May...

Profuse apologies to the one or two readers who haven't given up on me! It's nearly the end of May and I have not written one word all month! My longest blogging absense ever!

There's not a lot to say really. May has been quite a busy month, but nothing that is really outstanding or blogworthy. I suppose the biggest event was my purchase (very unexpectedly I might add) of a new car! I made the mistake of mentioning to McBrad that I was thinking about updating my poor tired (but mechanically very sound) Corolla and before I could say 'overhead gasket' (or whatever), we were driving around to different car yards, checking out what was available. McBrad is a very decisive person - if he thinks about updating his car, he goes and buys a new car! Me, I think about a new car, have a look at what's available, compare prices on the internet, research the pros and cons of each car, look at colours, peruse my finances, do cash flow spreadsheets and work out a repayment plan. That's all before I even decide whether or not I'm going to proceed. So, Sunday morning, we're at the car dealer's and lo and behold, I drive out of there with my new Nissan Tiida Q! I got home, still in shock at having spent so much money in such a quick time, without much thinking about it! McBrad was excited out of his mind, I was nearly throwing up in the sink (quite literally). BUT, once we went for a drive and I settled down, I started to get excited. It's a lovely car, and driving it is a dream! Noodle LOVES her back seat - I think it's the leather that does it for her! So that was quite a momentous incident in the past month.

McBrad also extended my 6 sessions with my new Personal Trainer Daz by another 10 sessions, because he was impressed with my progress and was feeling generous. I've gotta say, despite him being a total NAZI who takes particular delight in inflicting pain on me, Daz is very good and it is producing results. I now have a 2pack, and hope that the remain 4pack will emerge from long banishment in the near future, to give me a nice hard flat abdomen! I don't know what it is, but you hear about how people who exercise regularly get this rush after they have exercised. I'm yet to experience that. I just feel smashed after each session.

We've had less than satisfactory weather here in the Emerald City for the past week or so - very autumnal, with cool mornings, cloudy days and the occasional torrential downpour of rain. Fantastic for snuggling with McBrad, but it would be nice to have a lovely sunny weekend. According to the forecast, it's not going to happen this weekend. :-(

I was just thinking the other night about comfort movies (the cinematic version of comfort food I suppose) - that movie or those movies that you always go back to when you just want to feel good about the world. No matter how many times you watch it, you always end up with that warm fuzzy feeling in your heart! For me, Pretty Woman used to be high on the list, but of recent years, it has fallen somewhat. My new no. 1 comfort movie is Love Actually. Yes, it has its critics, but I just feel so good after watching that movie. McBrad and I watched it last night, and of course, watching Love Actually whilst snugged with my very hot boyfriend when it's cold and rainy outside is just the BEST thing in the world.

So that's my May. I will try to update my blog a bit more frequently, but I can't guarantee it. Whilst I'm still reading blogs, I find that I'm just unmotivated to put digit to QWERTY anymore.

Anyway, hope you all have a lovely weekend whereever you are!

Salad days...

Well, the weather has been sensational over the past few days. The weekend was spectacular, with gorgeous blue skies, light breezes and around 30 degrees Celcius. And it's at this time of year that I start getting serious cravings for salad! I have always loved salads...a love engendered as a child growing up in hot North Queensland where salad tasted much better than hot vegetables. And so, over the past week, I've been dosing up big time. Caesar salad is always a great choice, particularly with chicken. But my favourite is actually just a mix of green leaf, lots of corn, carrot, eshallots, tasty cheese (or occasionally feta), capsicum and boiled egg, with just a nice drizzle of home made dressing (my mum's recipe). I can eat a plate piled high with this kind of salad. And then some! Yummmmmmo!

Which is also quite good, going into summer, as I figure it's not so fattening. You may not think that this is such a problem for me, given my well documented battle to put on weight. Well, the battle is over I reckon, as I'm now developing a little spare tyre around my middle. It's a new thing for me, and the exercise regime that I'm following is pretty much just a weights only thing, no cardio. And so while I'm still building muscle mass, with my arms and legs and chest developing nicely, my gut has made its debut appearance! Eeek! So last week, now that the weather is warming up and the days are lengthening, I started walking home after gym. It's actually quite a pleasant time to walk home...there's still light in the sky, but the lights of the city are beginning to twinkle on the harbour. It's balmy and so I don't get too hot, even though I'm powering my way home. So hopefully, that will start making a difference to my little gut! I think I shall also have a chat to Muzbot as he seems to have been highly successful in developing a very nice flat tummy indeed!

Anyway, that's about it. This weekend, McBrad and I will celebrate 6 months together! How cool is that! Still amazes me that IT has actually happened - that which I'd been hoping for and dating what seems like hundreds of guys for - and things are settling down really well. I still find it amazing that after an ever changing diet of men for 18 months, I'm thoroughly enjoying my McBrad-only diet! I still think he's the sexiest man alive and can't keep my hands off him and just snogging him is enough to make me "shwing". He's just sooooo HOT!!! Anyway, I'm getting all hot and bothered here and it's probably not the right forum! Just believe me when I say, this is one very satisfied (smuggly so) Monty! But better still, he makes me happy, and I think I make him so as well (well, I do my best anyway). Saturday, he's working and I'm going to get up early (5:30am in fact) and go to the markets and buy up buckets of Oriental Lillies. He loves their fragrance and I'm going to put them all over his house so that when he comes home, it'll be rich with their hot heavy scent! But that's just the start of festivities. More about that to come.

Enjoy your week everyone! :-)

City2Surf (part II)...

"Congratulations [Monty]!
In 2008 you were 51,930th over the line with a time of 155:51"

This was the message that I received from the organizers of the race! I was about 30 mins quicker than I thought, so I'm impressed. AND I beat about 20,000 people! And here's a picture of me going over the finish line...

City2Surf...

Well, I finally allowed myself to be pursuaded to go into this year's City2Surf - a 14 km "fun" run between Hyde Park in the city to Bondi Beach. Thankfully, the Bank paid our entry fee and gave us a free singlet and provided hot food, copious amounts of alcohol and massages at the end otherwise I wouldn't have done it. As it was, I walked it...I'm not that silly to attempt to run it! Instead, it was a lovely meandering Sunday stroll - and it was quite a pleasant day I must say. For the most part, sunshine and a light breeze, some fabulous views of the city and harbour, and this group of about 8 hot boys dressed only in their Budgie Smugglers kept me entertained. Unlike Tom, who's practically a professional, we started in the "Back of the Pack" and so it wasn't until 10am (ie a full hour after the start) that we actually ran over the starting line! This was about 20 mins AFTER the winner had crossed the finish line! Anyway, I must confess to having enjoyed the day much more than I had expected.

Weighty matters...

...and No, McBrad and I haven't been discussing getting married, having children or buying a house together. The Weighty reference is much more personal.

I was talking to my trainer Greg the other day...I had just benchpressed 65kgs and I was quite excited...and I told him that it was the first time that I had managed to lift my own body weight. (when I signed up in January, I was weighed and I was 62kgs) He kinda looked at me quizically and said, "I don't think you're still 62 kgs Monty."

I must say this took me by surprise as I hadn't really thought about my weight - having been skinny (though I prefer the term "slim") all my life, weight (or rather, the putting on of weight) was never a worry. I have always eaten whatever I liked, with very little consequence in the weight department. So, Greg and I decided to weigh me!

And guess what...70kgs!!! You could've knocked me down with a feather!!! In my wildest dreams, I would never have thought I would hit the big Seven Oh! And yet, I've managed to put on 8 kilos in a matter of 4 months. AND, I hasten to add, Greg assured me that it was all muscle mass that was the cause of such weight gain. I've not just turned into a lard arse, I've actually got muscles! Yes, that's right folks, Monty has Muscles!!! Will wonders never cease! Greg actually got me to stand next to him in front of the mirror and made me take a hard look at my body - pointing out where my new muscles were, the progress that he had noted - and you know, suddenly I realized that I HAVE filled out much more. I've actually gone from being skinny Monty to regular sized Monty, with some nice tone in my arms, legs, chest and shoulders! It's all rather exciting!

I must say, looking back, I had noticed that my clothes were starting to feel just a bit more snug and a couple of shirts that I purchased in London in Oct last year were starting to really strain at the buttons, but hadn't really connected it with my exercise regime.

So I was one excited little black duck! Rushed back to work and told Jacqui and John and then that night told McBrad and have been telling friends ever since!

Greg told me yesterday that I've made the fastest progress of any of his clients and that he's really quite chuffed at what we've accomplished together! And I really have him to thank for it...he's the one that's pushed me to keep at it, to extend beyond what I think are my limits and it's worked! And continues to do so!

Coming soon...Hunky Monty! he he he!

Birthday boy...

7am today, I'm lying in bed, enjoying that delicious feeling when you're halfway between asleep and awake when my mobile rings! It's Mark, my brother in London, wishing me a happy birthday! And then I remember, it's my birthday! Yep, that's right folks, Monty is one year older...I'm now 37! Eek! Only 3 years off that age!

But I've gotta say, I'm having a much better birthday this year than I did last year! I was a miserable git last birthday but it's amazing the difference a year makes! I've got a morning tea that work is putting on in about 15 mins; tonight, I'm meeting up with a bunch of friends at The Dolphin Hotel in Crown St for a couple of quiet bevvies and then I'm staying over at McBrad's tonight for a birthday shag! LOL Actually, it's a bit exciting because he's going to be meeting my friends tonight at the pub! It's always a bit nerve wracking but also exciting! Last night, at my workout, my nazi trainer Greg gave me a bottle of wine (a McLaren Vale Shiraz which is just perfect) which was really lovely of him...and totally unexpected!

And 5am tomorrow, I'm getting up (that's not going to be fun) and off to the airport to catch the Singapore Airlines A380 - off to Thailand (Phuket) for a week long celebration for Mark's 40th! I can't wait!!! It's strange thinking that I won't be seeing McBrad for 9 whole days/nights - we've spent soooo much time together over the past couple of weeks (think I've slept maybe 3 nights at home since meeting him) and so it will be weird not seeing him. But as my good friend EIB mentioned in an email to me the other night, it will be good to get away and obtain some perspective on things. And to eat lots of food, drink lots of alcohol, sit in the sun, bathe in the tepid sea, loll about in hammocks underneath swaying palms and all that stuff! It's 28 - 30 degrees Celcius there - so it will be a return to summer which will be lovely.

So it's all good! Don't know how much blogging I'll be able to do in Thailand, but will endeavour to do my best! I'm back on the 20th so worst case, there'll be lots of catch-up blogging to do! :-)

Catching up...

Well, it's been several days since my last post and I do apologize. I must say that the past couple of weeks have just been full on! I've not had a moment of peace - it's just been really busy! ...and it's been a good thing too, as I've not had much time to dwell on The Tourist. I'm finding I'm missing him much more than I anticipated. sigh...

Anyway, it was a very sunny, very hot weekend here in Sydney and this week is much the same. I did end up going out on Friday night...with John, the Risk Executive from work. Everyone else who had originally planned to come out bailed on me, and so John suggested a drink or two at Ivy. Two bottles later, we decided we should go to dinner and so we headed back to the office so that I could drop off my work bag (didn't want to lug it around the city). Needless to say, Monty and John, in the lift, snogging like our lives depended on it! Which is fine, except that there's video surveillance in the lifts...so now work has evidence of shenanigans betwix the two of us! Eeek!

Anyway, we had dinner and I dragged him to Palms, but we didn't end up dancing...too busy snogging in the corner. God that guy kisses well!!! We left around midnight but to our respective homes. He has a rule about “screwing the crew” and he’s understandably cautious about getting physical with me. Never fear, I’m wearing him down! He he he! But it was a lovely night out with him.

Saturday I slept, and then met up for a drink with a date in the afternoon. (yes, although I’m still missing The Tourist, I’m determined to move on) Saturday evening, a couple of friends were having a BBQ and invited me over, which was lovely, even if I was the only single there! And it was nice to actually get to bed before midnight!!!

(Just as a side point…what is it with all these couples who seem to insist on flaunting their “married” status whenever a single person is around??? I mean, I understand they’re a couple and that’s fine, I’m happy for them, so really, there’s no need to keep snogging, cuddling and canoodling to convince me they are together! Get a room, or better still, go home!)

Sunday, Jacqui had arranged for a bunch of us to go “barefoot bowling” at the Waverton Bowls club. There was a couple of her friends, some mutual friends from work (including John) and myself. The thing I love about barefoot bowling is the fact that you’re playing sport whilst drinking at the same time – how good is that! And due to the fact that it was brilliantly sunny and very warm, the drinking kind of got more attention than the bowling. We did that for a couple of hours before heading down to the Commodore Hotel for food and more beer! Muzbot turned up too which was lovely…our last chance to have a beer or two at our local as neighbours.

So, it was a fun weekend. But it was FULL. Yesterday, after my workout with Greg, I had an appointment with my very hunky masseur. God he’s hot!!! And extremely flirtatious! Dangerous waters! I mentioned that my next massage will be my birthday massage and he jokingly said that maybe he’ll do it naked for me! Yes please!!! Well, we’ll see in a couple of weeks if he comes through with his promise!

So last night after the massage was my first real night at home for more than a week! It’s crazy! And this week is just as full. Thankfully, I’ve decided not to do anything at all over the Easter weekend and so I’ll just be able to play it by ear and hopefully, do lots of relaxing.

Cruisin'...

I had another workout today with the sadist Personal Trainer Greg (he really is a lovely guy, but he just makes me hurt) and so, as I was walking straight home afterwards, I didn't bother having a shower. So I was looking rather less than ideal - sweaty, smelly, and no doubt haggard after the torture that was my workout.

I was standing on the corner in the city, on my way towards the Rocks, waiting for the lights to change. A guy crosses the road towards me and looks at me, and keeps looking as he walks past! Not a bad sort, dressed casually with a small backpack - he looks like a tourist (and we all know that tourists are becoming my speciality!) - maybe late 30's, nicely built, good looking. He walks about 20 feet down the street and turns around and looks at me again. Crosses the street and turns around and looks back! At this stage, I'm getting the impression that I'm getting cruised!!! He walks to the corner and turns around and gives me one last look before disappearing.

I've never been cruised in the city streets before and I must admit, I was rather chuffed! And I think I owe it all to Greg. I'm actually starting to see results and friends are noticing. And obviously this tourist as well! It does help that I had just come from the gym, as I was rather pumped up and so at my best bodywise (despite the sweaty, smelly, haggard thing).

I must confess, I was tempted...

It's working out...

I had my first proper session with my Personal Trainer Greg today. I thought I had proper sessions with him already, but today, I realized he had been toying with me! He was cajoling me with compliments, luring me with light workouts until I was hooked...but then today, he had me pushing and pulling and pumping and squatting and lunging like there was no tomorrow. And boy did it hurt!!!

But I think I'm kinda getting into this whole exercise/working out thing! It's been raining solidly all day here in Sydney but what did I do after my session? I walked home - in the bloody rain! The harbour was dark and seething and looked quite magnificent actually. There was very limited man candy jogging the bridge (too sensible to do that on a day like today) so it was just me and Robbie (on my iPod). But, unlike last time, when I could barely lift one foot after another, today I actually walked it quite comfortably, only getting sore and tired in the last 10 minutes when it's all uphill.

So, I know that I will be sore all over for the next couple of days...and on Wednesday, I have another torture session...but I'm hoping that the shock to my system is diminishing each time.

One good thing...my appetite is huge! Well, maybe not huge, but it's certainly significantly improved!

All good things must come to an end...

Yes, it's over. This thing with Mack that is. We had a chat about it last night and with his departure less than 10 days away, it's all started to hit him. He told me that he's becoming too attached to me and with him having one farewell party after another, he's struggling to cope emotionally. Naturally, I would have preferred that "we" kept going right up until he left, but I can understand where he was coming from. Even when we were talking about it, I could see that he was becoming emotional and the last thing either of us wanted was for this "relationship" to be anything but enjoyable. I don't want to put additional pressure on him and as much as I would love to see more of him, it's just not fair...on either of us. Even in the 24 hours since we've talked, already I'm missing him. The chemistry that we had between us was amazing; I found him unbelievably attractive and he told me that he was totally into me. We enjoyed each other's company, had lots of laughs and have become friends, even in the short time that we've known each other. It's been an intense few weeks and I don't regret any of it. He's a top guy and we've agreed to keep in contact via email while he is overseas. It is ironic that I find someone who I think has all the hallmarks of being "the one" AND who reciprocates my feelings, and he's moving overseas.

Oh well, all good things must come to an end. ...sigh...

So, it's back on the dating treadmill for Monty! As much as I don't feel like it at the moment. I really feel like going home and watching sappy movies and eating icecream all weekend, but that won't get me anywhere!

On another note, I had another appointment with my personal trainer Greg on Wednesday. Apparently, I also have very good posture and technique, which is somewhat attributable to my core strength...or something. We worked mainly on my upper body this time which felt good at the time. BUT I had to sign some papers at the end of my session and could barely lift the pen! I've signed up to see him twice a week for an hour a time - every Monday and Wednesday afternoons! Eek! I fear I will just be in pain 24/7 for the next month or so until I get used to this!

The good thing on Wednesday was that I could walk the bridge home without any difficulty; my legs were fine though Jacqui walked home with me (she lives around the corner) and so I couldn't power my way as I would like to. I had to moderate my pace for her. But it was a lovely walk home again. But today, my arms are aching!!! My arms AND my heart! Monty's a bit miserable today...

Life's Unexpected Twists...

OK, so apparently my core strength is quite good for someone who's not exercised for the past decade. On Thursday at my appointment with my Personal Trainer Greg, he put me through a series of exercises that was designed to check out my core strength. He seemed quite impressed. Then again, he may say that to all of his new clients...just to butter them up. I walked home again, but this time, my legs were so sore that every step was agony. I could barely lift one foot in front of the other. Halfway across the Harbour Bridge, I was seriously contemplating getting to Milsons Point and jumping on the train; I just didn't think I'd be able to make it all the way home. But, I decided that if I'm going to be serious about exercising, then I would need to just work my way through the pain, not give up. And so I persisted and made it all the way home.

There was added incentive in walking home, I must admit. Because, at Waverton station waiting for me, was a guy. I was talking about it to Muzbot on Saturday at his birthday pub crawl, about how very ironic it was that when I had my rant a couple of weeks ago, the pieces were already starting to fall into place in relation to this guy. Let me go back to the start...

We met in very classic circumstances...it was late December, we'd both been to our respective work Christmas parties and had left them. We were both a little bit pissed (well, actually, thinking back we were probably both quite a bit pissed) and both ended up at the Columbian Hotel on Oxford St. I'm not a huge fan of the Columbian so normally wouldn't have gone there, however I was meeting my lovely friend SG there - hadn't seen him for a few weeks. Anyway, I went to the bar to order a drink; crowded bar, so I was kinda right next to this tall guy. Didn't really take much notice of him, I was more intent on getting the attention of the bartender. But he obviously took notice of me...he commented on the fact that I looked rather pleased with the world. And it's true, I often find myself grinning inwardly (and obviously outwardly too) when I go to a gay bar...it's still a new enough experience for me to find the thrill in it. Anyway, this guy had a smashing smile himself...I just melted. So, the upshot of it was that I took him home that night. When we awoke the next day, we actually talked to each other and I found him to be a lovely guy. Originally from country NSW, professionally employed, living in Bondi, 29 yrs old. A really nice honest kinda guy. We exchanged numbers when I dropped him home, but you know, I wasn't really expecting anything to come of it. I've been there enough times to know that! We had one more conversation, a couple of days later and in it, he told me that he was actually moving to Canada in February, for a 12 month working holiday. Doh! And so I figured that was it...no point in pursuing anything with him.

Christmas came and I went down the coast; he went home to see his family and was going to spend a couple of weeks relaxing up there. I messaged him Christmas Day and NYE, to which he responded quite positively. I went back to work and got on with life...and in the process had my little rant. The day after Rant part II, I was working back late at the office. He (his name is Mack by the way) messaged me to see if I was still in the city...would I like to catch up for a quick drink? You betcha baby!!!

We met up at Martin Place Bar and when I saw him again, that gorgeous smile was still there. I couldn't resist...I ended up taking him home again. But still, I was questioning myself...what was the purpose of seeing more of him when there was such a limited time frame? We ended up discussing it that night at home, snuggled on the couch. He admitted that he was really attracted to me and couldn't believe his bad luck in meeting me with only 6 weeks to go before leaving. My sentiments entirely. But it was good to talk about it, to get things out in the open. We ended up deciding that yes, we both like each other...a lot! But there had to be an end...namely, his departure. So, for want of a better description, we decided that we would have ourselves a "holiday romance". And so, since then, we've been dating. We've been to the movies, we've been to dinner, he's stayed in at my place, watching DVD's and eating leftovers for dinner, I've stayed at his place. I've met a few of his friends, he's met a few of mine.

And so, I find myself in a strange situation. If Mack was not leaving, I know that there's a good chance I would find myself falling in love. As it stands, I'm not letting myself go there. I am thoroughly enjoying being with him. He's a joy to be around...his sunny smile lights up the room (well, for me anyway) and his open honesty is refreshing. I love snuggling into his hairy chest (of course); he tells me that he loves me going to sleep in his arms. It aint perfect - after all, it all finishes soon. But until then, I'm one happy chap! As the saying goes, it's always darkest just before you turn on the light...and trust me, the after my little dark ranting period, it's nice to have some light!

Working Out...

I had my first appointment with the Personal Trainer yesterday...rocked on up at 5pm, walked into the locker room and wow...really hot guy, really naked! Oh, I am loving this! Why didn't I join a gym a loooooong time ago???

Anyway, I tore myself away from the locker room and met up with the Personal Trainer. It was just going to be a fitness assessment so it was a relatively easy session. He discussed my goals - what was I trying to achieve by joining the gym? (I didn't mention that I was hoping to see lots more hot naked guys in the locker room) He weighed me, measured my height, waist and hips. Took my resting pulse, then made me climb steps for 3 mins and took my now-pounding pulse. He then made me try and touch my toes to assess my flexibility. And then, do as many sit-ups as I could in 60 seconds. And then I had to do as many push ups as I could.

By this stage, I had actually started sweating - I was surprised at how quickly exertion hit me. It just shows how unfit I really am. So that was it...all the required tests had been done; now he needs to calculate it all to work out my fitness age. (I'm probably about 75 yrs old in fitness terms) And then he's going to work out an exercise regime for me. I go back on Thursday for the bad news! Eek!

BUT I was so inspired by the session that I decided that instead of taking public transport home, I would walk! So, iPod cranking out Pet Shop Boys, I did exactly that! And I loved it! Granted, it's probably the most scenic walk home anyone could want - across the Sydney Harbour Bridge - and so there's plenty to distract one. Ask Muzbot, he usually jogs this every day. But, 40 mins later, I was at home and feeling very pleased with myself. I think I may try and walk home after every session at the gym; I'm already dressed for exercise and it's probably a good warm down.

So there you have it, Monty has officially converted over to become a Fitness Fanatic! Who'd have thought!!! :-)

Exercise...

The Bank arranged for doctors to come around to our workplaces and do Health Checks on us and this week, they rolled into my building and so I fronted up yesterday for my check up.

I must say, I was rather chuffed as I rocked through the test with flying colours - my blood pressure was very good, my blood glucose reading was very good, I've got no family history of heart attacks, my resting heart rate was good, I've only got very average stress levels (which I treat with good doses of retail therapy). My cholesterol is high, however McDreamy, when he tested me in July, confirmed that my GOOD cholesterol is equally high which counteracts the bad guys! The only thing that is BAD in my life is my lack of formal exercise. I don't go to the gym, don't jog to work, don't ride a bike on the weekends. I do walk about 10 mins to the bus each day, but that's considered incidental exercise.

So, I've now got to think about doing some formal exercise...probably some brisk walking for 30 mins or so a couple of days a week. I'd much rather just go home and have a chardonnay but if I must, then I probably should!