It was the best day ever

Because I was kidnapped by hill folk never to be seen again? No, it was an even better day than that. How could such a thing be? Allow me to enlighten you.

Most of the day was fairly low-key. I woke up, did awake-type things, chatted with a super awesome person online (you know who you are). I did the usual pissing around online things (black hole, KoL, email) while working on my résumé so I can, you know, get a job. I hope they don't mind that all my work experience is at places they've never even heard of... in small towns in the US... Well anyway, I felt productive (even though I didn't really get that much done).

I did some reading, tidied up a bit, did the dishes. I made a list of things to do (which was remarkably similar to the list I made a few days ago, but hey). Then at about 4 I decided that it was imperative that I leave right away and go into the city. I blame the weather. It rained all day yesterday (and I mean pouring rain), so the wind had that great post-rain smell. And since a number of windows were open, that smell was following me around and making me want to be outside. So! I grabbed my wallet, some change, a pen, and a pad of paper (it fits in my back pocket), and I was in downtown Brisbane by about 4:30.

I bought a book, which was excellent. I then enquired about The Last Watch, and was informed that its release date has been pushed back until January or so. This is unacceptable, and I sincerely hope that my... informant was mistaken. Ah well. I then proceeded to the Queen St. Mall, in hopes of finding myself a watch. Into the depths of the consumerist underworld I plunged, clutching my book tight in case I needed to use it as proof that I enjoy things beyond shopping. Luckily the people, the robots, and the assassins all had other things on their minds (or circuits), and I was able to safely navigate amongst the endless tiendas in peace. Or at least uninterrupted. Malls are not exactly peaceful places, are they?

First, a wander through the place. I eyed places likely to have the treasure I sought and enjoyed feeling thoroughly invisibly in a mass of self-absorbed people. I also found a place that sells yarn in every color of the rainbow as well as the magical tools necessary to turn it into useful things. Like sweaters.

My reconnaissance complete, it was time to attempt the actual acquisition of my desired treasure. Into the most likely candidate. (Ok, so not actually the most likely. More like the closest.) It's name? Myer. Think JC Penny on steroids. I entered on the apparel level and had to descend to the accessories level. It was a harrowing journey. A careful look through the watch section left me disappointed. There were few designs that appealed to me, and even the best ones were not worth $150. Hmm... onward and upward. Or, as it happened, downward. To Target. No luck. The selection was much cheaper, but... well to be perfectly honest, they were all really ugly. Bah. Attempt number three. No good. Mainly because the store in question did not have watches. However, they were very helpful in suggesting another place, so kudos to them. As for the other place... bingo. Simple but not boring, relatively light, and only $10. Success!

Treasure!

Buoyed by my fruitful adventures in the belly of the Material Beast, I headed back toward fresh air in a good mood. I thought things were going well, but then my eyes detected a strange reflectiveness to the ground. Was it... raining? Hells yes! My mood jumped several levels in pleasantness. Purposefully I strode from under the shop awnings. Smugly I scoffed at the sudden appearance of many umbrellas. I do not fear the rain, for I am from... well, Olympia. But had anyone asked I would have said Seattle. It takes less time. The effect would have been ruined if I'd had to explain where Olympia is. Of course, no one asked, so I guess it's a moot point.

There was a band playing, and I stuck around long enough to decide that they were good musicians, but then I started making my way back to the train station. I simply couldn't waste that rain by standing in a covered area, now could I? The walk in the rain was everything I hoped it would be. With my new purchases and a small smile, I was nearly at the station when the sultry smell of coffee practically grabbed me and stopped me in my tracks. Ah that truly Seattle siren call. Normally I have a strong will to resist, but with a book in my hand, coffee (or something similar) becomes practically impossible to deny. Since I was feeling very much at home with book and rain, the fact that it was Starbucks didn't help. So I succumbed. White chocolate mocha. I had entertained thoughts of sitting with my drink and reading my new book, but the seats were filled, so I wandered back outside. Now that I had something warm to drink, it seemed silly to go inside anywhere (besides a cafe, obviously). I drank as I walked, feeling more home by the minute. Coffee-book-rain. What next? Ah yes. Live music. I went back to where the band was playing and finished my mocha while they finished their set. They said the would be doing another one, so I decided to explore for a bit and then come back.

I made my first stop at HMV, a music store. (H is pronouns hayche, complete with the hhh.) There I met a very helpful man. Cute, too. He gave me the skinny on what's hot in Brisbane these days, and I urged him to give Schoolyard and Creature Feature a listen. All in all a very rewarding experience. Next I visited a phone store to pet some monkeys I had seen earlier. What? Oh, not really, no. To buy a phone. I splurged a bit and got myself a fun one. But first I made absolutely sure with the (very cute) sales guy that when I come home I can still use this phone on an actual network plan (as opposed to my current pre-paid gig). He said yes absolutely, so excellent!


I think I can see my soul...
It doesn't look too happy...

By this point it was 7 o'clock, and I was rather hungry. I thought that perhaps it was time to go home, but then I asked myself, "Do you really want pasta for dinner again?" The answer was "No," so I went back into the mall dungeon and got chicken strips, chips, and a coke. Then I found a secluded table to eat my dinner and start my book (bringing the number of books I am currently reading up to five). It wasn't quite as exciting as the artsy coffee shop reading scenario I had imagined, but there was considerably more protein involved, so I was ok with it. I read four chapters before heading back to hear the end of the band's second set. Afterward I said hello and chatted for a bit. They were very friendly.

Finally I concluded it was really time to head back to Taringa. It was about quarter after nine, and I wanted to get back indoors before the boozers came out. Nothing against them, I just didn't feel up to those sorts of interactions. I caught a train, got briefly lost in the game crowd, then quietly extracted myself and made my way back to walls, warmth, and... winternet?

And then I got to recreate my day for everyone else while listening to the trees go crazy in the wind. I know you have to have bad days (and average days and boring days and stupid days) to appreciate the good ones, but I have to say that if tomorrow is exactly the same as today was... I think that would be ok with me.




Did I mention that my hair looked very nice today?