The break has been made. We are now out of the old electronic cottage and living in the new townhouse. I'm writing this from my study, which is upstairs and looks north to the Central Market and west to Whitmore Square. Its a commercial area and it means a new form of life.

I've just signed up to broadband--I'll have more time after the holidays. But I'm having cold feet already--its dam expensive. I postponed getting connected until after I returned from holidays in Mallacoota Inlet.

The city is very quiet tonight. The Asian guys who fought, yelled at each other, and chased one another around the street last night seem to have gone. The drunken street kids have moved on. The traffic has lessened. There are no terrorists to be seen unless you count the political agitators.

I had been hoping to duck into internet cafes along the way and do a quick blog whilst I was hanging out at Mallacoota havign fun. But I've been informed that such cafes do not exist on the alpine way to the east coast. And there are none in Mallacoota.

More painting around the electronic cottage tomorrow. Only this time its as the landlord. Painting is looking after my investment rather than affirming my identity.