June-25

 Not much happening in June, according to my records. Work sucks, boys studying sometimes, dog seems chill.

I've been sewing leather cases. I did one for me, one for Mohammad. This one was for Tony as his was falling apart. If anyone's reading this, the offer is there; I can make you one too.

It's very relaxing, uses scraps of leather, lasts for ages, and each time I do it, I definitely learn something and get a bit better.

Trying out the Greens up the coast, right near us; you can see it from our back yard. No idea what the convo was about here.

Marie went away to Croatia this month. In fact, I should really put some pictures of here trip up, eh, next post. I am really happy with these two guys getting some cook time in. Really need to do it more.

Marie ordered tickets for us to go to some skate/acrobatic type show at the Opera house. They were very good; one dude on the skateboard - I think I was about as good as this guy. The BMX guy, the girl and others were pretty amazing.

I've been doing some reserach in preparation of seeing a lawyer regaring getting an Italian passport. It's interesting that thanks to the Australian govt locking them up, we've got a bit of a trove of docs showing dates of arrival etc etc.

Turns out this info was useless, as since they became naturalised in Oz, they gave up Italian citizenship, so we are not entitled to a passport. Oh well. Apparently if we'd done it a couple of years ago, they were accepting everyone. But due to the overwhelming numbers of Sth Americans applying, they tightened up the rules. 

Boys, if you want to live there, just get a job, simple.

Our favourite dog models the blankets in the front room while we watch TV. Doesn't she look wonderful?

May-25

On a walk near Stanmore with Goldie.

Close to Newtown.

Outside Jaime's office at Sydney Uni, a bit further along the walk.

Me and Mohammad went for a bike ride, stopped at work for a chai and ping pong...

...then went to a show; The Stevenson Experience. They were pretty good, not too much filth haha.

Marie and the big GD.

Trish, Jaime making Pisco sours (so delicious), and the back of Marie's head. We got some kind of take away to keep it simple.

Saurabh, Jay Tomar and Pinkesh, on Jay's last day, in "Little India" aka Harris Park. Mmmmm I feel like some Indian food now. He's off to another company for much more pay, and he's a bit of a genius so I think he'll do really well.

Happy birthday to our beautiful boy. He had a bunch of friends come up to the coast, and they gamed the whole time pretty much, apart from the odd walk. Apparently they really liked it: "A bunch of guys gaming Dad, how do you think they'd like it, they loved it."

While we were up, me and Marie went to see James Valentine's Surprisingly Upbeat Review. Some good jokes, and really alpha virtuoso grade jazz musicians.
 

April-25

 

We went to Dinner Plains for the school holidays. It was way cool.

Our typical day consisted of: go for a bush walk in the morning, come home for lunch, maybe watch a movie or have a snooze, then go for a walk in the afternoon. Very pleasant, although given the number of places for sale, maybe you don't want to do this all the time.

Omeo on the way there: it's a beautiful town.

Me, Marie, Gab, Ang, and Steve at the Lakes Hotel at The Entrance. We went up for a couple of days during the Easter long weekend.

More snaps from Dinner Plains. Some of the tracks are really beautiful.

Near Dinner Plains on a walk with Oli.

Day time fun at the unit.

The place had bikes available. We did some mountain bike riding with the boys as well.

At Adelong: there was a local rock crusher in the river, for sifting through for gold.

At the local pub for dinner, Adelong. We stayed for a night, at a different pub, there, on the way to Dinner Plain, to break up the trip.

At Canberra on the way down, with Tom, Fox, Marie and Lou. 

(Sorry these photos are in reverse order)

On the train, probably to Picton, outer Sydney is wonderful.

With Amir, Has, Marie, Fiona at the new Persian restaurant at Haberfield, near enough to us. Delicious. Iran is a real culinary centre of the world.

March-25

We went to Kylee and Dave's for the weekend! Good times.

Ceal, Fil, and Lib came along. Hugh dropped in briefly before going to Sydney to visit his brothers.

I picked up some furniture off the street, stripped the paint off the top, showered our front room with dust, got into hell trouble with Marie, and the kids even. I think the unit is ok! Mohammad moved into a bigger place in the hope his wife can come to Oz soon.

We went to Ellens home. She's moving out, getting rid of everything. I thought Mohammad could get some, but I don't think he was interested.

Anyway, I love this piece of art here:

Other stuff that happened, for which there are no photos; we went up the coast, we went to Michael and Louise's for their combined sort of 50th, went to Hass and Amir's, went to the art gallery with Enno and Andrea. I got no notes on those.

Feb-25

 

Me and Oli went to the Bathurst 12 hour.

I think he was pretty excited about it.

I have to say the view from up on the mountain was amazing.

The dip down before hitting the main straight. Was cool to see them skidding around for traction just prior to this hard core bend.

You can get very close to the action

And afterwards in pit lane after checking out the trophy giving ceremony

Back at work and burned despite wearing a hat all day.

Some serious ping pong.

A random night out with the dogs, Vonne, Tone and Marie.

The third one is harvey, Jackie's dogg

Not sure where this is. Brain malfunction.

Jan-25

 

Baka's funeral.

Jaime, Akemi, Claudia, Tim, Marie up at the coast.

The kids at Long Jetty to check out the sunset.

Esteban, Oli, Lou, Louis at the basketball court near Bateau Bay.

Oli, Andrea,Jaime, Tim, Anna, Esteban, Claudia and Louis

Trish, Jaime, Akemi on our 1st or 3rd  puzzle.

i had to go to work at some stage. The cat was pretty happy to see me again.

Some of Oli's friends also came up for a few days. Good times eh.

Mel, Tom, Tony, Vince, Jason and co up at the coast.

Mr Lou

I'm starring in the new "Do your bit" ads.

Lovely Toowoon Bay

These pics are running in reverse, can't remember the occassion but mel and Tom were in town.

Oli, Marie, Dave, Mil, Fil up the coast. It was excellento to have some excellent visitors after Chrissy during the school holidays.