Chicago

Hey all. Here I am getting on the plane for Chicago! Wouldnt you know it that my colleague was successful in getting upgraded to business class and I was stuck in cattle class (economy! lol). Her brotherinlaw, the flight attendant, apologised to me, but said he only had one vacant, so was understandable. He kept bringing me packages of toiletries, designer PJs and stuff from first class to make up for it, and I also had access to the extra seat next to me where my friend was gonna sit, so OK overall. Didnt sleep much though, prob only one hour on whole flight as was too anxious that I might wake to find myself resting my head on the shoulder of the young guy next to me! lol Kept myself occupied by watching numerous TV documentaries, travel shows and comedies. So after not getting to sleep, we had to have an early night and managed to overcome our jetlag by today. Phew. Before going to bed early, however, we (my friend and I) were taken out to dinner by our previous CEO as he is attending same conference. He took us to the local pub which he recommended. Am glad he did, cause we were extremely excited to see Oprah Winfrey eating there! Amazing, considering how much I have ranted about us wanting to get tickets to her show while here. We are still trying! lol

The conference Im here for doesnt start until tomorrow, so we spent all of today shopping and getting our feet very sore. Chicago weather is mild so far, although we did land in a storm! lol. A beautiful city with heaps of things to do and see. Its just the beginning, We are here for a whole week. Will try and keep you posted here if there is anything interesting happening my end.

Im off.....

Am off to Chicago today... yee haa! As you can see I have packed lightly.. Dont want to get into that excess luggage stuff! lol
Cant write too much or will miss my plane! See you all when I get back! (in SL anyway lol)

Tamsin

So who is the chick behind the av? Is she anything like Tamsin? Well yes and no. Tamsin of course, is a perfectly designed av. So to all the newbies in SL who come up to Tamsin and say "Wow you are hot", I casually remind them. "thank you.... but you do realise I am just an avitar?" Reality is, noone can can compete with their perfectly personified avitar. Note to everyone... it should be a given that we are all quite normal in RL! lol. And dont get me started on people who use the pick up line.... "Wow you have some hot dance moves!" HAVE YOU NEVER BEEN INTRODUCED TO THE DANCEBALL?!! lol

But beyond the image, I am as I present to be. I dont role play and our conversations are genuine. While I have met a few dickheads in SL (oops, pardon the French lol), overall what has surprised me most is the fact that I have also met some wonderfully genuine people with whom I have developed great friendships. See you in SL!

Second Life - you tube style

Gotta see this clip. Very funny!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flkgNn50k14

movie reviews

Went to the cinema to see a movie today called Lars and the Real Girl. Never heard of it until I was sitting in a cafe over breakfast this morning reading the newspaper. Isn't common for 12 film critics to each give it 4/5 stars so thought it was a safe bet. So there I ventured into the cinema with no idea what to expect. Came out of the film thinking... what the....? A strange film, but certainly engaging. In fact made me cry. I have since read the following review which might highlight to you how strange in fact the movie actually was.

"In Lars and the Real Girl, the protagonist, Lars Lindstrom, is a reclusive, socially awkward young man who falls madly in love with Bianca, a mail-ordered blowup doll that looks like a cross between Angelina Jolie and a slutty pop star. Ryan Gosling plays him with such winsome, self-effacing charm you can’t help but feel his affection for her. Lars is unable to connect with anything or anybody else, so tethered he is to his own seemingly inexplicable neurosis. At first, we’re as shocked as Lars’ family and friends are about his disturbing delusion, but gradually we begin to see that Bianca is an extension of Lars himself, an outlet for his deeply repressed emotions. Lars is, in essence, asking for help while refusing it at the same time. Bianca is more than just a plastic doll — she’s the physical manifestation of Lars’ need for true intimacy. Lars and the Real Girl is one of the best films of the year. It’s one of those rare comedies that makes you laugh while it delves into the intricacies of human relationships. Gillespie could have easily allowed his film to descend into outrageous puerility; instead, he embraces the world of his characters with unfettered, childlike exuberance. You can’t fake that."

Tonight Im watching a film Ive seen before on DVD - Death at a Funeral. Its a British comedy I stumbled across and its one I often recommend to friends.

Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!

Just realised today that Im actually going to the US next week! Wow, where did the past month go? Havent even purchased a suitably enormous suitcase to half fill yet (allowing for shopping purchases of course! lol). My colleague and I were chatting over our partition at work today re all the things we had to do before we leave, booking our hotels being high on the list, closely followed by getting to the hairdressers! (yes, I do realise that men reading this will not appreciate the relevance...lol)

Later in the day I was distracted by my colleagues squeals of delight as she beckoned me to her computer.... "We got tickets to the Jerry Springer Show!". Moments later we realised that the dates for the taping in fact clashed with our conference (oh crap), so she is pleading to have them swapped for an evening taping. Dont want to miss out on an opportunity to see US TV at its best! lol I had my trailer park trashy pair of overalls and checkered shirt all ready to pack!Where else in the world would you get the chance to witness quality journalism in the likes of "My stepmother is an alien", "I married my french poodle" and "My best friends, sister's husband's, parrot is gay!" lol

Stay tuned for further updates!

Short break number two...

Had a great time away catching up with my family up the Australian coast. Was fortunate to also have one of my best friends travel up with me. The units we stayed in were great, and I chose the front bedroom so I could watch the waves from my bed. Totally serene. What wasnt serene, was the fire alarm waking us all 6am on the last day!

Main reason for this short break was to attend my niece's first birthday party. My friend and I decorated using a butterfly theme. Looked really cool. As you can see from the photo, Emerson was totally stuffed having playing the role of princess for a day! Eat your heart out Paris Hilton! lol

next holiday starts.... now

Am off again tomorrow to visit my family up the Queensland coast. Staying in the same holiday apartments where my sister lives. So cool, right on the beach.

the storm chaser...

I am obsessed with storms, listening to the thunder and rain, watching the lightening show light up the sky. Was extremely excited to learn that SL also does storms. Couldnt help but find myself just mesmerised. Am on the lookout for the next...

the beach house holiday...

What a blissful holiday. Sooooo relaxing. The above photos are of the beach house we stayed at. The view was awesome and overlooked Seven Mile Beach at Gerroa down the coast. We were close enough to see, hear and smell the ocean each day. To the right of the beach are rolling green hills and farms. The best of both worlds!

The balcony had this amazing spa and one of the highlights was definitely skinny dipping in the spa each night counting how many shooting stars we saw. I think in total it was 12!! Wow! I'm fascinated by astronomy so was extra cool.

There were lots of long walks along the beaches and the obligatory collecting of unusual shells.

One of the things I loved doing while away was making jewellery, a hobbie Ive not done for a while. Made several things and hopefully have remotivated myself to finish other projects. You may not be able to tell, but at the top of the photo above is where my husband was setting up his Risk, world domination board game. Each to their own! lol

Who doesnt love eating a lazy breakfast when on holidays.

We ate out every breakfast, lunch and dinner, so knew each local joint inside and out by the end.

And coffee.... mmmmmm some great coffee was had! lol

My Rav 4 finally came in handy (no longer just a wanky city driver! lol) as we got to use it off road, though creeks and across tracks. Fun! Looked a lot dirtier by the end of the day! lol

Some great views from our rainforest walks. My husband is obsessed with bushwalking! I dont mind it, but have to say my mum is to blame for overdoing it with us as kids. Walk me to a good beach any day!

Overall holiday was great. Unfortunately we missed out on snorkling and canoeing at the last minute cause of windy weather, but we can save that for next time. I also want to take surf lessons on the beach nearby when next in town. Always wanted to conquer my fear of sharks! lol

The south coast of New South Wales, Australia is an amazingly beautiful place, which is why we are considering moving there. If only we could cut and paste our jobs, we'd be there in a flash! For now, its back to mundane city/suburban life... well actually, only for four more days and then Im off again up the coast to visit my sister, brother and mum for a few nights... I know... its a hard life! lol