Hey, guess what? I’ve finally managed to upload more photos from the honeymoon into the album! These photos are soooo cool, they bring back soooo many great memories of the ten days that we spent in Phuket after leaving Singapore. Over the next few posts I’ll probably be letting you in on a few of the highlights. Stay tuned!

Click here to view the albums!

Last Saturday was my birthday. Yay for me!

After playing golf early in the morning I had lunch with Elaine, Vic, Justin and Suze at the golf club. We all were trying to spend the last of our levies before the end of the financial year. It wasn’t hard as the food’s always good there.

Later, tired from yet another crap round of golf, I had a quick nap in the afternoon. When I got up there was a cheese platter sitting on the coffee table. I thought that was a little strange, but passed it off as one of those weird things that happen when you fall asleep in the middle of the day.

It all started to make sense when the doorbell rang and my friends started pouring in. Luckily I had my pants on. It appeared that my darling wife had organised a surprise birthday party for me! So we talked, drank and ate the aforementioned cheese platter while perusing through the honeymoon photos. Then at about 7pm, everyone got up and walked out. It seemed the night was far from over as we all headed into the city to eat at Aloi Na! (I’m not overly excited, the “!” is part of the name). When I arrived, there were even more friends there waiting for me! (this time I’m overly exited and the “!” is being used for effect).

The Thai food brought back wonderful memories from the honeymoon but seemed overly westernised now that I know what “real” Thai food should taste like. But it was still really good nonetheless. You have to try the seafood salad.

After that is was off to 3 Degrees to meet up with Elaine’s brother and fiancée. I actually didn’t last too long there, and the night ended for me not too long after. Not drunk, but just dead tired from all the excitement.

What a great night. A huge thanks goes out to all that made it along, and a even bigger thanks to my darling wife!

Click here to check out some photos taken with my Dad’s new P&S that I borrowed. Yes, some of my friends are crazy…

I officially renew my dislike of professional soccer. Yes, it may be an overly emotional response to Australia’s loss to Italy, but I think this game (and the three before it) demonstrates how 90 minutes of great play can be ruined by inconsistent referees and players who have no intention to remain vertical.

Photo courtesy of AFP

Totti, grow up and stop sucking your bloody thumb.

Photo courtesy of AFP

Nevertheless, well done Socceroos. You have achieved far more than anyone had dared to dream.

Australia is proud.

Photo courtesy of AFP

Haha… this is so utterly pathetic, yet I find it so strangely amusing.

Click here.

Last night Elaine couldn’t hold on any longer and decided to give me my birthday presents early. And when I say presents, I mean presents. Stored inside a Ben Sherman bag were three Ben Sherman tops (I’m finally going to be trendy!), a hovering soccer ball thingy (you’d have to see it to work out what I mean… it’s so cool), a wildlife photography book (stunning to say the least), two model cars (a Nissan Skyline and Dodge Viper), and two camera catalogues (a true sign that my wife really knows me too well). All up, I’d have to say that I’m a pretty damn lucky boy. Thanks sweetie!

After finally getting to sleep after a exciting night of opening presents, like many of my Australian brethren I woke up early this morning to a horrible score line of 0-1 in the Croatia vs. Australia game. What a tense game it was. Anyway, the important thing is that Australia is off to the round of 16 at Germany 2006, after a wonderful comeback to draw 2-2 by full time! GO THE SOCCEROOS!!!

Photo courtesy of Routers/Kai Pfaffenbach