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....