Quickly as I'm way overdue on the posting front...

Melbourne was fantastic! I did indeed post 9 days ago as it was my anniversary, but I didn't fill you in on the weekends shenanigans. From here to the airport Friday; caught up with Russ; hit the Qantas Club; vodka; flight; kind lift from Ben (someone we met at New Year); The Laird. Drinking and catching up with mates ensued. Lovely to see Steve and Alan again. Stumbled to the pub/hotel to sleep around 4am. Ugh.
Saturday was brekky with some of the bears; trip to St Kilda for a walk by the ocean and coffee. Stumbled into a bar and stumbled upon Jason Smith and a gaggle of travel agents. Beers. Home. Snooze. Laird. Beers. Catching up with more old and new friends. The Peel. Dancing. Snogging. Etc. I disappeared for a wee while to walk someone to their motorbike... no, really. 7am back to the hotel for vodka with Bobby. Then Alan. Then coffee with Alan. Then suddenly we were back at the Beer Bust at the Peel. Beer. More beer. Dancing. More beer. Suddenly it was 3.15am. Slept for 55 minutes before getting a cab with Rich and Russ back to the airport. Won't be doing that red-eye-nightmare-straight-into-work flight again. Oh no. Work was awful! I almost fell asleep at my desk in the afternoon...
Got home that night, ate and slept I think. Not much else. Tuesday was more of the same without the falling asleep and with an added sports massage in the evening which was bloody fantastic.
Wednesday and Thursday I was in training which meant a welcome respite from work. Wednesday night I had dinner with Bobby I think and then Thursday... who can say? Dunno. Or more likely gym Wednesday and dinner with Bobby Thursday. Some combination - you choose!
Friday work, gym, quietness. Dinner and trashy telly I think. Saturday morning I was at the gym at 9am and by 10.30am I was in town having had brekky and trying to find friends to play with as it was the most beautiful day. However everyone was trashed and so I wasn't really very pleased. Ended up back in Newtown and bought new work trousers. How excitement. Back to the ranch where the boys (plus Bobby) were still a mess so I ended up at the park in my shorts reading my book and listening to music in the sunshine. Gorgeous day in the middle of winter! Ate and then walked up to Newtown with Bobby and made sure he went to bed. I walked into the pub and spent a nice evening with Adam and Joe - two guys who started talking to me as the recognised me from Gaydar... Ended up at the Imperial and home a little drunken at 3am.
Sunday - up for brekky with Bobby and Rich and Russ at the Chocolate Dog (my fave!). It was glorious again and so Bobby and I took the bus to Coogee and walked the walk to Bondi. Coffee on the beach in both places! Then back to Foodgame for a chicken pesto burger. Yum. Home and change and then back to the Shift around 9pm for Bobby's celebration-sponsorship-confirmation drinks. It was meant to be a quiet night. However... it was one of those nights..! Got more than usual attention from sexy men. You get that sometimes. Rarely. But it happens... the upshot being I ended up at Arq against my better judgement. With a 3am curfew. That became 7am. When I left to go to the dentist. No, really. Then I went back to day Manacle instead of work. Naughty, but nice. Fun. Lots of nice people. Lots of nice new people. Yay. By Manacle it was just Aaron and I, with Rado DJ-ing. Then to the Colombian with a couple of new mates in tow. Then the Newtown. And more people joined us and then the Town Hall to try and eat... and...
Finally in bed by 10am! Great fun. Welcome to 4 years in Australia Bobs :o)
Tuesday was work and the podiatrist. The night-time was a long overdue date with tall dutch Marc, whom I first met in April as Pete left for the UK. We'd been trying to catch up for ages and finally that was the night. I had a great time. He seems like a nice bloke and he's cute too. We're doing it again tomorrow night with added dinner. Noice.
More work and gym and then last night to dinner at Bobby's as he's heading back to the UK to get stuff/meet Pete etc. on Monday. Bottle of wine. Jamie joined us. Fun.
Today was work; chiropractor and that's it. First night at home in a while. Long overdue. I intend to slob big time. More news from the front line tomorrow!!

Just realised I started this post with 'just quickly'... actually that was fairly detailed! Home time now... woohoo!

Today is an anniversary day for Davie – 3 years today since I landed back upon these shores after my extended stint back in the UK. Lordy. There have been a few changes in that time. I’ve been through four jobs with three companies, five houses, five flatmates and two proper boyfriends. There were a few more improper ones, obviously :o) I’ve run two half marathons, two City to Surf races and two 10K Bridge runs. Been to Melbourne twice, Brisbane, Byron Bay and back to the UK just the once (and believe me that’s going to change in the next three years – I’m determined to have more long weekends away!). I’ve become and Aussie citizen and got an Aussie passport and exercised my new found ability to vote (though fortunately not been called up for active army service yet). I’ve had visits from Stevie P; Karen and Melissa; Sarah; Darryl; Paul, Alan and Dr Darren; Scally, Jonathan and Mark; David and Brett, Paul and Dino, Rob and Adrian and Mark, and most recent of all, Nick. Where are the rest of you? I’ve currently got braces on my teeth and inserts in my shoes to help my feet. The rest of me seems to be holding up OK… I’ve bought half a house here and am trying to sell an apartment there. Best of all though, are the number of fantastic mates I’ve made in that time here. I wasn’t going to single out people, but I guess I have to mention this core group without whom the last three years wouldn’t have been half as much fun – Rich and Russ, Pete, Adrian, Gary, Pete and Johnno, Aaron and Bobby. Thanks guys. Am looking forward to whatever the next three years and more may have in store…

Doh. Another Friday creeps around and I wonder what I’ve been up to. In the words of Japan, I second that emotion. No, er visions of China. Er no. Here comes the quiet life again. Well it beats the rain I suppose. *stops waffling*
Well Friday night was indeed legs at the gym. Thence home. I’ve a feeling I went out, but I can’t quite remember. Actually no, probably not as I was due at the gym Saturday at 10am. Which I did. I kind of piked the run afterwards though, as my legs were aching. Home and food I think, then up to meet Bobby and into Oxford Street to have coffee and a catch up with Wayne the dentist. Went to Foodgame. Noice! Then we hit the Colombian for a swift vodka and cranberry in memory of Pete but it was vile so we headed back to Newtown instead. Think eventually we hit the Newtown again after I’d had a nice dinner with Pete, Johnno and Paul. The Newtown wasn’t up to much though, it has to be said. Tony popped down for a beer and it was nice to see him. Home and to bed not long after midnight.
Sunday. Up not too late. Brekky with Rich and Russ at the Chocolate Dog. Noice. Home and rest a bit before doing a hilly run in the park. Obviously I needed to relax after that and so ended up round at one of the guy’s places from last weekend. Just to be polite, naturally. Finished being polite around 7pm and headed home so I could wish Dad happy Father’s Day. Then went for a quick beer at the Newtown with Bobby which was so hideous we drank our beer and left. Straight outside to a cab to take us to the Shift. Which wasn’t that much better… except for Mad Mark being there. Mark’s a guy that we see out at some of the parties – Indulgence, Bad Dog etc. Sporadically. Sexy, hairy, cute – but completely barking. Or at least out of control on party times. Anyway one thing led to another…
Mark very kindly dropped me home at 7.30am Monday. Ugh. Not much sleep after beer and… well, let’s just say I wasn’t at my brightest. Good job I had a full day of learning to be a back up trainer that day. Monday night was quiet. Tuesday work and then tried to run at the gym. My legs really ached – almost like shin splints. Danger! So I stopped. And went home pissed off. Wednesday was work and gym with Peter and then dinner with Bobby who wasn’t at his best due to a work cock up and his visa. He wasn’t best pleased, but I think by the end of the night he felt a bit better, and me (and Alan on the phone from NZ) convinved him to still do Melbourne (more shortly). Yesterday work and then shopping in town and Oxford St. I bought socks and a CD and some DVDs. Yay. Home via the Happy Chef for fantastic wonton soup. And so here we are again. Friday. Today is slightly different though as I’m flying off to Melbourne for the weekend. There’s a bit of a bear event happening, and it’s a good chance to catch up with a few people too. Beers and social events with what I’m sure will be a selection of sexy men. Can’t wait. Can’t wait to get out of Sydney either… it’s been too long. Roll on the 8pm flight!

And lo, it came to pass. Did Gary’s thing on Wednesday night which was fun. He liked the bag of english sweets – what memories!! I’d forgotten about Frazzles. And I now know where to go if I get a sudden urge for a jar of Piccalilli! The ceremony was long as the were doing over 300 people, but I kept myself amused chatting to Marcus, Phil and Graham. And checking out the other gay men being done. If you know what I mean. Then it was a glass of chardonnay and a meat pie with the Lord Mayor. How aussie! Then home and internet play before bed.
Yesterday was work; gym at lunchtime (chest and triceps); run in the evening. About 7K maybe, round the park with hills. Home, shower, supermarket, dinner for Bobby. He came down to use my PC to send some stuff to Pete and we had a natter and drank tea :o)
Today work, not much else. Heading off to the gym now to do legs. Then in the morning at 10am I’m doing back and biceps. Then I’ve got to do another run (6K – flat) straight after that and then on Sunday I’ve got to find some hills. I’m on an 8 week countdown to the City to Surf and trying to stick to my training program. It’s the only way I’m going to knock 7 minutes off last year’s time – and that works out that I have to run each kilometre 30 seconds faster than last time it’s quite a hike. If you get my drift!!
The rest of the weekend has no plans. There may be coffee and the odd beer. Other than that… as they say in Yorkshire… nowt.

On the eighth day machine just got upset… a problem man had not foreseen as yet. Ah, dear old Hazel O’Connor. I did hear rumours of some new material recently. I think. Or maybe it was all a dream…
Anyway, my machine will be upset if I don’t blog again soon, so here we go – eight days on.
Tuesday night, Wednesday night and Thursday nights were all spent in, watching Angels in America as previously alluded to. There was some gymming and limited shopping involved over those three days too, but little else. The show was good – great performances from Merryl, Al and Emma. Catch it if you haven’t. Friday night was work and gym again. Thence briefly home before catching a cab with Bobby and Aaron to the Oxford for some town beers for the first time in ages. Mind you, realised pretty soon that I hadn’t been missing much by staying away from Oxford Street. Various people came and went, the beers came and went, we went to different bars, came to in different bars and ended up quite drunk in Manacle with the usual suspects. Home. Sleep.
Up early on Saturday to have some brekky before heading off the the gym. Good workout on chest and triceps, which was encouraging. Yay. Home and then someone I’d been chatting to online decided we should do more than chat. Well if I have to… :o) Home and veg out a bit. Everyone else was heading off to Big Queer Nation but I’m having a (relatively) healthy month and so managed to say no. Instead Bobs and I did beers again, though town was empty. And not much fun all in all. Fun with Bobby, but we missed a couple more people to bounce off. As it were. I hit home around 1.30am. Slept badly and was awake fairly early Sunday morn. Another chap off the internet that I’d been chatting to recently thought we should do more than chat too, and so I toddled off to meet up with him. Nice guy and fun was had. That took me to mid afternoon, when it was time to head to Gary and Peter’s new place in Tamarama. We took George for a walk on the beach at sunset, which was quite striking. Pink and purple skies darkening over the valley where Tamarama nestles near the beach. Noice. Home for wine, stew, chats and Cher. No really. And another guest Neil is someone I’ve seen around for ages so nice to finally meet him. Cab back to the Newtown, but it was deserted so I went home to sleep.
Slept badly again :o( Somehow convinced myself I’d done something to my phone which made me wake up every 15 minutes – so guess what? I did. For a lot of the night. Weird. Monday was a holiday here and I was originally gymming again, but I felt almost fluey when I woke coz of the interrupted sleep. Decided vegging on the sofa with brekky and the Fifth Element was the best way forward. Yay! By 2pm I was feeling myself again (!) and so I headed into Newtown for a walk in the gorgeous winter sun. The weather lately has been fantastic… in the low 20s but clear and sunny. Fantastic! Had food and then went home and then came back out again for quiet beers with Bobby. Bumped into Jason Clarke for the first time in ages which was nice. Relatively early night. Yay. Got home to find out that Dad hasn’t been well – Melissa alerted me to it by MSN messenger bless her. Phoned Dad and spoke to him but missed Karen so didn’t get the full version. We’ll see. It’s at times like this I feel so very, very far away from the UK…
Slept badly again, again. :o( Continued with yesterday’s dream and the 15 minute thing, but somehow rationalised it all again in my head so it could keep happening every 15 minutes. I had graphs and everything. Apparently. Grrr. Into work. Dull. Finished late and then hit the gym. Was meant to run too, but it was just too late. Home, food, tidy up (house inspection for the house sale sprung on the boys late yesterday!). Bed.
Up early-ish this morning. Still didn’t sleep great again, but I think the 15 minute thing has had it’s.. er.. 15 minutes. :o) Work. Dull. Heading off in a tick for Gary’s citizenship ceremony at Town Hall. We’re being austra-cised one by one! I’m going to try and visit a place that sells english sweeties and get him some stuff as a pressie. Hope I’ll get there before it shuts!
No real plans for the week. Gym a lot. Sleep if I can. Running. That’s all for the moment!

It’s a Tuesday update! A rare thing. How excitement! Friday last I went from work to the gym and then from the gym home, after a run and a bit of a leg workout. As previously described, Aaron was recovering at Rich and Russ’s and so I was free to do whatever I wanted for the night! That turned out to be have a lovely dinner (pork and veggie stir-fry on a bed of sweet potato mash) and then go to bed. I decided I was just too tired to go out. Saturday was a relatively early morning at 9am, though I’d not slept well due to marauding house guests. Brekky and then gym again. First Saturday session with Peter. By the time I got home it was about 1pm and after lunch I decided to head into town to shop. The fates were against me however, and all the trains were replaced by buses. That all seemed too much so I walked to Broadway. However part of the way there I realised I probably woudn’t buy anything and so got miserable. I got there, did the briefest of looks round, then turned on my heels and walked all the way back home. Grumpy so I slept a while and then got ready for dinner at Dave’s in Potts Point. Rich and Russ came and got me and we hit Dave’s after a bit of a parking fiasco. Dinner was lovely. Mark was there and two other mates of David’s from Perth – Darren and Ricky. After lots of wine and food Rich and Russ kindly dropped me off at the Shift for Jason’s birthday drinks. I was tired still though and so lasted only 2 beers before getting myself into a taxi and heading home. Bed.
Sunday was another relative get up early and I trotted off townwards cleverly using a different train station to miss the replacement bus service. Sneaky! I’d planned on having my favourite brekky at the Chocolate Dog, but on arrival Aaron was there with a new shag and some of his mates and I decided I didn’t really want to go through all those introductions and small talk etc. I walked on instead. :o( So, having missed my favourite brekky (sweet potato pancakes with bacon and sweet chilli sauce, if you’re really interested) I sulked all the way into town. I had a relatively successful trip, though failed to buy work clothes. I’ll leave that til next week’s long weekend now. I did manage to get most stuff for my gym supplements and some gym socks. Woohoo! Back to Newtown where I dragged Bobby out for coffee and cake. And a whinge. I felt better after that. We then retired to Bobby and Aaron’s place, where I finally managed to chat to Pete in the UK for the first time in ages. It was great to speak to him and I realise how much I missed having him here as a mate. Well it seems like he’s coming back – and so he wants back into the house. The good news on that is that it would free up some cash for me. I’m going to have a think…
Thence to the Newtown to meet Robert for drinks. It’s also been ages since he and I caught up, and it was good to see him too. A couple of beers followed by thai and wine. I then decided that since I was now in such a good frame of mind (violent mood swings anyone?) I’d head out for more beers. Bobby and Mark were at the Shift so… as if by magic!! Ta-da! More beers there and then suddenly things took a turn for the slightly irresponsible. Arq. Doh. I should have known. I kind of did really, but didn’t care! And suddenly it was 6.30am and I was heading off to some hotel room with two very nice boys from Perth. As you do. As I did. Headed back to Newtown at 4.30pm Monday after a lovely time and afternoon fruit salad and coffee. :o)
In that situation there’s only really one thing left to do. It’s pointless even trying to be virtuous and so I dragged Bobby back to the pub (he’d already been!). Beers, pizza and fun til about9pm when it really was time to call it a day. Home. Brief internet and then to bed with Wicked by Gregory McGuire. It’s a more modern take on the Wizard of Oz, as told from the wicked witch of the west’s perspective. A few pages of that and then sleep. Work today and bed and nothing. Angels in America is screening over 3 nights on the ABC, and it’s the first thing in ages I’ve fancied watching. Go square-eyes Davie!

The less I blog, the less I seem to remember what I've been doing! Last Thursday I was possibly going for a drink at the Newtown after work.

Let's just say I've no idea if I did or not. Actually I think I did. I think I met Bobby and his mate Brent. We had beers, pizza and then I think I finally retired almost gracefully. Friday was more work, gym and then decided I really couldn't be arsed to do anything at all. Was in bed by 10.30pm. Up Saturday with the lark. And ready for some larking about. In boats as it turned out. Went over to David's for the start of the date. We took his dogs to the park (Janet and Leroy) and then it was back to his to get better acquainted over a bottle of wine. All this by midday! Then we took a trip down to his boat as some friends wanted to borrow some things with a nautical theme. We took the chance to get a bit nautical ourselves. Or should that be naughty-cal? Anyway... back to Newtown for some lunch and we went our separate ways. He seems like a nice guy - fun and sexy. Let's see what happens. Home to chill and then Pete and Johnno arrived home from the gym with Paul. We all had dinner (lovely rack-off lamb!) and drinks and then as if by magic we were playing pool at the Newtown. Not sure what was in the air (or the vodka perhaps?) but I played like a man possessed! Practically every shot went in, whether a normal shot or a more flashy trick shot, but boy did we have fun. Finally as more mates appeared we just chatted until as if by magic we were at the Phoenix! Til 5.30am Oops. And then Pete and me couldn't let it lie and ended up at Arq...
Finally home around 8.30am. Slept from about 11.30am til around 3pm. Up, sorted and then down to the Green Park with Aaron for Tony's birthday drinks. From there onto Missy Elliot. My first proper rap concert at the age of 39. Get me! Sadly it wasn't great - a real missed opportunity. The Sydney Morning Herald reviewed it pretty accurately, so have a read of what they had to say. Still it was something different. I got home very tired about 11.30pm. Sleeeeeep.
This week's been dull. All work and no play makes a very good description of what's been going on actually. Except for beating myself up about all my procrastination. I've set myself the end of the month to get all my life admin in order as it'll be three years since I arrived back on 29 June. I stayed in Monday and Tuesday. Gym Wednesday. Dinner over at Tim and Ross's last night as it was Ross's birthday on Monday. Noice. Heading to the gym shortly and again in the morning. Was meant to be spending the night at Aaron's to make sure he was OK after the small operation he had yesterday, but apparently he's recuperating at Rich and Russ's. Don't I feel wanted. Actually, no I don't. :o(
It's also Johnno's birthday today, so there's a chance we might well end up playing pool at the Newtown again, now I'm not playing nursemaid. Otherwise tomorrow holds work clothes shopping, sock shopping and then dinner at Dave's tomorrow night with beers after at the Shift for Jason's birthday. How come everyone's having birthdays all of a sudden?
More from the front line as it happens...

Things to make you go hmmm... #2

Later in the pub last night with Bobby (his mate Brent had gone home at this point). For some reason the topic of conversation turned to... me. Again. Bobby then said that I'm often blind to guys taking an interest in me because I'm too busy having fun with my mates and/or making sure they're OK i.e. having a good time/not too drunk or minkered or whatever/getting drinks/generally being mother. This I can understand a bit more - for me going out was always first and foremost about catching up with mates, and if a nice man happened to come along then so much the better. Am I alone in this? I can recall recent instances when I've passed up the chance to disappear off with sexy men because I've felt my mates wanted me to be with them...
No wonder I'm not getting any shags 2 :o(

Things to make you go hmmm... #1

In the pub last night with Bobby and his mate Brent. For some reason the topic of conversation turned to... me. They both were saying how nice, sexy, handsome etc I was (we'd had a few by this time) - when they both suddenly agreed that I was too masculine. They thought I was too butch which comes across as being stern and possibly unapproachable. They advised me to smile more. Someone else at work today corroborated their findings. Anyone care to add anything else? I don't particularly aim to walk into a bar and be stand-offish. True I currently have braces on my upper teeth meaning I'm probably not smiling as much as I would (believe me - they're quiet the confidence drainer) but do people really think that? Given a lot people reading this (if there is anyone left still reading that is) have known me for a longer time than most of the people here - is that the case? Help! No wonder I'm not getting any shags :o(

Just quickly as I'm about to fly out the door..

So, did I get up to shenanigans again? Yes sirree!
Wednesday – think it was just a slobby time at home. Can’t remember much else.
Thursday – gym after work and then straight to Gary and Peter’s. Went for a nice dinner at a little place near Moore Park Gardens (or, as there are so many gay men living there – Mary Tyler Moore Park Gardens!). Wine and home. Sleeeeeeeep.
Friday – work and then home, then to MPG to drop off stuff and then to Rich’s birthday meal. It was at the Nepalese kitchen and very nice! Little too much wine, but fun. Quick drink at the Dugout Bar then home. Sleeeeeep.
Saturday – woke at MPG. Grabbed coffee from the little café there, then went on my travels to IKEA to buy my Bad Dog outfit – more later. Onto Strangers with Candy for brekky which was good. Slobbed about a bit, then eventually went back to Marrickville to get my running gear. Back to MPG, big bowl of pasta ready for the half marathon, Independence Day on the telly and an early night.
Sunday - started very early at 5.30am. Got up, got ready, forced some brekky down me and headed off for the journey down to Hickson Road and the start of the half marathon. Luckily I bumped into Allan from work at Wynyard so we headed down together. Met up with Kelly and Ian, Buzz and Gordon and Jo and got ourselves ready for the off. Ian's Mum and Dad kindly looked after our gear which saved some hassle. And then it was 7.30am and we were ready for the off. What a difference a year makes! Last year it was torrential rain, cold and windy. This year it was glorious. Sunny and almost perfect running conditions. And away we went! I actually enjoyed the race more than any of the training runs I've done all year (though there weren't that many!). The good news was I came in just under my last year's time - 1'50"01 versus 1'50"49. Still considering my lack of preparation or real desire to run I'm happy with that. One more big stride and I'd have come in under 1"50"! Oh well. We congregated at the end to compare times, aching limbs and bleeding nipples. Well fortunately not me. A little underarm chafing, but you get that. And then home on the train with Allan, happy and abuzz. To MPG, grabbed my gear and had a quick coffee with Rich and Russ. Thence to Marrickville to get myself ready for Bad Dog. The theme this time round was Science Experiment - quite a good one to dress up to. I'd decided the way forward was to buy a children's toy 6' snake from IKEA and then cut it in half. The head part was de-stuffed and put on my arm like a glove puppet. The tail end was stuck down my trousers so it hung out like a tail. I was ready :o)
Aaron arrived and Johnno and Pete kindly drove us there around 4pm. Bobby and Mark were already in evidence and slowly everyone arrived. What a fantastic party! They just keep getting better and I'm not sure how. Most of the people we know were there, which made for a great time, as did having run half a marathon that morning! Fun. Met a nice kiwi guy called David and spent a little time with him - and then they finished the party with Thomas Dolby's She Blinded me with Science. Perfect. Home and change and to the Shift for a while. Then the Phoenix. Then Arq. Til 8.30am. With Bobby and Mark. Just hilarious. Fantastic night. Thence back to MPG for vodka and music and finally crashed out at 1.30pm Monday. But only for a little while until we were back at the Newtown for beers at 7pm! Bed at 10.30pm. What a weekend!!
Tuesday - work. A bit vague. Home. Food. Sleep.
Wednesday - work. Gym - a whole hour on chest! So, why doesn't it hurt today?? Home via Aaron's to pick up my case. Food. Sleep.
Today, Thursday. Work. Have worked really hard today for some reason. Heading home to tidy and a possible beer at the Newtown later.
I'm excited about a date on Saturday day. Nice man with dogs and ute. Ay caramba!! Fingers crossed everyone!

I'm a-posting and it's not Friday. What's that about?

I did run for 17K last Friday, then went home and resisted the urge to go out. How good am I? Saturday ended up being a slobby morning and then out shopping with Pete and Johnno, looking for birthday presents and eating sushi. Noice. Not much in the afternoon and then Aaron and I shared a cab to the Green Park to meet Dave before Russ's 40th birthday party. However Michael and Costa were at the pub, and Gary and Peter joined us so it was quite a social! Got the Russ's at the East Village and before you could say 'shirts off and lycra shorts' I'd been roped into doing a show. Tim and Ross had organised for Mu-Mu to jump out of a big cardboard cake, but before that we had to carry her through the room, set the sparklers off and run around with letter that spelt RUSS 40 to make other words (USSR 04; SOUR 4S). You had to be there really. Anyway. The party was lots of fun - almost everyone we know in Sydney was there, and Russ seemed to enjoy it. Rich had organised for half his family to arrive from Perth unbeknownst to Russ, so that was great! Got very drunk as I realised later I had no dinner. Doh. To the Phoenix briefly but it was dead due to it being Inquisition that night (even though we knew few people going). Home in a cab with Aaron - we dropped him at Rich and Russ's to continue drinking. I couldn't have managed another drop and so hit the sack.
Sunday. Woke, had tea and toast. Decided that was about it for the day. Except... went looking for more Bad Dog outfits and failed. Then Aaron arrived and we hit Graham's 40th birthday party at Waverley. In our finest white gear - it being a white party and all. Another fun night, though sadly not that many people turned up. However I did get chance to speak to the lovely Ro and did so for what seemed like a long time. He's a very sexy man...
On to the Shift to meet Bobby - after a lift home with a friend of Rado's (thanks!). Drunken flirty chatting with Paul (Dr Pete's mate) and then I don't remember much else.
Monday - hangover and work. Early night.
Tuesday - no hangover and work. Early night. Resisted the pub with P+J - how good am I again!
Today - dentist this morning. My teeth are apparently moving with the braces, but slowly. Oh well. Had my wire replaced and I can certainly tell this afternoon. Work. Meant to be gymming but think I might not. Haven't slept well and could do with sleep again.
Tomorrow. Work. Gym. Dinner at Gary and Peter's as I'm house-sitting for them all weekend. Yay for houses to one's self. Not sure what else is on the horizon other than the half marathon on Sunday. Oh, and Bad Dog with Monday off. Lock up your daddies!

And verily it's Friday again and I'm a-posting. A quieter week, which I think is a good thing. I'll make it short and sweet as I'm about to head off for a 16K run - or as near as damn it at least.
The tall dutchman cancelled drinks whilst I was having a nap, and that was good. I ended up in Newtown High Street anyway for food then hit the pub. Vile. Came home. Bed. Saturday was another lazy day of doing very little I think. Eventually I headed round to Dave's in Potts Point for dinner. Us two, Mark and Brendan. Noice. Thence to Manacle for a beer then the Shift trying to find Pete and Johnno. They were at the Phoenix, it finally transpired. Nice Mark was there but only chatted briefly before he left. Home with the boys at 3am. Sunday was another day of Dave in a foul mood. I didn't do much as it was cold and rainy. Finally got my act together and headed out. SMS confirmation of mates in Manacle so that was that! Aaron, Rich and Russ, Steve Mac, Wayne and Andrew and another Johnno. Thence to the Shift, back to Manacle, back to the Shift to meet Bobby. And Mark Allen. Too many beers resulted in curry and taxi home. Vile.
Monday. Work. Not much else.
Tuesday - 14½K run after work. Dinner at Aaron and Bobby's. Noice :o)
Wednesday - work, gym at lunch. Tired. Shopped. Ate. Telly. Bed.
Thursday - work, dinner, haircut, shave, shower, Newtown. And what a surprisingly social affair that turned out to be! Aaron was there with Fred as Pete, Johnno and I arrived. Former Qantas Jason was there, as were a couple of other acquaintances. Then sexy Ben arrived. Then Russ, Steve Mac and Keith arrived. Lots of pool, beer, chats. Ben is very nice, it seems. He took my number...
Today. Work - surprisingly diligent. About to head off for a long run then rest over the weekend. Next weekend's the race...
Oh, and when I say rest over the weekend, it's Russ's 40th birthday tomorrow and then Graham's on Sunday. No rest for the wicked!

A week ago I posted. It's now May already. Tired today - more later on that.

Last weekend. What transpired? You know, I can't really remember. I yoga-ed Friday night with Al and it was much better than last time. Thence home and I can't remember if I stayed in or went out. I've a suspicion the former, but I can't quite remember. Saturday was a day of cleaning and sorting and stuff. Much needed. Did I do much else? Can't remember. Probably hit the Newtown with Pete and Johnno that night. Or maybe that was Friday and we bumped into Dave the plumber after Aaron had joined us. Anyway. Sunday was more of the same, with me going for a run in the park and hating every minute of it. And hating hating it. And getting into a foul mood and walking to town to meet Bobby at the Shift. The rest of the night is a bit of a blur. Well in fact a lot of a blur. Mark A joined us at the Shift. As did Piggy. Then it was Arq, where I confess to having an almost complete blank. First time in a long time that that's happened. So, I awoke Monday morning around 6.30am in god knows where with god knows whom... and decided I wouldn't go to work. Or go home actually. Ended up in an internet cafe in Kings Cross on Gaydar, resulting in a swift taxi ride to Zetland. As you do. Thence to Kensington - but Peter's not Ken's. (For those of you non-Sydney types, go google - I can't be arsed to explain!!)
Then into town where I amused myself until heading back to meet up with Bobby, resulting in beers with him and Aaron at the Newtown. And a non-verbal encounter with a guy I quite like, but I decided I shouldn't try and speak bearing in mind almost no sleep and 5 beers by that point. Steak and mash. Sleep. Jaysus.
Tuesday. Work, early night - via Bruno's book launch. I hope the book sells better than the launch attentance. Nice to see Andy and Ben though. And Bruno.
Wednesday. Work, then 11½K run at the gym. Home, food, quick beer with Bobby. Newtown (OK but karaoke night), Imperial empty but played pool.
Thursday. Work, home, dinner with Pete and Johnno, Newtown for pool. Over it so did coffee then snuck back as nice guy from Monday had been there, and then John and Allan were playing pool too. Nice guy came and talked to me and is really nice. Ben. Not the one from Tuesday. Noice. He'll hopefully be at Bad Dog...
Today. Up at 6am. Gym at 7am. Work. Bored. Home soon. Very soon in fact.
Have a beer date with a 6'3" dutchman called Marc. Alluded to on the April 19th post. We'll see what comes of that. In all truth I'd rather go to sleep I'm so tired.
No other plans for the weekend other than a big long run at some point. Aiming for 16K or so. I can't wait for this bloody half marathon to be over. Never again!!

Read the post below this one first!

Well I could also tell you what the track listing was for the third CD too, seeing as I've finished them both at the same time. This one has been much longer in production, as it's an 80's mix and therefore not too concerned with being out whilst the tracks are still fresh. Mixing 80's music is tricky - particularly when opting for the non-dancey stuff. Tracks have very short intros and generally fade very very quickly. Hence no really long mixes whilst the tracks mash together - more short, sharp changeovers. Fun to do, and I'm very happy with the end result.

Intro - Wonder Woman theme
Duran Duran - View to a kill
Fine Young Cannibals - She drives me crazy
Jacksons ft. Mick Jagger - State of shock
Wham! - Young guns go for it
Human League - Keep feeling fascination
Madonna - Vogue
Pet Shop Boys - West End girls
Swing Out Sister - Breakout
Queen - Radio Gaga
Animotion - Obsession
Wham! - Everything she wants
Cameo - Word up
Michael Jackson - Billie Jean
Janet Jackson - When I think of you
Outro - Knight Rider theme

Fantastic! Again, as soon as I work out how, the mix'll be up here to listen to.

Madison Avenue saved my life!

An unlikely concept I know. But in a roundabout way it's the truth. They saved me from mixer's block - if there should be such a recognised condition. Trying (in vain) to complete my fourth mix CD I'd reached the pulling out of hair stage. Several times. And not just my hair either. And so it was, in a state of almost blind panic, that I began looking through my catalogue of tracks, hoping for inspiration. I was having trouble getting anything to mix out of the Boogie Pimps, and I'd got a few tracks lined up ready to complete the CD, but nothing was working. Yet suddenly I had a Madison Avenue epiphany. Everything else fell into place from there, and the mix itself is up there with the best ones. Let's hope I don't get stuck on the next CD, or you may be subject to a Vengaboys* bridge or find yourself getting down to Aqua*.

Full track listing as follows - now all I have to work out is how to get the whole thing onto here so you guys out there can have a listen and see how I've done! Oh, and I can't be bothered to list all the exact mixes of the track as they're all at home and I'm at work and...

Air - Don't be light
Playgroup - Make it happen
Scissor Sisters - Filthy/Gorgeous
Sylvester - Do you wanna funk
Dutch ft. Crystal Waters - My time
Hakan Lidbo ft. 2KHz - Bad Girls
Avenue D - Do I look like a slut?
No Doubt - Platinum blonde life
Kylie Minogue - Come into my world
Garbage - Cherry lips
Goldfrapp - Twist
Boogie Pimps - Somebody to love
Madison Avenue - Don't call me baby
Junior Jack ft. Robert Smith - Da Hype
Britney Spears - Toxic
Ferry Corsten - Rock your body rock


*Not that I actually own tracks by these people, obviously.

Thursday. Again. Tired today. Another week goes by... and in fact we're almost a third of the way through the year already. Time. Fun. Etc.

A week ago tonight I met up with Gary and Marcus and we did Max's citizenship thing. Good to hear it all again, bearing in mind it's almost 18 months now since I became an ocker Aussie. Interestingly, although the ceremonies were pretty much the same, there was a much more political slant to the speeches around this one. It may be as it's only just past recent elections, or just that it's more out in the suburbs. Either way, a bit weird.
Friday was work and then in a fit of something, Al and I did indeed hit yoga. Bikram yoga - in a heated room - was what we decided to do. And boy was it heated! I don't think I've ever sweated quite as much in my life. It was good though, and I'm planning on going again tomorrow and Sunday. I would have gone on Sunday last, but decided to save my energy for ToyBox - more of which in a minute. So all stretched and sweated I returned home to veg out. And that was what I did. Saturday was a leisurely morning with brekky etc, followed by a 10K-ish run (not exactly sure but I ran for the best part of an hour) and then another hour at the gym. Home and headed out for coffee with lovely Mark, having shaved my head again. As you do. The evening ended up at the Newtown with Pete and Johnno, playing pool. Aaron and Bobby arrived later, but I decided not to go down to the Imperial with them...
One 'six-degrees' moment over coffee with Mark - I turned down a dinner invite for Saturday night as I didn't want to have a late night or get drunk... and it turned out in the conversation that Mark was going to the same dinner party! Weird.
Sunday. Toybox. We headed down around 1pm. Already going off! I spent the first hour or two in the small room trying to settle in and find some good music. The main room was very trancey, and in fact stayed that way for the entire party. Hey ho. Lots of people there, though we suffered a bit by not being the whole going out gang. We lacked that central place/group to come back to and it made the whole thing a bit disjointed. Aaron and I spent more time apart at this party, which I think was a good thing for both of us. It was still fun though, and before we knew it it was 8pm and it was all over. Had a few dances with sexy Paul and a good chat to him. He's a sweetie! In fact there were a lot of very sexy men there. As usual. Where are they the rest of the time??
Anyway, down to the Shift. Johnno decided that we didn't need to leave early in case there was a queue. Wrong! We ended up waiting for 2 hours to get in. But once in more of the same. Music didn't work for me all night though. Hey ho. Anyway, ended up back at Dentist Wayne and his partner Julian's place for a bit of a chill. Very nice time there, and good to hang with a few different people. Finally home around 4.30pm Monday afternoon... Chat to the boys and a bit of food. Tried to sleep to no avail... and ended up only getting 3 hours all night. I wonder why??
Tuesday was a shocker. Realised I'd arranged for the house to be surveyed and so had to trot over there first thing. Took way longer than expected and I was meant to be boss at work. As it turned out we had boss on training, someone sick, someone on compassionate leave and we're one down at the moment anyway. Leaving one poor girl to cope with everything until I got there just before 12pm! Oops. Tuesday night was slobbing. Yesterday was work and gym, though I was very tired. Today is work and sleep I hope. I know Aaron wants to have a bit of a talk so I may end up catching up with him. Otherwise quiet is the way forward.
The weekend holds exercise again - yoga Fri, run/gym Sat, yoga Sun. Hoping to catch up with Mark again, and the only other thing on the cards is Kill Bill Vol 2. Yay. More news as it happens... if I don't fall asleep that is!

Oh my god. Two blog postings in the same week? What's that about? Actually I'm a bit bored at work and so I thought I'd give it a whirl for a few minutes. It's either this or coffee. Or both probably.

Monday night was indeed a beer or 4 with Gary. His Peter joined us and we grabbed some pizza and wine after that. Got a cab home rather than the train and so it wasn't too late a night. Until I stayed up messing around on the computer til god knows when! Tuesday lunch ran for 40mins with Allan at work - over 7K, so that's getting better at least. In a shock move I hit the gym on Tuesday night before heading home, to the shops, and creating a warm lamb salady thing. Chats to the boys. Bed. Yesterday was gym after work with Peter the trainer. A good session. Home and dinner with the boys. Chats. Tried some more mixing. I've reached a block point at the moment with the Bad Dog style CD. I've got about 50mins done, but I really want it to be longer but can't seem to work in the songs I wanted to. Hmmm. Might have to be back to the drawing board. Or mixing desk. Tuesday/Wednesday I was filling in for my boss, so that was good in terms of career stuff I suppose! Been for a run at lunch today, though not as succesfully as Tuesday. Mind you, considering I was full of cold and flu stuff only 3 weeks ago and I've not done any exercise for ages, I can't really complain about how the exercise rehabilitation is going. Woohoo!

Another Brit is being Austra-cised tonight - congratulations to Max who becomes the latest Pom now able to vote and be conscripted should there be a war. Er...

Not much else to report. Considering trialling Yoga over the next week or so as an extra exercise. Hoping to catch up with lovely Mark in the next couple of days for coffee and a chat. I'm definitely hoping he joins my rank of friends. All lovely, lovely people. Oh. Seemingly everyone's having cake. Good old Marie Antoinette. It must be someone's birthday or something. I'm going to be good and avoid it. Go me!

OK. It’s exactly two weeks since the last blog entry and I’ve no idea what’s been going on. Well maybe a bit. One weekend of shenanigans, one of pottering. Here’s to some more of the latter…

It seems like so long ago that I’d forgotten that Nick was still here at that point! Oh dear…I think my marbles have finally gone. That Monday night we had dinner with Pete, Bobby and Aaron and then a couple of beers at the Newtown. Tuesday night was a quieter affair – dinner with Pete and Johnno at home I think. Finally on Wednesday us four were joined by Rich, Russ and Aaron and we hit the Warren View (local-ish pub to our place) for a final meal for Nick. Noice. It was great having Nick around. I’m glad him and Pete hit it off so well – I think they’ll have a blast at the Tavern and all other UK hostelries when they’re both finally there together.

And lo it was Easter. Thursday night was just beers I think. Newtown? Barnacle? Somewhere. Can’t remember where! Actually I’ve no recollection of what I did for most of the weekend. Oh dear. Think I hung out with Pete and Johnno on Good Friday as most stuff was closed. DVDs a go-go. Think I forced myself to the gym at some point over the weekend – think it was Saturday morning. Who knows? I remember the weekend being a mix of social and pottering. Not sure what or where any more. Ah, actually I do. Post gym we went harness shopping. Oh yes. I’m now the proud owner of my first proper leather gear. God only knows where that will all lead! Well it lead to me wet shaving my head on Sunday, which is a first. I’ve threatened to do it a number of times, and finally decided that if it were good enough for Pete (who did his Friday) then it was good enough for me. Sunday night we went to Tim and Ross’s for pre-Indulgence drinks which was fun. Biggest let down for me was that hardly anyone noticed I’d shaved my head! Coz I wear my hair short and it’s so dark, it actually didn’t look too much different. I’ll do it again though (probably for ToyBox on Sunday actually!). So down to Indulgence. What a fantastic party! It was almost like having a private party for all of our mates, with a sprinkling of new, sexy faces to keep things interesting! And the music was a revelation – almost more Bad Dog than Bad Dog. It kept us going until 6am when a few of us hit Arq. I’d been propositioned by my dentist at this point – which probably isn’t as surprising as it should be. The hardcore group stayed at Arq until they’d played ‘Toxic’ – that being me, Pete, Aaron, Adrian and Shane. We decided to kick on to the Colombian for more beer at this point. Ended up being fun there too. Highlights: Pete’s lesbian stand up comedian teacher mate; the 6’3 Dutchman; sexy Craig and the man with his underwear under his armpits. No, really. Hilarious. Eventually Pete and Johnno joined us after everyone had gone save me and Pete. Noodles, coffee and finally home. Bed for me at 11.15pm. Sheesh.

Last week was much quieter. The short week was much needed. All I can remember is dinner with Pete, Bobby and Aaron on Tuesday night (tacos!), gym Wednesday, a lunchtime run Thursday, gym Friday. Pete and I finally discussed the house stuff Friday and that was great to get that out of the way. I slobbed Friday night, slept late Saturday and pottered and cleaned. Pete snuck off without saying a proper goodbye but I know what that's like. Enjoy the UK mate. I hope you find whatever it is you're looking for.

Saturday night went with Pete and Johnno to the Newtown where we played pool all night. Fun. Also met Mark – a guy from Gaydar I’d been chatting to for almost a year. He’s a lovely guy and hopefully will get chance to get to know him better. Sexy too. All a bit drunk when I stumbled home around midnight. Sunday more sleep, more pottering. Coffee in Surry Hills with the boys and Darryl. Home. Ran round the park for 45 minutes. Fantastic views in Sydney Park of the city of an evening. The boys fed me and we all messed around on the PC. Bed. Eventually. Though little sleep for me until about 4am. Tired today consequently.

Heading off in a bit to meet Gary for a beer. Gymming most of the rest of the week. Max (Gary’s ex) has invited me to his citizenship ceremony on Thursday so that’ll be good. Then another long weekend. This time it's ToyBox on Sunday. The last one was fun and am looking forward to this for a number of reasons. Sexy Paul. Sexy Ro. It being the last designated party weekend for a long time. Bring on the staying in!

And suddenly it's almost a fortnight since the last entry which was 10 days after the one before that. Doh. Must try harder. All of that time has been dominated by feeling fluey, starting just after the last blog entry and pretty much lasting up until this weekend just gone. I'm on yet another course of antibiotics but this one seems to be finally sorting me out. I did indeed take that last day off, previously alluded to in the last post, and had a relaxing day involving food and a bit of shopping, DVDs and an early night. Thursday and Friday I worked but was feeling progressively worse. I seem to remember early nights and not much else. The boys arrived back on Saturday from the States and we were all very quiet and well behaved. Until Bad Dog on the Sunday that is...! It was great as ever. I can't work out how they manage to keep them so good - maybe it's the music, maybe it's the venue, maybe it's the fact that they're only every couple of months, maybe it's the people. Or maybe a combination of all of those - but either way it works. We got there at 3.30pm and had a few beers outside before heading in to the more dance orientated second half of the night around 6pm. For me the highlights musically were a very long mix of Kelis's Milkshake and Herbie Hancock's Rockit - fantastic. Also they played a great remix of No Doubt's cover of Talk Talk's It's my life and a great mix of Toxic by Britney. Excellent. Originally the intention was to go home after it finished, but I was feeling no pain by that stage and so decided to carry on. We hit the Mars Lounge which was dull, the Phoenix which was empty and the Shift before deciding the best move would be to hit Arq and be done with it. It was definitely better there and I decided to hang on in long after everyone else had gone. Oops. I kind of needed some time out and about with no one around. In the end I headed home around 7.30am! I bumped into Pete on the station platform which was a bit of a hoot. I got home and was feeling a bit listless but wide awake and so I took myself off for a bit of relaxation. Ahem. That's all you need to know! I got home later in the afternoon and then just had a quiet night with the boys - watching Tomb Raider 2 on DVD.

Tuesday was work and feeling ill again. I was sent home around 3.30pm which was a bit of a result. Later the boys kindly drove me to the airport to collect old flatmate Nick, who's here for a holiday until 8 April. It's been great to see Nick again after almost 3 years and good we've kind of picked up friendship-wise where we left off. Yay! We had a brief dinner and then came home and I caught up with Nick until about 11.30pm. Wednesday was work again and this time I only made it until just after lunch. That gave me a bit of time to relax before we went to dinner with Adrian and Shane. It's been ages since I've caught up properly with them and long overdue. After that we had a couple of drinks in the Colombian before retiring back home. Thursday morning was my birthday! And a doctor's appointment. He signed me off until this week and gave me some more horse tablet sized antibiotics. Nick and I then headed off to Bondi and walked to Coogee, via milkshakes in Bronte. Had a lovely birthday lunch overlooking the beach at Coogee and then walked back again via coffees in Tamarama. Back to civilisation and the up to meet Aaron for dinner in Newtown followed by drinks at the Newtown pub. Pete joined us later and it was gone midnight by the time we got home. Nice day :o)

Friday I slept until gone 10am and the woke Nick up. We had brekky at home and then went into town for some shopping action. Initially we were looking for things for Nick, but it was me that bought stuff - shoes, shorts, t-shirt and new electronic toothbrush (after the last one went all 'Terminator' on me and turned itself on one night without me touching it!). We'd arranged to hook up with a couple of people on Friday night too, as it was Aaron's birthday. We ended up at the Oxford with Pete and Johnno, Pete and Bobby, Aaron and Costa and Michael. Suddenly it all went a bit mad and we were upstairs at the Shift having much more of a night than anticipated. So much so that we decided to stay when Pete and Johnno made their move at 5pm. The drag shows were surprisingly good and there was even a bit of flirting action with a very sexy sculptor called Jason. I'm very much hoping to run into him again... We finally made a move around 6am and went for coffee in Potts Point before Pete decided we should do a day trip to Bundeena National Park. So we hit home, showered, changed and packed some provisions before meeting back at Central. We trained, ferried and hiked - forcing brekky down somewhere in between until we finally got to the most fantastic secluded beach around midday. What a fantastic afternoon. We swam, lazed and drank and managed to run into someone Pete knew even that far away from home! We hiked, ferried and trained back and arrived home just after 6.30pm. What a day! We'd still not slept at that stage, but we decided to kick on regardless. Sleep is for girls and the fat lady hadn't even been warming up and it was birthday drinks celebration time at Pete and Johnno's. The gang finally all turned up - Pete and Bobby, Rich and Russ, Pete and Gary, Aaron, Tim and Ross (with visiting friend Maria in tow). It was great having everyone together and nice for Nick to meet them and vice versa. Of course we had to carry on and suddenly we were at the Phoenix. Well Aaron, Pete, Bobby, Nick and me at any rate. Adrian and Shane were there too. It was very quiet and so Pete and Bobby did a reccy of the Shift and back over there we went. Fun, fun, fun. We went a bit mad and suddenly we were minker la-la. Hilarious! Again we couldn't let it lie and finally ended up at Arq again. Like you do. Or like we do! It wasn't that great, but after about half an hour they closed upstairs and we shifted downstairs. Suddenly the music was great and we were off again! Aaron left and so eventually did Adrian and Shane. The remaining four of us finally went back to Rich and Russ's and polished off more vodka and coke than is probably good for us. Lots of funny singing and dancing and messing around. We changed Britney lyrics for Toxic to 'Don't you know that my dog's sick'. Kept us amused for ages! Pete finally crashed just as Johnno texted us to say they were at the Colombian. That kept us going and we had a couple of beers there before heading back to Newtown and picking up a takeaway. Home, eat, sleep. What a fantastic birthday weekend. And best of all I was feeling so much better by Saturday. Yay!

Today is back to the real world. Work - dull. Think this week might drag due to lack of sleep, but at least it's a short week leading up to Easter. Tonight is cheap and cheerful eats in Newtown with Pete and Bobby. That's about as far ahead as I can plan right now! More soon...

Ten days. Can it really be ten days since I blogged. It would seem so. I wish I had more to report...

I had my quiet night whenever it was I last blogged. Some sorting of stuff and possibly Harry Potter and lamb, sweet potatoes and broccoli. Something like that anyway!! Up early the next day and to the gym. Then to Rich and Russ's for a noice chat and catch up with Rich. I had to pick up a form for David's residency application - note to self. Fill it in! I then walked home to Marrickville and did lazy stuff and/or sorting stuff. I can't actually remember! Later... I headed out to meet the boys at the Shift. One last hurrah with the UK gang - they are so lovely. We did it in style - the Shift was pretty good and kept us amused until 6.30am. Spent quite a bit of time chatting to my dentist Wayne - he's lovely! Then we couldn't let it lie and so me, Pete and Bobby hit Arq. Vile. Mind you we stayed longtime and finally hit Rich and Russ's about 10am and partied on until I finally headed home around 3pm! Nothing for Sunday. The Mummy Returns on DVD - that's the intellectual level I was at!

And then last week. Worked all week. Gymmed Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Did little else. She's a lovely girl. Think I ate nice food and watch either telly or DVDs, played on the PC and stuff. Aaron came over for dinner Tuesday and we watched Cypher on DVD. Kind of OK, but didn't really get you onside. I had no care whether the main characters lived, died, or disappeared up their own jacksies. I slept from 10.45pm Friday night until 11am Saturday morning. Bliss.

The weekend. Uneventful but necessary. I actually did the unthinkable, and cleaned out Pete and Johnno's pantry. It's been a standing joke since I moved in, coz I've never been able to find anything in all the crap! Pantry doesn't really do it justice - it's pantry-come-laundry-come-general-store. Anyway, now it's a bright as a button and everything is ship-shape and bristol fashion. It took me the whole weekend mind you - interspersed with nice food, music, laundry, more sleep etc. Dave Puls came over late on Sat night and we had beer and nibbles and watched League of Gentlemen on DVD and had a natter until 3am. Nice to catch up with him. Too long overdue.

Meant to hit the gym but felt a bit fluey - that's continued this week so far and I've resorted to taking antibiotics as I'm meant to be starting a quick and dirty 10 week half marathon training course. Some hope. We'll see. May possibly take tomorrow off sick - I do feel a bit woozy and slept seems the best cure. Otherwise it's my last week at work for 4 weeks as I move to another department to help set up some new systems. It'll be dull as all hell. Joy.

More tomorrow!

Here comes the quiet life again.

I should be so Kylie. In spite of trying to calm things down, my weekends are rapidly filling up and soon it seems it'll be almost June! And winter! Boo. I guess it's nice to have all these things planned, but sometimes I feel like I just want to opt out of the whole thing and become a bit of a hermit. Actually as long as I'm getting everything else done I'm not too worried - but what with trying to sort out houses on both sides of the world, taxation here and there too, gymming, half-marathon training, music mixing, book writing, healthy eating, life admin, blah blah blah... it all gets a bit much.

I'm looking forward to a quiet night tonight. Wednesday was quiet too, with P+J bringing dinner back post gym and then sleep. Yesterday was work and snooze, then farewell to Alan beers at the Colombian. Slobbing with a DVD and some nice food is the order of tonight, with some tidying and sorting. Pete and Johnno are skiing in the States so I've got their beautiful house to myself :o) I intend to use the time to sort my life out. Yes dear reader, you've heard that a myriad of times, but this time it has to happen. Watch this space.

The rest of the weekend will be split - early tomorrow gym and shopping (I desperately need clothes and shoes). Later tomorrow is goodbye to the final UK boys - it's been great to see them and it's such a shame they can't be here all the time. Actually, it's probably a good thing given how much we've all been out...

Sunday - sleep. And more sleep. Yay!!

Eh up! It's Wednesday and I'm already blogging again. Surely some mistake. Well I'm bored at work and so this seems like the best outlet for my frustration.

Friday last. BBQ at Rich and Russ's as I alluded to last time. We were relatively sensible and left around 11pm. I shared a cab back with Aaron. Saturday was brunch with Andy B at GoGo's which was nice. Downtown for me to try and shop. Oh how I tried. I've realised that after 3 years of living here this time around I still have no idea where to buy clothes and shoes. Slightly miffed I hit the MCA to meet Aaron to see the Leigh Bowery exhibition. It was great! Glad to do something different for once. Oh, and it was pouring down. Back to Newtown, where the rain continued. Verily it was time to go to Mardi Gras. Me and Aaron got a lift with Pete and Johnno and were there by 10.30pm. And then we met everyone and had a jolly good time! I think I managed to see everyone I wanted to. In the rain. We got very hot and steamy as a consequence. Most of the time in the RHI, then the Hordern to cool off a bit. We left at 8.30am and went home to change and then to hit Arq, where we did it all again. Until 2.30pm ish, when we went back to the UK guys apartment to chilll. Noice. Finally back to the house to rest and regroup before heading to Resolution later. Which was crap. No one there and so very disappointing. Tried to get into the Shift, but a bit expensive and the Phoenix was full of freaks! We called it a night. :o(

Monday was a lazy day. Up, brekky, Daredevil on DVD, coffee with Aaron, dinner with P+J, Jimmy Neutron on DVD. If you haven't seen it yet, see Jimmy Neutron. It's fun! Yesterday was back at work, then home for bacon, eggs, beans and trash on the telly. Tonight is a quiet one again - P+J head off to the States tomorrow so it's last night for them. I feel like sleeping for a week.

Best part of the last couple of weeks? Realising how nice all my mates are, and particularly looking foward to having David and Brett living here by the end of the year. Bring it on!

And the Friday afternoon updates continue. Apparently. And lo... which coincidentally is kind of how I'm feeling. Not badly miserable, just not my usual chipper self.

Friday last - the braces. They went on. Relatively painlessly to be honest, though the weirdest feeling. And they really have removed what little feeling of fun and salaciousness that was left after splitting with Aaron. Hey ho. Hopefully it means I'll focus on other things... Home to the BBQ, which was great. Nice to see everyone together. Of course come 11pm everyone headed out to Oxford Street to continue the drinking. Me? I went to bed.

Saturday was up early to help Aaron move house. I got up around 8.30am. Aaron got me at just gone 9am and off we went. We finished by 6pm. One long day. We ended up helping Fred (Aaron's mate) move some stuff from his soon-to-close shop which prolonged things a bit. However by the end of the day Aaron was in and done. His place is great - it's got a nice feel to it. It reminds me a lot of mine and Garry's old place on Oxford St (it's got the same colour floorboards and high ceilings) and as long as Aaron get's someone decent in to share with him I think it'll be good for him. I was too knackered to do anything else that night and so went to bed. Dave = dull.

Sunday was the day of Azure - the party formerly known as. Formerly known as the Harbour Party actually. I got up, had brekky, tried to get everyone sorted to meet, failed, had lunch with Pete and Johnno and they gave me and Aaron a lift down to Oxford St. Met up with Andy Buchan and off we trotted to the party. Where I failed to see Andy again for the whole night! Oops. I did however catch up with the other UK bods - David and Brett, Rob and Adrian, Paul and Dino and Mark. Lovely to see them again. Azure was marvellous - probably due to the guys from the UK being there with my Sydney mates too. The only other downside was that I failed to see Pete and Johnno the entire time. Shame. But we had fun. Lots. Dancing with all and sundry in the middle of the floor from about 5pm until midnight. Woohoo! Of course we had to kick on and eventually ended up at the Phoenix due to everywhere else having queues from hell. It was yet more fun, though I wasn't in the fittest of states when Aaron took me home. Bless him. Thanks to him and Rich for looking after me...

Monday was work. On no sleep. Aaron did the same. We didn't have the best of days to be honest. Home that night to dinner with P+J and finding Nemo on DVD. Perfect. The rest of the week has been work (very busy); gym (well Wednesday night at least); dinner with Aaron, Rich and Russ and the UK boys and chores and sleep at all other times. Last night helped Aaron move a few things round in his new place post dinner. Tonight is meant to be a BBQ at R'n'R's with the UK lot - ostensibly so they could meet P+J too, but Johnno's not feeling well. Possible drinks in town after as Dr Graham's in town... We'll see. It would be lovely to see him and he's not going to Mardi Gras tomorrow, so... Watch this space.

Brunch with Andy B tomorrow followed by, hopefully, the Leigh Bowery exhibition at the MCA as it closes Sunday. Not sure about early eve tomorrow, but then Mardi Gras. Day recovery at Arq and then no plans for the night time. But rather more sensibly this week I've booked Monday off. Well done me.

More news from the front line as it happens...

Well I guess we're overdue an update. Again. Sorry kids. Lots to report. Not all good. Not all bad. Read on...

I left you listless and feeling a bit weird. Part of that reason I guess can be explained by the news that Aaron and I split up on Friday night last. Fortunately so far we're remaining friends and I'm really glad of that. Aaron's a lovely guy and one I enjoy spending time with. So what was the problem? I guess I didn't love him enough. Aaron had very strong feelings for me, and as it turned out, mine weren't reciprocated as strongly. Long story short and to be fair it doesn't do it justice, but that's the reason. I gave it some time hoping and wanting my feelings to be like his. It didn't turn out that way and so from my perspective I'd prefer just to be mates. Good mates. Aaron has one of the kindest hearts of anyone I know and all my mates love him to bits so it's nice he's staying around.

So, that was Friday. Harder too in that Aaron was at that stage staying with me at Pete and Johnno's whilst he house-hunted. Saturday for him was more house-hunting and for me brekky by myself to do some reflective thinking and then over to Potts Point to have coffee with Dave, who I've not seen enough of lately. So had a good old chat to him before heading back to Newtown. Hung out with Aaron a while and had some food. Ended up later having coffee with Pete and Johnno as Aaron went out to catch up with Michael and Costa. Sunday was Fair Day, which I thought might be fun. Given the circumstances, I couldn't have been further from the mark. I headed home after about an hour and just had a good long think about all that had been happening. Hey ho. I actually can't remember what I did later, but it wasn't much. Oh, I ironed my shirts. Joy.

The rest of the week's been pretty average. Work. Aaron got a new place organised luckily for him, so we're moving him this weekend. I had my first training session back with Peter the trainer. I almost threw up and had to stop! And then got soaked in the torrential rain that hit on the way home. I think the gym relaunch may be a little more gradual than first planned. I do however pick up my shoe inserts on Monday afternoon so nothing to stop me running after that. Wednesday met up with the architect and talked houses. Last night met up with Pete and did the same. Hopefully eventually things will be on track... slowly, slowly. It does look like Pete is going to go and live in London a while. I think he needs it. We're certainly in completely different places, the pair of us, since we bought the house together. Yes, sirree. Chatted with Brett last night about the forthcoming Mardi Gras celebrations and allowed myself to get a little excited. The braces going on my teeth in about an hour and a half should dampen that ardour however. Also spoke to Andy from Manchester who arrives on Saturday night. A bit of a weird coincidence with him... but I'll leave that until after the MG celebrations just in case things get out of hand at all...

BBQ tonight at the house as a start off of the MG celebrations. Pete and Johnno, Rich and Russ, Aaron, Cassius, Rich's friend Alan and maybe Pete. Should be noice. Tomorrow moving Aaron as previously described and then Sunday, after David and Brett arrive, is the Azure (Harbour) Party. Let's hope the rain holds off.

Another week, another week of partly getting things done and no blogging. Well not really. Though Tuesday's entry doesn't really count for much. Sigh.

So, what news? Not a great deal to be honest. I remain listless, but with too much to do (but stuff I really don't want to do). I haven't got myself into any sort of routine since living with the boys, though that's partly due to Aaron staying until he finds himself somewhere decent to live. I failed to get to the gym with a number of excuses (some valid, others not very well veiled attempts to cover the apathy). My feet still aren't quite right however, and Tuesday's now booked in gym training session will not be any CV stuff. I really want my shoe inserts to arrive so I can start running again!

Meanwhile... Thursday last week was probably something. Probably. Friday more of the same no doubt. Actually Thursday Aaron and I hit Newtown to buy Mardi Gras tickets and Aaron bought new shoes. Friday would have been my Mum's 72nd birthday, so I rang Dad to see if he was OK. Friday night was spent in, as far as I can recall. Saturday saw Aaron looking at apartments again and then we picked up Pete and Johnno from the airport. We did a bit more running around then joined P+J for lunch before a quick trip to R'n'Rs then home. Saturday night ended up being an impromptu BBQ at home whilst watching Harry Potter and then Gladiator. Sunday we slept late and had previously intended to do the galleries. However by the time we got to Circular Quay we'd run out of time so instead went for a long walk round the Botanic Gardens and finally up to Victoria Street and a beer in the Green Park. Back to Newtown and dinner and then home. Nothing much else to report through the week either. Met Pete for coffee Wednesday night but got no further on firming up house stuff. Pete's still waiting to see if he can get work in the UK so we'll see what happens. Last night we went up to eat with Pete and Johnno in Newtown and that was that.

I had another orthodontist's appointment yesterday and now am sporting groovy small blue elastic bands between my back teeth. This is in readiness for next week's braces fitting. :o( And today completely my round up of all things medical and so I think that's about it for a while. Of course the next thing is researching getting my eyes lasered...

So what does the weekend hold? Not much. Aaron's house hunting again tomorrow. No plans tonight. No plans tomorrow night. Possibly Mardi Gras Fair Day on Sunday. And then another week begins.

I feel a bit like I'm in a rut without actually being in any sort of routine. How does that work??

I've just spent my spare moments trying to work out this incredibly addictive game - Grow. You can eventually, given the right circumstances, get to a top score of 20000. See how long it takes you. And yes, I did in the end have to resort to pen and paper to help!!

February 12th. I haven't blogged for over a week and keep wondering exactly where the time goes. Not that I've not been busy... it's just I used to seem to have more time. Hey ho. Maybe I'll get myself sorted out in such a way that I can bring regular blogging back into my days.

Don't hold your breath.

Meantime you'll have to cope with the odd snatch. As it were. I left you last Wednesday arvo, pre-BBQ at Tim and Ross's. It was a really lovely, social evening. I got to catch up with Adrian and Shane's news - which is that they're moving to Brisbane. I guess it's another reason to head up that way... but I do feel bad that Adrian and I have drifted apart somewhat over the last year or so. Still - I do know how to right that wrong so I'll try and be a little more communicative (though it works both ways). Thursday was work and then a doctor's appointment. It looks as though the family history of high cholestrol/triglycerides hasn't skipped a generation (funny that). So it's time to start and get back on track diet and exercise-wise. I've not been to the gym since December and properly (i.e. more than once a week!) since sometime in November. The good news is the injury that I've been carrying since after the City to Surf - which I thought might be a broken bone in my foot - is actually treatable with foot orthoses. I've recently been to the podiatrist and have had assessment and castings done and am now just waiting for the inserts to arrive. Then there's no excuse!! I should be able to run long term with no damage - the inserts will push the ball of my feet up which will in turn redistribute the weight I'm putting on my feet back into the right place. Of course there's been nothing stopping me doing non-CV exercise at all, other than my own apathy - but my rapidly expanding belly should now give me all the incentive I need to get back. I was doing fantastically well in October - probably the most muscled I've ever been. Hopefully those couple of extra kilos that I'm carrying will translate back into muscle with a bit of effort. Watch this space. Gym return scheduled for next week...

Anyway I digress. Thursday night was food in with the boys followed by a little telly. Friday was more work and another quiet night in I think. Saturday was brekky after a good sleep. Aaron went looking for houses and I went off to meet Gary and Peter to help set up George the Staffordshire terrier's birthday party in the park. It was fun! Beer and social interaction under the trees in the sun. Noice. Later... we hit Rich and Russ's with the boys for Steve Atkins' farewell BBQ. Also good and a reasonably early Saturday night with us hitting the sack around midnight.

Sunday - ah, Sunday. :o)

Sunday was ToyBox - a dance party at the Metro in town following on from the great tradition of Frisky parties - except this one starts at midday and goes til 8pm. Our first real venture out since New Year saw us ready for some fun. And fun it was!! We hit there shortly after 1pm and initially it was a little quiet. However by 2pm it was going off - and so were we! The party was fun and friendly - and although the music was a little too trancey to be completely up our alleys we didn't seem to mind too much. In the end the gang was all there - us two, Pete and Johnno, Rich and Russ, Tim and Ross, Steve... and various others drifted in and out of the fray. Of course by 8pm we couldn't say no to kicking on and so we did. The Shift via McDonald's :o) The Shift was also fun, though less so when Aaron started to feel unwell. We were home by midnight after a fine afternoon and evening. More please.

Monday I fought bleary eyed to work, and survived the day. It helped leaving early to go first to the podiatrist's (as described earlier) and then the orthodontist to investigate braces on my teeth. My teeth aren't too bad - at least the top ones, but the bottom ones are crooked and overcrowded and it's causing gum disease where it's difficult to floss. So, it looks like it's all going ahead. Yikes. Assuming all goes according to plan I'll have the braces on the top ones first, followed two or three months later by the bottom ones. The top ones will go on just in time for Mardi Gras - woohoo. Oh well - the end result will be straighter teeth and ones that (hopefully) will have less chance of falling out on me. I then met up with Charlotte and her new man Marcus - I'd not seen Charlie since 2003 in England and it was great to catch up. Those regular readers may remember Charlie as the girl I shared with in Bondi September 2001-January 2002. Bless her. She's back for good so she now becomes the person I've officially known the longest here in Oz - 9 years!! Back home to bad news - Johnno had flown up to Lennox as his Dad was in hospital again. By the time we were almost ready for dinner Johnno called to say his Dad had died. It's so hard to know what to do or say in situations like that - except I just think back to when Mum died and remember that it didn't really matter what people said as long as they said something. There were a couple of friends of the family who didn't say anything - through embarrassment of saying the wrong thing, or fear or whatever... and that for me remains what stands out. We looked after Pete as best we could and then hit the sack. Sad end to the day. As I write this it's the funeral and my thoughts are with the boys.

Tuesday was more work and then another leaving early day. I've been working really well at work and am completely on top of everything which is great. Yay me! Anyway, I left to meet the new architect at the house to discuss plan submission again. Jim seems nice - old and knowledgeable and fair. I'll know more from him in a week or so. Home and dinner out - sushi with Aaron and Pete in Bondi then coffee in Newtown. Nice.

Yesterday Aaron took Pete to the airport early and then it was work once more. These five day weeks are so hard! Dinner was veggie pasta after a trip to the supermarket then telly and bed. Rock and roll lifestyle! No plans for tonight or Friday either, though lots of sleep could well be on the agenda. More news as it happens!!

January, February, don't you come around?

Well apparently you do, and all too bloody swiftly for my liking. All I seem to do, each time I update this thing, is berate the passing of time. Hey ho. It would seem I am that whingeing pom after all. OK, down to business. I left you with a weekend of humping on the cards. Matron. Pete and Johnno were in Melbourne for the weekend, leaving me rattling around in their palatial abode. Aaron was busy packing and refusing offers of help, so I did the next best thing and hit the supermarket to buy provisions. I was in the mood for bacon and eggs, and so that was what I had. A small mountain of bacon and eggs in fact, with tomatoes and toast for good measure. Enough for two people, but I troughed it all myself. Tonight Matthew, I'll be... mostly lardy. Aaron toyed with the idea of sleeping at mine, but piked, leaving me to fall into bed after some internet chats and telly.

Saturday was also meant to be a humping fest. Missus. However it didn't really work out like that. Aaron delayed coming to get the truck as he continued packing, cleaning and arguing with his ex. So I hung around for him to call. And waited. And waited. Getting slightly restless I ate, watched some Buffy and some of the tennis too. Aaron dropped off some stuff on two occasions but actually didn't arrive for good until gone 9pm. Bit of a wasted day in some respects, but you get that. Buffy was good. We ordered in Thai, watched Star Wars: Attack of the Clones and went to bed post midnight.

Sunday. Quick brekky. Aaron upped and offed and continued to pack. We finally humped. Vicar. Most of his stuff was finally in Pete and Johnno's gargage by 4pm. He shot off (!) to go clean his carpets and I watched the end of Series 6 of Buffy. This means that I have now watched every episode of Buffy ever made. All within the last 10 months. Fantastic!! I know there were seven series, but I watched the last one in real time last year. Sad there's no more. Sigh. After we went up to Newtown and had dinner and finally got back around 10pm. Chat to the boys then bed.

Monday onwards: not much to report. Work. No gym (though I will be back tomorrow). Podiatrist's appointment, to find out that I've got something a bit wrong with my feet which will result in me needing inserts in my shoes before I can run seriously again. Nice dinner at home with us all on Monday. Out for a cocktail and pizza last night with Aaron. BBQ at Tim and Ross's tonight. Johnno's flown up the coast to spend some time with his family as his dad was rushed to hospital on Monday night. Fingers crossed that all is OK up there.

Right then. Time to go. Oh, and the only other thing of interest is that I cashed in a policy from an old endowment policy in the UK, and transferred the money over here. I can report I'm officially currently debt free. How long it'll last is anyone's guess, but it's a nice feeling!!

And so January has almost skipped on its merry way, leaving us in wonderment as how quickly time passes these days. Or at least that's what's happened to me. Wasn't it just New Year's Eve only moments ago? Time flies when you talk in clichés. So, what's been going on? I left you over a week ago, just in time for the long weekend - made longer by me actually having Friday off too. So - Friday was the Big Day Out. And what a fantastic day it was in the end. Aaron and I took the train out to Homebush (Sydney's Olympic stadium) and met Lyndal, Aaron's sister, and some of her friends. We watched a number of bands through the day, whilst hooking up with Michael and Costa; Matt (whom we met up in Byron) and his brother and mate and Andy Palmer and crew. Highlights were: Black Eyed Peas, Peaches, the Strokes, Felix da Housecat and Basement Jaxx. Thanks to Darren for giving us a lift home (once we'd actually found the carpark...). I finally collapsed into bed at Aaron's around 3am, but woke when Aaron joined me at 4.30am. Then we were up at 7.30am as we were meant to be going househunting. Some hope!
In the end Aaron did indeed head off to look at a couple of places - then he flaked and slept. I relaxed at home with Buffy. Perfect. Saturday night ended up out to eat with Pete and Johnno in Newtown and then in bed by 10.15pm. No, really.
Sunday came in late as we slept for over 14 hours! This meant we only really had enough time to buy Rich and Russ a housewarming present and then turn up. The place was already going off. The afternoon got more and more drunken and frivoulous and everyone was heading out to either Salvation (yes, the UK club night put on in Sydney for a change) and/or Arq. We weren't going to do either and almost got persuaded. However, due to drunkenness and tiredness we eventually went to bed around midnight.
Monday was a leisurely brekky in Newtown and then Aaron went off to pack and I went home to unpack. And got lots achieved. Pete and Johnno did the sleep and get up at 4.30am to go to Arq, and didn't get home until gone 9pm - dirty stopouts! Aaron came over to sleep. Noice.
This last week has been unremarkable. Work through the days, with no return to the gym as yet. Have a podiatrist's appointment on Tuesday before I'm hopefully given the go-ahead to run again. Not sure what I'll do if not! Fingers crossed. In the evenings... not sure. Tuesday had dinner with Aaron and Lyndal in Newtown; Wednesday joined Pete for a beer and a pizza and yesterday had dinner in with Pete and Johnno. Hurrah.
Not sure what the weekend holds, but there's going to be a lot of moving again as this time it's Aaron's turn. He's not found a place suitable as yet, so he's going to put his stuff in the garage at P+J's and stay with me for a bit. Hopefully we'll get chance to do something other than humping all weekend.

Er...

I'm not sure if my comments were working or not. At least one person had commented that their comments weren't appearing (thanks Aaron!). I'm not even sure who's reading this any more - definitely time for a bit of marketing I reckon. Meantime I've refreshed the comments code with a view to them actually working and showing that Minkered mates have mused...

Bored at work. It's Thursday afternoon and I'm filling in some time before zipping off for the long weekend. Didn't get wet last night after all - went straight to the Colombian to meet up with Pete - the first time since he's been back from overseas. It was lovely to see him, and we had beers and Thai and coffee. I was home by 10pm, where I chatted to Dr Pete for 10 mins before beddybyes. Pete had had a great time in the UK - fuelled mostly by many a jaunt to the Vauxhall Tavern, and all that that entails! :o) Also thanks to Jonathon for looking after him. The upshot of all of this is that Pete now is going to try and work in the UK for a while, so it looks like I'll be selling the flat in Peckham and buying Pete out of the house here. OK Davie - it's time to get your grown up head on and get some sorting done! Oh and Pete, good to have you back and thanks for the t-shirt!

Time waits for no man apparently. Or time waits for nomads, if you're a little dyslexic. Actually if you're a wandering tribesman stuck in a dessert somewhere, herding goats or some such activity, maybe it does seem like you have more time. As for me, stuck in the biggest city down under, it seems like time has been spirited away into some strange vortex, probably not unlike the one at the end of The Adventure Game.

Now you see if I had time like I did in the olden days, the above paragraph would be peppered with tangential links to obscure kids' tv shows and goat care and vortices. Vortexes. Whatever. (Actually, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary site, both forms are correct). Now though, I struggle to even write up the bare vestiges of what's been going on Minkered... stylee. And it's frustrating as I know I can write and entertain given that little more time.

Any road up. I digress. 21 Jan and no mention really of Christmas, New Year or subsequent anythings. Things should start to return to normal as of now. I'm fully moved over to Pete and Johnno's house in Marrickville. The apartment in Brumby Street is no more. The house I've bought with Pete is under discussion and in fact tonight some progress should be made as to what happens now. The move took longer than anticipated, even with lots of help from Aaron and Dr Pete (ok, Pete and Johnno Pete will be henceforth referred to as Dr Pete, and house Pete as Pete. Unless I say Pete and Johnno in which case you can assume I mean Dr Pete (unless I stipulate otherwise)). All other Pete's will be given a qualifying adjective or surname (or initial) as required. Moving and cleaning was last weekend. Aaron helped a lot bless him. I get chance to repay him the first weekend in Feb, when we move him out of his place into an as yet undetermined abode. High points? Driving Pete and Johnno's truck. I think we might have to cruise around in that some more! Low points? The time it took, and the seemingly endless pile of sorting out I still have to do. I'm in the (lovely) room at Marrickville, but so far it's just me, the internet hooked up PC (yay!), the Olympic sized bed (mine's in storage in the garage),a chest of drawers (empty) and the bar fridge (also empty). All the rest of my wordly good and chattels are in the boys' other spare room and the garage. Waiting to be sorted out. I'll get there eventually...

Short week at work this week. Going to the Big Day Out on Friday and then Saturday will be mostly house-hunting for Aaron. Sunday is Rich and Russ's house-warming and then Monday is a public holiday, so maybe the beach. My long awaited relaunch at the gym, postponed and postponed and now long overdue since mid December, will happen next week. Sometime. Though I am walking to work from Marrickville so that's 35 minutes of brisk walking twice a day. I do however need to get my feet looked at - I'm not sure exactly what's wrong, but something ain't right and hasn't been since the City to Surf in August. Hey ho.

I've still to go through the fantastically relaxing time that was Christmas; the uproarious raucousness of NY and the subsequent fantastic pool party; a review of 2003 (how many times have I promised a yearly review in January??); hopes and aspirations for 2004; house updates etc. etc. etc.

Watch this space. I also feel a colour change coming on too - mustard and ochre are so last season. Actually I haven't changed the colour scheme for about 18 months so it's long overdue. And the corporate picture? I'm over that. Sadly I haven't got any pics on the PC at the moment with the mohawk that graced my bonce for most of the 2 weeks up the coast. Me, Rich, Cassius and Dr Pete were all mohican-ed up for the NYE party. Pics to follow. Honest guv.

Right, time to do a last bit of work before heading off. Today's been fantastically hot and now we're in for an afternoon storm. Just heard the first thunder clap. Think I might be getting wet...

When I said I'd update a bit more soon, obviously I didn't mean right now, as I'm just about to head home for a couple of days of frantic packing and moving. Things to do etc. Moving to Pete and Johnno's until the house shenanigans is sorted out. Marrickville here I come! There really will be a full update once I'm settled there - I'd have done more from work this week, but work somehow got in the way. Don't you hate that?

Well it's already 6 days old but Happy New year to everyone! I'm finally back from holidays and in work and wondering how I can give up work and holiday full time. These last 2 weeks have just been the most fantastic time - relaxing, minkering, getting on really well with Aaron, cementing friendships with the gang - brilliant. However today is back to real life and I'm not sure I like it. I'll update a bit more soon, but I'm suffering the effects of a full day's minkering yesterday and not at 100%. Quiet night with laundry, takeaway and snuggling with Aaron. Noice.

Merry Christmas everyone! I know it's been a while since I last posted, but I'm away up the coast and so not been online until now. There'll be a full update later, but suffices to say we're incredibly relaxed. Aaron and I are up in Lennox with Pete and Johnno and it's been the most fantastic Christmas. Later today we head to Ocean Shores for part two of the adventure... 10 of us in a house until after New Year. Be very afraid. Big thanks to P+J (and Sue, Pete's sister for Xmas lunch - fantastic!) for the most wonderful time and for being great hosts. More soon.

Monday afternoon and by rights I should be working. However, I’ve done quite a bit today and so I feel like I should get this up to date instead and work tomorrow as it’s already almost 5.30pm and it’s not really worth starting my monthly report (which is the only thing outstanding on my to do list). Thursday night ended up being noice – home, veg out a bit, food (well, muffins with vegemite – that counts!) and then out with Pete and Johnno for a quick coffee in the humid night air. We talked about the house and how much it would cost for renovations to make it liveable as a one bedroom place, so at least I have a better idea of how much dosh I need to get together. Friday was another normal day. No gym though. Home and shower and change and then out to meet Pete to talk houses. Had beers at the Colombian and basically got things sorted. I need to get those plans submitted to council this week! Go Davie, go. Home to meet Aaron via Hungry Jacks and that was most of the evening. We were both a bit tired as it had been hot and stormy the night before and it was the end of another long week. I had to make some phone calls about various things to the UK – Dad, Frank the financial advisor, Fenella the accountant (no, really), The Woolwich re my endowment policy, Nick in Bangkok re the apartment sale. And shock horror I did it all. And found out stuff I needed to know re filing tax claims etc. That done I joined Aaron in bed and we slept longtime :o)

Saturday morning not too early we got up and had brekky. Then after dawdling a bit we hit town to try and find some shorts for me. But failed. I really have no clue where’s good to shop for clothes in Sydney! I suppose I’d better start finding out seeing as I intend to remain living here… We had some nosh at the food court and then finally headed home. I got a haircut and then got ready to head to start the musical excesses of the weekend. First up, Duran Duran and Robbie Williams in concert. We got to the stadium around 6.20pm - in plenty of time to meet up with Rich, Russ, Rod and Terry before Simon, John, Nick etc. hit the stage. And although they were looking a little ragged (Five and the Ragged Edges?) they were great. All the classics were there and we were belting out those old familiar lyrics along with them. Apparently there’s a new album and another tour next year – I’ll be there. Robbie was also good – I’m not as big a fan of his as I was a Durannie, but he was nevertheless the consummate entertainer. We left there happy at almost 11pm and walked home. I then hung around for Aaron before we hit Bad Dog and partied on (dude). Again it was a fun party, though noticeably quieter than the last one. There was an extra few dollars on the ticket price for a live band, which may have frightened a few people off, and of course Robbie too. Anyways we were soon in full swing. The music was great and it was only the live band that stopped the flow around 3am. Sadly the live experiment wasn’t a huge success. The Presets were OK, but I think the break caused a few people to reassess their evenings and too many people left. When the music got back into full swing the crowd was much more sparse and there was only just enough people to make a party quorum. Still we danced on undeterred until around 5.20am when we nipped home; rejigged and were back out again to the Phoenix to meet up with Pete and Tony (Johnno having decided not to kick on). However the Phoenix was also quiet and so we hit Arq. Which was surprisingly good! So good that we didn’t leave there until 11am. Pete was also there having some fun and it was nice to see him out and about having fun like we used to.

On arriving home we decided not to sleep. We showered and then hit Aaron’s before deciding vodka was the way forward. We hit the Bank Hotel and also had some food, which ended up being a bit of a mistake as then we felt sleepy. We got provisions and headed back to mine with the intention of watching DVDs, but after about 15 minutes we had to retire to bed. We slept until P+J phoned to ask us to have fish and chips on the beach at Bondi. What a great offer! So we did – along with Cassius, who’ll also be up the coast with us. We ate and drank champagne as the sun set. Marvellous. Home to bed.

Today has been work. A bit tired to say the least, but not too foul. Pete’s headed off round the world tonight so I’m going to try and get as much house stuff organised whilst he’s away. Only 4 more working days and then I’m off until 6 January. Have you any idea how excited I am? I’ve not had a beach holiday since September 1999… bring it on! Also, it’s going be to great fun spending the first week with Aaron, Pete and Johnno, and then the second week with Rich and Russ etc. in the original house we booked. We’ve got our NYE party tickets for Tropical Fruits and seemingly half of Sydney is going to be up there. I’ll post a full itinerary soon! Meantime – it’s time for this one to head for the hills.

OK. I started an update last Friday – the 5th – but seem to have failed to finish it. Let’s put that to rights shall we? This reads on from the last entry at the end of November. Who made it halfway through December already?

Friday afternoon, over a week since the last blog entry. And I'd been doing so well too... oh well. Here goes nothing. Thursday night I ended up doing nothing as I was really tired. Pete was to-ing and fro-ing with Rich and Russ to the new apartment and so I went grocery shopping and came back and ate and then it was too late and... blah. Friday was work and a half-hearted gym workout. Friday night was drinks at Peter the vet's for Gary's birthday and then out to Saigon Bay for thai food. Fun. To Bears briefly at the Oxford but it wasn't too much fun. Pete was drunk and had a bit of a go at me for not meeting up the previous evening - turned out to be a bit of a misunderstaning but... bah. Grr. Home with Aaron and sleep. Saturday we slept in a bit and then had healthy breakfast - Weetbix, banana, yoghurt and then toast and coffee. Woohoo. Healthy is good. And then we probably did some other stuff. Not sure what! Hold on Davie.. think. Ah yes, nipped to see Rich and Russ in their new place with all the furniture in (looks great!) and then it was on to Murray's birthday drinks about 4pm. Lots of people there and it turned out to be quite a lot of fun. So much so that I can’t remember what we did later. Doh! Sunday was more healthy breakfasts and then a picnic down in the Botanic Gardens with Pete, Johnno and Michael. Dave joined us a bit later. It was nice to do something a bit different! This however lead to more drinks at the Colombian and hanging around to see what the official opening of Taylor Square held. Not much to be honest. But the furore of the whole thing ended up with us at Arq. Not a good idea with work the next day…

Monday and December dawns. I remember feeling fairly ordinary at work and not going to the gym – beyond that? Your guess is as good as mine. Ditto Tuesday. Wednesday I had the gym trainer and came over all queer (insert joke here). That night me and Aaron headed over to Pete and Johnno’s for pizza and Terminator 3 on DVD. Cool! After feeling strange the day before I skipped gym on Thursday too. That night I met up with Pete at the Colombian to talk houses. Well it was the opposite of ‘It’s all good’. Bit of a disaster really. For various reasons Pete has decided he doesn’t want to renovate the house any more. Great. The conversation talked around it for a while before finally ending with that. In trying to sort out a time to talk more I got a bit frustrated and left. Not the happiest of bunnies, that’s for sure. However, at this point there’s not a great deal I can do… If it’s Friday morning it must be time to see the dental hygienist. And so I did. And then basically got told that one of my wisdom teeth has to come out early next year. So I decided to bite the bullet (as it were) and find out about getting braces on my teeth. Watch this space. I may be up for a cameo in a James Bond movie yet. Friday night stayed in with Aaron and watched Lord of the Rings: Two Towers on DVD. Well the first half anyway. Bed. Saturday met Gary and his Peter for breakfast to talk sensibly about the house options. That done I got my hair cut and abluted and tidied and so on. Went into town to try and Xmas shop but was having none of it when I got down there. Headed back to the apartment and vegged. Aaron came over and cooked. We watched the remained or LOTR and fell to bed. Sunday was nice brekky then went our separate ways to sort things out. Next was brekky #2 with Pete and Johnno at a café near the new house. Then we hit Wayne and Andrew’s for their renovation drinks and then on to Bar Cleveland for Allan’s birthday bash. This with Rich and Russ by this point. Then it kind of became a free for all and suddenly we were drunk; we’d had dinner at a lebanese place with little Daryl; we’d been to the Colombian to carry on the shenanigans and suddenly we were at Arq. Again. How did that happen two Sundays in a row? Home at 4.30am and Aaron was up at 6.30am for work. Great. I dozed another 2 hours then fell in to work myself. Not big or clever. Except for the fact that one of our major systems had thrown a fit over the weekend and had broken. Woohoo! Less to do. Monday night was home and something trashy on telly – Pitch Black. Tuesday was home to meet real estate agent to talk house prices then shopping then home. Something else trashy on telly. No gym either day :o( Yesterday I did work out with the trainer and had much more energy than last week, so that was something. Ended up over at Rich and Russ’s with Aaron for dinner – impromptu BBQ. Noice. Too much wine though and then a bit of a chat with Aaron as he dropped me home. Commitment time. Or not. I’ve got so much going on in my head re the house I’ve no energy to spend on thinking about anything else right now. I’m happy for things to continue as they are at the moment… it’s fun and Aaron’s lovely. Let’s take things slowly…
Anyway, I slept badly and ended up in work not particularly early, so no gym today. Working out what to do with the evening. I need to speak to Pete some more, and catch up with Pete and Johnno – all house related, and I’m trying to work out if I can buy Pete out, which will involve selling my house in the UK and getting all my assets over here. It’s all a bit grown up really and requires effort and no procrastination – neither of which are my forte. We’ll see…

It’s 4.15pm Thursday. Time for a cuppa. Tonight will involve ringing of UK type people and sorting out Xmas pressies. Beyond that… who can say?