2015 weeks #13: birthdays, derby, Melbourne and more!

 

A quiet Easter Monday + board games with friends and family……a delicious dinner of ribs…

…and hanging out with George.

The latest addition to my range of fitness activities has been resistance interval training at F45. I really enjoy it (except when there is push ups) and it does make me work super hard. Generally I try and go once a week – I have been avoiding the cardio sessions since I bunged my back skipping and sadly there is only resistance training on Tuesdays and Thursdays so I have to find time to fit it in around the rest of life. But I have taken some of it home to do with the small boys in the comfort of our lounge.

Back at work and continuing to benefit from the whole new interest in beading. This is a creation that Jude whipped up while staying with Jackie on the weekend.

And here is the happy birthday boy!

To celebrate the auspiciousness of Jude’s birthday, it was dinner at the regular favourite – the Elk & Pea. The boys couldn’t go past the donuts for dessert.

Jude’s new knitted cap from Rachel was a major success (just don’t try to tell the boys it is a viking helmet because they will expend a lot of emphatic energy explaining that in reality vikings didn’t have horns on their helmets and that is all a myth).

Managed to get some D&D in. Someone tried to burn us all in a inn.

Off to Melbourne. Here is me looking disgruntled about having to ride in a maxi-taxi. I hate those things (though obviously very important for accessibility – why do I always get them in line. This was the second time for the week).

Disgruntlement didn’t last long as, in between meetings, I got to catch up with Victoria and then I was staying at one of my favourite Melbourne hotels, the Crown Metropole. The 27th floor pool is spectacular as the sun starts to dip.

I was attending the Transport and Logistics Skills Council annual awards dinner. As I have mentioned before, I really do enjoy seeing the outstanding work some training providers and employers do in the training space, and hearing the wonderful stories of many of the people who have gained training and the impact on their lives – it does make it all feel real and worthwhile. I also learnt that while trains are easy to drive, there is an enormous amount of skill in getting them to stop!

Friday included attending Nick’s Dad’s funeral, and then going out for drinks with Nick and family to appropriately say goodbye. I was ready for two drinks at that stage.

Autumn has been looking its usual beautiful self in Canberra this year.

Saturday was bout day and with Capital Carnage playing the Dishonour Rollers I was left with very mixed loyalties. This time though, the boys won out and I ended up benching my first game for Carnage. Lots of fun and the boys won, though the Dishonour Rollers certainly made them work for it.

Sunday was Jude’s birthday party – George and I were hiding in the kitchen from all the noise of an afternoon D$D campaign conducted by a horde of small boys under James’ supervision.

The adventure called for fighting a dragon-turtle. Rachel delivered a fabulous chocolate version for the boys to slay.

And a happy birthday was enjoyed by all adventurers.

2015 weeks! #1: life (mostly) without boys

Trying to get into good habits for the year, I started the week with a ride around the lake. Nice morning for it too.

This week seemed to be tropical Canberra week – a thunderstorm or at least dark clouds and rain pretty much every night. James had to come and rescue me from complete drenching when I was walking home at one point – even with an umbrella.

James spoiled us by roasting up a duck. Plenty to enjoy with no small boys around.

Also chances to go out to lunch.

Another pre work ride, getting into the morning exercise discipline.

More spectacular clouds and stormy weather as seen from my office window. When did Canberra become tropical?

We played some regular weeknight D&D for the first time in ages and got to see some of Andrew V’s painting.

The boys returned from Adelaide. They are not pictured here, but their muddy footprints after playing cricket outside in the rain are.

Saturday James and I headed off to Newcastle for the Bont Invitational. I was just in spectating mode, while James had two games to play.

Capital Carnage put up a great effort against New York Shock Exchange. Their second half was particularly good when they got it together and used their defence more effectively.

I do like Newcastle and particularly the older parts of town with the cool colonial architecture.

We had dinner by the water and walked along the boardwalk.

Breakfast was at our favourite Newcastle hipster cafe, Frankies on Darby Street.

The New York boys came and sat next to me so I had to photo.

The Sunday game was a black and white game with the New York guys mixed in with Carnage, some SMASH guys and a few others, included Mr Furieux from France who demonstrated the most amazing footwork until his knee got smashed and he had to sit out.

The game was a lot of fun to watch though.

I got to spend some time hanging out with my derby ladeez which was fun. And then it was time to drive home through rain and wind and gloom to be greeted by a lovely sunset as we arrived in Canberra.

 

Weeks! #46: and it is hot wherever I go

So Mumbai and I begin the week with pretty much two full days not leaving the hotel and conferencing and working. With our Minister in attendance.

These trips are always pretty intense but when you have a Minister around and you need to make sure everything is running smoothly as well it adds to the general level of full-on-ness.

Here is me with Joanna my person in charge of India and Megan the Chair of our working group on India. We were debriefing.

One of the things we like to showcase is the highly talented products of our vocational education system. Here is Jessica Martin who was a silver medallist at Worldskills and Morgan Clementson who was the runner up for Apprentice of the Year demonstrating their skills.

I facilitated a session in which Tara was speaking – she was challenged to take a selfie while on stage so I acted as the world’s biggest enabler.

While I didn’t leave the hotel for two days, the views were still spectacular. I particularly loved the Sea Bridge which is 5.6km long (we drove it on Sunday).

When Joanna and I finally next stepped out of the hotel Tuesday night it was to head to the very spectacular new Mumbai international airport. Our flight to Hyderabad was the tail end of an international flight. Being at the airport late on a Tuesday night we got a sense of the story of global skilled labour migration as we watched lines of single men filing into planes bound for the Middle East. it was a sobering reminder of how the world works in these areas and some of the social challenges of labour mobility.

After arriving in Hyderabad late in the night, here was the view from my hotel room window the next morning.

The hotel was quite spectacular too – so much marble!

After spending the morning speaking to members of the India Economic Service – high level economics focused public servants – about skills and skill development, we went with them to Dialogue in the Dark. It is an extraordinary experience – you eat lunch in the complete dark before being taken through a sensory experience, also in darkness. The people who work as guides are blind – it must be so empowering for them to suddenly be more in control than us sighted folk. It is interesting too how intense and focused your conversations can be when there is nothing but the sound of each other’s voices. I never expected to spend a lunchtime discussing Indian economic reform and the Australian vocational education system while eating curry while unable to see anything. I must admit I was pleased I was wearing black too – otherwise no doubt there would have been curry all over a white shirt!

We also visited a training provider in the afternoon who taught construction skills and met one of the few Indian female construction teachers. I wasn’t quite sure that thongs or sandals would be approved footwear while laying bricks in Australia.

We also had a visit to the markets in Hyderabad, where it rained heavily on us but we also managed to pick up those last presents.

The next morning I was up at 4.30am to fly to Delhi and from there home. Once again I got to witness the weird sight of clouds through the tinted Dreamliner windows.

I had half a day in Canberra to wash myself and some clothes before James and I were off on another plane to Queensland.

It was funny – the Minister ended up the row in front of us on the plane so I checked in with him about his return flight. He’d been back a day earlier but then had had to be in Canberra for Cameron’s address to Parliament so was feeling at least as exhausted as me. James and I headed to Ipswich on arrival and found ourselves dinner before I eventually collapsed into bed.

We were at the Ipswich showgrounds at 7am the next morning for the kick off of the men’s national roller derby championships. The first game was Capital Carnage playing Scartel – the team from Brisbane City Rollers featuring my good friend James – Copter to the derby initiated. I was, however, firmly on Carnage’s side.

Slams, Sir Gestive and I are here ready and waiting for the action of the first game. In the end, the Scartel won, but it was a well fought game and the Carnage boys did a great job.

Of course, it was around 40 degrees in a tin shed and it got pretty hot. Especially after you’d been playing derby.

It was hot so drinking was required but the only beer was Four X. A girl has to opt for cider then.

The boys played their next two games in their hot pink alternative strip. They were very proud of it and it got them a whole lot of love.

Copter and I watched some games together. Here we are being amazed by the Bass Strait Brawlers – Victoria Vanguard game. So close. I was cheering for the Bass Strait Brawlers because (a) underdogs and (b) Sausarge Rolls. Though it could be argued that Vanguard were the best looking team at the nationals….

James and I had dinner and breakfast at the same quality restaurant. We were very tired in the evening. Sure James played three games of derby but I sat watching in 40+ degree heat and it is very tiring cheering and shouting.  And I did still have jet lag.

It was so stupidly hot I resorted to thongs for day 2. I never wear thongs. Queensland made me do it.

34More derby watching. Carnage did well to get themselves into the game versus Light City, but, while competitive, couldn’t quite take it out. With two wins for the weekend however, they could certainly consider that they had acquitted themselves well.

The fan provided some relief from the heat even if it did mess up my hair.

In the end it was Vanguard’s weekend and they came out well deserved winners even if I was still cheering for the Brawlers in the final. Blurry celebratory photo.

And so the first men’s nationals were done. You can see from how Slams looks in the next photo that it is completely true that spending an entire weekend watching derby in the heat is as tiring as playing! well, that’s our argument and we are sticking with it.

Weeks! #27: life and broken bits

Games are big in our house, and no game is a more important staple than Unexploded Cow. The boys are even starting to learn strategy.

Gratuitous George photo. I was having a sick day.

While I was away, Sebastian managed to convince his father to buy him a zebra onesie. It results in no end of amusement.

James and I managed to find time for lunch together at Loading Zone. Delicious lemon tart.

Exciting new stockings!

Things continue a little stressful in life. So the odd Lindor Ball and glass of wine is necessary.

Maybe two Lindor Balls.

And there is nothing better for relieving stress than killing a few monsters.

Thursday morning and I was walking Jude and Zac to school early for choir.

Zac has started to expand his cooking skills and here was helping me make cupcakes that he could take to school for his birthday.

Gratuitous selfie.

The last day at school was pyjama day. With added pillow for watching movies.

Derby shirt Friday involved Oberon Roller Derby this week.

Despite not being 100%, a bit of derby training was good for me. This appears to be the story of my life at the moment.

Saturday morning was Zac’s birthday party and the Labours of Zac-ules. Here he is slaying the hydra. More about this separately.

I started a new book while at junior derby. So far am really enjoying it – it is beautifully written.

Sunday morning we road tripped up to Sydney for the first Capital Carnage bout. Mum and Dad had arrived the night before, so Jude and Zac opted to stay and hang out with their grandparents while Sebastian decided her wanted to see James play. The first half of the game went well – while SMASH were still up, Carnage were holding their own. Then, early in the second half, James went down. I was concerned, but then he got up and skated back to the bench. A couple of minutes later I saw that he was waving me to come over and had a first aid person with him. His collarbone was broken.

There was pain relief and ambulances and the whole lot. Eventually James went by ambulance to Bankstown Hospital nearby and Sebastian and I drove over to join him. Fortunately the break was a reasonably clean one which was touching and should heal ok, so no surgery was required. After some time, and medication and observation etc, I drove us home from Sydney. Wasn’t quite the end to the week we were hoping for.