AND THE OSCAR GOES TO.........

Probably Scotty for best funny faces at a 40th birthday. That'd be Deb's 40th then, and, wanting see see us all looking nice dolled up, "THE OSCARS" was the theme for the evening. Tony went all out, even got a couple of big statues and a red carpet.

Tony and me, it was as windy as. Had to put sand bags on the statues to stop em blowing over. Greg blew up the huge champagne bottles. Tony had a theory they'd be baseball bats later in the night. Which proved to be right.

I got home in plenty of time, stress levels not even making the scale. Then I had to shoot back up with a 4 way for DJ Moondoggy. When I got there, I saw the band had set up bloody big speakers and blocked out my lights. I had to move the whole lot. I got home at 6.00, which was the exact time I was meant to be getting to the Martin's with Shazza to jump in the limo. Shazz went without me. Stress levels noticably higher, I resigned to the fact that I'd be missing out on the ride, then got a phone call from Deb saying they'd pick me up on the way through. Five minutes later I was showered, suited up, waiting on the front lawn looking pretty damn sharp.

The limo scene. Karaoke on the move. The party was at the POint Walter golf club. So, wanting more than three mins in the limo we headed into Freo for a spin. Tony owned the mic, and by that I mean he wouldn't let anyone else have it! (just kidding, GB did a marvelous Elvis)

Scotty D, Scotty S, me and Tony. Every girl's crazy bout a sharp dressed man. Shazza, Chris and BarbNatalie, Jamie, Brooke, Scotty, Bill and ShannonDebbie and CozzyMe and Scotty, handsome. The shrewd observer may notice Scotty's way of expiditing intoxication!Coz and ShanScott (that's sushi in his mush) me and ShazzaAs aboveDJ Scotty, before the inevitable unleasing of DJ Moondoggy Dog. Play that funky music white boy.The name's Bothe, Greg Bothe. Smooth, baby, smooth!A bit later in the night, not quite as smooth. Cam points out the spillage, GB wonders if he'll get the bond back on his rental tux.Elegance and class comes in many different ways! none above!!DJ Moondoggy Dog gets into character. The infamous GOOBER FACE. Rarely caught on film, more the pitty.The band played on - where's Shazza?the camera loves us!!

as above!!

Great night, sadly marking the end of birthday season '07.

M PEOPLE

Well, it's birthday season once again, nice to be another year older. At least I'm still firmly entrenched in my mid-thirties, not like Marie, she's 40!! And like all people who turn 40, she had a party. The theme was M, come as someone who's name starts with M. Here's a few pics:

Marie and Ian (Marilyn and Muscle Man)

Me, Bill and Rob (Marilyn, Mask and Mario)

Shaz, Deb and Cozzy (Mobster's Mole, Moulin Rouge and Mary had a little lamb)

Shane, Julie, Leanne and Pete (Merv, ?, Kylie Mole and Mexican)

Chris and Barb(Herman Munster and Maid Marian)

Lisa, Sue and Marcus (Mermaid, Morticia and Mexican)

Chooky (Mexican) I don't know why, but this shot just makes me laugh. I think it's a combination of facial expression and lipstick all around his mouth.

Shazza, Shannon (Magenta) and Cozzy.

The two Marilyns.

Chooky and Bill

Birthday Girl and one sexy guy!!

Great night, ten cartons of beer drunk, two year ten waiters drunk, who pile of wine not drunk, killer punch making a lot of people drunk. I think things wound up around 2.00am, so it was through the fence and into bed. Rolled out of bed at 11.00 this morning felling pretty ordinary. At least it was a goreous day today, mowed the lawn, and had a spa - nice.

BETTER OUT THAN IN

Ah, it's here again. It kinda sucks being another year older, but it's always nice to have a Big Day Out. A few debutons this year with Bill, Nokesy and Andy coming along, the more the merrier I reckon. Well, when I say that I refer to my friends, not the public in general. It seems the public in general embraced the festival this year. Attandance was up from 24,000 to 40,000, which, to be honest, was a pain in the ass!

Tony, Bill, Ian, Andy and Ollie.

My Chemical Romance, my only mosh for the day. A kid collapsed right behind me, and the band hadn't even come on yet. Had to get her out. That was a pain in the ass.

Bill, Tony, Ian, Ollie, me and Andy

Me, Ollie and Andy

Muse. How three men can make so much noise has me beat. Abslouely amazing set.

Couldn't get in the D for Butterfly effect. That sucked. Couldn't get in for the Killers, that really sucked. Couldn't get in for Muse, and by that stage I was pretty pissed off. The new entry for the D was pathetic. There were more injuries there than in the mosh. What a joke. The organisers need to re-think that one.

CELEBRATION OF A NATION

So, we'd only one week left of the school holidays, it's bloody hot, Australia day long weekend not far way.....Sounds like all the makings for a trip down south. We headed down to Gracetown last Friday, the Martins arrived on Sunday, then, on Monday morning, bright (well not that bright) and early, Tony and I headed back up to Perth leaving the wives and kids down there.

Sunday night was a bit unusual though. Tony and I headed into Margaret River, but when we got back to Gracetown there was a huge tower of smoke, and it looked pretty close to town. We kept and eye on the fire, but truth be known, it was a bit of a worry. ANd, according to the local paper later - it WAS a worry: TOO CLOSE!

Pretty soon fire crews were rocking in from Gracetown, Margaret River, Rosa Brook and Witchcliffe. Not long after that a couple of water bombers appeared on thre scene.

The fire started to spread pretty quickly, folks were on their roofs, hosing down. As the fire came over the hill you could hear it coming. Tony, myself and the kids went for a bit of a looksy, as you would.

The local copper pulled up, looked across at Tony and me and said "shit, it doesn't look good". Nice. Anyway, the wind shifted, and the town was no longer under threat, so we relaxed and carried on as planned, while the fire headed to the ocean.

What better to take your mind of a scary situation than wine and cheese? Smoked cheese anyone?

It was still dark when Tony and I left in the morning, so we couldn't really see the damage. No stress though, by thursday at five o'clock we were back. We headed to the Beach cafe for dinner, it was only the second night they were open for dinner, so we didn't have any great expectations. But we actually had a bloody good feed, and what a cracker of a spot.

Friday was Australia Day - too lovely. The Nokesees came down, the weather was scorching, and the beach as busy as you like.

There's Tony, he found a nice cold beer and a comfy rock a perfect way of escaping the heat.

Me, Nokesy and Tony - and the kids on the pontoon, but you'd be needing good eyes to pick 'em out.

Three wise men.

Not even sure what's going on here...

Went to the Colonial Brewery for tea on Saturday night, that was a laugh. I might just chuck in a few random pics from the weekend....

Tony.

Hot night on the Balcony. Moonlight on the Indian Ocean.

Jordan and Dylan, skim boarding at Moses Rock.

Jordan at Canal Rocks.

Sometimes it all just gets too much. Ian and Deb pike out on the day bed.

More Australia Day celebrations

Tony, the kids and me at Yallingup Beach.

The sunset last night, our last night. Be back soon but!!