Here’s my answer:

Professionally

• Member of FINSIA
• Member of the IIA and on the committee as one of the social coordinators for the Young Members Network
• President (dictator) of the office Social Club
• Mentor students at QUT

Formally

• Involved in politics (but not as much as I use to be)
• Active member of a church (but not as actively involved in ministry as in the past)
• Gym member and devoted to my Saturday morning Body Balance

Generally

• I spend time with my parents and brothers (including job coaching, tutoring and generally keeping the peace)
• Catch up with ex-colleagues from previous work places
• Catch up with old uni and school friends
• Catch up with friends from churches I use to go to
• Play the occasional poker game
• Manage a movie once every week or two
• Blog
• Have been attempting to write a novel for the last 18 years (am up to 23 attempts in 4 years)
• Cross stitch, paint and draw
• Shop
• Shop lots
• Play golf and go to the driving range
• Spend way too much time catching up with people on Facebook and trading assets in a fictional game
• Occasionally plan what assets I would trade irl  (soon to be a reality – come on market, drop another 500 points!)
• Hoard books and occasionally read them (and possibly starting a book club soon)
• Get a good handle on where the good places to eat and drink are in Brisbane (and occasionally Sydney and Perth)

…no wonder I don’t go to the gym more often.  But what I really want to know is, why on earth do I get bored so often?

One thing I look forward to every year is my birthday.  Not that I relish being a year older, or even expect presents, but I enjoy getting as many of my friends as possible together and catching up.  Being generally friendly, I do have many friends from a variety of walks of life.  I invited over 120 people to my 21^st (although only about 40 actually turned up), I don’t think I invite quite so many these days – university offered more social opportunities than I have experienced since.  One thing I will say about my parties is that it is completely unpredictable as to who will turn up, how they will get along and what will happen at the end of the evening.

A few years ago I remember one of my friends at my birthday dinner going on a rant, that was supposed to be funny, about how she thinks that euthanasia should not only be available, but enforced, particularly on some of the people we knew.  I did giggle, until I realized listening across the table was one of my lovely lovely compassionate friends working as a nurse.  As someone who does all she can to ensure people live and live as comfortably as possible in their conditions, she was obviously not amused.  That was also the party where one girl I kind of tolerated came along unannounced with one of her friends I secretly hated and spent the whole evening flirting with a guy I was not quite over and had only broken up with a few weeks since.  Fortunately some friend from work came out with me after and helped me do my own flirting in a club that is now notorious for being a ground for some of the Broncos more lewd escapades. 

Last year one of my friends from church hit it off with one of my friends from uni and we all had our fingers crossed that when he offered her a lift home something would come of it…  …sadly it didn’t.  But we lived in hope and it kept us occupied for the evening.  They were both so lovely and it should have been a good match!

This year I was over the moon with those who did come to dinner and drinks, (along with some disappointment over those handing in their apologies).  There were so many people I hadn’t seen for such a long time and there were no huge clashes at all.  One of my friends from my previous job and her fiancé who has been overseas for ages had come back and came out with us as did one of my buddies who I lived in Japan with.  Fortunately one of my other political friend had lived in Japan so they were had that in common and the partner of one of the girls from work and one of my other friends from church were both in horticulture (that is actual horticulture, not the illegal activity that is sometimes called that as an euphemism).  A couple of other political friend turned up and kept R company and I was fortunate enough to have a few of my trusty old friends that stayed out with me until the wee hours of the morning but well before club curfews.  As I’m getting very old and decrepit it wasn’t very late and fortunately not too boozy.  The worst faux pas was one of my friend mentioning a desire to go “toy” shopping in front of one of my church friends, which is something I’m sure we’ll all live down and hopefully laugh about. 

I’m tempted to list every one who sat round the table sharing dinner together and say how wonderful they are, but I’m sure it will bore whoever is reading this.  The other thing that amazed one of my friends was at the end of the night we had enough money to pay the bill, give a tip and get another drink – every one was not just honest but had chipped in more than their share.  The friend who was amazed wanted to borrow my friends for her party as she wasn’t sure the same thing would happen.

Birthday aside, I’ve been thinking this week about how great most of my friends are (I’ve also caught up with a friend who moved out to Perth this week whilst I’ve been out here for work).  I am pretty lucky.  Over time I’ve also learned to be a bit more emotionally mature and stopped worrying about, or in some cases stopped including, people who are emotionally draining, high maintenance, unbalanced or just nasty.  Talking to my friend last night we were reflecting on how when we were both quite involved in politics (coupled with other things that were going on) life was a bit like a soap.  My friend’s life has had some other ups and downs and is only just settling down – mine is quite settled and stable for now.  (That being said I also had my fair share of drama in Japan, living in a small expat community).  The thing about soap operas, and real operas, is that they’re fun to watch.  Not so much fun to actually live through.  I’ve got a great group of people in my network at the moment, who give and expect support, can voice a variety of opinions and walk vastly different paths.  I treasure them all – whether they made it on Saturday or not J

I have to beg the forgiveness of my readers as I have been a little under the weather lately and have not had the energy to blog.  But in a few weeks when I get back from interstate I should be back better than ever!

AJ

When people first started asking me where my boyfriend was when I turned up to functions with our mutual friends, I use to worry that I should know where he was all the time.  I soon managed to ensure I didn’t go insane by reassuring myself that I trusted him and I have better things to worry about than where my boyfriend is 24-7.  After all, he’s a grown man, he can look after himself.  That and why should any one but me worry about it?  Last night I realised there may be another reason why people were asking, when some one told me she though we lived together.  Call me old fashioned, but I’ve resolved to never live with someone I’m not married to and I’m still surprised when people as for some reason.

In the past the distinction between couples that were married and an not was pretty cut and dry – if you were married you lived together, slept together, were able to have children, were entitled to each others property in the even of a partner passing or if the union split and were generally recognised as a couple socially.  If you weren’t married, unless you were prepared to live on the outside of society, you were none of those things.

Even though I’m a Christian, I’m well aware of the fact that those things are not necessarily set in stone now.  People sleep with and even have children with people they’ve met once.  De facto partners are entitled to settlements after splitting and couples who have been together for a long time are recognised in most circles.  And as much as I’m not an example of Christian purity, I still hold marriage in esteem and may even consider joining the ranks of the married one day.  I think that because of it, there still need to be boundaries between the relationships you have before and after you’re married.  That’s why I don’t like the idea of living with someone before I’m married, having children before I’m married and having completely identical social groups and lives.  Perhaps it’s just a shoe that fits me, I know it’s not for every one.  But it’s also why I’m always surprised when people expect me to be knowing every move or be living with someone who’s very special to me, but has not asked to be my life partner yet.

I recently finished reading The Other Boleyn Girl for my occasional book club as we thought it would be good to see the movie at the same time.  Seeing how the character of Anne Boleyn was treated after she bore a healthy girl but then miscarried was a start reminder of some of the things I remember learning in History and Renaissance Literature.  Women were generally seen as only good to breed (which fortunately has changed in most walks of society) but the domain of fertility was completely their domain.  They were responsible if something went wrong, in determining the gender of the baby and for delivery (men were not just not present but completely excluded).  Whilst we know much better than this now, the domain of fertility still seems to be that of women.

I came to this conclusion, not because my boyfriend had tried to stir me up one too many times about all women being cluckey and wanting children eventually. I don’t agree.  I know young women who are contemplating having their tubes tied before even having one.

This week just gone I did some consulting work for a medical practice concerned with fertility.  And to respond to any questions before they were asked again, it was not a facility where abortions were performed.  I’d have strong objections to that.  It was a lovely environment genuinely aimed at helping women.  And that was the strange part, they mostly talked about couples conceiving, but seemed to mostly talk about having female patients and treating women (even though 1/3 of infertility is due to male infertility and about 1/3 due to problems with the male/female combination).  Unless the male partner stopped off to make a deposit (if you know what I mean).  Also all the lab technicians were female as well as almost all the administrative staff.  I think most of the doctors were male, but didn’t have contact with them.  I’m not sure how most husbands, who are part of couples undergoing treatment, feel about another man being the one getting his wife pregnant, even if the child will be his (well except where they had to use donors…)

Even though we have had centuries of progress, of fathers taking more responsibility, becoming more involved and being concerned about their virility, fertility is largely a female concern.  Even when it comes to assisted fertility.

The flip side of this, and I won’t write extensively to avoid being abused for my personal views, is that abortion is largely seen as an issue of women’s rights.  Which is more related to that outmoded way of thinking from centuries ago.  It seems to be based on the premise that pregnancy is solely up to women.  Which, when you think about it, it’s not, it’s a couple’s decision.  And I guess I was disappointed to see that there were not so many men working at this clinic because I also feel that all aspects of fertility and child rearing should be of mutual concern to men and women.

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I've just had a look on the Channel 9 website, and my appearance on Temptation is to be delayed.  It was originally scheduled to start for the year on the 12th, however I am now not sure when it will be on.

With Christmas approaching I am faced with a dilemma that I have had all year to solve and have spectacularly failed to do.  What do I get the boss?

Last year I had just started my job in November, so didn’t buy presents.  I felt a bit embarrassed when my boss presented me with a Myer gift certificate.  I was determined to get something good this year, even though my manager said that she wouldn’t get anything as she didn’t celebrate Christmas.

Last year, as well, the boss had given all guys a nice bottle of whiskey, so I thought that might be a winner, however on further discission others have said that they’re not going to get him alcohol this year as his wife is very pregnant and due before the end f January.  The general consensus was that he should be given something for the family…  I’m still not 100% sold on this one.

As always I have turned to Google for the answer to all life’s mysteries which can not be found in the Bible.  And the answers vary – if he likes his drinks, get him wine or spirits.  If he/she likes golf, get some personalised golf balls or the like.  Actually I wish it was that easy, especially as I feel like I’m buying for the whole family this year, not just the boss.

I had thought ‘hamper’ which can discretely have a small bottle of something or other tucked into it, but food can be hit and miss.

One website I found went as far as saying that you should feel no obligation to return gifts if your boss gives you one and if you do don’t go dollar for dollar.  This just doesn’t sit right.  After all the guy keeps me employed in a role that gives me very good prospects.  In fact I’d only take this attitude if I knew for sure that it was the company footing the bill, not my boss.  Usually I am a big advocate of the fact that a gift does not (and should not) put you in obligation to any one, although work is a very different context.

Anyhow, I’m off to google some more and if that fails, I might try DJ’s…

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I am so bummed at the moment.  I got the call from the Temptation crew.

They wanted me to head to Melbourne next Tuesday.  However I'll be in Sydney with a very very tight deadline.  I won't blame work entirely.  I also have my work ethic to blame. 

I just hope that when they say there will be another opportinity before the end of the year, it will come about.

And the silver lining is more time to research and learn!

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Who or what always puts a smile on your face?

Making some one else happy.  Some sentimental stuff...

What are you reading at the moment? 
48 Laws of Power. 

Which person do you most admire?
I tend not to idolise other people, but I guess after Jesus and St Paul, Queen Elizabeth I.

What’s your earliest memory? 
Visiting mum in the hostpital after having my middle brother (1982). 

What is your greatest fear?
That some one may not only like Kevin Rudd, but vote for Greg Combet or some other socialist running for office because of it.

How would you like to be remembered?
I won’t be remembered.

Have you even done something you’ve really regretted?
Of course.   But usually I try and do something to make up for it.

How do you spoil yourself?
Shopping, the occasional massage if I'm stressed.  Expensive haircuts... 

What’s your favourite word?
At the moment a draw between 'nice' and 'muppet.' 

Who do you turn to in a crisis?
God, my parents, my friends.

What makes you angry?
People believing the media.

Have you ever had any other jobs apart from the one you're in now?
Yes, was a teacher, then a call centre consultant.

Are you in love?
Completely. With myself.

What’s your worst vice?
Food.  Followed by something I don't advertise.

What are you proudest of?
My amazingly full brain.

Where do you work?
Usually in the office. Occasionally some one elses office.

Where’s your favourite city?
Brisbane of course.  Followed by New York and Queenstown.

When was the last time you cried?
I could tell you but then I'd want to kill you.

One wish; what would it be?
That my enemies would be struck down...  preferably with an embarassing skin disease. 

Did you enjoy school?
Did the pope like Martin Luther?

http://www.blognow.com.au/albums/AngelaJames/&task=view&up_id=50561

I've added an image of a painting I've completed.  It's the first painting I've done for ages so it does need some work.  And even without the flash it's brigther than the original.

You know for all the discourse of how the internet brings bad stuff to us, it really stops short of telling us how to be truly corrupt and evil - anarchists handbook aside.

I've come to realise, even in my new job, that there will always be psychopaths and dysfunctional behaviour in the workplace.  How I deal with them is up to me.  I've tried and tried to be professional, but sometimes the temptation to drop them in it and let them suffer at their own game is...  well.... just a little overwhelming.  Espeically as the person I have in mind recently got back from a holiday and talked about enjoying the experience of killing a chicken.  Butchery aside, harming animals (and especially enjoying it) is textbook psychopathic behaviour.

It's just being evil is something I'm not very good at.  I've spent a long time learning how to be functional and professional.  That and my usual response it just to hate and withdraw from people like that.

I have searched and searched for some ideas on how to get back at a particular person, and it's just not working.  All I've come up with is how to be functional and overcome these things professionally.  At the risk of giving into psychopaths, it would seem, short of getting an evil profesor as a mentor, this is my only hope.  But I will give a quick, unfortunately unpaid, plug to about.com again, who have some wonderful HR stuff on how to be professional and fortunately inspiringly a whole lot of stuff on leadership.

Unfortunately some of the advice matched what BRW has to say about owning a business - have an exit strategy.  Unfortunately I don't want to change jobs again so soon!  Unless on the off chance I get a BDM role with an Aussie bank in London I just saw...  I wonder if I have to be qualified.

For some reason I feel inspired to share my biscut recipe today.  It's not very exact as it's all to memory, which I know will frustrate the heck out of some of you.  I think it actually should be called a cookie recipie as it was originally adapted from a Sesame Street book, but I'm Australian, so I'll stick with bikkies.

Cream 1 cup sugar and 3/4 cup of soft (room-temerature) butter or margarine.

Mix in 1 egg and a couple of drops of vanilla essance (to taste).

Gradually mix in 2 1/2 cups of self raising flour (or plain flour with bi carb added as per packet instructions).

Cook in a medium heat oven to taste - are good chewy or golden brown.

The wonderful thing about this recipie is that it can be varied with different flavours instead of vanilla.  You can add choc chips or you can even substitute 1/2 cup of the flour for cocoa and add white choc chips.  They're also good with fruit and nut combos like walnut and cherry or orange and choc.  Again there are no exact measurements, just do it to taste.  You can also do jam drops by rolling them in balls, pushing down the centre with your thumb and putting a spoonfull of jam in the dimple.

So there you go, just don't use this as a metonymy for my general level of cullinary ability as it's not existant.

My thesis is, as far as I'm concerned, done.  Finished, over.  Tomorrow I will get it printed and submit it on Wednesday before I fly off to Perth.

It's not due until Friday.  My supervisor still hasn't got back to me or as far as I can tell from my lack of read recipt, read it.  But it's going in and that's it.

It was about Ethical Investing and Portfolio Theory, which I won't bore you all with, but my big spectacular conclusion is that whilst Ethical Investment may work, it is actually a Corporate Governance issue as markets are efficient and financial performance based.  (I was of course ignoring the fact that only academics believe in market efficiency and most Mac traders would gladly golat that markets are not efficent, they can capitalise on it and are not prepared to share their info).

I read an entry on Ninja' blog (I think, I can't find it) recently about how much he pays for haircuts.  I was horrified that I was paying too much, especially as I've just had to book for a formal function next week.  But I've scanned the flier to show just what I get for my $200 (which for the record is more than I usually pay...  you'll have to excuse the fact that the text was probably over the most inappropriate part of the model.

After learning how animals are slaughtered in order for them to be halal, I now make a conscious effort not to eat halal food.  To the point that I refused to eat in the UQ Refectory and I no longer eat kebabs (as they are almost all halal meat).  I will say up front, pale as I am, I am not a vegetarian.  I love my meat, I just don't want to eat an animal that has been treated in a cruel manner.  For this reason I also only eat free-range chicken and eggs.  And I'm not just on the band wagon because of the incidents we've had over live exports in recent years as that became an issue after I was at UQ!

I've included a reference from a Muslim source on how animals are killed in Halal butchery.  The reason I have done this is because if it was from some one who objected to the practice, it could be accused of bias.  Not that this source is unbiased.  The description is about a third of the way down the page.  But basically live animals have their throats slit and are allowed to bleed to death.  The spinal colum can not be cut and the animal can not be rendered unconscious.  As animals don't die immediately, this means that they are conscious until they are dead.  The site also says that the name of Allah must be invoked and when this is done and as he ordains this method of slaughter it must be right.  Obviously this sort of arguement is completely unacceptable to any one outside their faith.

http://www.azhar.jp/info/halal-eng/halal5.html

As far as I am concerned, it is not humane to kill or at least knock out an animal before it is bleed.  Which is the usual method of slaughter practiced in developed countries (assuming Wikipedia is correct).

I've added two more articles from the UK.  The first one is from a vegetarian organisation, so there would be some bias, giving anecdota evidence from people who work in abbatiores that these methods are not humane, quick or compassionate.  Again note that there is some bias.  The second article is raising the issue in the paper in the context that it may be banned in the UK.

http://www.viva.org.uk/campaigns/ritual_slaughter/goingforthekill2.htm

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,956385,00.html

This is an issue for me as I live quite close to a large mosque on the Southside of Brisbane and there are many butchers in my area that have halal practices.  I investigated this years ago, because as a Christian I am permitted to "eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience," however I was curious as to just what made meat halal - was it just that it was slaughtered in the name in Allah, or was there something more?  It is something more and it is a practice that I completely disagree with.

We all have a few skeletons, even sweet little o'le me, althought I have to admit, mine are far less incriminating than some...  at least the ones that wouldn't constitute social suicide.

This week I caught up with two buddies who were important to me in Japan, however I saw three.

One friend who I made in Sendai, Rebecca, was a fellow teacher at the private language school we taught at.  We had a fab night  catching up in and arround the Valley and of course remembering all the people we loved and loved to hate.  My flatmates included. 

My first flatmate in Akita (second red dot from the top on the West Coast) was left out, she's the one from Dunedin who made me decide to transfer out as she was mixed up with the Yakkuza  (althought I think she was too naieve to realise). 

My other flatmates in Japan were two Australian girls, one from Tasmania who was loud, crass and came home late one night, drunk, complaining that a guy from work must be gay as he did not want to sleep with her  (he was infact a Christian and waiting for the right person, if she'd bothered to get to know him she'd have known).  The other had been there for less than a month when I transferred in, and left two or three months after, because she, "wasn't growing as a person."   Personally I was never challenged so much as when I was in Japan, so I think it was just her pretentious way of saying she hated it and didn't fit in.  By the end of her stay we were no longer on speaking terms as she was annaly retentively clean to the point that it drove me nuts.  One day she had the hide to complain that she spent eight hours of her day off cleaning, which was after my day off during which I made a very concerted effort to clean, and I finally turned arround and told her if it took that long to clean our tiny little appartment she must be pretty crappy at cleaning.  There was only so much devout Sex and the City watching, I paid $200 for my haircut at Oscar Oscar*-ing, I have to have the best of everything but still wear perfume that only costs $40 a bottle-ing# I could handle and still want to keep the peace.  I had reached a point where I didn't care what she thought of me.   Oh and she walked all over our tatami flooring in her shoes.  Nothing says Japan can f*** off like not even bothering to observe the custom of taking off your shoes indoors on this delicate flooring.  Additionally she was the one that deliberately didn't invite me out to the Christmas day get-together which she claimed was rsvp due a month ago only, when Rebecca told me that a few days later that every one was welcome and if she'd known my flatmate was such a jerk, she'd have made sure I went along^.  I think I'll leave it at that before going into all the ugly detail makes me sound just as awful.  But I will say she is the only person I have spoken to like that who has been outside my family and since I was 16.

But this girl (I say this loosely, she's about 8 years older than me) was from Brisbane and to there I pressume she returned, unless she managed to get her wonderful Macquarie Bank ** job where every one loved her, back and subesquently went to Sydney.  Strangely enough one day I got a call from the trustee section of the Suncorp super area wondering if our Responsible Officers wanted to partake of some training that they were organising as it would make it cheaper from all.  She sounded really uptight for some reason.  I said I'd call her back and when I looked up in the staff directory I noticed that the only person of the given first name had the same surname as my ex-flatmate.  I called the girl back, left a message and dismissed it...  until a month later when I saw a short burly grumpy-looking strawberry blonde walking into the building as I was leaving for a meeting.  Ten seconds later I recognised her.  I assume she didn't recognise me as compared to what I was like in Japan, I'd lost 25kg, drastically improved my dress sense and started doing my hair better.  Needless to say I had to regail Rebecca with my near-Regina*** experience.

On Tuesday I caught up with my other buddy Vicky, who I knew prior to Japan, and who is on a two week whirlwind visit of Oz before returning next Monday.  I walked her to central sation and went to head down the escalators to head back to my car when a short burly grumpy-looking woman rushed in front of me.  It wasn't until she looked to the side that I recognised her again.  I'm waiting for her to do something other than look broody one day - hopefully not assault me, but something.  I keep wondering if she wants me to acknowledge her so she can ingore me

But to be honest, as difficult and annoying as I found her, I do wish her all the best.  I hope that one day she can walk arround smiling as I often do in my more manic moments and that one day that low carb diet eventually pays off for her.

As for Rebecca's flatmates and Vicky's workmates...  that's a whole other blog entry, how long have you got?

*Her hair was, for want of a nicer word, ordinary.  At that time my last haircut had cost 6,000yen and had at least included layer, a head massage and all the softdrinks I could manage.

**I don't know if any one else knows any ex-Macca's staff, but for some insane reason they rave about how wonderful it is, yet none of them have stayed and I can never figure out why.

***Name has been changed to protect the terminally awful.

#She also claims her parents always gave her the best, but from memory she went to a state school, I think she more meant in terms of fab holidays and letting her go to uni instead of going out and getting a job at age 17.

^To be honest it was actually an awesome Christmas day anyway.  The night before the minister from my church had invited another English teacher and the University Staff Worker (another single girl) over for a traditional South African/English Christmas dinner, all their kids had returned from boarding school and we had an awesome time.  On the day itself I worked in the moring, finally had the house to myself where I cooked a great big meal, opened the pressies mum sent and watched a video over Christmas pudding (which no one else's mum had sent).  Just before bed time I went out on the balcony to look at the stars just as it started snowing.

Well I hope you all saw the new year in, in a manner that pleased you.  For all intents and purposes I think most people I spoke to where having a quiet one or sleeping (for those getting up at 5am, better you than me on any given day!)

For the record I went and saw Casino Royale (again) with my mother and then headed up to Welwyn Crescent where we had a beautiful aspect of the whole CBD and surrounds and saw all the fireworks going off.

In the end I chose not to send the carefully worded text I had in my head to the contents of my phone directory (was to go as follows: to those who declined my invites or didn't bother to invite me to a fabulous party and was able to, I hope 2007 leaves you poorer, fatter and boreder than ever.  For those sitting at home like me, Happy New Years.)   Guess I still want to talk to some people.

Also I think I'm lucky because there's a phone forward going around that I got four times, without sending at all, so I must be loved*   Even though the last two times I may have treatened to scream if I got it again...  sorry Kell and Arleen.  And I did appreciate the texts I got a midnight.

So no sleeze, not booze and no being mean.  Guess it's not a bad start.

*Did every one else get it, goes as follows, "Always remember for 2007... life is short, break the rules, 4give quickly, kiss slowly, love truly, laugh uncontrolably n never regret anything that made you smile :-)"

Just as the Queen takes the time at Christmas to reflect on the year that was, I too will use New Years eve to contemplate what has passed.

2006, like 2000, is a year that went less well than expected for me, but I will not let that taint how 2007 will turn out for me.

My conflict at my old job has affected me more deeply than I would like, and the wounds will take some time to heal.  Especially as I’m angry with myself for letting it go on for so long.  However moving jobs has been a very positive thing for me.  I am working with people I like and trust and whose success depends on my succeeding and being given as many opportunities as possible.  Here’s to big US multinationals.

Between work and visiting friends I’ve done a lot of travel.  I’ve been to Melbourne twice, Canberra for the first time, Sydney twice and Perth three times.  I’ve also had a couple of trips to the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.  Next year will bring further travels, with trips to Philadelphia and Perth definite and trips to Sydney and Beijing likely.  But I’ll also be working in Toowoomba and Ipswich, which will challenge me I know.  Additionally if I can afford it I’d love to go to Queenstown in July to finally go skiing.

I’ve struggled with my finances, and had to move home after moving out for two months, having to pack in my credit cards (which is still in dispute) and also having to fend off a number of organisations that have mistakenly think that I owe them money.  I’ve learned that there must be a lot of people out there paying for things they don’t need to, but it’s for amounts so small and threats so harsh (I’m still facing at least a license suspension thanks to QUT), they probably don’t think it’s worth pursuing.  Fortunately I’ve also started building my investments, so long term I will come out on top.  2007 will see doing my best to be able to afford entering the property market some time in 2008.

Romantically I don’t think I rate a mention, especially with all the couples I’ve seen recently unite, it’s that time of year, isn’t it?  I’ve dated three or four people, two of them I should have known better than to waste my time with, one was cut short thanks to the tyranny of distance and the other was blissful whilst it happened and will leave me disappointed in myself for some time to come.  But I’ve gained two friends at least, so I shouldn't consider anything lost.  I think work will leave this area of my life fairly uneventful in 2007.

I’ve made a fair few friends in 2006, and unlike in the past I’ve lost a fair few as well.  My state of mind whilst I was deciding whether to leave my old job has probably left me less than pleasant.  And also I know over time I change, my ideas, my preferences and my lifestyle.  This may have meant I’ve lost some people.  But as always I’m sure that longstanding friends will remain close and new found friends will be a source of joy.  But additionally there have been people that I have befriended against my better judgement, which have turned out for the worst.  I can only pray that I will be more sensible next year.

My studies are almost at a close.  I will soon have a new series of letters after my name.  I’m not quite sure what they are for a Masters of Finance, but we’ll see.  It’s totally dependent on me writing 8,000 words over the next few months, as well, which I hope happens...  My grades dipped in the last half of last year and the first half of this one which led me to do some soul searching.  It meant that I stopped cutting class to participate in other activities, which has put me on the outer with some people, and also lead me to wonder why I was spending so much time at work over such a low level job.  People will always demand my time and be offended if I don’t give it, however my Masters will be three short years in the long term, that will lead me on to better things than skipping class to debate environmental problems, go out drinking, re-learning my tennis skills or fight the good fight to get people into government.

As the year closes my health is improving.  2000 was the first year when I was beset by a number of minor ailments that interfered with my life. This has plagued me for some years, even though the underlying condition I had no longer affects me.  Since October, the only problem I’ve had is a bad reaction to a vaccine, previously I’d struggled with migraines (often a symptom of my poor vision), constant colds, flus, earaches etc.  I’m still struggling with my weight, which I’ve managed to keep down to some degree (I know I’m not thin by any stretch of the imagination, but I use to be 121kgs) but it has fluctuated.  I’ve also had various bouts of health kicks – going for daily walks etc, which I’m determined to resume and carry on not just in the new year but indefinitely.  For a while I made my walk a not-negotiable, which I had to do no matter what time I got home, however it’s been a bit intimidating just walking around in strange cities the last few months.

This coming year I also want to spend some more time improving my mind, unpacking my hundreds of books in boxes and also perhaps branching out into some new disciplines.

I’m proud of my mother who has graduated this year from her psych degree and I look forward to my little brothers getting their degrees soon.

I’ve had one long term friend return from overseas and will have at least one more back in 2007 as well, which will be fantastic.  2007 will also hold my 10 year high-school reunion.  And I think I want to go to both schools.  I know that there will be lots of people with children and husbands and better jobs.  I’m not competitive enough to care, I just want to see how we all turned out.  I hope the go ahead as on of my schools was looking at holding a 5 year reunion that was cancelled due to lack of interest.  But these days 5 years after school most of us are still studying!

So I hope you’ve all had a much better year than my mediocre one and that you can reflect and perhaps learn and improve your situation.  May 2007 bring you more blessing and joy.  I hope you experience good health and the love of those who are dear to you.  I hope you see yourself grow in experince, wisdom and knowlege and that you find deep soulful rest.

I'm not sure if I'm meant to take some consolation in the fact that only one in a hundred people react to the q-fever vaccine, but I'm the one.  I feel like crud and the lack of external stimulation, combined with the inability to drive as my arm is so painful is driving me nuts!

There is a Wikipedia page, but the info conflicts with the official Q-fever page.