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| Wednesday, February 6th, 2008 | | 3:38 pm |
Hi all
It has been a long time since I've written anything in Livejournal. In short, I am still at my insolvency job in Parramatta, Sydney and working towards my CPA qualification. I am a tax agent now with a small part time business from home. Rachel and I just returned from a great holiday in New Zealand. It was my first time out of the country and what an experience it was. We went to Queenstown for 4 days and Christchurch for 2 days. In between we drove from the north to the south of the south island. The highlight had to be bungee jumping. We took scenic drives on roads that ran along the summits of mountains. What a country. In other developments, we are considering moving to London for 6 months to work and bring us closer to all the wonderful places in Europe and North Africa we would like to see. THis might happen at the end of the year or maybe as early as mid 2008. It has been fun checking your entries and seeing what you've been up to. Coming onto Livejournal always evokes fond memories of my time living in Perth. | | Friday, August 17th, 2007 | | 6:38 pm |
Perth Trip Post Mortem
I had a remarkable time catching up with everyone. My holiday was primarily to just reconnect with the friends I made in Perth. After three years and 3 planned trips I finally made it back and it was well worth it. I wasn't sure what it would be like to see each and everyone of you after all this time but I was very happy to see that it really felt like a seamless continuation. It definitely does *not* feel like it has been 3 years. The trip to Margaret River was of particular highlight. What a great bunch of people to go away with. Everyone was cooperative and considerate setting the scene for a very enjoyable, relaxing and enriching little get away. I fear naming people because I am guaranteed to miss someone but I want to thank the following people for making my holiday so rewarding. Rachael - for everything, you are truly kind and generous. You made my holiday comfortable, enjoyable and filled with entertainment and warmth. For introducing me to Dome. Chris - for being the voice of reason and persevering with the hordes of strange people who stomped through his living space while I was there, including me. Also for wireless internet. Nikki - making me laugh, having me over her house, her companionship and much more. Suze - for her company at her house and reminding me that I am 'old'. Bonnie - for reminding me that I am a creepy old Italian and for chatting with me late at night. Mick - for his great company. Jan - ditto. Kim - great company, hospitality, a comfortable makeshift bed, travel vaccination lessons, domestic rigour and much more. Kristy - great company Ben - same Chris (Muad) same Jonno - for the laughs and for coming on the final night Brigitte - for teaching me about soon-to-be-mothers and the great conversation Elli - for taking me to the airport and for your wonderful company. Anyone else - that i have forgotten to mention. I look forward to seeing you all some time soon. | | Monday, August 6th, 2007 | | 1:09 am |
Perth Holiday
It is great to be back in Perth catching up with old friends. It warms the heart very much. Making new friends is important, but keeping the old friendships is more important. They have stood the test of time, they allow for mutual recollection of important defining moments in life, like opening a photo album and flicking through pictures of cherished moments in time. Times that define you and, as much as we sometimes wish it weren't true, it is equally comforting that they know and understand you well, have seen you rise and fall, win and lose, and remember times you've forgotten. There is a vulnerability that only has a privelege in a friend you've had for years, the kind of vulnerability that is safe around someone you've known for a long time. A good friendship is a diamond, rough to start but polished to perfection over time. | | Wednesday, August 1st, 2007 | | 4:43 pm |
What about this one?
Nikki you helped me make these pictures if I remember. Back when we were young and flippant doing crazy things. This face is coming to your town, Perth in 3 days. Be scared, be very scared! | | 3:36 pm |
Perth
3 days! (Remember this picture! I didn't even realize it was still on the server) | | Tuesday, July 24th, 2007 | | 7:39 pm |
Perth Holiday
It is getting closer to my trip to Perth and I am growing in excitement and even nervousness to how I may feel once I catch up with everyone that I was close to when I lived there. I have mentioned it before but it is worthy of mentioning again. On Sunday, August 5th from 3pm to sometime in the evening, we are having a reunion get together at Rachael's house. Snacks and finger food will be provided and maybe limited amounts of alcohol. Should be fun and intriguing for everyone to see people they haven't seen in years! If anyone is interested send me an email and I will provide further details. In the meantime, if anyone has any clue as to the contacts of the following people I would be grateful because I have no idea where they have ended up. Don and Denise Amanda and Andrew Lauren James (Romeo) Taby Thanks and looking forward to seeing a whole bunch of you in 12 days time!! | | Monday, July 16th, 2007 | | 12:00 pm |
Holiday to Perth 4-14 August
The time is drawing nearer for me to return to the place that was my second home for a 5 years and I am becoming very excited!! I am very much looking forward to catching up with a bunch of people. It is going to be weird and wonderful. For those interested, a get together is being held at Rachael's place on Sunday afternoon on August 5th. It will be BYO and I am not sure whether it's going to be a barbecue at this stage. I am still considering just having it at a tavern somewhere like at Hillary's. (hey Rach we need to discuss this new idea I have). This will be a kind of reunion and people past and present are being invited. If you are interested in coming send me an email on anthony.bagala@gmail.com and I will give you some details of the afternoon. | | Friday, June 15th, 2007 | | 11:32 am |
Trip to Perth 4 August - 14 August
After 3 years of leaving Perth to return to Sydney I have finally bitten the bullet and bought a ticket to return to Perth for a holiday. Well actually, I make it sound like I bought a ticket yesterday but I actually bought it a month ago. You know me, lazy about updating on Livejournal in the last few years. I arrive in Perth on Saturday, 4th of August and leave on Tuesday 14th August. Rachel is taking me in for a few days and so is Suze (for those who know her). Money has been a bit of a struggle in the last few years but I have wanted to come so badly on many occasions. I am extremely looking forward to catching up with all the people who made my life what it was in Perth. Some, I have seen during their trips to Sydney since I left but others, I have not seen in 3 years. Some of my best friends in Perth I have not seen in 3 years so it is going to be special to see them again. It is going to be amazing. I’ve also been discussing the idea of having a Perth reunion party during my visit. It would be unreal to turn back the clock and have a good old party with the old familiar faces. This reunion party is planned for either the 4th of August or the 5th of August. I am not entirely sure where this party will be held so if anyone is interested in hosting let me know. I promise to clean up and pay for any expenses. I am also hoping to have a video night where we watch some of the home movies I recorded during the years I lived in Perth. Some of these are bound to bring about red faces. I can’t wait to see you all! | | Sunday, January 7th, 2007 | | 6:47 pm |
2006 Highlights & wrap up
1) Buying second house 2) Starting job in insolvency 3) Playing tennis, jogging, eating healthy and losing a lot of weight 4) Holiday to Brisbane 5) Holiday to Port Stephens 4 times including going quad biking 6) Leaving the awful job I was in throughout 2005. 7) Gabriels surprise 40th birthday party 8) Rachael and Rachel's surprise birthday for me at Belgian Beer Cafe and the Hunter Valley 9) Australia's world cup success 10) Cutting my hair short. Low Points 1) Looking for work 2) Career disilussionment Goals for 2007 1) Keep finances tight and see capital growth in investments 2) Start my own tax and accounting business on the side 3) Continue with fitness and lose another 10 kilos reaching ideal bodyweight 4) Go to Perth 5) Commence CPA program and finish 2 or 3 subjects. 6) Apply for tax agents registration license. | | 5:26 pm |
Nostalgic
In a moment to myself I have found myself in a reflective mood and pulled out some of my home movies of the period of time I lived in perth from 1999 - 2004. It was amazing watching these passages of time and although I keep in little touch with most of my Perth friends watching these films was like getting a big hug from each one of them. Amongst some favourite memories in my collection was my 28th birthday party at Suze's place where my conspiratorial friends threw me into the swimming pool when I was unwittingly out of it trying to sober up from the drinking binge preceding. Another favourite memory was a quick impromptu trip to Albany. Footage of Nikki, Lauren, Jonno and Rachael also was invaluable as was the first few days of having moved to Perth. Incredible memories that fill me with wonder and sadness. How one can feel wonder and sadness at the same time is a complex blend of feelings but I guess that is what reminiscing does to me. A celebration of the life lived, a mourning of the time having passed and people having moved on. I am almost definitely coming to Perth some time between July and August of this year (as I have promised to Rachael), maybe September at the latest. I am hoping to catch up with many of you if you are still there, still alive and still remember me (or otherwise want to catch up). Take care! | | Monday, November 20th, 2006 | | 5:23 pm |
Quest to visit friends in Perth
Well, I am the boy who cried wolf and once again another year rolls by and I am finding excuses not to come to Perth. Valid ones of course, to do with finances but sooner or later I should bite the bullet. I was going to come for a week or so during the Christmas holiday but other circumstances have made me reconsider so instead I am considering coming for the long weekend of Australia day (love that Perth Skyshow) and in July. July is definitely, definite. As sure as the sun shines. Australia day long weekend is a possibility because I really want to see people, even if it is for just a few days. I hope you are all well and seeing Rachael reminded me that I miss Perth and I miss many people who frequented and blessed me with their companionship while I lived there. Hope to see you soon. | | 5:15 pm |
Update and sentiments
Rachael, I would like to use this medium to once again thank you for your part in making my birthday special this year. I know I've thanked you but using other forms of communication and having it in writing can sometimes give it more resonance. Thank you for the luxurious room in the heart of the city and for your part in the wonderful dinner at the Belgian Beer Cafe amongst friends and family. Thank you for coming and sharing the Hunter Valley and the pasta making course experience and the dining amongst the trees and with the rolling hills stretching out yonder on a lovely spring afternoon. Thank you for the rare brand of friendship that has a currency that expands the constraints of time and the barriers of distance. It was such a memorable and flavoursome weekend and I am still beaming from it. I hope you've had a comfortable and safe trip back. | | Wednesday, March 1st, 2006 | | 9:26 pm |
Short Update
I have been thinking about old friends and my life in Perth. being the contemplative and reflective sentimentalist I am rarely does a day pass where I havent at least given some thought to my past and the people and experiences who enriched my existence. Just to name a few, Suze, Rachael, Nikki, Kim, Mega, Kristy, Elli, Don & Denise, and many many others are never far from my thoughts and the memories of Perth tumble through my mind with fondness. I might be sitting at work and suddenly, a moment, a sacred moment will fleet through my memory and bring all the colours and texture of the moment back to me. I have vivid memories of my Scarborough house and the get togethers I had frequently. I need to visit Perth again but I don't know when. Perth was a simpler and less demanding life professionally and it was more a pilgrimage of the social realm and self discovery and ripping off old psychological shackles. Sometimes, I crave that simplicity living in a big old congested and busy rat race like Sydney. in my current life it's easy to lose heart and forget what's important. The first thing I lost when I moved away from Perth was the closeness of the friendships. However much you phone, send message over the internet or communicate via other means, it isn't quite the same as being there and having at your avail the opportunity to call a few friends up for a pleasant intimate dinner and a few laughs or attend a party or a picnic. To keep my lot short, I've bought my second house which is in Tingalpa Queensland. The hard work of researching, conveyancing and mortgage preparation is done. Now I have to hang on for the ride and make my finances work for me. Speaking of work, Im bored out of my mind and am in an unfortunately entrenched and draconian firm with a boss who has the temperament of a crocodile. It's time to look elsewhere for more prosperous opportunities keeping in mind that work for me is not something just to pay the expenses but something that should fulfil body, mind and spirit. I don't have anywhere near that. I am starting my CA in July and this will only commit more time to my career, something which must be done but not easily. Family is well, Rachel is well, Polly and Mickey, our two adorable cats of black and white colour are well. For anyone interested Suze is pregnant with her second baby. Take care, until next time. | | Wednesday, January 4th, 2006 | | 2:29 pm |
2005 and beyond
Highlights of 2005: Being at the World Cup qualifier between Australia and Uruguay and sharing in the excitement Buying my 1st home and moving into it Financing my upcoming second home Being at the game where Parramatta won the Minor Premiership in the Rugby League Winning on Makybe Diva in the Melbourne Cup New Years Eve Fireworks from Luna Park Day trip to Brisbane to see properties and touring Trip to Canberra Trip to Jervis Bay Harbour boat cruise with cousin Foxtel & Cable internet Birthday BBQ with family and friends Regular exercise and improving health Downpoints: Pressure at work (and the rest) Time constraints Not getting to Perth to catch up with old friends and not keeping in touch New Years resolutions: Higher salary Satisfying work Weight loss and health Purchase 2nd home Trip to Perth Lessons learnt: If things start badly at a new job they are unlikely to improve. Weight Loss happens the fastest when combining exercise and an improved diet. Invest in property. Safe as houses. Nothing is more important than your happiness and catching up with family and friends. What where your highpoints, downpoints and lessons learnt in 2005? What are your resolutions in 2006? | | Friday, December 30th, 2005 | | 9:05 am |
Memories
A personal diary excerpt about an old home movie I was recipient of from a cousin :- "It was just amazing to see all these faces of people living their lives, tempered with trivialities and social graces and all the detailed and minor things we think about it and react upon in our daily lives only to look back and see that they have now grown older, or passed away altogether. A moment in time is such a consuming unconditional thing, we never consider it fleeing or rare in the moment but it passes, and our time passes, and all that's left of us is someone elses memory of us. Videos such as this capture a cherished and rare moment that will never happen again. While you can’t live the moment again by watching it on a tape you can remember it vividly and allow it to bring to recall other associated memories. " | | Monday, December 12th, 2005 | | 12:19 pm |
| | Friday, November 18th, 2005 | | 4:01 pm |
My experience at Telstra stadium for the World Cup Qualifer
(Personal diary excerpt 16/11/2005) All through Town Hall were the obvious bands of supporters donning green and gold, some with flags, others with rubber pointing fingers. The anticipation could be tasted in the air. The sense of occasion pervaded Sydney throughout and it was concentrated on the train with many anticipating the game they were heading towards. Funny remarks and larrikinism were rife on the train with some already a little bit tipsy from their daytime pre-game drinks and day out on the town. On our way towards Telstra stadium we followed a massive crowd of excitable Aussies. The life factor was off the scale. The sense of anticipation and celebration hung in the air. Yellow shirts weaved a tapestry a mile long. I saw people bathed in yellow paint and others with green and gold hair. I saw one with green and gold chest hair. Others had flags or writing on their Australian shirts. One said “We are too Kewell for Recoba”. I saw Australian’s pointing at a small group of Uruguayan’s saying “You are gay, you are gay, you are gay.” The Uruguayans seemed amused by the gesture and didn’t take offence. I took my camera out for the first time and filmed much of this. We walked up the spiralling concrete ramp and made our way to our seats. That first image of the stadium filled with people in yellow starting from the roof of the stadium to the box seats 10 metres below was breath taking. I’ve never been to anything of this magnitude. As kick off time neared things grew more intense and more glorious. A glorious sea of yellow pervaded the crowd. A vulnerable crowd who has seen all this before only to meet with heart ache after the game allowed their unbridled optimism fill their senses as they cheered the team onto the field. It took for the FIFA tune and the carrying out of the flags of the two nations and the FIFA flag for me to truly understand that this was an international FIFA match. There was no pretence about it. This was the real deal. This was world cup soccer in our country with the kind of crowd that made me think we were in Wembley. Kick off. My analysis of the situation was that this was sudden death golden goal for the Uruguayan’s and survival for 90 minutes for the Australians. If Uruguay scored the first goal it was over. We would need 3 goals and that seemed like a task that was beyond us. Teams rarely get three goals to win a game. I knew what I wanted in my heart but my head couldn’t deny the obvious dangers and how close we were from elimination right from the start of the game. 82,000 people were cheering and a mass euphoria rode over them all yet one goal from Uruguay could bring it all to a hush. I didn’t allow myself the luxury of dreaming of our berth in the world cup at this stage. I’ve seen too many cruel outcomes for Australia. Destiny is no part of the result of sport, nor is hope or optimism. In the end it’s the brutal, clinical kinetics of what happens on the field and these kinetics, the science of cause and effect is based on the skills and fortunes of the players. The Uruguayans were no strangers to goals and weren’t lacking players. They too were hungry and had their millions expecting them to qualify. Australia started poorly and looked like a team ranked 54th playing a team ranked 17th. It looked like the paper it was written on. Australia were panicky in midfield and went backwards more than they went forward. The Uruguayans looked fast, nippy on their toes and outran us. Their passing was good and they always looked dangerous. As the clocked ticked on and on that Uruguayan killer goal would kill faster. The later their goal came the less time we would have to get the three we would need. But a miracle happened about 30 minutes into the game and Australia scored. I will never forget how the crowd erupted with jubilation. It was a raucous sea of sheer jubilation of the magnitude that can’t be described. It was at this point that I started to dream of an Australian berth. The only way we were going to the world cup was if we scored first. We still had work to do and needed another goal and I was beginning to luxuriate in the possibility of Australia qualifying for the world cup right here, right now, in Sydney with me in the stand watching history take place. In the second half Australia played like a different team. There was a sublime momentum towards the world cup. Our team played like a world class team. Uruguay looked hapless and flat footed. Australia dominated the ground at all corners and they nearly scored that magical second goal on a few occasions. It was missing these crucial opportunities that put us out of the world cup against Iran in 1997 and Uruguay in 2001. I’ve seen it happen so many times where the opposing, and internationally battle hardened team would make the most of a sliver of an opportunity and send a rocket through our spine and destroy our dreams mercilessly. Uruguay had their chances as well and nearly scored a couple of times. Recoba was one on one with Schwartzer but missed a goal that he would usually score. The crowd were disgusted with the referees decisions and booing occurred on many occasions. The linesmen were being called ‘blindsmen’ and I heard one voice say “the referee might as well be wearing a blue jersey”. It was easy to take a biased view of the referees decisions from way up here in the second row at Telstra stadium and perhaps the analysis would be different from a closer inspection of the play causing the decisions. The longer the game went the more it looked to favour Australia. Recoba went off the field tired at about the 75 minute mark and Uruguay looked to be running out of wind. The scoreboard still read 1-0 and while Australia was dominating the match Uruguay still only needed one goal. As the 90 minute mark approached closer and closer I knew that any goal from Uruguay would be a knock out punch and all would fall silent in the crowd before the ensuing heartbreak and visible display of despair that could hardly be imagined in a crowd of this size. ( Read more... ) | | Tuesday, November 8th, 2005 | | 9:59 am |
Terrorism in Australia
The terrorist raids last nights have both an obvious concern and a subtler concern akin to an opening of a can of worms. The obvious concern is that it is confirmation that we have terrorist cells in this country. Here in Sydney the raid was conducted in Lakemba, a heavy enclave for those of Middle Eastern origins. This confirmation makes the threat clear and present. The fact that we have such a large population of migrant middle Easterners means where there is one terror cell caught, they may be one that is not caught. This is the more subtle threat. With the legislation passed to make access to the homes of terror suspects easier, ASIO and The Federal Police wasted no time with their greater powers to swoop on the suspects. The subtler repercussion of this raid is that any other existing terrorist cells may be induced to expedite their plans. Of course at this stage there is no evidence that those taken in through the raids are guilty of planning a terror attack. That is yet to be seen. If they are guilty, it will only be a matter of time before we learn about the ugliness of their plans and possibly, the location of their attacks. Before 7/7 in London, and 11/9 in New York intelligence had made raids on terror suspects in the respective cities. It was only a few weeks after the raids in London that 7/7 occurred. I believe that the risk of a terror attack to Australia is inevitable based on the fact that it is the only country that participated in the coalition of the willing and one of the few with military involvement remaining in Iraq. On top of this, we have a heavy middle eastern population of which may come from fundamental muslim backgrounds. In addition, we have already seen terrorism in our regional neighbourhood in Indonesia where non-muslim tourists were primary targets on two occasions. Let's not forget the most recent proclamation after 7/7 by a mysterious anglo-saxon muslim "Today London and France, tomorrow Los Angeles and Melbourne are next" I think we have taken the proper precautions to strengthen the invisible boundaries against terrorism but I think no level of preparedness can prepare us for the trauma and horror if and when it happens. | | Monday, October 31st, 2005 | | 1:53 pm |
Melbourne cup tips
Trifecta 1. Makybe Diva 22. Leica Falcon 23. Mr Celebrity. Outsiders to note: 3 Distinction, 13 Lachlan River, 17 Umbula. | | Thursday, September 22nd, 2005 | | 9:14 am |
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