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Posted by Mike on 30 December 2006
Happy Christmas
A very happy christmas to everyone (a bit late on that one.) Internet has been sketchy here as there was an earthquake in Taiwan which messed up communications in Asia. It's been like going cold turkey, nice to be back online (but internet cafe is like a methodone hit, just not quite enough...!)

So I'm in Thailand, just heard that Sadam has been hanged - couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. We're in Ko Samui, just came over from Phuket yesterday. Have been staying in the lap of luxury with the family in Phuket (Chedi Hotel, very special) but now downgraded - still not bad, coco palm resort and sure enough there are palm trees, and we're by the beach. Also close to the folks so can use their facilities. No time now to write properly, hope everyone is very well and looking forward to a great new year. I'm off to Ko Phangan, where they have the full moon parties (full moon on the 3rd) so it promises to be massive. Haven't booked a room, just a return ferry at 11am on the 1st, so no option but to hit it hard... thai whiskey and redbull essential. I'll write again in 2007 - love to all!!


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Posted by Mike on 18 December 2006
Gerringong
Snuck away for a cheeky weekend break with Khalia and Johnboy, down to a lovely little place called Gerroa, next to Gerringong, about 2 hours South. Friday night was the Accenture Christmas party, good fun but all quite well behaved as it finished at 11pm. Then Khalia was dancing on the Saturday at a charity beach footy competition down in Maroubra, where various stars from AFL, Union and League got together to play touch rugby in front of a big grandstand. I popped down for her last couple of dances, then we picked up John and headed south. The appartment I'd booked was perched on a hill with a stunning view of the coastline - we had a great dinner in one of the only two options in Gerroa, voted South Coast's top cafe 2005/2006. Sunday I took Khalia to be pampered in a local day spa, while John had a surf lesson and I hired a mammoth 9 ft board to try and catch some waves. The tides were against me (my latest excuse!) but it was fun to try (and get dumped over and over.) The surf shop closed at 5.30pm but the guy said I could deliver the board back to his house - these small community towns have their benefits! Great surfshop, mucho dinero gone in a small time.

Very early start this morning, my shipping arrived at Nancy St so had to rush back there - now I have my snowboard, phew! And today we lost the Ashes - dark days. Things were looking possible when Freddy was whacking the ball around, but he has yet to recover from me stepping on his toe and I knew it couldn't last. Another duck for Jones, no surprises there. The Aussies were all keen for a draw or even an English win, just to keep it open and exciting. No such luck, I've just jumped back off the bandwagon and decided cricket's boring again!

Off to the ballet in the opera house with Khalia on Wednesday (her dance background is ballet...) and then off to Thailand on Friday. So if I don't get another chance to write, I hope anyone that reads this has a great Christmas and a Happy New Year. Will be meeting my family in Phuket on Friday, and then we head to Koh Samui and possibly Ko Phangan for New Year. Can't wait!!!


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Posted by Mike on 4 December 2006
Settlement
Just spoke to dad - we've settled against Rosslyn Park for my leg injury. I was very chuffed with the result - more money than the compensation for the scar on my face. Mind you, my speedo modelling career is over! I'll attach the gross pic of my injury in due course (the non graphic one!)

Had a rainy weekend, but still managed to sneak in my final volleyball lesson in Manly. It was frustrating, some of the guys are useless and ruin the practice, so I think it's about time it's over. Then I joined Boris (Rich Hodson) for his flat party in Paddington. Nice group of people there, including a few rugby guys from Colleagues who I'm planning to join next season. Then onwards for Ian's Arabian nights themed flat party in Bondi - he's a mate through volleyball and has a cool flat overlooking Bondi Beach. They'd made a good effort, and one guy in particular won the dressing contest hands down (photo to follow...)

Sunday was bed day - I'd bought a new bed and mattress from eBay. Not worth mentioning other than the fact that the mattress nearly came off the roof as I was driving over the harbour bridge - 4 lanes, no hard shoulder, I was driving at about 30kmh with hazards on as it was tipping dangerously. Realised I could hold it down with one hand out the window - disaster just averted! Sunday night watched 40 year old virgin - hilarious film, a must see (if you like Anchorman, Zoolander etc.)

Oh, I also saw Catherine Legg and husband Rich, and new baby (well, 1year old) Reori (sp?!) Brian and Pippa took me for a lovely dinner out on Thursday night in Circular Quay wharf, and Rich has kindly leant me his surfboard (thanks to Catherine!) So the quest continues....



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Posted by Mike on 4 December 2006
Saving lives
A quick entry: some fella collapsed in front of me in North Sydney station today. Well, more of a fit, he was a big guy and suddenly slumped against a wall in a lot of distress. I helped him to the ground, removed his wallet (joke), and put him into the recovery position while someone else called an ambulance. By the time they came he was starting to be able to answer questions, he works for Optus so I phoned up my manager and we alerted his. Nice to put the first aid into practice for once, but other than that a bit of a stressful start to the day! Not sure what has come of him, may leave him an email just to make sure he'd recovered.... (and return his wallet)

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Posted by Mike on 27 November 2006
Harbour Life
The arrival of John brought with it the arrival of an enormous weekend. He surprised me with two tickets to Harbourlife, a dance music festival on Lady Macquarrie's Chair for about 3 thousand people that had sold out in 3 hours. It was a hot hot day, some decent music, a stunning backdrop, and of course lots of good looking people (John and I were playing a game of "Gay or High Maintenance" where you have to guess whether the guys are gay or just high maintenance straight boys!) Unfortunately Khalia hadn't got tickets for it despite trying, but we did meet up with her friend Rachel and a few of her mates, as well as John's buddy Anthony. It lasted until 10pm, at which point we changed and attempted to sort ourselves out enough to get into Dragon Fly that has pretty high standards. The night finished at 3am (taxi turnover time, bad idea!) and unsurprisingly the next day didn't start until 12pm!

It was Nick's birthday on Friday, and G held some birthday champagne and canapes on Saturday night but I decided I wasn't in a fit state to attend so took them out for dinner in Gelbison's on the Sunday. Don't tell anyone, but he's now 42 - as he says, it's his 2nd 21st birthday! He certainly still acts the 21 year old!
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Posted by Mike on 20 November 2006
Failed to surf
To be honest, failed to try - had one little attempt lasting about 20 mins, but the waves were tiny and I only really catch double-overheads! Yeh.

Volley volley volley, I think I'm soon going to start sounding repetitive. Friday's gig was very funky, I first met Khalia in the Opera House bar which is an awesome place for an after work drink at sunset - her flatmate came up with a cracking line when she saw me (we'd met before briefly at 3am a couple of weeks ago when both pretty drunk) "Oh, you're better than I remember!" Cheers, I guess! We then met up with Rids, Libby, Dan and his girlfiend, and another chica at Fox Studios.


Standard Saturday hangover, but made it to Manly by midday and watched some awesome beach volleyball. First one of our female coaches B, then our main coach Brett - both winning easily.


Khalia works a couple of nights a week in the Lord Dudley, a really nice English pub in Paddington, so I went there for a quiet drink on Saturday night. Then Sunday stumbled down to Bondi beach to meet up with the vball crew - the police soon arrived to tell us we had to take our nets down, no ball games on Bondi! We did, waited for them to leave, then resumed play. Stooopid.

A big American dude Steve came and joined us - he's a pro league baseball player, plays for the Colorado Rockies, and was over for a week's hols but didn't know anyone. Hadn't stopped him going out (on his own), and he was keen to head out again, so we met up last night in the Beach Road hotel which is always busy on a Sunday. It closed at 9.30, so then on to Ravesis which was pretty lively - actually a much better option. Ian also came along, another guy from volleyball who's suffering from some ex-girlfriend politics at the moment! And Khalia joined us later, so we all forgot it was Sunday night, drunk far too much, and now it's all about trying to stay awake at work.

John arrives next week - he's no longer going to stay in Australia so is coming out just for a month's holiday. He's been offered a job by some fancy investment fund in London, so Australia has been axed and I have to go flatmate hunting (and continue my search for a wingman!). Boo. Anyway, what it does mean is I need to start preparing for a big night on Saturday... Oh, we're having a housewarming on Saturday 9th Dec, all welcome!


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Posted by Mike on 16 November 2006
Antarctica
I know I said I wouldn't go on about the weather, but hard not to when it makes front page news. Yesterday was the coldest day in November in Sydney for 100 years, with winds coming from Antarctica and bringing snow to the mountains 2 weeks before Summer. But before those in England get too smug, it's back above the 20s today and we're in for another hot weekend, and that's what counts.

So big wedding news, as expected. I actually told cousin Alice explicitly not to get married for the next 18 months, having identified her as a likely suspect. Well, it seems selfish Graeme just couldn't wait!! Congratulations to them both, wedding in December next year which I hope to try and get back to. Awesome news.



And congratulations to Justin and Cathy, although this one was slightly more predictable, what with them having a child already! A wedding in April in Zimbabwe, but work commitments may deny me the chance for a pretty special holiday. See how it pans out.

I played tennis last night with Jean-Marc, G and Nick's old flatmate. He's a bit better than me but not quite to the extent of the 6-1 thrashing I received. Pete will be disappointed in me! Hopefully going to turn it into a weekly thing, I have my best chance yet of becoming better than Steve!

So tomorrow I'm up to Manly again but this time in a viewing capacity, off to support my coach in the 1st round of the Vodafone National Beach Volleyball tour. I'm heading up there with Khalia, a gorgeous girl I met a couple of weeks ago. She's doing a PhD in Climatogology here in Sydney, and is a cheerleader for the South Sydney Rabbitohs (rugby League) on the side. Sorry Khalia, couldn't resist putting the pics in!



Sunday I'll try and conquer the surf again, but expect another failed attempt report on Monday!


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Posted by Mike on 12 November 2006
Life's a beach
Finally a consistently hot weekend, so 2 days on the beach honing the volleyball skills and reconfirming that I really can't surf. Up to Manly on Saturday for my lesson - I discovered that my coach is ranked two in Australia, played in the last olympics and likely to be in the next ones - how about that for being coached by the best! He's defending the national tour title, with the next event at Manly this coming Saturday - boys and girls, all the top pros in Aus, so obviously his students will be along to watch. Gutted to find out he's 2 years younger than me, what have I been doing with my life! Photo is of Henning, half Belgian half English, and Julia his Italian girlfriend.



So Saturday was volleyball from 12 - 6, Ines who is a friend of my German flatmates over visiting came up with me. I then met up with Libby and headed to the punk party, for which I found the perfect t-shirt. Some pretty scary looking characters there, I'm assured they're all normal people! I had to ask this one guy why he had such a horrible tache, which is when I discovered movember. Apparently to raise awareness for male health issues, you grow a moustache (a Mo) through November and it sounds like there's a tache-off in a big party at the end of it all! I've since noticed quite a few "Mo bros" as they're called, great idea (not sure if I could participate!)




Then Sunday was spent on Bondi, trying to surf and playing vball again. Dinner and a few drinks last night have left me jaded but feeling like I conquered the weekend. Not happy to hear about the rugby, and currently keeping my English accent under wraps with the current cricket crisis, things not looking good for English sport (although I am quick to remind them we beat 'em in the rugby league recently, and they had an 8 game losing streak in rugby union last year...)


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Posted by Mike on 7 November 2006
Bring on the Ashes
Out in Establishment last night, a massive bar in the CBD packed because it was Melbourne Cup day. All the girls get dressed up in racing dresses and hats, just to go to a pub to watch the races (nobody complaining!) I went and joined Mark, a friend of Paul Simpson's and a regular there on a Thursday when the ladies get free champagne so another busy night. He said, "ah, guess who's behind you!" You can work out the rest from the pics, we weren't the first to ask for a photo and they were pretty reluctant but at least put on a smile. Apart from Monty, grumpy bastard ! Felt pretty bad about stepping on Freddie's toe, initial physio reports are he may be out of the first test but should be back for the 2nd. Christ, just imagine, a nation turns against me....


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Posted by Mike on 6 November 2006
Melbourne Cup
I'm going to try and make an effort not to start every blog with a weather update, but it'd be hard not to mention it at the moment - for all the wrong reasons. Summer should be around the corner and yet it's been raining all weekend, half of yesterday and set to continue this week. As a result my volleyball was cancelled on Saturday, I only learned this after trekking for 2 hours to Manly, maybe I'll be phoning next time! The bad weather led the way to some serious partying though - out Friday and Saturday until stupid O'Clock, rather tragically went to the same club both nights - Dragonfly in Kings Cross, very cool place. Friday was with Rhidima, who used to go out with Paul Simpson from Deloitte, and Saturday with Belinda, one of Crispin's friends. I joined her for dinner, which turned out to be me & 3 girls. Very sex in the city (their words not mine), plus me of course - 3 gorgeous 30 year old blondes gossiping and talking about boys. Was an amusing dinner though, I think the 4 bottles of wine helped them not worry about me being there so they didn't exactly hold back!

At one point after dinner, when I noticed around me in the bar was about 90% women, and they started singing "Like a Virgin", I decided I'm in serious need of my boys. Come on lads, plenty to go around. Wednesday was me & 5 girls, I'm honestly not complaining but questions are often asked of someone that hangs around with only girls! And asked I was, more than once on Saturday. I clearly need to reassert myself: stop sending emails about cats, drink more beer, talk about rugby and bash some Shelias.

Last week Anna (the stationary cupboard) was in town, we went out far too much and so this week is exercise week.



Am trying to join a boxacise class, down on Bondi at 6.15am Tuesdays and Thursdays (Sheila bashing.) Went today, but wasn't sure which group it was (a friend of Belinda's does it), so just went running instead.

And today is Melbourne Cup day, "the race that stops the nation" - all work stops at 2.30pm, Melbourne actually get a public holiday today, we're heading up to the 23rd floor for food and drinks and then hopefully an onward lash - not wanting to go back to work that's for sure! Apparently everyone heads out, so could be a good night. I've put $50 on, there are about 25 runners but no jumps, so maybe slightly less of a lottery than the Grand National. Next year I'm hoping to go down there, sounds like an awesome week.


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Posted by Mike on 29 October 2006
Hawking
Just had a delightful weekend in the country, up to Hawk's Nest just north of Newcastle. Took about 4 hours to get there thanks to Friday traffic, a beautiful place famous for its "succulent prawns" so finally a chance to throw some shrimps on the barbie. Dickie (my manager up at Sky with Deloitte) had booked a large house near the beach, which fitted 11 of us comfortably. I was relieved to discover only one Aussie amongst us (although 2 Kiwis who still sound the same to me) - so much for integration! We were up early on Saturday to head to a beach a few miles up the road for a surf, Dickie taking his bright yellow jeep onto the beach and driving through the sea. The beach was probably 10 miles long, and we could only see one other car - a far cry from Bondi!



Absolutely stunning morning, but the surf wasn't really happening and didn't all weekend - the wind later picking up and ruining all beach activity. Other entertainment included tennis and, curiously, lawn bowls! Rosemary reckoned she was brilliant, the salty sea air presumably making her delirious. Back last night in time for a quick surf at Bondi, again not happening - wind was up and it was very messy out there, not many braving it. My time will come.

Anna Hutchinson's in town, so I'm meeting her tonight to show her some of Sydney, not that I know much of it. Expecting a few large nights, although not sure where the energy will come from....

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Posted by Mike on 24 October 2006
Caught my first tube today, sir.
Got my 3x2 and my 7'2", learning the surfing lingo which is way more important than learning to surf. So armed with Nick's board, I hit Bondi this morning at 5.30am for a pre-work surf. Well, if you want to call it that - more of a flapping around drinking sea water session. Kelly Slater here I come (I'm after Giselle, not his world surfing title.)

Thunder and lightning hitting Sydney now, not sure where that came from. I gather London's lovely at the moment, in a cold, dark, wet October kind of way, so I'll take these 30C thunderstorms.


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Posted by Mike on 24 October 2006
Up and running
I've finally managed it, after weeks of chat. Struggled up at 6.30am this morning for a run along Bondi beach, and two of my flatmates went for a surf before work! The beach was rammed with people doing every kind of activity: about 50 swimmers out (in Speedos, nice), another 50 surfers, loads of joggers, people doing circuits with pressups, situps etc., tai chi, boxacise, you name it. Planning to get a surfboard off Nick and complete that 'Bondi dream' by the end of the week!

So I moved into my new house - living with 2 Germans and a girl from Perth, over in Bondi Road about 5 mins walk from the beach. I'm just there for 6 weeks until John gets out here, and then think I'll move closer into the city but still within the Eastern Suburbs. The commute's wearing me down and I'll get a car so will easily be able to get to the beach.

Had a big night out on Friday with a couple I met through volleyball, Henning from Belgium / England and his Italian girlfriend Julia. We went to Bungalow 8 in Darling Harbour, very cool setup, and ended up in the Loft just above. In bed by 4am, then up at 8 to move into my new flat, on to Manly for beach volleyball where it RAINED! Unbelievable, a Southerly also came in so it was freezing cold. I want my money back. Accenture "beach party" was a bit of a washout so ended up home quite early.

Right, the sun's setting, it's time to go home - just as the day's beginning in London. I'm getting lots of abuse (being told to MTFU) from the email I sent out - I thought it was funny (maybe I was on a high from my run.)


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Posted by Mike on 18 October 2006
2 weeks in
I've just completed my first week at work, not too many problems other than an evil commute from Bondi to North Sydney - an hour on a bad day, a bus and 2 trains. Hmmm, maybe Bondi isn't the dream after all.

Still, 19th floor of the office gives nice views, and it looks like I'll be in Sydney long term on the Optus project. Check it out! Warning, may make you a little jealous.


I've started beach volleyball lessons on Manly for the next 6 weeks, last one was great but in 35C heat - and this is Spring, 6 weeks to Summer! Seen loads of cousin G and Nick, caught up with Malcie last night and Rosemary over the weekend.

Everyone is well, loving it out here - I'll be fine once I make some friends (I've always believed that, when oh when will it happen?!)

Surfing is still in the planning stage, I've actually only been in the sea once which is pretty tragic. I don't really see the problem - paddle, catch a wave, stand up, crouch to go through the tube - how hard can it be? Keen to get involved in some of this early morning running option, just as soon as I learn to wake up early. Maybe when I reach 30. Oh, discovered a great site for viewing Bondi Surf conditions with awesome photos - it also has a bikini and a jogger cam.

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Posted by Mike on 6 October 2006
Just arrived
I've arrived in Sydney, was met at the airport by cousin G and boyfriend Nick, and hit within 24 hours by tonisilitus. So I've been bed bound, not exactly the greatest start but hoping to be okay by start of work on Monday. I think I'll blame the hedonism of NYC for my illness, a pretty non stop 5 days. Henry and Vk showed me the classier joints in town, while Laura treated me to a bit of cultural New York and a party in the East Village - a few more artistes... a nice contrast.

Jamie, a mate of VKs was also in town visiting, and the two of us managed to sneak into a brand new and very trendy club next to where we were with Henry and VK - literally sneak in as we unlinked the fence and walked swiftly while the bouncer was denying entry to folk the other side! Surprised to get away with it, and it was definitely worthwhile - an awesome club.



Ticked plenty of cultural boxes too, went up the Rockafella tower with Laura who "orientated" me by pointing up towards central park and saying "that way is South". I made sure I was sure before pointing out it was actually North. To be fair, she'd only been there for 2 years!


Saw Alexis briefly, although I'm not sure if the East Village is quite her scene - a little rough 'n ready. Next time I'll head up to her hood and be treated to a whole new scene - so many New York options.

I also did the expected NYC shopping extravaganza, spending an absolute fortune (cheap clothes means you spend more on nicer ones)and going to check out the Abercrombie and Fitch store that has to be seen to be believed. Amused to be offered a job in there, a gorgeous girl approached, asked where I was from, and said they were opening a store in London and looking for staff, was I interested. Of course I played along, gave her Henry's details!

Hettie is in town with work, so I'll be meeting up with her tomorrow presuming I'm not contagious! Also hoping to meet up with Rosemary and Malcie at some point. Meant to be a nice weekend, it won't be long before I'm slipping into the wetsuit, grabbing a board, and strutting up and down the beach. Not ready for the surfing yet though.

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