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