You Tube:Cha Cha Heels

RIP Eartha Kitt aged 81. I loved her - and especially loved this number when it used to play at Freakazoid.

A Fiery Mexican, a Drunk Belgian & Nude Australian run into this pub see...

My life turned into a working men's club comedians bad joke last night. Circa '76.

It all started with Margarita's and Mexican for dinner...after receiving heartburn similar to the Volcano El Chichon erupting [I forgot about my lack of tolerance to Tequila's & chilli's combined with the lava flows of cheese] I left Andy at home to meet with a B & D at the Belgian Beer Garden.

Now usually the Belgian Beer Garden is a very smart sunday afternoon affair where groomed Melbournians enjoy jazz and European Beer in a setting of a beautiful Bluestone Historical building and it's charming gardens. Lovely.

Not on A Saturday Night though. Apparently not as fussy with it's clientele admissions.
Granted I was a bit sober [too many Antacids to keep the Alamo of a digestion occuring in my stomach] and I walked into, what I can only describe as, the Belgian Beer Garden putsch of 2008.

B & I met a charming fellow at the bar called 'Jacko' and his insightful view of the crowd 'all these fuckers are stuck up here' unlike his local pub [unnamed but I have a sneaking suspicion it appeared in the TV show 'Underbelly'], gave B his address just in case 'you leave your hubby sexy' [what a charmer - who could resist!] and proceeded to order 14 Bourbon & cokes for himself [or as N likes to call them 'suburban & cokes'].

Well our new mate disappears into the chaos and we managed to settle in for evening. I'm trying to calm my indigestion with a glass of Sauvigon Blanc finding that Mexican and French do not mix well [will pop a note through to the Epicure in The Age with that pearl of wisdom]. However about an hour later Jacko appears from one of the hedges, completely starkers [the suburban & cokes kicking in] and does a nudie run through the venue and out to St Kilda Road, with his finale being a helicopter and then British Bull dog [see Puppetry of Penis] for the maddening crowd.

The thing is that Jacko kept his [sort of] big gun for last [no excuses for the pun] and the only thing to top it was - well nothing really. Leaving is an excellent encore in that situation as opposed to getting arrested which is the alternative. I am actually surprised that the crowd didn't really care about it and continued drinking. B & I thought I was very funny. Bless Jacko for making our night.

D was found later on quite drunk kissing one of his work mates however for those who don't live in Australia that isn't a new thing for Heterosexual Australian men when they are drunk. Usually before a nudie run and well prior to fisty cuffs.

I managed to get home by 1am and was completely sober.
Pants on I would like to say too.

Decking your halls...

Well yes its that time again at Casa de finnoccio...er..I mean Casa de la Riversdale - Christmas...every year we go to town getting ready for Christmas...usually decorations are brought out in December however Andy was bored and set up in November [yes we are heathens in this household bishop].Really its the same look as last year[click on Christmas link below for other years past]...however Red is colour du jour...and I especially like the Red Star - homage to Lenin & the Soviets... which [of course] are a whole world away from the yuletide seasonings. Well Moscow is near the North Pole and Lenin always looked like a thin Santa [Well she was wearing red at least].

And the theme is carried to all objet d'art around the abode - as well as Du rogue. Full Stop.

It's also a good excuse to get out the Murano glassware too - So I'm happy there.

And just to be mental I have bought red napkins & already have place settings to match [of course I have]. Now just another 3 Christmas drinks/do's/parties prior to the big day to get thru/to and myself and the liver will need drying out...2009 is then looking like a dry zone [ again who Am I kidding].

You Tube:Fat Cat VS Small Box

I love animals. I especially like it when fat animals forget that they are fat...and unco...

Cyanide and Happiness

MOvember - Finale

Well its near the end of November and my upper lip is starting to scratch.

This month I have been called a Porn star, one of the Village people, and a member of the Australia Cricket team circa '76 - however overall the most comments I have had is that I apparently look like I'm on my way to a bank job or being sent down to Pentridge Prison.

Nice.

I have managed to raise so far $431.03 [AUD] - A BIG BIG thank you for all those who contributed so far - if you haven't please feel free to as well...

https://www.movember.com/au/donate/donate-details.php?action=sponsorlink®o=1534941&country=au

Remember all donations over $2 are tax deductible and you are supporting Beyond Blue & Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia - 2 organisations which are helping to improve men's health in OZ.

I will be returning the Classic Eccentric back to regular transmission soon.

MOvember - update

Update for Movember current Pic of my mo so far...
Apparently I’m trying for a chopper meets the village people – your basic butch camp mo circa ’76…you know what I mean

A BIG BIG Thanks to those who has already donated – if you haven’t I would really appreciate it – the link is below

https://www.movember.com/au/donate/donate-details.php?action=sponsorlink&rego=1534941&country=au

Remember all donations over $2 are tax deductable and you are supporting Beyond Blue & Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia – and I look a pillock for the month!

MOvember

During Movember (the month formerly known as November) I'm growing a Mo for charity - men's health to be precise.

Did you know:
Depression affects 1 in 6 men in OZ - the sad thing is that most don't seek help. Untreated depression is a leading risk factor for suicide.

And last year in OZ 18,700 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer and more than 2,900 died of prostate cancer - equivalent to the number of women who will die from breast cancer annually.

So I'm bringing the Mo back because I'm passionate about tackling men's health issues and being proactive in the fight against men's depression and prostate cancer

[before the mo....]

I will be uploading the progression the mo during the month...Unsure whether or not to go handlebar, pirate, biker or just plain white trash....I'm always open to suggestions.

If you want to donate to my Mo you can :
Click this link https://www.movember.com/au/donate/donate-details.php?action=sponsorlink&rego=1534941&country=au and donate online using your credit card or PayPal account.

Remember, all donations over $2 are tax deductible.The money raised by Movember is used to raise awareness of men's health issues and donated to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and beyondblue –the national depression initiative. The PCFA and beyondblue will use the funds to fund research and increase support networks for those men who suffer from prostate cancer and depression.

Carn the mo!

You tube:Liza with a

Matt is a genius - and I want his number so he can come to parties and do this...especially like the muppet style ending.

Cyanide and Happiness,

You Tube: More Lookey Likey

It's frightening that Tina didn't even need to write anything new lines for her Sarah Palin sketches...Could this really be the USA's next VP?

Spring & society

Well there has been a bit of this lately...

It started with marvellous Spanish lunch at Movida (Hosier Lane) with Dermo & B, all good fun...then an Italian lunch at Cicciolina in St Kilda with an old friend from the UK, followed by some dinner parties, a 30th birthday party and a very boozy Moroccan Sunday lunch.

That was just the first 3 weeks of September. It must be Spring.

The wonderful citizens of Melbourne have survived the dreaded mid year seasons [winter and the football] and have their party shoes on to celebrate the return of one of my favourite seasons - Spring.

Not only the season has changed. Thankfully so has the fashions. The winter coats and [football] scarfs have been folded away for lighter clothing and more tailored wear. The skinny cigarette jean is [unfortunately] still rearing it's sickly head however the fashions this summer are looking rather becoming with lots of stripes and [shock horror for this Melbournian] lots of colour. However I'm sure black is still very much welcomed at the luncheon table.

So the fashion and the food hold me no concern. Since going to the gym I can justify the food and puddings rather easily. It the amount of the wine and hard liquor that I seem to constantly be plying into my body during Spring's return that is.

So given this when I heard that my old boss (now an ex pat in Singapore) was in town I was going to catch a quick drink at Riverland on Friday night. And I did...then another then another then dinner then the Prince of Wales and finally ( to my horror ] the Xchange hotel dancing on a podium and realising that maybe as my sister and her family were arriving the next day I best get myself home. And woke up Andrew when I got it [oops].

Bless Spring!

You Tube:Tina Fey or Sarah Palin?

I love Tina Fey - especially when she is doing vice presidential elect Sarah Palin -enjoy!

Cyanide and Happiness

The Spring Weekender - guests of nature Pt 2

Other than the scenic trip ocean drives are, the landscape on the Australian coast is not just beautiful, but so peaceful and serene. It always helps to clear my head and to relax.
The Beach is such an OZ icon. Growing up in Western Australia, the beaches are white sands & the Indian Ocean - quite stunning. The Victorian Coast is different as it's more earthy and rugged, as if it's endured many changes and lifetimes.
The Bridge over Separation Creek - I love how the bush meets the sea.
A close up of the river stones. I so wanted to steal these for the garden but realised the petrol we used to drive here was already a bigger carbon footprint I wanted to leave on the plan [my green conscious couldn't live with guilt].

We went to Kennett River on Saturday afternoon to go for a walk in the bush and to see the koalas. I love the above shot as the eucalyptus trees in the forest are so tall. And yes it was so peaceful.

What still amazes me is the amount of koala's in the trees - I have never seen so many outside a Zoo in my life. There they all are - sittin' up like Jackie - eating & sleeping away - well they don't really do much else. And don't need to.

I quite like this one - He [or she] looks like a very old soul - especially like the big button noses. It comforting to see so much wildlife in their natural setting.

To any visitors out there - never try not to pet them as they are still wild animals and can quite nasty - although you'll never guess to look at them.

However the birds are a different story as they are far more interactive. The Parakeets and the Rosella's are happy to feed straight from your hands. This time they came to us on the balcony.

White Gallahs - they look nice but they are really the bullies of the bird world. They are very large and make a god awful racket in the morning.

And yet another OZ Gallah - this time with 2 birds in my hands. These birds are almost like pets. The colours of their feathers are so vibrant.Two days and nights were just not long enough on the coast. Hopefully the four of us can do this all again at the end of Summer.

The Spring Weekender - down the coast Pt 1

As Melbourne's winter has been so incredibly cold and any invitation to escape it, even if just for a moment, is always welcomed. When B & D said we could all use a relatives beach house for the weekend we jumped at the chance. To manage to time it at the start of Spring was pure luck.We were staying at Wye River, a little hamlet hide way on the Great Ocean Road. The Great Ocean Road was built as a memorial for those fallen soldiers of WWI. It is an ocean side road from Torquay all the way to Warrnambool on the south west coastline of Victoria. Its one of my favorite roads in all of Australia - twisting and turning around the coastline with ocean views virtually the entire way. It is around 280 kilometres long so its a long slow relaxing drive.

I love signs like this - apparently many tourists have almost driven off the many cliffs to their deaths or head on collisions on the road - hence the above sign was born.

This the view from the house - straight to the ocean - quite amazing and very peaceful.
B & Andy in the frame - there a few towns on the road built after WWII as beach side getaways for Melbournians. Once you'll find only cheap cement cottages - now are slowly being demolished for million dollar homes...like the below.Our accommodation was not as salubrious or Architectural digest as this one - however still cosy for the weekend - the log fire was essential for the cool nights on the coast.
The view from the beach - you can see the houses are dotted between the tree tops - again very pretty. Below is very lovely Wye River Beach - it was a little cool but the sun was out and that made up for the wind !

Although we spend most of our time in Wye, we did drive to the equally pretty Apollo Bay for breakfast on Sunday.
Main Street- apparently in Summer you can't move, let alone find somewhere cheap to stay.

Apollo Bay has these rolling hills that surround it - it feels almost like Ireland (without the accent or the cold - mostly). Below is the harbour, again very picturesque.

As I havent been on this part of the coast for over 5 years, I completely forgot the nature and landscape and how both don't mind the interaction with the visting city folk.

To be continued...

200

Well it's been 2 years and 200 posts since I started the classic eccentric - which I didn't think was too bad a rate of post - over 8 per month - while working full time (changing 3 job roles in the same company and studying as well), being in a relationship, having a cat (anyone who has a cat will SO get that) and living in the world that is 2008.
However back in 2006 when I started the blog, I had the intentions of a web diary with a bit of extra stuff (funny bits, my obsessive collecting, pop culture pollava - all types of interesting shit really) and it has just worked out to be something else that I honestly still don't know what that it is. However an evolving blog is open to change and movement that then lends itself to explore. And does allow a whole of a funny crap too rather than just being about me me me.
However being a little conceited and part of a generation who thinks of themselves first (um which generation? Oh that's right ALL generations) I did expect to get more feedback on the content of the posts. And also to make sure someone other than myself and Andy were reading! The comments I have received have been interesting & welcoming. The funny thing is the most reaction I have had in the last 2 years were my posts on Corey Worthington, the party animal of Narre Warren. So much for my witty posts of OZ life - just get a dickhead from the burbs to steal the show! So Gen Y....which is a little rich coming from the cynical Gen X'er that I am.
Cynic or not I'm glad I did start the blog. It has given an outlet for my creative side. I'm also glad in the last year or so I have concentrated more on the content rather than the amount of posts. I'm glad I wrote about the history OZ TV - it was something I spent a lot of time on, as well as showing my love for the box. But saying that you tube posts are fun and quick - and sometimes images are much more interesting than words alone. Especially when they are either handsome men from Spunk Alerts posts (contrary to a comment made - Spunk in OZ means sexy or hot - not the UK meaning!), unfortunate singing moments from Eurovision to Idol to Jan Terry and, my favourite, the venomous Cyanide and Happiness comics...just too twisted and a bit wrong.

And the next 200?

Well hopefully this blog will continue to evolve further still...

You Tube: Dancin' Matt

I saw this on Sunrise the other week and I really liked it - dancin' across the world with matt - and connecting with all...quite moving

You Tube:The B-52's - Funplex

Once described as 'new wave kiddy camp rockers' when they used to play in the Mudd Club (NYC in the 70's while wearing woman corsetry) now still rockin' on making comment of the world nowdays...bless them.

Cyanide and Happiness

Site to Check out - Tough at the top

Tough at the top is a new online TV show created by the infamous Crazy Cousin Anne - (well not my cousin - actually a dear friend Brigid's cousin but I digress).

Basically it all started after a move to Darwin, meeting another of similar name at the pub, then getting drunk at the pub and finally the buying of a motorized esky from eBay (yes I'm not making this up) both Anne Edmonds ( Crazy Cuz) and Anna Daniels (not Crazy Cuz) decided to approach the local ABC TV(NT) and pitch an idea for an online comedy series - And Tough at the Top was born.

The girls have written, directed and starred in this off the wall Territory comedy. Highlights have included so far 'The NTique Roadshow'...their take on another TV show of a similar name and most recently a mock- u -mentry style of a campaign for the rights of racists (v.funny). The site will be updated every week - future highlights will include flapper dancing 1920's style on current day Darwin's wharf, picnicking by the local esplanade in crocodile suits(not too far from actual croc attacks)....and (of course) the obvious hooning around the highways of NT on a motorized Esky - which will no doubt be my favourite...

http://www.abc.net.au/darwin/features/toughatthetop/?section=video

Book Review - A short history of nearly everything

[And yes it is!]

I really enjoy reading Bill Bryson travel novels. I think its his laid back but intelligent approach to his subject(s) and to life in general. The first novel I read of his was The Lost Continent: Travels in Small-Town America - and loved the way he told of his travels in the USA, trying to find that fictional small town he grew up with when watching TV & movies in the 50's & 60's. Of course the hilarious thing is that the closest town he found that got to be looking and feeling like a real small town America was Provincetown! But I digress. A short history...continues his journey, but this time instead of travel its history [and what makes up everything in the universe] itself that is the journey dujour.

Mr Bryson goes back and forth in his novel trying to give an oversight of the universe that is older than anyone can say, bigger than anyone can think and more unknown than the...well unknown itself. From the creation of the planets and the mighty milky way to the tiniest of bacteria, from modern health sustaining life to nuclear bombs taking it, the Cro-Magnon man to the species that is modern man, let alone insects, dinosaurs and the stuff of life - the lot! Bill draws from papers, people and all sorts of paraphernalia to paint the picture of what is known, [and in most cases than we like to think so] unknown about virtually everything.

My love for this novel was the multiple subjects discussed and the way that we need to almost compact and change things so to suit circumstance rather than to accept that they just don't fit in a category. For example our solar system is always shown to suit text book page sizes so they fit all neatly, whereas the distance between the planets are so long that even reducing the earth to a pea on paper Jupiter is still 300 metres away...and you would need to standing in the next suburb to even get the chance to see Pluto! [Let alone if you make it real scale.] I also love the fact that when scientists and the so called 'people of knowledge' don't know, can't explain or find the missing links in history of life, they just make it up until someone knows, explains or find them [yes I'm not making that up either.]

Some of the subjects are not as interesting as others. While I found the solar system, universe and creation of the planets fascinating, I almost slept through the atom and elements chapter(s). However I am quick to point out it was only because it reminded me of high school chemistry lessons rather than the way Mr Bryson's places pen to the parchment [Mr Lee my chemistry teacher would be quite upset with me now] that sent me to sleepy by by's.

But saying this, the book is just a really great read about...well the title suggests everything. Mr Bryson did win the Descartes Prize and also Aventis Prize from the science world. Apparently some top scientist was supposed to say that the book is "annoyingly free of mistakes" - however a list of errors made by the book is online for those wanting to doubt him. It's a shame that scientists with all their brilliance get just as much fun disproving people and ideas rather than trying and finding new ones. Maybe they should focus more on endeavours to finding those bloody missing gaps rather than just making it up.

Regardless, you will be enlightened and enjoy this one.

Four big bangs of out five.

Cyanide and Happiness

Whats in a name?

As much as I detest the narrow minded and lowest common denominator view that the other newspaper in Melbourne - 'The Herald Sun' - offers, putting aside the usual sensational "footy shock - gangland related -petrol price- interest rate hike - oz battler being pushed over the edge " headlines that it usually spruces to it's audience, occasionally there are interesting little tit bits of information worthy a read - and good to kill a lunch break with (especially when someone has taken the 'The Age' for the green guide or epicure sections or has already done the Sudoku).

One of these was in yesterdays paper (25.06.08) in the cunningly named 'in Black & White' section (god you can imagine the pitch meeting for that title) which was about names - a dear 72 year old Mr Ed Bourke (you can imagine him on the verandah discussing the state of the country and how best to grow cabbages in the Melbourne Spring) has compiled a list of actual names that match their chosen occupation (and yes I am not making any of these up) and sent them to the wrong newspaper for publishing...

for example -

Water Ecologist - Mr Grant Hose

Melbourne Zoo CEO - Mr John Gibbon.

Minister for Finance - Mr John Lenders.

Housing Indutsry Spokeman - Mr Simon Tennent.

Rommel's aide during retreat from Tobruk in WW2 - Von Schlippenbach.

In true Herald Sun style they hinted at the list was four pages long and only published 5 names - which means that they didn't really care for Mr Ed Bourkes list - or the list wasn't really that good. Please leave any names you have read in the comments that are just as quirky as those that Mr Ed Bourke has found over the years...usually the real ones are better than ones you can make up yourself.

b

You Tube: Coke is it

Coke ads have always been a sign of the times...But the Electric Pandas singing a Coke ad in pub scene of the early 80's? We used to sing in school 'Coke is Shit'..a bit like the pandas really

Spunk Alert: Tiago Botega

Well after a long break from posting Spunk Alerts ( god forbid - no I had not run out of attractive men - more so laziness dear reader/voyeur to this catergory) - I found this hottie - and all I know about him is that his name is Tiago Botega, I'm assuming he's some sort of a model, he is 23 years old and comes from Garibaldi, Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil (why of course he does).Not that I think you really needs to know much more.However if you know more about this piece of hotness (interests, occupation, telephone number so I can stalk etc) please please let me know...

You Tube: Adorn Hair Spray 1960's TV Commercial

Bless Andy finding this- He will now have a busy weekend with COL-LOS-SAL clips - let alone the Upsie Daisy and Bikini Brush ( follow up ads) by ADORN - why can't we advertise more stuff like this...

Cyanide and Happiness

A str8 mans dream and nightmare...