Tess!

I visited the Lost Dogs Home yesterday for work. I had to get a photo of the place and of course took the opportunity to check out the merchandise. Who was I to find but this little JRT cross named Tess!



I couldn't stop thinking about her and this morning, we went and picked her up! She was so happy to get out of that place.



She still hasn't barked once, and she occasionally strikes these strange freeze poses when she runs to you.



But she seems to be a lovely, affectionate character.



Rosie and her get along just fine.



Scottie may look apprehensive here, but he's fallen for Tess' charms too, in a big way.



Tess loves the couch. She's sleeping there right now.



Look forward to plenty more from Tess!

Walking

We took Scout for a walk on the weekend:



I wanted to climb over here and have a look.



Such a pretty stretch



Scout loved it!



Quite the contrast to the skate competition they had at Fed Square on Saturday.

Penny and the rat

Penny presented me with a special gift the other day.



She was very happy with herself. I congratulated her and she writhed around in fits of ecstasy.





As I walked inside, I heard a loud crunch and she was biting off the head. Ah, the natural world.

The lads

Strange Magic

Poor Sam is cooped up indoors all day every day, with nothing to do but watch box sets of DVDs and relax. Like the great friends we are, we took him to the beautiful, bra-ridden landscape of Coburg skatepark for an outing to watch us skate around with our healthy legs, which he loved.



Joey was a big part of proceedings.



Beci was part of a show on the wrong side of the river. We arrived a little late, but heartily enjoyed it. Sofia had been there for a while, and had perhaps consumed a little sugar.



VCA grad show was on, and impressive it was too. Kate's piece employed our clothes line in no small way. She's been working around the clock for some time on this stuff and now is on holidays. Well done, Mossy!



Other favourites included Benno's masterful, cosmic b&w photography, Z Man's amazing ventriloquist dummy work, Elena's confrontational video balloon kissing and Marc's confessional placard work.



Scottie loved these naughty sex pictures.



Ackroyd, itching to listen to some out there tunes on them headphones.



Not sure who made this, but it's bloody good. Kind of similar to the concept Tom came up with a while back, the well covered with mirrors, which Sam and I pondered on for quite some time. The show is up till Sunday if you haven't seen it yet.



Jason and I rode out to Coburg for a skate the other day. On the way back, I accidentally clipped a guy's rear vision mirror with my board and what followed was a chase scene straight out of BMX Bandits!



You've heard of Rooftop Cinema, I take it. Well, have you heard of Mavie's outdoor cinema? It's a little less well marketed, sure, and perhaps a little less legally sanctioned, but it sure floats my boat. This session of True Romance was completely sold out.



How good is that movie!!!



Hottest ticket in town.



Packing up Mavie's outdoor cinema for another night.

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!