blamebrampton

Home again, home again, jiggety jig.

Except slightly deaf. I slept like a baby on the plane, and did not wake up until the pressure in my ears alerted me to the fact we were coming in for landing (the announcement was even after that), so I did not do my standard am snot-filled, will be cautious routine. I can hear things, but all the sharp clarity of my usual hearing is gone. J tells me that this is what it is like to be the standard Gen X-er who stood in front of, not climbed on top of, all those speaker stacks in the 80s.

I hope it will have cleared up in the morning, but will be visiting the doctor if not.

In cheerier news, I caught up with my wonderful friend and her short person, who was hilarious. "You can see my toys!" he declared, and later, after tickling me, attempted to lick my shoe. Ah children, you  surreal young things! And yummy homemade scones. Mmmmmmm ... I left her with a packet of Jaffa Cakes, not the fairest exchange.

The very effective tram system brought me back to the hotel where my bag was still being stored (The Pensione on Spencer St, decent prices, decent rooms, great service), and then I decided to walk up the hill for my bus to the airport. Melbourne does not think that people who do not know where the bus interchange is need to know where the bus interchange is, so I then walked back down the hill and made the bus with at least 75 seconds to spare. And then waited at the airport for a long time ...

... and the car had a flat battery when I came home (because we always forget to drive anywhere). Nice try, Melbourne, but you have neither J nor the kitties, so I will do whatever it takes to get home. (With my new books and clothes and happy trip memories!)

Memo to self: Remember all those fantastic relationships you had with wildly exciting and beautiful people back when you were young and how you would fall deeply for about five minutes, but assure yourself that it was fine because you could both walk away at any time, but then they would have an episode when you did because they suddenly thought you shouldn't go?

Don't mention to cities that you are enjoying your fling with their organised public transport, broad boulevards and delicious food, or they will hold you hostage in their airports. And they don't let you bring your cricket bat through security ...

Ah salmon and leek roesti, you are a breakfast of champions, particularly when one adds a poached egg!

After a startlingly late night for such well behaved girls on a schoolnight, I strolled back to the hotel last night, having caught the right tram and *very nearly* disembarked at the right stop, thinking that it may not be possible there is a more attractive and witty person than
pushdragon in Australian fandom, but since I hope to meet 
meredyth_13 through the course of the day, I may have to declare a tie.

I am reminded again of what an immensely liveable city Melbourne is, and how people have Standards. I was hoping to buy a new skirt, but am quite short, and the shop I went to originally had nothing to suit, despite a very helpful shopgirl. She patted my arm and said "Not to worry, the other girl will know where to go", and asked her friend, also a shopgirl, where the stumpy might be clad.

Shopgirl two not only wrote me out a list of shops, complete with tram stops, but DREW ME MAPS. NB, none of these were related to her chain, just good places to shop that had clothes for the vertically challenged.

Ah Melbourne, you're like that ...

I have a new skirt, a black woolly cap and a red scarf. Very happy indeed! Now off to an exhibition and to see if any of my friends are available for lunch. At home, J and the cats survived the night, but Monster apparently spent the evening pining. When I asked how this was expressed, I was told that she only wanted tummy rubs and shoulder cuddles, or food, all night. I suggested this may be less pining and more taking shameful advantage. He replied that my cynicism had no place in the the world of kitties.


ETA Lost  connection at breakfast, am now at lunch with an EXCELLENT toasted beef sandwich, having spent a long wait to get into the manuscript exhibition and finding it worth every second. THEY HAD MEDIEVAL SELLOTAPE!!!!!

No word from Meredyth, off to meet up with dearest RL friend and her midget. On a tram. Well, they're at the other end of the tram ride, but, you know .

Should you, as I am wont to do, misplace your Swiss Army knife, do not spend half an hour cleaning out your large handbag at 2 in the morning. You won't find it.

Instead, run said handbag through an airport security screening and rely on your natural charm and perpetual air of mad scientist to have the staff gently inform you of the knife's presence, while suggesting you could go back out and check your laptop bag, even pointing the way towards the express check-in lane where they can help you immediately.

If I actually was half the mad scientist I often look, I would have invented cold fusion by now, dammit!

Still, surprise jaunt underway, plane scheduled to leave on time, two lunches and a drinks sorted, looking forward to seeing dear RL friend, meredyth and pushdragon. Cats left in possession of food and water enough to last 36 hours, J same.  And I sent my much-delayed AS/S fest story off for final editing last night. Now all that remains is to meet up with right people at right times, find new coat and see exhibition!