Drawing out New Gold Mountain this week from the Bar Secrets pack of cards for Project 2009 drinks, Erin, Dan, MJ and I made our way down to a little alley off Bourke called Liverpool, to find this destination. Spotting a big, unmarked but oriental themed door, but having some hestitation, we were urged to enter by Springer, who had arrived just in time to lead us atray!
This little dark bar had a good selection of beverages, including our measure, Mount Gay. We snappled up a table, scoped out the crowd, and then unwound for the end of the week.
Having spotted Double Happiness just next door, at a different floor level, we had our required round of drinks at destination one, and moved to the sister bar, to check this one out too. Finding a spot at the boxes at the back, surrounded by the similar themed decor, we devoured more Mount Gay, as a way to introduce it to the uninitiated MJ and Dan. They may never think of rum the same - nor should they!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Ashes To Ashes
So many sleepless nights, and grumpy, tired days over the last month and a half....only to watch the Aussies let the Poms win the Ashes on English soil again. Devastating!
The first test, back in Cardiff at the beginning of July was tough, with the time difference, and the cold nights at home. Helped enormously by the wonders of the internet, and the fact that most of the girls were online for at least the forst 2 sessions - at times it felt like we were sitting in a row in the outer, with the usual banter. Good times.
With all the anticipation, and discussion about the team make up and dream team collabrations, in the week before, the first session and day was very exciting. Ending in a disappointing draw, with the bitter feelings that the Aussie didn't quite play as agressively as they could have to fashion a win...I mean, North bowling the last over, come on! Gutted!
Feeling like I was working on night shift, although with the madness of work everyday, sleep deprivation was an overriding condition of this time. England wins the test at Lord's, then another draw in Birmingham....
Finally the Aussies win in Leeds - a massive win, in three days and with an innings up our sleeve. And so it all comes down to the 5th at the Oval again. All so very, very reminiscent of 2005!
A disappointing first innings by the Aussies, in a batting line up that rarely fired in this series, we were set an impossible target for our 2nd. All over in 4 days, and the urn belongs to England again til the return series at home.
All that lost sleep, and lost hope....but shows that cricket competition is still alive and well! Our passion has not died, meaning the Aussie cricket fans, with many a blarey eyed person in the city buildings the next day.
The first test, back in Cardiff at the beginning of July was tough, with the time difference, and the cold nights at home. Helped enormously by the wonders of the internet, and the fact that most of the girls were online for at least the forst 2 sessions - at times it felt like we were sitting in a row in the outer, with the usual banter. Good times.
With all the anticipation, and discussion about the team make up and dream team collabrations, in the week before, the first session and day was very exciting. Ending in a disappointing draw, with the bitter feelings that the Aussie didn't quite play as agressively as they could have to fashion a win...I mean, North bowling the last over, come on! Gutted!
Feeling like I was working on night shift, although with the madness of work everyday, sleep deprivation was an overriding condition of this time. England wins the test at Lord's, then another draw in Birmingham....
Finally the Aussies win in Leeds - a massive win, in three days and with an innings up our sleeve. And so it all comes down to the 5th at the Oval again. All so very, very reminiscent of 2005!
A disappointing first innings by the Aussies, in a batting line up that rarely fired in this series, we were set an impossible target for our 2nd. All over in 4 days, and the urn belongs to England again til the return series at home.
All that lost sleep, and lost hope....but shows that cricket competition is still alive and well! Our passion has not died, meaning the Aussie cricket fans, with many a blarey eyed person in the city buildings the next day.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Robot
Driving back to Melbourne in the middle of the day, I polished off some work before a beer appeared on my desk, signalling the end to a long week. Tidying up, I soon made it to the tea room to catch up with the office after being out and about all week - we seemed to hit the beers more that we have for ages!
A big group joined me for Project 2009 drinks, walking down Queen Street to Flinders Lane, and finding Bligh Place. Down the end of this is Robot, where Mary, Dan, Jess, Tara, Steve, Erin and I all found our way to the bar, in this small downstairs room. Once ordered with drink in hand, we were hassled to move away from the bar, and thus made our way to the mezzanine level.
Adorned with Japanese pieces, and comic book bits, our group drizzled into a much needed relaxed Friday night at this little tucked away bar. A unisex toilet had many patrons confused, and amazingly there was quite a crowd filling the tables outside in the Lane. Another find, for a quiet drink with a small group, this one.
A big group joined me for Project 2009 drinks, walking down Queen Street to Flinders Lane, and finding Bligh Place. Down the end of this is Robot, where Mary, Dan, Jess, Tara, Steve, Erin and I all found our way to the bar, in this small downstairs room. Once ordered with drink in hand, we were hassled to move away from the bar, and thus made our way to the mezzanine level.
Adorned with Japanese pieces, and comic book bits, our group drizzled into a much needed relaxed Friday night at this little tucked away bar. A unisex toilet had many patrons confused, and amazingly there was quite a crowd filling the tables outside in the Lane. Another find, for a quiet drink with a small group, this one.
Friday, August 21, 2009
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!
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!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Chinas, Scout and Night Walkers
I had convinced Dan to come out with me on a Saturday night, for another China's gig. This time at the Northcote Social Club, on a dark and wintery night. We arrived to a fairly empty band room, with the China's mingling around.
When one of my favourite 8 piece bands graced the stage, The Good China did not disappoint the loyal gathers. Opening with No More Maps No More Roads, they were full of energy and fun. Favourite tracks like All Nothing and 39 Blacks were played, along with The Couch Song, and If Pain Persists from the soon to be launched EP the guys have just finished.
Little Scout were next, a four piece band who were very engaging and full of boppy tracks. The headliners of the night were Cuthbert and The Night Walkers, who really impressed! 7 people on stage, all playing different instruments - Pace Ourselves was a stand out.
When one of my favourite 8 piece bands graced the stage, The Good China did not disappoint the loyal gathers. Opening with No More Maps No More Roads, they were full of energy and fun. Favourite tracks like All Nothing and 39 Blacks were played, along with The Couch Song, and If Pain Persists from the soon to be launched EP the guys have just finished.Little Scout were next, a four piece band who were very engaging and full of boppy tracks. The headliners of the night were Cuthbert and The Night Walkers, who really impressed! 7 people on stage, all playing different instruments - Pace Ourselves was a stand out.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Pericles
Having grabbed tickets to Pericles some months ago, Mary, Jenny and I went into town yesterday, and had brunch at Time Out in Fed Square, ready for an afternoon with Marcus.
Pericles is a play that Shakespeare had a hand in, purportedly in adapting it from a poem, although supposedly leaving it incomplete, being one of his last.
The Bell Shakespeare production had promient drums on either side of the stage as a feature, and the larger than life Marcus Graham as Pericles.
The plot was actually quite complicated and fantastical, with twists and plots to kill, people coming back from the dead, and daughters led into a bordello only to be offered to the shipwreaked and broken Pericles. Such a strange aray of twists here, we were grateful for the synopsis handout!
Some good performances, great music throughout, and our fix of Marcus for the season!
Pericles is a play that Shakespeare had a hand in, purportedly in adapting it from a poem, although supposedly leaving it incomplete, being one of his last. The Bell Shakespeare production had promient drums on either side of the stage as a feature, and the larger than life Marcus Graham as Pericles.
The plot was actually quite complicated and fantastical, with twists and plots to kill, people coming back from the dead, and daughters led into a bordello only to be offered to the shipwreaked and broken Pericles. Such a strange aray of twists here, we were grateful for the synopsis handout!
Some good performances, great music throughout, and our fix of Marcus for the season!
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Meyers Place Bar
Project drinks this week were aligned with our need to be moving from work towards the MCG for the footy. Meyers Place Bar was drawn from the pack, meeting our criteria.
We had actually inadvertedly drank here back in the first week, when patrons were spilling out into the alley from both opposite bars. This Friday night however, it was cold and there was no need to hover outside for long. I actually had my first away from work beer at Loop, where Jenny, Amy and Shane had set up camp at the bar.
I ducked across the alley and to our destination for my second beer, and met up with Rick, before being joined by Melissa, Nick and Greg, and Yusif, as we prepared for the evening of footy.
Lauded as one of the city's first hidden alley bars, the interior was a fairly nondescript space, empty one minute, packed the next.
Sadly this bar was the highlight of our night, with a disappointing defeat to Adelaide for the Hawks.
We had actually inadvertedly drank here back in the first week, when patrons were spilling out into the alley from both opposite bars. This Friday night however, it was cold and there was no need to hover outside for long. I actually had my first away from work beer at Loop, where Jenny, Amy and Shane had set up camp at the bar.
I ducked across the alley and to our destination for my second beer, and met up with Rick, before being joined by Melissa, Nick and Greg, and Yusif, as we prepared for the evening of footy.
Lauded as one of the city's first hidden alley bars, the interior was a fairly nondescript space, empty one minute, packed the next.
Sadly this bar was the highlight of our night, with a disappointing defeat to Adelaide for the Hawks.
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