wild wednesdays

It's the day for going beyond your boundaries, moving in ways unmoved, no tip-toeing through the tulips here, it's stomping through the snakes, swimming upstream, taking the plunge. Find a way to make your day unusual. Call an old school teacher , or an old lover, and arrange to catch up. Come out to someone new. Show a public display of affection somewhere you normally wouldn't. Write a letter to an editor about an issue important to you. Buy a stranger a simple gift - a flower or even just a newspaper.

Make this Wednesday Wild!

(then tell us what you did)

How Gay is YOUR Sport? #4

Surf Boat Rowing It's kind of limited to surf life savers, in coastal regions but in my part of the world they're everywhere so here is the 4th in the gay sport series, Superchilled's 'How Gay is Surf Boat Rowing?'

Participant Rating:

Hours of training with tanned and potentially lean and hot surf life savers wearing speedos converted to G-strings (for traction is it?) on the world's best beaches. Increasingly gay friendly environment (aided by a mardi gras entry this year-see their blog). When the boats crash though - and they do - the injuries can be solid.

4 Stars

Spectator Rating:

Face it, if you're watching them, you're at the beach, there are likely to be loads of life savers about, speedos galore, and hormones abounding. They may be out in the surf a lot and not exactly close for inspection - but when they do come in - you can see a lot of them! especially if you like a good set of buns.

5 Stars

For a youtube video of surf boat rowers in action, click here (2min56s).

Being Boring - music video

Pet Shop Boys - Being Boring - My all time favourite music video.
I guess it has inpired me in a lot of ways. The gorgeous men aren't bad either. Thanks Bruce Weber. Enjoy. (4min55sec)

Get me the hell out of here!!! NOW

Do you have those moments where you just need to get the hell out of here right now!!? I think I can empathise with people who have panic attacks, or agoraphobia. Today I had been working pretty much non stop for 5 or 6 hours, with the prospect of a whole nother 4-5 hours ahead of the same when I got to a small break... sure there was paper work in front of me, but, apart from a potentially suicidal patient to follow up (which I did) there was nothing that couldn't wait for 30 minutes or so. I could have soldiered away on the results and things, but I just HAD TO ESCAPE, I was a caged animal, the day outside was sunny and warm and I'd been inside for all of it.

I'd normally go to the pool across the road from work - but it's closed in winter - damn it - so I did the bolt - to the ocean pool in Coalcliff (thankfully work is close to home). I dived in and my blog title became me - absolutely superchilled - freeeeeeezing. I thought I'd seize up after just one lap, and I sure was hyperventilating in that oh my god I'm going to die if I keep swimming kind of way, but I'd come this far to escape and made sure I managed a few more.

It was the perfect (well almost) break and made me a hell of a lot more awake and focused for the afternoon.

When do you feel the need to escape at a rapid pace?
What do you do?

38 Hibernate

One of my least organised birthday events for years, but I had a ball. There were superstars galore, Aussielicious was there in red, when he was clothed, The Patient Man, of course, and a selection of awesome people who will remain unnamed, but not uncelebrated. There were surprise guests to keep the crowd guessing, and more intoxicating beverages than are routinely known to me, just to keep them more confused. Sydney Harbour delivered a perfect sunset and the most excellent environment for a prolonged and comfortably lazy afternoon/evening. Thanks guys and dolls, brilliant.

Until I get photos from The Frenchman's phone cam (wedged somewhere under his sleeping body on the couch right now) you'll have to trek to The Patient Man's written and photographic account of the evening here. Thanks Craig.

Gods of men

You've all seen them, the people who stop you in your tracks, make you melt on sight, leave you looking stupid and saying silly things (or inappropriately silent). Well he swims at my haunt, the uni pool, he's a basketball player for the Wollongong Hawks which makes him tall & beautifully muscular and while in clothes he looks thin, out of them, there ain't nothin' thin about him. He was at the pool Saturday, as he thankfully often is - arrived and left at the same time we did (there is a god) and I just never tire of him. I think he's delightfully straight, and he mostly keeps to himself, but when he interacts and smiles - it's like heaven has opened it's gates a little for a peek, and then he's gone. I don't have any photos (this one is close), but in my mind - I think I could sculpt him.

Sigh.

Holding The Man

We saw the play Holding the Man on Friday Night at the Opera House. I have to say after all the build up and rave reviews I was a tad disappointed, but regardless it was worth venturing out for. I guess whenever you read a book that something later is based on - it's unlikely that the latter will outshine the former. They did a good job and there were some hilarious moments as well as very moving ones. I guess for me the warmth and love that shines in the book is somewhat lost in a little too obvious humour in the stage version, and the performances weren't as convincing as I'd have liked. But I did get a little teary in the end - not full on tears, but emotional - for a moment - I'd prefer uncontrolled tears - a sure sign that something has moved me, but those moments are rare. The Frenchman, Aussielicious, The Patient Man and Monty were all there to share in it as was quite a large collection of gay Sydney. Has anyone else seen it and have any personal views?

(warning: don't let The Patient man let loose on a bottle of wine, if you want to remain inconspicuous)

The remainder of this season are sold out but do yourself a favour and go out and get the book. Well worth a read for anyone of any persuasion. (Pictured here is the book cover.)

Superchilled Race Around the World Winners - Leg 13

Leg 13 found us inside the Guggenhiem - this time in Bilbao, Spain. The architecture of the building itself was probably more interesting than the exhibits when we visited - but they were good too. A lot of people complain about Bilbao - but we loved it. Not a big city - but certainly quite animated and fun to explore - which we did mostly on foot.

Lynnette wins this leg of the race, identifying the location correctly first, and Altraeis get's the award for best event planning in the space photographed (see below) because well, a foam party and naked men just wins....

The Royal & More

My day started as planned with a walk in the Royal National Park with Brenton d'licious. As you can see from the irreverent photo on the left (click to enlarge) it was a glorious day, and here we were just warming up. We took the path less travelled, much to the disdain of somebodilicious' ankles and found some breathtaking scenery before plunging into the pristine clear waters of Wattamolla in birthday suits (as appropriate for this day). Thanks Brenton, too much fun. And now I'm back in the hospital, working, but it's a relatively quiet night here so all is well and I may sleep enough to be fresh tomorrow for work and more importantly 'Holding The Man' at the theatre tomorrow night.

Now I know you're all wondering but yes The Frenchman has already taken me out for a candle-lit dinner last night at Samuel's, a fave restaurant in Thirroul (10 min from home). Isn't he sweet? But to add to the sweetness was my banoffee cheesecake dessert - to die for.

So the day has been sensational despite working half of it. In fact I've had cakes made for me at the surgery and kisses from kitchen staff here at the hospital, amongst episodes of people breaking into the dreaded birthday song... hilarious. My patients too have been very pleasant and kind, and even cute at times.

But there are more friends and family to catch up with for a somewhat extended celebration, and that gets into full swing tomorrow. I'm very much looking forward to the weekend ahead.

birthday boy

A walk in the park, that's what I'm doing today, the Royal National Park, before I start work in the afternoon and then work all night... (don't you hate working on your birthday!!) But then we're going to see 'Holding the Man' playing at the Opera House (from the book of the same name which is a sensational read by the way). The play has has had nothing but good reviews and I have been keen to see it since it's 1st season (this is it's 3rd). The weekend to follow will be rather sociable. I'm so looking forward to it! Not sure about the extra year though this year - but I'll come to grips with it soon enough.

Wild Wednesday

The wind from the west is wild - and causing havoc with our power supply here (trees on power lines etc...) But Wild Wednesday is not about weather. It's about doing things that scare you. And no I'm not talking jumping in front of moving traffic.

It's all too easy in life to do the same things or types of things each day - follow the routine and stay within our comfort zones. But what is life if it is the same every day? When are we challenged? What makes us think about things from a different perspective? I think travelling is a great way to challenge ourselves - provided it's to somewhere where we get to interact with the locals and to explore the lives of others. It can be scary - but is often immensely rewarding and insightful.
But we can't travel every day.
Or can we?

On Wild Wednesdays we can take a trip in our own world - go a different way to work, to school; eat at a different place for lunch or dinner, interact with someone we haven't really spoken with much and find a bit about their life. Come out to people about your sexuality - perhaps someone you hadn't really planned to but hey - what better way to get to know someone! Invite someone new out to dinner, or arrange an impromptu dinner party for 4. Perhaps sex in a new location, or in a different way. A phone call to an old school, uni friend or your relative who you used to be close to. Something that makes you a little scared - a quickening of your heart. Perhaps its time to ask that guy out who you've been pondering about for ever, maybe he's straight, maybe he's not.

Think outside your comfort zones, do something different - you might just bring something or someone new into your life.

Today's Numbers

Location 12 winners & Location 13

Leg 12 was a keenly contested race - with Peter von Amsterdam ultimately winning over Altraeis who were just minutes apart with their final correct entries. Well done guys. (see leg 12 below for details)

The latest in the race around the world series is above. (click on it to enlarge) Do you know where this photograph is taken? In a slight twist - this leg we continue to have the first correct entry - but also a challenge... What would you do if you could book this space for an event of your choice?

The race starts NOW.

A&F - lake

Another A&F Moment
It is Monday after all and we have a week to get through.
32seconds

May 24 approaches...

I guess like New Years Eve, when a birthday comes around you start to think of your year just gone, the year ahead, and life the universe and everything in between. Normally at this time I'm busy organising countless things that I'm preparing for my friends to do for my birthday 'event'. I have made them do car rallies, make short films, photo essays, arranged art classes and had them drawing and painting, sometimes a combination of these all merged into one. But this year I have no big event, save for a get together for sunset drinks. So I'm more reflective, more introspective, and more well, exposed to the ravages of birthdays and the numbers they add. Where am I going? What am I doing? Have I done the right things? Should I be better at x, y and z? Should I make an effort with my estranged sister? Should I chill more? Am I neglecting my family? Should I be more politically active? Are those wrinkles really mine? Am I making a difference in the world and Could I make a bigger difference?... it goes on...

I know the answer to some of those questions, but I'll still keep asking them, others I'm not so sure. At the end of the week, I'll still be the same person, maybe I'll have grown up a little, maybe I'll have slept a little more. I hope I'll have made the world a little better, preferably much more. But I have no way of monitoring that - I can't put a log on it, I can't find a stats web page to review my progress. I'll just have to trust that what I'm doing is what I should be doing, and push myself to continue to do more.

Coalcliff at Night

A night time walk for Norten (our labrador), so I took along the camera and took a few snaps. The working week is about to begin, have a good one!

BSB - The Lens is Turned

A perfect day in autumnal paradise. Work in the morning was refreshing, it's nice to be appreciated. But weekends are not for work. We headed to Paddington for a spot of shopping before meeting the regulars at BSB. En route there were scores of men in various stages of undress being photographed (frequently self portraits) one assumes for a certain aussielicious public nudity challenge... Our scoring was a little different to Brenton's... And having a camera handy is good for those perfect 10's out there, thanks for the memories... The Patient Man wasn't so patient and practiced the art of being obvious with my camera - Jake, Jason & Julian who had their whole own BSB experience just the thickness of glass away from us (and whose names are completely fictitious until proven otherwise) were the subject of his musings, one of whom can be seen below. Could the man in cargo shorts please report to base?

Aussielicious signed autographs as per usual - more naked men than just him this time meant he didn't seem so out of place. The decadent hot chocolate keeps one warm regardless of how little clothes one has on. A useful fact for Aussielicious as winter heads our way. But today was a day to farewell Sam. One of our original BSB'ers, Sam is heading to Sudan. 6 months sans Sam will feel like 16. (perhaps even more - but I'll keep you posted) and his farewell was not at BSB but at the clock tower hotel a hop, step and jump away. A delight as always, Sam has entered the blogging world - and when I have his address will publish a link. In the meantime here's the man of the moment - soon of the Sudanese moment.

How Gay is YOUR Sport?

Superchilled's sports rating continues...

Ice Hockey
Not a big sport here in Oz, but blogging is international and it has men, so here we are...

Participation Rating: Loads of gear required- (although this may mean more locker room time and assistance with same) being pulverised by or pulverising opposition each game, serious grunt factor. Potentially cute men - but who can see under all that protective gear?

1.5 stars

Spectator Rating: The games are fun to watch - if you don't mind a bit of biff. But not for the cute factor. The cute rating is in the crowd - definitely a goer in my limited experience (mind you that was in Sweden) but you can spend equal times watching the crowd as the players...
3 stars

When it Rains, it Pours

It's been one of those ends to the week.

Since starting work on Thursday and working almost constantly since, I have been just supercharged with things to do - bloody sick people!! Where do they all come from? From stitching people back together and sending people off to hospital (plus receiving more patients at hospital!) to counselling those who are angry about dying. In the free moment when I got to have breakfast with my friend Mark at diggies cafe at the beach - it POURED literally with rain this time - we had to take shelter inside (even though we were well under cover outside - such was the ferocity of the rain storm). Back to work in the morning (ie Saturday) but then have some time to recharge. I hope.

Have a great weekend in the meantime!

Impulse Swim

When it comes to water it's never hard to get me in. I was walking the dog at the beach just now and discovered it to be so incredibly summery and beautiful that I had to go swimming. Sure I didn't bring a towel or speedos but never let technicalities get in the way of a swim I say.
What does everyone else do on impulse with reasonable regularity?