Welcome to the jungle...

Here is a view of my office from the nearby park, I'm 12 floors from the top, overlooking the river. 

Aquadog

Reilly goin for a swim. 

Riley's Bar

Well, the first bar we went to with our new dog Riley, by pure channce, was Riely's bar. 100k south of our house, big day out, took the dog, booked there to do an Irish band gig, and look at the name of the place. What are the odds! 

Ponder ponder ponder

Charlie, Nash, Granty, Frainer, Saz, Schmelly & Rodgers all have a big ponder.... 

Cork Lads

Standard uniform for any corkman abroad! Here we see Billy and I modeling the latest Irish version of the Peoples Republic of Cork t-shirts. www.peoplesrepublicofcork.com the choice of champions.

The Cousins

Ah the lads. Justin, John, Grace, Conor & Richard. Excellent MacCarthys the lot of them. however, all are lacking in both beard and belly, something of which I have excelled at in the last few years. 

Gig Photos

Heres Jane and I just after a gig around the corner from where we live. I was standing on a milk crate for teh picture below...


 

New member of the family

Every one say hello to our new dog Reilly. She is 12 months old and we got her from a dogs home today before a gig. She is a really great dog and likes walks, retrieving things (being a retriever, thats a given) and sleeping and hanging around the bar. Again, a lot in common with myself!!! 

A long long time ago in a galaxy far far away....

Well, in Perth and yesterday, I managed to squeeze in most of Star Wars episode 3, Pachelbels Canon and a few other "popular classics" into a gig. Not a bad days work. 

BBQ central

In tribute to the great Ozzie traditions of BBQ’s and beer, Trevor & Billy and I had a go last night at experiencing this antipodean ritual. I can confirm that it works and appart from the side effects of an incredible craving for chipsticks, I highly recommend it (on a daily basis!!!) 

D.I.Y.

Only in the country 20 hours and already Billy is putting his skills to good use. Here he is re-hanging the front door. This is phase 1 of a big BIG plans for the house, cumulating with Billy eventually making a nice veranda and pergola around the side of the house. 

Vengerov look out...

Trevor Spring amazed us all last night at a BBQ with his amazing rendition of the first half of the old favourite "Mary Had A Little Lamb". Right from the first gritty, gripping chords Trevor made us hang on every note (all 3 of them) all the while making the music speak as powerfully and colourfully as possible, and with the kind of freedom and instinctive gesture that only a stellar technique allows.

The crowd called for more so Trevor is going to line up the Saint-Saëns' Third Violin Concerto, which he feels would be the perfect vehicle for a violinist of his standing. 

Dr Zoidberg, the popular one

This is our new cat called Docter Zoidberg (after the futurama carachter). He/she (we are notsure what it is) is a fairly hairy kitten who showed up the night of the housewarming in the wee hours of the morning and has been hanging around ever since. Its pretty well behaved, and likes eating, sleeping and hanging around the bar. We have a lot in common! 

Billy Sexton Arrives in Perth

Billy Sexton arrived in Perth last night after leaving Cork last January and travelling through Cambodia and Vietnam. He is a buddy from college. Now there are three of us over here, a trend has begun! 

The last fry...

This was the last order at the BBQ the other night (see below). Needless to say we have had sausages for breakfast, lunch, dinner & tea for the last 3 days. Reminds me of the whole christmas/turkey for a week scenario, except this one tastes much better with mustard & tomato ketchup. 

Housewarming

In true Ozzie fashion, we had our housewarming the other day to the accompaniment of an all day sausage sizzle. It was fantastic. This BBQ thing is great! Great flavor from the food, all the time, really easy to use and clean and it only requires one hand so the other hand is free to hold a can of beer. Bonzer. 

Shark & Chips

Not sure if this picture will come out correctly, but last Friday, as you do, I went down to the chipper and ate some SHARK & chips. It was DELICIOUS!!!!! Also the satisfaction of eating something which would eat you given the chance made it taste a whole lot better (although it may have been the tartar sauce....) 

Bilocation: the ability to exist simultaneously in two locations

Well

Did 2 days work today. Got into the office at 7, worked till 2, hopped in the car, sped off to a 20 min wedding, 100 bucks and 40 mins later I'm back at my desk, nobody even knew I was gone.

Huzzzzah!

My new nunchucks

Well, since my set of 5 got "confiscated by the crown", I had to resort to making my own (as they are illegal over here) So I made this beauty last night after a few beers. I used chain, LOTS of duct tape and some yellow electrical tape to make it look good. Balance is all off and they are a bit too long because I didn’t use a ruler.....(typical quantity surveyor excuse) So im gonna make another set tonight following instructions this time. 

Darts Night

Ross and Trevor called around the other night and we had a great evening of beer, darts and elevator impressions. Trevor brought a hat and I decided to put it to good use and do some gardening…..


 

Fridays gig

There are venues all over Perth like this. Secluded parks with beautiful architecture and landscaping (and viola players of course). This picture was taken as we were packing up, the bride getting photos taken on the steps. Picturesque stuff! 

Apres Gig Free Chocolate!!!!!

This place was right next door to the wedding we played at. It was an overwhelming experience.



I felt like that guy, you know, he went to a factory that made chocolate, won a ticket of some Wonka guy…..

 

Drive Through Off Licences

Grabbed a few beers on the way to a party the other day and came across this wonder of social evolution. The drive-through bottle shop. Its simple. You drive in. Shout out what you want, and what note you have ($20, $50 etc. so the dude can come to the car with the booze and the correct change) and then drive away loaded to the hilt with goon juice. Some of them even have express lanes! And they call the Irish drinkers!!!!!


 

Work Lads

Here is all the guys I work with. Great bunch, good laugh yet extremely professional. Note who is the closest staff member to the bar......