I would really love to go to bed right now. I did just realise that the electric blanket hasn’t been on however and as Melbourne had thrown an exceptionally cold one into the wind, (of which there really is none just now), I might as well leave you – all those who are still awake, with something to read. I can tell you now it’s going to be a ‘what happened’ and not any real profound thoughts on anything.

I woke up awake and pretty happy at 6:30 this morning – which is an altogether a bizarre thing for me. Felt the need to pray for a couple of people (as you do *shrug*) so had a good hour or so doing that and just thinking. I must have slipped back into no-conciousness land because the next thing I knew the clock was saying it was almost 11pm. To which I fractionally panicked as I was meant to be in the city by 12ish – Takes a good hour by train.

Got my act together eventually after aiming to get the train at 12:30 latest. Which worked quite well – because I couldn’t as easily leave my car at the station tonight and so waited until Mum was heading out again.

I found Katie and Jo waiting for me under the clock. We wandered up to Max Brenners (CHOCOLATE) in Melbourne Central. Jo opted out of the festivities. Katie and I got something different. Mine was extremely good – far too rich. Did taste a bit just like an extra good hot-chocolate (which is good because I’ve never been that huge of a fan). I couldn’t drink it all, but it was well worth what I paid for it. Great atmosphere! Interesting shop/cafe really.

An hour or so there and on to Top Arts at Fed Square. My suggestion. Basically because I keep going into the city on Mondays when it is conveniently closed. Got to see Julia’s portraits (one of my lovely cousin Jaclyn) on show finally. I really like the diversity you get through the VCE art. We stood for 20 minutes watching a dvd a guy had made on the city and on status differences – like homelessness. It was funny, but at the same time quite powerful. Wow some people are talented!

It was great to run in to those two again. Nothing like the last ‘city’ visit, which began so awkwardly. Do you still read this Katie/Jo?

Sat in McDonalds to escape the cold and to act like a loner (after they left) and a non paying patron but not for long.

Geoff got there and we walked the long way round to Southbank. Had some dinner. Then the curious treck to Brunswick St – or along Brunswick 😛 Ran into… what’s his name Nethercote and co. and then up to the Retro Cafe.

Mum invited me a few days back to something their homegroup was going to – A Forge night with a guest theologian: Baxter Kruger. Spare tickets and as I’d heard his name mentioned somewhere before and at that stage had nothing else to do and with no idea of who was going to be there – agreed.

I was definitely the youngest person there. Many familar Tabor faces though. Was great to see Warwick again, and sat on a table with Troy. (past YITS lecturers) also, Deb and Allan Hirsch (old family friends), Tolly and Lyndal.

Wow how to fill my mind so fast. Actually that’s a little of an exaggeration. I wasn’t totally unfamiliar with the concepts presented. Go read about it here, I can’t be bothered. Warwick has well and truly mentioned the whole idea of ‘the dance’ and I liked a lot of what was said. Not everything no. And I agree with Anne that I would’ve liked to see more actual direct Biblical references.

I personally didn’t find him very funny but that’s alright, he was still engaging and easy to listen to. Being the ‘youngun’ in a room full of brilliant minds was fractionally daunting but extremely enjoyable. I for once revelled in the slight feeling of powerlessness. I did a little bit enjoy hearing a real non-movies American accent again 😛 I did take some notes, so more thoughts on some of that later.

Car trip back with, my parents, Geoff’s parents, Geoff and Trudy was very amusing, despite being quite asleep. I like hearing Dad throw around theological ideas, reminds me how wise he is 😉 There was also a very strange point during the trip- where it was like I’d definitely dreampt some of it before. A ‘dejavu’ moment – except not.

Okay, that bed had better be warm now…

It’s always a risky thing going along to a music recital where the vocalists tend to vary quite drastically in talent and scope. Tonight’s experience was actually quite a good one.

In my own humble opinion my beautiful little sister, Hannah’s second song, “Stuff and Nonsense” (Neil Finn) was the absolute highlight of the night – and I’m not just saying that because she’s my sister. I don’t do things like that. I’m far too honest (usually for my own good). Her first was in Italian and as she described it, “Went slightly pear shaped” due to having never sung with a flute playing as well as the piano, I could only tell a little bit – but then, I’m thoroughly unmusical and I can’t speak Italian (Although might be able to count to ten in it, I still get mixed up with French).

There were some other highly commendables. Gabby did a good job, as did Tiffany (Can’t believe she’s only 12!) and a girl who sung two songs from a musical. Blair and Marita I should also mention (seeing as they’re Em’s friends, they were good, and she reads this).

I dragged Sam along to spend the night with me. Correction: she needed to chat and that was the only time we could manage. The whole concert was a fund raiser for The Oak Tree Foundation and a chance for my sister’s singing teacher to show off her student’s talent.

Clacy was there as he’s a good friend of Gabby’s. He did the typical Michael thing gave me a massive hug, called me beautiful within about the first three minutes and asked if I was dating anyone. I think I just laughed.

We had him quite literally on the floor in shock/delight later as Sam can testify (if you bother asking her). Hilarious!

Grandparents were there – of course. Came for dinner too. Can’t believe my luck: Chicken and Broccoli two times recently!!! AND Sticky-date pudding. I ate far far too much.

Decided I should probably start making my own graphic thingos – at least occasionally. Here’s one. The result of boredom + camera + photoshop.

Inspired slightly by a thread I came across in gush and the current blogging trend of lists and more lists…

so… “These are a few (*coughlot) of my favourite things” in no particular order:

• Rain on the tin roof (when you’re in bed)
• Having my own car
• Good conversations with good friends
• Community when it’s working and you’re at the point where you are thoroughly comfortable just being yourself (and so is everyone else)
• Finding the ‘witty comeback’ at precisely the right moment – or getting on a roll where they just keep on coming 😀
• Laughing til it hurts
• Good books
• Thinking and interesting theories
• When God makes things superbly relevant ie: verse jumps off the page (that saying I like my Bible quite a bit)
• Friends knowing your quirks and knowing how to respond to xyz or knowing exactly how you’ll respond before you even do. Having enough of a history with your friends that there is plenty to laugh about/remember together.
• People who challenge me and pull me up when I could be doing better, the best people in the world are those who can tell you the truth about something not so pretty in your life and still manage to not make you feel worthless and crap
• Waking up feeling awake (anyone know what I’m talking about?) and because the sun came in the window and not because someone yelled at your or the alarm went off
• Coffee/Cafes/decent Chai Tea
• Chocolate Self-saucing pudding and Stickdate pudding
• Spending time with friends
• Word Games (especially when I’m winning) – I like winning too!
• Having a choice made/a descision finalised/completing something well
• Christmas Eve and reading the Hobbit and listening to Handel’s Messiah
• Photography
• Art House movies and movies that have a bit of depth to them alt. comfortable favourites like Little Women
• Good music (btw. check out Kings of Convenience. Thanks Tom!!!)
• Interesting blogs
• That feeling you get when you find exactly the right words when you are writing or that funny euphoria when the words just keep on coming.
• Long (or short and good), not-to-everyone on the contact list emails
• Views where all you want to do is look and look
• Perfectly clear sky and when it’s dark enough to see hundreds of stars
• My ugg boots
• Being warm
• The smell of wet ground and freshly mown grass…
• Green grass, blue sky, sun and a bit of a breeze and no pressure to do anything
• The smell of my Grandpa
• Respect
• Open fires/watching fire
• The shape of trees
• Being right/getting things right
• Beautiful art/photographs
• Things that are aesthetically pleasing
• Red walls (Kat’s house is a good example) err, I just like them.
• Having something to look forward to
• Having the courage to set something right or the feeling of having done something you were afraid to do
• Being able to offer advice and be a genuine help to the person you’re talking to
• People taking me into their confidence

wow… I could go on and on. I think that’ll do for the moment. Might do the inverse to this list some day – now that would be interesting.

Commenting is a no-brainer on this one! (hint)

• I like getting comments on my blog