'Scuse my lateness in posting the news but England are out. Dammit. The pubs of Melbourne were packed last Friday for the game. The line at the Elephant was massive so we didn't bother, they locked the doors of the Charles Dickens 'cause it was so full and Pugg Mahones was soooo crowded we couldn't see the screen. Ended up at the Exchange Hotel. Although still busy and everyone watching it wasn't quite the same as any of the other places. Missing were the homesick English cheering their own team on, instead we had a pub full of local suit 'n' ties in for their end of week, after work drinks.

Went to a battle of the bands thingy at the Armidale Hotel Sunday night. Knew one of the guys playing in one of the bands. Anyhow, it was put on by radio station TripleM. The winner going to the national finals in Sydney, which in turn leads to a gig at that M1 gig at Colonial Stadium. With three bands on the night, two of them were rather good, the other average. Guess who won??? Trust TripleM to pick an an unworhty winner. Rachel, the ex-member of Big Brother on the judging panel. Obviosly fame and status is more important than actual musical knowledge......

Still overly keen to move on from here again. Bored, bored, bored! ..."Oh but you don't have enough money or assets to leave at the moment". Blah blah blah....

GO ENGLAND! GO ENGLAND! GO ENGLAND!
4:30pm kick off our time today. Gunna head into town soon to watch the big game. The world cup is getting alot of attention here at the moment, despite the fact the Aussies never even made it. Beck's is even making front and back pages of the papers here in Melbourne.

We got a webcam.. Just another useless waste of money really.



P.S. - Hey Sticksy, leave us a comment ya geezer! (Hint - click on the word 'comments' that's in blue just below my name)

Penalties are a sucky way to decide a world cup game. Ireland lost 3-2 in a penalty shoot out last night after drawing 1-1 with Spain at full time. It was right on the 90 minute mark that Ireland scored the equalizer, which bought the house down at Pugg Mahones. Ya gotta feel for Kilbane though, who missed two penalties throughout the game. Ah well...

The mood at Pugg Mahones was awesome. Myself, Simon and Daniel turned up around 7pm (some 2 and a half hours before the game) so to try and get a prime position. The Sweden/Senagal game had just finished as we arrived and as a result the place was full of Sweeds. Not to mention those hot looking, tall, blonde women that the country is renowned for. Had a good optic nerve!!

Loads of Irish kept flocking in and we felt like a minority being Australians, not that that's a problem, in fact it was great being in a pub full of backpackers cheering and singing for their country at high volume. Tried chating up a few Irish birds whom were watching the game next to us, seemed a little snobby at first but got 'em talking as the game progressed. Then Ireland went and lost and alot of people lost the will to party it seemed. Me and Simon stayed on, drunk to much and chatted to anyone and everyone. Don't think we knew where we were by the end of the night?

Got back to Simons place around 2:30? The things alcohol makes one do. Cracking an egg on my forehead just before passing out seemed funny at the time ok! Felt like shit this morning.

People reading this jounal must think im an alco. I'm not I swear. It's just the law to drink lots whilst watching a world cup game ok.

Even the best of 'em get knocked back from time to time.

Was great to see the Irish win 3-0 the other night. Pugg Mahones in the city was full of Paddy's cheering 'em on which made for a great atmosphere. Went in with Aldrich and Patsy for the 9:30 game. As we watched on the bigscreen upstairs we were surrounded by those green Eircom geurnseys and Irish accents. With all the supporting and cheering going on I was reminded of when i was actually in Ireland. The last time i heard a crowd of people chant "Ohlay ooohlay ohlay ohlay" was at the Slane castle gig.


Have just been watching Big Brother uncut. Not as into it as I was last time around but still keeps me occupied from time to time.

Oh yeah, I just received an email message from 'GOD'

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MORE WINE PLEASE
What better way to watch an England game than at a pub full of noisy Poms. The Elephant and Wheelbarrow went off Friday night, despite my being so goddam wasted i was seeing two soccer balls by the end of the game. First beer at PJ O'Briens at 12:45pm. Several bottles (between us) of white wine at lunch, followed by Bundy Rum at the casino bar for several more hours, then a few pints in front of the soccer. Finishing up with bourbon at Icon Bar at around 1am???? Let's just say I suffered dearly the next day, but so what, it was worth it! Was good to catch up with Steed again as well. Back from London for a short time.

Spent Sunday down at Sandy for Steed's birthday, enjoyable afternoon but didn't know all that many people and was still hungover. After Friday I thought it best not to touch wine again for a while. Bleh. Finished up at Simon's house for a few more beers. Low key but nice. Game of basketball at around midnight had me coughing up a lung...............

Today went into the Good Food show with Mum, Dad and Rob. There were lots of stalls giving out free wine samples/tasting. Moved from stand to stand trying out the different brands and styles of wine that were on offer. It was free and it was great!

WORLD CUP
How good is it having the world cup on at the moment? For someone who never used to really enjoy the game, It's got me hooked. I guess living in England kinda made sure of that. Ireland's goal last night with 30 seconds to go was sensational. Tomorrow night's a big one. England v Argentina, and I'm pumped up for a night in town, at a good pub, to watch the game whilst downing several pints.

Still getting up, going to work every morning and feeling like it's cause I have nothing else to do. This kinda bugs me. There's soooo much more I wish I was doing with my life but here I still am. Procrastonating. Or perhaps I'm just to darn picky when it comes to making decisions!

So what things would I prefer to be doing now instead then? I know i need to involve myself with something that i'm passionate about. Something that doesn't become work anymore. Something that involves other people with similar interests... It's wierd, I think I need other people around me to be happy, but I contradict myself by knowing that I also need my own space as well.

I'd love to pursue my guitar playing more, be in a band. Doing regular gigs would be enjoyable

or...

Studying/working in the field of sound. Live mixng/Studio recording etc I have always planned to go back and study again. Looking back on it, I think my choice of course at Latrobe wasn't the greatest in terms of career prospects. Anyway..

or..

Still want to head back overseas, to be working somwhere in Europe, living in a house with a bunch of other travellers with stints of occasional travel in between. Enjoying life away from home.

or...

Stay here, move outta home into soemwhere thats more inner city, find a better job and enjoy life here a little more.

RISING SOME
The band had their debut gig at The Evelyn last Thursday night. A large crowd turned out to witness a set of blissful rock. They sounded pretty darn good if you ask me. Whitty's voice has improved since the old Winston days and the song arrangements much, much better