pace be with you

Where have I been? I just got off the phone from Jon. I told him I was in a good head space and I wanted to have a night to myself. I just want to write and think and see what happens...

I had a cleansing 2 weeks in Melbourne. Overall. Though I'm not sure where a night on E comes into the game. It was definitely fun (hello Sheila). Saw my cat. Saw my friends n family. Saw Ten Canoes and fell asleep (and I'm still tossing up whether to see it again on the big screen). Saw people I hadn't seen in a long time...

My friend Brian has lived around the St Kilda area for about 15 years now. We met each other 19 years ago. He was running some acting workshops and I went along for an 8 or 10 week course when I was 21 I guess. At the end of that course Brian said to me, "Promise me you'll continue acting" so I did for a few years and I'm sure I will again. In 1995 when I was studying for my BA I made a short film (comedy/musical sort of thing inspired by my wedding.). Brian played the Celebrant in it and once again he encouraged me. At the end of the Gala Premiere Screening of Just Married he came over to me and said he'd enjoyed it and found it better than he'd expected. I described him once as my mentor. Once upon a time we shared a passion for Charles Bukowski. I still do. I imagine he does too. I'll have to ask him next time. Anyway, I was wandering around the streets of St Kilda with Ralfie n Scruff (the dog) when we came across a couple out walking with their dog. It was Brian and his wife and their dog (first meeting with the beautiful wife and the handsome canine). The last time Brian and I had seen each other was when we bumped into each other in the street just over 6 years ago, and only a week or two before I left Melbourne for Sydney. So we caught up again during this recent time in Melbourne and I'd been thinking about him only a day or so before. It was good for both of us.

I'm proud of myself for telling Jon I wanted a night to myself. I'm pleased he was accommodating. Last night he waited for me for an hour. I was working over in Newtown all afternoon and stayed for a chat n a joint afterwards. Jon finished work at 5 pm and went straight to my place (10 mins away). I left Newtown at 6 stoned n feeling fabulous. No coins for the bus and I decided it'd be fun to walk. It was. I walked from Newtown to Central Station mesmerised, singing, full of joy. Caught a taxi home from Central with a great driver (in the end) and a woman who shared to Pitt Street (or somewhere). I walked in the front door, ignored the mail package waiting for me (thanks eBay) and checked messages straight away. I knew Jon would be wondering where I was because we'd arranged to see a film (Solo) at 7:15 and it was now 6:30 or later. Turns out he was sitting out the back laneway in his car - another 5 mins and he'd be gone. Yes, I knew he was coming over after work, I just thought he'd wait to hear from me before arriving.

On the last day of my trip to Melbourne Ralfie hired a car and drove me n Scruff all over the place. It was beautiful and peaceful n relaxing. We saw roos and crazy cats as we travelled from Hurstbridge to Kinglake. We walked along a track in the National Park, took pics, got back to the car and headed through the fog for Mount Evelyn via Yarra Glen, Coldstream and Lilydale. Stopped at a couple of nurseries. Drove up the Dandenong Mountains, ate and headed back to town (via the Laird Hotel in Collingwood). All at our own pace.

Ralfie took the pic