I took this photo almost a year ago. In the small park across the road from where I worked/lived for many months. It's one of my favourites....

I had last Saturday night off. Planned to go out somewhere different but still managed to end up spending all night at the Termy. That's where all my mates wanted to be. The place was going off and was actually a good night. Two new favourite drinks have developed recently. Canadian Club and dry.. and Jagermeister......

Ah, Christmas time. Consumer heaven. Spent time today at the Shopping centres looking for pressies, to get it all out of the way. It's good to look around and stumble across things you wouldn't have thought of. Still, it's easier and I guess I prefer to know what to get beforehand and just go into the shop and get it. Ran into people i knew as I was wondering around.

Watched Red Dragon tonight. Was good to watch it again after seeing the original not long back. The similarities and differences. Still not sure which version I like better... Oh and the Italian Job is another great film I saw recently. Will have to go and get the original version of that now.....

And checked out the Chrissie lights down at the Boulavard in Ivanhoe as well tonight. Some people really go all out. It's great.. And soooooooooo many people walking the street or driving along in their cars to check it all out. Real Christmas spirit, the street was a buzz......
Speaking of which, my first festive season home in a few years now. It's a good feeling. To spend it with my friends and family again as opposed to be on the other side of the world. Looking forward to the next week.... Sometimes though I wish i was 10 years old again. It seemed so much more exciting back then. Looking at all the young families and kids tonight I remembered what it was like for me.....

6:30am Sunday morning. Work over for another weekend... Too wired to sleep so I'll think I'll nod off to a DVD in my room.....

It's officially silly season, last night soooo many merry drunken people celebrating the end of the year. Intoxicated beyond any level of normality. People wern't just drunk they were totally fucked!!! Parlty our fault I guess for letting them get that way, despite cutting so many people off. You see a different perspective working behind the bar. I think shit am I ever like that? Surely not!

Tonight was different. Quiet for most of the night until the always expected 1am rush when all the other pubs in the area close. It got busier and more fun. The clientel friendly and amuzing. I love dealing with Irish people!!

Finished cleaning up by 4am and myself, Nat and Marika sat at the bar drunk beer and wine and talked for a few hours. About many things that progressed onto the topic of sex. Good, interesting, carefree conversation...


Sarah, Marcus's sister came around yesterday arvo. A last minute, unorganised effort to record onto disc a Nat King Cole tune, sung by herself, to be played at her wedding today. Despite all my recording and computer equipment being totally almost fucked up (things gather dust when you're away so long), we scrapped together a rushed and last minute recording. I've missed doing all that kinda stuff........

The termy is going great! Getting more shifts working behind the bar. With its art decoish style bar and kinda retro style setup there's a good chilled out relaxed vibe to it. Tuesday nights is $5 steak night, Wednesday is bingo. Totally silly with useless cheesy prizes such as jewish kosha cooking videos. DJ on Friday and Saturday nights gets the crowds in. We are opening up a new non smoking cocktail lounge on the weekend. Just to create a slighty different vibe for those who are willing to pay more and relax. Called the departure lounge we hope it'll do well.
I worked tonight but it was rather quiet compared to what it usually is. Actaully last weekend was like that as well. Myself and Marika just cruising along behind the bar often commenting on how quiet it is. Just stuffing around chatting in between serving and cleaning. My bro and Heath came in tonight for a drink. Heath orders a scotch and as i pick up the bottle and turn it upside down to fill the glass the little nip on top fucking well slips off. "Fuck" i say, as scotch pours from the open bottle onto the bench. The others laugh and and so do I. Heath gives me the title of worlds worst barman!

I watched the final of OZ idol at a friends place on Wednesday. Guy won which wasn't a surprise. Definately has an amazing voice. Although, I was going for Shannon. The Aussie battler from the country...

A few shifts also during the week for the Family business. Then there's my spare time just chilling out at home looking for things to do. Tend to get a little bored and frustrated when im sitting around home. Been watching a few DVD's as well.

It's good to be back into the swing of things with work again. Settling down here after being away so long has definately been a bitch! Having to suddenly deal with alot of my own emotional insecurities and trying to readajust not only to the change of pace but the realisation it's time to get off my arse and make something for myself. I still miss it over there though. It was such a wonderful experience. But now there are things at home im realising are just as, if not more so, important and meaningful... I still also miss a certain girl as well...

It was a rainy summer Saturday morning in Dublin just over two years ago. Myself and Ben were hoping the rain would dissapear as we made our way to the bus stop in O'Connel St. The city at this time was crowded with countless U2 fans from all over the world all there for the one reason. The gig at Slane Castle. Not just another U2 show but what became more of a celebration of their career, of their music. The pubs in Temple bar in the days leading up were always filled with fans wearing T shirts and whatever. People talking about the show.

As we approached the Slane countless buses let people off for the walk along the road into the concert grounds by the castle. By middayish the rain was clearing and the sun began to shine. We spent all afternoon walking around just talking to people or chilling out on the grass with a few beers. Some great bands kept the mood going. It was when Coldplay took the stage late afternoon that we began to take more notice making our way toward the front. Then the Chilli Peppers did a fantastic set, definately memorable.



But it was U2 that everyone was there for. I witnessed 80,000 people sing their lungs out that night, jump up and down as one during elevation, light up the field with ciggie lighters during wake up dead man and go absolutly apeshit during streets. U2 in front of their home crowd were in brilliant form.

Of the two shows the second gig was caught on film. I bought the DVD earlier in the week and all those memories just came rushing back. Beautiful day!

Oh, and 'One' has just been named the greatest song ever recorded in a pole by Q. No arguments from me there

The Spring racing carnival is a great time of year here in Melbourne. Derby day last Saturday saw a big group of us spending most of our time on at the 200 metre mark by the track. It was chilli, overcastand occasionally towards the end of the day it rained. It didn't matter. People all dressed up to impress. Placed a few bets myself earlier on but no luck. Few drinks as the day went by. Headed towards the Tesltra dome afterwards and out back to Shed 14. Big wharehouse/shed lined with a massive bar that was set up for the rugby. With a plethora of Irish people in town over the weekend (Aus v Ireland Rugby and International rules footy) it made for one hell of a party. Shed 14 was pumping with a sea of green. The Australian U2 show doing a set on the big stage. We stayed a while before heading to Brunswick St.

Melbourne cup day. Sticksy was going and I was only considering it. After being out till 4:30am Monday night for Chris's farewell, I came home thinking i would prefer to sleep in and rest Tuesday. Got the wakeup call at 9:30am, looked outside to a glorius day and immediately wacked on the 'ol suit and tie.... Absolutletly magic day with yet again a large group of people. Ran into many more i knew as the crowd of 122,000 filled the stands, betting rings and trackside areas. We spent the day mingling with people, placing bets and drinking Tooeys by the track. Didn't pick a winner unfortunately..... Once again wound up in Brunswick St afterwards, The Provincial. Looooong day, drunk and sunburnt.

Sticks and Myself - Before (12pm)


Sticks and myself - After (6pm)


Aldrich, Myself, Croughy and Timmy

Where has the year gone? It's less than two months until christmas and feels like only yesterday I was in freezing London celebrating the festive season at the camel and then comtemplating coming home to oz. Having such an amazing time, I decided staying on longer and now Im home almost one year later.......

I've been working at the pub and have a few more night shifts this week. Also a few days in with the family business keeping me busy. I tend to sleep a bit during the day lately, becoming nocturnal with work....

Slowish week. Been looking into courses to undertake and further my education. Having to Start again now with my overseas adventures over (for the time being anyway).

I was sleepy all day Saturday, after working all day and night Friday it was no wonder.... I went into Pugg Mahones Saturday night with a decent size group. Lined up for a while (don't ya hate having to line up for places??? seems to happen almost everywhere on a weekend) and then got a little narky with a few guys who jumped the line... Surprisingly they were sweet and kindly moved behind us again.....

Once more I was Mr Taxi and Mr sober (something of which i rather enjoy and can easily do). Watching everyone else get messed up and just chatting with a few quite drinks. Youre head doesn't get screwed up with the affects of the booze and you wake up feeling good. Ended up at Bimbo's with Rob in the wee hours.... What can I say It's a cool place???

Last Sunday was the one year anniversary of the Bali Bombing. I was staying at the generator in London at the time and was at the bar having a few drinks when someone told me what happened. At first it was one of those "wow, shit, you're kidding", surreal kinda things but as I read and saw in the news what happened it started to affect one more. Even though never directly involved, it's hard to not feel a sense of loss. So yeah as I watched the memorial services on tele last Sunday and read the tributes and accounts on what had happened, my own little world felt insignificant. All my problems, fears and dissapointment irrelevant....

Oh yeah, I pulled out the best of 1927 (remember those dudes?) over the weekend and It's been playing religously on my car cd player. Agree or not but they were actually a great band!!! Powderfinger gig coming up in a few months and I'm thinking about buying a ticket to see Live also. Been years since i saw 'em last. Their one of those bands whom are in music for all the right reasons I think. More than just a bunch of great tunes. Using song to express life, faith, feeling. Heart, Soul and brain...

Its almost 5:30am and Im to wired to sleep. Just got home from an 8 hour shift at the Termy. A great bar with good staff and a good crowd. DJ spinning some cool tunes... This was after I spent the day working in for the family business.. Sleep allll day tomorrow!!!

Was in Brisabane/Gold Coast during the week with the folks. Drove back with Dad in his brand spankin' new car purchased up there. Also caught up with a good freind.....

GO PIES!!!!!!

Up against Brissie again, but strong favourites this time... Good to see Buckers finally getting a Brownlow as well...

What else has been going on? Poddy got married last Saturday, the first wedding attended in a string of several coming up with freinds. Feels like the next phase of our lives in a way... Was a great day, the ceremony at St Gregs church and the reception at a nice little place in Doncaster... All the old crew sitting at one big table, most of 'em now with their girlfriends, fiances etc..... Kinda like old times, the guys i used to hang with alll the time and go to pubs with every weekend.... Was great to see 'em again, so much has changed, people a bit more mature. But then again it felt like nothing had changed also. Ended up at the ove 28's club afterwards, was a bit of a laugh really. A mix of younger people in their late 20's to some seriously older ones all tarted up trying to relive their youth... Never knew there was a club that size in our area!

Started work last night at a bar in Port Melbourne. First proper job in over two and half months. Nice, upmarketish bar/restaurant. There's the main bar area with alot of tables, couches, few pool tables whatever and then there's the restaurant area. People tend to come mainly for a meal, either from the bistro or restaurant menu. Very professional manner about it. Was good to be back working again. Have been working for the Family business here and there but i don't really count that as a proper job. Been doing it for too long and it's always been there if i need it. It's been hard settling in. I haven't really been my usual happy, confident self since coming home. Good to have direction and motivation again....

Im now lazing around home, tired from the weekend. Music night put on at one of the local church's Thursday night. Angela was playing piano/doing the music for. Ended up getting a bit happy at the Tempe pub afterwards. Watched the footy there Friday night with a few softdrinks. Went to the Dan' Oconnel last night and saw the OZu2 show, caught up[ with old friends and had a good night. When everyone left there I felt it a good idea to get a cab into South Yarra to meet Al. Saratoga Bar then off to some place in Fitzroy Street St Kilda. Spent way to much money and couldn't really get into the mood of it. Prefer the atmoshpere of bars on this side of town, Fitroy, Carlton. Less pretentious, more down to earth.....

I've just discovered a new song in the last few days, love when that happens. Pearl Jam's Loveboat captain from there latest album. Never heard it until recently despite being out for a while. Guess London did that..... Great fucking lyrics....

Went to the races at Flemmington last Saturday with Al and a few of his friends. Hadn't seen him since Spain..... I've never really been to the races much. It's one fucking great day out!

Had a job interview this arvo in the city, It's only a casual position but it looks good and may esuit me to start with....

Just been watching a few movies and listening to music this evening! Songs always seem to make more sense when you relate to what they're saying. When they sum up so perfectly what your feeling. They take you back to a time and place so easily....

On the playlist lately... Live - Dolphins Cry, Jeff Buckly - Morning Theft, Foo Fighters - All My Life, David Gray- Please Forgive Me - Babylon and This years love, U2 - Electrical Storm and Bad (I think one of my fav all time songs), plus a plethora of other great tunes...

It's been a somewhat slow and confusing week. Finding direction here is harder than i figured. Everything was so easy in London. You had it all there at your doorstep. Here isn't the same. I know i have ideas on what i want, just making that first step or coming to a decision.... I want to get back into the things that I missed when i was away, the things i was once passionate about. My music.. Playing, recording, mixing, writing.... Photography, graphic design... My sport....My faith.... Things i feel i've lost touch with....

I've had a few nights out catching up with friends and such. Monday night into the city I saw Kez. Nat, Prue and all that.... Good laidback night at a pub. Last night Rob called me up at around 9:30 and easily convinced me to head into Brunswick St for beer and a chat...

Oh i've also been going to the gym lots more lately. Myself and my bro signed up at the local.

Myself, Mum, Dad, Damian, Kate, Simon and Panny went to Anna's 21st last night in St Kilda. Nice little bar on Carlisle Street. After staying a few hours, catching up with family and such myself and Simon progressed to the Halliava bar in Swan Street to catch up with others. You wouldn't even really know it was there driving past on the street but inside is rather big and it was pretty packed. Was good to see some of the crew Ii spent time in London with from my first time round.

We then progressed to the depot afterwards where it started to get messy. The band was good and we stood there watching and singing along...... I wasn't ready leave like the others and dragged simon along to Crown. Hadn't been there in a while so why not. $30 up on the roullete table payed for a few drinks and a cab home.... Ended up at JB'S at 4am with the world spinning. There can be a line you cross sometimes between a having good time and drinking to much, when things just aren't fun anymore.... I had one bourbon there and wanted to go to bed.. Fell alseep in the taxi and awoke when we arrived at Simon's place. Passed out in the spare room. I've been lazy, unproductive and tired today.

The Camel and Anzac day. The photos remind one of how good it was...

Back in Melbourne again....

Brisbane was a good break. Needed to find out a few things I guess.

Life feels strange tonight...

and I was swept away
with nothin' left to say
some helpless fool
I was lost in a swoon of peace
you're all I need to find
so when the time is right
come to me sweetly, come to me

GREECE

Now i'm up in Brisbane.... A good way to decompress, a short trip away from home again to somewhere not so far this time.. I came away to see Katrina again, to spend time with her and get to know her once more. It's been a good and relaxing few days so far...

Went down to the Coast on Monday and caught up with Rob. Had lunch in Main Beach and as usual with Rob, drunk alot of wine... Yesterday on the Sunshine Coast people were swimming in the ocean out front of the Mooloolaba surf club. It's winter and the weather still good...

Coming home made my whole time in London feel like one big dream. Everything was the same, as If I'd woken up the next day. Or being home merely feels like a holiday, a quiet retreat to somewhere peaceful and slow.. Expecting to return soon. To be able to live back in that rushed lifetsyle where there was no responsibility except that unto your yourself. To be able to go for a walk into the west end on my time off, drink a pint in Covent Garden or Soho. Catch the tube or bus or even walk to where I want to go..... Here felt strange the first few days. Everyone speaks with an Australian accent, there it was a novelty and they stood out. Catching the train to and from the footy last Saturday the entire platform was full on white people with Australian accents.. I know it's who I am and what i've grown up around but it felt weird after being away so long......

It's been great seeing everyone and I've had some good times out catching up. Last Saturday night in Brunswick Street was great. But the lifestyle here is so much different, I realise that moreso now. Having to drive everywhere or rely on others to drive you around to get places. Wanting a night out means organising lifts from people, spending money on Taxi's home. Leaving when others are ready or having to wait for others to come round and pick you up. Organising a routine around others. That I'm not used to and don't neccessarily like as much. The sense of Freedom one has over there was so much more. People didn't take things as seriously I think, especially work. There was always something to do socially. People, including me, never or rarely complained about work, about having to get up early, staying in because of the next day, about Monday Mornings. I guess though life isn't always a holiday as it was over there?

Being so isolated as I am in Templestowe it's been slow and strange getting up of a morning and wondering what to do next. It's not like I can walk out the front door and have a million things go on around me.. So now I'm eager to look for a new direction and start again into something good. Living in London has given me a good grounding into knowing and finding what I enjoy. What I'm good at....

Still there are plenty of good things here to. My family, my friends. The chance to get back into my hobbies and interests that I left behind. The notion that I've achieved so much and have a better idea on what I want...

Leave it behind
You've got to leave it behind

All that you fashion
All that you make
All that you build
All that you break

It's only time
And I'll never fill up all I find


Walk On

I've had a really good week in London. The weather has been great and I've been heading all over the place catching up with everyone. Went out with the Cat 'n' 'Canary Crew last Friday having drinks at the pub then ending up in bloody Stratford to go to some Saffa bar called Zulu that was about to shut as we got there. Myself, Fitzy, Danielle and Fitzy ended up slumped against the wall of KFC talking crap and eating our food.

Sunday headed into Hyde park to meet a number of people. The birdman rally thingy was on and when I got there the park was swamped with literraly thousands upon thousands of people. Took me an hour to find Andrew. We quickly pissed off to regents park where we spent the day with a group of about 15 of us drinking beers, playing guitar and soaking up the sun....

Went to a few of my favourite bars in Covent Garden last night with Joel. The Walkabout, The Porterhouse and the Maple Leaf. Great night, love that area!

Back In London. It's hard coming back after such a great time in Greece. Im staying at the Generator again, the place where my time here one year ago began..... I'm merely here now to tie up a few loose ends, close bank accounts, claim tax, collect baggage and say farewell to freinds. I walked down to Waterloo and around Convent Garden today. It's was nice and I do love this city but something didn't seem the same. I'm realising my time here is at an end. I'm no longer here to work or to push for the long term. Im just passing time. I thought about home as I walked along the streets. The next phase....

Athens, Greece. A conctrete jungle. Andrew left early this afternoon to get his flight, I've got all day here before getting my flight back to London at 8pm.... There's a station marked on the Metro map here for the new Olympic stadium so I figured it be worth a look. Took the train up to where it's suppose to be. Get there and the bloody station isn't even finished. Looking out the window it was a mess of construction , dirt, trucks and crap. So there went that plan. There also doing up the old Roman stadium in the Plaka area of town. Where they held the first modern games. Using it for the opening ceremony I think..

Looking at the state of the city now it's going to be a miracle if there fully ready for the Olympics in a years time... So anyway, i had to go to the next stop to get off and change platforms to come back to Omonia Square. The other platform there wasn't finished either so had to go one more stop North to Kat station to change and come back. Right in the arse end of Athens...

Finished up my Greek Island Hopping in Naxos and Paros. Both relaxing and a good detox in the sun. Beautiful, chilled out islands. Stayed at a place called Stavros in Paros. Owned by a dodgy Greek Guy. Definately recommend anyone to stay there....

Have been in Naxos for the past two nights. Staying in the main town on the port, its really chilled out here. The sidewalk lined with restaurants and bars, the town itself reaching up the side of the hill. The port filled with boats. Seems more of a fishing town here. Every island so far has had its own unique quality or things to it. Naxos town is probably my favourite town so far.

Liam left us this morning so now it's down to two. Me and Andrew head to Paros in a few hours.

In Santorini now, we arrived by ferry yesterday evening and were immediately swamped with countless hotel owners trying to obtain our business. Decided on a nice little place about 10 minutes walk from the main square in Fira town... I love Santorini already, more relaxed and beautiful than Ios. Completely different altogether.

It's 1pm now (I didnt know the time until getting on this computer) and the others are still in bed. Got up and went for a walk into town and found a nice little cafe for breakfast called the Cafe Del Mar. Overlooking the cliffs and coastline it was nice...

I'll be glad to get off this island this afternoon, after nine days I've had more than enough. By day its been great but im soooo over the fakeness and sleaziness of the nightlife here which tends to be the main attraction.....

I liked Mykanos a little better i think, more mature crowd. Bring on Santorini now, relax and detox time!!

Ios, Greece. I awoke around ten this morning after only a few hours sleep in the small and cramped canvas tent we have hired out. Liam was passed out next to me after spending most of the night on someones hamock outside. Had his money and eftpos card taken out of his wallet while he slept... Andrew never came home last night. Last we saw of him it was around 5am?? and he was heading back into the Scorpian club. Git in finally around midday. I spent most of my night there dancing to the hard house music and cabbed it home with a few others. It's just one big fucking party here really, the narow streets on the hill are lined with countles bars and clubs, staff trying to convince you to go inside with ofers of cheap drink deals and the likes.... The campsite by the beach is full of so many young travelers.. Poolside bars with music playing all day and night.

It's sooooo god to have a holiday where there are no set plans, nothing to rush for. Take it at our own pace and do whatever. Have been to the beach already this morning, my tan is going great.... Bit hungry now..

The Greek Islands are always somewhere i've wanted to get to, mainly from stories i'd heard from others. Good weather, good beaches and lots of fun. Im now in Mykanos and the place is incredible. The main town is beautiful, narrow streets with buildings of white. We are staying at Paradise beach camping. Myself, Cannizzo and Liam sharing a tent. Right on the beach we spend our days getting a tan and come evening it's one big party. Hard to describe really, more like something out of a movie. A massive sound system pumping dance music amid the pool and beach side bars. People dancing at every which turn. Oh and I've never seen so many naked people in one spot in my life. Alot of people don't worry about clothes when relaxing on the beach here.

Im finishing up my job on Friday. It's been fantastic here, the location, the people, the work. Will be hard to leave. On Sunday I leave for Athens with Andrew and onto the Greek Islands for some sun. Can't wait..

I'm really loving my job at the moment, the people are great and the location even better. I work hard during the week and usually come home tired but happy. My main shifts are Mon to Fri, 10am to 8pm. In more of a routine at the moment and the normaily is great... Do look forward to the weekends, but I'm trying really hard not to spend unneccesarily. But in London thats hard!!

There's never a dull moment here. I finished work Friday night at eight then left with the sun still shining. I walked under the tall buildings, weaving my way through hoards of people positioned along all the bars in the area. Caught the tube to my old pub, the camel.. There I caught up with some crew from turkey. Only planned to have a few quiet ones (Yeah right) The £1 bundy's were cheap and nasty and somehow we ended up at O'Niels in Liecester Sq....

Saturday it was another great day, headed to the old ship in Hammersmith where i met up with some work friends. People were crowding the park by the river. Sat for a few hours downing pints and relaxing... Progressed to the Puzzle in Fulham... Cannizzo and Keogh also came down for a few.....

Today I have a few options but i feel like being lazy......

I haven't written on here for a little while so I guess there's a bit to fill in. I've now started a new job in a bar called the Cat and Canary. It's situated over at Canary Wharf, a new and modern business district of London on the docklands. With all the tall buildings and shops, the area reminds me more of home than any other part of this city. It's a really nice area. The bar is situated right on the north dock, along the water with a number of other different style bars surrounding it. The pub is pretty much a normal style english pub, our main trade coming on work days... at lunchtime and after work. Mainly suit and ties and an older male crowd. All the young people tend to go to the trendier bars nearby. I've had weekends off as well as of late which has been brilliant..


I'm now staying with friends Peter and Melissa in their apartment in Bermondsey. I have my own room with a double bed. It's been ages since i've had this luxury and it's great for the time being....

What else..... Cannizzo and Keogh have just come over to London. Great to see someone from home. Had a few beers with them last night..

I've been staying with mates the past week whilst looking for a new direction. It's been great to have someone to fall back on and have a place to stay, although I've never been a fan of intruding on other people's spaces. I've decided to look for work again, this will keep me in London for another 6 weeks until my work visa runs out. No luck as yet, I'll give it a little more longer and see what happens I guess. Don't want to outstay my welcome of laze around for to long...

My time away is on the downhill run, It's going to be very hard to leave. London feels like home now and the friends I've made have been great. Still I guess change and moving on is always inevitable. There are things and people at home I'm looking forward to seeing again though...

Back in London town, my plans are again up in the air. Turky was sensational to say the least and was hard to leave Istanbul in the early hours of this morning!!! Rather tired but feeling good..

In Goreme I think. Some liitle town in the Cappadocia region. A town settled amongst the hills and rocks of an ancient civilisation whos homes were built into the sides of cliffs and some extremely bizzare shaped rock formations. Being on a tour has ensured lots of touristy things and spending money on entrance fees to see ancient ruins, rocks, thermasl springs and whatever... It's been an amazing trip, the few days along the coast were nice. Went Parasailing near Fethiye jumping from a mountain a mear 2000m high.... Eating shitloads of rice, meat and kebabs.. Hotel breakfasts consisting of boiled eggs, bits of tomato, bread and some sort of meat... Days spent on the bus, break for lunch, Kicking back on comfy couches smoking Shisha. A fruit flavoured tabacco out of these massive and way cool looking pipes. Paying to make my way through a gorge in water that was rushing way to fast to keep balance. Went rafting down a river with some amazing serenity. Turkish bath last night, involving a sauna, a dip in a cold bath, a rest on a heated marble slab, some guy rubbing the dead skin off our body's with sort sort of thingy. A full body massage.. Was fucking heaven...

The people are great, made some good friends....

Oh and Anzac day. Seeing Gallipoli, the place were all the fighting took place and then the dawn service was an experience that will stay with me. Staying up all night to get there, the anticipation. We hadn't slept but it didn't matter... Thousands of Aussies/Kiwi's gathered in Anzac Cove....

The last few nights have been quietish, long days which have meant not getting into our destination till almost midnight. Few blinders earlier on though. Here for three days now before heading back to Istanbul. Have some massive nights planned. The mayor of this joint has organised a night to commemorate this Anzac walk thing by Billy and Jenko. There are banners in the town welcoming them...

Istanbul, Turkey.. It`s such a different way of life here. So much more ancient and I guess backward to... I love it.... Stayýng in a hotel in the old part of the city, narrow streets that look like there falling apart. There's a shitload of Aussies around at the moment, all here for the same reason. Tour groups like ours everywhere, here for Anzac Day... The Turkish people as a whole seem very friendly and welcoming, constant cries of 'Hey AussieG,day mate' pass us by... Men and children constantly harrass us on the street, particulary around the Grand Bazaar markets, tryýng to sell perfume, jewlery, postcards and any other kind of useless, tacky souveneir. It's a city of old, the mosques massive and amazing. Crowded streets, markets.

Am doýng a 15 day tour wýth all Aussies-Kiwi's run by FezTravel. I think theres around 35 people or so?? Billy and Heath will join us after the dawn service, which is the conclusion of the legacy walk.. Flew in Monday night with Joel and Shada, checked into the hotel and had a good look around the city yesterday and today. Few drinks last night at a pub called the cozypub and then the hotel bar... Meant to be a big night tonight, today has been our first full day of tour, already starting to get to know everyone.

I had my final shift last night. Fairly easy going night, nothing special. Feels weird a little, time to move on and start again. I guess I never really expected to stay this long, you can never really tell how things are going to work out. Went out afterwards to Victoria Camel and Liquid Blue which turned out to be another late one on the drink.. Came home around 7am?? with a big bag of Maccas for breakfast.... The sun was up, people already around starting their day... I had a sore head...

There's a little statue just off the Strand here in dedication to Oscar Wilde with the quote "We are all in the gutter but some of us are looking at the stars."... I like that....

Taken at the Grinspoon Gig, Temple Walkabout, January 28, 2003.

On the downhill run for my time at the Camel now. Only 2 more shifts to go, has it really been 6 months?.. I'ts a lovely 22 degrees in London today, shorts and T Shirt..... Feeling good... Off to Turkey on Monday and I can't wait!!!

Had another big weekend with work and play... Clubbing on Saturday night after a good session at the Camel.....

I came into Piccadily to get a ticket for the Bruce Springsteen show in May. The system at the ticketmaster office in Virgin megastore was down so im just wasting time here for a bit. Feeling a tad shitty with the flu still, and i guess a little homesick today....... Deciding what my plans should be over summer. Want to do a little more travel before coming home while the weather is good here in Europe.. Contiki tour of Russia/Scandanavia? Busabout through Berlin, Prague, Budapest etc?? There's many options. All depends on money though. Turkey in a few weeks.....

I only worked 3 hours today, knocked off 2 hours early 'cause the place is dead. Late licence last night saw me working until after 1:30am, have the flu again so feeling a tad shitty........ I've been taking it easy the last few days, just working and all that. Had a bender over last weekend that saw me catch up with Sticksy for his farewell, head to Belushi's after work, the Walkabout for a Sunday session and the Sports Cafe in Piccadilly for Hospitality night... £1 drinks...

It's at the stage now where I really look forward to my nights/days off and enjoy getting away from the pub.. Still love it here though, don't get me wrong but as was the case Friday night it was good to head into town for a meal with friends and get back to normality again..... Been here almost six months without any real time off. Oh , except for the two days in Belfast.. Where has the time gone????

Have been spending my breaks over in the park reading a book, playing the guitar or just relaxing. I played tennis yesterday with Chris. There are about 5 courts just a short walk from here, just off Tower Bridge Rd.... Haven't played in a long time.... Took me a bit to get back into it..

Also went to the gym the day before for a brief workout. One of the girls I work with has a sister who works there so myself and Gerrard went down for a free workout before starting work.... It's on Haymarket just off Piccadilly Circus circus... Did a breif cardio workout (Jogging, Cycle and Rowing) before doing about a 20 minute swim... Im on a healthkick!!!

A day off today, slept in a bit after a leeedle bit to much red wine last night. Some of us headed over to a mates place down the road for dinner. One of the locals at our pub.. It hit me hard and I left not longer after spilling wine all over the bloody couch...

Sunday was one of those memorable days. World cup cricket final, our pup opened to the public at 8am, I didn't arise until 9 though. We started serving at midday and by this stage there were already quite a few in. It turned out to be a big session watching the Aussies thrash India. With the weather the way it is, quite a number of people from inside went across the road to the park for a kick of the footy at the end of the game.... Wound up around midnight! I love the days when the pub is packed full of Aussies, or Kiwi's. Their just so much more friendly to serve or to be around. The atmosphere better than a pub full of English Soccer fans, that's for sure....

Works still going great, trip to Turkey soon, although with whats going on in the world at the moment there is a little bit of doubt. Will see what happens....

Think I'll get off this thing now, to nice a day..... Catching up with Sticksy very shortly... His two years is up and about to head home....

All along the Southbank, along the Thames, near Waterloo, it was flooded with a sea of people last Sunday. St Patrick's day weekend celebrations. As I strolled along the river, crowds of people wearing Irish shirts, hats and waving flags surrounded me. Not just Irish people either, from all over... There's a park at the base of the London Eye. Literally thousands took their place in the sun watching the numerous live Irish bands, performers, dancers etc or drinking guiness and beer.... The Final group at 6'oclock had the masses singing along to the loudest version of Whiskey in The Jar I've ever heard. The words flashed on the big screen.... Ended up at Waxy O'Conners that night for a few drinks....... The next night I ended up at Callaghans in Piccadilly with Heath, Row, Kat and a few others.. A crowded pub with a band playing a mixture of modern rock/pop and traditional Irish Music had us dancing and singing for ages.. The craic was good.... A memorable St Pat's Day..

There's now a war going on two and half thousand miles away. A war the majority of people in this world don't want. You wouldn't notice here though, especially last weekend where everyone was sooo happy... We see it all on television. Live on SKY, Cnn... Very realistic.... It's easy to change the channel...

Been working the last few days, tonight im going to be in relax mode...... Have a TV and stereo in my room now... Feels more like home....

The weather is getting better in London now...So is the general feeling of being here.....

Sticksy and Croughy came into the pub last Friday and was great to see 'em again... We went down the road to get a cheap meal from Weatherspoons and as we past the Nat West bank across the road we noticed a few cops holding guns surrounding the bank. More quickly arrived and we were asked to get off the street and into Weatherspoons. Crowds of people watching the siege and seeing staff being evacuated from the bank. The culprits threw a shitload of dosh from the top story that fell to the streets below... We were evacuated via the back entrance and had to take the long was back to the Camel, only a few hundred metres down the road. ... So we get back and notice the street blocked off by police from the front of our pub.. A camera crew was set up outside doing live interviews for the news, crowds of people inside cheering and going silly as we watched a live report that was headline news. You could see us all in the backround..... Theres always something going on here....


Stayed on with Sticksy and a few others for a few drinks before heading to a pretty cool bar called Grand Central, in Old Street. Left around midnight as it closed and headed to Temple walkabout with Peter, Bruce, Nick, Mark etc etc.... Sticksy had to get the last train back to Fulham...... It got messy again and somehow ended up back at Pete and Melissa's place sprawled out on a fold out couch watching DVD's on the big screen...

St Pats day celebrations in town today. Im outta here to catch the parade and soak up the atmosphere in the sun!

Last night at work was just one of them weird, silly nights...... Lemme see... Cam and Craig had their last night before retruning to Aus. They got reeeally shitfaced on the 241 Cocktail shakers and caused there usual loud rucus! The last I saw of Cam he left with this extremely drunk chick who could hardly stand.... There was a guy at the bar who was challenging everyone that he could skull 8 vodka cruisers in a row. Steve, one of the locals, bought him the drinks and this guy had the entire pub cheering him on as he downed them all. Didn't see much of him after that, think he went outside to vomit.... We sprung a leak in the downstairs staffroom that needed a 24 hour plumber to be called in.. Billy spent most of the night trying to calm down some wasted guy who didn't really understand the concept that he'd had enough..... Some other guy vomited in the toilets that i had to mop up. He was soo wasted that he admited to it and was profusely apologetic as he tried to help me with some paper towling... The staff had drinks bought for us left right and center by all the wasted locals.....

I would also like to thank Heath's Mum for sending over 8 hours worth of simpsons episodes. There's all our spare time taken!!!

Just been perusing through the ticketmaster website. There's a plethora of good gigs hitting London over the next few months and into Summer. I feel so out of touch with my music and such interests of late. Still, it's time to organise a few shows me thinks...... Bruce Springsteen, Placebo, Silverchair, The Rolling Stones, Mark Knopfler ,Massive Attack, Beck, Nick Cave, Bon Jovi, Coldplay, Eletric 6, Avril.....

I've had a few nights off lately and therefore managed to have a few nights out for the first time in a little while. Temple Walkabout last Friday for a delayed birthday celebrations. Extremely drunk and it wasn't my fault as always! Went with a group of the local lads from our pub who have become mates. Liquid Blue after work Saturday night with Billy, Row and Liesel. Met up with Heath and a few of the Waterloo crew. Was fairly laidback for myself whilst others were under the weather. A few fights seemed to break out in the club...... On the busride on the way home we were suddenly stopped in Trafalgar sq by a couple of dickheads holding up the bus by standing in the middle of the road and not moving. Yours truly and some English geezer got off the bus and made 'em move out of the way.......

I'm the new hostel cleaner now, up every morning cleaning bathrooms and toilets, changing beds and whatever. Who woulda fucking thought in a million years??

Work is still occupying alot of my time. I just don't have any stories of drunkin stupidity lately. I had my 25th birthday on Sunday and despite having the day off I took it pretty easy. That fucking flu didn't help! Lazed around the pub, watched the cricket and went out for Chinese with Mike and Aimee for dinner. Have this Friday night off work, and I think a big night on the town is in order. Got a few packages in the mail of late, which was good... The pub is still going great, always meeting plenty of people either coming into the pub or staying in the hostel. Never really a dull moment........

If I think of anything more I'll write later....

Oh, Regurgitator are set to have their Euro CD launch/signing at the Camel in a few months. How good is that?

We hired a car for our second day in Belfast and drove north. Through Ballymena, across to Londonderry then back east along the Antrim coast. Northern Ireland was blanketed in snow, a blizzard fell at times. Got some great photos and was easily then most enjoyable day I've had in a while. I got extremely drunk that night at a pub called Robsons that had traditional Irish music. The whiskey went to my head... Came back to London and straight back to work, been flat out since. Nice to unwind tonight, going to go see a film at Surrey Quays.

In another part of the world today. Belfast, Northern Ireland. A town partly devided by religion and politics. Flew in this morning on the 7am easy jet flight from London Stansted with Heath and his dad. Spent last night sleeping in a nice Hotel room at the Park Lane Shereton. Knocked off work at 11pm and headed over there. We had 9 scotch and cokes at the hotel bar as a nightcap. It's a rich mans world alright. It cost us almost $300 Aus for the drinks. Did a black taxi tour of the Loyalist and Rebublican areas which was very interesting. Resting up now. Might head out for a while tonight and hire a car tomorrow to head to the Giants Causeway.....

I love London and I love Europe. There's something about this part of the world that seems so appealing. Yet, when your away from home like this, its funny how much more you embrace your own country as well. Its culture, style, music, sport, food and anything else Australian. The things that would sometimes make me cringe back home I'm accepting with open arms more so now. After a big night out at Temple Walkabout with a large crew of us last Saturday night, It was Australia day on Sunday. Worked all day and were expecting it to be jammed full of people. It was busy alright but not what we expected. Proabbly a good thing though. It was a great crowd of people who started around midday and stayed on until 10:30 close. We had 241 VB's and Bundy Rum, all Aussie music playing all day. The playlist consisting mainly of songs from all the JJJ Hottest 100 cd's, chosen by yours truly. Aussie flags up everywhere, twisties and burger rings behind the bar. It was fun working behind the bar alright.

Saw Grinspoon at Temple walkabout last night. Billy came through again with free entry for the, what was supposed to be, private gig. Fast paced show full of energy. Mike convinced me to go out afterwards, Roadhouse and then Shaftesbury Walkabout.....

Today is my day off, it's cool in London but easily bearable. Walked around town, just checked out the National Gallery for a bit.

Went and saw Tori Amos at the Hammersmith Apollo last Thursday night with Billy and Shada. Not a bad gig at all, very subdued and mellow but some beautiful music. Liquid Blue afterwards until some insane hour, the Havana Rum went to my head......

Today it was busy at Camden, it's a great atmosphere up that way. People crowding the markets, taking in the alternative atmosphere.

Went and watched Gangs of New York last night. Caught the bus to Surrey Quays. Definately the best film i've seen in a while...

The snow came down heavily yesterday morning. First time i've seen this much of it in a big city and its been magic. We had a massive snowball fight out front of the pub yesterday morning, alot of innocent bystanders and transport copped a fair pelting. One bird even got sooo annoyed she called the cops on us. They turned up and politely asked us to refrain from hitting innocent people and take it off the street and into the park, trying there very best to take the complaint seriously and not crack a smile.

Today I did a bustour around town. The city loooks so Beautiful at the moment. Hyde Park is like something out of a fairytale. I walked around with numb hands taking photos and admiring the surroundings. It's a beautiful day but I also missed home today as I walked around on my own.

It snowed in London overnight, Betina awoke everyone with the cry of "Ohmigod It's been snowing". The usual view of the park, Tower Bridge and the Thames was now blanketed in white. Not very deep and scattered in some places but definately beautiful to look at. Went for a walk as more snow fell and took a few snaps.. It was beautiful...

2003. Another year gone and another upon us. Once again I'll spend at least the first part of it away from home, at the end of the world. I do have a fair idea on the things I want do, places I want to be and people I want to be with this year. Sometimes though, I do wish certain things in both worlds could be together as one. Still, It's all good.

I worked for the first time ever during the New Years celebrations this year. The bar was packed, with a DJ spinning some awesome music upstairs. The bar remained open until 2am, spent the first part of the night working downstairs then took over the upstairs bottle bar at 11pm. Even though we were working all the staff still got into the spirt of things. Lock in session afterwards saw us wind up around 7am?