I have started jogging. Saturday, Sunday, and today, I ran 4km and walked 1km. That's in addition to my usual walk to and from the train station and whatever else I do. Let me tell you, I should have started small. My legs are killing me - but I'll be doing it again tomorrow! It's kind of fun.

Well, I've put up a few of my earrings on Ebay - click here to have a look! Unfortunately Ebay's picture uploader didn't work for me, so I had to upload my pictures elsewhere. It meant I couldn't put the pictures in the search results, so a potential buyer has to actually click on the item to see the picture. Not so good, but there's not much I can do about it. Incidentally, if any of the items shown take your fancy, or if you want anything specific made, let me know and I'll have a crack at making it for you - and I'll even do "mates rates" if you promise to spread the word on where you got it! (Hey, it was worth a shot!)

I finished the Deathly Hallows in about seven hours yesterday. Boy it's good! Couldn't put it down. I queued for an hour to get it, and midway through my queueing I was joined by Andrew who went to a quieter bookshop and got his in under ten minutes. Then we went and drank lots of tea and read together! I won't tell you anything about what happens or who dies, and I'll try not to gloat too much that I know.

However I am now feeling somewhat lost. There is a profound sense of having finished with something the like of which I will never see again. I now don't know what to read, as very little seems to have the same appeal anymore. It's odd that I was so easily satisfied before, knowing the last Harry Potter was still to come, and now no other book really seems worth reading. I'm sure this feeling will pass - it must simply be the realisation of the event anticipated for so long. For months it was "on the way", for seven hours it was "reading it now", and now it's "all over".

In the aftermath of Potter, I picked up something I haven't read for a long time: Isobel Carmody's collection of short stories, Green Monkey Dreams. I had forgotten how intriguing and otherworldly her stories can be. I sometimes think she is like me: the world as it is isn't enough, or is too much, and must be pushed away in favour of fantasy and dream worlds. She often writes of events supposed to have taken place after some great apocalyptic catastrophe, the world wiped clean of the scourge of humanity as it is, and started anew. She writes, too, of human nature and the ways in which we delude ourselves. Poor Poppy, who pretends to be a monster and chases her siblings, runs the fastest to escape herself. Rian, who learns anguish through loving and losing. Matthew, who sacrifices happiness for the chance to fit in. And Noah. Noah embraces his different-ness, uses it as a defence, is proud of it. Noah knows he has fairy blood, even though he's an orphan. I like Noah.

Stories make me wish there was something different about me. Why don't I have fairy blood, why aren't I a witch, or a gypsy, or the daughter of a god? I guess that's escapism, pure and simple. I'd rather be anything rather than the painfully normal person I actually am. I still want Hagrid to knock down my door and say, "You're a witch, Stacy!" Silly, I know. The only person likely to knock down my door is the landlady, and she'd only say "Clean up the back yard, Stacy!"

Well, here are a few very early efforts...

As you can see, two pairs of earrings and a bracelet... nothing spectactular or out of this world, but some fun. I'll probably even wear them! I'm not really a bracelet person, but I'll wear it just to prove a point. I'd like to get into more "real" jewellery - setting precious stones and things, rather than just wire and glass beads, but this is some entertaining experience in the meantime!

Well, the weekend was lots of fun and I'm not yet sick of Harry Potter. I'm still hanging out for the book this Saturday - We have it on pre-order, so I'll be lining up outside the bookshop waiting for it to open...!!! I think Harry's going to die, so I'm going to buy a big box of tissues before I even start reading!

We saw my parents on Sunday, and we're seeing Aidan's parents tonight. It turns out that our fathers' birthdays are within days of each other, which is just another eerie similarity in the lives of Aidan and myself.

I've started to make jewellery. Nothing fancy or flash, just little simple creations of wire and beads, but it's fun. I'm thinking of trying to do an apprenticeship and becoming a real jeweller, but it's still just a grub of an idea so far.

Anywho, some of us have got to get to work... Take care!

I have a feeling that I'm going to be very sick of Harry Potter by Sunday! Andrew, Chantell, Aidan and myself will be watching the first two movies on Friday, the third and fourth on Saturday, then heading out to catch the fifth at the cinemas on Saturday afternoon. Although reviews have been somewhat scathing, I'm still looking forward to it. The weekend promises to be lots of fun!

There's nothing wrong with doing cryptic crosswords in the bath!

I passed on my second try! I am now officially able to ride a scooter. Pictured is the V Moto Montego 125, which is probably my first preference to buy. Would anybody care to donate to the Stace Needs A Scooter Fund?! Never mind, my father in law reckons we can get it cheap through his contacts, so we'll see what eventuates!

Not much time right now, I have to get to work. More later!

I survived my first motorbike lesson! Actually I got to ride a scooter instead of a geared bike, because I told the guy I was looking at buying a scooter. I didn't know I'd be able to choose, so it's great that I'm able to learn and practice on a machine so similar to what I will eventually own. Anyway, the lesson went really well, I was scared and nervous about a few things, but managed to complete all manoeuvres successfully! I fell once - and this is embarrassing - I wasn't even moving at the time! I was straddling the scooter, both feet on the ground, then I tried to kick the stand up... I couldn't find the kickstand, lost my balance, and fell! Not to worry, Scooter and I are both fine apart from a small graze on my knee! So tonight I have my theory class and test, and then next Sunday is the practical skills test, back on the scooter. I'm now confident that I'll pass just fine!

It has been a very busy few days, I feel quite the little socialite! Went to a Rotary dinner in Rye on Wednesday, then just the two of us went out for dinner on Thursday, then Andrew and Chantell came round last night which was lots of fun, then Russian class this morning, and later this evening I've got my first motorbike lesson!

Speaking of socialites, I see Paris Hilton has claimed to be a changed woman since her time in jail. I sincerely hope so. For her own sake, and for the sake of all those who want to emulate her, I hope she will settle down. But I confess I harbour my doubts. I will wait and see if she gets up to more shenanigans, and if she does you can all tell me I was right! For once, I don't want to be right.

I have nothing more to say. I'm a bit tired! Brain working isn't properly! I might have some caffiene before motorbiking...

A couple of weeks ago in Melbourne, a very kind man intervened in a volatile situation to give assisstance to a stranger. For his troubles, he got shot and killed.

Last night on the Mornington Peninsula, a very drunk man was daft enough to try to drive, and ended up bogged in a ditch. He walked away without a scratch.

Do you ever wonder if there is any natural justice at all? Any karma? Is there a God? What kind of God would let the good die young and tragically, whilst the foolish survive their escapades and often hurt others in the process?

Needless to say, I don't believe in God. But I do kind of believe in karma. What goes around comes around. I just hope that guy's payment is coming soon.

Yes, yes, thank you everybody, my leg is healing up very nicely! There's still a bit of a scab, but honestly the allergic reaction to the band-aid was worse! Even that's almost gone now.

I made a funky decision and acted on it in the last couple of days - I've signed up for motorbike lessons, yay! I can't even drive a car (well, I can, but not very well and not without somebody in the car with me), but I want to ride a motorbike instead! For some reason, even knowing all the inherent dangers, a motorbike seems less daunting than a car to me. So I start this Saturday, and will have 3 four-hour lessons covering theory and practice and the acquisition of a learners permit. Now I just need enough dosh to buy a motorbike - anyone got a second hand one for sale?!

As you all no doubt know by now from reading his blog, Aidan passed his physical test, so we're getting all excited and happy - things are finally happening, after almost 18 months of going through this application process!!! We're now seriously considering the implications, such as having to move to another city at some point - I suppose it could be worse, for instance, we don't have to move to the Western suburbs of Melbourne! (Sorry Cazzie, just kidding!)

What else have I been doing? I don't really know! Time runs away sometimes, particularly when life is especially enjoyable like it is just now. I'm still loving my job, and I've been reading some really good books lately (sadly I finish them all too quickly) - George R R Martin and Tad Williams and Neil Gaiman. Yeah, I'm a bit of a sci-fi/fantasy fanatic. I know, I know, I could replace the word "broadsword" with the words "throbbing member" and I'd have a tacky escapist romance novel. But it's different, I promise!!! (If you believe that to be true of all sci-fi, read Tad Williams' "Otherland" series and become enlightened!)

What else... oh yes, the Transformers movie is coming out this week, and fortunately I think Aidan is planning on seeing it by himself so I won't have to pretend I want to see it, or pretend I liked it afterwards, or even pretend I really remember the original cartoons or whatever it was! (He's gonna grumble at me for that, apparently being unaware of certain 1980's television programs or movies is a near-divorceable offence!!)

I have used a LOT of exclamation marks in this post. Sorry about that!!!!!! I'm just happy and stuff.

Now, to embark on that task I have left too long undone - reading and commenting on all my friends' blogs... This could take a while!

I can't believe how cold it's gotten. A few weeks ago every day was 25 degrees, sunny and warm, and then BAM, suddenly we're getting frosts in the mornings and all-day fogs. I don't like it! If I must be cold, I'd rather be cold somewhere that's meant to be cold: Siberia, Antarctica, England, and so forth. Why, oh why, am I still in Melbourne? Maybe I'll start up a charity fund: Help Stace And Aidan Travel, donate now because they're so bored with staying in one place!!!

Update on my leg: The original wound is healing up very nicely, but I had an allergic reaction to the band-aid. Now I have a big red rash all around the wound, which has actually been more painful than the wound ever was.



In other news: My boss went on holiday for a week and left me alone in charge of the office! I'd only been there for a month before he left, I was a little nervous, but it turns out I did really well on my own. He actually brought me a present from Hong Kong - a lovely fan with a display stand - for looking after the office. He seems happy with me, and that in itself gives me a bit more confidence in myself and my own abilities. I guess I'm a real Office Administrator now, yay. That reeks of conformity and corporatisation, but it can't be helped. At least after I've chalked up a year or so experience I'll be able to get a well-paying full-time job just about anywhere in the English-speaking world. If I want one. What do I want? I don't know! That's ok. I'll have fun finding out.

That was a lot of inane rambling. Sorry about that! Have a nice day!

They say a picture says a thousand words. So here's a picture of my leg:



Don't worry, it doesn't really hurt, it just looks like it hurts. It's quite impressive. I considered taking it to hospital, but instead I've just antisepticed it and put a band-aid on, that seems to be doing the trick!

In other news, I have a new life plan. I want to create a micronation. I don't want to be part of any country currently existing, except maybe Albania because it has a cool name. So I'll make my own country instead! I realise, of course, that this will take time and money and quite a lot of work. That's ok, I've got my whole life to get things organised. First I need to find some land and buy it. Well, first I need to earn some money with which to buy the land. I thought perhaps a nice big country property which could be worked. I'll make primary produce the focus of my economy, and I'll base the value of my dollar on the cost of licorice all-sorts instead of gold. My laws will include: no cars, no smoking, no spitting, no intolerance of minorities. Each breach will incur a small fine - to the value of ten packets of licorice all-sorts. Further lapses will result in forcible expulsion from the country. I don't want unruly sorts! Just lovely social harmony and peace. Citizenship will be available to all, with no residency requirements - only a small fee of perhaps the value of three packets of licorice all-sorts. I will declare war on absolutely nobody, no matter what. I will grant citizenship and residency to any illegal immigrant willing to work the land or do something productive within the country.

I'll keep dreaming away and planning and plotting, and very probably my micronation will never actually exist. But a woman is allowed her dream!

Welcome to July! Apologies for the week-long break - Aidan's a computer-hog, what can I say?! My hand is fine, thanks for asking, and I haven't punched any more walls.

I did cry yesterday, but that was unrelated to hand/wall collision. We went to see "The US vs John Lennon". It was quite brilliantly done, touching and insightful. The focus was on his life and the positive aspects, and the scene dealing with his untimely demise was tasteful and not overbearing. However being the massive Beatles & John Lennon fan that I am, I couldn't
help but be effected. I was pleasantly surprised by Yoko Ono's appearances; although I haven't blamed her for the Beatles' break-up since I was quite young, I still never quite LIKED her. But she came close to changing my mind with her presentation throughout the documentary. So anyway, if you get the chance, it's a movie well worth seeing.

In other news, my new job is STILL going well - although today I had to pretend to be an accountant. Maths and figures have never been my strong point. I'm sure I'll get my head around it as I do it more often, but today was a bit of a struggle!

What else have I done this week? My mother came down to shop with me in the city last Saturday, which was rather fun! I scored a nice jumper and a pair of jeans. Sadly last night I found a jacket/coat/thing which I rather fell in love with, but it's about $300 and who can justify that on a single item of clothing?! Well, probably almost everybody. But not I! Not with intentions of travelling and having babies and other expensive things in the just-barely-forseeable future! Not to worry, I'll just have to find other ways of keeping warm over Melbourne's winter instead of buying coats.

I'd better go and help Aidan clean and cook - we're having our favourite vegetarian over for dinner tonight, and we are therefore making our favourite vegetarian dish! (Does that make it sound like I intend to cook Andrew? Oops.)

I'll try not to leave it a week next time!

My hand hurts. You may be curious as to why my hand hurts. It's because I just punched a wall. You may wonder why I punched a wall. It's because I was unable to punch the guy who drove by as I walked home and yelled "SLUT!" at me out his car window.

I'm beginning to think that our justice system should more closely resemble the process of training a dog. If a dog poops on the carpet, you reprimand him immediately and sharply - if you delay, he will have no understanding of why he is being punished; and if you are not sharp with him he will be unsure if he is actually being punished or not.

As such, it should be perfectly legal for me to punch somebody in the face in response to him calling me a slut. In fact, it should be illegal for me NOT to punch him in the face for calling me a slut. By not punching him, I am allowing him to escape his offence unpunished, and he will have no hesitation in re-offending. I am contributing to the overall lawlessness of society. I am failing in my duty as a citizen. I'm a bad dog!

By the way, Frank, my favourite Canadian writer would have to be Gordon Korman!!!

Ever seen a 24 year old wear a paper hat with no sense of irony? If not, you missed your chance last Sunday night. There I was, along with Aidan and two other mid-20's rockers, standing in a queue (yes there was a queue) to see Peter Combe. We had previously been to a burger place and stole their newspapers with which to adorn ourselves, and we were not alone in this.

For those of you who did not spend your childhood in Australia in the 80's, allow me to explain. Peter Combe once had a 5-minute segment on ABC TV each day, during which he sang. His songs were topical, relevant, and very deep. With songs such as "Wash Your Face With Orange Juice" and "Newspaper Mamma", who could fail to love him?

He got up on that stage on Sunday night, and all of us who were fans at the age of 3 were still rocking on! There was not one person there who didn't genuinely have a good time - it was a return to innocence and better days. Nobody gave a political message, nobody was trying to rebel against anything, and nobody was selling anything. Iit was just a happy reliving of childhood. He got three encores, and he came out the final time to say "We've played our entire repetoire, so we'll just do one of them again!" Yes, we mid-20's crowd exhausted the repetoire of a children's performer and loved every second of it.

The world needs more of that.

According to Google, "Stace needs" the following things:
- to re-configure his [her???] luggage
- to learn someone's ass some respect
- a vacation already
- mental institution
- to contribute more
- a new boyfriend
- to start saving
- to find something more constructive to do with her free time other than pissing of people she doesn't know
- a proper education

According to Google, "Stacy was arrested for" the following things:
- DWI [I don't even know what that means... Drunk Within Tent?]
- passing out in her car with her children present
- being a slut

I googled "Stace is bored" and it only came up with links to my own previous posts. Searches for my own names (maiden and married) fill in a little time... there's quite a few people out there who share my old name and my new one. Mostly men, thanks to my parents weird foresight in giving me the traditionally male spelling of my first name.

I'm bored.

There is a wonderful old computer program called NIALL - anybody know it? Niall attempts to learn English, or whatever language you care to teach it, by breaking down the sentences you type in, remembering words and connections between words, the number of times a particular connection has occured, and start/end sentence markers. So you start by typing in something - "It's a nice day," or whatever you like, and NIALL responds, and as you type more things it "learns" more word combinations. I used to have loads of fun with it years ago, and I've re-discovered it tonight (http://www.lab6.com/old/niall.html) so I'm having lots of fun again. NIALL just told me, "I've missed you like a computer program and then why don't know." I've been feeding it song lyrics and profound or amusing quotes in the hope that it will pick up something useful, but it's all to no avail! Lots of fun, though. Give it a shot if you've got a spare few hours!