So frustrating!

I have some sweet photos on my phone, (They include Ev in his birthday bonnet and rob in a g-string and pink sunglasses.) but I can't install the software onto my computer so I can transfer them over. Aaargh!

Hopefully that's tempting enough for you to wait and come back when they're up, ....at some stage.

Christmas Cheer

Thanks for a great night kids!

I think it suffice to say fun was had by all.




A little disappointing in the krap stakes though, too many of those presents were way too kool.



Well done to Mel though with the krap gift of 'dirt in a box' for Stubbs.



Andrew and his boobs.


The most 'appreciative recipient' award definitely has to go to Harry, as soon as he got his puppy friend he was all over him like a dirty rash.




Get a room next time you guys!



Thanks B for the slut red lipstick.




Who would have thought with the weather of the past two days that a fire would have been required for warmth. I know Luke wasn't too impressed with the whole 'fire danger' element of it all. But I think it was worth it to not freeze our butts off.


Merry Christmas to all.


Keep on with the summer adventures!

Check me out making chicken pot pie!

Christmas Party

It certainly is party time around here. Dad's 50th was on last night, for young and old. It's so good that most of the people there were friends he's known for like 30 years or more. I hope when I turn 50 all my friends now will be there.

It's been decided that Christmas lunch will be here for the Skipper extended family.

But the real big one is for you!


NEXT SATURDAY 23RD DECEMBER

Krap Kringle is on again!

My place from 7.00, bring a krappy present for Santa to give out. Bring some booze. Bring some food. Eat drink and be merry.

Fire in the Hall

How scary was the weather today?! It really seemed like a house right next door was on fire.

Same fiery red sun as on Australia Day down at the Prom. Much more smell though, and not nearly as much heat thank god. Tomorrow will be even scarier with the temp heating up again.

I can't see a way it's going to end any time soon.

More Irony

This morning I answered a business call.....


...Naked.

So Freakin' Excited about this Weekend!

Please tell me I've mastered the notion

Cathys Clowns
Entertainment Consultancy
59
ABN: 63 070 737 488

BOOKING CONFIRMATION & TAX INVOICE



ACT: FACE PAINTER

CLIENT: ENTERTAIN OZ for ROB COUSENS OUTDOOR FURNITURE

DATE: SUNDAY 3RD DECEMBER 2006

TIME: 11.00AM – 3.00PM

VENUE: ROB COUSENS OUTDOOR FURNITURE
385 MAROONDAH HIGHWAY, RINGWOOD

CONTACT: ROB COUSENS – 9879 ****

Please note that technically you are receiving the gross amount, which should be declared as income in your tax records. The commission component is recorded as an expense.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS: - PLEASE BRING OWN TABLE & CHAIRS



I thought it would be a little too ironic to have to take my own table and chairs for a gig at a furniture store.

After piling them in my car then reversing into my park so I couldn't actually access my boot I found that it would have been. A nice powder coated aluminium 3 piece outdoor setting was awaiting me. All at the low, low price of $399.

Plans for a quiet weekend

Woah!

I've been making it a bit too massive recently. So for now I'm making plans for a quiet weekend.

After last weekend I've decided to go on a Jager hiatus.

Woah!

Hats on for drinking indeed.

I'm working flat out till Meredith now, so best I go into a little bit of drinking and spending money hibernation.

So excited about Meredith though. It will be AWESOME!!!!!!!!

Hats on for drinking!

'you're making a fool of the country... holding hands with the christian right"

I went to a party with my girl in the city on election night
I was hoping everybody'd make a move to the left
but we done and gone swing to the right
Now I'm singing a blues for the country
as we move into another long night

I'm gonna catch that plane and fly
Gonna sail on the next high tide
Just to get away from that Cocksucker Motherfucker
Darkening my mind


Dan Kelly





Well it's not so bad this time. But still! A swing to the libs in the seat of Eltham!

What the fuck is going on there?

Front and Centre at La Clique

I can't believe it's taken me three seasons to go and see this show!

Even just to get to the spiegletent took me until after the actual Melbourne Festival ended. Luckily they like to hang around into the warmer season, just so we can continue to have a rolocking good time, whilst avoiding the potential snootyness af artsy folk.

Denis got us tickets to see the show, but as they were comps it was standing room only. Lucky me managed to smooth talk my way into a seat, front and centre no less.
I was so proud of Denis and Hamish, not to mention totally in awe of their performance. The whole show was absoloutley amazing. Everyone should go see it!

You know you've had a good night when you leave the venue slightly wet, with drops of blood over your jeans, and confetti down your top.

Photos

Here are a few shots from Prom at the Prom. Hopefully they will be up in their entirety, from everyone's cameras, very soon.

I think you can say a good time was had by all.

What A Week

What a week for adventures! Girls night adventure on Monday, Horse day adventure on Tuesday, Ladies day adventure on Thursday and Ugly Dress Up 80's adventure last night. All topped off by a work adventure today.


We shall divide this into sections,


Girls Night Adventure


As may become a theme, this was meant to be a quiet drinking night, ie not getting smashed. But even after Eri promised me she'd get me home for a good night's sleep in my own bed we started on the Jager, then I got us kicked out of Bimbo's, then we had cocktails, then we crashed with three of us on a mattress on the floor in Kate's empty house, then it was four hours later and we were up and on our way to breakfast at Alta Vita.

Not a quiet night at all.

This night also began our new phase of relationship with the Souvlaki King.

As usual we went for our post booze binge on 'lamb' and 'chicken' and 'garlic sauce', no wait. I'm pretty sure the garlic sauce is actually garlic sauce. But one can never be too certain.

Lo and behold when we walked in there though, not only was there the Souvlaki King, but also the Souvlaki Princess, with a pretty gold diamond ring on her finger. After much debate we decided she must be marrying Cranky, and we told them as much.


Horse Day Adventure

Before Monday I had no clue of a single horse running in the Cup this year, and even then i knew nothing about them. I was happy to just be going out for a roast style barbecue. And man was it good.

Pete and Ev's new place is awesome. Very much like a proper house, and so close to so may good things. Conveniently close to places where I might get myself drunk and stranded.

As usual Ev excelled himself in the kitchen. Roast pork, lamb and beef. With a healthy dose of high heeled hack thrown into the equation. (By me, not Ev.)


Ladies Day Adventure

As much as I was so over the idea of going out to the races, as soon as I had an outfit sorted, especially one which didn't require any new purchases, I was suitably excited.

All I have to say about his one is;


"No, no, no. Not into the chip bucket with you."

This day also brought about our next meeting with the Souvlaki King. I don't really know how it happened, but as we were walking past we decided to go in and have a chat. He remembered us from Monday night, and much hilarity ensued.

Then on to Bar Open, where we caused offence with our overdress. So much so they put a sign up on the door with a 'No fascinators" decree. They loved us though, so look forward to seeing us up on some sort of Bar Open wall of fame/shame.

When we'd had as much beer as our fragile little forms could hold we headed back to Souvlaki King for sunstenance and photos. Cranky wouldn't come out from behind the counter for a photo. He said the Souvlaki Princess would get jealous, but the Souvlaki King let us behind the golden rope to realms never before dreamed of by mere plebs such as us. So we got a photo with him.






Ugly Dress Up 80's Adventure

Again this one started out with a 'no getting smashed' policy, as I had to work today. But B was driving all the way from Elwood and needed me to help her get to Bundoora. So I had a few beers, and the obligatory West Coast Coolers and then out came the Jager. So much dancing I thought I might pass out. Everyone looked so fantastic though. I shouldn't be surprised. We're not really ones to hold back when it come to making fools of ourselves.



Work Adventures


Not too bad today. It is midday though, and all I've done is vacuum and change the window. I just got lunch delivered to me which makes the day infinitely more bearable. Now all I need is coffee before my one and only appointment of the day arrives at 2.30.


Keep up the adventuring kids.





p.s. Sorry for the large amount of unaccompanied text. Pictures will follow.

October

I just laughed while eating fried rice that Dalm brought home from work. Then, when I blew my nose a kernel of corn came out.

Goals, Goals, Goals!


I kicked a goal!


A beutiful penalty goal!



Under threat of beiong kicked off the team!


I kicked a goal!


And I didn't get injured!


I kicked a goal!

Ha Ha, Suckers!

On Monday coming home from Girls Night I got pulled into a booze bus.

As I do every time I get pulled over by the cops I was freaking out.

While I was waiting in the line of cars another officer happened to notice I didn't have my new rego sticker up, he asked me about it and I played all innocent. "Oh really, oh I'm sure it's in here somewhere" I knew I'd paid it about 2 months ago, but last week I did mention that I should probably find the sticker and put it up.

Then as I pulled up to the testing guy I asked him if my car was smelling hot. (And no I don't mean "HOT") I've just gotten it back from the mechanics and he said if the temp started to go up to pull over immediately. But then I got paranoid that because I was all chatty to him that I was drunk, as I had been drinking wine and strawberry chmpagne. Luckily I was fine and allowed to drive on.

Unbeknownst to them I don't have a license to carry around with me either.

What's the deal with that? Do I get in trouble if they ask and I don't have it? Of course I'd just play dumb and be all "I'm sure it's around here somewhere, oh it must be in my other bag" or some such. But is this actually a way out? And at what point do they ask you for your license anyway? Surely if you blow above 0.0 they should have a look to make sure you're not on your P's or anything. And if I didn't show a small level of alcohol in my blood then how much would you have to drink to be at .05?

No. 1

Have you met my friend Rob? He's pretty much the funniest person I know. Unless you'd like to nominate yourself by telling me a joke.

Happy Birthday Trashbag!!!!

How is it that i finally get around to posting something on this blog, after weeks, and the stupid thing doesn't work? The whole of blogger was down. Or something.

It was all very in the moment any way, so it's not worth writing now.




Additional though.......



Everyone should get down to the Tote on Sund'y. Black chords play at 3.30. Come, relax and be entertained in the interests of charity on a Spring Sunday afternoon at the Tote.Past Monash University Geography students are putting on a 'Trash and Treasure' fundraiser with a number of attractions in order to raise funds to send directly to 'self help' community group projects in South Africa.

For a small $6 door fee, you will be impressed by some of Melbourne's finest upcoming rock bands – Telecom, The Kissingers, The Cheats and Blackchords, plus awesome Melbourne DJs.

In the company of friends you will be able to chill out in the beer garden and browse through a wide range of trash and treasure at bargain prices. Also in the mix is a BBQ, and a bake sale for those amongst us with a sweet tooth. What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon for a good cause? Put it in the diary – Kicks off at 3pm, October 29 th.

(Rumor has it that pete is cooking some goodies for the bake stall! it'll be just like a primary school fete!)

how delightful!


See you there in various states of dissarray.

Adventures

I can't believe I didn't see it myself!


Just treat it like an adventure.


A drinking adventure, a gardening adventure, a work adventure, a shopping adventure, a driving home adventure, a washing the clothes adventure, a cleaning the bathroom adventure.

I tried it out today and it worked a treat!


Take the seriousness out of it and just have an adventure.

The Green Man

Who'd have thought it would take all day driving around Melbourne to get the pvc for a green pedestrian light costume?

Bad Karma

I may have told you about a stupid, stupid thing I did at work a few months ago. (That is if you are the one person I told the story to.) Well today I did a stupid thing at work again. Not nearly as bad as the other thing, but if I had done what I should then it could have been a great thing. It's just the karma I deserve for trying to leave work early on a hot sunny day.

Lena had her test for her 'L's' today and I had to take her and Hannah, which meant leaving work at three. Turned out Hannah's mum could take them so I didn't have to, but I was still going to leave work at three to get down to the river and drink cosmopolitans. Karma got to me first though and I had locked my keys in the car.

IF YOU GOOGLE 'TRASHY PROM' THIS BLOG COMES UP!

Jiggedy jig

*



It is so amazing. Every year for the past 4 we've gone down to the Prom for the weekend and every time, even thought he nights remain freezing cold, the sun shines down on us and it is hot, hot, hot! And this year our 'prom' made it even hotter!
The sunburn lines made for an even trashier effect.


More photos will be up when I can get copies from everyone's cameras. I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who made such an effort. I love you all heaps and hope to keep on having the stupid fun we do together for a long time to come.

Two Sleeps!

Only two sleeps 'till the Prom. Today sees the first day of holidays from work, wholesale shopping for snacks and beverages, plus the obligatory accessories for gorgeous prom outfits.

Don't you hate it when you drink water and it tastes like goldfish?

Not that I'm boasting but.............

Happy Birthday to ME!

Dont' forget.....



!!!!!!!TRASHY PROM AT THE PROM!!!!!!!


Friday week, 29th September till Sunday 1st October. Friday night trivia and Saturday night Prom.


Imagine if the weather is as 'hot' as it was this weekend. (and I mean hot)

This reminder should reach you in time to organise a frock AND PAY ME GODDAMN IT!

Mums

One of the mums in Paulie's cafe today had a ukelele.

A ukelele!


What a cool mum.

They were singing the wheels on the bus though, and then I had it stuck in my head for the rest of the day.





p.s I am not posting the fact that Britney had another baby boy.

Meredith Tix part 2

or

The happy ending we had all hoped for.


That post must have been a prayer to the meredith gods.


I'm in!


See you there, those of you who are lucky enough to navigate your way throught his crazy maze of modern technology. My tip is the phone line, constantly, for hours.

Merdith Tix Part 1

This story had better have a happy ending.

Website has crashed.


Phone is engaged.

Time for a rant

Fucking, Shit, Fuck, Fuck!


My stupid car is fucked!*

Aaaargh! It make sme so mad. It's just spent a week at the mechanics and now it's died again. Needs more work and more money put into it. It's hardly even worth having a freakin' car at all. Aaaargh!

Now I need to make some serious decisions about how to go about fixing it, or if it's worth fixing, getting a new car? Can someone please give me all the answers I need.

No matter what I do I'm not going to have a car for a least another two weeks. At least!

And no matter what I do I'm going to have to spend a lot of money. Money that could be much better spent on fun things.




*Sorry about the language, use it to gauge my ire.

Crikey!

Wow. Steve Irwin was killed today. By a stingray barb to the heart.


Two scary things:


1)He was out with the marine rangers filming a documentary, so the incident was probably captured on film. I hope it doesn't show up on you tube.


2)His wife is trekking on Cradle mountain. Out of range of people to tell her it has happened.


Frightening possibilities.

Spring Clean

Hurrah! Spring has now officially arrived! And it's freakin' warm right now, even at 6.00.

Today I cleaned out all my bags. Hand bags, day bags, evening bags, overnight bags and back packs. (Note the lack of trashbags.)

I found a few things:


That I have a whole lot of bags,


3 pairs of sunglasses,



A Spicks and Specks question card,*


3 pens,


A fork,




A Kenny Rogers brochure,


$34.25 in change,






A ticket to the Commonwealth Games hockey.


All things I could live without.




Things I didn't find:


My driver's licence,


New tyres for my car,


A boyfriend,


Time,


A plane ticket.


All of which I could do with.



I also cleaned out all my clothes and actually managed to find some I could get rid of. Don't worry, I haven't actually done anything with them yet. They're just sitting in a pile ready to go.









*OMG, did anyone see that horriffic rip off of Spicks and Specks that was on some other channel last weekend? So incredibly blatant, yet done so poorly. I couldn't watch. And hosted by Todd McKenney?????????

Guess who I saw on Saturday night?

Whilst drunkenly going on to Courtney behind the bar at the nightcat, I felt the need to include the girl next to me in all my ra-ra. So a few comments were exchanged, but funnily enough she didn't seem to want a bar of me.........



Until I recognised her........


Sarah?.........


Sarah Slater?...........


Woah!


I haven't seen her in like, 8 years.

Apparently she now plays in Germany. Crazy!

Good Morning

What a wonderful way to wake up after an incredibly intense four day weekend.

The first thing I heard this morning was the line up for this years Meredith.

It puts me in the mood, looking forward to summer, and the hope that maybe my life slows down for just a short period in between.

Dallas Crane on Thursday night.

Hilltop Hoods on Friday night.

The Going away party for the Irish lads Saturday night.

The Irish lads actual last night Sunday night.

Irish lads to the airport Last night.



Are you picking up a bit of a theme here?



Sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll!



But for now I need to get back to the boring stuff. Must do washing. Must see family. Must eat. Must Sleep.

Pete is Crazy!

There is a man, and I use the term loosely, that I know.

You may know him too.

He is a crazy man with a crazy plan.

On Saturday September 2nd he is planning on walking the walk. (Not just talking the talk.)All the way from his place in Carlton to the Eltham Pub.

He's doing this to raise funds for the Muscular Distrophy Association.

But also because he's crazy.

He's asking for donations for as little as $5-$10, plus I suggest youbuy him a beer at his journeys end.

Drop him a line at tilljamesmusic@gmail.com and visit him at http://myspace.com/tilljames.


Pledge a few dollars and guess how long you think it will take him to make the gruelling journey of about 30k's.

Back to the real world

What a gorgeous weekend!



Sun, sun, sun!


Who would have thought that a weekend in August could provide us with beautifull days to be lazing about on the verandah - In the foothills of Bulla no less!


Of course when I get home I have waiting for me


a phone bill

a credit card bill

subscrition to RRR due

and my car's rego!



Maybe I shouldn't have spent all that money last week?

Nah!

Pernickity

Yesterday was a proper day off. I got to sleep in. The sun was shining. Breakfast with friends then a day of shopping and spontaneous spending. All up I managed to part with a grand total of $524.95. And boy was it worth it!


I started early with a few internet purchases.



Then out to High Street in Preston.

This was the only moment where I ran into a bit of trouble. I had already decided that I wasn't going to let price be the deciding factor in any of my decision making, but still it was an effort to part with $180 for a pair of thongs.

I stayed strong though and handed over the credit card.

A few shop later as a headed into Wesgarth and the deep, dark depths of the hippy section of another shop. Down under a rack of dresses was a modest wicker basket with the sign attatched:

"Take another $10 off. Only $40"

So in I delve


and


you guessed it...


THE SAME SHOES FOR $40!



Well did I feel stupid. $140 difference for something that was fairly novelty to start with. I already new I wasn't going to get much wear out of them.


So. Stiffling my initial screams of frustration and riped-offness, I politely asked the sales assistant to please hold them for me till the end of the day.

Then drove all the way back to Preston, stormed into the shop and shouted



"I JUST CAN"T DO IT!"


I didn't get a refund, but I got a credit note and that was enough for me. Now the next time I go in and use it it will be like free shopping.

And I still have a hot pair of snake shoes that only cost $40.



The day then took me to Brunswick Street. I saw my friends, bought some more clothes and got a totally spontaneous hair cut.

Finishing up with the girls in Preston brought me full circle. Drinking wine a taking it in turns to cop flack about being such trashbags on the weekend.


Ahh. A relaxing day off.

Sorry!

I've just realised i left that disgusting image of supposed leadership up for way too long. I hope those pictures I just posted make up for it.

Pretty dresses

These are some gorgeous pics of my gorgeous friends', Zoe and Luke's wedding. In December of last year they had a beautiful ceremony in the top gallery at Montsalvat. Zoe of course wearing a skips original.












I got the best ego boost today at work.



L:" I was telling my friends about my dress and they couldn't believe I made a decision so quickly. But I said to them 'This girl is so nice you'd buy anything from her'"


Oh.

Doesn't that make you feel warm and fuzzy?

It does make me feel a little better about the charade I present most days. Luckily it is the ones who are a bit out of the square who relate to me better.

This girl is wearing white, but a short dress with turquoise Manolo Blahniks!
Sometimes I worry that I might be on the same wavelength as girls who think that spending $5000 on a dress is ok.

The hankering I have for a day out of shopping though is killing me. But I don't think I'll go as far as 5 grand.

Seriously!

How ugly is this guy !?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?


Imagine waking up to this every day in the mirror. Or worse waking up next to this every day in bed.

April Sun in Cuba

What on Earth happened on Saturday night? The Spanish club closed at 1 and everyone was ready to leave. Nothing but bruschetta for dinner, and then copious amount of vodka and beer for the girls and boys respectively.

Ah, that would have done it. Plus whatever they're putting in the water these days to turn everyone into raving, horny, trashbags.

Happy Birthday B anyway.

What happened to us all going out, or staying in, just to hang out in each others company, to a point where we were too exclusive for other to penetrate our harsh outer shell? Now it seems to be all about creating drama, drama, drama.

I love it!

Sometimes I wish for wealth, most of the time I'd settle for happiness

Weak?

It's been a while since I last posted, but all my time has been spent at work recently, or desperately trying to do things that aren't work to get my mind off it.
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!, which was sceduled for tomorrow is cancelled, I've still got DJ Shadow on Tuesday next week though. But of course I have to work the next day. Shouldn't stop me from enjoying myself. Last time I saw him I was hung over as hell and still had an awesome time, so this time will be bigger and better.

That is all.

Yard Games-a-Plenty

So. It seems our beloved game of 'Vikings' is traditionaly known as the game of kubb, or alternatively 'viking chess'. I don't know about you, but I've never once thought to apply my vast knowledge of chess tactics to this game. Also, from all the sites I've found, none of them mention sand as an ideal playing surface..... at least we know we still have something to contribute to the traditional method.


The guy here has a similar eye to my brother when making his sets.


A new challenge I set you all is the game of Ladder Golf imagine us rocking up to all our camping and picnic adventures full of weird and wonderful yard games. Ha hilarious!

Balloons make me happy

All this reading of inane blogs is making my head spin. Seriously I can't sit at this computer for long without feeling like it's going to explode. Not for the reason that my work is so intense and must retain all my focus, but beacause I'm absorbing so much information about other peoples lives. Lives that have absoloutely zero connection to mine, but somehow intrigue me anyway.

I guess impersonal, or deeply personal depending on which way you look at it, trash is my replacement for celebrity trash.

The Highs and Lows of Life

Last night saw a crushing defeat for those in the trivia game. The team formerly known as cabbage, had a change of name (Spread it on), which must have taken all our knowledge with it......Because not only did we have the biggest team



and not win,



but we lost!



Dead Last!





I think it would be obvious enough to say that the focus was not really on the answering of questions, but more on that of jugs of beer, drunk from schooner glasses none the less.

I ended up horrendously drunk, and after a cleansing session of yoga to boot.

So now I still haven't caught up on all the sleep I've missed out on over the last couple of weeks. So I'm going to bed.




P.s. Pirates of the Carribean comes out tomorrow.

Speaking of Soccer....

Hurricane are the champions!


Yeah!


Woo!

Go Team!

Last night saw an outclassing expose of indoor soccer talent at the Box Hill indoor sports centre. A result of 6-1 was inevitable as we were clearly a far superior team. Even without the stylings of their esteemed captain Skips, we still kep it in the family with my sister receiving the mvp for the match following a spectacular couple of goals and subsequent climbing of the nets.

Well done guys! Next season A finals!

A cold night in June

Still whenever I manage to open my mouth about it, all I can come up with is a stream of profanities.

And I don't think you need that here.

So let's just say

at the end of the day

the more experienced team "won".

Common wealth

How nice it is to be a part of a community. Surrounded by like minded people, yet still full of diversity.


Ah, what a great day.


Not to mention the beer and the footy.

Sports Fan?

Community Cup on Sunday! Get your boots on, and possibly bring an umbrella. Grand final for Hurricane, indoor soccer, next Thursday. It may be the second half of the second division, but trophys are trophys for me. Wow. I've never encountered such a concentrated amount of sporting excitement in myself before. Football and football. No, I can't really call soccer football yet. Sunday will be great fun though and then Monday night Australia v Italy. Dare I go into Lygon St?

Foot?

So much pressure buiding up in my head over this soccer business. Idon't know how much more I can take! I guess just as much as the Aussie team keeps going. If we get a result against Croatia then who knows where it could go.

I'm having a party!

The days are getting shorter and the shortest one of all is next Wednesday, so get on down to the annual Winter Solstice do at my place. Shorts must be worn! If not we may have to get into some hippy solstice rituals involving burning and burying things, and nobody wants that.
So,
Wednesday June 21st from 7.30 my place. Fire provided.

Trivia

Ah, you've got to love inappropriate comments belted out to an audience. Sometimes I just forget that I am in a public space. I can't help it. I see Ruth up on stage and lewd comments just spring from my mouth. Then add to the mix some victory beers and it all goes down hill from there. I guess I'll be there again for more of the same next week.

Musicals

Check out the Black Chords they rock. If they play at Meredith Pete has promised he will propose to me on stage. Fill in the survey to help get them there.

Save Montsalvat

Most of you probably aren't aware of the shit that has been going down in the 'ham the last couple of weeks regarding Montsalvat. The thing is there is a chance it wiil be ripped out from underneath it's living forefathers, which are also my forefathers. There is a public rally going on tomorrow at 2pm outside Steve Herbert's office, just across the road from my place. We need numbers so come along and show your support of the arts and Eltham's history. (Also as reported on Spicks and Specks this week.) For more info go to Seb's website and come out tomorrow. If only because you believe in the Skipper. There will probably be a serious hack-a-thon afterwards if there is enough interested parties.

Pics

I've decided I need a photo for my profile. If anyone has one that is suitably spunky, obviously not neccesarily of me, please pass it on. All entries will be judged on artistic merit, comedic value, relevence and of course spunkiness.

Kill Your Radio

This morning on the way to work, for the second day in a row, they were playing the same Kelly Clarkson song on two radio stations! Conincidence? I think not. We must all band together to fight this commercial radio conspiracy!

Don't worry, I won't go so far as to swear off trashy pop songs as well.

I've also realised that when reading the paper I go straight to the trash section of the back page. I console myself in the fact that it's not as bad as reading anything in 'the small paper', but it must be pretty deeply ingrained in me.

I'll just have to shake this addiction one small step at a time.

Pretty close

Hamish + Pirates

It doesn't get much better than that.

Official Memo

Today is cowboy day. Although I've already been told I look too 'indie rock'. It's not my fault. This is the best I can do- I lent my chaps to Emmalaura!

I can see through time

There's new info on the Meredith website. She'll be turning sweet sixteen ........ and never been kissed? It's exciting already and only six months to go.

Don't put up with trash!

Well, that's it! I'm done with Britney! Not really. It's more that I'm done with the cult of celebrity. I hearby renounce my vows. I'm cancelling my 'Britney' daily news alert, and quitting reading trashy tabloid magazines. All it is doing is fuelling the paparazzi, stalking these people and making their lives hell. As well as making Britney look like she is a bad mother, it is making all those mothers out there feel they are doing a bad job as well. I challenge any one of you to ask your mother if she nearly dropped you, even once, when you were a child. These stories are putting unreal expectations on the mothers of today.
I don't know if this is actually making any sense, but it's been brewing for a while. I have also been drinking for a while this evening though, so feel free to disregard all that heas been said, excepting the sentiment. And don't put up with trash!

Country life

I saw a dead wombat, that had been hit by a car, on the side of the road this morning. I guess this would be another piece of evidence supporting those claims that I live 'in the country'. "Somewhere on the way to Sydney" I have even heard some say. Regardless, I'm glad to be able to take my morning amble in a place where there is plenty of trees. Much better than gulping in lungfulls of pollution and car exhaust. Here are some examples of natures surrounds....aah nature. Although some of the 'wildlife shown here could be a little frightening.

Andrew at Meredith

My camera is broken.

Seminal

This time not the act itself, just using the word a lot. Andrew Mclelland's Mix tape. He wa pretty funny, but mostly in the way that he was a funny guy. You appreciated his humour and were entertained, but didn't neccessarily feel the need to laugh out loud. Not to say that there weren't things in there that i nearly pissed myself at. Somehow it was really my brand of humour, I guess it helped that when the chick next to me complained St. Kilda wasn't getting enough representation Andrew told her it was because it was on the wrong side of the river. She also spent the last half of the show rustling around in her bag, jigging her leg, and looking towards the exit. She came by herself so no one had forced her into it, but she didn't seem comfortable at all. Oh those southsiders. What can you do?

Wet behind the ears

I haven’t posted for ages. I guess it’s because I’ve actually been doing things in the real world, not just in the land of the computer nerd. Holidays in Byron were gorgeous. Such fantastic weather, company, camping, music.



It feels like such a long time ago already. This cold rainy weather has really brought me right back down to earth. Smack! Or whatever sound a wet slap to the face makes. Again we've booked the site for next year, so Kath and Nick you'd better be there too, and those who promise better make good on that.
Since I’ve come home I’ve kept the routine of going to shows though, but shows of a different kind. Dylan Moran on Sunday. Man was he funny, not to rub salt into the wounds of anyone who missed the season, but he was great. Even if he did totally lose track of what he was going on about towards the end. He may try to say that Bernard is just a character, but he really is Bernard.
Elbowskin last Wednesday was great, those gys just get better and better. The Comedy Festival is a great time to be out and about in Melbourne. There is just so many people everywhere. And unlike during the Melbourne Festival they're not all snobby and arty, just out for a laugh and a good time.
Then Saturday was The Lion King.


Amazing costumes and puppet work. Not to mention all the topless hotties throughout. I can't believe it's taken me this long to get to see it.

Apart from that it's been lots of catching up with everyone, beer and burning, soccer and even a little bit of work on the side.

sunshine

Hey there crazy kids! The sun is shining in Byron and I finally feel like I've got the energy to enjoy it. Five days straight of live festival music, and all the drinking that accompanies that 12 hour day sure takes it's toll. Not to mention the random nights afterwards spent at the pub on the beach with even more live music and an appearance by the cat empire busking on the street. Cocktails, beer, wine, beer, cocktails, beer. Ahh, this is the life. Coming home to wintry conditions isn't too appealing, but back I will be on Saturday night. And then ready for the beer and burn of anzac day. I bought a badge bobby, you'd be proud of me. See you all soon.

Opportunities

My JoeyJoJo is coming tomorrow! Yay. It's sad that she's coming under such heart wrenching circumstances. But there's one of these opportunities that we can see instantly. Unfortunately I won't be around for much of her three week stay, 'cos I'm going on a holiday of my own, but I'll just have to make the most of our time when she is here. Can't wait. See you soon!

From great change and endings, come new beginnings and opportunities.

Yesterday moring my Mum's dad died of a massive heart attack. He was walking to see the nurse, to have his dressing changed on the skin cancer had just had removed from his back, when he collapsed on the footpath. The village called us to say he had collapsed, but it wasn't until my Mum arrived that she was told he was probably dead before he hit the ground. It was a huge shock to all of use, even his doctor. He was a very fit and healthy man, albeit at the age of 86.

Vats away!

If anyone is looking for me during the day this weekend I'll be up at The Vat.
This weekend brings "Taste of Montsalvat Festival", which I've been told is opening all artist studios as well as having food, wine, beer and gardening business happening. I've got no idea what it is really, but there's no doubt it will be all the more bearable if I've got friends who come and visit me. I used to think Matcham was crazy for resenting the 'tourists' at Montsalvat, everything was always their fault. "If you don't like them," I used to think. "Then why live in a publicly open place?" That was until I moved my studio in there. The worst thing about the place is ther tourists. They just come in and stand there with this stupid 'how quaint' look on their faces. They never actually want anything and don't seem to understand that people actually work there. Anyway, I've been making it pretty for them all day today. And also rearranging some things so that they feel like they're in the studio without having to get too close to me. Ha.
So if you feel like cheering up a jaded 'artist', come visit some time this weekend.

Ooh la la-la!

Yay Soccer! Even though I only played six minutes I'm taking full responsibility for our ass-whooping tonight. Soccer is officialy fun again. There was a while there at the start of the season where it was looking a bit dodgy, but then we remebered how to play and started winning and now I love it. I'll have to get a beach game going in Byron. That's right a week and a half an I'm on the beach. Can't wait!

Long time ago

Just in case you weren't aware........... Mel, Dam and Rob are back! Looking at these pictures reminds me just what a funny morning that was. Lucky you guys are worth waiting over an hour on no sleep, at the airport for.

Hurrah for it began!

Well. Now that this whole Com Games fiasco is over I'll post the photos fromt he opening ceremony. We watched the fireworks across the road from the G on Tom's rooftop, resplendent with Men's Gallery sign as usual, and celebrated with my first drink of the cleanse. And boy did we do it in style- champagne form mugs. What were we meant to do? There were no jars around!
It was quite an eerie night. Punt road was absouloutely dead. We'd parked ages away and walked across because we thought it would be a nighmare getting in there but there was just no-one around. That was until about half way through the ceremony when the performers who were done started coming out of the venue, all their costumes of shiny pants and bad wigs. It all looked a little Rock Eisteadford to me. I hope it didn't come across that way on tv. Then the flying tram came past and was exciting.



The fireworks were cool too, not a skerrick of the dissappointment they could have been. They were really big and went for ages. They even came from ontop of the buildings in the city and along the Yarra.



Then, when it was all over we saw just how may people can fit into the MCG. They'd all caught the train and had to try and do the same to get home again. We did our best to entertain them while they waited, you know random yelling and getting them to give us the little flashy things they were given. But it still would have been pretty annoying to have to wait that long to get into such a packed train. The roads have been quiet all week though. They keep on saying it's because public transport is free if you're goint to the games, but it's just beacause people thought it was going to be hell on the roads. I agree with Bracksy on this one- the only thing people will support is free beer. And come next week I'll be supporting that proposal. Although the TAC has drummed it onto us so well that if there was free beer we probably would be catching public transport, 'cos we wouldn't be driving.

motorcar adventures

I'm taking last nights adventures as a sign that i should stop driving as much as i do. From now on it's only the essentials, like getting to work and going to the supermarket.
First up I drove down Punt Road to Richmond in peak hour which wasn't bad at all. Not too much traffic and a good run of lights. So I was in my rockstar park outside the Corner by 6.00. 2 hours later, after a fairly intense live to air set by Augie March, and then a quick soujourn for felafels, I come back to my car to find I left the lights on and have a totally dead battery! (Why my lights were on at 6.00 just after the autumn equinox is far beyond me.) So we're stuck in the middle of Richmond with no car eating stupid healthy food and noone seems to have jumper leads. Two cars had been broken into though over the course of this gig, so at least we weren't the worst off in the place. Finally we got on to Tom and he saved us. After finding one car with jumper leads but no keys, then another car with keys but no leads, then trying to jump start but it was too far dead, then finally the roll start. I was a little dubious of this method as failing to start meant rolling out onto Swan Street, but it all worked out in the end. Thanks you're my hero!
You'd think that would be enough excitement for one night, but no. I then proceeded to nearly kill Heath and myself at the end of Hoddle street crossing over the freeway. Suddenly I was up on the curb and then skillfully swerving away from the oncoming Light pole towards the stationary car int he other lane, then back onto the road in my lane all is well. I've got no idea how I ended up on the curb there. I've always thought that intersection could be confusing now they've put the new ligths in, but never actually been comfused by it myself. So I don't think that was it. Must be I'm just a crap driver and this is the universe's way of telling me to stop or as the master has said (Google that is) "Amy needs to wake up or get some will power". See?

Friday Afternoon

dYesterday I was so happy to be at work. All this week has been great. Being in charge, selling lots of dresses. But now it's Friday afternoon and I'm sick of it. It's been a lot quieter, without any appointments, which I was glad for. But that also means I'm stuck out the back with people who are starting to grate on me and no reason to go out the front and get excited for people.
Going out for Liz's/Shay's/St. Patty's tonight. I think I'm going to have to break my detox for just one green beer should the opportunity arise. I'm sure my liver will thank me for it in the long run. I have to work tomorrow though, and all my appointments seem to be rescheduling, so even though I have to be in for 9.30 I then have 2 hours before my next appointment. Plus I have to find things to do for one other person- not sewing? It's gonna suck I can tell.
There's still a chance I may have to work Sunday too. A gig in Werribee for a festival parade. I doubt they'd call me now though for that though. Would they? Perhaps subliminaly to avoid that confirmation call, I left my phone at home today.
Ok that's enough random rambling.

Wielder

I feel so handy! I just changed a tyre for the first time. Not that unexplainably a sharp and owie piece of metal pierced my tyre and it was dead flat when I got out to it today. (Well, when my mum went out to it as she was borrowing my car.) So I got down on my knees in the mud with all my tools and changed it. I had been needing some attention paid to the balance of my tyres so I guess this is just a kick up the bum to go and do something about it. The spare tyre is pretty crappy, and the rear ones probably both need replacing so there goes another weeks paycheck on sorting all that stuff out. Boo. At least I'm saving money on alcohol by not drinking. But I bought myself a hair straightener/curler last week, so it all evens out to still having no money.

No Nose Knows

So. I decided not to post about it 'cos it was making me too pissed off. But now I'm over it so it's irrelevant anyway. Suffice to say I'm a jerk, and I'd cut off my own nose if I thought it would get me out of ever going on a date. Which it probably would, (no offence to those without noses) so lucky I'm only exaggerating.

Seminal

The Great Yarn

That's it! I'm starting knitting again. By the time winter comes 'round I will have knitted something other than a scarf.

One day they were just like you

Recently we've been thinking a lot about getting older. Celebrities in all fields seem to be younger than us. Movie stars, pop stars, sports stars. People like beauty therapists and stylist, retailers and business owners. When we go out we see all the young things high on life, and plenty of other things too. What have we got to show for ourselves so far? A lot of liver damage and a few memories, though we've lost a few of them too. It's not to say that I regret any decisions I've made, but the world seems to be catching up to me quicker than I'd hoped.

Last night though, when I was out living the pure life of no drugs, alcohol, meat or dairy, I started chatting to this guy, turned out he grew up nearby and knew some people who went to my school. He asked me what year I graduated, and I knew it wasn't going to be too pretty when we figured out how much older he was than me, so I turned the question straight back on him first so I knew exactly where I stood. But I was in no way prepared when his answer was'87!
That was the year I started primary school!!!! I know it was rude, but all I could do was laugh.
The point is though, he was trashed, having a great time rockin' out to some old school power pop (the emphasis being on power) in the form of the Posies at the Hi Fi. It puts it into a bit more perspective when you hang out with a guy who's 35. I don't think there's too much need to change things from the way they are now.
This is all just probably the detox talking anyway. I won't feel so introspective when I'm off the wagon.

udkuelmy

Has anyone noticed that the word verification on the comments has gotten a lot longer recently, and harder to read as well. No long posts now. I have to go out to the wrap party (yes wrap, not rap) for "The Jammed". more to come on this topic later. Iv'e just read some facts around which it was based. Shocking let me tell you.

Detox

Well. That's the end of 'summer skips'. I started the day with my walk, then lemon water, then juice and then soy muesli. No more drinking, partying and doing things I'll regret in the morning. (But just remember everything that comes out of Mark's mouth is a lie.) Time for the detox. The clean living stylee. For at least 5 weeks, maybe 6. But I think the best bet is to go for the 5 weeks and then one week of training before heading up to Byron for the Blues fest.
It turns out my body is starting to protest about all the abuse that comes it's way. Come to think of it...I am actually just better at ignoring it in the summer time. I found out why my teeth get owie in the sumer......suprise suprise I don't look after myself. My wisdom teeth see my body's defences are weakened and take their chance to bust out and cause me a lot of pain. I got antibiotics for the short term, (which I haven't decided to take yet, or not) but the long term solution is, of course, to get them taken out. But seeing as it was my dentist who said to me that it was painful and expensive, I'll see how long I can last and try to look after them as best I can on my own.

Now- onto other types of pain. Fair enough he deserved a free hit, but did he have to smack me as hard as he could? I don't think so. Entirely inappropriate!
I'm sure you know who I'm talking about. He likes to get around under an "anonymous" tag, but that doesn't fool anyone around these parts.

Yesterday was a bad day, but today is better.

We went out on Thursday for a fairly random night, although the farewell of some backpackers was involved. I think I may have ended up inappropriately drunk. I cracked it when I couldn't get served at cherry. I don't think it was beacause I was drunk, and ended up the evening peeing in an alley after getting souvlakis............so maybe it was because I was drunk. So anyway, all thins culminated in an old style skippa hangover yesterday. For those of you who know about these things- it ain't pretty. And for those who don't- it ain't pretty. Top that off with a filthy, stinkin' hot day and you get the drift. Finally today there is some relief from the heat. A bit of thunder in the background, but no rain yet. Just a cool breeze to make the day bearable. It's already pissing down southside, and- suprise suprise- that's where I'm headed tonight. A fairly belated post prom party. But, as stubbsy said, it just means we can turn it up ourselves, with the storm as our cover.

Hmmmm.

Girls. I know that last night we took a photo that was specificaly for posting on this blog, but I know half of you are at least half as vain as I am so I know there will be no love lost if I omit it from this post. After such a big weekend who can really blame us for looking so below par. This is fine for girls' night, but maybe we should stick to the old adage of "What happens at girls' night, stays on girls' night."

I didn't realise this was such abad photo, sorry.

Peas

A peahen and two peachicks came to visit me today. The first time they came in I got rid of them straight away, but they came in again later and I thought I should at least try and get a photo. I let them hang out for a while, but then she honked and it scared the crap out of me. So I shoo-ed them out quick smart.
I was making a spiderman costume for a guy who picked it up today. Turned out he is actually a kids entertainer and didn't need it for some kinky bedroom action. Thank goodness, I was worried about that for a while.

Summer fun in the sun

What a great weekend. I would seriously consider moving across the river for a weekend like this. B and I went to the mso concert at the Myer Music Bowl, complete with fireworks! I haven't enjoyed firworks like that for ages. The first set where timed perfectly with the music, then the encore was more spectacular, but not so well timed witht the Armenian tunes.
The best bit was being able to walk to the beach from B's place. Just lying in the sun, pretending that the rush of traffic was the breaking of waves. then walking to ice cream, passing by Stubbsy's shop and continuing on for dim sims. Plenty of walking, but I felt good for it.
Then this afternoon another picnic to see Brenna, who's back home for a while, also I got to see Anna and Sarah who i also hadn't seen for about 18 months. I can't believe I can go for so long without seeing them. It was hard to leave 'cos i fear I'll get slack and not see them for ages again, even though I have the best intentions. So i promise to make a concerted effort to stay in touch regularly. Love you guys.

Today is a bad day

BIG!

Yes. I know you'll laugh at me for this but in my 36 hours of being home in this fortnight I am prioritising a post on my blog. Just laugh now and get it over with. For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, I've been at the prom since last Friday and came back for the big day out yesterday. And what a big day it was. We started off with a champagne breakfast in an apartment across the road from the park and even though the day was about the music that lindauer fraise was going down a treat, add to that pancakes and McReynolds' muffins it was a great way to put me in stead for the day ahead. Everything I saw was awesome! Singing along to Franz Ferdinand, listening eyes closed to The Mars Volta, rocking out to Kings of Leon, dancing up a storm to Too Many DJ's at the end of the night. I wish you had been there for that one Dalm. Your swollen throat may not have enjoyed all the steam coming off those sweaty, sweaty bodies though. Soooo hot, needed to stop for many drinks breaks, but beers were $6 and better drinks $9! (I saw Carbsy on my first drinks adventure and he asked if we talked about him on girls night, so here you are I'll mention you in my blog too. Bet you feel special now.) Luckily Andrew brought in a bottle of tequila which went quite well with the mars volta's set and kept me going for the rest of the night. Even with the amount of water I drank all day too I only had to go into that horrible queue for the toilets twice the whole time I was there. All that liquid just came out hrough my skin with all the sweat. Euwww!
So it's back home to the prom now for another week, then back to see Dalm, Rob and Mel come home on Sunday. If anyone has dodged an invite- party at Mel's Sunday afternoon.
See you there kiddoes

Prom it up.

Hey all. I'm off to the Prom in the morning. If anyone has a couple of days off over the next fortnight come on down! Give me a call, I'll probably check my phone most days, so just leave a message and I'll call you back with site details. Word.

I know I'm biased, but I really think Sean Preston is a cutie.