Pearl Jam-Ben Harper & Relentless 7

33,000 fans bought tickets, undoubtedly to see Eddie Vedder swig down wine and rip through an unreal set at the Sydney Football Stadium last Sunday Night. When I bought my tickets 3 weeks ago however, I was most motivated to catch Ben Harper and The Relentless7 again. The show I caught in SF before I came over here left me wanting more and couldnt pass up the opportunity to see them again. In hindsight though, Harper's show was awesome and everything I expected; Pearl Jam blew my mind. I would love to catch them in a smaller, indoor venue sometime. Backspacer is the first PJ album I have really gotten into and I have decided it is time for me to take a journey through the Pearl Jam Discography. Simon has no shortage of Pearl Jam music so I am in luck.

Breeeeeeeeeezzzzzyyyyyyyyy

Congratulations to "The Baby" for being awarded the honor of MPSF Player of the Week. Leading the Waves to victory over the Anteaters was really Wadsworth but Jp added extra help by dropping 5 goals. Nice work you little baby.

In other news, Bree has arrived in Australia and is fitting right into my lifestyle over here. If it is sunny-go to the beach, if it is not-go to a cafe and enjoy a cappuccino and some tim tams.

We have the weekend off of Polo so we will be heading into Sydney to see Pearl Jam and Ben Harper & The Relentless 7. If you have not dabbled into "White Lies for Dark Times"...off the richter. We actually caught them in San Francisco before I left, it was so good I jumped at the chance to see them again. Real excited to see Pearl Jam and their new album "Backspacer."

Alex put together a pizza night for us last night and I won the much desired "best all-around pizza" award. (self-proclaimed)

I just realized that I finally have a weekend off and I am going back into Sydney...?-the show will no doubt make up for it.

"I chugged a whole beer. on camera. true story." --Teddy "freddy" Smith

Little Fella Appreciation day

Muffin,

I am still alive.

Love always,

MattyCakes

After a big weekend, it has been nice to kick around and mellow out a bit with my roomies Simon and Alex. Last weekend presented a variety of "firsts" for me since my time here in Australia.

Rewinding a week from today. Simon invited me for a small barbie at his parents house. Luckily for me this small barbie turned out to be a pretty good size family gathering for his Aunts birthday. I was right there in the mix with the legend's that are the Kachel's. It all seemed too familiar to a MacDonell gathering including all-time one liners, song/dance, and a heap of questions for the visitor. I unfortunately had to decline an invitation(s) to join the Kachel's for Chistmas as I will be making the trek home.

The next day I met Juice, Gus and Colin Tobias for the ride to sydney for Saturday competition. The drive was as usual but as I approached the pool, what I saw was everything but ordinary. The Belmayne pool is an enclosed arena within the Sydney Harbour. The water level in the playing field rises and drops with the tide, fish swim about below the surface, and I even saw a sting ray cruising around after our game. Definitely a highlight experience in my polo career.

After the game I had planned to have a night out with Bairdy and Robo in "King's Cross", Sydney. Bairdy and I got a room at the Novotel Hotel (holiday inn) to serve as a base for the night out and following morning. We had unreal views right above Darling Harbor(pictured above) and capped the stay off with a huge buffet breakfast the next morning.

I had made plans to ride the train back to Newy Sunday morning but it just so happened that the rails were down... I was bussin' it. NBD (no big deal) right? We left Sydney at noon, I returned to Newy at 4:30pm, not cool. I did have Tom Sharpe's "The Throwback" to keep me company.

I finally returned to Newcastle and before I knew it I was off to my first professional soccer match. North Queensland Fury VS Newcastle Jets. Of course the soccer matches inspire two great cultures: Supporting the home team and cold beers on Sunday "arvo"(afternoon). After a good game and big win for the Jets it was decided that celebration was in store. Off we went to the Brewery for some celebratory beers followed of course by celebratory dance moves.

"natties, mohawks and crushing... it's this new thing people are doing." -Andrew Milcovich

Happy Birthday to RedHeadTedFred...We're so proud of you.