Of Our Elaborate Plans, The End

Final few days of the 365 project. Thought I would be able to finish of the whole project by posting everyday. Obviously that plan fell through.

A staple for my High School lunches was a frozen Orchy bucket. Ma works at Little Bro's canteen so I am still able to get my fix. In preparation for the coming run I thought I should stock up on 'ice bricks' to keep my pre and post run snacks cool.

Bit of a pain to eat - 08/02

Maybe I'll write a more in-depth post about this at a later date. Basically I have been wearing this around my wrist for a year. I'm aware that it is a just a length a wool by I have managed to instill so much emotion and meaning into wearing it that I do feel a bit odd when I have to take it off (mainly Netball related).

Loopsy - 09/02

Got the Laser serviced. This gave me the opportunity to hang about King St and do a few things I have never found the time for. Such as a visit to A Coffee and a Yarn in Newtown. There is some knitting supplies there with wool and books. I just wanted to sit down have a coffee and get some done on a scarf that I had been working on for awhile. E gave me the wool over a year ago, a wool she had dyed herself and I wanted to make a good scarf for myself with. It has been on needles for at least 6 months. They have lesson and a drop-in style assistance thing every second Wednesday.

Stockinette - 10/02

With the run the next day I thought it best I do absolutely nothing. Lay about and did some reading of some books that have been sitting on my table for ages. I got this books as a 2009 Christmas present from P. So far it is good. A little violent, didn't know what I was expecting though.

Capote - 11/02

I took the first photo of this project at the opening ceremony of 2010 Chinese New Year Celebrations. So maybe I should have ended this project on the 11th February. I think it would be more exciting to finish off with a more momentous event like a 5km run with 10 obstacles through mud. The Warrior Dash had it's first Australian event at Glenworth Valley on the 12th and I thought I'd give it a good Aussie Go! 

It was hard! I found it pretty hard anyway. I didn't do any training because of my injuries in the past few weeks. I think I found it particularly hard because I don't really like to run, I get bored, the only way I find I can power on is by listening to music. Electronic equipment not exactly advisable when you have to walk through mud and swim across creeks, although some ran their cameras anyway.  

Some random Warriors - 12/02

I think I may do it next year... perhaps. Def will train leading up to it and not wear long pants next time. Not exactly definite plans but I'll put it on the To Do list.

- A

Now to figure what to do with the blog for the next post

This Jam is Red Hot, When We're Rockin' The Spot.

I have been watching a whole mess of movies of late. I also have a list of movies to watch... I have a lot of lists. I think Swing Time made it to the movies list because I had heard it was one of the best films Ginger and Fred had done together. Interesting factoid (to me) I never knew they could sing. I have also not seen many of their films, maybe this is a well known fact. Also, I couldn't take a photo of their dancing, it looked to grainy. This is one of the quieter, romantic, moments of the film.

Romance - 31/01

Went to go visit Ms Television and baby Gg. It was possibly the hottest day of this millennium!!! It was a mega hot heat wave anyway. The Laser overheated just past the major servos on the M4, forcing me to pull over and sit in the 42C (107.6F) heat waiting for the car to cool. After all this flurry and finally meeting Gg and catching up with Ms Television... I didn't take a photo. So, instead of my highlight of the 1st of Feb being the first meeting with Gg it is the engine of my car. Poor form.

 The Beast - 01/02

The past few years I have made a few batches of Lemon Butter. Haven't done so this year. Actually haven't cooked that much at all in the past year. I used to cook heaps, and bake heaps. Think that was one of my New Years Resolutions one year 'Cook More'. I know it was on My 30 Days Has September list, although I didn't do it then either.

Waiting for their Butter-y friend - 02/02

I bought some cheapo chocolate. It had me confused. I could not open it. It was in cased (trapped) in this plastic covering. It as crap, it was cheap, it confused me. Life is a little hard at times.

 

Turned out to not be so tricky after all - 03/02

The heatwave continues. Sydney did not do that bad in the crazy weather stakes compared with parts of Queensland and Victoria. I do not do well in the heat. I didn't leave the house unless absolutely necessary. Because of my self imposed imprisonment (not so bad with pay TV) I noticed our lounge room blind which looks like one someone had in my family. Cue: long tangent trying to think of who had this blind. I just remember laying down and looking up at it. Perhaps covered by some dodgy lace.

Autumn leaves in scorching Summer - 04/02

Late housewarming in Darlinghurst. Way to hot in that house for me. Walked to the other side of Hyde Park to catch a bus. In front of the War Memorial in Hyde Park there is a reflection pool which looks all the way down the the other end of the park. I thought it would be a nice photo. Did not notice the Police van hanging about. Oh well Sydney, Hyde Park, Saturday Night... what did I expect???

On another note. I went to the Museum inside the Memorial. I thought I had talked about it on here. Can't find a post about it though. There is a video and a small museum within the memorial, check it out if you are ever walking through the park.

Havin' a chat - 05/02

Nearing the end of 365 project. Chinese New Year celebrations begin. I started this project as a Chinese New Year resolution because I missed making the resolution in time for beginning of 2010 and I need to have a momentous start date. I did not go to the 2010 Twilight Parade so I didn't know what to expect. It was fantastic. It really helped to have a guy next to me that seemed to know all about the parade. Commentating the whole thing he was. There is Miss Chinese Australia, this is the main Television station in Hong Kong.

Year of the Rabbit - 06/02

I had been using a different moisturiser. This made my face go all weird and 14yr old boy like. Well, that and work and the heat and possibly a bunch of other reasons. Stayed at home (out of the elements) and tried to fix it with a face mask. Really doing the big stuff in the final days of the project.

 

Stink-eye - 07/02

Lovely way to end a post. Me giving you a mad stink-eye.

- A

This Way To Progress

Had more of my nectarines and yogurt. This time with apricots and honey! I rarely eat honey. I love that it comes in a bear shape. If only it didn't have that large label. He looks like he is staring into the distance. Reminds me of one of those Communist Propaganda posters.

 

Onwards - 29/01

Had a somewhat productive but still quick lazy day. Did some reading to try and make a dint in my stack of 'to read' books. Went to the library to find some audio books. Nearly finished of a scarf I am knitting for me. Most importantly I treated myself to a coffee and choc brownie from a cafe near home.

Crunchy yet smooth - 30/01

It went way to quickly.

- A

I Get Knocked Down...

Forgot my camera... what an idiot. Had a mega day planned with Bin and my Niece. Started of with lunch at East Ocean for Yum Cha. I had heard that this is tha place for Yum Cha in Sydney and so it made it's way onto The List. Maybe I just enjoy the fan fare of Yum Cha more than the food. East Ocean does not have the trolley thing anymore, just order and it gets delivered. Good food though.

Next stop was Hyde Park Barracks, one of my favourite museums in Sydney. Then a brief tour through The Rocks and a guided tour through Susannah Place Museum, mostly unchanged since they were built in 1844. My Niece seemed to enjoy these museums but this was probably overshadowed by ending up at Luna Park. Think I pulled them throughout Sydney on a 10km walk!

 Susannah Place - 19/01

We spent Bin's last day of her Sydney 'holiday' at IKEA! I ended up finally buying a bedside table. Much needed. For the evenings activities I met up with some of the girls I play Netball with of a Thursday night at Forresters Hotel in Surry Hills.I went the classic Fish and Chips. Oddly it came it a bamboo steamer... This was the first time I had ordered something of their actual menu and not just one of the $5 meals which was not on offer the night we went there.

 Crunchy with only a hint of salad - 20/01

Friday was Scace's birthday drinks! Started of at Sussex Hotel. The place looks on to Bangaroo so it pretty much has an unbroken skyline, kinda. I did take other photos but most were on other peoples camera or of nothing on mine. Why does this happen???

 Being all artistic - 21/01

What did I do on sat the 22nd of Jan? Sat around. Decided I should buy a cheap hat to wear at Big Day Out on Weds. Drove to Bondi Junction Westfields, still holds Aly's '#1 Worst Car park in Sydney' title, close second is Rhodes car park especially when trying to find IKEA pickup. Could not find a worthy hat. Started to drive home. Got a call from P. Went to her house. Tried to take a photo of a spider in the front yard and got what you see below. Nothing. It looks as though they grow corn in their front garden. Don't think they do though.
 

 Spiders (?) - 22/01

I have way to many clothes for someone who pretty much has the same items on heavy rotation. Bought some new coat hangers for those unused clothes which will hopefully entice to wear them and decided to re-do my wardrobe. Intending to throw stuff out but did not. I own a lot of pinks and heaps of dresses. Both I did not realise until I started to sort.

 Nothing changed - 23/01

I finally bought a new bedside table. I didn't want one with draws. Mainly because my old one was holding stuff I rarely use. Hair straightener??? Have had short hair for a year. Am thinking of growing it again... (tangent) The old one was a gift from my ex. Think I may of wanted/needed it. I did not, however, need nor want the Lazy Susan he gave me as an anniversary gift a few years later... romance.

 Sup. Check out tha whiteness - 24/01

Hat was bought for Big Day Out from a cheap shop! Realised at about 930 at night that I would need a bag. Huzzah! I shall make one. I made a lined messenger style one strap bag. But with the strap was on either side thus stopping any would be thieves stealing all my important trinkets. This does work when then straps are put on correct. If a 'This is me wearing' photo is requesting suppose I could get to posing and put one up. Bag worked well and allowed me to create a minor dint in my sewing stash.

 The straps are wrong... don't sew!!! - 25/01

Big Day Out was massive! I went on the Australia Day one. Heaps of bands seen. Nearly 3 litres of water downed before sunset. Four applications of sunscreen and still managed to get an unusual sunburn. Huge day. So big I an unable to summarise in a short sentence, or in a single photo. 

The masses - 26/01

I really wanted to see Sia as I had heard that she will be taking some time off touring, confirmed the day after BDO. So I missed the start of Rammsteins set. Wish they were on separate times. Sia is quite funny, very chatty wish I could have stayed for more. We saw some fireworks which later found out it was to blast off the sheet fully covering Rammstein's stage. During Du Hast there were some more fireworks and flames and finally a giant canon shooting out white flakes which I understood to be a penis... Possibly one of the best sets I have ever seen and I only got half of it! 

Flames are hard to photograph - 26/01

Netball. I stacked it. Major stack. Left ankle went both sides. Crunch. Crunch. Fell over onto knees. And elbows. And wrist. I felt OK. It hurt but I could stand on it. I am an arse. I also filled in for a friends team on Tues. Stacked it there too. It was an indoor court with floorboards, I'm used to cement. Managed to bruise my left front calf... what is that called???

That's a major lump on the right knee - 27/01

So, I went to work. It wasn't that bad when I went to bed. Bit of a pain to try and sleep. Sunburn on back from BDO, cuts on knees and a bruised elbow made finding an OK position crap. After a few hours standing at work I had to go home. Not a major sprain (I'm no Doctor though).
.

 The film probably makes it look more dramatic - 28/01

New years resolution should have been to make posting regular. I still haven't made any. Anyone out in the interwebs have an interesting one to lend me while I try and figure one myself????

- A

Fun Filled Festivities For Family & Friends

When I find food I enjoy I eat it constantly. Usually to the point where I will hate it and not touch it for months. Currently it is Apricots, Nectarines with the fancy awesome yogurt. Had it for 3 days. Think it only stopped because of my laziness to go on an expedition to the shops for fruit.

 

 Fruity - 16/01

One meal that has stood its ground is muesli with yogurt for breakfast. Have anything else and I become either stupid through tiredness or agitated through hunger. I would possibly be traumatised if I couldn't have dairy.

Spent the afternoon with E and her young man. Lazed about and chatted. Tried a bit of chili in my burger... baby steps. Tried to get Wills to be a part of my 365 project. He gave it a go with a slightly abstract portrait.

 Modernism - 17/01

Sister and Niece came to town. I was asked to take them somewhere "fun and interesting. Like when we used to go to Planet Hollywood and Hard Rock Cafe". Could not think of anywhere beside pubs and with a 10yr old that was not really an option. Put it to the world of FB and a few places I had already gone to came up. We ended at I Chi Ban Teppan-yaki. Twas awesome. I went there for Ms Television's Hen's Night. My niece has a great time. I caught my rice on the bowl but smashed my egg and dropped my cooked egg. Can't all be winners.

 

 Ready for the flicking - 18/01

Have a packed full few days where I'll be dragging them about Sydney giving my own versions of Sydney Historical Tours.

- A


*most tags for this post are F's. Mad alliteration, completely unintentional!

We Live In Your World

I lined up like every other sucker at Syd Fest for one of those fans. Kinda glad I did now. It is the only thing keeping me cool. It has got a creepy message telling from one of the big four banks. "We Live In Your World". It flashes. Makes me think they may be trying to use some sort of subliminal message technique.

 Look into my eye and transfer all your money - 09/01

My life. Whoa. Ka.Raz.E. Hanging out my clothes and then BAM a gigantic spider flails its way down the clothesline to check out why I was messin' with his crib. This is a ghetto arachnid. He was somewhat large and when the outside sensor light went out I may of jumped around like and idiot to get the visuals back on. Tense moment hanging out my smalls. Like I said. It is all go go go.

 Raaarrr - 10/01

Hung my jeans out as I do prefer my clothes to be cleaned before I try and wear them again. This is not a photo of any old tatty cuffs in denim material. These are my most fav jeans. Possibly fav item of clothing (to be confirmed). I bought these jeans many a moon ago. Possibly six years ago... maybe. It is like fact central here tonight. I gave them to Sis for a few years where she placed them in her wardrobe where I could summon them as needed. Now there are no pockets (cotton wore out) and a real lack of cuff on the bottom. I have tried to search for a new pair of same make and size... will keep you posted. 

 Yeah, they are clean - 11/01

Beers! I was confined on the Central Coast for a few years and would regularly have to drive up Pacific Hwy. The Great Northern Hotel in Chatswood and think "That looks like a damn fine establishment". Went there and it is just that. Much polished wood and there is even a Deer's face above the fireplace. Must go back and tell tall tales from under said Deer.

 Beers - 12/01

 I am not an alcoholic. I had a cider this arvo. I promise there is no need for intervention. It was only one cider. Met up with BB as she had just returned from an overseas jaunt and much hilarity and catch-up was to be had. Went to Ancient Briton. A place I thought I had been to before. It is weird. Looks average from the outside but inside is huge... there is a fish tank for a bar! We sat. We chatted. We borrowed a bridal book. I had my first Bulmers on tap. Good times. Trying to figure out how to take creative photos of pub catch-ups... thoughts?

 bricks.... - 13/01

Quite night. Spent most of the time organising my junk possessions. I had been making these paper cranes on and off for some time. Wow May! Finally finished them off and strung them up. All 500 of them. Proud much?? Just a little bit.

 

 Birds - 14/01

I.. ah... err... met up with another friend for a drink. I have not been working that much this week which has enabled me this 'relaxation' time. Short trip into the city to pick up Dr K. Having a drink to celebrate her trip to Costa Rica where she will do all kinds of charitable stuff. Then back to Uni to slug it out in final semester with moi.

We went to Coogee as the day was steamy and looked like it may rain and I'm lazy and find it difficult to go places at times without my car. First stop Oceans Bar. It was a bit of a drive from the city. Then on to Coogee Bay Hotel. Now here comes 'The List' portion of this blog....

Selina's - 15/01

Selina's has been on 'The List' as long as any of them have been. I will explain at a later time how The List came about. Selina's entered The List through a novel I read and may of (major claim) altered my life. The book is called Max and Murray. Sis bought it years ago on a trip to Sydney and I took it off her and then an old friend borrowed it off me and never returned it. I found the novel on Twitter. May be your best bet. Took me months to find a hard copy. Even then I only found it at Mogo on the south coast.

- A

Back Up Back Up and Give a Brother Some Room

Finally got an external hard drive! A moment of celebration. It was never a huge task I kind of couldn't be bothered. Only got this one because someone else said "Gotta go. Have to get to shops to get a hard drive" And that's all it takes for Aly to shell out money. Very compliant. Did not really have a clue of what I was looking for I think was the main issue.

I needed one though after that time a few months ago when my comp decided to just up and leave me. Managed to retrieve all files for a princely sum but it took this long to back it up. No. More.

It has a weird rolling weight to it - 05/01

Nice day in Sydney for a bit of a walk. P has one of those historical walking books. One sent us on a scenic route around the oil refinery near Waverton... ended up just going over to a park on the other side called Berry Island. The book informs us that this area was only connected to the mainland at low tide up until the 60's when the isthmus and mudflats were filled in with car bodies, rubble and soil to allow access. Charming.

We mainly took in the Gadyan Track, Darug for cockle shell, which leads you around the 'island' with views to the city.

Little bit of bush in the city - 06/01

The 'island' has a few information signs about the wildlife and fauna on the island. It is thought because of the 'islands' setting that the Cammeraygal people used this area as a kind of meeting place and lookout.

If you need some overpriced, outdated, unseasonal bears then K-Mart has you covered.

$15 each! Bargain! -07/01

Sydney Festival First Night. Started the night off with some historical films about Sydney around the 30's. Rounded out the night with some Arrested Development at Martin Place.

 

 Everyday People - 08/01

They were awesome as expected. My first listen to Arrested Development was probably Mr Wendel on a compilation album called Sweat It Out '93 or Hit Machine 5. Thanks to sister for head up on those album names. I can never remember important facts like that. 

- A

Shine A Light

'tis the New Year. I like to celebrate with an eight hour shift at work followed by an hour and a half trip home because I don't look at the bus timetable. Near Newtown Police Station there is this little stand thingo where people of the community has made tiles to decorate this somewhat bland walkway. Thought I'd check it out a bit considering it is usually at this point where I just want to get home.

Theres my mate Marx. Kicking back in Newtown.

How much does one need? - 01/01

Met up with T to get our burger on at Grill'd and see The Social Network. It was around this time last year when I discussed with T my plans for a 'Photo-A-Day' project. I am yet to come up with something as interesting or lenghty. I think I will just continue with what I am doing for my Resolutions.

Bondi Junction cinemas (and mall) are a bitch to navigate on a Sunday night. Everything was shut off. We asked a guard. With a massive sigh he let us througha gate to the elevator which went up to the carpark which we walked through to get to the cinema. This photo is from said carpark. Nice view except for the giant Westfileds promo. 

The Social Network. One of my fav films for 2010. Def would see it again.

The low hum of electricity - 02/01

Bad thing about Christmas is the chocolate. I got a bag of coins from Santa and whilst working on my comp mangaed to nail half a bag. Resulting in a mixed feeling of ill and shame.

Wish it were real monies - 03/01

P came back from her overseas jaunt (Tassie is over a body of water). Paid a bit of a visit. Forgot to take a photo. These are some of those awful high rise flats in the Surry Hills end of Redfern.

Looming over the city - 04/01

They would have a pretty good view over to Centennial Park and Moore Park. I couldn't stand living in such high density housing.

- A

Tick Tick Tick BOOM!

Am trying not to be so hard on myself for not doing exciting fun interesting things every single day (that was suppose to has riveting fonts... there is a lack of riveting fonts on my account). I think I just took a photo of daily run-around crap. I did nothing of note on this day.

It's a tree... 29/12

The second last day of the year was a little bit more exciting though. My car (new unnamed one) had to be towed! Yay! And because the 30th was a Thurs before New Years it meant that my car would not be looked at until the following Tues. Double Yay! I was planning on going to the beach this day also.

My awesome piece of machinery - 30/12

I was invited to two New Years parties (not bragging) both were North Side. One Neutral Bay, quite close to the Bridge and the other in Manly. Having no car meant that I had to catch public transport hell to and from these events. My highly important job was needing me at 6 AM! the New Years morning also. I had planned on not doing much at all. Mel came through though and I got to watch 9pm fireworks from her crib in Glebe. We got to see three of the places. A tiny amount of the other side of the bridge ones can be seen behind ANZAC Bridge there. 

KaBoom! - 31/12

Saw a girl at Coles earlier in the day, about 2pm,  buying three cans of Red Bull and a box of condoms. Hope the rest of you also had a safe and happy News Years. 

- A

For Those About To Rock...

New car! Old 'mascot' re-installed. Was over looking. Garry could look no more and I wanted it by Christmas. Good little car, am happy. I put my little Mouse on a thimble with the diamond ring thing back in its place. I can not remember what show/book/movie this character is from. P gave it to me years ago when she was chucking crap out of her room. It is from The Rescuers. I used to really like it but found it odd that the evil lady would wear a skimpy ball gown style dress to drive about her swamp lake after some rodents and a girl... the dress was odd to me.

Mousy guy - 22/12

Drinks for Garry's birthday North Side. Ended up leaving the car at home and needing to catch public transport home. I always think of travel time as though I was driving. Bit of a stopover at Town Hall was had. There is less Christmas stuff lately but the actual Town Hall was all lit up like they did for Macquarie Visions back in May last year.

Christmas Lights - 23/12

 Put the new car (yet to be named) to the test on the road South. It only has four gears... I still managed to try and find the fifth a few times. I had not been to Ma's in months... August maybe... Hadn't been sleeping well. Averaging about three hours a night. Prit-ty keen for a snooze I was. And family time, of course.  

MY Christmas bauble thingo - 24/12

Little Bro use to call me Weba. No idea why. As soon as he could speak he would call me that. Up until a few years ago when he stopped and now he changes it up between Aly Paly and Aly. This all happened around three Christmas' ago when Little Bro and Niece were putting the tree up and Niece gave Little Bro My Christmas Bauble and Little Bro said "I'm going to put Weba's here". Niece said "Her name is not Weba you have to call her Alison or Aly". And he has since. Kinda weird that it took putting on Christmas Baubles for him to change my name.
 
Main 'family time' was Little Bro getting Guitar Hero for Christmas. We played most of the time I was there. He plays real Guitar and thought he would nail it on GH. In the end he suck to singing (beginner) to get through The Quest!. I was getting quite good at it after playing it for nearly three days straight. 

 Little Bro is a Guitar Hero - 25/12

Boxing Day... nothing. Lazed around. Ate. Drank. Ma wanted to go to some sales. I trekked along. She got a fancy pants glass kettle. You can now see the water boil!

Ooooo - 26/12

Ma got one of those thing that can scan a photo and then it goes on your SD card. She got this because last year she got a digital photo frame that wasn't used as the photos she wants to display have no negs and were taken on film camera (pickle). I scanned most of the photos in this album.

Will tell a story at a later date about album Baby Alison.

All quality - 27/12

Final day away then back to reality. This is the longest 'holiday' I have had. We went to the Chinese Rest at the Bowling Club where the service is honest. I wonder if at one point the Fruit Salad was fresh.

Mmmmm Fresh - 28/12

- A