I stumbled across a class photo from my year 12 Biology class on Facebook a little earlier...
That was 2006.
I've been out of school for 6 years now.
And what have I got to show for it?
I've got a shit job, dropped out of one university degree (Law) and started another one (Journalism) part time with at least another 4 or 5 years ahead of me.
I mean, I could do a lot worse for sure. I at least have a job, I can support myself, and I'm not still living at home mooching off my mum but it just feels like I'm busting my arse each and every day and going nowhere and achieving nothing.
This melodramatic post bought to you by a lonely Sunday night and epic nostalgia.
That was 2006.
I've been out of school for 6 years now.
And what have I got to show for it?
I've got a shit job, dropped out of one university degree (Law) and started another one (Journalism) part time with at least another 4 or 5 years ahead of me.
I mean, I could do a lot worse for sure. I at least have a job, I can support myself, and I'm not still living at home mooching off my mum but it just feels like I'm busting my arse each and every day and going nowhere and achieving nothing.
This melodramatic post bought to you by a lonely Sunday night and epic nostalgia.
Just a quick note to let you all know I am horribly hungover.
Useless fucking Mayans.
If they were right I wouldn't have a damn headache right now.
Useless fucking Mayans.
If they were right I wouldn't have a damn headache right now.
Apparently I give great hugs...
It's not the first time I've been told as much but it still strikes me as a bizarre compliment? I dunno, maybe it's just me.
Enough about things that are confusing me though, onto better and brighter events.
This weekend just past was one of the best weekends I have had in an incredibly long time.
I covered 3 states in 2 days and got about 2 hours sleep in as many nights.
Friday night was my work Christmas party. Because our head office is based interstate (Adelaide, South Australia) we were all flown down for the night and put up in a 5 star motel for the night. In addition to free food and booze for the night. The party itself wound down a bit before 1am Saturday morning and we proceeded to hit up the casino and I ended up crawling back to the motel at about 4am.
Oh and I totally scored myself a date for Soundwave festival in Adelaide with one of the cuties from our other office as well. Score.
Sunday kicked off at the ungodly hour of 4:30am to get to the airport to fly to Melbourne at 6:30. So armed with all of about 20 minutes nap and still mostly pissed I trudged off to the airport where I sobered up enough to meet my mates at the motel and grab some breakfast. From there we proceeded to hit up the pre-game pub at opening at midday and things got steadily messier from there.
Gotta love Brisbane away days. That'd roughly be me and my good mate and horrible old baldy headed bastard Ash flipping off the home fans. After escaping the game with a 1-1 draw and our dignity intact and almost managing to get our head kicked in by the home support it was straight back to the boozer. Where it was a seemingly endless parade of shots and then it all gets a bit hazy truth be told.
People never cease to amaze me.
This can be a good thing or bad I suppose depending on the circumstances.
This particular scenario involves a little from column A and a little from column B.
I've more or less covered previous issues in my previous post so I won't waste my time recapping, suffice to say it follows on from said issue.
I received an unnecessarily grovelling apology of a message on Facebook from Char, the girl involved, saying she didn't know what came over her but never wanted to ruin my friendship with my mate.
Which is great of her and something I never would have expected in a hundred years but as previously mentioned completely unnecessary considering the whole situation was at least as much my fault as anyone's.
The bit which left me equally annoyed though was a single line in her message; "I had only been told about my disgusting behavior later by a very angry Matt".
Now, I'm not capable of remembering a great deal from that night either but I most certainly can remember enough to be sure of the fact that her behaviour was in no way disgusting. Which means he's taken his anger at the situation out on her. Now he's never been the most enlightened person when it comes to women but even by his standards that's a real WTF moment.
Anyway, I write all this not out of any misguided notion that anyone gives a shit but because this is the only place where I know I can get it all the hell off my chest without other mutual friends seeing it.
This can be a good thing or bad I suppose depending on the circumstances.
This particular scenario involves a little from column A and a little from column B.
I've more or less covered previous issues in my previous post so I won't waste my time recapping, suffice to say it follows on from said issue.
I received an unnecessarily grovelling apology of a message on Facebook from Char, the girl involved, saying she didn't know what came over her but never wanted to ruin my friendship with my mate.
Which is great of her and something I never would have expected in a hundred years but as previously mentioned completely unnecessary considering the whole situation was at least as much my fault as anyone's.
The bit which left me equally annoyed though was a single line in her message; "I had only been told about my disgusting behavior later by a very angry Matt".
Now, I'm not capable of remembering a great deal from that night either but I most certainly can remember enough to be sure of the fact that her behaviour was in no way disgusting. Which means he's taken his anger at the situation out on her. Now he's never been the most enlightened person when it comes to women but even by his standards that's a real WTF moment.
Anyway, I write all this not out of any misguided notion that anyone gives a shit but because this is the only place where I know I can get it all the hell off my chest without other mutual friends seeing it.
It's been the best part of a week since I've checked in 'round these parts so its probably a good time to touch base. No time like the present and all that.
But...
Truth be told I've not felt much like talking this past week. To anyone really. A rather rough weekend was had.
What started as a rather splendid day at the football and on the lash with my mates descended fairly quickly into nightmare territory when I got far too pissed up and started hooking up with a friend of a mate who, completely unbeknownst to me, said mate was keen on. So Saturday night ended with me very nearly getting my head kicked in.
The last thing I've ever wanted is to put a bird between me and my mates. Even my own girlfriends at one time or another (no doubt hastening the eventual of those relationships) so not only have I crossed that line of my own in doing so I pissed off my one mate who's a semi-pro rugby player with an explosively violent short temper.
Enough of that bullshit though.
In better news, in the last 24 hours both Deftones and Bruce fucking Springsteen have announced Australian tours for next year. So that's something I guess.
But...
Truth be told I've not felt much like talking this past week. To anyone really. A rather rough weekend was had.
What started as a rather splendid day at the football and on the lash with my mates descended fairly quickly into nightmare territory when I got far too pissed up and started hooking up with a friend of a mate who, completely unbeknownst to me, said mate was keen on. So Saturday night ended with me very nearly getting my head kicked in.
The last thing I've ever wanted is to put a bird between me and my mates. Even my own girlfriends at one time or another (no doubt hastening the eventual of those relationships) so not only have I crossed that line of my own in doing so I pissed off my one mate who's a semi-pro rugby player with an explosively violent short temper.
Enough of that bullshit though.
In better news, in the last 24 hours both Deftones and Bruce fucking Springsteen have announced Australian tours for next year. So that's something I guess.
So it's been a few days but the two gigs this week, Lagwagon and Zebrahead/Goldfinger/Reel Big Fish were absolutely incredible.
Lagwagon had teenage me absolutely paralytic with joy. I'd have liked it if Let's Talk About Feelings and Double Plaidinum got a bit more of a rum but they can only play for so long and the set list was still incredible regardless. I was legitimately in tears during their encore too. Joey Cape came out and played an acoustic No Use For A Name cover (the specific song escapes me now unfortunately) but it was the most beautiful thing I've ever heard.
Then backing up Thursday night I went to see the monstrous Zebrahead/Goldfinger/RBF triple bill. Zebrahead are one of the most underrated bands in the world today, especially live they go up another gear completely. They're essentially an even better version of New Found Glory. And having 'Mr Belvedere' the waiter onstage with a bottle of Jack was one of the most brilliant things I've ever seen. Their 'hardcore' medley of covers of Avril Lavigne, Britney Spears and Spice Girls was a particular highlight.
and Goldfinger. Just. Wow. Admittedly it wasn't really Goldfinger considering it was John Feldman (obviously) but Mike Herrera on bass and Aaron Barrett of Reel Big Fish playing guitar. Nevertheless the way they engaged the crowd and their relentless energy were just mindblowing.
Reel Big Fish headlined. It's the third or fourth time now I've seen them live now between festivals and headline sets and they never ever disappoint. The new songs off Candy Coated Fury they played were absolutely brilliant and the way they take the piss out of themselves and out of the audience is just second to none.
Now two days later I've finally had a decent night's sleep and it's football day. Brisbane Roar missing quite a few of their first string team and having started the season with 5 losses out of 8 games playing Newcastle Jets featuring Emile Heskey. I'm not ashamed I've put $50 on Newcastle to win this game because they are somehow paying $5.50-1 despite how terrible Brisbane have been playing. So now, whoever wins I win. Unless it's a draw. Fuck draws.
Lagwagon had teenage me absolutely paralytic with joy. I'd have liked it if Let's Talk About Feelings and Double Plaidinum got a bit more of a rum but they can only play for so long and the set list was still incredible regardless. I was legitimately in tears during their encore too. Joey Cape came out and played an acoustic No Use For A Name cover (the specific song escapes me now unfortunately) but it was the most beautiful thing I've ever heard.
Then backing up Thursday night I went to see the monstrous Zebrahead/Goldfinger/RBF triple bill. Zebrahead are one of the most underrated bands in the world today, especially live they go up another gear completely. They're essentially an even better version of New Found Glory. And having 'Mr Belvedere' the waiter onstage with a bottle of Jack was one of the most brilliant things I've ever seen. Their 'hardcore' medley of covers of Avril Lavigne, Britney Spears and Spice Girls was a particular highlight.
and Goldfinger. Just. Wow. Admittedly it wasn't really Goldfinger considering it was John Feldman (obviously) but Mike Herrera on bass and Aaron Barrett of Reel Big Fish playing guitar. Nevertheless the way they engaged the crowd and their relentless energy were just mindblowing.
Reel Big Fish headlined. It's the third or fourth time now I've seen them live now between festivals and headline sets and they never ever disappoint. The new songs off Candy Coated Fury they played were absolutely brilliant and the way they take the piss out of themselves and out of the audience is just second to none.
Now two days later I've finally had a decent night's sleep and it's football day. Brisbane Roar missing quite a few of their first string team and having started the season with 5 losses out of 8 games playing Newcastle Jets featuring Emile Heskey. I'm not ashamed I've put $50 on Newcastle to win this game because they are somehow paying $5.50-1 despite how terrible Brisbane have been playing. So now, whoever wins I win. Unless it's a draw. Fuck draws.
Thank God It's Monday
No Fat Mike.
Just no.
Mondays might be the dog's bollocks when you're a world famous punk singer without a day job.
For those of us struggling to get back into the working week after a far too short Sunday night's sleep there's nothing to be thankful for when it comes to Mondays.
Basically the only thing getting me through this week is that in 48 hours I'll be at Lagwagon and another day later I'll be at Reel Big Fish.
I swear music is the only thing that keeps me sane.
As it damn well should. It swallows up most of my money.
No Fat Mike.
Just no.
Mondays might be the dog's bollocks when you're a world famous punk singer without a day job.
For those of us struggling to get back into the working week after a far too short Sunday night's sleep there's nothing to be thankful for when it comes to Mondays.
Basically the only thing getting me through this week is that in 48 hours I'll be at Lagwagon and another day later I'll be at Reel Big Fish.
I swear music is the only thing that keeps me sane.
As it damn well should. It swallows up most of my money.
So, yeah, I'm kinda new around these parts.
I always feel horribly awkward when joining new online communities. Message boards, forums, what have you. Ironically even more so than when meeting new people or being in unfamiliar situations in the real world.
What is there here to be awkward or nervous about? This isn't 'real'. Noone here knows who I really am. I could pretend to be whoever I damn well please to try and make myself popular.
But... That isn't me. That's not the way I work. (and I'm not going to quote that horrible cliche Kurt Cobain quote here because that's utter wank). But I always insist on doing things my own way, succeeding on my own terms.
I am who and what I am and fuck anybody that doesn't like that. I surround myself with like-minded people. My best mates are those who I share interests with. whether that be football, music, a mutual dislike of pretty much everybody or just plain talking bollocks.
I'm under no illusions that anyone here or anywhere else is hanging on my every word or really gives a shit about my opinion but I do quite like giving it anyway. I'm quite outspoken and, right or wrong, I'll always make sure people know exactly what I think.
But having said that I think I'll leave most of my over-enthusiastic opinion sharing for this blog. If people are inexplicably interested enough to actually read what I write then awesome. Otherwise, no harm no foul.
I always feel horribly awkward when joining new online communities. Message boards, forums, what have you. Ironically even more so than when meeting new people or being in unfamiliar situations in the real world.
What is there here to be awkward or nervous about? This isn't 'real'. Noone here knows who I really am. I could pretend to be whoever I damn well please to try and make myself popular.
But... That isn't me. That's not the way I work. (and I'm not going to quote that horrible cliche Kurt Cobain quote here because that's utter wank). But I always insist on doing things my own way, succeeding on my own terms.
I am who and what I am and fuck anybody that doesn't like that. I surround myself with like-minded people. My best mates are those who I share interests with. whether that be football, music, a mutual dislike of pretty much everybody or just plain talking bollocks.
I'm under no illusions that anyone here or anywhere else is hanging on my every word or really gives a shit about my opinion but I do quite like giving it anyway. I'm quite outspoken and, right or wrong, I'll always make sure people know exactly what I think.
But having said that I think I'll leave most of my over-enthusiastic opinion sharing for this blog. If people are inexplicably interested enough to actually read what I write then awesome. Otherwise, no harm no foul.
