Maybe more work and definitely more fun!

The Medical Board has asked me to do a few days more work for them next week - we are having a few hassles about how I should be paid but if we can resolve this, I'll do the job for them. Tomorrow is the state election for South Australia - not really "fun", I suppose, but I do enjoy watching the count on TV and listening to the political pundits forecasting what they believe will happen. And this election is allegedly going to be close so the telecast and the unfolding of which party wins could be interesting.
More importantly, it is my 60th birthday on Sunday and we are going to lunch with some dear friends for a small celebration. And next Friday, one of my sisters is hosting a party for my birthday to which my family and several old mates are coming. So the next week will hold work challenges and good times.

Nepal # 1 vs Adelaide

Have heard from my friend in Nepal. She has just started her teaching job and is nervous about it. But so far she is still feeling as though she has a special connection to the country and the people, so she is excited and eager as well. Makes my life seem mundane - but I really am enjoying what I do. This week has mainly been spent lunching with friends who all have different interests and habits, so every meeting is different and the conversation ranges over an amazing variety of topics. Yesterday for example, I heard how the Chinese had influenced the virility and blooming properties of roses!

Lunch with friends

Eion and I have just spent a wonderful afternoon with some of my friends from high school. Barb and Drew know the most amazing ethnic bakeries, butcheries, deli's and grocers (all in the suburbs of Adelaide) and can put together a truly delicious meal. Plus Drew's knowledge of wine is mind blowing, so a lunch at their place is a real treat. Other guests included a buddy now living in Canberra (he and his partner came over for the Mahler concert) and a mate who is inspired to cause some embarassment to the current SA government over a particular issue. What an amazing conversation we had - ancient history, wine, buffalo wings, management theory, local politics, international travel and victoriana were just part of it.

Fringe # 4 2010 and Festival # 1

We saw our last Fringe show last night - Hannah Gadsby, a wonderful Australian comedienne, telling a bitter-sweet story about walking across England, the foibles of her fellow walkers, and her personal struggles with depression. Very funny and poignant; probably the highlight of the Fringe for me. Our one and only venture into the Adelaide Festival occurs tonight when we go to the Mahler 8 concert.We'll be in a corporate box, thanks to some wealthy friends who bought the box in an auction for a charity. Mind you, we're still going to pay for our tickets. The piece of work I have now finished for the Medical Board will offset the cost of the concert very nicely, and also help pay for some wines we've splurged on recently.

A bit of work and a bit of fun.

Have just done a day's work with the Medical Board - paper based research - and will need to spend some more time there next week to finish it. The $ are nice, but it's also interesting stuff and I really like the people in the office. Plus tomorrow we are going to visit some friends who have a shack on the Murray at a place called Murrawong between Murray Bridge and Mannum - we haven't been to the river since we "lost" Dad's shack. (That's Dad's place in the top photo and the page titled "On the River Murray" tells you a bit more about it). And we haven't seen these friends for about 3 years, so I'm really looking forward to catching up with all their news. The bottom photo is the view of the river from our friends' shack. There are a couple more photos of them and their place on the page "On the River Murray".

Fringe # 3 2010

Saw another great show last night - three women trained as percussionists at Elder Conservatory, now doing Japanese drumming. They even make their own drums! Lots of energy and fantastic rhythm. The venue was excellent - a cabaret at the Lions Centre. And we caught the tram from South Tce around to City West - our first trip beyond Victoria Square.

Fringe # 2 2010

Went to Joe Camilleri concert last night - just superb. But Sam Simmons ( comedian) was woeful! The Northern Lights along North Tce are brilliant. We've been having a great time at Fringe shows this year ( apart from Sam)and the Garden of Unearthly Delights was really pleasant last night - not too busy, cool weather, pretty lights, good food.