Nama

Well, it's been a cool week or so - kicking off with my belated birthday dinner including great presents/friends/food/drinks.

Christmas Eve was spent in the traditional way, drinking copius amounts and singing the night away in karaoke - my personal highlights (read "lowlights") being a solo "Bohemian Rhapsody" and duets of "Down Under" with Vman then "Ring of Fire" with Danimal.

(Thanks to V for the stolen picture)

The first half of Christmas Day was perfect with some fine presents alongside. The second half was spent in a strange mood and the shadow of early-morning work falling fast.

A spot of teaching followed to throw things out of line but then back onto the holidaying on Wednesday!

A combination of good coffee and Sin City passed the day.......











before spending the night with this little lovely......




So, tonight is New Years Eve and it's shaping up to be a good time. But I'm predicting that post-alcohol, I will be looking something like this......









Oh Burt.

Aging

As hinted at in my previous post, it is my birthday in just one hour and I will be the grand old age of 29.....

For those of you who have forgotten what i look like after all this time in Japan - this is a pretty accurate portrayal of me on my birthday:












At this time of year my thoughts turn to family and in order to redress the balance of mildy embarrassing childhood photos - here is one of my sister playing an angel in the school play:











(she's the smiling blond in the middle)

Good God?

As a scarily high-numbered birthday is fast approaching, I find myself surprised by having discovered religion in an unusual form.....


Although the fries were pretty tasty, I'm afraid the burger didn't quite live up to it's billing......
So after a brief conversion, I don't think I'll be frequenting this particular establishment again.

Something slightly more important....

A double post in a single day.... what's going on?

Whilst I spend a large majority of my time here enjoying myself, one of my close friends from school days is working very hard on things far more important.

So, in support of him I post a link to this:

http://www.iraqpeacetalks.org/index.html

which forms part of the work of Res Publica.

I'd appreciate it if anyone reading this would take the time to follow the link and sign the petition if you agree with it.

I'm a little Pixie

After a nightmare-esque Japanese exam earlier in the day, the Pixies loomed large at the ridiculous start time of 6pm last Sunday. A double dose of "Black Regain" sent me twitching to the venue high above most of downtown Hiroshima where Frank, Kim and co. did not disappoint.
With the set list reading like a "Greatest Hits" album and smiling throughout, they rocked. My particular favourites for the evening were Velouria, Gouge Away and, of course, Monkey Gone to Heaven.

















A non-descript picture taken towards the end of the gig. Shortly before collapsing in a heap due excessive bouncing down at the front. Frank Black is the big ball of light in the middle......