"I wouldn't have the first idea how to wield a frog sexually!"

I've been having a stressful time of it at work, almost all of it due to 'I avoided it until it stopped going away, which it then blew up in my face' sort of issues. I'm still in the thick of it, and I'm not sure what happens next.

Either way, whatever is going to happen, and whatever I can make happen, regardless; the world goes on, I'll still be here, my friends and beloveds and home will still be here. This is just a blip of a couple of weeks on the radar.

Things that have helped me keep perspective over the last week, and reminded me that the world is an okay place:

My housemate black_samvara for being unbelievably supportive, and amazing, and *flaps wordlessly* along with prk, transcendancing especially. I don't know what I did in a previous life to deserve you guys, but I'm glad I did it.

Fand by Laney Cairo. Magic and calm and peace.

On a similar note: This Australian Story, about a man who has fathered six kids for five mothers.

The songs of Lisa Mitchell.

The songs of Josh Pyke

Petition to get Google Earth to update satellite images of Tehran here

Had a most excellent day -- decided to get my act together and go to Yum Cha organised by mynxii and Mr_boo_boo. Thanks to a train drivers' stop work meeting, I plucked up my courage, the keys to black_samvara's car and drove mynxii and myself into the city. I parked! In a single bay! (love to said for getting out and waving me in) Shut up -- it's a big, satisfying deal.

We strolled down to Yum Cha, and sat in the sun while we were waiting for everyone else (N, D, caitlen and ascetic_hedony). I am tickled by being able to call caitlen/L interchangeably. caitlen/L, it was awesome to catch up :) Yum Cha was good, and I ate too much. Then mynxiiimpulse-suggested high tea in Mt Lawley. Again with the managing-to-park! And double win to mynxiifor navigating us everywhere.

The Tea Leaf was excellent. Not as quiet as I would have hoped, but I was deeply charmed by the actual high teas that people who had booked were having: tiers of savories and sweets. I want to go back and do that.

It was also my first actual visit to Planet Books, and I think I'm in love. There was a gleeful phone call to black_samvara ("Modesty Blaise comics! Lots of them! Want?") resulting in her birthday present, and mynxii also ended up buying mine. We win.

Then mynxii and I went dinner shopping, and got back to the car to find the car seriously parked in by the car behind us. Cue careful maneuvering on my part, and concentrated waving on mynxii's part to get us out. *squishes mynxii* We win.

mynxii made a spectacular dinner of lamb, cheese soufflé and roast and steamed veges. prk came over for rose tea, although I was starting to fade before the dumplings were made, alas.

In sum, an awesome, awesome day. mynxii? prk? Right now, dinner is sounding like a similarly awesome way to end a Monday. I could contribute chocolate mousse for dessert? *smiles winningly* <3

mynxii (indignantly): "My thoughts never wandered above the belt!"

prk: "If you beat me to the car, I'll give you a lift."
mynxii: "Like I could ever beat you to the car."
prk: "Fine, so we get to the car, then you beat me."

I love you all.