Project 52: Tuesday Lunchtime

In the final days before departure for my job in Nauru, I managed to catch up with a few people, including having lunch with Dad to tell him about my next crazy adventure. We met up at Racers along Lake Wendouree.

This post is part of Project 52 with Jess from FuShMuSh.

Dan Sultan In Castlemaine

The temptation to see Dan Sultan play the collections of songs from his forthcoming album again was too hard to resist once a show was announced at the Theatre Royal in Castlemaine. Such a gorgeous, and intimate feel venue, and he also has a special connection to the town, which makes the show even more heartfelt.

Michelle and I had dinner at The Western in Ballarat, before we drove across. The Western has been done up recently, with stripped back walls, stylised fittings, and an extensive menu.

The drive took me back to the old work days of covering this countryside, with rain, a rainbow, and then the sunset colours over the countryside.

Joining the standing crowd, as the seated patrons finished off the final dish of their meals, Kali joined us, and we sampled the wine from the bar.

Once Dan took the stage he was so talkative, and confessed that he was nervy, which made him more chatty. He introduced the room to his grandmother, in the audience, and told story after story about each song for the night.

The two sets, broken with a break for all, opened with Caroline from his first release, before he shared a host of new tracks he has newly recorded.

Just one song from Get Out While You Can, he performed Old Fitzroy at keys, and poured so much emotion into it, it felt like everyone was holding their breath. Amazing.

He returned for a final song for an encore, the newly released Under Your Skin. So edgy and different to his other tracks.

I cannot wait for this new album, but have to until early next year according to the press Dan has done in the past week.

Sarah Blasko’s I Awake

At the start of the month I got to see Sarah Blasko on stage once more, to perform most of her new album. I so love seeing a new collection of tracks come to life, as their singer-songwriter intended, and Ms Blasko puts on the most mesmorising of shows, always.

Grabbing the train after work, Andrea met me at Ballarat Station, and we went off to The Forge for an amazing dinner. A catch up among the rustic setting, with such delicious pizza choices. The old antique shop in Armstrong Street never looked and smelt so good!

Taking our seats in the fourth row of the Wendouree Performing Arts Centre, we were soon treated to lights down on the impressive theatre and Fletcher on stage. Rare for the support to have a darkend room for his set, he took to his acoustic rock-folk story-telling songs, and captured the seated audience.

Then Sarah took the stage, with Fletcher back out on guitar, and the rest of her travelling band. She wore all black as she float about on stage in her characteristic performance movement delivery. In the middle section of the set, she donned long black gloves with sparkles, to add to the effect, and it was hard to draw your eyes away from the movement and glitter!

Opening with All I Want, Ms Blasko treated us to a handful of older tracks like We Won't Run, before introducing her new album material. Hold On My Heart continues to be my favourite song of hers, from my favourite album of hers, As Day Follows Night, and so lovely to hear live once more.

I Awake has come to life for me after hearing it live this night, being the title track of the new album. Cast The Net stayed with me for days after seeing it performed on stage. Sarah was chatty and engaging between songs, so cute. She finished a rousing God-Fearing, and explained that it was about bullying, which made her angry.

I was at a gig where Sarah declared that she wouldn't play the Cold Chisel cover of Flame Trees anymore, and then changed her mind, and so I was delighted to hear her doing it again - particularly sentimental having returned to my own hometown for the night.

I was pretty surprised when Andrea said that she hadn't seen her live before, as we both walked out of the theatre at the end of the show in awe of our incredible night. Ms Blasko, it was a treat as always!

Sovereign Hill: Stepping Back In Time

As soon as you walk out of the ticket entrance of Ballarat's Sovereign Hill your senses are met with the sights, smells and sounds of the 1850s - the clopping of the horses drawing the coach around, the smell in the air of the steam engines and the blacksmiths at work, glimpses of men and women in full costume, the unmistakable whiff of horse manure, the repetitive chinking of metal being made into something useful somewhere close by, all contributing to the bustle of Main Street.

For me it was a trip down memory lane with all the childhood and school visits completed over the years, and I was delighted with the sight of a school group making their way through the reconstructed street, in full 1850s capes, long and full skirts, and pantaloons. During weekdays of school terms there can be a number of groups dressed in costume attending classes around the park.

The familiar stores all along Main Street were also a treat to see again, and were frequented by the many tourists visiting on this day. Clarke Brothers Grocers is always a fascinating visit, with the kitchen and homewares of yesteryear. Seeing the printing press of the Ballarat Times, you can still have your name included on a quaint sign from here. The Apothecaries Hall, with the olde medicines and remedies lining the walls.

As you wander up the Main Street, past the New York Bakery and United States Hotel where you can sit for a meal, you also pass the Criterion Store for all your 1850s fashion and lace. The Victoria Theatre hosts shows at regular intervals, and is a gorgeous example of grand Victorian design and trimmings. I had lunch at the modern Cafe by the lake, which consisted of a sausage roll from Hope Bakery, which was as I'd remembered from my school days as the best I've ever had, and still is!

Charles Spencer's is where you find the full range of infamous boiled lollies, like the amazing raspberry drops and humbugs, but around on Normanby Street you can actually watch through the windows as these confectioneries being made with all the old fashioned techniques and detail at Brown's Confectionery. I scored a taste of the still warm results, which are bound to sway your purchase choices!

Aside from the shops and places to explore of the Main Street, the other significant half of Sovereign Hill are the goldfields, which is where all the wealth was found to fund the growing population that became the Ballarat we know today. Here you can pan for gold, claiming some of the $50,000 worth of gold put in the creek every year just for that feeling of luck and fortune-making from your efforts squatting at the waters edge. There are fossickers around to show you some tricks to panning, in costume of course, and you can keep your findings.

This section of the park also contains the tents of the miners who flocked to the region once gold was first found in the area in 1851. The simple set up of these camps makes you feel for these people, placing all their hopes in finding a nugget of gold from their back-breaking toils, whilst living in the freezing conditions of a cold Winter in Ballarat in these canvas tents. Brrrr!

Each tent is set up to tell a story of the conditions or the fails and fortunes of these miners. There is also a Chinese area, where Chinese miners were clumped together in their plots to try their luck away from, but really alongside, their English settler colleagues.

There is loads to see and do here on a visit, and the beauty of your day entry is that you can have your ticket validated as a passout and return the next day to make sure you don't miss any of the features or tours.

This the first post in a series to show off Ballarat's premier tourist attraction, for which I was provided a pass to enter Sovereign Hill for the day. The thoughts in this post, however, are entirely my own.

Heritage Weekend: Childhood Memories

Ballarat hosted it's Heritage Weekend this weekend again, in line with Mother's Day, with the theme being Childhood Memories. Keen to check out the displays after our Mother's Day brunch fest made by Katie, following our walk in the morning, the three of us ventured into town to have a little look.

On the Saturday I had a vantage point of the steam train making it's glorious trips, a couple each day of the weekend for excited riders, and then there was the sight of a horse-drawn tram clopping along the Wendouree Lake tracks. Plus it seemed that every vintage bus of Victoria was doing a run around town, which were pretty novel and cute! But the thing that caught my eye for the weekend, and managed to help convince Mum of the need for an outing to have a look, was the display of old childhood toys at the Mining Exchange.


The rooms, filled with people, were decked out with pedal cars and dolls from 1930s to the 1970s, including play sets and furniture and very early Barbie.

Outside there was a miniature and very cute carousel, and then a display of vintage and restored cars and caravans.

After our wander through all the displays Katie and I took Mum into the Sweet Decadence Cafe at the Art Gallery for scones, jam and cream and tea, to complete our afternoon.

The Heritage Weekend seems to be a staying feature on the Ballarat calender now, although I continue to be surprised at it's scheduling on Mother's Day weekend. I guess they are capturing people after their breakfast or brunch with Mum in town, or after a lunch gathering, although I do wonder if they would gather more people if it was a stand alone weekend. People certainly are home for this weekend, looking for additional things to do. The challenge now will be to come up with new and interesting themes and activities each year, for the same visitors.

Xmas '11

Wow, Xmas has sped past us again, in a whoosh of frenetic activity, catching up with people, and a rush to get work done before a handful of days off. Still largely in denial that it was really upon us, I have managed to get through the other side of the silly season.

One of my first catch ups was a trip out to visit Andrea, and see Cooper and Charli. Amazingly, gifts for these soon to be 5 year old twins was the first purchase I made in the lead up to Xmas, actually back in October! Unheard of! I popped out to see them, and hang out for the afternoon on my day off. We exchanged gifts, Andrea and I had coffees and caught up, and we even made fake snow with the kids. Was so great to spend this time with them.

Having boycotted the work Xmas party this year in protest of it's less than original idea, and the lack of accommodation for us Regionally based Consultants, I was keen to ensure I enjoyed the lunch planned for Xmas Eve Eve. Having done all that I could for the week, after having some truly harrowing things happen to my clients in the build up to this tough time for people with a mental illness, our Ballarat office headed out to Pipers By The Lake for our lunch.

Here we also exchanged our Shit Kringle gifts....inspired by something I had read, and replacing that silly idea that you can get anything good for someone as a gift for $10. This was very funny, with random exchanges including Xmas toilet paper, a sex shop goodie bag, a tacky Aussie touristy souvenir, and Post Adelaide Football Club Xmas baubles.

After lunch and many white wines, Michelle and I then requested to be dropped off at the Lake View for a continuation of the Xmas white wine in the sun theme. Eventually some of her mates joined us after their Xmas break up, and we went into town for dinner. Michelle and I ended up sitting in the intimate window table for 2 for amazing pizza and more wine, at The Main Bar. One of my favourite places in Ballarat at the moment!

Next we walked back down into Sturt Street as the sun was fading, and introduced Michelle to the amazing Portico on Sturt, where we sampled more wine, chilled band, and awesome atmosphere. Janelle joined us here before we walked across the road to end the night dancing at Irish Murphy's.

Xmas Eve landing on a Saturday called for an afternoon session, so I had booked a table for lunch for Melanie, Renee, Michelle and little Nisha and I, at Lake View, to get started. After lunch, Mel and Renee and I moved to the front room, and settled in for the mini-Ballarat reunion that is Xmas eve out.

Dinner was a Xmas catch up with Dad with the girls and Heath, across the road at the Boatshed. Back across the road for more drinks and catching up with people, Michelle eventually dropped by and drove me home via Katie's and Dave's Xmas lights display.

After all that, Xmas Day was a more subdued affair...as usual, with plans to drive down to Melbourne for the cricket. I joined the girls and Heath at Mum's for a (delayed for me) breakfast and gift exchange. We then enjoyed the traditional Xmas lunch spread, before popping out to our Aunt and Uncle's to catch up with the extended family. Back home in the afternoon, a seafood dinner outside in the fading light of the day in the backyard was a perfect way to finish the silly season!

Hope you had a good one!

Straight To You: triple j’s Tribute To Nick Cave

Last night Ballarat was treated to an amazing night of music, from an array of up-and-coming Aussie artists, showcasing the songs from iconic Nick Cave. All the people in our town with good music taste, whether there as fans of Nick Cave, of the artists putting on the show, or a bit of both, was at Her Majesty's Theatre!

After driving for work for much of the day, I met Jenni for dinner and drinks at Portico on Sturt. Now, I didn't even know this place was here, and sat in awe of the eclectic collection of couches, and people, in a place straight out of Smith Street. Awesome. The tapas were so good, and it was lovely to catch up with Jenni. She's such a role model and inspiration for me!

After pre-gig wines, we soon walked the block to Her Maj, and took our seats in the Dress Circle. The evening was then introduced by Triple J morning DJ, before Kram from Spiderbait opened the night with a track behind the drums. Bertie Blackman and Muscles then joined up at the front of the stage for Do You Love Me?

Introducing himself as Chris from Muscles, and positioning himself on keys, he then surprised everyone who has listened to his album material and sang a solo Grinderman song, dedicating it to a kid he remembers from school.

Alex from Sparkadia teamed up Lanie Lane to give us an enchanting Where The Wild Roses Grow, before Abbie May was introduced to stage to do a song. White hip hop boy, Urthboy was amongst the cast for the night, as was Jake Stone from Bluejuice, and Children Collide's Johnny Mackay.

Dan Sultan appeared for Deanna, and one of the highlights of the night was Lisa Mitchell performing a beautiful and powerful Into My Arms. Just accompanied by Lanie Lane on guitar, this was amazing....until one of the lads from the cast come out and joined Lisa on stage to waltz her around, perhaps in some kind of themed notion - but totally unnecessary! He even bowed with her at the end, as if he was part of the magic of her delivery of the song. She was breathtaking!

Adalita arrived after the interval, and delivered Straight To You, Jake gave us The Weeping Song, and Lanie Lane Jack The Ripper, before the pantomime promised before the break was given within Stagger Lee by Urthboy, and assisted by the rest of the group.

Henry Lee, and The Ship Song featured, and then Bertie did The Mercy Seat, which she says she has been listening to a lot as she has been working on a new album.

The venue got a lot of positive comments from the artists, as Her Maj was perfect for this night. Showcasing one of our country's best songwriters, from his love songs, to his disturbed horror tracks, spanning over 35 years of music.

The girls really stole the show for me, with Lanie Lane captivating in her versatility - amazing vocals and stage presence, then on trombone and later guitar to back other's tracks, what a talent! Lisa Mitchell, who I had only really known from that horrible Dollar song, shone, and it was so exciting to see Bertie strut her energy and talent, reminding us of the anticipation of her new album. Such a great night of music.

The Jezabels

After seeing them at Splendour, and being captured by their debut album Prisoner and recent EPs, I snapped up tickets to see The Jezabels in Ballarat pretty quick - which sold out fast!

Andrea was my gig buddy for the night, and we had dinner together at Thai Fusion beforehand, for a really good catch up, and wine. We then walked up to Karova Lounge, and found a spot in the filling band room to catch Canadian Hey Rosetta! With violin and cello on stage, this band provided the perfect interlude for the main act.

The Jezabels arrived on stage to much noise from the filled Karova, and launched straight into their atmospheric indie-rock. Lead Hayley Mary wowed with her vocal range and animated movement dominating the front of the stage, moved in tight black including stockinged arms, as she belted out each number with everything she had. Endless Summer and the very popular Mace Spray were early set tracks, and allowed the crowd to be vocal too.

I had a girl faint next to me during Long Highway, which was awesome (the song, not the fainting!) - it was quite warm in the old YMCA pool pit that night! She's So Hard featured also, with a good mix of new album, the EPs of late, and the older EP.

Hayley spoke to us just towards the end of the show to thank the previous bands and announce the final numbers, and this was the only direct communication - however she had the full band room attention with her, and interacted subtly with her three other band members. Disco Biscuit Love finished the night, via an encore, capped off another great gig here.

As we walked out and waited for our ride home, we discovered that the day had ticked over and it was my birthday. Sitting outside in the night, seeing the young people of Ballarat celebrating their end of high school, we were both reminded how old we are, just by the reflection of our thoughts on today's fashion! Ha!

Kaylene and Kane's Wedding

Kaylene and Kane got married yesterday, after months of planning. Sitting next to Kay at work let me in on the effort and dramas of such planning and preparation, and I am sure I only saw a fraction of it! She had started preparing herself pretty early on for the possibility of a rainy day in October, with us all assuring her that surely it wouldn't happen. And boy, did it ever! But amazingly, this union of marriage survived it's first test during the ceremony - and handled it beautifully!

Michelle and I arrived at the Red Lion Hotel for lunch and wine, meeting Jane and Kate there, ready to head out to the ceremony. We then drove out through Creswick, to the Tangled Maze, on the road towards Daylesford, and joined family and friends in the outdoor amphitheater. Marveling at the sunshine and blue sky all morning, almost as soon as we took our places, little spits of rain started.


As the bridesmaids made their way down the aisle, partnered with their respective groomsmen, the rain drops got heavier. As Kaylene and her dad made their way from the cars, and through the garden to the gathering, the rain started becoming heavier and heavier.

As we all huddled under umbrellas, or toughed it out, vows were said and rings were exchanged. Kane was brilliant in calming any of Kay's nerves, and was probably totally distracting her with his little comments to her - so cute!

Once the rings had been exchanged, we could move the ceremony apparently, and we all moved inside for the rest of the service. Both sets of parents contributed a piece of a family portrait puzzle, before the signing of the registry and the introduction of Mr and Mrs.

After the group photo, and wishing the bride and groom congratulations and that they would have a great day, the 4 of us made our way back to Ballarat, for some post-wedding drinks at the newly refurbished Bunch of Grapes. Taking over a little lounge-cove in the main area, away from the noise of the sports bar, this new look pub is very cute! Just needs to be more accepting of the non-betting mid-afternoon gatherers! Michelle and I then went on to have further drinks at the Lake View, before calling it a night.

There are all sorts of things said about rain on your wedding day, from it being a good omen, to it just being a weather coincidence! Either way, congrats to Kay and Kane on their lovely and special day!

The Mary Tour

On Wednesday night a group of us went along to a gig at The Bended Elbow, for Sparkadia's Mary Tour. Although a disappointing crowd for a uni night in Ballarat, AB himself talked about being a trail-blazer to this venue for gigs. Could be...

I waited for Mary to get to Ballarat, and then we met Katie, Michelle, and Michelle at Thai Fusion for dinner. A few wines got us started, and the always great food here made sure we were set for the night. Kay joined us as we were wrapping up, and we walked down Lydiard Street to the venue.

First up were The Trouble with Templeton, before the Canadian group Imaginary Cities impressed. This 6 piece band, with a female lead vocalist, played some catchy indie pop tunes, and engaged with the small audience - including passing a beer to a guy who got up and danced.

Opening with The Great Impression, Alex Burnett started out the Sparkadia set, and worked his way through a mix of his first and sophomore albums.

Tracks like China, Talking Like I'm Falling Down Stairs, Hurt Me, Fingerprints and the tour title Mary, featured from the awesome album released this year. Many of these gained the sing-a-long response they deserved, regardless of the smaller crowd size. The older songs were also sharp, with Too Much To Do early, Animals, and then ending the encore with Jealousy. Great set.

Given the small venue, we had a chance to chat to Alex after the show, and grabbed photos with him. Katie was working on an idea that he could write a song about Katrina, given he already has one now called Mary....ha. We also gave him breakfast recommendations for the next morning in Ballarat. Ha. Too many wines!

Dan Sultan and Alex Gow

Mary and Nicole came up from Melbourne yesterday, ready for a gig in country Vic. We first went to the Black Hill pub, so that I could watch the footy, and we could have lunch.

Michelle joined us for the trusty parma, beer and footy on the screen, at this favourite venue of mine to watch the Hawks when they are away and only on Foxtel. After lunch, we got to sit in the side lounge in front of the fire, for the second half. A comfortable win for Hawthorn over the Lions, all good.

Michelle (now this is confusing, but a different Michelle!) met us at my place, and we started the drive across to Castlemaine, for our gig at a coverted venue of mine for some time. Mary's wonder at all her dusk countryscape views was quite entertaining - city kids!

We had dinner reservations for Public Inn, which was a recommendation for us, and it did not disappoint. Wine choices from the barrels on the wall, and quaint and classy decor, the meal was amazing and quite a treat, as a find in this little country town.

We then braved the cold night again, to get across to the Theatre Royal to see Alexander Gow and Dan Sultan. Touring together, these two Melbourne based lads come out together to play a mix of songs as an introduction to the show, before Alex then took the stage for his set.

Playing many of the Oh Mercy collection, plus a few songs he has been working on recently, Alex was chatty and told stories between each song. He fluffed the pronunciation of the town name, and that was perhaps when he started to lose the attention of the Saturday night crowd in this little town theatre, as there was much distracted noise from the back. He told us of the meaning behind Mercy Valley, which makes this track make of so much more sense. His sweet, melancholic voice was enchanting as always, but perhaps a little lost in the big venue on his own.

When Dan Sultan arrived on stage after the interval, he opened by requesting that people shush and listen, or go outstad and catch up. A commanding presence on stage, he then pointed out his grandmother in the crowd, just near us, and talked about his childhood visits to Castlemaine and all the memories of the town. Playing tracks such as Get Out While You Can, Sorrowbound, and Old Fitzroy, plus a couple I had heard from his set at the Flood Relief show, and demonstrated such immense talent. Such a great performer, and Aussie lad.

The boys re-joined on stage for the encore, which a couple of covers, topping of an awesome evening of music.

MDC 2011

Kay picked me up from home this morning, very early, as we made our way to the Lake for the Mother's Day Classic. The temperature read 8C when we got in the car, but awesomely, the weather held with a hint of sunshine for the actual event.

Growing in number, the Ballarat event is put together by 4 volunteer local women, and got just under 2000 participants today, in it's third year. It's also the largest community sporting gathering in Ballarat.

Dressed in our pink for Breast Cancer awareness, we met up with birthday girl and mum, Mel, and also Renee, ready for our walk/run. We also got to catch up with Katie, who was manning her Sharp Kids tent, painting kids faces for the day.

After a minute silence to mark the reason behind the day, and then the sporty warm up, the gathered runners and walkers made their way to the starting line, and were off on the lap of the lake. The 4 of us set a steady pace, and ran a couple of sections, including the final finish for the crossing of the line.


Once home and showered, I headed out again to see my Mum, and Katrina, Jessica and Melissa, and Heath and Greg, for our Mother's Day lunch. Mum is loving having all her girls home together at the moment, and we all tucked into a big feed at the Tokyo Grill House.

Happy Mother's Day to mine, and every Mum! And also a Happy Birthday to Mel!

Great Barrier Grief

I convinced Kayleen the following day to take the begging ticket for my next gig back at the start of this month, and so constructed a little night out on a school night, to see one of my favourite bands.

We finished what we both needed to do for the day at the office, and then went to Thai Pavilion for dinner. Great Thai food here.

Getting to Karova, we caught the last tracks of The Ocean Party, who captured our attention straight up. Next up was the solo and nervous presence of Gossling - just a girl on the stage with her keyboard and her enchanting voice and lyrics. She drew the attention of the filling band room.

But hearing the set from Oh Mercy, showcasing their sophomore album, Great Barrier Grief, was why I came out that night. And this little Melbourne 4 piece band put on such a show, a treat of dreamy indie tunes. Alex is such a pleasure to see live!

Opening with Keith St, and then playing the lovely Broken Ears, the set played most of the new album, with highlights from the back catalogue. Mercy Valley, fast becoming one of my favourites, along with my much loved Let Me Go from this album, the crowd was then asked to quieten down, ready for Eliza to sing Doldrums solo.

The set also featured covers of The Velvet Underground and Leonard Cohen, and then Alex reminded us all to listen to their appearance early the next morning for Like A Version on Triple J (which was so awesome!).

Was so great that these guys have come back to Ballarat on this tour, and as always, a pleasure to see them live. This new album of theirs is easily one of my favourites of 2011.

Gig Retrospective Too

Just following on from my first post, these are the rest of the gigs...many repeat performers from the beginning of the year, actually.

Florence and The Machine was back in Australia for a festival after I returned from my trip, and played to enthralled fans at Festival Hall. Given that nothing much will leave the feelings of awe like last time, Flo still had the crowd eating out of her palm, watching every more as she floated and danced across the stage in barefoot. This night we had previews into new material, and the brilliance of the Lungs album. So good!

A trip to St Kilda and the Palais on a school night had Andrea, Dean and I seated for the magical Angus and Julia Stone. Just a dreamy and sweet collection of tracks, with previews of newer material, despite just having an album released. Julia pulled out the cover of You're The One That I Want, which was again haunting and mesmerising. The crowd called out regularly that they wanted to marry either of these siblings, as if it were that simple. Julia made comment that one such proposition to Angus would be interesting, skipping all the meeting and relationship stuff, and just have his babies. Ha! Aren't all ages shows cute....hmm.

Back to the Palais not long after, Jessie and I were treated to the ever talented Sarah Blasko. Mixing up her old with her new tracks, amazing album As Day Follows Night, probably in response to some scathing press reviews about the last Melbourne shows where she opened with just her new album - how dare she showcase her best album yet! It was clear by the level of Sarah's engagement and enthusiasm, that this newest record is her most proudest. A beautiful rendition of The Garden's End. She played Flame Trees, for the last time she said initially, and then after a little mind-blank midway through, suggested Melbourne may get another one down the line.

Katie and I saw Boy & Bear at Karova one rainy October night. Opening the night, Passenger had the early crowd engaged by doing away with the stage and the electrics, and playing a song among us on the floor. An awesome storyteller, this Pom won hearts! The sweet harmonies of the lads who are Boy & Bear is why we were there, and they uplifted our little venue with the souring sounds. Admitting that it was tricky doing a gig off a back of a 5 track EP, they played a number of new tracks interspersed. Such a great talent!

For my birthday, a little crew gathered for dinner at Thai Pavilion last month, before some of us made our way to a packed and sweaty Karova. I got there just as the first act finished, ready for Sparkadia, who really stole the show. Album gems from Postcards were brilliant, with the sound spot on. Alex has the talent to pull you in and take notice, even in this busy, noisy, filled room. With the new track Talk Like I'm Falling Down Stairs a highlight, this gig already rocked. Then the headliners filled the stage, and Little Red showcased their newly released album. Rock It, again, got a massive crowd reaction, as did old favourite Coca Cola to finish the night.

Day for Mothers

Last year, Melissa and I noted the participants all in pink completing the Mother's Day Classic, and talked about doing it this year. This morning, I joined the 1000 other women, kids, and men, dressed in pink, here in Ballarat, for a lap of the lake.

This is the second year the Classic has been held around Lake Wendouree, and with a growing turnout, must raise a decent amount for breast cancer research. Just before the run/walk commencement, a General and Breast Surgeon spoke about local services, early detection importance, and the fact that 1 in 9 of us will have or know someone effected by breast cancer.

A sea of pink runners and walkers then set off, trailing around the track, leaving a band of pink all the way around the Lake. It's just such a shame the Lake is so dry, still. Completing in just under the hour, in line with my usual lake walk, the walk had a great camaraderie and community spirit feel about it this morning.

Catching up with my own Mum, and Melissa and Katrina, we met for High Tea at the Lydiard Wine Bar, which is on this weekend as part of Heritage Weekend, to celebrate Mother's Day. Little morsels of savoury bites arrived, accompanied by tea, and then an array of miniature sweets.

Happy Mother's Day, Mum!

Recent Cullinary Finds

In my break between subjects at uni on Monday last week, Julie and I went into a little place I had spotted - a cafe set up inside a garage. From walking past the entrance I had seen an eatery set up, and was intrigued.

The Garage Cafe touts Indonesian fare, with the Balinese style furniture, and Asia feel to the set up. We grabbed a big table, made our choices off the long menu, and were delighted with the outcome. The meals were great!

And then on Thursday we received an email about the menu for lunch at BRACE, where the Certificate II in Hospitality test out their cooking and serving skills. Michelle, Matt and I put up the closed sign at the office, and took up our booked table for a two course meal at the BRACE Cafe. I'm not sure if anyone can just call and book, but we will certainly be back. A chance to support these students in gaining their skills for later employment.

Blogging Just For The Challenge

I have absolutely no topic in my head to blog about today! This is the challenge with NaBloPoMo! Needs an idea everyday! And I am fresh out!

This morning I walked around the lake, first time for about a week. And then felt totally wired all day - have to remember that when the alarms goes off each morning and the temptation of snooze and sleep for another hour tries to win!

When I finally get to work, I call a real estate agent who had advertised a new apartment for lease, which I am convinced could be The One! I had been thinking about it all evening. A perfect, almost novelty living place, for my year of rent. I make an appointment to see said apartment, at 12 noon.

In the process, I distract everyone else in the office, who had probably been working solidly for about 3 hours before I drag my arse in. Oops! I always do...am such a distraction!

Then I get an invite via email to an event next week, which is super exciting.

I try to make a few phone calls to make sure one of my Injured Worker's return to work is all set to go smoothly this afternoon. Leave a bunch of messages, confirmed nothing, start to worry. I start someone else's assessment report.

Run next door to get my dose of coffee from Cafe Lekker, where the girls know my order. This is also an attempt to help me settle into work, and stop distracting myself, and everyone around me. Ha!

At 12 I pop out, after telling everyone who would listen about my potential dream apartment. Meet the agent, and she tries to get us in, but no luck. Her key is presumably the wrong one. Conspiracy theories enter my head...maybe she's promised MY place to someone else! Maybe I'll miss out! No! We agree on another time, next week. My potential dream apartment (or shit rental property number 5 on this search) awaits.

I have my aforementioned Injured Worker pop in for the paperwork that says he can go back to work, and what he can do, and how long he can do it for. We chat about how he's feeling about it all, and he's all set. I am a little nervous cos noone has assured me at the other end, but still, this is a big positive step!

I write a bit more of the assessment report. We chat more in the office, telling stories, or laugh about someone's silly phone conversation.

I get some calls, I make some calls. I enter my cases notes, I keep working on the assessment report. I send a report to someone again, which I sent them last week, but they claim they didn't get. I just forward it again, so they can bloody well see that I sent it last week.

I get an email from my Injured Worker's Employer, saying all has gone well today, he's back at work, and things have been all good. Awesome. I remember, in quiet celebration, that I haven't had lunch, and decide to go searching on foot for sushi in Ballarat.

I walk to Central Square, buy weird sushi from the food court, and run into Katie as I am walking back. We plan what's for dinner, and what time I'll make it home home tonight.

I pump out the remainder of the big chunk of the assessment report, now just for the research-y bit...home stretch. I get an email asking about another report I have to do, and set on belting out both before I leave the office tonight.

We all settle in, and get loads of work done. The other two go home from work at respectable times, and I polish off the first report, and then beeline to get the second one done. I email them out, invoice, close a file, make a funding request for my recommendations. Shut down my computer.

I drive down Sturt Street, pick up dinner for Katie and me on the way home, and we eat in front of the tv. Mum comes home, and we bond in front of Aussie drama. We all figure out an over-complicated plan for tomorrow, and Katie proves she is a top sister!

Now, here I am back at Jo's, for the last night, blogging, and listening to a song that tells me 'my boy builds coffins, he makes them all day....' A new, enchanting and lovely musical discovery, sent with love by Jessie in London. Thanks gorgeous!

Good day!

Hungry Kids and Bertie

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!

Blessed and Home Movie

After taking Mum out to breakfast for her birthday, to Piper's by the still very dry Lake Wendouree, I returned to Melbourne and to work, before taking up my next MIFF movies.

I made my way to Greater Union in time to hear the introduction to another premier Aussie film of the festival, Blessed, by the Director Ana Kokkinos. Adapted from the play Who's Afraid Of The Working Class? this film is played out in two parts, the first being the plight of the children. Kids on the streets, runaways, kids looking for trouble and finding it, kids just experiencing the hurt that life can deliver.

The next half is told of these children's mothers, and their experiences. From gambling addiction, abusive or inappropriate relationships, no good, thieving husbands, to the battles of Social Services and being totally down on all luck. Boasting performances from Deborra-Lee Furness, Miranda Otto, and Tasma Walton - and the Footscray area in all it's glory!

Another film that shows the Aussie film making talent and all it's potential, and funded by the MIFF Premiere Fund. The blows at the end of this film are full on, and leave you reeling. To the point that I called my Mum as I was leaving the cinema to tell her that I love her!

After popping home briefly, I made my way back into town and to Greater Union for my late night viewing of Home Movie. Under the Horror genre, this movie is a film debut by the Director, and an unsettling picture of home life!

Shot on handheld cameras, this little film shows that not all is right with the 10 year twins of the couple shotting their home movies. The denial and hope shown by the Pastor and the Child Psychologist, as they deal with the escalating unfolding behaviour by their two offspring is well played - the stunning blow of the crusified cat on Christmas morning is priceless!

An awesome premise, this film doesn't quite get to the peek of it's potential, but is amusing and emotion-stirring nonetheless. The ending had been built up in the synopsis, and didn't have the impact it promised.

Christmas Town and Country

Battling the Melbourne city shops on the Saturday before Xmas was what I did, with Jenny and her mother this year. We tracked through store to store, trying to find particular items on wishlists. Many, many hours later, and an unsuccessful attempt at avoiding actually venturing into Myer, Jenny I and were fairly homicidal by the end of the day.

Sunday I hitched a ride home to Ballarat with Jo, both of us mortified by the sight of utes and 4WDs decked out with tinsle in the Ballarat main streets. Katie and I hit the Bridge Mall soon after - and the contrast of the day before what amazing. A lonely Santa sat on his own, forlornly looking left and right for any potential interested child. The slower pace was much easier to manage!

I worked from the Ballarat office for the three days leading to Xmas, and being in a quiet, happy and relaxed office was just what I needed. I even got a lot of work done!

I caught up with Jo for lunch on Monday at Europa, and then Melanie and Kiayn at Oscar's on Tuesday. I also had lunch with Renee and Graham at Gee Cee's on Wednesday, after a very late night the night before at the office, as I slide into the work shutdown period.

Mum, Melissa and I headed over to Uncle Donald's and Auntie Carole's for our annual Christmas Eve catch up, before we joined the car queue in Alfredton to see the row of home Christmas lights display.

Christmas at home this year was just the four of us, with Jessie and Noodles chasing their white Christmas in the Highlands of Scotland. French Toast for breakfast before gift exchanges, and a call from Scotland. Lunch preparations soon followed.

After eating ourself silly, we headed out to catch the extended family, and marvel at how much all the kids out there have grown. We got to swap Carribean cricket travel stories this year, as we took in every Wiggles noise maker there is!

The two little santas, Cooper and Charli popped in, with Andrea and Dean, on their way to their Christmas dinner. Such little people now, with Charli giving kisses and waves, and Cooper asserting his personality. Such cuties.

Kim joined us for dinner, which is now a seafood tradition, before Melissa and I packed the car and headed back to Melbourne, another Christmas over.