Going bush

The city can get to you from time to time.
Maybe it's the fact that there are people everywhere, maybe it's the constant feeling of being in a hurry or the fact it takes so long to get anywhere.
I never used to enjoy where I grew up, a decent sized city but a minor suburb compared to the biggest city in Australia. You learn to appreciate the simple things though.
So a few days away from the rat-race and in the fresh country air will be appreciated.
So, as they say - road trip!

Holidays

After a whirlwind trip to Melbourne I have a couple of weeks off which is great.
Decided to catch the train this time up to visit the family for close to a week instead of driving - which should be relaxing.

Sandown excursion

Another excellent trip south of the border wrapped up yesterday, this time the aim was to see some of the controversial hurdle racing.

Now, I love the jumps. But there are some people who think it is cruel or whatever and I am not going to debate the pros and cons of it here, or anywhere for that matter.

That is my view and it is not going to change regardless of what any anti-jumps campaigner will say or chant.

After the plane got me to Melbourne 30 minutes later than anticipated I was on the hop a bit for the rest of the day as I tried to do everything I had planned.

Friday night I was at the Gertrude Hotel in Melbourne, just off Brunswick Street. It was a fairly nice pub where there was a lot of talk about the soccer and the AFL.

Being a bit early, I sat there and observed a bit before my friends arrived.

On Saturday I caught a train to Sandown racecourse, which was about a 40 minute ride.

Being a big fan of the jumps racing I was keen to see two horses in particular - the champion 'chaser Mazzacano and the up and coming star Black And Bent.

Unfortunately the champ was off his game and didn't feature but the new star certainly proved himself with a huge win in the Australian Hurdle.

There was a reasonable crowd on hand and it was great to not be the only one applauding as he careered away from the pack in the home straight. In fact, there was quite a reception for Black And Bent (pictured).

The weather was a lot milder than I had expected and planned for (which is a good thing) and this time there were no hailstorms!

Melbourne is a great place to visit, but I don't know if I'd want to live there.

Retro week

I had a fairly good time away but it did feel a bit like retro week at times.
On Sunday I went tenpin bowling at the old centre I used to go to when I was in high school - there's a swanky new one in town but I think proximity dictated where we went in the end.
I bowled two games with a very competitive eight-year-old who didn't really get the fact that him getting 82 to my 117 was a pretty good effort.
Later that day I was flicking channels and came across two classic films from the 80s. The first was Girls Just Want To Have Fun starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Helen Hunt, Shannen Doherty and Johnathan Silverman. I had this weird experience while watching parts of it because for some reason I knew the lines coming up even though I wouldn't have seen that film for 20 years at least.
Then came the Mel Brooks classic Spaceballs. Now this was a time, for those Gen-Y people, when parodies of films were done with class and tongue in cheek. It's a send up of Star Wars essentially and it's pretty funny even today.
A few days ago I played bingo to continue my retro week. I even won something! For such a simple game it can be very frustrating but it was a bit of a laugh overall.
Then to finish off was good old Hey Hey It's Saturday (on a Wednesday night). Talk about flashbacks, used to watch it religiously at home on an early Saturday evening.

Intermission

I'm off for a few days of R & R, very much well earned if I say so myself.
Won't be in cyberspace for a while, which isn't a bad thing, and will probably only check email once in the next little while.
Enjoy...

Speed

Have you noticed how fast things happen these days?
It's the end of August and we're looking at spring now and pretty soon we'll be talking Christmas plans and New Years celebrations. The Noughties are finished, what do we call the 2010s?
I say all this because I've realised how a lot of the time I want things to happen fast.
I want to get to work quickly (and leave work quickly), I eat quickly (at times to my detriment but I should expect that), I walk quickly, I don't have long showers. You get the point.
Everything doesn't need to happen so fast but somehow I get caught up in it. Maybe it is a Sydney thing, or at least a big city thing.
Happily I have holidays coming up in a couple of weeks and I'm looking forward to the break. I enjoy getting out of the rat race if I can and I'm also looking forward to a few days in Melbourne coming up.
Having been there a couple of times this year I now know a few people so that will make the trip this time a bit more fun (and I have had a pretty darn good time in those two trips).
Needless to say I should try to slow down.
Really, there's no need to rush. Ferris Bueller had it right - 'life moves pretty fast, if you don't stop once in a while and look around you could miss it' (or something like that).

Rebuilding

Almost a year after it burned down the old house is starting to look like a house again.

It's supposed to be finished by July and that may happen, weather permitting, if the speed of the rebuilding I saw last week continues.

I spent almost a week up home and in that time the house went from just having the base to having its frame erected.

Overall I had quite a good time while I was away. Caught up with a few friends, both of whom are not far off having children (it's easier for one as he, obviously, doesn't have to carry the child).

For some reason I had some kind of hay fever or allergic reaction to something up there, which is weird because I never used to. But for the last few days I couldn't stop sneezing, well you know what I mean.

I also had to attend a funeral, which is never a good thing. I met a lot of family I hadn't seen in many years, most since I was a teenager at best. So you get the whole `I remember when you were `this big'' reactions.

Whirlwind trip

I crammed so much into the short time I spent in Melbourne last weekend I almost don't know where to start.

In an effort to cut down on taxi expenses I caught a shuttle bus into the city and then walked to my hotel. Only, I got kinda lost as I was being a bit too casual about my directions.

After some backtracking I found it quite easily and dumped off my stuff, eager to see as much as I could by evening when I had planned to enjoy a relaxing night in.
I quickly found my way to the Eureka skydeck (obviously the building in the centre of the photo to the left towering over the rest) on the other side of the Yarra and headed for the 88th floor and the viewing area near the top of Melbourne's tallest building.

The ability to see the entire city is amazing and a great way, I thought, to take it all in. Some landmarks stood out easily like Flinders St Station, the MCG and the Docklands area.

After snapping some photos I headed off for a walk along the river and some lunch.

The one thing about sitting by the river to eat is that you're usually accompanied by at least one seagull.

When I had finished eating I saved some bread for the birds and as soon as I threw the patient gull a piece another six or seven suddenly emerged to try and get some for themselves. Now I didn't save so much as to feed a flock of seagulls so sadly some missed out.

I decided to see a different part of Melbourne to the last time and went for a walk past the MCG (second picture, the view from the Skydeck of the cricket ground and tennis centre) and towards Richmond.

On my way I passed Olympic Park, where the Melbourne Storm have played a lot of their games, and the Collingwood Football Club.

In the park behind the club there was a an AFL game in progress so I stopped for a while and had a look.

I was told it was a trial match between Collingwood and North Melbourne reserves teams (third picture, Collingwood are in the black and white, reserves waiting to go on the field) and there was a reasonable crowd for such a low profile game on a Friday afternoon.

But Melbourne lives and breathes AFL as I had confirmed when the pre-season semi-final was on in prime time TV that night.

I ended up catching a tram back to the city and headed to the hotel for a short rest before taking off again for dinner.

I ate at a restaurant overlooking the Yarra, a nice setting for the end of the week.

Then I wandered back to the hotel to read the papers, a magazine I had bought and just kick back to watch the AFL and the Simpsons episode that preceded it.

Some time during the football there was an earthquake near Melbourne registering 4.7 (so it was officially a tremor) but I didn't notice even though I was on the eighth floor of the building.

In the alley where the hotel is located is this pub that was absolutely packed, and I mean beyond capacity, with a lot of the crowd outside in a designated area.

The next morning I was up fairly early and went to, of all places, McDonalds to grab some breakfast as I couldn't find a cafe open at the time. OK, I only had English muffins with vegemite. I checked out of the hotel and headed to the train station to go to the races. It was great catching the train, not to mention cheap, and it was also another opportunity to see a different side of Melbourne.

The races were great again, Super Saturday, and I met a lot of people who I'd spoken to many times but hadn't met in person before so that was great.

In general I met some nice people, and I found that people are generally friendly, they smile at you in the street and aren't bothered by saying hello. Unlike Sydney, generally.

On the flight back I chatted to an interesting guy from Germany and one from Ireland who were heading to Sydney to continue their travels. Again I had an awesome time down in Melbourne and I'll go back again hopefully for a bit longer so I can hire a car and see a bit more of places like Geelong, Mornington and Ballarat etc.

Super Saturday

Well it has been a pretty flat-out week, kinda feels like it should be Friday today not tomorrow.
Having said that it is close enough.
I'm off on another short trip south and I think it will be a completely different experience to the searing heat of last time. But it's going to be great.
Staying in a different place (also slightly cheaper) and have a bit more time as well as know a bit more about what I'm doing and where I'm going. The event I'm off to is called `Super Saturday' and from what I saw today it appears that it will be.

I love Melbourne

Despite looking like a stunned mullet in this picture, I had an awesome time in Melbourne this weekend.
The trip was the one I mentioned a week or so back about being the challenge I set myself, to do something out of the comfort zone.
So it was a trip to Melbourne, where I knew nobody and very little about getting around even though I had been there once before, about nine years ago. My situation then was much different to now, though.
I flew down on Friday lunch time and arrived in Melbourne to temperatures of about 45 degrees (Celsius), the city having been in the middle of a heatwave. It was hot, no doubt, but fortunately it was a dry heat with very little humidity and that is a lot easier to handle.
I arrived at my hotel in Carlton and changed my shirt, then headed off into the city to explore.
I remember just as I was walking there how awesome it felt to be doing it. I made it to the city in about 10 minutes and took a tram ride around the city until I arrived at Federation Square.
The first thing I wanted to do was check out the Australian Racing Museum and it was good, as far as museums go. I then walked along the river to Rod Laver Arena where the Australian Open tennis was being played and caught another tram back to the city.
I met a guy on the tram who was from, well I'm not sure where exactly, Canada or the US I think and he was telling me how he was going to St Kilda. After a bit more walking around I decided to head that way myself and caught another tram down there.
I walked along St Kilda beach, which was packed as you'd expect with the weather, and had dinner there as well.
After that I caught another tram back but caught the wrong one and almost ended up getting lost until I realised I needed to get off. I walked a few blocks back towards the city and eventually got onto the right tram. By this time it was much more comfortable and I found people to be generally pretty nice. There was one idiot who tried to pick a fight with a tram driver and another guy on a bike that almost collided with a tram I was on.
I walked back towards my hotel, it was 9pm by now, and missed the street I needed to turn down and got a bit lost but I didn't really mind because I was enjoying the walk despite being a bit tired.
I hung out in my room for a while and went to bed a bit late, then got up Saturday morning to prepare for my trip to the races (of course). More on that shortly.

Notable mentions

Been a fairly busy week thus far so haven't had so many opportunities to post.
Here are a few highlights....
- My nephew started year two yesterday and he spent a bit of time telling me that last year he had five detentions.
- I heard that One Tree Hill is getting a seventh and final season.
- I've been getting right into The Big Bang Theory after some guys at work were raving about it. Very funny show.
- I'm off on my short trip away tomorrow, can't wait.

Pushing the comfort zone

I live in a world that is predictable, to an extent, manageable and largely comfortable (relatively speaking) and I am preparing to, in a small way, step out of that comfort zone.
Next weekend I have a short trip away planned. It's really only 36 hours but it is to a place that is largely foreign to me (I've been there once, about 9 years ago).
That's the whole point though. To go somewhere that will stretch me a bit. As much as I, in some way, enjoy my world I have long craved to snap out of the patterns of the last couple of years.
There's a longish story behind it so if you want to know then ask and I will tell you.
But I have been working up to doing this for a while, and I've been keen to go south for a while as well (a longer while) and after Christmas I decided I should do it.
After a day or so of changing my mind, or trying to talk myself out of it a bit, I locked in the trip, booked accommodation and flights and now we're set.
I really can't wait for this flying visit, it's exciting and there are a few places I plan to go that I have always wanted to see.
I'll explain fully when I get back but I couldn't hold it in any longer.
Look at me, I'm growing!

Christmas recap

It's been a few days and I largely stayed away from email and other computer technology for them. Now to get up to speed.
On Wednesday after a rather short day of work and several hours of doing not much I flew home for Christmas, the first time I'd been there for eight years as I've normally had to work Boxing Day which rules out any visits.
I had some trepidation about the flight and to some the reason would be obvious. I wasn't nervous about flying as such as I have done that a number of times before including once to the USA. Anyway the flight went without any hitches and was only a 40 minute trip in the air anyway.
The whole unwrapping presents ordeal takes on a different meaning when there is a child involved and with an eager seven-year-old distributing presents at record pace it was quite a blur. For the record I received Mad About You season 2 and It's A Wonderful Life on DVD, the book Eclipse (from the Twilight series), a bathrobe, a business shirt and some casual clothes.
We had Christmas lunch at my aunt's place as is the norm and after eating settled in for some serious Singstar sessions including the classics How To Save A Life by The Fray and Alone by Heart duly butchered by myself.
The other couple of days away were your standard and were taken up a lot by watching the horse racing, cricket and my nephew tormenting the cats.
The drive back to Sydney was uneventful except for the consistent and not as annoying as I thought it would be inquiries of essentially `are we there yet' from the back seat. The young guy is staying in town for a couple of weeks with his dad before going back home.
So there's an abridged version of the last few days. A good Christmas, a milestone achieved and a reasonably relaxing time. Hope yours was good too.

Happy Festivus

Just a quick one to everyone out there to say a big happy Festivus to all.
Instead of airing my grievances I'll just say that I haven't helped myself out as much as I should and that I will try harder in 2009.
Merry Christmas to all, I'll be off line for a few days.

Transit

Decided not to drive this time around on my break and instead am using a more relaxed mode of transport.
For the journey I have bought the book Twilight, that everyone seems to be raving about, so we'll see how that passes the time. I have a reasonable expectation based on what a few people have said and what I've seen of the movie preview.

A well earned break

There is something really satisfying about leaving work on the last day before you start holidays.
Happily I had that experience today.
A couple of weeks off really isn't enough but considering I will have a three day week then Christmas when I get back it's not too bad.
My plans for tonight were changed at about the 10th hour and it's one of those things that I didn't mind because it involved a family issue with my mate. I was invited to a barbecue by the housemate but elected to stay in, mainly because I feel like I'd rather not have a big night and I'd have to go in a separate car. I'd definitely be wanting to leave earlier.
So I think I'll just cruise around for a few days before I head out of this metropolis for a while. There's something about the country that is so refreshing. Everything is so simple, travel time isn't a consideration and it's not as cluttered. People are generally pretty nice (not that there aren't nice people in Sydney but have you ever had a decent conversation with someone on the train or bus? I'm betting not).
As usual breaks tend to go fast but I shouldn't get ahead of myself just yet.

In the city

It turned out a great last day before work resumes.
I spent most of it in the great city area of Sydney, wandering around and observing the place. Kind of like a tourist, even though I have been there many a time, as when I am in the city it is usually for a purpose and not just for recreation.
Actually I did have a purpose. I had my acupuncture appointment but I got into town a couple of hours before so I could have a browse, pick up a DVD of Into The Wild as it was released today, and just enjoy Sydney on a sunny, pleasant autumn day.
I must do that more often. I didn't in the end head down to the water, to the Quay, but the city isn't bad in the middle of the day, there's plenty to see, always a busker or some other kind of street clutter to catch your eye.
The walk from Central station is a good one, about 20 minutes along George Street to where I needed to get to (that's normally) but I took a different path today and browsed in a comic book store, walked through the Pitt Street mall (haven't been there in ages) and had lunch at the QVB.
So I can happily say I ended my break with a top day. Shame I have to go back to work tomorrow but that isn't all bad as I really like my job.