Who's who and what's what ... a few of the folks and places you may hear mentioned in my ramblings.
Tuxedo
The love of my life, man of my dreams, wind beneath my wings etc etc etc. He's the reason I left my comfort zone in Western Australia for Northern Ireland. I could gush for hours about how simply wonderful, sexy, brilliant, gorgeous, sweet and kind, wicked and devious, and damn good fun he is ... but will spare you on this occasion. We were married on 02 February 2002 (02/02/02) - how cool a date is that?
Abigail
The latest in a long-lived and much-loved line of cats. Her predecessors include Jessie, the psycho tuxedo kitty we had in Belfast, Bella, a tortoiseshell of Major Personality who lived to over twenty years old, and Rocky, my childhood duh-stupid sedate black and white boy cat. Abi is a pretty silver/black/cream/champagne tabby, with the silkiest fur of any cat I've known, short haired on her back but an incredibly long fluffy ruff, chest, tummy and britches, fuzzy feet, and the biggest bushiest tail you have ever seen in your life, its quite ridiculous. I have a theory her mother mated with a raccoon by mistake ... we're pretty sure she is, in fact, a Maine Coon. She is very vivacious and cute, plays happily with the dog and any interesting object, real or imaginary. She is also extremely chilled out, relaxed and affectionate; her favourite thing is to climb up onto my shoulder, chew and suck my hair and knead my shoulder and er chest. Regressive, much?
The Little Professor and The Headmistress / The PUMS
My parents. They've been married for 40 years and are bloody good parents as well as excellent role models for the wedded state. The most delightful, generous, and supportive people in my life. They are also the loudest most dramatic folks you have ever encountered; Also referred to as the PUMS (Parental Unit Melodramatic Society).
David
My eldest brother. Both my brothers look completely different from me; for a start they're both over 6 foot tall, to my pathetic five foot nothing. David is very Spanish looking; black hair and black eyes and quite divine looking, really. He's also clever, a smooth-talker, funny, cynical and a bit of a hedonist. All my girlfriends (and some boys) throughout history have had crushes on him, usually that's the only reason they've been my friend. No I'm not bitter. Both he and Jacob (second eldest brother) are the best brothers in the known universe; loving, and supportive, and naturally tease me unmercifully, which still induces screaming-pitch rages.
Micah
David's wife. Full of joie de vivre and sense of adventure, yet very sensible and well-organised too. Definitely the best thing that could have happened to him - she keeps him on the straight and narrow, has managed to teach him concepts like organisation and teamwork, and has definitely mellowed and enriched his character. I love her to pieces. She and David had their first baby, Reuben, in October 2003.
Jacob
My second eldest brother. He too is over six foot (6'2" actually) but with dark red hair and almost-black brown eyes. See what I mean about the looks thing? Talk about a wide gene pool ... Jacob is intelligent, vague, frustrating, obsessive, annoying, attention-deficit, entertaining, fun, scruffy, unbelievably talented and creative in the arts and technology, and a fabulous brother.
Sez
Sez is one of my bestest and dearest girlie mates; not only is she sexy, beautiful with an exceptional presence, she's also exceedingly bright, rational and analytical, easy to communicate with on many levels, and is also loads of fun and my main partner in crime for long rambling chardonnay-fuelled girlie chats.
Fifi and Magnum
Fifi and Magnum are Tuxedo's and my first "joint" friends in Australia (ie, not just MY friends, or HIS friends, but OUR friends) and are fantastic people. Magnum is a photographer, Fifi a health promoter turned beautician - Magnum is Scottish and they got together while Fifi was working in Edinburgh so they've been through the whole long geographical distance thing, as well as the visa saga, so we have lots in common apart from getting on amazingly well. Fifi and I can chat for ages and Tux and Magnum have become great mates, and it turns out Magnum is almost as much a computer geek as Tux, so everyone's happy.
Holly
Holly saw me through some of the toughest times in my life during my twenties and remains a rock to this day. She's great company, very simpatico and soothing. She was convinced that there was someone waiting out there for me, a soul-mate, and I confess I scoffed more than a little at the whole soul-mate concept. Well she sure showed me. Still, I guess she knew what she was talking about, because she found her someone too, an absolute sweetie of a feller, and they have two simply adorable little girls.
Annie
Annie was Henry's friend first, back in the day at the Department of Agriculture, but then I (and the rest of the Clan), took her over. A qualified and passionate botanist, a definite kindred spirit, and a fun and excellent playmate (for coffee, bookstore browsing and retail therapy of all kinds). Has an incredibly cute and bright 3 year old son, James.
Zeus
Sometimes referred to as The Lovely Doctor Person, he's my rheumatologist and sports medicine specialist. He not only discovered what was wrong with me - physically, that is - but also what we were going to do about it (you can read the whole saga here). He's a truly wonderful person, incredibly caring beyond the call of duty, and also lots of mad mildly flirtatious fun. We spend as much time giggling and gossiping as discussing my medications and ongoing health status. I missed him dreadfully during my sojourn in Northern Ireland, and was probably one of the main reasons we decided to move back to Australia!
Mark
Mark is an ex-workmate from my days at The Abattoir (see below) and was a daily saviour of my sanity, giving me large doses of the giggles and maintaining perspective in the weird and surreal surroundings. Loads of fun, very supportive and caring. His boyfriend/husband Antony, is an absolute doll too.
Nicholas and Alexandra
Tuxedo's parents, my in-laws, and very very lucky I am indeed to be connected with two such generous and loving and supportive people.
Jen
Tuxedo's younger sister, Jen is gorgeous looking, hilariously funny (only very occasionally in a rude and crude way, honest!) and down to earth. Knowing what little sisters can be like with their big brothers' chosen partners (not that *I* have ever been over-protective or snarky oh no) I was a bit scared of meeting Jen, but like Nicholas and Alexandra, she has been incredibly welcoming and accepting of this weird Australian female landing in their midst, for which I am most grateful. Jen and her partner Brian have the cutest little baby boy, Reese, my first nephew and hence my first venture into the world of auntie-dom). I love being an aunt, whether "real" or adopted by classy and discerning young humans.
Dave aka The Monkey
Born and bred in the Republic of Ireland, I met him during my trip to Ireland in 2000 where he converted me to Eddie Izzard Love ("la plume de ma tante, la plume de ma tante … ") and many real Irish pubs. He's gorgeous, screechingly funny, sexy, and was incredibly nice and generous to me during and after my trip. Trip being an accurate description on several different levels ... He works, studies and plays hard on his home ground of Dublin, although he hails from County Cork (ye langer!). He has his own tres cool blog, LeSinge.org, here which always has some interesting link or info - you may have to learn some Cork English in order to understand (ye langer). He calls me Tigger cos I bouncebouncebounce, but thinks I look like Kylie Minogue - now how could I not adore him?
The Menace
Another of Tuxedo's mates who he's known forever. A very funny guy, an outrageous flirt, very into Buffy, Farscape etc to the level of attending and even organising big conventions with celebs and all. He has actually met Joss Whedon and James Marsters and ASH. How cool is that? Wants me to go to the next worldwide Buffy event with him and his girlfriend Anya, so long as I dress up as Faith (somehow he has this idea that the whole tight black leather-wearing, kickboxing, more than slightly psycho character suits me. Go figure).
The Lady and The Tramp
The Tramp and Tuxedo have been friends since they were about five years old, and I don't think the jokes and behaviour have changed that much. The Lady and the Tramp got married in January 2001 (which may or may not have inspired Tuxedo to make certain inquiries ... ) and currently live in England. The Lady is a very sweet bubbly girl, training to be a dancer/teacher, and is yet another Buffy fan, hurrah!
PLACES
The Abattoir
Where I used to work back in Oz - a department at a local tertiary educational institution. So called because at times it was a complete and utter bloodbath. Also more than slightly surreal, odd and unnerving. The bosses at The Abattoir are referred to here as the PTBs - The Powers That Be or more accurately perhaps, the Pillocks That Be. And that's when I'm being polite.
Dot!Matrix
Tuxedo's place of employment.