Social...

As mentioned by Tom in his blog, we saw Priscilla The Musical on Saturday night. It's the 3rd time for me but the first for Tom. It's had a few minor changes since I last saw it (June 2007) - some tweaking which has improved it and provided a few more laughs for the audience. It was another excellent night's entertainment from my perspective. As with Tom, I do wonder how it's going to translate to UK audiences with its very Australian jokes. I think the Poms will LOVE it, but maybe they'll need to adjust some of the jokes. Can I suggest that any residents of the UK that do read my blog do themselves a favour and go and see it - I think it starts up early 2009 in the West End.

My mate Dan and I tried to persuade Tom to come out for a drink or two on Oxford St afterward, but alas, he declined. Didn't stop us however and we ended up dancing our socks off at Palms. "We love the nightlife, we love to boogie" indeed!!!

We also had a Private Client Event on Monday night - my Bank sponsors the Australian Chamber Orchestra and so they are very accommodating. Once a year, the Private Bank invites our very best clients to a meet and greet type thing, cocktails and canapes and of course, the ACO. It's a great opportunity for the Bank's CEO and Excutive Team to meet our top clients and vice versa. This was the first one that I've been to, and it was quite interesting seeing the members of some of Australia's leading families, politicians, entertainers and well known business people all in the same room. It was actually a really fun night and it was great to experience the ACO up close and personal.

Last night, one of McBrad's friends had a small gathering at his house so it was nice to just sit and chat to them and get to know them a bit better.

So that's been about it.

Dot Points...

. I passed my exam - received the confirmation on Friday! Yay! One subject down, 7 to go! UG!

. Collected the mail on Thursday night and there was an envelope addressed to: McBrad and Monty! Yes, that's right, our first ever jointly addressed mail. I was very excited. It was a wedding invitation from a couple of McBrad's friends who are getting married in January.

. There's about 6 large hedge-type bushes in the back yard at McBrad's. Before he left, we talked about removing them as they've kinda outgrown themselves, they're blocking all the nice sunshine and they also serve to make the backyard look smaller. McBrad sent me an email last week asking if I could get some quotes from some nice tradesmen types to remove them. I thought, in my enthusiasm of having done that little garden the other week, that I would try to dig them up myself. I dug one up this afternoon. I'm now ringing up tradesmen types to remove the rest. It's a killer - I've got blisters on my soft white office worker's hands and I'm exhausted!

. It's been really busy at work this week too!

. Had dinner with my mate Evan on Thursday night. We haven't had dinner for ages - between our respective schedules, work, holidays, other halves, it's been challenging to meet up! But we did and it was great to see him again. He and McDreamy are still going strong - 18 months and counting.

. McBrad is back on Tuesday at 7.10am! I've taken the day off! I'll let you imagine what you will about what I plan to do with/to him for the day! ;-)

. I like my job and my clients generally, but it's starting to irritate me when they ring up about the Government Guarantee of their deposits. The government initially provided an unlimited guarantee however is now changing that to limit the guarantee to $1M. Anything over that, they'll have to pay a fee to have the guarantee extended. I have had a couple of clients ring me and complain about how exposed they feel, with "only" $1M guaranteed and how dare the government make them pay a fee to extend the guarantee. I mean, seriously guys, be thankful you have a million dollars in the bank in the first place - the vast majority of people are lucky to have a few thousand in their accounts. In any case, there is very little chance that any of the banks in Australia are going to go belly up - the Australian financial system is quite robust and the banks are still very profitable.

. This post is a lot bigger than I initially thought it would be.

. That's it. Nothing more to say. :-)

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!!!

More Monty's Miscellaneous Musings...

I knew, it's been over a week since I last posted. And it's not like I've not been doing anything, I've been doing heaps. But, I think it's getting all rather repetitive...McBrad and I going to dinner, me in love with McBrad, life going along smashingly well blah blah blah. There's only so much mush that I can take, let alone you, my dear readers.

Anyway, it was a lovely weekend last - the temperature hit around 29 degrees Celcius on Saturday, and as McBrad was working, Noodle and I had the day together...bonding. It was a lovely day, playing in the park, taking her for a drive etc. Saturday night, we (McBrad and I) went to the Brandenburg Orchestra who were performing Handel's Water Music and Music for the Royal Fireworks (complete with pyrotechnics). FANTASTIC evening!

It's been quite splendid weather this week, albeit slightly cooler. But today is back to 27 degrees, flawless blue skies, buckets of sunshine and tomorrow is predicted to hit 31 degrees! Very Very Exciting!

Last night, McBrad had choir practice (he's in the Sydney Philharmonia Choir) and so I met up with him after that at 9.30pm. They rehearse at the STC Wharf in the Rocks and I actually turned up about 15 mins early. So I wondered down to the end of the street to harbour's edge, directly opposite Lunar Park. It was a glorious balmy evening and the moon was a warm golden colour, very low in the sky, just above the horizon. I've never really contemplated the Harbour Bridge from that aspect (normally from the city/Circular Quay side) and I've got to say, it's even nicer - the curve of the Bradfield Highway off the bridge is very apparent and would photograph quite well. I must remember to go down there one evening with my camera. Anyway, I just stood there for about 10 minutes and it was so calming, the dull roar of the vehicles way above me on the bridge, the moon rising above the apartments, the dark water of the harbour, the ferries chugging past me...delightful.

Anyway, that's about it. I told you, nothing that spectacular. Oh, apart from the fact that I received my Kylie tickets on Tuesday!!! Wahoooo! Very excited about that!

It has been flat out at work...good flat out by the way. Unless you've been under a rock, you'll be aware of the turbulence in the financial markets recently. Here in Oz, it's not had as significant an impact as it has in the US and UK. But even so, people are skittish and nervous, which has worked very much in the favour of my employer - one of the Big 4 banks in Australia. I've had clients transferring megabucks from other institutions over to us, because we are perceived as being a solid, safe, conservative institution. So it's been quite a successful week for me, and next week promises to be the same. So, as in all situations, there's winners (us) and losers (everyone else).

Well, hope everyone has a great, sunny, warm weekend!

Working...

Well, it's a Bank Holiday here in NSW and in a a move highly unMontylike, I decided to work! Yes, can you believe it!?! Our boss asked if anyone wanted to work today, just to man the phones and make sure everything continued ticking over. - those who volunteered would get a day in lieu.

Now I've NEVER done this before, but seeing as how I have just come back from two weeks annual leave (one of which was spent soaking up the heat in FNQ and the other at home, getting my car and tax stuff done), I thought I'd receive more benefit if I had my day off next month. It'll work out very well, because McBrad usually works Mon - Thurs and so I'll have my day in lieu on a Friday and we can have a nice long weekend down at the beach house. September down there is always lovely - it's still cool, but the weather is normally quite mild.

And to be honest, it's been dead quiet today - I've done a couple of emails and rang a client or two (and they were most impressed that I was being so diligent in working today) and not much else - caught up on all the blogs, all the news websites, shopping websites etc. Wandering around at lunch time, the streets seemed a bit quieter - I'm down near Martin Place which is the epicentre of the finance industry in Sydney - and our building is almost deserted.

At Tom's suggestion, I even went and bought myself a couple of cupcakes and had them for afternoon tea, accompanied by a cup of Lady Grey. Perfect. It's nearly 4pm and I'm about to log off and go to the gym. So it's actually worked out rather well...what could've been just a wasted day off will be converted to being a very useful and quite fun day off. How good is that!

On a different subject, thanks for all the questions that have been thrown at me (see my last post). Feel free to keep firing away if you have any more - it's been rather fun!

Cocktails and Canapes - The Morning After...

Well, I have to say, last night was every straight man's dream - a room full of maybe 250 tipsy women and virtually NO competition! We got there - we being 8 girls and 2 gay guys - and seriously, could not see any other men. It wasn't until we were just about to get in that we saw a very sheepish and nervous guy walk to the end of the queue. He looked seriously terrified.

And once we were in, Cosmo's in hand, we walked around and saw another 2 or 3 guys. And that was it. And once the party got into swing, I have to tell you, there were a lot of hungry looking women!!! And not hungry for food!!! I had women giving me the serious eye, I was chatted up by a lady at the bar (methinks she was channelling not so much her inner-Carrie, but her inner-Samantha) and I was the recipient of much flirting from a group of girls at the next table! Even the waiters were fair game by the looks of things, with girls virtually hanging off them as they circulated. Not one man was safe! It was hilarious! I tell you, any right minded straight guy should just do the women's charity events circuit - a guaranteed pick-up every time!!! And these ladies were not unattractive by any means...this was a bunch of SATC style Sydney women! So it's rich pickings for any guy who's on the prowl! ;-)

We all had way too many cosmos - the waiters just kept topping us up - and so we had a whale of a time! It was a perfect evening for a party too - with the full moon rising behind the city buildings and the water sparkling with the city lights! It did feel quite SATC'esque!

Tonight, I'm heading directly to McBrad's as we're having a dinner party and I'm cooking! So naturally, it's going to be a late start for dinner! Should be fun; it's only 6 of us so it's not too daunting. A couple of my friends and a couple of his friends, the perfect mix (we hope).

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Cocktails and Canapes...

Tonight, I'm having to cope with one of those awful aspects of my job...NOT! Yes, that's right folks, I'm off to Cocktails for a Cause - a Sex and The City themed charity party. Originally, our boss invited the girls in my team to go with a client each, but they suggested that I might like to go as well, knowing that I'm occasionally a bit of a girl AND a big fan of SATC. I'm taking one of my clients who's an absolute scream and the other girls in our team are doing likewise. It's 3 hours of endless Cosmopolitans and canapes to celebrate the forthcoming movie and to raise money for Breast Cancer research...not exactly something close to my heart (LOL) but a good cause none-the-less.
So it should be fun fun fun! A completely different night than last night, when I sat at home with take-away food and watched Game I of this year's State of Origin series (Rugby League).

So I can't wait! Boy, this job is just a killer sometimes! he he he!

It's all just work, work, work...

This afternoon, I will be experiencing the "worst" aspect of my new job. Yes, that's right, I've got to meet 2 of my clients at Prime (I personally think it's one of the best Steak restaurants in the city) and have dinner with them, then we go to the City Recital Hall at Angel Place for a concert with the Australia Chamber Orchestra (my favourite orchestra) featuring Katie Noonan. Following that, we retire back to Prime for dessert and drinks and socialising with the musicians! (My employer is the ACO's principal sponsor and purchased a 1759 Guadagnini Violin for use by the Principal violinist - we practically own them and so they are very accommodating with the Bank's requests for access) I'm really looking forward to that, particularly if they bring along the Violin - it's reportedly worth approx. $1.5M - me being a former violinist, it'd be fascinating to see it and even better to hear it close up.

So yes, it's going to be absolute torture tonight! he he he!

Work...

We were just discussing a new restaurant that's opened in the city and trying to find out if anyone has been there. No-one has. But it's a funny thing that we are often comparing restaurants here at work; it's actually considered part of my job to know which are the nice restaurants/cafes so that I can take my clients there. And so sitting on the net, trawling through restaurant reviews or having a 15 minute chat about what we thought of a particular restaurant isn't looked upon as time wasting, but rather as justified research. Our clients expect that we will take them to the decent places and so we need to become familiar with them. Oh, this is such a terrible part of my job! He he he!

Maybe I should ask Tom, he being a budding restauranteur...I'm sure he'd know!

I'm a little bit excited...

I had met with the Executive Manager of another section of the Bank before I went on holidays, as a couple of my former colleagues (including my friend Jacqui) worked for him now and they suggested that I would be a great addition to his team. So we met, had a chat and that was about it. There wasn't a job on offer at the time, but he told me he'd keep me in mind. When I got back from holidays, there was an email waiting for me, from the EM. He told me that there was a likelihood of a job coming up and would I like to formally apply. Naturally, I applied. We met about 2 weeks ago, along with his General Manager for a formal interview.

Today, he rang me to formally offer me the job! The Contract is still to be drawn up etc, but based on what my new EM has emailed me, it represents a 25% payrise which will come in very handy. I'll be performing pretty much the same job as I am currently, however with significantly fewer clients, but who are of much higher value to the Bank. It's a senior portfolio within our Private Bank and so it will be much more challenging, but also quite interesting! So I'm just a little bit excited!!!

All's well that ends well...

What a week it has been! From both a work and personal perspective, it's been all over the place! But thankfully, it's all ended up pretty damn well, so I can't complain.

With work, as I've mentioned in previous posts, it's insanely busy at the moment in the lead up to the end of financial year (June 30) and so it's late nights at work, constant phone calls and emails from clients PLUS our esteemed leaders, in all their "wisdom" decided that this is a great time to send us all off on training days! As if we have time to waste with training days at this time of year! Seriously, these people show again and again that they have NO idea what happens in the real world! We, the frontline staff, the ones who actually interact with the clients, the ones who actually keep the business coming in the front door (particularly in the three months leading up to 30 June) have enough on our plate without having to deal with the silly ideas of Head Office. Ok Ok, my little rant for the week is over. Sorry. :-) Anyway, despite the fact that it was a full on week, it was also a very successful week for me; I had some very significant results from the week which made it worthwhile. And yesterday (Friday), our boss took our team out for a loooooong lunch at the Athenian in Barrack St and we managed to drink ourselves through quite a few bottles of rather pleasant Reds...oh and the girls had some Whites too. whatever. So the week at work did end quite well indeed...with Monty just a touch tipsy and feeling at one with the world in general.

On a personal note, the week had a significant backward step, when the Gent that I've been seeing for the last couple of weeks popped over my place on Wednesday night. He has called off our, ummmm fledgling relationship, for want of a better description. He doesn't feel that he can provide me with the emotional response that he feels I should be getting. There's no question that we do have chemistry, I find him inordinately attractive, and he's a great guy, and he certainly seems to reciprocate. However on an emotional level, he can't. I certainly appreciate the fact that he did front up to me in person to give me the news and that he did it early on...he didn't want to string me along for a month or two and allow me to get more emotionally involved when he knew in his heart that it was never going to succeed from his perspective. The thing that I am pleased about is that he still wants to see me and maintain and build our friendship! I really like the guy, I get on well with him, have felt comfortable with him, the rapport is easy and natural. So, although he's not boyfriend material, I've made a very good friend and I can't complain about that!

He actually picked me up from work last night, we had dinner and saw a movie and it felt great! We both knew where we stood and so the pressure was off and we just enjoyed each other's company!

So, my week did end well! And I've always been a believer in the "All's well that ends well" philosophy! Campbell emailed me today and said that I come across to him as a "glass half full" type person, and it does pretty much sum me up! I have a generally positive attitude toward life and so I can usually find a positive in whatever I'm going through, irrespective of how bad it may seem at the time.

So Monty is back to the NDP - back to dating and therefore back to blogging more regularly! The dating stuff certainly makes for much more entertaining posts and I always want to keep you, my loyal readers, entertained and happy! :-)

And the weekend is looking pretty good too - I had a lovely late breakfast this morning with my mate Muzbot which was highly pleasant...perfect weather for it! Good company, good food...what more can a guy want! And tonight, I'm going to a Theatresports thingy that's been arranged by NSSG's boyfriend DG - should prove to be an interesting night and most likely a highly entertaining night! And it will be great to catch up with the boys, having just returned from their week in the Fijian sun! Enjoy the weekend everyone!