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Bitter Sweet My, has it really been that long since I last spoke with you?

I really, really had such great intentions of spending some quality time blogging today but the truth is I feel so tired……you see there was this long party last night.

And unfortunately I WASN’T EVEN THERE!!!!!!
However, I WAS WIDE AWAKE in bed being force fed loud music that curiously only started at 2.30am and went on until 6.00am. And the worst thing is that in these inner city congested neighbourhoods, it’s hard to know where and whom to point the finger at let alone know in what general direction to start throwing something. %&*#$@#@!!!!!!!

The only positive thing out of it was that the music was really good so I'm guessing the offenders had to be over 35 at least, or otherwise the XYPZ generation or whatever they are called now, might have finally seen the error of their musical ways. Yeah, I'm old.
The joys of living an inner city life knows no bounds really and, while it’s mainly sweet, there are the inevitable sour moments which make it not only more interesting but also make me feel somewhat like an Amish person seeing the 21st century for the first time. I must be getting really old.
So in dot point form here are the things I should have been blogging about.....

1. Tram 1 – Car 0 Driver (not me) was OK but the car has just been released after having major plastic surgery (yes, my 6 mth old car and, just like all plastic surgery, I'm looking hard for the evidence of scars). The silver lining in that is that I've lost 5kg from walking everywhere and I have a whole new respect for trams.

2. My street has its own prostitute or is that the other way round (yeah don’t go getting all jealous on me, I’m sure your neighbourhood has its own charms as well). She has an office on the street corner which is pretty well open 24 hours a day apparently. The embarrassing thing about this is that I was thinking for some time that she was just a very well turned out lolly pop lady (this is the fashion capital after all) and I only saw her in the afternoon. I hope this is a lifestyle choice for her.

3. Just like my new friend Rosie. She’s 97 and has been living in the same rented house just a few houses down from me for 95 years. She moved there with her parents when she was 18 months old and has never left. It’s dilapidated and hardly fit for anyone to live in (most old houses here have been knocked down and redeveloped) but Rosie told me she wouldn’t move house even if she won Tattslotto.

Awww….my heart went all fluttery and my eyes watered.......but let me tell you the violin strings stopped pretty abruptly when I found out from my neighbours that Rosie has actually won Tattslotto twice, has an extensive property portfolio and her deceased husband was very wealthy. All her money is going to the Church. She is just happy living in what has always been her home. There are some lessons there somewhere but …….they’re entirely lost on me.

4. Speaking of my neighbours, Michael and Phillip, they are the sweetest, funniest guys alive. It’s like living next to Cam and Mitchell from Modern Family except their dog is their baby. They know everyone there is to know and where to go and where to eat and best of all how to dress.

5. And when it comes to eating, I’ve been doing my best to graze around the city. It's all this walking making me ravenous. Oh it is truly amazing. Everywhere you look there are fantastic clothes shops, restaurant, bars and…in my neighbourhood….DRUGS. Yeah, really old, I tell you.

6. I thought I was pretty worldly. Clearly not. There is this one street a block from where I live where you would be lucky to spot the non addict in the crowd. People look desperate and pretty wretched. I don’t see much joy in any of those faces. Drugs are dealt openly on the street. I was walking home on Friday and saw two old cars pull up to a screeching halt, four men get out and tackle two men to the pavement. I thought it was a crime being committed. Seems it was just plain clothes cops doing their usual thing on a mid day afternoon. I was about to take a photo and realised that nah, this ain’t light entertainment, this here is life. I don’t feel unsafe, but I don’t feel entirely comfortable on that street either. I just avoid eye contact with anyone.

7. Especially now while waiting for trams. The public transport is amazing here and so easy to use BUT I get hit on all the time at tram stops (and no, not by tall good looking men) by homeless people asking for money. Except for Doris. I kind of smelt her before I saw her if the truth be told. She lives in the parks and at 64, it’s a choice she says because she could go into sheltered accommodation. She pays her way. Now I see her regularly on the tram and she's always giving me advice. Yesterday she told me never give money to a certain nationality as you will never get it back. Um, Doris, no-one ever gives it back, that's the idea.

Only up to No 7? Oh the post is too long already.....

Despite the crazy bits which really do make life that much more interesting, I am having a great time and I guess just when I get used to the sour bits it will be time to move on again. I am off to Hong Kong at the end of April and not sure where after that. I'm having a middle aged gap year of sorts.

Blog Photo: Little ballerinas at my local shopping centre - very sweet!