Yeah verily it came to pass that Dave blogged intermittently. I’ve got lots to do! I’m doing things! I’m going to have to make this brief-ish as I can’t remember what’s been happening (I think I’m turning into a goldfish) and I don’t want to be here at work too late tonight – don’t they know I’ve got a house to re-build?

OK. Weekend before last. Er… I know I did the beers with Dave after work at the Colombian and it was good to catch up with him. Albeit all too briefly. I went homewards towards 8.30pmish, with the intention of possibly coming back out for Bears at the Oxford. However the best laid plans… I got a call from Carlo and so did a bit of a diversion. Bed after that.
Saturday would have been house stuff – it’s just a question of remembering what we were up to and when! I know that on the Saturday night we hit the Phoenix as we do, but that it wasn’t outrageously late. Rich and Russ were in Melbourne so it was just me and Pete. Sunday saw us knock out all the ceilings in the house and so we could get a really good feel for how the upstairs bedroom will look when we build it. Yay. Oh, and I think Rich the draftsman came round too, to measure up. The plans are finally moving…
Sunday night was Una’s and the Shift. Can’t remember work being particularly different from any other week last week, so assume I did the gym every lunchtime and came in early-ish most days. I know I went to see Mambo Italiano with Rich and Russ on Wednesday night, and had a rehearsal for Sleaze on Tuesday. Yes, I’m in a show. Nothing involving lycra, which is great. I’m just a guard (one of ten) in a bit of an S&M show. Marvellous! It’ll be fun. Had dinner with Pete post rehearsal too – at Tropicana where we talked houses and him and Crusty, which has most definitely finished.
Thursday night? Er, dunno. Or Friday either really. Friday after work we went to the house to put the timber delivery inside. Johnno and Pete (how many Pete’s at the moment?) arrived for a look see and then Pete and I did dinner at Foodgame and I think had a relatively early night each.
Saturday was brekky down at Strangers with Candy (to see the sexy waiter!!) and then to Bunnings to buy butch power tools and the like. We spent Saturday afternoon trying to get a new beam into the walls to hold the roof up, but had to stop when next door came round to tell us their plaster had cracked. Oops. It did reveal a bit of shoddy workmanship on their attic conversion however… So, we stopped and probably ate somewhere. If it’s Saturday it must be the Phoenix… but I know that before that Pete and I had a beer at the Shift (which was awful). I hit Manacle for a couple of beers whilst Pete had a sleep – chatted to Mark and Carsten and Rod and… and... and… The Phoenix was fun again. Lots of nice people there – Dave, Rich and Russ, the lovely Robert (whose number I finally got!), Anthony… and another guy called Warren whose number I got… To Arq briefly which was a mistake. Not good. Walked home in the very cold around 5.30am. Couldn’t sleep for ages, so I think it was around 8.30am when I did finally snooze. Got to the house at noon, having missed Johnno and Pete. Curses. We got the beam in (finally!) and cleared all the rubbish away and got the ceiling joists into the roof space. We had lots of visitors – Brendan and Piggy; Allan from work; Jan and Pete’s cousin Sarah; Rich and Russ and Brett. We called it a day at 8pm – very satisfied with our days efforts as we finally had the last bit of stud wall down and could see the space as one big room properly for the first time. Shower then pizza then a couple of beers at the Shift (vile) and the Colombian (viler). Home. Bed.
Today – work at 8am; gym at lunch; home now. Will probably hit the house to see how Pete’s got on today ) he’s a teacher and is on holidays for 2 weeks, the git. Tomorrow and Wednesday are Sleaze rehearsals as is Saturday arvo. This week’s going to fly!

I can’t believe it’s well over a week since I blogged. I thought I’d blogged after the last entry so I’m either losing my marbles or I dreamt it.

Last week’s evenings were peppered with early nights and Buffy. I can’t remember much else. The days were work and gym. I probably met up with Pete one night and possibly Gary another, but I really can’t remember and I’m too tired and arsey today to give it any real thought! I did go shopping on the Wednesday night as I’ve got the supermarket receipt to show for it. I bought lots of nice things for lunches here at work now I’m being good and going to the gym.
The weekend is a bit more of an event. Friday night we went to the Theatre, luvvie darling. To see the Blue Room – starring two of Oz’s finest, Sigrid Thornton and Marcus Graham. Fun. Just the two of ‘em, carrying on for 2 hours. Semi-clad for most of the time. Unclad in bits. It was good to do that again – it’s been too long since I did a bit of theatre! Home to be for me afterwards.
Saturday was spent mostly at the house and we cleared out all the crap into the back garden and swept everything clean. Yay. Saturday night was a couple of quiet beers for me with Pete (who sadly has been dumped by Crusty again) and then pasta in Stanley Street. Early bed as I was up early on Sunday for the 10K Bridge Run. I did this race last year and so decided I was up for it again however this time with a bit less training. The course was slightly different, finishing at the Opera House and I decided it would be worth the view if nothing else. It was great. I think I was about a minute or so slower than last year which was fine by me. A glorious morning too – felt very virtuous after I’d finished and it was still only 8.20am!
Finally met up with Pete for brekky and then tried to find a t-shirt for Bad Dog. Failed and so hit Bad Dog anyway, courtesy of Rich. Fantastic party yet again – the usual suspects were there and the music was up to scratch again so yay! We kicked on to the Phoenix which was hilarious and with some sexy men. We then decided to go to Arq, which was a bit of a change but OK nevertheless. Got chatting to the lovely Robert – he’s most definitely on my to-do list. Sadly he disappeared before we got to the phone number stage. However it’s not the first time I’ve seen him out and about so watch this space (he said hopefully…)
We finally called it a night around 6am. So I suppose we called it a morning really. Back to R’n’R’s to sleep. Finally woke in the afternoon and met the lovely Jonno the builder at the house (woof!). He talked us through some ideas and then finally we legged it from there. Pete went off and I finally went home. Days off in the week are great!
Since then I’ve done little all week, save a nice coffee date with a guy last night. Fun – quite intense but fun. Tonight’s meant to be a couple of beers straight after work though to be honest I’d rather just go home. Hey ho.

OK, so not quite a week has gone by this time before my update. I’ve decided it’s hard work trying to juggle a full time job; a new gym regime; renovating a house and being the social butterfly that I’ve always been. Something will have to give. Wonder if I can work shorter hours??? :o)

Tuesday night last week then. I did indeed run home – and in fact I ran to and from work every day except Friday, when I just ran in. Not bad going really – though I’ve actually hurt my foot a bit and I’ve a 10K race on Sunday. This week I’ll just train in again and save myself for Sunday. After that I’ll try and run again, foot permitting. Now, last week’s evenings are a bit of a blur. I know I didn’t really spend any time at home at all, but I’m not sure where I was! I think Tuesday night was over to Rich and Russ’s for dinner with them, Pete (who’s now living there) and Renee and Bianca – Rich’s niece and a friend of hers – lovely girls! Had a laugh and then home.
Wednesday was work again. Gym at lunchtime. Met Gary at the house to show him round and then we toddled off Colombian-wards for beer. However, I got a call at 8.02pm to say that me and Pete were on telly so we diverted to Rich and Russ’s to watch. It was fun but we got less exposure than expected for 3 separate filming sessions – we must have gone on the cutting room floor! If you fancy it you can go to www.domain.com.au, scroll down to Hot Property and look in the show archives. We’re in the section entitled Darlo Terrace. You might have to go into this week’s show and then look for last week’s show in the LHS bar – currently it hasn’t been updated, but will be by Wednesday. Still, all a bit of fun. Beers subsequently with Pete, then dinner and home.
Thursday – work. Didn’t gym in the afternoon as we had a team lunch out to welcome Nick, our new team member. We went to a nice fish restaurant down in La Perouse called the Boathouse. It was a gorgeous day and lovely to sit by the sea… The afternoon dragged a bit consequently but soon I ran home again. No idea what I did on Thursday night. Oh yes. I remember. Carlo came over for a catch up. Lovely!
Friday – work early, no gym lunchtime and then the dentist. Met Pete for coffee then home, change and back to Dave’s for dinner. Nice evening. He cooked lots of nice things and Brendan, Heikle (sp?), Drew and Puppy were there too. I stumbled home the worse for red wine some time around 1am.
Saturday – up around 10am-ish and met Pete at the house. We grabbed coffee and brekky at Paua (noice!) and then set to work on attacking the front of the house. We cleared all the front garden – which considering how rootbound it was was pretty good going. We were knackered when we finally called in a day/night at 7pm. I went home, bathed, ate, changed, and hit R’n’R’s at 10.30pm. Drink there, then Manacle and then down to the Phoenix. Boy oh boy. In the words of Madness ‘Oh what fun we had’. Lots of sexy friendly men, good music and daddy snogging were all on the agenda. I decided not to go home with the sexy daddy and head on up to Arq with the crowd and it was fun there too. So much so we didn’t leave until gone 8am.
Sunday - back ar R’n’Rs, the plan was to sleep and then continue work on the house. Er, no! We just carried on partying. Like there was no tomorrow. Stupid circus acts, gymnastic moves and so on were the order of the day. Until some time around 12.30pm when we went back out for more beers. Not a good move. Too minkered! Back to sleep a while and then up around 6pm. Out to buy food then Pete cooked and we watched Scooby Doo. Home. What a fantastic weekend – and great to spend so much time with R’n’R and Pete again. More please.
Monday – into work. Tired. No gym. Home now. Just realised though that I’ve left my train pass in my jacket which I left at the gym this morning when I went to pick up my shoes and trousers. Bugger. Hey ho. Tonight will be food and Buffy on DVD and then early to bed.
Yay!

And verily it came to pass that Tuesday became blogging day…

It’s been a busy week and so I’ve got quite a lot to report. From last week then:
Tuesday – went back to Newtown and cleaned the flat from top to bottom. Packed up my stuff and dropped it back into Brumby Street before going back for one last sleep at Newtown. In bed early as I knew the boys were on an early morning flight…
Wednesday – Mark and Carsten arrived at 6.15am. I got up shortly after and showered and had a cuppa with them before heading off to work. Gymmed at lunchtime, but was tired and so I tried to run and didn’t even do that very well :o( Back to Brumby Street for the first time in ages, but I think I ended up out for dinner with Pete. I can’t quite remember! Maybe that was Foodgame night and if so chicken pesto burger. Yum! Yes – we had to meet up to drop a cheque off at the solicitors (which in the end we forgot to do!) – see below.
Thursday – was meant to be eventful. It was the day we were due to complete on the house. Determined not to get too excited we hung out until 2pm – I went to the gym in fact to keep myself occupied. There was a message waiting as I came out to say that the vendors had failed to return one document on time and so it was postponed until Friday at 2pm. Bugger. Met up with Pete that night for comisseratory (?) beers. We had a couple at the Colombian (vile), one at the Shift (viler) and then decided to torture ourselves with a final beer at Stonewall (vilest). Truly vile. So, home – without a house.
Friday – tried not to get too excited again. Into work at 7.50am as I was taking a half day. Left at 12pm and hit the gym with Andrew. From there back home and Pete had picked up the ute so off we toddled back to his place to pack up some stuff. We took the call to say the house was ours and so we went to Jan’s (Pete’s lovely aunt) for a cuppa and then off to North Sydney (over the bridge and far away) to pick up the keys. We got a bit lost, but finally by about 5pm we had the place – yay! Exciting times ahead. So, back to Pete’s and we loaded up the ute with his stuff for storage at the house. We met Jan there and she’d brought some Moët bless her. Then it was back to Pete’s to load another lot of stuff for Rich and Russ’s and then we hit Una’s for a big meal of schnitzel. (I must have a word with cook – that schnitzel’s far too delicious for my figure…) Then it was back to Pete’s for a bit of a clean and then we were done. And dusted :o)
Saturday – well that was a day and a half!! I was up early and eventually headed out for coffee to wait for Pete. We had bacon and eggs and then descended on the house for our first real day of renovation. The plan was to remove all the nasty carpets and lino to see what was on the floors underneath; knock out the wall of the bedroom as it fronts on to the hall to open up that space; and maybe have a look at the sub-tropical garden and see what we could unearth. And in the words of Bruce Forsyth – didn’t we do well!! The carpet from the living area came up relatively easily – leaving us with some not very nice floorboards and a big void under the floor itself. Great. The kitchen floor was a bit better, but still not salvagable. In the meantime, Pete knocked the supposed brick wall between the living area and the bedroom – and hey presto we discovered it wasn’t brick at all and so we could knock seven bells out of it! Pete cleared all the living room side as I finished off in the kitchen and then we took out the bedroom/hallway walls. Not surprisingly we were a bit knackered by this point, having also entertained Rich the draughtsman; Tim and Ross; Mark and Carsten and Jan – as well as making chicken sandwiches. I suddenly remembered I was meant to be hitting John’s leaving meal (he’s back to Canada for a while) and was very late. We called it a day and went to our respective homes… I hit Oxford Street for John’s meal – it was good to say goodbye if only short and sweet! I went down to Manacle to wait for Pete and chatted to a few mates before Pete arrived and it was time to hit the Phoenix. Yay. Had a complete blast down there and I think it was 5.30am before we moved on to Arq having spent time with Mark, John and Allan, Rod, Murray, David Austin etc. etc. etc. Arq was OK too – though the music was a bit all over the place. We retired back to Rich and Russ’s at 8amish to watch Toy Story and drink tea.
Sunday - Slept for a couple of hours and decided it was time to hit the house baby one more time. We knocked through the one wall we had left and then decided we should give the back garden a go. We got it all clear (including the concreted in washing line) except the huge avocado tree by the time that Adrian, Jason and David arrived. We had tea in the garden once they’d gone and hung around until Jan and Ralph came to look at the progress. Home to change and then out to the Shift for a reward of beer. Stayed there with Mark and Stephen – popped out for chinese and then were so stuffed by 10.45pm that we called it a night. I was almost asleep by the time I reached Brumby…
Monday – into work and decided to give the gym a miss to go and buy healthy lunch and snacky stuff for work. However I did run home – I’ve got a permanent locker at the gym now and so plan to run the 3½K each way every day… Oh really. It took just over 20 minutes which is great. Showered and went to try and buy Bad Dog tickets but the shop was closed :o( Pete cooked gnocci and then we were going to go and measure at the house but tiredness overtook us. I went home and uploaded the digicam pics onto the PC, but not yet onto here – watch this space.
Tuesday – up and ran into work this morning. Systems testing was cancelled so normal day. Had Josh for my personal training session at 1pm. Back here. Ate like a horse. And now it’s time to go and run home. I’ll be fit if I carry on like this!

I can't believe that it's two weeks exactly since I blogged. Two whole weeks. And I've no idea what I did in that time at all either. Now that's kind of scary. (Takes minute to try and write down what's happened in the last two weeks to try and put it down on here in some semblance of order).

Ok - back on track a little. It would seem I did the following:

Tue - where I left you. Nothing much to report. Probably gymmed and then vegged in Newtown.
Wed - Did Gym in the morning with Liz. Worked. Dinner with Tony at Peasant's Feast which was lovely. Nice to catch up with him again properly.
Thu - work. I'm kind of skipping over work on here at the moment, but apart from the dull systems testing I'm actually really getting in to it at the moment and enjoying myself! What's that about? Thu night was a ten-pin bowling night with work, which ended up being a lot of fun. We didn't win, but after a pretty poor starting game (94) I came good with a second game of 147! Had had a few beers by then so got a lift home and vegged. Fun.
Fri - work. Can't remember doing anything. Think I had an early night! Or maybe Carlo. Who can say?
Sat - was meant to be meeting Pete for an early brekky before soliciting. Er... anyway, the trains were out between Newtown and town and so I walked. And got a bit lost. Managed to arrive in time for coffee, but not in time for full brekky, which we had post soliciting. At the Dank St depot, of which we'd had good reports - however it turned out to be overpriced and full of ex boyfriends. Vile. Eventually back to Newtown before heading to David and Jason's for Craig's birthday party. Chatted to Adrian and Shane and mostly Tim and Ross. I was happily imbibing the punch, not realised it wasn't as tame as it purported... down to Manacle just because. Chatted to Brendan who's a friend of a friend, and then to two friends of his - Stuart and Enda. Stuart is a bit of a gorgeous daddy, so obviously I hated that. Down to the Phoenix and suddenly it was 5am and I was on the way home. Without my jacket I found out later. How out of it was I exactly?
Sun - sleeeeeeeep. Lazy brekky down at the Chocolate Dog and then coz of the no trains thing decided I couldn't be bothered to go anywhere really. I watched a DVD of some description (probably) and just vegged out. Then I got invited to dinner by an acquaintance in Newtown which was perfect. We had pasta with chorizo and artichokes and watched Barbarella. Had never realised just how camp that film is before. Fun. And the post-Barbarella entertainment was fun too...
Mon - to work. That night was a run around... into town to pick up and get a prescription filled, back to Newt, back to Central and then to Gary's to watch 28 Days Later... If you haven't seen it do so - it's not out here for another couple of weeks, but I gather it's been out in England already (from where Gary got the DVD). Part The Stand by Stephen King; part Lord of the Flies by William Golding - it's written by Alex 'The Beach' Garland and directed by Danny 'Trainspotting' Boyle. The result is a powerful horror movie, heigtened in its effect by weird colorisation and camera angles. And decent performances too. Go see.
Tue - Sytems testing is dull again. Discuss again. I got slightly irate as there wasn't much for me to do and no-one seemed particularly interested in finding stuff for me. I finally did some stuff, helped by a gym break in which I ran for 7½K. Joy. Quiet night in.
Wed - worked, with my gym fitness assessment at lunch. I'm pretty fit apparently. Let's see what Josh (my trainer) has in store for me over the next few weeks. Can't remember if I did anything that night. I think not.
Thu - work. Gym day 1 - chest and biceps. Ouch. Dinner that night round at Steve and Anthony's with Rich and Russ. Nice to catch up with everyone again for the first time in ages.
Fri - work. Gym day 2 - legs and abs. Ouch again. Home. Veg. Romy and Michele's High School Reunion. Sleeeeeeep early.
Sat - slept in a bit and had brekky in for a change. Out and got haircut, new gym shoes ($250 - how much!?!) and had coffee with R'n'R. Back to Newt and finally met up with Gary to hit the Newtown for beers. We were joined by Craig, Aaron, Paul and someone else, and then R'n'R. The original plan was to hit the Imperial for a Newt night out, but for some reason at midnight me and R'n'R ended up at the Phoenix. Then Arq. Oops. How did that happen? A nice young guy called Matt gave me a lift home... The first time in ages that I've had a big impromtu night out and it was so much fun. Lovely to be out with Rich and Russ properly again.
Sun - went to sleep around 9.30am! Yikes. Woke at 2pm. Watched Final Fantasty on DVD then finally hit Rich and Russ's for pizza and pepsi and relax. Home and sleep.
Mon - early to work. Gym day 3 - back and triceps. Ouch x3. Home with half a chicken. Er... early bed after the Simpsons when Homer moves in with some gay guys. Very funny indeed.
Today - also early to work. Gym day 4 - shoulders and abs again. Ouch and a thousand times ouch. That's it. Have finished all I'm going to do for the day and so I thought I'd just get this up to date before heading off. I don't think I have a problem with that. I'm going to tidy the apartment as Mark and Carsten arrive home in the morning. Vacuum the cat. That sort of thing. Now, what can I eat??

More news as it happens!!

When puss comes to shove...

Tuesday again. And blogging again, though this time no dull systems testing. Was meant to be, but it was cancelled as they had nothing for me to do this morning. So a normal day. Got quite a bit done too. Yay for me. Okay, here's the week in retrospect:
Tuesday - was meant to gym but ended up at Brumby and tried to update some PC stuff. It took forever! Home, takeaway and chill out. It seems to be my only night in! What's on the telly? Rubbish probably. Aussie telly is crap. Discuss
Wednesday - up early for Liz. Got a call to say she'd done her back in so gymmed anyway - how good am I? Into work. Lunch with Allan and the very lovely Andrew (woof!). The idea is forming about working out at the gym near here lunchtimes instead of the one nearer home. Upside? All done by the time I get home, a break in the day and possibly Andrew as a training partner :o) Downside? Nowhere to work out if I get that weekend urge. Though I could always run in the park. I'll go and do some rates investigation later in the week... I have no idea what I did in the evening time, but I'm sure it was wonderful. Probably an early night as I was having cat slight allergy dramas. The cat is lovely but like a dog in its need of affection. Couple that with red and sore eyes and it's not the best of scenarios. Weirdly one week on I'm OK - maybe it wasn't puss at all, but I'm keeping more of a distance (not completely though) and washing my hands a lot. Just call me Lady Macbeth. A couple of people suggested not feeding puss or even (shock) maiming her! I couldn't do that. After all, there's more than one way to skin a cat... (now there's a hypoallergenic thought!!)
Thursday - work. Nipped into city for a couple of things and then impromptu beers with Dave. And then Brett. And then Pete. And Al was upstairs too. Pizza with Pete and then home.
Friday - work. Gym. Movies at Fox Studios - Terminator 3. I enjoyed it. Much like the others. Clare Danes I have a soft spot for. Fun! To Manacle with Des - caught up with Steve, Andrew B, Rod and a few others besides.
Saturday - had an impromptu brekky with a chap called Rich. Noice. Fun. Lots of talk about Wacky Races and stuff :o) Then I finally made it to the Bonds Warehouse in Sydenham to buy t-shirts, underwear etc. Gym. Lite beers with the lovely Graham - sexy doctor from Brisbane that I met in November who just happened to be down for the weekend. He really is so sexy!! Oxford, Colombian, back to Graham's hotel. The three of us :o) Home and toast at 1.30am. Bed by 2am.
Sunday - up at 7.45am, realising that Saturday night's shenanigans really wasn't the best preparation for running 14K in the City to Surf race with 59999 other people. Made it all on time to meet Allan and Ian and this year we all started from the front pack. The not eating on Saturday night was the biggest mistake - my body having no fuel to cope with the first half of the race. The last half was better as I'd had brekky which kicked in to help. I had to stop twice in the first 4K though, which isn't right! I still did 73'22" which was about 4 mins faster than last year, but left rueing the chance of probably going under 70' had I thought with my head and not my...
Later Sunday - post race we adjourned to the pub and had beers. Then Una's with Al and Ian and to the Tilbury. Not really my cup of tea. Home. Rang Dad and got Karen. Dad's broken his arm and is in the local nursing home which is a bit of a worry. Bed and sleep by about 9pm.
Monday - work. Newtown. Over to Mark's for the final Buffy ever!! We had pizza and beer and all things Buffy. We had last week's to watch too and then there was a documentary to follow so I finally got home and into bed around 1am. It was weird with Buffy ending - it's been a great thing to have to look forward to every Monday night, catching up with our own Scooby Gang. Whatever will we do instead?
Today - up at 6.45am. Into work early. This now means it's almost time to go home.

Tuesday. Doing some systems testing that really couldn't be any duller. No really. Friday night was to Bondi for Kerry's birthday meal. It was OK, but I was so tired... but not tired enough to say no when Carlo texted me asking to catch up. He left some time around 12.30am. Boy did I sleep!
Saturday was lazy. The cat let me sleep in and I eventually went for the most gorgeous walk in the glorious winter sun - 21C. To the Chocolate Dog for sweet potato and coconut pancakes with sweet chilli sauce, bacon and some sweet potato crisps. And coffee. Yum. Trolled up and down King Street - found a nice park amongst the back streets and just felt enervated by the sunshine. Was meant to be going out to someone's housewarming later that night. Decided I couldn't be bothered. Felt anti-social for some reason, though I did actually get as far as the house, rang the bell but when no-one answered I turned on my heels and walked back to the apartment! The party hadn't seemed very busy and I didn't feel like talking to strangers. However, that didn't stop me hitting the pub, where I bumped into several disparate people I know all there for someone's birthday which was odd. I had no idea those people all knew each other! Down to the Imperial but was over it almost on arrival. Home to bed.
Sunday was much the same as Saturday - at least brekky was identical! I then went over to the Green Park with Pete and Crusty, and then to Rich and Russ's for Sunday roast. Noice. Briefly to the Shift after lots of wine made me think it might be enjoyable. Our survey said? Unh-hunh. Home.
Monday was a Qantas holiday, but we needed skeleton staff so I volunteered to work, having had last Monday off for Bad Dog. I do get a day and a half in lieu which is better for me. Yay. Slobbed at home with the cat. Food. Bed. Buffy. Bad sleep.
Systems testing. Dull. Hoping to gym tonight and again in the morning. Let's see how I do!

It's August already. Well who'd have thought it. And over a week since I last blogged - sadly that's more believable these days. I've managed to cram some stuff into the last week and a day - most of it good too!

Friday - as far as I can remember I had an early night after the gym.
Saturday - Pete and I spent most of the day doing brekky and looking for Bad Dog costumes. Well I did. Dinner that night round at Gary's with Peter, Pete, Rich and Russ - then on to the Shift and the Phoenix and the Shift again. Both me and Pete suffered a bit - not good in the Phoenix. We recovered to party on however... Back to mine around 7am - doh. Sleep.
Sunday - up at 10.30am to finish the convict's outfit - pics to come. Nice ball and chain. So I'm told. Over to Dave's to help him fix his outfit then to Waverley. Bad Dog does the business again. However we seemed to arrive, have a beer or two, have a few chats and a dance and it was all over! Down the the Phoenix again. Nice dance with a guy called Tim. Up to Arq but by then I was over it. Home and sleep.
Monday - off work, but was only fit for bacon and eggs, tea and Buffy. Then over to Mark's for more Buffy with him and Megan - the others cried off. Home at midnight - exhausted!!
Tuesday - work and then an impromptu visit to Gary's.
Wednesday - up for gym then work. Home and moved to Newtown. Installed myself in the flat, made friends with the cat, bought takeaway and vegged out. Bliss.
Thursday - slept badly. Grrr. Into work. Pete came to Newtown - food and a quick beer. Bed.
Friday - slept badly again. Grrr again. Into work again. Out tonight for Kerry's birthday meal in Bondi. Then sleep. Please...

More from the weekend as it happens. Only other news: the owners of the current apartment want to sell it. This could make things tricky re moving out early to move into the new house - I think I may get stitched up and have to pay until the end of the lease - that so wasn't the plan!

Laters...

It's August already. Well who'd have thought it. And over a week since I last blogged - sadly that's more believable these days. I've managed to cram some stuff into the last week and a day - most of it good too!

Friday - as far as I can remember I had an early night after the gym.
Saturday - Pete and I spent most of the day doing brekky and looking for Bad Dog costumes. Well I did. Dinner that night round at Gary's with Peter, Pete, Rich and Russ - then on to the Shift and the Phoenix and the Shift again. Both me and Pete suffered a bit - not good in the Phoenix. We recovered to party on however... Back to mine around 7am - doh. Sleep.
Sunday - up at 10.30am to finish the convict's outfit - pics to come. Nice ball and chain. So I'm told. Over to Dave's to help him fix his outfit then to Waverley. Bad Dog does the business again. However we seemed to arrive, have a beer or two, have a few chats and a dance and it was all over! Down the the Phoenix again. Nice dance with a guy called Tim. Up to Arq but by then I was over it. Home and sleep.
Monday - off work, but was only fit for bacon and eggs, tea and Buffy. Then over to Mark's for more Buffy with him and Megan - the others cried off. Home at midnight - exhausted!!
Tuesday - work and then an impromptu visit to Gary's.
Wednesday - up for gym then work. Home and moved to Newtown. Installed myself in the flat, made friends with the cat, bought takeaway and vegged out. Bliss.
Thursday - slept badly. Grrr. Into work. Pete came to Newtown - food and a quick beer. Bed.
Friday - slept badly again. Grrr again. Into work again. Out tonight for Kerry's birthday meal in Bondi. Then sleep. Please...

More from the weekend as it happens. Only other news: the owners of the current apartment want to sell it. This could make things tricky re moving out early to move into the new house - I think I may get stitched up and have to pay until the end of the lease - that so wasn't the plan!

Laters...

Suddenly it's Thursday and a week since we bought the house at auction. Tonight (hopefully) we're heading off to the solicitor's to sign our lives away. After that, I'm hoping to go and purchase part of my Bad Dog outfit and Pete and I are going to sit and plan our options for the house renovation. Well start to at least.

Tuesday night after my early mark I ended up at the gym - virtuous, yay. Then I met up with Gary and Peter to return keys and t-shirt and have a curry. Not so virtuous, not so yay. Then Peter got called out to fix someone's pussy (stop that, he's a vet!) so Gary and I retired to the Colombian. Downright un-virtuous, non-yay. Also vile - what's going on with things here? Is it just a winter 'no-one goes out for beers' or what? Any road up - I digress.

Last night I went round to Mark and Carsten's place to find out how their pussy works (stop that again - I'm house and pet sitting for them for a month starting next week). We had a lovely meal and the apartment is great - it'll be fun to live there a wee while, and hopefully should end just as we get possession of the house. Fingers crossed it all works out so easily. Right, lots to do at work, so best get back to it...

It's Tuesday. I had a lovely, very quiet weekend looking after George the Staffordshire terrier and staying over at Peter's, whilst he and Gary were in Melbourne. Stayed in both Friday and Saturday nights, took George for walks, went to the gym, met various people for coffee, chillled in general. You'd think then that I was rested. Oh no. For some reason I couldn't sleep well at Peter's and then on Sunday night went out for beers (the Mars Lounge - new, interesting). Doh. Last night was nothing but eat but I did sleep fantastically well. Today's system testing day has brought back the desire to sleep but I've fought it. And now I've been told to go home early. 4pm. Woohoo! Laters...

Hmmm. Maybe it's a winter thing, but my blogging has hardly been fast and furious of late. I last left you in a kind of bimbo limbo, bemoaning the un-excitement in my life. A mate recently mentioned that life isn't always about the big things, but more about going to the corner shop to buy milk. He reckons if you can be happy doing that, then you can be happy in most everything that life throws at you. There's been much milk lately... not all of it happy. But hey...

In short, things go on. Work is still busy, but good. Pushing for that promotion - review in less than 2 weeks. Fingers crossed. I have started the long and laborious return to the gym. Been twice this week and going tonight, straight from work. Have signed up for the City to Surf again - 14K in 3 weeks time. Only problem is I've not really run since the half marathon almost 2 months ago now. Ouch...

Haven't been out much of late. Am kind of over the scene a little bit right now. Did do beers at Manacle last Saturday and had a surprisingly social time. Cool. Still catching up with Carlo here and there. Mostly there...

I seem to have been given a new mantle of pet/house sitter. Am looking after George the Staffordshire Terrier this weekend and relocating to a different part of Surry Hills whilst friends Peter and Gary go to Melbourne. Tuesday week I move to Newtown for a month as friends Mark and Carsten tour the US and Europe. I guess their pussy will be safe with me (missus). It's a chance for some time to myself which will be good - for some reason I'm kind of craving it. No disrespect to Kerry, who seems great, but I think I need some Davie time.

Finally, in really shock news last night, Pete and I bought a house!! YAY! We've bought 28 Young St, Redfern East - just a wee bit further from town to where I am now. It's currently a 1-bed workers cottage in need of some TLC. Or a bulldozer. It's in a wide, tree-lined street that's blocked off at one end so will be relatively quiet, and it's the worst house in the street! Deceased estate and really needs completely gutting except for the frontage. However, it's on 30m of land and has rear lane access through Little Young St. We intend to build up and back - 2 beds and a bath upstairs; downstairs open plan, out to the outdoor area and then a garage at the back. Fantastic. Or it will be. It's quite a big job so I don't reckon we'll be in for a good while. Depends on plans, approval, builders etc. But how exciting...

Right. It's time to get my act together. I get my weekends back from now until completion in September, then I don't reckon I'll have a lot of time until Christmas. I said I was waiting for something big to happen. I guess this is it!

It's all been happening. Well actually not that much has been happening and I feel a bit in limbo. Seem to be treading water at the moment waiting for the next thing to happen. Whatever that is. Househunting is getting more depressing as it's winter and not much about. What is about is consequently going for a higher price - it's your basic demand and supply and the whole auction system not really helping those of us who are more price sensitive. I also think that the glut of 'lifestyle' programs on telly extolling the virtues of 'renovation' is causing every Tom, Dick and Harry to think they can have a go. Sigh. Next.

Work's OK but busy. Seemingly not as much fun at the moment. Oh well. I've not been gymming either, though I relaunch tomorrow with Liz. Honest I do. Garry finally left and before I had time to think Kerry had moved in. We had welcome dinner on Friday with Rich and Russ, Pippa and James and Anthony which was nice. It's still a bit odd though, coming to terms with someone new living in your house. Very much walking on eggshells until we find the right comfort level.

Stayed in Saturday night with beans on toast, Lost in Space and Harry Potter. Things could be worse. Though I'm not sure by how much... No plans for a while. No desire to go out. Pete's away in Cairns so not even househunting this week. Time to gather my thoughts. Or, if last night's anything to go by (as we didn't do Buffy as it was a repeat) a time to read Harry Potter and escape into a land where things can be altered with the wave of a magic wand. Now wouldn't that be nice?

It's Wednesday night. It's late. I need sleep. Suffices to say there's nothing really new to report. Though I will. Tomorrow. Garry's leaving do for one thing. Going to bed with Harry Potter... :o)

Friday afternoon. Woohoo. Another week over. Wednesday night was a stay in and veg out night. Marvellous. Had snacky bacon and cheese muffins - very much comfort food. Yesterday was a good day at work - had an informal review ahead of my formal review in July, just to make sure that there were no surprises and in lieu of a meeting missed due to my boss changing jobs. Basically all is good. In fact it's almost too good. If only they knew... My boss wants to put me forward for promotion to senior analyst at the end of next month, only 14 months in. Normally it takes between 18 months and 2 years to hit senior after you finish training. If I get given the nod it'll be just over a year. I guess I have done the job before, but it's still rewarding to see how much faith other people have in what I do. Fingers crossed it all goes through...

So I met Gary for a beer. And Pete. And Pete. And Dave. Colombian/Oxford. Vile. Company was good though. Staggered home at around midnight, no dinner. No wonder I felt vile this morning. Treading water day. Heading off in a minute to mee the new flatmate. Hope we get on OK - she moves in properly next week!! Quiet night after that. Home cooking, cleaning, vegging. All is well...

Wednesday morning. Just still. By two minutes. Feeling better than yesterday... I finally think that I've broken the back of this cold. Nice night last night - pizza and beers with Pete, discussions of the house variety (purchasing, not music). Ready for a simple weekend - the focus being on spending time with mates. A bit of house hunting, probably - but otherwise social gatherings in the winter sunshine.

Breaking News :

At Melbourne Airport today, an individual, later discovered to be a school teacher, was arrested trying to board a Qantas flight whilst in possession of a compass, a protractor, and a graphical calculator. 

Authorities believe he is a member of the notorious Al Gebra movement. 

He has been charged with carrying weapons of maths instruction.

I'm going to try and do one post a day from work - short and to the point. Rather like my good self.

Still full of cold, though feeling slightly more chipper than yesterday. Had a nice evening doing the Buffy thing - Genevieve cooked a lovely curry and we sat and put the world to rights drinking beer before watching a very good episode of the Slayer. Only about 5 till the very end - what will we do?? Took some cold and flu tablets and didn't wake until 8.30am. Fantastic. The rest of the week is shaping up very nicely - and quietly. Have binned the personal training until I feel better. Pete and I are getting together tonight to talk houses; am cooking a cheap and cheerful dinner for Dave on Thursday and then Kerry (new flatmate) is coming to see the place Friday arvo. Flying visit. Saturday is drinks at Dave's and Sunday is Garry's leaving do. Hmmm - maybe it's not as quiet as I thought!

OK, OK. I know. Today however is not the day for a catch up. Not with a stinking cold like the one that I have. Basically though, all is well. Apart from feeling like death warmed up. A very quiet weekend with no alcohol. Maybe that's why I feel bad...
The house-hunting continues, no luck as yet. Work goes on. I had a week off. Marvellous. Gave myself a week off the gym post half-marathon though that's now extended due cold. Normal service etc.
Today in Sydney is a glorious winter's day. Although it's 18C, there's a chill in the air midst the glorious sunshine. Wonderful. I need another weekend immediately.

OK. It's a week past June already. Let's admit that I've been slack. Ooh matron. Back on track hopefully. I'll flesh out some of the stuff that I've alluded to very shortly. Meantime let's post this and get an entry up for June at least!