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.