Moment to Shine

Niamh managed to get a 50 dollars voucher for Pint on Punt which helped us buy dinner and drinks which was pleasant change and helped too, that the food was quite tasty.

Tuesday 9th was free cone day at Ben & Jerry's, both, Niamh and me made use of the offer and went back few times, to make full use of the offer. Niamh went back to work, first time since the accident.

My shift on Thursday was for a book launch at the old women's college, which was an different kind of experience. The book is about the relationship with music composition and art.

The high of week has to be Friday evening, when Niamh and me went into Fed Square, for the Friday 2 hour showcase, The Very Big Laughout, as part of comedy festival, which for Niamh seems to be turning into a weekly outing. One of the highlights had to Pedro Tochas, a comedian from Portugal. His act included audience involvement. First ambushed were a couple, all went well until my horror, I was dragged up on stage to take part. The whole experience was totally hilarious even with me been on stage. After the last act, Lords of Strut, who are brill as always, we went to get quick bite to eat, at the pancake parlour where we had a 2 for 1 coupon on short stacks.

My shift at the Hilton on Saturday, was yet again for another Indian wedding, this is turning into a regular occurrence, this one had more of Indian dancing, music, however had various other entertainment acts including a break dancing troupe and a brazilian samba act. After work, finishing just before 3.30 am, a few of us jumped into a taxi towards St Kilda. This ended been one of the funniest cab journey ever, the driver Marcus was retelling us, various antics and showing us some of the txt messages, he had received during the night, which just had us in stitches.

Lords of Strut

After the relaxation of the Easter Monday, it was an early start to get Niamh to her outpatients appointment at the Alfred hospital, for her check up regarding her fractured shoulder. So after the X-rays and consultant, she was informed, she will unable to do any loading or strengthening with her arm and unfit to work for another six weeks. As I was not working, we did few bits such as laundry and shopping before settling in for a Mike & Molly and Nashville marathon.
I myself had a quiet enough week with exciting things at work until Friday, when I ended up working a double shift for a 15 hours day, beginning in the MEC at a dentist convention, serving in excess of 2,300 people with about 1,800 of them being dentists, that was a busy interesting shift.
As I had a 2 hour break, I meet up with Niamh for a quick bite to eat. We ended up at my usual haunt, shock shock Lord of the Fries. We saw a crowd gathered in city square, so after our food, crossed the road. It was part of the Melbourne international comedy festival, the act was from Ireland of all places - The Lords of Strut, who are a dancing aerobatic comedy performing man-band. Both Niamh and me and we think nearly everyone gathered, we in complete stitches of laughter. I for one haven't laughed that much in years. Would so see them again.

As I dashed for a tram to the Hilton for my other shift, Niamh made her way to Fed Sq for the 2 hour comedy showcase early to get a good seat. Some of the acts included Les Chiche Capon, Hilby, Anna Pocket Rocket and Lord of Strut again. The event was MC'd by The Chipolatas. Niamh said was the best way to spend a Friday evening, it was laid back, hilarious and entertaining. Niamh said she was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the MC, they really knew how to keep the crowd entertained and focused.

Meanwhile, my shift at the Hilton, was for a posh traditional Indian wedding. I have not seen anything like it before in person, it was something unreal between the wedding outfits - the Bride in Sari and Groom in Dhoti, various Indian dances, music and food, however an interesting after dinner entertaining was from a Brazilian samba group, who came from Brazil especially for the reception. I finally managed to finish the shift at 2.30 in the morning however I had to get a taxi home, oh well.
The shift the following day, has probably been one of the most soul destroying shifts I've ever done. I guess you can't win them all. On the upside though, on Sunday, we finalised 90 percent of our trip in May, the countdown has begun, can't wait... - 28 days 16 hrs ...