Concert!

Alex went to his first large concert in a major venue last night. He's a big fan of Tool's music, but doesn't always like occasions where the volume is too high for him. Luckily the first fact overrode the second and the gamble on buying a ticket and seeing how he liked it was well worth it. He was mesmerised throughout the whole thing. It's unusual for Alex to watch something for a long time and to give it rapt attention.

Before the concert, Alex enjoyed watching the crowd.

Waiting beforehand. Venue was reportedly sold out

This was pretty much the look throughout the concert.

Alex smiled every time he heard the first few bars and recognised the song, then for some he sang along loudly or swayed from side to side, but didn't say a word to us until intermission. Found these other images people took online:

Alex caught up with other concert goers he knows afterwards...just didn't want to go!

We'll have to keep an eye out for other concerts he'd enjoy.

Another year older

Big week! 23 years old this week and a really enjoyable birthday.

Plenty of loot over brekky in the morning

Like the sound of the electric toothbrush more than actually using it :)

Had a happy night at the pub

And when everyone at the pub sings you happy birthday...

 

...you just have to clap and sing along as loudly as you can !

Central Coast trip

Alex started preparing for this trip early by saying "Ettalong! Ettalong!" every chance he got. We stayed near the water at Ettalong.

Wasn't hard to miss the hotel when we were looking for it.

As usual, Alex enjoyed getting used to his "holiday digs" especially his king sized bed.

There are lovely views walking along the waterfront

We met up with our favourite residents of the greater Gosford area (all Ettalong to Alex)

Visited their house, which was the highlight of the trip for Alex.

Exotic lounge sitting

Had a picnic of toasted cheese sandwiches on the lounge...had to get used to the multigrain
if you're wondering about the face. 

Lovely water views there too, once you get through the "filtering"

And interesting inhabitants

Alex got to go out and do cool things while the 'rents went out to lunch together.

Alex:"Maybe should have shut my eyes under the spa!"

All in all, it was a happy holiday with plenty of "Ettalong! Ettalong!" every morning.

Millthorpe Markets

Went to the Millthorpe markets on Sunday. They were huge! Alex enjoyed the huge audience and a few people commented on his...joie de vivre :)

Mmm...thinking they might need some original art work at these markets in December!

A sunnies and sunscreen kind of April day.

Next market is December 1st...might be a good time for a Christmas Art stall!

2012-13 update (continued :-)

Life's been full of good people and good things, as usual, over the past few months. 

Visits with family for birthdays 

Quick trips to exotic locales like Chatswood to sample cosmopolitan raisin toast and try out the hotel spa.

Serious eat-fests with the usual bunch of misfits and miscreants

Another community trivia night

Meeting Roofus the swamp wallaby at the "Shouse"

Taking my cards into the shops

And seeing my favourite people when I do

Picnics and phone pinching

Being very lucky with who I get to spend time with.

Even doing a spot of "where's Wally" at the shops.

Just needed Anna to kick start us on posting again! Will try not to be so slack in the next few months and will definitely take the camera on our coming trip up the coast.

Highlights of (almost) another year!

Hi guys,

Long time no post! It's been about 10 month since the one so Anna and I thought it was about time we gave you a Village update. Might as well start from June in cold, cold, icy Bathurst...



We managed to keep up our good trivia form at Jack Duggans throughout the freezing winter.

Giving Mum the answer.

I took my friends on some road trips to see the countryside.

Joking with Tim in the back seat

Sometimes after a long drive we'd end up here, taking in the view from the verandah at Tarana Pub.

Looking over the valley on a cold winter's day

Hanging with the locals in warmer weather

We celebrated some more birthdays and "sampled" some cakes.

Anna's birthday, a.k.a. Alex's birthday

Wendy's birthday, a.k.a. Alex's birthday

I've had some deep discussions with Dad...

...and Anna...

...and some down time with Tim!

...I conquered Esrom Street in yet another Edgell Jog with Pete.

PB, yes!

 I celebrated the return of summer...

...and made sure Cath remembered all the words to "the Bog".

So there you have it, a quick look at just some of the great things I've been doing over the past (almost) year. Plenty of other photos and events could feature here - Kelso High Trivia night, Christmas parties, family get-togethers, engagement parties, holidays in Sydney, jam sessions, business successes, new (and old) friends - but these pictures are to give an overview of what our Village has been up to recently. Our usual dynamic has had a bit of a shake-up in the past few months with some friends moving away, but they know that like the Hotel California, once you're in, you can't ever leave the Village! We have tons of good things lined up (more birthdays, TOOL concert, beach holidays) so there will be more photos to come soon - stay posted!

Hope you enjoyed my news,

Alex :)

Canberra

We recently took a quick trip to Canberra to check out where Alex's brother may
 be going to uni next year. Alex enjoyed looking around Canberra, ANU campus, Black Mountain Tower and Parliament House.

Highlights included:

• saying "Cannnn-brah" loudly and repeatedly in Peter Harvey style.
• the fountain at ANU which was very satisfyingly bubbly
• setting off all the metal detectors at Parliament House, and, of course
• sleeping in a "holiday bed", a perennial favourite!

Parental highlights included... (and there's a theme to it):

• Raiding mini bar
• Sampling Canberra wines
• Wine in supermarket

On our tour of ANU campus. "Cannnnn-brah"

Leafy campus. Cricket match under way.

Great fountain!

Sculptures in CBD

View from Black Mountain Tower. We were impressed that Alex was not charged admission till we got to the top and found the viewing platform is inaccessible anyway :(

Tired at Parliament House. Enjoyed the metal detectors going crazy about the wheelchair but relatively unimpressed with the whole seat of power thing.

Life's simple pleasures

We're always thinking about the things Alex might enjoy in life. Sometimes it's possible to overlook the simple pleasures... like taking his car through the car wash. Apparently, that's just plain hilarious.

Wheee!