Stumbling at the zeroth hurdle

MONTAG

Went with DL to a preview of Brit alien-invasion flick "Attack The Block" at the Dendy Newtown. It's tough going at first 'cos the majority of characters are bad people (housing estate thugs), but given the opportunity for redemption they win you over.

DIENSTAG

Saw Roger Waters perform "The Wall" at Allphones Arena with DW from poker. Visually, it was the most amazing concert I've experienced. The encore - the set in ruins and no way to rock out any bigger or better - was a 12-man acoustic "Waltzing Matilda"!

MITTWOCH

Caught up with the "Penthouse" crew for Yank eats at the Jazz City Diner in Darlinghurst (I had the Thanksgiving Turkey Burger and real onion rings) followed by drinks at nearby cocktail bar Pocket (where I was introduced to the wonders of the Negroni).

DONNERSTAG

Had permission not to go in to work because UFC On Fuel TV: Sanchez Vs. Ellenberger was live on Facebook/One HD. MR and I watched it at his joint, were sozzled on beer by mid-arvo and retired to picnic chairs in his backyard, where we smoked cigars in the sun.

FREITAG

Was utterly enthralled by the documentaries "Delphi: Why It Matters", presented by Cambridge classics lecturer Dr Michael C. Scott; and three-parter "Ottomans vs. Christians: Battle For The Mediterranean", with historian Julian Davidson. Recommend them both!

SAMSTAG

Upgraded my creaky HTC Magic mobile phone to a Samsung Galaxy S-II. As tempted as I was by the Apple iPhone 4S, I can't stand the thought of a monoculture of iProducts. I've got friends who love their S-IIs, and it was only an extra $5 per month on my plan.

SONNTAG

Y'know what? The new Van Halen album, "A Different Kind Of Truth", ain't too shabby. It's David Lee Roth's first with the band since 1984's "1984" and his quirky lines and delivery make every song distinctive. Goes without saying the guit/keys are ace.