2015 - A year in review

2015 is soon to pass. A year of consolidation. Highlights include resting and takin' it easy (perhaps too easy i.e wknds). Let me start from the beginning.

January

As mentioned before in my brief Facebook summary, I ended last year by trying to sleep through all the commotion and anticipation of New Year's Eve. This proved more difficult than I expected. 

January brought another night where I was sleeping in my car. This time it was South Perth and I had been playing the water challenge at Tigerlil's the night before. My vigilance had paid off and my hangover was minimal.

The weather was hot and I spent a few prolonged work nights hanging around the Perth station waiting for the train home after going to the cricket.

February 

February is always an interesting month. Not always enjoyable despite being the month of my birthday. I do not recall any spectacular moments. I must have been working hard.

March

Autumn at last as the old saying goes. I was studying a CPA unit at the time so that was my primary objective. 

April

This was the month that I faced the tough decision regarding the future of my footy career. Tough indeed and I believe I played the "don't do anything and see how things pan out" card. I did not receive the call up.

May

The cold weather was a welcomed change from the balmy nights and hot days of the preceding months. Jas and I started going out most Saturday nights; I no longer had to study and the EPL started to dry up.

May is a month I have started to like. The festivities of the summer months have long since past and the new financial year is not far away.

This was also the month we decided to go to Phuket.

June

Spending too much of my time watching footy on Saturdays; a mistake I will not make again.

June 27 - time to go to Phuket. This was a good and relaxing holiday and my first in a long time (read my upcoming Phuket posts for more detail).

July

Nights - gym and watching Tour de France

Days - hitting 3 to 4 chargeable hours a day at work

August

Work picked up and I started playing ressies again. CPA study started to drop off. Optimism levels increasing.

September 

A good month of sport indeed. No more footy for me so one or two quiet drinks on a Friday night had become a possibility. 

October 

Catch up on study, so lame! 

November

After a few months of not going out or drinking, it was time for a change. Venues like the races, Tigerlil's and mid-week vodkas for lunch became the norm (I might have only done each one of these once).

I also went to the cricket.

December

It had been arguably 13 months since my last serious hangover. I had forgotten the pain and misery of my once nemesis. We would soon meet again.

It was the second Saturday of December. When I left home late that night I had brought with me my sleeping accessories. This was a bad move. I let my usual wariness slide and before I knew it I was smashed. I stumbled back to the office by around 2am, brushed my teeth and moved my car to the quasi driveway behind the office. I fell asleep quickly and awoke later on in the morning sherp'd and in really bad shape. The next 24 hours were perhaps the toughest I had faced during the year (this wasn't really saying much to be fair). It was a difficult process but eventually I climbed my way out of the abyss.

Other highlights from December - losing motivation for work and going out for work lunches every 3rd day.

Conclusion

Ironically or not, it is now 1630 on New Year's Eve. A full year has almost passed and I am about to head out for a few drinks (no more than 5) and hopefully shouldn't be home too late. Tomorrow is a new day and I plan to enjoy it with full capacity.

Stay tuned

Saturday 12/6/15 - Murray St and Hay St

It was a Saturday night and there wasn't much sport on Foxtel, so I had to leave the house. I'm 27 now so it can be a challenge to find someone who wants to go out and hit the town. Most of my other friends have a partner or a house so they stay away from these places on a Saturday night. Luckily Jas was bored and keen to go out for a bit. Jas goes out most weekends but not as often as he used to.

Came back from the gym, got ready and jumped in the car. By this time I'm pretty sure it was about 10pm. Kiel was also in the city so it looked as if we would meet up with him as well so there would be three of us. Eventually turned onto the Kwinana Fwy and drove all the way up to West Perth and turned off onto Murray St near Parliament House. West Perth was dead again like every Friday and Saturday night so you can park wherever you like. Parked my car around the corner from work and Harbourtown (Watertown now) and walked down Hay St to meet up with Jas.

Jas was in his car in the car park next to Tigerlil's. We met across the road from Tigerlil's; it was busy. I'm not sure why but Tigerlil's has become busier on Saturday nights and the line is often 30 metres or so long. Lots of younger people lining up. I'm not sure why this is but it is becoming common. We had both driven in so hadn't planned to get too sherp'd. Jas was messaging Kiel as that was the premise for him coming out in the first place; there would be three of us. In one of his messages Kiel had said something like "I'm at the George... don't come here". This was strange but I laughed. We stood across the road from Tigerlil's for awhile and then decided to walk through to Hay St (near Lost Society) to see what it was like.

Lost Society didn't look too busy but everyone around there looked fukn sherp'd or as if they were planning to get fukn sherp'd (we've all been there). We hadn't planned to have more than two or three drinks so I'm not sure Lost Society was really an option. We stood on Hay St for awhile trying to contact Kiel, he wasn't being very accommodating so eventually we decided to do a lap of the block and head home. We walked down Hay St towards the King St intersection and we turned left at King St. There were only two people on the road; a guy and a sheila. The guy was Kiel (or "The Big Fella" as he likes to be known)! Kiel was with a sheila and facing in the other direction from us. This is obviously why Kiel didn't want us to know his whereabouts.

This was one of the few times I had seen Kiel since November last year, when I slept in my car after a big night at YaYa's. So it was Kiel and a sheila and they were doing the rounds (walking around the block and talking). Jas and I instinctively split up and hid so we weren't seen. I went down an alley way and Jas back down Hay St towards Lost Society. I thought if I follow the alley way all the way around I would be behind Kiel and his acquaintance as they had turned back and started walking down King St towards St George's Terrace. After coming out of the alley way I realised that I had lost them. I was disappointed so I walked back looking for Jas on Hay St. I stood on the corner trying to contact him. I turned around again and there were again only two people on King St behind me and I was surprised as they were Kiel and the aforementioned woman.

Haha oh shit, they were looking at me too but I don't think it would have clicked as I stayed calm and slowly walked off. They walked all the way down King St to St George's Terrace and I continued to follow. Eventually I saw Jas walking back down Hay St but there were two drunk colonels that were trying to talk to him. I watched to see if anything would happen but as I did, I lost contact with Kiel. Jas eventually saw me and we walked down to St George's Terrace for a bit but then we let it go as we couldn't see them anywhere and decided to head home. I got back to my car about 1220am or so and then drove home. Kiel called me later on when I was watching TV to see if Jas and I were still in the city but we were not. We talked for a bit but then the conversation had to end as my ear was hurting from the phone.

I didn't drink any vodka this weekends as well. Was a good night.

Friday 8/5/15 - Not much just Rubix with Trav

Another Friday afternoon in the office where it is difficult to do much work because everyone else is talkin' turf instead of working. I sat at my desk from about 430 - 520 trying to get another chargeable hour in but it was too hard to concentrate so just chucked some admin onto my time sheet then tried to decide what to do.

I was meant to meet up with Trav at 5pm but it was 530 by this time so obviously that hadn't happened. I also realized that it was Mother's Day on Sunday so I didn't know what I should do for a present. I sat at my desk waiting for the decision to work itself out (sometimes someone will text me and tell me what to do).

I went out the front of the building towards Harbourtown and just stood there for a while. Then I turned around and walked around the corner to the Red CAT stop but then decided to go to the convenience store on Hay St in West Perth to grab some bananas. I had 2 bananas and then caught another Red CAT to the city.

By this time it was about 615 and I thought Trav would have just have gone home as he would have been waiting for over an hour. Turns out the big fella had hit the sherp pretty hard and was still lurking somewhere around the city. If you catch the Red CAT from West Perth into the City on Murray St, it is always very slow after 430pm and even more so on a Friday. You don't move very much so you are actually better off walking the entire way (it takes about 12 minutes).

I thought the big fella (Trav) might have left as the bus was barely moving and I would just have to catch the train home from the city. The bus finally made it adjacent to Rubix.. I was against the window so stared inside to see if it was busy. To my surprise, the big fella was at the bar and he saw me too. I gave him the arrow (a click to a thumbs up and pointed index finger) and Trav knew the deal. He ordered a vodka and soda for me (also called a frosty), the sheila prepared the drink and money was exchanged.

It still took nearly 5 minutes to make it to the CAT stop at Rayne Square and walk up back to Rubix. I saw Trav, we had a couple of drinks. It was quite lively. He had already consumed a few pints. He also had footy the next day. It was a good atmosphere. We sat outside by the road.

Some people on a Friday who frequent these bars after a long week at work, generally knock back multiple beers and try their luck with the sheilas. They get sherp'd every Friday because that's the way it is. If you wanna be top dog this is what you have to do. And the big fellas will try to convince you this is what life is all about; work hard, get the sheila and then get the promotion. I like just having a couple of drinks (sometimes) and not waking up on Saturday feeling unwell. I'm usually pretty tired so I enjoy going home anyway.

It was Trav's last day of work at this job so I probably won't see the big fella for Friday drinks for a while. We had two drinks, talked for a bit and then departed ways and headed home. I caught the train to my car and then drove home. Probably no more drinks with Trav for a while but it was good while it lasted.

Friday 10/4/15 - West Perth, East Perth and Voodoo Lounge

It was a Friday (big surprise there). My boss was on leave so I was in charge of advising clients. Not sure what I did that morning but the grad accountant in our other team was leaving so we were going out to lunch. I had submitted about 8.5 hrs of work for Thursday's time sheet so I would only have to make up about 1.8hrs the following week (Mon, Tues and Wednesday). 

Left the office about 115 and went to a deli around the corner and bought some bananas before we had lunch at 130. We went to Black Tom's again as there do not seem to be too many restaurants nearby which would be practical given time constraints. I suggested The Melbourne Hotel as it is situated between a Red CAT stop in each direction.

Lunch was okay but not many people from the office came this time (maybe 16-20 people). It was nice and relaxing. I had two vodkas. People started leaving to go back to the office or to head off and go home. The last 5 of us left just before 5 and waved goodbye to Alison as she got on the green CAT and went home.

Got back to the office just after 5 and brushed my teeth and filled up my drink bottle. The plan was to meet up with Trav at The Royal in East Perth (it was his birthday). I caught the Yellow CAT from Harbourtown and got off in East Perth.

The Royal was good and not too busy. Birdy was also there and I hadn't seen him very often since we went to Phuket the second time back in September 2011. Quite a long time ago. Jas and another of Trav's WASM mates rocked up and we conversed and watched the footy. I had 2 vodkas there also. 

The Royal had a nice ambience. I liked it. I had planned to catch the train home to Fremantle but my brother had messaged me saying our uncle's bucks party had just made its way to Voodoo Lounge in Northbridge. Voodoo Lounge is a strip club for those of you who are not familiar with the name.

We all left The Royal probably around 940. Jas dropped me off on Aberdeen St in Northbridge and I walked to the Gentleman's Club to say "G'day" or "Hi" to everyone. I brought my hand bag in but it was recommended that I leave it in the cloak room. I found the girl working at the cloak room to be attractive. 

Some of the dancers were desirable and also friendly. I stood in the middle of the walkway and ate the ice from my glass of sherp.

I was approached by some of the models. I wasn't really in the mood to talk or to pay them so I tried just standing there but they seem to be accustomed to that type of behaviour. The last time I was in a strip club was in 2013. I was in there for about 20 minutes and spent $200 on lap dances and then went home. I saw a scruffy looking slugga playing with one of the dancer's hair without her permission; she didn't like that.

Before you knew it, it was time to go home as someone had been asked to leave the club. We Caught one of those English Cabs back to Port Coogee (the ones where you have to face backwards); I get carsick so it was tough.

Friday & Saturday - Mainly Tigerlil's

Friday 13/3/15

Usual day at work. Had a 1.5hr lunch for Michelle's going away lunch (she works in admin and is going away for 6 months). I had a couple of drinks and a sandwich then headed back to the office to see if I could make it past 5.5 chargeable hours for the day. It is always difficult trying to stay productive on a Friday if you have had some vodka for lunch. I don't always like having these long lunches (because of time restraints) but I rarely turn down an offer when I get invited. It's easier to just sit at my desk and do work but that's just how it is.

Struggled through the rest of the afternoon and made it to 5pm but tried to keep going until 530 because I had planned to go to the nugget food markets in Vic Park at 7pm. Did the usual and went to go to the bathroom at 530 to brush my teeth, when I came back Mal was sitting on my chair and emailing other work colleagues from my computer; I didn't really mind. 

The big fella made me go to the lunch room to get on the sherp with the rest of the young people; I wasn't that keen (I'm a nerd, I know). I finally decided to go there and try to be social and have a beer or two. I should have just walked off but I couldn't decide whether to go to the food markets in Vic Park or hang around work for a bit longer.

The choice was hard like it normally is for me. I normally make these decisions by not making a decision and just sitting there until one of the options no longer becomes viable because too much time has lapsed. This was the case again.

So I sat at the table doing nothing, trying to work out how many drinks I could have and still drive home responsibly. People were trying to coerce me into drinking beer but I didn't budge. I went to the bottle shop across from harbourtown and bought a small bottle of vodka and a bottle of soda water so I didn't have to drink beer. 

It must have been 8 or so by the time I got back (maybe 830). I was trying to trick everyone so I could just stay in the office and have a quiet drink before heading home at a reasonable hour. It took them a while but they ended up calling my bluff so we headed out to Tigerlil's.

I had one last drink of the soda water I was drinking in my powerade bottle then we got out of the taxi and went inside. The admin staff were there, they were pretty drunk and were trying to get everyone to do shots for MH's farewell. I am pretty difficult to deal with when it comes to alcohol, so if you do a KC and buy me something like a coke or a drink that I really don't want, then I probably won't drink it... this happened again. I had to drive home later anyway so I couldn't really have any shots regardless. 

I had probably 2 vodka sodas, Tigerlil's wasn't as busy as what it is like on a Saturday night so it was quite nice. I watched a bit of Godzilla and the other usual Japanese game shows (I love these so much!). Time passed and eventually I left and walked back to the office in West Perth at about 12am. I had to wait in the office for nearly an hour until the train came at 1am. It was raining and I just charged my phone and finished off the soda water I had purchased earlier. It was raining when I walked down to the City West train station. Caught the train to Cottesloe Station and drove home. It was a nice night.

Saturday 14/3/15

Jas, Sull and Nick went to the races during the day. I hadn't spoken to any of them so just went to the gym. Jas msgd me and I found out they were heading to Tigerlil's that night as Sully was flying out for work the following night. I decided I would go for that reason. Took me awhile to get ready like always and time seemed to drift away from me. 

I was running late so I just decided I would drive to the city instead of Rivervale and meet up with them there. I think I hinted at this to Jas but perhaps I didn't. I didn't msg any of the other boys and just decided to drive up. Some of my usual spots where I park in they city / West Perth were taken up so I had to park around the corner from work. It was close to 10pm at this stage.

I msgd Jas to let him know I would be at Tigerlil's in 10 minutes. When I got there, I walked all the way to the back and then realised they weren't there. I checked my phone and realised they had gone to Lost Society. I had 2 drinks and then walked around the corner to Lost Society. I couldn't see them but decided to wait in line. 

I waited in line for half an hour and eventually got in; it was pretty busy. I msgd Jas and he replied saying they had left and had gone to Northbridge. I was a little agitated and turned around and walked back to my car. I got back to my car an listened to RTR for a bit then drove back down the freeway to Coogee. What a night.. I watched the last half hour of Arsenal v Newcastle and then went to bed. I guess I learnt a lesson.

Saturday 14/2/15 - Tigerlil's & Mint

So I went out again on Saturday. Did the usual drive from Coogee to Ascot for pre-drink (I only had one). Kiel was there this time, I hadn't seen or talked to him since YaYa's' final night before the change of management last November. I slept in my car that night in West Perth again and that was perhaps the worst I've ever woken up after a night sleeping off the vodka in my car. I was a real mess and was out of water so it was quite a challenge. The four of us headed into Tigerlil's and it was quite busy. I had 3 vodkas there. Derek was also there so we talked to him for a bit.

The private booths down the back of Tigerlil's were all occupied for various functions. One of them was for Gav's 40th and there weren't many people there. 

You do get some attractive sheilas at Tigerlil's but we left by about midnight as Kiel had promised to meet Vesperman out in Northbridge.

This happens often when I/we go out; we decide it's a good idea to go to Mint. When I was 22/23 I quite enjoyed Mint. There weren't many aggressive people there and there were some nice women as well. I guess I felt it was time to stop going to Mint once I turned 24 but because of YaYa's, this never happened.

I saw a guy spit on the floor in the bathroom and just thought to myself "Jesus, what the hell is this shit?" Mint has gone down hill the last few years and the sherpas are increasing which is never a good sign.

I just stood one the outskirts of the dance floor and tried my best not to move. I did this for about 40 minutes and then left when I saw Sull heading off. I smuggled a vodka and soda out in my pants but I spilled it on my shirt (I got it outside though). Then caught a taxi with Sull and slept at his house and not in my car. Was a decent night I guess. I later found out that Kiel was kicked out of Mint again. #interesting

Saturday 24/1/15 - Races & Tigerlil's

I went to Sull's house at around 245PM (it might have been later). He said 2PM to 230PM. Anyway, we went to the races (Jas, Sull, Sheme and myself), there weren't many people there but I liked that it wasn't too busy. I hadn't been there for a long time. We all had a gamble and had a few bottles of sherp (beer, if my memory serves well). Had a laugh or two and then made the long 5 minute walk back to Sull's place.

I played GTA and fell asleep because I don't drink beer often and it makes me tired.

Jas came back then we went to Tigerlil's which was filled with nuggets. The open area near the bottom was packed with Sherpas - it was amazing! It was obvious that it was a dating site meet and greet so it was very noticeable.

I did the usual and had 5 vodka sodas (some were in a pint glass), a couple of standard sodas and some water as well. I lurked in the corner and tried my best not to interact with anyone except for Jas and Sull - I did good. Then we went back to Sull's and I slept on his couch and played on my phone until the battery died. A good night all round.

#bless