Changing Rooms...

Well, for those of you who aren't Facebook friends (and so have not seen my status updates over the past week), it's official. We exchanged contracts on Tuesday just gone which means I now am the pround owner of both a large hole in my bank account AND a contract obliging me to cough up with a substantial bucket of cash in just over 5 weeks. In exchange, I'll receive title to a rather small, but cute apartment over on the "other side" of the harbour. Much to the disgust of Tom, our late lamented aspiring-chef/blogger, I shall be departing the leafy North Shore for the somewhat seedy streets of the inner south - in fact, I'm almost moving into the "Ghetto" (the gay variety) which is something I promised myself I would never do.



That being said, once I got over the stress of actually making the decision to buy over there, and the whole to'ing and fro'ing between me, the agent, the solicitors and the vendor, I'm really looking forward to the move. I was only thinking about it the other day, when I caught up with Tom for a cup cake and coffee, that this is the final break from my former life. You see, over the past 3 years since coming out, my life has been one of gradual changes. Friends dropped me when I came out, and so I had to make new ones. Most of my family cut me off and so I've had to adopt a new "family". Even my previously very conservative wardrobe has become a little bit more flamboyant as I've become accustomed to my new "skin". I've even put on weight (something I was never able to do previously), most of which is more muscle. I've got me a wonderful partner now. I have a new car. And now, I'm leaving my lovely North shore apartment - it has so many memories of my former life, lovely memories of course, but now just memories. It was a constant in my life when everything was turned on its head, a safe harbour as it were, but now, it represents a past that is no longer relevant to me. It's the right time to move on, to get on with my new life with McBrad and my new friends and family. I'm planning on throwing out (or donating to charities) lots of stuff - furniture, clothes, etc - and so it's really going to be quite a new start for me. Scary, but exciting at the same time.

It was funny, I was woken this morning by someone starting their lawn mower - a sound I love but a sound that I will definitely not be hearing at my new apartment. And as I lay there in bed, I started compiling a list of things I would miss about this place, as well as things I'm looking forward to in the new apartment.

Things I'll miss...

• The lovely tree lined streets, with their lovely gardens and lawns
• The absolute quiet of my suburb
• My local Grumpy Baker - I love popping down on a Sat/Sun morning for a long black coffee and ham and cheese croissant
• Crossing the Harbour Bridge on the way to/from work. It's an experience that never gets stale, no matter how many times I've done it.
• The distinction of being a North Shore Gay - there are so few of us over here that it's always a talking point when I meet people

Things I'm looking forward to...

• Being closer to McBrad (only about 7 minutes drive) and 95% of my friends
• The nice French cafe literally around the corner from my new apartment. Hopefully, their ham and cheese croissants are better than the Grumpy Baker's! (their coffee is very good, I've tried it already)
• All the savings I'll have from not having to pay Harbour Bridge/Tunnell tolls (seriously, I spend a small fortune each month driving back and forth)
• Closeness to the puppy park and puppy shop - Noodle will LOVE it! And to Dan Murphy's and Victoria's Basement!
• Easier access to the Eastern Beaches

There's lots more pros and cons but that's some of the ones that came to mind. All in all, it's a big decision but it's one that I'm happy with.

September...

This is going to be a dot point type post...

. Currently looking for an apartment to buy (to live in). McBrad and I saw one yesterday which we both love and is just a little bit closer to his place than my current place. And yes Tom, it means moving over to the "other side" and leaving the beautiful leafy North Shore. So I'll be putting an offer in tomorrow! Wish me luck!

. Watching Idol at the moment - two guys to watch. Scottie the Hottie and Toby the Teacher! I'm in lust with both of them!!! Two completely different guys, but both sooooo yummy! (oh, and they can both sing...like I care!)

. I'm totally into salads now! I think it's the whole spring thing that's got me back into them, as well as an attempt to start eating a bit more wisely. I'm working my arse off with my Personal Trainer each week and so to then go home and chow down on KFC just doesn't make sense. Hence, the salads. In fact, I'm just about to sit down to an EPIC salad for dinner (with a nice piece of rump steak - I do like my rump) in front of the TV, watching the two HOTTIES sing! ;-)

. Spent a lovely Father's Day with McBrad and Noodle today! Noodle, clever girl that she is, bought him some stripey socks (he loves wearing stripey socks, and she loves chewing them up) and a bottle of YSL EDT - something like Nuit de Homme...or something. Anyway, he loved both of his gifts. Had breakfast in the sun with them and a couple of friends - just a really great way to spend a Sunday morning.

June...

After a small'ish prompt (thanks DG), I realized that it's nearly the end of June and I've yet to blog. To be honest, not really that much to say. It's been a lovely month in general, with a couple of highlights.

The BEST one - my gorgeous McBrad sent me long stemmed red roses at work! Huge box of the things, with chocolate love hearts as well. I got sooooo many comments from people at work and was the envy of all the girls! I didn't take them home, as I'm rarely there, so I put them in a vase on my desk and there they stayed. They lasted for a week so it was just marvellous. Although McBrad has given me flowers before, he's always given them to me at home - he's never sent them to my work before! And even better, the note just said that he wanted to tell me that he loved me. Everyone was highly impressed that there was no anniversary (they were all very familiar with our monthly anniversary celebrations that we did for our first 12 months), no birthday, nothing. It was just a lovely gesture from the love of my life. What a sweet heart!

I received some really exciting news from my brother Mark - he proposed to his boyfriend Sim on the top of Mt Pilatus (in Switzerland)! So they're now getting married - plans are at the moment to have a registry affair in the UK and then everyone head to either France or Italy for a long weekend celebration - they'll hire a villa for the celebrations. Should be awesome. We're still waiting for them to decide when this is going to happen but it's a GREAT excuse to head back to London and have a nice little European sojourn as well. :-)

And just last week, I booked us a little winter break in Nth Queensland - 5 nights on Magnetic Island. I'm really quite excited by this - Magnetic Island is just off the coast of Townsville where I grew up, so I've been there more times than I can remember. It was always a sleepy, backpacker style island, with a really relaxed low key vibe. But over the past few years, there's been some very nice resorts built and it's gone a lot upmarket, whilst still retaining its original feel. (well, that's what the locals are saying). So it should be great not only to spend 5 days and nights in warm Nth Qld, but also to show McBrad a bit of my hometown. Can't wait...we leave on August 10.

And that's about it...it's busy at work as it's end of financial year, but that's all over on Tuesday so can't wait for that. My life proceeds very nicely, with my wonderful man by my side, and our gorgeous puppy running ahead! I feel very blessed.

Pics...

Here's the latest couple of pics...we were out with my brother Mark and his boyfriend Sim on Saturday night when this pic was taken. McBrad is such a handsome man!

And here's a great pic of Noodle and her friend JJ on the beach on Sunday. Who's a good girl!!! :-)

Pics...

Here's a pic of the Gorgeous McBrad and I - this was taken down the coast at the beach house on Boxing Day. The pic is slightly blurry, but still, you can see how handsome he is! :-)

And McBrad with the newly shorn Noodle! Isn't she so cute! :-)

And us at New Year's...we're a little less than sober at this stage. :-)

Eventful...

Eventful was indeed the word that most accurately describes the weekend just gone!

After celebrating an early christmas with McBrad's god-daughters (who'll be overseas for christmas) on Friday night, Saturday dawned HOT and windy. Given that our party is this Saturday coming, I only had the weekend to finish off McBrad's garden. I had thought that I had left the easiest part to last - I just had a clear up a few rocks and then plant the lawn! Well, I spent most of Saturday afternoon removing stones...many of them had been concreted in by previous owners and so it took way longer and was way harder than I expected. But, by the end of the day, I'd got rid of all the rocks - I was knackered though. But no rest for the wicked - I'd booked tickets for McBrad and I to see Priscilla for one last time. I hadn't thought I'd see it again, having only seen it a few weeks ago with Tom and Dan, however a two-for-one offer was just too good to resist! The Scotsman in me (and no, I'm not referring to McBrad you perverts, I'm talking about my Scottish heritage) just couldn't say no to a two-for-one offer! So we saw it again, excellent seats and McBrad enjoyed it more this time than he had the first time. So it was a great evening. I did sleep like the dead however! I was soooo tired.

Sunday, it was the day to finish up. And finish it I did...by 5:30pm! I have to say it's a very very satisfying feeling to look at the backyard and see it now! McBrad likes it and that's the really important thing!

McBrad also bought a new car on Thursday - Noodle was outgrowing his old car so it was time to upgrade to a larger vehicle. It was a really sweet thing of him - although this was his car and it was his cash, he wanted me to be involved in the decision making process. I had to go and look at all the various cars with him, go through all the pros and cons of the various cars, work out his finances with him and help him come to a decision. He even put me on the insurance and calls it "our car".

It's just one of those things I've kinda not noticed, but more and more, there's less doubt in my mind, less concern about our relationship. Included in all of our conversations is the assumption that we're going to be together, that we share a future and that's a really nice feeling. I just feel so secure in our relationship and the direction in which it is heading!

anyway, this week it's full on preparation for our party on Saturday night, but there's one thing we must do first...KYLIE!!! yes, that's right, after months and months of waiting, she's finally here and tomorrow night, we're going! Wahooo! I'm very excited!

Anyway, I did have a stack of other stuff to say, but I can't remember! Hopeless I know!

Tuesday night...

...and I'm here at home (well, McBrad's home, but it feels pretty much like home to me), Poison (Alice Cooper) is on and dinner is in the oven. Oh, and now Haddaway (is that how you spell it?) has come on. Glass of chardy is being consumed rather quickly.

Anyway, I sat my exam yesterday and think I did ok. To be honest, as long as I get a Pass, I'll be happy. It's exceedingly dull stuff. But it's good that it's all over...for this year anyway. Not going to start the next one until 2009 so I have a few months off which is bloody marvellous!

I've come to realize over the last couple of weeks just what a commitment having a pet is. Noodle consumes my time at home. Being a Groodle (which is a Golden Retriever/Poodle cross), she's got the insatiable desire to retrieve stuff and so is always dropping (very subtle this one) her favourite toy at my feet, so that I can throw it and she can run and retrieve it. It's very endearing but after a while, I just want to concentrate on what I'm doing. I've got to wake up earlier than normal so that I can take her for a run before I go to work. I've got to come home after work and feed her and walk/run/play with her. It's normally well after 7:30pm before I can get to making my dinner etc. And she has an burning curiosity about everything I do - particularly if it has anything to do with food. She is such a sweet tempered thing and is the most social puppy I know, but she is a big responsibility. It's not something I would've thought possible even 12 months ago but she's a responsibility that I have willingly taken on as a surrogate father whilst my gorgeous McBrad is away. It's one less thing he has to worry about and is one thing that I can do to support him.

Anyway, the official count down has begun - only 6 1/2 days until I see McBrad again! So it's only around 150 hrs to go!!! I've missed him so much!

Pet Shop Boys is on now. I was talking to my brother Mark yesterday and he mentioned to me that it's only 9 weeks until Christmas which blew me away! It's come around so quickly. It's also quite exciting as Mark and Sim are flying over from the UK and will be staying for 3 weeks! They fly in the morning of Boxing Day and so we'll meet at the beach house and have a slightly delayed Christmas! (McBrad and I will be here in Sydney for Christmas Day itself and will probably just have a lunch or dinner with some friends) So it will be great to catch up with them (and the rest of the boys - there'll be 8 of us down the coast) and spend some time in the sun and at the beach and eating, drinking and relaxing. It will also be good because McBrad will be able to spend a bit more time with Mark and Sim and get to know them better. After all, Mark's my only family member that McBrad is likely to get to know in the forseeable future anyway.

And now Tina Turner has come on. And on that note, I think I shall leave you. Ciao!

Conflict...

I had to deal with conflict this weekend...on the one hand, I had some serious study to do, for my exam on Monday. On the other hand, it was a totally magnificent weekend in Sydney, with temps in the mid to high 20's (degrees Celcius) and perfect blue skies! It was very hard, let me say. But I did manage to get some study in and will be doing more this evening. Thankfully, my exam is at noon Monday which means that I can study some more in the morning, do my exam and then go to work. Work is very understanding in this respect.

Anyway, I went to the Noodle markets on Friday night, and met up with the very charming and thoroughly modern Colin. I had originally arranged to meet up with him straight after work on Friday and we were going to walk up to Hyde Park from there, however I realized that now I'm a step-father, I did have to go home first, feed and walk my Noodle, and then I could go to the Noodle Markets. So it was a somewhat late appearance by yours truly, and by that time, the queues for food were miles long! So, I thought 'stuff it' and just had a couple of glasses of wine instead! hic! It was a relaxing evening and after a few more drinks at one of his friend's birthday party in the Cross, I headed home via a less than salubrious fast food establishment! It always tastes soooo good at 10pm after a few drinks!

Anyway, Saturday was a more relaxed day, just Noodle and I really. I took her to a beach suggested by fellow blogger Mike. The beach is right next to the main runway at the airport so it was somewhat noisy, but Noodle loved it! She was a bit tentative at first, but once she had a small paddle in the shallows, she really got into it!

Today, I was determined to study study study however a friend messaged me with an invitation to the beach at 2:30pm and my resolved weakened seriously! It was so lovely and warm and the words were beginning to dissolve into one another and so I thought maybe a break was called for. And so a very pleasant couple of hours was spent soaking up the sun and chatting. Now, it's back to the grindstone. Noodle's been fed and walked and I'm about to get myself fed too and then, more delights of the Australian financial system, superannuation, post-retirement income streams and estate planning!

I certainly hope everyone has had a marvellous weekend!

Busy busy busy...

Yes, dear friends and readers, I've been flat out this week! Work has been full on (nice for a change) and so I've been exhausted when I get home every day! Not that it's the end of it for me...I'm a step-father now (to Noodle) and so once I get home, she needs to be fed and then walked so it's around 7:30pm by the time I can start making dinner etc. But we're beginning to settle down to a routine which is good.

I also agreed to go with my friend Jacqui to the movies on Wed night - we had free tickets to see "Brideshead Revisited" - a lush, beautiful movie, but thoroughly depressing. The musical score is excellent. Don't see it if you need a pick-me-up!

McBrad and I have talked a few times, despite the awful time difference, and whilst it's lovely to hear his voice, it also makes me miss him more!!! Only 10 days until he gets back however and I'm counting down every day!!! One thing I have noticed is that his Scottish accent has become much stronger since being there...I'm back to asking him to repeat every second word he says!

I did originally plan to take McBrad down to the beach house this weekend but of course, he's not here. I did think about taking Noodle down myself and having a quiet weekend, just chilling out, reading, eating, sleeping and gardening, however realized that I have an exam on Monday, and so it's head down, bum up studying all weekend! Grrrrroooan!

I was only thinking about McBrad the other night (now that's something unusual...ha ha) and how comfortable I feel in this relationship; more importantly, how secure I feel. I know that for the first couple of months, I was paranoid that it would end, that McBrad would turn up one day and dump me...it all just seemed too perfect and easy. But now, it really feels like it's a real relationship, one that will last. I still keep pinching myself that I've snagged me such a gorgeous man of course. It was funny, the other night (Sat) when I met up with my mate Dan for a few beers, we were standing there making commentary on every guy that walked past - there were some serious shockers out there, some fairly average ones, and a few hotties. The hotties were hot, but there was NIL interest from me - I admired them, checked out their nice pecs, perky arses etc, but it felt more like artistic appreciation rather than the lustful looks that I would've had in the past, pre-McBrad. I think he's HOT HOT HOT, even though I know he doesn't have the best body on the block. But it doesn't matter to me, he soooo turns me on it's not funny. It's that absolutely fatal combination of physical lust AND emotional connection that makes what we have just magnificent!!!

Anyway, you knew I'd have to have include a McBrad commentary - I can't avoid it.

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend!!!

The week...

Well, what a week it's been! Not only a massively turbulent week for the global financial system (and the global economy) but also a very turbulent week for McBrad and myself. Obviously, as I've already posted, it's been a shocking week for my gorgeous man but thankfully, he's had so much support from his friends, both here and in the UK, (and I've gotta say, it was really lovely of you all to pass on your condolences and good wishes, via my blog, Facebook and sms) and so he's managed to get through the worst of it. The funeral was yesterday and he messaged me late last night to say that he was feeling better, albeit still very sad. So it's as good as can be expected.

As for my week, well, apart from the upheaval on Tuesday/Wednesday, it's been up and down. Thursday night I had a client event to attend. The Bank is the Principal Sponsor for Opera Australia and so the Bank and the Opera co-hosted the Opening Night of OA's production of My Fair Lady, starring the mighty fine British actor Richard E Grant. I took a couple of clients along and they loved it. I had a great time too. The production was fantastic and despite his lack of musical experience, Richard E Grant did a terrific job of Professor Henry Higgins. At half-time, it was a bit of rubber necking at the assorted celebrities which was rather fun, if a little juvenile! :-) Met up with fellow blogger James as well, which was an unexpected (and pleasant) surprise - the second time in less than a week - he certainly does get around! ;-) And the after-party with the cast at the Hilton was buckets of fun (and buckets of champagne too - hic). Didn't end up leaving until 1am which is probably not the best idea on a school night. Thankfully, we were officially sanctioned to be a little late and hungover, given that we spent the night with clients. I must say, the evening was a pleasant distraction after the previous couple of days events.

I've gotta say, I'm finding it really strange to be living at McBrad's without him actually being there. Poor Noodle still walks around, looking in vain for her daddy - she's missing him too. I think the worst thing is sleeping by myself in his bed...no gorgeous guy to snugggle up to at night, no good morning cuddle, no late night pillow chats. I miss his smile, I miss his conversation, I miss doing the mundane things with him. I just miss him.

One thing that I did do yesterday, to keep myself entertained, was to build a new garden for him. We talked about it last weekend as the back gardens have been ever so slightly neglected for the past 6 months. And so I had already decided to surprise him by doing a garden makeover on the smaller of his two gardens out in the back courtyard...originally he was going to be working yesterday (Saturday) and I was going to have it all done before he got home. Obviously, he's not here at all so the timeframe was a bit more relaxed. But I surprised myself by having it all done in a few hours. It looks sensational if I do say so myself. I do hope he likes it when he gets home.

Anyway, that's about it. A reasonably quiet weekend on the homefront - I went out for a few shandies last night with my mate Dan, and had brekkie with another friend Con this morning. My friend Jacqui is coming over tonight and we're going to have dinner and I'm going to show her a Pam Ann DVD which I've been raving about. So that's it. It's gorgeous weather at the moment, clear skies, buckets of sunshine and a light breeze. Perfect Sydney weather really! Hope everyone has had a great weekend!

Life on Holidays...

I've gotta tell you, I'm loving having this week off work at home! Holidays to other locations are great, don't get me wrong, but it's just fantastic to be at home, with all my stuff, but without the neccessity to get up at 6.30am each morning to go to work.

This morning, McBrad arose at the aforesaid 6.30am to go to work. He toddled off downstairs, trying ever so carefully not to make any noise and wake me (such a sweetheart - I did wake up, but I didn't mind - it's great to open one's eyes in the morning and have one's vision filled with the very hot, very naked McBrad trying to put some shorts on), and had a shower and dressed. He came back upstairs to the bedroom with a glass of orange juice for me (again, such a sweetheart) and because I did indicate that I was awake, he nuzzled my neck for about 20 seconds. YUMMMMMMMMMO! That man soooo knows how to push my buttons! And then he was off to work. I simply turned over and revisited the land of Nod! Eventually, I dragged myself out of bed at about 8.45am and went downstairs to let Noodle in. She was sooo excited to see me, she nearly wagged her tail off! Bless. I made her breakfast (dry doggie biscuits with some leftover lemon and basil chicked that I had made for last night's dinner) and left her to it whilst I had a shower. Hot Hot Hot shower...delightful. Anyway, she'd licked the bowl clean (methinks she likes my cooking) and 'cos she was so cute, I gave her a little treat - I'd bought these doggie treats from David Jones Foodhall just before we left for Port Douglas; never even realized that DJ's did pet food, but apparently they do. It's all very gourmet and the packet I purchased was called "Minty Cocomutt" - I couldn't resist! Anyway, took her for a stroll in the park, we played with the ball and she did lots of rolling about on the grass. Dropped her back at McBrad's and then I was off - took my car into the people who do brakes and new tyres and stuff for them to check my car's brakes and tyres and stuff, which they did. 3 new tyres later, all is done. I had two magnificent sausage rolls from the Grumpy Baker at Waverton for lunch, absolutely smothered in tomato sauce (ketchup for those readers not from Australia), accompanied by a short black (espresso for the aforementioned non-Australian readers) - just the perfect beverage with sausage rolls. And that's about it...I've read the Telegraph and the Financial Review and not much else. How marvellous is that!!!

I've also got to say, I have been productive - yesterday I finally sorted out all my paperwork from the past couple of years and now have everything ready to give to the tax person to do my tax return. Tomorrow, I'll put my car into the mechanic man for him to do whatever it is to make my car keep working for another year and to give it a Roadworthy certificate.

And I must also add (this is turning into a very rambly kinda post isn't it), I'm loving this weather! It's very cold (by Sydney standards) and mostly very sunny and the best thing is...I've spent the last two very cold nights with the very warm McBrad. I have to say, as most of you, my dear readers, would readily acknowledge, I've slept with one or two gentlemen in the past couple of years and McBrad is by far the warmest! He just radiates heat in bed, he's like one big, man-sized hot water bottle...albeit a furry one which is soooo much nicer! Very pleasant indeed! Just another of his many many attractive qualities! :-)

Oh, and we saw The Dark Knight last night! Wow! I do agree that Heath Ledger does steal the show somewhat - he does totally inhabit Joker's persona, I could hardly "see" Heath beneath the character. It's a very involved storyline, which requires lots of concentration, so you can't just sit back and be entertained by the effects - you do need to focus! But it's well and truly worth it and I can see why it's been so successful at the box office.

Well, that's about it for me for today. Hope everyone is having a dandy week!