Whoa - yesterday was comment-a-rama! Seriously, with the way some of you people crap on, I really think this blog needs more authors. Email me if you’re interested.

With this Friday off and what not, I’ve been shaping some plans into existance. Thursday eve Crazy Dave has invited me to see his and his lovely wife’s newly renovated home. That should be cool - perhaps even motivat myself to do something about my own place.

Friday is chillin. Saturday I’m helping Rob W to install some kind of intranet-type thing at a client’s site. Should be moderately fun
Sunday I’ve been invited to spend Easter with Rob and Nadia, in lieu of my family being in town. I’m not sure how the bros will feel about that, and if they wanted to do family stuff even without mum and dad, but at least I’ve got a fall-back plan.

I had bailed on family night last night, because I’d spent enough time with my family over the past few days, what with doctors cancelling and what not. Was disappointed the Law and Order Criminal Intent was a repeat last night.

Oh, who’s keen for tonight to be a 24-thing, with the latest two episodes?

OK - In the absence of any actual plans for the Easter break, I’m beginning to feel like a social outcast. To remedy this, I am appealing to you, gentle reader, to invite me to numerous quality functions - preferably with free alcohol and questionable entertainment.

If that plan fails to come off, here’s a list of things I’d like to do and when I’d like to do them. Hopefully this will be the starting point for at least one gathering:

Watch Lions v Magpies - either at the game or in front of a large screen (Thurs night).
Eat out at a decent restaurant with some good wine (Thurs, Sat or Mon night preferred - as Entertainment book Gold Card is valid).
Bet on something, anything - don’t really care what, but it’s been a long time since I’ve had a punt.
See a good movie - probably an unrealistic goal, especially in school holidays
Play Stock Exchange Monopoly (anytime, anywhere, bring it on)

This is gonna be a tough week, I can just feel it. I’ve had two days in a row with a 6am wake-up, and permit me to say “woo boy” I’m tired now.

Blacky and I made pizzas last night, but not just any pizzas: Seafood Stick pizzas. That’s right, mmm. Like a california roll on a pizza, but with the added goodness of tomato, capsicum, mushrooms, onions and basil.

I made this observation to Nadia at the markets on Saturday: why don’t you give people a bunch of herbs rather than flowers? They’re cheaper, smell better, and are actually useful instead of useless. That’s it. From now on, this is one camper who doesn’t give people flowers, but if you want a big beautiful bunch of aromatic herbs, I’m your man.

I went to Bryce’s poker night on Friday and cleaned everyone out. It felt good walking away with a big $36 in my pocket, and nobody else with any. I started off a little shakily, but towards the end I was “in the zone”. I could read everyone straight off, and I put big bets in on sure things, folded the rest. Took a risk towards the end, which came off, and I pocketed the lot.

Saturday I got this pissed-off call from Edward at 2am, chewing me out for something that happened at the office on Friday. I won’t even comment on how unimpressed I was with that concept, but suffice it to say that I didn’t get up and tapdance with joy, as such.

But then the markets came along. Had a blast, caught up with the markets group, saw Bek there with her mum and friend of her mum’s, bought a bunch of really good stuff, like goat’s cheese, blue cheese and shiraz dip, turkish bread, tomatos, mushrooms, blood sausage, basil, a chocolate croissant … mmm. Perfect morning was finished up with a great brekkie at Harvey’s.

Saturday afternoon, Mr John came over for a few Sopranos on the trot. Good fun, he even bought a block of chocolate that we munched through while watching. A quick shower and shave later, and a dinner party at Rob and Nadia’s, where the food was, as always, wonderful, and the company, even better. Had a really fantastic night.

Sunday was a lazy day, watched a West Wing VCD, entertained M&D and Grandpa, who’d stopped in on their way home. Blacky and I caught Shanghai Nights at Stafford yesterday arvo, which was an entertaining but childish piece of fluff. I particularly liked the Singing in the Rain sequence. Had an early night after a dinner of satay kind prawns from the foo, and a restful night’s sleep.

I had arranged an early morning’s doctor’s appointment, but that was aborted by the doctor not showing due to car problems. It’s been resceduled for tomorrow, which means I either stay at M&D’s again, or wake up extra early and drive there in the wee hours. Life can be difficult.

I’ve gotten away without having to make a real blog entry for a couple of days now, what with travel arrangements being in the forefront of my mind, and I figure that owe the people a genuine no-holds-barred expose on the tabloid that is my life.

Blacky caved and let me order pizza for dinner last night - we were Domino’s SUBURB OF THE WEEK and as such, were entitled to 3 pizzas delivered for $19.95. Bargain. Of course, the best thing about pizza for dinner on Thursday, as opposed to Blacky’s original plan of Thursday, is left-over pizza for lunch on Friday, which I’m looking forward to today. Tune in to my webcam at lunchtime to see it for yourself.

Now - there’s a deluge of holidays, weekends, and general shenannigans ahead of us. Oh, quick sidenote: Here’s a thing - I miss out on the Labour Day long weekend in May because I’m in America, but I get the Memorial Day long weekend instead, because I’m in America. How tops is that?

Ok, more on the shenanigans: This weekend is totally a MARKET WEEKEND. I’m so stoked - the tomato situation had gotten dire. I fully intend to stock up on things that I really like, except for the fish, because I don’t like cooking it, and I don’t like carrying it around. Which is a shame, because Swordfish is truly one of the best things in the world to dance on your palate. Saturday night is dinner at Rob and Nadia’s place … that’s gonna be great. Short week next week, what with easter and all, so hopefully someone more in-tune with the revelry scene will fill it. Update: Crazy Dave just rang and we’ve pencilled something in for Friday. He piked on my house warming, and I haven’t seen their house since they bought it, pretty much, so perhaps a mutual house-viewing and feeding could be in order? That just goes to show you, people, if you want some of my time, you’d better get in early.

Oh oh oh - I’ve got the 24 from Leyton of last week, and I’m trying to dl the most recent one. Someone organize 24 at my place on Sunday or something.

Can anyone believe it’s Thursday already? Hoochy-mama.

Ok, a slight change of plan:

Tuesday 29/Apr QANTAS to Los Angeles, CA
Wednes 30/Apr Los Angeles, CA
Thursday 01/May Los Angeles, CA
Friday 02/May Los Angeles, CA
Saturday 03/May Los Angeles, CA
Sunday 04/May Train to San Diego, CA
Monday 05/May San Diego, CA
Tuesday 06/May Train to Santa Barbara, CA
Wednes 07/May Train to San Francisco, CA
Thursday 08/May San Francisco, CA
Friday 09/May San Francisco, CA
Saturday 10/May San Francisco, CA
Sunday 11/May Delta to Dallas, TX
Monday 12/May Dallas, TX
Tuesday 13/May Dallas, TX
Wednes 14/May Dallas, TX
Thursday 15/May American Airlines to Austin, TX
Friday 16/May Austin, TX
Saturday 17/May Austin, TX
Sunday 18/May American Airlines to Dallas, TX
Sunday 18/May Delta to Cleveland, OH
Monday 19/May Cleveland, OH
Tuesday 20/May Cleveland, OH
Wednes 21/May Somehow go to Akron, OH
Thursday 22/May Somehow go to Columbus, OH
Friday 23/May Columbus, OH
Saturday 24/May Columbus, OH
Sunday 25/May Columbus, OH
Monday 26/May Somehow go to Cincinatti, OH
Tuesday 27/May Cincinatti, OH
Wednes 28/May Cincinatti, OH
Thursday 29/May Delta to Las Vegas, NV
Friday 30/May Las Vegas
Saturday 31/May American Airlines to Los Angeles, CA
Saturday 31/May QANTAS to Sydney, AU

Whew. I’m tired just looking at it.

I stayed at M&D’s last night, for two reasons:
1) I couldn’t be arsed going home, and
2) If I was there in the morning, it would give M a better incentive to go to work this morning. That’s the loving kinda son I am.

Yes, last night was in deed, family night, so I went home to eat and share company with said family and pet dogs. It was nice. Mum and I watched last week’s Criminal Intent which I taped last week, and then watched this week’s CSI which was a bit crappy. The feel was like “let’s just gross out the audience as much as we can and not have any actually good plot points” and stuff, so yeah it was very “eh.”

Good news is that now my car damage is quoted and assessed, I can drop it in for repairing at Moorooka. Here’s the thing though: I need a volunteer to drive it there on Wednesday 30th. Please email me if you can help out, otherwise I have to go without it for the Anzac day long weekend and Leyton’s birthday which seems foolhardy at best. I can’t take it because I leave for USA on the 29th.

Speaking of the USA, here’s what I’m planning thus far:
CALIFORNIA LEG
Tuesday 29/Apr Fly Arrive LAX 1045am
No Specific Plans yet for Round-trip activities in Ca.

LEAVE
Saturday 31/May Fly CVG (Cincinatti, OH) - LAX
Fly QANTAS LAX - Home

So it’s a real Planes, Trains and Automobiles style trip, not to mention the Buses, which I suppose are technically automobiles, but bigger.

There’s not a lot to say today, sans the fact that I am soooo tired. Lay awake until well after 1am, waiting, waiting, waiting for sleep to take me. When I woke up this morning, I felt awful.

One person who I’ll bet didn’t feel awful is my good friend Nadia Wilson, who is celebrating the anniversary of her birth today. Isn’t that nice? I hope you have a great day, Nad.

Over lunch (a long lunch as it turns out), I got my car insurance quote assessed, picked up Chinese food with Leyton, and watched Judge Judy and Futurama on TV. There was one particular Judge Judy moment that I have to share:
Judy: So, where’s the father of this child now?
Mum: Oh, he’s away.
Judy: Away where? On a cruise?
Mum: No, he’s in jail.
Judy: Oh, what for?
Mum: Well, he broke into his Aunty’s house …
Judy: So, robbery then?
Mum: Yes.
Judy: You, madam, are a study in bad decisions. That’s all. (stands and leaves)
Bird: Both parties are excused blah blah blah

It was just such Scheindlin Smackdown, yo. I wonder if that’s how you actually spell her name?

I decided to apply for another credit card to accrue work-related purchases on, but I only intend to keep it until I get back from the land of the “free”. No, seriously. That’s as long as I’ll keep it.

Right, a few words about MGF….

Lara had been sick for quite a few days leading up to Saturday night, so we spent Saturday morning watching ‘Not Another Teen Movie’ and she slept for about three hours in the afternoon. We then went to the local Indian place (Scherezade’s - Morningside) for dinner - cause they have good butter chicken and we could get a free birthday buffet for Lara.

We must have eaten really quickly cause we were home again only an hour after we left, which gave us time to watch about 3 quarters of the Lions game before making our way into town. We stopped for fuel on the way, which provided a chance to peruse an early copy of the Sunday Mail, complete with article and photo. Got a great parking spot near the Arena (Warry St, off St Paul’s Tce, is my car park of choice for the Arena) and got inside about half way through Gerling’s slot.

The place was packed and quite smoky (and not just tobacco) and VERY LOUD. They’ve got some serious speakers in that place and the bass was pumping. My left ear, the one facing the speakers, is still ringing slightly about 40 hours later. I wasn’t that impressed with Gerling, but they didn’t suck, so I won’t complain.

MGF put on a discoesque type show, with lots of keyboards and bass and the usual cross-dressing and removal of clothing. I spent a reasonable portion of the night trying to work out how I’d describe their style - they’re definitely punk (in the real sense, not the tryhard So-Cal punk a la Blink 182), with traces of techno (not hip-hop) and a dash of cabaret.

I’m not really a big fan of most of their songs, but their live show is something else - at their best, they can turn the crowd into a writhing mass of sexual energy (like last time we saw them at the Zoo) and at their worst, they’re very entertaining and have enough variety to keep you interested, as was the case for me this time.

They played quite a short first set - less than an hour - then came back for an encore that went for about 20 minutes, and then another slightly shorter encore, which featured Christa Hughes doing ‘Let Me Be Your Dirty Fucking Whore’

I’ll let Lara fill in the blanks - especially about the t-shirts they had on sale….

This is what I need more of.

I had an accident last Friday, when I collided with an illegally parked car. Man, was I pissed off. Anyway, it’s gonna cost $600 for the excess, plus the inconvenience of not having a car for a couple of weeks, but it seems to me that if I’m in America after that, perhaps something can be sorted out whereby I get my damaged car for, like, the next three weeks, and then drop it into the smash repairers on day before I leave. Which reminds me, here is where you download a printable copy of my flights and stuff to print and stick to your fridge or whatever.

Mum had asked for a family portrait for her birthday, and Saturday was the day for it. We’ve started this dubious tradition of taking family portraits in dinner suits, and the questionable looks one gets when parading in a group of 4 in dinner suits never ceases to amuse. Hopefully the pics will turn out worth-while.

As only the truly obsessive geeks can, Bryce came over on Saturday night and we got ourselves up-to-date with the new Star Trek series, Enterprise. Whoa, what a pair of geeks. It took about 5 episodes to get up-to-date, so that killed an evening where I’d rather have spent $$ and gone to see MGF live at the Arena. Hopefully Glenn will tell us all how it was in a future post.

Sunday was spent sleeping, mostly, before John came and watched a couple of episodes of the first series of The Sopranos. This is a GREAT show, seriously. I can’t believe I haven’t watched it before!