Salvation....

Peace, Quiet, Calm... Thursday morning - Mum and Russell departed for 10 days in Tasmania. Ange and Craig departed for 5 days somewhere with friends for NYE. Nice... All that's left??? Di and David... The extra-ordinarily loud in-laws (Russells brother and sister-in-law). That was OK, since I took off to the city (Thanks for the car Ange!!) met Dean for lunch, then Andy for a couple of glasses of red and our chat. Then met Dean after work - the plan : Dinner and a movie. Headed to Victoria Gardens (via Vietnamese for dinner) to watch The Holiday. I was so suprised... this movie is great! I am not really into romantic comedies... mostly because I'm a big sook, and I cry... so not really a good look. So I avoid them - period. But I have to say, the movie was fantastic. Yes I cried - discretely... about 7 times. Go see it. Or atleast get it for a romantic night in when it comes out on DVD. I think Dean and I will have many of those with this movie...

Friday morning, drove back to Mill Park (Hell's Corner if you remember...) to Di and David packing to leave... 2 hours later - they are gone. And all the dogs too. OH-MY-GOD... peace, quiet, calm...

Don't get me wrong, they are lovely people - but I just don't do loud very well.

Picked Dean up from work and went to Hairy Canary for dinner. I was craving steak... Curled up on the couch and watched Heartbreakers with Sigourney Weaver, Gene Hackman and Jennifer Love-Hewitt. Love that movie. Dean had never seen it, but he loved it. I fell asleep, head in Dean's lap, half way through, and woke up at the closing credits... time for bed... and another morning I get to wake up in heaven - my sweetheart next to me.

Ho Ho Fucking Ho

Christmas - 3 days of food, booze, and visitors. I don't think I coped very well. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were spent trapped in a houseful of possibly the LOUDEST people ever... add to that the fact I was spending it without my sweetheart (see previous post), and the confusion and loneliness of relocating to a new city, without all of my usual friends, associates and familiar surroundings... very depressing.

Boxing Day morning, Ange and I decided we were heading out early to partake in that totally 'un-Christmas-like' tradition - the Boxing Day sales... Not just for the bargains, but also to get the hell out of the house... 2 full days of it was more than I could handle. So, along with Ange's man Craig, we drove (well, thats a fairly loose term... the fingernail marks in the door handle will be a permanent reminder of Ange's driving skills....) to Northlands Shopping Centre. A shopping mecca in the heart of the suburban sprawl (or should that be drawl) - 'twas a generic place, like any other Westfields or the like. Same stores, same style, the only difference was... the people. I think I was the only man not wearing flanellette, track pants, footy tops, or a combination of all the above. It was loud, obscene and even a tad creepy. I think I was the only gay boy in the whole centre - possibly because they had beaten the rest of them up already.

So wandered around there for a while, bought a few bits and pieces, really not getting into the spirit of post Christmas sales - but did manage to get a charger for my ipod (unnecessary - as I was to find out later) ... I can now immerse myself in Janet, Justin, Missy and Christina once again...

Headed back to Mum's about the time my little brother Jack and fiance Amy came over, bringing with them my darling niece Ava Grace. The remainder of the day was focussed on Ava - playing, being silly, brushing up on my baby talk, etc etc... God I was getting so clucky.... got to get me one of these.... :o)


They left, suddenly the fear of being here without something to entertain me returned... Ange, Ange, what are we gonna do - let's go out... Pub? Cafe? Even a sulfur mine? Anything... please...
So the three of us cleaned up and headed out for the rest of the afternoon. They took me to a place called Angler's Tavern (I think...) somewhere they had been about 2 years earlier and said it was great... oh... no... another nasty pub makeover was apparent - it looked more like an RSL club - and to make it worse, had a Childrens Play Room... where you can lock your kids away while you get trashed and flush all your money away on the pokies.

My turn to save the day - So I took them to Bimbo's on Brunswick Street @ Fitzroy. Love this place. Dean and I went there one time a few months ago to have a drink with Pauline and Joel. Dark, grungy, VERY Newtown. Loved it. Weird ass dolls all over the place - especially the (ahem, well endowed) S&M one hanging from a harness above the bar. I posted a pic of this from my last visit... here it is again :

So anyway, we hung out there for a couple of hours, maybe longer, not really sure... we got relatively sloshed, before Ange decided she wanted to go to a gay bar... hmmm... I know there are some over near Chapel street, but that was the best I could do. SO we drove over there and wandered up Commercial Road looking for the tell tale signs of homosexual life - music, squeals, lights and colour... Arrived at DIVA, empty... quick exit. Next was Heaven's Door - was told this was a gay bar, but I think I was the only one in there. It was very busy, but from what I could work out, all straight. Hmmm... So after a drink and a boogie, we popped back to DIVA. The barman insisted there was "a group of 10 coming shortly..."... so we decided to hang there and see what happens. Sure enough, 15 minutes later - count them : 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9... 10! They had arrived. We were well and truly trashed at that stage, so I was happy to just wander around and talk to strangers. Met a few nice people - well, they could have been awful, but in my condition, everyone was wonderful... chatted for a while. They were a lovely middle aged couple having a quiet drink. Sweet. So at this point Ange and Craig decided they had had enough - and abandoned me. Left on my own, I was a little worried, since I didn't know where to go... but someone mentioned XChange - a block further up the street. So I headed up there. I remember going there about 4 years ago - hadn't changed. Bought a drink, wandered around, chatted to strangers. As a new addition to the Melbourne scene, I was quickly dragged into a welcoming group - took me under their wing, so to speak. They were nice, friendly. I was invited back to a party at someones house - so the whole group made their way there. No idea where it was, just followed the throng... Hung out there with everyone - I think there were about 10 of us - a few girls, most of the guys were mid/late 30's and 40's. Don't remember most of them... I fell asleep briefly, woke up to find almost everyone had already left. The ones still remaining had also passed out. Headed home to clean myself up before heading back into the city to see Dean.

Horribly hung over, the tram trip was vile... made it to Dean's about 12. He opened the door, and we stood in the doorway holding each other. I had a bit of a cry - Dean was somewhat unemotional, and it worried me. I thought this was it. So a little shaky, I followed him inside and we went up stairs. More hugging, nuzzling...

Afterwards, Christmas gifts... Dean got to open his from me on Christmas Day... So mine were still sitting in his bedroom.

Funny, as it almost seemed like any time over the past 6 months I saw something and commented, he must have made a mental note... Hot new Tigers, the sexy beach towel from G-Star Raw, cute sleep shorts and tank tops from Peter Alexander, a new dock, charger and leather case for my iPod, 4 packs of Melbourne Deck of Secrets Cards : 1 for shopping, 1 for bars, 1 for restaurants and 1 for culture (museums, art galleries etc).

All very cool.

After that, we drove back to Mill Park, gorged on McDonald's (and made fun of the people - purple hair on a 30something housewife really is asking for it...) and then he dropped me off at home. As much as I wanted to spend more time with him, he had things to do... and it was probably good that we just take it easy for now anyway. The rest of the evening I just chilled, ate, then headed for bed at 8.30.

For the first time since our argument on Saturday night, I had a great, full, uninterrupted sleep.

To Dean / To Andy

My Darling Dean,

I really don't know where to start. Firstly, I am so deeply sorry. I am sorry that we fought. I am sorry for everything that was said. I am sorry that we are not together today, Christmas Day. I am sorry that there is even a chance that we may never be together again. I hope that isn't the case, I truly do.

I feel so empty without you - especially today, what was going to be our first Christmas together. I spent last night awake, wishing I was holding you, feeling your warmth against me and listening to your breathing and heart beat - and this morning, waking up alone and not being able to hold you...

I wanted to be with you to see your face when you opened your gifts - I wanted that time to share with you so badly, that I cried through our family presents this morning.

I feel so alone right now, and I have realised how much I need you, how much I miss you, and how much it hurts to think that I might have lost you.

Arguments are a normal part of every relationship - especially in the first year - as they help us to learn about the other person, and help us understand how to be more patient and how to compromise when it's needed.

Horrible things are said by both people - the purpose : to hurt. It's always what makes it worse, and makes things so much harder to resolve.

Afterwards, it takes is love, understanding, the ability to talk about it - and most importantly, the ability to forgive each other.

I don't just love you, Dean - I am in love with you and I need you - I think we are great together, and I don't want it all lost over this.

We always have such an amazing time together. Always fun, always interesting, always perfect. You make me so happy. You make me feel so good about myself.

I really hope you have a wonderful day today with your family and friends. I also hope we will get a chance to talk, and make everything good again.

Please forgive me.

Call me soon...
.......................................................................

Andy,

You are such a great friend to Dean, and I am sorry that me being here has upset that. I sometimes feel under so much pressure to get along with everyone, to impress everyone, and to feel that I am 'approved'. But at the same time I find it difficult adapting to my new life, new surroundings, new people - and doing this while I try to develop a new relationship.

If you will give me the opportunity, I want to sit down with you and talk - get to know you and understand you better.

You do so much for everyone - including me - so selflessly, for which I admire. You really are a great friend to everyone. You took me into the fold so quickly and so readily and along with all of Dean's friends, I have felt so welcome.

I need to be honest... I do find you intense at times, which I believe is probably the root of my lack of patience with you. I want to learn to be more patient with you, I just need some time to adjust and get to know you.

I apologise for anything I have said or done to upset you.

I hope we can be friends.

Hell's Corner - population : me

Well my first few days in Melbourne...

After arriving Saturday evening, Dean and I met Mum and Russell at the front of the terminal - we had decided a good compromise for my first night in Melbourne was to spend it at my mums place... with Dean. It was either that, or Mum and Russ stay with us at Deans house.... ummm, yeah, nuh... :o) So we spent the night at Mums just hanging out, drinking, chatting...

The next few days were a bit strange... I guess I was feeling a bit left of the middle - a fish out of water as it were - not really certain what I was doing, not really feeling like I was supposed to be here. Sunday & Monday were spent just hanging out in the city - having lunch with Dean when he was on break. It didn't matter what we did, I was just so happy to be down here closer to him.
Tuesday I met mum after work and headed back out to Mill Park, or as I now affectionately refer to it "Hell's Corner".

Wednesday I thought I would head up to the Sports Centre, have a workout (God knows I needed one... 2 weeks since my last gym visit...) but when I got up there, the woman at the counter says "We don't lark strangers in our town, these here faciliteees is for our townsfolk only... you'll find a Fitness First just 3 days west a here by horseback..." Or, something along those lines.

Suffice to say, there was no gym for me... best I could do were chin-ups using the BBQ area awning... :o(

That night, I was so bored... excrutiatingly. I was so bored, I walked up to Safeway (about 20 minutes away) and proceeded to follow each aisle doing imaginary grocery shopping...

Thursday - Up at 5.30... didn't want to miss the chance of getting a lift back towards the city with mum. Got to Dean's at 8.30, then chilled, met for lunch, did some christmas shopping etc.

Thursday night was a fucking blast. Dean and Co had a small Christmas dinner / drinks with some friends. Lots of food, lots of drink, lots of great people and great conversation. Good times...

Friday, Laid around until 1pm, then crawled out from under my hang over to go into the city to meet Dean for lunch. More shopping... 1 1/2 hours in the gift wrapping queue at Myer... Home again, back under my hang over.

Saturday was spent last minute shopping, again. I was so over shopping that I was exhausted, and almost in tears. Finally... it was all over. All done. Thank God...

Hello Melbourne!!!

OK, so I recovered fairly well on Saturday... actually, thats crap... I didn't. I dragged myself out of bed at 11 - greeted Tony with a "HMMPH" - I think that roughly translated into "Oh my God, I think I'm dying..." So had a black coffee... now I'm 30% human. Talked a bit over a second black coffee... 60% human. Shower... 80%... getting there...

Packed and out of the house at 3 - off to Marios BBQ at Surry Hills. First off though, a quick stop to say bye to Craig. The man doesn't like goodbye's... and you could see it. "Well, OK (said with a slight step backwards away from me), bye!..." I knew what he meant... the big teddy bear doesn't like to show emotion in public... sweet ;o)

OK... my last stop before hopping my flight to Melbourne. Mario's BBQ. Still feeling only 85% human, I stayed clear of the beer, and stuck to coke and snags... mmm, grease... Ran into a very old friend, Chris, who was part of the whole Barry / Mario / Brad / Peter / Chris group many years ago. Great to see him. Lots of catching up... good thing was, both of us were horrendously hung over, so there was no pressure to keep conversation... just lots of eye rolling, sighs, moans, interspersed with occasional catch up bits.
Enjoyed the BBQ entertainment... Baz decided to set the gas BBQ alight... I think he was pouring oil on some steaks, and it ran underneath to the drip tray - which then caught alight with plumes of billowing black smoke... we were all preying for firemen.....

Met a fabulous chick named Catherine, who is a singer from Melbourne. She has been living in Sydney for a couple of years and heading back to Melbourne at the end of January. She was great - so we have decided to keep in touch, and she will be dragging me out into the live music scene when she gets here. God knows, I need some friends in Melbourne!
Hey... Not that Chalks, Imma, Pauline etc are not friends... they are great. But since they are primarily Dean's friends, I really need to find some of my own! Can't expect Dean and Co to have me tagging along everywhere for all eternity... :o)

So after the BBQ, Tony and Baz took me to the airport. Seemed to be a similar thing to Craig: "OK Mate, see ya soon." Gone... hahah where do I find em, huh??

My last look around at Sydney before I entered the Terminal. Cabbie arguing with a passenger - the international tourist actually spoke better english than the cabbie did... Westie scrag swawking at her three equally unattractive children, with mullet topped tattooed megadeth tshirt wearing wanker husband behind dragging the luggage - obviously not the kids father, well, maybe one of them - the kid with the matching mullet and tattoos.

Ah Sydney... how I will miss you...

So check in time : Since I was travelling on Dean's ticket (tsk, tsk, tsk - I believe that is now a federal offence, something to do with terrorism - personally, I think the mullet-topped westies were more guilty of causing terror than I ever could...) So checked in, no problems, boarding pass in hand. Security... 'Bag Check!" Shit, I forgot I had WMD's in my hand luggage. Well, more like my anti perspirant can... So I had to open my bag... Now, since I couldn't check luggage in due to the Dean's ticket routine, I could only take carry on. This meant squashing 3 suitcases of clothes, toiletries, shoes and other odds and ends into a single carry on sized bag. B-U-S-T-I-N-G A-T T-H-E S-E-A-M-S...

So unzipped the bag and, SCHLA-WING!!!! (True, thats exactly how it sounded...) The bag flew open and shoes, tshirts, and underwear fell all over the place. Worst part was, well two things : 1. It was Saturday afternoon... peak period for trips to Melbourne... and 2. I had to show the man my anti-perspirant can BEFORE I could pick up my tighty-bloody-whiteys!

So after a few minutes of red-faced, huffing, puffing, squishing stuff back into the bag... I was on my way again.

The arrival : Coming off the plane, walked into the terminal looking for Dean. There he was... huge grin, looking as sexy as ever... Big hug and kiss...

I was here.

Farewell Sydney....

So Friday night was my farewell drinks. I didn't organise anything special... just a handful of friends, a few drinks, sad hugs and byes at the end... Much nicer than organising a huge group of people... most of which I probably wasn't that bothered if they came or not.. so better to make it small and sweet. :o)

Drinks were done in two parts...

First up was from 5.30pm at VBar, cnr Liverpool and Pitt Sts Sydney. This one was for old work mates - easier to catch them straight after work on a Friday than convincing them to head up to a bar later in the night... So I met up with Crist, Dave, Nick (Philomena's BF - Phil couldn't make it since she was at a Hen's night in the mountains...) and Grant & his BF.


So hung out there chatting and giggling and carrying on. This wog guy and his girlfriend come in and sit on a couch right behind us, and whoa.... the guy has the BIGGEST lunch on him.... he obviously knows it and likes the attention cos of the way he sat - half slouched legs wide apart, one hand resting to the side, kind of directing peoples eyes... so we proceeded to ogle for a while, all the time making lewd comments, giggling, and discussing in depth as to whether it was all, ummm, well... as they say in There's Something About Mary "Franks or Beans", or a bit of both... (we decided that you can tell based on the shape as to which part is which)....
All this was done to the total disgust of Crist and Grant.

So anyway, the couple disappeared, so it was back to general chit chat again. 8pm came, and it was time for me to head up to Slide on Oxford Street, which was where part two of my farewell evening was to take place.




Roll Call : Andy & Drew, Penny, Dove, Pauly & his BF Alan, Sarah, Bazz & Tony, Johnny, Alan, Kamon & friend (Can't remember his name! He was lovely though...) , god... there were a few others, but buggered if I can remember. Apologies to those... but when I recall, I promise I will update it here!




I had already downed at least 5 beers at VBar, so arriving at Slide, I was already well and truly lubricated.







Friends arrived at different times throughout the night, drinks kept coming, the mood was fantastic, the bar was amazing, and the people were simply gorgeous.
















Part way through the night, they had a male pole dancer doin' his thang - which was hot. The pics don't do him justice - but trust me - it was hot...








As people started heading home, a lot of time was spent in the foyer saying goodbyes... sad, teary, a little depressing... but shit, I was so trashed I forgot who had just left, and was ready for the next drink!

I inadvertently pissed Pauly off, cos his BF got stuck outside - can't really remember how the whole routine went, but basically his BF wasn't allowed back in cos he had too much to drink... I was trashed and wasn't planning on moving the whole group to another bar - so Pauly left....

At some stage, I think I just wandered off.. typical of me... once I get really trashed I tend to forget where I am, where I am going, and who I was with... so ended up at the Shift. Trashy place... so hung out there dancing like a crazy man for a few hours. Dove was there, Alan I think was too, Johnny might have been. The whole thing was a blur....

As spontaneously as I had arrived, I was off again. I think I was dancing, and just turned and walked out the door. Wandered around for an hour, trying to work out how to get home. Ended up walking as far as Pyrmont trying to get a goddamn cab - none... luckily someone was just getting home in a cab outside an apartment block just under Anzac Bridge, so my final leg to Rozelle was in comfort.

Crawled inside about 3.30, passed out. I was leaving for Melbourne in 15 hours....

The nightmare move from hell...

OK, so here's how it went... the move from hell.

Picked up the truck from Balmain Rentals at 9.30 in the morning. Arrived back at the Goldsbrough in time to collect security keys for the elevator. The Goldsbrough, being a hotel, are nazi's about use of the service elevator. You need to book it to be able to move in / out / get deliveries etc. So went to the counter to discover, the concierge had double booked the elevator with two other trucks that were refitting the hotel!!! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrgggggghhhhhhhh! So we wasted an hour trying to sort out how to get it done. He finally decides we can share the lift with the other people... so the 2 hour load ended up taking 6 hours. Fucking nightmare. More to that, I spent two more days cleaning and running small loads in Paulys car... the whole move took 3 days. I have promised myself I will NEVER move myself ever again.

So anyway, Tuesday night, after day 1 of the nightmare move from hell... Pauly and I were aching for a drink, so headed into the city to meet up with his new beau at the Shift. After parking, we were walking up to Oxford Street when we saw this :

The bricks had collapsed from the top of this building and crashed through the glass awning... and onto a few cars... oh my god, got to love that Meriton quality!

Met his new man, Alan, had a few drinks, then went to City Extra at Circular Quay... for a seriously fattening fried seafood face-stuffing...

Will I ever learn?

So horribly hung over....


Went to Paul's company Christmas party last night... Crystal Bar @ GPO. Hot. Downstairs, off Martin Place. Sexy, funky, dark - my kinda place.
Party was fun, well as fun as work functions go... Open bar... bad news... I lost track of how many G&T's I had.





Spent the majority of the evening chatting with a couple of girls - who I embarrassingly thought were a couple... until they told me they were both straight... oops. They just kinda looked like lesbians... :op








So anyway, half way through the night, we discover that the DJ is... Alex Demitriades! Initially, I thought he was arrogant - a bit up himself... but had a good chat to him and he turned out to be really really nice. The photo I took doesn't do him justice... he is actually very sexy...






So after what was possibly 700 Gin and Tonics, I ended my night sprawled outside GPO emptying my evening out on the 140yo sandstone steps... disgusting. I NEVER throw up... maybe I am getting old and just can't hack it anymore...

Worst part was, Paul abandoned me some time during the night! He just up and vanished... leaving me to sort myself out... :o(

I was so trashed that I couldn't walk. I had no choice but to lay against the wall for about an hour until I had sobered just enough to stand up. Staggered home and passed out.

Will I ever learn?

Packing... Blaaah...

God, I hate packing... I have set myself a schedule :

Thursday/Friday - Living Room
Saturday - Kitchen
Sunday - Bedroom

Hopefully I can stick to that. Renting a truck for Tuesday. Recruited Alex, Paul and Dove to help me load up and unload at the storage place.

What I really need is a moving fairy. Someone that can pack, sort, load, unload. Anyone??? Hello??? Blaah... Guess I will just keep doing it myself.






Sorted out my clothes - it was long overdue. I ended up culling about 3/4 of my wardrobe... most of it was too big for me...





















It's weird to think that I fit into this stuff just 3 years ago. Crazy.... I did decide to keep these shorts - as a reminder... :o)

Necklace

Are wooden bead necklaces still OK to wear? I kinda thought it would be alright.... What do you think?

An Act of Contrition

3 weeks is a long time. 3 weeks is even longer when you think that things aren't going so well. Even though things had been resolved, there was something inside me saying that I needed to see Dean - now. Even though I had said I'm sorry over and over and over, I needed to do it face to face. I needed Dean to see how sorry I was, and how much I needed him. I was so scared that I was going to lose him, that I would have done anything to prove to him that I love him.

Finally I couldn't take it anymore... on Saturday I arranged with my friend Paul to drive to Melbourne. We could share the driving and be there by morning. Perfect. Paul's car is a 13yo Ford Festiva. I dubbed her 'Janome' - since it is more like a sewing machine than a car.

So 9pm, we headed off on our Road Trip. 4 Red Bulls and lots of music - the run was pretty good. Not very eventful, not even a hot hitch hiker.... oh well... I guess that only happens in porno's.







A few times during the night I spoke to Dean - he was out with his work colleagues having their Christmas party - and he was completely trashed... that was perfect, because he didn't question why Paul and I were driving at 3 in the morning...

About 5am, and about 100km north of Melbourne, it was time for a nap. Both of us were buggered and even though it was only 100km left... neither of us thought we could make it! So we pulled over at a truck parking area for a sleep.


Woke up about an hour later to a beautiful sunrise, fresh crisp air, and a strange desire to rip off all my clothes and run around in a paddock... can't really explain why, but it was just an urge. I didn't actually do it - maybe next time.




Arrived in Melbourne at 7.30. Way too early to be showing up at Dean's place. Knowing he crawled home at 3.30, it was better to leave him sleep for a little longer... So I took Paul to Brunswick St for a nice breakfast in a little Greek bakery (Can't remember what it was called!)
After that, we drove into the city and parked while I go on a hunt for some flowers.

Found a Florist where I bought a huge bunch of Oriental Lillies. So here's the plan...

* Drive to Dean's at 10am - that gave him 6 hours of sleep (enough I think!)
* Go to his front door, then call him : it would go something like this....
"Hi Baby, did the delivery come this morning?"
"What delivery?"
"Oh, I had something delivered for you this morning... I told them if no one answers, just leave it at the front door."
Then he would stagger downstairs to the door, open it and I would be standing there...

Well... I called... and called... and called... The little bugger had his phone on silent!

About 10.30 I had a moment. Whenever Dean is out with everyone, and they get trashed, Imma ALWAYS crashes at Deans house, and usually in his bed. I also thought that since Imma is Deans 2IC, if Dean isn't working, then there is a good chance Imma will be. So I sent Imma a message : "Hey Lady, I hope you are working today, and you are at Deans??... I am downstairs, so if you are there can you let me in?"

Next thing, Imma is letting me inside - totally dumbstruck. Not sure whether it was because she was half asleep, or whether it was the shock of me there...

So I snuck up to Deans room, he was sound asleep. I crept in, sat next to him on the bed and stroked his shoulder. I could already feel the emotion building. I was tired, and was scared, I just wanted everything to be OK.

He slowly rolled over and opened his eyes - I was looking down at him, a bit teary, but smiling. He looked up at me and... literally crapped himself. Ha ha ha. I will never forget that look - like he had seen a ghost. Then he just sat there with a quizzical look on his face, "What... what... aah... ummm... what... what...". I kissed him, and held him. I started crying. I just felt so relieved that I was there. I needed to say sorry to his face. I did that and I felt relieved.

We spent the day just hanging out, Dean, Paul, Andy and myself. We went out for Yum Cha, then wandered around the shops for a bit. Dean needed to find a vase for the flowers. Then we headed off to OutDVD in St Kilda to see if we could get Season 1 of Drawn Together - a weird ass animated series about cartoon characters in a reality TV show... no luck, out of stock. We stopped in at the Belgian Beer Garden for a couple of Stellas - nice place. Could become my favourite Summer hang out.

In the late afternoon Dean, Pauly and I went out to my mum's place. We decided to crash out there since it will be easier for us to leave from there in the morning. So had dinner, a few beers, and then it was off to bed early.

Morning came, and we said our goodbyes... the last goodbye, since the next time I see Dean, I will be moving to Melbourne. Yay!

The drive back was better than the drive down.
I guess because we could actually look at stuff along the way. Instead of just being dark the whole time.

It was hot and sunny - Janome has no aircon, but that was fine cos it meant the drive was done sans shirt and windows down. Noice....


Thanks Pauly for the use of Janome and also for coming with me to share the driving... couldn't have done it without you. xxx

All in all.... an exhausting and emotional trip for me - but something I really needed to do. I think it made everything perfect again.

Funny...