You might remember the dystopian smokiness enveloping the city back at the end of October.

This did not abate at all while we were on holiday. We’re still covered smoke and it looks like hanging around for a while yet. Air quality is appalling and approaching Shanghai levels.

The few times I left ThePalace(OfLove) last week, I ended up with tight chest, post-nasal drip (eww) and the dreaded cough. Thank TheUniverse and TheDoctor for that ventolin puffer which helps a lot.

So that I might venture outdoors and continue breathing, I took myself to the hardware store on Sunday and bought some P2/N95 masks.

Sure, I might look like a complete idiot on the communute, but I’m past giving any fucks what my fellow commuters think. The masks have made a miraculous difference, so much that while I was cough free and breathing easily on the journey, when I took it off at the ProjectSulfur offices this morning, the smoke seeping through the gaps in the windows made me cough.

Vive le mask!

possibly needs decorating

There have been some mask-skeptics at SML. “But it won’t filter everything”. Yes indeed, but it’s filtering 100% more than your not-mask!

Of course things are significantly worse for the people who are in the actual fire zones! But this is still pretty unpleasant – I’m hoping this is not what life is now.

2915 days

Who doesn’t need an embroidered cotton luggage tag?

such a bad idea on so many levels

All yours for a mere $148!

2916 days

I’ve been ruminating over my wardrobe since my declaration earlier in the week that I didn’t need any new clothes – and then going out and buying several more garments that same day.

I have been recently considering a clothes buying ban because I sensed I probably had enough garments to last me for a while. I figured I could make do with what I have for a year – I tend to take reasonable care of my clothes, most are decent quality and I’m a big fan of mending.

So I decided I’d take an inventory of everything and honestly – having done that I’m kind of speechless. How did I accumulate so very many things?

This is after a relatively recent wardrobe culling of more formal work-wear and garments that just didn’t fit well or were unflattering. I’m very very fortunate that SML now encourages us to dress casual – jeans are perfectly acceptable. This is absolutely a wonderful thing, but means I now have many pairs of jeans.

There is not much in this accounting that I don’t wear reasonably regularly (except maybe the mangy t-shirts and the cossies).

So ummm yeah – I think this will keep me going for a year (at least).

So on with that quite embarrassing list! I think I’ve covered everything (oh wait … adds cycling clothes)

garments worn outside ThePalace(OfLove)
+ pants = 10
+ jeans = 10
+ skirts = 7
+ dresses = 18!
+ jumpsuits = 2
+ long cardigans = 3
+ fitted cardigans = 3
+ work-type jumpers = 9
+ fitted shell tops = 5
+ work shirts = 5
+ camis / singlets = 14
+ linen button-up shirts = 2
+ t-shirts with slogans = 4
+ fancier work t-shirts = 12
+ v-necked t-shirts = 3
+ long-sleeved t-shirts = 3
+ overalls = 3
+ linen shorts = 2
+ hiking shorts = 2
+ hoody = 1
+ cossie cover-up = 1

jackets/coats
+ blazers = 5
+ denim jackets = 2
+ winter coats = 2
+ raincoat = 1
+ haori = 1

mangy garments never to be worn outside ThePalace(OfLove)
+ mangy t-shirts = 8
+ mangy camis = 6
+ haus shorts = 2
+ trakkie pants = 2
+ sloppy joes = 7
+ non-slip socks = 3

underwear and such
+ bras = 14
+ exercise bras = 2
+ undies = 45(!)
+ socks = 40

exercise wear
+ singlets = 5
+ crop top = 1
+ knee length leggings = 3
+ ankle length leggings = 1
+ padded bike shorts = 2
+ cycling jerseys = 2
+ cossies = 2

shoes
+ crocs = 3
+ wellies = 1
+ uggs = 1
+ brogues = 2
+ sandals = 1
+ moccasins = 1
+ hiking boots = 1
+ runners = 3
+ sneakers = 7
+ ankle boots = 4

Exceptions to the no buying for a year:
+ I can of course make myself clothes – though why would I need to make anything when I have all of these clothes?
+ I can buy clothes for other people
+ I can buy clothes overseas – I adore the memories these bring

xxx

2918-2917 days

Book-ended today with a mammogram in the morning and the insertion of a quite large temporary replacement filling in the afternoon.

Rock and roll.

In between those two reasonably unpleasant activities and despite strongly asserting this morning that I did not need any new clothes, I had an excellent time hitting up the sales in a low-key way and taking myself out to lunch.

2920 days

I’ve been putting it off for a couple of years, but today I finally replaced my beloved 7.5 year old laptop.

What with the phone and ipad, I rarely compute mobilely anymore, so I’ve replaced it with a desktop. The difference in performance between the two is (of course) remarkable! Amongst other things I look forward to not taking 3-5 minutes to edit a single photo.

Rather than copying 7.5 years** of accumulated junk over, I’m installing the bare minimum of software and files and will install / copy as needed.

Fresh start and all that! Perhaps I can re-establish some order!

2921 days

xxx

** plus the 3+ years of files copied from the prior computer.

We spent most of today napping after a pretty rotten overnight flight – small child across aisle screaming at ear-splitting volume for most of the 10 hours.

For preference, I’d always choose to fly in the daytime – so much easier to sit and read quietly.

A mere five days until I return to SML. I’m really hoping to get stuck into some of that long list of craft projects and not spend it all on housework!

2922 days

And just like that, it was over.

Only a 10 hour overnight flight remains until we’re back amongst it.

I will need to remember how to wear shoes.

2923 days

Books in our hotel room in Bangkok:

Bedroom
+ Stockbyte resource kit ei8ht: photolibrary.com (sans CDs)
+ HOK Asia – isbn 9781864703184
+ Anouska Hempel: Marcus Binney – isbn 9780847845071
+ French culinary institute: fundamental techniques of classic pastry arts – isbn 9781584798033
+ Jesus, hero of thy soul: Jim McGuiggan – isbn 187899087
+ Turtle Recall (Disc World companion): Terry Pritchett and Stephen Briggs – isbn 9780575091184
+ Lust: a travelling art journal of graphic designers – isbn 9781592536054

Loungeroom
+ Eve Arnold: Magnum Legacy – isbn 9783791349633
+ Y.P. (Yabu Pushelberg) – Veritas
+ Y.P. (Yabu Pushelberg) – Drive
+ Y.P. (Yabu Pushelberg) – Taste

This is the third Park Hyatt we’ve stayed in and all have contained very eclectic collections of books in their suites.

2924 days

our little home

We bid adieu to our wonderful tropical poolside home-for-a-week this morning.

What a gloriously lovely and restful break!

Two nights in Bangkok (there’s a song in there somewhere) and then it’s back to reality.

And the possibly impossible quest to hold onto that holiday feeling!

2925 days

Holiday routine:

5:50am – wake, dress, go to beach, take approximately 80 billion photos of sunrise

6:30am – first breakfast: coffee, mini bircher muesli, muffin

6:45am-7:00am (depending when Don leaves for golf) – solo walk on beach

7:40am – squeeze self into yoga clothes, run to yoga because I’m invariably back later from the beach walk than planned

8:00am – yoga

9:10am – second breakfast: 2x coffee, fruit, another muffin

10:15am – back to room, shower, put on cossies, apply sunscreen

10:45am – laze by pool or by beach, read, sew, listen to audiobook, people-watch

12:30pm – Don back from golf, watch him eat lunch, more lazing about, swim in pool

2:00pm – massage (hence the no-lunch for me)

4:00pm – more swimming, more lazing, more reading

5:30pm – drinks in club (soda water for me!), people-watching, scrolling about on InformationSuperhighway

6:30pm – dinner, dessert (though there are many tempting options, I always go for mango sticky rice)

8:00pm – back to room, collapse in heap, asleep by 8:30

I will be very sad to leave all this behind!

xxx

Notes: I don’t have a massage every day. Don does play golf almost every day. Sometimes I do have lunch – mostly not though.

xxx

2926 days