Personality of a superhero

I can't sleep tonight. I've got a few things rolling around in my head including a younger sister who's going overseas, an impending performance and salary review at work tomorrow, a NATO missile air defence diplomatic spat and the societal ramifications of VB going to mid-strength.

So what better way to try to put oneself to sleep than to listen to disc 1 of my Soul Grooves album and take an innocuous internet-based psychology test. Clare is currently completing a subject in personality psychology for her degree - I'm trying my best to take an active interest in her current occupation. Not that I'm saying her degree puts me to sleep. Oh God. I think I've just dug myself a massive hole in a rising swamp.

So the test was to see which superhero I am most closely aligned with through their rigourous, sweat yielding questions. Here are the results:

I do find it hard to dispute the accuracy of "intelligent, witty [and] a bit geeky" (did I mention really really ridiculously good looking??), and must admit that I enjoy spitting web out of my wrists and scaling skyscrapers in my spare time.

However, I believe that I am still void of both "great power", if you exclude my superhuman homous-eating feats; and "responsibility", if you exclude my recent appointment as UN director of humanitarian and refugee aid to Burundi.

After idolising Batman in my formative years, I rocked in angst trying to work out how in the name of Gotham City I could be more like Batman's bitch, Robin. And who/what the hell is Green Lantern? Do I really have the personality of a Northern NSW, hemp-based outdoor camping light?

On the upside, Catwoman and Wonder Woman are absolute minxes and I'm glad that there are no psychological or genetic barriers to us hooking up. Oh god. The mind boggles.

On that note, I'm going to bed. Sweet dreams.

PRIA - The perfect pitch

Holy shitballs. What an eventful night.

This post doesn't have any pictures, so for those only interested in my pictorial portray of life, please divert to this site now. It's much more entertaining. My best score is 3198.

I've just gotten back tonight from my first ever Public Relations Institute of Australia event. To be honest, it's been the first event which I've been able to afford (many other events cost a few hundred to a thousand dollars to attend), and on my salary, many events simply aren't accessible...a stain on the PRIA for young members, but understandable due to resourcing etc. If only there could be an informal (and non-stereotypical) venture such as a BBQ where people gather on a Saturday afternoon, talk PR and all associated afflictions, then go out and get shit-faced. Low cost and achieving the goals of the PRIA.

This one tonight brought together three blokes (in a room of roughly 35 women and 5 guys) to present their views on "The Perfect Pitch". Journos presenting to us included Tony Biancotti (Formally Today and Getaway), David Flynn (IT freelance journo and former editor of a host of IT mags/newspaper supplements), and Tony Blackie (Senior journo at BRW and founder of PR company Blackie McDonald). In a nutshell, their views echoed exactly what I have thought about PR: Be personal, be genuine, be smart, be valuable.

As a quadruplet, these elements are in no way interchangeable - in my opinion, despite any magical 'new ways' of communicating, these four elements will always form the cornerstones to any effective public relations (or any business!) strategy.

Tonight was eventful for more than just the fact that it was my first ever foray into PRIA events:

• I got my feet wet - we've had about 60 points of rain in the CBD since 9am this morning (apologies to my family in Central West NSW).
• Paull Young, a mate of mine from uni who was in attendance, went up to the president of the PRIA to discuss some possibly thorny subjects, only for his lip to be prematurely cut open on a broken schmiddy glass (yet another reason why they should be banned), being forced to abort any intentions of intellectual conversation with blood streaming down his chin. We got a few free beers out of it though. Thanks Youngie.
• I got to talk about the effects of new-media with a whole host of intelligent, informed young PR professionals.
• There was a simultaneous speed-dating event on in the same venue. It proved quite funny when a random young lady introduced herself, then leaving three minutes later with a confused look on her face after witnessing three guys gripped by said new-media conversation.

I'm still really undecided as to whether I will renew my membership ($275 for a few emails and 'invitations' to events where I need to pay more money) - I think I would like to speak with the PRIA hierarchy as to different costing elements.

This event, whilst a great way to catch up with old mates and meet a few new people, was terrific - I just wish I don't have to pay a heap of money for the privilege.

Goodnight...

Wheel of fortune, South Park style

This one is courtesy of my sister Cass, all the way from little Limerick in Ireland.

Love it!

Note to self when blogging: Check the video and links before finishing the post. Apologies to all who had previously viewed the video which was hideously out of sync. It should be OK now...

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Second Update: 24 April 2007

OK, well, at least my mum got a laugh out of it.

The above clip has been taken off YouTube due to copyright infringement. Fair play, but I reckon if you took it up with Trey Parker and Matt Stone (creators of South Park), they'd be stoked that their show is getting a little extra publicity in Australia, especially since it's kind of fallen off the radar in recent months.

A 'big' weekend

Clare and I travelled up to Tamworth via Singleton this weekend to attend an engagement party of a close friend of Clare's from uni. As such, I thought it would be a prime opportunity to sample some of Australia's larger than life tourist attractions along the 840km round-trip.

First-up was the Southern Hemisphere's Largest Heliochronometer situated in Singleton. The sundial represents Singleton's contribution to the 1988 bicentenial celebrations.

Cool facts:

• The top is nearly 8m high
• Made from a whopping 30 sq. m. of concrete and 2.5km of steel reinforcing
• Weighs nearly 30 tonnes
• The 'big hand' is also parallel to the earth's rotation! Yeah!

We also went to Quirindi, about 65km's SW of Tamworth. This is probably the biggest thing in the small town of 3000: the 'big signpost'. I am led to believe that every main attraction the town has to offer is posted on this lone pole.

A lovely NSW country town with some rich history - wish I could have stayed for a beer at the Terminus Hotel.

Then, the big one. Clare and I couldn't help but to pluck a couple of strings in front of arguably the greatest oversized guitar I have ever stood in front of. Awe inspiring stuff - an emotional moment.

Cool facts:

• Made mostly of fibreglass over a steel frame
• Stands 12m high and weighs roughly half a tonne
• Unveiled by Slim Dusty in 1988

Clare and I were alert, but not alarmed, when we spotted this light aircraft heading toward the big guitar. Could it have been the target of a terrorist attack??? If there is anything to unite a nation, then it is an attack on the very fabric of our country music heritage - terrorists beware.

Happy birthday Less!

A 'staple ingredient' to any good time, happy birthday to my favourite first-year uni neighbour who is currently wowing every corner of Europe with her infectious personality!

THE wedding

Firstly, my apologies for not posting this up sooner. I have been recuperating from the aftermath of such a shit-hot weekend.

Getting there

I was packing darkies as Clare and I headed up the F3 freeway with rain pelting toward us from seemingly unimaginable angles. I was thinking of how Penny must be feeling, with the irony of that annoying Alanis Morrisette song beating about in her head.

With the rains clearing, Clare and I decended upon Maitland McDonalds to get changed - below is a picture of Clare walking back to the car in some wooly attire. The guy in the brown t-shirt was like, "WTF?".

We managed to get to the church a little early, yet still only scoring the last of the seats. With half an hour until the main action was due to start, I tried to relieve my pent up excitement by inspecting Clare's ear canal.

Clare looked absolutely gorgeous on the day. And the hat! Stunning!!

The wedding

But 'stunning' would be an understatement when speaking about Penny. Wow. She looked like an absolute angel, beaming like a snow flake floating its way across a crystalline Tasmanian mountain.

Here's a quick video snapshot of the wedding:

Millgate and Sar un'veil' their cheeky sides.

The reception

Penny and Josh arrive by horse and cart. What an entrance!

The Evans'


To quote Paff at this exact moment: "Oh! I love love!!". Also note the small child reaching for an early piece of cake.

The gang.

There is a distinct question to be asked in the above photo. Why is Millgate making a move on Clare? He looks kind-of into it, but Clare...well, slightly confused. Please explain.

One for the photo album. Did I mention that our outfits matched on the day?

Willis & Weens: Watch out Daryl Somers and the Dancing With The Stars crew!

Late-night hot chips and sauce from Gresford - thanks to Willis and Weens "The Carbohydrate Express".

Millgate and Dani cut up the dancefloor. Hot dress Posty!


Considering Millgate's earlier advances, I'm really not sure what to say about this photo. It was fun though.

"I need answers"

This particular photo was taken at 3am after Tim couldn't find a nestful of individual easter eggs he had strategically placed around the farm. Perhaps those late night cookies were throwing his radar slightly off course?

The morning after

Ezre finds said easter eggs the morning after.


Karla's trashbag feet.



Willis & Weens slept in their car. The full-length nightsuit Weens is wearing - I've no idea either!

Goats & Carnies: The 2007 Royal Sydney Easter Show

Clare & I ventured for a day to the Easter Show on Good Friday last week.

Mum and Dad are involved in the horticultural side of the Royal Sydney Easter Show, with Mum helping out with the judging of all things floral and Dad helping with the strategic direction of the NSW Royal Agricultural Society (specifically the horticultural section) through his role as a councillor. What does this mean? Free tickets into the show...woo!

I wore yellow so Clare could spot me in the crowd.

Here's a few pictures from the Southee (Horticultural) pavilion:

This is a goat.

Carni-ville. Scary - and I'm not referring to the rides. I was surround thousands of people who may as well have been wearing "I heart Naomi Robson" t-shirts.

Council dining room

Clare & I joined Mum & Dad in the Council dining room for lunch. It's kind of like the Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club, just without boats. And water. And it's in Homebush. Either way, I was particularly taken by the pictures of (now deceased) animals on the walls, from fluffy the cat through to a shiny chicken and an emaciated dog.

Check out this guy's chops. Yee ha!

Wow. The owner of this vehicle is standing in the top left of the picture. I take it she likes her bourbon. And pig hunting.

Always one to help the rural community out, I spent a while making horse shoes for miniature ponies.

I think people may have taken this sign a little too literally last year.

I found out that Jaynie Seal does not enjoy the company of alpacas, especially when they're biting her during a live weather cross.

Teaching kids about the different cuts of lamb with a couple of hanging carcasses.

This goat has been genetically modified, as part of the Federal Government's 'Goats To Iraq' scheme. Apparently they're a little skint on volunteers, so have enlisted the help of a few Nubian goats with ready-grown camouflage.

On the subject of our caprine friends, below is a bit of audio I captured of a couple of goats having a heated argument over the ethical implications of the changes to Australia's media laws.

This year's show was an absolute 'spin out'.

Ben Harper

Last Wednesday night, Clare and I went on a hot date to see Ben Harper play at the Enmore theatre. It was excellent.

I've seen him twice now - the first was last year at the Entertainment Centre. This time round though, I was around 80m closer, enjoying every centimeter! What an awesome venue to watch live music!

How do I describe the concert? Well, how do you describe the man?? It was a mix of Carribean Marley-esque flow, raw funky bass, African percussion and a mix of impromptu unamplified free song. A bit like a pavlova really. A bit of an eclectic combination - sugar and eggwhite - but ultimately a tasty treat that still leaves you with a golden yolk to enjoy the next morning.

The crowd goes nuts over 'With my own two hands'.

Ben on his slide guitar, Juan gettin' funky now with some pimpin' bass.

A quieter moment in the concert. Thanks to Jesus the lighting guy.

Gives you a good indication of how close we were! And also of the 6"4' bevan standing in front of us.

Hold onto your schooners, people.

Shocking news today. See page 12 of today's Daily Telegraph:


As indicated from previous posts, one of my most favourite pubs in the whole universe is The Lord Wolseley Hotel in Ultimo. The reasons for this:

• No inner-city schmiddies
• Seldom a wanker in sight
• Friendly bar staff
• Equally friendly fellow guests
• History etched through the pub's many wrinkles
• Pictures of the grand final winning footy team from 1973 still adorning the humble walls
• The lamb chops and mash taste like my nan's

...and most importantly

• You can go outside to drink some of the fabled amber under a fading crimson sky in an adjoining park.

Until now.

It seems as though this practice will again become another 'wrinkle' - a laugh line representing the good times, if you will.

Basically, the special agreement that allowed people to drink in the park until dark has been squashed by Sydney City Council, meaning I'll have to now go inside to drink my beer. Why am I pissed off? Because this kind of move is typical of where the character of Sydney's pub scene is headed - squandering its way toward monotony.

Solution? I say Mr T replaces Clover Moore as Lord Mayor. I pity the fool who limits my beer drinking opportunity.

Stay tuned...

Wow. What a long weekend.

I'll be doing a mega-blog soon on a Ben Harper concert, a day with Clare at the 2007 Royal Easter Show and of course - the wedding of the year.

I've just gotten home from a 5.5hr Countrylink Bathurst-Sydney marathon, so don't really feel overly 'bloggy'.

But here's a picture of Mr T.

Happy easter!