In the wake of kings

bobpaisleyallstars — Tue, 10 May 2011 11:17:42 +0000

It is a rare thing indeed, dear reader, when a man finds himself in the presence of their adolescent hero. As the title of ‘idol’ is seemingly typically awarded only to the loftiest few within our society, it certainly becomes fathomable to believe that many of us never do meet those that they admire most. But not I! For this eve, my friends – as I rounded into Fitzroy Street on the stalwart singlespeed – I had my chance encounter with that that I admire most:

Since the days of years long gone – when the hearty laughter and stereotypes targeting skinny chefs floated gently through the TV of a mid-afternoon – it had been the remotest desire that a man may one day behold ‘The Chief’. And this eve, as his eyes (which were nestled below a deservedly sweaty brow) met briefly with mine, I ogled like a schoolgirl while he majestically shuffled his generous girth past. At that precise moment, I knew that a very prominent box in the ‘life goal’ category had been firmly ticked.

Streetscape of the ‘Week’

bobpaisleyallstars — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 10:37:28 +0000

And by week, I apparently mean year – as it has been quite a while since the last! Nonetheless, what follows is a testament to one of my favorite Melb haunts:

St Kilda Pier

As one of many shining jewels in the St K crown, I am all too willing to don the tourist cap and spend copious amounts of time on the foreshore ticking the pins over. The attraction most likely stems from the Brisbane in me, or it might be due to the atmosphere that never seems to cease… Either way, I would certainly make the argument that there are few better places to relax, reflect and acknowledge some hard-earned contentment!

Stirling Effort

bobpaisleyallstars — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 03:40:23 +0000

It’s been a few months since the last charity fundraiser – which saw the sacrifice of the upper lip to support Movember (see ‘Stache, Smash and Dash). This time, however, it will be the entire body – and not the face – that is up for sacrifice. Read on!

A Stirling Effort

On 30 April, a small group of brave but fit (and perhaps a little crazy) CoM men will be taking to Mt Stirling in Victoria’s beautiful alpine region to push ourselves through 30km of snow covered incline running – all in the name of charity! It promises to be a physically and mentally challenging weekend, but the scenery, experience and cause are more than enough motivation. I for one am excited!!

To get involved, get along to http://www.everydayhero.com.au/stirlingeffort and see what you can do to help out.

Future options

bobpaisleyallstars — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 03:18:16 +0000

Dear reader(s), warning – the following are mundane yet serious thoughts, so read on at your discretion!

Last night I had the pleasure of spending an evening with a friend who has spent far longer in the planning field than I. From our conversation, I couldn’t help but be inspired by how much she had achieved already, and how clear and concise her plan was for her future.

It has slowly been dawning on me for some time that whilst planning is sufficient to be a means to an end, it is also the ‘stepping stone’ or foundation to more challenging careers. This, combined with the almost necessity to have some level of postgraduate degree in order to fulfill a desire to work overseas, has led me to finally accept that December will not be my final graduation – post grad here I come.

The question is, post grad what? While I have been extremely fortunate of late to have been surrounded by many intelligent and inspirational people who have or are completing their masters, the range of options is nonetheless fairly daunting.

So far, I feel that project management or landscape architecture may be for me, and I also feel that I would definately be inclined to do this in Melbourne. I also feel inclined to get straight into it – just to compensate for the amount of gap years it took me to discover the lifestyle that I’m blessed to be leading.

But these are just thoughts! For now, I’m just glad to be doing what I do, and proud that I will be qualified very shortly. I am also glad to have had the chance to talk to said friend last night, and be given the chance to really be inspired and get the thought process in full swing.

One thing is for certain however – am fully aware of how blessed I am to have the option of education, in the time and place of my choice!

Unexpected benefits

bobpaisleyallstars — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 10:09:02 +0000

As the second week of life sans television draws to a close, I find that I’m slowly starting to become alot more productive with my time.

One unexpected benefit to result from this has been the re-uptake of running. Already in the last 4 evenings I have covered 20ks over two runs, and find that the bayside trail past Elwood through to Brighton is one of the most lively, scenic and greatest places that I have ever covered.

Just north of Elwood beach stands a small mound called Point Ormond. While only 10 or 15m high, it nonetheless provides an amazing panorama of the great, great town that I plan and reside in.

Point Ormond, Elwood

Views like this are an unexpected benefit. Getting back into running after two years is an unexpected benefit! But by far, the best thing about finishing a 10k slog is wading out waistdeep from St Kilda beach to stretch the hams as the sun sets over the bay. It’s as good as an unexpected benefit could get.

TV stay gone!

3182

bobpaisleyallstars — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 08:45:12 +0000

Today marks the first week of the new flat, and to commemorate – a Streetscape of the Week!

Palais Theatre, St Kilda

Also, today marks the first week of life without TV! To say that it has been easy would be lying, as I have been missing out on some pretty crucial news stories. But on the plus – I’m reading more, getting out more, getting better organized and listening to more music. All of which seem to be great reasons to persevere!

My kind of rainbow

bobpaisleyallstars — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 04:08:12 +0000

Should look into whether American Apparel does sponsorships

Goodbye Footscray

bobpaisleyallstars — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 13:05:48 +0000

Dear Melbourne’s ugly younger sister,

Although you have always been good to me I have nonetheless left you for smokier smoke and shinier mirrors. I know that in time you will make me jealous of what you’ve become but until that time it’s GOODBYE.

Love always!

Box-tick city!

bobpaisleyallstars — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 12:01:29 +0000

Tonight, a quick reflection! Three years ago, when a man first dreamt of bigger and better things in far and new environments, there were a number of goals for the new lifestyle -

- a social network of sorts
- an ACTUAL job, one who’s name I could drop in a bar to some advantage
- a wardrobe full of expensive clothes
- to be passing my uni course, and well on my way to a degree in my chosen profession

and

- to live in St Kilda

Now, as I conclude my first day in the new flat, I realize that I literally have everything and more that I could have ever once dreamt of. Swathes of hard work, a stroke of sacrifice and a great, great town; living my dream, and aware of it!

Nights out

bobpaisleyallstars — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 09:50:27 +0000

As the recent going-out binge is set to subside thanks to an imminent New Years resolution, I’d like to take the opportunity to share a photo that turned up on the compact after one such said night out:

Zero photographic skill, yet I love this photo all the same. I think the fact that a photo was taken pointed directly down at a dancefloor (which will not be named out of shame, despite the fact that it is easily recognizable) offers some insight into the state of the photographer at this time…