Recently the family took an opportunity to explore more of the south coast of New South Wales with a church camping trip to Ulladulla. Now, while I like to camp and wish we did a lot more, I typically find myself cringing when thinking about jamming everything into the Toyota Camry.

But we did and away we went, all the more special because our good friends Matt and Holly were travelling with their family as well. A few hours drive and a missed turn (because I was told to take the first turn after a certain

landmark, which I did but was not told it was the first left) we arrived at our destination.

This was Hayden’s first camping trip and while I am not sure he grasped the concept it was fun watching him try to help erect the tent. Nevan and Liam had friends somewhere in the park so duly rushed off to find them, strategically getting out of work.

All the usual shenanigans of a camping trip took place but the highlights for me was sort of setting up some ground rules that I hope to turn into tradition in years to come. They were, in no order:

Up at the crack of dawn

The rule being the boys had to get up with me somewhere between 5am and 6am to go and do something at the beach. One morning it was fishing and the other rock-climbing / rock-pool exploration. Honestly the best time of day are those earliest moments when the air has bite, especially when camping. I’m proud of the boys and if it wasn’t for my fear of getting sand in the camera I’d have taken a ton of photos.

No video games

None. Whatsoever. The boys were allowed to travel with their Nintendo DS but once we got there they had to be packed away in the car. When you’re forced to find something to do to keep yourself amused it’s amazing how simple it can turn out to be. From bush walking to games of footy and tree climbing, I’m pretty confident the boys enjoyed all activities and had a great weekend.

In charge of the fire

In a sense. Kids want to be involved in the cool stuff too, like the campfire. While I was the one to light it, they were “in charge” which meant gathering wood and deciding when to add more to the fire. This sense of ownership was so welcomed they actually didn’t grumble about going and finding more wood.

We also spent a day at a neighbouring resort who offered activities such as canoeing, paddle boating, tennis and a range of other activities. The older boys and I took off in the lake and explored a nearby island (which wasn’t an island, the landform gave it the appearance of an island and the kids didn’t know better) and basically paddled our hearts content.

I took a few photos but looking back regret that I didn’t take more. That will change on the next camping trip, for certain. All in all an enjoyable weekend with our friends and hope to go on more trips in the near future!

Listening to Without You Here by Goo Goo Dolls on Let Love In.

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Rugby League Grand Final tickets. Not just any tickets mind you. Corporate Box tickets. Corporate Box tickets with rugby league legend Mark Geyer (MG). Corporate Box tickets with cricket legend Stuart MacGill. Corporate Box tickets with radio and TV personality Gus Worland. With that thoroughly deserved gloat out of the way, I’ll shed some light on how it all happened.

Three weeks ago I started a new job in Sydney. Having worked from home for much of the past three years, this was a step into the normal extraordinary for me. No longer could I work in my pyjama’s if I felt like it. No longer could I pound music while I worked. No longer could I take advantage of a flexible schedule; agree to a lunch time cricket practice, watch Hayden while Jenifer ran errands or work late.

Suddenly I was commuting, leaving at the crack at dawn, winding my way through St George, the “Shire” and leaving work at work for the first time in years. I actually joked at the time that I got to listen to the radio again and can prove that I was asking mates about their station of preference.

Mark Geyer and Wally Lewis had a number of classic encounters on the field

Listening to The Grill Team on Triple-M I found an enjoyable way to deal with the not yet mundane. In fact I haven’t had a single momentary lapse of road rage as I’ve been laughing nearly all of the time. I started attempting to call in to win competitions; one such comp gives a pool of callers 90 seconds to answer mostly relevant sport questions. Whoever is on the line at the end of 90 seconds wins. They don’t necessarily have to even answer a question, if the buzzer goes off because the previous caller got one wrong and you happened to be next up when the buzzer goes off you win!

The prize has been a football jersey of your choice from Rebel Sports, $170 value and certainly worthy of the morning attempts. Sadly I never got on the show. I couldn’t even get past the busy signal to have a chance. Though a relatively new morning show team they appear to have a big following already.

Another competition was the chance to bring a mate to the Rugby League Grand Final and enjoy the comforts and prestige of a corporate box with The Grill Team! Each of the five radio hosts would take turns, one each for five mornings, talking about their favourite Grand Final. The successful caller would have to name the year the Grand Final occurred. 

The Grill Team Shenanigans – Stuart MacGill, Mark Geyer and Gus Worland

The first morning was the 1975 Grand Final between St George Dragons and Eastern Suburbs Roosters, until last year the most one sided Grand Final in history. I didn’t know the year but honestly hand in my mind 1975. It mattered not, I was met with a busy signal anyway.

The second morning was the 1999 Grand Final between St George Illawarra Dragons and the Melbourne Storm, known for the most controversial decision in Grand Final history. There were also a rugby league world record 107,999 fans at the game. I knew the answer but alas couldn’t get through.

The third morning was the 2002 Grand Final between Sydney Roosters and the New Zealand Warriors; NZ’s first ever Grand Final and the Roosters first Premiership in 27 years. I knew the answer but you know the story.

The fourth morning was the 1991 Grand Final between the Penrith Panthers and the Canberra Raiders; one of my personal favourites as Penrith won their first ever title and made up for the loss to the same team in the Grand Final the year prior. When Triple-M announced that Mark Geyer was up next to have his grand final memory turn I just knew he had to go 1991. He played in that Grand Final. He clinched the sensational game with a freakishly fortunate bounce and off-loaded to retiring Royce Simmons to ensure a fairytale finish. I dialled immediately.

My Grand Final Corporate Ticket

The phone rang! Mark Geyer had just started talking. Someone answered!

MMM – “Triple-M what year is Mark Geyer talking about?”
Me – “1991.”
MMM – “Hold a moment please.”

And so I started waiting. My legs were shaking. I was in peak hour traffic. I was on the mobile while driving and therefore breaking a law but didn’t care. I was afraid the call would drop. I was afraid I had come this far and someone else would get the spotlight first chance to answer. I was afraid the tunnel approaching a kilometre away would sever the connection.

MMM – “Thanks for holding, what’s your name and where are you calling from?”
Me – “Mike from Sydney.”
MMM – “Okay Mike from Sydney, if we get you on the radio will you go nuts for us?”
Me – “Yeah… absolutely mate!”

Meanwhile Mark Geyer was re-living his Grand Final. Mind you each morning previous the memory had lasted 30-60 seconds. Mark Geyer was going on for at least 5 minutes. It was torture, I was still shaking and just about losing it. Finally,

MMM – “Okay Mike you’re on with the Grill Team in just a moment.”

Mark Geyer wraps up his memory, and quite fairly one of the greatest in Rugby League history.

Grill Team – “We have Mike from Sydney on the line, what year was it?”
Me – “I’m still wiping the tears MG… 1991.”
Grill Team – (in unison) “YEEEAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! Mike you’ll be joining The Grill Team at the Grand Final in our very own corporate box. How is that mate?”
Me – “YOU BLOODY BEAUTY!”

And honestly I didn’t know what else I said. I was suddenly the unknown envy of thousands of callers, possibly tens of thousands of listeners. Who knows, maybe a hundred thousand. I was giddy, I was in disbelief, I AM one of the luckiest people going around.

Corporate Box tickets at the Rugby League Grand Final. Corporate Box tickets at the Rugby League Grand Final; sitting, talking, eating and drinking with two elite sports stars I used to watch on TV. Corporate Box tickets at the Rugby League Grand Final with the Parramatta Eels actually in it.

Parramatta, my favourite team; who went from 2nd last mid-way through the season to squeeze into the final playoff spot and then proceeded to eliminate everyone in the playoffs with some of the most outstanding and entertaining footy ever seen.

No matter the result, I am beginning to believe I am one blessed individual.

The fifth morning, who cares…

Listening to 21 Guns by Green Day on 21st Century Breakdown (Deluxe Version).

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As I wrote in my previous blog entry, my brother and I gathered our two families on the Gold Coast for our first traditional family vacation. The idea being every couple years we meet somewhere for our kids to catch up and play with their cousins; 2,200km separates the two families. This first gathering coincided with my belated 30th Birthday (February 5th) so my brother and I decided to do something special to mark the occasion. We initially decided to go bungee jumping…

That didn’t work out with my brothers’ fear of heights. Fortunately we weren’t at the top – paid and ready to leap, before he bailed. We were still sizing it up from ground level (from multiple angles) when he made his mind up. I decided I wasn’t going to fly solo on this one, though I am determined to go soon as I also missed a chance in Vegas a few years back when I found the jump was closed.

I chose, instead, to get my first tattoo. This was a pretty big step for me as I definitely thought a few years back I wasn’t really the tattoo type. In recent years I have definitely fantasized a couple ideas but never got close to taking the plunge. But as it were, Surfers Paradise 2009 – I had my sons names written in Arabic English on my arm, just under the elbow and on the inside. I decided I didn’t want to hide the fact I had a tattoo; but at the same time have it in a place that was partially hidden by the natural curve of my arm.

It’s had the desired effect as I get asked often what my tattoo says. I’ve had nothing but positive comments though I wouldn’t care if I received contrary. To each their own and everyone is entitled to opinion.

Nevan, Liam, Hayden – my three sons who mean the world to me. I haven’t gone with a tribal tattoo or a skull or phoenix or dragon; I’ve gone with something that applies to me and is personal to me. The Arabic font appealed to me in style only, hence the choice. And I think it kicks arse.

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As a somewhat delayed but much appreciated 30th Birthday celebration, mine and my brothers’ families "met in the middle" on the Gold Coast for a Movie World Holiday in May. I say middle loosely – he drove 1,400km compared to my 1,000 but we decided it was close enough and the ideal spot to try and do something similar every few years. The Gold Coast is pretty much the epicentre of theme parks Australia; Dream World, Movie World, Sea World, Wet ‘N Wild and a few others cluster in Australia’s version of Miami, Florida.

Adrian (my brother) has three kids; Karlee (2001), Lachlan (2005) and Brodie (2008). Quite similar in age to my kids;  Nevan (2000), Liam (2002) and Hayden (2008). It’s great they have cousins they can play with. Though we’ve all come together at least three times; this was the first time we’ve both travelled somewhere else for vacation, making it all the more fun for everybody.

We scored too. The hotel rooms were on the 30th floor and had beach side views. They were adjoined private rooms; meaning we shared a common hall entrance with each other but then had our own rooms off to either side. The boys loved it, though with the smaller ones we shied away from spending time on the balcony for fear of them suddenly jumping up on the railing or something. When the kids went down or watched a movie, the adults stole out for a rum and coke and admired the view.

While we spent good time shopping, beach walking and generally taking in Surfers Paradise the main event of the holiday was to take the kids to Movie World. Movie World is a smaller and more intimate Disneyland. Don’t go there expecting to be blown away by the sheer size and amount of attractions as a Disneyland, you’ll be disappointed. Go in knowing you’ll be a lot closer to the street parades and have a greater chance of meeting with all your favourite Disney characters. The thrill rides are excellent and (at least when we went) the queue’s not too bad.

Nevan is nine now and can pretty much handle it all (the rides) so it’s fun to have him along for everything I want to do. But as my brother was here it was like turning back the clock on the few occasions we did go to Theme Parks growing up. I definitely yearn for more of the same in coming years.

As a 30th present/activity my brother and I decided to go bungee jumping and get the video. Unfortunately he chickened out (not good with heights) so I decided to take the plunge and get my first tattoo. That will be another blog entry.

The kids had a ball and many photo’s were taken. Movie World definitely catered to their needs and I daresay we’ll go back again in a couple years. We might have to tag-team another theme park such as Dream World, my personal favourite growing up…

Photos coming soon.

Listening to Paradise City by Guns N’ Roses on Appetite for Destruction.

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This year the company I work for had an additional project at the US Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Georgia. Our software was to be used on the Concessions side of the tournament; they have been using our software for 10 years prior on the Retail side. I was heading up the project alongside Matt (a co-worker) and teaming up with the NCR Retail Division. Now I am not a golf nut by any stretch, but my dad was and much of my family are. I spent many Saturday’s as a boy as my dad’s caddie; I picked up an appreciation of the game and built one of the few fond memories of my childhood.

Needless to say I was pretty excited to be finally going. It was my first trip and from all accounts from those I went with, I’d have an opportunity throughout the week to at least see a little golf.

The week and a half was phenomenal. The project itself was roughly 14-hour days; we’d get up at 5am to be there at 6 and hopefully be done at 9 or 10pm. Once the initial setup and training were out of the way, it was mostly a week of supervision, correction and ad-hoc analysis for the people calling the inventory movement shots. I took plenty of ideas to improve upon next year but that’s work related, I wont bore with the details.

What you want to hear was how freakin’ cool the golf course was! How amazing it was to be almost able to reach out and touch Tiger Woods. Or Phil Mickelson. Or Greg Norman. Watching Greg Norman birdie the 8th on the 2nd day, the only guy I saw reach the green in two (par 5). The thrill and excitement that was Phil Mickelson on the first nine on the final day. Or the three way playoff for the Green Jacket; the eventual winner having hit a tree on one playoff hole and seeming completely out of contention.

Yes it was an amazing week, one of the best things I have ever done and fingers crossed for another opportunity next year. I took a number of photo’s with the guys while out on the course, you can see them in the Gallery link below.

  Photo Gallery

Listening to Man On The Moon by R.E.M. on Automatic for the People.

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When Jenifer got word that her brother Jesse was getting married we knew we had to get her over to the States for the second time in a year. For a second wedding in a year.  The previous was Josiah and Sarah’s wedding, the timing on that occasion wasn’t good for a family trip so Jenifer and Hayden went alone. This one wasn’t ideal either; the boys would have been in a new school year all of a few weeks before the big day. With reluctance we planned for Jenifer and Hayden only to venture over again, alone.

When Jenifer’s mum had left Australia after Hayden’s birth it affected Nevan pretty deep. He wanted very much to visit his uncles and grandparents again so when he pleaded to go this time we began to entertain the idea. I could work from the office, beautifully placed in Jenifer’s hometown. The boys could take a schooling packet with them and make the trip educational. We could see everyone and everyone could see us. We hatched the plan.

Roll forward to the evening of February 17th, 2009. Jenifer entered the side door of her parents house; as expected and welcomed after her long trip. Everyone obviously pleased she was there safe and happy to have her home. I took the boys around to the front door and knocked…

The scenes were exciting and fun as David almost fell over backwards, Jeni’s dad was dumbfounded, everyone thrilled and in disbelief. The trip was for a month, our first as a family for nearly 2 years. Jenifer and the boys got a lot of much needed family face time while I got what I needed on top of some productive times in the office. Seeing my co-workers again after a year was great as well.

The wedding was superb, held at the in-laws, well organized and a treat to be a part of. Jenifer was a Bridesmaid for the first time in her life and we all just adored the bride’s family. A bond was made in the few days by all before we all went our separate ways to various parts of the earth.

Listening to I’m A Believer by Smash Mouth on Smash Mouth.

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Not so bad. In truth, I feel and act like I am 18. Jenifer would be standing to the side, pointing at me and nodding. We’ll chat next year. Surprise 30th’s are all the rage apparently and mine was a doozy; BBQ brekky at the rellies in Sydney before heading off to the game with members tickets.

The breakfast was delicious, always good to catch up with my family. We opened some presents, caught up with each other and prepared for the next leg, the real birthday present.

Ben, Robert, David, Steven, Joel and myself all head out to the SCG to watch Australia take on New Zealand. How on earth my cousin Ben was able to land members tix to the game is beyond me. The seats were sensational, easily the best vantage point I’ve ever enjoyed. Brad Haddin scored his maiden one day century and Australia smashed the Kiwi’s. David’s outburst to a talkative Joel in the car later that night was priceless.

Hats off to Jenifer, Michelle, Tracy and anyone else who worked hard to plan the day. And a special thank you to our insider Rachael who was the mastermind behind the tickets.

As for plans for the upcoming year? A massive USA trip around the corner. Plan for the family and friends to return the following year for Jenifer’s turn. Think of business ideas to run with little to no involvement; internet based.

Listening to Watch Over You by Alter Bridge on Blackbird.

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Just a year to go until we have a double digit child. How did it come to this? We’re not even thirty yet (those astute will realize I will be in four days… it matters not).

This was a quiet birthday compared to previous years. It’s not that we didn’t want to celebrate hard, it was more like taking a breath before something big. We were about to show up, un-expected at the doorstep of family in the USA and they didn’t know it.

That was part of Nevan’s present. And Liam’s. And Jenifer’s. And in the end mine, though I went to work in the office (which is always so welcome for me; people to talk to). More on that event and how it played out in a following blog.

In the here and now, we all went to our favourite restaurant on the beach for breakfast and gave Nevan the video game he really wanted. Buzz! Jungle Party, a kind of four-player family competition where you feel like you’re in a quiz show competing for prizes or something. It’s fun, and I am glad he asked for this and not some single player game so we can all join in.

Happy Birthday Nevan!

Listening to Going Down in Flames by 3 Doors Down on Away from the Sun.

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In January we had the opportunity to stay with some friends at Sussex Inlet; a beautiful spot about two and a half hours south of where we live. Their parents own a beach house with a private jetty into the inlet, our friends (Riley & Cindy) own a boat and we were set for a great long weekend!

What was particularly cool was how many kangaroo’s freely went about their business down there. Unlike the city where it’s rare to see them, they roam free and in number in the quieter places. Jenifer and the boys got a kick out of seeing them in the “wild” and being able to get so close. We’d wake up at the crack of dawn, sip a coffee and watch the kangaroo’s hunt for food as water and sky would separate with the emergence of the sun. 

While Jenifer relaxed back at the house with Cindy I went out on the water with Riley, his boys, our boys and a few neighbourhood boys for some knee-boarding and tubing. It was an absolute blast! Nevan got right into it; Liam might still be a little young but enjoyed his slower turns all the same. And once the big kids got on, Riley gunned it and ensured some sensational stacks followed. A collection of fun photo’s can be found in the gallery linked below.

 Photo Gallery

Listening to Without You Here by The Goo Goo Dolls on Let Love In.

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As I near 30 I am finding myself reflecting on all sorts of things and they tend to be organized in lists. Achievements, regrets, disappointments, hopes, dreams, even silly things like favourite songs in my 20’s. I think over the coming months I’ll write a lot of these things down, so I think a good place to start is something a bit light ‘n easy.

Influential, inspirational, or just pure melody orgasm; whatever it is everyone has certain sounds they love and I think all of us have a list that we keep and this is mine, in no order. I’ve probably missed something, but these would be real close.

Iris – Goo Goo Dolls – 1998

There’s something about this song that I love. The stringy guitar start and finish, the powerful middle that really builds, I don’t know what it is but this is one of those songs I can safely say I have never skipped forward when it came on. It turns out that it is the longest charting number one single in Billboard Hot 100 Airplay history with 18 consecutive weeks in the number one spot. So a lot of people agree with me.

My Immortal – Evanescence – 2003

A song about separation – I’ve never had someone so loved by me leave, but if they ever did this is the kind of song that would stir the emotions and re-hash scars cut deep. Amy Lee has the most amazing voice and if I was to ever fall in love with a voice hers would be it.

With Arms Wide Open – Creed – 1999

Creed has had it’s fair share of ups and downs, critics and naysayers but let’s face it – for a time (when they were going multi platinum and winning Grammys) a lot of people digged them. I did too; if there was ever a song to shed a tear and celebrate the birth of your son this was it.

“Well I just heard the news today, It seems my life is going to change…” and
“I’ll show you love, I’ll show you everything, With arms wide open…”

I remember the day vividly when Jenifer walked up to me holding a pair of baby shoes. She was coming to tell me something I had never heard before. Powerful. I’ll show you EVERYTHING.

Wake Me Up When September Ends – Green Day – 2004

My heart breaks for anyone who has lost their mum or dad or wife or brother or sister; I could go on, this song makes me almost grieve for something that has never actually happened to me! No, this isn’t about September 11 though in that context the song remains powerful. This is truly the songwriters pain of remembering when he lost his father and in the face of such a traumatic event, never fully recovers. Crushing.

Photograph – Nickelback – 2005

Listen to the song; think about high school, think about hanging out at lunch time, think about mates long gone, think about your first girlfriend, think about home, about things from your adolescence. “I miss that town, I miss the faces…” are surely words that burn into anyone who has moved far from home like we have.

We Believe – Good Charlotte – 2004

Word so powerful right off the bat; a woman’s only son has died and as many do, questions God. Elsewhere in the world life goes on, but she is still there with her daughter crying. Amidst all this we’re reminded we’re all the same, looking for love and that the world truly is crying out for much more than what it’s getting. There’s also a message about war and how can those responsible for waging it sleep at night?

Wonderful - Everclear – 2000

The story of divorce as seen by a child. Early on he tries to block it out and as he grows starts pretending to his friends that everything is alright. It was tough for me to choose between this and Father Of Mine (also by Everclear), the story of a father who leaves the family when the writer was a young boy. Both songs gut me and stir a passion within to be the best father I can be to my boys. I want to coach them, wrestle them, eat McDonalds ice-cream cones with them, swim with them, play video games with them and never leave them.  

100 Years – Five For Fighting – 2004

A man on his deathbed looks back at life to assess whether he really lived. It gets me thinking every time, especially as I near 30, about where I am in life. I get disappointed with some things but am so grateful for others; I have a wonderful wife and three healthy, amazing boys. I’ve traveled to far places in this world, I’ve played sport with a passion and am starting to coach my sons. I’m luckier than so many and will try so hard not to take life for granted.

Shadow Of The Day – Linkin Park – 2007

A song that has been taken a few different ways; a war ravaged world (as in the video) with carnage all about and people fighting for freedom; of suicide; or perhaps someone terminally ill. I think it comes down to dealing with a situation that has no answer or solution. “Sometimes goodbye is the only way…” is a line that I think I would like to say on my deathbed. When that day eventually arrives the sun will set for me and I will let my loved ones know that everything is okay, it’s my time and sometimes goodbye is the only way. Just a gorgeous song.

Lose Yourself – Eminem – 2003

I actually have few songs that have explicit lyrics; I’m a husband and father and I personally find that explicit lyrics tend to promote anger and hate. This one is an exception for me as first I own the non-explicit version, but second easily fires me up in certain situations. Sport. The song applies to the real life of Eminem and the hardships he faced rapping, the insults received for being a white rapper and the troubles of an alcoholic parent.

“Feet fail me not, this may be the only opportunity I got…” are inspirational to me as I prepare to bat. You never know when your lucky break will come, for most of us it never happens but you need to put yourself into the position and remind yourself that you could be noticed by anyone at any time. Apply yourself with 150% energy always and chances are you will succeed.  

Listening to Kiss from a Rose by Seal on Seal (1994) [?]

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