The Best Laid Plans

Blessed are those who expect nothing for they shall not be disappointed

The serpent has adopted this philosophy for Christmas long long ago and looks like it's now time to add certain solstices to the list

While November ended in a sizzling heat wave - five days or so over 35 degrees, December was unusually subdued. All mild breezy weather and the odd drop of rain which is very unusual for this time of year. But then November hardly rained at all.

Was almost lulled into a false sense of security for Christmas Day thinking of all those sad South Brits slaving over a hot stove for six hours on the big day in order to deliver the obligatory roast due to the call of tradition. This year they would not be getting baked too
But then everything changed. The new forecasts predicted a sizzling stinking 38 for the big day. But worse for the serpent - rain and clouds for Monday to Wednesday. In other words - no full moon watching on Tuesday and no Solstice sunset at the beach today

The rain lasted one day. Was still cloudy on Tuesday morning but seemed it could be clearing. Went back to the Lair for a snooze after work. Muggy days are so miserable and draining. Was half tempted to linger in the Lair but figured that after the ridiculous business of going to bed at 8pm two evenings in a row, could not possibly waste another one.

Had planned these two days more than a month ago. According to the astronomy almanac, Tuesday's full moon would be just four minutes after sunset. There's only one place we know of that is perfect for watching both. Would save the traditional solstice sunset picnic at the beach for today which had the added advantage of being our last working day off before the usual Thursday and Friday serpent 'weekend'
So in spite of the clouds on Tuesday, decided to go somewhere a bit nearer to the Lair to watch the moonrise. It was still hot and horrid and clammy outside. Did not see the moon until about 15 mins after it came up as a tiny golden speck amidst the clouds

And today, between the hot and humid weather, the plastic rags that are an excuse for a uniform and feeling all sticky and clammy and the plain old shit day at work, was totally drained by knock off time. The clouds were getting thicker and the air heavier and it certainly looked like being suitable only for the serpent sack after an hour in the shower scrubbing the scales after a day of creepie crawlies. The weather was exactly like the most disgusting Christmas ever back in 2004. Five minutes of it would leave you drenched in a pool of sweat and with third degree UV burns.

By 5pm the air was becoming clearer and the clouds disappearing. You can feel the changes in air pressure without even needing to look out the window. The crazy troppo haze had vanished
But Izzie was well past venturing into the rush hour traffic to get to the beach for only two hours or so.
So just lurked around the Lair and had a pity party instead. In the grand scheme of things, it is a silly matter to get fussed over and upset about especially as half the country is swimming in floods and last year's Christmas was a serious bushfire season

And solitary sunset picnics at the beach are a cheap and simple affair - not like the enormous family gathering Christmas dinners that some folks commit themselves to. All the ridiculously high expectations which are just about impossible to live up to.
Even poor little house elves at the bottom of the social pecking order in job income and status boast about how they are buying their 10 year old beasties Xboxes or iPods for Christmas. An Xbox being about a whole week's wages worth and that being one present for one kid, it is scary to think what kind of work out regime those credit cards are getting
And then February will come and there will be all the sob stories in the paper about how this is the first time in the history of the universe that school has ever started in February and how so totally unfair life is

On a more amusing note. A certain goblin gate crashed the staff Christmas party yesterday. As well as giving him the evil eye, took the opportunity to observe just how many folks strategically located themselves so that he could not sit next to them . Also observed his puffy petulant face and his blubbering blustering bullshit. Of course his grotty little goblins already have Xboxes.
More tasty morsels to snatch to add to one very twisted nano tale.

So now this week's assignment is to give no thought whatsoever to any grand plans for a last sunset of 2010 picnic at the beach on Friday 31st.

The Best Laid Plans

Blessed are those who expect nothing for they shall not be disappointed

The serpent has adopted this philosophy for Christmas long long ago and looks like it's now time to add certain solstices to the list

While November ended in a sizzling heat wave - five days or so over 35 degrees, December was unusually subdued. All mild breezy weather and the odd drop of rain which is very unusual for this time of year. But then November hardly rained at all.

Was almost lulled into a false sense of security for Christmas Day thinking of all those sad South Brits slaving over a hot stove for six hours on the big day in order to deliver the obligatory roast due to the call of tradition. This year they would not be getting baked too
But then everything changed. The new forecasts predicted a sizzling stinking 38 for the big day. But worse for the serpent - rain and clouds for Monday to Wednesday. In other words - no full moon watching on Tuesday and no Solstice sunset at the beach today

The rain lasted one day. Was still cloudy on Tuesday morning but seemed it could be clearing. Went back to the Lair for a snooze after work. Muggy days are so miserable and draining. Was half tempted to linger in the Lair but figured that after the ridiculous business of going to bed at 8pm two evenings in a row, could not possibly waste another one.

Had planned these two days more than a month ago. According to the astronomy almanac, Tuesday's full moon would be just four minutes after sunset. There's only one place we know of that is perfect for watching both. Would save the traditional solstice sunset picnic at the beach for today which had the added advantage of being our last working day off before the usual Thursday and Friday serpent 'weekend'
So in spite of the clouds on Tuesday, decided to go somewhere a bit nearer to the Lair to watch the moonrise. It was still hot and horrid and clammy outside. Did not see the moon until about 15 mins after it came up as a tiny golden speck amidst the clouds

And today, between the hot and humid weather, the plastic rags that are an excuse for a uniform and feeling all sticky and clammy and the plain old shit day at work, was totally drained by knock off time. The clouds were getting thicker and the air heavier and it certainly looked like being suitable only for the serpent sack after an hour in the shower scrubbing the scales after a day of creepie crawlies. The weather was exactly like the most disgusting Christmas ever back in 2004. Five minutes of it would leave you drenched in a pool of sweat and with third degree UV burns.

By 5pm the air was becoming clearer and the clouds disappearing. You can feel the changes in air pressure without even needing to look out the window. The crazy troppo haze had vanished
But Izzie was well past venturing into the rush hour traffic to get to the beach for only two hours or so.
So just lurked around the Lair and had a pity party instead. In the grand scheme of things, it is a silly matter to get fussed over and upset about especially as half the country is swimming in floods and last year's Christmas was a serious bushfire season

And solitary sunset picnics at the beach are a cheap and simple affair - not like the enormous family gathering Christmas dinners that some folks commit themselves to. All the ridiculously high expectations which are just about impossible to live up to.
Even poor little house elves at the bottom of the social pecking order in job income and status boast about how they are buying their 10 year old beasties Xboxes or iPods for Christmas. An Xbox being about a whole week's wages worth and that being one present for one kid, it is scary to think what kind of work out regime those credit cards are getting
And then February will come and there will be all the sob stories in the paper about how this is the first time in the history of the universe that school has ever started in February and how so totally unfair life is

On a more amusing note. A certain goblin gate crashed the staff Christmas party yesterday. As well as giving him the evil eye, took the opportunity to observe just how many folks strategically located themselves so that he could not sit next to them . Also observed his puffy petulant face and his blubbering blustering bullshit. Of course his grotty little goblins already have Xboxes.
More tasty morsels to snatch to add to one very twisted nano tale.

So now this week's assignment is to give no thought whatsoever to any grand plans for a last sunset of 2010 picnic at the beach on Friday 31st.