Post-Melbourne post

I'm baaaacccck.....

Melbourne was intense, crazy, fantastic, all rolled into one. It started off with our course group, atleast the folks who had travelled there from inter-state, bonding over the 3 hours we had to kill at the airport. The course itself was held at Mt Macedon, a commuter town on the outskirts of Melbourne. People move here for the lifestyle; that rural-residential living style that commands big bucks for vast, expensive houses. Shame about the extreme fire risk, but the lifestyle draw overrides the concerns experienced at the extreme fire risk and actual suitability of the locality for residential development.

The course days were spent bonding with fellow participants and working in groups, followed by "relief" sessions at the bar onsite. The bar was a god-send. The site is federal land, and therefore tax exemptions on alcohol apply. Leading to a substantial consumption of wine ($2.20 a glass) and beer (approx. $3) and spirits ($3.50). I'm not kidding. There was lots of drama, but as they always say 'what happens in Mt. Macedon stays in Mt. Macedon' (yeah, I'm pretty sure that's set in stone ;).

In a sentence? Challenges, alcoholic drips (literally!), sleep-deprivation, stalkers and flattery, intelligence members (ooooh, mysterious ;), Dougie Howser and random conversations and discussions. Fun times. And a long sentence, I know.

The weekend was spent in Melbourne; spending time at the Queen Vic Markets, going to one of my fave op-shops (retrostar; check out the new online shop), doing some shopping, going to our coveted French crepery, and err...fine dining and more shopping.

I was pretty stoked with the shopping I managed to do (and Abby, Melbourne is sooo much more fashionable than Perth, isn't it!), with the highlights being the Tristan Blair wedges I got at Sportsgirl (and that I was completely oblivious to until I saw them in the shop, unlike Rumi and Queen Michelle) and a Museum feather cape a la Brandon Flowers in err...that Killers video. Amen.

Pictures to come, my computer has completely spacked it.

Also, thank you guys so much for the lovely comments and, to the Seeker, thanks muchly for the wonderful award! I'll get around to showing you guys the blog award sooon. I promise. I promise to respond to the comments too, on the premise that my computer keeps up. Grrrr, must look into newbie replacement.

The caption for the following shot goes along the lines of Stuart being a wonderful boyfriend and coming across the country to meet me in Melbourne. The weekend was fabulous, and the fact that he indulged my shopping is testiment to his lovability. Thanks Stu!

p.s. Charles, this one's for you [blog post and the picture obviously] ;)