When the Cheshire emerges...

It was a good day for food and shopping today.

With a lack of blogs coming your way, you can probably tell I've kept myself quite busy lately. Working as hard as I feel I do, I come home not wanting to do much more than cook and then crash on the couch to watch TV.

Because of this I've realised more and more that I'm working for the weekend. Whether that's a two-day break or split shifts it doesn't matter, my days off are becoming precious commodities. And while I haven't been able to get out on the road or even do the real touristy Darwin things like I thought I would, I'm still making the most of my spare time.

A large part of that has included nights out. I've done a few different things, from gigs to birthday drinks - but it's the amount of clubbing (Darwin-style, where anything goes) I've done that's surprised me. I knew I still had something in me after Dubbo purely because my time there had provided somewhat of a hiatus from heavy bouts of nighttime madness. But going out just about every weekend here has made me feel 19 again - like my energy has fully returned after some time.

Look at this! I mean, I'm not exactly old but I feel this is a decent achievement. I guess why I feel like my youth's back is that I'm just really enjoying myself while actually maintaining stamina. This weekend was big in that I went out Friday, worked Saturday, went out bigger that night and still socialised for the bulk of yesterday. And I felt alright in hindsight.

Talking with friends, I know by the mid-20s going out hard loses its appeal to a lot of people. And that's fair enough, we all look for different things. For me, to know I still have the energy to do it is a positive. I think the climate and chilled lifestyle here has a bit to do with having that - it's warm all the time and you want to stay out, and there's people nearly always willing to do something. This is just something that suits me extremely well right now.

When I woke up today, I was in a bit of a stupor. Not really wanting to go to the gym, not feeling superb. I stumble to turn the light and fan on, walk back around the bed - and nothing.

It's happening. (The bulk of) this baby ain't going to waste #icecream #poweroutage #Darwin #Connoisseur by @katiinkaa01

A few things today:

1. I got THIS in my letterbox... and then AGAIN stuck in my door.

The unit directly above mine is having damaged floor tiles removed among renovations. Expected to take two weeks. While it's only during the day, weekends/late mornings will be a bitch. Great.

2. I had to laugh at this.

While the rest of Australia experiences a Man Drought... is the #NorthernTerritory experiencing a Woman Drought? @MarkMcCrindle ON AIR.
— 105.7 ABC Darwin (@1057darwin) February 12, 2014

So social demographer Mark McCrindle reckons there's a huge portion of men to every woman in Darwin. We knew this already, but there's definitely not a woman drought. Otherwise I would've been picked up at least once whenever I've gone out. And I can safely say that's not happened. Ultimately it means I wouldn't be single. And I can safely say that's not a reality either. This may come to the disappointment of some, I know, but it is what it is.

3. How frickin' awesome is the Winter Olympics? Really? Particularly the snowboard halfpipe.



I had to go to bed by the time the final came around, but was surprised to hear that Shaun White was outdone. Still amazing to watch (I can't believe how much air he gets, it's incredible) - this has been one of the better events of Sochi 2014 for me so far. Looking forward to seeing how Torah Bright and the other girls go tonight!

I got told by three people today that I essentially don't know how to do my job. At least two of the three were trying to give me constructive criticism (I think), but it still felt pretty shit.

And none of them were in my workplace, which makes it even worse. After a morning of rushing around (including what I hope is my very last visit to Telstra at Casuarina Square - that place is seriously messed up), I just didn't want to start my workday off with that shit.

***

Got caught w a smile on my face unearthing these. Time to unleash @MenzFruChocs power on the newsroom #chocolate #yum pic.twitter.com/o55aYEKdwR
— Katina V (@Katiinkaa) January 15, 2014

I made the afternoon a bit lighter though, sharing some Fruchoc love with my office. I'd done this in Dubbo before where no one really knew about them, and got a good reaction. Most here in Darwin were stumped, but for those that actually knew of the Fruchoc power their faces lit up. It made me happy that they were happy. Such is the magic these chocolates provide...

Today it was wet in Darwin. 25 degrees.

Today it was hot in Adelaide. 45 degrees.

WHAT?!

We're getting the rains off winds from a tropical low, and the south-east of Australia's getting a really rude heatwave.

This is such a weird reversal, I'm tripping. I was a bit cold today to be honest, which was even more weird.

***

Speaking of, I can't believe I was at the Australian Open a whole year ago. And with the heat, I'm kind of glad I'm not there right now. Last year was bearable at least.

Some things just seem to be really difficult.

I had a hard day yesterday. I shouldn't blame Darwin, but I really feel that just sometimes there's such a thing as being too laidback. People slip up.

Then there's the whole having a Citroen thing. Yes, having a French car is an ongoing problem for me because living somewhere outside a major metropolitan city with it gets me puzzled looks and general confusion all round. All the time. And it's a frickin' hassle.

I thought I'd do the right thing and give up my NSW plates. Establish myself as a Territorian in licence and registration. Forever hold Australia's peace and the rest of it. It shouldn't have been that difficult. But it was.

They couldn't find my compliance plate in the inspection because the woman had never inspected a Citroen befrore (I'm not joking). Nothing against her at all, and to be fair it was hidden in the most stupid of places, but it just took forever. Then I had to replace my two front tyres. That was fine though, saw that coming. But an extra $250 out of my pocket.

Then I got my licence and switched my plates. Went to unscrew the front plate - and there's no holes for my new standard ones. So they're now on my dashboard. Can't drive my car though because I've effectively surrendered my insurance/CTP and NO ONE'S OPEN ON SATURDAY MORNINGS for me to get help with new insurance. At least in Dubbo I could actually go to NRMA if I needed to... ridiculous.

So I can't drive my car. Can't fix my plates until I can drive my car. Oh, and I also CAN'T DRINK if I wanted to drive anyway because there's some condition printed on my licence saying I'm allowed zero blood alcohol content. I've been on my full licence for five years. What the heck's that about? So I have to go back and get that fixed. And probably get a new photo, which sucks because I kind of like this one. Pain.

This weekend's the first time I've had two consecutive days off since before Christmas Day, and I'm just about transportless. Pain.

On this day one year ago I did a pretty good wrap of my 2012 highlights and I was excited for 2013. Now I'm hanging out for it to be tomorrow so I can start afresh and get my life re-sorted.

I don't really know what I should say about 2013 as a year.

It started great with my trips to the Australian Open and Brisbane/Port Stephens. I have nothing but good memories with those, so can't complain about the summer really.

But then it just fell to pieces by the time winter came along. There were so many things not clicking in different parts of my life and I felt rather lost. I was unhappy with work, which didn't make for a healthy mind, and felt helpless.

The last few months have really helped in restoring what I thought was gone. I'm still getting there, but I really feel anything's going to be better than the rollercoaster of the last 12 months. My connections with friends in Dubbo strengthened when I needed them most, and for that I'm eternally grateful.

And importantly, I landed a job that piqued my curiosity as well as that of many who know my new employer's reputation.

This year has made me doubt my abilities as a journalist, and I still have those doubts sometimes. But in Darwin I've been given the chance to give it a red-hot go and that's all I ask. In a completely different vibe from Dubbo, I've been socially active from the start with people that want my company - no questions asked. You couldn't imagine the difference it makes, whether you know people in a place (as I actually do here) or not.

Having said all of that, it's over. There were lessons learned, as outlined perfectly by this blogger. January 1 brings that fresh start we all need at this time, that knowledge anything's possible. There's plenty for me to look forward to in 2014, namely my World Cup trip and two weddings to attend. I have hope, and that's all I wish for everyone else.

Happy New Year to you all. Sorry for the soppiness. x

It's been another two days. Yesterday I melted. Today not so much. I'm beginning to see how this all works... I have to wake up two hours earlier than usual to get my hair/make-up looking OK. This wasn't by choice - I had the police round today, so a pre-7am start. Totally worth it.

For those who don't know, I have moved to Darwin.

A belated week that was. It was a huge week for me personally!