Blast from the past

JERRY, GROW YOUR FREAKING HAIR BACK!

Mad Happies gig at the Jubilee Hotel (Sept. 23, 2005 Friday)

MAD HAPPIES:
Paul - Lead vocals / guitars
Josh - Back up vocals / bass
Jerry - Drums

Last night (Sept 23, 2005), the Mad Happies played at the Jubilee Hotel. Four bands were playing that night. They were second to perform. Out of the four bands, only two bands played decent music and the Mad Happies is one of them. As it was previously said, I kept an eye on the camera. If I wasn't holding the camera, it was in my bag so no fucking asshole can steal it this time. And as promised, more pictures below. Click on the picture to enlarge.

Jerry's shoulder was fucked so it's surprising how well they did. He can't lift his right shoulder properly. When he forced to lift it, its uneven as it is shown below.

That started last night before the gig. We thought it might be a dislocated bone or something. But we went to the doctor today (Saturday) and he said it might just be a muscle. An x-ray was taken to be sure. The gig and sleeping with a sore shoulder probably made it worse than it should be.

He wasn't drunk last night, which is a surprise. I had a few drinks before anything started to happen. I wasn't trashed, but I sure wasn't sober. Josh and I were playing pool and the coin slot was exposed and it kept hitting my leg everytime I walk pass it! Had a couple of bruises too.

I was black and blue at the end of the night.

Friday, Sept 16 2005

On Friday (Sept. 16, 2005), Me, Jerry, and Josh went to see a two plays at ACU. Then we went back to Josh's place to have a few drinks and I climbed my first tree. I guess it's relaxing to just be up in a tree achieving nothing but solitary fulfillment.

Anyway, after that, we went to Dooley's in the valley for Kat's birthday. Kat is a friend of Jerry's and Josh's. I've only met Kat twice. She just turned 19 on that day. Had a few more drinks there. Peter and Shelly showed up. Then we went to the Indie Temple. We only stayed there for a little while because I really wanted to go to Faith. Peter and Shelly went to Faith with me and Jerry. Jenni, Judy, and Theresa were there. A lot of Basement people were there (Snails, Jonathan, Scott). I guess the reason is that The Basement is dying. It's because of the "Zeven" thing they did. RnB on staurday night. What the fuck were they thinking?!

Jerry isn't that fond of Faith. Maybe mainly because it's in the valley where sleazy people hang out. Faith plays good music though. Anyway, I was so excited when I saw Jenni. I guess it's just nice to be around poeple (female) I know for a change.

Speaking of women to talk to, I've recently been acquainted with Rio. I asked for her email address on Thursday (Sept. 15 2005) and her YM username. She's a nice cheerful person from Thames - the business school I went to a few years back before I came to Australia. We've only started talking to each other recently. She seems nice. She's a music junkie, which is good. But I'm not so sure that we have the same taste in music. What the hey, we've only started getting acquainted. We'll see what happens.

Good morning, Mr. Simmons

In Gene Simmons' Rock School, the fire-breathing, blood-spitting bassist of KISS tries to turn a classroom full of prim and proper British prep-schoolers into a hot and heavy rock and roll band. Gene is invited to Christ's Hospital, a 450 year-old boarding school outside London. There, the students wear uniforms, march in procession, and study classical music.

In just six weeks, Gene's monumental task is to transform a class of classically trained thirteen year-olds into guitar-strumming, head banging rock gods.

Source:
Gene Simmons' Rock School, Viewed at 18th Sept 2005

I saw my first episode of this show. Well, actually, first and second because Josh has them on his computer. Interestingly funny.

Thumbs down for Jade Buddha on Eagle St.

We (me, Jerry, Mel, Tim, Tammy, Kimbo, Chris, and Jane) went to Jade Buddha on Sunday (Sept 11, 2005) for Tim's official birthday celebration.

Here's a more detailed description of what happened last week on Fathers' Day when we went to Jade Buddha:

- It took a long time for them to serve us our food. In a way, it is understandable because most of us asked for a well done steak and because of the wait, we were expecting it to be worth it. But three or four steaks was undercooked.
- It took a long time for the waitress to bring our drinks.
- We were booked on a smoking area and gave us a non-smoking table when we arrived.
- They were informed about needing a vegetarian meal days before when the reservation was made but when we got there, there was this huge fuss about it.

After that unpleasant afternoon, Kimbo made sure that her complaints were heard and made sure that the service would be different this time for Tim's birthday.

Here's what happened on Tim's birthday:

- It took a long time for the waitresses to bring us out drink (before and after the meal).
- The Five steaks were undercooked and as we had it redone, the manager took the steaks back to the chef and the chef was annoyed and was shaking his head and mouthing "fuck off" towards our table. This was seen as the chef on the grill was visible to the diners. I saw the chef being annoyed and Tammy saw the chef mouthed these atrocious words and as I looked at the chef to see if I should believe her, I witness this unfortunate incident myself, which led me to conclude that the mouthing of these words was done AT LEAST twice (that we know of).

Both my experiences at Jade Buddha are both disappointing. I am one unsatisfied customer and I am not alone in this. Not only that they need to improve their customer relation skills, but also, the chef needs to be torched. The chef which was on duty on Sept 11, 2005 at exactly 4:26 p.m., which was the same chef that served us on Father's Day, if I'm not mistaken.

Corpse Bride by Tim Burton

I don't know anything about animation but its the same animation as "The Nightmare Before Christmas" . "Corpse Bride" is by Tim Burton. I'm looking forward to seeing this movie.

Summary: Victor (Johnny Depp) is travelling home with his friend to get married to his fiancee Victoria (Emily Watson). The two stop to rest in the woods, and as a joke, Victor puts his wedding ring on a finger-shaped stick in the ground and says his wedding vows. The stick turns out to be a rotted finger belonging to a murdered girl (Helena Bonham-Carter), who returns as a zombie and insists that she is now Victor's lawfully wedded wife.

Corpse Bride Summary, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0121164/plotsummary, Viewed at 12th Sept 2005

Bootsie Obsession

Alright, I know that some of you are probably not cat-people and I know that sometimes, Bootsie is only adorable for me and Jerry because you're crazy. So, I'm creating a special section for Bootsie. Just click on "Bootsie Obsession" on the categories to know what's happening with Bootsie and to see more pics of Bootsie.

I'm going to transfer the photos from my blog to "Bootsie Obsession" except for the first post (Bootsie is Back, May 6 2005) because that was my first post (ever) on this blog. I will still post that copy on Bootsie Obsession though.

Birthday Trio - 9th Sept. 2005

Yesterday, the 9th of Septmeber, was the birthday of three special people - Tim (Jerry's brother), my mom, and Colonel Sanders.

I called my mom that morning to wish her a happy birthday. She told me that my brother Zent woke up really early to make her breakfast.

For Tim's birthday, the plan was that Me, Jerry, Mel, Tim, and Tammy are going over to Kimbo's for dinner but Tim didn't want to so the plan was cancelled. The real celebration would be tomorrow (Sunday) at the Jade Buddha by the river.

I made a trip to KFC to get a bucket of chicken to celebrate the Colonel's birthday. Jerry and I had a big KFC lunch at 3 p.m., in which afterwards, he got a phonecall saying that we're invited to Tim and Tammy's place for pizza. Mel and Jane are going to be there too. And so we did. I was so stuffed.

At the end of the night, Jerry and I went to his office to pick up a coffee table.

Bits and Pieces

I was invited to go to “high tea”. It was supposed to happen yesterday (Tuesday). But there were some changes. We (me, Mel, and Kimbo) ended up going to Lutwyche Shopping Centre because they wanted to bargain hunt and Kimbo had to return a pair of shoes. She forgot her purse at home so she had to call up Chris to bring it by. Kimbo wasn’t feeling very well. She had an appointment to see the doctor at 2p.m. As soon as Chris arrived, they left. So Mel and I went to pay for the stuff then she drove me back.

We talked a bit. I showed her the cocktail book Kimbo and Chris lent me on father’s day. I discovered she likes creamy cocktails.

Jerry had to pick up Alex from school and I went with him. Mel left before we had to go to avoid heavy school traffic.

He was picked up by Kimbo and Chris 20 minutes later.

Kimbo bought this multi-colored bracelet for $2 the other day. She showed me and told me that they have it in black and silver and I might like it. I didn’t think I would but when she gave it to me (well, actually, she gave it to Chris then Chris gave it to Jerry then Jerry gave it to me), it wasn’t bad at all.

Jerry and I were supposed to walk Angel and Bolli today but it was cancelled because Jerry had to practice with Paul for their upcoming gig on the 23rd of September. It was confirmed just a few days ago. It’s going to be at the Jubilee Hotel in the Valley. I’m not letting go of the camera this time.

Fathers' Day in Australia

Yesterday was father's day in Australia. I was told about the legend of this day. There's a retailer in Toowoomba that wanted to increase sales and invented mother's day. But of course, if you have mother's day, one should also have father's day. And there it began. I was told about this by Chris. I don't know if its a joke or not but I couldn't care less. I've always known that these are phoney holidays to make poeple feel important and special about themselves. Just like valentines day. But it's a chance for businesses to boom so here they are. Also, to boost one's self-esteem. And maybe in some ways, dads and moms deserve to have one special day of the year dedicated just for them. Especially with all the emotional and financial investment they made on their children. Anyway, I'm glad these holidays are with us. After all, it's an excuse to celebrate and have a party.

Everyone chipped in to give Chris an engraved bolt necklace.

We (Chris, kimbo, Melanie, Tim, Tammy, Jerry, and me) went to "Jade Buddha". Here's what we had:

Me and Kimbo had the seafood one. Melanine is vegetarian so the chef whipped up a special platter for her. Chris, Tim, Tammy, and Jerry had the steak. It wasn't cooked properly. Jerry and Tim asked for a well-done steak and it was still bleeding inside. They didn't finish theirs. Kimbo wrap them all up in a napkin to give to Bolli and Angel (her two canine babies).

I believe that we're going to be there (Jade Buddha) again on Tim's birthday, which is on the 9th of September (Also my mom's birthday and Colonel Sander's birthday). Also, on Jerry's, Suzie's, Kimbo's, and Kath's birthday (Suzie and Kath are Kimbo's girl friends), all those events are going to be held at Jade Buddha but it's not confirmed yet. It's four birthdays in one big event since all their birthdays are in October.

Mel, Chris, Kimbo, Tim, Tammy were all smoking. Oh, what I wouldn't give to have one of those caressing my fingers again.

That's kimbo, by the way.

Jerry told Kimbo that I was trying to make Long Island Ice Tea the other day and I couldn't get it right because I'm lacking one ingredient. She lent me a cocktail book. It's quite interesting and I'm looking forward on experimenting. Kimbo invented a new cocktail. It was just lemon sorbet and vodka. She was having lemon sorbet one night and it hit her that it would go really nicely with vodka. Me, being a vodka drinker, tried some and liked it, which is kindda odd because I don't like lemon sorbet on its own. I remember last xmas, Jerry and I went to Noosa and Chris made this cocktail for me and Kimbo. I don't know what it's called. Anyway, Kimbo couldn't finish hers so she gave it to me. It tasted really good so I sculled it all. I was trashed a few minutes later.

The world is an ashtray

I haven't had a cigarette since the 4th of March (2005). I wasn't addicted, I just liked smoking. I can go for months without one. I remember that day distinctively for reasons that I will not disclose. It has been six months since my last one. I usually just smoke when I'm relaxing, bored, emotionally low or when comsuming an alcoholic beverage.

My mind has been wandering endlessly about issues that I'm trying to fight and sometimes, the longing for a cigarette is strong enough to drown me.

I remember those times when I use to go to "Racks" (a restaurant in my home country) by myself and just sit by the window listening to the music I brought. Not many people go to this restaurant. Frankly, the service was terrible. The atmosphere and the fact that there aren't many people going to this place encouraged repeat visits from me. Racks was located a floor above ground and that allowed me to look down and watch the traffic and watch people walk pass in the middle of the day. I enjoyed those times where I can do that with a cigarette on my hand and a glass of ice tea in front of me. The feeling that I was detached from the rest of the world was what was achieved by this relaxing state. It's a package in which I am struggling to keep myself away from for a long time. Those were the days that I felt that my thoughts are the only company I have and want.

An occasional guest was drawn to this ritual, if we dare call it that. Michelle Y., a good friend of mine, used to join me as I welcome her to this world that I found detached from everything else.

But things have changed since then. To my heartbreak, they've closed down Racks - the one that I go to, anyway. There's another one but its quite a travel. It's even more of a distance now that I am out of that country. Agreeing not to smoke is even more of an agony, especially now that the feeling of lashing out is just a tick away.