Briefly, A Weeks News

Monday

My Monday morning started with the delightful tale of modern day Maori gouging out the eyeballs of a 14 year old because they believed she was cursed and they saw the devil in her eyes. Surely in the first years of the twenty first century people don’t think they can get away with this type of sh*t?

And how about this … Julia Gillard, our new Deputy Prime Minister says she supports saying sorry for the actions of those in the past, but can’t say when it will happen under the new Labour government. Big bloody surprise there then!

In sport was the news (if you can really call it news) the Aaron Baddeley (who I hear you cry) nearly gave up golf because he was home sick, ohh yeah and he won something.

Tuesday

Tuesday morning saw the passing of asbestos campaigner Bernie Banton, he was 61. He is responsible for James Hardie admitting that asbestos is bad for you when they set up a $4billion compensation fund for those suffer from asbestos related-diseases.

Also it appears that the image Ian Fleming projected about a secret agent being a suave international playboy has continued into the twenty-first century. MI5 are having issues with recruitment. ‘The names Bond…,’ All together now!

Wednesday

In Music News, the Police are embarking on a reunion tour and 15th June 2008 they will be playing to a small crowd in Newport on the Isle of Wight.

This one made me late for work. Crown Street was shut. Shame Indian Chilli is going, they did a really yummy butter chicken and sag aloo.

At the 2007 Literary Review prize night Norman Mailer was awarded (posthumously) the Bad Sex in Fiction Award for his references to ‘her sap’ and ‘his old battering ram’.

Thursday

Why can’t the girl be named, but the boy in this rape case, can be. Incidentally, she was one of the rapists.

The duck need to be protected in Tasmania according to Chris Simcox as, ‘the numbers are dire’

Kevin Rudd our new prime minister elect has selected his cabinet today. He picked a nice feminine Victorian piece for the families and housing room and an ex-pop-star for the environmental and arts studio.

Friday

Why does a man who spent a night in a boat with his friend make the news? Now if he’d been eaten by a shark I could understand it.

The Hollywood Writers Guild has taken a four day recess to consider a deal that includes payment for works shown on the internet. Who are they kidding, they don’t really expect to get payments from all those bootlegs version too do they?

A man confessed to a murder that he could have got away with in Korea overnight. I not quite sure considering he had broken bones from an exploding mobile phone injury.

Down in The Dumps

Take the title as a hint of what this entry in about please. I’m feeling down in the dumps.

I realized today that over the last few months I had a bit of a time of it all. I left my husband (yes, I know self inflicted), my good girlfriend seems to have found better or more interesting friends and seems to have abandoned me despite me asking if everything is ok, my other good girlfriend is always at work and even when she isn’t lift f*ing miles away. My bestest bud went back to the States because the umbilical cord had stretched too far and was starting to hurt. I was robbed, I seem to have an infestation of mozzies, I don’t have air-con and the house is getting hotter. And I’m currently broke because of excess goodbye do’s and a couple of days sick.

Ohh yeah… and we can’t seem to sell the god-damn house on the Central Coast. Hubby keeps doing things to the house and car and not telling me because he thinks I can’t afford it, so I use the car and find new tyres, or I go to the house and find out there’s a new pool pump and cover. I may not be able to afford to assist, but I wish he’d tell me before so at least I can feel guilty before I’m trying to have a little fun. And I have to have the conversation with the woman who sold us a duff alpaca that can’t have babies.

I was also told the other day that no one will give me income protection becasue of my kidneys. So I have to save about 6 months of salary just in-case I get sick.

This morning I had trouble getting out of bed despite a decent amount, but restless sleep. I’ve been having trouble with sleep recently and I couldn’t put my finger on why. I think I may have figured it out. I’ve reached my limit of shit. I can’t take much more before I hit the top of the extremely slippery slope into depression.

I know I’m not there yet, but I can feel it coming. Having been there, done that before, I can feel the signs. Not wanting to get up, not being bothered to get dressed at the weekend, having an ironing pile that has strata levels, not eating ( I can’t be arsed to cook for just me) and just general malaise.

Not even the prospect of Cycle 9 of America's Next Top Model is cheering me up.

When I stop having my hair cut and painting my toe nails, please take me to the doctor.

RIP Indian Chilli

It was all over the news yesterday. The Indian Chilli had to be demolished. Overnight the building had started to shift causing a huge crack to appear between it and the building next door. The whole row of shops was evacated.

The owner of the building is blaming the city council for undermining his property during works to the community centre next door, but this may be because he doesn’t have building insurance. D’oh!

Being a local and a regular diner I had to see what was going on. I took some pictures with my mobile during the day, then went back later with my other camera to take some after shots.

As I sat on the wall taking 'after' pictures, a couple of builder types sat down next to me and asked why I was so interested in a heap of rubble. I explained that they did a really good Butter Chicken and Sag Aloo, and that I had purchased poppadums only the night before.

‘I won’t tell you what it was like out the back then.’ He said.


- Just an itsy bitsy crack between the white building doing an impression of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

- Not feeling so much like a famous landmark now!

Guidelines

D, a lady I work with (and have many deep an meaningful conversations and belly laughs with) sent one of the annoying inspiration emails that seem to be so prolific. You know, read this and pass the love to ten of your friends or you’ll burn in hell. This one didn’t say that and I kinda liked the sentiment and the little drawings, so enjoy.

HOW TO STAY YOUNG ...

1. Throw out non-essential numbers. This includes age, weight, and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay them.

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down. (Keep this in mind if you are one of those grouches!)

3. Keep learning: Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain get idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.' And the devil's name is Alzheimer's!

4. Enjoy the simple things

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. And if you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and lots of time with her/him !


6. The tears happen: Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life, is our self. LIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love: Whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.


8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love, that you love them - at every opportunity.

And if you don't send this to at least four people - who cares?

Nothing, Nothing Relax

I've done nothing but household chores all weekend. It's been great and I bloody hate housework. I have had two very brief interludes;

Yesterday I had to vote (how democratic is it really when you get fined $250 for not voting?) Kevin Rudd and Labour got in. I mean what kind of a name is Kevin for a Prime Minister. PM’s should have distinguished like George, John or Margaret, they shouldn’t have names from a Croydon council estate, it’s almost as bad as Tony! Anyway…

Today I met T. for a drink and a spot of people watching at The Colombian on Oxford Street. God that place is so gay, it’s FABULOUS! On the way I brought myself an amazing new pair of summer shoes.

Newsround

Ohh… please get over yourself! You have had a dubious taste of fame due to your son being jailed for training with terrorists in Afghanistan and now you just want to keep you face in the lime light.
Do you really think we care about your opinion on national politics?

Having moved to the city…I read this story with interest. This murderous caravan park is just down the road from what used to be my local shopping centre.

And finally for today some news from the world of music, Van Halen are back and touring with front man David Lee Roth.

God I'm bored today!

Mother

Thanks to Google Analytics I know when you read my blog. Twice in the last month!

All I have to say is this;
If you don’t read my writing how can I expect anyone else too?

Billy Elliott

On his last night in Sydney I took Todd to see Billy Elliott the Musical. I saw the movie ages ago and have seen it many times since its release in 2000. It makes me cry every time I see it.

So I booked tickets. I booked ticked for the opening night as a gift for Todd’s birthday. When the tickets arrived, they weren’t for opening night and amazingly enough just so happened to be for the last night he was in town. Phew!

After a last supper of sushi and a couple of glasses of wine we made our way to the Capitol Theatre just in time for the last call of take your seats. We were in the dress circle, slightly to the left of the stage. Not bad seats. It was sold out.

The show started with a Pathe newsreel showing the mining industry in the 30’s during the ‘good’ times. The singing started early with the whole cast coming onto stage in 80s garb singing about keeping the community together and deciding to strike.

The sets were amazing. There was the generic room set that slid in from left and right, the ‘Elliott’ house set that spiralled up from a hole in the stage with a bed on top of a set of stairs with a little kitchen at the bottom. The toilet block at the gym pulled out of the side of the room set. All very clever and beautifully put together.

The stage version ran along the same lines at the movie and included a few of the more memorable lines, such as;

Mrs. Wilkinson: This'll sound strange, Billy, but for some time now I've been thinkin' of the Royal Ballet School.
Billy: Aren't you a bit old, miss?

And

Debbie : don’t you fancy us, Billy?
Billy : Nah!
Debbie : I’ll show us me fanny.
Billy : Nah, you’re alright.

The musical was directed by the same guy who directed the movie Stephen Daldry, the lyrics by Lee Hall (he wrote the script for the movie) and the music was written Elton John. It was surprising that none of the songs had a hook, but then they are used to writing spoken word, not sung. Neither Todd nor I left humming, thinking we’d have that tune stuck in our head for a while. Shame really because from what I can remember the songs were pretty good.

The dancing however was completely memorable. I was concerned about the thought of watching a precocious little bugger on the stage for several hours, but I was completely entranced. I’m not sure which of the four Billy’s was playing on Tuesday night, but he was amazing. There was a scene (the bit in the movie where his Dad finds him dancing in the gym with Michael) where he was dancing Swan Lake with his older self. There was dry ice, wire work and ballet. It made me cry. I forgot how much I like ballet. The kid and the guy floated around the stage for maybe four or five minutes, it was beautiful.

Anyway, despite the un-catchiness of the songs I would say go see it, the dancing is amazing, but watch the movie first.

PS. Todd has arrived In Washington ;-)

He's Leaving on A Jetplane

Todd’s gone, I took him to the airport with the assistance of A and Sue-Ellen. We sent him through the customs gate with a sign that said ‘Shirley you’re not leaving!’

His flight is at 3.15pm and he’ll be sitting in his nice Business class seat after being upgraded.

As requested there was no scene at the airport. Well, maybe a minor one from Sue-Ellen.

- One of the many pictures I took during our faux Grauation photoshoot yesterday at Sydney Uni

He's Leaving - Not Yet

This time tomorrow Todd will have walked through the point of no return at the airport in time for his 3.15pm flight to the Los Angeles.

What am I going to do with myself?

- 1 Get a full nights sleep without a 1am phone call telling me he can’t sleep.
- 2 Get an early night or two
- 3 Redefine the meaning of cheap dinner from $60 to $10
- 4 Reduce my alcohol intake and give my liver a rest
- 5 Stop carrying chewing gum in my handbag
- 6 Talk to Puss about books and writing
- 7 Have to find someone else who appreciates the fine dining experience
- 8 Miss him terribly!

But I still have him for one more night, so no moppin’ about and feeling sorry for myself. I’ll deal with the fall out, when it happens.

That Time of Year Approaches

ANTM Cycle 9 starts on Fox 8 on 4th December. Ohhhh... ;-)

Meat on A Stick

I had a really long sleep. Puss finally got me moving on Sunday morning with a paw in the face and a meow. He was wasting away clearly. I sat up and swung my legs over the edge of the bed and stopped dead. My legs hurt, my arms and shoulders ached and my boobs felt like they’d been thumped. I hurt all over. That god damn boat trip!

As I walked past the mirror I caught sight of my legs. The gentlemen amongst you please help me by telling me how attractive purple legs are? I suppose i be thankful that I heal quickly. I spent the day on the sofa with Puss, watching telly from the week (House, NCIS and Life on Mars) before getting in the shower and getting ready to go to dinner.

Todd had booked Wildfire for Rachel, him and I. I’d never been before and believing it to be posh I put on a skirt. It was fairly posh…an amazing fit-out with unique lights and private rooms above. We had a nice spot looking out over the Opera House. But I got the feeling it was more about the tourist than the local. We were one of the few tables that seemed to have made an effort when getting ready and many looked they had just pooped in after a day of the tourist trail. The prices kept out the true riffraff.

The food was amazing, as was the wine and the desserts. It was another evening of chatting and we all came to the conclusion that not enough people experience fine dining as a form of entertainment. To most people eating is something you have to do to survive, so it is not something that should be the only thing you do all night. We arrived at six and left just before ten. It was a beautiful evening.

I got the bus home, Todd and Rachel went for final coffee.

(photos to come)

Harbour Cruise - My Bruised Arse

Saturday morning saw me making melba toasts (cut up bread, place on baking sheet in 200O oven until crisp) for Todd’s harbour cruise while I waited for the real estate guy to come round and do a house inspection. Far too much to deal with a Saturday morning if you want my opinion!

Around noon I left the house with my new red shopping trolley loaded with pate, melba toasts, wine, ice and my camera. I was going to get the bus, but after waiting twenty minutes I jumped in a cab. Once again the taxi won the Taxi V Bus race. I met Todd and some friends at King Street Wharf and we waited for the boat.

Now please bear in mind I was expecting something big and stable to CRUISE around the harbour in. You can imagine my surprise when a sail boat slipped into the pick up position. We all climbed aboard, and settled in as we motored out into the harbour under the bridge. It was actually very relaxing and I took heaps of photos to remember the day, Todd eating nibbles, drinking wine and generally being the hostess with the mostest.

We (there were 11 of us on the boat and the skipper) drank, laughed and chatted. Some of us reminisced about the bad habits we had picked up from Todd and some just listened and thanked their lucky stars they hadn’t known him long enough to pick them up. We stopped and put down the anchor and a few went for a swim. I was happy on board taking pictures.

Once the swimming was over the skipper suggested we go for a little sail. He informed us that because it was a little windy we would only use the little sail at the front. The anchor was pulled up, the sail was unwrapped. It flapped about for a bit then it caught. We took off like a bullet from a gun and the boat tipped. From 0 -15knots (17mph/27kph) like a racing car.

I slipped of my perch, thinking first and for most about the camera I flipped my right arm over the edge of the galley as my legs vanished over the edge of the boat and into the water. My left hand grabbed onto anything (turned out to be a rope winder), my legs bounced about on the edge of the boat as I pulled myself up and finally got a foothold on the little wooden plinth on the side. I wasn’t near anyone, so I didn’t have help like a couple of others that also experienced the pleasures of sailing. I’m told it only took a few minutes to right us again, but it felt like an hour. I was soaked. The only dry thing about me was my camera hand.


The rest of the ‘cruise’ I hardly moved. As the saying goes ‘It’s all good fun until someone get hurt, then it’s bloody hilarious’ I was the butt of jokes. But weirdly enough I didn’t care. If we tipped again I was secure and oddly I was having fun. The adrenaline had kicked in and I was what can only be described as high.

I was however, really glad to be back on dry land when it was over. If it hadn’t of been over dramatic I would have kissed the ground. I went home to shower before our dinner to find a few purple masses gathering under the skin on my legs and arms.

Dinner at IThai on King Street Wharf was lovely, more reminiscing, good food and wine and an early night for all. After the drama of the boat I think everyone was completely knackered.

Dancing with Muscles

I went to Hellfire on Friday with Todd. The last Hellfire he’ll ever go to. In less than a week he’ll be gone. Anyway…I was kitted out in the standard outfit, bra, corset, PVC skirt and thigh high boots. Todd had on his leather trousers and a white Everlast singlet. We met and then went to dinner at Bettys Soup Kitchen. I love Oxford Street, no one batted an eyelid.

We ate a simple dinner of mash, sausages and beef stroganoff before moving onto the main entertainment of the evening. We walked the short distance with much appreciative attention. At the door Todd was told he had to take his shirt off. No white allowed, you see.

Drinks were purchased, seats were taken, and the people watching commenced. There was the tourist friends (two guys in all black and wide eyed), the regulars, the single guy waiting for his date dressed in a Centurion outfit and the first-timers.

You can always tell the first timers. They look too hard at others and dress in simple black. The main example of a first timer for the evening was the guy we nicknamed ‘Dancing with Muscles’, he was wearing black trousers and a black singlet. He had short close cropped hair and may have had a close relationship with ‘roids. We watched him on the dance floor for quite sometime, flexing his pecs, tightening his biceps, the exposing of his six pack…it was hilarious but intriguing at the same time. And we were the only ones watching.

A couple of months ago Manacle closed its doors. Manacle was the Leather Pride bar for Sydney gay population. They’ve all moved to Hellfire. I have never seen so many leather harnesses. This is a good thing if you’re a boy into boys, but not so good if you’re a girl in boys. The eye candy factor was amazing and I shall continue going if only to get inspiration for my next semester at uni.

In The News Today

Boy George made the news today (if you can call the Yahoo Mail headlines news). Apparently he chained a male prostitute to a wall in his apartment. The pro report him for false imprisonment and BG was arrested. Naughty Boy didn’t think Safe Sane Consensual before that encounter.

In somewhat related news. An Indian man married his dog in a full on traditional ceremony to put an end to a curse. Unfortunately his was quoted after as saying he wasn’t really in love with the dog and hoped to one day find a real woman.

Everyone say EWWW!

Public Transport

I think I can now, after seven years, say that I have travelled on every form of transport Sydney has to offer.

There has been;

The Jetcat – only to Manly and only when the ferry isn’t running
The Ferry – to various locations around the harbour
The Rivercat – to Parramatta, yes I have been out west
The Train – many and varied trips including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast and the Airport
The Taxi – my favourite form. Being dragged up proper by a cabbie in the UK I feel it is my duty to support the Sydney version.
The Bus – I hate buses, but they are a necessary evil
The Monorail – It goes in a circle, but it’s great for tourist and yes, I know there are some that feel this mode of transport is evil, Edna, I’m looking at you.

Today I used the final form on offer;

The Light Rail/Tram – It goes from Lilyfield to Central via the fish markets. I got on it going the wrong way so I got to smell the Fish Market before getting back on and going in the right direction. The conductor (yes they still have a conductor that sells tickets) had a laugh after informing me I was going the wrong way. Really it didn’t matter I ended up having quite a relaxing trip to work.

Six Sleeps

After all day running a workshop I got home at six. I had plans to be a good girl and type up my Uni essay about Gerald Murnane, watch NCIS and sleep. Then I got a phone call.

‘I’ve run out of peanut butter and I can’t have a bottle of wine for dinner AGAIN, what are you buying me for dinner?’

It was Todd. With a jolt I realized, this time (6.30pm) next week he would be on a plane back to the States, for good.

What can I say, I’m weak. ‘I’ll see you on the corner of Crown and Cleveland at 7’

At 6.58 I received a text message, ‘Holy Crap. Drinks Expensive.’ I guessed I was late, standing at the traffic lights to the agreed destination.

After a quick pre-dinner drink we walked along Crown Street. The pizza place smelt good, the Vietnamese didn’t take Amex. The bottle shop did well, and CowBirdFish saw us sat at a table for two with corkage.

Despite me having made no effort and wearing lesbian shoes (flat sandals) and Todd in a sleeveless t-shirt that expressed affiliation with a sport team (I think) we were treated as if we were royalty. We had oysters to start ‘The special is freshly shucked oysters from South Australia.’ ‘SOLD!’ Barramundi and Salmon for main and cheese and meringue for dessert. Is it really only Tuesday?

We chatted about the usual and not so usual sh*t. Boys, books, boats, the movie ‘Airplane’, mountains and driving while we ate and drank a daft amount for a school night. Red, dessert and port. The waiters were really nice. Maybe they realized they were going to get a 30% tip early on, or maybe they were feeling generous.

- The Empty Chair

After two final glasses of port we adjourned to a less civilized establishment for a final drink of the evening. It was only half nine and the night was young, time for one more. JD&dietCoke for me, VodkaTonic&lime for him. Just the one. One AM, maybe.

It reminded me of when we first met. Working at TheBank, two oddballs in a bunch of suits. One straight as a die girlie with terrible fashion sense and a talent for making scrabbled egg in the microwave and one corporate suit that had long ago learnt to play the game. He, an unusually smart American (compared to others I had met) that had a knack of being in the right place at the right time, she a married Brit not reaching her true potential. Many a Thursday evening was spent in bars talking, having ‘just the one’ (one AM) and soon she (me) realized, I could take the bus!

I did take the bus, he’s taking a jet plane in less than seven days. I’ve been drinking since seven pm, give me a break and indulge me while reminisce about my friend who is pissing off and leaving me, It’ll all be over soon and normal broadcasting with resume, but bear with while it does, please.

And it All Turned Sh*t

This morning was lovely. I woke at my own pace before getting up and showering. The sun was shining for the first time in a week. Then I got on a bus and went to meet Dr. Plod. My good girlfriend that has been sorely neglected since she started working shifts that include much weekend work. We met on the steps of the State Library before going and attending a seminar called Contemporary Fiction – Writing Sex, presented by four well known Aussie authors.

If I learnt one thing while listening to them all speak it’s this. Name the parts as the character would. If your character would call a cock, a cock, don’t call it a penis. You get me?

Anyway, after the seminar Dr. Plod had to get home to feed her kids (horses, dogs and budgies), so she left me to get some new contact lenses. Upon arriving were the Optician should be, they weren’t there. They’ve done a runner to god knows where with all my glasses history. I need new lenses you bastards and now I’m going to have to go through the whole laborious process of having my eyes tested etc, etc.

So, what with it being just after four, I thought I'll pop down to the 3 shop to see about getting my phone fixed. The nipple broke a couple of weeks back and it keeps cutting out mid conversation. The only place to take it is the 3 shop as it is still under warranty. I got to the door, It was locked, all the lights were on and there were people milling about inside. It was 4.15. CLOSED. God DAMN IT!

I walked to the bus stop and after seeing I had to wait twenty minutes for the next bus I decided the taxi would have me home in half that time, so I flagged one down. I didn’t want my day getting any worse.

Once I got home I remembered I had to procure food for Puss. So I waited a little while then went outside to get my grandma trolley from the shed. It wasn’t there. Had I left it in the kitchen, No. Had I left it in the second bedroom, No. I figured it had been nicked. Couldn’t think why or when, but picked up shopping bags from under the sink and resigned myself to carrying tins back from the shop. While walking I called Todd and told him about my mysteriously disappearing trolley and he said, ‘Is anything else missing?’

I hadn’t even thought to look, but there were a few things in there. After speaking with Todd, I called Dr. Plod. She recommended I call the Police Assistance Line and report it. When I got back from the shops (a round trip of twenty minutes) I looked in the shed (a small lean to tacked onto the back of the house). Missing was the Drop Saw, the drill, the cordless drill and really nice pair of secateurs. I’m most pissed of about the secateurs, because they had a perfect cutting action and could cut through nearly anything. But mostly I’m pissed off that the fuckers made me doubt myself.

I remember now, on Tuesday I took some rubbish out and the back gate was unlocked. I thought I had left it unlocked the previous night. I mentally scolded myself for being silly. I had a go at the cat for digging in the flower pots and spraying soil everywhere, when quite clearly that is were the fuckers landed as they jumped over the fence.

Anyway the police came round after I reported it. They told me to get another deadlock on the back door.

I’m so angry!

Our Nations Capital

Last weekend Todd and I took a drive down to Canberra. He’s leaving in less than a month and he hadn’t seen Parliament House except on telly. So we piled into the car armed with nothing except our cameras and drove the three hours from Sydney to that no mans land that is our nations capital.

- The Big Arse Merino in Goulburn

We had a Stop Revive Survive moment at Goulburn so Todd could have his phot taken with the Big Marino. Which by the way they have moved. It’s now by the eateries and petrol station on the right, next to the freeway. I couldn’t believe he hadn’t heard of it. We took a couple of pictures, but got back in the car quick sharpish ‘cause it was freezing! The wind was howling and we were in shirt sleeves with no jumper or jackets in the car. Little did we know at that time, but we spent the whole day dashing from the car to the picture spot and back again.

We stopped at the end Lake George to take pretty pictures of how green it is at the moment (rarely has water in it).
We stopped at the state boarder for a photo shoot with Todd riding the sign.

- Ride It Cowboy!

When we got to Canberra we went straight to heart of it. Parliament House! I stopped were he told me too and within seconds we were being moved on by Federal Police on a push bike. But we got the photos we came for (a few we didn’t) so we left and moved to the next thing. The Birdie on a stick. Actually the American/Australian monument it really is a big bird on a very long/high pole. Todd had to lie on the floor to get it all in, I just told him to get a better camera.

- Move Along please sir!
- The Birdie on a Stick with Todd in the foreground

Then we drove round the inner ring road a few times before moving onto have a look at the Sex Shops of Fyshwick. We’d heard they were good. Turns out there are a lot of them, but not all of them are good.

On the way out of Canberra we stopped at a winery. We tasted (he swallowed, I spat) several very nice wines, both red and white, chatted with the cellar door staff then purchased half a dozen before hitting the road home.

With the light on our side we drove north again. We decided to stop and have dinner in Sutton Forest. We had steak and chips. I had a cup of hot tea and Todd had wine. We were both bloody freezing! We both had a great day, we laughed so hard that snot came out of my nose (I had a cold), we ate McDonalds, we talked crap, we talked about serious stuff and we dared to touch our toes to the wicket that Don Bradman played.

- Last time he tried this he got chucked off for playing silly buggers ;-)

12 sleeps to go.

Sound Off, One Two Three!

Thanks to Syms Covington to the tip off about this video. It’s not my personal favourite The Basics song, but I thing the gang at CNET have done a great job and done it justice.

It’s Basically Madness

I had a bit of a The Basics frenzy last week.

On the Friday 26th October I saw them at The Spectrum on Oxford Street. They were supported by Jordie Lane and Crossed Eyed Mary. It was a packed house with many die-hard fans to encourage them to perform one of the best sets I’ve seen them do, ever. As usual the lighting was crappy so I got hardly any photos, but I have it all in my mind, indelibly marked from my front row centre vantage point. They rocked the joint!

Less than a week later on Thursday 1st November, I loaded the car up with Edna, June and myself and drove down to Wollongong to the Oxford Tavern. We walked in and it looked like a school canteen crossed with a bingo hall. The lights were on bright and the stage was tucked away on the far corner. We brought ourself drinks before planted our arses at the table near the front. The Saturns came on and warmed up the crowd of locals and the many groupies who had followed the lads form Sydney. One guy, clearly hammered asked where they were from, twice! They did a really good job and once again I was impressed with there set (I saw them at the Hopetoun, months ago). After a short break the The Basics took to the stage. Poor Wally looked knackered. His week had been hectic since his big award and his voice was suffering a little. But being the consummate professional this only affected the crowd by the absence of ‘Rattle My Chain’ and a slight change in pitch on one of the choruses. The local crowd took over the ‘mosh pit’ about five or six songs into the set and proceeded to behave like the cast of the Dawn of the Dead who’d run out of food.

Fast Forward twenty-four hours and the 2nd November saw Edna and I at Sounds in the Grounds. Sydney Uni had turned the Manning Centre into a mini festival venue for the night with eight bands playing on two floors. The Basics opened the downstairs set and managed to perform their short set very well despite sound issues and a fog machine that all but obliterated them from view. Also, I was confused and mildly disturbed by Kris’ bitching. It seemed to have stepped up a notch, but that may have been due to starting over an hour late, the overwhelming humidity or simply that his was pissed at something we weren’t party to. Regardless, the set was good. Meanwhile, The Tongue and bLuejuice played the top stage. bLuejuice rocked. A couple of hours, a few beers and much secondary reefer smoking later, Goyte (aka Wally, the drummer from The Basics) came onto the downstairs stage looking a little refreshed. He had with him his mini orchestra. I think everyone in the Manning had crowded into the area in front of the stage, the gallery that looked down from the canteen and every other vantage point. From my dodgy spot looking down onto the top of his head I enjoyed as he opened with my personal favourites ‘The Only Way’ and ‘Out Here in the Cold’ (or was it ‘What do you want?’). I felt my heart swell as everyone joined in with the chorus of ‘Hearts a Mess’ and realized I was standing amongst students, all at least twelve years younger than me and more than familiar with him music. Although I noticed they didn’t know the words to songs off ‘Boardface’ as well.

Anyway, all in all I saw The Basics three times in a week. It was an awesome treat that I’m sure will not be repeated for a while.

Ahh... :-(

Poor Cow!

The Pharmacist

Some of you will be aware that despite only being 35 I have a problem with my blood pressure. When it’s not under control (which it currently is) it likes to sit nice and high at about 170/120. Not good and it’s all caused by a hereditary condition, not that I’m a stress bunny! Anyway, I had to get my prescription filled again today (I take two tablets daily until further notice).

I went into the chemist I’ve been going to for a year and there was a new pharmacist on duty. She took my script and set about filling it. Then she said, ‘I only have one pack of Zanidip, but I can get the other one tomorrow.’

I told her not to worry, I’d just come back next month.

Then she put the packet on the counter for the till girl to bag up and I noticed the packet looked different. It had pink on it. I reached out and picked up the pack and saw that it was 30mg. I only take 10mg!

The error was corrected, but what should I do. Some in the office have suggested I report it … suggestions please.

On a related note, this is why I don’t drink Redbull and it took research to confirm this?

Melbourne Cup

Well, only a few minutes to go before the big race of the year and these are my bets.

Twenty bucks each way on Purple Moon
Ten bucks each way on Douro Valley

...plus a couple of ramdom sweepstake tickets in the office charity drive.

UPDATE : 1526 6-11-07 - The winners were 6 Efficient, 12 Purple Moon and 24 Mahler. So I'll get something back at least. And I got to wear my special desk made fascinator.

I'm Not Sure...

...about this.

Awesome!

I happened to see V2 on Foxtel today and he was on. Singing his little heart out at the face of giant legged creatures on the moon in the video for 'Hearts a Mess' and then tonight, just now, I saw the 'Mixed Blood is number 9 in the most downloaded albums.

Go Wally, you deserve it, enjoy it.

I'm just Darn Popular

I've been busy lately. I been to gigs, actually had work to do in the office, had lunch dates with mates, long drive and had heaps of Uni work to complete. I have neglected you.

Coming soon to a blog near you is;

Two Basics reviews (one for last Friday and one for last night)
One Festival Review (where The Basics and Gotye are playing tonight)
Lunch with Miss Eudoxia who I haven't seen for an age because she's also a busy bunny
My trip to Canberra for the day with Todd to visit the naughty shops
My fiction piece for Uni (on jodiestories, I'll post after I handed it in)

Shopping Luck

On my home from work last night I decided to stop of at Coles and pick up some ham and bread to go with my beetroot for dinner. I love ham and beetroot sandwiches, what can I say, I’m sick and need help!

Anyway a few moments later and I had a few extra things ion my basket, couple loaves of bread, shampoo, hand soap, the required ham and deodorant. I got to the check outs to find a moohoosive amount of people. Just as I joined the end of the queue a nice man popped from nowhere and invited me pay at the empty checkout he had just opened.

My bill came to $33.17 so I remarked that I had just scraped enough shopping together to get a petrol coupon. He then handed me about 10 receipts from under the till. ‘Here,’ he said, ‘fill up a few times on me.’

How cool is that?