The Deal is DONE!!

The tale has finally come to and end and the future of my beloved little company is looking shiny and bright.

Today the contracts were signed and the money was paid. My manager, (who is now my new Director!) came back to the office with funny stories of bitter glares and pettiness. Now we are finishing up early to have a glass of champers and drink in a new era.

As a little present for our new owners we did this...

...Happy Days!!!!

Facebook Explosion!

Well I finally caved on Monday and accepted a facebook invitation - I figured after SO many I should see what all the fuss is about. And BANG! Suddenly all these old faces are coming out of the woodwork! I'm not entirely sure of what the whole thing is about or even how long it will last but it has been so much fun hearing from long lost people just out of the blue... Not to mention keeping an eye on Paris Branch over there...



Anywho, I'm thinking of starting a group "the current members of the thriving SRF" there and I'll invite you other facebookers along...

And I'm freeeee.....

....as free as the wind blows!

Goan Bush

To satisfy Jen's growing fascination with "da boosh" I am proposing another trip up to Wollombi. So for all those up for a Saturday night (28th July) in a remote cabin surrounded by zombie wombats, let me know and come along. If there are enough interested we might be able to wrangle a Friday night too ( and a day in the hunter on Sat).

As before there are two double beds and a couch. (Shari and I, bags a bed) So first two in, get to the share the spare bed. And then next one in gets the couch and the rest get to bring sleeping bags (I have spares if you need them).

FYI: Shari's little bro will be here by then and might come up with us.

FYI 2: If it has been raining heavily the week before then the track might be a little untraversable to we might have to cancel.

Next SRF Event

Great SRF Winterfest 2007

What: An SRF weekend away with frolicking amid the winter wonderland of the mountain towns. By night, a fine frosty feast in honour of Bronwen's birthday with mulled wine, roasted boar and the season's finest jellies.

Where: Katoomba

When: Friday night to Sunday arvo

Who: Bronwen W, Bronwyn S, Gretta, Flit, John, Shari, Mattess, Evil, Bryan, Noodle, Sarah

Cameo: Nick Hayes

Bring: Bed linen, clothing and feasting stuff

.

Bed configuration so far:

3 x Queens - The Flits, John & Shari, Noodle & moi

1 x Single - Evil

2 x 3.2m long single window bed

1 x double bed - Mattwa
2 x double futon - Bronwyn S (still leaves 1 other)

1 x double sofa bed

Ahhh... Back in the Day

Now, this is a story all about how
My life got flipped-turned upside down
And I liked to take a minute
Just sit right there
I'll tell you how I became the prince of a town called Bel Air

In west Philadelphia born and raised
On the playground was where I spent most of my days
Chillin' out maxin' relaxin' all cool
And all shootin some b-ball outside of the school
When a couple of guys
Who were up to no good
Startin makin trouble in my neighborhood
I got in one lil fight and my mom got scared
She said 'You're movin' with your auntie and uncle in bel Air'

I begged and pleaded with her day after day
But she packed my suite case and send me on my way
She gave me a kiss and then she gave me my ticket.
I put my walkman on and said, 'I might as well kick it'.

First class, yo this is bad
Drinking orang juice out of a champagne glass.
Is this what the people of Bel-Air Living like?
Hmmmmm this might be alright.

But wait I hear the pricey booze, wine all that
Is Bel-Air the type of place they send this cool cat?
I don't think sow
I'll see when I get there
I hope they're prepared for the prince of Bel-Air

Well, the plane landed and when I came out
There was a dude who looked like a cop and yelled my name out
I ain't trying to get arrested
I just got here
I sprang with the quickness like lightening, disappeared

I whistled for a cab and when it came near
The license plate said fresh and it had dice in the mirror
If anything I can say this cab is rare
But I thought 'Now forget it' - 'Yo homes to Bel Air'

I pulled up to the house about 7 or 8
And I yelled to the cabbie 'Yo homes smell ya later'
I looked at my kingdom
I was finally there
To sit on my throne as the Prince of Bel Air


P.S. This is the extended version only used in the first 3 episodes. I know. Wow.

Sailing Shinanigans!

Ok, I have just finished my research trip for our trip in Feb/Mar next year. The sacrifices I make to make sure you all have a good trip. You all owe me big time.

So here was my week (Red lines are the sails, dots are the overnight spots)!Saturday: Arilie Beach marina - After a mad dash round for 3 shopping carts full of food ($750) and one of booze - 4 cases of wine - 4 of beer ($550), we picked up the boat (our exact boat - I had one of the back cabins). Then we had a drunken night on the town, Jen made a point of ordering me a quadruple X at the bar.

Sunday: Arlie to Stonehaven beach - We woke up to an hour briefing on the boat then sailed across in the main straight (3hrs-ish) to a beautiful beach for a swim and a fish.

Monday: Stonehave to Hayman to Buterfly Bay- After ingesting our first kilo of bacon we headed up for a cheeky look at Hayman (about $1k to stay there a night) and a quick snorkel and lunch (Second best snorkel of the trip) and then round to Butterfly Bay to stay overnight. Butterfly bay was def. the best snorkel of the trip. Absolutely beautiful and the first turtle spotting.

Tuesday: Butterfly Bay to Whitehaven - After an early morning snorkel in the 24 degree water, a full day sail (into the wind :( ) found us at one of those 4 mile, soft, white, sand beaches. OMG! And once the day trip tourist boats had gone for the day it was all ours. And turtles heads kept popping up for a breath every few minutes round us.

Wednesday - Whitehaven to Hamilton - The wind picked up and we had to go the long way round. A good 2 hr sail turned into 6 hr one. But I enjoyed the sail.

Once cosy in Hamilton ($80 a night compared to 1k at Hayman) we had a quick tour of the island and Jen, Laura and I hit the resorts while the others wandered around.


and then meet up with the rest for State of Origin at the pub, followed by a fairly deborchorous night that brought us back to the boat in the wee hours.

Thursday - Hamilton Island: We took a full day at Hamilton Island, well worth it. Started with another kilo of bacon and then did a walk around the island, a bit of shopping, a post lunch mini golf and then trivia at the resorts followed by putting a dent in their bar stock.

Friday : Hamilton to South Mole Island - a nice sail which I missed most of by falling asleep reading. A pretty little spot with a small boat ride to another resort. The moment we landed we were attacked by birds. Then we divided off into the walkers and the fishers. We also managed to squeeze bacon into every meal. Mmmmm.

Saturday South Mole to Arlie Beach: Had an awesome sail on the last day - strong winds in the right direction got us up over 8 knots, which is pretty good for this hull! Fun sailing - speed - a good keel - had to reef the sails - and the wheel took some muscle to turn (which is why I had to have help ;) )

And back on the marina at Arilie Beach for dinner on board, finishing off the rest of the booze then off to the nightlife in town.



I had a good chat with a few people on the marine on the last day and I think I have pick out the best boat for us and there is a 10 days for the price of 7 deal on it! Anyone fancy a planning session this Thursday night at the Courthouse and I can book us in?

Retry

You might remember the Google earth fiasco back on the Australia Day weekend. Well, our precious global message did not make it into the area covered by the wayward google plane.

We'll try again with a medium that is a little more exclusive (ie, this blog).

If you look closely, you can see the twigs we gathered up and used to skewer the pages down with so as to prevent the wind from running amok amoung our letters. It is unlikely that this detail would have been captured by the stupid low flying plane anyway. So you can just stick it Mr Google!

It.... begins.... AGAIN....!

First exam: tomorrow

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEX!!!

Hope it's a ripper!

Nick's BIG Night!!

It was a cold, windy and wet Friday in Sydney town. We sheltered under towels and umbrellas to protect our gorgeous new hairstyles and fretted about how cold we'd be in our Oh-so-glamorous dresses. After a rather quick diversion to collect some bubbly for the pre evening gathering, we headed into the city to meet the man of the hour at his room in the Swisse Hotel. We ordered room service with reckless abandon (sorry Nick, we must pay you for that!) and lounged on the bed looking fabulous drinking champers!
Bron and Sarah participated in a 'tit-off', apparently Sarah has serious tits! and after a flying visit from the man himself, and many well wishes, we swanned over the road to walk the red carpet and keep a super keen eye peeled for this ravishing lady.........and Matten kept a special eye out for this other ravishing(???) lady......for those not in the know...this is Janelle from Neighbours!

After enjoying the spectacle of famous (and not so famous) people, we watched as our man of the moment escorted the beautiful Cate up the stairs...bodyguard style..no wonder he looks so happy!!

The main feature of the night was the Edith Piaf Biopic, La Vie En Rose, lovely film, a little long.

And then onto the after party (after a quick stop at Maccas and lots more rain)...Ah, watch the beautiful people play!

Congrats Nicky! Maybe we'll see you again one day when the festival leaves town.

Hello from Festival Land

So after tell Cate Blanchett were the toilet was and speaking to a few international guest, I didn't think life could get any better - Then i got Podcasted

Check out my starring role in episode 9
http://www.sydneyfilmfestival.org/content.asp?p=20&id=77

I miss you all!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FLIT!!!

Many Happy Returns!

I only have one question...

Just how deranged do you want...

Challenge accepted

This also has the whiff of bestiality about it.

If you want to see something truly in bad taste, try this one. NOT SAFE FOR WORK! (or for those easily offended)

And now for something completely different

I think this speaks for itself:I challenge anyone to find a more psychotic looking musician on an album cover. Seriously.

In Today's News....

You sly dog...
Thai drug dogs sacked for 'sexual harassment'

And only those zany Dutch...
Dutch students invent alcohol powder

New speed record set in wheelchair

Here's your Friday treat.

Himalayan Goji Berry Chocolate Cupcakes topped with Chocolate Ganache and Himalayan Pink Salt

and other cup cake treasures.

Free T-shirt Update

You can still get a free T-shirt. Click here. It's open to anyone. You know you want it.

In Today's News..... "Giant Pig (read: hairy land whale) 'farm raised'"

It turns out that the hairy land whale of my earlier post was actually somebody's pet pig, called Fred.