I managed not to eat and drink myself to death over Christmas, but it was a near thing. Christmas day at my mate’s consisted of prawns, mango salad and turkey, washed down with copious quantities of plonk. The next day it was right back into it with a barbie at my brother’s place. I had travelling friends come to visit the next day, but luckily they were already into their post-chrissie diet and only wanted to eat apples.
Been getting my money’s worth from Coogee Beach lately. On both Christmas day and Jan 27 there was actually a catchable body break, which is pretty unusual. Granted it was only the shore break at the north end of the beach, but it packed plenty of punch and had a pretty nice run in.
Apparently the backpackers made a terrible mess at the beach on Christmas day, but I was out all day and on Boxing Day, so I didn’t notice. Although to tell the truth, after living in Berlin for 5 years, I am struggling to understand what all the fuss is about. This year they’re putting on New Years fireworks at the beach for the first time. The show’s at 9pm, should be fun. Have to do my drinking at home, though, as there is an alcohol ban.
Took two lots of friends to lunch at the Coogee Legion Club restaurant over the last few weeks. Was supposed to be three, but the afore-mentioned apple diet got in the way of one lunch. Quite a good restaurant, reasonably priced, and the view from the balcony is terrific. Member discounts on the booze contribute to the good feeling!
Bought myself a keyboard as a Christmas present. A Yamaha PSR-E433, with 755 preset voices and all the knobs and buttons a boy could want.
Got it nearly new on Gumtree at a reasonable price. Seller lived in Maroubra, so I got to ride the 353 bus to Eastgardens. Of course the bus was late, (the 353 is always late), but it goes past Maroubra beach, and it reminded me I should go there more often. The surf is so much better.
At some stage I’ll have to get a USB cable to connect the keyboard to the laptop and run my midi software. I also need to get some headphones, or the neighbours are going to get seriously pissed off. Even at half volume, my version of Loch Lomond using the keyboard’s bagpipes sound blows the roof off!
Great night out last night seeing the Khanz and Mabel at the Newtown Social Club (formerly the Sando). Mabel sounded like a cross between George Michael and Elvis Costello, while the Khans played a very groovy kind of electro-pop. Two of the band members looked like Princess Leia and Chewbacca, which was kinda spooky.
Before the gig we ate out at Dean’s Diner, the undisputed home of the best burgers in the Inner West for many years. Burp!
For a change of pace, tomorrow I’m off the Sydney Speedway at Granville. Vroom vr-o-o-o-o-m!