Today was my first day at my new job. To get from home to work requires this:
Bus to train station -> Train to city -> Red CAT (free inner city shuttle) to work in the west end of the city

My start time for this week at least is 8am. To make that schedule, I’m out of the house by 7:10am. The first two legs of the journey were ok - on time and not too crowded. It was in the city that I hit a literal wall of humans waiting for the Red CAT. I had planned my journey to allow me to miss the first CAT and catch the next one, and still make it on time. The first CAT arrived and it was packed. Second one came, and it was the same. I might take a photo tomorrow to show you how bad it was/is.

So I looked at my watch and it was 7:50am. Fuck it I thought, I’d walk. But I underestimated the time needed to do so. Half way through my journey, I saw the third CAT passed me by. 8:05am. Shit I’m late! I started to jog and it wasn’t easy because some parts of the route was uphill. 8:10am - I was about one block away when I saw the fourth CAT pass me by. Double fuck!

Lesson learnt? Even if I had to, wait for the fourth CAT. I’d still be slightly late but at least I won’t be sweating and out of breath. The whole ordeal really sapped my energy for the rest of the day. Luckily it was mostly reading documentation today.

Oh yeah, in other news the people at work were very nice.

My friend Nadia in Singapore is totally jonesing for a trip to Sydney but she wants to get it for free! So she entered herself in a competition called “Unexpected Australia”. All she needs is for people to vote for her - people who vote also go into a draw to win a MacBook Air, a Sony Ericsson K8501,a Nikon B60, a Nintendo WII or two Sandisk Ducati Thumbdrive (4GB). And it doesn’t matter if you don’t live in Singapore either.

The voting details are all here. Go vote for her, maybe win something and help out Australian tourism at the same time. It’s good for the economy.

Wellington Square was huge and spacious but man it was so dusty! Some of my female friends who wore sandals had it all over their feet and legs. At first I thought they got really sun-tanned but it was dust! When I wiped the sweat off my brow, it was dark. Plus I had black dust caked under my fingernails and my snot was black too! Other than that, I had a fantastic time. Danced till my whole body was sore.

Highlights - Eddie Halliwell, Roger Sanchez, John Digweed, Markus Schultz and The Chemical Brothers. We heard the beginnings of Digweed and The Chemical Brothers’ sets but it took a while for them to build up the tempo. Whereas Eddie, Roger and Markus rocked it hard. The local boys in the FutureFunk tent - Evil Nine, Aesop Rock - were good too.

So what’s this about photos then? Old habits really die hard. I left my camera home as I’d promised myself for the duration of this year, but don’t you know it - my phone can take photos too! First, I took some scenery shots and before you know it, I was whipping out my phone instinctively when there’s a lull in the music. At one stage, I asked my friend Lydia to slap my hand if she sees me pulling out my phone.

Speaking of Lydia, she brought her camera and I think I’ve gotten her hooked on taking photos during these things! Hahah. It was a reversal of what happened at Daft Punk late last year, where instead of her telling me to stop taking photos, it was me doing it this time.

Well anyways, here are the usable shots. While we were waiting out front for some friends to go in together, we caught the V Energy Drink van where they were giving away 2 cans to everyone while stocks last. We downed the cans in quick succession - we were buzzing even before we went through the front gates.

This is the crowd in front of the Famous Stage with the big red Nova doll which became a really good landmark - “if we get separated, meet in front of the Nova doll!”

The following two pics show the area along the front of the Famous Stage. With the sun setting behind the colourful banners, and a cool breeze blowing through, it was awesome.

Two prerequisites for any outdoor music events. One, girls on shoulders …

And two, big bouncing balls.

I met a lot of people whom I know around the clubbing scene. I was shaking hands and talking to some people whom I didn’t even know names to. But among those that I know were two bartenders - Sam from The Deen, and Linda from The Library whom we’d known since it was called “The Church”. Here’s me and Linda.

And I’ll end with two staples of my raving/clubbing photos. Hands …

And random punters who come dressed for the occasion.

‘Twas another good day out raving.

I listen to dance music in my car, in front of the computer, when I’m in the shower and even when I’m on the can. I feel like I’m destined to be one of the older men that you see hanging around clubs and events. All I ask for is that I still have a full head of hair, and without a beer gut. Oh and my hearing hasn’t been shot to pieces yet. Thank you.

Meanwhile, tomorrow’s another rave - Future Music Festival Perth 2008. The line-up’s looking fantastic - Eddie Halliwell, John Digweed, The Chemical Brothers, Roger Sanchez, The Shapeshifters - and it’s gonna be tricky trying to catch them all. Nonetheless, sun-screen? Check. Sunnies? Check. Comfortable jumping shoes? Check. Body of a 33 year old with the mind of a much younger person? Check. Let’s hope those legs will hold out like those on a younger person as well. Yay!