It has been a smooth entry into the new year. Apart from the controlled panic that is my editorial workload, I've enjoyed catching up with friends and generally making a nuisance of myself, according to my editor, ie me. (Remember how, way back when I was a freelancer, I made jokes about how I was my own boss? Coincidentally enough, I am both editor and staff writer on The Project Manager magazine, making me my own boss again. Unfortunately, my editor self and my writer self are irreconcilable on some things - it's very difficult for me).
Had a great Sunday lounging in the shallow waters of Fairlight Beach with Ass, Sir and Beq (the four of us, just like old times) and then chomping down on fish and chips, then ice cream at Manly. Summer days are made of these memories.
Today I'm off the Brisbane to catch up with some more friends, Skippy and Jenni, in the hurricane-esque weather that has currently hit Queensland (I know this because the communications manager from AIPM emailed me yesterday and said he was coming back from visiting his mum in Queensland because the weather was so bad). I'm up for anything at the moment, I haven't had a holiday in such a long time! (It can't be worse than wringing out socks in a church having braved the Venetian rain, can it?)
I forgot to mention that I went to dinner with some old friends on Friday night. We went to Pancakes in Northmead because most of them still live in the northwest. I had to drive because there are no buses up there and there was trackwork (of course!) so it would have taken a couple of hours otherwise. But Alison needed a lift (she lives in Surry Hills) and I picked Assumpta up as well.
Much to my surprise, Erin showed up. Gloria said she was coming but I wasn't going to believe it until she actually showed. Fortunately (for me or her? - I can't say) we arrived first and she came last so we were at opposite ends of the table - and what a long table it was. I framed it as her 'deigning' to dine with us, which of course she could do freely in the absence of anyone 'cool' to see her associate with us nerds.
I know I'm exaggerating, by the way, but it's the only way I'll ever work through the problem I have with her. Either that or there'll be some kind of Poison Tree*. I've distilled the situation into one question I'd want answered (if I could decide whether she's worth bothering about and likely to give me a straight answer); "Why, in 2004, when I went to your engagement party instead of the National Young Writers' Festival, did you tell me to keep September 2006 free for your wedding if you didn't want to invite me?"
I think that question accurately takes the focus away from the 'me not invited/going to the wedding' and puts it on the fact that she did not follow through with what she implied. Besides which, it also clearly shows that I made a sacrifice in not attending the NYWF but she was inconsiderate in not even telling me that I wasn't invited any more. I kept my September open for nothing! I feel seriously gypped of a month of my life!
Do you think it would be better for me to ask her the question or should I try and let go of the issue some other way?
New Year was great. Ass and I went down to Waverton Park for a picnic. You can see two sets of fireworks and the bridge from there. There were a lot of little kids around, which Ass found adorable - I think she's getting clucky. I'm certainly not.
Anyway, I'm writing this on my dad's laptop (my bro's old one) at my parents' place cos I had to return the car I borrowed and he is taking me to the airport (after he finishes a round of golf). I'm going to play ten pin on their Wii. (Yes, my parents have a Wii - my brother bought it for them).
* Poison Tree by William Blake
I was angry with my friend:
I told my wrath, my wrath did end.
I was angry with my foe;
I told it not, my wrath did grow.
And I water'd it in fears,
Night & morning with my tears;
And I sunned it with my smiles
And with soft deceitful wiles.
And it grew both day and night,
Till it bore an apple bright;
And my foe beheld it shine,
And he knew that it was mine,
And into my garden stole
When the night had veil'd the pole:
In the morning glad I see
My foe outstretch'd beneath the tree
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