A big week ...

Thanks Pat, for responding to my call! At least there is one person reading my blog other than me!!


The last week have been nothing less than tumultuous. So intense with ups and downs that it actually gave mum a migraine. Sorry mum ... we aren’t letting you off that easy! Xxooo.
Since my marriage proposal in Katherine, things have been looking up for me! My drive back to Darwin was uneventful though I did see 2 goannas on the road and managed to avoid both of them!! The bird that the car in front of me hit wasn’t so fortunate, scaring the crap out of me as it hurtled past after being hit by the other car, and my windscreen being rained on with feathers.
The big news in Darwin last week was the poor little Maltese Terrier that got swallowed by an olive python (link here) ... poor little pup. :=(


I headed back to Sydney on Friday after a few (blonde) false starts at the airport including:
1. Getting called back to security after leaving my USB behind in the tray that goes through the XRay
2. Panicking as they announced that they flight was closed, half an hour before departure
3. Panicking (again) after coming back from security to see the last person walk through the gate and the gate slamming shut with no other Airport staff in sight. Only to then sprint over to another gate and find they had decided to move the departure gate!


We sat on the tarmac for an hour and in Sydney the traffic was horrendous. So instead of getting in to Sydney nice and early, the trek to Blacktown seemed ominous. The Universe may have been providing for me (even on Friday the 13th) and the traffic (magically??) parted as I drove through to Baulkham Hills to get changed for THE BIG GAME!


The good (and bad) news is that we won the semi-final and are headed to the Grand Final. The good? Thats obvious! The bad? Another $500 out of pocket ... man the things I do for baseball (and my team!)


After the high of winning the semi, I got smacked in the face with the news that my awesome new flat was no longer available ... some mix up between the tenant and the landlord. I then stayed up till 3 in the morning trying to find something else. And all I came up with was stress and worry. Then I got up at 8am to start packing again without knowing where I was even going to live.


Was feeling pretty dispirited, but a phone call to mum and a conversation with Jenn got me on the right track. I decided not to move everything that afternoon because I was now coming back the next weekend and it would be better to do it after I knew what I was doing.
My flight back to Darwin was pretty cool. Jenn dropped me off at the airport after telling me about her great week in New Zealand, meeting some really cool people, and I put it out to the Universe that I was going to meet someone really interesting on the plane.


I was on early, up the front and on the aisle, watching people file past going “i hope its not her, please don’t be him” ... then this 6”4 guy walked up. I felt awful for him because there was NO leg room on this plane ... even for me. I offered to swap seats but he just said that it was as bad in one as the other because he couldn’t stretch his legs out in the aisle anyway. So he squeezed in, and I mean “squeezed” and we settled in the flight. We both looked like complete tossers pulling out our 2 x mobile phones to turn them off, both of us have the work and private phone, so it started a conversation about work. Basically we talked for the next 4 ½ hours without a break. (If you ask Gary he will tell you he couldn’t get an word in because I was reciting my entire resume ... kind of long and varied .... yes ) but the reality is that he talked to me about a project he has dreamed about for years about bringing a farm experience to the city. He was incredibly passionate about it, it sounds like a fantastic idea, a great concept and it seems like he has the networks and backing to make it happen. I will be following his progress on it for sure ... perhaps I might get the CEO job for his foundation!


The good news is that I got back on Sunday night and found 2 places straight out of the paper that were great and by Monday lunchtime I had secured a room with a Suntori (Midori, Jaeger etc) rep in Nightcliff with a pool. Dion loves cats and seems like a good guy. Oscar is travelling back with me this Sunday after spending the last few weeks with Ellen. Unfortunately for him she hasn’t been around a lot so it sounds like he has been a little lonely, and caused some mischief around the house. I have been really missing him and can’t wait to get him to Darwin. I think he will love the heat ... but he hates thunderstorms so lucky we are going into the dry season. He goes completely rigid as the storms develop and squeezes into strange holes and alcoves that he really shouldn’t be able to fit into.


The ups and downs continued during the week with a communication mix up meaning that I couldn’t leave my bedroom furniture at James’, and I now had to organise a “proper” removalist to move everything. Although it pretty much stressed me out at the time, it’s all going to work out in the end. The upside after that is Brad offered to sell me an almost brand new bed, saving me time and money trying to find one in Darwin.


Work wise I spent the week pulling together all the information from my previous weeks site visits, developing training plans (Individual Professional Development Plans for those such as Robert who like the Corp Speak!!) for the Money Business Workers and organising our new office in the very salubriously titled “Jape Homemaker Village.” We have secured a serviced office in the centre, and it had a gym downstairs and walking distance from my house. Awesome!
Yesterday I found out that we have a whole bunch of new clients, almost all of them are community based, which means more travel ... mostly through Arnhem land and surrounding Katherine. The community clients are far more interesting than the town based clients, and I am really looking forward to working with them. The “new guy”, Ian, started yesterday so I spent the day inducting him. Pretty sure I left his head spinning at the end of the day, but it was a good feeling to tell him about what we are doing, and I realised I am starting to understand exactly what it is we are doing here!


Not sure if I have mentioned before, Brendan has a friend up here who is starting out on his own fishing charter business. Brad has spent the last 12 months renovating and upgrading a 55 foot boat, and I got to see it the other night. Not that I know anything about boats, but it was gorgeous. Brad has put his heart and soul into the renovation and is rightfully proud of his handiwork. He takes his first clients out this weekend, so has been working around the clock to get things ready. He deserved a break and a bit of pampering so I took him a picnic dinner of antipasto and a fantastic Evans and Tate cab sav (he hasn’t bought the pots and pans for the kitchen yet!) We sat on the top deck at the marina, the temperature was perfect, calm and clear, no nasty bitey things, and the occasional smack of a fish jumping out of the water. Ahhhh .... this is the life!


So right now I am sitting on a plane, winging my way back to Sydney for the big GF tonight. North Shore are without doubt the favourites, but I have faith and trust in my girls to do their best, and at the end of the day we will add up all the runs and the team with the most runs will win. Whether it is us or North Shore, my girls have done themselves proud this year, the improvements throughout the season from every individual have been phenomenal, and to make the grand final after a tough season with a lot of draws, a few administrative and umpiring decisions going against us, and a near heartbreaking end to the season when our last game almost got washed out ... well ... all I can say is WELL DONE GIRLS!









Funny thing last night ... was coming back to my room (on the 2nd floor) and this gecko ran in front of me and straight over the edge of the walkway falling a full storey and landing with a huge splat on the ground. That doesn’t sound funny until 30 seconds later it took off as though nothing had even happened! I was appalled when it went over the edge, but it must have just dazed itself and not done any injury!

Is anybody out there?

Really I am writing this as a reminder to myself of what I am doing and feeling up here ... but it would be nice to know if anyone is actually reading this (apart from mum and dad!) ... can u post a note (even anonymously!!!) if you are reading???? pulleeeeze?

Gorgeous Galiwin_ku

What a fabulous day! With a 5.30am start, Kate and I jumped on a plane to Gove (Nhulunbuy) arriving there about 8.00am. We had a charter plane booked to Elkho Island but not until midday ... so what to do in Gove for 4 hours? We enquired at the rental car place but got told it would cost us a hundred dollars and not much to do except drive around some beaches.

I spotted an airport shuttle out the window and wondered where it was going. Kate ran out to ask and the driver said he could drop us in town ... there was a Woolies and a cafe! He gave us a little guided around the town and then dropped us off at the library. Bad News! The library didn't open till 10am!

But there was some people in there ... we snuck around the back and asked the librarian if we could come in. One librarian was very snooty and didn't want to let us in, but the other one said "well we are here so you may as well come in!"

So we sat in the library for a few hours, I did a phone interview with one of my clients, who was apparently celebrating "Be nice to donuts day". Apparently if you don't eat the donuts they get depressed and lose all their self-worth. I like it!!

Around midday we went back out the airport and drove into torrential rains. I will try to put the video up, but worst case there are photos. The pilots said that we couldn't fly until it stopped. Pretty happy about that as I didn't really want to fly if the pilots couldn't see!!

The rain cleared and we were off. A tiny six seater with seatbelts from the 60's ... and very funny pilot who accidently said "I hope its an eventful flight, um I mean UNeventful!"

The trip took about 45 minutes and the scenery was amazing. Words can't describe it, so here are the photos (courtesy of Kate).

Once we got to Elkho Island we met with the representative from East Arnhem Shire, and the Money business workers. It was absolutely fabulous, the were so switched on, loved their job and were really enthusiastic about us being there.

They told some lovely stories about community organisations, individuals and families, who after visiting with the MB staff started savings plans and achieved some great goals. A junior football team wanted to save money for jerseys so they discussed options around a bbq and agreed to deduct a small amount from each players savings account each week. Within a few months they had saved enough to buy the entire team's shirts. One family, who is now a role model and inspiration to the community, decided to save for a car. The ended up with a huge range rover, then decided to save for a boat. The bought a fishing boat, then decided to save to buy some land to plant a vege patch. They are now completely self-sustainable and are saving more and more money just because they can. They feel they have everything they need!

So it was a wonderful day, and we are now at the Nhulunbuy (Gove) Airport waiting for our flight. We are sitting outside, watching the sun set, and typing ferociously on our computers! Aaaah ... this is the life!!!

Becoming a local!

Arrived back in Darwin on Thursday night, and went out to meet Brendan's friend, Brad, for some drinks and dinner. We went down to Cullen Bay and ate at a delicious Greek restaurant, good food, good wine and good company, so I nice start to me living in Darwin proper. (I am not counting the days that I stayed at the Airport Motor Inn!)

After dinner we went and watched some fish feeding in the lights of the marina. I could have stood there for hours I think, four or five different species just circling around, sometimes eating, sometimes not. Really cool.

Friday night Brad took me out with some of his mates for a bit of a pub crawl. We had fun ... still the pub scene is not my thing ... bad music, expensive drinks, and let me warn you ... Bloombergs is the most disgusting ciderI have ever drunk! One sip was all it needed.

Today I met Cilla Boucher, daughter of m&d's friends, she is great chick, we hung out at the Parap markets and then back to her place for the arvo.

Quiet night planned for tonight, then off to more markets tomorrow and dinner (freshly caught Barra) at Brad's tomorrow night.

Monday is an "office hunt" day, then Tuesday off to Gove, Elko Island, Wednesday and Thursday to Katherine, and Friday back to Sydney for Semi Final! WOW!

Bathurst Island

I went to Bathurst Island on Wednesday and Thursday. Flew over in a 15 seater plane ... the flight took 15 minutes as well. Funny that the pilot says all the same things as on a big plane/longer trip ... welcome to Bathurst Island, the time is, the temperature is ...





I didn't get to take photos there, the lady I was travelling with doesn't like it when you are working ... a shame ...but I am going to google some pics that I think tell the story ...



Workwise it was challenging but positive, the most challenging part being the managers of the MoneyBusines service who are sceptical about our ability to help, and like to do things their own way. The Tiwi's were really friendly, love their jobs (there are four of them) and I really enjoyed meeting them. Can't wait to go back.

Not in such a hurry to stay again at the "donga." A donga is essentially a furnished shipping container. This one had bathroom facilities, but was very old, dusty and dirty. Not to be mistaken, as dad apparently did, for a condo. Note to all Donga (does not equal) Condo!!!

Sam, who I was working with, has done a lot of work on the island, particularly with Tiwi Design. She took me to visit the art centre, which was fantastic. There were a number of artists working there, and Sam knew most of them. One of the most famous Aboriginal artists in the country works out of Tiwi design, Jean Baptiste Apuatimi. Jean is 69, and incredibly funny and vibrant. She currently has a travelling show of her paintings, which is apparently going to London soon. She would love to go, and talks of drinking tea (or a beer!) with the Queen, but is probably unlikely to go due to her age/health.

There is lots of poverty on Tiwi Islands. A lot don't speak English. Most do not understand the concept of debt. It's hard to explain, and its not that they look for hand outs, they just don't understand having to pay for something that is given to them. So they will often sign up for humbug schemes, not realising what they have done for months or even years. A superannuation company came over a few years back and signed a group of Tiwi's up for Managed Super funds. They didn't know they had to do annual statements etc, and ended up getting fined by the government. Fortunately it got sorted out in the end, but the superfund made a "shitload" of money and ripped these people off completely.

Another women received a personally addressed letter from an African "minister" telling her that she was entitled to $75k in return for sending them her bank account details. She came back to the Money Business team 2 or 3 times hoping that they would be able to organise the money for her. So its not just us whitefellas that are robbing them blind.

Most of what the workers do is get their clients on to internet banking so that they can see their account balances. Because there are few atms and even fewer computers, the Tiwi's waiting for their centrelink payments will frequently check their bank balance at atm's that aren't from their own bank. They will sometimes check every hour for 2 or 3 days. And the atms charge for checking bank balances, so if they have no money in their accounts, they go into debit and then get overdrawn charges. The workers try to get them to understand the costs, but it is a battle.

Ok, so thats it for Bathurst Island for now ... will write another blog about Darwin proper for the last few days

Pics and thoughts

Thought 1: I think too much.

Thought 2: I don't know how not to think

Thought 3: Meditate more

I was incredibly conscious of my thought process today. I am sure I had millions of thoughts today and they were so completely random. Ranging from what am I doing with my life to what are we doing with this world?

One of the most bizarre things I saw today was a cemetary. My first impressions of Darwin are pretty obvious ... very tropical, still under construction, cheap accomodation, not designed for longevity, not incredibly wealthy. Having grown up and lived in middle class, white/european,temperate areas, the comparison to Darwin is interesting. In my mind gardens are neat, lawns are mowed, plants are sometimes native most often not. In Darwin ... gardens are natural, tropical and overrun ... an unruly garden is not a sign of neglect but of nature.

So to compare the surrounds to the cemetary was odd. It was perfect. Perfect lines for plots, perfectly mown. Manicured to "within an inch of it's life" ... Strangely comforting in a new frontier.

There was one huge similarity to where people live in Darwin to where they go once they have died. Fences. Nearly every house I have seen has high fences. I assume its a crime thing? And the cemetary also has a high fence and serious security. Interesting comparison to suburban USA where no-one has fences at all ... don't know why it's interesting ... it just is!

Off tomorrow for my first meeting. Hope I feel better! Slept all day today.

I went for a wander to the end of the Nightcliff Jetty, spoke to some people catching fish there and looking out at an expanse of water with nothing on it or in it. No swimmers, no boats. The signs said you could catch barramundi and mud crabs ... but apparently the most common is rock cod. The rocks had beautiful patterns in them.

Day 2 ... from the sick bed!

It doesn't cease to amaze. Let me rephrase that. I never cease to amaze me. I have been hit with a cold/flu at the exact same time of the year for the third year in a row.



Each year I have been in a (lets call it) stressful situation ... one that is fun and scary and lifechanging ... but all the same stressful. The reason I remember is that each time there have been really significant events surrounding my sickness.



The first year was my first "single" summer after breaking up with Andrew. Was living the good life, lots of going out, dating, playing baseball, swing dancing, the whole lot. Baulkham Hills had three teams that year and all were heading into the finals. Lesko was due to visit ... and we were going on a road trip to Canberra. I was living on V at the time ... something I would never do again .... basically Dave told me that I was living on adrenaline ... something you can't sustain without destroying yourself. I remember the night we won the grand final as the total underdogs. I was essentially on an adrenaline high so couldn't get any more excitement when we actually won. That night we didn't celebrate that hard, but I was so wired that when I went to bed I just stared at the roof wide awake until the sun came up!



Last year I came back from Hong Kong, and had the falling out with Kerry at Inspire. I was sick as a dog, and ended up with my second case of tonsilitis. I remember it clearly because it was about the same time I met Pravin, and I was so sick that I bailed on our first two dates. He always teased me that he never believed me and that if I had bailed on the third it would have been three strikes and I was out. Lucky for me I didn't, although it was a close call because Karen Witchell called about a potential last minute visit to Sydney, and I didn't want to have to say no to either of them! Fortunately the universe stepped in and Karen's visit didn't eventuate ... (not that I didn't want her to come, just meant I didn't have to make that decision!)



Anyway ... I ventured out this afternoon ... mainly in search of food... but also an office location. Check out the next blog for some pics.