Christmas is not the same without family

I spent Christmas at the Gold Coast with Matt’s auntie and partner.
Nice gourmet lunch and good wine but I still felt out of place. Mum and Dad had a gathering with close friends, wished I was there.
Moving on, Christmas is now over and New Years is only around the corner.
New Years in Brisbane is going to be quieter than usual this year as most people tend to move away from the city toward the coast. None the less, it will still be over crowded with drunken individuals.
Does anyone remember the white rapper Vanilla Ice with hit song “Ice Ice Baby”? Well he’s going to be playing at the New Years Eve party at the Gold Coast. He was my idol when growing up and according to his website he’s still touring. I don’t know whether to be excited or hang my head in shame.

My last day at work was a blur. 1st drink at 12pm, 8th drink by 2pm. A lot of photos were taken but I don’t recall any of them. But I had fun, I think.
I’m having a mind blank right now so I’ll just post pics instead.

Have a great New Years

Sam





Having a nap at a bar







Christmas lunch at a pimp palace








Scotch scotch scotch, I love scotch

Perth, a giant mud pool

That is what the city looked like as the plane was descending. Due to all the mining and development, there are building sites everywhere.
Perth is a quiet and peaceful city. Walking outside the hotel reminded me of a Clint Eastwood movie in the desert.
The population of Perth is comparable to Brisbane 10 years ago but look at Brisbane now! There isn’t much going on in Perth CBD, all the restaurants are out in Fremantle or Northbridge. I didn’t get time to go out but I ate the best Fish & Chips since being in Australia.
My last day at Cardno is on 21st December so I will have a nice break.
I also start my new role at Smart Service Queensland on 2nd of January 2008.
Government departments are all very confusing in Queensland but I think Smart Service is the front end to other Government departments.

Party on

Sam

Back in Melbourne, this city is so much fun!

So much to tell but not enough time. In the events leading up to Sunday, I stayed at a five star hotel, ate good food, drunk a lot of alcohol, called the Victorian police “Rent-a-cops” and nearly got arrested.
I got Sunday off work and decided to be a tourist and ride the trams around Melbourne. Moments later, I found out that a Canadian couple that I knew from Brisbane were also in Melbourne so we decided to rendezvous and tour the city together. First stop was the St. Patrick's Cathedral. The gothic architecture was overwhelming. There was also an airy presence in the Cathedral, spooky eh? In 1986 Pope John Paul II paid a visit to this Cathedral.

Next was the Melbourne Gaol (Jail). We went on a re-enactment tour of the watch house of how humans were treated back in the days. Built in 1908, it remained operational until 1994. So the tour consists of being yelled at, locked up, obeying rules and responding with “Yes Sergeant”.
Drunks, murderers and those charged with minor offences were all housed here together to await their day in court. Next door was the actual cells. The infamous Ned Kelly spent his last days in this Gaol and was also hanged here. His body dangled for 30mins before guards decided to remove him.
The cells had stories of criminals along with their death mask. It was an eye opener. Obviously the day cannot end without alcohol so off to the pub we went. Drinks, dinner, drinks, sight seeing, drinks, drinks, sight seeing, drinks, snack, drinks, drinks, drinks, bed.
We finished off the night by the Yarra river with wine and a spectacular flame show. Picture eight 10 metre tall Bunsen burners spread out 10 metres apart and expelling gas. You can feel the heat from below.
At 3am, it was time to call it a night as I had to be awake at 6am for work.
Sunday’s are fantastic in Melbourne and I recommend it for all that loves to party.
I took so many photos that my camera went flat. Melbourne photos can be viewed here.

Sam





St. Patrick's Cathedral










Kristie sitting on the dunny in lock up










Mug shot









Deathmask of Ned Kelly

Canadian couple Kristie and Jess

Party Party Party

My agenda for this weekend was to get loose. With 3 parties to attend, I was in for a night of liver destruction.
The day started off at 3pm at Matt Cresswell’s place with a lot of drinking games. At 8pm, I said goodbye and made my way to the work function. I was unable to walk a straight line and my speech was incoherent. The work function was very typical, people standing around in their group of work colleagues.
So Olger (He’s Dutch) and I decided to liven up the party by getting on the dance floor in front of 250 people. Although it seemed like a good idea at that time, I am slowly regretting it now. I hope no one recognises me at work tomorrow. We left the work function at 11pm to attend the cocktail party. Everything was thrown down my throat; there was basically a party in my belly. They should have called it a Rocket Fuel Party, the drinks were all very potent! I decided to call it a night at 2am, my liver was unable to handle anymore alcohol.
I spent today at Cresswell’s place hung over watching Ocean’s Thirteen and eating pods and watermelon. Mmmmm……….watermelon

All and all, a great weekend. I’m off to Melbourne this week and Perth the week after. Hopefully I will have time to provide an update.

Merry Christmas

Sam




I don't know what Cresswell was doing, looked like the funky chicken






Lisa the Kiwi









Olger the Dutchman