Capital Country #2

Drank too much and ate out too much this week, but that really means I had a good one, eh?

Tuesday was horribly fragemented. Had a phone interview in the morning, then made some work calls before heading to the city to do a face interview with a trade commissioner, something my editor cooked up for me at the last minute.

Went to Newtown to get my posters laminated and met Boff at noon. We had gelato and hung out in a park for a couple of hours. His book has been accepted for publishing at a niche press in the USA but he's cautious about celebrating because he wants to see the contract first, then talk to some people in the industry and perhaps get an agent. I was still so happy for him.

We had a late lunch at the African eatery, Kilimanjaro, and then walked to Central, where I persuaded him to try his first EasyWay. It was such a beautiful day to spend outside. It's spring already, I think.

Anyway, I had to do another interview with another trade commissioner but after that I headed back to Newtown to go to the Sydney Underground Film Festival (SUFF) volunteer briefing (where we had pizza for dinner). I volunteered because Steph, a SWF vollie, is coordinating the event and suggested I come along but a lot of the people seemed a bit dull or unapproachable when I introduced myself.

Wednesday night I spent wth Skippy, who had come down from Brisbane for work. Finally got to take her to Azuma's (it was for her birthday in January). She says Boff will be good for me, make me calm down and remember not to work so hard, and he'll also be good for my self-confidence, which is nice to hear.

The next night was long-term designer Amanda's farewell, which we had at The Winery. I went home first because I had to take my laptop back, but it ended up being Amanda, Jules, Dale and I still chatting at midnight by the end of it. I had a pitcher and a half of lychee sangria and almost fell asleep in the cab while listening to Dale talk about project management but I recall it was a good night all up. And I didn't feel sick or have a hangover on Friday.

Friday I spent with Sir, Kristen and LQ (Beijing guests) going to Manly by ferry and hanging out at the beach. Beq joined us later (she had a nap after night shift, so turned up at lunch). Once again, an absolutely stunning day to be outside.

I headed back home reasonably early to host dinner and cards. Strange group this time: Assie, Robert, Sam and Boff. Found out Robert had applied for and got into 'Beauty and the Geek' but then at the last minute they dropped him because he complained about the contract and had since acquired a girlfriend and was "too confident". Assie had to leave early because she was moving the next day, and Robert had to go fairly early too because he was doing election stuff so Boff and I ended up playing a couple of two-player games.

We also 'went upstairs'. But we couldn't do more than fool around because... how to put this delicately? The regular size wouldn't fit him. What is it with geeks? No, really. Robert was the same, he almost went on a reality TV show as a geek he was so geeky. It's like the geekier they are the further they outgrow regular size. My theory: prove or disprove me.

On Saturday I rushed around like a madwoman. No, actually, I very calmly went about my morning business having packed the night before except when I met Sam who was on his way back from the polling booth when I headed out and told me it took about 30 minutes to vote. Fortunately the line went down to about 20 minutes so I was able to get to the train station and to Central in time to get the coach to Canberra again.

Voted Greens. Not that it made any difference because my electorate (North Sydney) is pretty much the second safest Liberal seat in Australia (after Mitchell, which is where my parents live). It turns out that not having a government is kind of exciting, except for the prospect of Tony Abbott becoming PM. I detest the man. I met him once and got a bad vibe. Will consider living overseas if that comes true.

Hung out with my sister, who broke up with her Africa boy on Friday night. She cooked pizzas in anticipation of a big night out with her friend Ali and Ali's friend Mel, who were a lot of fun. Not sure what my drink count was but it was pretty high. Had three vodka lime sodas at home, then a beer and a cider at The Wig & Pen (boutique brewery/pub) where I recall signing the thigh of a guy on his buck's night and being hit on the head with a coaster.

Had a cocktail at Kremlin Bar while speaking to John, a Palestinian guy from WA who used to be a Labor MP's speechwriter but who told me he secretly voted Greens for the senate. We then popped in at Phoenix, an 'alternative' place, where my celebrity came from the fact that not only did I personally vote against Joe Hockey in my electorate, I had a friend in the electorate of Warringah who personally voted against Tony Abbott.

Regretted buying a large bag of chips from the chicken shop, but managed to give most of them to Rach and Mel.

Sunday was cool. Went to brekky at a cafe I can't remember the name of in a suburb I can't remember the name of, then met my friend Michelle at the Old Bus Depot Markets. She couldn't stay long because she had a study group for uni but we agreed to meet up later. I tried to find the peg stall, where they sell THE BEST PEGS IN THE WORLD but it had vanished. Disappointment all round until I visited the tea stall.

Rach and I then saw 'Boy' at the Dendy in town (I've seen it before and recommended it to her) before meeting Michelle for dinner at O'Malleys. Then saw Mama Kin and The Cat Empire at ANU - totally awesome despite the fact that I have a special ability as a human thoroughfare and my sister attracts tall people so we ended up behind a fence of Canberra's highest audience members. Ollie fractured a wrist snowboarding but still played keys in a sling; someone threw undies at Ross; and Harry stopped in the middle of a solo and said Canberra were the "silentest crowd ever" because we were all listening so intently to him play. That was a good night too.

Today was bleh. Bit of work. Watched a fair few episodes of 'Coupling' on my laptop. Went to dinner at The Chairman & Yip, a modern Chinese restaurant in town with Rach and my high school friend Kylie, which was cool. Dessert was *really* nice. When we got back to the house, Rach's flatmate was watching ABC and I was keen to finally watch Q&A but then there was a blackout (the whole street went out except our solar party lights) so just watched more 'Coupling' instead while texting Boff during one of his military strategy games.

Anyway, better get to bed now because the heater's off and it will get cold soon. This week will be a bit of a rush because I go to Melbourne on Friday but I hope a few niggling things will get sorted before then, including the request I made at my review, which I will tell you about later.