"This one's not about scientists, or at least it doesn't mention the periodic table, but it is about when you start analysing things too much and it doesn't do you any good."

- Chris Martin on Coldplay's next single, The Scientist

I used to be a firm believer in solving problems by thinking things through.. My existence was based upon a dogma of pure logic.. Any delicate situation could be resolved through reasoning and careful analysis...

How wrong could I have been?

As you start to grow up.. you realise that the world around you is far from being just black and white...

Rules.. Conformity.. Regulation.. Code... These are words that don't seem to matter so much in how you treat yourself as well as how you treat the people around you...

What I like about this approach is that anything and everything that happens to you is all brand new... It's not only exciting/fun.. but it also escalates your sense of uniqueness in this crazy old world...

Right.. I'm straying somewhat from my original point here...

What Chris is trying to say through his lyrics is that at the end of the day.. any problem encountered or any predicament you find yourself in.. is just a part of life... There is no point walking through this life trying to avoid them.. as they will always exist.. and it is inevitable that at any given time, something (or someone) is bound to be unsettling you...

Nobody said it was easy
No one ever said it would be so hard
I'm going back to the start

If life was easy.. life would be listless... There is no reason or rhyme why "things" happen.. They just do... Accept that, and you're halfway there my friends...

It's days like these.. you wish you were dead...

(3 outta 3... that's a good record you have there Pike...)

You ok?
- I think so..

You don't look too flash...
- I dunno... I think I'm a little scared...

What can you possibly be scared of?... You're Pike!
- The unknown... It frightens me...

Well.. no one knows the future... That's part of the fun...
- I know... but.. I haven't done anything like this.. ever...

It'll be good for you, Pike.. This is exactly the kinda thing you need...
- Who am I going to turn to when I'm all alone?

You will meet people along the way...
- I guess...

Look.. You'll love every minute of it... You won't want to come back...
- I hope so... I really hope this turns out....

A Premiership - worth the wait...

Hey Mak.. Peach got a haircut.. We ALWAYS win when he gets a haircut...

That's what I told my friend, Mak, just before the kick-off... But the truth be known, I was a nervous wreck watching from the sidelines.. half waiting for the Sharks to capitulate under the weight of semi-final pressure... The lead is 18-12 at halftime, but we have led by more in the past and been run down...

But things are different in 2002... The Sharks roll on with a couple of tries early in the second half...

The Peach.. he sucks 4 defenders in.. He's going towards the right touchline...

Yep, there's the flick pass...

Paul Mellor is too strong for the would-be Dragons tacklers... Sharks 34 Dragons 12.... Then it hits me...

Holy shits.. We're going to a Grand Final...

In all my years of supporting Cronulla.. I have not had the pleasure/honour of knowing what it is like to experience a Grand Final week... For years, we have had to endure taunts of being the team never to have won a Premiership... But in 2002, history is about to change...

Yes, I have been down this path before....

Memories of '99 still haunt me.. The pain still lingers... It was a typical warm September day.. A classic local derby between the Cronulla Sharks, and the then newly-formed St.George Illawarra Dragons, for a chance to qualify for the Grand Final... A 51,000 strong crowd waited in anticipation of a fiery encounter... The Sharks had been the best side all year (Minor Premiers - 19 wins, 7 losses)...

As the game got underway, they looked every bit the Minor Premiers, playing some enterprising football and punishing in defence... On the back of a smart Peach try, they led 8-0 at the break... In the stands, the Sharks fans (including one hoarse Pike) sang loud and long... But then, lightning struck..

"The Man" Mundine took over like no one has before.. scoring 3 tries and setting up another to pummel the Sharks out of the finals (Final score: L8-24)... Walking out of Stadium Australia that day, it was both painful and embarassing.. The wounds have not yet fully healed...

Perhaps, last night went a long way in alleviating some of the torment.. As I walked out of the stadium to the chorus of "Up, Up, Cronulla".. I could not help wonder whether this could finally be the year...

Winning the Premiership would mean everything to me... It will confirm that my support for the Sharks over the years has not been in vain... It will validate my love for them.. but most of all, it will stick it up to all the critics...

Take that mutha-farkers..

As the big unit, Jason Stevens, believes.. It will be "worth the wait"...

Only one question remains..... Will the Peach get a haircut before the Grand Final?

Footnote: The Sharks still need to get past the New Zealand Warriors next Sunday to make the Grand Final on Oct 6...

"..the Truth shall set you free..."
- John 8:32

I talk to Pike a lot more these days.. He seems to be coming out of his shell a little...

You gotta laugh.. sometimes.. ya know... We are so alike.. yet we are so different...

Sure, he can waffle on re: the footy, or the efficacy of soap til the cows come home.. (moo).. but don't you just love it when he has that spark in his eye?

"Rules..? Fuck the rules...", he says.. "Don't let anyone step on you, man.. Who the fuck do they think they are, anyway? Just fuck 'em all off..."

O.kay......

Sometimes.. it's best to just let him be...

We are so different.. yet we are so alike...

The Coldplays.. the Green Days.. the Phantom Planets of this world will come and go... but there will always be one constant... Seattle Rock Gods a.k.a PEARL JAM...

In light of the fantastical news of the about-to-be-released new album.. here are PiKe's Top 5 PJ Moments/Memories.. for your viewing pleasure...

5. Bugs on my window...
I had a huge argument with me parents one night (about something stoopid, I'm sure).. I locked myself in my room for hours and turned on Vs full bolt.. I remember my mom, screaming and carrying on, pleading with me to turn the racket down, but I didn't budge.. (Ahhh... how wonderful were those angst driven days...) At one point, I started scribbling the words to Bugs on a piece of paper - "I got bugs.. I got bugs in my room.. Bugs in my bed.. Bugs in my ears.. Their eggs in my head..." Naturally, mom totally freaked out when she saw it the next morning...

4. Bootlegger...
Triple J simulcasting one of the Melbourne gigs on the '95 tour... The tape turned out to be one of my most treasured possessions in the years to come... Eddie's infamous "N.W." speech is here... "Nit Wit.. Needless War.. Nobody Wins.. Night Wanker.. Nilla Wafer.. Noble Women.. No Worries.." Awesome versions of Daughter/Stuff and Nonsense.. Immortality.. and Porch to name a few... The full setlist here...

3. Waiting.. watching the clock...
Lining up at HMV in the city for 3 hours to be one of the first to own a copy of the third album, Vitalogy... The following morning, I flew out to the Gold Coast for Schoolies with a couple of mates... Memories of - Playing Corduroy over and over again... Joining Sharpie & Hux for our very own rendition of Nothingman.. shortly followed by Sharpie throwing up all over the motel room...

2. Given to fly...
Bawling my eyes out upon hearing Given To Fly for the first time... I truly felt touched by God... This may be hard to believe, but this song was the catalyst for my ongoing search for God... "And he still gives his love, he just gives it away.. The love he receives is the love that is saved..."

1. Light Years...
I'm not ruling out the chance that E.Vedder is the Messiah.. In a strange Pike sort of way, it makes perfect sense... I probably started thinking this somewhere between No Code and Yield.. but made clearer with the brilliant Binaural... No Code is when PJ started mellowing down, and that coincided with me ceasing to being so angry... Angry at my parents.. angry at the world.. angry with life... EV teaches us that there may be light at the end of the tunnel..."We were but stones.. Your light made us stars..."

In happier news.. Pearl Jam will be releasing their long awaited 7th studio album - Riot Act.. on November 12... The track listing is as follows...

1. Can't Keep
2. Save You
3. Love Boat Captain
4. Cropduster
5. Ghost
6. I Am Mine
7. Thumbing My Way
8. You Are
9. Get Right
10. Green Disease
11. helphelp
12. Bushleaguer
13. 1/2 Full
14. Arc
15. All or None

In sadder news, EV has a new haircut...

Looking out the door I see.. Nothing but the same old scene...

Purpose..

Meaning..

God..

Focus..

Life...

If I died right now.. would anyone really care?

Judas

Rio Rio Rio Rio Rio Rio Rio.............

You go across the Pennines to join the SCUM... You go across the Pennines for a chance for some silverware... All you'll get is the stigma of being a SCUM.. and being part of the SCUM...

You need the SCUM... and the SCUM needs you...

Leeds United 1 - Manchester United 0

Cab Etiquette

- If alone, always sit in the front seat.. We're in Australia for cryin' out loud...

- Never start a conversation.. Wait and see if the driver has something to say... If he doesn't say a thing, you don't say a thing... There's nothing worse than having to conjure up a convo with a socially inept cab driver...

- Sleeping is ok, only if it's a silent ride... Yes, I know it's rude, but it is the driver's fault for not wanting to know about your life...

- When you do sleep, try not to snore.. and keep your head-rocking to a minimum...

- If in Melbourne, bag the driver's footy team.. It shouldn't be too hard working out who he barracks for, as the interior of the cab will be littered with stickers and posters of his team's favourite players... It's funny when Melbournites get worked up about their footy teams, especially if Collingwood...

- Brisbane drivers love to talk about the property market.. As you feel like you are about to die of boredom, just say these words... "So.. Alfie Langer.. Good player that.."

- Hang on to the handle just to the left of your head (front seat).. It makes you look cool...

If you wake up at a different time and in a different place, could you wake up as a different person?

You wake up at Tullermarine..

QF452 – "sorry sir, this flight has been delayed for 20 minutes..."

Haven’t had lunch.. Haven’t had anything since brekkie in bed all those hours ago... Good, they do have a Burger King here.. Yes stomach, I think with you too...

"Hi, this is your Customer Service Consultant Co-ordinator Thingie Person.. Please direct your attention to the nearest attendant, so you’ll know exactly what to do, while the plane plummets down to its fiery end, and you’re telling your insignificant little mind that God exists, and He will save thee..." Bugger this, I’m going back to sleep....

You wake up at.... damn, I’m still on the plane...

Olympic Park.. Newington.. Silverwater Rd.. Kissing Pt Rd.. Marsden Rd.. First Ave.. Eastwood Station.. May St… Holy shits! That’s me house!!

Blaxland Rd.. Victoria Rd..... phuck it.. I’m too tired...

So.. where were you this day last year.. around 10pm? I remember chatting online with Lisa (when she used to come online!) about the NZ trip we had just been on.. We were discussing how it was so bitterly unfair to be back at work and copping thrashings from our bosses..... Then Mish comes along... "Pike.. you gotta watch the news.. Turn to Ch10..."

And there it was... the top of the South Tower ablaze... Confusion reigned... Sandra Sully had a stunned look on her face... CNN, Fox News, BBC World, Sky News, even Bloomberg TV showed the same horrific images....

The four horsemen are finally here...

A few minutes later.. another jumbo impacts with the 2nd tower, live on television... and then the unthinkable happens.. The giants fall...

This has got to be a dream..

12 months on, the nightmare still rolls on... and we haven't learnt a single thing... I have lost all confidence in the human race/spirit... Sorry, but we are ALL going straight to hell...

Oh why oh why can't I grow a goatee? Why was I not blessed with the ability to grow facial hair? The now-famous bum fluff that sits on my chin every so often is just not working out.. It looks like a sad attempt of Daniel Johns' M-shaped chin growth in silverchair's animated video, Luv Your Life.. (you guys seen it?)

--o--

I believe I have found a new favourite movie.. Something that even surpasses Fight Club or Amelie... Stay tuned... Pictures at 11...

--o--

The Wokboyz had a great win over the weekend... Our defence is going to get us a long way in the comp me thinks... And our captain courageous, Ming, has agreed to dye his hair blonde if we make the playoffs...

--o--

Invasion.. Pine Gap.. 9/11.. This is a fucked up world... and it's all going to hell...

Belgian Beer.. where have you been all my life??

Spent Friday night at Epoque – Belgian Beer Café.. Yes, some of it was utterly foul.. (tasted more like cough medicine).. but some of the Artisan Beers were damn fine.. (eg – Kwak, La Guillotine, Delirium Tremens)..

Belgian Beer can best be described as being both bitter and sweet.. with a delightful hint of malt and spices.. The ‘good’ ones, were just so smooth, with a perfect after taste.. I could’ve gone all night (drowning my sorrows), if it weren’t for my boring friends who all go home when the night is just starting to get interesting.. :P

(It should be pointed out that most of these so-called beers have an alcohol content of 10% or above..)

Just what is the rule with low-talking these days? How many times can you say “beg yours?” or “sorry?”, before giving in and pretending that you heard what was said..?

Three times or four?

I’m getting too lazy now and saying “sorry?” just the once..

- Hey Pike..

- Yeh?

- I’m gonnar replace the huhnogoogma with the huchatrigiam..

- < pause >... sorry?

- The huhnagoogma with the huchatrigiam..

- Yep. Sure. Fine. < think >

Text, Lies and Videotape

Joey is looking extra cute tonight..

What the..? Is that shrink meant to be for real?? What the heck is going on with her voice? Poor Dawson thinks he’s getting ‘therapy’...

Hey! I recognise that song… That’s my man, Howie!

Rose Lazar.. Why can’t they see she is practising a primitive form of blogging?

Here we go.. Pacey to the rescue.. again!

Next week: BOOTY TIME!!

Umm... Sandra Sully’s talking funny...

It's not a toooma...

You are 12% geek

OK, so maybe you ain't a geek. You do, at least, show a bit of interest in the world around you. Either that, or you have enough of a sense of humor to pick some of the sillier answers on the test. Regardless, you're probably a pretty nifty, well-rounded person who gets along fine with people and can chat with just about anyone without fear of looking stupid or foolish or overly concerned with minutiae. God, I hate you.

Take the Polygeek Quiz at Thudfactor.com

Well.. Haloscan seems to be back... but looks like I've lost some of the comments posted in the last 24 hours....

--o--

Had a pretty good basketball training session last night.... We just can't lose this Sunday!! (be there at Auburn Stadium to cheer the Woks on - 10:50am)..

--o--

THANK YOU.. THANK YOU.. THANK YOU!!! I just love the Norah Jones CD, ooee!! She sounds awesome live.. and I hope the rumours are true (that she is touring down here soon)...

--o--

Mixed news.. Foxtel have decided to drop STC (the Soundtrack Channel), and add ESPN to their lineup... So I'll miss out on movie previews/reviews and great music from those movies.. but now be able to watch UEFA Champs League, more NFL, and almost daily NBA action from late October...

ARRGGHH!!

What the frigg is going on with these commenting systems???

First it was enetation... then netcomments... and now, haloscan!!

Meanwhile... I still have that song in my head...

Watch me unravel.. I'll soon be naked... lying on da floor... I'll come undooonne! (woo-hoo-hoo.. woo-hoo-hoo... bye!)

Yes, it's true... There is only ONE dude who does all the voiceovers for every movie trailer ever made... Meet Don La Fontaine...

Another article on the "voiceover guy", the man with the golden voice...

In a land before time...

I just realised that xtn is a dead ringer for Chris Martin of Coldplay fame.. If you're reading this, xtn, I don't know you and you don't know me, but I do enjoy reading your material, be it on your blog or ooee's or mishy's... Love your work.. ;)

A first for The Wokboyz (Pike's basketball team) today.. We played a team, totally made up of players of the fairer sex (umm.. girls...) It was the 2nd game in our double header today, and since we lost the first one, we started the game with a complete annihilation of the girls in mind... I had the job of marking one of their better players.. She had quick hands, and quick feet.. and lemme tell you... it wasn't easy! I didn't want to get too close to her, to avoid *ahem* untoward contact.. and my hands... my hands just did not know where they were supposed to be!! In the end, the scoreline was 48 - 28 (or something similar).. a little disappointing... but hey, a win is a win...

--o--

Just downloaded Phantom Planet doing Weezer's Undone (The Sweater Song)! Bloody brilliant!!

If you want to destroy my sweater.. hold this string as I walk away...

--o--

Right.. I've decided... I'm definitely going to buy a digital camera sometime in the next 2 weeks...

--o--

And lastly... Happy Father's Day to all you Dads out there... cheers!