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Published: October 5th 2007
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The agency I have been getting work though have been ok, trying to get me work as soon as they know I’m finishing somewhere, but it’s only days here and there.
I got a day’s work in the Cricket Victoria office, which was cool as it was all the coaching staff and they were all pretty relaxed and loved my Scottish accent. So much so, that I even got talking to a girl on the phone who works in a charity and her husband is Scottish. That’s another thing I love about this place, everyone is so friendly (except taxi drivers) and always ask how your day is and spend time to speak to you, no matter who they are. I was just covering reception, but it was easy and friendly.
It dawned on me throughout the day that Ricky and I hadn’t really been out at night much since we’d been in Melbourne and I treated us to tickets to Snow Patrol who were playing at the Rod Laver Stadium on the Monday night. Melbourne is full of sports stadium, big ones too!! The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) holds 100K people and there’s the Vodafone Arena and the
Outside the gig
at the Rod Laver Arena Telstra Dome all of which are used for events, gigs, sporting events etc. I was really excited about getting the tickets although they weren’t the best tickets and they were seated.
From our flat, we can see the MCG and it’s a lovely walk there through 2 parks and across a bridge over the Yarra River. So we have a wee beer and walked to the Rod Laver (who was a famous Tennis player apparently). The atmosphere was buzzing walking up to the stadium and it’s really open as there are 3 of the big stadiums all next to one another. Like the SECC and Armadillo, but there is 3 of them and it’s warmer!
Inside is a big circle (funnily enough!) with lots of kiosks all the way round selling beer, hot dogs, chips, etc. We got the drinks in (being Scots an’ that!) and sat down and chilled to the sounds of the support band, who sounded uncannily like Snow Patrol. We headed in to the main arena at the first cords of what was definitely Snow Patrol. Our seats were s***! We were at the very back and the only benefit was that we could
stand, but we couldn’t see the stage so we could have been a home with a live CD on.
Great minds think alike - we both suggest getting some more beer in and just get pi****! I headed out to the bar and it was all shut up and no staff about…..I ask the security guard “Where can I get a drink”? “Nowhere”, he says, “They are all closed because you aren’t allowed alcohol in the area”. Hmmm. When I told Ricky about the alcohol, he went out and seen for himself. Turns out Ricky's dad had given him good training in the finding open bars front, and soon found an bar open!! You know what it’s like when you need a drink, man. Ricky bought two - drank his in about 30 seconds and hid mine behind a stall; he came back into the arena and sent me to find my hidden treasure. It was gone. Someone else was as thirsty as me, erh? I return to my seat via a quick stop at some vacant seats in the front row for a decent look and a wee sing-a-long.
Back in the back rows seats a crowd
My "Coca Cola"
Cost $8 for the paper cup - but was well worth it! was gathering up the very, very back. We both went to bar and both tanned a pot (3/4 pint) of beer. We were made for each other. I know because we both came up with the idea that we would buy water and put it down the sink in the toilets and fill the cup with beer. So that’s what we did. Then I took Ricky to the free amazing seats in the front row!!! Ah, perfect.
Snow Patrol were brilliant. We had seen then at George Square Hogamanay Party a couple of year’s ago and they were alright, but the sound was crap and it was raining and cold (I think). But I guess they’ve got amazingly better over the years. The sound and light effects were great.
Now, the Australians seemed to be quite reserved in their appeciation of the band (maybe cause we were the only ones drinking). Everyone was sitting down and, at best, kinda clapping hands and tapping feet. So, as we were on the very front row, standing up would potentially upset a few hundred people sitting beind us. A few beers later, Ricky turned to the woman sitting behind him and
asked what she would do if he stood up (The Bold Rickmeister!!). She said “if you stand up, I guess I will have to too!” So we did, and I got the girl and her man next to me up too and by the time the song ended, everyone was on their feet in the whole section of the arena!!! Woo hoo!! Come on Snow Patrol!!
It was a great night and we headed home, pi**** and elated, running through the parks like 2 thirteen year olds allowed out after midnight!!
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