Bugger - the Ugh wins again.

It's official - I've had to pull out of the Port to Port. After going to the doctor on Monday, and still feeling pertty blah today (especially with the impeded breathing part!), I emailed the guy organising the team and told him I'm out. It's going to cost me, and I'm really quite annoyed I have to do it, but considering I can barely walk up the hill to work without pausing to cough my guts up, I figure it's for the best. And hey, it means I can move my rostered day off to Auscon Friday, which means I'll be there to meet people at the airport.

Speaking of work, that's where I am today. The work bans are in place - instalments are pretty much the area that's going to be affected most since they get the most calls - but for the rest of us it's pretty much business as usual. Except that we get an hour off for lunch at the allocated time of 1-2pm. And I was technically ten minutes late this morning.

*sighs* Dammit, I really wanted to go on that ride...

Results!

Half a day into our two-week work bans and the Department wants to talk. *grins* Guess they got tired of people complaining they couldn't get through on the phones.

Our official opening hours are reducing too, back to the original 4.30pm. Which means court staff will be able to get the day's work completed without interruption, especially the cash stuff. We're still working until 5.06pm (the official time), just closing the court doors half an hour earlier.

Stopping the bans means we get our rostered days off back for December, too. This is a very good thing, since it will mean I'll have my Christmas leave unaffected. Oh, and I now have the Friday before Auscon off, so if anyone needs meeting at the airport, I can do it.

Nose is slightly clearing, ears still stuffed, deathly tired. Yes, that would be me being sick, in case some of you hadn't realised by now. *grins* It's definitely a Bastard Flu, make no mistake. I'd say I was getting the upper hand, finally, but I said that last time and ended up having to take time off work.

And no, I wouldn't be going to karate training tonight. I'm not insane.

Last call for Auscon and tentative itinerary

Okay, folks, I'll be booking the hostel this weekend, luck and the Flu Gods willing. So I'm going to need everyone's final word - I'm pretty sure I have everyone that's going, but just to be sure. As of this evening, the list is as follows:

MouseCarcass
Seraph
Amanda Sichter
Bounce
Andraste
Phil Foster
Yasmin
Loki'sRose
Blinky the Tree Frog
Rossi

Anyone else, get back to me by this Friday (Aussie time) or forever hold your peace.

There is also a rough itinerary. Always subject to suggestion.

Friday November 28:

MC arrives 11.45am
Hostel check in, time to be determined according to hostel.
Intervening time spent talking, playing Chez Geek, whatever.
Dinner - this one _is_ open to suggestions. Any preferences? (and bear in mind we're in the city) I'm playing with the idea of Stalagtite's, the Greek place on the corner of Russell and Lonsdale.
Amanda (and possibly Seraph) arrives 9.45 pm. The Skybus may need to be involved.
Adjourn to the nearest nicest pub to the hostel, more talking, possibly some drinking for those who do.


Saturday November 29:

Morning - trip to Melbourne Zoo. So far I have three in favour, none against. Let me know if you have violent objections.

Lunch - Picnic in the park, probably Flagstaff Gardens, considering their proximity to the Victoria Market and cheap and nummy foodstuffs. Open to anyone who wishes to attend, even if they're not doing the Con proper.

Afternoon - eventual return to hostel after picnic, getting ready for formal.

Evening - Formal dinner. Final venue to be arranged, but at the moment it's looking to be at the William Angliss College restaurant. Please note that whilst it's called a formal dinner, you don't have to go OTT if you don't feel comfortable. Just nice is fine. Besides, there's no chance of getting Phil to wear anything but jeans. ;)


Sunday November 30:

Morning - Movies, depending on what's on. I'm sure there will be something suitably geeky.

Lunch - To be determined. Again, suggestions of where ten people can eat cheaply and well are welcome.

Afternoon - Trivia! Yep, that's right, we're going to the Sporting Club Hotel for the 4pm Trivia Session, under the team name of the Maelstrom. :) Many brains make questions easy.

Dinner - Alaysha's Restaurant, Turkish place in Brunswick (depends on whether it's open). Otherwise it might be Singh's, the Indian place in Lygon St.


Monday - December 1:

Wrap up - checking out (again, time to be determined by hostel), storing of luggage at Spencer Street Station. Farewell to various peoples as their planes depart (Amanda and MC are both on the 2.15pm plane). There's a possibility I might have to go to work, due to lack of any more leave days, but I'm sure you'll have fun without me. Besides, I work near Spencer Street and can find somewhere to stash people for the wait. :)


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Okay, that's all for now. As usual, any questions, suggestions, complaints and such can be directed to me. In fact, I'd rather people organised stuff via me, just so I know where everyone is and when. Ten people is a bit more than a Maelstrom gathering, and I don't want to lose anyone. :)

Also, to that end, those of you with _working_ mobiles, bring them along and make sure I have the numbers. I'm going to attach myself to someone with a mobile pretty much as much as possible on Friday, considering people are arriving at various times.

Oh, and I'll need those arrival times soonish too; by the end of next week, if possible. I need to arrange pick ups.

That's it. As you were. :)

Why, yes, I _am_ a sheep...

This one was too nifty to pass up, although I resisted mightily. :)

I'm trying to get all my Livejournal friends' locations plotted on a map - please add your location starting with this form. Username: (Then get your friends to!)

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Oh, and a quote I heard from the comedy thing on Channel Ten right now - "Australia - it's the cool Canada!"