letters - 22nd january 2006
Well folks,
Its seems like no time has passed since I last wrote, the summer has been just FLYING by. I figured it was about time for some news, so here I am again.
The first thing to mention is that I am doing some research into social networks and as a result I have been looking into blogging and the like.
As a result, I am using flickr to manage my online photo album so clicking on the images in this letter will give you a larger version - if you are really interested.
So what's been happening?
The biggest news is that my mother has been unwell (to cut the suspense, cause you really don't need to get stressed, this turns out fine).
She had been complaining of abdominal pain for a while, and while my mother can be a bit of a drama queen (natch) she tends NOT to be a complainer. After a few trips to the hospital we were not getting anywhere, so I ended up talking to the doctors.
I guess that if nothing else after 6 years, I am pretty good at getting doctors motivated. 
So she ended up getting a bunch-o-scans and then finally a booking to go into hospital to get some gall stones removed. All went well with that but, long story short, I am on the way to a second interview for a job I REALLY wanted and I get a call from her specialist regarding some tests. He said that he understood that I was going to an interview and perhaps we should talk later.
Like that can only mean one thing.
So on December 6th my mother was diagnosed with bowel cancer, which given that was one of the things that took my dad out, is a source of some tension for me, not to mention her. If was looking as if it wasn't too advanced, but they wanted to get in right away and deal with it. The operation was booked for December 16th.
Now you see, I have this thing. Based on the historical evidence, if something shitty is going to happen, it will happen on or near my birthday. And there I was thinking I had escaped the curse of 2005.
Crap.
My Auntie Daphne (mums sister) rallied around wonderfully and between us we planned out what needed to be done and who was going to be there to support her. Now I don't have a lot of money right now - not that this is a problem. In truth I have been as happy as a nasty pig with a full pipe and an eager boy - but traveling to be with Mum was going to cost a bit.
Fortunately some good finance karma got me. I have been a very good boy for the last year and have been VERY careful with money. Anything I have earned has either gone on living or dealing with the credit card dept which has been building up supporting my year at school. Because I have been so good, American Express in the US has seen fit to increase my credit limit to US$16,000. Silly AmEx, silly silly AmEx.
I could afford to travel - which was great.
So I spent the next few weeks shuttling back and forward, calculating what was going to give me the most time with mum AND still let me earn the bit of money I had coming in from my job at the call centre ("welcome to FlyBuys, this is Robert").
Mum went into hospital on December 15th and into surgery on December 16th. The whole thing was complicated by a heart condition she has which could have resulted in a blow out and basically game over in seconds if her blood pressure had gone to high. She was on the table for 6 and a half hours with three guys up to their arm pits, rummaging around in her abdomen.
Now if you think the medical profession is more sophisticated than that, you are REALLY mistaken.
In the end they removed part of her lower bowel, part of her pancreas, her gall bladder and her spleen. They also found a mint condition 1981 commemorative edition plate from the wedding of Charles Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer.
Go Figure.
At about 9pm, I got a call from the surgeon to tell me that she had pulled through, they believed that had gotten all of the cancer and that she was doing well. Over the next few days I spent most of my time in the hospital at her bedside in ICU.
Its amazing how at times the roles become reveres ed. Here is my mother needing me to look after her, to watch over her, to hold her hand while she sleeps. And not in a creepy reverse parenting kind of way as had been the case in my teens. Its at moments like that you (or at least I) come to realize that I am my parents equal, their peer. And that is not frightening or an imposition. There is something good about it.
So over the next few days Mum recovered and got stronger. She originally had an epidermal, but the anesthetist was not as skilled as James and it didn't take. As a result she was on morphine for a while - and as HIGH as a kite.
My mother high is a very, VERY funny thing to see. I am going to get in SO much trouble for saying that.
I took her home on December 22nd and we had a very low key Christmas. The funny thing was it turned out to be pretty much a perfect way for us to spend the holiday. This year was always going to be such a change from the last few, mum has spent 5 years with the Mitchell's. We were both so happy to be together that nothing could disrupt that.
Mum has gotten better and better over the last few weeks, although she is still weak.
The latest good news is that she is NOT, repeat NOT going to need Chemo. They are confidant that they got everything. As I said, this turned out just fine. In fact we couldn't ask for a better outcome.
Yay.
So that was the big drama this summer, and in the end it turned out to be no drama at all. The great upshot is that my mother and I have done a lot of talking and have become even closer. And my Aunt and I have mended some bridges as well.
All good.
On to other news.
Since I was on the Gold Coast so much and given my friend Tony was down at his family's place at Byron Bay, I got an invite down for New Years eve. There is a nice little party there, Tropical Fruits which has become the get away of choice of the jaded and non scene.
Fun, friendly and relaxed. Plus pretty much guaranteed to be sans the terrible twins. Tony and I had a great time, along with my friend Gil. But there is more of that in my blog if you are really interested.
I drove down to Byron from the Gold Coast where I had been visiting my mother. It was great to drive down the Australian Coast, even if only for a few hours. This is a really Beautiful country and the region I grew up in, Queensland (no snickering) and Northern New South Wales is all lush, sub tropical forest and grazing land. Spectacular.
There are even a few classic Queenslander buildings along the route like this pub I stopped at for lunch on the way. Driving on my own is a special adventure, because I can sing along to the radio and argue with the talk back hosts without feeling like a fruit cake.
All up it was a great weekend and I met some really good people, including Wayne and Doug from Sydney as well as Craig and Anthony (also Sydney).
I even ran into a few people I hadn't seen in ages, including my executive producer from Open Channel, Leonie Dickenson. Leonie was the Dyke that gave me the blunt assessment that I was - NOT A NATURAL DIRECTOR AND WOULD STRUGGLE but that I had the makings of a good creative producer.
Harsh, but welcome.
Tony and I enjoyed a few parties, hung out, ate and slept. Tony even met a beautiful, boy, man really, which is great news. After a few days we pulled our shit together and started the trek back to civilization - or at least Melbourne.
Due to the fact that we had partied a little too much and had both gotten WAY to used to the siesta we were late heading back to the Gold Coast and Coolangata airport. As a result I needed to engage in some low level flying in my rented Hyundai. Which I can assure you will never drive the same again.
We made it to the airport in time, but only just.
Back in Melbourne things are all going swimmingly. Tony is off to Adelaide to work on the festival, and I miss him, but its a really good opportunity for him. Joe and I are speeding most weekends at the Prahran Pool (aka the pansy patch), which is a nice space although a little too occupied by the queerteratit.
I am keeping to myself and avoiding the gossip clique.
In other news, there have been a few international visitors, including Billy from Barcelona. A scottish flight attendant for BA, he gets to Melbourne occasionally. He is sweet and frikin funny. And MUCH hotter than this picture implies.
I however have a nasty case of crazy eye in this picture and I look like I have the worlds largest head - an honor that rightfully goes to Oprah.
The only last little bit of news is that I have gotten a job at last
HOORAY.
The role is as Digital Infrastructure Program Manager for a publishing company. Basically that means providing them with the platform to drive a new web site and a set of new digital products. Its a great role and looks like a FABULOUS company. I start at the end of January, so lift your glasses for me then. I am really looking forward to it.
And the place is FULL of nice fags.
The plan is to do this job for 2006 while I am doing my masters at VCA, then see what happens next. It looks like its going to be a good mix.
The only other middling sized bit of news is that I have been writing a blog for the last month or so. I am really enjoying the exorcize of writing, and it helps keep me focused on my long term goals.
All up things are fine and dandy here. I am well, as are my family and friends. Life goes on and while I missing all of my friends elsewhere, I know I will see y'all soon.
In the meantime take care of yourself and write if you have time or inclination. Always happy to hear.
Love
R
