Today was the boys annual Anzac Test outing, traditionally the group is myself, Benji, Cameron, Adam and Kyle, but as Kyle had to go to Harvey Bay for work Yank was our new recruit to the tradition. The night started early at about 2.30pm when Yank picked us all up and drove to 8 Mile Plains bus station so we could catch a bus to the city.

The plan was to grab a mean steak then wander over to the stadium, but as it turned out Adam and myself were the only ones real keen on steak so we bailed from that idea and instead hit up the casino. I think most of us wish we didn't! We all decided to gamble a little, mainly on blackjack and sometimes the big wheel, but either we all lost out, except for Cameron. He managed to walk out $80 ahead I think in the end, while Yank managed to lose a further $140 making a total loss of $300 for the week at the casino. Benji walked away $55 behind, and Adam did a little better with only $5 behind his starting pot and I lost $30.

All feeling a little stupid at ourselves (at one stage I had $70, Adam had $160, Benji had $80~ and Yank had $120~), we decided to leave and head on over to the footy. We stopped at subway on the way, and as Yank now has a total of $8 to his name, I was a good bloke and shouted him dinner. He was looking hungry and noone else would shout him despite us jeering Cameron too considering he was cashed up thanks to the casino. Heh, should be good karma! Wandering to the stadium was fairly uneventful, except for the Asian lady and Scottish man telling us to be patriotic and buy an Australian flag... weird.

While we were walking, Yank got a phone call from his Dad telling him that he managed to get two tickets to the corporate box with free booze. We needed a plan to get Yank in there, but him home and still at work in the morning. I suggested I stay sober, drive his car and drop everyone home and then take him to his girlfriends and then she drop me home. It was a good plan so Yank made the calls. In the end the plan was I just drive everyone to where they need to be and then Yank will pick his car up from mine in the morning. Anyway, that resulted in Cameron and Yank going to the coporate box leaving me, Adam and Benji in our seats (where was the karma!). It was great though, we always manage to get the same section each year we've been.

The Aussie's came through with a victory, 30 - 6 and we sent the Kiwi's home with their tails between their legs. The match was uneventful really, the crowd atmosphere was pretty bland until the second half when a few half arsed mexican waves were started and bit of yelling and jeering started to happen. At fulltime, we meet up with Cameron and Yank from their corporate box who were both fairly trashed and headed on the bus home.

Adam left at South Bank so he could get his train home and the rest of us carried on to 8 Mile Plains where I was about to tackle Yank's car. It's a pretty easy drive, bit sticky to first, but other then that, goes really nice! Random singing on the way home, drunken yells to strangers and Cameron being a douche and walking down random streets entertained us on the drive home which was good fun So that's about it, I'm at home, Yank's at his girlfriends, and I've got his car. I guess you could say that karma worked it's magic for me (until tomorrow when I get home from an exam and it's gone).

OaO

Well I'm off to a flyer of a start for the holidays, if it was any other time, I'd just call myself a beast slayer, because well, we all know the Chazza is a beast and it's four cylinder power is undisputed. It has carried us far and wide, many great journey's and experiences, including taking out a plover , chugging up the Gateway bound to Schoolies and well, a ship to rescue the drunken, but today a part of the beast died. Sorta.

It all started with Fingal, which I might add is in NSW (I'm blaming them, it's easier that way). I awoke nice and fresh at 5.30am ready to tackle a new beach with the usual crew of Benji, Kyle and Yeatsie. I had two coast cd's burnt, Best Of mixes, yes including The Unforgiven II and Summer of 69. The day was destined to be great, a fine start to the holidays, but twas not to be.

After picking up Kyle and Benji, we waited outside Yeat's house for the good old five minutes while he curls his hair, plucks his nose hairs and what not, when the Chazza just died. Idled to death. In shock, and surprise I went to start the beast up again, it sorta growled, almost saying 'Fuck you for waking me at 5.45am', but eventually it purred to it's slow rumble, only to die again. Eventually, like coaxing Ernie to leave The Shack with a stick, it started up and I took her on a victory lap. It survived. Yeats was almost ready at this stage, so we had a three course breakfast and then he jumped in the beast. All seemed well.

The epic journey was ready to proceed. Benji was talking usual sleep deprived shit, Kyle was seeping AGB and Yeats was just, pumped for beach. Tragedy struck. Cruising down Illaweena Street, the beast died... then came back to life. Scared by it's wavering loyalty, I wanted to run her around the block. I thought it'd be ok, no warning lights, she wasn't foaming at the mouth or anything. The beast seemed healthy, just suffering from PMS. Alas, it died rounding the bend onto Gowan and there she laid for the next hour, bruised and injured, weeping like a 10 year old boy whose Tonka truck fell into a stormwater drain.

Steam (or foam, I get confused between the whole beast to machine conversion), was seeping from under the bonnet. I opened her up and it seems that it's loyal owner had forgot about the necessity of oil. She was bone dry. I called Dad, he'd know what to do. Wrong, he's not the mechanic type, good with numbers, but not so much pets. RACQ was on the way though. After wishing we had packed a ball, or thinking of the possibility of retrieving The Shack cricket set we were passed by a Falcon load of Samoans. They were the only ones to stop and take a closer look at my dying beast. I guess they love animals too. I thanked the driver, and after a few 'bro's' later, they continued driving (probably to the beach knowing my twisted luck). Kyle's continual anal leakage kept everyone on their toes while we waited for the RACQ.

Enter Owen, RACQ mechanic for 15 years. I told him I was a twat and forget to feed her oil. After a bit of giggling to himself, he filled her with 3L of the good stuff, oil at $5 a litre. He warned me that I may of done her harm, the beast might be dead. Luckily it wasn't, she was just a little wounded, but it was serious. Turns out the first cylinder of my car is lazy and doesn't like to work (like someone I know) at idle. She only kicks into gear when the going gets tough, or going, either way. So turns out the beast isn't dead, just has lost a leg in the war against Iraq. I could blame Bush, but that'd just be exaggerating and the guy already has enough people whining to him, so I blame Fingal.

And yeah, I'm grounded until I fit her with a prosthetic leg, which looks like Wednesday at 1pm. So hoo-fucking-ray, Easter holidays going to be a blast!

Oh Cameron, I need another $15 for your Lamb of God ticket, the beast needed it, I know you'll understand, <3.

OaO

Haven't done a great deal this week, but nonetheless, I will attempt to create an insightful and interesting story that will soak up about five minutes or you time, give or take a few seconds where you take some time to contemplate whether it worth commenting on, which I'm guessing more then 90% will think along the lines of 'too much effort' or 'i have nothing to say'.

On Wednesday night I was pulled from my house by Cam, Benji and Danman to go the Shack. It wasn't much of a mission, I hadn't been there in a while and was keen, although due to being as poor as a cluster of bums on Queen Street and opting not to drink warm XXXX, I stayed sober and watched the night unfold.

Benji and I rode there, which was good. I keep forgetting how relaxing it is to pedal somewhere, wind in your hair and bugs in the teeth. I love it. While we rode, Danman picked up Kyle from Sheepstation Gully and then dropped off all the supplies (ice and booze) and walked back to The Shack. The night started slowly, so when Yank came to drop off more supplies (food), I went for a drive with him for Maccas. Despite the lack of bacon, the resulting food was heaven (and Danman's shout) and everyone continued to drink and before I knew it we were on the walk to the servo for the chicken rolls.

I fucked up somewhere back there so this was were I took my leave and left admist Danman flykicking hessian barricades and Kyle nearly walking off his cliff again. I rode home and had a pensive night before waking at 9.30 to start our coast trip. I was completed rooted from lack of sleep, but still managed to pick up Benji, Dani, Mel and Nat and head down the motorway to Main Beach. The surf was weird, there was a huge gully that was quite deep but allowed for wave free swimming, but then if you walked out across the sandbar there was a few decent waves to catch. Also it seems that it's now jellyfish season, the gully in particular was littered with baby jellyfish who stung Dani, Mel and Benji. The day was pretty good, and after scoring some free icecream and downing some chips and water, we headed home so I could get back in time for work.

Friday was a day of random driving thanks to Mel's shiny new licence! After having a bit of a sleep in, I become Mel's errand buddy which took us to the City for her glamour shots, which look pretty damn good I might add, and then to the Bank of Queensland for documents. We then had to head to her old work for more documents and in doing this, we saw two crows eating a dead magpie, very crazy and I'm not sure what sorta voodoo luck comes with witnessing such an event, but I'm pretty sure it's not the type that's going to get me a pot of gold complete with leprecahns.

I worked that night and then was conned to come out again to the 'vale with Benji, Yeatsie and Mel. Yeatsie bailed so Kyle filled in. None of us were really keen on the 'vale just kinda wanted to be out and about. After a meal at Macca's we headed for Mt Nebo to climb a fire tower which in my view is very That 70's Shoe-esque. Armed with no refidex we pretty much just headed towards Slaugther Falls and then got horribly lost. Mel thought she recognised the area, but a few wrong turns and 'where the fuck are we' lead us to Lake Manchester and Mt Crosby and to the party bus and zombie kangaroos. We ended up coming home along the Logan Motorway, so it was one huge loop. I got home at 2.30am, just 3 hours before I had to be up for work.

I worked 6am till 10, then headed home where Adam picked me, Benji and Yeatsie up and headed to the coast. Over the last seven weeks I've been to the coast at least once every week, so I'm proud of keeping the tradition alive for so long, but it has it's downsides, I was always the driver. With Adam driving, I was allowed to work on my passenger arm tan! The weather was fucking great, pity the surf wasn't though. Surfers Paradise is nice, but it's overcrowded, the surf is always mediocre and you have to pay for parking. Main Beach for the win. Although I suppose Surfers does an edge with being so close to eateries though. After getting snapped by shore dumps and being stung a few times we headed home again via the servo where Adam stocked up on fuel, food, drink and adult magazines.

The trip back was uneventful and before I knew it I was passed out listening to some Led Zeppelin. When I woke I was talked into going out with Yeatsie knowing that I had no money and with the promise that I would be shouted all night. Benji and Adam joined us so the four of us started at Yeatsie's place where he guitar wanked for a bit (he's a god) and watched some AC/DC and Strapping Young Lad DVD's. I'd just to take the next thirty words to say that Rumba is not too bad. It's cheap, seems like coconut and goes down really easy! I'll definitely trying it again soon.

We caught the 130 into the City and whilst on the bus started talking to some boys from Sydney who were up here for a good time. I felt sorry for them, coming from Sydney nightlife to Brisbane must suck, especially last night as the City and Valley were empty! We started at The Victory with Long Islands and Firetrucks. We caught up with an old mate, Davo and then headed into the Valley for some good times. On the way I randomly bumped into some dudes I know from uni, which was a bit surprising but fun all the same.

Our first stop was The Elephant and Wheelbarrow which I didn't mind, I thought it had alot of potential and with a few more drinks, slightly less repetitive playlist (The Killers twice in 10 minutes?), it could be awesome. I had a few drinks here and we meet up with more guys from Brodies and two of Adam's rendering buddies. I chatted to three 25 year old's about the amount of experience they could give me and how young isn't all bad for a bit, then tag teamed Benji into the fray and watched for a bit. We left after about half hour and headed to the Mustang Bar. The Mustang Bar was actually one of the few places that had people in it, so I was keen for it, but Benji was rejected for being drunk so we  after a Macca's run for soberity, we headed to the Basement 388.

Initial thoughts was that it was shit, but an upstairs level covered in pool tables, jugs of spirits and a live rockish band quickly changed my mind. It's a very cool place, great to chill with mates and overlook the street on the open deck! A few random phone calls later from Adam and me and we had Jess picking us up from The Mustang in an hour. We waited for Benji to sober up a bit, then tried the Mustang again. He wasn't allowed in, but I said I needed to find Yeatsie so went in and instead found Davo rocking out to AC/DC. I joined him for a bit then called Yeatsie to find out that we were now getting picked up from outside The Victory. Everyone had already left so I had to run like hell to catch them before Jess left. I made it! Jess got pulled over for random breath testing and a 'seatbelt check' thanks to Adam. Random singing and drunkeness followed and before I knew it I was passed out at Jess's.

I got dropped home at about 11 this morning and was asked by Yeatsie if I wanted to go to the coast. I rejected, I feel seedy and have work in 3 hours, but now looking outside I'm regretting it hardcore, the weather looks ace and some salt water sounds like just the fix I need right now!

And there you have it, my last few days

OaO