October 2004

Well, October started with a bit of a bang. The first weekend was the Sleaze Ball weekend with the annual party held at Faux Studios. Sleaze Ball is the second largest party after Mardi Gras with about 8,000 people attending. (Mardi Gras run Sleaze Ball as a fund-raiser.)

Actually, I initially wasn't going to Sleaze Ball and didn't have a ticket. Greig was going to attend but he managed to pick up a nasty cough that wouldn't go away. He decided it would be best for his health (and the health of others) if he stayed at home. His ticket was going to go to waste anyway, so I decided that rather than throwing it out, it was better economy to throw another $100 at it for drugs and go to the party myself.

We started out with the usual drinks at Jimi's house before wandering over to the party. As expected, it was huge - the reason I normally don't like these parties. I did have a fun night though. I spent the first few hours with Jimi and Co, then met up with Paul and Rishi, staying with them for a couple of hours and finally meeting up with Sam and Cameron for a couple more hours. At the end of the party I found Jimi and Co again, staying with them until the bitter end before heading home for a sleep.

The dance floor in the RHI at Sleaze Ball.

Sleaze Ball was exactly what I expected it to be. Large and crowded with a pretty ordinary atmosphere. The shows were average. The sound and lighting wasn't that exciting although I did like the projected images around the dance floor (which they seem to do every couple of years). I was expecting an ordinary party and all in all I wasn't disappointed. I was glad I went, but I certainly don't think it's worth the money that Mardi Gras charge for a ticket.

The following night was the Queer Nation Recovery at Home Nightclub. Actually, this was going to be my only party. My plan was to turn up all fresh and looking fabulous compared to those who had been out partying the previous night. I turned out to be one of those people who had been out partying the previous night. Well, at least I had some sleep.

I spent a great deal of the party in the "Silver Room" where the music was quite a bit harder. (Oh, yeah. I like it hard.) It did have it's quiet moments when I would wander out to the main dance floor and see what was happening there. I managed to lose Jimi fairly early in the evening as he had made a new friend. I did catch up with Paul and Rishi again, who seemed to be spending a great deal of the party sitting down. They had used up all their energy at Sleaze Ball and spent a great deal of the Queer Nation as on-lookers. (I know that feeling.)

Greig and I went to another of Jimi's BBQ's on the following weekend. A pleasant little gathering where I ate far too many sausages. Later that week I had my arm twisted by Jimi (he's such a bad influence) and took a day off work to go to the beach. It turned out to be the hottest October day on record with the temperature reaching 38ºC. Perfect beach weather although the water was still a bit cool. We met a nice gay couple from Antwerp on the beach and spent a bit of time chatting to them. Apparently Sydney was their last port of call before heading back to the northern winter.

Later in the week, we heading off to The ABC Studios in Ultimo to watch a taping of the Glasshouse. ("We" being Greig, Greigs Uncle Rob, Brad and me.) They actually tape two eps in a session because some of the talent has to come up from Melbourne. You need to remember to laugh just as much for the second ep. Ahhh, the magic of television.

October is Greig and my anniversary. Eighteen years now. Won't he ever learn? We celebrated by going out to dinner at ARIA Restaurant at Circular Quay. It has lovely views over the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Very nice and very expensive, although I think I had the most delicious dessert that I have ever had in my life at that restaurant on that night. (Luckily, part of the meal was paid for by a very happy customer of Greigs so we didn't have to take out another mortgage to eat there.)

Now that the party season has started again, so have the gigs. Greig and I worked a night at Gas Nightclub, producing a broadcast for NOVA 96.9. It was a fun night - the first Outside Broadcast we had done in ages and the music was funky too. The Trance group Nu Nrg played a live set for a couple of hours and the rest of the night was some of the best Trance DJ's. I possibly spent a bit too much time dancing and not enough time watching the levels.

Actually, Gas Nightclub was a little bit disturbing in one way. I spent the early part of the evening locked in the "tech room" - a balcony space overlooking the stage. I was having a great time because the music was just the style that I like. I didn't venture out to the main floor until after Nu Nrg had finished. In that time the venue had filled up - with 19 year olds. Oh my god! I've got the musical taste of a 19 year old!!!