I’ve decided I’m going to become a Japanese Tourist. From now on, I will wander about with a camera perpetually grafted to a strap around my neck. That way I won’t miss capturing moments like the one I missed out on this morning.
Driving into the office this morning, stuck at a traffic light, bouncing about to Will Smith’s “Switch” on the radio, and watching a dad and his kid also waiting for the light to change so they can proceed across the crosswalk.
She was sitting on his shoulders, in her school uniform, complete with silly hat (Aussie school uniforms (the link is a typical example)don’t inspire naughty schoolgirl fantasies, trust me!), and he was wearing a classic dark business suit. She was playing the drums on top of his bald head, completely ruining the badass look he almost had going, what with his matrix-inspired sunglasses and all.
And then the light changed, and he crossed the street in front of me.
He was wearing her “wiggles” backpack.
It was intensely beautiful.
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Friday, May 20, 2005
And it's off to court we go...
Well, off ~I~ go, anyhow. Yesterday I filled for Divorce here in Australia. After some cohercing and eyelash fluttering, I was able to convince the clerk to change the appointed hearing date from the intial August 8th date back to July the 5th.
So, on that date, I appear and if required, present evidence to the judge that I consider Australia home and therefore, should have the case decided here. Given that I will have with me a local boy who apparently wants to marry me or summat, and who has in the past year bought property and a vehicle here, it should be fairly evident that we plan to remain. That, in combination with my bank and credit accounts locally, and my local car insurance and positon as manager on his aformentioned property shoudl be enough to establish local ties. So I think it will be ok. And sicne there is no dispute from former partner regarding the divorce, the property settlement was arranged amicably years ago, and there are no children, then the divorce itself could not be simpler.
Supposing the judge agrees and grants the divorce, the Boi and I can and will be married on the 6th of August. So we can then present the immigration application on the 8th of August. Considering my visa expires on the 12th, thats still cutting it VERY fine.
But having a hearing date is a big step and a huge relief. I'm relatively confident we can satisfy the courts about why I want to process the divorce here. The timing still makes me nervous, but making an actual move rather then sitting in stasis is a GOOD thing, and we are very "Yay!" about it all.
Meantime, the ex is pigheadedly refusing to accept the Norwegian refusal and is launching another divorce application there, under a different section of the Marriage act. I've read the accompanying legislation, and while I understand why he thinks he has a chance, I also think he is grossly missinterpreting the law and their ability to bend definitions to suit his purpose.
But he has chosen to fight that battle, and so I've signed the documents and will let him wear himself out on that avenue too, if it makes him happy. I think his energy would be far better used elsewhere, but on the other hand, I know I'm exhausting every loophole I find, so I can understand hima attempting the same. In any case, the two applications do not affect each other and are legal; whichever one is granted first is the one that will count, and we have the obligation to inform the other government of the divorce being finalized elewhere.
Upwards and onwards!
So, on that date, I appear and if required, present evidence to the judge that I consider Australia home and therefore, should have the case decided here. Given that I will have with me a local boy who apparently wants to marry me or summat, and who has in the past year bought property and a vehicle here, it should be fairly evident that we plan to remain. That, in combination with my bank and credit accounts locally, and my local car insurance and positon as manager on his aformentioned property shoudl be enough to establish local ties. So I think it will be ok. And sicne there is no dispute from former partner regarding the divorce, the property settlement was arranged amicably years ago, and there are no children, then the divorce itself could not be simpler.
Supposing the judge agrees and grants the divorce, the Boi and I can and will be married on the 6th of August. So we can then present the immigration application on the 8th of August. Considering my visa expires on the 12th, thats still cutting it VERY fine.
But having a hearing date is a big step and a huge relief. I'm relatively confident we can satisfy the courts about why I want to process the divorce here. The timing still makes me nervous, but making an actual move rather then sitting in stasis is a GOOD thing, and we are very "Yay!" about it all.
Meantime, the ex is pigheadedly refusing to accept the Norwegian refusal and is launching another divorce application there, under a different section of the Marriage act. I've read the accompanying legislation, and while I understand why he thinks he has a chance, I also think he is grossly missinterpreting the law and their ability to bend definitions to suit his purpose.
But he has chosen to fight that battle, and so I've signed the documents and will let him wear himself out on that avenue too, if it makes him happy. I think his energy would be far better used elsewhere, but on the other hand, I know I'm exhausting every loophole I find, so I can understand hima attempting the same. In any case, the two applications do not affect each other and are legal; whichever one is granted first is the one that will count, and we have the obligation to inform the other government of the divorce being finalized elewhere.
Upwards and onwards!
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Rigging the Bet
Left the office this morning on an errand, and got downstairs in the courtyard of the office complex when I was approached by a man I’d never met before, who announced, without preamble “You lost me ten bucks”.
Turns out the boys in the gym downstairs have a running bet each week about what colour my hair will be. It’s pink this week, but he had bet purple.
Ive told him if he can get the betting up to a hundred, I’ll give him my number and we can sort the shade in advance for a fifty-fifty cut.
Turns out the boys in the gym downstairs have a running bet each week about what colour my hair will be. It’s pink this week, but he had bet purple.
Ive told him if he can get the betting up to a hundred, I’ll give him my number and we can sort the shade in advance for a fifty-fifty cut.
Friday, May 13, 2005
Shifting Gears.
So having finally gotten tired of getting information from Norweay through former partnmer, I called the government office there myself.
And discovered that as of the 19th of April, the decision was made to not grant the divorce application, and that there simply is not a way around this decision.
So. Plan B. Former partner received divorce papers from me last night. Today he is to have them signed and witnessed and couriered back to me. I will apply here, but the earlier Hearing date with local courts is likely to be in mid July.
Providing they are satisfied with the application, and are in agreement, they issue right there on the spot a 'decree nisi'. After a period of 1 month and 1 day, without dispute from either partner, this decree automatically becomes 'absolute' (final), and THEN the bastardly boi and I can proceed with plans.
This all cuts everything to the bone, time wise. A month from mid July puts me over the time that I have to leave the country.
I cannot make an appointment to launch an application to immigration without having the decree absolute. And getting an appointment to launch an application is haphazard. It could be the next day, it could be a month, it just depends on how many appointments are requested at that time; and that fluctuates wildly and is unpredictable. The same system is used for ALL incoming immigrants, regardless of status. So if I luck into a quiet day, it could be fast. If there is a boatload
of refugees, it could be ages.
I'm seriously looking at booking me a flight to New Zealand on the 12th of August - that is the date I have to leave Aus. Once in NZ, I can apply for a visitors visa to Australia and enter on that. The problem with this plan is immigration offers an extension of the applicants CURRENT visa while they make a decision. The problem is by that time, the visa I will be on is a visitors visa, not a working holidaymaker; so that means I will not have the right to legally work. And again, they don't know how long to process; a month to two is the general standard, but not guaranteed.
If immigration reject the application (a possibility, asd, due to all the questionable timing, it is going to look like we are trying to cheat the system and are not an actual couple. they have right to use discretion about these matters if there is the slightest suspicion of wrongdoing), then Sean and I will go to Canada.
The moral of the story?
The internet thingy is a bad, bad, bad idea. Stay far, far away. Don't talk to anyone long; once you start thinking they are kinda cool - run screaming. Finding the other half of your soul lives on the other side of the globe means more hassel then you can possibly imagine.
Dicking someone never used to be this involved. Remember the good 'ol days? Where you went courting with the nice boy down the street and providing he was not a bum and your dad approved, you could go the chapekl and have a white picket fence.
Why coulden't I have found me a nice caveman to knock me over the head with a club and a grunt and haul me off by me hair?
Oh no! I have to fall for some near perfect boithing who has a strange obsession for smurfs and wombats but does not have the bloody decency to have a passport like my own. Bastard.
And discovered that as of the 19th of April, the decision was made to not grant the divorce application, and that there simply is not a way around this decision.
So. Plan B. Former partner received divorce papers from me last night. Today he is to have them signed and witnessed and couriered back to me. I will apply here, but the earlier Hearing date with local courts is likely to be in mid July.
Providing they are satisfied with the application, and are in agreement, they issue right there on the spot a 'decree nisi'. After a period of 1 month and 1 day, without dispute from either partner, this decree automatically becomes 'absolute' (final), and THEN the bastardly boi and I can proceed with plans.
This all cuts everything to the bone, time wise. A month from mid July puts me over the time that I have to leave the country.
I cannot make an appointment to launch an application to immigration without having the decree absolute. And getting an appointment to launch an application is haphazard. It could be the next day, it could be a month, it just depends on how many appointments are requested at that time; and that fluctuates wildly and is unpredictable. The same system is used for ALL incoming immigrants, regardless of status. So if I luck into a quiet day, it could be fast. If there is a boatload
of refugees, it could be ages.
I'm seriously looking at booking me a flight to New Zealand on the 12th of August - that is the date I have to leave Aus. Once in NZ, I can apply for a visitors visa to Australia and enter on that. The problem with this plan is immigration offers an extension of the applicants CURRENT visa while they make a decision. The problem is by that time, the visa I will be on is a visitors visa, not a working holidaymaker; so that means I will not have the right to legally work. And again, they don't know how long to process; a month to two is the general standard, but not guaranteed.
If immigration reject the application (a possibility, asd, due to all the questionable timing, it is going to look like we are trying to cheat the system and are not an actual couple. they have right to use discretion about these matters if there is the slightest suspicion of wrongdoing), then Sean and I will go to Canada.
The moral of the story?
The internet thingy is a bad, bad, bad idea. Stay far, far away. Don't talk to anyone long; once you start thinking they are kinda cool - run screaming. Finding the other half of your soul lives on the other side of the globe means more hassel then you can possibly imagine.
Dicking someone never used to be this involved. Remember the good 'ol days? Where you went courting with the nice boy down the street and providing he was not a bum and your dad approved, you could go the chapekl and have a white picket fence.
Why coulden't I have found me a nice caveman to knock me over the head with a club and a grunt and haul me off by me hair?
Oh no! I have to fall for some near perfect boithing who has a strange obsession for smurfs and wombats but does not have the bloody decency to have a passport like my own. Bastard.
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Email exerpt
In my mailbox this morning, right after I arrived at the office;
Date: Wed, 11 May 2005 09:04:02 +1000
From: Sean . (removed to block spam engines)
To: nikki(removed to block spam engines)
Subject: I was depressed
And then I got girl. Crazy sexy beautiful, utterly, completely, perfectly,
heartachingly wonderful girl. And I remembered something. She's mine! Alllll mine. So mine. Completely mine. mine mine mine. and that made everything better.
I love you.
Hidious. Truely reminicent of high-school crushing.
It's fucking fabulous.
I should have gotten me one of these ages ago.
Date: Wed, 11 May 2005 09:04:02 +1000
From: Sean . (removed to block spam engines)
To: nikki(removed to block spam engines)
Subject: I was depressed
And then I got girl. Crazy sexy beautiful, utterly, completely, perfectly,
heartachingly wonderful girl. And I remembered something. She's mine! Alllll mine. So mine. Completely mine. mine mine mine. and that made everything better.
I love you.
Hidious. Truely reminicent of high-school crushing.
It's fucking fabulous.
I should have gotten me one of these ages ago.
Thursday, May 05, 2005
A day in the life
Weekdays;
6:30-7:00 am; Drag ass out of bed and stumble bleared eyed into bathroom, usually tripping over the dog in the process who is too dumb to clue into the fact that as a speedbump, he is remarkably suited. Turn on hot water, then radio to tune into breakfast show. Stand in shower and gasp as scalding water hits me. Fiddle with cold till temperature is right.
7:00-7:30 am; Breakfast while checking email. Coffee and toast. Yes, always. Wash down a mouthful of vitamins with last of coffee.
7:30-8:00 am; Makeup/hair/pack bag for the day
8:00 -8:15 stand in living room or driveway for a quick snuggle with the boi as he gets home and I leave for the day. Bitch that its not long enough and giggle about the stories from his worknight.
8:15-9:00 am- drive to work, dance to radio and sip another coffee while stuck in traffic.
9:00-12:00 am- jot random notes as boss mentions absentmindedly what needs to be done, Check post, email and faxes, and send same, make sure boss knows who needs to be called, what needs to be done for the day.
12:00-5:00 deal with the jotted list of notes from the am, make a bank run, sort rental property/tenant issues.
5:00-6:00; drive home in traffic, dancing in seat and drinking coffee.
6:00-6:30- sort something for evening meal
6:30-7:00- go jump on the sleeping boi, steal snuggles.
7:00-7:30 shower together
7:30-9:30; eat in front of the TV, snuggle while watching crime dramas or something, chat about my day, get him packed for work during commercial breaks
9:30-midnight- laundry, more email/surfing, read papers while snuggles with the kitty, sort lunch for next day.
That’s my workweek. Sometimes duck out early on Thursdays to join the mom-in-law type for shopping and coffee before heading home. Often duck off for a few hours on Friday, as the boi will often come to the office as a way to avoid falling to sleep when he gets off in the am; the longer he stays awake on Friday the more likely he is to sleep through the night and therefore be awake during the day on weekends.
Today I feel spoiled. Message from him in am to say he was still at work and would not make it home in time for morning visit. So off I go to work. Only to be jumped in the parking lot. We love on the north end of the city, boi works in centre city, I work on south end. Since he would not catch me at home, he braved morning traffic to see me at the office. AND he brought chocolate.
Weekends are totally unpredictable. Usually involves shopping on Saturday and home renno stuff on Sunday. But typically also include visits to the beach or dog parks, sometimes a clubbing/dancing expedition, and always decadent extended periods in bed for movies and unmentionables.
Life is good.
6:30-7:00 am; Drag ass out of bed and stumble bleared eyed into bathroom, usually tripping over the dog in the process who is too dumb to clue into the fact that as a speedbump, he is remarkably suited. Turn on hot water, then radio to tune into breakfast show. Stand in shower and gasp as scalding water hits me. Fiddle with cold till temperature is right.
7:00-7:30 am; Breakfast while checking email. Coffee and toast. Yes, always. Wash down a mouthful of vitamins with last of coffee.
7:30-8:00 am; Makeup/hair/pack bag for the day
8:00 -8:15 stand in living room or driveway for a quick snuggle with the boi as he gets home and I leave for the day. Bitch that its not long enough and giggle about the stories from his worknight.
8:15-9:00 am- drive to work, dance to radio and sip another coffee while stuck in traffic.
9:00-12:00 am- jot random notes as boss mentions absentmindedly what needs to be done, Check post, email and faxes, and send same, make sure boss knows who needs to be called, what needs to be done for the day.
12:00-5:00 deal with the jotted list of notes from the am, make a bank run, sort rental property/tenant issues.
5:00-6:00; drive home in traffic, dancing in seat and drinking coffee.
6:00-6:30- sort something for evening meal
6:30-7:00- go jump on the sleeping boi, steal snuggles.
7:00-7:30 shower together
7:30-9:30; eat in front of the TV, snuggle while watching crime dramas or something, chat about my day, get him packed for work during commercial breaks
9:30-midnight- laundry, more email/surfing, read papers while snuggles with the kitty, sort lunch for next day.
That’s my workweek. Sometimes duck out early on Thursdays to join the mom-in-law type for shopping and coffee before heading home. Often duck off for a few hours on Friday, as the boi will often come to the office as a way to avoid falling to sleep when he gets off in the am; the longer he stays awake on Friday the more likely he is to sleep through the night and therefore be awake during the day on weekends.
Today I feel spoiled. Message from him in am to say he was still at work and would not make it home in time for morning visit. So off I go to work. Only to be jumped in the parking lot. We love on the north end of the city, boi works in centre city, I work on south end. Since he would not catch me at home, he braved morning traffic to see me at the office. AND he brought chocolate.
Weekends are totally unpredictable. Usually involves shopping on Saturday and home renno stuff on Sunday. But typically also include visits to the beach or dog parks, sometimes a clubbing/dancing expedition, and always decadent extended periods in bed for movies and unmentionables.
Life is good.
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