Monkey Creek

This past weekend Veronica and I actually left the big city to spend a weekend in the country. Or the bush as the Aussies would say. Our friends Martina and Gavin invited us to go with them out to Gav’s father’s place, Monkey Creek Ranch. Located about 30 minutes West of Taralga, Monkey Creek Ranch is a 3 hour drive from Sydney.

We headed down to the ranch on Friday night, arriving around 10 pm. Gav’s dad, Daryl, or Boss, was waiting up watching rugby on his satellite television. The house is absolutely gorgeous and was hand built by Daryl. Yeah, building homes is one of Daryl’s many hobbies. After watching the rest of the game, we went to sleep. It was a little spooky to hear absolute silence when we were falling asleep.

Veronica and I were the last to wake up Saturday morning. When we walked outside there was a huge cloud of mist covering the reservoir and much of the land. After watching the mist evaporate, we went back to the house and had a nice, hearty breakfast of bacon and eggs. It was a good thing to because right afterwards we headed out to do some work. Daryl was weighing the cattle, so we helped him out. Of course, being Texans this was natural work for Veronica and myself. J Or not. But as the pictures attest, Veronica was a natural. I mean come on, look how natural she looks in that hat!

When the work was done, we headed back up to the house for a little tennis. I hadn’t swung a racket since my days at Baylor, and Veronica had never played tennis, but we had a fun time. I was quite impressed by how quickly Veronica got the hang of it. Perhaps she missed her calling in life.

After a scrumptious lunch out on the back deck, we then switched sports and proceeded to hit some golf balls into the reservoir. Good times, especially since the balls float. Veronica and Martina then played gopher, kayaking all around the pond, picking all the balls out.

Before dinner, we played an Italian game where you hammer a nail into a standing log of wood. It sounds ridiculous, but it is an insanely fun game to play. You go around in a circle, each with one swing of the hammer, trying to be the first to completely sink your nail into the log. Trust me, you had to be there. After some good laughs we had a steak dinner, and yes, I think this weekend I put on at least 10 pounds. It felt like we were eating constantly.

Perhaps the coolest thing we witnessed this weekend was a lightning storm off in the distance. The storm was South of Sydney, and since we were about 900 meters above sea level, we had an incredible view of these huge storm clouds lighting up in succession. What made the view all the more spectacular was that the sky all around us was clear, leaving millions of stars shining down. It is hard to describe how fantastic it was seeing the clouds light up. Truly it looked like we were witnessing a city getting bombed off in the distance. Craziness.

Sunday was a beautiful day. Sunny, crisp and cool, perfect for lounging around. Didn’t do all that much besides eat and clean. We headed back to Sydney in the late afternoon, feeling refreshed and depressed for the coming work week.

Business Card of the Weak

This past week I had an epiphany of sorts regarding our blog. It dawned on me that giving an ESPN-style recap of our week must be getting a tad boring. Perhaps this realization stems from me feeling like writing posts can be a bit like a homework assignment at times. I’m not quite sure, but I know that what is missing is some quality absurdity. Often I’ve found that my fondest memories, nay, my most vivid and humorous memories stem from the little quirks and odd encounters that transpire while doing mundane tasks.

I feel that the picture of the ‘Lord of the Dings’ business card perfectly demonstrates exactly the sort of newfangled gems of humor I want to share. Please look at the photo of that card again. Laugh. Cry. Or perhaps pity the poor bastard who thought that this business name was going to really boost his clientele. Truly, are there many hobbit lovers who need car repairs? Aren’t they all children anyways? I know, I’m being hypercritical, no doubt about it. But come on, ADMIT IT, WHAT A DORK!

Incidentally, our mechanic gave me this card as I was getting our safety check done. I know last year I mentioned that registering a car in New South Wales is an expensive endeavor. This year, wow, we are getting royally hosed. Had to get the brakes replaced, new tires, a new backlight, and some rust holes fixed. All said, we are talking about 2K just to have a car for the year. Moral of the story, when you feel like the American government, or rather the DMV is a little too miserly regarding your car, just remember you could be in Australia, paying at least double.

In more important news, Veronica is settling in nicely with her new company. She is finally starting to receive work and has been out in the field twice this past week. Yesterday, while out in the field, she worked with a sub-contractor on a job. This man, let’s call him Classy, had some extremely insightful points of commentary for Veronica. Namely, ‘Have you had a breast enhancement?’ Oh, and he also felt like asking Veronica about her sex life as well. But old Classy wasn’t being rude, he was offering several tidbits from him and his wife’s sex life. Classy.

In summation I have just one question. How can such a cool, and progressive country be filled with so many absolute douche bags? Truly, it boggles my unemployable mind.

Week of the concerts

Good times were had this past weekend. Veronica and I went to see Jack Johnson this past Saturday out at Centennial Park. Before making it to the concert we went into town to have lunch at the Sydney Fish market. While at the market we enjoyed some tasty prawns (shrimp). I can say with confidence that those delicious crustaceans provided the necessary nutritional quota to carry both Veronica and myself through a long concert with nary a snack or even beverage. Well, that was mostly due to the fact that we had scored an epic patch of grass to watch the concert and we did not want to lose it, or get lost. Seriously, 30,000 people sprawled around made getting your bearings a little tricky.

The concert ended up being quite a fun time. Jack redeemed himself after his lackluster Live Earth performance of last year. Perhaps the coolest thing was G. Love and Special Sauce making a surprise performance. They played a sweet 30-minute set, which turned out to be a delicious slice of musical enjoyment.

This past week was all about music. Before Jack Johnson, Veronica, Jamie and myself went and saw Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings at the Enmore Theatre. Now everyone knows that I love two things, Veronica and surfing, but if that list were to include two other loves it might very well include the Enmore Theatre and SJ & The Dap-Kings. Firstly, the Enmore is the coolest place in Sydney to see a concert. Not only is it a great spot and the perfect size, but they also consistently have the best bands coming to play in their hallowed venue. And Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, well, if you don’t know them then I pity you. Or as Mr. T would say, ‘I pity the fool!’ These cats are responsible for bringing back the greatest music ever heard on our planet, the old school Motown sound of the 60’s. Their sound is like cotton candy; it is so sweet and addictive it very well could be considered a drug. The show was a good time, hot and humid, but a nonetheless a special time getting to hear their incredibly soulful licks live. Unfortunately, that concert as well as Jack’s has taught me something incredibly valuable. I am now approaching the age where I can’t handle the crowds at shows any longer. It breaks my spirit to admit it, but I am close to NEEDING venues like Nokia Theater. Yeah, I need a place where I can watch a show in a comfortable chair and AC.

I will hold out for as long as I can, but I have to admit it is not looking good. That or I really need to find out whose derriere I need to smooch so I can become a journalist for Rolling Stone. J

Whale Beach

I would like to extend my deepest apologies for being such a slack communicator these past couple of weeks. No doubt you would think not much has happened during this time, however, it is rather the reverse. Veronica started a new job, and in fact I started a new job as well at Video Australasia. Additionally, it seems we have been out to eat with the majority of our friends since being back. So then why no recent postings? Quite simply we have forgotten our camera practically every time we go out nowadays. Pathetic behavior indeed.

Perhaps you will be inclined to forgive us since we have been suffering through an unusual rainy and cold summer. Most weekends seem to be very saturated lately, and being forced to trudge around with the camera seems a bit pointless. Luckily this Sunday the weather finally turned around and we awoke to a gloriously sunny day. After enjoying a nice flat white at our long lost Coffee amigo Carlos, Veronica and I drove North up the Peninsula to spend a divine day at Whale Beach.

Situated between Avalon and Palm Beach, Whale Beach is the closest Hawaiian beach experience to be found on the Northern Beaches. The sand, water, lush vegetation and ambience is just tranquil. And the houses, excuse me, mansions that dot the hills surrounding the beach are the stuff dreams are made of. Trust me, if you spend a day at that beach and don’t covet at least 5 of those houses, well, then it is obvious that you are truly an enlightened being.

We ended up hanging out on the beach most of the day. Between surfing, swimming and sun baking, Veronica and I were reminded of the great beach days we used to spend out at Makapuu. Our friends Jamie and Morgan made the trek up as well. Stoked to finally get some good weather on the weekend!