USS Bonhomme Richard has arrived in town

I have to say I've not seen as many Polite and Friendly YOUNG (ohhh so young to my eyes - 20's to 24's I would guess) service persons in quite a long time.

Of course they are all in mufti - since the wearing of uniform in foreign ports is not allowed for safety reasons - but their general military bearing, good manners, great haircuts, and possibly the accents give them away.

Had I been better organised I'd have asked any of my fellow Soldiers' Angels troop supporters if any of their lads or lasses would be in town - and then would have treated them for a day out at the Koala Sanctuary.  Next time Gromit Next time!

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/us-navy-docks-in-brisbane-20130709-2pnyn.html

May Post

May has arrived - and the lovely Autumn weather of Brisbane is glorious to behold.  Cool but sunny and no rain - wonderful.

"Received" an early birthday "gift" today (my birthday is the 4th) - trip to the dentist for what I had hoped was simply a lost filling.  Turned out to be a crack through the tooth and so I now have one less tooth for the brushing (recovery will take a few days and I am currently very propped up by the pharmacy-grade pain meds). It was my upper right back tooth so it's loss won't interfere too much with my life.

In other actually GOOD news - I have a job interview on Monday for a Library Assistant's position.  So if you can spare some good thoughts - please wing them my way.

Oh and I have heard from my new Soldier's Angel adoptee.  Mike is a clever, articulate and dedicated member of the USA Army.  He's has a wonderfully good sense of humour and we have been exchanging emails since I adopted him.  So very glad I have 'met' him [so far a batch of goodies have been sent off to him - he's received the small batch of Aussie cookies & candy (no no musk stick - I am being nice!) and a plush kangaroo toy he has named "Jack"; and I sent him a copy of the movie "Finding Nemo" (we have been joking about that since my introductory email explaining that I live "half way between the Reef and Wallaby Way Syd-e-ney").  Girl Scout cookies are also on their way to him].  He is very much a ray of sunshine in my life - making all the uncertainties of lack-of-job fade away whenever I chat with him. So very glad I found Soldiers Angels five years ago (almost to the day actually - it was my "Pay it forward" Birthday gift to myself five years ago and never once regretted.)

Now to get over the extraction and be all smiles come Saturday.  I am having lunch with my Parents and haven't wanted to worry them,  Wish me a speedy recovery! :)

edited to add - lol someone just asked me if I have a "wish list' for my birthday.  I do but I don't expect any gifts - your all-abiding love and support are all I need [but if that's just tooo freaky to contemplate - here's my amazon link - http://amzn.com/w/1EUHNLL1YFLO ]

Pax and July

And enter the month of July...  it is going to prove to be a challenging month indeed!

In the next few weeks I may discover if my job is to be axed or not :(.  Under the new State Government that was recently elected, any positions they consider "non-front-line" are to be reviewed and considered for retrenchment.  This is to reduce the Public Sector workforce by over 20,000 jobs so that the State can start to balance their budget. [I personally support the idea of paying our bills and being in the black but think their method of doing so will prove to have a rebound effect in the long run with 20,000+ (not counting all the temp & contract staff that have lost their positions already) joining the unemployment rolls]

On the Lets-look-on-the-bright-side - I am very good at what I do (financial management/purchasing for Departmental needs) and have a good work ethic, so there is a high probability I can find another job at my level if any are offered. [or perhaps the Powers-that-be actually DO value knowledge and information and might leave some of the Library operating.... I can only hope]

In happier news - I have heard from one of my Adopted Soldiers.  He and his troops are coming home earlier than first expected and I am so very happy for them all.  If you feel inclined - please say a small prayer that they all make it home safely - only one more month to go until they are back on USA soil.

My other two adoptees remain "Silent Soldiers" for now - meaning I have heard nothing from them.  And that's okay - choice of reply/contact is *always* theirs to make.  My Newly adopted Marine is about to receive his very own Water Balloon Launcher so I hope it makes him smile and smile.

And now I am off to sleep - long days at work ahead of me. I am trying to get a project started and hopefully finished before they do any radical changes to my position - plus... can't hurt to look keen can it?

Potentially Paddling Pax

aka "Where did I leave my water wings?"

Long time readers may recall that about this time last year, parts of my home state (Queensland Australia) had some exciting floods (recap of it here)

Guess what's happening now?  - if you guessed 100's of Millimeters of Rain falling in my local area today - you get the (rather soggy) door prize!

No need for me to panic though - my apartment block is on higher ground and is well sealed from the weather.  Getting to work tomorrow may involve some splishing & splashing about, however with the new Bus transit overpass I'll avoid the one creek that could reach over flowing/ path impeding.

And with Thursday being Australia Day (a public holiday here) - with Friday my rostered day off - I really don't need to reach anywhere important until next Monday.  Plenty of time for the water to subside.

Hmmm... this living in the "Sub-Tropics" - not always as great as it's cracked up to be in the tourist brochures!

Pax Resurfaces....

Ugh... sorry, it's been a busy couple of weeks since I last posted.

I am still a little behind on my Milsupport to adoptee's but did manage to organise small packages to two of the guys (just a book for one, and a funny item for the other).  I'm waiting on my next payday to send off something fun to my newest chap (I still have no idea of his likes/dislikes so maybe a sweetie pack or OHHHH I KNOW *Vegemite!!! If it's in stock that is)

And I have a couple of people from the Cup of Joe program to write back to too (channeling fun goofy Pax is becoming easier... now if only I can work out "witty and charming" heh heh heh)
Ohh!  And I have it on the Best of Authorities that Green Bean Coffee shops downrange DO sell Muffins and also killer chocolate cake [thank you Dan & Hooby for the intel!]

Oh... and due to having to do a full reinstall of Windows 7 I have lost a few email addresses. So if you know that I owe you an email please drop me a note (along the lines of "*cough*  *cough* contact me *cough*" will do the trick :D)

Things here at home are sorting themselves out.  My Parents were over to visit yesterday - both for Mum's birthday Lunch that I was organising for her; but also to help me with steam cleaning the carpets (with the removal of some furniture and the rearranging of the remainder the carpets were looking pretty bleh). 
I Love my parents!  Dad even fixed the leaky tap for me (I *had* planned to get it done myself but he looked hurt at the thought I didn't need his expertise. Who am I to say no when it's Dad-Improved handiwork!)

Tomorrow - my BFF will be over to help me break a wardrobe (as in... pulling it apart into it's component pieces so it can either be recycled by friends or carted away to the Tip**. She's bringing "THE BIG HAMMER" so I'm sure the neighbours will freak out by the time we are done *giggles manically*)

And to leave you with something funny... here's some Top Gear Versus a British Army Tank

*Pax... broadening the horizons and taste buds of poor unsuspecting Americans for over two years now

**that's Rubbish Tip/Dump to the Aussie and Brits... and I have no idea what the USAian's call theirs

Catching up

Well I managed to trek my way into work last Friday - caught one of the few Public Transport buses running and hopped off as close as I could get to work (the Old Museum for those that are local). Walked up to Spring Hill from there (nice walk - have got to get in to the habit of that more often)

Arrived at the back entrance of the building to find a "everyone must sign in at security desk" notice - so up I went 3 floors and surprised the Security guys.  They advised that they weren't happy to see me (*pouts* but they usually loooove me and my goofy t-shirt slogans and perky, happy attitude *more pouts*) and said I shouldn't have come in.  I mentioned that I'd received an email from my Union that advised me of all the lovely penalties that could apply if I didn't make the effort to appear; and said I'd check things out in the library and then head on home early.

So Ironic that the first email I opened when I got the computer booted up was a directive from the Departmental Head, advising all staff not to come in until Monday the 17th [so utterly useful that he'd sent it only on the work network that so very few of us can access at home].  So I hung around for an hour or so - faxed off some urgent payments that were due; checked in with a few workmates; and then began the exciting trek home.  It took me almost an hour and a half to get home (walked from the Hill down to the city and then waited for a bus to arrive).  The Underground bus station was, of course, still closed due to the tunnels flooding and all buses were picking up passengers from the main street.

The CBD streets were eerily quiet on the lower Adelaide side - with neat piles of un-needed sandbags already lining the streets for pick up.   I walked through the Queen Street Mall - lots more people around & about there, with some of the stores open for business and others still without restored power.  A quick walk down to the next block brought me to Mr B's work building - the streets had already been cleaned off from the flood muck but the stench remained (mmm... river water + rotting vegetation + evil mud - always an olfactory delight!).  Not much lingering damage to be seen on the surrounding upper streets other than high tide marks on the postboxes and street lamps.  I decided not to be more of a lookie-loo and headed back to the bus stop.

Once home I collected Mr B and dragged him (kicking and screaming... well okay... merrily almost-skipping with the lure of Guinness) off to the local Pub for lunch.  Great lunch consumed but sadly the Guinness was flat so B had to make do with normal beer.

Home again where I made an effort to catch up with all the correspondence I have neglected in the last week.  Facebook messages sent off to J and C and K - advising that real mail from Downunder will take a few weeks to start up again (since the post office have asked for restraint until they get their local facilities back up & running); emails off to some new Green Beans Cup-of-Joe people asking for pen pals (I've sent off about 8 replies - anticipate only 2 or 3 will feel confident in engaging in correspondence exchange. I do try to be myself in those emails so I guess (maybe) I come across as a little bit too goofy for some). Oh... and I seem to have acquired a new Soldiers' Angel adoptee too.  All a bit odd in the way it occurred - more odd that the person asking via email was a friend of the intended adoptee and using a third persons email address (I think it's all above board and just a situation caused by communication issues downrange however I will let my SA mentor know about it so they can add new person on to my adoptees list). I've sent off the initial contact "I come in peace!" email so we'll see what happens from there).  Perhaps the lure of weird Aussie munchies will tip the balance of reply (bwhahahaa.... I'll begin with timtams and move on to musk sticks and Vegemite)

RAK (random act of kindness) that I organised pre-Christmas has also reached it's intended victim online friend. I actually got the message earlier in the week that it had arrived. So Big Goofy Pax smile that it made him happy.

I'm back off to work tomorrow (Monday) - leaving home earlier than normal in case the regular bus I catch isn't running. I can do the walk up the hill again if need be.

Oh... and for those that heard about my "oppsie" yesterday - my noggin is fine and the bump has gone down leaving just a bruise.  No lasting effects other than a tendency to be vague and goofy (ooh.. right.. that's normal... okay - NO LASTING EFFECTS :D)

Updates on the Brisbane Floods

I'm still safe - still at home.  Got up early this morning and checked online - work's official decree was that only essential travel should be undertaken and since Library's don't fall into the category I didn't try to get into the CBD to work.

Good thing too... since the public transport system is going to be shutting down from 1pm AND much of the power in the CBD has been shut off.  B's workplace have predicted that their building lobby will be about 1.8metres under water when the peak flow hits this afternoon.

It's a frustrating feeling - watching a force of nature head your way and knowing that there is nothing you can do to avert it.   I just hope that my friends who are in the flood path are now safe.

Pax may learn to paddle...

You might have heard on the news that Queensland Australia is going through some fairly intense floods.

This was yesterday (10th January 2011) up in Toowoomba - which is 127kms (79miles) from my home in Brisbane



The whole Brisbane valley region area is on flood alert here - with continuing rain, run off from upstate (including the water from the ranges),  overspill from the nearest dam and even high tides, it's going to get worse before it gets better!

Mr B & I are quite safe as we live on a bit of a hill away from the river and creeks.  No idea if the roads will be passable for me to reach work tomorrow.
Mr B works in the CBD which is *right* next to the river - so we suspect he won't be there tomorrow either.

My Dad has been in touch via mobile phone so I know my parents and eldest brother are okay (their home is on a ridge so they should be fine).  Other friends are either safely at home or preparing to pack up and move to higher ground.

More news here

Edited to add this handy dandy comparison map

Pax does the 12th century...

.... and the12th Century does Pax in.

Spent today working the kitchen for a Medieval feast for Mr B's re-enactment group.  B was the cook and I, his trusty sidekick and bottle-washer.

The Menu....

Fruit & nuts (almonds - both shelled & unshelled.  The unshelled ones being attractive to the male of the species intent on showing their prowess with nutcrackers)

Oysters on the shell (served with sea salt and lemon wedges)

Pea soup

Pullum Frontoniarium (an amazingly tasty chicken pieces [pullum] dish from Roman times. Chicken with leeks, coriander and thyme, baked in a tasty tasty sauce and served piping hot)

Pullus Fuscilis (another Roman era recipe - baked whole chickens [pullus] with a pork/veal and oats stuffing)

Fried carrots (julienned carrot slices cooked in butter with caraway seeds)

Rump roast (Cooked in a Weber BBQ for about 4 hours - absolutely amazing and so tender) served with white garlic sauce

Rabbit and Venison pie (aka Bambi & Thumper pie)

Summer pudding and cream (3 different sorts of berries - strawberries, raspberries and blackberries baked in a bread & butter style pudding)

The food was rich and plentiful, the company - for the most part* - was pleasant, and a good time was had.

I am now however stiff and sore from a day spent on my feet in the kitchen; and forswearing any future similar events unless a day-at-the-spa voucher is proffered first as a bribe.

*what IS it about flame/candles that brings out the idiots in some?
For lighting we were using tea-light candles with some of my smaller wooden platters underneath them to protect the tablecloths from wax.  After a spectacular demonstration of group Idiot "Ohh... look! Fire Burns" (after which the matches were confiscated and hidden) I now have two wooden platters with candle-shaped singe marks that are burnt through to the underside.  I've yet to check the tablecloths but won't be surprised if they are damaged too...  (mutter... grumble... this is a prime example of why Pax can never have nice things - for long!)

Spring has Sprung!

Welcome to the Southern Hemisphere - where Spring begins on the 1st of September and we go from wearing an extra jacket to ward of the cold (no seriously.. anything under 15 degrees here and we think we're freezing!) to breaking out the flower allergy meds and summer clothes.

I love Spring - despite the occasional snuffly nose & swollen eyes from the flying pollen - Brisbane is semi-tropics so Spring & Autumn are the best seasons here. (winter as I have said is chilly & windy for we poor frail bunnies and summer is heat and humidity). October / November will see the Jacaranda trees bloom too.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jacarandatree.jpg

 I'd love to send my adoptees some blooms but can you imagine the dramas the Customs people would have over it? [Bwahaha.... "parcel marked as floral delights" - probably wouldn't make it through]

In "My Guys" news - C & K look to be going okay.  C has a birthday later this month so some Aussie Yums have been ordered and will hopefully be dispatched to him shortly. There's a fruit cake in the parcel but no candles unfortunately... oh and some Musk sticks which another adoptee has described as

"I finally know what the colour pink would taste like - let's never do THAT again!"

Newest Adoptee J2 is a sci-fi lover too so I'm going to be happily sending weird stuff (tm) to my hearts content. Oh and possibly some useful stuff too since that always seem to be appreciated.

I've still had no word on Justin but I have a cunning plan - actually it's more that I've realised just how efficient the mail services are in returning things to Amazon.Com.  So there's a book been sent off to J at the last known address and I will wait for 3 or so weeks to see if Amazon contact me to say it's returned (I'm being hopelessly optimistic that the mail-return snafu was simply from him being home on leave or something. Best leave me to my delusions of his safety - I get less teary-eyed that way).  I also found someone on Myspace that may or may not be in his unit and have left a message that hopefully does NOT come across as weird fangirl stalker.  Just a message asking if he does know Justin to pass on that mail has been returned and I'm worried about him.  Probability of that reaching a) the right person & b) eliciting a reply is very low but any chance at knowing that he is okay (alive, well, happy, finds-me-too-weird-and-could-I-go-away-please) is one that I'd like to take. The Not knowing is the hardest part.

And in the Random Friends met recently - I have a new penfriend courtesy of Green Bean's Cup of Joe program.  W is funny, articulate and amusing and I'm really enjoying chatting back & forth with him via emails.   If you think you'd like to do a spot of troop support but can't afford the time or funds for Soldiers Angels then maybe give Green Beans a go and help support the caffeine addiction of your troops at the front (go oooon.. you know you want the warm fuzzy feeling of knowing you've helped a fellow coffee lover to attain their daily "fix" :D)**

Oh! and Kyle who I mentioned in my last post (also found via Green Beans) should be home to the States this week.  Very happy to know that he'll be home & safe and within walking/driving distance of a Caffeine source that doesn't require him to keep his weapons with him at all times.

**legal disclaimer - I don't get any benefits from either of these groups and am quite sure they'd both be going "umm.. how the heck does an Aussie know about us?"  and hopefully not plotting how to get me to go away :D

More spring blooms!