Things have been a bit stressful the last few days. Today's the first day I can feel my zen-like calm returning. My team-mate who started at the same time as me was made redundant on Friday, so I've had the whole weekend to stress and obsess about my job security. Talking it out with the boss on Monday did help to allay some of those fears, I just hope they realise that other people are taking risks along with them, and I hope they look after us. We did get some good news today though - we've managed to get out of our hugely expensive building lease, and we'll be moving in a month, so that's all good. Since it's just the four of us now, and usually it's just one or two in the office, I don't think we should bother getting another office. But obviously it's not my decision. I think we're eyeballing a space near the train station, so hopefully we won't be moving too far. A colleague is suggesting moving to the Tech Park which has some merits, but seems a bit far out of the way for everyone but him. I guess we'll find out soon what is happening.
Micky ran the Weetbix Kids Triathlon today. I don't know what her time was, but she finished it which is the main thing. I think she was quite quick, but it's not a timed event - it's more about the kids participating and being outside and exercising. She's very pleased with herself right now. Just next time she does an event, I would hope she'd be more self-motivating. Kids always want to do things, but don't want to put in the effort required to do it. Then it becomes a burden on the parents.
It was a bit of a sideshow getting to our first Supanova convention. I was starting to wonder if we were going to get there, because we spent hours trying to paint Micky's face up to look like Queen Amidala. She'd gotten this ridiculous burgundy medieval costume, but after spending two hours trying to paint her face white, but not have it so white that she looked like a clown, or streaky, blotchy, or patchy we eventually packed it in and swapped the costume for a white Princess Leia getup. Beeb on the other hand was much simpler, and his Batman costume went down a treat.It was a little embarassing initially getting on the train, because people were staring, and we'd just realised we could see Micky's green knickers through her costume. Bay insisted on pointing it out to people on the street, much to her embarassment. We then had some problems finding the event, but it wasn't too far to walk, and the train turned out to be quite convenient vs. trying to find some parking.
The event was smaller than Armageddon in NZ, and the guests were a bit disappointing. But maybe this was just a one-off and the next one will be better. Lando didn't look like he was getting a lot of patronage, and I always feel sorry for them when they come all this way and wind up just sitting there. There were certainly plenty of Star Wars clubs there in costume, so maybe he had a big burst of visitors at some point during the day. There were a lot more merchandise sellers there than NZ, and the range was a lot better too. A lot more variety of collectibles, and things that we never even get at home. Rob finally bought a LOTR sword - she's been wanting one for ages, and it's magnificent! I collected a lot of business cards, so I'll probably follow up some of these places/groups on the net. I might join a club and see if I can meet some people. It was really interesting to see what some of the artists were offering there too, and I feel sure that if Hottie and I can get our act together, we'd be able to produce something we could sell there.
One big difference, a lot more people turning up in costumes. That was really neat to see, and I commented to Rob when we left that it's a bit like the commercial where they advise at what point swimming togs turn into underwear - at the convention everyone's normal, comfortable, safe; it's only when you get out on the street a distance from the convention, no other costumed people around, that you become weird, and people start staring at you and pointing. Having said that, it looked like fun, and I might like to try going as something next year. Perhaps something with a mask or helmet that I can hide behind? The kids want us to make the costumes next time, which was something we didn't have time to do this year, because we weren't originally planning on taking them.Anyway, it was all good fun. The people were really nice and friendly, the event was pretty busy and chaotic. I really enjoyed it, and we'll be looking forward to the next event.
We enjoyed the Boondall track so much, we went back and did the Boondall to Sandgate ride today. The kids did really well to ride the 16.5 kms, although they're a bit slow moving for my taste. Nice gentle, mostly flat ride out along the railway tracks, through the outskirts of the suburbs, through some parks (Curlew Park was full of bats along the mangroves), and back out along the seaside to Sandgate. Really nice area, very reminiscent of Mission Bay in Auckland. I'd like to go back and do the ride without the kids next time so we can go a bit further along Sandgate, because you can ride right along the beachfront.
After we got back we had a picnic which was good, until squadrons of giant mosquitos started attacking us. I've never seen something leave so much blood on your skin when you swat it. That's one thing about Australia, everything's bloody big and bloody hungry. NZ doesn't have snakes, crocs, sharks, giant insects, lizards, dingos, and assorted other animals that're all out to eat you. They eventually drove us out of the park, furiously biting at us, and a few weren't giving up without a fight, pursuing us back to the car.
After we got back we had a picnic which was good, until squadrons of giant mosquitos started attacking us. I've never seen something leave so much blood on your skin when you swat it. That's one thing about Australia, everything's bloody big and bloody hungry. NZ doesn't have snakes, crocs, sharks, giant insects, lizards, dingos, and assorted other animals that're all out to eat you. They eventually drove us out of the park, furiously biting at us, and a few weren't giving up without a fight, pursuing us back to the car.
