Get wicky...
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
My first guest poster!!!
None other than my betrothed, beloved, bewitching MISS WAYSELL:
Take it away waysell...
1. What did you do in 2005 that you hadn't done before?
Worked in ICU, bought a motorbike, lived with a beach /bay view, rode a fully loaded GS 1100 up the Stuart Hwy, got engaged...and thought about the future consequences of accepting that proposal.
2. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope, but Kat had many stories from Vag School
3. Did anyone close to you die?
Nope....but Amanda did move to Sydney
4. Did you travel? Where did you go? Best holiday memory?
Went 1/2 way round Oz on a motorbike. Best memories = Seeing bitumen after 400km of dirt, then 600km dirt, then 1500km of dirt. Climbing the rock (naughty....but soooo good), chilling in Palm valley, and finally realising that on the way home we could bludge off my rellos and therefore not put up the tent again!
5. Best thing you bought?
The Beema
6. Where did most of your money go?
On the trip
7. What do you wish you had done more of?
Save
8. What do you wish you had done less of?
Eat
9. What kept you sane?
Pop music that Thomas cringes at (especially if I sing too) Thomas (he makes me laugh), chocolate.
10. What drove you mad?
Halo, Halo and more fucking Halo. If I ever see the creator in the street I will risk the murder charge and run him/her/it down with a smile on my face. If there is even 1 female on the jury I will walk away and I will be able to claim compensation.
11. What made you celebrate?
Getting engaged, Kat completing Midwifery
12. What made you sad?
So many of the stories in ICU
13. How was your birthday this year?
Resturant tram....may seem chincy, but I loved it
14. What political issue stirred you the most this year?
New IR laws, abortion avaliability, Death penalty
15. Were you in love in 2005?
yup
16. What would you like to have in 2006 that you didn't have this year?
More motivation to be active
17. What date from 2005 will be etched in your memory and why?
No particular date
18. What song will remind you of 2005?
Sia- Breathe me
19. Compared to this time last year are you happier?
about the same
20. Biggest achievement this year?
Can't think of any...may have been a shit year
21. Biggest disappointment this year?
Can't think of any...must have been a good year
22. What is the one thing that would have made you more satisfied?
Monies!!
23. Best new person/s you met this year?
Duncy
24. A valuable life lesson you learnt this year?
Sometimes Tom doesnt know how to fix things (freaky but true)
25. A question you made up yourself?: will this questionaire ever end?
YES
Take it away waysell...
1. What did you do in 2005 that you hadn't done before?
Worked in ICU, bought a motorbike, lived with a beach /bay view, rode a fully loaded GS 1100 up the Stuart Hwy, got engaged...and thought about the future consequences of accepting that proposal.
2. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope, but Kat had many stories from Vag School
3. Did anyone close to you die?
Nope....but Amanda did move to Sydney
4. Did you travel? Where did you go? Best holiday memory?
Went 1/2 way round Oz on a motorbike. Best memories = Seeing bitumen after 400km of dirt, then 600km dirt, then 1500km of dirt. Climbing the rock (naughty....but soooo good), chilling in Palm valley, and finally realising that on the way home we could bludge off my rellos and therefore not put up the tent again!
5. Best thing you bought?
The Beema
6. Where did most of your money go?
On the trip
7. What do you wish you had done more of?
Save
8. What do you wish you had done less of?
Eat
9. What kept you sane?
Pop music that Thomas cringes at (especially if I sing too) Thomas (he makes me laugh), chocolate.
10. What drove you mad?
Halo, Halo and more fucking Halo. If I ever see the creator in the street I will risk the murder charge and run him/her/it down with a smile on my face. If there is even 1 female on the jury I will walk away and I will be able to claim compensation.
11. What made you celebrate?
Getting engaged, Kat completing Midwifery
12. What made you sad?
So many of the stories in ICU
13. How was your birthday this year?
Resturant tram....may seem chincy, but I loved it
14. What political issue stirred you the most this year?
New IR laws, abortion avaliability, Death penalty
15. Were you in love in 2005?
yup
16. What would you like to have in 2006 that you didn't have this year?
More motivation to be active
17. What date from 2005 will be etched in your memory and why?
No particular date
18. What song will remind you of 2005?
Sia- Breathe me
19. Compared to this time last year are you happier?
about the same
20. Biggest achievement this year?
Can't think of any...may have been a shit year
21. Biggest disappointment this year?
Can't think of any...must have been a good year
22. What is the one thing that would have made you more satisfied?
Monies!!
23. Best new person/s you met this year?
Duncy
24. A valuable life lesson you learnt this year?
Sometimes Tom doesnt know how to fix things (freaky but true)
25. A question you made up yourself?: will this questionaire ever end?
YES
This is what it's like
This is what I put up with while driving. I decided I would film it in case of future legal action...:
See the video
See the video
thomas needs...
Thanks to Kranki, I am going to participate in a silly but fun time waster where you paste "[your name] needs" into google and see what comes out. Top Ten pasted below:
1/ Jesus Visits His Disciples, but Thomas Needs Proof
Ain't that the truth. Poor old Thomas (of bible fame) has copped a lot of crap of the millenias(sp?) for being The Doubting One, but he's really all of us...
2/ Thomas Needs Help!
Not altogether true, but sometimes all too true
"I've fallen over and can't get up"
"My knee needs a massage"
"Where are my boots?"
3/Thomas Needs an *.
This is deep, man. What does the * represent- is it a wildcard? Do I need some sort of randomness in my life? I have tons of that crap.
Does the * mean a star? Do I need to find a second string, strictly B list celeb as a friend? I'm working on it!
4/ Thomas needs a blog
Like totally get stuffed. THIS IS A FREAKIN' blog! I'm doing my damn best. Ahhh screw it. No credit, nothing. Screw you. Bastard.
5/ Thomas needs to give himself time
Ok, so screwing around for 33 years ain't enough? Perhaps I need another holiday. Another rest. Another adventure.
What I really need is a break. Success type break- not holiday break
6/ But making connections is what Thomas needs
I've always done pretty well in this regard. I make connections, foister relationships and then piss 'em up against a wall...
7/ Thomas Needs a New Nickname.
Suggestions? I've never bneen one for nick names- hence I post on various boards/sites as thomasr. That's because it's my frickin' name.
8/ Thomas Needs To Decide Where Sweetney Belongs
This issue has been vexing me to the point of over-vexedness. My head says "Decide what's best for Sweetney", but my heart says "Set The Sweetney free"
9/ Thomas Needs a Drink!
Holy crap I swear I didn't write this one. I have been known to enjoy a cool drink on a warm day. And why not?
10/ Thomas needs to send out a reminder e-mail
I'm not saying that this isn't true, but I am saying I have no idea what said email is supposed to be about. If only I had sent the said reminder email I might actually remember what said email was about. Sheesh!
1/ Jesus Visits His Disciples, but Thomas Needs Proof
Ain't that the truth. Poor old Thomas (of bible fame) has copped a lot of crap of the millenias(sp?) for being The Doubting One, but he's really all of us...
2/ Thomas Needs Help!
Not altogether true, but sometimes all too true
"I've fallen over and can't get up"
"My knee needs a massage"
"Where are my boots?"
3/Thomas Needs an *.
This is deep, man. What does the * represent- is it a wildcard? Do I need some sort of randomness in my life? I have tons of that crap.
Does the * mean a star? Do I need to find a second string, strictly B list celeb as a friend? I'm working on it!
4/ Thomas needs a blog
Like totally get stuffed. THIS IS A FREAKIN' blog! I'm doing my damn best. Ahhh screw it. No credit, nothing. Screw you. Bastard.
5/ Thomas needs to give himself time
Ok, so screwing around for 33 years ain't enough? Perhaps I need another holiday. Another rest. Another adventure.
What I really need is a break. Success type break- not holiday break
6/ But making connections is what Thomas needs
I've always done pretty well in this regard. I make connections, foister relationships and then piss 'em up against a wall...
7/ Thomas Needs a New Nickname.
Suggestions? I've never bneen one for nick names- hence I post on various boards/sites as thomasr. That's because it's my frickin' name.
8/ Thomas Needs To Decide Where Sweetney Belongs
This issue has been vexing me to the point of over-vexedness. My head says "Decide what's best for Sweetney", but my heart says "Set The Sweetney free"
9/ Thomas Needs a Drink!
Holy crap I swear I didn't write this one. I have been known to enjoy a cool drink on a warm day. And why not?
10/ Thomas needs to send out a reminder e-mail
I'm not saying that this isn't true, but I am saying I have no idea what said email is supposed to be about. If only I had sent the said reminder email I might actually remember what said email was about. Sheesh!
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
two thousand and five- a summary
Though he didn't ask me to, I am going to pretend BEVIS picked to do this...
1. What did you do in 2005 that you hadn't done before?
Travelled round Australia on a motorbike- two up. Bought engagement ring. Placed said ring on Rachel's finger. Going on air during MotoGP as specialist commentator.
2. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Tone and Annie had a little fella- Ollie. He's going rather well by all accounts.
3. Did anyone close to you die?
No, but I was really saddened by the deaths of : Hunter S. Thompson and Van Nguyen. Both could have been avoided.
On a global scale, the continuing Iraqi situation makes me think Vietnam, Vietnam. Exit strategy George! The Tsunami, Bali and London bombings with the Pakistan earthquake makes one simultaneously praise and curse global real time communications. On the one hand I don't want to see it, on the other hand I must.
4. Did you travel? Where did you go? Best holiday memory?
Ha! Round Oz of course. Tip of Cape York :)
5. Best thing you bought?
Intercom for motorbike. Followed closely by iPod and BMW R1100GS. Oh and 21" monitor- a big old school monitor, but it's soo good- a 51cm TV essentially!
6. Where did most of your money go?
Retiring debt, buying toys.
7. What do you wish you had done more of?
Windsurfing, exercise, mountainbiking, writing and sleeping.
8. What do you wish you had done less of?
Sleeping, Halo 2, goofing around with PC, annoying Rachel.
9. What kept you sane?
Rachel, The Speed Triple, Duncan, and Halo 2.
Blogs:
- Bek Violence never ensued. She's too nice I suspect
- BEVIS A nerdier thomasr?
- The Superficial Bitch, bitch, bitch!
- Pink Is the New Blog Wonderful funny celeb blog
- I'm On Your Computer The best journalist ever.
- Stephen Sarre Technically MY blog, but hey!
- Ms Fits The funny, sexy, cute Ms Fits!
- Melbourne Girl Life from M-Town
- Bungie.org- Fansite for Halo 2 and related
- Crikey.com
- Rick Gervais Show <- new podcasts! - Lavartus Prodeo
- Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle travel blogs.
- Mess And Noise Not a blog, but a site, not a clue why.
10. What drove you mad?
Halo 2, Rachel, the Speed Triple and Duncan.
11. What made you celebrate?
Happy days, wedding planning, house warming, Stephen's return.
And while I am on the issue of Stephen, seeing The Dukes Of Windsor fail so insipidly was almost a cause for celebration. After the acrimony and downright stupidty of The Surrogate's demise, I could breathe fire when the mere name Dukes Of Windsor was mentioned. But seeing them fail- not on JJJ, no Big Day Out prospect, a lame EP and the kicker- playing gigs at the Arthouse (where newly formed punk bands play to 10 of their mates), I actually feel sorry for them. I am going to buy their CD online so that they get at least get one sale. It must suck losing your heart (Dave Edmonds) and your brains (Stephen) and relying on a trained monkey, a homeless guy, a child with little guy syndrome and a wanker to get your success. I wish them all the best in the limited time they have left.
12. What made you sad?
The murderous execution of Van Nguyen, sedition laws, the Bali bombing, the London bombing and Andrew Bolt's ramblings.
13. How was your birthday this year?
It WILL be ok. Rachel will make an ace cake in the shape of something I like or do (previous included motorbike and golf green (with bunker)). Will be in Wartook so I guess I will go for a motorbike blast through the hills.
14. What political issue stirred you the most this year?
IR laws, Terrorism laws and the continued incarceration of David Hicks.
15. Were you in love in 2005?
Was I hell!! Yes, very, very much so. My Ipod is soo great!
...Oh, yeah and Rachel too.
16. What would you like to have in 2006 that you didn't have this year?
Stunt bike, media career and 10 kilos less.
17. What date from 2005 will be etched in your memory and why?
A date I can't recall in September. But trust me, it was, and is, important.
18. What song will remind you of 2005?
Audioslave: "Be Yourself" We listened to this a bit on the trip and I made it the outro music on the trip DVD. Musically fantastic and lyrically good too!
Someone falls to pieces
Sleepin all alone
Someone kills the pain
Spinning in the silence
To finally drift away
Someone gets excited
In a chapel yard
Catches a bouquet
Another lays a dozen
White roses on a grave
Even when you've paid enough
Been pulled apart or been held up
Every single memory of the good or bad
Faces of love
Don't lose any sleep tonight
I'm sure everything will end up alright
You may win or lose
¨
But to be yourself is all that you can do
Yeahhh...
To be yourself is all that you can do
Ohhhh...
To be yourself is all that you can do(all that you can do)
Heeey...
To be yourself is all that you can do(all that you can do)
To be yourself is all that you can--
Be yourself is all that you can--
Be yourself is all that you can do
19. Compared to this time last year are you happier?
Holy hell yes. Much happier.
20. Biggest achievement this year?
Getting a regular gig on 3AW as motorsport correspondent. Getting published in RAPID bikes mag with a feature article.
21. Biggest disappointment this year?
Coming back to late winter Melbourne
22. What is the one thing that would have made you more satisfied?
More money of course.
23. Best new person/s you met this year?
- Ms Fits
24. A valuable life lesson you learnt this year?
Have a red hot go. I've always had a crack, but now I really, really reckon you have to have a crack.
Sitting in Cairns, having crossed the Savannah Way, I pondered (without telling Rachel) my fears about the 900kms of dirt to Cape York. Frankly, I was more than worried- I was convinced we wouldn't make it. I decided that we had come too far to ditch it. Rachel could have easily have skipped it.
So I said "bugger it, we're off". The whole way up was a struggle. We fell so many times. It was so hot. I lost a kilo a day for 5 days. We were at times: exhausted, angry, scared, miserable, grumpy, bone-tired, filthy, sweaty, dehydrated. We were alsoexultantt, triumphant, excited and more than just a little bit pleased with ourselves. I will do it again some day, it won't be as hard, or as new, or as fresh. Perhaps I won't cry quietly to myself next time, like I did this time,
25. A question you made up yourself?: How are the mid 30s going to be?
Wow. Good question. It's like you knew my fears.
Physically:
The right knee. Man is that going to be a struggle. It's as bad as ever. Allexercisee gives me pain next day. (Last night I went for a walk along thesandn with Rachel. Maybe 2 kms of sand- sore knee today.)
Weight. For God's sake- what am I doing struggling with weight? 72 kilos for 10 odd years. Now somewhere in the region of 94kgs. Went as low as 85kgs post trip. reckon my racing weight is about 85kgs.
Otherwise, physically am ok. Just slowing down a bit. Still can go off on the windsurfer, wheelie the motorbike at 150km/h and go downhill on a mountainbike at breakneck.
Mental:
Better than ever. Vibey, in near constant state of invention and reinvention.
Career:
Piss off.
1. What did you do in 2005 that you hadn't done before?
Travelled round Australia on a motorbike- two up. Bought engagement ring. Placed said ring on Rachel's finger. Going on air during MotoGP as specialist commentator.
2. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Tone and Annie had a little fella- Ollie. He's going rather well by all accounts.
3. Did anyone close to you die?
No, but I was really saddened by the deaths of : Hunter S. Thompson and Van Nguyen. Both could have been avoided.
On a global scale, the continuing Iraqi situation makes me think Vietnam, Vietnam. Exit strategy George! The Tsunami, Bali and London bombings with the Pakistan earthquake makes one simultaneously praise and curse global real time communications. On the one hand I don't want to see it, on the other hand I must.
4. Did you travel? Where did you go? Best holiday memory?
Ha! Round Oz of course. Tip of Cape York :)
5. Best thing you bought?
Intercom for motorbike. Followed closely by iPod and BMW R1100GS. Oh and 21" monitor- a big old school monitor, but it's soo good- a 51cm TV essentially!
6. Where did most of your money go?
Retiring debt, buying toys.
7. What do you wish you had done more of?
Windsurfing, exercise, mountainbiking, writing and sleeping.
8. What do you wish you had done less of?
Sleeping, Halo 2, goofing around with PC, annoying Rachel.
9. What kept you sane?
Rachel, The Speed Triple, Duncan, and Halo 2.
Blogs:
- Bek Violence never ensued. She's too nice I suspect
- BEVIS A nerdier thomasr?
- The Superficial Bitch, bitch, bitch!
- Pink Is the New Blog Wonderful funny celeb blog
- I'm On Your Computer The best journalist ever.
- Stephen Sarre Technically MY blog, but hey!
- Ms Fits The funny, sexy, cute Ms Fits!
- Melbourne Girl Life from M-Town
- Bungie.org- Fansite for Halo 2 and related
- Crikey.com
- Rick Gervais Show <- new podcasts! - Lavartus Prodeo
- Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle travel blogs.
- Mess And Noise Not a blog, but a site, not a clue why.
10. What drove you mad?
Halo 2, Rachel, the Speed Triple and Duncan.
11. What made you celebrate?
Happy days, wedding planning, house warming, Stephen's return.
And while I am on the issue of Stephen, seeing The Dukes Of Windsor fail so insipidly was almost a cause for celebration. After the acrimony and downright stupidty of The Surrogate's demise, I could breathe fire when the mere name Dukes Of Windsor was mentioned. But seeing them fail- not on JJJ, no Big Day Out prospect, a lame EP and the kicker- playing gigs at the Arthouse (where newly formed punk bands play to 10 of their mates), I actually feel sorry for them. I am going to buy their CD online so that they get at least get one sale. It must suck losing your heart (Dave Edmonds) and your brains (Stephen) and relying on a trained monkey, a homeless guy, a child with little guy syndrome and a wanker to get your success. I wish them all the best in the limited time they have left.
12. What made you sad?
The murderous execution of Van Nguyen, sedition laws, the Bali bombing, the London bombing and Andrew Bolt's ramblings.
13. How was your birthday this year?
It WILL be ok. Rachel will make an ace cake in the shape of something I like or do (previous included motorbike and golf green (with bunker)). Will be in Wartook so I guess I will go for a motorbike blast through the hills.
14. What political issue stirred you the most this year?
IR laws, Terrorism laws and the continued incarceration of David Hicks.
15. Were you in love in 2005?
Was I hell!! Yes, very, very much so. My Ipod is soo great!
...Oh, yeah and Rachel too.
16. What would you like to have in 2006 that you didn't have this year?
Stunt bike, media career and 10 kilos less.
17. What date from 2005 will be etched in your memory and why?
A date I can't recall in September. But trust me, it was, and is, important.
18. What song will remind you of 2005?
Audioslave: "Be Yourself" We listened to this a bit on the trip and I made it the outro music on the trip DVD. Musically fantastic and lyrically good too!
Someone falls to pieces
Sleepin all alone
Someone kills the pain
Spinning in the silence
To finally drift away
Someone gets excited
In a chapel yard
Catches a bouquet
Another lays a dozen
White roses on a grave
Even when you've paid enough
Been pulled apart or been held up
Every single memory of the good or bad
Faces of love
Don't lose any sleep tonight
I'm sure everything will end up alright
You may win or lose
¨
But to be yourself is all that you can do
Yeahhh...
To be yourself is all that you can do
Ohhhh...
To be yourself is all that you can do(all that you can do)
Heeey...
To be yourself is all that you can do(all that you can do)
To be yourself is all that you can--
Be yourself is all that you can--
Be yourself is all that you can do
19. Compared to this time last year are you happier?
Holy hell yes. Much happier.
20. Biggest achievement this year?
Getting a regular gig on 3AW as motorsport correspondent. Getting published in RAPID bikes mag with a feature article.
21. Biggest disappointment this year?
Coming back to late winter Melbourne
22. What is the one thing that would have made you more satisfied?
More money of course.
23. Best new person/s you met this year?
- Ms Fits
24. A valuable life lesson you learnt this year?
Have a red hot go. I've always had a crack, but now I really, really reckon you have to have a crack.
Sitting in Cairns, having crossed the Savannah Way, I pondered (without telling Rachel) my fears about the 900kms of dirt to Cape York. Frankly, I was more than worried- I was convinced we wouldn't make it. I decided that we had come too far to ditch it. Rachel could have easily have skipped it.
So I said "bugger it, we're off". The whole way up was a struggle. We fell so many times. It was so hot. I lost a kilo a day for 5 days. We were at times: exhausted, angry, scared, miserable, grumpy, bone-tired, filthy, sweaty, dehydrated. We were alsoexultantt, triumphant, excited and more than just a little bit pleased with ourselves. I will do it again some day, it won't be as hard, or as new, or as fresh. Perhaps I won't cry quietly to myself next time, like I did this time,
25. A question you made up yourself?: How are the mid 30s going to be?
Wow. Good question. It's like you knew my fears.
Physically:
The right knee. Man is that going to be a struggle. It's as bad as ever. Allexercisee gives me pain next day. (Last night I went for a walk along thesandn with Rachel. Maybe 2 kms of sand- sore knee today.)
Weight. For God's sake- what am I doing struggling with weight? 72 kilos for 10 odd years. Now somewhere in the region of 94kgs. Went as low as 85kgs post trip. reckon my racing weight is about 85kgs.
Otherwise, physically am ok. Just slowing down a bit. Still can go off on the windsurfer, wheelie the motorbike at 150km/h and go downhill on a mountainbike at breakneck.
Mental:
Better than ever. Vibey, in near constant state of invention and reinvention.
Career:
Piss off.
Friday, December 02, 2005
Passes
I've been lucky to score quite a few freebies this year.
Top to bottom
- World Superbikes in March
- MotoGP in October
- V8s in November
