Kindness and smiles - 7th March 2012

Sometimes the difference between crying and smiling can come down to one tiny act of kindness. At the exact moment I needed some compassion today, James rode in like a white knight. I called (at breaking point) to say I'd be late again, expecting him to be annoyed. And rightly as I'm fast becoming the absent wife. But he surprised me with, "Take as long as you need and get it all done." It was the boost I needed to help me hang onto the metaphorical rope I'd most certainly reached the end of.

While his kindness may have been based on a desire to watch Top Gear uninterrupted, I didn't mind. I am just grateful for smiling instead of crying. 

Can't Switch Off Syndrome - 6th March 2012

The proof I am suffering a condition

Today I made the startling discovery that I am suffering from a condition striking down women aged between 25-40. Firstly, I must confess that I self diagnosed after reading an article in Grazia. But don't laugh, I think I'm on the money.

Based on the symptoms below I am convinced I have what is known as 'Can't Switch Off Syndrome' or 'CSOS'. See it's real. It even has an acronym.

Scoring 4.5 out of 5. Not good

Five key symptoms are used to diagnose the condition and I have four-and-a-half of them (my self medication is still moderately under control). This is brilliant. I'm so relived to discover I did not become incompetent over night, as I’d feared. 

Confirming the condition was the easy part. Curing CSOS appears to be much harder. Key tips offered include "become your own best friend," and "swap multi-tasking for uni-tasking." Can't I just have an injection or take a tablet? I'm not quite sure how being my own best friend will help me get two days worth of work done in one. 

Oh well, it’s a start. Today I am grateful for the diagnosis and the hope it brings for striking some work-life balance.

The upside of travelling for work - 5th March 2012

 A little vacation from everyday life 

When you first join the workforce, the idea of travelling for work sounds so glamorous. You conjure up visions of exotic locations and memorable experiences. Then you do a few trips. In reality, it's exhausting and you rarely see more than the inside of a hotel and the road to and from the airport. 
But despite all this, there are two elements of work related travel I still enjoy. The first is arriving at the airport and checking in. Airports are full of excitement because they represent the next adventure. The second is checking into the hotel. I love staying in hotels. For me it's all about taking a bath, putting the bathrobe on, ordering room service and sinking into the bed to watch TV. 
Again, this is part fantasy. The night rarely pans out like this and last night certainly didn’t. No bath, no robe and a date with my laptop and emails. But that's not the point. The pleasure of staying in hotels is the vacation it provides from everyday life. And I will always embrace that.

Loving a lazy Sunday - 4th March 2012

Are you comfortable puppies?

Sunday is my favourite day of the week. It's the day I can be alone and immersed in a newspaper for hours or stroll through a park with James and the dogs. It can be a 'me' day and a 'family' day, where we do as little or as much as we want. I am forever grateful for that freedom. The life we live is based on the choices we make, and on Sundays, I am always reminded how happy I am about the life James and I have chosen. 

I'm pretty sure the dogs are petitioning for more walking time and less reading. But their strategy of sitting on me while I read failed. While I love the extra cuddles, I'm not putting my Sunday paper down for anyone.

Girls on parade - 3rd March 2012

Mum and I in our Madi Gras feathers

Sydney's gay men were looking fine today. There were toned, tanned and perfectly styled beauties at every glance. Hooray for Madi Gras!

My mum has always wanted to watch the parade, and this was her year. She came down for the weekend and we had a ball watching the Madi Gras together. Everything from wearing feather boas, to standing on milk crates in the rain and cheering as people celebrating exactly who they are, made this the perfect night. I am so grateful for living in a city that celebrates diversity in such spectacular fashion and being able to spend the night with my fantastically open-minded and fun-loving mum. 

A brilliant dance tribute to Kylie 

Growing up - 2 March 2012

Oh thank god. I spent all of these years thinking I was a bad person. It turns out I'm just a grown up. Result. You see, I am a fan of blinding honesty. I spent my twenties sharing my honest opinion with anyone who asked for it, and quite a few who didn't. I just don't see the point of sugar coating. But the older I get the more I realise people rarely appreciate an honest response. They may ask for it, but they don't really want it. 

I am grateful for the fact I am finally growing up and leaning how to operate in a world full of sensitive souls. Just a pity it took me so long to get here!

Wising up has led to me playing smarter and getting further, but I don't like the feeling it creates. In my black and white world, I feel fake. The quote above was a nice little reminder today that you can view every situation from a different angle.

Doing a big girl's job - 1st March 2012

Just doing some work at Nanny's desk

This picture sent me into fits of laughter. Nanny Kathy realised the house was suspiciously quite and went looking for Payten. She found her in full office mode, sitting at the desk doing some work on the calculator, wearing Nanny's glasses. She looks like a four-year-old business woman. I love it!
I also love the power of perception. To Payten, dressing up and going to work is fun and exciting. To me, doing puzzles and making a Playdough cake to go with my pretend cup of tea is way more exciting. If someone else can find pleasure in your life, you should be able to as well. It's just a matter of how you look at it.