OK, so I survived the experience with my brother's birthday. Barely. 

Woke up feeling pretty how's ya father, but it all came good in the end. What I really need now is a burger and a good night's kip and she'll be right, I reckon. (Easily the most Aussie sentence known to man).

It was cool to meet more of his friends, including the Islanders that he hangs out with. I loved the dynamic between them all and getting to see my brother with his friends as opposed to the way he is with his family - quite the difference.

Those Islander (Samoan and Tongan)  boys are huge!!! They played guitar and sang - such lovely voices. And it was interesting seeing them together in comparison with the white boys together - they're a lot freer with each other, the Islanders, much warmer and more affectionate which is pretty rare, especially with Aussie boys because (and one tends to forget these things) there's a very Aussie attitude toward being a 'poofter'; regardless of how comfortable one might be with actual queer people, there's still that having-to-prove-yourself thing and showing everyone that you're not a poof. Anyway, they all sang happy birthday for my brother in their beautiful voices and it was great - more of a slow appreciation for the person that you're singing to, rather than the hurried happy-birthday-and-let's-eat-cake that one is used to. 

There was so much food last night, which I didn't eat because I was busy drinking. Foolishly. And so, so much booze...This morning there was only one BlueTongue left (God, 'tongue' is a weird-looking word, innit?). There weren't any real problems; no fights, which was good, because no one could have stopped any of the bigger lads if there was a rumble, no cops, no deaths, and the worst it came to was people passing out all over the shop. No one was hurt, although I could have killed one of Benjo's mates, Zack, who passed out in the bathroom but not before covering the door, the floor and three walls in vomit. Some people like to think they can drink vodka, but they can't.

So, that's about it. Had the clan over for lunch today (the birthday festivities drag on in our family) and much luncheon was had. It was super hot earlier in the afternoon, which wasn't too bad, and it was quite pleasant sitting out there with cheese and chips and dip (and we got my favourite tomato, cashew and something else dip, lol). We do good lunches, I think...Always plenty to eat and drink (though no more booze for me, lol. I'm done) and plenty of laughs.

Oop, I think that's thunder...Hm. I hope my work shirts aren't out there....Yep, definitely thunder. Best be off.

Toodle-pip xx