Happy birthday Amelia!

Today was/is Amelia’s 19th birthday. I tried – and possibly failed – to get a surprise going. I think she knew, but she acted along well anyway.

I went to the city earlier in the morning to get her presents – yes, I left it til the last minute. I got her a notebook in which I wrote my birthday message, and hopefully she’ll use that notebook to write down some cool dreams that she has. I also got her a box of tissues and some Strepsils because the poor girl had gotten sick just yesterday – the eve of her birthday.

After realizing that she’d be late coming into the city with Ser-, I thought I had enough time to go to the florist right outside the Town Hall and got her a small bunch of mini carnations.

In the end, her friends Ly- and Ei- actually got there before she did, so when Amelia finally arrived, they ran up to her to hug her as a way of surprise.

We went to Dessert House for some cheap lunch. I don’t really think I’m a photo blogger so I won’t post the numerous photos of food and us that Amelia took. After lunch, we went to Starbucks to sit for a bit. We sat there for ages, and Brendan and Nha- joined us, and then later on Des and Tat (they’re all, bar Brendan obviously, Amelia’s friends). Brendan and Nha- got Maccas, and Nha- was nice enough to actually get me a cheeseburger. I think I scared Ser- a bit when I more or less bullied her into taking my money to buy her drink – I just really didn’t want to hold onto so many coins.

L2R, Amelia, myself, Ser- and Brendan. Ser- doesn’t like having her photo taken. This photo was after a LOT of persuasion.

After getting many glares from the Starbucks staff – one of them actually had to tell us to quieten down – we sort of all agreed that instead of going to Papa Gino’s on Lygon as was originally planned, we’d all just eat the cake in the city, then go back to Glenny to have dinner. So I made a booking at Zest 91, and went to pick up the ice cream cake from QV. Amelia cut the cake with a plastic knife, and we ate the cake with little plastic spoons.

At this point, Ly- and Ei- had to leave, so Tat and Des went to Ferntree Gully where they parked the car, so to meet us at Zest, and Brendan, Nha-, Ser-, Amelia and I went to ICUE to play some pool. Nha- is extremely good, Brendan is passable, and I think I made the wrong impression and Nha- thought I was decent, which I am not.

At 5, we thought it best to go back to Glenny. Said bye to Nha-, only to be greeted with sheets of rain. We slodged through a crossing with no lights, and found our way onto a packed Glen Waverley train – one of the few that seems to be running that afternoon. And not surprising either, seeing as already the gutters were overflowing, much less the lowered tracks.

The train ride was pretty terrible, mostly because Amelia had developed a headache, couldn’t sit down to sleep, Ser- had no sense of balance and so kept on falling onto one of us (and dislikes physical touch). I was just glad we managed to make it onto an express train that was running at all. I didn’t even consider the possibility of being stranded in the city today.

Went to Zest 91 for dinner. Sat upstairs, not after going up a crazy winding spiral staircase to get there – not the most comfortable decor idea. Met Amelia’s friends Andrew and Steven.

Oh, right, throughout the day Amelia was trying to find ways to work me into her conversations to tell her friends who I am. Her subtlety led to her telling Tat and Des “oh, by the way, that’s my girlfriend”, and telling Andrew and Steven “oh yeah, Alex, yeah, I’m dating her”.

Because the dinner was mostly Amelia’s closer friends, Brendan and I ended up having a bit of a chat with each other – something we haven’t managed in a while, and I never realized how nice it was to talk to him. It was different to when on Skype or MSN, because online he tends to do weird things and is distracted easily, but in person it was better to keep him on track.

It was a pretty long day, and it was made worse by extremely bad weather. But I really hope that Amelia liked it anyway, because I know that it was some effort for the people who came out, and I know that for the people who didn’t, they wanted to.

And a huge thanks to Ly- and Jan- (the latter of which ended up having to work, so couldn’t come) for helping me organize the whole thing!

Alex.

That’s so intense! 42!

Yesterday I went to Jacky’s birthday party, which is where the first part of my title comes from (explanation later) and, of course, today is 10/10/10, which is 42 in binary.

Jacky’s birthday was a last minute decision on my behalf, and it was a great decision actually! Mandy gave me a ride to Jacky’s place, and we had finger food at his really awesome house. Played pool for a bit, and then watched Annie and Anna make Jacky a last minute card. They drew Jacky is a balding man with blue eyelashes and full red lips. I gave him sleazy eyebrows.

Clare got a Blackberry! I was really excited because when she gets internet on her Blackberry I can communicate with her with the BBM.

After a while, Clare and I played on Guitar Hero, and sort of did that until Jacky came back bearing lots of pizzas. Had the pizza, then had cake! Jacky took 5 or 6 tries before he managed to blow all the candles out – especially since one re-ignited itself.

Annie and Viv C tried to smother me. Elaine did nothing to help.

Then came the tried-and-true tradition of watching Mandy be a part of Super Mario Bros. Hungy, as Luigi, felt compelled to pick up Mandy’s yellow Toad and throw it into the lava repeatedly.

Then, of course, Mandy played MarioKart. Okay, to be honest, everyone played but Mandy was the loudest and the most INTENSE player. Ad- and I probably came close to bursting a kidney laughing at her intensity. “Move over fatass!”

At a very late point in the night, when a lot of people had gone home, I left with Dorothy and Mandy. I had sore throat from laughing non-stop at Mandy’s intense MarioKart playing.

Alright, so I went to bed at 1 am, ready to pry my eyes open at 8 to meet up with Gil. (Pearl)

I got to the city at around 10:30, having stayed awake on the train with my fantastic Pokemon Yellow. I felt rather cool playing it (on the way home, an Asian guy gave me a smile of approval after seeing my Gameboy). I got to Flinders Street, to find that the crossing to Fed Square was blocked for the marathon. While waiting for Gil to come, I kept an eye out for Steven. It was really…well inspiring is an overused word but, still, you know, inspiring to see all the runners. I saw this really old grandma keep her head down and soldiering on near the end of the run. There were these two girls who dressed in angel wings (sorry I forgot to take a photo) and holding a sign that read “never ever give up”.

Of course, there are douchebags who cut across the path of the runners because they’re too lazy to go down the steps next to the station and come up from under the bridge. Two of them cut across this guy who had pulled a hamstring, and one of them said to the other one (holding a cigarette) “this is just stupid!”

When Gil arrived in her adorable gray beanie (which didn’t give her hat-hair) we went to line up for the tickets to Tim Burton. That itself took over half an hour. Still, it was really great to just chat with her about her cougar-ness. Oh yes. My friends, Gil is a cougar (she can deny it, but it’s true).

The Tim Burton exhibition made me want to just draw again. I used to draw when I’m trying to listen in class – people say I’m distracted but I pay better attention when I’m drawing – but I hardly do that anymore. I guess, though, I actually have to take notes in Uni. I dunno, maybe one day soon I’ll sit myself down away from the laptop and have a bit of a draw. Nothing as fantastically quirky as Burton’s, of course, but I can try.

The Burton version of Hansel and Gretel made Gil and me crack up – because for some reason, the witch was a man, and Hansel and Gretel were Asians in German clothing. That, and the low budget made the overall show hilariously…scary. The talking clown/gingerbread man is sure to give Gil nightmares.

After staying on our feet for nearly 90 minutes, Gil and I decided to have lunch at…Maccas. It was a good thing we went to Maccas to sit down and eat actually, because we ended up talking for about 2-3 hours about Code Geass (because that’s her obsession), Ouran Host, then somehow FRIENDS, and then Simpsons. The table next to us saw 3 different diners come and go, and we still sat there.

When, finally, at around 4, we thought we should go. Still, it was a fantastic way to spend 10/10/10, which by the way is 42, which by the way is the answer to life, universe and everything.

This is…probably not the best photo but yeah, that was the one on my phone. The ones on Pearl’s camera…is on her camera. She’s not online at the moment.

She doesn’t look 20 huh? Old ass.

Alex.

You Say The Storm Will Pass

[That 70’s Song – The Cab]

(Alright I started writing this before I left on the 29th. Who knows when I’ll finish it).

Yesterday was Spanna’s birthday party deal at her place. She lives quite near Jenny so I got the two sets of instructions mixed up, and got off at the bus stop that would have been for Jenny’s place. Well, it was an extra 100 meters walk, so I managed.

Spanna as one of those kids’ playgrounds just behind her house, and we were all mighty envious of that.

Met Spanna’s cousin May, who despite appearing to be 15-17, was actually 25. She became the source of entertainment as everyone arrived, they had to guess May’s age. The closest was 20.

When I arrived, Tiff, Sonam and Vania were there already. We nibbled on some snacks and generally talked. I realized Tiff is going to QLD, where Cathy’s going (same course). (Speaking of which, Dani’s going to ACT, it seems, which is depressing.)

I sat with May for a while just chatting and “watching” tennis (I don’t really follow it) and after a while Susan, Shar-, Bel and Julia arrived. So the party got moved to the living room, and we continued eating and watching tennis (the scene was very reminiscent of Sorrento, where we sat around eating. Indeed, Sonam held the same slouched pose).

Jen arrived, and then we basically started on all the food and drinks. Spanna had her “Oppa” Ray there, and being the only guy he retreated into Spanna’s fort-like bedroom and listened to the Backstreet Boys (we could hear him when it was quiet).

After downing enough food to drown a small hippo, Jen left.

Oh wait my wording made it sound like Jen ate shitloads and left. I meant, we all ate shitloads, and then Jen left. Ah forget it.

Viv and Eve arrived later on, and we cut the insanely huge Black Forest Cake. And then when everyone started leaving, We opened presents, and Spanna received her first pair of pants (I kid you not, she has not worn pants for the better part of the last decade). Then when everyone started to leave, Lily arrived.

We ate more food, had ice cream on mini cones, and then got all high. I left at around quarter to six, stuffed to my eyeballs and tired as hell.

Memorable quotes of the day, since Tiff was around:

Tiff: “I know you’ll miss me but get your hand out from other there!”

And:

Spanna: [looking at the mini cones] “Oh my God they’re so small!”

Me: “You’ll be saying that a lot more from now on.”

And:

Jen: “Look how drunk my text sounds!” [Text read: Hey jen has no more basterrym whsrtt time and place?]

Happy birthday, Spanna, and I wish you the best of luck learning how to make 2 minute noodles.

Alex.

Consumed With What’s To Transpire

[Sex On Fire – Kings Of Leon]

Yesterday was Dom and Tranny (I don’t know if I’m allowed to call him that since I just met him yesterday but I think it’s fine). Also, it was funny that the song came up on shuffle, and Mai sang to that song yesterday.

Took the train up and met with D.P. at Melb Central, and we walked around trying to find an alky store that was open on a Sunday morning. Finally, Cellar-brations was open. Win! Smart guy opening so early.

Went back to Melb Central and met up with Tranny, Charles, and then Jimmy and Eren etc, and then Fei, Jen and co showed up. WOAH INFLUX OF NEW FACES! I knew I was in for a day of introducing myself.

D.P. went into Mrs Fields where she works and started decorating a cookie cake for Dom and Tranny. She took so long that we nearly missed our train, and only made it by yelling at her to hurry up. It resulted in one of the cookie cakes reading “Dom and Trunny”. I bagged her about it.

Got on the Werribee and knew we were in for a long train ride. Talked about movies and horror movies on the train, and finally got to Hoppers Crossing. It was very sunny and hot already, so it was very complain-worthy walking that 20 minutes to Dom’s place.

Arrived, downed some cold drinks, then went inside when Mai showed up (she’d gone back to pick more people up). Started playing Band Hero after monies were sorted out.

Meghan watched as I played Love Story on Band Hero and laughed because I was “bopping with the music”. I told her that I liked playing Guitar/Band Hero so of course I’d bop. She maintained that I was enjoying the song. Well.

Carmaine showed up halfway through, and then we watched as the guys played a few more songs. A guy called Abir sang a song called “I’m Just A Girl” twice. He was good! Karaoke king right there.

So a lot of Band Hero. Mai sang Sex On Fire, and I shouted that the song was about herpes. She then sang “Aaaaalex has heeeeerpes”. She still got the points.

Had cake! I was craving cake. Made Dom and Tranny do the wedding cake linked arm thing. That was great. I’m sure it was caught on camera.

Then we went outside, and watched as D.P. got back on a bike after admitting that she “wasn’t very good at riding a bike” (which we all took as she doesn’t know how). Made me realize I still haven’t gotten back onto one since Yr 9. It was very stinking hot by then, but we needed to leave soon. So Dom’s dad (I think it was your dad..everyone looks the same…) drove Carmaine, D.P., Jen and I to Hoppers, saving us a walk. We got there and the train arrived. So when the boom gates went up we sprinted like mad, me yelling “RUN D.P. RUN!” thinking if she made it at least she could hold the doors. We made it!

Took the train back, and then I had to wait 50 minutes for my bus, and then walked home for 20 minutes. I was sufficiently exhausted getting home (which is why this is a day late) but then stayed on MSN ’til late. Say it with me: BAD HABIT!

So, happy birthday Dom! You’re now 18, so party like mad. And get your P’s! I need to get mine.

Alex.

Don-don-don-don’t hold back

Today was Vania’s 18th birthday, and we had her birthday party at April’s place.

Got there before anyone else did, win. Vania came later on, and got stuff set up. Brought a respektable amount of alcohol so that April can make sex on the beach.

I still snigger when I say that.

Got Singstar set up, and started warming up with a few songs. Bo came, then Bel and Julia, then Li-. We really got into the swing of things and then we played Pass The Mic and that was stupid hard.

April and I did battle on Grace Kelly by Mika. We actually did pretty well. It’s a good song.

Aristarchus, April’s cat, rubbed himself on everyone and everything that came along.

Mimay and Fah- came along much later, and then Lily left. We had ice cream cake, and then just before Vania cut the cake, we (or me) suggested that Vania do a shot before she cuts the cake. April got her a Vodka and Schnapps shot, and Soph yelled “Oh my god, give her a chaser, she’ll die.”

Then April made sex on the beach.

Snigger.

Sang a bit more, Julia and I owned on “Don’t Hold Back” by the Potbelleez (or however you spell their band name) and then started watching 10 Things I Hate About You.

Everyone pretty much left at that point, and then when Vania left, Julia, Bel and I decided to bid our farewells as well.

It was fun, because everytime someone left we sang happy birthday.

Julia sneezed a lot. Like. A lot. I think Bel counted to 12 (?) in a row.

Played Tap Tap Revenge on the train home. Need to download more songs.

Alex.

TAKE THE DOG!

I don’t want to feel obliged to blog about anything, because I feel like if I’m doing this like a chore, it would become homework. And what the fuck I gave myself homework?

So perhaps just a short post on what I did yesterday and today.

Yesterday was my 18th birthday. In the morning I got up, and decided to reply every Facebook birthday wish I get. Bad idea. I didn’t get any Legal homework done.

Went to Brandon Park (by the way, this has come up before. Brandon Park isn’t a PARK it’s a shopping centre) for lunch because Dad didn’t leave anything for me to eat and like hell I’m cooking canned soup on my birthday. So I had Maccas for lunch. Ew.

At 4, Mom dropped me off at Fel’s. Shaz proceeded to be 20 minutes late (you know, Carmaine…someone HAS to do it. I shouldn’t blame you solely.) so we were late setting off.

Driving to Jenny’s takes shitloads of time.

Jenny’s was incredibly fun. Jack and Dom sucked at Singstar. Mai raised the roof with “WOAH WE’RE HALFWAY THERE” and then we had food and more Singstar and then cake. Jenny got everyone to – deja vu? – sing happy birthday to me. Half the people there didn’t know me so that was quite interesting. When it came to “Happy birthday dear…” Mai decided to scream above everyone else “ALEX!” which made me laugh.

Got home past midnight. Fel was, and I have to admit, the last person to say Happy Birthday in person. Catherine was the last altogether.

Slept soundly through to 10 am. Was sort of late to leave to meet Catherine.

Met up with Catherine UCMC (it’s not catching on! DAMMIT) and we went to buy the tickets for The Proposal, and then went off to eat Nandos because she was craving it when her face was still blown up and she was sipping puree through a straw. I had the Extra Hot while she went for Lemon and Herbs and Ketchup. WEAK SHIT!

Had a fun chat while eating, and then went up to watch the movie.

Which is where the title comes in.

There was a scene when Sandra Bullock’s character was in the yard on the phone with a client. Ryan Reynold’s character’s family dog got out, and an eagle (they’re in Alaska) swooped in and took the dog. Sandra Bullock rescued the dog, but the eagle took her phone. Frantic, Sandra Bullock held up the dog and screamed “TAKE THE DOG! TAKE THE DOG!”. Ryan Reynold’s “family” was watching her from the kitchen window, thinking she was playing with the dog.

Well that was the end of my holidays. Work tomorrow. As in homework. Remember the Legal I didn’t do? Still haven’t done it.

Alex.

Chicken, cream, sticker

Last night we got a phone call from a family friend. They raised a couple of chickens as pets except one of them turned out to be a rooster (cos you can’t tell when they’re chickies). The rooster’s crowing a lot which is pissing their neighbors off, so we got a call from the guy, who was somehow under the impression that my dad can “do something about it”.

Well, he can’t, but we got the rooster anyway.

So last night the rooster slept in the cardboard box it came in, because it would squeeze under the gate otherwise or something, and run off, and there’s one rooster gone to waste. We fed it some rice grains and water this morning, and put it in the shade so that we don’t get roast chicken before it’s plucked, if you get me.

Anyway, dad can’t actually do anything about it, which is a dead pity because I’d wanted to see him try, and take pictures. That’s the difference between Carmaine and me, I suppose. Carmaine takes pictures of nice events, pretty people and clothes and scenery and momentos, and I like taking pictures of things being “taken care of”.

So dad called up another family friend who actually does know how to “take care” of a chicken. Its going over to their place in about an hour. I took a look at the rooster this morning (it had a sort of confused crow this morning. Sort of like “cock-a-doodle? Cock-a-wtf-is-this-box?”) and it was really really really robust rooster, shiny feathers and strong round body. Pity we won’t get to eat it. I was actually really looking forward to having it. Carmaine looked at me funny when I mentioned that thought.

Tomorrow is Julia’s birthday, so today at recess we had cake for her (and sang happy birthday AGAIN heaps of times AGAIN) and there was this really really large and (stealing Carmaine’s phrase here) orgasmically delicious cake. We couldn’t finish it all, so we brought it into Form. Theresa then proceeded to pretend to come hug me but instead wipe cream on my nose.

And finally, I came across Carmaine going to her locker during her Chem double, and so we chatted a bit, and as she turned around to her locker, I saw a sticker on her back and couldn’t stop laughing. Being a good friend, I ripped it off for her. It said “LOSER”.

And those were the 3 fun things that happened today.

Alex.

P.S. I went to see Serpless. She wasn’t there. I won’t go to Baldock until I’ve seen Serpless. Seems logical that way. I’m taking control again, Bianca. Sort of.

Like a fat kid loves cake

I fucking love you two so much! Every song I listen to about friends and about being happy and love and so forth it makes me think of you two and it makes me smile.
I’d seriously do anything you ask of me (except learn to swim, and going to the formal. HA!) and I hope you do take advantage of that. Lean on me. Take my hand. Do whatever you want.

I’m your’s.

De Fluffe, Out.

BULLFUCK!

It was a long day yesterday. And I LOVED IT!

And hooray, for having something to write about.

The day started with my walking to the bus stop, despite my mom’s invitation to drive me to the train station. I didn’t want to be in a car with her telling me and lecturing me about next year. The walk is much much better.

I arrived at school half an hour earlier than I’d planned, mostly due to funny bus times and extra trains (who would’ve thought Connex actually had more trains than before?) and went on my man-hunt for Jess-with-my-money-for-Jap-books. Got Julia to advertise and sell a couple of my books, and walked around with Nug trying to find said Jess. Found her in the gym. Got my money. Hoo-ah.

Sat with Carmaine and L- (okay, so she has 2 letters in her name so I had to censor it like that) in Methods orientation, then Julia Yr 10 joined me on my other side. Realized how thoroughly I need to revise over the holidays if I wanted to catch up, seeing as freakin’ Julia was smarter than me (I maintain that I will be the dumb Yr 12 and she the smart Yr 11). Saw Bee and other Peer Support people afterwards, and hung out with them. Sang happy birthday 3 times. Okay but I won’t go into detail as the day was long, and Bee is waiting to read what happened in the evening.

In singing rehearsals, I sat with Dani and April and Liz, and D.P. was in front of me. Endearing Brute kept on stopping after every song – technically, just before every song, which drove us mad because we were all taking a breath to start the next son when she stopped us – and we were all chattering when Endearing Brute screamed “SILENCE!” True to our nature, Dani and I both shrieked (softly) “I KILL YOU!” April rolled her eyes and Miss Har- who was standing next to us looked thoroughly confused, but not angry. I don’t think she likes Endearing Brute very much.

Mumbled our way through Gaudeamus and Vale, then it was OUT TIME! After an impatient wait, a few of us went to Dani’s apartment, to start preparing for the BBQ. But, of course, the kittens were there. Who cares about a BBQ when you’ve got tiny curious kittens trying to eat your stockings? D.P. had a cat stuck on her stockings and pull as she might, she can’t get the cat off. Poor kitten was in the Superman position, absolutely refusing to let go of its prized possession. I had to go in and pry the fibre off its claw. Diep had 3 kittens at the most crawling around her, and Andrew had one on his bum. He tried to shake it off but we all screamed at him to stop. Apparently the kitten was more important than Andrew not having his bum scratched out.

Finally we went down to start cooking for the BBQ. Soph, Fra- and Shaz arrived, as did two of Dani’s old friends. I had to leave after eating half a sausage to buy a text book from a Yr 12 – thus nearly completing my book requirements for next year – and so I walked all the way from Dani’s apartment back to the school, a good sold 20 minutes’ walk, then, when I’ve NEARLY made it back to Dani’s apartment, my dear Carmaine calls me from the school to pick her up. So I start walking back to the school, I find her – it was hard, for some reason – and we make it back to the apartment in time for her to take nearly 20 minutes to change, wrap Dani’s presents and for me to play with the kittens more. Dis- and Leanne were both there when I got back, as were Marco and Nat and a couple of other people. By the time we all went downstairs, the food was mostly gone, it was windy and cold, and I had some of Sonia’s boob cake (don’t ask, won’t tell). Actually, the boob cake was good.

After screaming out happy birthday for the 4th time that day, 2nd time to Dani, and eating the cake, watching the other Asians camwhore, cleaning up – something that only Andrew and Dani did, ha – we all went back upstairs, played with kittens (Eater tried to eat us. Car- was very much scared. She couldn’t go pee without making sure Eater was well clear) and then decided to head off for KBox – karaoke.

Somehow, we lost a bunch of people getting on the tram. By the time we got to KBox, only Dis, Soph, Andrew, Dani, D.P., Carmaine Diep and I were there. KBox was booked out (bastards) so we went to Party World. Party World wasn’t open and plus was too expensive (double bastards) and by that time Dani was very very very annoyed. We thought about watching James Bond but in the end, decided to go to an Asian grocery, buy a whole heap of food, and going back to Dani’s apartment to eat and watch DVD. Lost Dis- and D.P. along the way. We started watching The Bee Movie, but the sound file was not working so we watched Ghost Rider instead.

It was crap. Didn’t get it. Didn’t like it. All I remember is Andrew yelling “BULLFUCK!” in a particular scene. Carmaine retorted “Isn it usually ‘bullshit’?” and she looked at me for confirmation. Being engrossed in how J.B. was going to jump pver 30 trucks, it took me over 5 seconds to reply, “yeah that’s right.”

Speaking of Andrew vs Carmaine. Bee, you remember on the photoshoot day there were remarks about the size of both parties’ eyes made? Well last night it was taken to a whole NEW LEVEL. Andrew tried to integrate a “because your eyes are too small” joke about Carmaine in EVERY SINGLE SITUATION. Eg, Carmaine: “I want to kick him but I can’t because he’s attached to Dani.” Andrew: “It’s just ‘cos your eyes are too small you can’t tell the difference between Dani and me.”

Carmaine and I left Dani’s at around 10, much to my parents’ distaste. On our train there was a business-looking woman listening to loud doof-doof music on her leaky headphones. Needless to say, I started to bop to her music.

Slept at 12. The rained hard and long (Ha. Ha. Ha.) this morning and it was nice to be in bed listening to the pounding.

Carmaine and I both agreed that a day out is much better than a day in. Dani’s place is like a place of freedom, of fun, of independence. Go Dani!

And so concludes yesterday. Julia Yr 11 is going overseas tomorrow. Jen and the Jap crew had touched down in Japan yesterday. I’m not goin’ anywhere.

De Fluffe, Out.