Taxi!

Probably the only highlight of the last 16 hours was not the night out, was not getting home and falling onto my bed in a alcohol induced coma, but I would have to say the Taxi trip to the quality establishment that is known as the Tudor inn. Upon leaving my place with Beckz and AdamMac in tow, we jumped into the taxi. I was forced sit in the front because "I was payin." For some reason - nothing to do with all the alcohol that I had drank prior to leaving, I was curious with the new meter that the taxi driver was using. After making a couple of comments which not only made me look stupid in front of the taxi driver, but AdamMac as well - which is not a good thing when is he out looking for something to post. So before he gets a chance to crap on about what a dick I was in the taxi, the defence will state the following:

1) I have not have to catch taxi's as often as AdamMac, therfore reducing the need to study the ins and outs of the technical specifications of a taxi.

2) YES IT'S TRUE! I was quite impressed with the new state-of-the-art-taxi meter, and the fact that this driver knew not only where we were going without having to give directions, but this chap could also speak a fair portion of the english language! So, there is no need to be bagging anyone. I for one have not had a taxi trip in recent memory where I have had to either give the driver directions, have an interpreter on stand-by, and lets not forget my personal favourite - the taxi that smells as pleasant as the Footscray market. Now this may seem a little harsh, but there a quite few taxi trips that I can think of that have been pleasant and I haven't had to tell the driver how to do his job. But if you have had a pleasant taxi trip, I would love to hear about it...

3) As mentioned above, I do not travel in a taxi that often. So because I was not aware that the $1.10 after midnight surcharge had been scrapped and a new evil extra 20% fare had been slipped into it's place (to make it seem cheaper, but it's not), there is no need for AdamMac to go "Matty, can't you read posters?" or "Matty, the prices have been like this for ages?". The fact still stands, I do not travel in taxi's that often. And until they put posters advising the latest changes in the taxi world at bus stops and train stations, I guess I will have to remain ignorant.

4) There is nothing wrong in engaging in a little bit of idle chit-chat with the driver. The fact that yes, we may have crapped on about the taxi meter and the new fare structure. To me that idle chit-chat makes the trip more enjoyable, and seem to go a bit quicker. Now look at the other option. We could have had a smelly taxi where we had to tell the driver how to get to the end of the street, using only hand signals and pointing, as the words straight, left and right make no sense to the poor fellow. But at the end of the trip, the english switch is turned on and you can hear the angelic voice of the driver with only the slightest accent say...

"My EFTPOS machine is not working, and that will be $13.80. Thanks, mate..."

Special thanks go out to Kezza and Nigel for helping in the whole writing myself off thing. Please note for next time, when I shout you guys a round it doesn't mean you have to buy the next two rounds - especailly double shots Nigel! But because our little dancing routine and skulling competitions in front of the band didn't go unnoticed, it all seemed almost worthwhile. Almost, if you had have stayed on till closing time... but because you went on for a couple more hours than AdamMac, I can hold no grudges. Cheers guys!

Cybercentral

Hey all! Am writing this the morning after the night before... Have woken up to Mandy's screaming kids which normally isn't that bad, but after staying awake until 4.30 in the morning watching DVD's and drinking bourbon all night, it isn't the most pleasant experience. But things have sort of gotten better (or at least more entertaining) watching Sara try to make friends on the Yahoo chat sites. Normally the whole chat thing doesn't really interest me but the couple of times I have tried it out have been fairly entertaining. Mainly because AdamMac and myself end up tormenting some poor soul looking for some love of the digital kind. It's a sad life, but it keeps us amused.
Anyway, poor Sara being the ever brainy person that she is, was not quite able to use the chat without my help. Which isn't good really, coz i'm not the most intelligent person when it comes to computers (I struggle to get the posts up on my lonesone - and it hurts me to say that AdamMac is coming over to show me how to do these posts properly). But back to the subject at hand, Sara starts chatting to some lovely gent in pomland which is moving along smoothly till she is asked to Cyber. Which is where I'm called in. She wasn't exactly sure how to react to the whole situation so I offer my diplomacy skills and jump onto the keyboard. I didn't exactly say no to the poor guy, but more so offered to help him take a load off so to speak. While at the time it was quite amusing for Sara and myself (although she did seem somewhat shocked with what said at times), I did kind of feel bad that I took advantage of this poor guy for our own entertainment. Then I asked myself, should I feel bad, because in a sense he kind of used us as well to get his way. Is there a right or wrong answer to this question, or am I still a bit hazy from last night/this mornings session. Not quite sure, but gives me something to think about while the Berrocca is kicking in...
Onwards and upwards... Matty

Late Night Pizza

Hey guys, firstly, would like to say a big get well to Rachael who is currently in hospital getting her knee fixed up due to a late night limbo accident. Get well soon - we miss you. Also one for her old man Andy, who also is struggling to get around with his recently operated on ankle. But it hasn't stopped him in his never ending quest of making sure that everyone has their money paid up. But now that I financial (and have credit on the tab for the first time in history!), I would like to say that Andy, keep up the good work!

Currently, am just sitting over in Heidelberg drinking with Mandy, Clint and Sara waiting for the guys at Pizza Haven to deliver one of those magical BBQ chicken pizzas that would satisfy any hunger when you're half past pissed. I would like to thank the very polite guy that took the order, can't remember his name, but has got to be the first guy in history that has laughed at me when being sworn at by four hungry drunk people over the phone. Greatly appreciated mate. Got to go now, sounds like the pizza has arrived and Sara owes me another 17 minutes of massage... something that I will talk about on a later date. Cheers...
Onwards and upwards... Matty

Leaving my mark...

Hey all. As you may or may not be aware, I have recently left my job for bigger and brighter things (what they are at the moment, I am not yet sure). But something that happened yesterday kind of made me think of the things that I would miss by no longer being at my old job. For those of you that don't know (the random people that find this page by pure accident) I worked in a upmarket designer jewellers. I was walking to my friend Faye's place for my ritual Tuesday night dinner just minding my own business drinking my Big M. Crossing the road I noticed a car waiting to turn the corner, and being the person that I am, I was drawn to the chick that was driving the car. She did look kind of familiar, although I couldn't pick where. When she smiled and waved at me, I had to smile and wave back. But, on closer examination, in the passenger seat I saw her fiancee. It all came back to me, I sold her and her partner their engagement and wedding rings. As I got closer to the car, the guy wound down his window and yelled out a hello. Although this may not seem like a thing that is uncommon, what struck me most is the fact that he remembered my name. They both waved, and drove off. This may not seem like something that is very out of the ordinary, but the more that I thought about it, I realised that I sold them their rings close to a year ago. I had only spoken to these people for probably no more than two hours, and seen them only twice. But the fact that they remembered me (and could recognise me literally on the street in my everyday clothes - not my suit) kind of gave me a really pleasant feeling. It got me thinking about the impact that I have had on people's lives, not just by selling them a couple of rings that they wear to symbolise their love, but the way that I react and get to people. I did have an idea of what kind of impact that my work would have on people's lives, although to some it may seem irrelevant to some. But the fact that a couple that I barely knew would be able to recognize me a considerable time after meeting them briefly, has left a mark on me that not only gives me a bit of a buzz, it makes me feel like I have done something that has made a positive impact on people's lives.

First and Foremost!

Hi everyone. Welcome to my blog page. I have decided to start this for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I really don't have much to do now that I am unemployed, left my job. Bigger and better things to come! YAY! Secondly, If people like Adam Mac have an exciting enough life to be able to do this on a semi regular basis, I should be able to do the same. So here goes...

Valentine's Day 05!
Started as a normal day off. Sleep in due to day off and start recovery from a full weekend of softball (two days as opposed to the normal one), lots of stretching and armchair excercises with lots of caffine filled drinks (coffee) to keep up energy levels and XBOX and Jerry Springer during lunch break to keep me motivated.
Would like to send out a special thanks to Chrissy and Lizzie for the Valentie's messages. BUT, it may be Valentine's and it be filled with romance and lovey dovey stuff, but please keep it clean!
Anyways, got to go. Richard Branson's Quest for the Best finale has just started.
Onwards and Upwards... Matty!

Hey everyone, keep an eye out for the following track. Hasn't hit Australia yet, but when it does it will be huge 'Cabin Crew - Star To Fall' (yes, another sampled 80's track - but it goes off!).