24 Hours in Sydney - Part 1

Well...Sydney lived up to the hype. It is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen.

But this? Well it kind of freaked me out.

I mean, will you check out those eyes??? ....they follow you everywhere.

Can't you just hear some crazy wild clown laughter coming out of that gaping mouth?

In profile, she looks a little like Carol Channing. Still freaky....

And if it wasn't bad enough in the light of day....this right here? this is the stuff that nightmares are made of.

The Seduction

When you see a potential "seat at the table" it's hard not to desire it.

Today I split from the group to do some separate networking and a little due diligence of how this company we are partnering with works. I returned to our team and pulled my colleagues aside and gave them some insights. They were impressed.

Then, I was put to work transcribing more flip charts.

Mixed messages? Um. Yeah.

At the close of the meeting, I was asked some more questions and again, they seem impressed. Then I showed them something our team had worked up for their communications (Thanks Kiki!!!! I gave you full credit doll!) and they were very impressed.

This evening I separated from the group again and when I returned they were hyped from a great meeting with clients. I joined them and at first took a backseat just listening to their discussions. But at some point, it all changed. I glimpsed the seat at the table opening up again.

This last hour was magic. They asked. I answered. They questioned. I confirmed. They requested. I advised. They listened. They LISTENED. THEY LISTENED.

And for a brief time, I felt it. My butt in the seat at the table. Me.

And suddenly I thought, "Mr. Robinson, are you trying to seduce me?"

Tomorrow (or actually later today) I head to Sydney.

Monday Madness

In which Wenderina begins her day by arriving at 7:32AM (according to her watch)in the breakfast room and finds 18 men looking at the door and her boss pacing and texting her to see why she is late for the 7:30AM meeting.

In which Wenderina exclaims to the group at the round the table introductions that she is the "only female in the room, in case they haven't noticed".

In which Wenderina recovers and makes several insightful comments about marketing and communications strategies and the value of targeted branding and is pleased to see a lot of head nodding around the white males at the table. (And thanks her stars that she didn't make a comment about race and cultural diversity as well as gender).

In which Wenderina is asked to take notes from the flip chart even though there is an electronic white board in the room which can print out all notes (sigh).

In which Wenderina gives a kickass presentation and facilitates an energetic discussion on branding that yielded 20 actions items....ALL. FOR. HER.

In which Wenderina asks what she thinks is innocuous question of colleague which leads to an assignment she must complete before getting on her plane home on Friday.

In which Wenderina listens in awe to a colleague explain to her that he is not eating from the bread basket because he doesn't need the calories. Stunned into silence, Wenderina recalls watching colleague fill his plate 3 times at lunch buffet, drink 3 glasses of wine and eat massive amounts of appetizers at the cocktail mixer, and then eat a porterhouse steak and mashed potatoes, drink 4 more glasses of wine, and conclude with a chocolate mousse and cappuccino.

In which Wenderina finds herself in her hotel room at 11:00PM blogging when she should be completing her presentation for tomorrow and transcribing the 14 pages of notes she took today since no one used the electronic white board. (bigger sigh)

Hoping Tuesday is a little more sane.

A little vino, a little company

Today I started at the rooftop pool and enjoyed a few laps and a brief moment of sun before the clouds gathered for a quick shower.

No worries (as they say here). I had to get ready for my "date" with a colleague here in Brisbane. A native Australian, she was kind enough to give up her Sunday with her two teenage daughters (actually she thanked me for getting me away from them, big surprise!) and take me to the Sirromet winery....

for lunch, some wine,








and some jazz....







Then, after she dropped me back at the hotel, I joined "the men" and as usual, I was the only woman at the dinner table. No worries. They were gentlemen and actually listened when I spoke, sought my opinion, and most importantly, bought my drinks.


We dined at the Marco Polo restaurant in a heritage building - part of the old Treasury complex - that has been turned into a casino. Get it....treasury...casino...well, I thought it was amusing. It was quite the dining experience. Glad I didn't have to pick up the bill.


Today the meetings begin in earnest and I won't see outside the hotel until we venture out for dinner. Hope everyone is enjoying their Sunday in the U.S. - it's back to business and Monday here.

More Brisbane Sights.

After another day (Saturday) of wandering around and seeing sights like...

Equestrian Police Prancing on the Lawn

Saturday diners in South Bank cafes.

A cultural photo journal contest

Large screen showing of sports and movies in outdoor stadium.

And hey...isn't that Pippi Longstocking's long-lost brother????

I enjoyed some time by the pool and started "A Thousand Splendid Suns" - which so far is excellent. Then I cleaned up for Saturday Night in Brisbane. Since no one has been traveling with me to take my photo amongst the sights...I stretched my arm out and took one.

Remind me to work on that double chin when I get home.

I met a colleague in our lobby.

Hope no one suffers from vertigo. This is the view down from the hallway outside my room.

And we dined by the river - at a great seafood restaurant where I had wok-seared calamari (a first for me - not smothered in batter), and then got my fry fix with a local treat of fish and chips made with lightly breaded sea bass.

On the way back we got this photo of the bridge at night.

And I got this pic from my room window.

Today - more adventures. This time a local winery for lunch, tastings, and a little jazz. Then dinner with the team. Stay tuned for more from this exciting travelogue.

"Let's Watch Every Drop"

Today ended up with a water theme.





For those who may not be aware, Australia has been experiencing a tremendous drought - universally believed to be caused by climate change phenomena. Earlier this year, their water supply was so short (less than 20% capacity in their reservoirs).



A rainy Spring and some recent unusual Summer rains have brought the capacity up to 40%, but water is still a precious commodity. The entire country is making aggressive changes to the way people live. And they are asking visitors and tourists to do the same.



After being made aware of it throughout the day with closed fountains/water features...



...where the features that are still open, provide signage to assure people they are still complying with drought precautions.
...the sculptures along this area still have their reflecting pool, but the fountains have been turned off...

...so when I got back to the hotel and "just breathed" as Kiki recommended...I almost felt too guilty to enjoy the lovely rooftop pool. Almost.


Postscript: No zoo today - sorry J - maybe next time.

Reporting at 10:25AM 2/16/08 Brisbane Time

I had a glorious night of sleep. I thought I'd be up for a while, so I ordered a pay per view movie in my room, but I was sound asleep about 10 minutes into it...at 8PM local time. I woke up a few times in the night, but was lulled back to sleep by CNN, or some sports channel that seems to only show rugby and cricket - two games I definitely do not understand.

So now it's go time again. Despite forecasts for rain, it looks promising outside, so I'm going to either (a) hit the zoo and see me some koalas or (b) go back to the South Bank area that I skimmed by yesterday. There looked like some tempting spots to sit and people watch and/or explore some art galleries or craft sales.

Photo essay when I return.

Friday Feelings - from Brisbane

Today's Top Feeling:

I feel Independent

Traveling by myself always brings my anxiety to a climax point. So much so, that Hubby has gotten used to my inability to complete a coherent sentence, much less show him any affection, in the 48 hours prior to a big trip. I'm not so bad if it is a trip I've made before - I know where to go, what to do, who to call, general directions, etc. But this trip? Flying all the way around the world to Australia? The only thing that might have tipped me further over the edge would have been having to deal with a foreign language.

But today, I conquered a strange city in a strange land.

I figured out the power adaptor and these strange outlets...
(don't they look like a distressed emoticon?)

I managed foreign currency...

I did the river boardwalk....

The botanical gardens....

The maritime museum....

The Parliament House and Queensland University of Technology grounds...

Caught a group of "Madeleines" strolling the campus....

Explored the South Bank area...

And finally the Queen Street Mall.

So, even though I was bitten or stung by some strange insect that I never found but who left small welts on my side, my back and my hand (not to mention making me look like a yelping crazy person as I walked down the street) before finally departing my shirt...and even though I had to walk around the block twice before I found my hotel again...and even though I'm staying in for dinner tonight...I'm feeling pretty darn Independent today.

33 Hours Later

I'm here! I'm in Brisbane. And I'm just taking a quick moment to post something post-shower (God I needed that) and pre-sightseeing.

After my bah humbug Valentine's post of yesterday? 3 days ago? whatever... I experienced an incredibly romantic trip. Ok - don't get exited hubby - it was not romantic for me, per se...but it did restore my faith in romance - on Feb 14th or any other day.

The whole trip was blessed by fortunate happenstances, travelers and airline employees in good moods, short lines, and quick connections.


Miracle, you say? Truly, I say.

When I got onto the Air New Zealand flight from LA to Auckland...

(Must interject here - business class for long flights is the ONLY way to fly. In fact - business class on all flights would significantly cut down on AIR RAGE...although you do have to pay a couple thousand a flight instead of a couple hundred.)



...I noticed several couples ranging in age from about 65-80+ in my section. They were as thrilled as I was in the accommodations - room galore - incredible service - food of a 4 star restaurant quality - and seats that turn into BEDS!




One couple in particular caught my attention. I'll call them Minnie and Maxie McGee after a folk song hubby and I used to know all the words to and that always made me cry like a sentimental fool. Minnie and Maxie, well, they were definitely about 80 years young and as in love as any two teenagers. Our only conversation was a passing comment here or there, so I never really learned their story, but their actions spoke volumes.

Maxie must have gotten up 3 or 4 times before take off to care for Minnie's comfort.

They always called each other Darling. With no sarcasm or witty tones, just full of affection.


They laughed, belly laughs, with one another as they ate their dinner.


And halfway through, as though they just couldn't stand not to, they reached across the table and held hands.


While the captain made the same observation I had that we were essentially skipping over Valentine's Day, Minnie would have none of it. She announced, "Darling, it is midnight at home. Happy Valentine's Day. I love you." Maxie responded, "I love you too Darling." Yet again Maxie got up and crossed the aisle, kissed his wife, and gave her a card.


When it came time to sleep, Maxie made sure Minnie was comfortable and tucked in first and kissed her goodnight.




In the night I saw Minnie get up and visit the bathroom and when she returned to her seat she stroked Maxie's hair and pulled the covers over him again.


In the morning, the lights came up and the crew began readying for breakfast service and Maxie woke up with a smile, "Good morning Darling!" and a kiss.


Over breakfast, they talked non stop, once again holding hands halfway through and laughing at one anothers jokes.


As we were departing the plane, they stood in line ahead of me and Minnie grabbed a comb from her purse and combed Maxie's hair mussed from sleep. Then Maxie smiled at her so sweetly, that I swear my heart stopped.


This kind of devotion is rare to see in today's hectic life. It's nice to know it is out there and that it can give an old cynic like me new hope and willingness to celebrate Valentine's Day - anywhere, anytime, any date.


Best wishes to you Minnie and Maxie. Good travels.

No V.D. This Year

I'm awaiting my plane. Heading off on the first leg of my trip. NYC to LA, LA to Aukland NZ, Aukland NZ to Brisbane AU. I'm thoroughly confused as to how much time I will actually be in the air...and if you know...don't comment here...I think it is better I be kept in the dark.

Last night as I was reviewing my itinerary with Hubby, I was interested to see that I take off on Feb 13th and land on Feb 15th...crossing the dateline.

Hubby smartly commented, "You've always hated Valentine's Day and now you've actually found a way to erase it from your calendar." My reply? Laughing, "Honey - you just gave me my blog topic."

For those of you who like this holiday and get into the dancing bears, flowers, lingerie, chocolates etc. Enjoy. I happily leave you this day.

For those of you, like me, that have bad memories of Valentine's Days in the past and/or just don't cater to the Hallmark holidays, take a tip from me. Travel acoss the dateline and miss it completely!

When I was a little girl, I remember that everyone gave and everyone received Valentines. We used to have tissue box mailboxes on our desks or maybe a manila envelope stapled at the sides to make a pocket and taped to our chairs. Rarely a "special" valentine was given or received to denote that you had a greater standing than those who just got the dime a dozen paper cartoon valentines.

As I grew older, the valentines grew fewer and far between, and most February's found me wishing that I was of the popular and sought after girls who were singled out in homeroom by a "special delivery" carnation for those high school fundraisers (also known as heartbreakers). A few girls walked around with white (friendship), pink (caring), and red (true love) in bunches. A few more had just one - but it was very precious to them. Too many others had none.

I remember a particularly sad day when I actually asked a male friend of mine if I gave him the $2 would he buy/send me a flower anonymously? He wisely declined. Even a high schooler should know when to accept her fate.

In college - one week before Valentine's Day 1986 - I met my mate. And on Valentine's Day he gave me flowers and a hand-drawn card with Opus as a cupid. I still have that card. And that is the one and only Valentine's Day that has a sentimental meaning to me.

Although we have been happily together since that day, I don't need February 14 to celebrate it. He tells me he loves me every day. Truly. And I tell him.

So begone carnations, roses, and lillies; take away those chocolates and cards; no dinner reservations or pumped up prices for romantic getaways for us. This year I've beat you. I'll be somewhere over the Pacific Ocean - and Valentine's Day will not happen this year.

Sweet.

The Uphill Battle

Tattoo Regrets

I've always wanted to get a tattoo...but I'm chicken. I have no judgment about tattoo art, in fact I think it is really cool, but needles and pain...yeah...I can't get past them.

When I was in my 20's I was hanging out with a couple of friends from college and they determined they were going to get tattoo'd. Off they went, leaving me in the dust, to the big bad tattoo parlor. One, we'll call her Swede, she picked out a small monochromatic Chinese symbol. If I had the guts to do it, it is exactly the kind of thing I'd pick out. The other, one of the smartest women I have ever met, we'll call her Cat, she picked out a much different style piece of art.

Not exactly this...but "in the style of..." When she showed me her leg, I thought she was goofing around. I believe my exact words were, "Too funny Cat - so you chickened out and used a rub-on from a cereal box?"

Um. No.

It was permanent. This woman was a CPA in a very conservative auditing firm. I envisioned she would be wearing opaque tights in July.

Fast forward ten years. We all return to our old college town (Can I get a shout out for Geneseo NY?!) and these same two women, who should obviously NOT be allowed to hang together decide to tattoo again. {They don't look like troublemakers do they? For reference Swede on right, Cat on left.}

Now we are in our 30s...supposedly older and wiser. Well the Swede decides to go wild on us and gets a stripper tattoo across the small of her back. Again, if I had her bod and her guts, something I'd secretly like to do.

Cat? Yeah. This smart, attractive, successful woman got her funk on and decided to get another tatt...on her ass this time.

I'm NOT kidding. Apparently she was dating a guy with a roadrunner car? She was afraid if she tattoo'd his name or initials on and they broke up she'd be stuck with it. So SHE? decided this would be better.

??????

I love Cat. She? is a trip. And I'm happy to report, after a short breakup, she and her roadrunner are getting married this October. But the tattoo will not bear witness to this event. In fact neither will the dolphin. Because she has spent a few thousand dollars getting these two $50 tatts removed with laser treatments.

So you tell me - who has the bigger regrets?
That I never got the tattoo?
Or that she made choices that she later undid?

I'd say me.

Because at least she went out and tried it.

You Go Cat.

Friday Feelings

“I've learned that people will forget what you said,
people will forget what you did,
but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

~ Maya Angelou

Damn that woman says some awesome things.

I'm starting something new. Since the title of my blog remains Anxious Moments...although I was considering a re-design and re-title of "Crap From My Head"...I'm gonna explore some feelings.

As the first Friday, I'm gonna start with a list of feelings. No explanations, no context, just the raw stuff in my gut. I know a lot of it will seem contradictory - like how can I be feeling both happy and sad. Answer: I'm a woman. I feel all things at all times. I think about a zillion things at once. You men out there can be jealous or thankful. You decide.



Then...I'm going to attempt (until it gets boring and tedious for me and any of my visitors) to examine and define that feeling - the good, bad, and ugly of it. Feel free to join me.

Personally....

I feel Loved.
I feel Lucky.
I feel Lonely.
I feel Crazy.
I feel Inadequate.
I feel Guilty.

Professionally...

I feel Overwhelmed.
I feel Appreciated.
I feel Unappreciated.
I feel Rewarded.
I feel Tired.
I feel Challenged.
I feel Frustrated.
I feel Inadequate.
I feel Disorganized.
I feel Disoriented.
I feel Smart.
I feel Stupid.

Can you relate?

No. More. Managing. People. Ever.

[Imagine me screaming this like Faye Dunaway in Mommie Dearest. ]

I was astounded when attending class this past weekend (hip hip hoorah - another semester complete!!!) when the professor asked, "How many of you manage people?" and I was the only one to raise their hand. I was astounded and J.E.A.L.O.U.S.

You see in Jan 2007, I took on the motherload of staff. Not in quantity, but in need. I mean this group is like the craziest (and not in a good way) bunch of ...um...folks...I have ever met. To be fair, there are some gems buried under the muck, but for the most part - U.G.H.

Truthfully, they are all good people. Really. Not a wicked douchebag in the mix at all. But as employees - my God these people are killing me.

One cannot get her ass in on time, ever. But she must leave every day at the dot of 4:30. One loves to stir the pot and tattle on everyone. One is the sweetest person alive and puts in the most effort of anyone you've ever seen, but is slow as molasses and I get constant complaints about her work. One is so ambitious that his lips are permanently glued to my ass - unless he gets busy up the ladder with our VP or other execs. Another threatened to quit unless he was given an impressive title and role as national leader, but he never leaves his office, or his desk for that matter, and he's the only one in the entire company that uses a MAC - so he is pretty much useless as a shared resource. One gets praise for her work, but I think her stuff looks like a bad patchwork quilt...nothing clean, crisp or professional in the batch. Yet another thinks she is brilliant but is actually more of an airhead without a filter between her thoughts and her mouth.

These people are truly draining the life out of me.

Why? Because I care.

I care about doing a good job. I care about this stupid company and the work we do. I care about how my group is perceived and how it reflects on me. I care that these people have put in a lot of years and no one ever took the time to tell them they suck and to do a better job. I care that these are good people and I delude myself into believing I can make a difference in their career and reputation if I just spend a little more time and effort on them. I believe I have the potential to be the "WORLD'S BEST BOSS"...

I care and I don't want to fire anyone. My hubby? He's earning a new nickname - "The Donald". He started his job in July and has fired 3 people. Well actually, he scared them into quitting. To be accurate, he confronted two on misconduct and they resigned; the third he lucked out on since he was about to fire him for non-performance when the guy's mother-in-law got sick and he had to move out of State.

Three people. In seven months.

Most of my staff have been here longer than me, and I started as a SECRETARY and I'm now their boss! Can it be true that they really don't care? Should I not worry about it and start pink slipping everyone? Outsourcing sounds mighty fine I must say...although hard to manage too.

I've been reading Chick's sad tales of woe with her work and her manager and I'm struggling because I would never want to bring that kind of misery to an undeserving person (and because I love Chick and I firmly believe she is good, talented, and professional, despite a few cola-snorting, bon-bon eating ass comments I know she is undeserving of misery) I am totally at a loss.

This week I actually went beyond the over-the-counter Prilosec and got a prescription to try and alleviate my chronic and continuing heartburn. I sit in my office rubbing my neck like it's going to help.

I have had heartburn for the past 6 weeks - unrelenting. And I can pretty much attribute all of it to my job...and most of that...to the people who work for me. The last time I remember having a week of no heartburn? When I was on vacation at the Cape....in AUGUST!

I read Mrs. G's post this week about being discovered by a friend while she was filling her Zoloft prescription at Walgreen's. First, of course, I laughed at the hysterical picture that she painted. Especially the post-friend-visit where she dry-swallowed the Zoloft. But then I was like, hmmmm....Zoloft.....

So, I've been feeling a little like Mommie Dearest in my emotional control for the past few days. Yesterday I told a very nice VP that I would NOT redesign his website tool unless he guaranteed the team would use it because it was for damn sure they weren't using the one I originally designed for them last year. OUCH. He totally didn't deserve my snottiness.


But, you know, he was there.

And I? am not on Zoloft.

YET.

Superbowl Sunday for the Non-Football Fans

Because it is unacceptable in the U.S. to not participate in festivities surrounding the Superbowl, we joined a small gathering at a friend's house.

Let's call the friends - Coach and Queen B. Coach is a HUGE HUGE HUGE sports fan. Pretty much any sport. And Superbowl Sunday? Yeah - its a national holiday for him. Poor man. He really must re-think his Superbowl Party invitation list.

Attending:
His wife - Queen B. Interest in sports? Less than zero.
His kids - Mighty Max and Princess? Yup - prefer X-box..
Wenderina - Gave up football at last Buffalo Bills loss and has never looked back.
Hubby - Knows his football, but is happier with a book, his paints, or a computer.
Britania 1 & 2 - British couple whose definition of football involves a checkered ball and games that result in a 1-0 score.
Brit Kids - Up playing X-box with the others

Things you don't usually see at your typical Superbowl Party:

1. Politics and Philosophy discusion (Hubby and Britania 1)
2. Cooking Light Recipe Swap (Queen B and Britania 1)
3. Kitchen Gossip - for 2 quarters of play (Wenderina, Queen B, Britania 2)
4. Snoozing Guest- Wenderina - 3rd quarter
5. Quirky Comments like "What's his name? Human Urine" Queen B re: Umenyiora
6. People who really don't care who wins or loses (and arrived at party not knowing which teams were even playing!).
7. People who need to have a box pool explained to them.

Well, we still had a great time - but I'm sure at some point Coach deteremined he would much prefer real fans to attend his party next year.

Ex-cell-ent (imagine Bill and Ted accent here)

Validation is a sweet sweet thing. People who know me well understand that my blog title is very honest. I am riddled with anxieties. These same people also scoff at me because they say I have no reason to be anxiety ridden every moment of every day.


My response: since when has reason had anything to do with anxiety?????


So every little validation - while it doesn't alleviate my feelings of inadequacies, it does make me realize I'm pretty crazy to keep having them. And that's an ok thing.

So thanks to Ian Lidster from Or So I Thought for giving me a place on his top 10 list of Excellent Blogs. How extraordinary! The fact that Ian is actually a man who makes a living by the quill - being a journalist and freelance writer is even more exciting since I imagine that some day, some how, I might publish... well... something.

This blogging thing is my first foray into writing for myself versus writing crap brochures and marketing docs for my job.


So the terms of the awards require that I give back to others - so here's my top 10 list of Excellent Blogs:

1. Searching for an Even Balance. This blog is special to my heart because it has re-introduced me to my niece. Only 9 years my junior, I still always viewed her as a child, a teenager at most, despite the fact she is a very intelligent, grown up woman with a husband and a child and a very entertaining view of life.


2. View from the Passenger Seat. Amybow authors this blog and sits only two cubicles away from me in our own personal Dilbert-hell environment. She taught me about blogging and keeps me sane with our regular walks and lunch escapes from the insanity.


3. Good Intentions. Again, I personally know the author of this blog. Kiki also shares our life and times at Uncle Malcolm's House of Pain (job nickname) and keeps me laughing with our shared sense of the ridiculous. I've learned more about Kiki from her blog than from our conversations at work, and I find her to be an amazing woman.


4. Jason for the Love of God. Touching, funny, totally and brutally honest wrapped up in a gifted storytelling style. Chick simply awes me.


5. Derfwad Manor. I love Mrs. G (as do many others based on her nearly 100 comments per day). I think her ability to think up such engaging posts is really amazing. And sharing her bounty of readership with others with her Slow Cook Thursdays is very generous.


6. Juggling Life. I've only been reading this blog for the last month - since she was featured on Derfwad Manor, but I love it. Great family, fun stories, Almost Wordless Wednesdays, and very inventive nicknames for her featured players.


7. Or So I Thought. Back at ya Ian. I enjoy your writing although I am sometimes intimidated by your depth of knowledge and experience. You encourage me to take the time to read those depressing newspapers, turn off the movie channel and check out the news, and pay attention to the world around me.


8. Stephanie's Place. Although many of her posts are just...painful...as they deal with the trials and tribulations of step-parenting with a highly dysfunctional "other parent" she has termed Egg Donor (ED) - she certainly writes from the heart and I am in awe of her dedication and fortitude.


9. 60 Piggies. For pure artistry - in images, craft, and word. I often feel I'm visiting a museum or a library - but one that has been infused with a lovely homey warmth - when I visit 60 piggies.


10. Artistic Balance. This is hubby's space and my love of this blog is totally tied to my love of him. He has a wonderful artist's soul that still sucks it up and goes to work every day to help pay our bills. I wish he could spend more time on his photography and his painting, but until that day - I hope he continues to pursue this hobby so we can enjoy the fruits of his labor together.

If you didn't make my list - you are still among my favorites or you wouldn't be what populates my blogroll and keeps me up until 3:00AM reading and commenting.

Go visit and enjoy them as I do....my most excellent friends.

Brisbane Bound

I'm traveling far far FAR away.

While MoStraz was YELLING at me to go to England right away (is that you Doty?) I was booking my travel to Brisbane. I'm going for work, but hope to get in a little play while I'm at it. Because work set the schedule, I'm going in February - essentially the hottest month of the year in Australia. Melissa at Inquisitrix tells me it is "hotter than the hubs of hell" there right now. Yay.

But still - it's an adventure, and my life usually sadly lacks in adventure (except those I find in my books). I tried to convince hubby or some of my friends to come along - even though I'd have to ditch them most days for meetings - but no takers. So I'm off on my own and the only female attending the meetings (Yay again).

I can't believe I'm complaining about a free trip to Australia!! What a snot I am!! Immediate attitude adjustment. Wait for it. There.

Hey everybody - I'm so psyched that I am flying to the opposite end of this earth to see Australia!

I'll be here.

And since I arrive on a Friday morning and my meetings don't start until Sunday afternoon, I'm hoping to fight through jet lag and see this:

According to the website, I can get there like this:

Which may or may not be a good idea , but what I've got to see is this:

What other wonders might I see?

Countdown: 13 days to lift-off.