So everyone, the answer to my last little quiz is......

B.

Yes, my father (64) is getting married to Shelly (33). She's from Thailand, flew out here to meet him two weeks ago and the date is set for 23 September. You were right Manie.

Although he's rarely in touch with them, Dad's asked my brother and sister to be his groomsman and bridesmaid. Mum's pretty pissed off at this and feels his rashness further makes their 27 year marriage feel worthless and even more humiliating. Just when you think it couldn't be possible!

I won't be attending the wedding. The only way I'd entertain the thought is to publicly say why the union should be avoided. Dad knows I'd do it so he's not pushing the point.

The announcement, and the decision my brother and sister have to make, has made the week quite exhausting. To escape Dad for a while (who shamelessly told Natasha infront of Shelly and some of their friends), Natasha's been staying here with us. I spent six hours on the phone the night of the announcement consoling everyone. It was heartbreaking to hear my brother, usually so calm and collected, bawl. Natasha couldn't help herself on the train home and Mum, well, she couldn't sleep for two days.

I've been surprised at how I haven't felt hurt or upset. Although I love him, I think my Dad is such an arrogent and foolish dickhead and am more concerned for my family who obviously haven't developed as much of a thick skin. Plus, his call gave me the perfect opportunity to tell him exactly how I've felt the past five years, something I've always wanted to do, waiting for the right moment.

I didn't cry. Instead, I spat my words out veraciously and he just sat on the other end, silent.