But at least they can take some solace in that there will always be girls in racing ... even if it is a badly conceived (oops, make that "borrowed" because, alas, it is not original) idea to have bikini-clad girls line up in the barriers and "race". This is supposed to be the big event to launch the Summer racing carnival and could include a field of 150 adult females who, wearing runners and bikinis, will compete in knockout heats until there is a winner of the $5,000 on offer.
With initiatives like this, it's a wonder that Queensland Tourism feels compelled to introduce a new logo to replace "Where Else But Queensland". I'm not quite sure how many millions of dollars were invested in researching and designing the new campaign but it was launched today: Queensland - Where Australia Shines.
There was an amazing thunderstorm this afternoon - so bad that it brought hail to some of South East Queensland (not here) and power outages throughout Brisbane and the Gold Coast. When it hit, I was with my new supervisor in a construction shed at the far end of the site and the rain was coming down so heavily you couldn't hear anything but it hitting the metal roof. But it was difficult for me to concentrate ... we had driven over to the site from the office (it's that far!) and because it had been so hot and steamy in the lead-up to the storm, I had put the car windows down ... and as I sat watching the rain bucket down all I could think was: "Did I remember to put the windows up?" and "What do I have in the car to dry the seats with?" and "How long will it take for the wet car smell to dissipate?" In the end I decided that if the windows were down, the inside of the car wasn't getting any wetter and returned my concentration to the presentation Peter was giving.
I did have the opportunity to talk with him in the car on the way to and from the site (did I mention the windows were up?) and there is a position there if I am interested. I have still to find out what the position is - but it's nice to know there is something going. From what he's heard, it's not looking good for the other project ... and, independently, I heard the same from someone else today as well. The options are apparently down to three: build as is with us; build smaller with us; build smaller with someone else. There may be a good indication within the next two weeks so we'll keep ears peeled for that.
Emma has just done another Houdini and zipped out the door while S had it open. That's at least her second time this evening - and while she was out there she had to drink from the bucket, and the dish in the dog and, just for something different, it looked as though she was going to hop up onto Pearl's day bed. Not sure if this is where Tink was most of last night. She had ignored the "last chance" call and when S finally came to bed, it was raining heavily enough that she knew Tink wasn't going to come. She kept checking every hour or so to see if Tink had made it in - but it wasn't until 4-ish that she appeared. Tink, obviously tired from her big night out, spent most of today lounging on the sofa.
Uncle R did come today and even though there were biscuits for he and S to share for their smoko, R shared his Mudgeeraba pie with S (she loved it and was suitably grateful) and his Vanilla Slice with Pearl (she loved it and was suitably grateful). It was dark by the time I arrived home so I couldn't see what he'd been up to although I seem to remember S saying he was slashing the back paddock, and his daughter was helping him. A quick check with S confirms that he did edging as well, and some tidying up in some problem areas. He would have done more but then it started raining ... really heavily - because Queensland is "where Australia shines". You know, I can't help but think someone heard us talking about our numerous trips north and how, even it had been raining on the New South Wales side of the border, as soon as we crossed into Queensland - the sun would come out. Tomorrow.
