I packed, I went, I conquered

Once again, I head off to Santa Barbara, Land of the Free, Home of the Brave? Its called this because before you can be free, you must be brave enough to pack.

First of all I had to gather all things which I wanted to pack. Good. Easy. Next.

Next task was to run around like crazy and gather all the things I'd forgotten about, desperately needed to take and simply couldn't live without for 3 months. Oh dear. This sitatuation was getting worse by the minute.

Then comes the hardest task of all. The culling. And really - I mean removing 2 of everything, then removing 2 more. Its less painful to do it that way - it doesn't feel like I'm getting rid of so much all at once. What probably makes this even worse was that I did "pre-culling" by taking 4 bags of stuff to an op-shop!!!! Yes, I am consumer-whore-hear-me-roar.

But you know what - I did it. 2 medium sized suitcases. 17, and 15kgs each. Awe-some. Leaving enough room to bring stuff home in.

...Well so long as I leave half of it here, and Murray packs lightly, there will be enough room to take my shopping home in.

Yea, It's a party in the USA!

In the words of a wise (drunk) man - Skittle Bombs are Awe-some!

Skittle Bomb = Redbull + Cointreau. Scull.

Funnily enough, tastes just like Skittles! And in the words of Miley Cirus - Yea, It's a party in the USA!

We decided to torture our friends with the best and worst there is of American food. Cheeze Whiz - cheese in a can, also comes in "American Flavor" Mmm. Go on Fliss... you know you want it.

No doubt this was taken after some kind of Soda-Pop. Hard to tell if it was the 100% Vitamin C Hawaiin Punch, or perhaps some Root Beer? Anyway, a picture tells a thousand words.

But to make up for the worst of America we also made some delicous slow cooked smokey bbq pork ribs. *drool* and not to mention mini hotdogs!!! (Ok, they weren't as good as the masses of ribs)

There was also Twinkies (worst of America) and Reeces Peanutbutter Cups (Best of America). And a few inbetween things - Tortilla chips and salsa, 'slaw, Mike and Ikes and Pretzels (these Pretzels are making me thirsty!).

Maybe when we return we should make up for all the sugar we pumped into our friends and have just a ribs party. Everyone bring a rack of ribs. Ooo, perhaps a Tri-tip roast too. And some kind of pie? Mmmm. Pie. (Take careful note of cool USA Plates and plastic cups in photos!)

Hidden laneways, hidden delights

Murray and I had a great weekend checking out our own home city. There's so much to love about Melbourne, yet we never get out and experience it.

We started the weekend off with a bit of Pitch and Putt Golf. This was great, until about after the 4th hole and my beginners luck had worn off. Still - I'd be willing to play again. Although I don't think I'd be able to hit the ball far enough for "big people golf". We got a bit of a discount because some holes you had to mind the cracks on the dry dry greens that were almost deep enough to swallow your leg.

After this we headed into the city in our mystery hotel thanks to whereis.com.au. Turned out to be rather "grand" and in a perfect location for us. After a bit of shopping, we'd built up a bit of a thirst and so headed to the The Carlton roof top bar. The only thing better than a few drinks, is a few more while eating Dumplings. Then after this we headed back for a disco nap, followed by a movie - Zac and Miri Make a Porno... honestly - its not as bad as it looks. Pretty funny in a *groan* kind of way.

Hard to believe that it was still only Friday night! We'd done so much already, and still had a full weekend ahead of us. Unbelievably I hadn't even taken a single photo yet!

Saturday morning we headed into the fabulous Degraves St for breaky to fuel up for an audio podcast that we'd downloaded - Melbourne Laneways.

Through coffee heaven Degraves,

To teeny tiny Centre Place,

And checked out the nooks and cranys of Center Way...

and through the Block Arcade, Royal Arcade, past Gog and Magog,

And up to the Burke St Mall. Up through the GPO,

Little Bourke St, on the way to Niagra Lane, we passed Warburton Lane, where we spotted one of the 2007 Laneway Commissions. Look down the alley, past the rubbish bins, and upwards.

In Niagra lane is where we spotted the first of the City of Melbourne 2008 Laneway Commissions. #1 1. Organisation for Future Good Steps. I'm going to make a point to find more of these treasures.

From here it was all the way back down Hardware lane, past all the warehouses which come alive at night.

We made our way down to Howey Place which I'd walked past a million times, yet never seen. Through the Capitol Arcade, and down through Manchester Arcade and Lane. All very trendy. Last stop was Scott Alley which I loved as its home to the Matt Irwin Gallery, which i never knew. A terrific walk, and I'd recommend it to Melbournites and visitors!

We of course stopped off at Union Lane, where I finally heard one of the Laneway Commissions I'd heard so much about #4. The Speed of Sound Nau Interactive Bells.

After all that walking - we *needed* a chocolate fix - so back to the Royal Arcade to Koko Black, where Murray niavely asked if it was worth the wait for the table. There was iced chocolate, chocolate cake, chocolate chip shortbreak, 2 handmade chocolates, the best chocolate mousse we've ever had, and chocolate ice-cream. Sorry we weren't able to save you any...

And in Melbourne, its always amazing what you might see when you just look up.

Black Saturday... Red Sunday?

Saturday 7th February will be remembered as Black Saturday. Australia's worst ever bushfires, and greatest loss of life in peacetime on Australian land. The whole country is still stunned by the inferno. Read Murray's Blog article about the day.

The sky on Sunday night was an eerie red colour, even here in Berwick were we were some distance from any major fires. The red sky was like a warning for the horror that would unfold during the week.

Goodbye Sydney

After 16 months our time in Sydney has come to an end. We're back living in Melbourne now. As much as we loved Sydney, it was never home in the way that Melbourne is. Work and life has brought us home again to Melbourne - living out in Berwick temporarily (hopefully) again.

The move went relatively smoothly - compared to the move up to Sydney anyway! The truck came on time, and it only rained a little while we moved. Murray left after the truck as he started a new job at JB HiFi (his life is currently like Empire Records!).

After several days of cleaning and dealing with Real Estate agent I picked up Boston from the cattery and started the long long drive to Melbourne. With Boston I had to stop more frequently that I would have by myself, so it took about 10 hours. Boston cried for about the first 2 hours, but settled down after that, much to my delight.

It feels good to be back in Melbourne.

Closing time - time for you to go back to the places you will be from...

Well folks, Sherry and Murray are leaving Sydney town, Closing time for us up here.

We leave on June 6th.

Closing time - time for you to go out, go out into the world.
Closing time - turn the lights up over every boy and every girl.
Closing time - one last call for alcohol, so finish your whiskey or beer.
Closing time - you don't have to go home but you can't stay here.

I know who I want to take me home.
I know who I want to take me home.
I know who I want to take me home.
Take me home...

Closing time - time for you to go back to the places you will be from.
Closing time - this room won't be open 'til your brothers or you sisterscome.
So gather up your jackets, and move it to the exits - I hope you have foundafriend.
Closing time - every new beginning comes from some other beginning'send.

Yeah, I know who I want to take me home.
I know who I want to take me home.
I know who I want to take me home.
Take me home...

Closing time - time for you to go back to the places you will be from...

I know who I want to take me home.
I know who I want to take me home.
I know who I want to take me home.
Take me home...

Closing time - every new beginning comes from some other beginning'send...

"Closing Time - Semisonic"

Mixed Tape of Summer 08

Too much fun to write about in complete detail - so consider this the Mixed Tape of Summer 08.
Shortly after New Years we had Aimee and Dangas come and stay with us - Aimee and I discovered just how easy it was to make Daquaries - and we absolutely perfected the Mango Daquarie!

Aimee is a top class burger maker (too bad they may have caused Dangas to spend the rest of the trip in the bathroom).

We headed down to check out the harbour on a beautiful Sydney day anyways...

And we took Tony with us for an excersion.

The following weekend Molly came and stayed with us for her first trip to Sydney.

We took her out on the town and we went to the Minus 5 Ice Bar.

We also went up Sydney Tower and walked through Hyde Park up to do some shopping on Oxford St.

I visited the family and new puppy in Lethy... her name is Chips... but I think that Imelda would be a far better name as she has a thing for shoes.

Also caught up with the crew for Thommo's birthday.

Went down to the Geelong foreshore on Australia Day where we saw some Swing Dancing...

And where Allyson swung with a Dinosaur...

If you thought the Oarsome Foursome were good... you ain't seen nothin' until you've seen the Grewsome 2Some.

Birthdays and Goodbyes

We had a great weekend in Melbourne celebrating a 30th birthday (Yikkes! They have begun!) Happy Birthday Rodders! (Will try and get a pic up here later).

The night started (eventually after the worst afternoon of transport ever!) with a great meal at my favourite Red Emporer. The weather wasn't great (but we can't complain about rain these days) and so there was a last minute change of venue so from there we headed off to The Pub at Crown. It was great because next to us was private function, so hardly any people came into the area where we were! After several (too many?) Long Island Iced Teas - Rodders was well on his way to having a great night! There was lots of drinking and dancing to be had by all. Oh - and Jam Donuts! You have to try one - best shot ever!

On Sunday I said goodbye to yet another friend in Melbourne on the weekend - I hope you have a wonderful trip around the world Cheli!