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.

America!

I cheated on Gloria Jeans today.

I can't help but to be overwhelmed with feelings of guilt and treason. At the same time though I felt like a bit of a rebel. I do not need to be tied down to just one awesome coffee establishment with lightening fast internet and a great staff. I am a young man, a free man; Free from the chains of Newcastle Corporate Branding.

In other news...

A lot of positive updates in my lifestyle over here.

I am moving in with Simon and Alex just up the road from Dan's place. Simon hails from Newcastle while Alex is originally from Miami. The two met, sparks flew, they wed, and now they are living in Newcastle while Simon is in school for a Human Resources degree and Alex works.

Simon is involved with the club here and after I was telling him my situation with moving out of Dan's place he and Alex were nice enough to offer to put me up in their spare room. After sitting down with Simon for coffee the other day I have decided that the knowledge inside his brain rivals that of the great minds in blogoshpere and even that of wikipedia. In just 30 minutes of sitting down with him, he put together a place for me to live, a job, and the best deal on a hotel room in Sydney ever.

the job: It is a small and awesome world where Alex happens to be an artist. She works for a graphic design/ad/marketing company here in Newcastle called Nodding Dog Design (noddingdogdesign.com). Last night I went with Alex to check out the Nodding Dog studio and it is unreal. It has this great vibe with a home/business feel. Definitely a creative paradise. Adrian(owner of Nodding Dog) offered me the opportunity to come in and work on some projects for him whenever I could.

Malcom Gladwell talks about the elements of success in his book "Outliers." Gladwell takes very impressive people and situations and explains the success in the most rational terms. For example he uses Bill Gates. Bill Gates became known for his programing prowess because was given the opportunity to program on a leading edge computer for hours upon hours free of charge. The timing was there, his work ethic was there, and he capitalized on the situation.

To look at my situation now; I move to Newcastle and within a month of being here I have this great opportunity to live with a graphic artist and work at an exciting graphics company. I think this is going to be an awesome opportunity for me to learn a lot while I am here in an industry I am very passionate about.

the hotel: (wotif.com) I booked a hotel room in Sydney on the site for 60% off the regular rate! They have deals for hotels all throughout the world.

Even better-The sun is out and surf is decent.

We have a game tomorrow(sat) in Sydney against the West club--a rematch from our lost to them 2 weeks ago. We will "bone crush" for sure.

"do you need me to come out there and own that city with you?" -Hewko, Adam Hewko.

First Surf

When I woke up at 5:30 this morning knowing I was about to swim 3,000 meters I was sure I would come home directly after training and take a nice 2 hour nap. In fact, I believe I have said that every morning this week and still have yet to take a nap. I have heard about the release of natural endorphins during and after a workout...it's science.

With my endorphins kicked into full gear I had a damn productive day.

1) Came up with a business to start while I am here in Newcastle.=$

2)2 hour bike ride=Legs Feed The Wolf

3)Got my first surf session in Australian waters=*Fresh

4)Bought a new pack of Tim Tams=Addicted

and finally...

5)Found out Bryce did his laundry today="Beaming with pride"

"That is why you gotta make fast power moves" Teddy "Freddy" Smith

Turning The Page

Just as you can feel the end of a great chapter in a book, I too feel the end of a great chapter in my life right around the corner. Feelings of fear, nerves, gratitude, and the hopefulness of being able to remember how to work a remote all clash together to make my move out of Dan's apartment very emotional. He is moving in with a friend where he looks forward to saving some extra cash while upgrading to a bigger place. I can only imagine Dan's feelings of despair and loneliness as he makes the drive to morning practice without me in the passenger seat. (Also when I am not there to open his door for him every morning as I still have trouble remembering the drivers side is on the right over here.)

As these tough scenarios present the challenges of today and tomorrow, I think back on the consciousness of a smarter; bolder man than I: Joe Dirt said it best... "Life's a garden, Dig It."