KISS was the soundtrack to my high school years, along with AC/DC, The Angels, Queen and a plethora of others. Other bands like Midnight Oil and INXS filtered into my consciousness late in the 70s, but they were really bands for a different, more sophisticated and grown up era (!) KISS, however, remained a constant, having tapped into a vein of disaffected teenage boy craving for something hard driving, sexually risqué and rebellious.

With a healthy dash of scepticism and an equally strong hope for the best, we booked our premium tickets for KISS's final tour some years ago. Postponed by the pandemic twice, the time dragged on, dimming our hopes that the aging rockers would still be able to put on a decent show: how utterly wrong we were!

"Batter my eardrums four-person'd KISS" was the paraphrased catchphrase of high school's final year in 1979 as we butchered John Donne's holy sonnet, but this final show of biblical proportions banished our doubts and lifted us up to rapturous heights, as the septuagenarians (Simmons and Stanley) swashbuckled across a high tech stage of mesmerising sound, light and fire!

The consummate professionals and performers allowed the "younger" guys (mid sixties!) to flay the guitar and drums in solos and long riffs to give themselves some mini breaks, but it was pretty much wall to wall action for over two hours. The 8K video backdrop cleverly interspersed live footage and vintage video of the group singing the same song, splicing between them seamlessly. The pyrotechnics were incredible and the performance built to a crescendo after Stanley flew above the audience to strut on the micro-stage right behind us in a rocking rendition of Love Gun. The obligatory encore ended with Rock and Roll All Night complete with crowd-bunted beach balls and cannon-shot ticker tape raining down on the crowd...the end of an era brought a tear to the eye...best performance EVER!

We've managed to squeeze in some more activities this month as our baby-sitting duties for various builders and tradesmen have dwindled, mercifully. In fact, apart from a carpet cleaner next week, some kitchen cupboard adjustments on Monday and some blind modifications at an indeterminate time in the future, we only have the engineered wood floor to be laid at the end of the month. After that, dare we dream that our modified unit will be our own again? It's starting to feel that way!

Cass and I have discovered Wordle and are hooked, as the statistics ramp up the pressure each day. I quickly discovered Quordle as well and now both puzzles are a daily habit. Cassy's mum has also joined the "fun" and she and Cass send each other their results. I'm sure subscribing to this habit is a first sign of old age, but I'm trying valiantly to convince myself otherwise by engaging in more "youthful" pursuits (!)

Partly to entice me back into the water and partly to ward off the cold, I invested in a slick new steamer for the colder waters. My reasoning was that I'd be guilted into the surf if I invested in the new suit and didn't use it! This tactic was partly successful and I've had some relatively successful forays in the surf when it's a mild to moderate size and intensity and an easy paddle-out. This success is judged by falling off only 80% of the time rather than 95%, but despite my aching shoulders I'll persevere!

I'm typing this in my semi-renovated room at the back of the unit, replete with new desk and art arrangements. It's lovely to be able to use it again, and when we re-hang the paintings leaning in stacks against the back wall, it will be truly reclaimed. We're also getting excited to hang our "burning rope" Point to Point painting by Tim Storrier. Mum has enjoyed it for many years since we originally purchased it and she kindly allowed us to securely hang it in her alarmed unit. We've earmarked the spot years ago, so not long to go now. The next trick will be transporting it over here: it's two metres long and in a very heavy frame. We're yet to confirm the hanging spots for all our other paintings, but that's a fun task coming up!

Cass was excited to read David Mitchell's latest book, Utopia Avenue, but she's found it slightly underwhelming compared to others in his oeuvre. Recently, she rated highly Red At The Bone by Jacqueline Woodson giving it a rare "A" grade in the Cassy grading system! I've been enjoying the maturation of Chris Hammer as an Australian crime writer and his fourth book, Treasure and Dirt, is enjoyably tight, crisp and noticeably less waffly than earlier attempts (...think the opposite to this blog's usual entries!)

See ya!

 Rumours of this blog's demise have been greatly exaggerated, to paraphrase Mark Twain, although there has been some stuttering and shortness of breath! I haven't twinkled the keyboard in earnest for a couple of months and we've actually done a lot, even other than waiting around for tradesmen. So, let me begin...

Bumped from our assigned flight, but luckily scoring two of the precious spots on another flight, we were in Melbourne in a flash and touted into a luxurious Audi A6 to arrive at our stay at Brady Hotels, Jones Lane. It was a funky, upmarket, no fawning hotel and just our fancy! We dined at the nearby Pepe's Chalet and then got set for some adventures the following day. We went full tourist for a couple of days and travelled by tram (only the free, rattling, clanging old style one of course!) and walked our legs off. Of course Melbourne lived up to its "four seasons in a day" reputation and we were variously peeling off jackets in a sweat, shivering in jumpers and unfurling umbrellas at odd intervals.

The Picasso exhibition was cleverly curated. Ironically, it was the few Picassos based in Australia that we hadn't seen, but the freshness of his work never disappoints. We visited the "Light" exhibition as well and the Turners and Monets (among others) nearly stole the artistic show for the day. Strangely, we had also seen all these works in London, yet they too were compelling in their temporary environment. But wait, "Hamilton" was lurking in the wings to colour our evening!

A meal at a freakishly authentic homestyle Japanese restaurant, Yamato (authentic food, furniture, style and ambiance!) preceded our entry into the plush interiors of Her Majesty's Theatre for Hamilton! The buzz of excitement was palpable and the atmosphere of anticipation tingled and crackled. The show was a triumph, of course, even exceeding our high expectations. A romp of excellence through the early years of American politics, an intricate weaving of history with contemporary stagecraft and music, the show did produce an extra little piece of drama, unique to our performance. The show was stopped prior to intermission to allow a sick and fevered "George Washington" to be replaced with an understudy! We assume all was well and the replacement seamlessly integrated and got on with it: such professionals! We were glad, however, that we'd acted on a tip from Cassy's friend, Kristin, to familiarise ourselves with the soundtrack before going. It made all the difference to our comprehension and enjoyment.

After a tour round the city and a fascinating walk to the MCG and a guided tour of same (made even more special as it was hive of activity as it was prepared for the Geelong-Richmond clash the following day!) we scoured the famous laneways, admired the graffiti and strolled through Chinatown before being picked up again to travel back to Tullamarine to take possession of our own rental car for the drive to Torquay.

Torquay's Tropicana Hotel sounds exotic, but unfortunately, despite the serviceable living area there was no getting past the cracked tiles, peeling paint, bizarre lack of any water pressure, lukewarm water and sub zero temperatures of the bathroom. Oh well, we've stayed in worse, and it didn't remind us of the Bates Hotel-like one in Wellington (NSW) did years ago! So, looking on the bright side, we decided to seek solace in meeting up with Wol and Annie and the boys after a two year absence!

We'd decided to stay about six days, which was slightly pushing it, but after all, they were the reason we were making this southern pilgrimage. Wol and Annie were just the same wonderful friends that we remembered, although perhaps a bit beaten down by the constant demands of a couple of rapidly growing, rambunctious boys! At times, they looked like they needed a holiday from the holiday! We also had the opportunity to catch up with Josh who was also in Torquay, permanently these days, and batching it while Kristin and the kids were holidaying in the States.

We caught up for coffees and chats most days and added in many dinners at the pub or a restaurant. Marcus's parents even babysat the boys one night so we could go out for a special meal. Marcus and I managed to almost replicate one of our old nights out when we shared a couple of beers watching the Richmond-Geelong clash at the Torquay Hotel. It was almost like old times, but we really need to be doing it more regularly. Perhaps when they make the big move back to Australia we'll be able to organise some more regular catchups. While working around W&A's schedule for each day, we sneaked in a number of side trips as well as exploring the local area. We'd ventured along the Great Ocean Road by motorbike many decades earlier so it was about time we revisited some spots.

Trekking along a clifftop track from Jan Juc to Bell's was a highlight (8km there and back), as was a visit to Geelong Central. The Geelong Art Gallery is housed in a beautiful old building and holds a few special treasures. The Wool Museum was surprisingly fascinating and professionally presented and a wander along the waterfront was leisurely and eye-opening, culminating in a dizzyingly fast spinning Ferris Wheel ride! We travelled overland to connect up with the always impressive but sadly disappearing "Twelve" Apostles of whom only about eight appear to be surviving the onslaught of wind and waves, then motored further along the coast, had a spot of lunch before heading back to the delights of the Tropicana. We made other day (or morning) trips to Barwon Heads and Anglesea and thoroughly enjoyed our tiny excursions in between meals and chats with friends. We even soaked up the delights of a country AFL game watching Wal's old team strut their stuff!

We were very lucky and spoiled that Chris and Val both chauffeured us to and from Newcastle Airport as it always helps ease the hassle of a trip to have it bookended so conveniently. We've had some action on the social front here since we returned as well. Mark's long postponed 60th surprise birthday party finally went ahead, actually on the eve of his 61st! It was fun, and for the "Ages of Mark" fancy dress, I replicated our old school uniform....shame I couldn't replicate the flowing locks and smooth skin! I was quaking with trepidation about delivering a short speech, but Cass reported that it went very well, so I'll take her word for it!

We celebrated Mum's 87th birthday at one of her favourite restaurants, Noah's, and had a great afternoon with some of the family. Helen and Lucy magically materialised after being stranded by car trouble on the way....they're troopers! We've had a few meals with Cassy's parents and visits with them as well as Mum over the past couple of months as well as sneaking out for a few dinner dates, drinks afternoons and visits to the cinema. We're still hamstrung by builder's schedules and the continued delays in finalising our renovations.

I'll try, (but won't promise) to write slightly more regular updates in future (!) Cass is reading "Disappearing Earth" by Julia Phillips and I'm on another Quirke novel, "Holy Orders" by Benjamin Black. I've again missed a whole doorstep of titles, but c'est la vie!

 We were totally shocked recently when we realised that it was a year ago that Cassy bought the appliances for our kitchen. Although the destruction/construction didn't begin until November 1st, it was still startling to think that things have been going on for so long. As it stands, the renovations have been going on for 7 months and although significant progress has been made, the end is not within sight just yet. We've just had the painting start, neither bathroom is finished (although mercifully, one is 80% operational bar having to use the sink in the laundry!) and the blinds have yet to be installed. Surely, there's a little glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel?

We've come to realise that we were very naïve to think everything would go quickly and smoothly. Despite the best efforts of our very professional builder, John, the timetable has been thrown into disarray by multiple combinations of tradespeople unavailable due to Covid outbreaks, delays on other jobs, supply issues with materials and a myriad of other issues. Let's sum it up this way, there is absolutely no way in the world that we'll ever do this again: we're moving if this place doesn't meet our needs in the future!

We've managed to escape our "tradesman babysitting duties" a few times to get to some Knights games, meals out and family get-togethers for Mother's Day and a lunch to see Michael and his girlfriend on a fleeting visit from Canada. We've continued to sneak away for our walk most days and I've even tentatively tested out my "frozen shoulders" with a few surfs. 

My old school friend, Mark, loaned me a modern big volume board to ease me back in, which was very kind and generous of him. My paddling fitness is shot to bits, my balance as wonky as a drunk on a skateboard and things aren't terribly enjoyable at the moment as I fall off immediately on 90% of any waves that I manage to catch, but as it's often said, I need to persevere to "get the stoke back". Living opposite a surfing reserve, there's no way I shouldn't make this work. I even committed further to the cause today by investing in a new wetsuit down at the Ripcurl shop: there's no turning back now!

Cause for great celebration is coming up in a couple of weeks, where we fly to Melbourne for a couple of nights to see Hamilton and the art gallery but more importantly then spend a week or so in Geelong and Torquay catching up with Marcus, Annie and the boys. We haven't seen each other since we left Taipei two years ago, so we'll have plenty to catch up on!

Books....Cassy and I have read hundreds of books since my last updates, so we'll let them disappear into the ether as I can't possibly list them all here. I've been interspersing books from various series for a while with Richard Stark's "Parker" series providing some old school nihilism, amongst Benjamin Black's "Quirke" series and M.W. Craven's "Washington Poe" books with some light relief from Michael Connelly and Lee Child here and there. Cass is on a book planet that has far more rarefied air than mine, but I do know she recently read and enjoyed Ann Patchett's collection of short biographical essays!