A rant, because I feel like one...

I know people say this all the time but time is flying by. It feels like yesterday we were celebrating Christmas and here we are today in August. Life is rushing by too rapidly for my liking. I'd like it to slow down. I'm not sure I'm ready to be 35 in 2011 so I'd appreciate if 2010 stuck around just a wee bit longer. Alright?

This morning I heard that Selfridges in the UK is already putting up Christmas decorations in their stores. Hamley Toy store has launched their Christmas catalogue. Harrods is next. Things have not gone quite so mad in Oz yet. That I'm aware of anyway.

I remember being a kid (memory of an elephant I have). I remember the excitement started to build soon as you started to see the decorations, Father Christmas in the stores and on the TV and school closed. Then there was the big night in our city when the City Council turned on the Christmas lights down the main street in the CBD and my folks would pile us 4 kids into the back of the car and drive us down the road to 'ooh' and 'aah'. Good times.

Now. Now kids will still have another 5 months to wait. I wonder has the enchantment I remember from Christmas time been lost to the seekers of the Big Bucks?

I'm glad I was a kid then and not now. Rant over. I'm out.

Run Ninnles, run!

I've set myself a new challenge. I know those of you who know me are going to laugh, scoff and call for the real Me to come forward and rid the world of this imposter. Alas, what I am about to reveal to you is a real goal I've set myself and I am determine, that's right, determined to achieve it.

That is also exactly why I'm putting it on here - time to make myself accountable to you all and not just to myself.

Next year, date is yet to be confirmed, around the 1st August I'm going to compete in the 10km running event at the Brisbane running festival ( you can check out the the site for 2010 here: http://www.brisbanemarathon.com/ )

Now for some of you this may not seem like such a big challenge but for me this is HUGE. I'm new convert to this running malarchy. I've always been a firm believer that the only time there is a need to run is if you are being chased by one or all of the following:

a) A person wielding an axe, gun, or anything that could do serious bodily harm.

b) An animal with big teeth to eat you with.

c) Those little men trying to get you into a white jacket.

I can say I'd run faster if any of the above were behind me but at the moment everyone tends to overtake me.

I'm a beginner but already I've worked my way up from running for 1 minute and walking for 3 to running for 3 minutes and walking for 3. So I'm improving - one step and one minute at a time.

Challenges are good for the body and soul. Anyone fancy joining me?

Why, hello

It has been a while. I know. Cruising along through my busy life has meant I neglected to visit this place. I've missed it. There has been a hole in my life and it is a grumpy hole. Some things must out and this is where I like to out them.

I know I'm probably not making any or much sense but I'm back. So I'll be seeing you in a short while. Not too long at all. Hope I still have some readers out there.

What was that you said?

I have the greatest conversation skills in the world. I've decreed it. The pros of working from home far outweigh the cons but there is one thing I miss: conversation. The unending silence got to me first. I hear you. Turn on the music. I did that. iTunes is a sanity saver and my singing voice, previously reserved for my car and the shower, is improving daily. The music led to my next problem. Familiar tunes evoke memories and what fun are memories without someone to share them with? No fun at all I'm here to tell you.

One morning, a week or two ago, all that changed. My new laptop has one of those reflective WLED True life screens (I'm such a nerd). When the background light is dull and the screen dark I can see myself. That morning I started with a friendly 'Hello' and then the conversation flowed. Now I've become so skilled I don't need to see myself reflected back at me to have a convo. Oh no! A simple desire for a cup of tea starts off a day of delightful chattering. It reminds me of a childhood friend I had, Jody, no-one could see her but me. That didn't matter much. Difference is, I guess, this time I know I'm talking to myself. It makes me smile. I can be rather charming, it's alarming how charming I can be.

I love working from home. We do.