Soft and clean and excitingly new

Recently, I had a conversation with my osteopath about fabric softener. OK, let's get a few things clear: yes, I have my own osteopath. His name is Aaron, and he is fabulous; he fixes my back, my neck, my knees, my wrists, my feet, my hips (apparently I'm his only patient who needs a full body adjustment EVERY SESSION). And no, I am not 70. But when I AM 70, my back will be feeling pretty good, thanks.

I don't exactly know how the fabric softener thing came up, but for some weird reason, washing detergent does seem to be something people randomly discuss. I know that one of my friends uses special detergent for her black clothes, and I know that another is allergic to most brands, except the one he now uses. Some of this I know from random conversation, some because which brand detergent you use is frequently a question on those 'get to know you' quiz emails. (By the way, I use an environmentally friendly liquid detergent, and the cheapest brand fabric softener available that is apple scented).

So yeah, we had a chat about fabric softener, and how good it makes towels feel. But more importantly, we got very excited by fabric softener because it was an adult discovery for both of us. Our parents hadn't used fabric softener when we were kids, and there was this pure thrill when we made the choice to create our own washing ritual.

There are a number of things I have discovered as an adult. Tea. Wine (and I'm getting snobbier about this by the day). That deli meat can be so much better than what they sell at Coles. Anchovies (but only the expensive ones). Pickles. INTERESTING Vegetarian food. Tofu. Chilli. Real pizza. Good Asian food (especially moving past White Person dishes, like Lemon Chicken). Even as a kid I was fussy about chocolate, but now I have very expensive taste (quality over quantity). Mustard. Hydroponic tomatoes. Expensive ice-cream (and NEVER Neapolitan).

It's funny that most things on this list are food; I am a LITTLE food focused. As I've gotten older, I've realized that we really didn't have much money when I was young. It's funny, you don't notice when you're little. But I know my parents worked really hard to look after us, and keep us happy, safe and fed. But it meant there wasn't any money for luxuries. Now I'm lucky enough to make my own choices, and spend a little more on some things, and developing my tastes in new directions not available to me as a child.

Cheese is a perfect example of this. When I was young, we bought processed, pre-sliced cheddar. I always thought the individually wrapped cheddar slices were the absolute height of luxury. Occasionally I would try a bit of brie or Camembert at an adult party, and I thought Coon was pretty good too. Now I only buy individually wrapped slices if I am looking for a childhood flashback (it normally needs to be served on saladas, with honey or vegemite). My regular cheese is a colby or a vintage cheddar (and NEVER Coon), and I regularly have a 'fancy' cheese in my fridge, but it's rarely brie. I've come to love blue cheeses (thanks to Sai for coaxing me towards Roquefort, and Lisa for living in Paris and giving me the chance to try the AMAZING range of French cheese), and I know that a soft cheese is better when it's runny. I love goat cheese, sheep cheese, even buffalo cheese. And all this from a kid who used to dream of having a Cheese Stick in her lunch box...

Crazy little thing called life

Ok, since my last 'woe is me' post, things have been quite crazy. I sent out a lot of job applications, including around ten for emergency or short term teaching. From that, I was offered three short teaching jobs, and four emergency teaching jobs. I went to Queensland for my cousin's eighteenth, and this is when things start to go loopy.

FIRST, I was offered a longish short term contract (around ten weeks). I accepted, and quit my Old Job. Simple? Nuh-uh.

THEN My Old Boss rang me to offer me a stable wage, if I returned to Old Job. I wavered. I considered. I called New Job advising I was unsure. I decided to stick with New Job.

NEXT my Old Boss called again, offering me more money to return to Old Job. I refused.

FINALLY on my first day of New Job, Old Boss calls to tell me that the staff member who had to pick up the (minimal, considering I had no work) slack from me leaving had quit, and Old Boss was desperate. So now I work New Job nine days a fortnight, Old Job one day a fortnight, and will probably return to Old Job for a term or so once New Job is finished. PHEW.

Meanwhile, my brief sojourn in Queensland was lovely. I think I should get me a winter home; it is SO nice to be able to sit on the beach, in 27 degree heat, in the middle of winter. Lovely, even though it is eerily wrong. Spent a few days exploring Brisbane, and a few days sitting on the beaches of Sunshine Coast and hanging out with my newly legal cousin.

I've forgotten the excitement of being 18. I'd also forgotten the energy you have when you're 18. My cousin turned 18 on the Tuesday, and went out Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. I was invited Friday and Saturday, but backed out Friday due to a massive headache. Saturday I drank and danced at the official birthday party (held at a bowls club, SUCH CHEAP DRINKS!), but felt far too old and fearful of hangovers to go out clubbing afterwards.

The surprise point for me was my cousin's freshness on Saturday morning. Having been out the previous two nights, she called me at around nine am and was appalled to learn that we had gone to the beach without her. "Why didn't you invite me?" she demanded. "I thought you'd be sleeping, or hung over!" Ah, yes. Partying in the time of BHO- Before Hang Overs. I remember those days... Now I'm too tired to even get drunk! *sigh*

Job Instability is Contagious

I have been stressing out about my job situation for weeks. Before I went to Europe (oh, care-free days of holidaying), I had been under the impression that I had a stable job back home. Upon my return, I discovered the company had been sold, and that the two other staff in Melbourne (including a new recruit) were now on a salary, rather than casual wages like myself. I, however, was to remain casual, which didn't worry me too much at first, as I'd been casual before and making ample amounts in that fashion.

Things started to seem shakier when I was told our company cars were being sold (I LOVE my car) and our props downsized (and no longer anywhere NEAR as cool as they used to be). Soon I realised there wasn't as much work as before, and I started to stress about my finances (a common preoccupation for me, I must admit. I like security).

I was a bit resentful of the New Girl, who had a salary right from the start of her job, but it training her I got to know her, and she's great. We chatted heaps about the changes in the company, and our uncertainty about the security of our jobs, and our other career options. I told her I was considering going back to classroom teaching next year, and when I started looking for work last week, she was really supportive and positive.

I've now gotten one post as an emergency teacher, and applied for a stack more. This is work that could complement my current casual schedule. But I've also applied for full time teaching work for later in the year and next year, and an awesome education position at the RSPCA, which I would snap up if offered. So I'm definitely looking outside of The Company, because they simply can't offer me security.

My Boss has been promising for weeks to call and discuss 'my future with The Company'. That call FINALLY came today, and she announced that, while she couldn't offer me permanency right now (!), she wanted me to stay. In fact, as an indication of how much she loves me, she offered the information that she had to get rid of a full timer. New Girl is the Sacrificial Lamb. The new ownership wants one full timer and one casual in Melbs, and I have been 'selected' as I am soooo reliable (yeah, and dumb enough to stay on a casual wage, which New Girl would be unable to do...).

So here's my quandary. I told The Boss that I have applied for supplementary casual work, and was also looking into full time teaching next year. I didn't tell her I was considering full time work this year. If I had, would she have kept New Girl on staff? Am I costing someone a job? And should I tell New Girl (soon to be Old Girl) that the axe is dropping? I know she'll be called tonight, but I feel so bad *knowing* and not being able to affect the result...