'tis the season and all that........

So here goes another Christmas, over spending, over eating, and for some - over the limit.

Some of my early Christmas memories, are of adult relatives; drinking too much, falling over, and fighting amongst themselves.

Funny how we think it is our right to drink to excess on a day that families and friends are supposed to be spending quality time together.

A glass or two of something you wouldn't normally afford is one thing, but finishing a slab because you have the next day off, is....well....OFF!

This is especially not on if your kids are there to witness and absorb your behaviour. Just the sort of role model all kids hope for....NOT!

So Boxing day my girls and I are hitting the Sales and having a picnic in the park. Christmas Day will be spent with the family on the coast. The first Christmas there since the last of my childhood. I'm hoping my generation comes off better that the one before and that our kids have a day filled with fun, laughter and sharing.

Have a safe and Happy holiday.

See you on the other side.


Kez

It looked so gooood but so wrong.......

The Farmers' Market in Canberra is brilliant.

Two weekends ago we were treated to one of the coldest and foggiest Saturday mornings this year so far. Everyone resembled the Michelan Man/Woman, scarves wound around neck and heads, shoppers fumbling for money because gloves were in the way. Woolly hats of all colours shapes and form had been dug out of wardrobes and the tourists had decided to give the early start a miss.

There were only the locals and a few die hard visitors. It was Magic.

The hot food outlet was doing a roaring trade and the key item on their menu were these enormous Kransky sausages on rolls with onion and sauce. Having joined the breakfast queue after having done the bulk of my shopping, I seriously contemplated having a Kranksy Roll, however as I waited I noticed one very telling thing about them, only the real 'he' men were buying them.

I suddenly thought a Bacon & Egg Roll looked really good. The sight of so many manly men devouring these long thick juicy red sausages was a bit off putting. Add the sizzling, and the fat dripping from the Kranksies as the staff made the rolls, it was all a little too Phallic and testosterone charged for me at that time on a cold Saturday morning.

Its funny how we worry about how things look. I don't know how long it will take me to build the courage to order a Kransky roll. It seems stupid to miss out on something that probably tastes great, because of what it looks like.

Caving to public opinion is something we all do from time to time. And anyway, isn't more appropriate for a hetrosexual woman to eat a Kransky roll than those he-men who were devouring them?

Life in the Big City

So, you might ask, what is it like living somewhere where you are suddenly anonymous?

To be honest? Refreshing. I still miss my friends and some of the comfort of familiarity, however, being out of my comfort zone is proving to be a growth experience. Confidence I didn't even know I had lost, is growing.

Two years ago tomorrow I almost died. After twelve months of hell I got back to work, (with the help of family, friends and three people, Sue, Stephanie and my doctor Mark). Two years ago I didn't know I had a future, let alone one that had me moving myself and my 18yr old to a major city, re-starting a career and thinking about my post-grad study program.

Canberra is a very interesting place to live. Just passing parliament house on the way into the city still has me in awe. I hope I never loose that.

The weather is crisp, especially this time of year. I can knit as much as I want and I will get to wear what I produce. The farmers market is huge and I am starting to network amongst the producers.

M and I are going to hit the garage sales and the museum this long weekend and see what we can find for the house.

Will Keep you posted,

Kez.

What is it about running Red Lights in the ACT?

Have you ever run a red/stop light?

Was it intentional?

Since moving to the Nation's Capitol I have seen some of the most blatent law breaking in this regard.

It doesn't usually happen on intersections with red light cameras, though I do see the occassional flash from those.

Tailgating is another notable passtime. This little country mouse is used to have more personal space. And lets face it no one gets that close to my rear end without a decent meal and a movie.

There is a great radio ad here at the moment that states our traffic jams last 15 minutes not 3 hours, and its true.

So what is the rush? Set the alarm twenty minutes earlier.

Have a leisurely trip into work, grab a latte to takeaway and listen to Scotty and Nigel. Chill, you'll get there safely and have the opportunity to see all the other idiots on the road without joining their ranks.