Acoustic motorbikes and Magic FM

So, this morning, for the first time since I went on Walkabout, I rode my bike to work.

*bounces*

I forgot how energizing that is. True, there are cars and smog and pedestrians and buses and this morning a particularly thick smoke haze from the bushfires up north (still burning, but mainly in National Park now and not threatening homes. Still not good, but at least people aren't in so much danger), but still, I'm happy and full of energy and have a bad case of helmet hair. *grins* Forgot the shorter style was good for the bike helmet.

And I did it in fairly good time, too. I'm not sure of the exact distance, my bike computer needing a new battery (as does my rear light. And I new a new tube, a puncture repair kit and a water bottle - guess who's off to the bike shop at lunchtime?), but I did it in about twenty minutes, maybe less, since I didn't look at my watch until I'd gotten changed and was walking into the office (horribly early on account of my speediness). Cecil handled like a dream, forgiving all the neglect (the TLC I gave him over the weekend helped), and it only took a minute or two to adapt to things again - it's the strangest feeling, being on a bike seat after so long. Like I'm really high up.

Note: I've just noticed I'm using a lot of parentheses today. Must be feeling bracket-y. *grins*

Mel called last night, which was cool. Lots of the talking thing. :) No messages from Dad once I hung up, so he may or may not be turning up at work today with a box. Crap, just had a thought - if he does show up with the box, he won't be able to bring it in past the security stuff. Bugger. Wish I'd been able to get in touch, but it was too late to call him when I got off the phone.

Another dull day of work ahead - at least the radio's off, since that was extremely trauma-inducing yesterday. I'm down the back part of the office, and the price for being away from the counter and the phones is listening to Magic FM, which is 'easy listening' stuff from the 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's. And not the good stuff, either, we're talking serious elevator music. And no CD ROM in the computer to play my own stuff. But yeah, we voted to do without the radio today, since my brain is in serious danger of melting.

However, after all this blah-ness, I do have something on tonight - first karate lesson in two years. I'm preparing to get my arse royally kicked. ;)

Oh, and I heard on the radio this morning (finally got my clock radio working, so I have soothing voices instead of hair-raising bell ringing to wake me up) that the Gnome is finally putting the Iraqi War issue to Parliament. And the Greens are threatening to move a vote of no confindence. Which is kinda odd, considering Mel and I were talking about that last night. But yeah, about bloody time the Gnome remembered he is but the representative of the party in power, and doesn't actually have the authority to do anything without putting it before the Senate and the House of Reps. I don't have a lot of hope for the vote of no confidence - it would be the first time we've ever had one - but still, it'll be a chance for the Gnome to get asked some very pointed questions about already sending troops and just what kind of arrangements he has exactly with the US.

I survive!

So, my first karate training in almost two years. I managed not only to complete the whole two hour session, but I also rode home. Which wasn't a huge distance, but it was kinda uphill and there was a headwind.

I hate headwinds. Like cancer.

And it was fun to see the faces of those who didn't know I was back yet when they saw me. And everyone was asking how long this time, because I've actually left the club twice now. I can't blame them for being skeptical.

So, survived training, even with Alex demonstrating applications and lunging suddenly at my chest area (it was a self-defence drill, really!), and I'm planning to go for another two hours tomorrow (6.30-8.30 this time) and then again on Thursday (5-7). And then I'll probably die.

Unpleasant surprise in my mail box when I got home - my first phone bill. $95, can you believe it? And that's just line rental and service charges, no actual calls. So guess who's going to switch to Optus tomorrow? Yep, Telstra can go... *remembers the parentals read this* go very far away and not come back, that's what they can do. *grins*

Speaking of the parentals, my Dad is a saint. He caught the train down here this morning (4 hours from Wodonga), and then caught a taxi out to my place after I'd given him my keys, dropped off the missing kitchen stuff, and then jumped back on the train again. Talk about above and beyond the call of duty... *smooches her Dad*