No laptop and no net connection make Rez something, something

Wow, ok.. last post was just after being robbed. Which now seems so far away, well it would if we hadn't been robbed a mere 4 months later!!! Luckily (I say that tongue in cheek, really) I had nothing taken. The fuckers ransacked my room worse than last time but missed my ipod THANK YOU GOD!!!! I still don't have a laptop but sweet justice prevailed... the guy who robbed us the second time round was caught on an unrelated charge and confessed to several thefts in the area. He is in jail now. Good times.

To more good times from 2009... Marrakech with Andy in January after farewelling Rob for a second time when he came to stay while trying to sell his van tour van, New York and LA to be reunited with Matt and help him on his transition to London (finally!!!!!!!) - have too much to say about the US for this time and space except to say that I am definitely going back and definitely applying for a work visa, Cardiff on the May bank holiday and many awesomeness gigs - Missy Higgins (Terminal 5, NYC), Ben Lee (Free gig! Indigo, O2 Arena), Chris Cornell/White Lies/Ladyhawke at free NME gig (after 2 failed attempts, Chris finally shows up when I'm supposed to see him!), Living End (who tore Koko a new one! No bias..), Pink (how she performs acrobatics and sings at the same time I'll NEVER know) and Juliette Lewis. Amazingly, ahead I've still got Cold War Kids this evening (arh!), Faith No More and Eagles of Death Metal next month (double arh!!!) and Green Day in October following my third Reading Festival. I am going to miss all this city has to offer one day.

Add to that watching the Oxford/Cambridge boat race for the first time since arriving in London, surviving the G20 Summit which was demonstrated at about 50metres from my place of work, seeing Priscilla the stage show (brilliant), V and I celebrating our third anniversary with drinks atop the Gherkin (followed by much drinking and karaoke), finally visiting Abbey Road and doing 'the' crossing; and I'd say that it's been a damn good year so far - and I've not even hit the dreaded 25 (that's tomorrow...).

Oh and I recently moved house, I'm now residing in Wandsworth. Yes, I am a sooowfsider, innit. Was about time I rejuvenated my love of London with a change of pace and setting. Bring on summer in Clapham Common!

Cops n Robbers

So. Being burgled bites.

I always believed in karma... not sure what I did to deserve having my personal belongings rifled through then stolen, but I believe that whomever now has possesion of my laptop, phone and random coin collection (first time I ever saved gold in my collection... fuckers!!) will get theirs one day.

I hope they get completely undersold for the resale of our things.

I still feel totally violated but people keep saying it's just another thing I'll grow from. I think I've done way too much "growing" in the past 2 years.

Summers come and go

So it's 1 September and I have succumed to the fact that that was it. "Summer", as I saw glimpses of it, is leaving us. This morning there was some frost and dew on cars and the mornings are noticably darker (NOT helping in my bid to make the gym before work now instead of after). The best weather I had was abroad and for 10 sweet days the German sun beat down on us. Alas, it's all a distant memory now, but I can't complain, we have had a few good days here and about this time last year I was rounding off an amazing 6 weeks off work and Spanish living.

Since Germany I've farewelled some very good friends (sniff sniff, miss you Robyn, Rob and Amber!!), rocked out at V Festival, Filter, Gavin Rossdale and Hilltop Hoods; warmed my new house (love to the Bray), been stranded in a wind and rain englufed Newquay forcing Jack Johnson to cancel on us - but silver lining, got to spend a weekend with our Carol, Raced for Life (beat my personal best whilst raising £165 for cancer research), completed a 4 day 'First Aid at Work' course qualifying me for the next 3 years, visited London Zoo, partied at Notting Hill Carnival and took in a boat ride down the Regent's Canal.

Most devastatingly, in this time I lost all of my 2008 photos due to a very, very nasty virus that attacked my laptop. This also led to loss of 5 holiday blogs I had been working on for some time. My masterpieces, ruined!! Never mind. Am now taking photos at the opening of an envelope just to make up for it.

Not bad for 6 weeks!

September shows no signs of slowing down as I set to farewell at least 4 more people - ok, you can all stop leaving now!!! Also have to fit in our team away day.... TO PARIS, Sneaky Sound System, Millencolin and a few birthdays to boot.

Then follows travels to Dublin to celebrate with Carol on her birthday and Riga in November to go bobsleighing in the snow and many many more gigs to round out the year. More promised blogging to follow!

Rain, rain, go aw.... err FUCK OFF

So it's the middle of July (summer in the northern hemisphere) and the weather forecast is bleaker than ever. Currently it's extremely overcast and has been threatening to rain all morning. This past week we've had bursts of hot sun whereby we all go madly running into any grassy patch we can to soak up said rays only to have to turn around and sulk as soon as the clouds come back. I feel cheated and often wonder why the hell I am still here.

Speaking to friends on van tour (who are approximately between Portugal and Spain right now) only reiterates the poor choice I made of wasting my money during winter. Not being able to join them is punishment, but with news the crew will hit Croatia late August/early September I am planning on keeping a small part of my small (thank you impending recession) bonus to join in on some of the fun.

I can't be completely distressed about things.. it was only two months ago that I was on a 10 day vacation through Holland and Germany which, for the most part, was complemented by 30+ degree heat. I know we live on a small channel island but come on England, pull finger and show me some effing sun!!!


(And in other news trips to Latvia and the US have also been confirmed...)

The system works!

Yes, I have found a complaint forum in London which is effective AND pays off! Surprisingly, it comes in the form of the government's TFL website, whereby an annoyed (VERY annoyed) customer can easily fill in a form and within 2 weeks recieve a response, including a refund for their journey. I feel so placated.

***

Speaking of travel, I have begun the countdown to my first proper holiday of the year (ok, so Blackpool and Gothenburg DID count, but I consider 3 days to be more of a long weekend).

With weather forecast to be 27 and heavy showers for the next few days I had initial reservations about how we'd go camping, but am now prepared for anything just to get out of London!

Tomorrow morning we embark on a train journey to the edge of England (3 hours) where we'll board a ferry to Holland (6 hours) and upon arriving we take another train to Amsterdam (3 hours). Despite the 5am start we're (Az, Rob & Taff - 3 of the best travellers I could have asked for!) actually all pretty excited about the whole trip.

A night in Amsterdam, Pinkpop (finally getting to fulfill the dream of seeing RATM live!), 5 days of driving through German countryside hitting Cologne, Berlin and Hamburg (and ok, ok...yes we're seeing Kylie too).

Rain, hail, shine... bring it on!!

Up to date

2008 thus far (according to folders in 'UK photos 08').... Korn @ Brixton, Australia Day, Waitangi Day, 1 day in the sun (ONE!), a weekend trip to Blackpool, another weekend trip (but this time to the sunny - you can't hear the sarcasm, but it's there) Gothenburg, Sweden, a week off in the country, Kelly Clarkson @ the Apollo and a weekend of snow in London (yes, IN London).

A quiet year so far on the travel front but life dramas keep me more than busy, why would we stay otherwise?!

Househunting, packing and giving lots of junk to charity ensues and the world of Gerald Eve remains busier than ever. Bring on our roadtrip in Germany!

Sinners ARE Winners

So, I've been looking through my 'drafts' list.... Glastonbury, Rome, my school disco birthday, Spain and Portugal, Christmas.... the list goes on. Without proof I must say that the intention to complete these blogs is definitely there. They're half done in most cases!

It was a combination of reading back over what was started as my 'summer holiday' blog when Dylan and I today came up with the idea of Friday cocktails... which lead to contemplating the shooters menu (yes, this is going somewhere) which took my mind back to a little bar called Whyte's in Lagos....

It was July 15 (from what is now a distant and extremely hazy memory). Our last night in Lagos where most of our mates from London had caught us up. It was a hot afternoon. Hell. They all were. We went in search of refreshments and found a bar serving steins of cocktails. Our saviour.

Upon being served we spied a leaderboard of sorts above our heads pertaining to 'The 9 Deadly Sins Challenge'. I, not being one to back away from a competition enquired. This is what I found.

Now. Half of me thought, "Don't be ridiculous. You're taking a 2 hour train ride tomorrow to catch a plane to Madrid from a town you don't know. We promised our body we wouldn't get drunk the night before travelling after what happened in Lisbon...". The other (much more powerful half of me) thought, "Why are we even contemplating this? Get your name on the effing board!!".

As a big group of us had gathered, we'd been talking about the challenge for a good 2 hours. It was time to put up, or shut up.

As I approached the bar Brooke lent me her headband - this would prove vital to saving my hair later. Leigh on one side and Corey on the other (my trusted sidekicks all the way from Lisbon), people started chanting. This is where I started doubting every DECS drinking session I'd ever spearheaded.

I strategically lined the shots up from 'least potential to make me throw up' to 'most potential to make me throw up'. Somewhere between shots 6 and 7 one involving bourbon (satan's drink) would not go down the hatch and Coreys shoes wore a shot or two. I thought this ended the competition but I looked up and the bar chick was waving me on to finish up. The final two were down the hatch and I completed the round in 21 seconds (earning the nickname, 9 in 21). Disgusted that I let it all go heywire, my mates couldn't have been more proud (I'm sure Mum would have slapped me).

I walked away with my free t-shirt and a cocky sense that none of the alcohol had hit me. It was then we thought about starting a collection to have a second round. Luckily we did not, as the night wore on a quickly forgot I was flying the next day or even where my hostel and friends were....

(Unbelievably, this is NOT the time I got mugged. God must be watching over me).


Before

(Note the advertisement asking 'Are you brave enough?'... more like stupid enough)

After




And slightly after that



(hey, it was Hilltop Hoods baby!)

Calm blue ocean, calm blue ocean...

I have never in my life been more frustrated and at the same time so proud to be Australian. This morning I was presented with two situations:

1. Visiting the Australian Consular to have forms signed so I can get my drivers licence reissued.
2. Chasing my UK replacement passport.

The Consular did not take appointments and on arrival we were part of a group of 10 or so people. We sat tight only to find our numbers being called almost instantly. We were dealt with swiftly - and in such a friendly manner! 20 minute turnaround, tops.

Back to the office, and after 2 phone calls in the past week to Passport and Identity Service I figure things should be under control. How wrong I was.

Not only does Vanessa apparently still not exist - she never received the flipping forms to identify herself, then recieves two in one week!! (funnily enough both arriving AFTER we both call the office...), I receive a letter saying I need a new countersignature. No, that won't be happening and I press on with finding out when in the hell I'll be getting my passport, which by the way, they took payment for 2 months ago...

Come to present: V has in fact sent the forms back, they have not received them YET, and I will be checking next week. If all is well, I SHOULD have a passport in 3 to 4 weeks.

Problem #2. I want to travel internationally within that 3-4 week timeframe. I take full responsibility that it's up to me to have sorted my passport out long ago. But, I figure, I have a fully acceptable and valid Australian passport... surely I can use this in the meantime?

Cue: British Immigration Office (after 13 minutes of Vivaldi..)

Me: Hi, quick question.. I'm a dual citizen and am waiting on a replacement British passport. Is there any way I can travel to Europe on my Aussie passport?

Wanker: Does it have anything in it pertaining to you being a British citizen?

Me: What, like a visa? No, because I hold both passports seperately. I have a photocopy of my UK one?

Wanker: Well, you should wait. You can try to reenter the country but it's up to the discretion of the Immigration officer that day

Me: So basically it's a lucky draw with whoever is on the desk that day? There's no yes or no answer?

Wanker. Yep. Anything else?


Errrr?!?

So. Armed with my photocopy, my payslip, my NI card and anything else proving I am eligible to live and work in the UK my very next post could be from god knows where. Here goes nothing.

That special time of year again

Due to severe lack of Australian music this year, my Hottest 100 voting is as follows...

Foo Fighters - The Pretender
Fratellis - Chelsea Dagger
The Hives - Tick Tick Boom
The Hives - Well All Right!
Kings Of Leon - Black Thumbnail
Kings Of Leon - Fans
Kings Of Leon - On Call
The Living End - Rising Sun
Puscifer - Queen B
White Stripes - Icky Thump

We're thinking Powderfinger or, most likely, silverchair will take the crown... all will be revealed at our Triple J party, January 25, 11:30pm. Be there or be very square.

Happy Anniversarrrrry taaaaake twooooooo

God damn. The older I get the more I hear myself saying 'where has the time gone??'. It seems like just yesterday that V and I embarked on (not only a trip leaving behind a team full of disappointed Sydney University volleyballers haha) our first anniversary meal at a restaurant full of our most favourite meal enhancer... garlic! (but trust us, it does beer no wonders).

We downscaled this year given that in just a year we were that much busier and, for me, that much more hungover. Still wondering how the hell we ended up working in the public service - but forever grateful that's how we crossed paths - we looked forward to next year where our first trip is already half planned.... Kylie in Hamburg. Prost!!

x



Meeeeeeemorieeeees

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie

Upon approaching the voting line at the Australian Embassy on Thursday night I felt a bit choked up. It's not that I'm a politically minded person (like most Australians I just want to see everyone be given a fair go), I think it was the fact that in 20 or so minutes I'd be let onto Australian turf right here in London. Not even the obnoxiously (and obviously new to the UK) loud Victorian behind me could ruin that. I was glad too that I was from SA (a state where an AFL WAG can run for the House of Reps..) as we had the third shortest line only just behind WA & NT/TAS.

In true Aussie style, there were free beers afterwards - too bad they were Carlton Colds.

And, as I type, I'm continually being updated from Danny and Nicki's 'Fuck Howard' party. Jubilation, much singing and of course, drinking for Kevin in 07. You miss plenty of big moments living away from home, and for this one I wish I was there!

Accident ward, take 2 (this time I made it to the majors!)

Who would've thought I could make it 2 years in the UK and only admit myself to A&E once. Nope! Yesterday I yet again got to experience the wonder that is the UK health system. After seeing a nurse, a (what I'm guessing was a trainee) doctor, another doctor then a surgery doctor, my symptoms were diagnosed as inconclusive and I was sent on my way with some paracetemol and painkillers (albeit very good ones!). So, with my doctors booked out until November 28 I sit and hope this 'pain' (kidney, gallbladder, stomach.. whatever?!) subsides as I can't afford to waste another 5 hours of my life in waiting rooms.

Special thanks to Dyl my knight in shining armour who escorted me home - black cab and all! x

Mmm hospital food. Enough to make the pain slightly worse..

Thanks...

...to the universe for making what was a pretty good day yesterday supremely shit.

After an away-day with work (brainstorming at Linklaters - eating all the free cookies we could get our hands on and a visit to the 2012 Olympic site..) we ended up at The Lamb Tavern for a few quiet vino's.

Upon leaving I went through my usual motions.. open handbag, grab oyster card, ipod, glasses.

I pulled out oyster card, ...., glasses. NO FUCKING IPOD.

I even made a slight scene by stopping a lot of post work pedestrian traffic by emptying my bag on the side of one very busy street outside Liverpool St Station. Nothing. Gutted could not describe how I was feeling.

So, feeling sorry for myself (and perhaps slightly on the drunk side) I cried all the way home (sorry to all passengers on the 6:53pm Hammersmith & City line, heading westbound).

Luckily, I have the best bunch of housemates anyone could ever want to live with who had my spirits up (and wine opened) within minutes of getting home.

I may have no ipod, but I guess it's not the end of the world. It did lead to me hearing some interesting mutterings on the tube this morning...

Better late than never

Towsty.. you get the second ever birthday dedication of this long running (and eagerly anticipated) journal.

Enjoy!

Oh my fucking god

(12/11 - Edit... we have freaken tickets! haha)

Holy fuckin' shit

"Hi there Winner,

Yes, you're a winner! Congratulations, you're the lucky recipient of a pair of VIP tickets to Glastonbury next weekend!

Please respond as soon as possible today if you're able to make it next weekend with the name of your guest and your postal address.

Thanks

Lauren
Marketing Executive - Q, Kerrang!, Mojo, Empire"



I am utterly speechless.

Why I love living in London #6384

My diary next week...

Thurs June 14
Modest Mouse
QOTSA
White Stripes

Friday June 15
Cat Empire
Just Jack
Kelis
Faithless

Sunday June 16
My Chemical Romance
Muse

Baby dontcha sign that paper tonight, she said

Last night I went to one of the best gigs ever. Leah, Dyls, Hogga, Az and I saw Reel Big Fish at the University of London. It reminded me a lot of Adelaide Uni Bar... a fucking awesome place for live gigs.

We started playing nicely in the bar


Then we got amongst it..


Then we got on top of it..


(how those boys lifted me I have NO idea)

Then we got drenched..
(Leah gave the ground 2 beers after spitting most of her first one in my face).

Then we gave it eyes..


Oh and did I mention I MET DAN REGAN?!
Holy crap.

Me: Hi Dan! I love you guys so much, you rock!
Dan: Thanks!
Me: I saw you a bunch of times in Aus and caught you at Reading... that was fucking awesome
Dan: It was a great show! We didn't play Sell Out though..
Me: Yeah I know, dickheads in the crowd were throwing shit and booing
Dan: Yeah, security dragged us off so we couldn't go back on.. we're opening with it tonight though *grins*
Me: Get in!!

FUCKEN YES!!

Oh, and at some point we actually saw the best ska band on Earth






We ended the night by displaying some unbelievable acrobatic skill on the tube.

(I fully fucking landed that too, complete with Olympic finish).

I'm thinking, its all over when I go out drinking

Sneak peek at School Disco (As borrowed from the lovely Claire!)

Official Class of 2007 photo

(Head Girl: front row, right)

Motley crew taking over Goldhawk Road... we weren't even close to the disco at this point!



More photos and stories of pain to follow very soon!!

We are the champions

I can only quote myself from Saturday night at this point "(grabbing a complete stranger)... aren't you SO glad you're Australian??".

What a fantastic game by the boys, despite the win being soured by a KIWI umpiring decision (useless at sport, useless at overseeing it).

I had a ball on Saturday, the weather was superb (25 degrees, you bewdy), we had the Richmond green to lounge around in whilst waiting for the rain delay (rain in Barbados vs sun in London??), plenty of drinks were flowing and I was surrounded by mongrel Aussies (and even more mongrel Kiwis) to take it all in.

Despite the rain, we were flying the flag high for our country, drinking copious amounts of beer, champagne and well, more beer. We sent one very stuffy English pub into a rage by cheering every boundary scored (and with Gilly at the helm, you can imagine how much noise we were making). With the Aussies setting a respectable run-rate we decided to pull up our stumps and head closer to home, ready to finish the night with gusto.

Quick stop home, a bit more fuel for the system and geared up it was down to me and Corey to carry the side (after 8 hours, many of our associates were out for the count). When we entered Belushi's we found that Sri Lanka had made a surprisingly good start. We got a few more beers under our belt and watched some more wickets fall (yes, we did like that!).

Leah joined us just in time..

Bar wench: "That guy in the cape down there wanted to buy you shots" (places 2 glasses in front of us)
Me: "Jager??" (looking at Leah with a very worried look)
Leah: "Nah mate, no way"
5 minutes passes
Guy with cape: "I buy you ladies shots, and you don't take them. That's pretty rude. I co-own this place, what can I do to make you happy?"
Me: "Sambucca?"
Flag: "Black or white?"
Me: "Black!"
Flag man, downed the jagers, poured us 2 sambuccas and walked away.
Me and Leah: "We've gotta come here more often!"

More beers and more shots later, Australian have won (amid some confusion) and streamers are going everywhere, people are randomly hugging us, then the bar bursts into the Aussie anthem (tears!) followed by any stereotypical antipodean song you can think of (Cold Chisel, Men At Work, Powderfinger..). Amongst all this madness Corey starts getting annoyed he's not getting served and blames it on his (lack of) height. In one foul swoop he's pushing me down to the ground and jumping on my shoulders.... 'What the hey!' I think, and shoot upwards, suddenly making us the combined height of about 9ft tall. Flag man comes over and says 'Isn't the female supposed to sit on the males shoulders?' and promptly serves me up another sambucca. Brilliant.

The rest of the night is pretty much a blur. I remember Redback, tattoos, Brandon Flowers lookalike getting away (DAMN YOU COREY!!), BP, roulettes, taxis, coldness and 1664's. In no particular order.

************

In other news, Leigh and I booked part of our summer jaunt on Sunday (wooooo!!!!).

July 11-13 Lisbon
July 13-17 Lagos
July 17-19 Madrid
July 19-24 Valencia & Beniccasim
July 24-26 Barcelona
July 26-28 Girls off to Venice. Me, undecided.

I am super hyped about this trip. I've spent a lot of time here and only done weekends away, I deserve a month off.. and in the sun!!

I am looking at Oktoberfest/Berlin and Vegas before the end of the year and we're already talking about Egypt, Russia and New York as possibilities further down the line. Why can't we just travel forever??!