Athletic results

So, we got through it.  On the hottest day on record in Sydney, we ran a 7km race.  When we got up at 5.30 to get to the run it was already 27 degrees.  Unsurprisingly, it didn't get any better once the sun came up.  Nor did it get better when we missed the start of the race and had to battle through the prams and walkers.  The very hilly course and lack of shade topped it all off.  I was smashed at the end.  That run was hard.  Really bloody hard.  But we did it.  Me in a rather slow 39.09 (which works out at 6 minute k's, when I know I can do 5.30 k's), placing me 311th in my age group.  I didn't throw up and I didn't collapse.  So I feel like a winner.  My only regret is not having the energy to get up to chide some f*ckwit standing by the finishing line smoking.
Conditions were far more suited to the swim the next day.  And very conveniently, we were staying in a hotel in Manly, and slept with an air conditioner on all night, when we would have otherwise roasted at home.  Campari, riesling and veal steaks by the beach is how all athletes prepare for races right? 
J-Mo did his 1k swim at 9am, and my 2k wave started at 11, so we had a bit of waiting around, but I can think of worse places to be than waiting on the beach on a hot day.
Like last year, my strategy was to try and start at the front of the pack, get scrappy, and get out in front of the crowd to avoid the blender of bodies that inevitably forms at the start of one of these things.  All of these things I achieved.  I hurt far more people than they hurt me.  I veered off course pretty dramatically at one stage, and didn't find as many people to swim in the wake of as I did last year, but it was nice to be out in the water.  Finish time 38.37, placing me 30th in my age group.

And I am feeling all kinds of soreness after those efforts.  And therefore perfectly validated in going off to get a massage.

Like counting cards, but with scratchie tickets

This is fascinating.  A mathematician has cracked the algorithms for some scratchies.  And Lotto organisers aren't on top of it.  But organised crime appears to be.
http://www.wired.com/magazine/2011/01/ff_lottery/all/1

This is really adorable

Photos that LGBT men and women have submitted of themselves as children which show the beginnings of their incinations.  Very cute.
http://borngaybornthisway.blogspot.com/

Athletic weekend

Last year we did the Cole Classic, and quiet enjoyed it, so this year we are going back for more.  The Cole creators have also created a new (as in the first time they've run it) run the day before.  Both are on at Manly, and we are staying the night on Saturday night to truly get into the vibe.  Naturally, Sydney is in the middle of a heatwave and there is a cyclone above Queensland, so we are scheduled for a minumim temperature of 25 degrees tonight (we run tomorrow morning) and then "difficult" surf conditions and rain on Sunday.  But I guess that's part of the fun of doing these things, you have to battle through somewhat less than ideal conditions.  I have been trying to bust a gut (literally) with excercise this year, but have been mixing it up a lot, so haven't done as much running or swimming as I'd like, so I'm not feeling totally prepared.  I know I can do the distances, but I just don't think I will be doing them in the best time possible.  But that's fine.  I will keep you posted on our form!

Mini-break

Early in the year, J-Mo booked us a five day getaway here.  It's just over the Qld border, and we thought it looked marvelous.  It ticked all our boxes - nice view, isolated, quiet, close to wine and food, and very importantly, our own kitchen to cook in.  "So we'll be flying?" I asked.  "No," he answered. 
Now, J-Mo and I are fond of a road trip.  I tend to fall asleep and provide entertaining banter, while he drives the whole time.  So clearly I get the better end of the deal there.
Despite my concerns about floods, swept away roads, and school holiday traffic, it was actually a remarkably easy drive (keep in mind I only drove about two hours out of nine).  Jamie also agrees with that assessment though.  It was a lovely spot.  While Qld isn't typically associated with wine, there were a lot of wineries around us, and they were very uncommercialised.  As LFT said, the place hadn't been overrun by women in linen pants.  Aside from wineries, we visited a cidery, cheese factory, Italian deli (for some reason they have a store bigger than the Re store in the middle of a country town - go figure) and the Tamworth Country Music festival!  We did only stop for lunch, but you could tell something big was happening.
So the accoms at Azjure were lovely.  The owners have clearly thought very hard about anything and everything you could possibly need and were very nice and helpful.  We spent a lot of time just hanging out on the deck, reading, watching TV, drinking wine, pottering, and watching the sun set.  There were a group of five kangaroos that came and said hi every night.  It was very relaxing and pleasant.  I think it's only when you get away from the noise and confined spaces of inner city living that you realise how noisy and cramped it is, and it was good to get a bit of a sense of space again.  It was also good to get away for a bit after spending Christmas in Sydney.  Jamie smashed out the drive home on Australia Day while I consumed diet Bundaberg ginger beer (my new obsession).  Pics to follow.

The evil twin won.

Just. Purchased.
Thank you in advance to all the parties that are making it possible to get it to me.  God speed.

Eating happy meat

In this article, a former vegetarian argues that by "opting in" to eating organic, happy meat, you do far more to help stamp out cruelty, hormones, and antibiotics, than you do by being vegetarian.  I like her argument.  And I for one am happy to pay more for meat I know has been treated well.

Kitchen tools that change your life

There are few things that I'd absolutely endorse as life changers in the kitchen, bit Microplane graters are one of them.  I have two in fact - fine and medium, and they are both in heavy use.  I was fascinated to read that they started out as carpentry tools, and the founders were totally pissed off when they heard people were using them in the kitchen.  Now they've embraced the kitchen uses, and are also making useful things such as surgical tools that grind bone.  Seriously, if you haven't tried one of these, you need to.  It will change your life, I promise.

J'adore this family portrait of the Danish royals

Princess Isabella looks like she's full of sass, and Mary looks amazing (wearing her wedding tiara - hey, I'd clean in it if I had a real tiara).  And for a peek at the recently renovated palace, soon to welcome new twins home, click here!

December in pictures

I'm not a crafty or creative person by ANY means, but this is just about the best thing I've ever made that I can't eat.  Three Christmases ago, I spent HOURS cutting out christmas shapes (I had to trace them, it wasn't anything remotely as talented as drawing) and strung them up across our doorways and windows.  I think they look great, and they came out again for a showing this year.

I somehow managed to talk Jamie into stopping into a Christmas shop on the way home from Dan Murphy's in early December.  These bows caught my eye immediately, and have adorned our front door since.  I'd kind of like to permanently keep them there.... so pretty.

 We went to Eveleigh farmers markets with our special weekend friend, and had a great time.  I like these markets, and they are on every weekend.

 Plus they are under cover, so perfect for miserable days.

We went to Perth to surprise Drew for his housewarming (Liam knew).  Unsurprisingly, the Christmas tree was large, beautiful, and had lots of presents underneath it.

 Our own Christmas tree was not so large.  But we had lots of pressies under it, which made it look great.

 It was our wedding anniversary.  The second wedding anniversary is cotton, so we got a canvas with this fun kitchen print stretched - brocooli! green bits! and it now hangs in the kitchen.  The orange print with bulls that used to be in the kitchen is now in the living room.

 We had Christmas at the Wheaters.  Ham, turkey, stuffing, sides. All delicious.  Meat from Hudsons, and they did a great job.

 The Wheater family were great hosts.  And Bunny is getting cuter by the day.  She wore an outfit that mum bought for her before she was even born!  So crazy to think of Em showing me the outfit before anyone had even met Bunny.

And, then, quicker than you can blink an eye, the year was over.  We celebrated with four kinds of cheeses, left over ham, pate and champagne on the back deck.  Finished off season three of Mad Men, and went to bed before midnight.  And unlike Christmas Day, I didn't end up on the street in my pyjamas at two in the morning yelling at drunks who live across the road.  So it was our perfect kind of new years.  Just so I could feel smug all day, and say things like "start the year as you intend to continue it" I was up early this morning, and went for a run.  Happy new year everyone. x