Spent yesterday arvo at Reclink Community Cup, down at Elsterwick Oval. Awesome day, weather was great (but freekin cold), beer was cheap. Kick to kick at half time with mates Craigie & Bren – and no one got hurt this year (got a couple of people in the face last year). Adalita was a highlight, playing a blistering set right before the game. The game itself was a white-wash. Not sure what was going on with the scoreboard, but Rock Dogs (Melbourne musicians) got absolutely smashed by a surprisingly well skilled Megahertz side (Melbourne music industry) – their first win in 5 years.

After the game, shot taken by Craigie out on the Elsternwick Football Ground.

There were plenty of streakers braving the cold. The crowd was big – hopefully heaps of cash was raised to aid disadvantaged people in our community. Another great Reclink Cup – looking forward to next year.

How good are these guys. Perth psychedelic rock band Tame Impala. Kevin Parker’s the main guy. I think he writes & records everything – genius. The project grows into a full band on tour (5 or 6 piece). Love this song – Eventually. They (or Parker) have been making astonishing music for a few years now, but this latest stuff is mind-blowing.

Fires out.

So much fun – they’ve done it again. Not bad when a couple o’ guys release yet another hit, 2 decades on – and still as cool as f*ck.

Fires out.

Talking with a team of film-makers at the moment. They’re interested in leasing 2 rooms behind the venue as a permanent editing studio. The guys dropped over during the week & really dig the place. We’ve been looking forward to having the spaces rented out for creative purposes. Fingers crossed it’ll be a good start. I’ll let you know if & when they move in. They do some really interesting projects. Think they’re even involved in organising indie film festivals.

The studio rooms behind venue.

Fires out.

Queen’s Birthday weekend just gone, packed full of work & catching up with mates. Back-filled the trench in the beer garden walkway after confirming no further pipe leaks. Poured a few dozen litres of liquid chlorine down there to neutralize strange smell (possibly urine), relaid turf & landscaping. More construction work also in the venue room.

Before & after – beer garden walkway, this weekend.

Bizarre weekend of football with Friday night’s upset of the season – the Tigers beating Freo in the west. Essendon were booed off the ground by their own supporters after a dismal on-field display, annihilated by Geelong. Collingwood jumped into the top 4 after beating a gallant Melbourne. Carlton were surprisingly competitive against Adelaide after a horrible start to the season (but still lost). And Port were too strong for a young Bulldogs side in Adelaide. Doggies were right in there til the last quarter, then fell away to lose by 38 (Dang!).

Fires out.

Wow. Posted something about this yesterday. But it really went pear-shaped for Freo last night, the Tigs just too good. Nobody woulda picked it. Richmond burst out of the blocks early, piling on 8 goals in the first quarter to stun a previously undefeated Fremantle in the west. And they never looked like catching up (by the look of the score-line). Out at a mate’s place last night, I didn’t even look at this game – assuming a foregone conclusion. How wrong was that! (click the pic below for game highlights at the AFL site)

Fires out.

Ooooh a big one for the Doggies this weekend. Everybody talking about em after last weekend’s surprise win against GWS. Saturday night in Adelaide against Port Adelaide. Just got back from the pub – and the tipping vibe is not good for the Bulldogs. Can they do it? Dunno, but this is when they typically shine – backs to the wall. There are some big games to look forward to this round. I reckon the Bombers & Cats, also on Saturday, could be a corker. Nth Melb & West Coast might be a surprise thriller for Sunday. Tonight’s game – Tigers & Freo – I’d like to think will be closer than pundits are currently tipping. But the Dockers are all-conquering at this stage, even though Richmond are on the march. Another riveting round  to come on this Queen’s Birthday long weekend (round 10). Congrats to Plugger Lockett – one of the great full-forwards of my life-time – inducted as a legend in the AFL Hall of Fame this week.

Fires out.

As Melbourne gives us an early start to a keep-your-brass-monkeys-indoor style winter, it pays to give a thought to how this season plays out on other parts of the planet. During a winter tour of Poland & Slovakia in 2010, the temp never got above minus 5 the entire time (Jan/Feb), frequently ducking below minus 20 at night. It was a beautiful thing. Doesn’t make us feel any warmer. Maybe just slightly grateful…

Fires out.

Rare footage from Vox Bar, Wuhan China, 2011. Without live.

Fires out.

Big weekend working. Flew by in a flash. Couple of bar shits at Collingwood Spiegeltent, including a long one Saturday night after working all day on the venue. Made easier by the Bulldogs upset win against GWS Saturday arvo at Etihad Stadium. The Doggies unexpectedly controlled the game from the outset, finishing with a massive 33 scoring shots to 13. It was an important win against the vastly-improved Giants, also putting an end to 3 weeks of losses. The return of Will Minson didn’t go unnoticed either – a huge effect on the game.

Took it easy Sunday. Sore body from digging, concreting & lugging slabs of beer around. Slowish start this morning.

Fires out.