Just Nicky

I’m a little bit deaf today May 18, 2006

Pining for the inner city this morning, I took myself for a wander along Brunswick St. When that wasn’t enough I went for a walk along Bridge Rd. That fixed me.

Time was I could walk out my front door, jump on a tram and go anywhere I liked. I didn’t do it very often, but the point is that I could. These days a trip anywhere requires a car and some thought. Will I drive to the station and catch a train? How long will I have to wait for the train? Too long is pretty much always the answer to that one. Will I be able to park at Laverton? Probably not, so I’ll have to go to Hoppers, which will cost more because it’s zone 2. If I drive the whole way where will I park? How long can I park for? How much is that going to cost me? It was almost enough to do the plan in and keep me at home. But I gritted my teeth and walked out the door.

In Fitzroy I didn’t go into any clothing shops - except for the warehouse one with the Alannah Hill stuff because I like looking at all the pretty things. I didn’t go into many shops at all. At the Brunswick Street Bookstore I bought a couple more books to add to the unshrinking pile of things I want to read - Time for Change, Australia in the 21st Century and Stephanie Dowrick’s Choosing Happiness. I bought the first because it seems like a must read and I think Mark might be interested in it too. The second just seemed to leap into my hand. I saw it and the next thing I knew I was holding it, so I bought it. I have 2 of Stephanie Dowrick’s books which I haven’t managed to read so I’ll be interested to see if I do better with this one.

Richmond is really nothing but clothing shops. I wandered through the Country Road outlet store for old time’s sake. It was my favourite shop when we lived in Fordham Court. I really couldn’t see anything for me now, though. The tshirt type tops I tend to wear are too expensive there, even when reduced. Collared shirts seem too much like something I would wear to work and I really couldn’t see much reason for the pretty skirts. In the end I bought some $5 tank tops and a $12 long sleeved T at Cotton On and felt very virtuous.

Then I stumbled back to the little red car and made my way back to the quiet of the ‘burbs - via Hungry Jacks at Altona Gardens. Shopping always makes me crave junk food.