Hold On, Hold On

"I'm over drinking"

Something I haven't experienced in some time.

The last time, was as far back as when I owned a car.

An experience of normality that's only an experience because everyone around you is filling themselves with booze. As the night draws on, social links meander, and the conversation about time-travel, or the tramp that lives at the end of the road with hair matted thick enough, and grown long enough to sleep on like a camping matt - don't quite hold your attention like they usually would...

The Alcohol free party... x5.

So my 'de-tox' was on, and with it came several evenings out with friends in usualy fashion where I had to exercise some self control to make it through the evening... or mainly the first half an hour where everyone would quiz you as to why you weren't drinking, followed quickly by some attempts to get you to cave.

In the middle of some of these gatherings came a return to the Teppanyaki place we'd visited for Aarons birthday last year. This time, it was Benny's turn to be the target of the eggy cannonballs served up by the crazy Japanese chef.... or so most people would have guessed.

After a few guys had thrown some stray raw eggs about the room last year, I figured it my duty as Benny's mate, to make sure he got hit by some a chickens finest produce. Though upon launching some of these across the room at speed toward the host, the chef caught site of me... and since I was then 'the trouble maker' (albeit one of the only people in the room with no alchohol flowing through his bloodstream), he decided to re-route his attacks toward me.

Needless to say I walked away with yolk all of me... along with some hard and crispy rice - thanks Lowen ;)

The Sunday of that weekend seemed a lot like the first day of Summer, and with it I visited both Coogee and Maroubra, and even ended up in the sea... for a second as it was still wintery cold despite the suns best efforts to warm it up.

After 12 days of alcohol free clear headedness, at approximately 7.15pm I broke with a bottle Pure Blonde followed by a few cool wines. I had travelled to Woolongong with Todd, Rog and Mel to meet with Anna at her folks place. A cool and calm weekend followed with some late nights, rambling in the undergrowth nearby and then a short trip around the 'Gong and a wander down the beach.

I slid back to Sydney early on Sunday morning to make the most of the weather, and again, head to Coogee Beach for a spot of lunch.

Call the Police

Sydney, Australia

Thankfully, the inevitable was confirmed on Tuesday when I got the call offering me the new position. Just a little pleased with myself I handed in my 7days notice and went back to work.

A working week followed of catching up with sleep, making preparations for moving into my new place and a pretty random night in the Cooge; dinner followed by several beers and the most dismal performance in a quiz I think I've ever managed. 8 out of 30! But a laugh it was. After that the CBH was playing host to a swimsuit show, which we figured since we were locals and all, we should support this sort of event. We rolled up as the show was about to begin only to find out that it had been postponed, they were kind enough to pour us a free drink for the inconvenience!

With Friday night, came cause for celebration. As well as Aarons birthday, it was my final day at my short-lived employment with the State Government Department. A shame really as with this session, I found I was starting to get to know some of the people I had been working with.

I ran over the 7pm deadline for meeting with my room mates so found myself burning the pavement as I made a cross city dash to a Teppenyaki restaurant.

I arrived at the restaurant as everyone else did, so all that was left to do, was relax with an Asahi and get my catching arm ready for some projectile food throwing. The chefs emerged with hungry audience before them. There were around 18 of us eating the Jap-style banquet.

Some huge prawns kicked off the meal, and after the first taste, we knew the evening was going to be a success. Though as the delicious foods were served, they eventually made way for the flying food varieties; mainly egg and rice. Pretty soon after the chef had thrown some cooked egg, Jarrad (Aarons bro) decided start picking people off with raw eggs, and so began the food fight…

Aaron copped the overwhelming majority of the missiles, and struggled to make many return hits through the convulsions of laughter that had infected him...

Some of the party left as we headed off for a few more drinks, (though after smelling my clothes the morning after, I’m surprised we got in anywhere!) which got progressively more, err, well progressive I guess. The core party whittled down to just two in the end, with Aaron putting out his best moves on a dance floor who’s only other dancer was a 70yr old dude that seemed to be going a bit mental to a Stones cover of ‘Satisfaction’… some headaches were to follow the next day.

Indeed they did, just when the Summer seemed to be showing up. I technically had to move out that Saturday, and though I made some effort, I only managed to get half my stuff to my new residence before it was time to party the night through all over again. This time, in 70’s attire. After some diversions, we arrived at the party in full swing (swingin’ 70’s style that is).

A psychedelic night followed. The guys shirts and ladies attire were truly amazing (if that’s the word?!) and of course, I could wear ‘the rug’ out with pride!

Stumbling in at some unearthly hour, we had partied hard this weekend – more an accomplishment for Aaron whom also just made it into the exclusive ‘Club 27’; he had to go to work on Monday, where, for me, I would just get to laze in the sun… or at least as much as I could in between running around getting the final things ready for my new room.

I did however get to the beach on Tuesday afternoon to soak up some D, before going home, only to look forward to a life of work once more…