My favorite person here besides you

Today I found beauty in discourse.

The sensation of validation through sharing ideas with others is a keystone in my love of Buck's Rock.

I felt alive this morning. I felt excited. No longer restricted through fears or barriers. Like somehow my very being was projecting and inviting people to engage in conversation.

The older campers or CITs arrived on site this morning and brought with them a new felt enthusiasm for the summer.

Despite the one Achilles heel of the Publication shop balancing on the edge of a butchers cleaver at the crucial moment of deadline.

Our printer refused to heat set our printing plates. As it is every year and so will be forever more. Camp director Mickey set about to solve our problem by replacing the equipment, while I used my knowledge of plating to rectify what little time we had left to create our first publication of the summer. Later, he asked if I could personally research a solution to this. I am considering weather or not this would constitute as being a yes man.

Bob and Ian threw themselves into production as the plates refused to behave themselves, leaving ugly streaks running through every page.

Our eventual product was a fabulous result and a celebration of our skill base. Streaks were reduced with further alterations and such and the orientation guide was complete and was the first collation of the summer.

This evening I got a group together, rehearsing a contemporary Australian composition for Staff on Stage this Saturday. Aside from the obscenely difficult harmonies, the response was beautifully supportive. I feel that some in the group may feel obligated to continue, but it is their passion for passionate projects that keeps their enthusiasm alive for the piece.

Later, I found Set Designer Drew to be experiencing feelings similar to my first year at Buck's Rock. The excitement of sharing ideas in a collective of people who have the ability to not only understand you, but appreciate and love your contributions. true discourse followed. We were eventually the last to exit the dining hall after the meatiest conversation held since the beginning of camp.

Fruit of the Moment: Chicken as Eggplant

I believe that would be 12 servings of Fried Dumplings so far

The morning after staff party 2010.

No one was awake. So nice I thought once again to have the shower room to myself as I made my way down to late breakfast. There were, of course many peeps with the sunglasses. Including Royce.

Today we find out Royce's giant green goggles he never takes off are actually prescription lenses doubling as safety goggles for metal working. Cool.

Pub was all in Orientation Book attack mode. Carson and Kenny readied the text and I dusted off the template from last year and working some plating magic with Rebecca, we managed to pull off our first cover of 2010.

Emma, our supreme overlord of awesomeness decreed it to be so that lunch would be served off campus. Thus, our first trip to Windmill Diner was arranged. Where I managed to end up with a meal I didn't order and a very sick Rebecca on my hands. She was feeling a little under the weather post last night's festivities.

In the afternoon, Ian sends word of a Starbuck's run he's about to attempt. I ready myself for a Venti Coffee Frappachino. Five hours later, the messenger calls to ask if we still want the coffee. Seeing as though the dinner bell had sounded, I declined and waited to claim his blood for my lack of coffee/correct meal orders today.

In brighter news resident camp couple Mimi and Cameron got engaged last night on their one year anniversary after meeting at 2009's staff party. So, word was buzzing with their engagement at breakfast. I having sat with both of them for breakfast figured I'd know about it. However I was made to wait until 3pm when Emma told me casually to which I ran straight down to the summer theatre to celebrate.

This evening after dinner, I was approached by a mate who WAS on my yet-to-be-confirmed-straight list. He was being a little awkward and started to talk about how he had missed out on an opportunity because of being shy last night. The conversation was a little turtle until he clarified that he was after advice for the GIRL he liked. Fancy that? Straight men asking us gays about ways to snag a woman in a hilarious double entendre situation which I originally thought the opposite. Pfft! Needless to say, he is now checked off the list. Two men to go until official word.

I must admit, there have been allot of men asking me about which of the girls are single this year. Conversely, most of the new women have been asking me which men to avoid. Made my job incredibly easy really.

Fruit of the Moment: Strawberry Icing Aftermath

Peter Rabbit? Cameron Nadler.

Sleep is a very important thing. I decided that I needed sleep more than I needed exercise this morning. Turned out to be a good call as the day was filled with much physical straining on my behalf.

The famed annual team building workshop was today at Buck's Rock. We were split up into teams and told to do things like form a shortest to tallest line blindfolded, and fall backwards off tables. It was great. I got to COMPRESS THE ZIPPER once more.

This year however, instead of the rope swing, I tried to climb the diamond shaped ladder with very little success. I found considerably more success with the triangular tightrope course. There were 2 tightropes starting at the same tree, each heading outwards to a new tree forming about a 45 degree angle. You had to work with a partner by leaning on them as you both made your way across the tightrope. The distance between the two of you would increase with every step.

I managed to score Royce for my partner; the tallest man at camp. We got the furthest. Booyeah!

Worked a little on computer names and set up for the orientation booklet in Pub today. We got cracking on paper orders and such. What I like about Pub this year is having established relationships with Bob, Ian and Emma. All three work so incredibly differently to one another that its great to step back and appreciate it.

Not much accomplished but I was gearing up for Cutthroat Island.

Each year, the staff play a game which can only be described as an extremely violent version of Simon Says with a nautical theme (to celebrate all the team building we have accomplished). Last year I was the first person out. This year, I savagely clawed my way to fourth place. It was ruthless. I ended up trying to maul the guy who beat me to third. It was awesome.

Then came the staff party. The way staff parties work here are simple:

a) Get the bus

b) Get shit-faced

c) Dance

d) Get the bus home

e) Shag everyone in sight

The order of the above steps depend on which staff party you go to. For instance, steps e and d are reversed for the final staff night out. Or course, the drinks assist everyone in achieving all checkpoints. And some peeps are better than others at achieving all objectives but there you have it.

I managed to bounce for a solid hour on the dance floor, by which time my skin held an extra stratosphere of sweat. It was not pretty.

I came home on the early bus, which is uncommon for myself. But I did enjoy having the bathroom to myself for a calming shower before bed time.

Fruit of the Moment: McFimi

That would be really unfair on the horse

Bob took us yard sale hopping this morning in beautiful downtown New Milford. I got the comics above for $11.

Ian, more importantly took us to Starbucks afterwards. Rebecca and I were forever thankful and I bought a travel mug from the 1950's.

PubShop today needed the setting up of the computers and the installation of the softwares and the protection of the admin passwords and the solving of the wireless peripherals battery life issue.

Meanwhile I caved in and ate like a 14 year old all day. I was also anxious to discover I fell victim to either poison ivy or loads of bed bug bites centralized in the foot area. Time and itching shall tell.

This evening was Coffee House. Its an annual Buck's Rock informal talent show in which Marie always refuses to sing and then ends up singing two songs. Quilty played one song and I read my favorite children's book; Where the Wild Things Are to the staff. When I had them all participate in the wild rumpus, I screamed STOP at the top of my vocal chords while jumping on top of a chair. The noise went from deafening to a hall of complete silence. Nice.

Post Coffee House, I played a few confusing games of Mancala with Set builder Noah followed by an amazingly epic 3 hour game of 6 player Chinese checkers that lasted until 2am.

Fruit of the Moment: Good Times Noodle Salad

Ian is fixing the door with Bob

Ah, the day of cleaning. Here at Buck's Rock everyone gets to clean their shop on the first official working day. I was surrounded by go getters and it was quite serendipitous.

Last night, I managed to both visit the local drinking haunt Barringtons with Cameron McFee and his cohort AND stay up until 3:3oam with the gang at the Four Seasons to commemorate the opening of Buck's Rock 2010. There was much talking of the shit and attempted push ups.

Today, I managed to somehow survive on 2 hours sleep. I tried the run around camp, running much further than I had ever ran last year, but falling about 100m short of the camp entrance upon return.

I also discovered the cookies here. I had around 12 I'd guess. But then again, I probably haven't been eating enough. I will need to adjust this so I'm not starving come 3pm again.

This afternoon we named our Pub shop computers. They are all after villains. Mine Computer's name is Olaf.

This evening was a famed trip to WALLMART. I got me a trolley full of crap I don't need. Huzah for crap I don't need; Huzah!

I wan bed so bad right now I cant even think straight. Barnaby and my computer equipment has finally been transferred down to Pub where they belong.

Tomorrow shall bring saturday morning Connecticut yard sales :)

Fruit of the Moment: The Return of the Vanilla Yogurt Coated Pretzels

Are you SERIOUS? This is a PUBLIC ROAD!

The happy dance of happiness once again dances its awesome dance of joy.

A day of pure happiness. Joy, laughter, tears, surprise, amazement and other awesome emotions were at every turn and I kept on turning the corner.

Today, I entered Buck's Rock.

Today, I returned home.

Yael and Marion drove us to camp and I was on the verge of spontaneously combusting upon arrival. Mickey the camp director had to emerge from his office to see what all the jumping and screaming was about. He understood the commotion the second he saw me running towards him like a steam train that runs at it's boss.

I have a new room mate from England. His name is Michael. He is yet to replace Roomie Rob as the most awesome room mate that ever room mated with moi. But he's a high school teacher in textiles and cooking. He's like the first male Batik counsellor in like, forever. Thus, a Boytik.

Marion and I are committed to the anti late night snack community of dieters. We figure eating lucky charms at 11pm is a little over kill. So when we go to 11pm snack, instead of joining in with the sugar we will drink only tea. Tomorrow I'm buying supplies from WALL MART for a sticker chart. We will get a sticker on the chart every day we commit to the goal.

Mickey lead a whole staff meeting tonight, where he opened the microphone for people who wanted to describe what Buck's Rock was. I of course made a big fool of myself with a whole bundle of sentimental sentiments strung together. To be fair, when last year I found this creative utopia, I was forever transformed.

It was amazing to see everyone I loved from last year along with awesome new people to get to know, all condensed into the space of 2 hours.

And, there's quite a few new nice looking men walking around camp this year. And the shallow part of my brain got excited.

And as nice as Man Candy is, It 'aint really a top priority on this trip of mine. I doubt any bat for my team anyway.

I am unpacked. I am signed in. And Life is fabulous.

Fruit of the Moment: Veggy Tofu Jambalaya

Which idiot stapled your passport?

You will need to forgive my lack of muli timezone juggling skills.

I understand it has been more than 24 hours since my last post, but its like 8am here in LA atm. So technically I've got no clue whats going on.

Leila and I drove our way into Sydney from Wollongong after getting up at an hour that caused my balance to wobble. The car ride was cork free. I felt however there needed to be more cork. Oh well, there shall be much cork on my return, hopefully.

Check in lasted for ever. I was behind two teens who had brought a surfboard with them. Not your average garden variety sized board, but one massive mother fucker. Anyway it took ages. So I had time for the most delicious cookie I've ever had with a coffee before boarding the 14 hour flight to LA.

OH! The surfers just walked passed me. Inconsiderate teens. And our flight is now delayed, so no broadway for me tonight.

The flight went super fast. Perhaps it was the personal television screen with remote control access to like a gagillion different films/tv shows/games. I caught up on so many movies and shows the time flew past like it was 13 hours. I think the highlight was Robin William's impression of Christopher Walken in a porn film. Had me in stitches.

What wasn't very funny was the guy two rows up from me who nearly died from some kind of heart malfunction. Turns out, there were three doctors onboard. One was sitting directly behind him.

Now, Im reduced to more waiting around in flip flops until the flight takes off for New York.

Fruit of the Moment: Mrs Fields

You eat cucumber?

As it turns out, I slept the entire way from LA to NY. And now I have the grotty hasn't-shaven-this-weekend beard.

I recall an American waking me up at one point to yell at me because my chair was in the recline position. I seem to recall, shifting the chair up without an argument and went back to sleep. I did manage to wake up on touchdown with the chair reclined back again without having been told by staff to put it up... So whatever.

I got me some change from a Starbucks employee who recommended the blueberry muffins and then, found a payphone to call Yael and Marion. Who had offered me their home.

Turns out, New York hotel prices for one night are astronomical. Seriously. It was going to cost around $400 US to book a room for one night. I found I had to swallow my pride of independence to phone a friend and stay at theirs.

A cab ride to Grand Central Station and a train ride to random suburb of Connecticut. (It ends with a 'dale' ?) Something anyhew.

Sleep will be welcoming.

Fruit of the Moment: You-leave-the-country-for-24-hours-and-there's-a-new-prime-minister

his own issues

When, this morning my computer refused to burn a Thirsty Merc CD, I was thrown into a fit of irrational flusteredness. Add to this a missing USB and leaving 30 minutes late for work without previously mentioned USB or CD and you have yourself the beginnings of an awful Monday.

The Monday-itis however started to clear when there was no traffic on the roads. It continued to clear when in getting to work, Clive (my computer) once again behaved himself.

The day became almost amazing when special guest star Mr Wednesday himself made an appearance in a new belt and a nice, crisp ironed business shirt as always. You could have knocked me down with a feather. It was like Wednesday, but on a Monday. As the climatic conclusion to our workplace interactions, he gave me a short friendly farewell hug. My sister asked if he smelt nice. I didn't notice. He felt oddly squishy tho.

Traffic on the way home was even better. BEST traffic day evah!

Louise and I stormed around the kitchen making a vegetable pie farewell feast for myself and Veronica and Auntie Maureen and Brendan.

Veronica sells Mary Kay products. And for some reason in the past week, I've felt the need to look after my skin a little better than doing nothing. So after an uncomfortable facial due to the chair being too high and a stiff neck on my behalf and an AMAZING hand massage, I purchased my first facial moisturiser and night time replenishing gel. What was beyond brilliant is getting the satin hands hand cream sample as a free gift!! SATIN HANDS!

Maureen, Veronica and I managed to talk about my lack of Boyfriend(s) while Louise and Brendan were with Link at his Puppy pre-school graduation. They gave me the same advice my Mother always gives me. And just like the allocated stereotype, It made more sense coming from someone other than my mother; The woman whom society tells me to oppose at every turn. Get out more. Do a course. Meet new people. Okay. Sounds like a plan. Oh wait, America. Bugger.

And what of the cork? Still plugged in that stubborn wine bottle. Rest assured if that incompetent waiter ever gets around to removing it while i'm not in Aussieland, i'll know within a matter of minutes. Or at least expect to.

My late night evening was spent baking my last batch of anything for the next three months. I made strawberry and vanilla daisy cupcakes and they look scrummy. The strawberry syrup I made from scratch is a little overwhelming and the left over sauce is in the fridge for Louise to find.

Thanks for being man enough to hug me goodbye Brendan. And I'll miss you Louise. Lots and Lots.

I ALSO FOUND MY USB on the floor of my room. Under my hiking shoes. The obvious place to look.

Fruit of the moment: smile.

Turn the light off when you go inside

Things for me are a little down and disappointing. Which is strange for someone who is about to embark on his triumphant return to Buck's Rock.

At first I thought it might have something to do with putting the relationship search on hold for three months. Then, I thought it may have something to do with the unopened cork.

Or possibly, could it be the anti climatic departure from the workforce into unemployment (all two days of it). I even mused over the lack of sleep i've been having thanks to the enormity of packing up my Aussie life. Maybe its because people are calling me superficial all of a sudden.

I have come to the conclusion it is because I have been forced, against my will into staying a little under 24 hours in New York. A city, which a year ago I would have been excited to visit i am now feeling no affinity. With its lonely over-populated masses and expensive hotels. Just about every New Yorker I know have already made it to camp (and) says the camp director; "The Inn is full!" Thus, New York I must stay over night.

Hense I'm a lttle down.

I kept falling asleep driving in the fog and bucketing rains to Wollongong after work. Im hopeless. I kept going regardless of my safety and the safety of others. My sense of judgement really needs tweaking in the twilight of my consciousness.

Leila had made me Love Pizza. It was made with so much love that it tasted amazing. With pumpkin and rocket and ricotta and olives and salsas and four different kinds of cheeses... so much deliciousness.

And in the middle of the 2nd farewell feast, Jonathan rings me up informing that Louise's 21st photos are online and feeling fine :) He was however beside himself with horror. Somehow some digital files were lost in transfer. So much so, that he drove around to Leila's just to hand over a brand spanking new DVD of all the high resolution files and apologise in person. And who could be mad at the amazing Jonathan? Awesome should be his middle name given that it's not already. Above is one of my favourite shots from the crazy booth.

Now all thats left to do is to edit out all the clothes I don't need for camp. Shall I take 5 or 7 vests?

Fruit of the Moment: horlicks

Now that you've finished your "coffee"

These are the days that I been missing.

Give me the taste, give me the joy of summer wine.

These are the days that bring me meaning.

I feel the stillness of the sun, and I feel fine.

Today, some of the most important people in my life got together to send me off to America in the only way I know how: A Grand Day Out Picnicking at Minnamurra. Louise and Brendan, Tuniel and Noah, Aneesa and Seán, Leila and Glen, Justin, The Nundle* and me.

It was an epic meeting of friends, families and muppets with some of you seeing each other for the first time in like for evar!

It did not matter that we set out late. Nor did it matter that no one knew what the hell was going on. Around twenty phone calls later by my secretary Seán, a manly search and rescue for usb data and a amazing new moleskin from two amazing teenagers, we were headed towards our destination armed with a plan and gorgeous foodie delights.

It was a beautiful day. With beautiful people... Especially Uncle Justin ;) mind you Most-Photographed-Child-In-History-Noah came in a close second.

I got to eat the foods I love with the people I like and thats what made it amazing. And even though the Kiama Library was closed on a Sunday despite Google informing us otherwise; Leila and I still got some time together. Im going to miss you.

I'll miss you all.

My journey post picnic from Minnamurra up to Neutral Bay was spent rocking out to Thirst Merc's New album MOUSETRAP HEART. Best Buddy Brendan had his birthday bonanza at the FAT MONK, which was delicious but unfortunately disagreed with my stomach and decided to cause me much pain on the drive home and even now.

Morgan and her father were getting in the awkward turtle spirit and I was getting everyone else in on the pac man pound it and the Jelly fish high five (ask me how).

Thankfully the (expensive) coffee at the FAT MONK was acceptable. And Brendan's cup cake birthday cake plate was given the masculine touch of tiny motor cars on each cupcake (despite their pastel colours and flowery trims).

A B+ for HAY and an A+ for TODAY!

Fruit of the Moment: Caramelised Garlic Loaf

*Genevieve

I lament tennant every day

3:15am. The time I awoke to drive my parents to the airport, so they could catch their flight to Perth.

4:15am. The time I am entering the M5.

5:15am. The time Mum buys me an apple and cinnamon muffin to go with my coffee.

6:15am. The time I arrive in Double Bay and decide to take a little snooze in my car Baybalu.

7:15am. The time I wake up and walk aimlessly around Woolworths

8:15am. The time I pick up Genevieve to go to breakfast

9:15am. The time I decide that my corn fritters were bland and ordinary and that I wasn't hungry.

10:15am. The time I am busting to go to the toilet while driving home on the M5

11:15am. The time I am running my 8 mile Sunday run.

12:15pm. The time Louise is making me pancakes while I'm on the phone to Mum who has arrived in Perth

1:15pm. The time I am procrastinating on Facebook by updating my profile picture instead of packing my bags for America.

2:15pm. The time I am sleeping in my room from being tired.

3:15pm. The time I am continuing my sleep

4:15pm. The time I am starting to pack my bags and organise my clothes

5:15pm. The time I am eating left over noodles.

6:15pm. The time I am figuring out what toiletries I need for the overseas trip.

7:15pm. The time I am buying Barnaby a new outfit for his brithday

8:15pm. The time I am dropping off a scarfe at Seán's house.

9:15pm. The time I have finished my macaroni and cheese to write this sentence.

Fruit of the Moment: Discarded Trifle

Terri came up with that plan

Surprised at the Wonka factory gates being opened half an hour early this morning, I parked for the first time this week in the staff car-park. Generally, I have been making it early to work, mindful that I have a lot of shit to sort through before my last day on Tuesday next week.

The guy who replaced Phil the coffee dude is completely hopeless. Well, by my coffee standards anyway.

The Corkscrew Conundrum did not in fact feature as predominantly today. I easily (and understandably) grew bored at watching the waiter try to pull the cork out that I started wandering around the restaurant to find other things to muse on. Seriously didn't look back until 4pmish and he was still there; wine bottle unopened. So until the time the cork does escape the bottle, I'm quite content to let it stay there for as long as the waiter deems it fit to be.

I managed to have lunch with work buddy Linda at the french bakery down the road. My pumpkin salad was teeny tiny and I didn't even finish it. I'm eating so so much less food post Louise's Birthday cake. I find it similar to the time I ordered Pork Knuckle at Louise's 20th and decided then and there to be a vegetarian. The point is, sitting across from us were these gorgeous men out for a lunch date. How dare they flaunt how attractive they are in their casual friday blazers and David Jones wear?! They clearly had no intentions of asking me to lunch with them, which obviously means they thought I was unavailable. I can forgive them for being so rude this once because of their purdyness.

Later this evening Louise took me to the movies. It was one of those inbred brother sister dates. And we saw GET HIM TO THE GREEK. And it was illogical but funny. And Event Cinemas have gone overkill with the staff uniform makeover. Its the candy cane attire from HELL. If I were 15 again (urgh!? who could be 15 again?) and worked at Event Cinemas, It would be a very convincing factor in finding a new job. Its 70% ugly and 100% humiliating.

Fruit of the Moment: Caramelised Garlic

for cleavage enhancement

The cork is wedging its way out of the bottle and all I can do is sit by waiting for the waiter to grab the sucker in super slow motion in a foolish attempt at unlocking the delicious liquids inside.

This morning I felt lonely. And sad. Both these things. Also, tiredness. Also proudness known as pride.

Again, I failed to make my 4:30am run happen. But I did manage to replace it once again with a 5:30pm run.

And I feel so much fatter than yesterday. Kenney's limited source material strikes again: Kenney feels fat and eats nothing as a result. I put this down to new found competition and digitally retouching semi naked pictures of Eamon Sullivan all week...

My day was completely tunnel vision. Im stuck looking in awe at this bloody cork. WOULD SOMEONE GIVE THE IDIOT A CORKSCREW? I lied to people today. Several people. And Im being all dramatic and vague, but for now the corkscrew conundrum continues.

And even though I'm a tad worried about the journey from New York to New Milford being a bumpy one, I can rest easy that super friend Leila (who, looks nothing like a monkey except when I try and draw her) is here to take me safely to airport in peak hour traffic :)

This evening, my hand was forced to visit Mac Square after I broken Louise's heater and ran for 5 miles against heavy traffic, to replace my runner's inner soles and have my overseas backpack fitted. Now I can face the New Milford 8 in confidence knowing that my running shoes have a fresh antibacterial coating.

Fruit of the Moment: twelve tea work day

I met someone

Sometimes life clicks.

Things work together is a simultaneous gathering of turning gears and system of pulleys.

One moment you can be told that you're worthless and a waste of space and the next you're breezing through tasks you once felt were unscalable.

Then that annoying curveball hits you in the head and reminds you why life is interesting.

This morning, with less than three hours sleep I was not prepared to go for my run. I was however more than equipped to consume 4 cookies for breakfast. This was followed in the afternoon by another slice of Louise's Birthday cake, and later in the evening a second helping.

Realising that essentially, I have returned to my previous weight in around about half the time it took to take off is a slightly discomforting thing. Its a hard issue to weight up. Food, especially sweet food is such a joyous celebration of life to me. I just cant have one cookie, it needs to be four. Is it no cookie or four cookies? I realised later this evening that essentially it doesn't matter. You may never look like Eamon Sullivan, but you will always be the same person. And you can't change who you are.

Work was a cinch today. So much achieved, especially since my upgrade from CS2 to CS4 (four days away from my last day but hey - better late than never)

I somehow found the energy and the time to fit my five miles in after pulling into the driveway at around 5:15pm. There was definitely more traffic on the evening road then there is at 4:30am, but apart from that I enjoyed the slightly warmer temperatures.

Tonight was all about the giggling Tuneil and her Vegetarian Pizza farewell feast for Kenney. Justin was there too and we pointed at him, laughing when none of his uni work was achieved. Noah was, as always vocal and too easily hyped up. I must remember to try a non hyped up hello hug next time. Dangling upside-down not such a good idea me thinks.

Fruit of the Moment: [censored for the general public]

You've never heard of MacArthur Park?

Happy 21st Birthday Louise.

You now have a cool hat and a 56 piece cutlery set and I hereby officially relinquish all responsibilities as the older doting brother. I am much much proudness of you.

And, as promised, the sugariffic cake is above.

Given the short length of time until next I fly away to the USofA, it would seem that I am now in high demand. I'm quickly booking out for my time remaining in Oz. Tomorrow night, Friday night, Saturday day and night, Sunday morning and day... GOSH! So many things to do and so little time. Was i doing anything on Thursday yet? I hope not; I need to visit Mac Square.

Soon, I will be in the land of Corn Syrup and Pop Tarts.

Fruit of the Moment: Pre Dinner Coconut Cookie

i drove on a road yesterday!

When your mother tells you not to go overboard with your sister's 21st Birthday cake, it kinda is an invitation for madness.

Just as a general guide to how mad I became, I went through 2 kg of caster sugar and 5 packets of icing sugar. The result was a monstrosity of sweet sweet sugary awesomeness.

I got it through my head that I wouldn't follow a single recipe, rather combine five different recipes to form the worlds most synergetic cakealicious tower of omnomness.

I started with the custard layering from her 20th Birthday cake. Thick gooey vanillaness, smooth and yet chunky at the same time.

I then boiled a sweetened condensed milk can for 2 hours, to form a sickly sweet rich caramel sauce when combined with fresh whipping cream.

Simultaneously baking the first batch of cookies from my new cookbook: big, soft, chewy cookies; cream drops. And my first attempt at macaroons [in the pink variety] modifying the inside cream to a rhubarb custard.

Then, using all my cunning and knowledge know how, I invented the worlds first vanilla mudcake. Well, maybe not world's first. But there's definitely no chocolate. AND it took 4 hours to bake.

Layering several slices of the cooled cake, I meshed cookies and custards and caramels until I had something that resembled that disastrous 15 layer cake the Fairy Godmothers in Sleeping Beauty created. Complete with broomsticks holding up the layers and candles sliding down the handle.

I managed to recoup my losses at this first stacking attempt, scoop out all the failed cake layers with my bare hands (which tasted amazing might I add?) and created an accompanying 21st Birthday Trifle.

The 5 levels of cake that were 95% still intact remained behind. A final layer of pink Coconut Ice made the cake so ugly I decided to coat the whole shebang with bright white piped royal icing.

The 21 candles became a cage for the pile of pink macaroons that weren't consumed due to their stubborn resolve to stick to the baking tray crowning the mountain with just the right panache.

I just about collapsed upon completion.

Coffees consumed: 6

Taste Testing: Every single layer and ingredient :)

Number of people eating the cake tomorrow: 3

Images of said cake will come tomorrow incase my sister decides to snoop around here.

Fruit of the Moment: Twin Vanilla Pods

Kenney stole my idea for the blog post title

Glen was the first to rise this morning. Last night, he and Leila stayed over my house on their way cross country. He looked after Link while I took in the view on my 8 mile run.

Sadly, it took me 4 more minutes to complete than last week's run, which is less than desirable. But I was tired. Perhaps I will run with more sleep tomorrow, although looking at the current time this may not be possible.

Today was all about the aftermath. No more party. No more cake. And soon, no more Kenney as he prepares to jett off to the USofA.

Leila and I allowed everyone to accompany us to breakfast this morning, and we were both horrified to find the eggs were 2nd hand leftovers. Well, probably not that bad, but they were pretty feral. Especially compared to every other tables. A fresh batch had fixed the egg problem, but in the process of replacing the meal, the focaccia was replaced with toast. Double Bay HAS spoilt us.

Louise was super dooper tired suffering a little post party blues me thinks, so it was good she caught up on some sleep. I, meanwhile spent the remainder of my day with Nanna Tess and Mum. I hired UP and got a few hamburgers together and we sipped our OAK classic milks, crying to the worlds most beautiful movie. Seriously. It makes me want to work for PIXAR. I need to find a way to make this happen. People: post your KENNEY IS AWESOME letters to the PIXAR head office* ASAP. Included below is a sample:

Dear Pixar,

Kenney. Is. Awesome. Period.

Hire him.

Love,

[your name]

Fruit of the Moment: Erwin's Eggs

*Pixar Animation Studios

1200 Park Avenue Emeryville,

California 94608

Who's telling the story?

To wake up on the day of your sister's 21st birthday party and face the possibility of a day without coffee was, to say the least concerning.

More so was the stubbornness of my coffee addiction as I refused to eat breakfast until Dad came home with the donuts Mum hadn't ordered (and expected to be all pink). Dad had diligently bought me a blueberry muffin and to top it off a delicious long black.

Mum had us in a whirlwind of party prep, paper cutting, plastic taping and roll cutting. People started arriving including Jonathan, the photographer for some early photo prep and Maureen's entourage for cake and pie patrol. Even Bob the glass repair man was in and out in the shake of a hand. My car no longer has an enormous crack along the windscreen.

I was really chuffed when dad took me aside and asked if that photographer fellow was single. You know you have pretty cool parents when your Dad tries to set you up. Even if his gaydar is way off. WAY off. I thought it was cute of Dad anyhew.

Louise and Brendan turned up for the party, and by that time I was in full party mode. Running around introducing people, showing them the bar and the crazy booth and making pitt stops at the local Wino store to pick up some much needed vodka along with a truck load of french fries from the local chicken and chip store.

It was the fabulous fifties and a fabulous party. I hope my unprepared speech didn't offend anyone, as I was planning on not speaking at all. Mum however made it clear I had to.

Louise was beautiful in her 50's get-up and I'm totally looking forward to the photos yet to come. And even though I was insanely tired, I didn't overly mind hanging back until 2:30 am to drive people home. Its become a stock standard at my parent's shindigs.

Fruit of the Moment: Cookiedough Cake

For inquiries, call 99334151

When waking up on the eve of a 3 day weekend, it's not a good day to feel like crawling into a hole and not emerging into the world.

I daresay I wouldn't be paid if I didn't turn up to work. And with my now climbing credit card bills thanks to my recent brush with an inconsiderate litterbug SMASHING my windscreen, I need all the mula I can get my grubby little hands on.

Gab at work was really nice to me today. Which really helped perk me up. She's been uber supportive recently, which is uber awesome.

I claimed my last coffee off of Phil the Coffee Guy, as next week he is off surfing his way down the coast of Australia. Crazy mo fo.

Athina had us on another rampage through the Gazal offices, clearing out all the unwanted sample stock. Which means more sample sales. Only this time, I can see all the stuff I worked on over the past year being fought over by employees out to grab a $40 bra for a buck.

I don't know why I didn't expect it being a long weekend and all, but traffic was a complete nightmare coming back from the city. 1 and a half hours for 10km? This was not fun. Thus I was uber late in getting to Mums house in preparation for tomorrow's festivities.

I'm just so frikin tired I don't know the difference between a cookie and a biscuit any more :(

Kenney Out.

Fruit of the Moment: Pide Garlic Bread

They are your last batch okay?

So much sadness. So much coldness. So little exercise and so many cookies.

Driving down the highway to work this morning, the carless ute in front of me decides to throw some rubbish out of their window. Hitting my windscreen, their crime became MORE THAN my week's wage. I now have a bill for a new car windscreen thanks to the enormous crack running through the middle of the glass.

I just don't get it. It got me down. Real down. All day. Not even a banana caramel muffin break muffin could cheer me up. Nor coffee it would seem. Or cookies. Even the David Jones cookies I bought turned out to be terrible. So I didn't eat any.

I think i'm also still riding the wave of upsetness due to a certain crush not liking me back. And combined with my visit to George street Apple Store, It was a fun filled day.

Louise and I had pancakes for dinner. And they were delicious. And now I am very tired. I am tired of everything. I'm so busy and yet doing nothing at the same time.

Fruit of the Moment: boss in a bakery

Not that he cares what I think

I managed to wake up about 4 times last night. That's at least once every hour folks! And it wasn't a URGH?! I need to get to sleep waking up, it was a real 'I'm-wide-awake' type waking up.

So its no surprise that when 3pm came today, I was dead to the world.

Meanwhile, Phil the coffee guy has stopped coming to work during the day. Thus limiting his delicious coffees to 8:15am visits. That's at least half his original daily visits folks!

After feeling a little cloud nine-ish yesterday due to the temporary insanity that comes with crushes, I managed to plummet down to Earth today and face the reality of the situation which was that I was being ridiculous. As usual. But no QS suffering this round. That's the same results with a completely new outcome for me folks!

Also, Leila is very pretty and awesome at hiding cookies. That's a really nice thing to say folks!

Fruit of the Moment: Belated Rice Paper Rolls

u seem familair... have i met u?

One of the many drawbacks of being in a minority group such as "the gays" is that you can never tell if others belong to the same minority.

I have, for a long time suffered from the Queensland Syndrome or QS. Basically, QS is where I will develop a crush on a really nice guy who happens to like girls. The common link between many of these men (and there are at least five that I can count atm) is that they all originate from Queensland.

So, there it is. I'm constantly falling victim to QS. Which is why when I find that I've suddenly been taken by someone new, rather than ask if they are straight I will ask where they grew up. Today I realised that I've been developing a little crush. It dawned on me and I became incredibly aware of it.

And the best (and worst) part of any new potential boy is the anxiousness suffered from a) them liking you back and b) not growing up in Queensland.

Its so hard to judge these things. Especially when you're in the early stages of friendship. Especially when you are about to leave the country for two months. Do you try and push it a little more? Do you do nothing? Will you have missed your chance? Will you screw it up and lose a great mate to awkwardness? Does it matter that you've put on some extra padding around your waist? So much worry.

Sometimes its better to test potential men for QS as early as politely possible.

This is what I contemplated as I drove to and from work. And It gave me a smile, knowing that I could have found somebody to like more than a friend.

Fruit of the Moment: Caramel Indulgence

He's a slut cos he's got Chlamydia

I slept over Leila's house last night for the first time in like, forever. I'm super tired now.

It was good to see that Phil the coffee man had returned to work this morning. He makes very nice coffee. And I know how I like my coffee. And he makes it that way.

I get a phone call from the apple store today about my software complaint. They helped me fix my mighty mouse wheel problem. If the scroll ball is dodgy or broken, just rub it for about a minute back and forth upside down on paper until it starts clicking over again. Worked for me and my mouse has been broken for about a month now.

I had a spare hour up my sleeve at work today, so I decided to start collating all my unused work for future use and resume purposes.

Nanny Tess is staying at my Mum's house at the moment, so I visited for tea and made 2 mushroom pasta with Philadelphia & blue cheese sauce.

Fruit of the Moment: Egg-flip

Holy Crap! There's a door here

Today I made my way through 2 packets of those Coles Sticky Date Cookies.

Leila pointed out that they had way too much sugar for a normal cookie. So, I feel the urge to resist them is building inside of me but for the moment I remain helpless to their sugary sugary deliciousness.

I felt a little out of breath for the first 2km of my run this morning as well. Which normally doesn't happen. Perhaps the crazy cookie eating and this thing with the weazing out of breathness are connected in some way? I tend to hope not.

I spent the day sleepily traveling down to Wollongong to do some digital work on the PC and for a bit of rest. I had not suspected they had bought the world's most amazing bread. I had not suspected that the garlic would burn my mouth or that my digital rendering would take upwards of 4 hours. Dam old computer. I'm also trying to get around to converting a few videos of Glen's to DVD.

Tonight, I enjoyed a potato dinner with the new Dr Who. It was a cool episode. I didn't have to ask Leila any expositionary type questions, because the writers had managed to cover all the "i've missed 2 seasons and have no idea who these new characters are" problems with seamless dialogue.

During the episode I was trying to work out where I had seen the actor who played The Doctor. After a while it dawned on me that his complete insanity combined with a touch of geekyness mirrors fellow blogger Sean. I couldn't believe it. I'm like no way?! Its seriously uncanny. Well, at least I think so.

Fruit of the Moment: Lack of Caramel

[he] anticlimaxes me

Today has been in the pipeline for months. Well, technically speaking, its been in development since the dawn of time. My meaning was I had been planning today's events since a while back.

The tricky thing about a sister that has everything is you can't buy her anything for her 21st birthday. So I decided to take her out for a day of food, culture and shopping.

We started off the day at Bar Indigo, where the ricotta pancakes and caramelised banana french toast was simply amazing. Better than amazing. AWESOME! And even better still, we had time to visit the many boutique paper stores that litter Double Bay. One of them even had a job opening for a graphic designer. I shall be submitting my resume soon.

Our next stop was a trip to David Jones. After finding out that Louise wasn't in the mood for shopping, my budget had suddenly been halved. Quartered even. I was expecting to spend buckets of cash in Double Bay followed by a truck load in David Jones. Louise however found it impossible to shop for. We did enjoy some nice coconut yoghurt from the David Jones food hall, and Louise had this yummy scrummy strawberry tartlet.

Thankfully, I got to stretch my credit card's muscles in the homewares section. Spying a Scanpan pasta pot was all it took. Ah! Sensible spending.

For lunch, we diverted to the Observatory Hotel for their legendary High Tea at 2:30pm. It was indeed the stuff of legends. Not only had they considered to take out all the chocolate treats, but they had substituted them with replacements and made sure my vegetarian needs were taken care of, right down to the gelatine. Flawless service in my opinion. High service for the High Teas [of which, I selected Lemongrass while Louise selected Camomile].

We made our way to Darling Harbour (after a funny American rode a 12 foot tall unicycle in Circular Quay) where I had booked tickets to see Prince of Persia in IMAX thanks to the overcast weather cancelling my previously booked evening activity. It was a close shave though. Our dinner reservations were at 8:30pm, and the movie finished at like 8:20pm.

Dinner was served to us at the Sydney Opera House Restaurant; Guillaume at Bennelong. Turned out however to be the worst part of the day. Arriving in the nick of time thanks to a quick taxi from Darling Harbour, our entrées were pretty shit. Louise's meat came out raw (which was apparently what the menu said, only in foreign restaurant food speak) and my winter vegetables turned out to be beetroots and peas with tomato in an extremely ugly cold scattered assortment.

After truthfully voicing my opinion to our waiter, I found he became anxious about the rest of the order. The service was pretty ordinary for a rated restaurant. We never had the same person deliver food to our table and no one knew who had ordered what. They brought out a complimentary seafood taster and I was like did anyone actually pass around the memo I sent in ahead of time about the vegetarian people?

We had different people take our orders for different courses and instead of making us feel welcome, they would stare at us waiting for us to speak. Whats wrong with a nice icebreaker? A friendly welcome to the table? A jovial comment about the weather to get us talking before recommending the specials (of which there weren't any).

Thankfully, the mains were really nice. Not worth the exorbitant prices charged, but real yummy like. Dessert was also acceptable. Especially when 12 mini macaroons came out with my coffee.

And surprise surprise. Guess who made it to Coles for the cookies he had been craving all day?

Fruit of the Moment: Christmas

Saying I'm Ranga

I like trains. Leo's Favourite train is the F train.

I decided against sleeping in my car this morning when I got to work an hour early. Such is always the case on Friday. No traffic going to work, and gridlock central on the way home. Add some torrential rains in there and a fire in Newtown and you got yourselves bedlam.

Work was completely pointless today aswell. Nothing achieved. Nothing gained. And everyone ignored me in my new isolated office. Now all I need to do is sneak in a few gamers and a Wii and have myself a playroom at work.

Radio host Roger Bailey totally geeked me out today. I can't wait to get back to D&D. Tomorrow I shall take my sister into the city for her Birthday. Hope she enjoys herself.

Fruit of the moment: Coconut Macaroons

Prolly Andy

Today I managed to spend a motzah on postage stamps from a man with crooked eyes at the Banksmeadow post office. He sold me lots and lots of $2 stamps that I completely covered a box with in order to send off into the wild green yonder.

Soon, it shall arrive at its destination and cause happiness. Then all the motzah in the world will have made it worth it :)

Phill the coffee man was not in today, and his replacements didn't make coffee the same.

At around 4pm, I was about to ring Louise and ask to go to Mondos tonight. Then she like sms ME instead saying the exact same thing. I was like... SORTED. And thats why I had gnocchi for dinner.

I also had me some gelato. I welcome it back to the fold.

Fruit of the Moment: caramel coconut

Oh yes. They bought them.

So it took me all of 28 hours to fall off the new diet plan.

a) I ate in te car

b) I ate many cookies

c) I now feel sick and will have the ability to eat more cookies tomorrow

I've always had to deal with guys I know eating whatever they want sans consequences. I hate being gay sometimes. Most of "the gays" are not interested in anyone with more than 2% body fat. Its criminal and depressing and results in the guilty consumption of cookies.

Meanwhile, today was insanely busy at work. I was on the go: non stop. I also got to work on three design projects for mates. An acting website for Belinda, a logo for Louis, and a Trailer Title card for Bradley [above].

The things I can accomplish when I have my mac back and have used it to blast the apple store with my complaints of their lack of service and attention during my last visit. Stupid "magic" iPad customers getting first preference.

Fruit of the Moment: Nougat Disposal

Nobody makes money in the theatre

Back to morning runs, back to work and back to my diet.

Over the past month I have noticed that cookies have become a particularly evil addiction of mine. And how beautiful they are. But when you're eating upto one packet in a sitting, its time to slam on some breaks. Clearly, the 3 months of dieting has screwed with my self control.

Hense, I'm back on the diet. The diet being eating controlled portions, without sweets and plain tasteless foods. This shouldn't last too long. Why only 2 minutes ago, I made a banana cake mix big enough to make three muffins. I looked at it for like three whole minutes before chucking it in the rubbish bin with a sigh.

I guess I will need to replace my need for sweet with bitter bitter tea and coffee.

I can make it to Buck's Rock without breaking into all bets are off eating mode. I have a few indulgences along the road. Most notably my farewell picnic, where I intend to eat like gangbusters.

I'm finally coming to you from my now completely fixed Macbook Pro. The doctor prescribed a new hard-drive and I bought Clive the beautiful Snow Leopard operating system. So far no kinks, but I expect them to come soonish. I had to walk all the way to the George Street store from Broadway Shopping centre, but it was worth it. Also, I have a pretty new mouse.

The cashier at the Apple Store told me the upgrade was not compatible with Tiger. LIAR! Filthy filthy LIAR! rather than spend a BAGILLION GAZILLION dollars on the Tiger to Snow Leopard upgrade, I happy bought my $39 operating system scott free. Take THAT you dirty, dirty LIAR!

Fruit of the Moment: Riot for Refugees