WIld Goose chase

All the notices I had put up around the place I thought had finally paid off when I got a call from a guy from the Mini club late on Monday night, his sister had spotted a badly parked yellow mini panel van out in the back of an estate in Windsor. He had showed her the picture and she thought it looked the same.

They said they could check the rego and call me back in the morning. But I couldnt wait, it had to be her, how many yellow Mini Panel Vans are there?? So I called the Richmond Police, gave them the exact directions that the spotters had given me and they assured me that they would take a look and call me back.

At 6am when there was no call, I called the cops, the news was, well they couldn't find it. I had my suspicions that they even went out there, so I headed west, called the lads at work I would be late and headed to Windsor, following the directions that I had been given from the spotters.

Then up ahead, 60 mins out of Newtown in the middle of a dry dusty estate looking out onto a reserve, I spotted a badly parked yellow mini panel van. My heart raced, from the back it was Betsy. But as I drove closer, it quickly became apparent, it wasnt her, this was an older girl, badly parked yes she was and in need of some TLC. But not Betsy.

I turned round and headed for Fox completely deflated. I gave the cops a call and offered the number for OPSM.

At least there are plenty of spotters out there, and if she is still in NSW, well there is some hope.

Mini Hunting and an emotional day at the Mini Rally

The Mini CLub of NSW and all the clubs around Australia have been great in offering support and posting notices to Members and putting information on there websites and the NSW Mini Club even started up a new section on there site devoted to stolen minis.

There has been at least 10 reported stolen minis that the Club is aware of, and many of these stolen within the Sydney metro area. It is believed that these little pieces of history are bound for the lucrative pastures of Japan or the USA, where people pay big money. Cars are stripped, loaded into various shipping containers and passed thru customs as car parts.

Its a sad state of affairs.

Here are just some of the much loved Minis on show at the annual show'n'shine. I had intended on taking Betsy out for a spin and had even bought some AutoSol to shine her bits up pretty!! But you all know what happened to that plan.

Tori Amos - Sydney Opera House - Friday 14th September

This is the first time Ive seen Tori Amos and oh what a show, what a venue and what a show!

The first and last time I was in the Opera House I was in year 11 and going to see the Bell Shakespere do Macbeth and that was down in the bowels of the Opera House. So I was pretty bloody excited to see Tori and in the main Opera house.

She put on one hell of a show, playing for well over 2 and a half hours.

I was in a little bit of a shabby mood after finding no Mini when I got back to Newtown, but seeing Tori was an amazing journey into my past. Lots of memories, a great mix of old and new.

What a performer!

That sinking feeling, then you wanna throw up

I made it back to Newtown just before 6pm, looked to where the Mini had been parked and all i could see were the yellow otto recycling bins that are usally parked behind it.

I looked out to the road, back to the bins, up the lane, back to the empty car spot and the bright yellow bins I could now clearly see. Had I brought the car to work?? No.

I had left the car there cause the car hadnt started when I tried to bring it to work on Monday and with lack of daylight hours after work I had planned to play around with it on the Saturday.

So I was completely shocked to find some complete bastard had stolen my 1976 Mini that wouldnt start!!

Its taken me years to finally stop talking about Minis and actually buy one. And now some bastard has gone and stolen it!! Im in Shock and Im devastated. Yeah its only a car, and yes it was insured, but thats so not the point. These cars are rare in Australia. And they are getting rarer by the minute.

First call, the Police then the NRMA and then work out who to call next??

Who just robs a bright yellow Mini in broad day light and no one sees a thing?? Maybe it didnt start on purpose??

I heart hiroshima - Hopetoun Hotel Surry Hills

Thursday 13th September

I have been really keen to see these guys after getting a taste at the Essential Festival way back in April.

And to support they had fellow Brissy band Skul Hazzards and Sydney band Amy Meredeth.

Just caught a bit of Skul Hazzards, pretty loud indie rock. Then on comes the local lads with what turned out to be a pretty big fan base for the boys with the big hair and 80's flaire. Lots of the punters looking like they got caught in an 1984 cyclone in kmart or best and less all singing along and all with funky hair.

They were actually pretty cool, if you could get past the lead guitarist standing on stage looking into the crowd with mouth open acting like a porn star. But hey this band had some great tunes. Think Ride, splashes of Stone Roses, a touch of Depeche Mode and a dash of New Order disco, and well I love a little Brit pop. Or maybe Im completely wrong?? I might need to check these guys out again, the Prince looking frontman was oddly appealing.

And now for I heart Hiroshima.

These guys from Brisbane rock, I love em, they got some great catchy tunes and remind me of Electrelane, some very early Magic Dirt and bits of Boss Hog. There is something very sexy about a singing female drummer!! (And Ive seen 2 this year - Love of Diagrams at Spectrum being the first).

And while the drummer Susie Patten and guitarist Cameron Hawes were keen to put on the show, the other singer/guitarist Matthew Somers found it hard to focus on the job at hand, having consumed one too many tasty beverages with the guys from Skul Hazzards while waiting to play being a huge factor.

The continual sound checking and tuning of his guitar and amp was very frustrating, both for the audience and the other band members and really didnt look the best for a band launching their CD 'Tuff Teeth'. The continual banter between Matthew and the now very annoying members of Skul Hazzards standing in front of him yelling was very boring!

But, when they played and Matt did manage to remember he was here to play a gig and launch a CD, this group were surprisingly tight and there were more glimpses into what is to come of these guys.

Next gig, leave your mates back in Brissy Matt and follow the lead of your fellow band members!!

Was also great to be at the Hopetoun, what a tops Sydney venue, 3 to 4 live bands a night 7 days a week. LOVE IT

Marrickville Road Festival

Sunday 9th September 2007
Well in contrast to the Stop Bush protest, it was great to be out and about within my local community. Soaking up a great vibe, drinking a cold beer on the street while chilling out to the bloody tops Blue Mountain bred - Belles Will Ring. Ive got a soft spot for these guys and everytime I see them they are getting tighter and more confident. Great to see them headline an event too.

APEC - Stop Bush Protest

1. Police Overkill??
2. Peaceful Protesting
3. Bush the Puppeteer
4. The Greens
5. Creative protesting on the go


Town Hall Sydney to Hyde Park - Saturday 8th September 2007

So in preparation for the water canon Id heard so much about and the dark clouds outside my window and the passing showers I threw on the board shorts and rain coat and joined quite a few more people from Newtown on the bus to Town Hall for the 10am Stop Bush Rally.

Managed to get close enough to hear some really good speakers including Matt Howard, ex US Marine. Very well thought out speech offering an insight into the war on Iraq first hand. The kind of stuff that makes your blood boil and illustrates all the lies that Howard and Bush have told us all to justify having troops in Iraq.

Numbers were down from what the organisers were expecting, but with the threat of rain and also the huge Police presence there would of had to of been at least 10,000 people.

So was it peaceful?? Well from what I seen, there was no trouble. I did see one girl get arrested (or maybe just removed?) for dancing on the steps of Town Hall as we started to move away, well she did decide that she wanted to dance on the high banister in a rather unsafe spot, and when the Police removed her I thought the Peaceful March was about to go pear shaped as the crowd turned on the cops that had us and every side st off Park st cut off.

There were a number of pro Bush supporters provoking the masses and a Neo-Nazi group that attached itself to the rear of the March that organisers pleaded with protesters not to engage with.

I have never seen so many Police in Sydney, or anywhere for that matter. That in itself left me feeling a little uneasy. Police buses, riot squads, water canons, they had it all. Overkill, well yes I think so.

So what exactly did Sydney get out of APEC besides the public holiday on the Friday??
What exactly did Australia get out of hosting APEC and what have the leaders achieved??
Most the stuff you read has not been positive and word on the street is much the same.

Gotye - Metro Theatre Sydney

Saturday 28th July 2007

What an amazing performer. Still a touch shy but this show had some really cool elements and some great visuals and samples. The Metro was such a good choice of venue for a show like this.

Support band Explosions in the Sky had some great moments also and I would def like to check them out as a headline act.

All is all another good night on the Sydney live music scene.

Tash's 30th

Helping Tash celebrate her 30th, The Bank Hotel Newtown for some really good Thai and a few tasty beverages. Sunday 26th August

Chilling with the boys...

Thats me and Liam and Aidan flag waving

Sometimes ya just gotta do it...

Saturday August 11th 2007

Have to say, I was never so happy driving a car, well not since my 1978 Holden Gemini that I bought when I was 17.

Let me introduce you all to Betsy II, she is a May 1976 Leyland Mini Clubman, and for the best part is in pretty original condition.

Ive been talking about getting a mini all my life, Ive been a mini spotter for as long as I can remember. And when I seen this little beauty advertised on the net, well what do you do, your heart races a little, you hope like hell no one bids on it on ebay til you see it then you call your uncle Paddy and you drag him out west to look at it, take it for a spin and hope she goes well and he gives the nod.

Then with the wonders of the internet you transfer the cash over at the guys place you bought it from. Hey I love the internet, I love my mini, heck I was kinda fond of the car crazy truck driving dude I got Betsy from. And I love my uncle Paddy.

Smiles from the post box

Last night when i checked my mail box, besides the usual junk mail that has been put in my box from people ignoring my NO JUNK MAIL little sign, there was a lovely card and beautiful gift that made me smile from ear to ear. When I was in NZ working on Narnia what seems like so long ago, I was lucky enough to cross paths with the beautiful Sonya. We were fast friends and she gave me a piece of greenstone just before my departure.
The greenstone I wore with pride and as my connection to both Sonya and also to that amazing part of my life that I now look very fondly on. When I was moving house last June, the green stone broke, signifying a new chapter.
And now as I enter another chapter I have another piece of greenstone to help keep me balanced.
Sonya, you are an amzing women, and I wish you well in your journey, I thank you for crossing mine.

Sonya wrote something in my card that I hope she wont mind me sharing...

When life gives you one chance to know someone ... turn around and look.
When life gives you one chance to love someone ... open your arms ... and welcome thee.

Spring haunted by winter

Its been a while in between posts and Ive completely lost the month of August there somewhere and now its the 4th September. This year is completely flying and a little too fast for my liking.
So yeah there has been a few highlights and stuff and stuff. So ill endeavour to get some new photos up and write a couple of yarns very very soon.
Think Im just a little in shock from the glorious sunny Sunday to the cold snap today. The Shorts are back in the draw for at least another week.