Read + Write + Report
Home | Start a blog | About Orble | FAQ | Sites | Writers | Advertise | My Orble | Login

The Anxious Outsider - by anxiousoutsider

The Anxious Outsider - January 2007

I Just Don't Know!

January 4th 2007 02:38
I have a favour to ask.

Please.

I implore you.

Please, if you see me and you need to ask directions - find someone else! I can't do it, even if I know where you need to go, I cannot put it into a coherent, useful form. I realise the absolute farce when I am in this situation is highly amusing, but really, it just results in a frustrated stranger and an embarrassed Catie. I look completely lost at all times, so please ask someone who looks a little less like they've stepped out of a vortex into another dimension a'la Sliders. I should point out that despite the vast contrast in size and experience; the results are the same whether in Sydney or back in Tamworth:


"Oh, gosh, um - well, see that building there with the awning? Well if you go left and straight up the street you'll see a post office on the right. Keep going and you'll see a cafe, and across the road there's a red thing, and that's not it so turn up the street with trees - I can't remember the name of it, but there's a footpath. Um...maybe ask someone when you get there what way to turn and it should be right near the pub. Was that helpful? No? I'm sorry."

Oy vey, I really fail at directions. So, to the lady who asked me how to get to the art gallery today, I'm really sorry. You're probably cursing my name right now as you make your way back into the Tamworth CBD from Alice Springs. Oh well, at least I'm completely unbeatable at mimicking Kate Bush's Wuthering Heights (complete with interpretive dance) and singing Karma Chameleon on Singstar.

My lack of consistency with posting has been due to two things - having a rather big NYE celebration, resulting in my ringing in the New Year by throwing up everything I had eaten in 2006, and my birthday on January 2nd. I turned twenty and celebrated by having a chilli eating competition with my boyfriend, and having dinner with friends. It was nice, and was made even sweeter by receiving a lip-shaped beanbag as a gift.


I have been thoroughly enjoying my break so far, the peace and quiet of my family's out-of-town residence is very refreshing, and with the ambiance only breaking on the occasions when my parents fight about matters such as spark plugs and who indeed was the ugliest Prime Minister. Still, I have an aching to rejoin the fast-paced race for success, and I actually miss the comfort of my University community...I will look back on this post and laugh when the school year resumes and all I do is endlessly complain about people foisting flyers in my face (I don't care about your stupid medieval society! Go darn some socks and stop showering by yourself, git!) and walking slowly in stairwells.
71
Vote
   


Coming Home

January 1st 2007 09:45
“Home James, and don’t spare the horses!”

I have no idea what that phrase means, it was just something my Grandmother used to say. A lot. Whatever it means, I’m sure her love for cask wine contributes.

Travelling home recently to celebrate Christmas with my family back here Tamworth had me thinking about various things. ONe being, whenever I meet someone new and I’m forced to tell them where I’m from, I’m met with usually one of two responses:

1. “Oh, Tamworth! I love it there; it’s so nice and quiet. Why did you leave?”

And, more frequently:

2. “Oh, Tamworth! You must really love country music. I hate country music.”

The latter wears thin, but I take it in my stride. For the record, I loathe and detest country music, but I make no apologies for the Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton albums in my CD collection. They are nothing to be ashamed of. The Country Music Festival just kind of happens around me every year, while I scowl through the main street of the town trying to get the morning paper and a coffee without being heckled by a busker or asked for directions by a be-bumbagged visitor. It can be a bit fun, though – especially when it floods. There’s nothing more pleasant than seeing someone’s mattress floating down the river while they’re interviewed for the local news, saying things like: “Oh, we lost the caravan but it was worth it just to see Lee Kernagan. We’ll be back next year!”

Despite the theme of the festival being utterly grating, it is undeniably spirit-filled and people are genuinely happy. There’s a certain safe atmosphere, one which shows that the town is capable of a good party. Still, my family and I choose to be the glowering wallflowers that bitch freely about everyone else and complain about the music.
71
Vote
   


More Posts
2 Posts
2 Posts
4 Posts dating from December 2006
Email Subscription
Receive e-mail notifications of new posts on this blog:

anxiousoutsider's Blogs

I have no other blogs :(
Moderated by anxiousoutsider
Copyright © 2006 2007 2008 On Topic Media PTY LTD. All Rights Reserved. Design by Vimu.com.
On Topic Media ZPages: Sydney |  Melbourne |  Brisbane |  London |  Birmingham |  Leeds     [ Advertise ] [ Contact Us ] [ Privacy Policy ]