Goodbye Melbourne

I woke up early this morning, leaving the hotel and catching a tram back to Alistair's place where we loaded up the car and headed off to the airport. I had so much stuff and it only just fit into the car.

We got to the airport and met my brother there who had to catch the bus in and also take a bag and a suitcase for me. We arrived three and a half hours before the flight was due to depart because we wanted to check in early. We had both come up with sob stories to aid us with the excess baggage. We came up with them separately and surprisingly enough they both had something to do with a death in the family and us sending things home.

90kg. That is the total weight of all my baggage. They gave us 25kg each, so we were effectively 40kg over the limit. At AUD$18 per kilo, well, you do the math. We both seemed unfazed when he told us the final amount. We just said 'OK'. A little while later, the guy said, is someone paying you? I said excuse me? He said, is someone paying the baggage charges for you, or is it coming out of your own pocket? I said, my own pocket. He said 'oh, I see'. I think because of our reaction when he told us the amount, he assumed we didn't care because it wasn't our money.

The flight was OK. My brother and I were seated next to one another. He stole my middle seat. We were seated next to a guy who looked exactly like Todd. My brother did not watch any of the movies or even listen to music during the flight. Instead, he decided to bother me and ask me to photograph him doing the various brace positions. I watched a French movie (of course) called L'Équipier which was about a seaman who was in the army and moved to work in a lighthouse. And of course there is the love affair with the married woman of his co-worker etc etc. It was good. Typical French movie though as far as setting and plot goes. But definitely made me want to go explore the country areas of France.

My cousin picked us up from the airport. When we got home, my brother walked in the front door as I was unloading the van. My mum started chasing him and trying to hug him, saying she hadn't seen him in 24 hours! He was running away. I said "hello, I'm home" and she didn't even come out and see me! And then I walked into the house and said "I'm outside unloading the van if you wanted to say hi", but nope, nothing. I walked in and put the boxes into the spare room in the front. Only after about 5 minutes from when I actually got home did my mum come and say hello!

Well, it's odd to be back home. Everyone keeps asking me what it feels like to be back, and I really don't know. So stop asking!!

Beautiful day

Today was such a beautiful day. It was 38 degrees, very hot, but the sun was shining and everything just felt really good. My baby brother flew in from Auckland this morning to help me get my stuff back home. I met him in the city and we did some shoe shopping (with a list, in and out of the store) and then had yum cha at the best Chinese restaurant in Melbourne, at Red Emperor at Southgate.

Then we went to Geelong. We caught the train down - I wanted to say goodbye to Ali's parents and his sister, and also just go back down there, as the last time I had been down was for his dad's 50th, which was in May. And it seemed fitting that I go as well seeing as though I spent so much time there before I moved over to Melbourne and I always felt at home there, and never had any worries as I sat infront of Eastern Beach with my fish and chips.

Gen picked up us from the train station and I saw their parents briefly before they had to leave. Gen took my brother and I down to Eastern Beach and we walked along the Esplanade. It was just so sunny, people everywhere, I haven't seen the Promenade that busy before - I suppose each time I had gone it wasn't during school holidays and I was the only person there.

They had erected the giant ferris wheel that was housed at Docklands nearly a year ago. I remember the first time I saw it - Alistair and I were driving back from Geelong and we had seen the ferris wheel on a travel show the night earlier and said we would stop by. It was so amazing, and I realised that I could see it on my walk to work every morning but for some reason had just never noticed it. It was so great to see it there in Geelong and I instantly recognised it.

We spent about an hour down at the beach, before heading back to Melbourne by car. My brother and I had KFC for dinner and we stayed at a hotel in the city, watching TV all night. It was actually quite fun. That's a typical Saturday night for me though. I even stayed up late enough to watch the beginning of Quizmania.

Well, one more sleep and I'm off to Auckland. I can't believe how fast the week has gone.

End of a chapter

Now playing: I'm Always There (Baywatch Theme) - Jim Jamison

I don't think that it has really sunk in yet, that I'm leaving Melbourne and heading back to Auckland. Today was my last day of work. It seems like only yesterday that I was emailing Emma with the subject "15 days, 4 hours, 32 minutes and 47 seconds". I made lamingtons last night for the shared morning tea - raspberry and lime ones.

I felt amazingly relaxed today at work. Still agitated and stressed like I always do, not being able to sit still on my chair, always kneeling on it somehow and spinning around, but even so, much more relaxed than I have been in the past couple of days. Tina made her infamous sausage rolls (the last time they will even be brought to a work spread, for reasons of which I won't go in to). I tidied up my desk, spent some time just hanging out with people and catching up. It didn't feel like a Friday at all, but it was good.

I make people cry. That's what I do. I was emailing Caroline today. She said she heard I was starting back on Monday and I said it was true.

From: Caroline Fotu

Sent: Friday, 16 February 2007 10:59 AM

To: Anthony King

Subject: RE: i heard

Oh okay! Well everyone is looking forward to having u back! They all excited! Don’t get a big head now lol

It was funny because everyone apparently is exciting I'm coming back to work and everyone here in Melbourne is sad that I'm leaving. Like, I must be a pretty wicked person to have that effect on people. And I know, I know, I'm so modest, but it makes me feel good that I can at least make an impact on people, whether positive or negative. The last thing I would want in this world is to be not remembered.

So, as I said, I made a couple of people cry. It started with Tina, who then made me cry. Then Emma, and even Ilijana just from watching everyone. I was leaving at the end of the day and Ilijana was on the phone and she put the customer on hold and we hugged and said goodbye and she just started welling up and started crying and I was thinking my god, I can't believe that someone like me can provoke these feelings in people!

And I am just as sad as everyone else, I really am, because I don't particularly want to go back to Auckland. In fact I don't want to go back at all but it's just something I have to do. The job itself here in Melbourne wasn't that great, but the people .. what can I say, they're the reason I've been waking up each morning for the past eight months that I've been single. When Ali and I broke up, there was really no reason for me to stay in Melbourne, but the people I work(ed) with, they are just great.

So, that was my day. It is slowly sinking in I think. And Quizmania - it's on in 40 minutes. Better get my phone charged, ready to ring.

Happy Valentines Day

Today is Valentines Day. It's been a while since I've been single on this day, it's good though because I don't have to do anything! I was on the tram on my way into the city and there were the odd couple kissing and making out (although I suppose this happens no matter what the day is) and a few people with some bunches of flowers, but not too many people. I think people are probably over it now. A bit like Christmas. It's not that much of a big deal to most people.

Emma and I went to Bay Street to buy some flowers for Rowan at lunch. I took an extra ten minutes for lunch. Apparently Ilijana was asked where I was, "where is Anthony, why is he gone, where is he?!" Ilijana said why would she know? Apparently everyone thought we had lunch together. I came back to work and acted like I wasn't late. Who cares - it's my last week anyway.

This evening I had the pleasure of Tina and Hanka's company. What better than to spend the most romantic day of the year in the presence of two ladies, wining and dining at the beautiful NewQuay. The atmosphere down there was just great and the weather was just perfect. There were so many restaurants to choose from and we ended up at Medici, which had a set menu but that was OK. Most of the places had Valentines Day menus and we didn't need a reservation here. The night was just great, talking and spending time outside of work. An adults dinner we called it. We had coffee and sat outside, it was 8.30pm and the sun was starting to set, just beautiful.

It was a great night. I felt good - I didn't spend the day alone, and two people had dinner with me over their own partners! Great weather, great company, great memories.

Three days to go

Now playing: Kelis - Lil' Star

It seems that for the past couple of days, all I have been doing is sleeping. I have just been so tired. I guess that's what moving and being stressed does to you. Work has been so busy because we have been understaffed. I am counting down the days (only three more working days left!). On the job front though for Auckland, I think I will be starting back at Telecom on Monday. Here's hoping, they have already set me up on the system and stuff so it looks good.

Today after work I had to go back to St Kilda and sign the bond claim form. Then I went back to collect a couple of things that I had left in the apartment (the other night I was looking for the tea and couldn't remember packing it - I even swore that I checked every cupboard before I left, seems like I didn't because the tea was waiting for me at the concierge desk!). On the way home it started raining would you believe. I walked to Red Rooster in the rain, where I bought dinner. The lady called me 'sir' and that made me feel good about myself. Then back to watch TV and nap.

The sky is just looking very beautiful. I remember when I used to walk home from work every day and I could always see the sun setting, it was so beautiful, the sky was the most amazing colour. I never used to have my camera on me. I miss walking home through Docklands, through the park. It's so nice and calming down there

Ana is back in Melbourne on Thursday, we are planning to meet up during the day and get smashed. I have three days sick leave left, pretty convenient! We are also doing a morning tea for my last day on Friday.

Well, that's all for now. The rest of the week will just fly past, I just know it.

One of those nights

If you've never known thirst, how can you appreciate water? If you've never known sadness, how will you recognise the value of joy? I'm going through the angst over my fear of the future. I feel bad, but I feel glad, because I know I'm merely at a point of comparison so that when the sun shines again, I'll see how truly blessed I am.

Because I'm leaving Melbourne this weekend, I'll just miss out on getting Westlife tickets. Oh damn.

Moving Day, again

I watched Quizmania this morning from about 1am for a couple of hours. Just before Emma and Rowan left the apartment, I asked whether or not it was on, and Rowan said it would be, but I thought it wouldn't be on Friday nights. But he was right, and it was, although it was on like an hour later than usual. I was so bad - I was meant to finish off packing and I didn't. Well, I didn't start packing until after midnight, when I had had the whole night to pack. I was just being lazy.

This morning was so stressful. I woke up at 6am and started packing and trying to tidy up. But then I got bored. Alistair came and took away my bags. Then Rowan and Emma came and they took away all my boxes, some of the sofa, some bedding, tables, TV and all the other stuff I didn't want. They were so great. They brought over a mop and some rubbish bags that I used to throw away everything. It was great - I had dirty dishes in the sink - straight into into rubbish bags they went. Rowan cleaned the whole balcony for me AND mopped the bathroom and kitchen floors!! And helped take all the boxes down to the car. And Emma made heaps of trips down to the car and to the rubbish area too. So helpful. It was odd to see the apartment so empty and bare again.

Their car was sooo full. I worked out they have been over at my apartment four out of the last seven days!

I returned my keys to the concierge after I left the apartment. It was just after midday. Emma kept asking me if I wanted some time alone before we left (I didn't). Robert, the nicest of all the concierge staff, was working today (just as he was last Saturday). He was so nice, he greeted me by my name and I thought, I am so going to miss this. He is so friendly. He said that they were sad to see me go. It was funny because he asked me for the 'resident moving out' form and pretty much the whole form was blank except my name! The form is where you write your moving company and request a time to actually move out. I think he realised over the last three days that we have been taking things down the lift in a sneaky fashion.

So it was sad to go. I will miss walking out of the big glass doors each morning to go to work. New adventures lie ahead.

One more sleep

Now playing: Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol

Today at work, everyone kept wishing me well and the best for the future. Most of it was over the phone - when I was speaking with an account manager or someone in the warehouse. They would say at the end of the call, oh yeah, all the best. A couple of people, who don't work directly with me, came up to me in person and said it and shook my hand. I had to keep telling everyone that I had one more week.

Finally, when the tenth person gave me best wishes, I freaked out and started saying, maybe it IS my last day? Maybe I got the day wrong. And I kept asking everyone around me to see what they had heard. Some had heard Tuesday was my last day. Some thought it was today. Others knew it was next Friday. I confirmed that in fact I did have another week to go. Kind of sad, because I don't want to go to work, I think I need a break. Hopefully this coming week will go by so fast that I won't know what hit me.

We didn't talk to Sam today. Even people who weren't there last night didn't want to talk to him, they were pissed at him for just being 'Sam'. And then he went off to this meeting for an hour and didn't even tell anyone so people are against him. I wonder how long this will last. I'm pissed because now I don't have anyone to give my stuff to, so it means I have to throw it out.

Rowan picked Emma and I up from work and we drove back to the apartment in the van. Then we got Emma's car and drove to the petrol station to fill up the van, then back to return it. It was (according to them) very stressful. I wasn't driving, I was sitting in the back of the car (for some strange reason) and it was great. After we dropped off the van, we came back to the apartment and they filled up their car with some more furniture and stuff like that.

Tonight, I need to pack. So far I have only done one box, which isn't much. And cleaning. So much cleaning to do.

Pizza and beer (minus the beer)

Tonight I had some people over. Alistair, Emma, Ilijana, Monty and Rowan. After work Ilijana, Emma and I went to the bottle store on Bay Street. Then we picked Rowan up from work, and went to get a van we had rented to move my bed out of the apartment. Then it was back home and we started drinking and making pina coladas. And Alistair arrived and Monty came soon after. We had pizza for dinner. It was fun, wasn't a party as such, more just hanging out outside of work. Good times.

I didn't get drunk, although I did fall over a couple of times and apparently I walked into a door. We moved my queen size bed out of the apartment without being caught. Then we took the sofa down and one of the concierge staff was in the carpark walking around and we thought we were going to get caught! He knew we were there though, he just ignored us and made it seem like we were good at hiding. But we had all been drinking so we could have just over exaggerated the situation. Then Rowan pushed the sofa around the carpark on the wheels. It was funny.

Sam didn't come - he made other plans. Long story, but he was talking to his friend on the phone, loudly for people to hear, and he was making plans! But he didn't even tell anyone he wasn't going to make it. So we waited all afternoon for him to 'fess up and he didn't.

Two more nights. My apartment is looking a little bit emptier, still messy. The last Thursday night in my apartment. How sad. I missed Home and Away and Neighbours tonight :(

NZ 4th best in the world

According to the International Living travel website, the top four countries in the world to live are:

1. France
2. Australia
3. Netherlands
4. New Zealand

I have lived in Australia and New Zealand and I want to do France next, so it looks like I have good taste. France is the top country for the second year running.

Childs play

Now playing: Flawless - George Michael

Emma and Rowan just left, they brought me over three moving boxes, for moving! These boxes are great - they are quite large and what they don't know (yet anyway) is that I'm going to play in these boxes like little kids do. I have already set them up around the apartment and I've been hiding in them (from who, I don't know).

You do not want to know what we were talking about the two hours they were here. But I better write something otherwise I'll have nothing to say.

• human anatomy (mainly the uterus, ovaries and womb)
• the fact that Emma did not know what a kiwi was
• a 'mystery' boyfriend
• someone all three of us do not like

That last point took a good hour. Other things I did today, well I cleaned the bathroom, including the shower, while I was having one. I also cleaned the kitchen and the stove/oven. Did some vacuuming and listened to a lot of music. I did lots of singing and dancing today.

Last night I tidied up my wardrobe, all ready for putting into boxes, or suitcases. I'll see what happens. Tonight will be watching lots of TV. I missed So You Think You Can Dance last week because I was out with Ana. I already know who wins though because I was stupid enough to read it on Wikipedia. And more packing.

Shopping, guys, Melbourne is great!

Now playing: Lips of an Angel - Hinder

Woke up today and got my haircut. Pretty non eventful. Although, I was in the city waiting for a tram and they weren't due for ages. So, I ran down Collins Street because I didn't want to be late. It reminded me of when I used to live on Collins Street (the hairdressers was right next door to the apartment). I used to run down the four blocks to the supermarket after work to get some supplies. Good times.

Walked into Louis Vuitton and had to open the door myself. The doorman pretty much ignored me because I was wearing shorts and a tee and was carrying a plastic bag (I bought some stuff at the salon). So someone asked me if they could be of any assistance (she didn't really care, she didn't even look at me when she said it, she was looking at paperwork). I said yes. Can I please see the Brazza wallet. She said, the what? The brother wallet? I said no, Brazza. She said, can you please spell that. And so I did, in French too might I add (she was Japanese but they all speak French there anyway). She looked it up on the computer and she goes oh, the new one. It's right here. I had a quick look and said, OK, I'll take it. So I am now the proud owner of a new wallet. She followed me around the store after she realised I had money. I asked about the price of some jewellery - it wasn't as expensive as I had thought. The doorman opened the door for me and I didn't smile at him like I usually do when I look at people.

Emma is going to cut up my credit card when she comes over tomorrow.

Went to the markets and bought a weeks worth of food. Then went to the laundromat. I had to drop off some clothes and also pick up some drycleaning. I must say, the guy who was working there today was absolutely gorgeous. There are usually two people working on Saturdays there, he could have been there last week (I remember I was checking out one of them but he seemed so straight last week), but he was just there by himself today. He was very nice to me, I'm sure we had a moment, we were definitely flirting, that's for sure.

When I picked up my washing hours later and put them into the dryer, it was just him and I in the laundromat. We struck up a conversation. He asked me if I was having a good day and I said I was. He said good. I asked him the same question and he said he couldn't complain. Then Lips of an Angel started playing on the radio. I heard it for the first time this morning when I was getting dressed, because I was watching Video Hits and I thought, I must download this song, it's great. Anyway, it started playing and I smiled. Now whenever I hear this song, I bet I'll think of the laundromat worker. I do that - songs remind me of stuff. I can remember what I was doing the last time I heard a particular song, each person I know has a song that reminds me of them. Not even lyrically speaking. More like a memory.

I have started packing. One week from now I'll be out of this place. I will miss it. They are so nice to me. Today, Robert, the nicest of all the Concierge staff at Yve called me and said, have you vacated your apartment? I just received a form and someone is moving into your apartment!! I said oh, no, I'm vacating next week. He said, would you be so kind as to drop by the Concierge Desk some time and fill out a vacating premises form? We just need it for our records. I said sure, no problem. He wished me a nice day. Anyway, I came back this morning from shopping and pressed the counter bell and he came out and said "Hello, Anthony" and told me about the form and everything. Like, it's great living here, the staff know all the residents by name and apartment. It's nice coming home from work at night and being greeted by your name and have someone ask how you are. It's a nice touch and I'm going to miss it when I move out!

Off to do some more packing. The Brady Bunch Movie is on TV this evening. Just in case you were wondering what I'll be doing tonight. Also, Spy Game is on, so I'm not that much of a loser.

What is a kiwi?

Rowan said it best. "New Zealanders or a Native Bird to New Zealand or a type of fruit originally coming from China".

Emma and I were singing Old MacDonald today (via email) and I started off with a cow. So we did the "moo moo here, and a moo moo there" thing. Then we went on to a kiwi. Turns out, she didn't know there was such an animal called a kiwi. I asked her if she could take a guess as to which animal grouping it could be - a type of cat, bird, fish? She seemed to think it was something like a Tasmanian Devil. It wasn't. I nearly died.

What else happened today. Well, I went to see Athena and the gang. I was walking up and they all shouted look, it's Anthony. Here he comes! It was a bit awkward because I hadn't met any of them before but we all shook hands and said hello. We were all standing in a circle talking about how I was moving back to Auckland. I just pictured them naked and the awkwardness seemed to just disappear.

Funny things about Melbourne:

• all the taxis are yellow
• they don't have ads between TV programmes
• hook turns

My apartment building was featured in the City Weekly today, that was a fun read. I was also asked today if I was going to transfer to our Auckland office, I laughed.

Conversation of the day
AK> Who is Mike? Is he new?
CJ> He took over *****, it's because she's pregnant
AK> WHAT? With who?
CJ> I know! Who would sleep with someone that dumb!

Strange encounters

Today Bradley sent a message to Alistair.

----------------- Original Message -----------------
From: Bradley
Date: 30 Jan 2007, 02:35 PM

Hey

I don't know you, however, I do know of you.

Would it be remiss of me as to enquire whether you have spoken to Anton recently? I have not heard from him in a couple of weeks despite my attempts at calling him.

I would be grateful if you could tell me if you have spoken to him and how he is

Brad

Like, how random is that. And he hasn't been trying to call me. And it would have been easier just to send me a message rather than track down my ex to send a message to him.

• the person who decided to change the vocalist to the Home and Away theme song is an idiot
• the person who now sings the theme song cannot sing

I was on the phone to Athena today, she works at the company but we haven't met before, we always talk on the phone though. She said randomly, are you the one with the photo at the front? I said, what are you on about? She said you know, on the huge board. Employee of the Year right? I said oh my god, yeah, that's me. How embarrassing. I went down on my lunch break to have a look, it is the worst photo of me. It was taken the day we had to have them put on the staff directory. They have so many photos of me at work, and they just have to use the one that they have on file. It is so unflattering. I might go and change it.

Well that's it for it for now. Flight is booked. Off to Auckland. How exciting.

Heaven

I just ate the creamiest avocado ever.

Old friends

Now playing: I Believe - Yolanda Adams

This evening I caught up with an old friend from school, Ana, who is a flight attendant for Qantas. It has been about two years since we last saw each other - it was at a Katchafire concert in Auckland just before Uni started. I caught the tram to the Hilton where she was staying and it was just like old times. Don't you love it when you see someone you haven't seen in a long time and you just get on like you always did? No awkwardness or anything like that?

We had heaps to catch up on. I filled her in on my glamourous life working in Melbourne and living at Yve and she wowed me with her stories being a flight attendant. And the perks! My god. She is in Melbourne overnight before flying to Perth tomorrow, and she was given a meal allowance of $260.50. This is in cash - she can spend it on whatever the hell she wants. Not bad at all, that's more than I make in a day. Apparently a lot of people actually live off their allowances and keep their pay as savings. Very smart.

I brought her back to my apartment and she was very very impressed. "Only someone like you could pull this off" she said. We are so similar, we don't know what we want to do in life but we just want to have fun, travel, hang out for a couple of years before actually setting down and committing to something. We went to St Kilda for dinner. Just walking down Fitzroy Street and Ackland Street - the atmosphere and vibes were just great. She kept saying, I love Melbourne. I'm loving it more and more.

Four years ago this was taken. We both still look the same!

We went to Bigmouth for dinner, on the corner of Ackland and Barkley Streets. The only reason we ate there was because we walked to the end of the street and hadn't decided where to eat, so went there by default. It was great. I had New Zealand Hapuka, just to pay tribute to my roots. We had a great time just catching up over what we have been doing, all the gossip, what we wanted to do with our lives. It was so great, I had a blast.

We caught the tram back into the city and went to Federation Square where we watched the tennis on the big screen. Then, off to buy chocolate, and then Ana caught the tram back to the hotel and I went on my way back here to the apartment. It's just after 10.30pm, right on bedtime for me.

I'm going to go into work early tomorrow because I have so much work to catch up on. I still haven't actually given written notice that I'm leaving, so I will have to write that tomorrow sometime and give it to my manager. Only three more weeks to go. 15 business days.

Goodnight

To warm towels

I spend my Sunday mornings watching the music videos on TV and finding out all the songs I want to download. Most of them aren't even new songs - it's not the Top 20 or anything like that (unless Ex-Girlfriend by No Doubt is in the Top 20 again..)

I just had a shower and had to let you know. I actually had a warm towel to dry me, it was one of the best feelings in the world. It was unexpected as well. I had all the laundry in the Keepall and I left it there overnight. They must have been extra hot because they were half dry when I put them in the dryer. Well, the towel must have kept it's heat for nearly 20 hours because when it was still warm when I used it. I've never had a warm towel before!

I'm going to clean up today. That's my plan. I'm kinda pissed cos I sold a modem on eBAY, the auction finished on Thursday. The guy emailed me and said, "full payment will be made into the said account on Tuesday 30th January". I'm thinking, you can't do that (although I was stupid enough not to write payment had to be made within x hours). Anyway, he marked the status of the auction "payment sent" when obviously it hasn't been. I can only post goods on the weekend anyway because I'm always at work, so when he pays me on Tuesday, I won't send it until Saturday. He better not complain either, bitch.

Another Saturday Night

Now playing: Let's Stay Together - Al Green

I was woken up at 2am by a text message, letting me know that the music of Rosita Vai, the New Zealand Idol winner, was playing at a club in Melbourne. The weather was so windy and fierce outside, and something was clanging against a fence down on the ground floor, that I couldn't get back to sleep. It took me about two hours before I was back dreaming again.

I got up at 10.30am and had a shower (it wasn't as long as yesterdays, but it was still long), got dressed and set off for the laundromat. It was cold today so I wore my blue GAP sweater, I haven't worn it since October. It looks really good so it's a shame that it's not colder more often. I took the tram because I had the suit as well and didn't want to walk the four blocks. On the tram back, there were these weird people opposite me. The lady was cleaning out the guys ears with screwed up tissues. They had lots of plastic bags full of crap (they weren't homeless, just crazy).

I watched a bit of American Idol. Ryan Seacrest is so dreamy. He's like Troy McClure. Renee hates his hair. Anyway, that's the reason I didn't get into the city as early as I wanted - because I was too busy watching Idol. I went back to the laundromat to throw my clothes in the dryer - because I had left them in the machine for so long after the cycle had finished they were practically dry anyway! So I'll remember that for next time, it'll save me heaps on drying costs, shame that I'm only going to be using them for two more weeks cos then I'm outta here!

I did end up going into the city. I went to the markets and to the supermarket. I didn't go boutique shopping because I felt like a loner and I hate going shopping into places like that alone. I end up having to ask the Sales Assistants if something looks good on me for example, so that sucks. I want to buy a Gucci belt bag, or maybe just a small satchel from Louis Vuitton. But then I've gotten on well without both so I should really just save my money. I didn't end up going to the movies tonight, because my stupid passes aren't valid on Saturdays after 5pm. But not to worry, 2 Fast 2 Furious is on TV tonight so I will watch that. I'll save the movies for when there is nothing on TV.

I had a roast for dinner. I've been chatting to my brother on MSN all night about my flights back to Auckland in three weeks. I've offered to fly him or my mum over to help me bring all my stuff back. We are trying to figure out dates and flights and things like that. I want to fly out of Sydney but it will probably be easier to fly out of Melbourne. I want to fly business, he wants to fly economy. I want to fly in the morning, he wants to fly in the evening. I guess we don't have to fly in the same class, on the same flight. I need to book my tickets some time this week though.

Well, I have dishes and ironing to do. But I'm too lazy tonight to do them. I'm going to watch the movie and then hit the sack. An early night. I'm going to make the most of tomorrow.

Night

Australia Day

Now playing: Rescue Me - Aretha Franklin

Today is January 26th 2007, which means it is the 229th Australia Day. I didn't do anything terribly patriotic - in fact my day consisted of sleeping in until 11am and then watching one hour each of Less than Perfect, Summerland and Oprah. This time last year, Renee was over in Melbourne. It was 38 degrees that day, she was shitting herself. I think the most we did for Australia Day last year was get a couple of stickers of the Flag from a souvenir shop.

I had a bath tonight, listening to John Mayer's Room for Squares. I had the candles burning and all the lights off, it was nice and relaxing. The bath was the length of the CD, so about 55 minutes. I thought I might as well make the most of the water, seeing as though Victoria is in the middle of a drought. Speaking of which, this morning, I had a 20 minute shower and I didn't feel the least bit guilty. It's not like I have a garden that needs watering, or a car that needs washing. With the current water restrictions, even numbered houses (me, 576-578) can water on Saturdays and Tuesdays, where as the odd numbered houses can only water on Sundays or Wednesdays. My last three month water bill was $4.68.

I move out of my apartment in two weeks. That means, I have two weeks to go through everything I own and decide whether or not I a) want to keep it, b) want to sell it or c) want to give it away. I've started selling a couple of things on eBAY, so far I've made $82. So I guess that's something! I leave the country in three weeks, so I have a few loose ends to tie up. I also need to find somewhere to crash for a week.

Tomorrow I am going to wake up early. I have to get the suit drycleaned, so I may as well do my laundry at the same time. I think I'm the only person who takes their dirty washing to the laundromat in a $1600 Louis Vuitton bag. Then off to the markets in the city to buy a weeks worth of food. Next, I'm going to get all dressed up and hit the boutiques in the city. Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Hermès and wherever else the day takes me. I need to go to Assin as well to see if their Dior Homme jewellery has arrived. Then I am going to the cinema. I want to see The Holiday because I am the biggest Jude Law fan out. I have a ton of free movie tickets they gave me at work.

Well, that's the plan. I wonder how much of it I will actually do. I am going to write it all in my agenda, because I always do everything that I write it. We'll see.

Goodnight.

True

I was speaking with someone on the phone today at work and she put me on hold. The music was True by Spandeau Ballet. I was on hold for about two minutes. I nearly started crying. That's what music can do to you.