Saturday 22/04/23 - Giuma’s B’day

Woke up from a nap and had to confirm with Eyersy (Trav) if south suburban train mission was still on. He said yes and we both had to get ready fast to make the train and logistics work. I got ready quick and had to move fast to get to Daglish train station in time, had to scramble fast and only just made the train. The new Airport line has changed the Freo train line times and I have never really preferred attention to detail when doing these missions I much rather prefer to wing it and back my gut. Make it to Perth train station about 440/445 and know I prob won’t make the connecting Mandurah line train. I move quick anyway just in case and see the doors closing to one of the Mandurah line trains so jump into it anyway. I soon then start to question if this train is heading to Joondalup or Mandurah because I didn’t actually check but luckily it heads south. Trav at this stage knows that I’m in transit but he doesn’t actually know what train I’m on, I’m thinking I might have to get off at Canning Bridge and wait for Trav there to make sure we’re on the same train - things are starting to get tense. Train’s about to arrive at Canning Bridge and Trav calls me “Are you on the train?”

“Yes, where are you?”

“At Canning Bridge and there’s a train here, is this the one you’re on?”

“Yes, get on now! North carriage!”

Trav jumps in last minute and the train heads off. This is like a GTA mission where we both moving between carriages to meet up, Trav has to wait until the next stop before getting off and running to the north carriage, just makes it again. With some very lax planning we have finally met up and head south for Saturday night train mission to Wellard, unknown territory and to a pub where I didn’t really check where it was. The train arrives in Wellard and we get off.

The Wellard station is nice and very modern, we head west and we only have to cross one road and we realise that we’re at our destination… very convenient. The Wellard Pub, nice, pretty big too, we grab a drink and then see Giuma and GF so we head over. We say hello and then we all start drinking and talking, some more of Giuma and GF (Laura)’s friends arrive including friends of Mick Soh. No Mick Soh though so probably for the best. The atmosphere is good and we keep drinking.

As the night goes on some people have to depart, Giuma is pretty drunk and Trav has a lot to drink which is normal for him in my view so therefore cannot tell if Trav is drunk. I get up to six vodkas which is normally the cut off limit for me so I drink some water too. Things are starting to get funny though as the crew is talking about going somewhere after this to continue the drinking, I’m not too interested in the drinking but see how this plays out. Eventually about 11 we head to Giuma’s while Laura and friends buy alcohol to keep us going. We at Giuma’s, Giuma’s getting loud and we start watching Baseketball - he is not going to last long. Laura etc rock up with some alcohol but most people are falling apart. I’m trying to work out if train mission part II is a viable option but seems shifty now that it is after midnight and we at least 40 min walk from the train station. Eventually we all start to leave as people falling asleep / falling apart - I catch an Uber with Trav and make it home maybe around 1am. Was a good night and should do this more often. Solid train mission too.

Saturday 08/04/23 - Vic Park

Trav’s B’day drinks finish at 11pm at Vic Park Hotel with Trav, me & Chris, I have had a bit to drink but don’t really want to go to the Vic Park/Carlisle train stations as they sound shifty and not in the mood for this. In hindsight maybe I should have gone there but I felt like walking.

It is 11:04pm, I start walking west from Vic Park towards the city. Head down Albany Hwy and after some walking make it to the Causeway. This area is somewhere I rarely venture to. I cross Heirisson Island, not too shifty and make it into East Perth. I’m planning to head north to make it to one of the train stations but I’m concerned that I might miss the train and have to wait an hour, I decide maybe I should look for a scooter but eventually see buses drive by so wait about 15 mins and catch one from Fraser Suites area to the bus depot next to Elizabeth Quay. This saves me about 2km’s of walking. Now it is 12am and I realise that I have missed the 12am train to Freo 😕. In hindsight I should have just checked the journey planner on Transperth website but I was tired and a little drunk so didn’t think of this. With the new airport train line the Freo train times have changed so I honestly have no idea what time these trains are departing anymore. I digress.

Making my way out of the bus depot is never a simple task. I go up stairs and then find an exit and then manage to find some more stairs. I make it out onto the road near Mill St, I decide I am finally going to try a scooter out so walk up to quiet location at top of Woodside Building. The scooter is so stressful trying to get it to operate etc, I ride it up over the fwy to West Perth and then it stops operating because I am in a restricted area. I have to carry / ride it like a normal scooter until I get away from Parliament House and it starts working again. I ride it up to West end of West Perth and then part ways; this was stressful as the GPS was not matching with the parking area and journey would not end. I was so angry and it started to rain too.

I walk through Subi, go to the gym to use the bathroom and load up on water. I keep walking down Hay St and make it home about 1am, I hear the train about 10 mins later so I beat the 1am train home at least. Was a solid walk, like 6km’s. The following day I spend recovering until 6pm, but it is the Easter long weekend so it is ok. Solid.

Sat 25/03/23 - Zambreros, Aviary & Marketgrounds

Make it out by 730pm which is crazy for me but I am more organised now. Go to Zambreros in NB for some food, was good but NB still a little shifty. Go to the Aviary because there doesn’t seem to be many bars in that area so Aviary is the best option. It is pretty busy so we have to wait in line for awhile. JC & I are in there for awhile just drinking, Jas bumps into his Sudanese work friend while we are lining up for the bar. This guy (Charlie) is nice and is pretty strong. We have shots, Charlie buys shots for two women as well and is keen on them. Because there are three of us now, the pace seems to quicken and both Charlie and myself feel tipsy. The atmosphere is good though and I am going hard on the ear plugs as the music is pretty loud.

We drink for a bit and Charlie goes outside to meet one of his friends in line and JC and I decide to go to Marketgrounds as it is exactly 10pm now and Kristen and her friends will be going there soon.

We line up and get in quick. It is pretty busy inside and maybe about 1030 Kristen and her friends arrive. Later on we are sitting down outside and there is some drama as two of her friends are out near the bus depot fighting (guy and girl, both are young) so eventually everyone except me leaves Marketgrounds to calm them down whilst I guard like 6 drinks that JC has just bought. 

It is literally like 40 mins before Jas gets back in and then later Kristen. I notice my rival is here again and this time he is solo - he legitimately has been at Marketgrounds every time I’ve been there during the last 18 months. I have had 8 drinks by this stage and am keen to leave but stay until after 1am with JC & K before we leave.

I missed the train so walk and try to hire one of the scooters outside of Watertown. I had to take a helmet selfie before the scooter would operate and this was stressing me out so I burn about 15 mins in this process and then keep walking. I keep walking through West Perth and then Subi. It is taking so long so I don’t make it back home until 225. Was good to go out, always makes me feel so alive and happy.

Sat 31/12/22 - Marketgrounds (New Year’s Eve)

It is Feb now and I don’t think I’m going to get any good blog writing weather soon so will try and write this one now. 

Spoke to Jas in Nov (or thereabouts) to see if going out for NYE was something he was interested in or something that perhaps was no longer relevant for us. He mentioned he was keen to do something so I was content. 

Time passed, it was getting close to Xmas and still no word about NYE - this was slightly concerning. After Xmas we played golf on the 28th and JC confirmed that NYE was still a go and we considered that maybe somewhere like the Shoe or somewhere lesser known in the city might be good and maybe even would get Trav to come out - this seemed like a good plan, perhaps not as exciting as usual but still solid. Treaded water for the next two days, swam in the Coogee shark net every evening (pretty busy) and still no update - not good! It was about 10pm on the 29th now, I was a little anxious so decided to check FB to see if Jas had pulled a shifty and bought tickets to an event without telling me. FB indicated that he was going to Marketgrounds… I was tired and knew tickets would sell out very soon… I bought a ticket. Msgd Jas to confirm if he was going, he wasn’t but he bought two tickets ASAP.

Swam, went to the gym, watched cricket and Alone season 1 on SBS and then it was NYE - my fav week of the year was coming to the end 😕😕😕😕😕😕.

Marketgrounds, the destination that we’d been to for three New Year’s in a row and one that I was happy to go to again. For once I was on top of things and ahead of schedule. Got a lift to Bentley from parents and made it there by 6pm. JC, myself, Trav & Kristen watched tv and had pre drinks at Jas’. Trav was not going to come out, got lift from Trav & Laura to Jolimont so I could get dressed, it is late now and we pushing our luck. Get a taxi from Jolimont to Marketgrounds and arrive about 10pm, was busy and could no crazy COVID restrictions like last year. 

Went upstairs to get drinks, get served quickly as feeling confident. Go downstairs and sit outside to drink. The next hour we just drink outside and talk - I can’t believe 2022 is almost over. I feel good though and think about msging Vesper or KC etc as they not here this year. 

It’s getting close to midnight and we keep drinking, eventually go to the dance floor as it’s getting close. The countdown comes and it’s always f*cking weird, knowing one year is about to end (something you don’t really think about until you get to December). The excitement builds and thank god it ticks over to 00:00 - can finally relax! Fireworks are going off and people are getting loose. Dance floor is pretty hectic. We have a few more drinks and I know it’s time for me to leave as I’m third wheeling hard. We all leave about 1 and I head hard to the train station, make the train in time and make it to Jolimont quick.

I get changed and put on running clothes with a backpack, head back to the train station and make it onto a busy train with lots of people, I’m thankful that I make train in time but i remember that trains go every 15 mins on New Year’s, this time I’m not on one of the last trains like 2015/16 when I was pretty drunk. After about 20 mins we in Freo.

I start walking at 2:22 and not in the mood to run. South Beach so shifty, there a rave going on but I make it past ok. Walking is taking so long and headache is going so I start running. Near the power plant I get close to a shadowy figure, he is drunk and gets scared by me so I apologise. Once I get around the corner I start running again. I’m starting to feel real good. I make it home 3:22. 2022 is over, I fall asleep.

2022 - The Year That Was

Another blog that’s like three months late 😓. I will post this one quickly so I can move on with life. 

2022 - like many things I could write a lot about this but will try and keep this one brief.

Jan

- Started the year as usual at Marketgrounds during COVID restrictions

- Leaving West Perth at the start of Jan and crying because have been there for eight years.

- Working in the city

- Trying to find food places every lunchtime in Allendale Square, Trinity Arcade, Forrest Chase

- Playing golf

- Going to the gym like always

- Waiting for the bus out the front of the hospital that I was born in

- Meatloaf passed away

Feb

- Going to the gym

- Exploring the city during lunch breaks

- Finally getting internet @ my unit

- Going to West Perth yoga from the city on Wednesdays

- Maybe getting on tv at Subiaco Woolworths

- Starting to appreciate Feb again and hot weather at night.

March

- Nights getting darker earlier

- Playing golf 

- Still running at Jacob’s Ladder on Tuesdays

- Still going to bed at stupid times on Friday nights

- WA winning Sheffield Shield and One Dayer’s

- Still having to wear masks for COVID

April

- Getting dark when waiting for the bus on St George’s Terrace every night

- Going to Subi & Floreat gyms

- Playing Metroid

- Watching movies

- Walking through Allendale Square, Trinity Arcade on Fridays after work when it is completely empty and closing up. Going to Woolworths in the city on Fridays and during the week after work.

May

- Getting COVID

- Doing missions to make it to the Perth train station late at night after work through shifty parts of the city. Most of the arcades practically empty or closed - always pushing time hard.

June

- Similar to May

- Getting so cold

- Going to exclusive seats at the footy. Drinking at Camfield after this which was like the first time out drinking since New Year’s Eve 😳 - crazy

- Not many people at gym on Friday nights 

July

- Watching tv

- Sleeping on the floor

- Finishing Metroid

August

- Working in Osborne Park

- Doing new route through Kings Park on Tuesdays. Going through the bush when dark.

- Usual

September

- Eagles not making the finals

- Drinking on a Wednesday night until 11pm at Mayfair after work. The day before Queen’s Funeral public holiday.

- Weather starting to get slightly warmer.

- Going to Floreat gym at midnight every Saturday night and then driving down to Coogee.

- Seeing the same cleaner at Floreat gym every Saturday night.

- Going to Cougars GF @ Basso

October

- Starting to get warmer.

- Kings Park starting to get busier on Tuesday nights 

- Classic October party vibe due to Oktoberfest / Halloween and no more footy.

- Going out to city / Marketgrounds for first legit Saturday night out since NYE - crazy! Good though.

- This Saturday night being really cold even though it was late October.

- Catching the train for first time in awhile.

- Going to Watertown Friday nights before late night gym missions.

- Cricket World Cup

November

- The 🐐 aka FIFA World Cup

- Doing walk missions in West Perth on Saturday nights.

- The World Cup - so good!!!!

- Msging Kiel on Friday night World Cup until like 230

- Survivor 

December

Although October is my go to for best month of the year, December is definitely goat level and the most special. Definitely the best month for blogs and reflecting on the year. Always start these blogs between the best week of the year during Christmas to NYE.

- Going to test match, going to Scorchers and Camfield on Saturday night with good seats too.

- Going swimming in the shark net most nights in Coogee during Christmas.

- Doing big walk through Lights Trail in the city on a Friday night. Was good.

- The countdown to New Year’s Eve

- Starting this blog just before New Year’s Eve and not finishing until March 😂😂😂

Saturday 29/10/22 - Prince Lane & Marketgrounds

Go out to Prince Lane for JC’s new GF’s 30th. Read the keywords from the FB event page and head into the city from Daglish. It is wet and pretty busy too because of Halloween. Make it to Prince Lane, go up the stairway and look for JC, not around so have a drink and scrutinize the event details on FB on my phone, realise I’m in the wrong place. Msg Jas, go back downstairs and around to the front entry. Go upstairs to a different place and eventually see Jas - crisis averted. It’s not too busy and about 1030 at this point, we all talk for a bit and then head to Marketgrounds - my first time since New Year’s Eve, not normal for me. Before we leave though there is a bit of a hood fight between Kristen’s friends (they are women) and some other women: hair pulling and pushing - pretty hectic!!!!

Go to Marketgrounds and it’s wet and busy. The vibe is different than usual but my rival “Anti Dutch” is there - this guy may even top Jas & Kiel for the amount of Saturday nights he’s gone out in his adult life, respect to him. I get to six drinks and am there until 2 and then leave.

The end of 2021 - The Two Eves

Thursday the 23rd of December was hot and so rushed. Go to work then go to the city for lunch with cousins and bro, then go back to work to try and get everything done before Christmas and before I leave for new job in mid January. Have 545pm haircut too so this makes it hard. Leave work just after 5pm, catch train to Claremont for haircut and then catch train back home.

I have so much to do and haven’t even done my Christmas shopping yet. Find out that COVID restrictions are back in place only a few hours earlier and this is all too much, decide to just go to the gym to clear my mind. Arrive at the gym very late, like close to 11pm, about four other people there and they are barely wearing a mask like me. Stay at the gym until close to midnight and then head home. Decide that I will sleep in tomorrow, decide what I’m going to do with Christmas presents and then deal with work later. 

The next day I just sleep, do housework, miss the half day of work and then drive to Claremont about 530pm for Christmas shopping. Claremont Quarters is almost a ghost town and some shops still open, some not. Car parks empty and very few people there. I try to do some shopping, run out of time a bit and just play on my phone to see what stores are actually open. Eventually it is after 630pm and I have to cut my losses and head to Coogee for dinner. The drive down in the evening is probably the most relaxing drive of 2021 as the roads are almost empty.

The next couple of hours we have dinner with F&A and drink etc and presents until 11, 1130pm or so and then everyone goes to bed - there is so much food in the house. This is perhaps the first time in December I feel like I can actually relax... classic December.

The next six days I slowly relax and try my best not to think about starting new job. I sleep on the floor of the Games Room and watch YouTube on this very nice tv, play Animal Crossing, play on my phone, go to Goodlife in Bibra Lake, watch cricket, watch movies, suss out the beach and eat food. Time continues on.

Friday December 31 - New Year’s Eve

The Dec 24 snap lockdown really messed things up. JC and I decide that we will still go to Marketgrounds even though we can only sit. I also think “Damn, I should have gone out more since my last city Sat night mission back at the start of October”, anyway must move on.

I go to doctor’s late in afternoon to get my ears cleaned because I have not been able to hear for maybe six weeks now. When I get home, parents tell me that the last week I have been watching YouTube and fighting movies at midnight on extremely high volume that can be heard throughout the neighbourhood, they have not told me until now because they not want to ruin it for me. Now I know why dad come downstairs at night, because he think there is big fight going on but it is me watching violent movie on high volume because I’ve been practically deaf.

I cannot get much gym work in, I have to drive up to Jolimont as it is already 730pm. I go to my unit, get dressed etc and head into the city. By the time I arrive it’s close to 920pm. The crew is JC, LV & MB and the outside venue is busy but must sit down, can only stand up when go inside to bar to get drinks. Not amazing but better than staying home I guess. The fireworks are good, English and Argentina woman talk for a bit, we at MG until closing at 2am, we walk through Northbridge and it so quiet and shifty... feels like a Sunday night of a long weekend - so quiet. I say goodbye and head home via the train. 

Kind of a weird night. Lots of stuff going on Facebook etc, crazy. I stay on the couch until maybe 6pm and then head south again. Strange circumstances all round.