Oh Nicky you're so pretty.

It's only fair that the children of bloggers get to reap some bloggy benefits. This morning, Rocco rolled over and poked me with his finger to wake me up. In my bed, where he always runs to in the middle of the night. My love-seeking missile. We drove down to Sydney to see Mickey and Minnie Mouse, at a launch for the new Disney Junior channel.

I hadn't been to the Opera House since I met Bono. I miss Bono.

So - Sydney drivers - WHAT THE HELL?? I was a jittery mess by the time we arrived. Sucks to be you, city slickers. All the way in the car, Rocco kept saying he wanted to punch Mickey. I told him, repeatedly ... that he can't punch Mickey.

We ran into the Opera House and what does Rocco do? Punches Mickey. Lucky it was just a cardboard cut-out, I was so mortified and apologised to the laughing guy at the door who picked Mickey up. We turn around just in time to see the cardboard cut-out of Minnie. On the ground.

Moving quickly on, I saw Rocco run towards all the other Disney cut-out characters. My heart sank, until I realised all along that he was actually hugging them, not punching them. The PR girls and Disney people watched and laughed as he hugged all the signs. A waiter offered Rocco a choice of apple or orange juice, and then another one offered him a muffin from a silver tray. He looked at me like, MUM THIS IS AWESOME!

             You know you're at a launch in Australia when they serve vegemite sandwiches

We sat down, it was packed. Heaving with suits, mums, celebrities ... and children. All patiently listening to the official speeches before Mickey and Minnie arrived. Soon they did, with Rocco bursting into spontaneous tears. I said mate, why are you crying?

"I just need Nicky mum."

                                     Tears before playtime

He then took off. And ran straight towards him. I adore his boldness.

                                                  Hey Nicky

We went to another room with pirate games, puzzles, and prizes. It was very cute. But Rocco didn't want the pirates, he wanted Nicky. So we went back upstairs, to the celebrity section, and pretended we were celebrities. Took our places in line behind Matt Shirvington and Katrina Warren. And waited. And waited. And waited.

                                              So boooooored


 

                                    If I play dead, will Nicky come?

Nicky and Minnie had to have a break, by this stage Rocco was running around, punching balloons. We waited behind the velvet ropes. Suddenly Nicky was back. NICKY! NICKY! It was our turn.

We finally stood in between the world's two most famous mice and Rocco sobbed and cried so hard. What did Nicky do? He soothed him, gently patted his hand. Even the photographer stopped, came over, asked Rocco his name and helped him to stop crying, while everybody waited. I always notice when people are kind to my children, and I was so grateful. He stopped crying. Gangsigns were made.

My favourite thing is the T-Rex sticking out of my pocket. Rocco named her "Karen" apparently she has "sharkey teef mum."

::

It was over. Rocco hoovered up more food, and tried to climb the Opera House glass walls. "Like Spider Man mum. He will rescue you because you are a girl." I told him that girls rescue boys too, and I would rescue him. He disagreed. We argued for a bit. Neither of us backed down. Neither of us ever will.

Walked over to get a swag bag that included a Nicky Mouse doll that Rocco stuck into his mouth so hard he gagged and the PR lady kind of laughed, but had this look on her eyes like, what?

We ran some beans off. Rocco told me he wanted to jump into the water. I believed him. I knew Rocco wasn't scared of Nicky, so I asked him why he cried.

"I just love Nicky mum. I love him."

Rocco fell fast asleep after five minutes. I drove through Sydney, marvelling at her beauty. I wanted to get out and buy a notebook and new pen and sit in museum cafes and write. I wanted to explore, meander, amble, gather my thoughts and mentally take stock of my existence in the world. All those years I lived in Sydney - I never realised how gorgeous the landscape and the buildings are. I was too drunk.

Had to make do with snapping photos. Then I looked up ...

It's Centrepoint tower! Eons ago, I was offered a job at Centrepoint. With my own office and everything. I said no, because I knew I wouldn't be able to keep it. I was too drunk.

One of the biggest regrets in my life, is never having a career. Just a succession of really crappy jobs. I looked at all the buildings, snapping photos like a crazy tourist. SYDNEY IS AMAZING! Who knew? I was so excited I did a short video.



In conclusion: I almost got decapitated in traffic today, Rocco loves Nicky, Sydney is aching to be explored, never be afraid to look stupid.

And lastly: I am so glad I'm not drunk anymore. Well I am. DRUNK ON LIFE, BABY.