Canberra mini break...

Life has a funny way of throwing you into what I can only descibe as a spin cycle, emotions are very hard to express at times and I've never been the best at expressing how I truly feel, unless of course a few tasty beverages are consumed and then I usually say way too much!

I was luckily enough to spend the weekend with an ex-Canberra local, Id never really done the whole Canberra thing, all the gang at Terrigal Primary headed there in year 5 but I remember I had the choice of Canberra or 3 months in Ireland during the summer of 1987. Yeah so I never did see "Our nations capital" in 1987. I'm glad I waited. My tourguide was definitely more of a laugh than I dare say Mrs Moore would ever of been.

Saturday was spent zooming down the Hume (again, Ill know this road very well) and then jumping on a bike and taking in the sights. Great cycling, everywhere very flat and you could not of asked for better weather, cycling round Lake Burley Griffin from the museum to the city and round the traps enjoying the vibrant sunset and full moon rising.

Most of you know about Canberra being a planned city, but to my amazement, did you know that every tree in Canberra was planned and planted! Bizarre, but hey its that kind of place, there was no one there, great roads, huge sculptures and no one anywhere. Ok slight exaggeration, but for the size of the place you could quite easily get lost in the stillness and just enjoy the fact that there are no queues, very few cars and very few people out and about on the weekend.

Thankfully my hostess with the mostess also took me to some of the local haunts that you would def miss out on if you were not aware of them. Bar Phoenix in Canberra city is reminiscent of an old pub in Galway and the locals, although looking very bush-ranger-ish are very friendly and its a pub I would love to call my local (If it was in Newtown of course).

All in all I'm quite intrigued by this planned city in the ACT in the middle of NSW. Soaking up life by the lake, beautiful company and being flooded by new emotions and places, Anzac weekend Canberra, 2005 is one that I will hold close to my heart for a very long time.

Canberra, the planned city

Sunset over Lake Burley Griffin

Its all Go...

Im a much happier person when Im working and trying to cram as much into 24hours as possible. That said its been a funny sorta week, busy doing bits. Managed to finish off alot of projects that I started but never quite had the chance to finish. Thats the best way to describe it.

But hey did get some really good news, Kate and I managed to score a lovely 2bed 2storey apt at Sydney Park, move in mid-may and cannay wait. God only knows what are in those boxes that I packed up well over a year ago before heading to NZ. Oh and I also scored some more work in Melbourne on Charlotte's Web and a couple weeks painting in the shire before the move so all is plodding along rather nicely.

Just have to secure some full time work in Sydney end of May and all will be fabulous. Also need to get sorted before those other two mad tarts land. Last drunken messages recieved were from Siobhan and Mjohn in Fiji. Oh wo go jo, craic will be had in Sydney this year. Had a few ol pinteens with Tanya Lee and Noel Conroy last Saturday, look out Sydney from reports of a Clonbur and Headford contingent in transit as we speak.

The Frames

do yourself a favour, get this album! www.theframes.ie

sideways down
maybe i should just move along
but you know id draw blood if thats what you want

you found someone who makes you laugh
whod stick around but that's not what you want

you slipped at the start
and dragged the whole thing sideways down
everybody fucks up
its just something thats been going round

and you found someone who said he'd stay
who'd give it all but that's not good enough

now your standing alone

and your living alone cause you dont know what you want
and your living alone
and your wondering now, cause you don't know what youve done
maybe i should just disappear for now
then maybe you could see a little clearer now

and you found some one who makes you laugh
who promised you he'd never let you down
and you blame it on your broken heart
but everyone who reaches out gets stung

now your standing alone
and your waiting alone cause you dont know what you want
and your living alone
and your wondering now cause you dont know what you've done

maybe i should just move along
but you know i'd draw blood
if thats what you want..

In memory.... Niamh McGrath

Life is to be cherished, like most people, I take life a little too much for granted at times and it is only when close family and friends are sick or tragedy strikes that you reflect on how good you have it and that you should really give thanks for what you have...

It is with great sorrow that I report of the death of Niamh McGrath. Last friday night Niamh fell from a pier on Clare Island, Co. Mayo and suffered severe head injuries. She was an outgoing person whom was always up for an adventure and I can still remember her laughing at my attempts of windsurfing in Galway many years ago. She has touched the hearts of many in Clonbur and also the many people that she taught in Petersburg Outdoor Centre. Always a smile, a chat and a genuine interest in your answers.

My prayers are with Vanessa the friends that were with Niamh at the time of the accident and Niamh's family and friends. Im sure she has already found out where the party is and is singing and laughing where ever she is now. RIP

Happy 1st Birthday Lads

Aidan ~ Loretta ~ Liam 14th April

Thought for today

Ive decided to not just dream my dreams anymore, Im going to make them happen, goals have been set in place and they will come to fruition... no need for luck, its all about planning, a to do list a mile long and putting energy and confidence into the right areas.

Christening and First all in 1

Well, today we celebrated the twins first birthday and also had them Christened.
Liam and Aidan took it in there strides and no tears were shed, well at least not from the two lads anyway.

Im the proud Godparent of Liam Edward Cosgrove and I am joined in this responsibity with Glenda's brother David Heath from New Zealand. Adele, Glenda's sister and David Finn take responsibilty over Aidan John Cosgrove.

Great to see all the family get together for the day, the lads loved it!

Your getting old!!

After the Church bit, it was back to John and Glenda's to really wet the lads head and celebrate the twins first birthday. Really great to see the old crew back together, lets hope its not so long between these dodgy line photos those crazy Joyce's always manage to get us in!!

Back up the Hume...

Well Ive landed back in Terrigal and so the adventure as to what the next chapter in my life holds will unfold.

The past two months in Melbourne have flown, especially the last two weeks where I have thouraghly enjoyed work and play in a city that offers so much culture and diversity in a small place. And as with my life in general, just as I found my way around the city and no longer had to do a lap of honour in the car, work has finished down here for me, so Ive decided to head back to Sydney and try and get myself grounded and settled in one place for the first time in over a year.

I worked on the film, Ghost Rider and then spent my final two weeks working on the film, Charlotte's Web. Met some great people on both films but have to say that I really fell on my feet on Charlotte's. Not only met some amazing friendly people but also enjoyed working out in country Victoria, about an hour and a half from where I was living in North Fitzroy and would have loved to be able to spend longer out there.

No matter, it may be all for luck, not sure what next on the film/work agenda, but Ive put my name out there and fingers crossed it shall not be long before the next feature comes my way.