Monday

I know it's not everyone's cup of tea but I prefer to leave earlier and not sit in traffic for 95 minutes on the way to Brisbane. So I left home at 5:30 and was sitting at Joe's Diner, in Eagle Farm, having my breakfast at 6:16. Not bad considering the trip up last week took me so much longer. I'm not sure I loved the 4:15am start though.

Before the show Green Porno

I'd like to say it was a productive day at HO for the first day of the new financial system start-up, but that would truly be stretching it. When we arrived we were all locked out of the system because they had been having problems with it over the weekend ... and it just went on from there. By the time I left, we still didn't have access but we are hopeful that they will be able to successfully upload our data. Hmmm - but what was infinitely more interesting today was the show we went to this evening. M had booked tickets for all of us as part of our Christmas presents (thanks again M!). So it was a day of firsts ... driving through Brisbane (and numerous toll areas) to get to QPAC ... and seeing Isabella Rossellini on stage dressed as an 'amster. The show was a great mix of her - and props galore - on stage, and use of the screen behind to show her clips where she was method acting different creatures in a bid to better understand them. She has always, she told us, been fascinated with biodiversity and she had even gone back to University to study it! It is certainly one of the most entertaining lectures I have ever been to (although I imagine I would find a lecture by the guy out of "Perception" good as well). There was certainly plenty to think about in there - how many different ways species have come up with to ensure propagation of their species. She talked about eels as well - those from Europe and North America - and that they return to their spawning "grounds" in the Sargasso Sea each year - sometimes over land until they can find a suitable waterway to help them on their way.

QPAC lawn

M had driven Sooz and An up to Brisbane - given Syl and I had already driven up there for work - separately - earlier in the day. She was in Mouse's car ... and I realize I meant to ask about it but didn't. An went home with Syl, M gave Sooz a lift and I drove down the highway alone, in the dark, music blaring, singing at the top of my voice - so I wouldn't fall asleep on the way. Luckily it was a great run - and while there were road works along the way they weren't that bad. They were badly signed and organised though and as I went I couldn't help but hope that our guys do a better job with our works!