Ask Steph

It's a one of those rare warm days in Melbourne. Fantabulous weather for a spot of gardening - say what old chum? So - I have discovered the joys of weed-eaters. ( weed-whackers if you're American, and whirly something or other  if you're Australian) We have bought a petrol one, 2 reasons mainly , firstly the battery ones are just to piddly to handle the vicious grass we have round the side of our rental house. Durban Blue has nothing on this stuff, I'm wishing for some pansy ass African veld-grass right about now actually. And secondly because we are responsible for clearing away the weeds when construction begins on our house. Seriously. It's another one of those strange, strange things about being in Australia. Just before the building company takes possession ( as it were) of your stukkie grond . You are responsible to clear away any tall grass and weeds.

So I've been going through some of the boxes that are still packed . The ones that didn't hold the kitchen equipment and bedding , that were not critical to my survival when the container first arrived with my worldly possessions from South Africa. And I found some old school memorabilia, certificates of achievement , you know, those all important spelling things , and full attendance for 100 years straight , all those typical nerdy things that 10 year olds are so proud of , but pretend doesn't matter to them. I stumbled onto some of my old poems. I was quite the little pen-woman in my primary school days. Particularly after my grandparents died. I suppose it was my way of dealing with something big  and shocking that I really couldn't process any other way. It was something that shook up my whole family. My grandparents, my Aunt , and 2 cousins , all died in the same car accident , when a drunk driver , on the wrong side of the highway ( freeway if you're Aus...

Happy new year , for anyone on my side of the date line of course ...... And for everyone else still celebrating - have a good one. And be safe . Don't drink and drive  and all that other public safety announcement stuff. Drinking excessively is a problem - Violent people get more violent. And then there are those lovely mild-mannered sweet-hearts who turn into Mr Hyde at the whiff of a vodka tonic. Not that I'm innocent of course - I have been known to partake of the fermented by-product from grapes , as well as some potato juice on occasion. And I was the quintessential student in my day - roaring it up on drinking nights , held in check only by my very short pockets, rather than any attempt to remain responsible. But I'll not bore you to death with my strong opinions on that matter - at least not today anyway. The reason I mention it is because Melbourne Metlink provided free public transport to all and sundry last night from 6pm onwards , all night long. And I c...