Monday Night is Conundrum Night

Hello dear friends,

I thought I'd actually test out how many people still read this rarely-updated sanctuary of mine by presenting you with a conundrum I have, and then requesting your opinion on the matter.

I had two plans for the beginning of 2011. The first was to spend the month of January in Europe with Roman, the second to (apply for, at least) to direct the Sydney University O-Week Festival.

Both are incredibly good things that I want to do more than anything. Problem being that O-Week director is an incredibly all-consuming commitment that commences half way through 2010 and continues until the last week of February 2011, pretty much precluding me from spending January outside the office.

If I chose to commit to applying for O-Week director, there is a high likelihood that I wouldn't get it (it's a very competitive position, and whilst I am good at that sort of thing there are definitely people in the world who are better at it) and by that stage I may not be able to commit to Europe in lieu of it. On the other hand, if I say "I probably wouldn't get it" and then do, I will have invested in Europe planning for nothing, and Roman will most likely be very upset with me.

So, I now present to you my pros and cons list for both eventualities, and ask you to decide on which course of action I should take:

FOR EUROPE:

• It would be my first real holiday in two and a half years;
• I would get to return to the UK, to spend at least a week in London as well as visiting throughout the country, meeting up with family (Roman's) and friends (mine);
• I would get to go to Scotland for the first time, and to see my dear friends Minna and Hannah;
• I would be able to spend a naughty weekend in Paris with Roman... and Minna!;
• I would get to go to Berlin and see the Brandenburg Gate (something I really need to do for myself);
• I would get to go vintage shopping in London;
• It's much more certain/definite than O-Week;
• I would be travelling with my love.

FOR O-WEEK:

• It would be an incredible adventure;
• I would be learning skills that will help me for the rest of my life;
• I would be performing a duty to the system that has given me so much over the past few years;
• I think I would be good at it;
• I think it would help me to grow up and perhaps to even help me find a place in the event industry (which is perhaps where I'll end up);
• It would make me freaking awesome;
• I would get paid for it, rather than saving for a whole year for Europe.

I know that list makes Europe sound like a way better option, but I'm still very torn. Quick, lend me your opinions!

This is Patt.

Patt is my awesome friend. Look at his blog. It's funny and sweet and clever, just like him.

The B-Side of a Life Through-Composed

Grateful

In a week that has so savagely filled me with vitriol towards some repulsive, disappointing and downright euthanasia-worthy excuses for human beings, I feel I should depart from my regular blogging pursuits (as infrequent as they are at the moment) to express my gratitude to people who are endeavouring to not be fucktards in my face.

Cecilia - I wish I could be as patient and kind as you. If someone slept with your husband and ran over your cat after stealing from your house on the way out, you would just feel sorry for them because they're obviously "not in a very good place right now". I love you dearly, thank you for your kind and patient friendship.

Tristan - You and I are kindred spirits, except that you are way more awesome. Thank you for making it okay for me to love nerdy things like lolcats and corsets, for being a lovely friend and not disowning me for the Week of Accidental Tristan-Beating.

Hugh - Your beard is extra luscious and I just adore you. let's start a band.

Emily - Your blog still inspires me to be creative and worship gently and lovingly throughout this time of trial for me. Thank you for being so inspiring.

Minna - You're an angel. We've been together since the beginning of uni and you're the only person who has been there so constantly in that time. You are beautiful and talented and well adjusted. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it.

Captain Pants - I look up to you more than anyone else in our age group. You're super intelligent, inspiring, and yet so easy to get along with. What a gift that is - thank you.

Roman - You have the patience of Atlas. You are solid, dependable, but always entertaining and quite the bunk-buddy... And thank you for letting me post crude references to our relationship on my blog. I love you.

Thank you all for helping me deal with the mess of feelings I've been trying to battle in recent days. It seems like a weird thing to post so publicly (although I garuntee that you guys and my dad who inexplicably checks this blog will be the only ones who read it) but I just want you to know how grateful I am for the amazing people and strong friendships I have.

In other news, here's a picture of fat people in tie-dye.

(Source - pictureisunrelated.com. Another perfectly whimsical Tristan recommendation.)

Bummer.

A spider bit me on the face.

My cheek and my lip are now all swollen.

I look like that munted guy from 300 who limps around Leonides until he gets rejected and then goes and helps the Persians breach Thermopolae...

Worst Sunday Ever.

Random Thought Friday!

The concept of seasonal produce hurts my brain.

This, friends, is not because I am retarded or somehow incapable of associating fruit with weather, but because I live on that funny little island down the bottom of the world.

Raspberries and strawberries in summer, in England, makes sense. Because berries happen in summer, in England.

Berries are not from Australia.

So what are the poor little strawberry brains supposed to do - keep bearing fruit in June, or skip forward six months because it's too chilly out?

Think about it.

And then there's the whole issue of how strawberries got over here in the first place... Were there garden boxes on the First Fleet? I like that idea...

Emotional Support for Marine Invertibrates

Oh, Mr. Octopus, why are you so gloomy?

Cheer up - at least you're not a weedy seadragon!