Hellas' Birthday

Today is my baby's birthday. Yesterday, friends and work people gathered at our gracious hosts' (Peter and Marita) house in St. Clair. In true Greek style, we had mountains of food left over, which will feed the families of all who attended for the next few weeks.

I was in charge of the birthday cake purchase which is a pretty big responsibility, if you know what I mean. Thankfully, everyone loved it and ate it up quickly.


That's me with the cheesy grin, getting a kiss for my troubles.

From left to right: Thomas, Hellas, Michael, Annabelle, Monika and Rebecca.

From left to right: Nevine, Hellas, Jemima, Helen and Lisa.

Scenes from a servo

This morning on the way to the MARCS labs, I stopped at the BP to fill up. I try to fill up on Tuesdays because petrol prices usually go up on Wednesdays. So I parked next to the pump and filled up. The total was just under $55. I reached into my jacket pocket but couldn't feel any wallet. I tried my other jacket pocket, jeans, front, back. Nothing. I opened the car door and bent down. The floor was clean. There was nothing under the seat either. I started to panic. I went through my pockets again. Still nothing. What's the time? 9:03. Shit. I started sweating. Hellas must already be at work. What am I going to do? I tried to think clearly. It would take me over an hour to walk home and over an hour to come back.

I started the car and rolled away from the petrol pump. I stopped just outside of the service station store doors. I took a step towards them. What should I do? Tell the service station attendant that I don't have my wallet? The service station was packed. I'd look like the biggest dickhead in front of all of the people. I took a step back towards my car. I grabbed my mobile. Who can I call? 9:05. No one. Everyone is at work. They say that you should have a mobile in case of emergencies. Well here's an emergency. What good is the mobile? Maybe I could sell it? No. I thought about calling Con. Maybe he's not working today? Yeah, Con will save me! Phonebook>C>scroll>there he is! SEND. Switched off or unavailable. Shit. Try again. Before the phone had a chance to ring (or not ring), I looked back at the pumps, and on the floor I saw a black rectangle. I snapped the phone shut and paced over to the pumps. It was my wallet!



I picked it up. It had tyre marks across it. I put it in my pocket. I brushed my hair back. I composed myself, went inside and paid for my petrol... with style.