TV this week

Well you can't turn on TV and not here about Matty John and his New Zealand holiday of 2002.

What upset me is that there is only three weeks left before Lost finish up for 2009. What am I to do.

Cafes of Melbourne: Gas

Gas (which is short for gastronomy) is one of South Melbourne's favourites. To be honest, this area is extremely well supplied with good eating of all kinds, but Gas offers something special, thanks to the energy of the Maskiell sisters. For a restaurant that claims to be very casual, it is very efficient. A big display cabinet full of delicious things to eat takes up most of one wall. There are a couple of tables towards the front with a few spilling out onto the pavement but most seating is at high tables equipped with stools.

Photo 1 is South American scrambled / Photo 2 Gas's famous French Toast. Both are to died for.

Address: 253 Coventry StreetSouth Melbourne VIC 3205

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Saturday in Geelong

Andrew came to Melboure last weekend and the first thing we did was hop a train and travel to Geelong.

Geelong is like Bathurst by the sea having plenty of history, a having great sense of community and being so close to Melbourne a growing need to have that neighbourhood lifestyle.

The waterfront is a great place to relax as we did, having time to kill before the game started between Swans & Geelong. That's why we were in Geelong, not saying the city is boring.

There are some great building still found in Geelong.

But as for me I just like hanging around with all the boys I could find.

Such a stupid thing to say and do.

The Swans and the Cats

Pictures of the game at Skilled stadium in South Geelong. As you can see it's standing room only.

Me trying to look cool but really afraid the Cat supporters were gonna beat me up. Lucky I had my own security guard.

Swans playing before the game. The only time they looked any good.

The result was in the bag before we got there. Geelong won but Swans kept at them till at one stage we were only 15 points behind. It's always hard to beat a team at there home-ground.

Top 100 Songs of all time: Marquee Moon

The Song: Marquee Moon.
The band: Televison, Tom Verlaine (gtr/voc), Richard Lloyd (gtr), Fred Smith (bass), and Billy Ficca (drums).
The Album: "Marquee Moon." From 1977 comes Televison's debut and masterpiece. Looking back this makes me feel so ancient as 'marquee Moon" is over 30 years old.

From the first hammering chords of "I see no evil" to the end song wistful notes of "Torn Curtin" this album is a real time capsule of grandeur. One song that stands alone, is the title track which is great in clearing out the cobwebs of life when played really loud, especially early in the morning.

The history of Televison, they were part of the New York/CBGB/late-70s scene. They are often lumped into punk & new wave bands of that era, but this was mostly an accident in history, just like "Patti Smith" around the same time. Television’s brand of virtuosic, cinematic rock was a different sound to bands like Ramones or Blondie. This debut recording had its whipcrack rhythms and strategically interwoven guitar lines, may come across to-be the most structurally perfect guitar-based music ever made.

Some people find Tom Verlaine’s voice—technically suspect and borderline whiny—to be an obstacle. I think it fits the music perfectly, and anyway, with a different singer Television would have been a different band. And that would have been unfortunate, because no one was qualified to take their place in history recording one of the best albums of all time. Let alone the song "Marquee Moon" being in my top 100.

Young Lawyers in love

As I'm the new kid in town always hoping to find some new eye candy in the office.

The Johns boys are at it again

Gone are the days of NRL and Tina Turner.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXIzp0ok24I
Now NRL faces each year with a new crisis bigger than the one before. Will 2009 be the year that the public have had enough.
Examples below: What's happen here with David Williams from Manly. OK sure he is one of the sexiest men of leauge but com on boys leave your boyfriends out of the picture.
Brett Stewart (Pictured above)the face of the NRL's 2009 advertising campaign -

has been accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old neighbour after the club's season launch.

A police statement on the incident, issued yesterday afternoon, said the 17-year-old girl was approached by a 24-year-old man outside a Pittwater Rd unit block.
The statement read: "The pair spoke for a short time before walking to a stairwell, where it is alleged the man sexually assaulted the teenager.
"She went to a nearby flat to get help. Police from the Northern Beaches local area command attended and conducted inquiries.
"The man was arrested and taken to Dee Why police station.
"He declined to be interviewed by the investigating officers.''
Stewart was released without charge at 4am yesterday, pending further inquiries.
The girl was taken to the Royal North Shore Hospital and treated, before being released.
Her parents are believed to have heard her cries for help after she had gone outside for a cigarette in Pittwater Rd.
The girl's father rushed to her aid and, after a scuffle with Stewart, banged on a neighbour's door, asking him to call the police. Police arrived and took Stewart away.
The family has lived in the street for three weeks.
An interim AVO issued by police prevents Stewart approaching the girl or her family or being within a certain distance of her.
As a result, the Sea Eagles fullback is unable to return to his home, as it is located within the range specified by the AVO.
The scandal has derailed the NRL season ahead of Friday's much-anticipated opening game. Last night, the NRL scrapped the $1.5 million marketing campaign, which heavily features Stewart in its television ads.
Stewart and his brother, fellow Manly player Glenn, officially launched the NRL season last Wednesday at a gala function inthe Domain.
Manly launched its season on Friday at a sponsors' function at the upmarket Manly Wharf Hotel, during which Brett Stewart was spotted drinking heavily.
In a separate incident, Stewart's team-mate, Anthony Watmough, was yesterday forced to apologise to a club sponsor after police were called when Watmough allegedly slapped the sponsor at the function about 5pm.
Notwithstanding the apology and Manly claims that the incident had been dealt with, police confirmed last night they were still investigating the alleged assault.
Stewart has denied the sexual allegations through the club.
Manly chief executive Grant Mayer released a statement yesterday that read: ``On the evening of Friday, March 6, 2009, Brett Stewart of the Manly Sea Eagles was spoken to by Dee Why police in relation to an allegation of sexual assault of a 17-year-old girl.
"Having been spoken to by police, he was released without charge. The allegation is denied.
"However, the club acknowledges the investigation is ongoing and, in these circumstances, and on the basis of legal advice, neither the club nor Brett will be making any further comment pending the conclusion of that investigation.''
Manly will begin its defence of the NRL premiership against the Bulldogs on Saturday night. NRL chief executive David Gallop confirmed last night he had dumped the NRL's advertising campaign.
"We have considered the matter carefully throughout the day and, until further light is shed on the issue, we believe it is in the best interests of all parties that the campaign is suspended for the time being,'' Gallop said.
Gallop and Nine Network boss David Gyngell late yesterday agreed that Nine would cut a new ad for the NRL today.
Gallop said he had spoken to the club and it might stand Stewart down.
"We've spoken about that being a distinct possibility.''
He said fans were entitled to be dismayed about the contin-ual problems associated with the abuse of alcohol by players.
"We've worked hard to promote the right messages, and there can be no doubt about the fact players should know they have to accept their responsibilities.''
"The police are in position to best make a decision, in terms of the legal process, but you only have to look at someone like (former Raider) Todd Carney.
"He's a reminder to all players that you don't want to find yourself playing in a fairly remote out-post, out of the NRL competition.''
The NRL unveiled the $1.5 million TV advertising campaign, featuring Australian Idol winner Wes Carr's hit song Feels Like Woah, at the Domain in Sydney last Wednesday.
For premiers Manly, the 2009 season had already begun on a bad note. Multi-millionaire co-owners Max Delmege and Scott Penn have been feuding over finances for the past month.
The warring owners met face to face for the first time at the club's season launch, where they publicly accepted a peace plan.
Former professional footballer Ian Roberts has come out in the press telling Channel Nine what he thinks of highly rating show "The Footy show." Hey boys time to pull your socks up.
Roberts has slammed Channel Nine’s The Footy Show over its depictions of homosexuality.In an interview with SX, the openly-gay footballer turned actor said the portrayal of homosexuality on The Footy Show was “absolutely pathetic” and dangerous to young people coming to terms with their sexuality.Robert’s comments come in the wake of the Thursday, May 7 episode of the show, which featured an apology from NRL player Matthew Johns over his involvement in the New Zealand group sex incident that has drawn widespread outrage and publicity.Immediately after the apology, The Footy Show aired a skit in which a fictitious Johns brother, ‘Elton Johns’, was taken to hospital because he is gay.“I want to return this,” said Johns’ father Gary in the skit. “It’s faulty.”‘Elton Johns’, portrayed by Matthew Johns, said: “Dad only knew I was gay when he walked in on me and my boyfriend Ian [Roberts].”“It’s absolutely pathetic,” Roberts told SX this week. “I couldn’t give a fuck what they think about me, they’re a bunch of mindless yobs, but there are young people out there questioning their sexuality, feeling insecure about their sexuality, and they’re affected by these jokes.“I personally know young people who have topped themselves because they were struggling with these issues,” he said.Roberts added that both Johns brothers had been involved in scandals over their behaviour – Andrew Johns over illicit drug use, and Matthew Johns over group sex and infidelity – “yet they still think they’re in a position to make fun of others”.“When will we see a Footy Show skit about drug addicts or group sex?” asked Roberts. “Never, because it’s too close to the bone.”

Last night Matthew John tried to explain himself on Channel Nine's "Footy Show" with the full support of Paul Vautin. Vautin was later to defend his actions after Johns by patting the co host on the back and saying "Well said, now lets get on with the show."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrZJm4CHnUU
This is all in relating to a soon to be airred 'Four Corners" story out on Monday night referring to the bad behaviour of the stars of Rugby League players.

Top 100 Songs of all time: If you leave me can I come too?

What a great song from 1981

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSGtg26-TpU

Mental as anything or better known as "The Mentals" became a household name very soon into there career. It's best to describle them as a Aussie Maddness, clowning there way the country with there feel good music. There first hit was an indie classic which lead to many more working in with there music videos. I don't know if this song would of been a hit, if it wasn't for the crazy video with Martin Plaza chasing his girlfriend through the streets who has recently left him. Along the way he collects more and more people to follow him, as he follows his girls. Also what good about this song is the title. It's much like a country and western song. "If I said you had a beautiful body would you hold it against me?" or my fav, "Sleeping single in a double bed."

Movie: Star Trek

At last a Hollywood film I can like. This film came across as a real winner. Andrew & I went off to see it at the IMAX in Carlton. The new Star Trek movie has no big stars more like charater actors with Zachary Quinto (see above and below) who is much feared and hated from the TV show "Heroes" plays Spock. Well lets say he plays young Spock, as not to give too much away the original Spock from the TV/Movies makes an appearance. But what really makes the film, is the humour that lies beneath with actors like Simon Pegg who plays "Scottie." and Anton Yelchin paying "Chekov" don't you love him.

Also in the film Chris Pine (seen above along side William Shater) plays a young James Kirk. Ever since the announcement that the young and virtually unknown pretty boy / thespian Chris Pine would take over the role of James T. Kirk in the new Star Trek movies, Internet fans have been asking whether or not he's got the chutzpah to take over for William Shatner. If you don't know who he is and you have landed from outer of space. Shater played "Kirk" in the original TV show and movies. The answer to that question is "No. Absolutely not." but no matter how you feel about Pine, you've got to have some modicum of sympathy for him: this is going to be a hard sell for Trekkies. To his credit, Pine isn't letting the pressure get to him, and he's being smart, approaching Kirk as a fresh character instead of as a Shatner-esque vehicle of over-the-top eyebrow archings and wild gesticulations.

As for Zachary Quinto he has big shoes to fill playing Spock but (without giving too much away making his charater sexy can make a sequel so easy to do. This is the first of the big summer Hollywood films but something tells me it maybe the best for 2009. Score 10 out 10.

Bendigo weekend

On my 2nd weekend living down in Melbourne I went to Bendigo a big city north of Melbourne just over an hour away by train. Much the same distance as Newcastle is to Sydney. Why, I was hooking up Michael & Raul, who had flew down for the week-end.

They were both down because of the "Bendigo queer film festival" and to make things fun Raul is a board memeber of the festival so we got to meet plenty of people.

Raul has been coming down to Bendigo for about five years now and has a close connection with the gay community of Bendigo.

We managed to see many film in the two days we were there. The day before Melbourne was having a heatwave but the weather conditions so changed that weekend, so it was a good excuse to snuggle up and watch movies, instead of being out in the cold.

Apart from movies we went out to bars and checked out the night life though that Saturday night I did come down with a cold and stayed in. I had been running myself down all March and just needed some sleep. Michael and Raul went to the after party for film festival, it seems every year the crowd gets younger and youger at this party. Is it more of a cause we are getting older and wanting to be 21 again.

Above is a great picture of the boys (Raul and Michael) we were at the gardens on a lazy Saturday afternoon. On the way home we stopped into the small country town Kyneton. There is some great place to eat here. Made it back to Melbourne mid afternoon so we walked around St Kilda for a while then drove into the city for a bit to eat in Carlton. Then giving the boys are big hug and sending them on there way home again.

Movie: Wolverine

Am I the only person in the world who thinks Hugh Jackman can't act or to put it in another way on the silver screen. Put him in a broadway musical and you'll be singing and smiling like any dumb sucker who pays for that crap. Yes he's alright to look at and I wouldn't kick him out of bed but put him in a movie and there's something about him, that comes across so wooden in the performance. In his lastest movie "Wolverine" Jackman plays logan (aka Wolverine) a tortured soul who travels through time with his brother played by Liev Schreiber (Sabretooth) in search of happeness. The opening credits have the two men in battle together throughout every major war in the last few hundred years. It's not explained very well at the start and why they can live forever or why they stop looking older after the age of thirty is not told either. We just have to except the fact or read more comics. This is where the film's idea comes from, the Xmen comics. When I was little I read comic and now an adult I read books, though I must say comic have changed since I was a boy but back to the movie review.

So if you have seen the last 3 Xmen movies you will know of Wolverine and the other mutations. They are like Supe Heros but bad, ugly and feared, becoming rejects of society. The story line steals a lot from other movies, like "The magnificent seven." The love interest for Wolverine dieds half way through the film transforming him into a killing machine. Boring wake me up when you can think of something new. Hey Hollywood, the movie should of ended when the girlfriend died anyway. Here's a twist, Logan/Wolverine discovers the love of his life is dead.(killed by his brother) He can no longer go on living so with all the power of he's long claws he rips into Hugh Jackman's naked body (we have to have one more chance of eye candy before the film ends) tearing out he's broken heart. At the very end the girlfriend awakes to see her dead lover beside her. Reminds you of other famous tragic love story I hear you say. My verdit is wait till DVD so you can fast forward over the boring bits. 3 of 10.

Top 100 songs of all time: "The Message"

Another great song from the past that would be in my top 100 songs of all time is "the Message" by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. It was release in May 1982 and so famous now, when release in the US in didn't even make it into the Top 40. It was the UK that maade it a hit crashing into the Top 10.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4o8TeqKhgY

Panel shows are they bad for you

You can either love daytime televison or really hate it but generally you will find it concerning what women want, while still imprisoning them in the house. House proud wifes make happy husbands.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHdTSD3Pheg&feature=player_embedded
What concerns me is why is same sex marriage such a hot topic at the moment on daytime TV.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDQZUoYajy8
As well these panel shows are like watching talk back radio. If John Laws was a woman he might of had a great TV show.

Done well

My sister Jo and her family came to Melbourne over the week end. A Mad bunch of people but love them to bits. Jo and her husband had a wedding to go to on Saturday night so before that we went across to the South Melbourne Markets for breakfast. Nothing to rushed for them as they had a long drive down on the Friday from Sydney by the time we hooked up that night it was close to 9pm. I really love South Melbourne Market it has the best food with some great cafes close by.Saturday afternoon came and Jo and Chris went off to the wedding so Hannah and I went up Chapel St to the movies and window shopping. We both found scarfs we liked, Hannah's one was for my sister Debbie who has a birthday tomorrow. Mine was for me, colour brown. Later on we found some food to take home (as I never have anything to eat in the house) and sat around the TV with the heater on watching "Spy kids." Yesterday was brunch in a cafe in St Kilda with Jo Chris and Hannah before they drove back to Sydney. It was a shame that we didn't have that much time together but at least they know where I am now.

Top 100 songs of all time: "Show of Strength"

"Show of Strength" by Echo & the Bunnymen would have to be in my top 100 songs of all time. This song is found on there debut album "Crocodiles."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_1nnGjCXyo

One of my all time favourite band is Echo and the Bunnymen, managed and produced, from Liverpool, northern England. Trust the fad-happy Brit's to come up with some musical pot, spiked with the bold if somewhat naive acid-age expansion of the Doors, the 13th Floor Elevators and Syd Barrett's Pink Floyd. But instead of coming up with a mere handful of Nuggets, Echo and the Bunnymen strike solid rock by applying recent history–hard-core punk bash, the harmonic tangents of Public Image Ltd. and Joy Division, electronic pop à la Ultravox–to the sounds of yesteryear.

Echo and the Bunnymen dived straight into the mystic on their debut album, Crocodiles. Singer-guitarist Ian McCulloch specializes in a sort of apocalyptic brooding, combining Jim Morrison-style psychosexual yells, a flair for David Bowie-like vocal inflections and the nihilistic bark of his punk peers into a disturbing portrait of the singer as a young neurotic. Drugs are actually a sorry end, not a means, in "Villiers Terrace," a stroll through a gallery of acid casualties. Instead of dope, McCulloch trips out on his worst fears: isolation, death, sexual and emotional bankruptcy. Behind him, gripping music swells into Doors-style dirges ("Pictures on My Wall"), PiL-like guitar dynamics ("Monkeys"), spookily evocative pop ("Rescue") and Yardbirds-cum-Elevators ravers jacked up in the New Wave manner ("Do It Clean," "Crocodiles"). The chilling acoustic fragility of the band's original versions of "Pictures on My Wall" and "Read It in Books" (both released on a 1979 English single) has been jolted by the nervous, Byrds/Talking Heads-style jangle of Ian McCulloch's and Will Sergeant's electric guitars and the brittle snap of Pete De Freitas' drumming (Echo was the name of the group's first "drummer," a rhythm machine). Best song on the album is("Show of strength")which combines all the above and it's exactly this unnerving contrast between the colliding guitars and McCulloch's tortured yelp that gives Crocodiles its dramatic impetus.

Do you really want to hurt me?

This is a funny story I found somewhere from the "Sun" newspaper.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article2403844.ece

Apparently the story goes why Jack Tweed ended up in jail are as followed: Jack Tweed attacked a taxi driver in Epping London. Jack and three of his friends (one male and two female) caught the cab after a night clubbing in Epping last May 2008. Taxi driver started raising his concern that the four, all seated in the back seat, were in breach of taxi regulations, the 51 year old driver, Stephen Wilkins, was told to “just drive”. Jack became very aggressive when, in accordance with his firm’s policy, Mr. Wilkins asked for the fare upfront. “I explained to the two guys, ‘If you don’t pay me now I am going to go back’,” said Mr Wilkins. “The one sitting directly behind, he said ‘just f****** drive you ****’.” At this point Mr. Wilkins decided to turn around and return to Epping and then came under attack. “He said ‘turn the f****** car around’ and grabbed me from behind. He got hold of me with his arm. Pulled his arm around my neck and pulled it against the head rest. “He was leaning over me, over the back of my seat, with his face alongside my face, screaming ‘I will stab you, you f****** ****.’ “He leaned forward and yanked the hand brake up. He was screaming in my face. He was very, very aggressive.” Mr Wilkins said he tussled for control of the handbrake and the car went into a “half-spin” in the middle of the road. “We were very lucky we were not killed. He should be up here on attempted murder,” he added. “The second male passenger clearly found it amuzing,” continued Mr.Wilkins,”he kept shouting - ‘News Of The World Jack Tweed’.” Mr Wilkin’s managed to stop the car and shortly afterwards was joined by another taxi driver from his firm. The second taxi driver, Mr.Russel Burns, remembers seeing the passenger behin Mr.Wilkins “punching and pulling on the back of the seat”. Jack walked away when the police arrived. Jack has denied assaulting the taxi driver Mr. Wilkins.

Man of the Month

What can I say here.

Every blog needs one.

Give me a break.

The biggest loser

On TV this week the fat people show ended most people may know it as "The biggest loser" It leaves me with the burning question what really drives people to lose weight. Is it to look good or to be healthy. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs311/en/index.html

But we could all try to fit into a pair of AUSSIE BUMS once in a while. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuLO5ZI5uJk

Swans bad start to 2009 season

Has the Syney Swans lost there fighting edge as there 2009 season turns out to-be a rollacoster ride. It seems that the away games for them this year are ending up winner for the home team. St Kilda in Melbourne, Brisbane at the Gabba and last week with there third loss of the year Freemantle in Perth. Thank God all there home games this year have been winners for them but for home much longer?

Melbourne fashion, look sharp

Since living down here in Melbourne I've found there is dress code. From what I might of found myself wearing in Sydney when leaving the house back in Chippendale will not cut it. Now that the mornings are getting colder I can get away with wearing a jacket to work without sweating to death before I reach the office.

I can't wait to loose some more weight so I can step out in a Hugo Boss Suit (that's if I get that pay rise one day) or even try and fit into the two suit that hang in the wardrobe at the moment. I must admit that I have become kind of a slob when it comes to dressing for work. Hopefully with the influence of the people of Melbourne I maybe able to look sharp again.

Yes in my youth (my late teens) I used to dress in suites & ties listening to the Who or the Jam. We called ourselves MODS but even then I was a fairly untidy MOD. I preferd being a punk wearing a leather jacket and big heavy boots with buzz-cut haircut. Much like the haircut I have now as I'm going bald these days. That seems so long ago now, I miss it sometimes but happy with what life has given me.

Anzac Day 2009

Picture 1- Men march outside Flinders Street Station

Picture 2- more men marching

Picture 3 - Youth March across the bridge near Flinder St Station.

Picture 4 -Old men in Old cars

Picture 5 - Love this, Crowd, man with dog.

Picture 6 - More men marching

Picture 7 - More men marching

Picture 8- It's almost like Mardi Gras.

Picture 9 - Now that a real Mardi Gras shot.

Picture 10 - Army drummer boys

Everyone loves a man in uniform and I really can't recall if I have being in Melbourne before on Anzac day. Some may say it should replace Australia day as our National day but I disagree. Both days hold such meaning, though Anzac day seems to be more melancholy where as Australia day is more like a Kylie song where you feel like singing and dancing the whole day through.