abrusentsev

Now your out of here

2008-11-12T23:32:31Z

Anyway....

As you can see it's been 10 month's since I have added anything on here....just not enough time in the day with Uni, Army, Research Diving blah di blah di blah.

If you are at all remotely interested...I have been keeping this journal active since coming back from the Pooka... (if you know you know if you don't worry about it) thru Facebook....plenty more action on there anyway..

Not a big fan of the way scripting and other things are done through this site.

Andrew Brusentsev is who you will be looking for on Facebook

Peace out homies...

Tuesday 22nd January

2008-01-22T23:40:22Z

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.

The Big Catch Up

2008-01-22T01:54:53Z

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

Fri 7th November

2007-12-07T01:19:16Z

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

Richard III excerpt

2007-12-05T05:59:36Z

I remembered this for some reason whilst rereading the first Invisibles trade (probably one of my most beloved author's on the planet. The one the only Grant Morrison)..looked it up to get it right...pretty close

Truly truly amazing - "Let us sit upon the ground and tell sad stories of the death of kings.."

"No matter where. Of comfort no man speak:
Let's talk of graves, of worms, and epitaphs;
Make dust our paper, and with rainy eyes
Write sorrow on the bosom of the earth;
Let's choose executors and talk of wills:
And yet not so - for what can we bequeath
Save our deposed bodies to the ground?
Our lands, our live, and all are Bolingbroke's,
And nothing can we call our own but death,
And that small model of the barren earth
Which serves as paste and cover to our bones.
For God's sake, let us sit upon the ground
And tell sad stories of the death of kings:
How some have been depos'd, some slain in war,
Some haunted by the ghosts they have depos'd,
Some poison'd by their wives, some sleeping kill'd;
All murder'd."

Wed 5th November

2007-12-05T03:46:03Z

Pretty lazy week so far.

Went to my first guided meditation class yesterday. The meditation was fantastic, the teaching was interesting even to an avowed agnostic such as myself. It was all on the concept of categories we have for people around us "friend", "indifferent", "enemy"..something struck me which was very true. When you are walking around lost in your own thoughts the people around you might as well be inanimate objects we pay absolutely no attention to them. Here we are in a big city surrounded by people in our own "aloneness" it was definately something to think about. The teaching was more about Universal Love, the giving up of attachment and the concept of having no negative emotions to anyone around you...a very tall order but I guess an admirable goal. Not sure how far I will go. I am hoping that the meditation coupled with yoga will give me a better understanding of my family, my friends, my own mind and a taking away of any boxes that I might categorise people into "these people I like", "these people I don't like". It's strange how close meditation is to psychoanalysis, both of them introspective but only one tries to leave you with more love and acceptance than when you went in. Quite interesting.

Met my cousin today for lunch was pretty cool. Just met and caught up, had a quick bite and a chat. Walked around dive shop's and checked stuff out. I am finding it hard to get my Star Wars Campaign off the ground during the silly season as everyone is too busy or away or what not. I am hoping that I can do something on the 22nd of Dec and the 5th of Jan but who know's i have plenty on my plate as well and this is a low low priority.

Anyway. T informed me that one of my favourites is playing the Espy on New Year's Eve...Melbourne's own gold children "The Drones" if we weren't holding a New Year's party I would probably want to make the trip down to see them strut their stuff in my favourite venue in Oz...

Gonna start meditating everyday. I did so this morning and found it amazing. I never realised how much bullshit your mind comes up with and how hard true quiet and stillness is to achieve perhaps a lifetime.

Peace out mungbeans

Fri 30th Nov - Mon 3rd Dec

2007-12-03T00:07:42Z

Fri 30th

Not much to say really just another one of those days. Caught up on my Foxtel HDD.

Future Weapons
Situation Critical
Angel Series 1
Bones
Ross Kemp On Gangs

All in all put a bit of a dent in the HDD. Have a crap load of movies on it that T and I need to watch soonish. No dramas though really. When the new Showtime channel starts it might be a bit full on. ROME, DEXTER, the new show with the genius that is Eddie Izzard a few others.

Same ole same ole today. Did have my favourite dinner though. My gal cooks the most insanely amazing meatballs and angel hair pasta....amazing amazing stuff.....another notch on her already notch filled belt

Sat 1st

Day 1 of the Advanced Open Water Course - it was pissing down raining so the weather was miserable really. Didn't really matter though. The day we were just doing skills anyway

Underwater Navigation - alot of compass work doing reciprocal headings, squares, triangles, hexagons etc underwater. Was ok. Had a new dive buddy (as Leon my cousin was away and not doing the course) so had to adjust to swimming at the same speed and also get our underwater communication down pat. Bought a dive slate so comm's became a bit easier. Anyway we passed this course. Vis was crap about 2 metres so we really really needed a compass to find the group anyway.

Peak Performance Buoyancy - this was the best thing I have learnt being underwater. I think I will do the Specialist course (a 2 day course on nothing but this when I do my Master Scuba Diver - after my Rescue Diver course). It's weird cause the profile you jump out of a plane with is the same streamline you use underwater. A good diver is half seal \ half zen monk. Everything is done with breath, mind and slowly. Species adapted to being underwater have the most insane buoyancy control, this course tries to teach you that as well. The course ended up with us swimming through hoola hoops underwater (quite hard with a tank on your back) then picking up weights so you would have to adjust your buoyancy. When you become calm and focus on your breath it is amazing how you can ascend and descend on nothing but your lungs. I also employ the think heavy thoughts to go down and light one's to go up...I know it's bullshit but it works for me...Also dropped 3 pounds off my weight belt so I am on 18 pounds.

We then went back to the dive shop for some dinner and a wait to a) drop pressure groups (get rid of the nitrogen in our blood streams) b) till it got dark for the Night Diving course.

Night Dive - the weather had cleared by this stage and we entered Shelley Beach at dusk. By the time we were underwater it was pitch black nothing but torches to see each other by. I was a bit anxious at first cause all I could see was black and torches but then it just became fun. I imagine this is what being in space is like. Nothing but the sound of your breath and the black around you. We were all new to this so keeping up with your buddy was a bit weird. I could only tell where my buddy (Artie) was by shining up and down people's legs and seeing the Oceanic label there. Anyway. We stopped at the rock ledge and just watched the species hunting - a massive bull ray, octopii galore, cuttlefish and pike...awesome stuff. We then did our skills test getting a bearing underwater and then heading out 30 metres and coming back on the reciprocal heading. Artie and I came back and noticed that there was just 2 other’s, a Dive Master and Kieran without Tim. The Dive Master just asked us to put our hands over our torches (which is a trip it just becomes black as out there, with just your breath in your ear’s kind of like a Darth Vader moment) we couldn’t see the rest of the group or Tim’s torch. The Divemaster (sorry I forgot her name, there were 2 with us plus a Course Director (the highest license you can get in recreational diving so the group was totally safe) told us then to carefully ascend. We did, this was magic floating near the Heads with the outlines of sandstone and bush around us on jet black water in the most beautiful Harbour in the World, just awesome. We tried to see torches under the water with no luck and still no Tim at all. We then decided to head on back in to shore. We descended and did so. Just as we were close to the shore, we noticed the other group and Tim standing on shore with another group of diver’s just out for a night dive. What had happened apparently was that Tim had crossed path’s with these guy’s and headed off with them thinking it was us. Anyway all was good. We finished the dive, washed off our gear and headed back to the shop to get Day 1 certified on our records with PADI.

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!!!

Thurs 29th November

2007-11-28T23:28:57Z

You know you just have one of those really good days.....

Yesterday was one of them. Everything was kind of hunky dory.

Woke up in a great mood. My gal Tegan is just about the funniest person to wake up next too she is just comes up with the most random observations and does the most random things early in the morning. We are talking 7 or 8am jumping around on the bed dancing to "Treaty" by Yothu Yindi (hehe!). It's moments like those I think about the stereotypical love scenes of my favourite author Jane Austen and kind of get the whole Mr Darcy thing...I don't know my love just expands exponentially. It's so fantastic to be with someone so uninhibited, smart as a whip and generally just great to be around. After about 13 years of funny (not haha) relationship's it's relaxing to finally get one right. Anyway's

Got home, exercise (as always this is like the staple of my life, it centres me and does wonders for my head. Usually I have a cavalcade of goof-balls telling me all sorts of things, after a bit of the good ole huff n puff this settles down to none....it's great. As Burroughs said "exterminate all rational thought" I used to think this meant blotter it out with alcohol or some thing hallucinogenic but nope there are better way's to attain that state....yeh I do bang on about it don't I)

Then onto study. Learning the Nitrox Dive Tables for my exam that night. All was pretty good actually the penny dropped on the "Normal" air tables so it's a blessing really. Learnt what I needed to and then off to Strathfield to meet Tim and Kieran. A great trip to Manly, those that know me know that I am not a fan of bands but rather albums (for me perfect moments in time where a band get's things right - eg Tool's "Aenima", Davis "A Kind of Blue" hell even Janet Jacksons "Rhythm Nation 1814", The Beatles "White Album", Beach Boys "Pet Sounds", Billy Cobham "Stratus", Meat Beat Manifesto "Satyricon", Isis "Panopticon", the list is endless really)

In that spirit it was great to hear Limp Bizkit's " Significant Other ". Fred Durst is an assclown of the highest order but fuck his band are tighter than a sealed door under Cheyenne Mountain and have riffs that make you bawl like a baby. John Otto is one of the most solid drummers around. The kick \ snare combination on My Generation is insane. I had to change my shorts the first time I heard it ("john otto take'em to the matthews bridge")...anyway. As soon as I think of the Bizkit these days I think of the film clip to "Break Stuff" with Fred and other peep's he know's singing the lyrics acting all tough and hip hop in front of the camera's....then the cut to Pauley Shore up the back fucking one of the amplifiers....gold I tell's ya gold!

Exam went well - I had the same problem. I got 20 out of 25 which should of been 23 as I got 3 questions wrong by just rushing. When I went over the problems again I saw my mistakes immediately....

Anyway now just the practical side of things - learning to use the oxygen analyser on the tanks and then the dives themselves...should be awesome..diving always is....

On the reading side of things picked up the Dalai Lama's "The Art of Happiness" quite keen to read it really. I am not a subscriber of this particular school of Buddhism (basically the only religion that appeals are Zen and perhaps Discordianism ;() ) but it's well worth a look I think. I think I kind of feel like the Beastie's feel about Buddhism I like the appeal of "one day we shall all be one.." (another great album the immortal "In Sound From Way Out" ) you know back to the singularity kind of deal....obviously in no concious state cause hey once you go, ummm you go...stupid science ;()

anyway peace out mungbeans

Thurs 15th November - Wed 28th November

2007-11-28T00:05:11Z

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..

Photo's of Sisters Ring

2007-11-14T01:05:53Z

My sister's ring

James and Marilyn

Oh and I get to be a Groom's Man. Yeh baby...first time in my 30's ;() . Apparently it's going to be on an island somewhere everyone will have to arrive by boat...sounds terribly romantic and alot of fun really

Sat 10th November - Wed 14th November

2007-11-14T00:59:28Z

Hmm much much a happening. To busy to write anything in my little online diary.

Anyway

Saturday 10th

Got up for run with Edo. Weather pretty cool considering all the rain of that past week. Perfect conditions really. A bit muddy but hey I'm a part-time soldier boy we like that kind of stuff ;().. FINALLY FINALLY beat Edo round Centennial. Ok he was getting over being sick (but I will take the victory anyway we can) it's pretty funny I was wondering how many people whilst jogging (usually only the first 1 1/2 laps talk as much crappola as us) Today's conversation went from Nietzsche to Dostoyevsky to Ayn Rand, Beowulf Computer clusters, Front Armour Plating of the Panzer IV, Vladimir Putin, Stalin, Peter The Great....it's great to have someone that jus accepts all your randomness and has a keen input on all the things you find interesting...

Anyway time for today was bloody good Distance 7km Time 34:00 min. That is about 12.3 kmh.

I think I need to up this till I can get it to 30:00 that will be Kapooka fitness level. Wanna reach that before I go there. Be all I can be and all that ;().

Edo told me that we will soon be playing a massive Axis and Allies game at his place. Hopefully accompanied by soldiers uniforms (definately either a KGB kernel or SS-Gruppenführer, hot frauleins, cigars (I don't smoke but you know the whole Patton thing) I am such a nerd...anyway should be good probably be just us and some great bottles of red. Edo has some Pinot you would sell your mother for...

Got home shower, studied. Ate dinner at home and then caught the bus in to see "The Government Inspector". This was a first-rate production. I haven't seen Bell Shakespeare do anything non Shakespeare and this was just brilliantly staged. There were only 2 actors that literally played all 20 parts. The play is hysterically funny and the 2 actors deserve the rave reviews and a long run on this one. Funnily enough Edo and Karina were there as well.... Anyway met up afterwards chatted about the play and then caught the bus home

Sunday 11th

Walked back to my place. Called Mum. She is going to be here in early January with my stepdad Wayne. Not sure if they are at a conference down here or somewhere close or just on a visit. Tried to loosely arrange some things with her. A couple of Festival outings, some dinners, perhaps lunch on Fort Denison etc etc. I want her to meet T's parents before they are away (going to Bali or France not sure ;() both our respective parents are full on jetsetters). Then it was time to go to my sisters to congratulate her on her engagement.

Picked up by Dad at Strathfield and then onto the house. Dad had pulled out all the stops as usual (food galore, enough alcohol to kill a small army of teenagers and great atmosphere). James parents turned up and we spent the afternoon, eating, drinking (we polished off a shitload of champagne, white and beer) The night ended up with Marilyn, T and Me singing to Bob Marley, The Pogues, The Cruel Sea, A Perfect Circle and doing shots of Sambucca. Yes it got really messy. There was a cab trip home

Monday 12th

Woke up and T's. Both of us were worse for wear. I made it home with no shoes on and no recollection of getting into bed. Had a big greasy breakfast and vegged. We watched "Napoleon Dynamite" and started on "Six Feet Under" (one of my all time favourite dramas. Amazing story, exquisitely filmed and perfect characters). Not much else to report really

Tuesday 13th

Not much study, study, study
T's place for dinner
More Six Feet Under
Bed

Wednesday 14th

Not much I think study study study
Will go to T's place for dinner will wait till she finishes her Corporate Challenge thingo round Centennial then cook.
More Six Feet Under
Bed

Fri 9th November

2007-11-08T23:31:34Z

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.

Thurs 8th November

2007-11-08T02:00:47Z

Not much to report really...just been head down bum up studying my little ass off...T had her exam on Wednesday so she is done...I have another 2 weeks of stressing about stuff...

Accounting, C++, Oracle and Behavioural Organisation....what a joy it is to study ;()

Anyway I hope I do ok....lucky for me I can scrape through subjects and still get credits...my assessments so far have been pretty bloody good.

Hey saw the first review to the play we are seeing on Saturday night (thanks Teganbegan)

The Government Inspector

Looks pretty fantastic can't wait.

A friend of mine Stella is also getting rave reviews for a play she has produced with Company B at Belvoir...looks bloody good. Seeing it next Thursday. Apparently Cate Blanchett saw it yesterday and was all in love with it n stuff..(a bit of vicarious name-dropping as if I had anything to do with the play)

2000 Feet Away

On another note some of you (who never bloody comment here but choose to email or call me) said I sounded rather sad about my whole musical experience for the past 12 years....nah not really I am pretty happy with it really. Played all over Australia, had song's on the JJJ's, wrote songs on the JJJ's for other people, played The Basement, played The Espy, The Forum, Metro, sold out my beloved Annandale, sold out the Metro (small room), played the big room, met Tal the Godfather of the Aussie Live Scene, played with Radio Birdman, COG, The Buttefly Effect, Karnivool, Birds of Tokyo, The Hanging Tree, palled around with The Hard On's, Def Fx, Smudge, Caligula, Primary, The Baby Animals, The Jets the list is endless really...played everywhere in Oz besides Perth and Darwin, studied for a year at The Con...so I am happy with those achievements and comforted in the knowledge of my own kung-fu. I just realise that for me it's a passion that many many share I am better than the average bear but will never set the world on fire....I am comforted by that....still love the keys and my experiences and knowledge of the craft...hell I am in my 2800 sets seen territory these days....I just have never felt the need to big note myself on these points. There are those that for every tiny achievement bugle from the highest branches not my style really. Everytime I get full of my own abilities I just think of the first time I saw COG playing "Holes" ("Wipe That Smile of Your Face" fuck me drunk the most intense fucking riff I have ever heard played with such passion, precision, genius I remember watching my schooner glass and the beer was doing the Jurassic Park T-Rex bit. You know in the Jeep with the water. I will say this to anyone and have nobody makes me more proud of being an Aussie Music lover than those boy's when they put their minds to it along with TOOL the 2 most dangerous heavy bands on the planet I shit you not) I just LOVE the craft and get a kick out of playing live...

Anyway enough Palava back to studying....

Going to see 30 Days of Night. Can't say that I know Ben Templesmith (besides the odd how do you do at some Comic Con's and on the old Oz Comics forums where I ran around with the username Vorta) but he always struck me as a good bloke so I am hoping that this makes him a big big star....

Peace Out Mungbeans

Wetsuit \ Festival of Sydney

2007-11-03T23:33:14Z

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

Fri 2nd November

2007-11-01T22:50:17Z

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

1st November

2007-10-31T23:31:31Z

Not much going...

Got up, breaky, coffee with morning TV. Bus with T, walk to my place, Paid Bills, Computer, Wellfed Forum, This Blog.

Just got back from running time

Distance: 9 km Time: 42min BPM at finish: 140

Hopefully I can get to about 10km in 51ish or so...then I can work on getting the time down...it's a killer in the heat but need to get used to it..Kapook's gonna be a good old 42deg when I am there..

PS Diary my friend is putting back together his orchestra Shanghai which I can't wait for..

Also COG's new stuff sounds amazing

Can't wait for it....

Peace out mungbeans...

Wed 31st October

2007-10-31T00:42:24Z

Well exam season is well and truly upon us. T and I are both beginning to study. Mine are on from the 17th to the 26th of Nov. T has one not sure when. But she is only doing a single subject (I think it’s a grad certificate in Insurance something but she can expand it later to a Commerce Degree, which will be degree 3 for her 2 undergrad’s and 1 Masters). Clever lass…still waters really do run deep with her.

My lounges arrived this morning with a minimum of fuss. Brett the lovely concierge let me use the back dock ahead of schedule (the guy’s arrived early) he is a peach of a fellow and we really should get him something for Chrissie. Anyway’s after getting the lounges up here and playing a bit of furniture tetris they are in. I took some photo’s and got the approval from my sis and T..it looks schmick really. I just need to get a new TV cabinet and some red pillow’s and the décor is virtually done. The next thing will be to hang some art darling on my walls (you know something to go with the swanky parties I hold nightly at Chateau Andre) in all seriousness I probably just want to rehang my Coltrane frame, and get 3 more for the living room – was thinking an Empire Strikes Back one from the first run when in cinema’s, Godfather II and my Mum just got me a Mozart Magic Flute poster from Berlin….then perhaps one in the bedroom…not sure I like the feel of just wood in there…really quite sparse and Spartan I like it..

Not much for the rest of the day. Will go to the gym, catch up with a few friends on the forums I visit, perhaps see if anyone is available for a bit of lunch or coffee and then do about 4 or 5 hrs study for System Design (yep the thrills keep on coming)…then off for another night at T’s place.

BDAY WEEKEND In Photo's

2007-10-30T00:08:16Z

BDAY in photo's

BDAY WEEKEND

2007-10-29T23:14:34Z

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

All in all a fantastic way to start my 33^rd year

Thurs 25th October

2007-10-24T23:43:18Z

5Kudo's to Murray Engleheart the man who has made me read Drum since like forever and now god awful Brag. I guess I hate it after some serious run in's with the old editor. She was an absolute so and so. Although she was in a very very good band which kind of makes it up for me. Murray brought the term "slab" into my vocabulary. Now I regularly listen to this and that's "new slab"...and on the Remedy turntable this week...hehehe..

Gonna keep a record for myself through this journal. Maybe will setup my own webserver next year hell's with my friend Edo, my sis and a few random's we could have a serious one up in no time...

Andrew's Walkman

* High On Fire - Death Is The Communion (very very Mastodon if I may say so...still fat as..some real bowel rumbling riffs here..)
* Jesu - Lifeline (kind of like a My Bloody Valentine \ Industrial \ Metal album...really enjoying it last track is amazing)
* Dream Theater - Live Scenes From New York (3 hours of some amazing amazing virtuoso hair metal)
* The Drones - Gala Mill
* John Coltrane - Ascension (A very difficult listen, not sure what I think about it after all these years really)

Andrew's Keyboard

* Bill Evan's - "Peace Piece"

Andrew's Reading

* League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Vol 1 and 2 - for the upteenth time wanted to see what it was like in one sitting.
* Conan Vol 2 & 3 - Kurt Busiek does it very very well...
* Metal Swarm - Kevin J Anderson (haven't started but enjoying the Saga of the Seven Suns)

Andrew's Watching

* Arrested Development - Seasons 1, 2 & 3
* Bones
* Angel Season 1
* Star Trek Enterprise - just because I have to watch every episode of this franchise. I think I only have about 4 or 5 episodes to go, some of these are well god awful, some so-so and actually 1 or 2 have been excellent but after 3 seasons to only have 2 or 3 good one's well you know pretty poor really

Andrew's Must See Movies This Month

* Eastern Promises
* Control

Diving Caesarea

2007-10-24T00:44:10Z

They have finally opened up Caesarea for diving.

One of the most underated of all the Ancient Wonders (Primarily cause it is underwater) an amazing achievement of King Herod's, I have been fascinated by his reign for many many years. This is definately on my list of dives.

2008 - Indonesia, 2009 - Fiji, Solomon's 2010 - Egypt, Israel

AMAZING!

Caesarea Diving

Addition Fri 19th October - NIDA Play

2007-10-23T23:37:23Z

Thanks to T and Edo for pointing out that I didn't mention that we all saw a fantastic play this night at NIDA.

Brecht's amazing "The Private Life of the Master Race" or "Furcht und Elend des Dritten Reiches". A fantastically anti-Nazi play performed with alot of skill by the 2nd year class of NIDA. It was performed in the main hall, an incredibly beautiful space. The set designer should be given a big thumbs up for reproducing the beautiful "Germanic" come Hellenic look of a Speer like Berlin. Hitler's vision if you will of Germania.

The cast was fantastic - T and I recently saw them perform "Macbeth" (T's favourite work by the Bard, I myself can't go past Hamlet which I am informed will be done by Bell Shakespeare with Brendan Cowell as Hamlet - yeh baby should be amazing!) in a much smaller space probably room for about 50 or 60 people. There are one or two actors from this year who I think will go on to amazing successes as they distinguished themselves in both Shakespeare and the semi-absurdist roles seen in Brecht's play. I think I will definately become a NIDA member next year and can't wait to actually see these guy's develop through their 3rd year's and beyond

The play ended with the playing of the old Soviet National Anthem. If you know me you know the effect this particular anthem has it gives me goosebumps everytime I hear it. Especially if it is performed by the amazing Red Army Choir. Got's to say although it is not too PC the Nazi anthem is another cracker.

Outside in the Entrance Hall a friend of our's was showing her final year's work in design. Brilliant work she is going to go along way. (I mean you are at NIDA as well regarded around the World as Juilliard these day's). Also bumped into one of T's friends a graduate who had been roped into one of the play's. I haven't seen him act but apparently he is amazing (can't wait really apparently his own play which played at the Old Fitz was fantastic - someone give me details and I will edit and insert). Anyway a bit of a chat, a mill around looking at the amazing set, costume design then off home.

The play was the first part of my bday present which also involves bowling, dinner and gig (this Saturday), then a suprise on Sunday. Later on in the month it will also include the STC bold move of performing Gogol's "Government Inspector" with a cast of 2. Should be awesome though. Meeting after the play we agreed (Edo, Karina, James, Marilyn, T and I) that the play was done beautifully and Brecht was handled with the right amount of absurdism, sarcasm and thinly veiled menace that the play deserved.

All in all a fantastic night...

Bring on the weekend.

Not much to report for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday me thinks - will be the usual finishing Uni work, exercise and general palava.

Peace out homies...

Sat 20th October - Mon 22nd October

2007-10-22T00:33:00Z

Saturday

Got up and off to Strathfield for my godson's bday. Got there early helped set up and whatnot. Most of the guests arrived at 12pm. Was a great day. Beer, Champagne, amazing food and great company. Sat around with friends and family and generally just talked alot, laughed and wiled away the hours. Alot of fun. Round about 5:00pm got a lift to the station with my sister and her boyfriend. A bit of a drunken train trip to Central and a walk to T's place. Sat around talking polished off another 2 bottles of white and then off to NICK CAVE!

What can be said this would be my 10th time of seeing the great man, my first obviously for Grinderman. From the outset the gig was just sheer magic. Grinderman have all the nastiness live of The Birthday Party and the sweat, brashness and mayhem that makes Aussie live bands of their generation some of the most exciting to see. Nick was the ring master as always directing this impressive band through each and every song. Then it was over out to the bar some more drinks and then in to see Nick doing a Bad Seeds and Solo set I guess. It was great to hear Grinderman playing them it added alot more menace and darkness to the Bad Seeds songs, infused perfectly with Nick's delivery. Was a 10 out of 10 night and probably up there with Tool and The Artic Monkeys (who blew my sideway's after a lot of poo-pooing from me) for gigs this year. Ended up at Zanzibar drinking and talking alot of crap. Back to T's place.

Sunday

Missed out on my jog due to not feeling to crash hot. Went to my friend Edo's for a champagne birthday brunch. Arrived and sat in his backyard drinking gorgeous Pinot (no champagne ;() ) and cheese. For us it was onto the Dank St Festival. Got there in time for the Super Heavyweights. Met 2 of T's good friends Mel and Patrick. I have played with 2 of the guy's in the Super Heavy Weights in a kind of all star lineup a friend of mine (I use that term very loosely ;() )called Funklantis. I knew the singer as well and he did not disappoint with his performance. TSHW played beautifully. Ate lunch, talked crap, wandered around some of Danks' Art Galleries then watched The Hands and Kid Confucius (The Hands were great the Kid so-so). Off to get dinner, cooked a BBQ and then conked out around about 7:30pm. Woke up this morning at 7:00am.

Monday

At Club Mac at the moment things are winding down. Gotta hand in my Accounting Assignment then go to 2 tutes. Besides that meeting my sister for lunch and a friend for coffee. Back to T's tonight for a quiet one..

All in all an AMAZING weekend.

Next week should be huge 2 days of Bday mayhem for me. Bowling with about me and 20 of my favourite peeps, onto dinner and then to Macquarie Hotel for some music, perhaps wile away the hours at the Burdekin after that...should be fucking awesome. The night will end probably at T's round a bottle of vodka with me pissed as a newt probably talking shit about the Battle of Stalingrad, The Battle For Hoth or my love of Buffy....anyway should be fun..

Thur 18th October - Fri 19th October

2007-10-19T01:04:27Z

Well I AM IN!!!

Thursday

Yeh baby....I first have to apologise to T for giving her a sleepless Andrew panic attack night. Thanks baby don't know how you put up with me sometimes. Anyway..

Got up at 5am. Coffee and took some banannas with. Train to Parramatta and joined the other candidates at the Recruitment Office at 7:45am.

We assembled with a Captain who was taking the test and walked up to the Lancer's Barracks in Parramatta. Beautiful old buildings (for Australia anyway). Proceeded to do the tests. A bit of a warm up and then on to it.

Absolutely smashed the sit-up's and the pushup's. Easy. Apparently though once I finish basic this requirement will go up to 50 push-up's and 100 situp's (that will be pushing it for me. Pushies are at about 30, the situp's I am pretty comfortable with. After about 60 there is a burn like you would not believe - it's just pain though you can push through it pretty easily..just gotta have willpower.)

The beep test (shuttle run's 20 metres a part, turning and running with the beeps) got me puffing big big time. 7.5 is about 12.5km eventually. I paced myself with a guy going for Commando who would eventually make it up to 10 on the beep test. I reckon I could have gone to about 8km. Anyway after Kapooka i have to be able to do about 2.5 km in 12 min. That's not that bad going really. Not sure if this is with weapon and webbing but it might be...

Anyway back to the Office where we had one more medical (yes undies time again) and then finishing the paperwork. I know I am going to be a 8 Sig Regiment in Randwick and will be in Kapooka (Recruit Training) for 30 days from the 8th of February (could be longer as they keep you there till you pass). So will miss the first 2 weeks of Uni.

After that a very profound experience. Took the Oath of Allegiance (something that I take very seriously) and that was it. I am now a part of the Australian Defense Force. I really could not be happier. A goal I have had for about 2 years is now completed. Next onto the Degree, my Master, Officer Training and then Divemaster! :() All of this hopefully by the time I am 37...

Got home, went to sleep for a bit. Met T and we went to the movies. Saw "Daywatch" I have read the books (in English and Russian) and the movie let me tell you was bloody awful. It was a mess. The books are brilliant this was bad.

Friday

A cruisy day. Had my hair cut. Sent my Comp work to Uni, having lunch with a friend, buying a bday present for my godson.

Tonight - a NIDA play
Tommorrow - Phillip's Bday \ Grinderman
Sunday - Edo's Bday \ Danks St Festival

Happy as a pig in mud

Wed 17th October

2007-10-16T23:35:01Z

Bit nervous about tommorrow.

My Reserve's Pre-Enlistment Fitness Assessment.

I should be able to pass it pretty easily but I am a nervous nelly always...

Just going to think confident and not worry about it. Whatever happens happens. I just want it very badly. It's the 2nd lynchpin in my future employment. (Officership), an IT Consultancy and Divemaster - this will give me the life I really really want more than anything.

Anyway all these thoughts are running riot in my head...

Will just need to chill

Not much on the plate today - Gym, Accounting Tute, Comp Tute work, meet T and then chill till tommorrow.

Hopefully my next entry will be that I am IN!!!