Bittersweet, cacophony?

Well, as promised I shall recap the weekend.

Saturday:-

I pretty much just slept in on Saturday as I had a busy-ish Friday night: work drinks, dinner… In the evening, went to Bot C with 12 of my closest. Then to Bot B, then to MB. Was a great great great great night.

Sunday:-

Spent with wee P. Which was great… As it always is… Received character assassinating SMS from a certain people for a good part of the day.  Made me realise how unreasonable some seemingly intelligent/reasonable people can be.

P

The weekend. What will it bring?

Following, I shall explain the plans of my weekend. On Sunday, I shall explain what actually happened.

Ok, so after work tonight we’re having drinks. Free drinks! That is always good fun. I also want to get a top for tomorrow night and then will meet M as we are going for drinks for TS’s farewell. Ick, but it’s at the Union. Oh how I dislike that place. Especially on a Friday night.

Tomorrow is my birthday bash. Bot C then Bot B. Group of 15 or so… Should be fun. Then Sunday is recovery.

I really need to read a few chapters of text over the weekend too. I am behind but the next A isn’t due until the 2nd.

Yesterday was a hoot by the way. Of course, it was my birthday which is always exciting -not. Got exam results for MAR -C!!! Also, submitted the MAN A finally…

Anyways, enough… PG

15-16 September

My last blog outlined my intentions for the weekend: this shall confirm them.

Had to get up early on Saturday morning which wasn’t pleasant, as I had to meet Rick for lunch in town. I met him at midday at the Brecknock Hotel. It was great to catch up with the man as I haven’t seen him in ages. We talked about him injury; his trip to Niue and country code top-level domains; my new job and study. It was great. The food was nice too. I had a basic lime and chilli squid dish which was as good a pub fare as I have had anywhere.

Afterwards, sat down on Gouger waiting for Maria to come into town. Sat at T Bar and had myself a Russian Caravan and read some Plane Insanity. Chatted with Maria when she arrived, for a couple of hours. Just about the usual I suppose. Mostly about the events of the evening before: the farewell do for Toby, Richie, Steven, Matt and Gavin. Apparently the Buddha Bar is a little “to be desired”.

Went with Maria to Village Cellars to get my celebratory vino for the HD that I promised myself. Sounds wanky, but I made an agreement with myself. Was going to get the Moet, settled for a Villa Maria Pinot Noir instead. From the Marlborough region of New Zealand. Blenheim to be exact. Was lovely later on in the evening with Adrian and the family over the BBQ.

After the whole family thing, decided to go out into town with Todd and gang. Hadn’t met Todd until this occasion but he, and his friend Angus are pretty cool. Had a hell of a night (in a good) way, which is refreshing. Danced a little; socialised a lot; drank heaps. Even, due to Angus’ lead mind you, ducked across the road to the bottle shop to get a bottle of white which we consumed, straight from the bottle out the front of Bar on Gouger. Now that is sophistication!

Crashed at Todd and Chris’s for the night. Which was great of them (thanks) and didn’t get home until after lunch today. I still feel seedy. Oh, and of course, I didn’t participate in the C2B. Oh well. Weekends are my time not work bonding time unfortunately. Plus it was stormy and wet this morning so it wouldn’t have been the best for a 12km “stroll”.

P.S. Saw a guy I know, Andrew throughout the day which was freaky. At T Bar initially and then when I was at MB who should be there too. We shared a wave, that was about all… 

Farina by the Trims

Today was a regular, dull day at work, so I shan’t go on at length about that. Afterwards, I met with Matt for dinner at Farina -a new restaurant at the basement level of my building.

From street level, it’s hard to know what to expect, but on descending the stairs to the basement level of the old stone building, the staff immediately made us feel warm and sat us at the rather ample marble table for two. No wonky furniture here: it’s all tasteful, new and of the finest quality. The wine and food proved that way too. I chose the potato gnocchi with beef cheeks, thyme, nutmeg and tomato sugo. Honestly, it would have been rather plain and “stew”-like if it weren’t for the nutmeg which really gave the dish a subtle edge. It was lovely. Matthew chose the pizza of duck, capsicum, pine nuts and lemon thyme. I tried a piece and it too, was great.

The stand-out at Farina is the service. Not at all pushy; very knowledgeable, friendly and always there when ya’ need them. I’ll be back.

P