weekend

We're gearing up for a big weekend. Firstly, it's my birthday on Sunday (which, I know, isn't really firstly... firstly will be more like leaving work and grabbing a bite from the Central Markets, then there's all Saturday to get through, but I'm kind of talking in terms of this weekend's impending bigness, so let's just agree that whatever order I'm talking in here is completely subjective and in no way chronological). So, birthday Sunday, dinner with the neighbours Saturday night. There will probably be a lot of packing too, given the whole house-purchasing thing soon to be finalised. Sunday morning will be a bit spesh, maybe a bit nostalgic too. It will be our official 'leaving Norwood' breakfast. It's mostly coincidence that we've bought a house at the same time that Norwood turned into something that more resembles a Westfield shopping centre. Sure, there's still VAri's and the Argo deli but the main strip has turned into just another franchise strip. There's also the issue of the diminution of public space and its conversion to retail space that really offends me at a community-minded level. So while it is coincidence, it's somehow fitting that C & I pack up and leave Norwood to start a mortgage together in another relatively un-franchised part of the city. I'm looking forward to living in the hills, to the crisp winter mornings, long walks in autumn (I might even get me a big stick to carry) and pottering around the house, my house, our house, on Sunday afternoons, doing things that are ours, that can have a little more permanence than putting a pot plant in your landlord's back yard. I'm also looking forward to breakfast on Sunday. I think breakfast is the best meal to go out for. You can really enjoy a breakfast. Still haven't decided which of the Norwood Cafés we'll patronize (ohhh... there's a good café...) but I like the idea of sitting with coffee, eggs benedict and, bugger it, I'm going to buy a copy of The Age and just indulge.