Fractal-farming and other phenomena

Since I'm still a little sick I cancelled my plans tonight (the usual Tuesday swim, plus a book launch and author talk that looked like fun) and had a night in, intending to write something vaguely intelligent and insightful about the new carbon tax. Sadly, however, I failed at being thinky and have done nothing but procrastinate. I did at least cook up a tasty Thai green curry, so the evening hasn't been a complete write-off, and I do have the outline of that thinky post for another day. So in lieu of thoughtful content, here are some dot points of things I'd like to remember.

• Possum is delicious! Sweeter and milder than roo, it has a lovely, unique flavour. I opted to slow-cook it, making a tasty possum & veg stew seasoned with pepper berries, juniper, cinnamon, wattle seed, elderberry and red wine. Yum.


• I have been suckered into brass band and am playing in the "gala concert" this weekend, despite only going to three rehearsals so far, playing an instrument I hadn't really practiced in 16 years. I will be playing very quietly.


• Taiko is brilliant! I missed last week's class due to lurgy and really regretted it. I skipped the swim and book gig tonight to be better rested for drum-thumping tomorrow.


• I am no longer spending Christmas by myself. My best friend Es is coming to stay and joining me on my rafting trip. Although I'm a little disappointed not to be rafting the river on my own it will be very good to see him, and he needs to escape more than I need to get away from everyone and everything.


• Although I can do so much more than I could even a year ago, there are still limits and I've now slammed right into them. Either something has to be given up (nooooooo!) or I need to get more organised and disciplined.


• Housemate announced yesterday that he's off for another 3 weeks of house-sitting as of tomorrow. That's 6 out of 9 consecutive weeks of living on my own with someone else paying half the rent! I'll miss the occasional company though.


• Snails really like tatsoi. Poor little green stumps. =o(


• Old friends are golden, and some pregnant women really do glow. =o)


• Work is actually going really well at the moment. It's not perfect, but I'm enjoying what I do and have a great team around me. I've never laughed so much in the office before. I still don't know where I want to take my career from here, but for now I'm happy doing this and gently probing into future options.


• Internet dating websites are weird. They bring both the intriguing and the terrifying.


• That decision I made a few months back to damn the risks and commit to being here and now? That was absolutely the right choice. My life is richer and I'm ridiculously happy right now. My problems are all born of privilege and I am seriously fortunate to have the life I do.


• And last but not least, I have been growing fractals! Delicious, nutritious fractals, aka romanesco broccoli. I am so excited about this it's pathetic. *grin*