...and what a week it's been

OK, time for a bullet-point list, if I'm to summarize the week:

• Monday - we launched the Great Big Plan, which included a stakeholder launch by the Premier, followed up by a press conference. My team (a) got the words right; (b) got a few of our green initiatives adopted; and (c) organised all the events. A day of going nuts. This was also the day we collected number one son from an embarrassing locale...

• Tuesday - Not a bad day, but ruthlessly long. A and I up at 5.00am to do the last cleaning at Collingwood. Three staff briefings on the Great Big Plan, again organised by folks who (laughably) call me the boss, followed by a drive to Prahran to return the keys to Collingwood. Sometime soon I'll find out if I cleaned enough to get my bond back...

• Wednesday - The day was dominated by two department forums to about 700 - 800 people (in total), at which I both presented a film about the Economics and Transport Modeling team and, because the leadership team had to talk about themselves, spoke about myself for 20 seconds. I said (and this may not be word perfect):

• "I'm 42, live in Chez Thorn with three children, three cats, two chickens and a Labrador called Bill. I'm also the token introvert on the leadership team. I have a great conceptual mind, but often wonder where I've left my car keys. This is the most fun I've ever had at work, and until they create the role of Philosopher-General, I'm staying here as long as I can."

• I got two bits of feedback that made me smile. The first was from someone I used to work with who said, "you guys looked so relaxed on stage together - you obviously like each other", which is true. The second was a more personal one. James, who had introduced himself as the "baby of the leadership team" (and five years younger than self), was told later that I look ten years younger than he. It may not be true -trust me, it's not - but it made me laugh to hear it.

• On Wednesday night, I was there to brief a community/local council group on the Great Big Plan. Almost two hours of light, aggressive questioning ("why aren't you greener? nicer? better?"), I was allowed to leave.
  

• Thursday - I can't remember the morning, but the afternoon was spent at our division Christmas drinks. I spoke for maybe three minutes (I promised it wouldn't be too long) about the last few months and what we'd achieved etc etc... Jim, Brandon and Terry turned up, and one of our Ministers gatecrashed, which was flattering in a strange kind of way. It turned into a long evening which is, I suppose, the measure of success with a Christmas party.
  

• Friday -I got a lot of paperwork done and met with the aforementioned gatecrashing Minister and a stakeholder we thought we had pissed right off with the Great Big Plan (because it wasn't big enough). Some friendly discussion later, the relationship was restored and we all returned to civilian life.
  

• Saturday- I got my hair cut. Honestly, who cares?

• Sunday (today) - The slow yet relentless march towards merging two households continues, although at the moment I feel like I am breaking more eggs than I will ever need for omelets. The pile of boxes is at least getting smaller, and one week after the major furniture move, I must be grateful for small mercies. An afternoon was spent at the Rod Laver Arena watching the Wiggles. The last time I saw the Wiggles was more than 10 years ago, having taken a young Alex. It was in the gym of a primary school in the northern suburbs of Canberra, a few years before they became the powerhouse they are now (*laugh now*). Now, of course, it's in a 16,000 seat stadium. A big stadium and big production values is actually a big improvement... Photos, and some additional words, can be found at textile seahorse.
  

What a week... Time for spleep...