kjp

Just in case anyone is wondering (I know there's at least two of you out there), yes, occasionally I'm not very happy, especially re dad. It happens; eg the other week, when to top it off I was up late (tired) in front of my computer. Hmmm. Anyhow, recently I've been cruising along fine.

I have to decide whether I'm going to do a Spanish course in the second half of this year (not very far away now). Need to fill in a form before early July. hmmmm.

My stuff is slowly being sorted out. I've just two piles of stuff to do. I'm trying to decide what to put on my walls of the new place, but it's kind of a difficult choice. The only thing I think I've decided is that I won't have as many photos on the wall this time... I've laminated my China map, and that's up there. It's kind of cool, interesting, reminder, I think. But the problem is how many (if any) or which photos of people (in particular family members) should be put up on the walls. hmmmm.

In other news, I finally got my car cleaned. I went through one of those drive through thingies where you want to make sure that you've done the windows up... Although it didn’t get everything... but that’s not surprising given the age of the junk that was caked onto her roof.

Earlier last week I wasn’t exactly happy. But these things happen. I went to choir on Thursday for the first time in a while (had been away, busy, etc); Friday moved the rest of my stuff out of my old place. Saturday night, went to a QWO concert of music, was very good - they’re a great wind ensemble. Caught up with a couple of people in the group, so that was good. One of the pieces - Festive Overture, we’re playing too in our upcoming concert. I went there via train and ferry. Going on the ferry at night has been on my list of things to do for a while. It was a bit cool, but ok with a long shirt and tshirt underneath. Oh, I’ve discovered that said shirt flaps in the wind. Riveting. On the ferry back there were some photographers, who were discussing their photos - apparently they were leaving the shutter open for ~ 5 seconds, which I thought was a bit optimistic on a very movable ferry.

Yesterday, I got shorn, and made my first ‘proper’ meal (for lunch) of my new place (I’ve been eating bachelor food until now).

Was yummy, although the taste of sausage was in it… apparently one of my previous housemates hadn’t cleaned all the fat off it… hmmm, or is that grrr. (I had cleaned it before use that got rid of most, but not all junk). In the evening I went to the Zoo, and caught the most excellent Palimpsest (Tyrone Noonan vocals and guitar, bass, drums). The second group - Kristin Berardi Quartet was very good (vocals, keys, guitar, bass - no drums), but probably not quite my thing. Anyhow.

Now back to today, other than the stuff mentioned at the top that was done today (and some clarinet practice and some Family Guy), I also did some medical stuff for an hour that flew by in the early afternoon… (2nd time). Sigh…

The move is complete. I picked up the rest of my stuff earlier this evening after work and did a clean up of my old room, and the living area, did the dishes, etc. As far as I know, I’m missing two things: my Foo Fighters One By One CD, and my clarinet lyre. Hopefully they will both turn up.

...and my tear is cold, shiver; and hurts so much.

lost, empty. Sickness is following.

My only refuge is away from myself. (Only sleep and one other option remain; the second to release me but would hurt others). So I must live with myself - pain.

(and besides, all the above is moot; as I must do my duty).

(earlier this evening I made myself try on his shoes).

I can’t say that I was exactly happy for a large part of today. I policy doco came around at work - everyone was getting a copy. I signed my name on (and not printing my name as I usually would do) - just like the old man. Top work.

Because I've been away for a fair bit, and with the move and all, yesterday afternoon was the first time I'd been able to do any clarinet practice in ages. It was also the first time practicing in my new place - a flat in a complex of about 40, I think. This was one of my concerns about moving here - whether I’d be able to make a bit of noise.

But with the door and window closed, and a maximum volume of mf, and playing just after work - ie: when people, if they were around, would be awake, etc - there wasn’t (I think) a problem. Which is good.

However, it was good at rehearsal earlier tonight to be able to play out, especially in the niceness of the acoustics of the Old Museum Building. Was also good playing Carnival and Festive Overtures… although I need to do some practice (first one in particular).

Ohhh, I’m also trying out a mouth piece that I’ve had tucked away with my clarinet stuff (ie: spare reeds, polishing and oiling stuff) for ages. It’s the original mouthpiece that came with my clari, I think. Anyhow, it’s a bit more open than my other mouth piece. I’ll probably play on it for a month or two, and then try my old one to see which I like better.

I've moved. Well mostly. My furniture and big stuff has come over. As has the important things - my computer, stereo and CDs. Still have stuff at the old place. Will do a trip tomorrow morning. Then gig in the early afternoon. Then dinner in the valley (I think) in the evening.

I still have stuff in boxes and stuff. But the bulk of it's done. Yay.

I think I'm going to be a fair bit happier here than at my previous place.

This will be the last post to this website... until, hopefully, tomorrow. All things going according to plan, thurday evening, I should put up another post from my new place of residence, in another part of town (Northgate).

Things tonight got a bit delayed to what I expected. Post work drinks ended at 9.30 pm in the city. Followed by dinner at a particular fast food place with a particular friendly sandwich maker person. :)

So, after I've got back to Brisbane and not travelling again, and sorted out my move; I'm going to try to get to the gym once or twice a week. I have a bunch of protein shakes (hand-me-downs) to use. You're supposed to drink them 1/2 hr before and after a session (or something like that).

Beefcake...

Just so I don't forget: the other week I had dinner with family friends at Garuva (in the valley). Pretty different eating place - the whole tranquil theme - lighting, curtains, entry, seating, etc. Nice food - I had yummy very yummy pork. Worth going back there again. Must book though.

This morning, I went to Chermside - to drop off my book at the library, and duck into Coles to pick up some staples. Anyhow, after 2 sets of roadworks, a minor traffic jam getting into the car parking on the top of the mall; not being able to find a park (only did one small loop, but this still took ages), I said stuff that, and went next door to the library. Methinks that the surprising popularity of the mall is due to mums, probably.

Anyhow, at the library (which I've taken a bit of a shine to give that if you're only going to read a book once, then why bother buying it? - although some books are nice to have); I found out that (a) my trip was in vain - apparently you can return books at any branch of the library; and that (b) you can borrow magazines. Never realised it. Anyhow, there's a fair range; downside is that for some of them there's not the recent editions readily available.

So, I've got April's edition of Australian Photography. In 28 days time, my nearest branch is likely to be in Nundah, so I'll be returning it there...

Ohh, and on my way home I stopped at the local, smaller supermarket, and bumped into a good guy from work…

We got back to Brisbane fiarly late last night. The past week (away for work) has been really interesting. Been good. Although we will be going back on Monday afternoon or so - for a few days I suppose.

I'll be busy this weekend organising my stuff to get read for the move...

The other day I finished reading The End Of Oil - by Paul Roberts. It's an interesting read about oil, coal, gas, energy infrastructure, alternatives, environmental degradation, energy markets/economy, politics, etc, etc. It's pretty well written, and I found it quite easy to read. Interesting. And kind of alarming. There were a few bits (relating to my profession) that didn't ring quite true. But a good read.

So I've been trying to read a short book called "Coping With Grief". But I can't get stuck into it and get distracted and always seem do something else. It's now 10.20 pm. Perfect time to do the dishes har har. I still need to clean my room, pack my bags (we may or may not be leaving tomorrow for several days), and get a good nights sleep and get up early (because I want to park in the secure parking). Yeah, rrrright.

For the heck of it, I've changed the number of entries shown on the front index of this website from 5 to 10. Why not?

So last night we saw MI3, after a meal at South Bank (after a bit of wandering, Amici's turned out to be a pretty decent value place). Pretty good evening. Movie wasn't bad - for a popcorn film. However, we were in the 2nd row - so an odd perspective, and sore necks were on offer.

Reminder for me: 'we' = myself; L; R; S; C

So I upgraded to the latest version of Lilypond. It's pretty good: does a few things that I need that the previous version didn't. Also is faster (to generate the pdf file). But the text editor it comes with is pretty poor, I reckon.

Yesterday went to the gym after work. Just for about 1/2 hr or so. Was good. IT was the first time that I've been in ages (ie: last time was pre-Canberra). So I'm a touch sore; but didn't push myself, so not too bad. I'm going to try and go regularly - I'll try for once a week, I think.

Also had one of the protein shakes. Pineapple flavour, wasn't too bad :). They're approaching their best-before, so I'd better be a gym bunny.

So I'm vaguely thinking of getting a PDA... To keep up with the Js. (No, they're not called Jones, but there's more than one of them).

Anyhow, first, and formost, so I don't loose these links, this, this and this seem to be a good summary of things to look out for.

Some things for me to consider:
* PDA instead of a MP3 player?
* expandable memory
* memory card format
* can put new programs on it.
* is there a ready supply of freeware programs downloadable off the internet?
* stylus, can the handwriting thing be trained?
* can it be used as a usb drive (ie: transfer arbitary files) - from an arbitrary computer (use as USB, appear as another drive)
* colour screen? dimensions (in cm and pixels); pixel ratio: 3:4 ?
* camera? - resolution? zoom?
* phone?
* plays audio files? (higher battery usage) mp3 / wma
* plays movies
* view pictures
* pocket versions of outlook, word, excel, access
* can it be used when flying (in a plane).
* is it skinable?

I went with a guy from work and some of his friends to Springbrook - west of the Gold Coast, and did a bit of walking in the area. It was pretty good day, quite relaxed, was taken fairly easy. After the walk went to a few of the outlooks in the area. Coffee halfway through; fish and chips and calamari at Peter's Fish Market near Sea World for dinner.

A couple of photos below.

Walking around Springbrook on 01/05/2006. Looking from the outlook called "Best Of All".

Walking around Springbrook on 01/05/2006. Looking up to the Rainbow Falls.