Cunnamulla, QLD Australia
Today I picked up Paul at the Cunnamulla airport. There only is one gate. My car was the only car in the small parking lot. The plane Paul was on was the only plane within miles of the airport. As some of you may know, Paul was on "shoreleave" for the past 2 1/2 weeks on the Sunshine Coast - a beautiful area just north of Brisbane. His vacation was supposed to be 1 week, but somehow. . . Big thanks to Mark and Karoline for their generosity. They were such a great host and hostess, Paul almost did not come back to Koroit . . . and yes gothic romance fans (or should I have said "bodice ripper fans"?), Paul met "someone very interesting".
It was rather theraputic to have some time on my own - Koroit is a great place for such therapy. . . . but I appreciate having Paul's help.
I will be updating / completing the blog entry "A Day in the Life" to give you a better idea of my not quite Jack Bauer-like 24 hours.
Previously I mentioned a similarity between aspects of the plot of The Trial and some of the workings of the Dept of Mines in Queensland. In addition to the tangled and dynamic paperwork and official rulings in The Trial, the story is rather dark, lonely and depressing (The film by Orson Welles with Anthony Perkins is quite beautiful and well done, but not really the best feel good movie or date flick. I believe it's the opening scene (after Welles narration) which features an uncomfortably long lasting shot with Perkins being very anxiety-ish. . . but I digress). Actually, interacting with the Dept of Mines is more of a combination of The Trial, Alice in Wonderland, and Through the Looking Glass (also well worth reading even by you adult types). Although some aspects of the morass of Dept of Mines paperwork can on some occasions leave one feeling dark, lonely and depressed, the entire experience usually is more Alice-like, including various semi-logical puzzles, rather confounding forms with nearly useless instructions and a few laughs. Please be aware, the folks working at the Dept of Mines in Quilpie have always been very nice and very helpful to me. They are aware of and sometimes quietly will admit to the absurdity of some of the burecratic silliness. Several times they've helped me negotiate the confusing and perilous waters into The Heart of Darkness of many pages of form after form. Ross and Sally have been particularly helpful - Thank You!!!
Regarding Dept Mines paperwork . . . there were a few unforseen zigzags which are currently being resolved. . . out of consideration and hoping not to lose to many readers, I will spare you those details. This means the excavator has not started to dig, but will start in about a month. It worked out just fine. I have plenty of rough to deal with right now and have enjoyed working underground, possibly for the last time at this location. This paperwork glitch and change of plans is typical of living and working here. Of course, it is best to have a plan, but a plan which is not overly rigid. . . always be prepared for the unexpected and go with the flow. . . it's a beautiful combination of sameness and unpredictability.
It is winter here. When you're living in a garden shed and the outside temp gets close to freezing, it gets cold inside. . . unless you have a great fire. The sun is getting low and we need to get back to the camp, collect firewood and start our fires before it gets too cold. . . it will be dark before we get back to Koroit. Today was quite cold and tonight probably will be too. If I'm too late starting my fire, the mice will get upset.
Thanks to Mark, Karoline, Sally, Ross, Len and Kim . . . and of course, thank you Sam.
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