Sleepy Head

I got up Sunday morning at 7.30am, still drunk I think

I put my boardies on and headed almost directly to the river

Light rain was falling and mist was rising from the water

There was no noise, except the birds, and no people, quiet and beautiful

When I dived into the water it brought back so many memories

I was laying in the water watching the ripples from the falling rain

Remembering when I would swim some mornings before I got ready for school

People thought I was mad to dive into the water that early, especially in June

It was such a great way to wake up, I'm not a morning person usually

I remembered the bus trip into school those mornings years ago

So many things change and at the same time so many stay the same

The river, the rock I dived from, the sandy beach on the other side, mostly the same

But I'm not who I was then, I've grown up and changed, with a child of my own

I guess I haven't changed completely, the swim was the best way to wake up

It washed the sleepy cobwebs from my head, leaving me with only a slight hangover

Some Things (men) Never Change

Little boy and I stayed at my Dad's place down the coast from Wednesday through to Monday. The occasion was my little sisters 18th birthday. (My other little sister had also just turned 16.) I've been going down there for about 20 years, so I'm not quite a local but I know many locals and have done for a long time.

One such local (I'll call him FF) came up on Friday to drop off a few things for the party. This guy is 50, he'd like to think he was still 30'ish. I've known him for as long as I can remember. He's the type of guy that I would see now and then and each time he'd have a new girl hanging off his arm. He's a musician and admittedly, maybe doesn't look his age, and definitely doesn't act it. You can imagine the girls I'd met over the years.

So anyway, he arrives. I was laying on the lounge trying to keep my eyes open (we'd been out the night before, I was tired) and Little Boy was running around doing what little boys do, playing with cars in the dirt mostly. I didn't get up to be sociable, it wasn't necessary, Dad was making the cuppa. As I dozed on the lounge I heard this conversation in the kitchen:

FF: So Ted's down for the party eh?

Dad: Yeah

FF: is she single?

Dad: ahh yeah, oh well I think she's got a bloke..

Little boy wanders in from outside

FF: And this must be Drew, well, don't you think I'd make a good Dad?

Drew: I've already got a Dad!

Little boy wanders back outside to the sound of my Dad chuckling and me boiling over in the lounge room

I couldn't believe the hide of this man. To speak like that, and to my son no less. I heard them go outside and as I was seething with anger I gave up on the nap. I grabbed a smoke and headed outside, only to find my Dad and FF still standing around chatting. As I walked out...

FF: G'day Ted, so you heard I was single and came down to check me out eh?

Even when I was a child of no more than Little Boy's age, I knew this guy was a creep. Some things really do never change, he still makes me cringe.

Particular Order No

Little Boy and I endured the five hour trip

Definitely worth it for the peace, quiet and party

Pub crawl brought back memories of days gone by

You're not in the "City" when pubs close at midnight (or ten)

Various wildlife sightings kept Little Boy enthused (not in the pub)

Little sis carried herself well, impressed all, undid it two days later

Old and new faces, young and old converged, a real "river party"

Drunk sixteen-year-olds shared the love, rolled in the grass (innocently too)

More drunk eighteen-year-old spat the dummy and wandered off

Older and "wiser" were just as entertaining, falling far and carried away

Strangers became friends, friends became strangers, almost all with a smile

Recovery followed, with holes in the memory filled and perhaps embellished

Of course, in my case, my behaviour and antics were only of the highest calibre ;-)

Blink

Okay I just stumbled in the door here

Been away for an extended weekend

Have to run out with Little Boy for the afternoon

Will be back to set-up and check out who's here

Thanks Bitzky and Dani for leading me here!

:-)

Edit: Oh this is too easy, so far

I wish I had an hour to sit still

Random Snippets

I made the call, it was answered

So good to hear the voice, happy!

Got a message not long after, unrelated

Real coffee and cheap ciggies, almost home!

Can't wait to catch up properly, soon!

Spent day out, filling in and catching up

Big sis is back and the shit will hit the fan!

Getting organised, washing, packing, excited!

Even a few days away is eagerly anticipated!

Yawn

It's late and I'm exhausted

A very long day has come to an end

It's hard work biting my tongue so often!

I've had a "purge" over here

Perhaps now I will get into my rhythm

Now, I'm off to the land of nod!

So I'm trying on this new outfit

It feels a little scratchy and uncomfortable

Hopefully I'll have it feeling right soon!