May 2008

Drained

May 28, 2008 · 0 comments

So, I had an up and down day which has left me quite drained.

Rose was writing a Social Story for a client about how his teacher sometimes will get sick and have to have time off work to get better, meaning that sometimes he will have a different teacher….

I need one for parents that says that sometimes the speech therapist will get sick and have to stay home, and there IS no subtitute speechie, so she’ll just have to try to catch up on everything when she gets back to work, which means she can’t have everything done yesterday…

*breathes*

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Amongst all the controvesy recently surrounding “Alcopop” drinks (I had never used that word for a breezer or cruiser until recently – t was always girie drinks or “bitch piss” in my circles, though I suppose we can see why the politicians can’t use it) – it’s nice to see the companies are still bringing out new versions of their popular beverages.

vodka cruisers

The most recent one I’ve tried: Vodka Cruiser “Free”. Mixed berry flavour. Claiming to have way less calories, I’m sure this would be a sure-fire way to get drunk quicker (if that’s possible on such a drink!) I bought it from Superbarn, as the 4-pack was on special.

So, I have it in front of me now… and it tastes fine. Kinda like low-joule jellies you buy and mix at home. Yeah, like the weight watchers jelly. *shrugs* Obviously there’s less calories in a shot of vodka, but this at least is more drinkable and less likely to burn my nostrils :p And if they start serving it in bars, it means you don’t have to opt for soda water or diet coke if you’re after a sugar-free mixer.

1.1 standard drinks at 76 calories with a sweet berry taste… if you hate that imitation sugar aftertaste, don’t buy it, but if you’re seasoned at poisoning your body with Sweetener 950 – aka “Acesulfame Potassium” and “Sweetener (955)” – sucralose, then why not? :p

Of related interest, an article about sweeteners in diet coke that Rish sent me today. “Sodium benzoate has been linked to damage to DNA and hyperactivity in children, and is used as a preservative in Diet Coke in Australia.” … I decided today that I need to get back to drinking Diet Coke at work again, because people are going to suspect that I’m pregnant… because we decided that it may be the only thing to get me off the stuff.

edit: I have now found out there is an official Cruiser Free website for Australia… and that there are three flavours. The thought of orange and mango though makes me think of warm homebrand poppers in my lunch box at primary school… the site won’t tell you much except seemingly promote that you sould drink cruiser while wearing cut-off denimn shorts and flannos. If that’s you’re thing…

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Went back to work today… there’s still plenty of other people off work with various illnesses, poor things! Had a quiet morning – returning emails and phone calls from people who desparately want to see me. Nice to be popular?

Went for a review appointment at the doctor’s after lunch – I still have fat tonsils and swollen glands in my neck… but I’m getting there. Have to keep on taking my antibiotics of course, and once i’m done with those, next week I’m off to get a range of generic blood tests to see how healthy I really am. Iron, B12, blood counts etc. You know, make sure I’m not going to drop off. Or something like that. Mostly because I have been carrying around some level of sickness for most of the year (!) and just want to check that overall, I’m in reasonable health…

And yes, I bought a new webcam today…

Ooh Shiney! I love my scarf, it’s my happy-scarf. (still playing with the light levels and functions. yes, it has a mike, but hmmmm)

Anyway… I needed one before the end of July when Rish will still be away and I won’t, but I thought I’d pop in and get something today *smiles* so now I can be dorky on msn and skype :p

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Accidental Detox

May 25, 2008 · 3 comments

It seems I have restored my sensitivity to caffeine while being off these past couple of weeks. On normal work days, I’ve built up to having a cup of tea with breakfast, a coffee when I get to work at 8:30 while reading emails, another one about 10:30 when I hit mid-morning, and then have a diet coke at lunch time. Occaisionally there is another caffinated drink in there, and often a tea or coffee late afternoon, depending on what my tastebuds are up for. (or if there’s cake. ugh. I’ve been on cake detox too).

But, over the past couple of weeks I’ve only had the occaisional coffee (such as at McDonalds Goulburn on the way home from Sydney last weekend, and the instant coffee I had in the hotel room because I knew I needed to wake up for a long night ahead)… and only 1 diet coke – the half a can I managed at lunch on Monday before realising that I really shouldn’t be at work, and went to the gym instead??? I got told off by my doctor for that, don’t worry. The can’s probably still sitting next to my keyboard, with the rest of my mess…

So, I think I’ve been on some sort of involuntary detox from my caffeine/diet coke addiction. And because I’ve been semi-conscious and my liver has been dealing with codeine and the antibiotics, it hasn’t missed haing other things in my system to deal with.

So where to from here? Do I attempt to stick to this and maybe stick with the tea over the coffee (possibly half to caffeine, according to Wikipaedia) and cut that diet coke out of my lunch… leaving it for the days then when I actually want the caffeine in my system?

Natalie Dee
nataliedee.com

We’ll see, it’s back to work tomorrow, and while I’m kinda looking forward to being a normal working human-being again, I don’t want to think about the mountain of emails that will be there for me to answer, and two weeks behind in things to get done for the term.

But there’s only 6 weeks of term left – a public holiday on June 9, and various other things such as PD (stuttering, manual handling, and evidence based practise) to tick away the days until July 4 – last day of term and time to leave Canberra for a month! (yes, I’m crossing off the days) :p

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Pinker than Pink

May 24, 2008 · 0 comments

About to go to bed after a very hot shower :) May have used all the hot water, but it’s near zero degrees here, so it was worth it :)

Have left Rish at a pub crawl… I’m completely not up to that sort of punishement just yet :) maybe next weekend. I wish I was there, but it’s not a good idea. Going to leave my phone on beside the bed for the “phonnnaaaaaaa! I lvoe you so much come and get me I love you! I’m so drunk I love you!” call or text that will hit some point through the evening :)

I don’t know where I’m heading with this.

To bed I think. zzzzzz my throat still hurts

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Cabin Fever

May 23, 2008 · 0 comments

I love Muppet Treasure Island. I think I had it on video though, so it’s probably dead, and I haven’t seen it for years….

But, yes, going a little stir-crazy at home. Past the point of appreciating that I can relax and sleep in and take care of myself and starting to miss people-contact too much. That’s why I went to Japanese last night, loved being there, even though it was assaulting my vocal tract at every syllable.

I get to meet a friend for lunch though today – she’s down for an audiology conference (defected from speech path after finishing the degree!) So at least that means venturing out of the house for a little bit… even to scurry back after :) I reckon they probably get some good freebies at their conferences, there so much more money in hearing than speech!

…that song is hilarious :) *dissolves into giggles*

<3 Tim Curry!

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Sing it to me, and I might learn about it…

May 22, 2008

(10:35:26 AM) Fiona: I’m happy phil (10:35:31 AM) Fiona: I’m jsut not healthy (10:35:36 AM) Fiona: hehe happy healthy harod (10:35:39 AM) Fiona: hmm (10:35:41 AM) Fiona: harold (10:35:49 AM) Fiona: harod was a different thing (10:36:18 AM) Oh what a beautiful day: hahahaha wasn’t he some king? or was that herod? (10:36:26 AM) Fiona: [...]

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More for your money

May 21, 2008

At the news that the Australian Dollar was trading around 95-96 US cents, I of course have seen this as an opportunity to revisit some of those online stores that I love to see if there’s anything they may be worth buying at such a competitive price. (also, I’m home alone, and will be for [...]

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Drive me Home

May 20, 2008

Back from the doctor’s – they almost didn’t let me drive myself home, but I eventually got my own way – had a nice little fever burning along at 38.3 degrees. I got a needle but not the planned one – I had booked in to get the last gardasil, but they didn’t have it [...]

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Pink and Black Pirate

May 18, 2008

Because I know some of you want to see how I turned out as a pirate: Words may follow later, but for now, I had a great weekend, and need to go to bed :) A quick note about the paddle (weapon of choice) – the theme was Naughty and Nautical :) If you want [...]

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Pirate is Go

May 17, 2008

Just finishing tidying the house etc and getting my pirate costume together to head up to Sydney. We’ve managed to arrange to meet up with a friend from High School which will be nice :) I’m still not feeling 100% – when I went to bed last night I think the anitibiotic reacted with me [...]

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Making Up Sick Leave

May 16, 2008

A little item in today’s SMH collum 8 – scroll to the thrid item: “This email was received by several people working in a Telstra call centre yesterday,” writes Padraig Collins, of parts unknown. “If you use it, please do not mention the woman’s name, or from which Telstra office it has come.” OK, but [...]

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