So, so stupid

Stu has a semi-new car, and it's still on the dealer warranty. As such, he has his car serviced at the main service centre five minutes from home.

So that he could have his service last week, I offered to drive him to work. He works in Mulgrave, and I'm in Brighton, so it's out of the way, but with an early start, we could easily get it all done.

So why, oh why, did I not confirm the destination?

Stu left a little earlier, to book the car in. I took off about ten minutes later, and drove all the way to our mechanic in Somerville (in the wrong direction, of course). Only when I arrived, and saw that his car was not amongst the mechanic's collection, did my brain finally wake up.
Sheepishly, I drove all the way to the service centre in Frankston, and we proceeded to be twenty minutes late. We could have been on time!

The lesson learnt from this experience? Charge your mobile phone! Stu tried to call while I was on my magical mystery tour, and we would have averted the whole disaster.
Oh, the lamentations!

Meeeeeeemeeeeeee! Stolen from Ren and K

1) What side of the heart do you draw first?
- Left.

2) Can you dive without plugging your nose?
- Yes, but I'm scared of hitting the bottom, with my nose.

3) What color is your razor?
- Blue, but I'm thinking of getting one of those ones with the moisturising block attached.

4) What is your blood-type?
- Dunno.

5) Who would you want to be tied to for 24 hours?
- A Boost Juice employee.

6) What does the underwear you’re wearing right now look like?
- Me neither, Rennikins! Don't know what I'm going to do about that at the wedding...

7) How do you feel about carrots?
- I have to like them, I eat them at lunch daily.

8) How many chairs at the dining room table?
- Six.

9) Which is the best Spice girl?
- Ummmm, Ginger, 'cause she got her norgs out.

10) Do you know what time it is?
- Is this question telling me off for being home late?

11) Do you know all the words to the Fresh Prince Theme Song?
- Yeah, up until the bit where he arrives at the mansion, and does that weird swivelly thing with his head.

12) What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator?
- Cry, because knowing my luck, it'd be my wedding day.

13) What’s your favorite kind of gum?
- Nothing beats Hubba Bubba, definitely grape. I love purple foods.

16) Do you know how to use some words correctly, but not know the meaning?
- Well, if I know how to use them correctly, there's no problem, is there? Do you, Mr. Question Writer, know how to write questions correctly?

17) Do you like to sleep?
- Spleep? He he.

18) Who are two people that know EVERTHING about you?
- Everything? No-one. But Stu and Ren know the most.

19) Do you know the song When it was Me?
- Nup.

20) Do you want a bright yellow ‘06 Mustang?
- Yuck.

21) What’s something you’ve always wanted?
- Effortless thinness.

22) What’s your favorite color Pixi Stick?
- This is so American.

23) Ever done something scandalous with whipped cream?
- I think so, ages ago. Can't remember. Whipped cream sex is hardly scandalous.

24) Would you rather swim in the ocean or a lake?
- Well, our local newspaper tells me that there's Blue Ringed Octopy floating about at the beach only 200 metres away - that's my favourite bit! Waaahhh! So, Lake McKenzie, on Fraser Island.

25) Do you wear a lot of black?
- Ooooohhh yeah. People prolly think I'm emo (as opposed to Elmo).

26) Describe your hair?
- Medium brown with an auburn sheen, and very subtle highlights. Mid length, layered, with a side part, and a fringe that tapers off to the side.

27) Do you have Entomophobia?
-Not enough to diagnose it like that!

28) Are you an adult?
- I guess I do all the things grown ups do, with a dash of tanty thrown in. Stu and I are like old people, content with each other's company.

29) Where is/are your best friend(s)? Stu's playing PlayStation, Val's probably tucked the girls into bed and enjoying some time with her hubby, Vicki's hopefully snug at home by now, Ren's just being generally sexeh.

30) Do you have a tan?
- Just on my right forearm - my car has no tinting.

31) Are you an internet addict?
-Neh, I can live without it, I spose. But then I'd have missed meeting some great people.

32) Do you enjoy spending time with your mother?
- She's great. We've become good friends.

33.) Are you a sugar freak?
- I, alas, am a food freak.

34) Do you like orange juice?
- Juices are what make me tick. Boost should put me on a monthly direct debit.

35) What sign are you?
- Libra. Of course I get stuck with the embarassing sanitary products one.

36) Where do you wish you were right now?
- I'm happy, I'm at home.

Mmm... Dot points

• I've been on holidays from December 22nd, and won't return to work until the 8th of January. I've really faded into delightful obscurity during this time, but haven't wished anyone a merry Christmas, nor a happy New Year, though from the bottom of my heart I truly desire the best for each of my treasured friends, both those I know personally, and those who've warmed my heart through the magic of the internet. I think they know this, but are aware of my disappointing ability to become very introverted at the precise moment that I want to be social. Something to do with fear of rejection, I'm sure. I luff you all, really, truly.
  
• I've been promoted. I'm now a Senior Consultant. This means I am self-managed, so I don't report to a set manager, nor am I part of a 'team'. I'm really flattered by this, as I'm amongst the first few people to take these positions, and it's quite a vote of confidence, given the highly detailed nature of our work. I'm glad that they've put this rung on the ladder, as previously, the next step was straight into Team Leader. Whilst managers have been generous enough in saying that I could definitely aim for this, I feel I would want a bit more experience - so this is the perfect way for me to feel appreciated, without taking a whole team down with me in a ball of flames. They're talking about all kinds of incentives, ranging from extra dollars to company cars, but I won't get my hopes up until they are actually in my grasp. Remember what happened when my last employer started talking promotions? A tasty dollop of redundancy.
  
• For the first time, I went to a proper corporate function which was, of course, my work Christmas party (I've always avoided them in the past, but have been to a few of Stu's). It was a 'Gangsters and Glamours' ball, held at Red Scooter in St Kilda. It was about 36 degrees that day, so not an ideal evening for suits and feathers, however Stu looked great, all dressed up in suspenders (or braces if you want to call them that), fedora and pinstriped suit. I wore a black halterneck dress with a delicious teal fur stole, and to-die-for teal satin wedge-heeled peep-toes. Stu had on a teal coloured tie to match, which brought out the gorgeous blue/green shade of his eyes. I was given a nice bonus on the evening for being number one consultant at close of business that day, but really, some people had been on holidays, so I'm not running around blowing my trumpet!
  
• I made a special trip into the city (like a crazy person, on the Friday before Christmas), to buy a pair of Chanel sunglasses which I'd been coveting, only to find they'd just swapped over to the next range. Everything for the new season is so garish, dripping with bling, so it was quite a task to find anything to my tastes, but I'm quite liking my new Dior shades instead. They've released a range of the most popular classic designs from the beginning of the label, which are mostly inconspicuous, and very tasteful. Still a bit sad that I didn't get exactly what I went in for, so I cheered myself up with a new Tiffany charm. It's super cute!
  
• Christmas was busy but very enjoyable. I really enjoyed putting together all of the colour co-ordinated gifts, in shades of silver, with metallic sky and cobalt blue accents. We saw Stu's family (about 12 people) for lunch, and had a lovely 3 course meal. We then went to my parent's house for dinner with a total of seven people, for a veritable smorgasboard.
  
  I really liked this schedule, because I feel like I have to be on best behaviour around my future in-laws, and need to exert a lot of stamina to dodge some little barbed comments (about which I'm far too sensitive), and exude an aura of tolerance towards those I'd rather never have met. Really, 99% of the time they're a joy, and it's been a delight to get to know them and to become an adult in their midst, but I am engaged to their golden boy, so I want to represent him nicely. To go to my family's gathering second is great, because then I can let my hair down, eat and drink as much as I like, amongst those I am most familiar with. To arrive at the future in-laws drunk, and too full to appreciate the meal which had been slavishly prepared would be blasphemy. However, most years the order is my family first, and Stu's second, as some members on Stu's side prefer to gather later in the day, as they are unwell. I understand this, but it means that I probably don't enjoy the day to its fullest potential.
  
  I received gifts too numerous to detail, but standouts were jet black blown glass candlesticks from my brother, a tote bag handmade by my mum in Japanese fabrics, a Morroccan lantern from my sister (If you were to take Norway, and stand it up on its Southernmost point, and allowed it to fall forward in a southerly direction, where would it's Northernmost point land?), the rest of the Otori novels, plus a book on famous 'family trees' from Stu. Everyone was so generous and thoughtful, but most of all, they were in good spirits, and optimistic for a good year ahead, which is priceless.
  
• I have toothache, in both sides of my mouth. Just minor, but I always worry about my teeth, and am guilty of not flossing enough. I'm thinking of having some tooth whitening done, and am dreading having my wisdom teeth out this year. How interesting for you all to read my tooth blogging.
  
• We're going in on Thursday to Jalpak to discuss our honeymoon arrangements, as my insiders tell me that air fares to Japan are likely to be increasing significantly in the near future. We probably needed this to happen anyways, to encourage us to set some plans in stone. We're getting married this year!