Then it said ‘mew’

On Friday night was Dani’s birthday dinner. On the train ride there, Mela pointed out that in my previous post, I’d gotten the sequence of events wrong, and Monday actually happened on Tuesday and vice versa.

We arrived at Melb Central late, and were worried that we’d held everyone up, but it turned out that everyone else were just really, really late, and we decided on having some hotpot for dinner, picked up Soph, and went to Little Lamb on Russell St.

Carmaine and her boyfriend dropped by for a few minutes but declined to dine with us, saying they were too poor. So, instead, Dani, Mela, Soph and I pigged out on the hotpot, aiming to eat more than the 25 dollar flat rate we paid, and we all chatted. April came along a bit of the way through and, despite not eating, stayed to talk. Mela and I realized that we were sitting on one side of the table while eating, and the other side of the table sat the three halfies, all of them good looking and none of them eating.

Saturday was Brendan’s party. Cindy and I went to Stud Park to shop for jello-shot ingredients with Mela, and then we went to Sam’s Warehouse to get shot glasses. It was cold and raining, and my hunger drove my caring girlfriend to begrudgingly buy me a sausage with bread.

We went to her house, and the other two made jello-shots while I went on Tumblr. Cindy accidentally spilled one shot while we were arranging them on this ceramic tray, and so not to waste, the three of us took turns slurping up the semi solid goo with a straw. Ah the dignity that we forfeited.

After that, we went to Brendan’s house early, having nothing to do at Mela’s (they watched Whip It for a while but I complained). We met the kitty ‘Doc’, and we played with the kitten for an hour or two until more people arrived. Brendan got this weird blowup guitar as a present, and the jokes of him blowing up something large and pink were numerous.

Now, this party was the one where I was meant to drink, but something went odd with my tolerance, and I ended up on that platform of one-shot-too-many, and my darling was put to the test by having to take care of me while I threw up for about an hour. But, hey, before that the party was great! Apparently I danced, we ate pizza and chips, played with the kitten some more when someone brought him back downstairs. Arthur and Valia (newly coupled and all that) were being super cute and made fairy bread. We sang along to karaoke.

In the end, Mela’s older brother drove us home. Having work the next day, I did my best to hydrate and sleep, and then went to visit Mela after she finished her shift the next day before Jen (from that other time with the surprise visiting at work and all that) who was going to have lunch with Mela drove me to work.

I always like Brendan’s parties. I will aim to like all of it without throwing up of course. I missed out on Truth or Dare too!

Alex.

Do I get a golden chariot, or float through the ceiling?

[Jesus Christ – Brand New]

Today was a pretty long day, I suppose, made longer mostly by fatigue.

It’s strange, I was actually rather energetic this morning when I woke up – in the sense that I remembered my entire bus ride.

I came up with a cliche but sound plot outline as a writing exercise in my Screenwriting workshop. It had something to do with Hell being the good guys.

And then, after my workshop, some time between finishing lunch with Pu- and seeing Clare, I lost all my energy.

But I tried to muster up some effort to get excited about seeing Brendan, Cindy and Amelia later on, so I stirred both Clare and I into a sort of…well not frenzy, but we definitely got our energy on.

It sort of surprised us both when around 5 people greeted us at Melbourne Central, and I didn’t know a few of them, and well, Clare didn’t know any of them. I felt a bit guilty that I dragged her to meet a bunch of new people on a day when she was feeling emotionally shonky, but…well I got the feeling that it went over alright, because I was there after all – and that sounded very humble, I know.

After tagging along to Moe-mall, the place where the others had to get their costumes for Manifest the coming…soon, (and after Clare and I, feeling immensely out of place, simply sang along to another store which was playing Jason Mraz and Bruno Mars,) we went to Red Silks for to eat dinner. I was surprised that Clare hasn’t been there many times, but I suppose I do go there too often.

In the end, Clare and Brendan finished off all the unwanted food – Brendan pretty much got a free meal out of the left-overs. We strolled to Passionflower where I had my first ice-cream from their place, and I may have chosen the wrong flavor to voyage into their store, because I ordered Lime Sorbet, and it was rather bitter, but hey I enjoyed it.

We sat at Fed Square for a while – I really need to find a new place to hang out after meals but before trains, because it’s not the best place to hang out weather wise, even though the atmosphere is quite nice, and there’s a very large TV screen. After that, Amelia and I took the train home.

She told me why she was late today. Apparently, without revealing too much, a series of events saw her get on her bus without a Myki, so when she walked past the scanner, she said, in a high pitched tone, “beep!” and then shuffled into her seat. I found that HIGHLY amusing.

Had to take the Rowville bus with her because I didn’t want her to be alone at the bus stop at night. Basically let 3 of my buses drive right past. Well, the first one arrived and, seeing that it had 10 minutes to go, I asked the driver “oh are you staying here for the next 10 minutes?” Bitch smiled and nodded, and then drove off.

Alex.

The Good Ol’ Times

I went to dinner with BRuCE  (an acronym I haven’t used in MONTHS, so for those who aren’t familiar with it, it stands for Bianca, Ruyi (my Chinese name), Carmaine and Eunice. We were like the Awesome Foursome in high school. Alongside with these three, there were the two Danis, Dani and D.P., and Andrew.

It wasn’t that we had more laughs or anything like that – laughs are had with any group of good friends – but it was that familiar feeling. Like when you ride a bike after a long time not riding it and you realize, fuck yeah, bikes are awesome! Or when you discover some food you loved as a kid, and when you eat it you’re worried you won’t like it as much as you did back then, only to realize that the food is still great.

Everyone was as I remembered them – Eunice arrived late and shared enthusiasm over Bones and Glee, Dani was dressed well and had very random references to movies (and dressed well), D.P., ate a lot and was very happy all the time, Andrew made fun of Carmaine and myself but in the end was still the only guy there, Bianca was all smiles and knowledgeable insights and pleasured groans when eating cookies, and Carmaine was tall. Hahaha tall.

After nearly 8 months of not hanging out, I think it was this dinner that sort of re-opened that need for reunions and get-togethers – at least for me it was. I’m looking forward to the next time everyone managed to get some time off.

Anyway, I’m stuffed on carbohydrates – pizza and pasta for dinner – and I have a few more errands to run in anticipation for tomorrow (Steven’s BBQ) so I’ll cut this short.

Alex.

Wake Up With Bloodshot Eyes

[Makes Me Wonder – Maroon 5]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOSH WHORE-FACE!

Actually, it’s tomorrow, yes FRIDAY THE 13TH. But today we went for your birthday dinner, which was meant to be but didn’t turn out to be a surprise.

We went to Perfume Central at the start to get your birthday present. We sampled many different colognes to find the one that shouted “I’M A MANWHORE” which was actually quite hard because there were two of them. We decided on the one that we got you because it smelled rather good, in my opinion.

After getting the cake, and meeting up with everyone (and accidentally leaving Mai behind at Melbourne Central), we met up at Red Silks for your dinner. Yeah, Red Silks. It may not be the most high-brow place but it has become our group’s place of laughs and memories, so it was a good choice. Same table as last time, too.

The great thing about a group who shares so many memories is that conversation never lulls. And if all else fails, Mai’s boobs and Anna’s confusion always provides interest.

Anyway, I think you had a rather good time tonight (and you got a kiss out of Anna, which I bet you loved), and I hope you have a fantastic day tomorrow (despite having to work so early and so much, and tomorrow being Friday the 13th haha).

I meant what I wrote in your card, brethren.

Love,

Alex.

If It Never Ends Then When Do We Start?

[The Sweetest Goodbye – Maroon 5]

How I kept myself entertained for 10 minutes tonight: While on webcam, I tried to use the lag to my advantage. I tried to zip up my jacket fast enough so that the lag skips over my hand zipping it up, thus making it look like the jacket zipped itself up.

It was so much fun, I did it again and again and again.

Alright, so what did I do yesterday?

I had enough brain to try to beat the rush hour traffic, and got driven to the Glen early. What I didn’t realize that Jac didn’t have the same thoughts, and she arrived later on a bus, 14 minutes after I started waiting for her by the station corner. It was rather windy and cold.

To my order, she dressed rather well – but didn’t bother doing her hair – and thankfully she wore the pair of boots without heels, thus not rendering her TOO much taller than me.

We took the train up, having nicked an mX off one of the seats. Now, how does someone not know the word “hangar” but know the word “geyser”? I ask you this, and Jac probably should know – it was her.

We got to Southern Cross, and went to the apartment building where Hungy lives. Incidentally, it’s the same apartment as where Bel lives – they don’t know each other. When they all came downstairs, I saw that our company for the night would be Sting, Hungy, Bill, Cle-, Jacky (or, as we had to refer to him, Mandy’s Jacky), Mandy, Jac (my Jac, for the night) and of course myself.

We took a tram up to Crown, where M’s Jacky directed us to Kitchen Workshop, a buffet. At the counter, we each got a card which entitled us to a complementary half-kilo of prawns for the night. None of us liked prawns – or so I thought.

M’s Jacky ended up eating his entire half-kilo. Hungy had 4 servings, as did Cle-. Bill had half of his half-kilo. Mandy tried out all of her Jacky’s desserts, and I made Jac eat, which was miraculous.

The dinner table conversations weren’t the highest of the brows. I suppose I should admit it was partly due to my fault. APPARENTLY I am sick-minded.

After dinner, we walked to Flinders St station via Southbank, as I always like to do. It was really windy, and Mandy and Jac were starting to shiver a little. We walked past a guy who was living in this room for 28 days just watching the soccer. It was so weird (and cool at the same time).

The train ride back was pretty normal, except for Mandy’s twitching when she sleeps, and her left eye being bigger than her right one.

Stayed up last night watching the Spain VS Switzerland match. Dude, GG Spain, not getting a single goal in, AND losing to Switzerland.

Made Jac stay up til 1 am haha. I do feel bad about it.

Alex.

My Lungs Refuse To Breathe The Air Without You Here

[Without You Here – Pensive]

Hello Winter! Hello another 3 months of song titles.

Yesterday I went to dinner with April, Simon, Oli- (April and Soph’s older bro) Soph, Erh-, Kud, Andrew and DANI!!! (Left the best part ’til last.) Yep, Dani was in Melbourne, so we all went to dinner.

We went to Sante’s at Crown, which I realized upon getting there that I’d actually gone there before, for Gina’s birthday back in Yr 9 or 10. I was immediately relieved that my starving myself earlier in the day paid off because Sante’s is an all-you-can-eat buffet!

Dani gave me this really really awesome book which is titled The Ants Are My Friends, by Martin Toseland. It’s about “misheard lyrics, malapropisms, eggcorns and other linguistic gaffes”.

And we laughed and laughed and laughed at just about everything. Dani, Andrew and Kud were finding it hard to eat their fill because they had a huge lunch.

April ate food!

I had a huge plate (with lots of coleslaw haha) and then I ate a 2nd serving…OF PRAWN CRACKERS! Let me tell you now, Prawn Crackers with mint sauce is a-may-zing.

Also, I discovered crackling pork through Soph. I like it, but I think it’s really fatty so I didn’t have more.

On the train home, I introduced Wutinie to Fruit Ninja and suffice to say, they are hooked. Dani and I (unsuccessfully) tried out hand at Sudoku and Crossword. I used to think I get words fast at the Word Scramble, but that was before I had to go head-to-head with April. Crazy April.

So far I’ve finished 2 out of my 4 subjects. Now I have to start on my two 2000-word-essays. I dread it.

I hope to visit Canberra this winter. Hope. Hooooope.

Alex.

Mentally Retarded, Steroids, Arsonists…It’s A Good Family

Yesterday was Dani’s 18th birthday! I remember last year I think I told people to go to her blog to wish her a happy birthday. DO IT AGAIN! Even though you’re a day late.

So last night Andrew and Za- had planned a surprise celebration of sorts for Dani. They’d gone to the Wonderland Ice Skating rink.

Carmaine and I took the train to the city together, because we weren’t going to go ice-skating. Got to the Wonderland place (which is on HarbourTown)  at past seven, and watched April, Si, Za-, Andrew, Dani and Kud ice skate for a while. It was getting cold already! I wasn’t wearing enough (that is, I was wearing a shirt and shorts. It was pretty windy, alright?)

They finished ice skating at around half past seven, because D.P. was texting saying she was freezing her ass off outside the Medici the restaurant we were going to eat at. We walked down to the restaurant (Si said it was in one direction and everyone else walked in another. I said we should follow Si because “Simon says”), and felt really awesome walking in when everyone else waited for a table, because Za- and Andrew had already made a reservation.

Za- made a fail move when she sat down on the small individual tables instead of the large table for 11 people…I laughed.

Sat down, and ordered a few drinks and the food. At some point Dysh- and her boyfriend came along, and then Talinoob also came along. (Mel had left by this point, I forgot to mention.) Dani and I, for old times’ sake, did another sugar-shot. To Englang, we toasted, and downed that packet of coffee sugar.

So we started doing the whole joking around thing that Andrew loves so much. Last year for Dani’s birthday the theme and butt of all jokes were how small Carmaine’s eyes were. This year it was how mentally retarded I look/act, how Dani’s pretty much a crazed arsonist, and how Carmaine is probably on steroids, to explain why she’s so freaking tall when the rest of the “family” isn’t.

The “family”, by the way, is a Facebook joke where Andrew and Dani are the parents of Eunice, Bianca, Carmaine and myself. Eunice and Bianca had since took themselves off the family list (or never joined it) so just Carmaine and myself. D.P. is our Auntie. I am the effing son/brother. Since I’m the only one who bears some resemblance to Andrew (another long running joke) we figured that Carmaine had to be adopted. Still, Andrew realized the reason Carmaine doesn’t seem to fit into the family is because she’s on steroids. When Andrew first said, “Holy crap my family is fucked up. I got an arsonist for a wife, a mentally retarded son and a daughter who’s on steroids.” Carmaine laughed, and then asked, “Wait, who’s the one on steroids?”

Guess the steroids got to her brain?

I ordered a Midori drink thing, which Za- said she’d shout me. D.P. ended up taking it, so I ordered myself a Japanese Slipper which is Midori, cointreau and lemon juice. When that came, Carmaine took a sip and made a face because it was quite strong. I liked it. I made April promise to make me one some day because she knows how. She ordered a Sex On The Beach (I told her to text Vania about it).

Then Za-drank about half of it, all the time saying, “Oh man I get sick at the sight of liquer!” Weird girl.

So because Za- took my drink, she decided to shout me a Baileys (which Julia knows is my favorite).

We had heaps of sexual connotative jokes – look if we freaking ordered a Sex On The Beach and D.P. started getting a bit tipsy you know sexual jokes are gonna show up. In this case…actually I think, in the interest of not publicly shaming Carmaine, I won’t repeat what that 2 handed joke was.

Then Andrew started trying to finish all the food people didn’t finish, like the ravioli, risotto and the pasta Carmaine didn’t want (she ended up eating some of my gnocchi). He got really full and started acting really stoned, and then he had some of Dani’s Sex On The Beach (everyone had some Sex On The Beach with Dani, apparently. It was a good birthday for her) and went really red in the face.

We then started playing Chinese whispers. D.P. thought it would be oh-so-funny to start something along the lines of “Peter Pepper Poked A…” etc which I, as the 3rd last person, got as “Peter Poked Her Peter Poked Her”.

Left at around nine thirty, and took Talinoob and D.P. through Docklands to get them back to Flinders (I was worried because they were walking in slight zigzags and hooting like hyenas) but in the end we (Carmaine and myself) ditched them at a tram stop and walked to Southern Cross. Southern Cross didn’t run Glen Waverley so we took a train back to Flinders and then took a Glen Waverley. Gave Carmaine a ride home, and then contemplated blogging this before bed on the iTouch. Thought hell no, and fell asleep until about 8:30 or so this morning when I got woken up by my parents yelling at each other.

So, happy birthday Dani my darling dearest doodoo! Haha I said doodoo.

I love you!

Alex

A Night Out With The Beast

(No, I’m not talking about Dani’s cleavage. Ahhh in-ish joke.)

I am extremely glad I have something I can post under “social life” again.

Last night I had a really full night, because it was Julia’s birthday dinner as well as Beauty and the Beast, the combined musical by MacRob and MHS.

The evening/night started when school ended and I headed off into the city with Sonam, Tiff, Vania and a bunch of others who, to make this blog more coherent, will only be named and censored when need be. We planned to meet up with Julia, Bel and Jen (and a similar other bunch) later on at the restaurant.

The plan had originally been to go to this cafe on Little Collins to let Tiff perve on some hot guy. We were slow getting out of the school so we powered up Little Collins (Town Hall side) only to find that the cafe (assuming it was the one April recommended) was closed. So we powered back down to the other end of Little Collins where we were about to enter Laurent. It was full so we went down a causeway and went into an Asian-run Italian themed cafe. It wasn’t bad, quite cosy, but it wasn’t as good as Giraffe (and I forgot its name).

After drinking and paying for coffee (I read my drink price wrong which held us up for about 10 minutes as Lisa tried to compensate for my stupidity) we went back down to Swanston St to catch a train up to the restaurant. There was some sort of giveaway going on and there was a mass of people on the opposite side to the Town Hall. I thought it was a gig but apparently not.

Went up to the restaurant. I forgot the name of the restaurant, but it was Italian and you get there via the Glen Iris tram stopping at Stop 31. Most of the people arrived and we started eating. There were pizzas and gnocchi and pasta and so forth and we all had a pretty awesome time joking around and making fun of Jen – who is such a good sport – and eating. A while into dinner we realized that the other end of the table was definitely having more fun than our end, so we tried to think of something fun to talk about but all Jen could do was bleat (literally).

Then food finished and we all made a racket taking pictures and singing happy birthday AGAIN. Jen and JenT tried to harmonise for 5 minutes to no avail. Then, when Tiff went to the bathroom Suse had the bright idea to hide under the tables so that when Tiff came back out she wouldn’t know where we were. We did it, and we were totally idiotic, with us giggling and hissing “SHH” all the time.

Got told off by the owner of the store so we paid and left, and decided to walk to MHS instead of tram.

Had a pretty interesting conversation with Lisa on the way there. I had to find a bathroom halfway down and unfortunately got lost coming back out (IT WAS MAZEY OKAY?!).

Got to MHS with time to spare, and waited around for Fel, Bee, Shaz, Mash and Fel’s friend Ryan. Turned out they’d passed me and were inside already (despite Bee saying she called my name I was annoyed and cold). Met Ryan, and saw a Yr 10 MHS guy with uber long/big blonde hair. I can’t describe it. It’s sort of punk/skater boy, shoulder length, huge fringe etc. He was an usher so I kept on trying to see his hair.

My English student teacher sat in front of me, coincidentally, and I wasn’t sure if it was her because her hair had changed. But it was her.

I don’t think I’ll give a review of the musical because I can’t be bothered, but I thought – and this was agreed upon – that this was the best one in the 4 years I have been here (and I went to every single one of them). The costumes, especially Cogsworth’s, was SO COOL! And Mrs Potts ACTUALLY had steam coming out of the spout of one “hand”. Or the hand of one “spout” whatever.

So, if you have the time, there is one last show tonight at 7:30 at MHS in South Yarra. Tickets aren’t that expensive and it’s totally worth it. No idea if it’s sold out.

Afterwards, we said bye to Ryan and (OH YEAH I saw Khanie during intermission and talked for a bit) Fel’s dad drove us home. I slept at 12:30 in time to be woken up at 6:00 by my dad forgetting to turn off his alarm (he was on conference so of course he wasn’t there to shut it).

“Tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme…Beauty and the Beast.”

Alex.