Hey;
We bought a new smart phone the other week. Technically it's the property of The Lovely Samantha, but I've been selflessly sacrificing my time performing exhaustive usability testing on it. After a full weekend playing FieldRunner HD, I am truly exhausted.
The Samsung Galaxy Note is an absolute monster of a phone. I've taken to calling it a phablet. The screen alone is as big as an iPhone. I wanted to wait till it was in stores to see how it felt, but Sam was adamant. She wanted it right away. Said its large, wide girth felt natural in her hands. That anything smaller just wouldn't seem right. Who am I to disagree?
So the past few weeks have been all about me showing off (Sam's) phone. Before i go into a meeting, i set a 5 minute alarm and feign surprise when I pull out the big dog. Boys and their toys. You should see the jaws drop. Don't bring a knife to a gun fight I always say.
This weekend we potted about the flat. We're in the throws of packing up and will be moving back to Sydney after Xmas. The place needed a clean - Sugar soaped the walls, cleaned the mould from the bathroom etc. etc. The patio also needed a clean and truth be told i could have scrubbed it by hand. Instead I bought a new 1600psi Gernie high pressure cleaner which practically lifts me off the ground every time I work up the courage to pull the trigger. Now i bring that into work meetings and if you thought their jaws dropped with the phone, well....
We had a friend of Bodhi's stay over last night and seeing them play and scream and make an absolute mess of the place, It made me think. Thank God we just had the one.
See ya,
Minas.
Monday, 12 December 2011
Wednesday, 16 November 2011
A long time between drinks
Hey Gang;
It has been a while. This weekend reminded me of the importance of keeping in touch. In Singapore for work, the High Fashion Family were effortlessly hospitable as always, stuffing me full of sumptuous BBQ fare until I was fit to burst. Gotta love good friends.
Supposedly work related, but more closely resembling something rhyming with plunket, my Singapore trip was one to remember…if only I could. A massive 4am nightclub finish on Friday night backed up by a 2am soiree on Saturday night rendered any memories foggy to say the least.
One thing I do remember was one of the truly great foot massages of my life, courtesy of Kenkos massage house. Behind the smiling masculine face of my young masseuse lay a reflexologist of the highest order. His deft touch on my weary feet made me feel abnormal things for a man of my chemical disposition to feel for another man.
So that was Singapore.
The weekend before last was The Lovely Samantha’s birthday. There’s only two short years until my self-imposed ban on sleeping with anyone over 40 comes into effect, but I’m already having to rethink that. With every glance I’m reminded how beautiful she is, and just how addicted I am to the warmth of her glow.
I’d been typically tardy leaving present buying till the last minute. So, to shift her focus from what I assumed would be an unappreciated gift of a vegetable slicer, I took the liberty of preparing a sumptuous three course dinner of everything she loves (cheese, chocolate, seafood), accompanied by the finest wines my bear trap wallet would allow. I think it worked.
A few weeks before that we were all trundling through the wilds of India. I wont bore you with those details suffice to say it was everything I’ve told you previously about the place, but with a little monkey in tow.
See ya,
Minas.Monday, 12 September 2011
Love Minas.
Hey;
I want to quickly take you back to the weekend before last, if only to boast about the incredible Fathers day treat I received. I'd answered The Lovely Samantha's favourite breakfast wishlist query with a whimsical response of poached pears, sweetened ricotta and french toast. One point for guessing what I got in bed that morning. Absolutely smashed myself to the threshold of being sick. Lunch at Fenix then another lovely home cooked meal for din dins. Eclipse of the feet, here I come.
This Saturday we went to the NGV to check out the Austrian art exhibition (think Klimt and his Viennese peers) which Bodhi enjoyed for all of five minutes. Dinner in front of a DVD.
On Sunday I took the little one for a big walk into the city via the Tan while Sam was doing a TRX training course (think S&M rack converted for fitness exercises).
The Storm were hosting Newcastle in the first round of finals in the afternoon so along with some work colleagues I took Bodhi to witness first hand the gazelle like grace of Billy Slater in full flight. I brought along the ipod with some burned movies in case Bodhi got bored, say in the latter stages of the game. One point for guessing what came in handy five minutes after kick-off.
A sad start to the day today when we were told a colleague who I'd recently been working with side-by-side died suddenly in a car accident on Friday.
Tell 'em how much you love 'em and tell 'em every day,
Minas.
I want to quickly take you back to the weekend before last, if only to boast about the incredible Fathers day treat I received. I'd answered The Lovely Samantha's favourite breakfast wishlist query with a whimsical response of poached pears, sweetened ricotta and french toast. One point for guessing what I got in bed that morning. Absolutely smashed myself to the threshold of being sick. Lunch at Fenix then another lovely home cooked meal for din dins. Eclipse of the feet, here I come.
This Saturday we went to the NGV to check out the Austrian art exhibition (think Klimt and his Viennese peers) which Bodhi enjoyed for all of five minutes. Dinner in front of a DVD.
On Sunday I took the little one for a big walk into the city via the Tan while Sam was doing a TRX training course (think S&M rack converted for fitness exercises).
The Storm were hosting Newcastle in the first round of finals in the afternoon so along with some work colleagues I took Bodhi to witness first hand the gazelle like grace of Billy Slater in full flight. I brought along the ipod with some burned movies in case Bodhi got bored, say in the latter stages of the game. One point for guessing what came in handy five minutes after kick-off.
A sad start to the day today when we were told a colleague who I'd recently been working with side-by-side died suddenly in a car accident on Friday.
Tell 'em how much you love 'em and tell 'em every day,
Minas.
Monday, 29 August 2011
There's gold in them there hills.
Hey;
On a whim, we decided to head out of town this weekend to the Foto Biennale (Foto is a fancy word for photography).
The Lovely Samantha took the bit by the horns. She packed bags, booked us into the Best Western hotel lastminute.com could find and loaded the ipod with Dr Seus audio books - all while Bodhi and I kept alive our Saturday morning tradition of stuffing our faces with home made pancakes. By midday we were passing a road sign welcoming us to the prospecting town of Ballarat.
It was here that we discovered a part of Australia that we’d like to retire to…if only it didn’t freeze over during winter. Beautiful…no…stunning…period houses, a sun kissed shimmering lake and some of the nicest country town architecture I’ve ever seen. And, here’s the clincher, it’s Affordable, with a capital A.
Passed the time seeing as many of the photo exhibitions as Bodhi could patiently sit through and making several long sweeping circuits of lake Wendouree and bordering suburbia. It really is a beautiful town. Sam’s already made plans for a return voyage to raid the remaining junk-tique stores she didn’t get the time to pillage.
Three weeks exactly till we leave for India. It can't come soon enough.
see ya,
Minas.
Monday, 15 August 2011
Adelaide
Hey Gang;
The Lovely Samantha and I took ourselves off to Sunny Adelaide for a weekend away. Trouble with Adelaide though is that it's a little bit mundane. Much like the US and its quantitative easing, you could throw bucket loads of money at Adelaide and it still wouldn't solve the problem. Nice hotel - check, retail therapy - check, slap up dinner - check, die of boredom - check. Even the movie we paid for failed to do anything but...you guessed it..bore us (Water for Elephants - don't bother).
While in town we took the opportunity to visit the Saatchi exhibition of modern art. I guess it's only fitting though that, in keeping with the broader theme of the weekend, the "art" was completely under whelming.
On the plus side, the weather was fantastic.
see ya,
Minas.
The Lovely Samantha and I took ourselves off to Sunny Adelaide for a weekend away. Trouble with Adelaide though is that it's a little bit mundane. Much like the US and its quantitative easing, you could throw bucket loads of money at Adelaide and it still wouldn't solve the problem. Nice hotel - check, retail therapy - check, slap up dinner - check, die of boredom - check. Even the movie we paid for failed to do anything but...you guessed it..bore us (Water for Elephants - don't bother).
While in town we took the opportunity to visit the Saatchi exhibition of modern art. I guess it's only fitting though that, in keeping with the broader theme of the weekend, the "art" was completely under whelming.
On the plus side, the weather was fantastic.
see ya,
Minas.
Monday, 25 July 2011
Quiet Weekend
Hiya Gang;
Insomniac weekend here, due solely to a bunch of maniacs touring France in lycra. I wont pretend to have watched the whole Tour De France from stage 1, but i've followed it for the past few years and the final week this year has just been the most gripping thing since the bear hug was invented. I even stood on the couch and clapped at 2 am in the morning when Cadel donned the yellow jersey after blitzing the time trial. Where were you?
Feeling guilty at not waking early enough to make pancakes with
Bodhi, I opted to make an apple pie in the afternoon instead, complete with a lattice top. The Lovely Samantha thought it was so impressive she said to take a photo...so I did. Good thing I did too as it didn't stay looking like that for long. In fact, come Sunday night it was all gone.
Bodhi and I made a trip to Bunnings on Sunday. I felt like a relapsed alcoholic walking into the pub for the first time in ages, such is the mouth watering effect the big box hardware store has on me. I only needed some clamps, but still insisted on inspecting the contents of every aisle. It's a good thing I did too as Sam's birthday is coming up and I found a drop saw which I know she'll go crazy over.
Some friends came around in the afternoon for some formal portraits (and apple pie).
Congratulations Cadel!
see ya,
Minas.
Insomniac weekend here, due solely to a bunch of maniacs touring France in lycra. I wont pretend to have watched the whole Tour De France from stage 1, but i've followed it for the past few years and the final week this year has just been the most gripping thing since the bear hug was invented. I even stood on the couch and clapped at 2 am in the morning when Cadel donned the yellow jersey after blitzing the time trial. Where were you?
Feeling guilty at not waking early enough to make pancakes with
Bodhi, I opted to make an apple pie in the afternoon instead, complete with a lattice top. The Lovely Samantha thought it was so impressive she said to take a photo...so I did. Good thing I did too as it didn't stay looking like that for long. In fact, come Sunday night it was all gone.Bodhi and I made a trip to Bunnings on Sunday. I felt like a relapsed alcoholic walking into the pub for the first time in ages, such is the mouth watering effect the big box hardware store has on me. I only needed some clamps, but still insisted on inspecting the contents of every aisle. It's a good thing I did too as Sam's birthday is coming up and I found a drop saw which I know she'll go crazy over.
Some friends came around in the afternoon for some formal portraits (and apple pie).
Congratulations Cadel!
see ya,
Minas.
Monday, 11 July 2011
Whirlwind Weekend
Hiya;
I've been glued to the wires in the last week about the News of the World closure. I don't particularly care for the paper but having had the privilege of knowing the current editor (his daughter was our friend & neighbour in London), it's been sad seeing a man of hard working integrity caught up in all the hoohaa. I get the impression he's not the only one.
On Friday night, following a colleague's well intentioned (but misguided) tram advice, what should have been a simple 20min journey turned into an hour long back and forth debacle to meet The Lovely Samantha and Bodhi for dinner in East Brunswick. Better late than never i suppose.
I flew to Sydney on Saturday for a whirlwind catch up with Mum. She'd bought me a concert ticket to the Opera house for my birthday a while back. Aside from the experimental avante garde flute solo at the start, the rest of the concert was sensational! Classical music matched to HD projections of the solar system on a big screen! I squeezed in a slap up lunch and dinner either side of the concert to show Mum just how much her big boy cares about her and it seems to have done the trick - I've been invited back again.
On Sunday we caught up with my brother who was coincidentally in town with his missus. Yum Cha, coffees then a stop off at my grandparent's house on the way to the airport. Back to Melbourne where it was horribly cold.
see ya,
Minas.
I've been glued to the wires in the last week about the News of the World closure. I don't particularly care for the paper but having had the privilege of knowing the current editor (his daughter was our friend & neighbour in London), it's been sad seeing a man of hard working integrity caught up in all the hoohaa. I get the impression he's not the only one.
On Friday night, following a colleague's well intentioned (but misguided) tram advice, what should have been a simple 20min journey turned into an hour long back and forth debacle to meet The Lovely Samantha and Bodhi for dinner in East Brunswick. Better late than never i suppose.
I flew to Sydney on Saturday for a whirlwind catch up with Mum. She'd bought me a concert ticket to the Opera house for my birthday a while back. Aside from the experimental avante garde flute solo at the start, the rest of the concert was sensational! Classical music matched to HD projections of the solar system on a big screen! I squeezed in a slap up lunch and dinner either side of the concert to show Mum just how much her big boy cares about her and it seems to have done the trick - I've been invited back again.
On Sunday we caught up with my brother who was coincidentally in town with his missus. Yum Cha, coffees then a stop off at my grandparent's house on the way to the airport. Back to Melbourne where it was horribly cold.
see ya,
Minas.
Tuesday, 5 July 2011
White Weekend
Hey;
I've been under the pump at work the past few weeks, so i breathed a sigh of relief leaving early on Friday for a weekend at Mt Bulla. Despite taking the scenic route we still arrived by 18:30pm. Proximity to the snow fields is but another thing I've discovered Melbourne does better than Sydney.
This weekend was all about making good on a year old promise to
Bodhi (you may remember last year we'd set out for the snow but had to turn back with 10km to go for fear of running out of petrol). We stayed with friends on the tail end of their week in the snow, which was perfect as their kids were keen to get out of ski school and just muck about.
Saturday was full of snow fights, tobogganing, snowmen, gluwhine and hearty meals. Smiles all round, Bodhi's tattooed on. When it was time to leave he was asleep in the car (smiling) before we'd even left the car park.
Home in time on Sunday arvo for a quick jog around the lake, then off to Shalome's for a nice curry cook up.
see ya,
Minas.
I've been under the pump at work the past few weeks, so i breathed a sigh of relief leaving early on Friday for a weekend at Mt Bulla. Despite taking the scenic route we still arrived by 18:30pm. Proximity to the snow fields is but another thing I've discovered Melbourne does better than Sydney.
This weekend was all about making good on a year old promise to
Bodhi (you may remember last year we'd set out for the snow but had to turn back with 10km to go for fear of running out of petrol). We stayed with friends on the tail end of their week in the snow, which was perfect as their kids were keen to get out of ski school and just muck about.Saturday was full of snow fights, tobogganing, snowmen, gluwhine and hearty meals. Smiles all round, Bodhi's tattooed on. When it was time to leave he was asleep in the car (smiling) before we'd even left the car park.
Home in time on Sunday arvo for a quick jog around the lake, then off to Shalome's for a nice curry cook up.
see ya,
Minas.
Monday, 20 June 2011
Hot Property
Hiya;
Our neighbour's house was auctioned this Saturday. We never need an excuse but that was as good as any for a weekend back home. Two families were in the running and I'm convinced Bodhi & best mate Hari frolicking in our front yard easily added another 10K to the bidding war between the fathers.
When the hammer fell I welcomed the successful dad, discovered he was also in IT and so began my decline into depression. How could someone younger than me, in the same field, afford such a house? I'll off myself if he takes a good photo too.
Reversed my temporary decline with a few celebratory ales with the old neighbours. Toasted their realised profit and, by virtue of our semi-detached nature, our paper one (I suppose).
Dinner date at The Codfather with Hari's parents. Love the Codfather. My mum babysat. Love the babysitter.
On Sunday we had a buffet lunch in the city with the Italian side of the family. I don't know what it is but there's something truly amazing about a buffet's rejuvenating effect on a pensioner. The worn carpet path between our table and the seafood display attested to its elixir effect on my 95yr old Nonno's arthritic legs. A remake of Robert De Niro's Awakening would do well to study its effects.
Asleep back in Melbourne by 9pm.
Farewell Tony & Lorae. Welcome to the neighbourhood Javeed and family.
see ya,
Minas.
Our neighbour's house was auctioned this Saturday. We never need an excuse but that was as good as any for a weekend back home. Two families were in the running and I'm convinced Bodhi & best mate Hari frolicking in our front yard easily added another 10K to the bidding war between the fathers.
When the hammer fell I welcomed the successful dad, discovered he was also in IT and so began my decline into depression. How could someone younger than me, in the same field, afford such a house? I'll off myself if he takes a good photo too.
Reversed my temporary decline with a few celebratory ales with the old neighbours. Toasted their realised profit and, by virtue of our semi-detached nature, our paper one (I suppose).
Dinner date at The Codfather with Hari's parents. Love the Codfather. My mum babysat. Love the babysitter.
On Sunday we had a buffet lunch in the city with the Italian side of the family. I don't know what it is but there's something truly amazing about a buffet's rejuvenating effect on a pensioner. The worn carpet path between our table and the seafood display attested to its elixir effect on my 95yr old Nonno's arthritic legs. A remake of Robert De Niro's Awakening would do well to study its effects.
Asleep back in Melbourne by 9pm.
Farewell Tony & Lorae. Welcome to the neighbourhood Javeed and family.
see ya,
Minas.
Monday, 30 May 2011
Readying for Rajasthan
I knocked off early on Friday to remind myself what Bodhi's blue eye's look like. Uncharacteristically, I'd been working a little too hard this week and hadn't spent a lot of time at home. Delivering that same non-plussed dismissal i get from him most of the time nowadays confirmed that he certainly hadn't forgotten me. He melts me.
We've booked our trip to India in Sept - a month long jaunt around Rajasthan (think Camels in the desert, palaces, blue cities, pink cities etc. etc.) We're in the process of "travelising" Bodhi (teaching him Uno, building up his walking legs, exposing him to botulism etc. etc.) so on Saturday I took him for a walk around Albert Park Lake. Considering it's a pretty large area, imagine my surprise that the one place he tripped over is the very same spot a dog owner elected not to clean up after it's charge. Oh well, this is India we're prepping for.
I was up at a sparrow's fart on Sunday to watch Barcelona teach Manchester Utd (and the world) to dance. After another lap of the lake (myself this time) and a bit of faffing around the house, we went out for a cracking pub lunch. Pretty sure i've mentioned The Terminus before, but incase i haven't - it's a must visit gastro pub in Melb. My plate was unashamedly licked clean of any remaining scraps from the steak and chips that had accompanied it to the table, and considering that The Lovely Samantha rarely raves about anything beyond the bedroom, I'm to understand that her soup was also to die for.
see ya,
Minas.
We've booked our trip to India in Sept - a month long jaunt around Rajasthan (think Camels in the desert, palaces, blue cities, pink cities etc. etc.) We're in the process of "travelising" Bodhi (teaching him Uno, building up his walking legs, exposing him to botulism etc. etc.) so on Saturday I took him for a walk around Albert Park Lake. Considering it's a pretty large area, imagine my surprise that the one place he tripped over is the very same spot a dog owner elected not to clean up after it's charge. Oh well, this is India we're prepping for.
I was up at a sparrow's fart on Sunday to watch Barcelona teach Manchester Utd (and the world) to dance. After another lap of the lake (myself this time) and a bit of faffing around the house, we went out for a cracking pub lunch. Pretty sure i've mentioned The Terminus before, but incase i haven't - it's a must visit gastro pub in Melb. My plate was unashamedly licked clean of any remaining scraps from the steak and chips that had accompanied it to the table, and considering that The Lovely Samantha rarely raves about anything beyond the bedroom, I'm to understand that her soup was also to die for.
see ya,
Minas.
Sunday, 8 May 2011
Happy Mother's Day
A Friday night TV dinner got the weekend off to a typical start, although the potato bake that The Lovely Samantha made was litterally like sex in a roasting tray it was that good. She's turning into a half decent cook that old girl. Bodhi and I just this weekend put pen on her renewed maternal contract.
Saturday was naff.
A bright and early start on Sunday. With our Sam suffering strained metatarsals, I stepped up and ran for her in the Mother's day classic fundraiser. Finished the 8km in 39mins which had me prancing around all pigeon chested. That was until Sam let slip that her work buddy didn't want to push herself but still ran a sub 32 minutes. Beaten...convincingly...by a girl.
I didn't waste any time after the finish though. Kept going straight down the road, and a left on Chinatown to Yum Cha where I proceeded to replenish the calorie count...and then some.
In keeping with the theme of the day Sam was the center of our attention. With my mum in India, I was able to devote all my attention to The Lovely Lady. I hadn't bothered to make a dinner reservation anywhere and a last minute ring around confirmed i was the only guy who hadn't. It didn't matter though, after Sam had finished cleaning the house she was too tired to do anything anyway. Ever the thoughtful partner, i let her put her feet up while i slaved over the phone ordering pizza. A bottle of plonk and a DVD put the finishing touches on a truly romantic evening.
Chivalry - there's not too many of us left.
see ya,
Minas.
Saturday was naff.
A bright and early start on Sunday. With our Sam suffering strained metatarsals, I stepped up and ran for her in the Mother's day classic fundraiser. Finished the 8km in 39mins which had me prancing around all pigeon chested. That was until Sam let slip that her work buddy didn't want to push herself but still ran a sub 32 minutes. Beaten...convincingly...by a girl.
I didn't waste any time after the finish though. Kept going straight down the road, and a left on Chinatown to Yum Cha where I proceeded to replenish the calorie count...and then some.
In keeping with the theme of the day Sam was the center of our attention. With my mum in India, I was able to devote all my attention to The Lovely Lady. I hadn't bothered to make a dinner reservation anywhere and a last minute ring around confirmed i was the only guy who hadn't. It didn't matter though, after Sam had finished cleaning the house she was too tired to do anything anyway. Ever the thoughtful partner, i let her put her feet up while i slaved over the phone ordering pizza. A bottle of plonk and a DVD put the finishing touches on a truly romantic evening.
Chivalry - there's not too many of us left.
see ya,
Minas.
Monday, 2 May 2011
Fairy Floss
Hey;
A few weekends have gone under the bridge since the last update.
Easter was a fun. We used the long break to explore the Limestone Coast of South Australia. Highlights include one the longest Jetty in Australia (770m) just outside our beachside bungalow in Beachport, the impressive Naracoorte cave system and Coonawarra wineries. But they were nothing compared to what we saw on the way back in a small town outside Ballarat.
We'd been driving all morning and decided to stop for a picnic lunch. Like Nero, having feasted resoundingly on the delicacies A Lovely Concubine had laid before me, I lay back in the afternoon sun, looking up into the sky pondering the mysteries of life - like whether or not i could stomach another piece of chicken. While looking towards heaven, it was only due to the polarised sunnies that I witnessed the most amazing thing. The sky was literally filled with millions of strands of gossamer. I've never seen anything like it before. I felt like an ant in a fairy floss machine. Amazing.
Now there's nothing like a short week. Two in a row for us. This week was great, just three days. It meant we didn't have to wait too long for the Royal wedding and I'll admit, I was a sucker for it.
We checked out Fitzroy artist markets on Sat. Dinner at home in front of the TV.
On Sunday Sam smashed me with a personal training session (I still can't raise my arms above my shoulders). In the arvo I headed into town for some beers and footy at the G with guys from work. Booze, rain, biffo and a four-n-twenty - I'm certainly warming to AFL. Home in time to catch the last of the logies on TV and the rim of the toilet bowl with a purge. Still not sure which upset my stomach more, the beers or some of the ladies outfits.
see ya,
Minas.
A few weekends have gone under the bridge since the last update.
Easter was a fun. We used the long break to explore the Limestone Coast of South Australia. Highlights include one the longest Jetty in Australia (770m) just outside our beachside bungalow in Beachport, the impressive Naracoorte cave system and Coonawarra wineries. But they were nothing compared to what we saw on the way back in a small town outside Ballarat.
We'd been driving all morning and decided to stop for a picnic lunch. Like Nero, having feasted resoundingly on the delicacies A Lovely Concubine had laid before me, I lay back in the afternoon sun, looking up into the sky pondering the mysteries of life - like whether or not i could stomach another piece of chicken. While looking towards heaven, it was only due to the polarised sunnies that I witnessed the most amazing thing. The sky was literally filled with millions of strands of gossamer. I've never seen anything like it before. I felt like an ant in a fairy floss machine. Amazing.
Now there's nothing like a short week. Two in a row for us. This week was great, just three days. It meant we didn't have to wait too long for the Royal wedding and I'll admit, I was a sucker for it.
We checked out Fitzroy artist markets on Sat. Dinner at home in front of the TV.
On Sunday Sam smashed me with a personal training session (I still can't raise my arms above my shoulders). In the arvo I headed into town for some beers and footy at the G with guys from work. Booze, rain, biffo and a four-n-twenty - I'm certainly warming to AFL. Home in time to catch the last of the logies on TV and the rim of the toilet bowl with a purge. Still not sure which upset my stomach more, the beers or some of the ladies outfits.
see ya,
Minas.
Monday, 11 April 2011
UNO
Hiya;
I'm going to come clean with you all. I've been diagnosed with a life threatening version of the flu. Self diagnosed, but diagnosed none the less.
Despite my illness, some things can't be postponed so we went into the city on Saturday with the aim of buying The Lovely Samantha an iPhone. Returned home without said phone, but I bought a shiny new pair of sneakers instead (I self prescribed them to assist with my recovery).
They're my first new pair of sneakers in years and I amazed how far sneaker technology has come since i last bought a pair. Even the shoe laces on my shiny new iridescent orange joggers are designed with aerodynamics in mind (so says the encyclopedic care tag that came with them). They are so sexy I even wore them to bed...until Sam found out and made me take them off (She can be so anal sometimes).
We've started teaching Bodhi to play UNO (card game). I planned it so that we'll have something to pass the time during our India travels happening later in the year. With Sunday's temperature giving little reason for the mercury to get excited, it was perfect UNO conditions.
see ya,
Minas
I'm going to come clean with you all. I've been diagnosed with a life threatening version of the flu. Self diagnosed, but diagnosed none the less.
Despite my illness, some things can't be postponed so we went into the city on Saturday with the aim of buying The Lovely Samantha an iPhone. Returned home without said phone, but I bought a shiny new pair of sneakers instead (I self prescribed them to assist with my recovery).
They're my first new pair of sneakers in years and I amazed how far sneaker technology has come since i last bought a pair. Even the shoe laces on my shiny new iridescent orange joggers are designed with aerodynamics in mind (so says the encyclopedic care tag that came with them). They are so sexy I even wore them to bed...until Sam found out and made me take them off (She can be so anal sometimes).
We've started teaching Bodhi to play UNO (card game). I planned it so that we'll have something to pass the time during our India travels happening later in the year. With Sunday's temperature giving little reason for the mercury to get excited, it was perfect UNO conditions.
see ya,
Minas
Tuesday, 5 April 2011
Friday night's a great night for football.
Hey Kids;
My perfect Friday night started with a flight home to my family (in Sydney surprise surprise), pizza, cold beer and pre-recorded NRL game of the week. I ask you, does it get any better?
Saturday involved driving around town catching up with all and sundry. Surprised the Nonna with a visit which made her day and added a spring in her step.
The afternoon & early evening were spent across the road at Hari's fourth birthday bash (dress up theme). The Lovely Samantha slaved tirelessly all week on Bodhi's dragon costume which was slick. Her choice of chocolate coloured shiny material for scales meant Bodhi looked more like a Soul brother, Saturday night fever type of dragon than the Merlin/Lord of the Rings garden variety, which is probably befitting the little diva he is.
It's quite lucky we were in Sydney on Saturday night, being the final of the cricket world cup and all. With India Vs Sri Lanka, had we been in Melbourne, we'd have had fat chance finding a taxi.
Sunday was more catchups with the rest of the Sydney sundry then an early morning flight back to work on Monday.
see ya,
Minas.
My perfect Friday night started with a flight home to my family (in Sydney surprise surprise), pizza, cold beer and pre-recorded NRL game of the week. I ask you, does it get any better?
Saturday involved driving around town catching up with all and sundry. Surprised the Nonna with a visit which made her day and added a spring in her step.
The afternoon & early evening were spent across the road at Hari's fourth birthday bash (dress up theme). The Lovely Samantha slaved tirelessly all week on Bodhi's dragon costume which was slick. Her choice of chocolate coloured shiny material for scales meant Bodhi looked more like a Soul brother, Saturday night fever type of dragon than the Merlin/Lord of the Rings garden variety, which is probably befitting the little diva he is.
It's quite lucky we were in Sydney on Saturday night, being the final of the cricket world cup and all. With India Vs Sri Lanka, had we been in Melbourne, we'd have had fat chance finding a taxi.
Sunday was more catchups with the rest of the Sydney sundry then an early morning flight back to work on Monday.
see ya,
Minas.
Tuesday, 29 March 2011
Gippo
We were down in Gippo this weekend. I'm assuming that quintessential Aussie tradition - shortening a name and suffixing an 'O' - was alive back in the 1800s when the region got it's name from old George Gipps. Would his mates have called him Gippo? Who knows. What I can tell you is that he must have been a good looker as that is some pretty stunning countryside down there. Come to think of it, we've been down in Gippo two weekends straight.
The first was at friend's parent's place in San Remo. The balcony alone was worth the drive, looking effortlessly over the bay and French Island. We attempted nothing more
than chillaxing and achieved it in spades.
This weekend was a little different - a camping, music festival in the rolling hills outside Loch. If there's one thing i learnt this weekend, there's nothing like a good music festival to make you realise you're too old for music festivals. When Bodhi woke up at 2am in the tent, music still blaring outside, declaring 
that he wanted to go home, i really couldn't blame him. It's sad really. The festival was everything you'd want it to be. Nice & cosy, small intimate setting in lovely rolling countryside, good music, great company...just wished they'd turned the volume down at 8:30ish when grandpas like me enjoy going to sleep...instead of 3am when grandpas like me tend to wake.
BTW - I went to my first ever AFL game at The G last week - Richmond and Carlton, and while you'd never catch me in a pair of their shorts, i dare say you'll catch me at the G again - bloody exciting stuff!
Up there Cazaly!
Minas.
The first was at friend's parent's place in San Remo. The balcony alone was worth the drive, looking effortlessly over the bay and French Island. We attempted nothing more
than chillaxing and achieved it in spades.
This weekend was a little different - a camping, music festival in the rolling hills outside Loch. If there's one thing i learnt this weekend, there's nothing like a good music festival to make you realise you're too old for music festivals. When Bodhi woke up at 2am in the tent, music still blaring outside, declaring 
that he wanted to go home, i really couldn't blame him. It's sad really. The festival was everything you'd want it to be. Nice & cosy, small intimate setting in lovely rolling countryside, good music, great company...just wished they'd turned the volume down at 8:30ish when grandpas like me enjoy going to sleep...instead of 3am when grandpas like me tend to wake.BTW - I went to my first ever AFL game at The G last week - Richmond and Carlton, and while you'd never catch me in a pair of their shorts, i dare say you'll catch me at the G again - bloody exciting stuff!
Up there Cazaly!
Minas.
Tuesday, 15 March 2011
Moomba
Hey There;
Ironically I was working in Sydney Thurs & Fri meaning I had to fly back to Melb to be with the family for the long weekend. The dead silence in the airport lounge on Friday afternoon as everyone sat glued to the streaming footage of the Japanese Tsunami will stay with me for a while.
The Lovely Samantha's sister was in town this weekend. She's
releasing her first solo album soon and had asked for some promo shots. We spent all hours of Friday and Saturday nights in and around the city shooting different options. Incredibly tiring work, particularly in light of the sapping all day vendor meetings I'd been in while in Sydney. We managed one or two decent shots out of the whole time which while hopefully come to some use.
This long weekend was The Moomba Festival. The purpose of the festival escapes me (and everyone else i asked for that matter). I've a hunch that it's just an excuse for yet another street parade.
With lovely weather all weekend, a Monday afternoon session at Shalome's new digs was the perfect way to round it out. I had such a blast that come midnight i decided to call God on the porcelain phone and tell him all about it.
Fun morning back at work,
Minas.
Ironically I was working in Sydney Thurs & Fri meaning I had to fly back to Melb to be with the family for the long weekend. The dead silence in the airport lounge on Friday afternoon as everyone sat glued to the streaming footage of the Japanese Tsunami will stay with me for a while.
The Lovely Samantha's sister was in town this weekend. She's
releasing her first solo album soon and had asked for some promo shots. We spent all hours of Friday and Saturday nights in and around the city shooting different options. Incredibly tiring work, particularly in light of the sapping all day vendor meetings I'd been in while in Sydney. We managed one or two decent shots out of the whole time which while hopefully come to some use.This long weekend was The Moomba Festival. The purpose of the festival escapes me (and everyone else i asked for that matter). I've a hunch that it's just an excuse for yet another street parade.
With lovely weather all weekend, a Monday afternoon session at Shalome's new digs was the perfect way to round it out. I had such a blast that come midnight i decided to call God on the porcelain phone and tell him all about it.
Fun morning back at work,
Minas.
Sunday, 27 February 2011
Goodbyes
On Friday we said goodbye to my boss' boss, a sabbatical brought forward by what I'm told is a biannual blood letting un-affectionately know as a "spill-n-fill". The heartfelt tributes on the achievements of a sixteen year career did make me stop and reflect upon my career to date. The past decade has certainly had benefits, but having not left any lasting legacy anywhere is a small regret.
This weekend flew low on the radar. Saturday afternoon BBQ with Shalome et al., home to a DVD.
Sunday was cold and wet. The kind of morning you wake up and just imagine how wonderful it would be for someone to bring you tea and French toast in bed. Cue The Lovely Samantha. Shoot me the next time I complain.
see ya,
Minas.
www.minasaroney.com.au
This weekend flew low on the radar. Saturday afternoon BBQ with Shalome et al., home to a DVD.
Sunday was cold and wet. The kind of morning you wake up and just imagine how wonderful it would be for someone to bring you tea and French toast in bed. Cue The Lovely Samantha. Shoot me the next time I complain.
see ya,
Minas.
www.minasaroney.com.au
Sunday, 20 February 2011
Birthday Boys
The beauty of a cold climate is that you can dress appropriately for it, possibly the one failing of hotter, humid environs. This weekend in Sydney was stifling. The trees wouldn’t move a leaf for fear of breaking some kind of listless covenant in honour of our return home. When it’s cold you layer up, but when it’s hot there’s only so much you can strip off until you’re down to your birthday suit which was fortuitous timing (I suppose) being Bodhi & my birthday weekend.
The thematic inspiration for our combined Saturday affair was sourced 
from that much maligned humble haircut - The Mullet (All business at the front, party at the back). The business half was Bodhi’s – a regimented afternoon schedule of organised games to keep the little sugar vacuums entertained. The party bit, a slight misnomer, all mine – kids asleep, adults relaxing with some nice food and drink under the stars.
At Bodhi’s request we decked out the backyard in princess pink pom poms, streamers and balloons. I’ll admit, a little self-centered part of me wonders if/when this princess tiara phase will wear off, but the selfless part just says chillax, so I did (Buddha would be proud). Despite comments of a wedding chapel semblance to our backyard, the only vows exchanged were to ensure that we come home more regularly.
After the 34 degree heat and unbearable humidity of Sydney, flying back to Melbourne’s much more sensible 16 degrees was a cool blessing. Bodhi celebrated his transition to boyhood by sleeping sans nappy.
They grow up so fast.
Happy birthday my boy,
Minas.
Monday, 14 February 2011
Campers
Hey All;
We headed out of town this weekend for a camping trip deep into The Otways. Our companions were an old colleague (from PwC days) and his family. Being a regular contributor to 4WD and off-roading magazines, Rob's family were quite the outdoors folk. In the tent pitching stakes we were well and truly caught with our fly down as they put up theirs and were reclining with a fresh pot
of billy tea while we were still reading instructions.
While i'm certainly not complaining about our tent (it satisfies all our basic needs), during our stay my mind was opened to the wonderful possibilities of camper trailers (the kind that you tow to a campsite, fold it out like a concertina, et voila). Affectionately titled "Marriage Savers", they're positioned as the middle ground between the requirements of a bit chomping husband, rearing to prove his manhood on the battlefield of primal survival...and those of the Lovely Samantha. Priced between 10k-30k it may just be the cheapest holiday house we'll ever be able to afford, but certainly not justifiable without good cause - cue our as yet unconfirmed potential trip around Australia sometime in the next decade (or so). Based on that solid justification, I've booked in for the sales consultants to run me through their fleet of 2011 campers with all mod cons.
In betweeen waterfalls and wombats, kids, Kookaburras and hollow promise of Koalas we just generally enjoyed the Victorian bush. Sam worked her culinary wonders (yet again) preparing every meal in advance. We dined on such staple camp fare as greek spanakopita, red cabbage salad and japanese brown rice salmon balls to name a few.
Home in the late afternoon to a nice Melbourne evening and the sounds of the St Kilda festival wafting over the airwaves and into our abode.
see ya,
Minas.
We headed out of town this weekend for a camping trip deep into The Otways. Our companions were an old colleague (from PwC days) and his family. Being a regular contributor to 4WD and off-roading magazines, Rob's family were quite the outdoors folk. In the tent pitching stakes we were well and truly caught with our fly down as they put up theirs and were reclining with a fresh potof billy tea while we were still reading instructions.
While i'm certainly not complaining about our tent (it satisfies all our basic needs), during our stay my mind was opened to the wonderful possibilities of camper trailers (the kind that you tow to a campsite, fold it out like a concertina, et voila). Affectionately titled "Marriage Savers", they're positioned as the middle ground between the requirements of a bit chomping husband, rearing to prove his manhood on the battlefield of primal survival...and those of the Lovely Samantha. Priced between 10k-30k it may just be the cheapest holiday house we'll ever be able to afford, but certainly not justifiable without good cause - cue our as yet unconfirmed potential trip around Australia sometime in the next decade (or so). Based on that solid justification, I've booked in for the sales consultants to run me through their fleet of 2011 campers with all mod cons.
In betweeen waterfalls and wombats, kids, Kookaburras and hollow promise of Koalas we just generally enjoyed the Victorian bush. Sam worked her culinary wonders (yet again) preparing every meal in advance. We dined on such staple camp fare as greek spanakopita, red cabbage salad and japanese brown rice salmon balls to name a few.
Home in the late afternoon to a nice Melbourne evening and the sounds of the St Kilda festival wafting over the airwaves and into our abode.
see ya,
Minas.
Monday, 31 January 2011
Fitness Freak
Building on my recent fitness flurry, I started Friday evening off with another run around the Albert Park circuit. Technically it’s 4.6km, but when discussing with others, for simplicity sake, I just round it up to an even 10km.
Rounding the final bend I was greeted by the outstretched arms of a little angel in the form of a tutu clad Bodhi complete with strap on cardboard wings, and The Lovely Samantha with a picnic hamper. And, while the magical lakeside sunset did its best to keep up, it just couldn’t hold a flame to Sam’s heavenly creations. Shoot me next time I complain…about anything.
On Saturday we ventured across town to the other end of Punt Rd for a cracking steak with hand cut chips at The Terminus in Clifton Hill. With the Mercury tripping the light fantastic around the high thirties, nothing more strenuous was attempted.
Bodhi and I joined half of Melbourne for a swim at the aquatic center on Sunday. The mercury ventured even higher so the afternoon was spent indoors in front of DVDs. Jack and the Beanstalk was a little too scary but Horton Hears a Who hit the sweet spot – twice. I tell ya, that Dr Seuss was a pioneer of the moral compass: “A person’s a person no matter how small”.
See ya,
Minas.
Monday, 24 January 2011
Bachelor Weekend
Shalome and I kicked off Friday night, sans families, with a pub crawl starting sensibly enough with beer and wine at The College Lawn (my local). A brace of flavoured vodka shots at the next place, The Lucky Coq, tipped the sensibility scales against us and the cornicopia of cocktails that followed at bars such as Tusk Back Bar and Wonderland shoed away all remaining descency.
It was all part of a cunning plan to punish Shalome for attempting to scale back the evening by organising an early morning run on Saturday. Who does that? I haven't heard from her since so I trust she learnt a valuable lesson.
Onto Saturday. It might surprise you to know that i've been in the market for a muscle
car for some time. My frugale nature is the only chastity belt standing in the way of my cherry being popped. This weekend's hot rod show was the perfect avenue to continue window shopping and The Lovely Samantha would have been proud - I shopped till i dropped.
I could never imagine loving another, but I have to be honest in admitting that a little 1967 Mustang Fastback has got me all hot and sweaty under the collar. Once restored, these things are an absolute leg opener.
After a solid day of full throttled temptation and red hot love flowing through my pistons, the animal in me wanted nothing more than to rip into a bloody steak
and howl at the full moon rising.
The hot steamy night was too much to stay indoors so I packed the camera in my bag and headed into town. It was on the St Kilda Rd bridge that I glanced to my right and spotted another creature of the night with the same idea.
Boring Domestic shuffle took up the best part of Sunday morning. That afternoon, attempting to jog around Albert park again, I tried a novel suggestion from The Lovely Samantha to prevent further injury. Stretching before and after running gets my tick of approval.
see ya,
Minas.
It was all part of a cunning plan to punish Shalome for attempting to scale back the evening by organising an early morning run on Saturday. Who does that? I haven't heard from her since so I trust she learnt a valuable lesson.
Onto Saturday. It might surprise you to know that i've been in the market for a muscle
car for some time. My frugale nature is the only chastity belt standing in the way of my cherry being popped. This weekend's hot rod show was the perfect avenue to continue window shopping and The Lovely Samantha would have been proud - I shopped till i dropped.I could never imagine loving another, but I have to be honest in admitting that a little 1967 Mustang Fastback has got me all hot and sweaty under the collar. Once restored, these things are an absolute leg opener.
After a solid day of full throttled temptation and red hot love flowing through my pistons, the animal in me wanted nothing more than to rip into a bloody steak
and howl at the full moon rising.The hot steamy night was too much to stay indoors so I packed the camera in my bag and headed into town. It was on the St Kilda Rd bridge that I glanced to my right and spotted another creature of the night with the same idea.
Boring Domestic shuffle took up the best part of Sunday morning. That afternoon, attempting to jog around Albert park again, I tried a novel suggestion from The Lovely Samantha to prevent further injury. Stretching before and after running gets my tick of approval.
see ya,
Minas.
Monday, 17 January 2011
Eyes in the back of your head
I took Bodhi for a long walk into the city on Saturday. I’d left my bike in at work on Friday and thought I’d take him with me to pick it up and give The Lovely Samantha a break. To ride the bike back though I had to bring in his bike seat and helmet which must have looked very interesting strapped to my backpack a la MasterBlaster (without the leather).
Not much doing Saturday night. Sam and I threw caution to the wind with microwave popcorn and chocolate in front of a DVD. When Bodhi questioned me on the Toblerone wrapper the next morning, I immediately regretted my answer. I’m picturing him today telling everyone at day care that Mum and Dad had an adults only “special party” after he went to bed on Sat night.
Sunday morning, while Sam took Shalome for a workout session, I looked after Scarlett and Bodhi. Needing to do some shopping, I ambitiously decided to take them with me. Through nothing more than sheer luck, they were both returned to their parents in one piece.
After a glutinous lunch with friends, guilt got the better of me. In the arvo I decided to go for a jog around Albert Park and I’m not sure what’s more incredible – that I made it all the way without stopping, or the pain I’m feeling in my legs today.
See ya,
Minas.
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