Caught up on my Dexter's last night.

I have to say it has entered into my pantheon of awesomeness....

Other members include: The Soprano's, Deadwood, Babylon 5, Blakes 7, Six Feet Under, X Files (the early seasons). Not sure yet but Boston Legal is becoming a great show. Shatner proves he can be a quirky son of a bitch and I have a big soft spot for James Spader...

Also watched an interesting 17th Century Church Intrigue Swashbuckler called Captain Altariste. Starring Viggo Mortensen. A beautifully done Spanish language flick. He proves himself as a drama \ action star in any language. Of course there is the Rings but History of Violence, Eastern Promises show he is a more than capable actor...

Today is pretty cruisy...finishing off the last missions on Company of Heroes. Getting set for the next couple of scenarios in my Star Wars campaign which everyone seems to be enjoying including myself. The guy's have really taken this to places I would never have thought of really keeps me on my toes. I love the whole collaborative story effort when you play amongst friends. When I used to play at Conventions the games where always filled with wankers who had to thrust their ego's and their own self-deluded opinions of their own intellectual weight into the mix...made it boring, tired and really ummm fucked...it's great when it's just mellow, collaborative and social...

Saw RATM last night. I have to say that I think the year's have not been that kind to my opinion of them. Don't get me wrong the playing is incredibly solid still but I remember the last time they were out here I enjoyed the gig a hell of a lot more. Perhaps the years and several thousand bands later I have changed my opinion. Zac is still my favourite rapper out there, his flow is impeccable and Timmy and Brad are the solidest of all rhythmn sections. It is just that I find their opinions a bit politically naive nowaday's...anyway was still pretty good. Better still to go out and catch up with the crew of regulars that used to go to gigs with me at least 3 times a week. It's good to see that even though we are all in our 30's some of us with respectable jobs, wives and careers now we can still catch up and pretend we are in our 20's again ;()

Hey it will be all over the blogs anyway...pretty messed up about Ledger..I thought he was a hell of an actor...what a waste.

Hmmm....

Haven't been on here in about 8 weeks just way way too many things to do.

The Highlight's (my favourite parts of the last 2 month's)

2 Christmas's, New Years, My Mum's Visit, Sister's Engagement, oh and Uni Results (all good GPA stay's rock solid which is kinda cool)

December - is called the silly season for many many reasons. I think we collectively lose our heads and just pretend we are in love with our work colleagues and the general world around us...kind of wish this month could last all year round. Last year I was in New York for the month and it was awesome. I love Christmas, the tackiness, the goodwill, the Christmas Parties...all of that.

24th - 27th of December - we were spending Christmas No 1. with T's parents in their new house overlooking Little Bay.  Awesome apartment overlooking the water down there (note to self: if I can get some dive map's of what is under Little Bay might be worth the plunge for a bit of a look see). The 24th was spent peeling prawns, getting salad's ready and generally making sure the next day would be amazingness plus. T's Mum Jane is just plain amazing. An absolute wizard entertainer, master cook and all round fantastic woman. She shares my love of music (especially the Masters themselves Led Zepplin - the greatest band the planet has ever seen IMHO), T's Dad is a riot, very funny, super smart and just an all round good guy. 

Christmas No 1. - The day started off beautifully. Everyone arrived, Presents were given out (I scored Battlestar Galactica Season 3 and a great Monkey t'shirt). An amazing lunch, some beautiful Pinot Grigois, Verve, Moet and Kemmeney's Hidden Label....My memories have evaporated off the night time activities apparently I ended up talking to Jane about Sonic Youth and Tool and the scale structures that both employ or some other random crap that I seem to spout when hammered. The 26th was a loafy day, watched the Sydney to Hobart boats sail past and just sat and watched stuff from Phil's Hard Disk....ended up with my all-time favourite Bond Casino Royale....

New Year's -  The preceding day's were accompanied by a mad move to T's new place. She has bought the place her parent's were renting whilst the apartment was being built. This is the best apartment I have ever been in. Besides the actual place it is right on Dank St close to some amazing coffee shop's, Dank St Depot and Wholefoods (their smoothies rock!). 2 balconies, one open to the view, one private balcony..and amazing entertainment area with the all important slate flooring for so spillage is no problem. 2 bathroom's, two bedroom's. The plan at this stage is to sell the place I am living in at the moment (my mom own's it and the money will go in thirds I believe)and then reinvest in this place it will be fine until T and I have more than 2 kids (I have visions of having 3 girls...) have to include some photo's...amazing amazing amazing...Anyway New Year's eve was all about getting food and alcohol ready. My sister arrived first with my cousin's. Cracked open the Moet and we were away. People arrived, disco was danced too, food was eaten (Andrew was too far gone to man the BBQ so Mark did it), drinks were drunk and the night ended on the back balcony sitting around talking crap (far out ain't it always the way). The next day a few people had stayed over. We made breakfast..then sat around and began to watch the Birdcage (Hank Azaria is such a legend) everyone crashed out...;()

Mum's Visit -  My Mum was in town, for Orthodox Christmas as well as my sister's birthday. I was staying at T's so Mum and Wayne were able to stay in my apartment in Pyrmont. They arrived and we spent a bit of time here before they were off to WA. Mum and Wayne love cave's and have seen many of them around the World and apparently the one's in WA are pretty amazing. On their return we shared Christmas, my Sister's Engagement (more on both later) as well as Mum meeting Tegan. We had a great night...beautiful dinner, great company and just a great way for my mother to meet T (both really hit it off which is just amazing) The next stage was my Mum and Wayne meeting T's parent's. All went amazingly. Of course we could talk about the food again but I remember the Verve, more wine, great company another fantastic night.

Christmas No 2. - This is alway's at my Godmother's house. T came along for her first Russian Christmas. Food food food galore, more alcohol and more great company. I have photo's that I will put up...some funny stuff went down. Got some great presents. A great picture of Kramer, the "Monster" - Dylan Moran DVD and I am still to pick up my sister's present. About mid afternoon retreated to the pool for a dip. Just a great day.

Sister's Engagement - In terms of moments in your life it really doesn't get bigger than this for your family. It was held at James's parents house. We got there earlier and began setting things up. Blowing up balloons, getting the alcohol ready etc. Before you knew it the place was filled with about 120 or so people. Family and friends. Caught up with many I had not seen in a long long time...the day got progressively messier and messier..you know how it goes...I know I have had a skinful when I begin random friendly arguements on stupid topics. One highlight was a discussion on Infusion (are they a band or are they producer's??), the true nature of troop deployment's in Iraq (Democratic myopia on these issues??) hehehehe how much wanky rubbish can one man come up with....anyway the day was all about my sister and Jame's they seemed genuinely happy and thrilled. They got awesome presents and all look's bright for the next year. If this is an indication of what the wedding will be like it's gonna be fucking great....

Uni Results - yep all good 3 credits and a pass. No more C++ which is a bonus. I wanted to do the Stats path in both 2nd and 3rd year but it will interfere with Reserves so doing Marketing. Plus have decided for my electives I am going to do 2 Arts subjects instead of 3 Science one's. Not sure if it will be English, Philosophy, Ancient \ Modern History or Politics though. Hey I have a year to decide. Wouldn't mind cementing my knowledge of the Peloponnesian War or Ancient Greek Religion but Modern has some amazing British \ Australian History modules which look superb...anyway have a year to decide.

On the Movie front - Saw American Gangster: big big thumbs up from me. I Am Legend: loved Vincent Price in the original but Will Smith gave a convincing performance in this movie....seeing Sweeney Todd this week which looks amazing and Juno on Thursday which I have heard nothing but good things...

New Year's Resolutions -  Not to eat as much (I burn it all but I am just eating for the sake of eating sometimes...), participate in the City To Surf, Melbourne Half Marathon (have to get down to 15min per 3.5km), Rescue Diver, dive at least 50 times this year. Keep improving myself. Tolerate, respect and love everyone around me especially the people I have problems with ;()

Going to see RATM tonight (can't wait those MF's can really groove baby...), T got us tickets to Rocky Horror as well.. yippee!!

anyway peace out mungbeans

Human Rights Arts & Film Festival Recap last night

My gal T's big event last night. The Human Rights Arts & Film Festival which was held at the Chauvel Cinema last night in good ole Paddo.

I got there early after spending the day doing nothing but reading comics and having my haircut..(and gym but that is a given ;()), got there early round about 5ish with promises of food and drinks...there was only alcohol (I basically don't drink much anymore, perhaps once every month or so, cept the silly season is upon us so that will make up for the year) and cheese on crackers. Went outside and dove into Morrison's 3rd trade of The Invisibles (reading it for the upteenth time..still find it most enjoyable moreso for pulling apart it's references these days...Jared Cornelius, Lovecraft, Hindu mysticism, Sufi weirdness etc..love it).

The place started filling up round about 7 so put my trade down and went out and socialised with T's circle of friends. Her dad and mum were there with her brother and gal, many of her best friends so was great just to chat and catch up...T came over and introduced me to some interesting people from the Festival, Fair Trade peeps, Amnesty and many other interesting people. It's great talking to obviously intensely passionate bright people, I kind of drift off nowadays into their world and try to see it through their eyes...love it..

We all then went into Cinema no 1 to watch the shorts. Most were very very enjoyable. Two stood out

Pod Love - about a Burmese man communicating with his love over webcam. One in Burma, one in Melbourne...never seeing each other except across this medium. It was poignant heartfelt and stirring.

Norbert - an animation from a talented chap from RMIT about a boy born with massive ears who falls in love with a giantess who rejects him. Was funny, smart and sweet

There were some speakers: Margaret Pomeranz  whose speech was intensely interesting and I found her engrossing to listen to live. On "The Movie Show" I find her idiotic. Professor Larissa Behrendt a prominent Aboriginal Activist and novelist whose new book on the topic of social justice I am pretty excited to read.

Was surprised to see the film "Helen and Troy"'s cinematographer was a good friend of mine Oliver Lawrence. A man with a deadly eye and beautiful vision. No wonder he was the darling child of AFTRS this work was engrossing it was about relationship's between youth and the old as well as black and white...

The night ended with a schmoozer, I helped T give out gift bags at the door. Copies of New Internationalist (a rag which I am not a big fan of) as well as playing cards and some amazing Toby's Estate Coffee (this stuff is the only drug I am now interested in)

All in all a successful night. Hopefully there will be as many people for the screening of movies 
"Inside Burma" on Tues 11th of December. Playing will be some new works plus Pilger's classic on the region. As an aside I met Pilger at the Annandale many years ago at a COG gig he was incredibly smart and whilst I did not agree with his politics completely I could not fault his passion, his dedication and his real determination for social justice.

The weekend holds a bit for me this week

Sat - my first Yoga class \ lunch with my Father, Marilyn, James and T
Sun - regular Centennial jog with Edo \ T's dad's birthday (can't wait for that - his dad and mum live in an gorgeous 2 bedder,great views, 2 balconies and great design. A place right next to Danks St Depot, T just bought this place and will be moving there soon once T's parents move to their amazing place at La Perouse\. The food is always rockin and after a few wines I always get educated about the blues of Southern Texas, Mexico or some other place by them always fun.....saving up my alcohol credits for this one..)

anyway peace out mungbeans

Sun 2

Got up really early

Deep Dive-

Met at the dive shop at 8am and got certified in using the Oxygen Analyser to check tank oxygen levels (we were getting our Nitrox Certification so were breathing 32% O2 for these deep dives)

Got our gear squared away and off to meet the boat. I have never dived off a boat before so it was going to be a bit of a trip.

Met the boat, got on it and head off to Fairfax Lookout (a 30m + dive). We anchored and then it was a backflip off the side into the water. This is AWESOME fun. We headed towards the front of the boat and then we descended. This was amazing. You just slowly skydive I guess into the green. Usually we stop around about 12 metres this time we kept going 15, 20, 25 and finally the bottom arrived at 30m. We then swam around a bit and assembled in a circle so we could do our skills tests. These one’s were pretty easy. Looking at the change of colours underwater. What is red on the surface is black under the water and also doing a few logic problems to see how nitrogen affects your brain. We all did ok. Then we gradually made our ascent upwards. This is amazing amazing amazing fun. We were using commercial diver technical stops (obviously for not as long as they decompress for 3+ hours) but we stopped at 12 metres for 2m, 9, 6, 3. It is so amazing just hanging out in the green floating with your buddies around you. Awesome fun.

Back up onto the boat and then back to shore to swap tanks and get some new ones. We stopped for lunch and to wait out the Pressure groups as well. Then back onto the boat for our last dive

Underwater Naturalist – this was just fun a boat deep dive again to about 25metres just looking for life. We had to find 2 invertebrates, 2 vertebrates, 2 plants and 2 anything else. This was easy cause the place is just teaming with life, Cuttlefish, Octopii, Bull Ray’s, Starfish, Port Jackson Sharks, Moorewongs (sp?), Old Wives, Wrasse and of course my favourite the Blue Grouper who just loves joining groups of divers for a dive, they literally become part of the group and just swim with you. Ascended again and then back up to the surface. The course was complete. We were now advanced divers.

Back to the shop for a sign off of our certificates and it was all over.

Definitely definitely keeping on with the certification. Next is Rescue Diver (which I just need to do my Senior First Aid and Resus Certificates then do the Rescue Dives which are pretty hard I have heard), then definitely choosing a few specialties (for me probably Wreck Diver, Ice Diver, Dry Suit, Rebreather, Peak Performance Buoyancy) and becoming a Master Scuba Diver (need another 25 dives under my belt) the ultimate aim is the title of Dive Master (which I think I will do whilst doing my Masters as I can do it hardcore over a 10 day stretch)…

All in all a kickass weekend

I LOVE DIVING!!!

Wow 13 days since my last post. Not that much really to say

Did all 4 of my exams

Systems Design
Organisational Behaviour
Fundamentals of Comp Science
Intro to Financial Accounting

I thought all of them went pretty well except for Fundamentals which I am a bit worried about. Walked out of the other 3 feeling yep I passed them the Fundamentals one was a bit hairy. I hate Machine Code and iterating things down to a yes \ no, 0 or 1 kind of thing (I can do it but it doesn't set my world alight if you know what I mean)

Anyway saw Muse on the 17th of November which was amazing as always. They are an absolutely solid solid outfit with alot of energy and an incredible stage show. Bellamy is a jaw-dropper of a guitarist and an amazing keys man. Was a great night.

That really sums up my life till about Monday the 26th. Get up exercise, study.

Tuesday 27th

Started my advanced dive course. I am here on Tuesday night for the theory, Wednesday night for Nitrox (meaning I can breath a higher mix of air underwater and according to the laws of biology and physics - which I hope are constant means I will suffer from less nitrogen intake and therefore be able to dive for longer) it means an exam on the new dive tables for the new oxygen mix which kind of sucks. I have a few issues with just straight compressed air dive tables but I actually think I have it now.

The holiday's should be pretty good. 

Next Tuesday starting a meditation course on the Buddhist Path to Loving Kindness as well as a new yoga class. I really need this desperately I have been noticing a couple of really really bad Andrew trait's creeping back in, in terms of my relations to other people. I am I guess a soft athiest \ agnostic so any talk of higher power and all that makes me sleepy but luckily Zen does not subscribe to such notions but compassion and a caring for other's are not just lip service with them. I need more of both of these in my life.

Besides that December is chockers with Christmas parties (as it is for most me thinks) as well my Mum is coming here on the 26th of Dec which should be pretty awesome, will be fantastic to have her here instead of on the other end of a phone.

Anyway's that is about it for me...looking forward to the next 2 months to get stuck into some writing, music and catching up on my reading list...

peace out homies..

Saw "30 Days of Night" yesterday. They have redone the formerly god awful Greater Union George Street (not sure if it is all cinema's or just the one we were in) very very comfy.

I enjoyed the movie, big sucker for a good old graphic novel adaptation (as long as it is treated with respect) and love my vampires, have done so since my teen years. Anyway all in all I thought it transfered to the screen beautifully. The art really stood out in some sections and the storyline was on par with what you would expect in this kind of movie (I am not making any kind of statement's by that either. I have to reiterate I really enjoyed the film). The colours especially the dark hues of blue, white, black, grey were simply gorgeous. Lighting worked a treat, The set of the town and the endless snow was great. Loved the costuming and makeup of the vampires (frequent visitors of  Club 77 take note this is how it is done ;() ), some genuinely beautiful camera pans and long shots (especially the top down shot of the vampires massacaring the town were quite exquisite). A good 2 hours of suspended disbelieft and compared to some of the graphic novel ports in recent years (Ghost Rider, both Fantastic Four's, The Punisher) far above the average.

My sister called last night. Her long-term boyfriend just asked her to marry him (after getting my dad's permission, kinda sweet really), so we are off to my sister's on Sunday for a spot of dinner and a drink. This will be the first time that T will be meeting my Dad and his girlfriend (they met when we went bowling for my birthday, but Dad is terrible at the social skills) After a cavalcade of lunkheads wanna-be writer \ pseudo-intellectuals (yes I can memorise things from a book and pass it off as my own knowledge ;() ), mommys-boy's and wastoids I think my sister has finally got it right. James is a great bloke. We have been sky-diving together, diving, drinking, movieing, socialising, familying so I have seen him under some very different environments, it took me a while to warm to him but the guy is so so good for my sister and a genuinely great guy to boot. Not pretentious with a good head on his shoulders, a man with a plan and a future. I am sure they will be happy and my sister deserves nothing more than that.

Anyway that's about it for me

Peace out mungbeans.

Finally got my wetsuit yesterday....pretty happy camper. I was going for the more slinky schwanky Scubapro Black Number...pretty body hugging (hey why else do I work out....you know..."cause it's ladies night"...thank you Jon Lovitz for one of my favourite comedy moments ever..)

Anyway drove with Lenny to Parramatta on an awfully wet Sydney day. Tried on the black wettie. It was way way too tight and restrictive. So I settled with something not so schwanky but infinitely more practical. The Scubapro Nova Scotia 6.5mm looks and feels great can't wait to dive in it. As predicted was going to go on Sunday but the Weather gods fucked us again..

Here tis..





Festival of Sydney

Awesome lineup this year

Definates for me..

Low - the beautiful, droning, dirty masters of lo-fi.
Amp Fiddler - combine Sly with Disco Stu  sprinkle some Armstrong you get this man..
Warp Future Music - Battles, Andy Wettherall, Pivot (the legends of the "Hi-Fidelity" crowd in Sydney. The band that I could easily Karaoke "Why Can't I Be You" too and really mean it)
A Secret In The Shape Of A Song - the remaining members of The Triffids get together to play the songs of the legendary Dave Mc Comb a man if he only produced "Born Sandy Devotional" would still be an Australian legend

Things I would like to go to

Iiro Rantala New Trio - a brilliant pianist, guitar and a beat boxer some of the most ground breaking jazz on the planet
The National and The Clogs


Should be a great month

 

Sydney is looking pretty grey this morning....I think Freyr hates me going diving...everytime we plan it with the boy's and gal's it starts to cloud over and go grey even bucket down. Either that or it is completely boiling so whilst you are gearing up you cook like the proverbial chicken in a broiler .

Anyway the plan is tommorrow to finally get my wetsuit and then Sunday go on my 2nd last dive before the Advanced ones (big differences I have gone down to about 16m on the Adv we are going down to about 40m)

Today will just be more study and that's about it.

Kind of looking forward to finishing my exams and having December and January to pursue some other things...

I have been really missing not playing alot, I miss the rehearsal space, I miss the comeraderie of people sitting around working on the same thing, I miss hearing Gavin, Chris and Hayden busting out a seriously off-tempo groove that when they nailed it could split reality open. Or Luke, Nick and Hayden playing some of the sweetest dirty rock infused blues that I have ever been apart of (I still remember our version of Voodoo Chile at the Winter Blues Festival - fucking hell ladies and gentles it really made you sit up and take notice). Finally Tim, Trent and Hayden rehearsing for hours to finally get some Shadowesque \ Evans \ Cage inspired fusion to Bill Cosby's immortal classic "To Russell My Brother Whom I Slept With"  being scratched like a mother by one of the best in the business. When Tim showed me the remix he did for MIA I nearly fucking lost the plot and as always the guy did nothing with it. Don't even know if he got paid not that that is important. It's just that Tim could cut like nobody's business. 

But I  see the constant right there Hayden the man with the best right foot I have ever heard...how did it all go so wrong between us. Not bitter just a sense of melancholy. I had illusions of some of these guy's and myself still being in a band when we where 60 playing in some dero-infested pub to a man and his dog. Like The Goodies episode where they play "Wild Thing" and only the cleaner is there. After 40+ years of playing our instruments we would just be happy,  instruments \ our weapons like an aged samurai with his...no need for fame, power or adulation just a man with his passion.

So hopefully I can sit down at the piano again and over 2 months recover some semblance of playing ability. Maybe next year write the album I have always wanted to....whack it up on a website and just distribute it....perhaps go up to Byron to a friends and record it up there...you know the peace, the tranquility and some bad ass funk \ blues  or electronica...I don't know I am such a schizophrenic player..

Hopefully get my long-overdue Old Republic Star War's Campaign off the ground (yes yes I am a nerdlinger but have been playing RPG's since I was 5 so you know I am old-school ;() and not ashamed to admit I still play monthly)  and perhaps run "Temple of Elemental Evil" with my dive buddies...  

Get back into seeing live acts in and around Sydney - I miss it alot I have like maybe seen 10 or 15  local gigs this year a dismal effort compared to the year before when I saw 150+ or the year before when it was about 200+ plus about 30 or so gigs of my own...I owe alot of peep's that saw me play by seeing them play...I am a man aware of his debts and who needs to repay them (A reason the shrink said at the Army I am joining?? Go figure this is neither the time or place to be talking about this just an interesting point me thinks)

anyway not much doing today....heard Whedon has something new coming out (thanks to one of my friends on Livejournal) should be good but will probably get cancelled like Firefly (oh and to all of you who think this show is nothing but Buffy In Space - invent  your own rude expletive ;() )

ok peace out mungbeans 

Fri 26^th

Not much to say really for this day. Finished up some University work and made sure there was nothing to do for the weekend

Sat 27^th

Got up early went for a run with Edo. Did about 7k’s. Was hot and the heat really really took it out of both of us. By the end of it we were both puffing. Got to get some heat training in for Kapooka were we will be running the same but in 40+ deg. Anyway back to T’s. Shower, a tidy up. Up to the shop’s to stock up on orange juice and bread.

Then onto Stage 1 of the Bday Party. The Great Bowl Off Of 2007. Arrived at the Entertainment Quarter was greeted by some of my most treasured people. We had 4 lanes so divided up into 4 teams of 4 people. The bowling commenced. I have to say that I am a crap crap bowler. I think T and I came last and second last. The other’s ranged from respectable to downright amazing. My Dad was pretty good. Chris, Mark and Craig came 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd respectfully.

Onto Stage 2 – Bar Cleveland. We had about 3 hours to kill before dinner so we sat around soaked up the atmosphere and the alcohol, talked a lot of palava and generally had a great time. By 6:00pm most of us were very very happy indeed. Walked down to Emmad’s for Stage 3

Stage 3 – Emmad’s joined by 5 more people and onto dinner, a lovely Lebanese feast. We ate, drank, laughed and enjoyed each other’s company. I spent the majority of the time talking to Edo and Karina about some nonsense or rather but all in good fun. I am hardly serious about any of my views and love people that get that about me…I guess in terms of religion or philosophy the idea of something as silly as Discordianism really really appeals. Lots of red wine, food and dessert. I got up and made some kind of a speech, I think it was ok, people clapped whether out of politeness or cause it was genuinely moving I don’t know

Stage 4 – Onto Macquarie Hotel. We lost most of the people by now but another 3 joined..this was ummm how shall I put it very very messy….the band was good I think?? We stayed for a bit and then back to T’s

Stage 5 – This is were Andrew drank a bit more and then crashed out on the couch. Apparently everyone else went till about 5am unbeknownst to me.

Sun 28^th

Got up and made breakfast. 4 of us were left. T, Mark, Marilyn and myself. The boy’s manned the BBQ (for snags, bacon) and the gals made omelettes, mushrooms and toast. Awesome breakfast. Felt pretty good considering I had heaps of sleep all things considered about 6 hours. It was 10am and we had to rush to get to the Art Gallery as Marilyn’s present was due to start

Marilyn had bought me tickets to a Lecture on the Silver Age of Russian Art and then a documentary on Rachmaninoff. We got there just in time and sat through an absolutely excellent presentation. The guy really knew his stuff. Sometimes people present speeches or rants by cutting and pasting things from the internet and passing it off as there own kind of “research” with this fellow I didn’t get that sense. Fantastic indeed. A short break were we hydrated big time and onto the documentary. Rachmaninoff is a world treasure a “modern” composer with the heart of the old. His melodies and there endless variations are beautiful as well as his pieces which I believe are some of the hardest you can play on a keyboard.

A brilliant brilliant present. Back home and Andrew and T crashed out on the couch watching some Blake’s 7. That night we saw “Eastern Promises” kind of a Russian themed day. Bus into China Town were T and I enjoyed one of our favourite meal’s and then onto the good old cinema. I am in love with the history, politics and evolution of the “Russian Mafia” especially the Solnskaya Crime Family and was itching to see this movie. I have to say I found a few flaws but overall it was a fantastic watch. Caught the bus back home, shower and into bed for a good night’s sleep

Monday 29^th

My actual bday. Text messages and calls galore which is great. It’s so humbling to know there are people out there that really care about you and “have your back” so to say no matter what. It kind of made me really reflective after the emotional turmoil of the past 4 years the past 2 have been excellent. It kind of made me resolve to only hang out with positive people that actually make a contribution to my life. I have unfortunately made the mistake of making contact with one or two people from my past who unfortunately have caused me frustration and emotional blackness (perhaps sparking up old wounds) I resolved not to contact them any further. Good luck to them I just don’t need them in my life really.

Anyway some cool pressies

Tickets to see the Government Inspector

Framed Photograph of T and Me

Pair of Beauchamp Diving Gloves

2 Hellboy Animated DVD’s

Ticket to Art Gallery Lecture

Awesome t-shirt

Exxy Bottle of Pinot

Rare Dalek picture

ScubaPro Wetsuit

Advanced and Nitrox Diving Course