Aaaaand then?

It's been a busy couple of weeks, though I still feel like I've achieved very little. Amidst the feelings of frustration and dissatisfaction mostly with the 'nine to five' I think I may have come up with some sort of game plan. If indeed a game plan can even be made with life; let's face it, there are a lot of factors that are completely out of our control. So, I've figured out what's within my power to change, and it's about time I started actually changing them.

Umm...

Seems we guage ourselves on the success (or lack of) against our peers. It's always nice to be recognised for the ball breaking work you do, the hours you put in, and the crap you wade through in order to get something to print that resembles an accurate and well presented representation of the job at hand. But let's not hold our breath, that only leads to a blue face and a plummet to the floor to regain consiousness. More often than not all the running around, extra hours and monkeys on our back leads to one thing, dissatisfaction with the final product. Of course it does, because the final product isn't really in our hands anyway, it's the monkeys who have the final say, with little thought as to what actually makes a good front or a decent image. Another day, another hacked or completely disregarded image.

The more I dwell on the concept (and let's face it, I am becoming a little bitter and twisted) the more I realise the importance of the schmooz and the squeaky door gaining the most oil theory. Clearly the head down, bum up philosphy of working hard and creating few waves just doesn't cut it in these times.

Expect nothing and be surprised when something actually comes your way.

And what did you do Friday night?

The Twisted Sisters (team 58) training session Ferntree Gully - Mt. Evelyn.

A little over 6 hours and 25km later, at approx. 1.40am this is what a full week of work followed by a trailwalker training session looks like. Note the glazed eyes and insane giggly grins on our faces. Maybe it was the warm night air, maybe the nibblies of sugar along the way, or maybe there really was something a little extra in those staminade drinks after all, but we all moved along at quite a good pace I thought.

We looked feral, had sweat and dirt caked all over us and the feet were just starting to want to have a rest but the satisfaction of making it through our longest night session yet was well worth it.

And here's that trailwalker link for donations: http://www2.oxfam.org.au/trailwalker/melbourne/team/58

RAIN!

As I was on my afternoon walk, getting the legs prepared for this big undertaking in a few weeks, there was this wet stuff falling from the sky... at first I wasn't sure what it could be, maybe the world was imploding or something, then it occurred to me, like a clap of thunder (actually, maybe it was because of the loud clap of thunder overhead) It was raining!

Oh joy, and childhood giggles of delight! I was like a young girl thrilled by the rain after a hot day, grinning like I was up to no good and holding my hands out to feel the drops falling.

When the rain cleared and all that was left was the stifling humidity of a hot Summer day, a rainbow arched across the sky and for a few minutes I was miles away as I watched it fade away. Damn! I missed the pot of gold again!

So...

Between walking, working and struggling to deal with people that frustrate me I've been getting to thinking that a month and a half into the new year, (the year I said I'd be focussing a little more on making a positive step forward into my own ambitions and goals) I realise there are still so many steps I need to make.

Is this what self doubt looks like? Or is it the destruction of self due to the desperate need of a holiday?

These boots are made for walking.... a long way.

In a moment of madness and possible insanity I; along with three others decided to enter the Oxfam Trailwalker 100km's in 48 hour challenge.... again! (You'd think we would've learnt our lesson the first time.) Three of the four have attempted this beast before, and failed, but thanks to our stubborn little heads can't seem to let it go. This time we will succeed, we hope.

Training is well underway, and with only 6 weeks left before the big challenge, we're all starting to feel a little ill at the thought of the pain we're submitting our bodies to.

OH, and if you feel the urge to donate to our wonderful little team of mad women and feel a part of it without any of the agony feel free to visit the Oxfam website and donate to TWISTED SISTERS team #58, at http://www2.oxfam.org.au/trailwalker/melbourne/team/58 and follow the links. And they're tax deductable, so you benefit too!