Retro speed reading anyone?

So someone at my work decided it might be a good idea for a group of us to do a speed reading workshop. This involves 3 sessions of 2 hours each. So far we've done 2 sessions. I'm sceptical. Firstly, because a key element of my job is to proof read documents and to analyse whether issues have been addressed. How can I do that when I'm speed reading? Secondly, well, I don't know. I just don't like it (in my best Pauline voice). The email invite we received was quite intriguing. It made mention of this reading accelerator gadget we'd be using. For some reason I pictured some kind of electrical device with wires hooked up to our heads. LOL. Yes, I really did!

Anyway, imagine my surprise when we rock up and find these little gems. Straight from the 1970s I'm sure.

It was quite the anti-climax. Not sure if you can get a true appreciation of the retro-ness of this gadget by the photo. Trust me.

And again, I've stayed up past my bedtime.

xx

Blue Skies

So hard to believe that we are having such sensational, typical Queensland weather while we are going through our worst ever natural disaster.

The floods have been on telly non-stop since Monday night. While we are suffering in south-east Queensland it's often hard to remember that so many other areas in Queensland are also doing it tough and still at risk. As I type, Goondiwindi is about to go under. And as our floodwaters recede, other areas in Australia are facing similar conditions. The cost and effort to rebuild our transport infrastructure alone is going to be mindblowing.

There isn't much I can say that hasn't already been said. I think our Premier (who I must admit, I am NOT a huge fan of) has done a fantastic job of communicating with the public. I won't say anymore on that at the risk of getting myself tangled up in a political debate (all in my head of course :p).

I work in Brisbane city and will not return to the office until at least Monday. I'm "lucky" that I have remote access and can work from home.

If you are that way inclined, I encourage you to donate to the Premier's flood relief appeal. Please beware of bogus scams looking to pinch dollars (yes, they really are the lowest of the low).

In between checking emails and other bits and pieces of work I've managed to make some good progress on Lest we Forget. Lots of solid colour stitching. I also took the time to count the stitches remaining on one side of my Bon Jovi masterpiece. I miscalculated. Not.happy.jan. Actually I didn't miscalculate. I took the wrong measurements to Spotlight. Instead of taking the "finished area" dimensions, I took the "stitched area" figures. Say no more. I'll be pulling the stitches out and trying to salvage the aida for something else ;).

Really need to turn the telly off and nick off to bed. Everyone stay safe and dry.

xx

What a day

My internet is dropping out quite often so I'm hoping I can get this post finished before it crashes again.

We have spent most of the day glued to the telly for updates on the flood situation here in Brisbane. I still can't believe its happening. I have no other words.

I won't be back at work in the city until Monday but am able to work from home with remote access. It's not ideal and there isn't much work being done but its better to be here where its safe and dry than risk going into town.

In amongst work and being glued to the telly I've done a little bit of cross stitch. Pottered around the house.. etc.. The mood is very sombre.

We woke up to a sunny and hot typical Brisbane morning. I think that makes it harder to believe the city is under threat.

Back to the couch. Hope my Brisbane friends are safe and dry.

xx

I have to laugh

Or I'll bloody well cry! LOL. As far as first days back after holidays go.. this one was a cracker! Here in Queensland, we've been hit with terrible flooding over the last few weeks. While I don't work out on the road, my role is (among other things) in the road/transport infrastructure industry. Holy shit batman. Lots of scrambling to get figures/damage info/repair schedules etc etc... I've just checked the Blackberry and I'm still getting emails. So the day flew by. Not the nice casual start to the year I had hoped for.

Robbie and Zak went back to their normal routines today too. Zak to vacation care and Robbie back to daycare. I was a bit worried about him but he performed beautifully. No tanties or anything.

Zak caught up with his old friend, Claude, yesterday. It was a little awkward at first. The boys haven't seen each other for at least five years so they didn't really know each other. We spent a couple of hours there. I caught up with his mum. She's a nice lady. Been through so much in the last couple of years though. The boys (Claude and his brother) are currently living with their dad up in Townsville so she doesn't get to see them very often. That would kill me. I can tell that part of her is missing.. her eyes are so sad :( Oh and totally unlrelated to her sadness - I had to giggle.. I saw a cute little framed cross stitch with the charming phrase "go f*ck yourself" on her bookshelf. I had to ask (as you do) for the story behind it. Apparently her current partner's ex-girlfriend thought it might be a nice parting gift.

Interesting chat with Chloe on MSN tonight. Her and her "bff" are fighting (again). And of course its plastered all over Facebook for everyone to see. This latest fight is a disagreement over what may or may not have happened between Chloe and a boy. I really wish she would come and live with us for a while. It makes me sad that the only thing that seems to make her feel good about herself is having the attention of boys. Meh, who am I to say I could make a difference anyway. She's such a beautiful girl - I hate seeing all of this negative stuff around her.

Oh and one more thing - its TUSAL time! Here is my pic of my ORTs! Shocking pic - would prefer to take in daylight but if I don't get it done tonight time will slip away from me and I'll forget about it. Want to know more? Visit this post at Daffycat's blog!

Now I'm ready for bed!

xx