Which do you prefer?
I sometimes ask myself this question.
Lunching at MacArthur Central alone this Sunday.
It's always nice to be able to eat a meal quietly and at your own pace. No screaming children around nor incessant chattering of people around. Ah!!! Peace!
On the other hand, it's lonely to eat alone. Despite my aversion to pointless conversation topics, it's sometimes a better alternative to having a meal by oneself.
It's the same at church every Sunday.
Hundreds of people in the cathedral but I still feel so alone at Mass every week. I have no one to share this with, no one to go with.
So it begs the question again.
Peaceful solitude? Or noisy companionship?
2011-01-20
Brisbane CBD Deluge Diary: 1 Week Later
So it has been a week since the flood waters entered the Brisbane CBD.
Damage was extensive and several (and I mean many) places were under water for a while.
Most places were up and running within 48hrs but the lifts were a different thing.
Only got my lifts back on Monday evening.
Too long...too late I think.
I had already climbed up to my apartment a few times before that point and my legs were (and still is) very much in pain.
Everyone else seems to think it's a stamina/fitness problem for me but they really don't understand.
It's true that I am unfit and stamina is definitely an issue but it's the pain that drains my energies.
My knees are not in great condition (sports injury + weight + constant wear and tear) and it normally already hurts if I strain it too much.
Constantly forcing them to work more than they can handle was not a smart option but essential back then. :(
Anyways...1 week after the waters came, the Brisbane CBD is recovering at an unimaginable rate.
Took a walk in the botanic gardens on my way to work @ QUT this morning and it was as if the flood never happened (ignoring the gigantic pile of dirt and mush piled up to one side).
Most of the CBD is already back in action and even places that were under water have re-opened and have mostly been cleaned up.
Only the underground carparks are still not ready.
The Brisbane River water level is still quite high and probably still causing some minor flooding in those deep underground carparks.
The rest of Brisbane City is still reeling badly from the floods of course.
The constant warning (and possibility) of another storm hitting Brisbane and places further up the catchment area is giving grief to many people who are still trying to recover from the deluge.
I really do feel for people have suffered from the flood and hopes to be able to help to the best of my limited abilities.
But it really begs to wonder...with last week's flood event old news and the media already moving on to sensationalise other news, will people truly remember the carnage...like how the CBD seemed to have already forgotten all about it?
Damage was extensive and several (and I mean many) places were under water for a while.
Most places were up and running within 48hrs but the lifts were a different thing.
Only got my lifts back on Monday evening.
Too long...too late I think.
I had already climbed up to my apartment a few times before that point and my legs were (and still is) very much in pain.
Everyone else seems to think it's a stamina/fitness problem for me but they really don't understand.
It's true that I am unfit and stamina is definitely an issue but it's the pain that drains my energies.
My knees are not in great condition (sports injury + weight + constant wear and tear) and it normally already hurts if I strain it too much.
Constantly forcing them to work more than they can handle was not a smart option but essential back then. :(
Anyways...1 week after the waters came, the Brisbane CBD is recovering at an unimaginable rate.
Took a walk in the botanic gardens on my way to work @ QUT this morning and it was as if the flood never happened (ignoring the gigantic pile of dirt and mush piled up to one side).
Most of the CBD is already back in action and even places that were under water have re-opened and have mostly been cleaned up.
Only the underground carparks are still not ready.
The Brisbane River water level is still quite high and probably still causing some minor flooding in those deep underground carparks.
The rest of Brisbane City is still reeling badly from the floods of course.
The constant warning (and possibility) of another storm hitting Brisbane and places further up the catchment area is giving grief to many people who are still trying to recover from the deluge.
I really do feel for people have suffered from the flood and hopes to be able to help to the best of my limited abilities.
But it really begs to wonder...with last week's flood event old news and the media already moving on to sensationalise other news, will people truly remember the carnage...like how the CBD seemed to have already forgotten all about it?
2011-01-18
The one with the things you don't want on your mind
Sigh...I wish I didn't have that conversation with the boys the other night.
Got me thinking about stuff I don't want to think about.
I was mulling in meh-ness but now I am miserable instead.
:(
Got me thinking about stuff I don't want to think about.
I was mulling in meh-ness but now I am miserable instead.
:(
2011-01-14
Brisbane CBD Deluge Diary: Day 2
Wasn't able to sleep last night but the radio was definitely a great companion when you are stranded alone.
Finally went to bed around 2.30am and set the alarm for 4.30am to check how the highest peak of the flood looked like.
Woke up to find that it wasn't that bad.
PHEW!!!
The peak was about 90cm lower than the predicted height and you have no idea how much that made things a lot less bad.
If it did hit that height, even Joel's place might have been powered down.
Fortunately for them, their power never got cut throughout the deluge.
Went back to bed immediately after realising that it wasn't that bad.
Woke up around 11am with a brainstorm.
I have gas, I have water, I have a lighter.
So I cooked up all my fish balls and used the remaining water to cook a package of instant noodles.
Something I never would've done without thinking about conserving water.
I also used the water used to rinse bowls to help flush the toilets.
Water conservation was definitely well in play.
I started with 11 bottles of 1.25L bottles of water and 1 half jug of water in the fridge.
Now looking at my supply, I still have 7.5 bottles of water plus 1/4 jug of water in the fridge.
Not bad for slightly over 1 day, especially when I wasted 1 whole bottle flushing without thinking of using it first.
Around 2pm I decided to go back to my "hibernation" routine only to wake up at 4ish.
I was feeling this breeze on my feet and was surprised.
My first thought was that it probably was a breeze from the outside but it was too constant.
Got up to find the fan working!
YAY!!!
Power was restored.
But I was confused, it was 4pm...when the high tide was supposed to raise the water levels again. How can there be power.
Turned on the radio and found out that the river levels were much lower than expected again.
To make full use of the unknown length of power, I plugged the laptop back to get recharged and also my mobile.
Logged on and got onto Facebook and MSN to let people know that I was safe.
But the power got cut again within 10-15mins...only to be restored again 10-15mins later.
I was wondering whether I should get out of the building via the lifts.
Really didn't want to escape a bad situation only to get stuck in the lifts.
Eventually I decided (after talking to Joel) to leave and grab some dinner.
Long story short, visited Joel's, found out that my lifts were dead again, went for dinner anyways, climbed 19 floors.
Now I am exhausted and getting ready for bed.
Hopefully the lifts can get fixed by tomorrow and I can start receiving friends here who need a little rest, a warm meal and most importantly...power to recharge their devices.
Finally went to bed around 2.30am and set the alarm for 4.30am to check how the highest peak of the flood looked like.
Woke up to find that it wasn't that bad.
PHEW!!!
The peak was about 90cm lower than the predicted height and you have no idea how much that made things a lot less bad.
If it did hit that height, even Joel's place might have been powered down.
Fortunately for them, their power never got cut throughout the deluge.
Went back to bed immediately after realising that it wasn't that bad.
Woke up around 11am with a brainstorm.
I have gas, I have water, I have a lighter.
So I cooked up all my fish balls and used the remaining water to cook a package of instant noodles.
Something I never would've done without thinking about conserving water.
I also used the water used to rinse bowls to help flush the toilets.
Water conservation was definitely well in play.
I started with 11 bottles of 1.25L bottles of water and 1 half jug of water in the fridge.
Now looking at my supply, I still have 7.5 bottles of water plus 1/4 jug of water in the fridge.
Not bad for slightly over 1 day, especially when I wasted 1 whole bottle flushing without thinking of using it first.
Around 2pm I decided to go back to my "hibernation" routine only to wake up at 4ish.
I was feeling this breeze on my feet and was surprised.
My first thought was that it probably was a breeze from the outside but it was too constant.
Got up to find the fan working!
YAY!!!
Power was restored.
But I was confused, it was 4pm...when the high tide was supposed to raise the water levels again. How can there be power.
Turned on the radio and found out that the river levels were much lower than expected again.
To make full use of the unknown length of power, I plugged the laptop back to get recharged and also my mobile.
Logged on and got onto Facebook and MSN to let people know that I was safe.
But the power got cut again within 10-15mins...only to be restored again 10-15mins later.
I was wondering whether I should get out of the building via the lifts.
Really didn't want to escape a bad situation only to get stuck in the lifts.
Eventually I decided (after talking to Joel) to leave and grab some dinner.
Long story short, visited Joel's, found out that my lifts were dead again, went for dinner anyways, climbed 19 floors.
Now I am exhausted and getting ready for bed.
Hopefully the lifts can get fixed by tomorrow and I can start receiving friends here who need a little rest, a warm meal and most importantly...power to recharge their devices.
2011-01-12
Brisbane CBD Deluge Diary: Day 1
So it's 10:25pm at the moment here and most of the day has passed without much hassle.
"Hibernating" during a crisis like this does help a little cos I don't have to think about food nor water much.
We'll see how this goes tomorrow.
So the "excitement" started after lunch today.
- Power to the building got cut
- I found out that no power = no water = no lavatory facilities
- Actually saw water filling up the "Vision" worksite next door
- Actually saw most of Albert street covered with water. (It still isn't completely submerged)
- Had a minor panic breakdown and almost evacuated to Joel's place without thinking it through
- Regained composure and decided to stay put just in time
So it's reported that the worst of the deluge will happen in the next 6hrs, around 4am tomorrow morning.
The floodwater will be about 1m or higher than it's current height then.
It will last for an unknown amount of time before (supposedly) it begins to subside and start to get better.
That's all to report for Day 1.
I suspect tomorrow will be another day fill with misadventures here in Rivercity Apartments.
Hopefully no more car alarms, fire alarms and crazy neighbour singing opera.
You know...despite all of this, my spirits are still quite good.
"Hibernating" during a crisis like this does help a little cos I don't have to think about food nor water much.
We'll see how this goes tomorrow.
So the "excitement" started after lunch today.
- Power to the building got cut
- I found out that no power = no water = no lavatory facilities
- Actually saw water filling up the "Vision" worksite next door
- Actually saw most of Albert street covered with water. (It still isn't completely submerged)
- Had a minor panic breakdown and almost evacuated to Joel's place without thinking it through
- Regained composure and decided to stay put just in time
So it's reported that the worst of the deluge will happen in the next 6hrs, around 4am tomorrow morning.
The floodwater will be about 1m or higher than it's current height then.
It will last for an unknown amount of time before (supposedly) it begins to subside and start to get better.
That's all to report for Day 1.
I suspect tomorrow will be another day fill with misadventures here in Rivercity Apartments.
Hopefully no more car alarms, fire alarms and crazy neighbour singing opera.
You know...despite all of this, my spirits are still quite good.
2011-01-09
Another Year, Another Rainy Season, Another Hopeful Break
It's 2011.
It's finally 2011.
Well...it has been 2011 for 9 days already.
Things started off well (despite the rain) and I can only be hopeful that it stays well for another 356 days.
Started at QUT finally, helping with the ISS Accommodations Office.
It's a good job.
It's different.
Provides variety to what I consider "work".
So now I have 2 jobs that I like to do.
I only need to get one of them to become a little more permanent.
I was just talking to Mervyn the other day and realised that ever since I started in the workforce after university, I have been working in jobs where I get paid in hourly rates.
This SUCKS!
There is no stability (which I crave) and there is this looming financial uncertainty all the time.
Sigh!!!
But this year has potential to bring forth a little more fortunes for the Monkey (if you believe in that sort of thing) and I intend to milk it for all it's worth.
So I leave the past few years behind in the dark corner from which it grew and festered and now there is only a bright sky of possibility (again...despite the rain) for me.
Time to SMILE! :)
It's finally 2011.
Well...it has been 2011 for 9 days already.
Things started off well (despite the rain) and I can only be hopeful that it stays well for another 356 days.
Started at QUT finally, helping with the ISS Accommodations Office.
It's a good job.
It's different.
Provides variety to what I consider "work".
So now I have 2 jobs that I like to do.
I only need to get one of them to become a little more permanent.
I was just talking to Mervyn the other day and realised that ever since I started in the workforce after university, I have been working in jobs where I get paid in hourly rates.
This SUCKS!
There is no stability (which I crave) and there is this looming financial uncertainty all the time.
Sigh!!!
But this year has potential to bring forth a little more fortunes for the Monkey (if you believe in that sort of thing) and I intend to milk it for all it's worth.
So I leave the past few years behind in the dark corner from which it grew and festered and now there is only a bright sky of possibility (again...despite the rain) for me.
Time to SMILE! :)
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