Hey All;
I'm back at work today...by choice. Call me odd, but I actually enjoy working these few in between days. No phone calls, skeleton staff - I can get on top of things...once I get this update out of the way.
Over Christmas, I had time to reflect on the year that was and lessons learnt.
My time as a labourer for example, introduced me to a number of building techniques which have an equally useful application in the real world. Take expansion joints placed in brick walls/concrete etc. (allowing for expanding and contracting without cracking). It was observed yesterday that the one God placed between my chest and hips has been proving its worth. Now, you may niaively assume it's due to festive feasting (which Mum and The Lovely Samantha did their best to lead me into temptation with their gastronomic Christmas day spread), however the actual reason is much more grounded in technical rationale. That being the colder Melbourne weather contracting my hips and chest thus giving my mid riff the illusion of an optical overhang. With her new found personal training knowledge however, much more grounded in anatomical theory, Sam is somewhat more sceptical.
Christmas was pretty much like all before it. Presents, eating, sleeping, cricket (actually more like a lesson in how not to pick a cricket team) and remeniscing. Sam discovered a cracking new salad and we've made a resolution to work through her new present (Damian Pignolet's Salad cookbook) over the summer.
Have a cracking few days.
see you next year,
Minas.
Wednesday, 29 December 2010
Monday, 20 December 2010
Playing Catchup
Hey Gang;
Just looked at the date on my last update. So much for my commitment to write more regularly.
We flew to Sydney this weekend. Aside from seeing the Annie Leibovitz exhibition at the MCA, I did everything else I set out to do.
On Saturday we had the Italian side of the family over for a pre-Christmas lunch which had everything. Prawns, oysters, roast lamb, salads, fruit cake and a family round of binge eating induced torpor.
Later in the afternoon, once my legs had braced themselves to carry the extra kilos, The Lovely Samantha, Bodhi the reindeer and I went over to the Greek side of the family to catch up with them. My uncle has been poorly of late with a spot of the Big C so it was nice to see him back up and letting everyone in on his secret tip of Souths winning next years premiership.
That night Sam and I caught the ferry to Manly and spent the night at the skiff club catching up on the last few years worth of London gossip courtesy of Shane who was passing through for Christmas.
I'm thankful for seeing him, but I'll be suggesting London as our next catch up as I'm sure the flight back is quicker than the public transport fiasco back home - two hours of my life I'll never get back.
Sunday started late, but not too dusty. A stunning day of perfect picnic weather seemed to be sticking it's nose up at the weather forecasters who'd predicted rain. Which is a good thing as we'd organised a picnic to catch up with everyone else in Sydney. Again, too much food, not enough time and before I knew it I was running along in my shorts, t-shirt and thongs back to the Melbourne which made good on the Sydney weather predictions.
12 degrees Celsius in the city, squalls, downpours and, to top it off, snow in Hotham.
Who'd have dreamt of a white Christmas in Victoria?
A safe one for you and yours,
Minas.
Just looked at the date on my last update. So much for my commitment to write more regularly.
We flew to Sydney this weekend. Aside from seeing the Annie Leibovitz exhibition at the MCA, I did everything else I set out to do.
On Saturday we had the Italian side of the family over for a pre-Christmas lunch which had everything. Prawns, oysters, roast lamb, salads, fruit cake and a family round of binge eating induced torpor.
Later in the afternoon, once my legs had braced themselves to carry the extra kilos, The Lovely Samantha, Bodhi the reindeer and I went over to the Greek side of the family to catch up with them. My uncle has been poorly of late with a spot of the Big C so it was nice to see him back up and letting everyone in on his secret tip of Souths winning next years premiership.That night Sam and I caught the ferry to Manly and spent the night at the skiff club catching up on the last few years worth of London gossip courtesy of Shane who was passing through for Christmas.
I'm thankful for seeing him, but I'll be suggesting London as our next catch up as I'm sure the flight back is quicker than the public transport fiasco back home - two hours of my life I'll never get back.
Sunday started late, but not too dusty. A stunning day of perfect picnic weather seemed to be sticking it's nose up at the weather forecasters who'd predicted rain. Which is a good thing as we'd organised a picnic to catch up with everyone else in Sydney. Again, too much food, not enough time and before I knew it I was running along in my shorts, t-shirt and thongs back to the Melbourne which made good on the Sydney weather predictions.
12 degrees Celsius in the city, squalls, downpours and, to top it off, snow in Hotham.
Who'd have dreamt of a white Christmas in Victoria?
A safe one for you and yours,
Minas.
Wednesday, 24 November 2010
Father & Son
We're developing a bit of a weekly ritual thanks to the discovery of Baker D. Chirico in St Kilda. Best sourdough and croissants this side of the Paris end of Collins St. It's easily within cycling distance but I can never be bothered on Saturday mornings, so to ensure we get our weekly fix of buttery pastry warm and fresh from the oven, the planet suffers. Everything's a trade off.
The day was stellar so we all jumped on the bikes and rode down the bay to Sandringham where Shalome resides (for tax purposes only). Train back.
Bodhi and I spent the afternoon making heavy work of a lite task - affixing mud guards to my bike. A seemingly simple task dragged out to painstaking lengths by my apprentice's insistence on performing quality assurance checks on ever single nut and bolt. BBQ dinner.
The Lovely Samantha had another PT session on Sunday so Bodes and I went shopping at Vic markets. At $18/kilo the tiger prawns were practically walking out the door. Add to that another kilo of perfectly marinated baby octopus for $11 and it would have been a crime not to fire up the BBQ one more time. Global warming is one thing, but committing a crime?
Not me,
Minas.
The day was stellar so we all jumped on the bikes and rode down the bay to Sandringham where Shalome resides (for tax purposes only). Train back.
Bodhi and I spent the afternoon making heavy work of a lite task - affixing mud guards to my bike. A seemingly simple task dragged out to painstaking lengths by my apprentice's insistence on performing quality assurance checks on ever single nut and bolt. BBQ dinner.
The Lovely Samantha had another PT session on Sunday so Bodes and I went shopping at Vic markets. At $18/kilo the tiger prawns were practically walking out the door. Add to that another kilo of perfectly marinated baby octopus for $11 and it would have been a crime not to fire up the BBQ one more time. Global warming is one thing, but committing a crime?
Not me,
Minas.
Monday, 15 November 2010
Hey Gang;
With Mum down for the weekend, I did what any loving son would do - left her to babysit & took The Lovely Samantha to the cinema.
One thing i've noticed about Melbourne, it's their fascination with street parades. There was one last month for the footy grandfinal and one last week for the Cup. They might be a bit kitsch but i'm a big fan and crap weather couldn't even keep us away from the latest one this weekend - The Myer Christmas parade.
In the afternoon, with my work wardrobe showing chronic signs of under investment and over utilisation, I begrudgingly conceded to a some retail therapy. After dinner at Jim's Greek Taverna in Collingwood, i'm already thinking I should have gone with a 36 waist instead of the 34.
On Sunday, while Sam began her next set of face-to-face personal training sessions, Bodhi, Mum and I took a drive out to the country north of Melbourne to the village of Kinglake. You probably remember the black Saturday fires (I do). Every since, I've had this morbid fascination to visit the town at the center of it all.
Another evening trip to the cinema rounded out the weekend. Back in time to watch Mark Webber be the first Australian to come close to winning the F1 championship in over thirty years.
see ya,
Minas.
With Mum down for the weekend, I did what any loving son would do - left her to babysit & took The Lovely Samantha to the cinema.
One thing i've noticed about Melbourne, it's their fascination with street parades. There was one last month for the footy grandfinal and one last week for the Cup. They might be a bit kitsch but i'm a big fan and crap weather couldn't even keep us away from the latest one this weekend - The Myer Christmas parade.
In the afternoon, with my work wardrobe showing chronic signs of under investment and over utilisation, I begrudgingly conceded to a some retail therapy. After dinner at Jim's Greek Taverna in Collingwood, i'm already thinking I should have gone with a 36 waist instead of the 34.
On Sunday, while Sam began her next set of face-to-face personal training sessions, Bodhi, Mum and I took a drive out to the country north of Melbourne to the village of Kinglake. You probably remember the black Saturday fires (I do). Every since, I've had this morbid fascination to visit the town at the center of it all.
Another evening trip to the cinema rounded out the weekend. Back in time to watch Mark Webber be the first Australian to come close to winning the F1 championship in over thirty years.
see ya,
Minas.
Monday, 1 November 2010
Institutionalised
It rained more on Saturday than it usually does the entire month of October. With Sunday bringing more of the same, cabin fever was the only real winner.
To avoid strangling each other we tried combining our love of Australian films with Bodhi’s love of Trains. So, while the rain poured down outside, we got busy on our own small piece of independent cinema. Scripts were written, actors cast and shooting was
wrapped. All went swimmingly, but our little producer’s patience didn’t extend as far as post production. Still, we did manage to end up with something which is already in limited release.
On Sunday, While The Lovely Samantha took Bodhi to a Spiderman party, I used my national gallery membership to blissfully erudite effect.
An afternoon tea in an Acland st institution followed by pizzas at another institution in East Brunswick rounded out the soggy weekend.
See ya,
Minas.Monday, 25 October 2010
Men are from Mars
Hiya;
Feeling slightly guilty about missing last week's update. But, save for the hour or so that Bodhi and I flew the kite in the park, (forty minutes of which was spent up a tree untangling it), there wasn't much doing.
This weekend started with drizzle and fog followed by fog and drizzle - perfect tax return weather. A small yet favourable return allowed for a lunchtime splurge at the Shark Fin House in Chinatown where they put the Yum into Cha.
Saturday was also the Australia Ballet School's open day and with Bodhi considering changing his middle name to Baryshnikov, we took him along for a look see. He now knows what he wants to be in life and I know what my my Saturday's will look like for the rest of mine.
On Sunday I took Bodhi around to Shalome & Scarlet's place for a catch up. Bodhi loves girl company and I now understand why. Shalome's girlfriend was there and sitting quietly in the corner listening intently to them talk about their problems was nothing short of fascinating, and surprisingly therapeutic. My problems just seemed to vanish in a cloud of relative insignificance. Men really are from Mars.
see ya,
Minas.
Feeling slightly guilty about missing last week's update. But, save for the hour or so that Bodhi and I flew the kite in the park, (forty minutes of which was spent up a tree untangling it), there wasn't much doing.
This weekend started with drizzle and fog followed by fog and drizzle - perfect tax return weather. A small yet favourable return allowed for a lunchtime splurge at the Shark Fin House in Chinatown where they put the Yum into Cha.
Saturday was also the Australia Ballet School's open day and with Bodhi considering changing his middle name to Baryshnikov, we took him along for a look see. He now knows what he wants to be in life and I know what my my Saturday's will look like for the rest of mine.
On Sunday I took Bodhi around to Shalome & Scarlet's place for a catch up. Bodhi loves girl company and I now understand why. Shalome's girlfriend was there and sitting quietly in the corner listening intently to them talk about their problems was nothing short of fascinating, and surprisingly therapeutic. My problems just seemed to vanish in a cloud of relative insignificance. Men really are from Mars.
see ya,
Minas.
Tuesday, 12 October 2010
Another Weekend
The old girl dropped the sprog off down the road on Friday night then I took her out for a slap up meal and a bottle of plonk at the local. Home in time to snuggle up and watch the Bill Collins special.
Some of my Greek relos were in town on Saturday so we all went out to Jim’s Greek Tavern in Collingwood for dinner. They don’t do menus, just bring out whatever they’ve cooked that night. Lucky for us that consisted of mountains of fried Calamari, Dips, grilled Octopus, garlic Prawns, Blue eye Cod, Greek salads, breads, mixed grill and as much coffee & desert as you could still stomach. We saved on the taxi fare by just rolling home.
On Sunday The Lovely Samantha had her first day at personal training school (she’s nearly got her certificate III – very proud). While she was out Bodhi and I did the shopping. He insisted on riding his scooter to the shops and so, despite knowing full well it meant “I’ll ride up to the end of the block at which time I’ll grow tired and expect you to carry it for the remainder of our excursion in the highly unlikely event that I want to ride it again.”, I let him.
see ya,
Minas.
http://www.minasaroney.com.au
Monday, 4 October 2010
Spring Carnivale
What to do when you live in the burbs on a quarter acre block , it’s your daughter’s fourth birthday and she wants a fairy princess party? That conundrum faced our friends this weekend but rather than capitulating, they seized the day by getting their princess a castle. The biggest jumping castle they could fit in their backyard. Cue hours of delirious squealing and halcyon fun. Afterward we let the kids have a go.
They did an old fashioned pass-the-parcel which I thought was great. Bodhi didn't share the same enthusiasm. Having missed out on unwrapping a surprise, tears began to well in his spoilt little eyes. I was slightly embarrassed by his reaction, but I’ve only got myself to blame. Years of this “no one misses out” party ethos have set some unrealistic expectations. I thought it the perfect time to explain the important lesson that not everyone’s a winner. Upon observing that my explanation hadn’t had the desired tantrum quelling effect, I promptly explained another important lesson : there’s always pretty pink tiara shaped fairy bread for those that miss out.
Pardon the pun but Spring has well and truly sprung down here. On Sunday we packed a picnic and spent most of the day in Albert park and having warm fuzzy family time.
The Lovely Samantha introduced me to some exercises that will form part of a new fitness regime...which I'm already regretting having asked her to do for me. But, judging by the impending eclipse of my feet, it's long overdue.
The real highlight of the weekend though was the football. In nothing short of a modern miracle, within the space of a day, the Saints went from losing a premiership to winning the only one that really matters.
see ya,
Minas.
www.minasaroney.com.au
Monday, 20 September 2010
More Tiara's, Less Tantrums.
While the Lovely Samantha was at the gym on Saturday morning, Bodhi and I seized the chance to do some quality father-son bonding. He packed his bag, we jumped in the car and together headed straight to his new Saturday morning sport. 
It's goodbye soccer, hello ballet. Now, If I was even slightly homophobic I’d probably have big issues with his pink tutu, slippers, magic wand and tiara, but he’s as happy as Lara and, to be honest, me too.
I did some volunteering on Sunday. I’m a sucker for it (that, and blowing my own trumpet). This book I’m reading at the moment says that helping other people actually adds to your happiness levels. Ha! Altruistic pursuits for subconsciously self-centered motives - the sheer genius of it. Probably why I consistently do it year in year out.
In the morning I took my camera bag and what photographic skill was still remaining to one of the Melba foundation's community houses to shoot some portraits for their residents.
The shoot was at Mt Evelyn which is about as close as you can get to Sydney without actually leaving Melbourne. Atleast several degrees cooler. Still, despite the 100km round trip, it was a great day personally to recharge the juices and combine it with something slightly resembling selflessness. Thoroughly engaging work and very challenging to get something reflective of each subject’s nature.
It's goodbye soccer, hello ballet. Now, If I was even slightly homophobic I’d probably have big issues with his pink tutu, slippers, magic wand and tiara, but he’s as happy as Lara and, to be honest, me too.I did some volunteering on Sunday. I’m a sucker for it (that, and blowing my own trumpet). This book I’m reading at the moment says that helping other people actually adds to your happiness levels. Ha! Altruistic pursuits for subconsciously self-centered motives - the sheer genius of it. Probably why I consistently do it year in year out.
In the morning I took my camera bag and what photographic skill was still remaining to one of the Melba foundation's community houses to shoot some portraits for their residents.
The shoot was at Mt Evelyn which is about as close as you can get to Sydney without actually leaving Melbourne. Atleast several degrees cooler. Still, despite the 100km round trip, it was a great day personally to recharge the juices and combine it with something slightly resembling selflessness. Thoroughly engaging work and very challenging to get something reflective of each subject’s nature.
Tuesday, 14 September 2010
Coincidence?
Mum was down for a visit last week so we took it upon ourselves to get out and show her a few of the sights.
On Saturday we took a day trip to Daylesford which can probably thank all the dykes in town for avoiding the recent floods that have plagued the area.
Pizzas at home for dinner.
Come Sunday, At Shalome’s request we took the kids and met up for lunch at the Elwood Beach Gastro Café (the under cooked chicken on my plate confirming the gastro moniker for all the wrong reasons).
The cafe's saving grace is the cracking playground in the adjoining park. While The Human Gravitron (a.k.a Scarlett) can withstand the merry-go-round for an hour or more without any ill effects, it took just a few minutes of dizzying abandon for Bodhi to get a second glimpse of his breakfast.
This is the second time in succession that Bodhi has caught up with Shalome and hurled. Coincidence? I think not.
see ya,
Minas.
On Saturday we took a day trip to Daylesford which can probably thank all the dykes in town for avoiding the recent floods that have plagued the area.
Pizzas at home for dinner.
Come Sunday, At Shalome’s request we took the kids and met up for lunch at the Elwood Beach Gastro Café (the under cooked chicken on my plate confirming the gastro moniker for all the wrong reasons).
The cafe's saving grace is the cracking playground in the adjoining park. While The Human Gravitron (a.k.a Scarlett) can withstand the merry-go-round for an hour or more without any ill effects, it took just a few minutes of dizzying abandon for Bodhi to get a second glimpse of his breakfast.
This is the second time in succession that Bodhi has caught up with Shalome and hurled. Coincidence? I think not.
see ya,
Minas.
Monday, 6 September 2010
Better Dad than Son
Hi Kids;
I think I need to go traveling again. Traveling doesn't really fix anything but, like lots of wine, it does help you forget. I've been getting myself down this week about packing in the photography in favour of a fat pay cheque. Sellout.
Anyway speaking of pay cheques, ANZ's monster profits don't extend as far as Friday beers so we always put in for our own. This Friday we splurged what was left of the kitty on pizzas. Noice. It was also the start of finals footy so I celebrated by watching something completely different on another channel.
Saturday was one of those magical days that remind me why I'm a dad. Bodhi treated me to breakfast at the local, a blissful lunch at a gastro pub in Footscray (he slept through the whole thing), and then took me on an afternoon chasing starfish through the rock pools of Williamstown.
Sunday was father's day in Australia. Having not called my old man since last father's day, I thought it high time to remind myself what his voice sounds like. No answer is probably all I deserve for having left it so long. I guess I've been a better dad than a son of late.
see ya,
Minas.
I think I need to go traveling again. Traveling doesn't really fix anything but, like lots of wine, it does help you forget. I've been getting myself down this week about packing in the photography in favour of a fat pay cheque. Sellout.
Anyway speaking of pay cheques, ANZ's monster profits don't extend as far as Friday beers so we always put in for our own. This Friday we splurged what was left of the kitty on pizzas. Noice. It was also the start of finals footy so I celebrated by watching something completely different on another channel.
Saturday was one of those magical days that remind me why I'm a dad. Bodhi treated me to breakfast at the local, a blissful lunch at a gastro pub in Footscray (he slept through the whole thing), and then took me on an afternoon chasing starfish through the rock pools of Williamstown.
Sunday was father's day in Australia. Having not called my old man since last father's day, I thought it high time to remind myself what his voice sounds like. No answer is probably all I deserve for having left it so long. I guess I've been a better dad than a son of late.
see ya,
Minas.
Wednesday, 1 September 2010
Pipped at the Post
I'd managed to get a pass out and had every intention of making the most of it with colleagues from work on Friday night, but the past few months of flu had taken their toll. Three beers literally translated to three sheets to the wind. The tram ride home was unusually shaky
With grand intentions to take the Boy Wonder to the snow, The Lovely Samantha and I packed the car and plotted our course 3hrs due East for Mt Baw Baw. Two hours and 45 minutes into our trip we had to make the tough decision to turn back for fear of running out of petrol. It's not that we were oblivious to the warning signals, just that each signposted petrol station for the last 100km was bizarrely out-of-order. What are the chances?
A short stopoff at a trout farm salvaged the trip somewhat. Within five minutes of casting a line, Bodhi's completely unrealistic expectations of fishing had been cemented forever with a 2kg trout.
Sunday was...well...filling.
Love,
Minas.
With grand intentions to take the Boy Wonder to the snow, The Lovely Samantha and I packed the car and plotted our course 3hrs due East for Mt Baw Baw. Two hours and 45 minutes into our trip we had to make the tough decision to turn back for fear of running out of petrol. It's not that we were oblivious to the warning signals, just that each signposted petrol station for the last 100km was bizarrely out-of-order. What are the chances?
A short stopoff at a trout farm salvaged the trip somewhat. Within five minutes of casting a line, Bodhi's completely unrealistic expectations of fishing had been cemented forever with a 2kg trout.
Sunday was...well...filling.
Love,
Minas.
Tuesday, 24 August 2010
A day at the beach.
Friday night and all of Saturday were spent within the confines of bed. I've now calculated that this flu/cold/fever/sore throat/cough/clogged nose/phlegm thingy has been burrowing it's way through my system for the past two months, popping up like a mole whenever I feel like I'm on the mend. To say I'm over it would be an understatement.
Feeling marginally better on Sunday and with the added confidence of codral, we jumped in the car and made our way down the coast road to Portsea. Cracking spot, particularly the hotel. I remember Dave taking us there over a decade ago when we indulged in the Portsea Pub Platter. That same platter will now set you back a cool $115 so we opted for something a little more affordable.
A lovely afternoon with beautiful weather, good brew and a very scenic location.
see ya,
Minas.
Feeling marginally better on Sunday and with the added confidence of codral, we jumped in the car and made our way down the coast road to Portsea. Cracking spot, particularly the hotel. I remember Dave taking us there over a decade ago when we indulged in the Portsea Pub Platter. That same platter will now set you back a cool $115 so we opted for something a little more affordable.
A lovely afternoon with beautiful weather, good brew and a very scenic location.
see ya,
Minas.
Tuesday, 17 August 2010
Cats and Dogs
It's been a full house recently with two sets of friends taking up our offer of air mattress hospitality. Last weekend it was friends from BrisVegas and this weekend was our dear neighbour Jocelyn with her son Hari (Bodhi's best mate) in tow.
Bodhi and Hari picked up right where they left off fighting like cats and dogs.
While we'd previously enjoyed an earnest beginning to the father-son weekend soccer sessions, they've rapidly descended to the point where fatherly desire is far outweighing the son's willingness. Saturday morning's session was a repeat of last weekend's tantrum fest. It might be time to give Ballet a try.
In the arvo I took both Bodhi and Hari to Science Works to give the girls some time out and discovered an absolute gem of a place. For the bargain basement price of $8 per adult, kids free, I honestly wonder about the business model. Three hours later I had to drag them out kicking and screaming, begging for more. I dare say we'll be back.
Dropped Jocelyn and Hari at the airport on Sunday then took Bodhi to the cinema for the final installment of the Toy Story trilogy - great flick. Lived up to the hype.
see ya,
Minas.
Bodhi and Hari picked up right where they left off fighting like cats and dogs.
While we'd previously enjoyed an earnest beginning to the father-son weekend soccer sessions, they've rapidly descended to the point where fatherly desire is far outweighing the son's willingness. Saturday morning's session was a repeat of last weekend's tantrum fest. It might be time to give Ballet a try.
In the arvo I took both Bodhi and Hari to Science Works to give the girls some time out and discovered an absolute gem of a place. For the bargain basement price of $8 per adult, kids free, I honestly wonder about the business model. Three hours later I had to drag them out kicking and screaming, begging for more. I dare say we'll be back.
Dropped Jocelyn and Hari at the airport on Sunday then took Bodhi to the cinema for the final installment of the Toy Story trilogy - great flick. Lived up to the hype.
see ya,
Minas.
Tuesday, 3 August 2010
Cheeky Weekend
Three weeks later and i've still got this damn cold. It's been hanging around so long even my shadow's getting jealous.
Friday night we parked the car in long term parking (18:53pm) and flew to Sydney for a weekend wedding. Bodhi and I both suffering from the flu looked like death warmed up. I felt sorry for the other passengers having to breath the same air. Thankfully mum was there to pick us up and medicate us to within some semblance of normalcy.
Saturday started all grey and overcast convincing the groom to move the ceremony indoors. By 4pm with glorious sun outside my cousin and his bride were joined in matrimony. I don't know why but every wedding always prompts someone to ask when we're going to get married. Like people have just realised the huge mistake they've just made and are thinking safety in numbers...or something like that. I should say though The Lovely Samantha looked like a glamazon (more so than usual anyway). I bid an early farewell on account of the cold and by the sounds of Sam the next morning, she should have too. The coffee liquer on each table tasted very nice on the way down.
We met the usual suspects for a massive yum cha bash in the city. Two tables of screaming kids and ravenous parents.
I flew back to Melb by myself, returning to the long term car park at exactly 18:55pm (two minutes over the two day discount rate), costing me an extra $30.
Dinner at a very swanky establishment (Matteos in Fitzroy) with my uncle and aunty who were in town for a cheeky weekend.
see ya,
Minas.
Friday night we parked the car in long term parking (18:53pm) and flew to Sydney for a weekend wedding. Bodhi and I both suffering from the flu looked like death warmed up. I felt sorry for the other passengers having to breath the same air. Thankfully mum was there to pick us up and medicate us to within some semblance of normalcy.
Saturday started all grey and overcast convincing the groom to move the ceremony indoors. By 4pm with glorious sun outside my cousin and his bride were joined in matrimony. I don't know why but every wedding always prompts someone to ask when we're going to get married. Like people have just realised the huge mistake they've just made and are thinking safety in numbers...or something like that. I should say though The Lovely Samantha looked like a glamazon (more so than usual anyway). I bid an early farewell on account of the cold and by the sounds of Sam the next morning, she should have too. The coffee liquer on each table tasted very nice on the way down.
We met the usual suspects for a massive yum cha bash in the city. Two tables of screaming kids and ravenous parents.
I flew back to Melb by myself, returning to the long term car park at exactly 18:55pm (two minutes over the two day discount rate), costing me an extra $30.
Dinner at a very swanky establishment (Matteos in Fitzroy) with my uncle and aunty who were in town for a cheeky weekend.
see ya,
Minas.
Monday, 19 July 2010
Proud as Punch.
With Friday being our first date night since arriving in Melbourne, not even a projectile vomiting son could waiver our steely determination to indulge in Shalome's offer to babysit. After cleaning what was left of his lunch off her kitchen floor, The Lovely Samantha bid the boy wonder farewell and trotted home to meet me for a slap up meal and a bottle of plonk.
Saturday was our first father-son soccer training camp session...for three year olds. I wasn't expecting much and yet, despite his continual requests for a pink ball, Bodhi was a natural. He scored with his first journey to the penalty spot and celebrated for the rest of the session doing snow angels all over the pitch. Big, proud smiles.
Sam had a girls night out that night so Bodhi and I cut loose with Dora The Explorer card games till bed time. Heady stuff.
Waking Sunday morning to the hangover in bed beside me, I decided to take Bodhi for a cultural scooter trip to the National Gallery of Victoria (we're new members). He lasted all of five minutes in the photography exhibition, but put in a solid thirty minutes of measured scrutiny and considered appreciation at the hot chocolate and cookie display in the member's lounge. Following that we sat down in the kids corner where children can do some drawings and pin them on the wall. However, after putting the finishing touches to his crayola masterpiece, to my absolute astonishment, Bodhi signed his artwork...with his name...by himself. F*&k the curator I thought, that's going straight to the pool room.
Rounded out the evening with a bbq dinner for my cousin who was in town with his girlfriend.
See ya,
Minas.
Saturday was our first father-son soccer training camp session...for three year olds. I wasn't expecting much and yet, despite his continual requests for a pink ball, Bodhi was a natural. He scored with his first journey to the penalty spot and celebrated for the rest of the session doing snow angels all over the pitch. Big, proud smiles.
Sam had a girls night out that night so Bodhi and I cut loose with Dora The Explorer card games till bed time. Heady stuff.
Waking Sunday morning to the hangover in bed beside me, I decided to take Bodhi for a cultural scooter trip to the National Gallery of Victoria (we're new members). He lasted all of five minutes in the photography exhibition, but put in a solid thirty minutes of measured scrutiny and considered appreciation at the hot chocolate and cookie display in the member's lounge. Following that we sat down in the kids corner where children can do some drawings and pin them on the wall. However, after putting the finishing touches to his crayola masterpiece, to my absolute astonishment, Bodhi signed his artwork...with his name...by himself. F*&k the curator I thought, that's going straight to the pool room.
Rounded out the evening with a bbq dinner for my cousin who was in town with his girlfriend.
See ya,
Minas.
Wednesday, 14 July 2010
Hiya;
An area of Melbourne called Waterfront City (Docklands) puts on Friday night fireworks, evening yum cha and 80s disco themed ice skating, so where do you reckon we parked ourselves? Bodhi was far from natural but loved every minute of it.
I've found my new favourite breakfast haunt. Dukes on Chapel is almost everything I've ever wanted in a brunchery - moorish food, view into the cooking area (to learn the dark art of a perfect poached egg) and the clincher - great tea (a rarity in a coffee crazed culture). The only thing lacking is atmosphere.
Saturday night we took Bodhi to The Circus Oz big top. Given his testing behaviour over the past fortnight, there was some hypothesising about the possibility of him running away with them. I did enquire, but he didn't meet height restrictions. Maybe next year.
On Sunday, greeted with such beautiful sunshine, we did a very un-Melbourne thing. We picnic'd in "The Tan" (Botanical gardens). It wasn't so much the picnic that ruffled feathers though, moreso the fact that we were wearing pastels instead of the near ubiquitous outfit of all black. Which does beg the question: are Melbournians closet Kiwis?
That afternoon with the sun still shining, we decided the best way to go home was via the pub. Shalome recommended the Bluestone belgian cafe on St Kilda rd which is basically our local. The selection of beers on tap are brilliant and the honkey tonk band were even better. I spent the rest of the arvo with one eye on the band and, with Wayne Carey sitting just nearby, the other eye on the missus.
Another great weekend in the land of the long white tram.
see ya,
Minas.
An area of Melbourne called Waterfront City (Docklands) puts on Friday night fireworks, evening yum cha and 80s disco themed ice skating, so where do you reckon we parked ourselves? Bodhi was far from natural but loved every minute of it.
I've found my new favourite breakfast haunt. Dukes on Chapel is almost everything I've ever wanted in a brunchery - moorish food, view into the cooking area (to learn the dark art of a perfect poached egg) and the clincher - great tea (a rarity in a coffee crazed culture). The only thing lacking is atmosphere.
Saturday night we took Bodhi to The Circus Oz big top. Given his testing behaviour over the past fortnight, there was some hypothesising about the possibility of him running away with them. I did enquire, but he didn't meet height restrictions. Maybe next year.
On Sunday, greeted with such beautiful sunshine, we did a very un-Melbourne thing. We picnic'd in "The Tan" (Botanical gardens). It wasn't so much the picnic that ruffled feathers though, moreso the fact that we were wearing pastels instead of the near ubiquitous outfit of all black. Which does beg the question: are Melbournians closet Kiwis?
That afternoon with the sun still shining, we decided the best way to go home was via the pub. Shalome recommended the Bluestone belgian cafe on St Kilda rd which is basically our local. The selection of beers on tap are brilliant and the honkey tonk band were even better. I spent the rest of the arvo with one eye on the band and, with Wayne Carey sitting just nearby, the other eye on the missus.
Another great weekend in the land of the long white tram.
see ya,
Minas.
Monday, 28 June 2010
Rock Dog
The Friday downpour was much less effective at dampening my spirits than the large crack in the sole of my shoe but neither mattered once I'd made my way to the prohibition themed club 1806 for a wee tipple with friends in town. At the designated changeover, I met The Lovely Samantha outside and took Bodhi home to bed while she continued the revelry into the wee hours of the morn.
On Saturday, I beheld something truly ingenious. Not since Fermat's Last Theorum have I seen a more stunningly beautiful solution to a seemingly intractable problem. Now I truly dislike flea markets/garage sales. Years of being dragged around markets as a child by my mother have scarred me for life (How I stumbled onto a partner equally as enamored of sifting through other's trash is a question only Oedipus can answer). So imagine my surprise when some bright spark down here decides to have a flea market in a pub. Beer downstairs, hippy tie dye skirts upstairs. Need I say more?
Sunday was just beaut. We started with brunch, mopped around a bit then eventually made our way to the Charity cup AFL match in Elsternwick for the arvo. It's a fund raising tradition which pits the Triple R Megahertz against The Espy Rockdogs. Cheer leaders, transvestites, tranny cheer leaders, The Living End, a muddy center bounce, beer whenches, you name it, it had it. In fact the only thing lacking was any semblance of footballing skill. Charity was the winner on the day.
see ya,
Minas.
On Saturday, I beheld something truly ingenious. Not since Fermat's Last Theorum have I seen a more stunningly beautiful solution to a seemingly intractable problem. Now I truly dislike flea markets/garage sales. Years of being dragged around markets as a child by my mother have scarred me for life (How I stumbled onto a partner equally as enamored of sifting through other's trash is a question only Oedipus can answer). So imagine my surprise when some bright spark down here decides to have a flea market in a pub. Beer downstairs, hippy tie dye skirts upstairs. Need I say more?
Sunday was just beaut. We started with brunch, mopped around a bit then eventually made our way to the Charity cup AFL match in Elsternwick for the arvo. It's a fund raising tradition which pits the Triple R Megahertz against The Espy Rockdogs. Cheer leaders, transvestites, tranny cheer leaders, The Living End, a muddy center bounce, beer whenches, you name it, it had it. In fact the only thing lacking was any semblance of footballing skill. Charity was the winner on the day.
see ya,
Minas.
Monday, 21 June 2010
When in Rome
Hey Gang;
I dunno if those Finn brothers were in Melbourne at the time but they were definitely onto something with that "four seasons in one day" chorus line. Since arriving a fortnight ago the weather waiter has faithfully served up a mezze platter of varying phenomenon each day. Today it was fog soup.
This weekend we immersed ourselves head first into Melbourne culture. I talked footy tactics over beers with the guys in the office. I affectionately refer to them as Mexicans (being south of the border) but they still can't see the irony in drinking coronas on Friday.
On Saturday while The Lovely Samantha went to the gym, Bodhi and I, so as not to stand out, put on every piece of black clothing we had and went down to chapel st for breakfast. We still wear pastels when skyping with family, but black is the new black down here.
Melbourne has a pretty strong coffee culture and being a lite weight myself, just one of their rich blends is enough to keep me fidgeting for a whole week. I've taken to just asking them to heat up some milk and wave it beside the machine. It's the only way I can get any sleep.
A colleague at work suggested Vic Markets for good meat & produce shopping (but the Saturday crowds, he warned, should be avoid at all costs). We decided not to heed his advice and try our luck. We were pleasantly surprised to find ample parking at 15:45pm on Saturday afternoon although less so after inserting two hours worth of coins into the parking meter only to find the market closes at 16:00pm. Still, silver lining and all that - everything is half price in the last 15 minutes. I've never seen a Sunday roast jump into my shopping bag that fast.
On Sunday, following another recommendation, we headed down to Acland st to check out the traditional cake shops. At first glance it's nothing more than an eat street, but wandering down somewhere in the middle, you stumble upon three of the most sinful dens of gluttony ever put on this Earth. Bodhi was like a sucker fish with only the front window between him and mountains of temptation. Sam went weak at the knees and almost fainted. Talk about sight for sore eyes, or possibly plight for sore thighs given the extra chaffing guaranteed to ensue any visit.
Bodhi is absolutely besotted with Melbourne. Being an Thomas The Tank Engine nutter, he's fascinated with all things rail like. He spelled out his first word the other day. T.R.A.M.
Melbourne is good.
see ya,
Minas.
I dunno if those Finn brothers were in Melbourne at the time but they were definitely onto something with that "four seasons in one day" chorus line. Since arriving a fortnight ago the weather waiter has faithfully served up a mezze platter of varying phenomenon each day. Today it was fog soup.
This weekend we immersed ourselves head first into Melbourne culture. I talked footy tactics over beers with the guys in the office. I affectionately refer to them as Mexicans (being south of the border) but they still can't see the irony in drinking coronas on Friday.
On Saturday while The Lovely Samantha went to the gym, Bodhi and I, so as not to stand out, put on every piece of black clothing we had and went down to chapel st for breakfast. We still wear pastels when skyping with family, but black is the new black down here.
Melbourne has a pretty strong coffee culture and being a lite weight myself, just one of their rich blends is enough to keep me fidgeting for a whole week. I've taken to just asking them to heat up some milk and wave it beside the machine. It's the only way I can get any sleep.
A colleague at work suggested Vic Markets for good meat & produce shopping (but the Saturday crowds, he warned, should be avoid at all costs). We decided not to heed his advice and try our luck. We were pleasantly surprised to find ample parking at 15:45pm on Saturday afternoon although less so after inserting two hours worth of coins into the parking meter only to find the market closes at 16:00pm. Still, silver lining and all that - everything is half price in the last 15 minutes. I've never seen a Sunday roast jump into my shopping bag that fast.
On Sunday, following another recommendation, we headed down to Acland st to check out the traditional cake shops. At first glance it's nothing more than an eat street, but wandering down somewhere in the middle, you stumble upon three of the most sinful dens of gluttony ever put on this Earth. Bodhi was like a sucker fish with only the front window between him and mountains of temptation. Sam went weak at the knees and almost fainted. Talk about sight for sore eyes, or possibly plight for sore thighs given the extra chaffing guaranteed to ensue any visit.
Bodhi is absolutely besotted with Melbourne. Being an Thomas The Tank Engine nutter, he's fascinated with all things rail like. He spelled out his first word the other day. T.R.A.M.Melbourne is good.
see ya,
Minas.
Tuesday, 8 June 2010
So far So Good
Hey Gang;
After 14 months in the sabbatical wilderness, I'm back. I'm still not convinced it's where I belong, but the people I'm working for are certainly making it easy for me.
Touching down in Melbourne on Monday morning reminded me of that scene where the Jamaican bobsled team first walk out into the snowy depths of winter. It's cold. Still, there are the upsides, namely in the fashion stakes. Coats are in and so are scarves. Not just the green and gold variety that you dust off once every four years, no. For the past two days I've been prancing around town like a Giorgio Armani clothes horse with a new designer mane.
This weekend was basically last and final touch ups around the house. I replaced the kitchen cabinet doors, attached handles, cleaned the worm farm, sealed the bathroom taps, cleaned the garage, packed up the computer, yada yada.
On Saturday night we rounded up the usual suspects and had a farewell dinner at a local cafe that's started doing dinners. Great value and a lovely communal dining experience. Looking forward to the next one in six months time.
Apart from choosing a place to rent, the only other major decision to make is which AFL team to follow. The Swans would be an obvious choice but then again we were looking at an apartment in Port Melbourne, so maybe Port Power could be a goer. I dunno.
A few sleeps till the world cup. Psyched!
see ya,
Minas.
After 14 months in the sabbatical wilderness, I'm back. I'm still not convinced it's where I belong, but the people I'm working for are certainly making it easy for me.
Touching down in Melbourne on Monday morning reminded me of that scene where the Jamaican bobsled team first walk out into the snowy depths of winter. It's cold. Still, there are the upsides, namely in the fashion stakes. Coats are in and so are scarves. Not just the green and gold variety that you dust off once every four years, no. For the past two days I've been prancing around town like a Giorgio Armani clothes horse with a new designer mane.
This weekend was basically last and final touch ups around the house. I replaced the kitchen cabinet doors, attached handles, cleaned the worm farm, sealed the bathroom taps, cleaned the garage, packed up the computer, yada yada.
On Saturday night we rounded up the usual suspects and had a farewell dinner at a local cafe that's started doing dinners. Great value and a lovely communal dining experience. Looking forward to the next one in six months time.
Apart from choosing a place to rent, the only other major decision to make is which AFL team to follow. The Swans would be an obvious choice but then again we were looking at an apartment in Port Melbourne, so maybe Port Power could be a goer. I dunno.
A few sleeps till the world cup. Psyched!
see ya,
Minas.
Tuesday, 1 June 2010
Just When I Thought I Was Out, They Drag Me Back In
Actually, given that I submitted my resume for a position, I dragged myself back in, and I wasn't even kicking or screaming.
After months of Jim Morrison-esq wandering through the salt plains I was still no closer to any kind of answer to my career life conundrum so I've decided to give Gordon Gecko's mantra "Greed is Good" another try by accepting a six month IT contract in Melbourne.
There's some regret that my foray into photography wasn't more successful but I entered it with some pretty lofty (naive) ideals and there were some harsh realities that I just wasn't ready to accept. The biggest one being that I honestly couldn't see a profitable way forward with the photography industry in the midst of a digital revolution. I wont bore you with the details but I just don't have the conviction to uproot my family from Nelson st to Struggle st in the name of chasing a dream...not yet anyway.
So, this weekend was all about getting the house into a rentable state. Lots of paint (with a silent 'T'), wood, and gap filler.
I fly down to Mexico to start work on Monday and The Lovely Samantha and boy wonder will come down a week later. Giddyup.
see ya,
Minas.
www.minasaroney.com.au
After months of Jim Morrison-esq wandering through the salt plains I was still no closer to any kind of answer to my career life conundrum so I've decided to give Gordon Gecko's mantra "Greed is Good" another try by accepting a six month IT contract in Melbourne.
There's some regret that my foray into photography wasn't more successful but I entered it with some pretty lofty (naive) ideals and there were some harsh realities that I just wasn't ready to accept. The biggest one being that I honestly couldn't see a profitable way forward with the photography industry in the midst of a digital revolution. I wont bore you with the details but I just don't have the conviction to uproot my family from Nelson st to Struggle st in the name of chasing a dream...not yet anyway.
So, this weekend was all about getting the house into a rentable state. Lots of paint (with a silent 'T'), wood, and gap filler.
I fly down to Mexico to start work on Monday and The Lovely Samantha and boy wonder will come down a week later. Giddyup.
see ya,
Minas.
www.minasaroney.com.au
Sunday, 23 May 2010
A win on the pokies
Hey Gang;
I missed last week's update, probably due in part to my nonchalance at the moment. Still a bit all over the place regarding what my future career should look like. I can't even use the "I'm at a crossroads" cliche - at least then I'd have paths to choose from. No, I need to coin a new saying to enter into the career/life crisis pantheon to describe my current state. Something like "I'm in the salt flats" - everywhere I look there's a big void. I'm not to down about it though, there's just to much to be thankful for to start any hysterics.
Friday night wasn't the usual double header of footy on account of it being a shortened NRL week with the upcoming State-Of-Origin. Irrespective, I still fell asleep by half time.
Saturday was a whole heap of DIY stuff. Actually, my neighbour (a builder) did most of the DIY stuff, i just did some handyman stuff. We've agreed that I'll do some labouring for him if he does some tiling for me. I get a new bathroom and he gets some extra muscle. Pretty good swap I reckon.
Later that afternoon, I broke the news to The Lovely Samantha that I'd secretly booked us into a plush hotel for the night, a cabaret dinner and a spa treatment for her to simply say thanks for being my girl. Chaching! It was like wining the browny points pokies. Lady luck was looking down on us too. Firstly, I found $50 on the footpath and secondly, we literally had ring side seats in this cool burlesque cabaret club which I'd stumbled upon last week (Slide)
The city view I woke up to was certainly different to that which I'd usually wake up to on a Sunday morning, but that same Lovely creature was purring very contentedly right there beside me, just like clockwork. While I razed the complimentary buffet breakfast like an Egyptian pharaoh after 40 days in the desert, Sam was massaged like an Egyptian pharaoh's favoured concubine.
Though we did think about him while away, neither of us missed the boy wonder, and given that his grandma let him watch his Thomas The Tank Engine DVD collection, I strongly doubt he missed us either.
see ya,
Minas.
www.minasaroney.com.au
I missed last week's update, probably due in part to my nonchalance at the moment. Still a bit all over the place regarding what my future career should look like. I can't even use the "I'm at a crossroads" cliche - at least then I'd have paths to choose from. No, I need to coin a new saying to enter into the career/life crisis pantheon to describe my current state. Something like "I'm in the salt flats" - everywhere I look there's a big void. I'm not to down about it though, there's just to much to be thankful for to start any hysterics.
Friday night wasn't the usual double header of footy on account of it being a shortened NRL week with the upcoming State-Of-Origin. Irrespective, I still fell asleep by half time.
Saturday was a whole heap of DIY stuff. Actually, my neighbour (a builder) did most of the DIY stuff, i just did some handyman stuff. We've agreed that I'll do some labouring for him if he does some tiling for me. I get a new bathroom and he gets some extra muscle. Pretty good swap I reckon.
Later that afternoon, I broke the news to The Lovely Samantha that I'd secretly booked us into a plush hotel for the night, a cabaret dinner and a spa treatment for her to simply say thanks for being my girl. Chaching! It was like wining the browny points pokies. Lady luck was looking down on us too. Firstly, I found $50 on the footpath and secondly, we literally had ring side seats in this cool burlesque cabaret club which I'd stumbled upon last week (Slide)
The city view I woke up to was certainly different to that which I'd usually wake up to on a Sunday morning, but that same Lovely creature was purring very contentedly right there beside me, just like clockwork. While I razed the complimentary buffet breakfast like an Egyptian pharaoh after 40 days in the desert, Sam was massaged like an Egyptian pharaoh's favoured concubine.
Though we did think about him while away, neither of us missed the boy wonder, and given that his grandma let him watch his Thomas The Tank Engine DVD collection, I strongly doubt he missed us either.
see ya,
Minas.
www.minasaroney.com.au
Tuesday, 11 May 2010
Mother's Day, Dad's Weekend.
Hey There;
This weekend was chockers with events as part of Head On. I wont bore you with details apart from mentioning this one incredible photographer who's work blew me away. Her name is Cristina Garcia Rodero and her stuff is fully sick mate.
Inspiration was everywhere throughout the whole weekend program of seminars, screenings, exhibitions etc. I'm reinvigorated, just need to find my outlet.
What I did manage to find however was the most dodgy Indian restaurant outside of Delhi. How it's not on the name-n-shame list of skanky Sydney restaurants is a mystery but how I managed to avoid salmonella is thankfully more baffling.
I made breakfast for The Lovely Samantha on Saturday. It was an early Mother's day browny points thing on account of her doing a fun run early the next morning. Lucky I did too - she had to look after the boy wonder for the rest of the weekend while I quaffed wine and talked f-stops with the Sydney snapper scene.
See ya,
Minas.
This weekend was chockers with events as part of Head On. I wont bore you with details apart from mentioning this one incredible photographer who's work blew me away. Her name is Cristina Garcia Rodero and her stuff is fully sick mate.
Inspiration was everywhere throughout the whole weekend program of seminars, screenings, exhibitions etc. I'm reinvigorated, just need to find my outlet.
What I did manage to find however was the most dodgy Indian restaurant outside of Delhi. How it's not on the name-n-shame list of skanky Sydney restaurants is a mystery but how I managed to avoid salmonella is thankfully more baffling.
I made breakfast for The Lovely Samantha on Saturday. It was an early Mother's day browny points thing on account of her doing a fun run early the next morning. Lucky I did too - she had to look after the boy wonder for the rest of the weekend while I quaffed wine and talked f-stops with the Sydney snapper scene.
See ya,
Minas.
Monday, 3 May 2010
Head Away
Hiya;
Friday night was the annual Head On portrait prize announcement which also doubled as the official launch of the photo festival (the one I've been helping organise). Peter Garret opened proceedings which was a nice touch. The organising committee then adjourned to an Indian restaurant in Double Bay for a thankyou dinner. Home just after midnight.
Up very very early on Saturday for a boys 4WD camping weekend between Jenolan and Wombeyan caves (2hrs west of Sydney). To be perfectly honest though, there was probably only about 30km of track our family car wouldn't have been able to negotiate. The rest was pretty tame. Didn't stop us from having a cracking weekend though which could be summarised as: Eat, drive, eat, rest, drive, pitch camp, eat, laugh, sleep, eat, pack up camp, drive, eat, sleep. Just what the doctor ordered.
We swapped spare car keys at the start in case any got misplaced during the trip and when Bruce refused to sleep in the tent, opting instead for the back of his troopy, we had no end of hi-jinks locking and unlocking his car in the middle of the night with the spare remote.
I need a few days off to rest my sore ribs.
see ya,
Minas.
Friday night was the annual Head On portrait prize announcement which also doubled as the official launch of the photo festival (the one I've been helping organise). Peter Garret opened proceedings which was a nice touch. The organising committee then adjourned to an Indian restaurant in Double Bay for a thankyou dinner. Home just after midnight.
Up very very early on Saturday for a boys 4WD camping weekend between Jenolan and Wombeyan caves (2hrs west of Sydney). To be perfectly honest though, there was probably only about 30km of track our family car wouldn't have been able to negotiate. The rest was pretty tame. Didn't stop us from having a cracking weekend though which could be summarised as: Eat, drive, eat, rest, drive, pitch camp, eat, laugh, sleep, eat, pack up camp, drive, eat, sleep. Just what the doctor ordered.
We swapped spare car keys at the start in case any got misplaced during the trip and when Bruce refused to sleep in the tent, opting instead for the back of his troopy, we had no end of hi-jinks locking and unlocking his car in the middle of the night with the spare remote.
I need a few days off to rest my sore ribs.
see ya,
Minas.
Monday, 26 April 2010
Between a Rock and Victoria
If you live under a rock (or Victoria) you'd be forgiven for not knowing about the Melbourne Storm salary cap controversy that's rocked the NRL this week. That however wasn't the reason I skipped Friday night footy. Mum's offer of a free feed at one of my favourite restaurants (The Codfather) was the only nudge needed to get me off the couch.
On Saturday The Lovely Samantha once again took to the Rozelle market trestles and tried to fleece unsuspecting patrons with her "tac-a-brac" stall (tacky bric-a-brac). With the proceeds from the day and babysitting from Mum we painted the town red from The Sultan's Table in Enmore to the Dendy in Newtown. If the audience hysterics that occasionally woke me from my slumber during the movie are anything to go by, Micmacs is worth a look see (although I'll wait for the DVD).
The DIY that I'd been promising finally kicked off on Sunday. The sauna paneling that previously passed as our kitchen ceiling got its first coat of primer ready for transformation into a chic new ceiling white.
Rounded out the weekend with dinner at friends' new digs in the peaceful surrounds of Forrestville. The tranquility broken only by the sound of Bodhi's nose running into a glass door (albeit a very clean glass door). Just bruises...and tears.
see ya,
Minas.
On Saturday The Lovely Samantha once again took to the Rozelle market trestles and tried to fleece unsuspecting patrons with her "tac-a-brac" stall (tacky bric-a-brac). With the proceeds from the day and babysitting from Mum we painted the town red from The Sultan's Table in Enmore to the Dendy in Newtown. If the audience hysterics that occasionally woke me from my slumber during the movie are anything to go by, Micmacs is worth a look see (although I'll wait for the DVD).
The DIY that I'd been promising finally kicked off on Sunday. The sauna paneling that previously passed as our kitchen ceiling got its first coat of primer ready for transformation into a chic new ceiling white.
Rounded out the weekend with dinner at friends' new digs in the peaceful surrounds of Forrestville. The tranquility broken only by the sound of Bodhi's nose running into a glass door (albeit a very clean glass door). Just bruises...and tears.
see ya,
Minas.
Monday, 19 April 2010
Head On
Hiya;
I was umming and ahhing about an exhibition on Friday night but I decided to do it and brave the rush hour traffic all the way to Manly. I'm part of the organising committee for the upcoming Head On photo festival and this was one of the 80+ exhibitions in the festival program. It was a bit of a who's who as the exhibitors, Oculi, are the premiere photographic agency in Australia. I rubbed shoulders, schmoozed and went along to the after party. Seamlessly blending in as one of IT crowd (probably due more to my Information Technology background than anything in the kool stakes) I actually enjoyed myself. Home at the reasonable hour of 1am.
I was up kinda early on Saturday to help my Uncle with some building maintenance. For some reason being a laborer these days makes me the automatic choice for all things DIY (If you need shelving, I'm your man). An afternoon nap was the perfect tonic before embarking on a lads evening of dinner and beers in East Sydney.
My bowel spent the entire Sunday reminding me that an all you can eat Brazilian BBQ is not quit the balanced meal essential to staying healthy...or regular.
see ya,
Minas.
www.minasaroney.com.au
I was umming and ahhing about an exhibition on Friday night but I decided to do it and brave the rush hour traffic all the way to Manly. I'm part of the organising committee for the upcoming Head On photo festival and this was one of the 80+ exhibitions in the festival program. It was a bit of a who's who as the exhibitors, Oculi, are the premiere photographic agency in Australia. I rubbed shoulders, schmoozed and went along to the after party. Seamlessly blending in as one of IT crowd (probably due more to my Information Technology background than anything in the kool stakes) I actually enjoyed myself. Home at the reasonable hour of 1am.
I was up kinda early on Saturday to help my Uncle with some building maintenance. For some reason being a laborer these days makes me the automatic choice for all things DIY (If you need shelving, I'm your man). An afternoon nap was the perfect tonic before embarking on a lads evening of dinner and beers in East Sydney.
My bowel spent the entire Sunday reminding me that an all you can eat Brazilian BBQ is not quit the balanced meal essential to staying healthy...or regular.
see ya,
Minas.
www.minasaroney.com.au
Wednesday, 7 April 2010
Eggstatic
Our packed Easter break went a little something like this:
On Friday, with my brother in town, I tried a different approach to staying awake for the entire footy game by actually watching it live rather than from couch potato land. Despite the standard of play being enough to put anyone to sleep, I did in fact succeed in my mission. Awake till the final whistle.
With so much bad press surrounding the spiraling costs of attending the Royal Easter Show, it's inevitable that a competitor would spring up and that's exactly where we found ourselves on Saturday. "The Family Show", ironically located at the original Moore Park grounds of the Royal Easter Show (but prohibited by copyright from using the term "Easter" in its title) proved a very worthy alternative. With free entry, free car parking and Bodhi far more interested in the petting zoo than show bags, it also proved decidedly cheaper.
This year was one of the few times that Greek Easter falls in line with traditional Easter. Normally, we'd attend midnight mass then head back to my uncle's place for Avgolemono soup. However, with the church full and bad weather outside, we opted out of the mass, favoring instead to carry on the tradition of breaking the fast with a bowl of soup. My fast lasting all of three hours since consuming the last sausage at dinner is testament to the fact that I'm not religious but it is a lovely chance to catch up with the relatives and shoot the breeze.
Sunday was Italian family Easter lunch, then more family visits with The Lovely Samantha's side. Uncle Jim brought out his guitar which inspired a spontaneous old fashioned sing-a-long. Bodhi was mesmerised.
Monday was a pretty relaxed affair.
In other news, I've been sizing up the back half of the house for a tart up (nothing expensive, just window dressing), but given my propensity to make a mountain out of a DIY molehill, be warned of the nature of weekend updates for the foreseeable future.
see ya,
Minas.
www.minasaroney.com.au
On Friday, with my brother in town, I tried a different approach to staying awake for the entire footy game by actually watching it live rather than from couch potato land. Despite the standard of play being enough to put anyone to sleep, I did in fact succeed in my mission. Awake till the final whistle.
With so much bad press surrounding the spiraling costs of attending the Royal Easter Show, it's inevitable that a competitor would spring up and that's exactly where we found ourselves on Saturday. "The Family Show", ironically located at the original Moore Park grounds of the Royal Easter Show (but prohibited by copyright from using the term "Easter" in its title) proved a very worthy alternative. With free entry, free car parking and Bodhi far more interested in the petting zoo than show bags, it also proved decidedly cheaper.
This year was one of the few times that Greek Easter falls in line with traditional Easter. Normally, we'd attend midnight mass then head back to my uncle's place for Avgolemono soup. However, with the church full and bad weather outside, we opted out of the mass, favoring instead to carry on the tradition of breaking the fast with a bowl of soup. My fast lasting all of three hours since consuming the last sausage at dinner is testament to the fact that I'm not religious but it is a lovely chance to catch up with the relatives and shoot the breeze.
Sunday was Italian family Easter lunch, then more family visits with The Lovely Samantha's side. Uncle Jim brought out his guitar which inspired a spontaneous old fashioned sing-a-long. Bodhi was mesmerised.Monday was a pretty relaxed affair.
In other news, I've been sizing up the back half of the house for a tart up (nothing expensive, just window dressing), but given my propensity to make a mountain out of a DIY molehill, be warned of the nature of weekend updates for the foreseeable future.
see ya,
Minas.
www.minasaroney.com.au
Tuesday, 30 March 2010
Together Again
Hey Gang;
I somehow managed to stay awake for the entire first game of footy on Friday night. This was a necessity brought on by the recent appearances of the TV vulture (a.k.a The Lovely Samantha). She enjoys nothing better than to circle around the couch and swoop down to change the channel when she spies my eyelids fighting a dying battle to stay open.
On Saturday we went to the Urban Uprising gallery in Darlinghurst. There was an exhibition of Shepard Fairy's work (the guy who made the iconic Obama "Hope" image). I'll shamelessly claim in high fashion style that we were fans before he became big but don't have any of his work on our walls to back up the claim. A bit of shopping in the arvo but nothing else to mention apart from the fact that the local IGA supermarket now has a DVD rental machine which will result in significant savings in not just cost but also return trip walking times to rent a movie.
Sunday was basically spent preparing a biblical feast for the mini Knights* reunion in Sydney that night. Shalome brought her new IBM employee of the month Brendan. Scarlette, Mere, Damo, Zali, Meg, Jonathan, Sam, Bodhi and I filled the rest of the seats around the table indulging in fine food and wishing you were there.
see ya,
Minas.
*For regular readers of this blog unfamiliar with it's origins, A core group of six friends formed over late nights during the 1998 PriceWaterhouseCoopers boot camp in Tampa Florida. Calling themselves "The Knights of The Square Table" (later shortened to "Knights"), they vowed that each Monday, no matter where in the world they were, they would update each other with their weekend exploits. Twelve years on, that tradition continues.
I somehow managed to stay awake for the entire first game of footy on Friday night. This was a necessity brought on by the recent appearances of the TV vulture (a.k.a The Lovely Samantha). She enjoys nothing better than to circle around the couch and swoop down to change the channel when she spies my eyelids fighting a dying battle to stay open.
On Saturday we went to the Urban Uprising gallery in Darlinghurst. There was an exhibition of Shepard Fairy's work (the guy who made the iconic Obama "Hope" image). I'll shamelessly claim in high fashion style that we were fans before he became big but don't have any of his work on our walls to back up the claim. A bit of shopping in the arvo but nothing else to mention apart from the fact that the local IGA supermarket now has a DVD rental machine which will result in significant savings in not just cost but also return trip walking times to rent a movie.
Sunday was basically spent preparing a biblical feast for the mini Knights* reunion in Sydney that night. Shalome brought her new IBM employee of the month Brendan. Scarlette, Mere, Damo, Zali, Meg, Jonathan, Sam, Bodhi and I filled the rest of the seats around the table indulging in fine food and wishing you were there.see ya,
Minas.
*For regular readers of this blog unfamiliar with it's origins, A core group of six friends formed over late nights during the 1998 PriceWaterhouseCoopers boot camp in Tampa Florida. Calling themselves "The Knights of The Square Table" (later shortened to "Knights"), they vowed that each Monday, no matter where in the world they were, they would update each other with their weekend exploits. Twelve years on, that tradition continues.
Wednesday, 24 March 2010
Knackered
Friday night footy...i think. Massive week of working both day and night so I was asleep before the kickoff. I photographed the previously mentioned fundraiser event my neighbour was organising which featured mind blowing opera singers. Once again, brilliant performers and they really worked the crowd. 
The trouble with leaving a weekend update till Wednesday is that I forget what I did although I do remember on Saturday night heading along to a mate's 40th. The sobering reality of a friend turning the big four O was not lost on me either. While I've still got nineteen years to go, The Lovely Samantha has only a few left and as I've no intention of sleeping with a forty year old, we'll have to make hay so to speak.
Yum cha on Sunday morning set us up nicely for an afternoon of DVDs and lounging on the couch. Bodhi blissfully played in his room with his playdough the entire time. A Godsend...until the clean up.
see ya,
Minas.
The trouble with leaving a weekend update till Wednesday is that I forget what I did although I do remember on Saturday night heading along to a mate's 40th. The sobering reality of a friend turning the big four O was not lost on me either. While I've still got nineteen years to go, The Lovely Samantha has only a few left and as I've no intention of sleeping with a forty year old, we'll have to make hay so to speak.
Yum cha on Sunday morning set us up nicely for an afternoon of DVDs and lounging on the couch. Bodhi blissfully played in his room with his playdough the entire time. A Godsend...until the clean up.
see ya,
Minas.
Monday, 15 March 2010
Friday night's a great night for Football
It's back, I'm back, life is back...on Friday nights at least. I am once again filled with tears of gratitude to the execs at channel nine for broadcasting a double header on Friday nights. To celebrate the start of the new season we splurged on pizzas, and I don't use the term splurge lightly. At $19 each, that's more than my current hourly wage labouring for a mate on his building site.
I was up early baking scones on Saturday morning. They were for the Welcome Brunch at Bodhi's day care center. The occasion also doubled as the annual AGM where a new parent's committee for 2010 was formed. Chairman Min's glorious reign has thus come to an end, but despite the GFC we leave the center with a very healthy war chest due in no small part to the extraordinary fundraising efforts of The Lovely Samantha.
She also picked up some freelance writing during the week so I spent the rest of the day distracting the boy wonder while she penned some more pizza money.
I donned the apron once again to make a cracking pumpkin & walnut risotto for dinner. It's a Jamie Oliver recipe and was so good I'd go so far as say it may well have had the naked chef doing laps around the dinner table.
My old film camera got a dust off on Sunday. Apart from facilitating a different photography dynamic, it also complemented the retro styled outfit I wore to celebrate our good friends' wedding. The groom is a bit of a geek and made a great app which projected onto a big screen people's SMS in real time. Made for some funny moments. Great location, yum food and I couldn't think of a better way to spend a Sunday night.
see ya,
Minas.
www.minasaroney.com.au
I was up early baking scones on Saturday morning. They were for the Welcome Brunch at Bodhi's day care center. The occasion also doubled as the annual AGM where a new parent's committee for 2010 was formed. Chairman Min's glorious reign has thus come to an end, but despite the GFC we leave the center with a very healthy war chest due in no small part to the extraordinary fundraising efforts of The Lovely Samantha.
She also picked up some freelance writing during the week so I spent the rest of the day distracting the boy wonder while she penned some more pizza money.
I donned the apron once again to make a cracking pumpkin & walnut risotto for dinner. It's a Jamie Oliver recipe and was so good I'd go so far as say it may well have had the naked chef doing laps around the dinner table.
My old film camera got a dust off on Sunday. Apart from facilitating a different photography dynamic, it also complemented the retro styled outfit I wore to celebrate our good friends' wedding. The groom is a bit of a geek and made a great app which projected onto a big screen people's SMS in real time. Made for some funny moments. Great location, yum food and I couldn't think of a better way to spend a Sunday night.
see ya,
Minas.
www.minasaroney.com.au
Monday, 8 March 2010
What goes on a buck's night, stays on a buck's night.
I can't remember what I did on Friday night, but heads up for this week - NRL season opener - get in!
Bodhi and I took The Lovely Samantha out to breakfast on Saturday. Annandale's in the midst of a cafe epidemic with several new ones popping up in recent months and I rate them all. Revolver does a brilliant cheese burger (with pickles) and Clover's bircher muesli is the bomb. Cafe brunches are probably the only indulgence I really miss.
In the afternoon I dusted off the camera for the first time in a few weeks (been a bit down about it). A neighbour organising a fund raiser wanted some shots of himself (on piano accordion) and opera singers who will be performing on the night. Lisa is in Baz Luhrmann's Midsummer Night's Dream and WOW! Can she sing! Bloody brilliant! I had to pinch myself to leave.
Saturday night was Cam's buck's party and as the saying goes what goes on a buck's stays on a buck's. Sadly hangovers don't fall into that category and I foolishly brought one home with me after a night of throwing alcoholic caution to the wind.
Despite my best efforts, I couldn't raise my head above horizontal for most of Sunday.
see ya,
Minas.
Bodhi and I took The Lovely Samantha out to breakfast on Saturday. Annandale's in the midst of a cafe epidemic with several new ones popping up in recent months and I rate them all. Revolver does a brilliant cheese burger (with pickles) and Clover's bircher muesli is the bomb. Cafe brunches are probably the only indulgence I really miss.
In the afternoon I dusted off the camera for the first time in a few weeks (been a bit down about it). A neighbour organising a fund raiser wanted some shots of himself (on piano accordion) and opera singers who will be performing on the night. Lisa is in Baz Luhrmann's Midsummer Night's Dream and WOW! Can she sing! Bloody brilliant! I had to pinch myself to leave. Saturday night was Cam's buck's party and as the saying goes what goes on a buck's stays on a buck's. Sadly hangovers don't fall into that category and I foolishly brought one home with me after a night of throwing alcoholic caution to the wind.
Despite my best efforts, I couldn't raise my head above horizontal for most of Sunday.
see ya,
Minas.
Monday, 1 March 2010
LIFO
Those familiar with computer programming will recognise LIFO as being the acronym for the Last-In-First-Out queue processing algorithm. It's also a commonly employed hiring & firing policy which the Lovely Samantha has fallen foul of this week. So much for our short lived experiment living off her salary. But, considering the location was at best inconvenient, the pay poor and the career path led nowhere, it was really a blessing in disguise.
On Saturday (while Sam was at work learning about her fate) I took the boy wonder to his friend's 2nd birthday party. The lack of fairy bread played on his mind for a while but was soon forgotten upon spotting the Thomas The Tank Engine pinyada. Instead of hitting it with a stick though, kids took turns to pull out ribbons (one of which would open the bottom seam).
It got me thinking though about all the games of yesteryear which have since been politically corrected. Why just last week we were found guilty of using an every-kid-gets-a-present-pass-the-parcel. To compound matters we also boiled the eggs so that no-one would be upset if their egg dropped off their spoon during the race and broke. Also, down at the local park, the seesaw is spring loaded so no one gets hurt if the other jumps off. It makes me wonder what other innocent games have fallen victim to the modern day PC syndrome. Are we raising a generation who will associate mediocrity with reward?
What is the world coming to?
Sam was out on Saturday night for a hen's do so it was a boy's night in. I put him to bed early so i could get through two DVDs (Borat & The Soloist).
Sunday doesn't rate a mention.
see ya,
Minas.
On Saturday (while Sam was at work learning about her fate) I took the boy wonder to his friend's 2nd birthday party. The lack of fairy bread played on his mind for a while but was soon forgotten upon spotting the Thomas The Tank Engine pinyada. Instead of hitting it with a stick though, kids took turns to pull out ribbons (one of which would open the bottom seam).
It got me thinking though about all the games of yesteryear which have since been politically corrected. Why just last week we were found guilty of using an every-kid-gets-a-present-pass-the-parcel. To compound matters we also boiled the eggs so that no-one would be upset if their egg dropped off their spoon during the race and broke. Also, down at the local park, the seesaw is spring loaded so no one gets hurt if the other jumps off. It makes me wonder what other innocent games have fallen victim to the modern day PC syndrome. Are we raising a generation who will associate mediocrity with reward? What is the world coming to?
Sam was out on Saturday night for a hen's do so it was a boy's night in. I put him to bed early so i could get through two DVDs (Borat & The Soloist).
Sunday doesn't rate a mention.
see ya,
Minas.
Monday, 22 February 2010
Hiya;
Thanks for all the well wishes on Monday. My birthday was all the more memorable because you remembered (at least all except the birthday fairy who ironically forgot to call).
Friday was The Boy Wonder's birthday. We got up early, decorated, made pancakes and had a nice family brekky before heading out for his swimming lesson.
We decided on a combined bash in the backyard on Saturday. The kiddy party started at 4pm, mine at 6pm. A hand decorated Thomas the Tank Engine cake had chins waging and set the bar very high in the Inner West Birthday Cake Stakes.
In between face painting (by all accounts possibly my next career path), pass the parcel, cutting cakes and preparing nosh, I didn't manage a single conversation with anyone. Heck Mere left before I'd even said hello!
Very tired but big smiles, bigger bellies and an even bigger cleanup on Sunday.
see ya,
Minas.
Thanks for all the well wishes on Monday. My birthday was all the more memorable because you remembered (at least all except the birthday fairy who ironically forgot to call).
Friday was The Boy Wonder's birthday. We got up early, decorated, made pancakes and had a nice family brekky before heading out for his swimming lesson.
We decided on a combined bash in the backyard on Saturday. The kiddy party started at 4pm, mine at 6pm. A hand decorated Thomas the Tank Engine cake had chins waging and set the bar very high in the Inner West Birthday Cake Stakes. In between face painting (by all accounts possibly my next career path), pass the parcel, cutting cakes and preparing nosh, I didn't manage a single conversation with anyone. Heck Mere left before I'd even said hello!
Very tired but big smiles, bigger bellies and an even bigger cleanup on Sunday.
see ya,
Minas.
Monday, 15 February 2010
Where did it all go right?
I can't take credit for that title. It's from a book Damo lent me one time (which i think i still have).
We currently find ourselves in the midst of a challenging exercise - trying to live off The Lovely Samantha's paltry wage. It's really not enough and God only knows how others do it.
It's tough enough that we haven't been out for dinner in ages, but when Sam told me to save the "no frills" Camembert from Woolies for a special occasion, that floored me. The irony in the situation is that we are here because we chose to be (indirectly). If we hadn't been successful, we wouldn't have put ourselves in the situation of feeling so strapped. Odd but true.
It's been miserable weather. The rain's hardly let up for the past week which has meant we've all steadily gone stir crazy in the house. During a rare break in the weather on Friday arvo we went into the city to see the Chinese New Year official kick off. I can only assume the organisers hadn't planned on the rain letting up and the crowds coming in. I'm sure they just recycled the mascot from the year of the rat to celebrate the new year of the Tiger. Pure crap, done on the cheap.
Saturday night lifted my spirits with the broadcast of the Indigenous All Stars footy game. Cracking contest. Can't wait for the premiership to start next month.
More rain on Sunday.
Cherish your disposable incomes,
Minas.
www.minasaroney.com.au
We currently find ourselves in the midst of a challenging exercise - trying to live off The Lovely Samantha's paltry wage. It's really not enough and God only knows how others do it.
It's tough enough that we haven't been out for dinner in ages, but when Sam told me to save the "no frills" Camembert from Woolies for a special occasion, that floored me. The irony in the situation is that we are here because we chose to be (indirectly). If we hadn't been successful, we wouldn't have put ourselves in the situation of feeling so strapped. Odd but true.
It's been miserable weather. The rain's hardly let up for the past week which has meant we've all steadily gone stir crazy in the house. During a rare break in the weather on Friday arvo we went into the city to see the Chinese New Year official kick off. I can only assume the organisers hadn't planned on the rain letting up and the crowds coming in. I'm sure they just recycled the mascot from the year of the rat to celebrate the new year of the Tiger. Pure crap, done on the cheap.
Saturday night lifted my spirits with the broadcast of the Indigenous All Stars footy game. Cracking contest. Can't wait for the premiership to start next month.
More rain on Sunday.
Cherish your disposable incomes,
Minas.
www.minasaroney.com.au
Monday, 8 February 2010
The Trough
Gang;
I'm down. The dream is not alive. I knew it would be a financial strain initially, but I didn't think i'd react to it as I have. The realities of trying to do the news photography thing are beginning to sink in. People who's work I admire and with infinitely more experience than me find it a hard and continual struggle. I'm contemplating a more considered move back into some form of IT with photography to be relegated back to the benches. I'm not happy.
The usual symptoms of feeling down have been on display, none more so than the low libido levels. I never thought i'd say it but we're getting by with just once daily...and I don't seem to mind.
Other than that, I played the good grandson on Sunday. The Lovely Samantha was at work so Bodhi and I took Nonna and Nonno to the club for lunch. The irony of my meal was not lost on me. The steak was like my resolve once upon a time (tough), while the vegetables, much like my mind at present, were nothing but mush.
see ya,
Minas.
I'm down. The dream is not alive. I knew it would be a financial strain initially, but I didn't think i'd react to it as I have. The realities of trying to do the news photography thing are beginning to sink in. People who's work I admire and with infinitely more experience than me find it a hard and continual struggle. I'm contemplating a more considered move back into some form of IT with photography to be relegated back to the benches. I'm not happy.
The usual symptoms of feeling down have been on display, none more so than the low libido levels. I never thought i'd say it but we're getting by with just once daily...and I don't seem to mind.
Other than that, I played the good grandson on Sunday. The Lovely Samantha was at work so Bodhi and I took Nonna and Nonno to the club for lunch. The irony of my meal was not lost on me. The steak was like my resolve once upon a time (tough), while the vegetables, much like my mind at present, were nothing but mush.
see ya,
Minas.
Monday, 1 February 2010
"Bucking"
I'll skip straight to Sunday. Taralga Rodeo day. I'd heard about it, even dreamt about it, but it wasn't until a selfless offer came my way that i did something about it.
With The Lovely Samantha working on Sundays and I was half heartedly contemplating bringing the boy wonder on a six hour return road trip to photograph my first rodeo but a late babysitting offer from Mum saved me the headache.
The event is quite popular with photo clubs with telephoto lenses almost outnumbering Akubras. In the words of Robert Capa though "If you're not close enough, it's not good enough" and the trouble with telephoto shooters is that they tend to stand a fair way from the action. As a conscientious point of difference I persevered with a wide angle lens thus forcing me to get in amongst the action.
A great day and well worth the drive. Check out the photo essay and let me know what you think.
see ya,
Minas.
With The Lovely Samantha working on Sundays and I was half heartedly contemplating bringing the boy wonder on a six hour return road trip to photograph my first rodeo but a late babysitting offer from Mum saved me the headache.
The event is quite popular with photo clubs with telephoto lenses almost outnumbering Akubras. In the words of Robert Capa though "If you're not close enough, it's not good enough" and the trouble with telephoto shooters is that they tend to stand a fair way from the action. As a conscientious point of difference I persevered with a wide angle lens thus forcing me to get in amongst the action.
A great day and well worth the drive. Check out the photo essay and let me know what you think.
see ya,
Minas.
Monday, 18 January 2010
The Main event
For Bodhi, Friday was a boring protocol that has to be endured before the main event. Saturday being the main event - A Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends day at the Lithgow Zig Zag railway.
We've been there before to ride the steam engines but on this particular day the sheer brilliance is in the wrapping - a Thomas-like face stuck on the front of the same engines transforming Lithgow into the magical island of Sodor (where Thomas and his friends live). There's nothing magical about the fare to get to the island though - double the usual. Still, the smiles and wide eyed wonder were priceless.
I had every intention to get to the free concert in the domain on Saturday night but was just too knackered. Instead we watched a boring DVD "Taking Woodstock" (not one of Ang Lee's finest moments).
Bodhi and I spent the better part of Sunday cleaning the house while The Lovely Bread Winner was at work.
Fingers crossed for me please,
Minas.
We've been there before to ride the steam engines but on this particular day the sheer brilliance is in the wrapping - a Thomas-like face stuck on the front of the same engines transforming Lithgow into the magical island of Sodor (where Thomas and his friends live). There's nothing magical about the fare to get to the island though - double the usual. Still, the smiles and wide eyed wonder were priceless.I had every intention to get to the free concert in the domain on Saturday night but was just too knackered. Instead we watched a boring DVD "Taking Woodstock" (not one of Ang Lee's finest moments).
Bodhi and I spent the better part of Sunday cleaning the house while The Lovely Bread Winner was at work.
Fingers crossed for me please,
Minas.
Monday, 11 January 2010
One step forward, two steps back
Hiya;
We turned things on their head this week, having a holiday during the week then returning to Sydney for weekend work.
The holiday was courtesy of a B&B part owned by an aunt in Wamberal (near Terrigal). They've got a property on two acres which, judging by the noise each night, seems to be the only safe haven for the central coast cicada population. My ears are still ringing to the sound of their twitching legs. The boy wonder absolutely loved it though. Pool, trees, lots of grass to run around in and lizards everywhere to chase.
Speaking of the boy wonder, he's now able to take himself off to the toilet and sort himself out without interference (even number two's...although his current usage rate of one toilet roll per cheek will see the Amazon cleared before Easter).
Saturday night was a mate's 30th and judging by The Lovely Samantha's hangover the next morning, you'd have to assume the idea of working on Sunday's is still a novelty concept for her (although something tells me she remembered it for all eight hours of her shift).
Day 220 of Water.
see ya,
Minas.
We turned things on their head this week, having a holiday during the week then returning to Sydney for weekend work.
The holiday was courtesy of a B&B part owned by an aunt in Wamberal (near Terrigal). They've got a property on two acres which, judging by the noise each night, seems to be the only safe haven for the central coast cicada population. My ears are still ringing to the sound of their twitching legs. The boy wonder absolutely loved it though. Pool, trees, lots of grass to run around in and lizards everywhere to chase.Speaking of the boy wonder, he's now able to take himself off to the toilet and sort himself out without interference (even number two's...although his current usage rate of one toilet roll per cheek will see the Amazon cleared before Easter).
Saturday night was a mate's 30th and judging by The Lovely Samantha's hangover the next morning, you'd have to assume the idea of working on Sunday's is still a novelty concept for her (although something tells me she remembered it for all eight hours of her shift).
Day 220 of Water.
see ya,
Minas.
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