RE: Fresh air

I went up the coast to visit my parents in their new house. My dad didn't really want to move out of Sydney (and away from his kids and grandkids) but Mum has had this plan in her head for as long as anyone can remember.

Dad was in a pretty good mood, but mum commented to me that he does nothing but complain. I can see why he complains, he's got a lot of adjusting to do. Hopefully my mum gets sick of it up there and wants to move back to Sydney in a year or so.

My sister, bro-in-law and their 4 kids arrived a few hours after I settled in. Fuck those kids wear you out. I don't know how my sister does it.

Most of the previous pics were taken on Sunday morning when I went for a 40 minute walk around some of the beaches before heading up to the local craft market where I bought some beautiful honey, olives and macadamia oil.

It was nice to get out of Sydney.. if only for about 24 hours. Next time I'll try and get up there on Friday night so I at least have a full day that doesn't include travelling.

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my nephews

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if only i could upload fresh air

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Pretty

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bagnalls beach

Religion

The arrival of the Pope in Sydney for World Youth Day has sparked much discussion about Religion. The ridiculous laws that have been introduced (one can be arrested and charged $5,500 for wearing a Tshirt with a slogan deemed "annoying") and has fuelled a lot of hate towards the Catholic church.

I consider myself a recovering Catholic. I don't have anything against the Catholic Church, I just don't agree with loads of their beliefs although I still find myself brainwashed into the whole "guilt thing" (13 years of Catholic school does that to you). People are free to believe whatever they want, even if it is a crock of shit, it's the forcing of one's opinion on others that shits me.

Well they say you shouldn't speak about Religion or Politics, but when you are a bit trashed and sitting with some close friends who share similar views it's quite easy to let rip.

Saturday afternoon Chris had a BBQ which got a little messy (I still haven't had a drink, I'm up to day 42 of being booze free). People started getting creative and sharing their ideas for "annoying" T-shirts when someone remarked that Religion should be illegal. It made me think that Religion would be so much cooler if it was forced underground.

Last night I went to this church, it was set up in some old warehouse - you had to ring a special number an hour before mass started to find out where it was. They had this beautiful projection of a crucifix on the wall that that kept pulsating. It looked like it was breathing. The priest was totally righteous... and the hymn selection was divine. We must have said mass 3 times. The communion wafers had stamps of IHS on them, and they had a split on score on the back. I was exhausted by the end of it but I felt heavenly. It was put on by some guys called the Catholics or something? I got a flyer for this other thing put on by Raelians next week, its got pictures of UFOs and shit on it, it looks mad.

Presets Review, Metro Theatre, 13/6/08

As requested by Joe*to*hell

I rocked up to the show with Chris, Gaz and Jeff. Chris and I were lucky enough to be in the front section of the moshpit.

Taking the stage (lit in UV lights) in a pink sports coat, Julian took his place behind the keyboard as Kim sat behind the drums, the crowd roared as they had been waiting so long for The Presets to play a show in their hometown.

They started their set with a very cool live version of "Talk like that" with the entire crowd singing along, "uh oh". It set a great mood for the show.

They played their entire new album (except for my favourite track, "If i know you", but that was my only criticism of the show).

They also played some oldies, a very cool live version of "Steamworks", "Are you the one", Down down down", "Girl and the sea".

The encore consisted of "Together" which had a real rave feel when they turned on their lasers for the first time in the show. The crowd went ape-shit. Then they played "I go hard, I go home" and I couldn't help but jump around like a maniac.

I couldn't sleep after the show.. I felt so completely wired and the only chemicals I had consumed was the caffeine (and phenylalanine) in a glass of diet coke.

This year's best show.

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whatever indeed.

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wtf?

still going

I still haven't had a drink, although I did have a dream the other night that I drank half a beer before realising that I was off the booze. I hate dreams like that. I haven't had a cigarette for years and I still have dreams that I've taken it up again.

My health kick is going really well, I've even started walking to and from work. It takes about 50 minutes each way and it's quite a colourful walk. I wander through East Redfern to Crown St, and keep walking til I get to Woolloomooloo. I noticed that I walk past 2 gyms and I've even contemplated joining one of them (even though I am a still a member at a gym that I don't like).

Tomorrow I am off to see Grafton Primary with a few mates, very much looking fwd to that.

Other than that I've been reading quite a bit. I just finished Toyboy by Holly Hill which was as thought provoking as her first book, Sugarbabe.

I recommend that you read both of them.

Other than that, life is good. Did I mention that I feel really good? Well, I do.