... my cats could stand to lose some weight though

Maybe I could spend all tomorrow cutting old newspapers into strips to use as kitty litter?

Maybe the cats could live on dry cat food for a fortnight?

I have developed substantial fat reserves.  Probably I could get by on a spoon full of peanut butter?

Maybe ...

Bugger

Well ... arse.  I won't be able to afford to go to Cairns after all.  Annual account keeping fees etc leave me with not enough to pay for bus trip and cat food.

arse arse arse arse

(I shall spend the rest of the day kicking the dirt and muttering sulkily that I didn't want to spend twelve hours on a bus for what will probably end up being only six songs anyway - blatantly untrue, but perhaps if I tell myself enough I may come to believe it)

Chewing bottom lip thoughtfully

I am not sure how I feel about being placed into a government program to obtain a Certificate II in Business.  It appears to consist of basic customer service and word processing - both of which one would hope I had the hang of by now considering I have been working for twenty years - and then entrance into an apprenticeship or traineeship?

Ladies at the last permanent job I worked at used to come to me for assistance when they got stuck taking their Certificate IV.

Still ... it will be something for me to do during the day - which is a good thing because I go nuts sitting about at home.  9 till 3 Monday to Thursday.

Should I try and become an hairdresser? 

The last hairdresser said I had no talent for it when I went in for a tidy up after chopping off my split ends one frustrated evening when they kept knotting up when I was brushing my hair.

I can't help but think I am taking the place of somebody more deserving and who would appreciate it more.  I worry I shall be disruptive in class.  The lady at the last place of work who was training us banned me from answering anymore questions.  I was the 'Martin' of the group.

Blinks bewilderedly into the day

So in my dream this morning, I was working in something like a newsagency, except bigger with more staff and it was run by Richard Branson.  I also seemed to have bags of my old shoes there, along with a bag of the stuffed toys I had as a child.  Justin Beiber (sp?) wanted one of the used toys.  I offered the large fuzzy mouse, but he only wanted the chicken slippers.

Richard said there was lots of good buzz about me and I was an up and comer.

Then I woke up and Blossom-cat, who had been playing with one of my shoes, decided to leap on the bed - however a claw had still been attached to the shoe (which is a very light slipper type shoe) and consequently it was flung up a-la sling-shot and smacked me in the face.

Good morning, I think?

I accept my fate

My descent into mad old ladydom is complete.
I have started drinking dry sherry.

(they come in conveniently large 2 litre bottles - which would be handy to have laying about if one wants to store up drinking water at the commencement of a cyclone warning - is 17% alcohol, isn't too sweet and was only $10 - bargain)

Wednesday

i sit still
while without the wind moves
a chicken plucks a cherry tomato
and clucking removes now in search of bugs

breathe
summers moist air
like a caress to the throat
with eyes closed against glare
a cricket's song ends abruptly

bok bok bok
i chase chicken away from cat food

Saturday

Fourish hours work doing stocktake in a warehouse.
Bid wear black and closed shoes.
I whacked my pearls on to add some class.

Had not realised my hands had become so colour coordinated with my outfit (I was very focused on my counting).  Had been wiping the sweat from my upper lip and mouth.

*sigh* I think it would have been nice if somebody had mentioned to me that I had put black dirt smudges around my mouth - like a mustache and goatee beard.

I may yet get to go hear Mr Richards playing support for Clare Bowditch in Cairns.  I've found close and cheap accommodation and bought a ticket.  I just have to manage to get there.  I concede a twelve hour return bus trip may seem a little excessive to listen to a support act, but I would quite like to see Clare Bowditch perform too.

I am not totally nuts.