How bout 'Mo'?

  Queenstown, New Zealand
Monday, October 31, 2005

'Tashtober' - 2005



Well, the 'Big Night' is over. What a farce. Thankfully, there were a few different categories of award designed to cover the vast diversity of style and growth of the 'Mo'. By the time I'd trimmed and tweaked mine in the bathroom mirror, I'd found my category. And there could be only one: The Encouragement Award. After all, I looked no different to some young, teenage runt who'd not long found himself immersed in the ongoing pains of puberty, nursing and nurturing the few girly strands of bum fluff in a desperate attempt to become a man. I looked pathetic. But that was fine cos' at least I fitted a category, and surely, no one else could possibly beat 'this loser'.

Yet, still they did! The winner of the so-called encouragement award stood proud on stage, one hand rubbing his prickly stubble, the other clutching his prize.

The Real - man award went to Millsy (the nutter from the house warming party) who, to be fair, looked like one of those vicious, growling bare-knuckle fighters from back in the twenties. He looked part man, part beast, leaving you to only wonder whether you'd actually see any of him if he was to let it grow a few more months.

Having had the last few days off and plenty of sun to sit in, it's been a relaxing time. After returning from a lazy stroll in to town and back yesterday, I got home to make the rare discovery that all us housemates were actually in at the same time. We of course took full advantage of this (and the sizzling heat) and assembled ourselves tightly on the bed-sized balcony outside with a few beers and snacks. The barbie got lit and we all sat back to admire the burning coals. I'd already agreed (or rather, promised) to have a night with the Mannion last night for a proper catch up, so when she rang to start the ball rolling she was immediately invited over to the barbecue to meet the housies and see the fantastic new abode. Mannion was just...Mannion, and it turned out to be a top afternoon/evening where the climax involved Jez and myself with tired eyes and bloated bellies, banging out a few tunes on the guitars (breaking another 'G' string in the process.) I left with the Mannion shortly after and headed in to town for our catch up, which, once again never seemed to materialise as we spent the night constantly bumping in to familiar faces - as is always the case. The time we did manage to catch however was good enough. She's doing fine - all 'loved up', good job, nice place and looking in to the whole immigration thing having just returned from England to say her goodbyes. All is good in the world of Mannion.

I had the most comfortable night's sleep I've had in months last night, all thanks to my new bed. After weeks of looking, I finally hunted down a cheap one and had it delivered yesterday. Having gone from van to house and spending the last two months on the floor, the luxury of slumbering on a proper mattress was bliss.

(Oh Mick, I bumped in to Chops the other night. The days doing 'the bay run' with Auto are over. He'll never be the same again. He's down here back on the Stray bus doing the full circuit and has been absolutely bored stupid with the miserable bunch of 'tea bags' he's been dragging around. While I was with him, one of his passengers came down from Discovery Lodge to join him for 'socialising'. She was German, in her forties I reckon, who refused all offers of a drink or conversation and under no circumstances was willing to crack even the slightest trace of a smile. Complete ice maiden. I was, for once, completely speechless. I couldn't get over it. Oh and thanks for the cheeky hair comment by the way, you got a result :)