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How long has it been since the plane was disinfected?

Soon I will be going on a plane flight for the very first time. Yes, I have never been on a plane before. As the date grows closer, I’m getting a wee bit nervous…umm, make that more than a wee bit nervous! It’s an interstate flight so will only be about two hours long. But it’s still a plane flight!

I have this nasty suspicion that I am going to be like Mr. Monk in the episode when he went on a plane (Mr. Monk and the Airplane). I already share a lot of characteristics with Monk, and like him, I don’t like the idea of being in a confined space where other people may cough and sneeze and generally spread germs around willy nilly. And it is also a confined space that is unnaturally high in the air. Eeee!

*deep breaths* *deep breaths*

This video clip from Monk (trailer on the left) shows what I’m worried I’ll be like on the plane, especially the whole holding on to my beloved tightly and having to be pried off the seat thing. And the germ thing. That too.

Any of you seasoned travelers have some tips for a first time flyer?

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Random Tidbits

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Exceedingly Good Taste

I’ve only just come across Taste.com.au, but I can already see that it will be a much visited site. It has oodles of yummy recipes as well as articles to provide food for the mind.

Some delish recipes:
Baci ice-cream – Mmmm, Baci chocolates with ice-cream!
Champagne Risotto.
Cheese in a Box – with crusty bread, fresh asparagus and champagne? Food heaven!
Asparagus salad with pan-fried gnocchi.
Beef fillet with wild mushroom vinaigrette.
Bok choy with sticky Asian dressing.
Mushroom & bok choy risotto.
Chocolate crepe cake.

A few articles:
Food Matchmaking.
Got Bilk?
Food focused profile of Illawarra and Kangaroo Valley.
Iron Chef Downunder; an interview with Iron Chef French Hiroyuki Sakai.

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This is it

This New Year has been the most wonderful, the most relaxing and also, the most inspiring New Year of my entire life. I came back a couple of days ago from an absolutely wonderful holiday with my love at Port Stephens. Every day was wonderful and amazing; and like other recent events, it inspired me to make some changes in my life.

I’m about to move to Sydney, to the Mount Colah area. It may be very late in coming, but it’s time for this little bird to leave the familial nest and learn to fly. There are two main factors that inspired that decision, a) I’ll be closer to he who makes my heart go boom boody-boom boody-boom boody-boom and b) I’ll be in an area where I can find work and hopefully, start a new career.

My life has changed so much over the last two months. In a short amount of time it’s going to change even more. It does make me nervous on some levels, not in a bad way, but in that “ok, this is a big thing for me to do, and I’m nervous as anything, but I really want to do this” way. I know and can feel in my heart that this is the right time for me to do this. It is the time when I need to do this.

So if anyone knows of any job leads in Sydney, preferably right in the city or North Sydney, let me know! I’m already in intense job seeking mode (which will cause skill update mode) and have applied for as many as I can find. I’d also love to join some of the groups in Sydney now that I’ll be closer, ones like Stitch and Bitch and the Sydney Photobloggers.

I’m risking more than I ever have in my entire life. I’m changing my life and turning it upside down. And that makes me feel a wee bit scared. But delicious scared. Delicious, because I can see that the life I’ve always wanted is finally within my reach. All I have to do is take the next step. And I will.

Sam: This is it.
Frodo: This is what?
Sam: If I take one more step, it’ll be the farthest away from home I’ve ever been.
Frodo: Come on, Sam. Remember what Bilbo used to say: “It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.”

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Happy Holidays!

Bunny!

It was going to be animated (and possibly printed), but I ran out of time; presenting my holiday card to all you wonderful people who have emailed me, read my weblog(s), left comments and given freely of your kindness and friendship over the past twelve months. I’m posting this here in case I run out of time to email it out.
Click the bunny to see my greeting!

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Jelly Babies, Bananas and Edible Ball Bearings

Today has been one of those no good, very bad, horrible days (much sad news from family & friends). A day when what could go wrong, did go wrong. And to top that off, something from dinner has made me feel all blurky. But the weekend is promising to be a lot of fun so today must just be the year providing me with the last bad day of 2006. Roll on 2007!

Whenever I feel not so perky, I really feel like watching Doctor Who, well, more than usual. I’m going to head off and make a nice cup of tea, fluff my pillows and settle back to watch the good Doctor for a while. Fantastic!

Capt. Jack Harkness: [incredulously] Who has a sonic screwdriver?
The Doctor: I do!
Capt. Jack Harkness: Who looks at a screwdriver and thinks, ‘Ooo, this could be a little more sonic?’
The Doctor: What, you’ve never been bored? Never had a long night? Never had a lot of cabinets to put up?

———————-

I wrote that post last night, but ended up not publishing it. Maybe I should have, because it’s not even 9am and today isn’t going well either. My budgie Scully, who I’ve had for about twelve years, died during the night and then when I turned on my computer, it’s showing signs that it’s on the way out, too. If bad luck comes in threes, I should have only good luck left for the rest of 2006. I hope!

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Quoteriffic

“No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars or sailed an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit.”

“One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar.”

~ Helen Keller.

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My LYS

The latest episode of Sticks & String features an interview with the owner of my LYS. Jan is a lovely person, she’s helped me with more than a few knitting problems. I may not have learned how to knit if not for her help and advice. If you’re a knitter or other fibre crafter and find yourself in the upper Blue Mountains, call by and visit her shop!

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I am a Human Barometer

Ouch! I woke up feeling out of sorts today and have a nasty headache coming on. This time of year is nearly always awful for me. On one hand, every time the barometric pressure changes I get a headache (plus ear pain) and on the other I find it difficult to breathe easily depending on the amount of humidity in the air (crisp, cold air is best for me). Judging by my headache, I’ll be surprised if we don’t get a storm later on today.

Even though they do make me feel a bit icky, I still love storms! My favourite weather is the type that most people dislike; heavy rain that goes on for days, mists and heavy fog, storms with hail and of course my absolute favourite – snow! Hmmm, maybe today is the day I finally manage to get a photograph of lightning!

Afternoon (2pm): Yup, here comes the storm!

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Terragen Addiction

'Auralia' - made in Terrragen
After being reminded about the program Terragen recently, I’ve found myself getting a little addicted to it. The image above is one of my favourites thus far, Auralia. If you click on it, you can see a larger version.

Note to self: Get a move on with a photo plugin and create a gallery!

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A Love That Transcends Time

Oh my. I finally saw The Lake House. I’ve always been the kind of woman who gets emotional over certain types of movies, but this one had tears streaming down my face more than once. Especially with the ending. I adored this movie, so much so (and because I’m still teary) that I’m lost for words. The notion of a love that strong is just so magical and so wonderful that I really wish that at least one couple in this world find a love like that.