Sydney

Sydney is such a pretty place, isn't it. Lots of trees and lovely old buildings everywhere you look.



Ostensibly, we were there to attend Rosie's brother Jake's exhibition opening. Here he is, sporting a tie his friend just presented him with, proud as punch.



Here's Rosie's mum Helen, our man in Sydney Doug and Rosie herself.



This piece was free to the first person who asked how much it was. Doug and I think that is a great idea and were both pretty bummed we didn't arrive earlier.



Rosie's brother Ned, pulling his patented photo face in front of a couple of Jake's paintings.



This is Ned's son Henry, a leading authority on cars of all types.



One thing Sydney definitely has on Melbourne (or London, for that matter) is the beach. Clovelly is awesome for snorkelling, as Doug showed us. Rosie enquired why we set up camp on the concrete when there was a beach a hundred metres away, to which Doug replied 'because there's no sand'. Can't argue with that logic.



Me, I like sand. Here my feet are at Bronte beach, a heavenly spot.



Along for the ride was none other than TJ, who always seems to be in Sydney when I am!



And our new friend, Kris. Kris navigated us to the beach using ninja-like shortcuts and back ways like a true Sydneysider. We sat under a waterfall coming from the swimming pool into the grotto like area. I shouted, 'I am so happy!'



A camp of good folk on the hill near the beach, consisting of Condor, Kris, Maurice holding Odette and Shauna.



Misha had a show opening too, on Friday night. Here he's pointing out the big bums mooning the street from the windows of the gallery. Or maybe they're big balls, I'm not sure.



We had a bbq on Saturday afternoon with Rosie's family. Here's Din showing the correct way to light a mozzie coil.



Rosie's sister Emily, flanked by the triple threat of Archie, Harry and Henry.



The Pav, which is apparently from New Zealand originally, though I don't believe that for a second.



Rosie enjoying the last slice of a classic Aussie dessert.



Upon Olivia's recommendation, we visited the beautiful Rose Seidler house.



The original owners were named Rose and Max! I know, pretty disgusting.



We made ourselves at home.



Rosie in '50s housewife mode



Afterwards, we dropped Conor off and went to look at his and Amanda's place.



Shag cottage! What a spot!



Conor, explaining something.



So that was Sydney! Whirlwind, but a calm whirlwind. Upon our return, the Sunday papers were full of photos of friends again. This time, it was Marian's turn to come up with a genius fake name. Those gullible paparazzi didn't know what hit 'em!



Back at the office, the Rooftop cinema opened again on Monday night.



Anita and Alana were there, along with a throng of others.



And, er, I just got sent a new board, graphics by Lance Mountain no less!. Thanks Ben!

Hello

Funny how time gets away from you, or from me. I lost a sterling collection of photographs depicting Beci's birthday and a trip to Scienceworks with Milo to see the Star Wars exhibition, which was quite dispiriting, then never really caught up. There's even been talk of jumping out of the blog game altogether, but that is crazy talk.

Work has been quite hectic and demanding - well, not really. I suppose it's just a bit closer to what most people have to deal with all the time. Key workmate, confidante and office laugh generator Coleman is moving on to greener pastures at an ad agency. He's been having going away drinks for the past week or two.



Molly gave me a hot tip-off that Robert Forster was appearing at Readings, fittingly reading from his book and playing a few songs. This was a celebrity encounter that not only reinforced my admiration for the man, but illustrated how he seems to be just as good at being a funny, stylish, sarcastic person as he is at writing and performing kick ass music.



Illustrating a similar point, here's Mavey and his broken nose, playing cricket with a shovel in our backyard.



It's so good to have the ramshackle genius of Joey back. Here he is with Spencer or Ernie, I can never remember which. Look at Joey's blog for some documentation of his recently completed 9 month tour of Europe. The photos of the dodgy Russian petting zoo with bears, tigers and a monkey in pinstriped slacks and adidas is yet to be uploaded, but be patient.



Shona with.... Spencer? The one with the underbite.



Jason James with his cat, the Weird.



Me telling a funny story while Rosie and Sofia listen attentively.



Ed and Olivia actually listening attentively to one of Rosie's actually funny stories.



Roopa making another batch of sausages, this time a Thai blend complete with kaffir lime leaves and pine nuts.



I was lucky enough to score a ticket to the 'Body Electric dance-off' on the weekend. Anna, Ben and I were Rosie's cheering squad. I was going to make a sign saying 'So Rosie, I think you can dance', but I failed.



There were 5 groups (I think) and they all did two routines each. This was Rosie's group's first number, 'Suddenly' by Angry Anderson. Enchanting!



There's Rosie. In all the teams, it was like 'oh, that guy from that cafe', or 'isn't that my old housemate?'. So good.



Second routine, this time to 'Thunderstruck' by AC/DC with a post-apocalyptic, Mad Max vibe.



There was a panel of judges and a host, so it was like a really good TV show. In fact, they were filming it for Sunday Arts on the ABC, though apparently it won't be on till next year.



These guys were good, they wore bike lights and performed an elegant routine to Kylie's 'Can't get you out of my head'.



The amazing Rosie in costume, complete with possum fur and spray painted goggles. They didn't win, but dancing was the winner in the end. I was most impressed, especially considering my well known dancing phobia.



Post prize announcing, the dance floor was open to all comers, but would occasionally break into more 'street' renditions of the routines when the corresponding song came on.



Following a sleep walking episode, we hung-overly attended the North Fitzroy Primary fete the next day. Ed and Sofia had been there for hours already.



I went on the Sizzler with Sofia, which was hilarious, though I was a bit scared she was going to fall out for a while.



Milo and his rat-bag mates were in an opposing car.



Snow cones were the snack of choice. We got through a couple.



A rabbit pooed on Milo in the petting zoo. Rosie pointed out a rabbit pooed on another rabbit a little later on, so it wasn't personal.



And what a way to top off the weekend: the return of the ginger prince, resplendent with broken leg and corn rows! We had wine and cheese over at his manor. Welcome back, Sam!!!



Shona with Sam's crazy boot.



Scottie, insisting on a white.

In the news

Not last Sunday, but the Sunday before, I was looking through the paper. When I say looking through the paper, I mean reading the magazine bits then checking the social pages. Well well well, who do we have here? They even stuffed up the order of the fake names!



Misha has a show up at Y3K gallery at the moment. It's all about poo!



He even custom decorated some Nag Champa for the occasion. I think it's still available from the gallery if you're interested, pretty collectable stuff.



This is definitely worth going to see. We went to the opening shindig and marvelled at the faces in the watercolours and the badass coolness of the sculptures.



Afterwards, we had dinner at a fancy schmancy pizza place, the type that doesn't put tomato sauce on the base. They obviously had a big meat slicer on display, along with ridiculously large tubs of nutella.



They use the nutella for the dessert pizzas, which were vastly more impressive than the main course. Or maybe we ordered badly. Or maybe I was pretty sauced myself.



There's Riley, nailing it as per usual.



There's TJ, Doug over from Sydney, Kashi mai, CB and a host of others.



We had a few drinks at the Toff, which also happened to be the venue for Mind Fractals, which also happened to be insanely smokey and loud. Tom proudly informed us the next day that the fire department had turned up later that evening.



Doug was all blurry by this point.



I think I was purchasing some salt and vinegars at this point, and Olivia must have been taking a photo of something. The demon drink!



To offset this terrible behaviour (or perhaps just give it a new location), I have become very interested in camping and camping stores. I've become a bit of a camping gear snob. This, for instance, may look like a decent tent. The price is certainly right.



But check the stenno job on the side - this thing is a joke!



Scottie is also interested in the camping, but in a more Man Vs Wild way. Here he is trying on some rubber boots, while Rosie looks on, impressed.



Here's a solution for those who want to keep warm and look like a maniac at the same time!



Scottie got a flint and proceeded to throw sparks around the car, in the general direction of my new (middle of the range, but very good) tent.



Maz and Kashi



Work dinner at the restaurant in China Town with the piano player! Nadia, Max and Barrie were in attendance.



These drinks were surprisingly sweet, even for how they look.



Went skating on Saturday. With Dave! We had a lot of laughs over this one.



This was also dry, flinty fuel to our hilarity fire. Turns out the guy on the left is Marty Girotto, Joey's mate from the 'Gong. hope he got paid well for this one.



The reunited odd couple, Danza and Joey.



It's the simple things I've missed while Joey's been away all these months, like knowing I'm having a good night because he keeps on falling over on the road while trying stupid tricks on Jason's board.



Brunch at the Davis - Radonich's, complete with A1 Bakery goods.



Doug!



Fia and Rosie



One of the Wild Things



Scout!



Scout's door. Sorry this is a bit haphazard and lacking in narrative!