Big update time

Yeah yeah, long time no post. Sorry to anyone who hangs on my every word (you really need to get out more ;) Really!)

So what's been going on to keep me from updating. Heaps, tho not all interesting I'm afraid.

Basically a month or so ago I was given notice that the people I rent this house from wanted to renovate. As such, I had to look for a new place to live, which is harder than it sounds when you've got a rough location in mind, two cats and a penchent for playing guitar at odd times of the day.

Anyway, just over a week ago I made a successful application to rent a place just down the road from where I work. It's also one street away from Mick and Nums, which is great all round - they'd be able to feed the mogs for me if I was away, so I'll be able to go on training interstate again (I've had to turn down some courses due to them being run in Sydney).

I'll be able to drive them to the shops etc, pick 'em up from the station when its pissing down with rain etc etc. I'd also be able to pick up the girls from daycare if Mick and Nums get stuck in the city for some reason (they both work in The Valley, and if Mick gets busted for soliciting on his street corner and nums has to bail him out again etc etc). The silly idjits have bought me an amazing microwave as a housewarming prezzie - it's fantastic... HUGE, and has a built in recipe book. In a tremendous show of restraint, I've left it packed until after I move - and I have NO idea how I've managed to do that (boys and gadgets, you know the score)

Of course, being geeks, we're already planning a wireless internet connection between our houses....

Work on the band's demo is still in progress - Phil's done some wonderful work on Emily, Cult of the One, No More Kings, Chrominence and Before You Fall. He's taking extra time to make sure he gets a 'sound' that suits us.

The band's still amidst auditions for bassists and drummers. Dane, who replaced Dave after the recording sessions vanished after about 4 weeks - we've been unable to contact him, so I hope he just lost his phone rather than something nasty happening. He's a real nice guy.

In the 'downtime' between auditions, we've been working on new songs. These are going tremendously well. So far we've worked on:

* Finding Emo (working title for one of Justin's songs)
* Prizefight (another one of Justin's)
* Outta My Mind (working title for one of Shane's songs)
* Betrayed (One of mine - Shane does a great Cello impression on his guitar)
* Can I Feel Your Heartbeat (Mine. Previously known as 'No Baby')
* Your Stolen Mind (Mine)
* Label Me Blameless (Mine - used to play it in Torn)
* The New Red (Mine. Previously known as Silverscream)
* Little England (Mine)

We've also worked on a cover of Duran Duran's Hungry Like the Wolf, and had a brief look at a couple more of my songs (Starlingfall and My Strange One). Shane and Justing both have other new songs in the works - one of Shanes is this really cool drop-D riff (similar in style to 'D' but somehow darker). I've got rough recordings of most of the new stuff but nothing we'd want to share at the moment (we're still nutting out structure, harmonies and in some cases lyrics)

Work's been pretty busy too - a couple of ago I put a new mail gateway server live, and also doubled the student email mailbox quota. Both were successful, and it ended up taking about 3 hours which isn't bad going. I was also nominated to be my section's person put forward for the AVCC Leadership Programme (AVCC being the Australian Vice Chancellor's Committee). I was very proud! Yesterday I received word that I'd been accepted! The Programme is run at Deakin uni in Victoria, about an hour from Melboune (apparently). Guess who's hoping he can meet up with the Mandi?

A couple of entries ago I think I mentioned that I'd gone for the team leader position in my group. Well I didn't get the job, which went to Mitch, who had recently left the team to work in the research computing dpt. I'm almost glad I didn't get it - Mitch has been a VERY busy man the last few weeks, and he's coping very well!

A few months ago, I did a stint as acting Snr Security Specialist (basically acting Manager of Computer Securiy), which I thouroughly enjoyed and was rather sad to have to hand the reigns back to Eddy when he came back from leave. Eddy has since resigned, and it'll be very sad to see him go - he's had a very positive effect around the place, and we get on well.

The position's been advertised, and I'm going to apply -- I've worked at the Uni since 1998 and never applied for any jobs, then this year I've applied for two (both at the uni, so don't panic Karl!) This is not due to lack of ambition (at least not since I got over San and I's split), but is testament to how much I love my job and enjoy being in the team I'm in.

The two jobs I've gone for have been closely related to my current work and basically 'next rung up the ladder' with (allegedly, Mitch would dispute this!) less hands-on technical work and more management type work. I'm not bored with my current work by any means, but I would like to have a bit more responsibility and impact on processes/policies (though I have to say, my boss is great at hearing our opinions and ideas and enabling his team members to run with their convictions - and unlike many other bosses, he's all for deferring credit to those responsible).

Last night, my boss had a BBQ at his house and I was invited, along with my guitar and PA. My boss got his drumkit out and a couple of other colleagues brought keyboards and guitars. We had a monster (nearly 5 hour) jam session, some good stuff, some bad stuff, but overall: fun. Included in the 'set' were Rainbow Connection, a punked up version of Leavin' on a Jet Plane (!) and, especially for Troy and his wife, the first verse of Black Sabbath's Paranoid. Cristy and Anna, the sisters who work in my group had goes at singing and drumming.. the most notable for me was the version of Alanis Morrissette's "You oughtta Know" - not all lyrics were remembered, but Cristy sang with complete conviction. I got home about 1am and am still rather sore from all the playing and equipment lugging... yet I'm also about to do more packing. Ug.

Oh, breaking news - I'm now addicted to Kitkat Peanut Butter bars. Thanks, Nestle, you'll be hearing from my tailors.

Finally, tonight I finally get to meet Lil Miss Squish, Extreme Ironer, owner of an impressive set of.. er.. thongs and all-round cutie. We're having a games night at Mick and Nums', and we'll be joined by IRCaddict and BiteYrBum. I'm currently looking out my hairties, nail polish, halo and marker pens so Team Freckle can be in full effect! Plan is Pizza and games of Pictionary and Baulderdash

Better go do some packing. The girls know something's happening - Willow's giving me that "Wachootalkinboutwillis?" look and tammy's sitting on the highest point possible (which is currently atop the microwave box)