December down under is a thing quite different than what I have grown used to living in the states. Christmas being the all encompassing thing that is projected on your every waking moment and even while you sleep sugar plum fairies dance in your dreams. Here the stores have subtle, tasteful window displays. Myers, the Macy’s of Australia did have a big unveiling of their holiday window displays a couple weeks back. Beautiful decorations of all the usual fake snow, with moving trains, sleighs and trees, excited little ones with presents all around. I think I saw little Cindy Lou Hoo. Christmas music is in all the bigger stores, but not all the little mom and pop places. Most definitely the malls are doing their best to dress up the image of the shopping season. The stores are having sales; the people are running their holiday errands. The major streets in downtown have hung stars and red bells between the over head tram lines. Even my band is doing some carols by queerlight. But the feeling you get in your day to day travels, at least from my perspective, is that the big day we all wait for is months away. There’s no Salvation Army person ringing the little bell asking for your change in every shopping centre. There’s no boy/girl scout troop in the vacant lots selling you a lovely blue spruce or flocked fir tree. There’s no breaking story of Old Saint Nick popping up in the usual places on all the TV stations. Only maybe 1 in 50 houses have any sort of visible outdoor decorations. And I’ve only seen 1 house, ok it’s was just a balcony in a complex on my street, that even had Christmas lights. A single strand of white lights that I’m not 100% sure aren’t there year round anyway. I have heard no carols on the radio stations. There’s no talk of a white Christmas. But the most sobering factor that it’s just not anywhere near Rudolph time is that fact that our days are long and warm and the trees all are full of leaves. The sun is up before me, 6:30am and sticks around till at least 8pm. It has been rainy and grey at times this spring. But the sun peaks out every day and the average temperatures are in the mid 70. Luckily on my 40th birthday it even rose into the low 80s. Now that’s a first for me! I have pulled out the few decorations I saved that made the long voyage over here. They’re scattered about the living room (or lounge in Aussie).
Last week I did get 2 care packages from home. Which were huge boost to my holiday spirit. My mom sent me a host of items from girl scout cookies and grape jelly to tapioca (thanks to Grandma!) and 24 individual packs of Oreos. There was even a new set of sheets, which I greatly needed. The flannel ones I brought just aren’t right on these warm December nights. Phyllis and my friends at URS in Portland sent me more grape jelly (I really love this so 2 is most welcome) some Safeway fliers reminding me what a turkey should cost and a 50’ extension cord (I specifically asked for this, it’s a camping thing) and a book of fortune matches from The Mandarin Cove ( a Chinese restaurant/bar in my old building) with a fortune some one very wise wrote. “We’re laughing at you, NOT with you”. But the sweetest thing of all that Phyllis sent making it Christmas at the push of a button is my new Santa “Sax player” Claus. Just watch the video and you’ll understand so much more!
Since Christmas isn’t sucking the oxygen we breathe out of the air, there’s time to focus on other
things. Like this poster I recently noticed in my neighbourhood. As they say a picture is worth 1000 words. This one should give you a little understanding of how much Australia and the rest of the world is looking forward to the change in Washington DC. I wonder if the Australians have ever heard of separation of church and state?
I spent last weekend clinging to one of my winter joys. While satisfying my unique desire to explore the unknown by renting a car and driving up to the Cross Country skiing area, Lake Mountain. In doing so I was able to visit another Australian wonder, this time the Yarra Ranges National Park. I had to pass little towns like Healesville and Marysville (yes all chuckle, I went to Marysville, without a frock or even a baton!) to get up into the high hill country Victoria has to offer. Lake Mountain is about 80 kilometres outside of town.
Along a very windy narrow road. A place I wanted to find in good weather so when there’s snow I’ll have a better idea on the path and time it takes. It’s looking good that I’ll be able to still do some day trips up to the frosty white stuff. HUGE YEAH! It’ll just be in July and August while most of you are thinking of how to keep cool. The dead end road takes you to a place with more than 20 kilometres of groomed trails, there’s a rental shop, cafeteria, 4 HUGE parking lots with shuttle buses and a real bathroom. All things Ed, Corina and I never had at Teacup on Mt Hood. With that said I’ll be without the part that always made skiing the most fun, Ed and Corina (and Roger too)! So don’t you guys be surprised if you get a phone call from the slopes next summer!
This particular day wasn’t meant for skiing it was meant for exploring and hiking. Once I wandered the buildings I changed into some more appropriate clothes for 1433 metres in elevation (maybe 4400’) and set out on the Lake Mountain summit loop trail, 4 km and 4 viewpoints to enjoy the beauty of Mother Nature. At my first stop I just sat listening to
the birds, the wind in the trees and the roar of the fluffy clouds passing by. Taking in all the wonders of the outdoors and releasing the tensions of city life. This helped restoring a balance within my body that only the sweet nectar of fresh national park air can do. The next view point was equally breathtaking. But had one more tid bit of detail, a sign marker naming the peaks off in the distance. Some one at the parks service even has a sense of humour. Click on the sign photo to enlarge it and see if you can find what I thought was amusing. 
Last week I did get 2 care packages from home. Which were huge boost to my holiday spirit. My mom sent me a host of items from girl scout cookies and grape jelly to tapioca (thanks to Grandma!) and 24 individual packs of Oreos. There was even a new set of sheets, which I greatly needed. The flannel ones I brought just aren’t right on these warm December nights. Phyllis and my friends at URS in Portland sent me more grape jelly (I really love this so 2 is most welcome) some Safeway fliers reminding me what a turkey should cost and a 50’ extension cord (I specifically asked for this, it’s a camping thing) and a book of fortune matches from The Mandarin Cove ( a Chinese restaurant/bar in my old building) with a fortune some one very wise wrote. “We’re laughing at you, NOT with you”. But the sweetest thing of all that Phyllis sent making it Christmas at the push of a button is my new Santa “Sax player” Claus. Just watch the video and you’ll understand so much more!
Since Christmas isn’t sucking the oxygen we breathe out of the air, there’s time to focus on other
things. Like this poster I recently noticed in my neighbourhood. As they say a picture is worth 1000 words. This one should give you a little understanding of how much Australia and the rest of the world is looking forward to the change in Washington DC. I wonder if the Australians have ever heard of separation of church and state?I spent last weekend clinging to one of my winter joys. While satisfying my unique desire to explore the unknown by renting a car and driving up to the Cross Country skiing area, Lake Mountain. In doing so I was able to visit another Australian wonder, this time the Yarra Ranges National Park. I had to pass little towns like Healesville and Marysville (yes all chuckle, I went to Marysville, without a frock or even a baton!) to get up into the high hill country Victoria has to offer. Lake Mountain is about 80 kilometres outside of town.
Along a very windy narrow road. A place I wanted to find in good weather so when there’s snow I’ll have a better idea on the path and time it takes. It’s looking good that I’ll be able to still do some day trips up to the frosty white stuff. HUGE YEAH! It’ll just be in July and August while most of you are thinking of how to keep cool. The dead end road takes you to a place with more than 20 kilometres of groomed trails, there’s a rental shop, cafeteria, 4 HUGE parking lots with shuttle buses and a real bathroom. All things Ed, Corina and I never had at Teacup on Mt Hood. With that said I’ll be without the part that always made skiing the most fun, Ed and Corina (and Roger too)! So don’t you guys be surprised if you get a phone call from the slopes next summer!This particular day wasn’t meant for skiing it was meant for exploring and hiking. Once I wandered the buildings I changed into some more appropriate clothes for 1433 metres in elevation (maybe 4400’) and set out on the Lake Mountain summit loop trail, 4 km and 4 viewpoints to enjoy the beauty of Mother Nature. At my first stop I just sat listening to
the birds, the wind in the trees and the roar of the fluffy clouds passing by. Taking in all the wonders of the outdoors and releasing the tensions of city life. This helped restoring a balance within my body that only the sweet nectar of fresh national park air can do. The next view point was equally breathtaking. But had one more tid bit of detail, a sign marker naming the peaks off in the distance. Some one at the parks service even has a sense of humour. Click on the sign photo to enlarge it and see if you can find what I thought was amusing. 
I spent several hours out on the trail. Trying to soak up as much peace and solitude as possible before getting back into the rental and heading for the big city. I continued on my loop drive to Warburton where I found a great little fish and chips shop for dinner. Also along my travels I located a home improvement store where I was able to acquire some camping items Ed always had that I never realized how much I needed. A good hand saw, axe, leather gloves for tending the fire with. Just imagine the looks I got from the people in my apartment complex lugging a big ax into the house in this urban environment. In all it was a GREAT day spent wandering, investigating and absorbing new experiences. This has helped quell my itchy britches for a little while longer.
Monday brought back work and the realization that I can’t avoid turning 40 much longer. The gym and sax practice kept the week busy, before I knew it was the big day. I went to work just as any other day. I got many well wishes from co-workers and several ecards from friends across the US. Thank you to everyone! In the evening I had band practice and it was our last one before the holiday concert. At practice I learned it was another band mates 29th birthday on the 12th. So several of us went to a local bar and had a few celebratory drinks watching my b’day turn into his. I took Friday off of work and slept in a little. The rest of the day was spent making a list and checking it twice for my trip to the Australian island state of Tasmania! I leave for 12 nights of camping on Saturday the 20th and there’s a long list of things to get in order to ensure my days and nights are filled with comfort. Friday evening Michael and Giacomo and I went out for dinner to a nice Italian restaurant to celebrate my old age. Then it was out for more birthday drinks. In all it was a good birthday. I was flush with well wishes from new and old friends. Had my share of birthday drinks and realized 40 really doesn’t feel any older than 39 did! Don’t get me wrong I still wonder how the hell I got so old so fast! I don’t feel 40. I don’t really have any idea on what 40 should feel like. I remember my parents, Aunt and Uncles turning 40 and thinking it’ll be 2008 when I’m THAT OLD! Crash bang boom! 2008 is here! Where the hell did the time go? Time has barely moved since Shelley and I were getting totally smashed in Willimantic and I was turning 21. It seems like only a few years since John and I left Connecticut to explore the US living in a van. Who knows what the next 40 years will bring. All I can hope for is that they filled with more friends like all of you reading my blog now. Thank you to everyone for making sure I felt loved from so far away.
Saturday evening the members of the Melbourne rainbow Band gathered with our friends from the Melbourne Gay and Lesbian Chorus to perform Carols by Queerlight in Pahran Market. (Micheal and I at the intermission) The event went very well. This did start making it feel more like Santa was on his way. A large crowd had gathered for this free sing a long and many people were donning the Santa hat and Rudolph antler head gear I’ve come to expect at this time of year. We played the perennial old favourites like twelve days of Christmas (or "boredom" as our sheet music called it), Jingle bells, Hark the herald angel sing. With the chorus and crowd singing along. We played a medley of standard songs, like Frosty and Mama kissing Santa, with Deck the Halls and several others mixed in. 
There were solo performances from the chorus and Melbourne Gay Youth Chorus (the only one of its kind in Australia). The entire show was broadcast live on Joy FM, Melbourne Gay radio station. I hope some of you braved the dark cold hours of the night to listen in on line. (my band mates, Bob and Adrain Fellow saxophonist. Then Chris and Luke with the chorus behind them)That's it for a few weeks everyone here is preparing to break for Christmas and New Years. So I have a few Holiday parties to attend. More trips to the gym, band practice is over until 2009. Before long I’ll be soaking the sun from even farther south than where I sit typing this entry. This will be my last update before 2009 arrives. I want to thank everyone that has helped me through 2008, it was a good year. I want to wish Robin Melin a HAPPY 46th Birthday on December 23rd. I want to say I love and miss you to my dad. I hear his voice in my head all the time and take comfort in knowing there’s a part of him inside me. Lastly, I want to wish everyone a VERY WONDERFULLY HOLIDAY SEASON!!! 2009 will bring us many things and I hope for each and everyone one of you. There are many moments of joy and happiness in your lives. Take I love and miss you all!
Until 2009, Brian
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