november update - JT, Gabe's Bday, Padua Reunion

GAWD. Another monthly update. I thought I had beaten it this time!
Oh well...

Wassup?

Summer soccer has been on and it is prettey coo. We are 2 wins and 1 narrow loss which is groovy and the team is cool. The boys pass to the girls (still not enough probably) and the girls even score and keep goal! (well Cherie is the only girl to do either and both!)

I went down to Sydney twice last week. Firstly midweek for JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE, or rather to justify my $150. It was justified mainly on the fact that I went, the 'show' was good, and I can say I went to see Justin Timberlake. JT's target audience, e.g. Gabe's GF Lily, on the otherhand was well satisfied. Of course I am in the (low) demographic of the audience that wanted to get my dance on, but the 'I'm going to stand here and scream for 2 hours, OMG it's Justin! I want to have your babies!' section of the crowd had it's way and the set list played like a tempo yo-yo. First an upbeat song, followed immediately by a slow accoustic piano ballad, followed by a dance hit... all night! Alas. The show closed with SexyBack and an uber laser-lighting, bass-pumping extravaganza that was totally awesome. Unfortunately I had vainly hoped the whole show would be like that. In hindsight it reminded me of the first time I listened through the second album - yeah it was good, but I forgot that he likes lots of slow songs just like in the first album, so I really should have seen it coming. JT himself was very groovy, is a hell of a performer and was very entertaining despite the single brain cell audience interactivity level.

The next day was annoying as I got up off the couch (late), decided against showering and drove home. Next time it will be first thing in the morning to get back for work (+ a shower), or chillax all day and come home late. In the middle... SUX. After driving home at midday I was pretty shattered when I finally got out of the car.

I was back up on Friday though, doing more damage to my tired skin, but saving lots of water from lack of personal hygene. I started off sweaty after sprinting to my 2pm bus when I discovered at 1:45 that the 5pm was full. Sydney was a load of fun though, Gabe can always be relied on to throw a good bash, and there was drinking and dancing to be had till late. Gabe's roommate and his infantile drug buddies on the other hand... OMG! Like a pack of my brother (who is still throwing off teenage angst), but suped up on a cocktail of illicit drugs = Loud little inconsiderate fucks who can't keep their voice down ringing every one on their mobile phone contacts lists while daddy or drug dealing is paying the bill and screaming at everyone their inane teenage babble till past morning and almost into the goddamn afternoon!! *pant* Incidently I was up in Sydney for Gabe's Bday.

Vj and I bussed it home as soon as we got up. I showered at home, had a bite, then was off to the Padua Year 10 - 10 Year Reunion. It was prettey coo although not mindblowing. I got to see a few peeps I hadn't seen in ages, and it turns out the Mawson Club is quite nice... too bad it's in Mawson. That's all I'll say about that here for teh moment.

Cooness. There's a good place to stop haha.

AWESOME WEEKEND

My weekend was AWESOME.
It began with soccer on Saturday. After being almost completely crippled on Friday morning I was unsure whether or not I would play any part at all in the game. However I felt fit enough during warm up to make a contribution and was hitting the ball well after having a few swings at goal during warm up with my mega-football, the Adidas +Teamgeist World Cup Final Matchball.

However no referee showed up which meant I took on the whistle blowing duty for the first half of the game. The first half ended nil all and eager to take the field I handed the reins over to a volunteer from the other team. I had good reason to be anxious given the history my team has had with 'opposition referees'. Fortunately I had no reason to complain on this occasion as the referee was so unbiased he promptly blew for a penalty after I burst into the box and had my feet clipped from behind. Croxy confidently tucked it away for 1-0 and what was looking like a very good result. However Belwest hit back with a well placed header albeit from a very shallow cross.
With 2 points potentially gone Pat won a free kick on the edge of the area I had been practising at earlier. With a small wall presenting me with a big target I tempted my luck and struck a sweet free kick. The ball found it's way around the wall but was largely straight at the keeper and at a good height for him. However the pace, or the late vision or his ill thought decision to parry or punch left him floundering as the ball powered through him and into the top of the net!
With only minutes left, my first free kick goal won us the game and fulfilled my vow to win all 3 games remaining before I left for Asia that I made after our humiliating defeat to Tuggeranong.
Straight after soccer Steph and bo Sid were waiting to head to Sydney for the ballet and we were off. The Paris Ballet Opera performance of Jewels was wonderful. Sid liked the brash, comical, sexy Rubies inspired by the NY ballet scene, and Steph and Amy both preferred the romantic arisian Emeralds act. My narrow favorite over emeralds was the majestic russian Diamonds closing act. The technique was far more demanding than that in the Bourne production of Swan Lake we saw earlier in the year, especially in Emeralds and Diamonds, but the intensity of the emotional drama in the narrative driven Swan Lake was certainly missing from the largely plotless choreography. However that is not to say there was no emotion, especially in Emeralds, which was at times breathtakingly beautiful in dance and music. The stately pas de deux in Diamonds was a highlight for me, especially the male etoile who commanded such an impressive stage presence at all times.
Following the conclusion of the ballet Sid was into the nearest bar to watch the thugby before the applause had finished :P Amy and I followed shortly after to watch the Socceroos play Singapore. We needn't have rushed. The first half was almost appallingly bad were desperately lucky not to go into the break 1-0 down after Singapore crashed a header against the bar, completely unchallenged from the corner. As it was Australia finally ground out a slender lead with Mark Viduka nodding a close range header into the net. However Singapore could have been leading 2-1 after another attack ended with a shot finding the post and, fortunately for Australia, glancing out of play. Then on came one Mr. Harry Kewell. With 30 minutes or less remaining Kewell showed what he was all about, and what Australia had been missing in the first hour, promptly scoring a goal with a low drive off of his weaker right foot and then sending in a sweet cross after a run down the left flank that landed square on Duke's head which he duly powered home for a flattering 3-0 final scoreline.
To be fair dinner was slightly less awesome. $5 cocktails in the Chamberlain Hotel (where we watched the game) was groovy. After the final whistle, with most everything shut at 11pm I partook of reheated thin and crispy vego pizza and garlic bread from Amy's empty fridge (which was actually pretty tasty) before I retired after an awesome day! :D