The Promised Photos!!!

This photo is of Daniel and Myself at the end of his birthday with the couple of friends who joined us for drinks. From the Left - Iris and Ben (Ben works at B+H, where Daniel used to work), and they are our "friend couple", we go out with them a fair bunch; then us; and Brandon (a friend of mine from High School who has become a greater friend to both Daniel and myself than either of us ever could have imagined he would be.)
But, I'm jumping ahead. Let me start at the beginning of the day.
Daniel's Birthday. We started with a picnic in Central Park....


Yes, folks, that's Daniel with Fairy Bread (It's an Aussie Birthday Tradition!!! OK, maybe for 6-year-olds.... but look how happy it made him!!!!)


This is Daniel and I with his "Birthday Cake" (ie - his faverite donut from Dunkin... Toasted Coconut, for those of you keeping track) with the candles he blew out while I sung Happy Birthday (quietly, of course.... he embarrasses so easily... hehehe)


Then, it was off to the Met!!!! Daniel had not yet been to the Metropolitan Museum and he'd been dying to see it. So, we went and saw the Egyptian Exhibit and when we were in that famous "When Harry Met Sally" room with the reflection pool and the huge wall of windows, Daniel's family called to wish him a Happy Birthday. This picture is Daniel talking to his Mum.... It made him really happy!!!


Then I took him down to the Brooklyn Bridge. He'd been wanting to see it since he arrived. I didn't just show it to him... We walked across it, all the way back to Manhattan!!!!! It was so cool. It was really light when we started and the sun went down as we crossed. We got to Manhattan at nightfall. And went to dinner.... but first a couple more pics....


We took this picture at axactly the point on the Bridge that Josie took a picture of Dad and me when I was 9... with the Twin Towers in the Background. Daniel said when we took this that (and he was the one that remembered the picture of me and Dad) we'd have to come back in 2010, when the Freedom Tower is finished and take a picture of both of us and our Son or Daughter.... so, keep your eyes out for that one...


And the two of us on the Bridge... it was so beautiful!!!!

And then we had dinner with a couple of Friends... and then some drinks... It was a GREAT night!!!!!!
And finally, as promised, a picture of the beautiful flowers Daniel got me on my Friday the 13th....



Love to you all, as always!!!!
Taliesen and Daniel.

Taliesen's Good News!!!!

I GOT THE JOB!!!!!!!!!!
I am so excited. I am going to be working FULL-TIME for a Television Production Company in SoHo in New York City!!!!!!!
I start on Monday morning at Optomen Productions USA (it's USA because I am working for the daughter company of a very successful UK Production Company) as their Office Manager/Production Assistant. YAY ME!!!!!!!!!!!!
I could not be more excited.
Anyway, everything elce is much the same, just wanted to tell you all the good news!!!!!
Love you all lots,
Taliesen.

Taliesen's lucky Friday the 13th

Ok, so as you all, probably, know Friday the 13th's have always been good days for me. I became a US Citizen on a Friday the 13th. The reason Daniel and I set the date of our wedding on a 13th was so our anniversary would fall on a Friday the 13th every seven years....
So, anyway, it's a lucky day for me... Usually. This Friday I was GLUM and BLUE!!!!
Things with my boss have gotten bad, very very bad. And this Friday we not only needed to have a "talk" but she informed me that as a sign of "good faith" (more like good will), she expected me to work for extra hours without pay because I'd made a mistake this week that cost her money (it was actually her fuck-up but because she gets me to do everything for her, it means she can blame me whenever anything fucks up). She was meant to get something done for a client, she gave it to me to do... along with everything elce WITHOUT expressing to me the urgency of the situation, and so it didn't get done quite quickly enough. The client got pissed (irrationally, I might add, I don't think it reflects very well on her abilities as a councellor) and cancelled both of his appointments this week... losing her $250. She said "now, I'm not going to ask you to pay me that money, but I do expect you to take some responsability and work a few extra hours without pay". I tried explaining my financial hardship at the moment and she lectured me about spending money on coffee from Starbucks (Daniel got his first paycheck from his new job yesterday so we "splurged" on a coffee before work). I knew it was pointless telling her that it should make no difference to her what-so-ever what we spend our money on. The fact remains, I RELY ON MY MEASLY PAYCHECK FROM HER. But she's not one for compassion... (You know on September 11, this year, she actually turned on the TV and said "oh, is that today, getting out of the city this afternoon is going to take forever") she doesn't really know how to look at things from outside of her, and often acts as though she downright, on perpose, doesn't care to.
So, needless to say, after being lectured by her about what I needed to do to keep my crappy job, being made to feel like shit (because she has an amazing way of implying no respect or trust without ACTUALLY saying anything) for doing my crappy job - brilliantly, I may add, being paid LESS than ever for doing my crappy job and after continuing to do my crappy job for an hour and a half WITHOUT PAY, I was in tears... It was NOT a fabulous Friday the 13th.
Enter my Angel Husband. Even though he wouldn't get off work for another few hours, Daniel met me for a Chai Tea to cheer me up. He gave me the MOST beautiful bouquet of flowers. Actually, lovely yellow lillies mixed with a fabulous branch of autumnal leaves, all orange and red and yellow and brown. They are so cool. I'll attach a photo to this blog tomorrow...
After the flowers, he told me that I should expect a phone call from a friend of his bosses who has a production company and was given a copy of my resume this week (by Daniels boss, who asked him for it). So, I did get a call from her and I have a job interview on Tuesday Morning to do basically EXACTLY what I was doing at Steam, in Sydney, except with a little more assisting the producers.
So, although my Friday the 13th STARTED rotten, by the end of the day, I had flowers, a job interview, a slight weight gain of only 2 pounds (when I thought after a terrible week of deppression, no gym and comfort food that I would have gained about 6 pounds) AND a couple of Buffy DVDs we'd been waiting for from our on-line rental place arrived. It was LUCKY FRIDAY THE 13TH after all!!!!! Yay!!!!

To top it all off, Daniel and I had an adventure today... We had a lovely, perfect Saturday. We went across the BORDER, crossed State Lines, and caught a bus to The Mall in New Jersey. The Garden State Mall. It was awesome. Jersey is so wierd, so different from our wonderful, dirty city. We loved it though. We actually spent all day at the Mall... SEVEN hours at a Mall. It was Huge, and so much fun. People look different in Jersey, and everything is so spacious and clean. Daniel tried Dippin' Dots (there's really no way to describe it... they are little, tiny dots of freeze dried ice cream... I don't know, that sounds crap, but THEY ARE AWESOME!!!). And we bought a pumpkin spice scented candle. Now our bedroom smells sooooooo nice.
Anyway, it's been a perfect day, just wanted you all to know...
Love you guys,
Always and for ever, Taliesen.

IT'S OFFICIAL!!!!!

DANIEL IS NOW A BONA-FIDE AMERICAN!!!!!!!
Everyone, Daniel just squeezed Easy Cheese (that's cheese you squirt out of a can, people, like whipped cream in a can, but CHEESE... well.... a cheese product) INTO HIS MOUTH!!!!
That's cheese in a can STRAIGHT INTO HIS MOUTH, people.
So, sorry, all of you, who love him, the Unbelievable US of A has sunk its claws into our Aussie Boy, and I'm not sure even a Four and Twenty Pie could break him free.
Again, I'm sorry for your loss, all of you. I know he will live on in your hearts.
Otherwise, we are both alive and well.
Loving you, as always.
Taliesen.

We're both safe and sound...

Just thought I'd put all your worrying minds at ease. New York is not being attacked by terrorists and neither Daniel or myself have been in any buildings that have had planes crash into them...
I'm sure you are all up to speed by now, but here in New York there were many people haunted yesterday by memories of 9/11. In this instance however, it was a simple mistake made by a New York Yankee that, unfortunately, cost him his life. We are all happy and healthy, though.
Well, actually, a little worse for weather. The rain has come and is an all too-constant reminder that Daniel and I are NOT prepared for the colder months to come. My warmest shoes are my sneakers, which are SUADE... ie, no good in the rain. And neither Daniel or I have warm coats or gloves. I don't even have a hat. It's pretty grim...
But enough about US. I feel like all we talk about on this blog is us... Time, I think, for a few shout-outs...
To Jess Sly, congratulations on your recent engagement. You and Anthony are made for eachother and Daniel and I are so happy for you both!!! Wish we could be there to celebrate with you...
To Jessica Lenton, congratulations on your approaching parenthood. Daniel and I are so jealous and so happy for you. By now, you must know if you're having a son or daughter. But, don't worry, with your looks and Nicks'..... charm, the baby is going to be a knockout either way.
To Trapp, as I am sure you've popped by now, Congratulations to both you and Bram on becoming a Mommy and Daddy (how quickly have the last nine months gone, eh?). I'm sure your bundle of joy is beautiful and I am so happy for you. You are going to be a fabulous Mum.
To Rhys, congratulations on Headlining (although it was wierd hearing it from Geoff and Yas, who had themselves been overseas for weeks). I am so proud of you and Swimming Underground. You guys ROCK!!!
To Ingrid, we've been seeing posters everywhere and trailors for Happy Feet. Every time I say to Daniel that "I am so proud of Ingrid. It looks so cute and I can't wait to see it". I've really missed you these last 5 months but to know that what you've been working so hard on for the past 3 or 4 YEARS is about to be shown to the WORLD, I could not be happier for you.
To Maddy, Happy 21st Babe. I hope you had a fabulous birthday and know that, especially over the next few years (I have to say that because I'm only 24), it just GETS BETTER!!! You are beautiful and we send our love from the Big Apple.
To Therese, although we told you in person, congrats on your engagement. Ant sounds PERFECT and you seem happier than I've ever seen you. Keep it up. Congrats...
And finally, on a sadder note... I want to send my condolances to the Farmer Family, who recently lost Auntie Bid. I didn't know her that well but she was always extremely generous and kind to Myself and Daniel. I know the news affected Daniel greatly, and I hope you all know that you are in my prayers, all of you, during this time of mourning. I am sorry, truely.

Anyway, with all good news must come a touch of reality. Sorry if I made anyone sad....
So.... those friends of ours are just a few of our friends doing amazing things. For those of you not mentioned... ELLIOT, EOIN, PAUL, JEN BENNETT, MICK, MATT and GIULIA... well, that's because none of you have written to either Daniel or myself since we left!!! Bad friends, BAD!!!

Anyway, Daniel and I are getting along just fine. Missing you all dreadfully and wishing you'd all come and visit soon.
We love you all.
As always, Taliesen

a memory from my childhood...

So, it's happened... Fall has fell. It is colder today than any day since I arrived. I would say it's no warmer than 55 degrees outside (I'm sorry, I don't know what that is in celcius)... But, here was my happy...
I walked out into the day this morning and I was greeted with a brilliantly sunny, crisp, cold day. Now, ordinarily, that would be enough.... I love the colder weather so much more than heat. But today the cold was joined by a smell that triggered a childhood nostalgia that put SUCH a smile on my face. The smell was one I've never smelt in Australia, and only reminds me of cold, sunny winter days in Connecticut or NY (before the snow) or Alabama. It is the smell of crispness. The air is crisp and cold (not painful cold yet) and has a smell all it's own. Literally, the smell of crispness. I love it, and it made me so happy.
See, it's moments like these (or making extreme - I think he was checking me out - eye contact with Hank Azaria, like two mornings ago) that I'm really happy Daniel and I are here. Happy we took that dive, and can ignore the fact that we have no money... (by the by, not being dramatic... It sucks, after we have paid all our weekly bills and bought food, we have not more than 12 bucks to have fun with or, lord forbid, save up for our own appartment... Yep, I'm going to be able to throw Daniel the best birthday ever!!! And the PRESENTS!!! Oh, he's one lucky boy...)
Sorry...
The fact still remains. Mornings like todays make it all seem worth it... I don't know why...
Love to you all, as always,
Taliesen.