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Katie's 21st

2005-07-25T12:45:00.001+10:00

Last night was Katrina's 21st, the reason for my dash across the globe. A gathering of Katie's family and friends to celebrate the youngest Reid girl's big birthday.

All guests were instructed to dress in black and white semi-formal, and arrive at the Regent Function room for the big night. The birthday girl looked stunning in emerald green, and thus, stood out on her special night.

Speeches and funny stories, Katie's life so far recalled. A toast or two, and many beers and champers...and shots - where did they come from!!??

I got to catch up with more people during the night, with lots of family and family friends in attendance.

Mum, as usual, did so well getting all the details of the evening organised. The food, the decorations, the cake. Everything went smoothly, which is such a tribute to her. That's her final 21st to organise - what will be the next big family function??

The night was so much fun, with our usual silliness and carry on! I was so glad to be there, and be part of it, and to drink with the birthday girl. (More photos.)

Congratulations Katie! And don't worry - it doesn't really mean you have to be all grown up now!!

The birthday girl and me
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Home For Christmas

2006-12-25T21:33:00.001+11:00

Merry Christmas!

I have spent my day today home with the family, with two very large and yummy meals. Up for breakfast and the family gift exchange, and then lunch. We popped out to our Aunt and Uncle's for afternoon tea, to catch up with the extended nfamily - with grown boys and a new baby. Dinner at home with the six of us.

It seems many people have been writing to Santa for rain here in Victoria, with rain on and off for most of the last few days, and hail today. It's actually very cold, and we have had the heater on! It may have been the same temperature here as in London after all!

The week leading up to Xmas has been rest and recovery for me. Trivia at The Bended Elbow with Katie and Clarkie, which turned into a large night...

Katie's B'day

2007-07-24T23:01:00.001+10:00

With the footy being more interesting, Katie allowed us all to attend the Hawthorn/St Kilda match on Saturday night before driving up to Ballarat to met up with her for a night on the town for her birthday. We really shouldn't have bothered with the footy!

But Heath and Jessie and I loaded into the car, a six pack at the ready to guzzle up the kilometers to get home in time to join the birthday girl for jelly shots, pizza slices and more beers, before bracing ourselves for the trip out in the cold in the neverending quest to find somewhere decent to drink in Ballarat.

Our first stop was Side By Side (which was Cincotta's back in my day!). One dodgy side, one pub with beer side was the consensus, although we only stayed long enough for a pot before the birthday girl decided we would check out somewhere else.

In the actual 0C, we walked the all too familiar downhill slope to Camp Street and Haida Bar (was Extremity back in my day!!). Another beer here in the too cool atmosphere of leather couches and try hard lighting - I do think they still had the old crusty wine barrels and pool tables towards the back - before it was time to hit the line for the Regent (was Victory, if I am really showing my age, but has been Regent in my time too).

Brrrr, lining up and laughing that I wouldn't be asked for ID - no surprise there. Free to get in, so I guess it's the dregs of the nightlife action in the 'Rat these days, we drank, and downed jager bombs, and drank beer some more, before drunkenly pretending that we thought we could dance.....

Leaving the Regent and then thinking of having a toilet stop at the George on the way to the trusty taxi rank outside Myer, I was reminded that the curfew was still in place!! No way! I thought that was an experiment!! They wouldn't even let me in when I said that my (imaginary) husband was inside with the hosue key! I have heard that work before, but the curfew is serious, apparently!

Xmas

2007-12-26T05:42:00.001+11:00

Xmas really only arrived for me once Jane was home, and she set up our tree. A real Xmas tree, from the Oxfam drive, it has made our house smell lovely, and feel suddenly like Xmas. All without hearing Last Christmas by Wham!

Post work Xmas party hangover, I caught a lift home to Ballarat with Jessie and Noodles. Katie had drinking games awaiting us, and we were soon in for a large night, with the customary night out in Ballarat around this time of year being like a school reunion everytime!

We went to JDs Sportsbar (as classy as it sounds!), for continuation of the drinking spirit. Loads of familiar faces out and about to say hi to, and catch up with. We finished up at the always disappointing Regent, before chips and gravy and a taxi got us all home.

On Xmas eve, I went to give presents to the babies, and hang out with Andrea and Dean for a bit. Cooper and Charli were not all that excited about the whole present unwrapping exercise, although they can be forgiven, considering that their new activity – crawling – can lead to so much more fun and trouble! I can’t believe how much these two are growing.

Xmas day had the usual exchange of gifts at home, and a yummy breakfast. Lunch was with Mum, Katie and Jessie, before we eventually popped in to the Murphy’s for a family catch up. Dinner, although noone had any room for it, was at home, with Melissa and Clinton joining us for our new tradition of seafood, drinks, and games.

Marking Andrea's 30th and Jessie's 25th

2008-03-13T03:43:00.005+11:00

Having been asked to go to Ballarat to help complete some assessments, I managed to create a long long weekend for myself. Only having access to the office for half a day meant that a had the perfect excuse to find other thinsg to do...which included a much enjoyed massage for a tired and over worked body!!

Friday night I went to the Tokyo Grill House, to have dinner and drinks with Andrea to mark her 30th birthday. Our table was reserved around one of the big grills, ready for the cooking show. The teppanyaki, via a banquet meant that the food kept coming all night, which was just as well, given the BYO wine consumption! Ordering drinks proved to be a challenge all night, with brandy instead of bundy - just shows that the simple beer and wine is always the best!

Discovering that Andrea had somehow made it to thirty without discovering a Jager Bomb, and the fact that her and Dean were out for the night baby free, a crawl through the Ballarat venues ensued. Haida Bar was the venue for Andrea's introduction to Jager, and then on to Karova Bar...mainly due to walking proximity!

Sunday night back in Melbourne, a gathering at Jessie's house for drinks and pizza in the sweltering heat, started for Jessica's 25th birthday, on Monday. The group wondered on to St Jerome's, before walking the streets on this Labour Day Eve to find a dance off location. Sadly, not a lot was open, to the groups surprise, and thus a crusty pub was found for it's drink availability and it's jukebox - Roxette for Jessie, what else!

Katie's Birthday in the 'Rat and Walking Kiddies

2008-07-28T04:27:00.005+10:00

Melissa and I headed back to Ballarat yesterday afternoon, a trip home neither of us has done for a couple of months. It was Katrina's birthday on Tuesday, and so we were making the trip to go out to mark the occasion.

Being the designated driver, given my forced sobriety, I got to drive Mum's brand new car to dinner, at Tandoori Oven in the Bridge Mall. We arrived and joined the group, as they settled in to their BYO bottles of wine. Unfortunately, the service was overwhelmed by our table of more than 20, and despite taking names for each order to help with delivery - the delivery was the crucial steps that seemed to be missing for over an hour! Our table grew very noisy and restless, and hungry!

The menu, albeit a few anomolies with the page numbers, and the food was quite good. With my meds for DVT, I actually have an assorted list of foods to avoid overloading on, and fenugreek is one of the things listed as high in Vitamin K, and thus blood coagulating properties - and the menu had this herb listed in just about every dish! I bearly knew what it was, and certainly didn't expect to have it as a choice

At the end of our meal, and the end of the tables drinks, we were asked to move on as it was closing time, and so we moved on to Haida Bar. Fairly empty, but of the few places I have heard Heart It Races played, Melissa and I carried on for a bit with Katie's posse, before calling it a night.

Today, after a roast for lunch, Andrea and Dean called around to catch up, and I got to see little Charli and Cooper...who have grown so much! Walking around on sure feet, the two little treasures are interacting with their world and each other. Very compliant and easily directed, the kids played around our feet as we caught up. A blown kiss from each of them when it was time to go, so cute!

The Basics In Ballarat

2009-06-05T15:43:00.002+10:00

Spotting a list of new shows for The Basics, and knowing I would be unable to make it to the Melbourne show, I have been working on a 'work' trip to Ballarat for about a month for last night! Mary and I both scored work reasons for a roadtrip to Ballarat, and finished off our day on Thursday before driving up the highway.

Popping home for dinner with Mum and Katie, Mary, Katie and I then jumped into the car and picked up Maria on the way down the street. Picking up Jo at her place, we had a full car as we parked in Camp Street and made our way in the Karova Lounge.

Being the first ones there, we joined the boys from The Basics around the tables, and grabbed our first beers. Andrea joined our group, as the boys from the Dead Letter Chorus warmed up to an empty bar.

As a few more people arrived, the Dead Letter Chorus got started, impressing with us with Gabrielle's vocals, and the happy pop-py feel.

For the Nice Harmonies. Nice Looks. Nice Lunch. tour, the three boys soon took the stage, starting with new single Like A Brother.

As the crowd started to creep up closer to the stage, the boys led us through new tracks including Home Again and What Do You See In Me?, and some favourites like Money (Gimme, Gimme), Second Best and Just Hold On. With This Ship drew much crowd participation, as these entertaining lads are becoming more and more popular.

They certainly impressed the little group I had dragged along for the night, for some musical education! Our groups' endearment to the lads was assisted by having them join us on the dance floor after the gig. Karova played some great tunes, and this ended up being a very large night! So much fun, and dancing up a storm with Kris and Tim was certainly a highlight.

I don't actually remember much of the night once the lads left, but I know there was more dancing, drinking, and too much fun for a school night!

Hungry Kids and Bertie

2009-08-21T12:58:00.004+10:00

After escaping the threat of having the being 'showered in' to a worksite assessment for work, and also traveling all over the place helping out the Ballarat office at the moment, I took Jo along to meet the gang for dinner at Oscar's.

Meeting up with Katie, Gina, Patto and Sarah, Kylie and Ash, who were amongst cocktails by the time we got there, we soon ordered some pretty great meals actually, and several starting beers.

A group of us then drove over the Camp Street, while some of the lads walked through the cold streets to join us at Karova. Finding that we were not on the banned list after last time, we honored our tickets at the door, received our stamps, and grabbed a beer, just in time.

A band I have been raving about to the gang filled the stage, and the Hungry Kids of Hungary started their set. Putting out their harmonies, switching lead vocals and musical talent, they made their way through their 2 EPs, with All You Need To Know, Old Money, Scattered Diamonds, and Set It Right. They tried out a couple of new ones, and a very fresh track, plus Two Stones which stood out for me, and finished with Good Times.

Ducking to the loo between sets, I managed to wait in line with the main act of the night, before grabbing another beer, and settling in for Bertie Blackman. Opening with her booming Thump from her new album, this little songstress with her quirky hair sweeps had the room enchanted.

Working her way through most of the new album, Clocks was a highlight, as was Come To Bed. A haunting cover of Phil Collins In The Air was amazing in the encore, before closing with the Sky Is Falling.

As the room started to empty, the DJ started in with That Beep, by AIH, which started all the madness last time we were at Karova on a school night! Jo, Katie and I called it quits then, knowing that the working day would hurt if we didn;t!

Grand Final House Party

2009-09-27T23:54:00.003+10:00

I drove back to Ballarat on Grand Final morning this year, having been invited to Luke and Kym's house party for the big day. With Luke being such a diehard Cat, Katie and I decided to go all out for the Saints, and dressed in Red, White and Black, donned saintly halos, and Katie even painted the team emblem on on cheeks. I fully expected to be turned away at the door!

Joining Kym and Kylie and Patto for beers, we took in the pre-match entertainment beamed into the lounge room from the MCG. Watching the two teams line up for the anthem took me back to last year, but then it was game on, and a cracking game at that!

Very, very close for much of the match, until Geelong took it away in the final quarter. The rest of the house was very pleased with that!

More drinking to be done, random card games, and BBQ feast to be had. I understand the night ended up at Karova for some dancing, before Katie and I froze our bits off in the sub-zero Ballarat weather in the taxi line. Ahhhh, going out in Ballarat - hasn't changed much!

Privileged Woes

2009-10-16T14:04:00.002+11:00

Katrina, Kylie and I headed to Karova last night for a much anticipated launch of Oh Mercy's album, Privileged Woes. Support act for the night was Washington, who impressed with strong vocals and How To Tame Lions as a stand out track.

Soon enough the boys and Eliza were ready for the stage, and started their engaging, chatty set. A medium crowd for the venue, with a handful of people who knew the material. Katie and Kylie soon labelled cute little Eliza 'Lemony Snicket', and we all had a debate about who of us had found these guys first. The girls claim they saw them as support for Sparkadia here in Ballarat, which may just beat my discovery in Brunswick....

Alex enchanted the crowd with tracks like Seemed Like A Good Idea, Broken Ears, and Salvation Jane. Explaining that In My Stride was about an affair with his science teacher, Holding On was also strong. A couple of new tracks popping into the set list, with one with Thom on vocals.

Announcing that they had just filmed a spot on Neighbours with the next track, and single, Get You Back, they joked that when the Toadfish requests a song, Oh Mercy did play!

Lay Everything On Me finished the night, with Alex inviting people on the stage to join them, and soon looking bemused as drunk lads towered over him, not missing a beat.

Editors

2010-01-05T22:41:00.002+11:00

Kylie come down to Melbourne to find my place, and me working from home, yesterday afternoon, which kicked off our trek into town. We grabbed some dinner and beers along Bourke Street, as we watched the line at The Palace grow, and soon shuffle in.

Big Scary were up first, and thus we made our way into the cavernous venue, based on recommendations and musical similarities from Last.fm. Now last.fm is a bit of a music bible for me these days, but the idea they this band was similar to Hungry Kids was way off! OK, maybe one song sounded like our Brisbane band.

Big Scary were a guy who looked like John Mayer, and sounded like he was trying to channel Jeff Buckley at times, with a girl drummer. The sound was all over the place, and sadly not the find we had expected.

But then, to a growing male dominated crowd, UK's Editors arrived on stage. Being a fan of their middle released album, I was keen to hear their new stuff, for a taste and perhaps the push to purchase. The tracks from An End Has A Start, alas, were the standouts of the night, with the title track of this album really bringing this set to life as song 2. Smokers Outside the Hospital Doors was also a great track for the night. The new tracks brought an electro 80s pop feel, which given some other bands playing around with this feel, seems to be on it's way back.

The crowd were very into the 90 minute set, with hands aloft and clapping from ground and surrounding stairways. Tom Smith's voice was commanding throughout, and his theatrical movement on stage was fascinating, if a little disturbing!

Rain and Raining Wickets at the SCG

2010-01-04T17:00:00.003+11:00

Getting into Sydney after two long flights, I was picked up from the airport by Belinda, and taken straight to the Olympic Hotel for a beer with the Waving The Flag. Here we exchanged stories about the last test, and world trips to be taking in this new year. Always a dangerous group to hang out with when the travel bug is biting!

I had contacted Jess and Andrew late in the day between flights, and they managed to come and join us for a beer crawl up Oxford Street, before we found a curry place - one of Bumble's Sydney test traditions. It was great to see the Wilson's, who have just returned home from their time in the UK, and working on setting up home again.

Belinda and I made our way in the morning yesterday to the SCG, for the start of play....and watched as the drizzle fall and the big covers stayed on the centre of the ground.

With nothing happening until 2pm, except for the Milo Cricket kids getting out and playing in the Lunch Break, Shane and I started our rounds of mid strength beer for the day farly early.

When the drizzle stopped enough to get a toss, and the start of play, we were all stunned as Aussie wicket after wicket tumbled. In fact, all 10! For just 127. Ouch!

Pakistan started their innings as light stopped play for the day, just after 6.30pm. Belinda, Justin and I made our way to the Coogee Bay Hotel. I had just enough time to buy Bumble a beer for her birthday, and have one myself, before rushing out to the airport for my flight home, and the end of my week off. Happy Birthday, Shelia!

Lovely Humps!

2010-01-04T15:44:00.004+11:00

Part of our relaxing New Years Day, apart from time in the plunge pool, time in air conditioned comfort, and back in the private pool again, was to get down to Cable Beach for a ride on the camel train. We got down to the sand and joined our train with the Red Sun Camels, and were taught how to get up on the saddles, between the humps, two per camel.

Wendy and I were on Jabba, who with his brothers had walked in a train like this one from Alice Springs, to start his working life on Cable Beach. Nick and Melissa were behind us, on a slobbering camel, and we soon found that Jabba liked to get very close to the girls in on the camel in front of us!

Instructed to lean back while the camels stood from their seated position, we were soon ambling along the sand, all in line. The train of about 16 camels walks over the rocks and dry sand of Cable Beach, through the Nudist Beach area, and along the waters edge.

Being brought back to sand from the camel's back, we then made our way to the Sunset Bar for cocktails as the sun disappeared into the sea (and clouds!).

Our destination for the evening was a return to Matso's, for dinner, which was amazing. And then we sampled many of the beers on offer - a Raspberry beer, a special for the New Year, then the Monsoonal Blonde, followed by the very refreshing Ginger Beer, and topped with the very yummy Mango Beer. All so very good!

Our Broome time was over the next morning, as I put the peg leg on, and gave myself a cexane injection for the day of flying. We dropped the car, and checked in to Perth, where I boarded a plane for Sydney, Nick to Melbourne, and Melissa and Wendy off to Geraldton to continue chasing the cruise ship around WA.

Happy New Decade!

2010-01-01T17:10:00.003+11:00

Amazingly, we made our flight in the wee hours of the morning, and Nick, Melissa, Wendy and I had 2 long flights from Melbourne to Perth, Perth to Broome, with a layover at Perth airport timely enough for us to see the opening session of the final day of the cricket.

We were sweating with the heat and humidity from the moment we set foot on ground! We grabbed our hire car, and made our way to our 5 star, 2 bedroom apartment for the next couple of nights, at The Pearle. Gorgegous! Complete with our own private plunge pool, if you don't mind!

The girls took Nick and I on a bit of a tour of Broome, with a beer overlooking Cable Beach at Zanders, before we made our way around to Gantheaume Point to check out the casts of dinosaur prints, and Anastasia's Pool - made by the lighthouse man for his arthritc wife, in the rock formations overlooking the ocean.

A beer at Matso's Brewery, and another one at the dodgy Roey, complete with misted water over punters in the beer garden - no water restrictions here! Getting supplies for our stay, we had a big BBQ cook up, a dip in the pool, with beer and wine.

Yesterday I helped out the girls with the passengers of the cruise ship docked for the day, which was their actual purpose for the trip. And haven't worked that hard in years, and years! Standing along side the ship all day, in the beating, sweating heat, we directed passangers to tours and shuttles into town. It reminded me why I don't really like people that much - such complainers!! And a little glimpse into Melissa's job when she's out of the office, travelling around.

Getting back to our apartment to wash, de-sweat, and finally get off our feet for a minute, we saw in the Melbourne New Year with beers, and Sydney fireworks on the tv. We then headed our to work friend's of Melissa's for a BBQ gathering, and NYE celebrations. Not a bad way to see in 2010.

After midnight, and hearing that the nightspots of Broome close at 1pm, we voted for getting back to our apartment and finishing off our bottles of wine in the pool. Happy 2010!

Little Red

2009-10-30T12:11:00.002+11:00

Driving back to Melbourne through some crazy traffic, I met Nicole at Mexicali Rose for an awesome dinner, and some sangria, ready for our night of music.

We arrived at The Corner as The Box Rockets were playing, followed by The Vasco Era.

But it was Little Red we had come to see play, and their happy pop tunes. Songs from their album Listen To Little Red were mixed with a handful of new tracks. Misty, I and Rock Until The Break of Day were stand outs, with a treat for Jackie Cooper with Wilbur Wilde coming onto stage to play saxophone. Very cool! Very big songs to finish their set with Coca Cola and It's Alright, and then Fight Song as the encore. Always fun!

Origin of Hawks

2009-09-09T17:04:00.003+10:00

With the Hawks not in the finals series this year, watching the footy is a fascination without the emotion. Many people ask me why it is that I barrack for the Hawks, and how it is that our family (bar one), is so into it all. Last month, in the process of saying goodbye to two family members, I have discovered how it is that we see through Brown and Yellow eyes, rather than any other combination.

My Auntie Annette told me a story last month, that she had been to visit her brother, Uncle Keith, and his new wife Auntie Isabel, following their move from the country back to her home in Hawthorn - and thus she was the Hawthorn supporter. Auntie Annette told of being taken to the matches at Glenferrie Oval, and adopting the team from then on. As we said goodbye to Auntie Isabel last month, I came to realise that she was the beginning of Mum's, and in turn, our love of the Hawks.

My Uncle Donald took Mum and I to my first footy match, which I remember as a game against the Sydney Swans, at Princes Park, when I was in Grade 4. And Mum and I have been every since! We lost Uncle Donald last month too, a top bloke, father figure, and family man. Is much missed.

Xmas and Boxing Day

2009-12-30T11:21:00.003+11:00

After putting in some crazy hours to earn my time off between Xmas and New Years, Mum, Melissa and I had a fairly quite Xmas - with the other two girls chasing a White Xmas on the other side of the world.

It's really Day Zero of the test, anyway, right? At least until one of the girls makes me an auntie!

Melissa and I drove back down to Melbourne early on Boxing Day morning, and made our way to the cricket. Joining the Waving The Flag crew, here is where I was to be found for the last 4 days...well, for most of it! A couple of recovery sleep ins were required!!

The growing tradition of a sangria night at Mexicali Rose was added to, on Chick Pink Day - that could stick! Always so good!

Day 4 was Melissa's 30th birthday. A big day at the cricket - and not really referring to the match and Watto's century dramas. Special water, and dirty bubbly from the bar all day for the birthday girl, we were rowdy when stumps were called.

We made our way to the Cherry Tree for birthday drinks, where the rest of Melissa's entourage were awaiting to toast her birthday. An early closing time here led us on a search for a new bar - where we found the newly renovated Royal Saxon.

Faintly aware that we had a very early flight the next day, the evening got away from us as dusk arrived in the courtyard, and luckily we had some pizza ordered from the kitchen. Dianna produced a birthday cake, which led to a courtyard full of singing for Melissa.

A few more pub stops later, and a dirty food stop, ended my Boxing Day test for 2009, and Melissa arrived into her dirty 30s! Happy Birthday, kid!

I'll Never....

2009-12-23T11:13:00.002+11:00

So two big things have fallen into place all in the space of a week - two things I have said I would never, never do.

I have always said I would never move back to Ballarat. I got an offer on a rental property here in Ballarat, clearly meeting my quota of crappy places to see. My little miner's cottage is in central Ballarat, and has a name plate and all. Cute, let's say petite two bedroom place - so room for visitors.

I have also said I would never go back to study, after the gruel of full time work and finishing off a Masters last time. But here I am this week with a letter saying that the University of Melbourne are delighted to offer me a place in the Masters of Social Work.

So given this track record, I will go with the gods, or fate, or fate-spite and declare this: I will never marry a lovely, independently wealthy man who will allow me to never work again. Come on!

Xmas Casino Royale

2009-12-20T23:40:00.002+11:00

Friday night was our work Xmas party, and having the theme of Casino Royale, the preparations led to discussions about fur, bling, beehives and poker! What else!

Arriving into the Southbank area after spending an hour at the hairdresser, Mary met me on the tram and we soon located the Queens Loft, under Kings Way. My hairdresser was loving my request for a beehive, and demands for more height. She fussed for so long....and I loved it!

Mary and I met up with many of the Melbourne girls, all in black, some white, and sparkles. For a couple of drinks I was the only colour in the room, before the Ballarat crew arrived!

The room was decked out with a roulette table, a blackjack and poker tables, with a patient and cheeky dealer at each, handing out play chips, and coaxing winning decisions, as we all drank, giggled and caught up over the night.

Not having a clue about card games (except blackjack after many drinks), and not really into gambling, my attention span for the games was limited. Everyone had such fun, and it was a great idea for the night's activities.
As the top money maker of the night was announced, and then our funny office awards were given out, I was awarded the Consultant with the craziest clients of the year. Ahhh, the memories of all those bizarre referrals!

After some dancing, the group soon made our collective way across the road to a bar in the real Casino. I have a vague memory of having to climb over a massive pot plant to skip walking the long way around to get into the Casion, by my General Manager and Regional Manager nonetheless....amazingly I don't actually remember how that happened....probably for the best!

More drinks in a bar at Crown, led to a very late dash to McDonald's, before the Regional girls headed back to their hotel room, and I hung out for a bit before getting a taxi home. What a great night, and a top way to finish off a very hard worked year!

B.C.

2009-12-19T14:51:00.001+11:00

I made it back down to Melbourne after a crazy day of crisis, spray tan and rain, and traffic madness to meet Jenny at the Arts Centre and the little side theatre, Black Box. We were booked to see B.C., which caught our eye due to the casting inclusions.

Walking into the tiny room, and grabbed an unallocated seat, the crowd filing in were bemused by the young man sitting on stage, on a bench, messily eating fired chicken. Calling out sporadically, making strange comments and inane observations, Dylan Young played intellectually disabled and bird obsessed Gabriel.

Nicole De Silva, much loved Stella in Rush, played Mary, in a modernised Aussie neighbourhood Immaculate Conception story. Our love of Rush and Stella and Michael meet here, with Ashley Zukerman playing a wog Joseph - complete with tracksuit and accent of the 'hood. And very well done at that.

This portrayal of the bible story has themes ranging from coming of age, carer roles, cancer and sickness anxiety, family dysfunction, hinted incest, disability discrimiation, and a developing love story between our two main actors.

Funny, cringe worthy and heart warming all at once, the play left a feeling of distaste at the modern suburban existence...and yet faith also.

Santa Pub Crawl

2009-12-13T14:32:00.004+11:00

I arrived at Naughton's yesterday, barely recognising the old uni haunt, and broke my personal rule of not drinking on my own, as I waited for my fellow pub crawl participants to arrive. Mary soon joined me, and when Melissa, Greg and Nick arrived, we ordered a pub lunch and pints to start the day.

Revisiting the pubs of my uni days was a bit of a let down, with Naughton's almost unrecognisable from those days, and The Clyde not open in time for us, the next on the Carlton North route was Percy's. We walked in, Santa hats adorned to the old man pub interior and some strange looks. Nick proposed that we were in Mafia territory as we were surrounded by old Carlton gang (and footy) photos on the walls.

Next was the Irish themed Pugg Mahones, after Greg and Nick finally submitting to the pressure of wearing santa hats for the day. A pot was had at one of the little tables in the back area, after having the front bar watch us walk through with stares.

Around the corner onto Nicholson Street was another old haunt of mine when I lived around here, the Clare Castle. Coming a long way since it's dingy interior provided cheap pub meals at poor student prices, this modernised pub has a coffee machine and cake counter! No! As we settled in for our pot, we decided we may have to double up here, so that we could get a listen to the band warming up. The hippy look, strange tuning sounds, and our giggly anticipation were met by Amy and Tammany, and foam snow covered Meggsy. As the band started all our predictions came true, and we downed our pot and fled...much to the horror of the apparently diehard fans of the Songwriters Guild. Oops!

Getting to the Rathdowne Tavern we were joined by elves, a candy-cane wielding Robbie, and a Santa-suited Springer. Greg and I discovered the strange bathroom water feature, before we moved on to the Dan O'Connell, and were joined by more festive people for the festive rounds.

Drinking in the front bar of The Brandon, James joined us, who I haven't seen since his big overseas adventures. We negotiated a quick stop at The Kent, who were wary of a big, rowdy group, assuring them we were just there for one, amid their Xmas lunching crowd.

Our first bonus stop on route was Gerald's Bar, a much recommended spot, just around the corner from home, and never visited. With the sun shining through the lace curtains at the front window, our round was a brew out of a very tall beer bottle....of which I have no recollection of the name!

The Rising Sun, which is actually a wine bar called Enoteca now, would not have a bar of us, and as I dared to wander in to use the facilities, I was chased in and out by the staff. Hmmm.

Decking out a long outside table in the barmy dusk Melbourne night at The Great Northern, our group paused here for our pot and a much needed feed. Great food at one of my favorite pubs, and one of my locals for the last 2 years. This is actually the end of the route, but there were a few more stops begging for our attention, and our thirst, in the area!

Walking along Pigdon Street our large group accosted a passer by to take a funny, large group photo, before we visited Bar Nothing. Here, with their 6 cocktails for $20 special, we had a round of sweet pink Sandra Sully's, and were then transported back to the late 90s with a Fruit Tingle. This bar is very cute, rustic, and again, another great bar so close to my house, and yet not visited until now.

Rounding out our Santa pub crawl at The Empress for one last, tired beer, this is the end of my crazy drinking year! Such fun! So many great drinking places found around Melbourne, through the Project 2009 and the many pub crawls of the year. I have certainly made up for last year's forced sobriety!

Jersey Boys

2009-12-12T14:12:00.002+11:00

Before Katie heads off to the other side of the world to have Xmas with Jessie, Melissa thought that we could all get together as a little family, as Mum's Xmas present, and see Jersey Boys. The actual event was to be a surprise for Mum, and amid her protests and proclimations of all the things she wouldn't like, Melissa struck a winner with this one.

Driving down in the belting and sudden rain, we met Melissa at my house, and had her lovingly prepared dinner. Bless her! Risotto and wine, and strawberries dipped in chocolate, this served as our family Xmas meal, bon bon popping included.

We found a dream park not far from the Princess' Theatre, and between rain showers, made our way inside and to our seats.

The story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. Opening with a French version of Oh What A Night, and the announcement that this track was Number 1 (in France) in 2000, all these years after the boom of The Four Seasons, we are then taken back to the beginning and the discovery of Francis' voice, Bob Gaudio's songwriting, and the path to fame and chart topping hits. The stage show also takes you behind the scenes, and tells the stories behind the men, their mistakes and trouble they find themselves in, and the battles this leads within the group.

Breaking through to the charts, and before us on the stage, with Sherry, the show led us through the different starts and formations of the band, and then their big hits like Walk Like A Man, and Can't Take My Eyes Off You.

The Boroughs

2009-12-09T23:54:00.005+11:00

Sunday Nicole and I ventured out to be what was billed as a New York City inspired music celebration, with Aussie music talent, billed as The Boroughs. Following a map, and making my way into the wasteland that seems to be the Docklands area at the top of the city grid, finding deadend and unended streets, and other people wandering around lost, I finally made it to the waters edge...and heard music. If it wasn't for the first act breaking the tranquil silence of the dock, I may never have found Shed 4 along North Wharf Road (which doesn't exist in reality!).

Being a surprise hot day amidst a fairly mild week, as we walked into the massise shed we were met with the stifling heat of the enclosed space. The fumes of graffiti art in progress, we walked into the small area utilised for the event, decked out in shipping countainers. Wilfred Jackal were playing to a small gathering, in the small space in front of the stage. Setting the flavour of indie bands, and lads in skinny jeans, the male dominated bill carried on to The Hello Morning, who were probably my pick of the bands I hadn't heard before for the day.

Nicole and I walked around the little event, grabbing some tokens for drinks, and walking through the handful of stalls of records and art. We ventured past the skater ramp down the back, and then returned to the stage area for the Frowning Clouds. Haning seen them last weekend, I was looking forward to hearing them again. The Beatles inspired sounds and looks got the crowd up and dancing in no time, as this little Geelong talent engaged the crowd and harmonised our ears.

We popped outside for an air break between sets (to the smokers haven in the sun), and had the wood fire pizza on offer as the fare of the day, before listening to Bachelor of Arts and then the Hot Little Hands. One miss, one hit....

Miami Horror, which packed out the crowd, and really had full participation. This is one of the times I realise that I just don't listen to the radio, and thus, don't always know what the kids today are listening to! Ha!

But the next demonstration of that was the arrival of Yves Klein Blue on stage - my, haven't these lads become insanely popular since their album launch! The crowd went crazy, and knew all their big tracks.

Released tracks like Make Up Your Mind, were backed up by album and EP gems like Summer Sheets, and Silence Is Distance. The restless and obnoixous and drunk crowd soon demanded (actually shouted out) that they play something they knew! The boys responded with Getting Wise, dedicated Soilder to all the young men in the crowd, before their signature Polka rounded out the awesome set, to full crowd voice participation.

Newly crowned ARIA winner, and only female artist on the bill, Bertie Blackman headlined to the packed little space, adorned with full monk cape for her set. Opening with Sky Is Falling, here it was more evident to me that the sound in this cavernous venue was echoy, and Bertie trying to counteract the space, which sadly led to her rasping her voice through the beautiful White Owl.

Bringing sexy back, Bertie played Come To Bed and Lust And Found, chatting to the audience between tracks. She talked about the cape as her prop for Byrds Of Prey, and pulled out her cover of Phil Collins' Something In The Air. Amazing. Thump was a sensation, and why she has that pointly little award in her possession this year, before she rounded out with a dedication to seeing Fleetwood Mac this week, with a cover of Thunder Only Happens When Its Raining.

The event in theory is a good one, but the location and venue itself, with the sound and heat and underutilised space was disappointing. Being on a Sunday was also a weird choice. But admitttedly, during the day we were unsure of The Boroughs, the last two acts made the day for us, and thus this little indie gig concept will surely grow from this beginning.

Passports with Purpose

2009-12-06T12:07:00.003+11:00

Reading about Caitlin's contribution of 2 awesome prizes to the Passports With Purpose fundraiser, I have discovered a cause that must have the word spread! Passports With Purpose are raising funds to build a school in rural Cambodia, something I am very much passionate about.

Passports With Purpose are a group of travel bloggers around the world, putting their blogs and readership's attention to worthy use!

Looking at the details of the American Assistance for Cambodia (AAfC)/ Japan Relief for Cambodia (JRfC), they have managed to assist many villiages in rural Cambodia so far, with the map littered with the individual school, and personal accounts of the positive impact this has had to teachers, students, and the community.

They have almost met their fundraising target, however there are many additions that can be contributed to a small community, that will bring education, and empowerment to the children in villages. $10US will get you an entry into the raffle, of some very impressive prizes. So jump over, pledge a donation, maybe win a great prize, but more importantly, make a different in a Khmer communities lives and future.

Howling Bells

2009-12-05T17:12:00.003+11:00

Making my way to The Corner Hotel, I met Maria and Gina inside the venue in time for a beverage and to catch the second act of the evening. Three piece Canvas Kites arrived on the side stage, and played their indie rock tracks, to an engaged audience. Mary arrived during this set, and we all enjoyed the Kites' Wayside, intense drumming, and a new little band discovery with potential.

We then made our way to the front area of the main stage, in preparation for the start of the Howling Bells, to a not quite full bandroom. An Aussie band who now call London home.

A couple of tracks in, Low Happening really starting the evening, with the crowd responding. Juanita was so enchanting in her London style sequined top, chatting and joking with the crowd, and dancing with her bandmates. And her voice is just amazing!

A Ballad For The Bleeding Hearts and Setting Sun featured, and Broken Bones was amazing, and the song that stuck in my head for the rest of the night.

Nightingale had the crowd contributing to the percussion, and Treasure Hunt was a clear favorite. The band's reproduction of their album sound was near perfect, and really impressed.

A one track encore left the droud wanting more, and would surely ensure a sold out gig next times these guys are in town.