Catching Flies.

So I’m sitting in the day unit getting my monthly Intragram treatment which starts at 9:30am and goes until 4:30 – 5:00 in the day unit of the hospital.
This way I get to go home to my sleep in my own bed and spoon with my pillow. I’m back again for the day tomorrow.

Then to the B.M.X. track to live kind of normally.

Charles Bukowski, (a writer who was alcoholic, wrote about realism and was part of the beat movement, a very brutal and gritty writer), spent a lot of time at the track.
(although he would go to a betting track). (a slightly different environment, it’s definitely a more wholesome environment at the b.m.x. track).

My family had a few race horses as I grew up we had them stabled at the Gold Coast Turf Club.
I remember feeding one of our horses, I would have been 8 – 9 and I was wearing a white T shirt.

I remember it so vividly because one of our horses sneezed point blank on me and my white T shirt had green polka dots instantly.
I groaned and my Dad laughed at me, I was covered in horse snot.


Anyway, I fell asleep in my chair in the day unit while getting my Intragram. (probably with my mouth open).
I woke and I was on my last bottle late in the afternoon. Brilliant!
It was just like flying.
Sort of…
Without the straight scotch and glass of water.

Sore.

My son had his first ‘racing incident’, (beef), the other night at B.M.X. racing.

He was in his second race of the night after coming 4th or 5th in his first race and normally I would be kind and say well done but I thought I would try another angle this time to see how it worked, so in true supportive parenting style I said “you can do better than that”.. In a stony emotionless manner.

So he does his second race, gets a good start, gets caught up in the middle of the pack in about 4th and I have been encouraging him to overtake other riders, to find a gap and go for it, as I can see he has good speed, (maybe also because I’m so competitive and he is too I can see it in him, it just needs nurturing).
He finds a gap and goes for it. Unfortunately it is on a double, (a jump), when other riders are sailing through the air.
On the other side of the jump when the other riders are carrying a lot of momentum a rider has my son in his place and inevitably they tangle and go down to fine gravel track.

I cringed and felt terrible. (the reverse psychology worked too well).

He was a bit shaken up, he had some dirt on his riding gear from coming off but he was ok, I got him back on his bike and he did his next race.

He was curious about what it was like to have a crash during a race and had a taste of it. It’s not nice but it’s not that bad unless you really hurt yourself.

I can say that after countless times of getting a pedal in the shinbone, slamming my nuts on the frame, or just plain eating it and losing skin on my bikes over the years.

Anyway his bike is being looked at and being given a once over by a guy that has a cycle store in Nobby Beach, Queensland, Australia, some of the best cyclists in the world either ride for his shop or have been there.
Nobby’s is where my hair salon is and my apartment where I resided on and off since 2001.

It’s really nice. A sublime area that is only a few blocks wide.
I LOVED living there.
I have so many fond memories of living there up until I became ill.
Good old Nobby’s!

His B.M.X. comes back from the John’s cycle shop today.
I think I’m more excited about it than my son is.

There is race practice tonight and a club race on Friday evening.



I go into hospital for my monthly two days of I.V.I.G. treatment tomorrow and Friday.
Again a cold is trying to get hold of my body, it seems that a cold tries to get hold of me every month.

I really hope that having a cold doesn't make it harder for my body to receive what the I.V.I.G. is doing..

My immune system is very depleted.

A mate of mine just came back from seeing his uncle in Melbourne who just had chemotherapy.

Where I go for my I.V.I.G. treatment in the hospital the medical staff treat chemo patients, they wear protective clothing and protective glasses when handling it.

It is poisonous stuff.

A close friend has to fly to Melbourne for a funeral of a mutual friend’s lost fight against cancer.
Another very close friend’s Nan is in hospital fighting for her life at the moment too.

Cancer is a FILTHY disease!

The only constellation I can draw from is that some people find peace rather than suffering.

Farmers Tan.

A.N.Z.A.C. day is an unofficial public holiday in Australia, (although I think it should be), a day that remembers all of the Australian and New Zealand military service people that have and are serving for our country’s.
In the U.K. it’s called red poppy day.
To signify the marine landings on the Dardanelle’s.
The A.N.Z.A.C. forces greatest loss was a suicidal attempt to capture Gallipoli in Turkey.

It is a day of having a barbeque with friends, solving the problems of the world over a cold beer, a day of two up and of course remembering and celebrating the way of life we have because of the price that these men and women paid.

I can’t imagine the insanity of war it would be horrible.

Most young people will never comprehend it as some people bravely actively serve their country by choice.

In some country’s it is mandatory to do national service for a year at least. (which i personally think is a VERY good idea).

I wasn't in the military at all but heaps of people went on to serve their country after training in cadets at Scots P.G.C. College. If it didn't make you hard as nails it taught you respect.
I did cadets for grade 11 & 12 and we were immersed in the military and patriotism as it was a co educational Scottish - Australian country boarding school doing things like bivouac, lots of shooting, marching in parades, advance party, drills, discipline and good times.
(i played the game but i made sure i had my fun).

One year for the A.N.Z.A.C. memorial service I was cenotaph guard, (the war memorial monument where the service is normally held in a park or garden in all australian towns), standing to attention with a weapon for 2-3 hours at the memorial during the laying of floral wreaths while the service took place.

I got very sunburned.

I Was so Excited a Little Bit of Wee Came Out.

I bought the newest album by Montreal based 5 piece band 'The Dears' the other day EXCEPTIONAL is the only word I can think of when describing their latest effort 'Missiles'.

Ok I am biased because I LOVE this band.

Give it a try; if you are a fan, want some music on while you paint, drink, drive, fly, cut hair, do housework or study ETC.

If you like dramatic, intense music give these guys a play, or even better see them live if you get the chance!

Some of Lifes Riches.

I have gone to Port Douglas, (north of cairns on the central coast of queensland australia), for a friend’s 60th birthday.

He is a successful doctor that now lives in Perth and travels around the country performing surgery on people. (kind of mercenary medical work…..well not at all really). (it just sounds good).

They lived in our street as I grew up in Bronte, his wife and he had 3 children marginally younger than I.
My sister and I were very close to them and subsequently we all went on our own paths and lost touch, but like all old family friends, we have a very soft spot for them.
These are the type of people make all the bad things seem not so bad and make me feel rich.

I was pessimistic because I have so much on and am VERY limited to what I can do in a day.
But I am very glad I came.

I was also hesitant to come up here because the last time I was here I was flown up to do hair at a wedding.
The wedding was beautiful, in a beautiful place, with a blend of really beautiful people and beautiful company with some VERY beautiful wedding hair being done of course!
(too heavy on the beautiful)?..

Well it was very surreal and I have been worried about replacing those memories with these ones.

But that’s why they are called memories.




On another note; if you’re a driver like me the road from Cairns to Port Douglas is amazing!

An Example of Kindness.

Don't wake me I'm planning on sleeping in..

The Easter weather has been overcast and drizzly, perfect weather for being a couch warmer.

After PhilTRON I just wanted to rest, it really took it out of me.
Unfortunately I am a shadow of my former self. (when it comes to being a socialite. or maybe that's my age talking).

Gattaca was on the TV. (a really good sci-fi film).

Then I went to the wedding of a very close friend.
She looked beautiful.

Happy Easter!
Eat heaps of chocolate..

The Morning After.

What an A M A Z I N G night!

Not in my wildest dreams had I thought such a concept was possible.
I got sick pretty much exactly one year ago and I am so happy that such a negative life changing event has been replaced with such a good event.
I vehemently oppose self pity and rather than think about how this time last year my entire life changed I have been kept busy with this wonderful project made possible by everyone involved.

I gave a quick speech. Quick being the operative word.

There was SO much I had to say, but I had to cut it off somewhere, the main message was a HUGE thank you.

There was a moment just before I spoke, whilst on the guiding and protective arm of my bigger sister Nicole, I paused for a moment and realized that I was surrounded by friends and loved ones and they had all traveled for one reason.
Overwhelming to say the least, for a stubborn independent young man like me.

I composed myself but I had a lump in my throat that was there all night.


My good friends Mark Duckworth, Claudio Kirac and Casey Steele masterminded things and they did an unbelievable job.

From the sound, (andy), my family, lighting, (paul), Milly and family, to the artists and of course the punters who came T H A N K Y O U.

I saw people I haven't seen in years...

A.M.P. even made a very rare appearance.

If you were lucky enough to have picked up a painted skateboard deck, congratulations and of course thank you!

The art was incredible, (those pieces are a one off, you can't get any rarer).

We had so many people that wanted to give something that we had to say ‘next year’ because there was no way we could raffle off everything.
With so much doom and gloom in the world it is so refreshing to have to say “we have too much to give away”.

I would have liked to said a proper hello to everyone but I simply couldn't. (also a very impersonal atmosphere for conversation).
I gave it a red hot go though…

I had 5 cans of Red Bull to give me energy to see the night through and I still didn’t make it.
I tried to have some quiet time but that wasn’t going to happen, in the end I went to the toilet for solace.
Too funny. (peace with wee and poo)..

If I didn’t talk to you I am so sorry, I hope you enjoyed the night, I did.

Even if it wasn’t a fundraiser it was a stellar event and I am VERY glad.

Bring on next year!.. After we rest...

T H A N K Y O U !

The Hottest Ticket in Town.

Doors open at 7:30pm sharp & close at 12:00am sharp.



See you there for air kisses!... ...Maybe.

Spread the Word! (I am Still a Hoodlum). (But I'm Not Endorsing That)...

As you can see the PhilTRON event is here.
(philtron means "love" in ancient greek, just happens to be my name and a seriously cool 1980's sci-fi film).
(do you're homework if you haven't seen it).
We didn't unveil it until we felt it was polished to our liking, in true GC styles.

A VERY impressive line up of people.

Now the only thing that we can't put on the poster is YOU.
It will be an incredible event.

Now go forth and spread the word!

I put up so many posters that I ran out.
So I printed a heap at my mum's until the ink toner in her printer ran out.. Oops.

I gave them all out and did some paste up work.


www.myspace.com/philtronevent

Phil Tron if you're a facebooker.

Good One!

I had my monthly visit to the hospital to receive 2 days of I.V.I.G. and I spoke to the neurologist that diagnosed me.

He told me that the antibodies in my system affecting me have been decreased by the treatment.

The normal percentage of antibodies should be 5 or less.
Last year when I was diagnosed my antibodies were over 90.

Last Thursday the neurologist said my antibodies were fewer than 5 again, so it has had a dramatically positive affect.
Over time the treatment will reduce the build up of antibodies in my cerebellum.
HOPEFULLY returning me to the normal me.

I have been secretly VERY worried that what has been a HUGE disruption to me will also affect my two beautiful children at some point through their lives.

I didn’t know how they would test my children for this and have been quietly stressing that this filthy affliction would strike them too.

The neurologist assured me that what I have is an autoimmune illness and is NOT hereditary.

Thank goodness!

One less thing to worry about.



Bring on PhilTRON!

PhilTRON.

French Kisses.

On Tuesday March 21st I went to a venue in Brisbane to watch 2 bands from France play with a good friend.

M83 and The Do.

M83 is an electro band and was on my list of one of the best albums from last year, really cool music.

They played ‘don't save us from the flames’ the first song that I heard from this band, it's as good live as it is recorded, except seeing and hearing it live gave me goose bumps.

The Do, (dough), caught me by surprise.
They were very energetic live and I confess I have only heard them on the radio, but their live sound was not how I imagined.
On the radio I thought them to be a darling two piece. They did this live but put on a really good show too.

I did my thing and hit the merch table.

Information.

For those new to this.
Thank You for taking the time to read my updates, please check it often I try to update it daily.
My condition causes me to fatigue from talking, so writing is a bit easier for me.
You might want to read the updates from the archives to gain knowledge on what has happened so far.
In particular: 17.11.08 & 25.11.08

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