Luna Park

We've promised to take the boys to Luna Park the last 2 times we were in Australia, so this time we had to come trough.  And thanks to the organisation of Kel we went and spent the day at an old childhood haunt.  Mum used to take me here when I was really young.  It was so long ago, you could get in for free if you bought 3 Stork margarine lids (yep, I'm that old).  That all came to an end in 1979 after the horrific Ghost Train Fire.  A tragedy which closed the park for 16 years.  It would be another 9 years of openings and closing before it went back to business as usual in 2004.

We went full tourist today, catching the train down from Gosford to Milson's Point and getting to the park at near midday.  And a beautiful day it was!  Sun shining, shorts and t-shirts in the middle of winter. Couldn't ask for more.  And what a great day.  We watched the kids ride the Tango Train, the Volare, The Hair Raiser, the Carousel and the Ferris Wheel.  We all then went into Coney Island.  This was always my favorite spot as a kid, though it didn't seem to have the same appeal as what it used to.  Anyway I even got on the slides and the kids did the Turkey Trot, Joy Wheel and Barrels of Fun before we headed back outside for them to ride some more.  And watch out fearless cousin L go on The Big Dipper and the Sledgehammer.  Better her than me!

It was a great day, in that we got to share it with cousins and Nanny, and it was great to be back at a place I haven't been to since my early childhood.  Great fun had by all - even riding the night train home.

Kel, M, Me, L, B, L & Nanny @ Luna Park

L, L, M & B on THe Tango Train @ Luna Park

Me @ Luna Park

Me, M, Kel, L, Jase, L, B & Nanny at the end of the day @ Luna Park

Colombia v South Korea @ Allianz Stadium

We're in Australia and the Women's World Cup is on.  How could we not go to a game!  Even though we couldn't get Australia tickets, and the US is playing in New Zealand, this was still a spectacle to behold.

After driving home after the Yeah Yeah Yeahs last night, it was back on the freeway and into the same parking space for the game next door at the Allianz Stadium (I know it's a completely new stadium, but it will always be the Sydney Football Stadium to me).  This time with B, L, Dad and Kathleen in tow.

We got there pretty early and soaked in the atmosphere around the ground.  I was confident there would be a good contingent of South Korea fans, but I was really surprised by the amount of Colombians that were there - and in large groups at that.

We got into the stadium pretty easy and watched the Colombian team warm up.  Then we made the hike up to our seats.  We weren't given a choice when I bought the tickets yesterday, but I thought Row AA would be good.  It was actually the 4th last row - way up in the nosebleeds.  Oh well!  Once I calmed down about the height it was all about enjoying the game.

The crowd around us was evenly supporting South Korea and Colombia, but we chose Colombia, as their national anthem was much more upbeat. The game started evenly with South Korea maybe having a slight advantage.  South Korean Son Hwa-Yeon seemed strong on the ball and was causing some problems with movement around the pitch.  But in the 30th minute a handball in the box allowed Colombia to take the lead. Catalina Usme sent the keeper the wrong way, and Colombia were fortunate to be up 1-0.  Less than 10 minutes later Linda Caicedo got Colombia's second.  This time from a mistake by Korean keeper, Yoon Young-Guel.  A relatively gentle shot slipped through the keepers hands (above her head) and into the back of the net.  You know she's made that save a million times, but at the worst possible moment, it didn't go as planned.  I felt bad for her.

After going into the half up 2-0, Colombia came back out and took control of the game.  While their attacks weren't completely effective, they killed the game when Korea got the ball, not giving them an inch.

Nearing the end of the game we went down to the exit level and watched injury time closer to the pitch, and were there when the final whistle went.  Viva Colombia!

We picked up a World Cup shirt for mom on the way out.  Though got nothing for ourselves.  A great day had by all and an experience I hope the boys remember for years to come.

Colombia 2- Catalina Usme (30 min penalty), Linda Caicedo (30) defeated South Korea 0

Colombia: C. Perez, D. Arias, J. Carabali, M. Venagas, L. Santos (M. Restrepo 76 min), D. Montoya (D. Ospina Garcia 87 min), L. Bedoya Durango, C. Usme, M. Ramirez, L. Caicedo.

South Korea: Y. Young-Guel, L, Seon-Joo, S. Seo-Yeon, K. Hye-Ri, J. Sel-Gi, C. Hyo-Joo (M, Mi-Ra 88 min), J. So-Yun (P, Eun-Sun 68 min), L. Geum-Min, C. Yu-Ri (C. Phair 78 min), S, Hwa-Yeon (K. Chae-Rim 68 min).

Crowd: 24,323

Yeah Yeah Yeahs & Automatic @ Hordern Pavilion

I like to take any opportunity to see a good show, but to have the chance to do it when I'm back at home is always a blessing.  So when timeing saw the Yeah Yeah Yeahs at an old haunt, the Hordern Pavilion, how could I say no.  

I even got Moz to come along with me.  The only other time I've seen the Yeah Yeah Yeahs was with Moz at Coachella in 2009.  We met at Mary's just outside the front doors for dinner before the show.  I love that in Australia you can still sit outside and eat dinner in the middle of winter (but also because of some well placed heat lamps).

The Hordern is smaller than I remember.  I've seen a lot of shows in there: Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bodycount, Alice In Chains and more, where a frenzied floor took you all over the place.  The complete opposite of that occured with Automatic.  I didn't go for them and I'm not sure the rest of the crowd cared too much - though no one was rubbishing them.

The crowd picked up when the Yeah Yeah Yeahs hit the stage.  And why wouldn't they?  Karen O's energy from the start was on fire.  As was her voice.  Such a unique voice!  This would have to be one of the hardest bands to cover, just for her voice alone.  3 songs in, Black Tongue, and I was fully hooked.  Rockers To Swallow followed that - the only ong they did off Is Is.  A third of the set contained songs from the new album Cool It Down. I didn't know them but they mixed there way into the set really well.  Soft Shock lead in 3 new songs in a row and they finished the main set with Maps and an amazing crowd-dancing-confetti-bombing Heads Will Roll.  Y Control and a faster Date With The Night were the 2 song encore, that had everyone buzzing as they left.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs @ Hordern Pavilion

I know it is good for the band overall that Karen O has "it".  You can't not watch her (like Nick Cave, or Iggy Pop, or Les Claypool), and that voice draws you in even further.  Many times you forget that a great band is playing behind her, and tonight was no exception.

I wish I'd bought the boys (not that they're into the Yeah Yeah Yeahs), as tomorrow I have to come all the way back to next door to see the Women's World Cup.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs setlist

The Crap Facts:

This is my 488th concert.
This is my 22nd concert at the Hordern Pavilion.
This is my 29th concert in Moore Park.
This is my 186th concert in New South Wales.
This is my 189th concert in Australia.
Automatic are the 557th band I've seen.
This is my 2nd Yeah Yeahs concert.

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs are the 100th band I've seen in at least 2 states.

Magic Dirt @ Entrance Leagues Club

23 years since I last saw Magic Dirt (playing at the Gold Coast Big Day Out in 2000).  How lucky they are playing at The Entrance Leagues Club while I'm at home.  It was a no-brainer that K & I would go to the show.

With some time to kill we drove down to The Entrance to have some dinner.  Unfortuantely this is not the place I remember as a kid, or a teenager for that matter.  This once vibrant tourist town is a shadow of its former self.  Gone are the bingo halls, pinball parlours, and people in general.  We drove past quite a few empty restaraunts before heading to Saigon Chopsticks, where we had dinner.  I don't dine at many different places since we left Vegas 10 years ago, but I still am a fan of a nice meal in a Fine dining restaurant.  Having said that, I do miss the casualness of Australia, and the Central Coast in particular.  This restaurant was the epitome of that.  We could've been in someone's dining room it was that casual.  But the food was outstanding (as is usually the case for Asian food in Australia).

I had been trying to find out all day what time Magic Dirt were coming on, but getting no help from the club.  So it was a bit of a suprise to get there at 8pm only to find out they weren't on till 10.30pm.  Shit!  Anyway K & I ended up getting a drink and just talking in front of the footy in one of the lounges.  After so many years apart it's always good to catch up on some rare one on one time with my sister.  We walked into the venue, got our spot and it wasn't long before Magic Dirt were on stage and tearing into the Young & Full of the Devil album, which they are playing in full to celebrate its 25th year.  She RIff and Rabbit With Fangs are the only 2 songs I know off the album, but Adilita and her boys played the album like their life depended on it.  Once the album was done, they launched into Redhead, my favorite Magic Dirt song.  It was a ripper.  Worth travelling half wasy accross the world just to hear that song.  A very cool version of Dirty Jeans finished off the 13 song set and Magic Dirt walked off to a (finally) hyped up crowd.  Moments later they came back on to finish it all with Bring Me The Head Of...

This is my 7th time seeing Magic Dirt.  They have come a long way since I saw them play in the front bar at Max's at Petersham back in 1993.  That night they were playing between bands, who in the main room.  People were shuffling out between Screamfeeder, Crow and Pavement.  I believe it was there first ever Sydney show.  They didn't do much to impress me then, but each subsequent show got better.  Their Gold Coast Big Day out show in 2000 was mid-afternoon awesomeness.  I'm glad they're still playing, and tearing it up on stage.  I wish I was old enough (and in the right place) to enjoy the great sounds of G-Troit back in the day.  I finished the night by grabbing a vinyl copy of Signs of Satanic Youth so I can relive Redhead over and over again.

Magic Dirt Setlist

The Crap Facts:

This is my 487th concert.
The Entrance Leagues Club is the 134th venue I've seen a concert at.
Bateau Bay is the 56th city I've seen concert in.
This is my 185th concert in New South Wales.
This is my 188th concert in Australia.
This is my 7th Magic Dirt concert.

Parramatta Eels v Gold Coast Titans @ CommBank Stadium

My first Rugby League game in 27 years.  Yikes!  And the boys first ever.

Thanks to legendary Michael Cronin (my brother-in-law's brother-in-law) and the also legenday Peter Wynn, the boys, nanny & my sister's family got 8 incredible seats (in the Michael Cronin Stand, no less) to see th Eels play the Gold Coast Titans - a team that didn't even exist the last time I went to a league match.

We drove down early and started at Peter Wynn's Score to pick up our extra tickets and meet Peter himself.  What a gentleman!  I remember watching him play for Parramatta when I was a kid.  He always had that sports store, and it looks like game days are good to him.  The store was packed, but he made sure to spend time with everyone that walked through the door.  And the amount of time he spent with us was amazing.  He really hyped up the boys for their first league game and talked to, and shook hands with, all of us.  I am honored and humbled to be able to use his tickets, which are the 4 next to the Cronins.  

Peter Wynn-signed ball for B&L

Near the CommBank Stadium is Club Parramatta, where we had our pub dunch (as L like to call it).  While a limited menu, because of the volume of people coming in before the match, still some good food.  

L, M, Nanny, L & B @ Club Parramatta

A quick walk over the river and we are at the stadium.  Turns out CommBank Stadium is in the same spot as the old Parramatta Stadium, where I last say Wests v Cronulla in a semi-final in 1996.  We are in the 7th row on the 22 years line.  Perfect!  as for the footy - it was great.  A biased Parramatta crowd giving to the referee non-stop, and just a great back and forth for 80 minutes.  Parramatta ended up winning by the slimmest of margins 25-24.  A Moses field goal the difference on the day.

J, Nanny, K & Me @ CommBank Stadium

We stuck around after the game as the Parra players came out to meet the fans, as footballs and merchandise were thrown into the crowd.  I managed to score a mini-footy for the boys, only after dropping a real sized ball moments earlier.  Another great first experience for the boys, which I don't think they get at this age, but will hopefully appreciate one day.  And the opprotunity to do it with family, made it all the better.

Parramatta Eels 25 (R.Campbell-Gillard, W. Penisini, B. Cartwright, C. Gutherson tries: M. Moses 3 goals, field goal) vs Gold Coast Titans 24 (A. Khan-Pereeria 2, P. Sami, T. Boyd tries; T. Boyd 4 goals).

Crowd: 12,599

Sunshine Coast

So we've been in Australia for 2 weeks, doing the family thing. On the 7th Mom, was flying back to the US, so I booked flights for me, B & L to go to the Sunshine Coast and catch up with some friends who I haven't seen since at least 5 years ago when I was here last.

We only had a couple hours wait with Robbie before we were on any easy 2 hour flight to Maroochydore. We were picked up by Tawnie and taken to the Kern's house. Kern, Robbie, Luke, & Luvvo I've known for 35 years, and they've known each other longer, so even after 5 years, when we get together, it's like it was last weekend. Kern has a couple of boys, SK & BK, around B &L's age. They were weirdly wary of each other for about an hour, when they started playing a game on the trampoline. That was it - they were as good a friends as the adults were. They were inseparable for the weekend. After spending the afternoon at Alexandra Headland Beach, we had an evening in at the Kerns and were joined by the Luvvos, the Marshes and Creany. Just fantastic to see everyone.

S, L, B & B at Alexandra Headland Beach, Queensland

Saturday morning was BK's soccer match in the morning, then we headed up to the Cooroy Bowls Club. Taken over by Your Mates Brewery, this casual Bowls Club does a barefoot Saturday afternoon for all and sundry. So about 20 of us had a bowl and a couple of beers. B & L did really well for 2 kids that had never heard of bowls before today. The did Grandddad Great proud. Fun afternoon in a Queensland "winter".

Your Mates Brewery @ Cooroy Bowls Club

After bowls it was off to Noosaville and a night at the Luvvos. As soon as we got there, all the boys (kid boys, not adult boys - gotta distinguish that now) headed into the backyard and were playing soccer like theyd known each other 24 years - not 24 hours. Luvvos, Kerns, Marshes, Creans, Robbie and even Hayden and his 2 girls enjoyed the evenings barbie, music and catch up around the fire. A tinge of sadness that I don't do this more often couldn't beat the overwhelming happiness of the night for me. Catching up with great mates and a second generation forging new friendships. Very cool. We all stayed in various parts of the Luvvo house. A couple of caravans parked in the driveway, B, L & I had the guest house, while the main house filled out with a tom other people.

A barbeque breakfast made for a slow start to Sunday morning, but once we cleaned up, it was back to the Kerns for lunch before Kern, Robbie & I went out to Mudjimba Beach and hung out for the afternoon. The kids were somewhere in their own world. From there we took Rob back to the airport, and then spent the evening at the the Kerns in Buderim.

Me, Bob & Kern @ Mudjuimba Beach

On Monday Queensland kids went back to school after their winter break. This was the perfect opportunity for L, B & I to go to Australia Zoo. Just an absolute ripper of a day. Perfect weather and barely anyone in the park. We saw literally every animal as B controlled the map. And we spent a full 7 hours in the park. The highlight was wathcing the boys feeding and patting the kangaroos - not something they'd get to do most days. Also was a big fan of the Crocoseum. You can definitely see the legacy of Steve Irwin when you seen the show they put on. One last, exhausted night with the Kerns. What a treat! It was special to finally meet his boys and see the life they have set up for themselves on the Sunshine Coast. And to see our boys mucking around like we did as kids (and in out 20's) was just the best.

L & B @ Australia Zoo

Obligitory Koala Picture @ Australia Zoo

Kangaroo Feeding Area @ Australia Zoo

On the Tuesday morning, after the Kerns left for work and school we were picked up by Aunty Trish and driven out to Mooloolabah, where we met my cosuin and her family for lunch at the surfclub. It was great to spend time with Trish, Kara, Cameron and Archie. Again, these trips back to Australia only come about once in a blue moon, so any chance for a catch up is a blessing. Trish drove us out to the airport and the boys and I said farewell to a magic 4 nights on the Sunshine Coast - their first venture ouside Sydney and the Central Coast, and only my 2nd visit there (the first in nearly 30 years).

Till next time