My old stamping grounds

It's been a very long time since I went back to my old school......

Years in fact.

Seems odd..... having gone to boarding school, I spent almost all my time there. To have so little interaction with it still feels a bit strange at times.

It was time to go back though.

My brother, Bryce and I needed to go back to say some goodbyes.

The old school Chaplain had decided it was time to give up teaching and preaching to the students. Instead, he'll be headed back out to look after a small parish in rural NSW.

Father Rex is a good man and we felt we needed to say goodbye.

While we were there.... we also said goodbye to Tini. She's retiring and heading off to warmer weather!
It was very strange walking through the halls again.

Everything felt so different.....

Even the students look smaller...

Goodbye Oliee... Fliss....

Next in line to leave are Oliee and Fliss....

They're both going to Ireland to work and live for a while..... who knows when they'll be back?

For his farewell, Oliee wanted a specially themed party!

SPACE PIRATES!!!!

Now.... I wasn't too keen on this, so I decided to put my own spin on it.

Instead of a space-pirate, I dressed up as a space-COWBOY!

Ting helped me to do my makeup. Look at the thunderbolt! Does it look familiar?

It really should! I'm ZIGGY STARDUST!
Everyone was nicely dressed up.... thought I'm not completely sure as what.

We even had time to break out a few poses.

.... maybe more than just a few.....

Look how shiny Emma's stockings are.

Everyone was having fun... the drinks were flowing and people were generally running around.

.... but then....

Things started getting a bit weird.....

Stead had shown up wearing a bondage outfit (Pirate???)

And Matt found a leash.....

While Matt was busy with Stead.... a few of us decided to get busy with his girlfriend Jess.....

... and then things went from weird to outright gay....

Cowboy Matt and I decided to go brokeback on one another.

Strauchy didn't want to be left out.

... and Dan then had his way with Todd.

... the rest of the night is a bit of a blur....

Moving house..... again.....

Well it's goodbye to the crack den......

I'm moving house.... again.......

It's been fun... but it's time to go......
A small place, but oh so conveniently located.

Woke up this morning, from the strangest dream...

I love going to the AFL.....

It always brings back memories of rain soaked days out at Waverly Park.

For the first time in years.... the Kangaroos were NOT the team to come to Canberra. Instead we were lucky enough to have the Bulldogs come and face the Swans.
It's such a nice day out going to the game.
With a beer in one hand, everyone seems happy.

Hold close the things you love

Hold close the things you love....

I can't remember who told me that, but it seemed like good advice.

So I decided to embrace this ideal.

I love flat-screen TVs.
My brother also felt it necessary to show his love.....
.... but only for the things that he truly cared for.

Confusion Reigns

It's getting very confusing.

I really have no idea what's happening anymore.

My plans for what I'm going to do this year seem to change almost weekly.

So far... this is the list of the plans that I have had.

1. Do first term of Legal Workshop + Ski for the Souther Winter Season + Spend time in Newcastle with the family.

- This changed to.....

2. Do first term of Legal Workshop + Go to Europe at the end of the year.

- Which then changed to.....

3. Do first term of Legal Workshop + Work for Cirque du Soleil in Perth + Spend time in Newcastle with the family.

- And that was scrapped for....

4. Do first term of Legal Workshop + Work for Cirque du Soleil in Perth + Go to Europe at the end of the year.

- But before long that became...

5. Do the first term of Legal Workshop + Do the second term of Legal Workshop + Go to Europe at the end of the year.

- Yet this was to morph into....

6. Do the first term of Legal Workshop + Go skiing for a few weeks during the Southern Winter Season + Go to Europe at the end of the year.

Until we have the plan as it stands....

7. Do the first term of Legal Workshop + Go skiing for a few weeks during the Southern Winter Season + Do the second term of Legal Workshop + Go to Europe at the end of the year.

..... BLEH!!!!!

I think I'm going to give up making plans... anything made seems to fall through anyway.

Eurovision!!!!!!!

The Eurovision Song Contest was on the other night!!!!!

.... basically just another excuse for a party......

Television at its tackiest. So everyone decided to come dressed in their own tacky manner.

Lookin' good!!!!
Steady decided that all denim was the way to go..... I particulary like the cut-offs.....
Nick proudly displayed his finely sculpted "Euro-beard".
Don't Rani and I look threatening???

Regardless of what Nick may say.... this pose was NOT done on purpose. It's just a case of "Nick being Nick".

Which then leads on to a case of "Stead being Stead"...... a lovely vision for everyone......

Au Revoir Pauline.....

Our resident Frenchie is leaving....

Bye bye Pauline, it's back to Paris for her.

She decided she wanted a big farewell party.... and the theme was.... aluminium?????

It all become much clearer once I arrived. Pauline just wanted an opportunity to dress up as the Eiffel Tower.
Everyone seemed to get into the aluminium theme.
Ting helped me to do my hair! I look like a Martian Rasta!

I was lucky enough to have my photo taken with "Captain Future"....

... and now here is mild-mannered reporter Oliver Toohey (no relation to Captain Future).

A violent game of "caps"....

Everyone here seems to be posing nicely, but the reality is that we've locked Fliss and Oliee into the closet behind us...... bye bye Pauline!!!!!