Melbourne you sure have great hair!

Firstly I must apologize for the lack of updates as of late, although I am sure you are all used to me disapearing when i should be updating. Now I must fire my excuse at you all so you understand. It all begin while i was in Melbourne, and need I say more as it is honestly one of my favorite cities in the world that i have been to. Melbourne has a vibe unlike any other where people march to the beat of their own drums and do not care what people think or say about them. To judge someone in Melbourne is almost illegal and will banish you to the suburbs for an eternity of strappings and whippings. Both of which can be purchased by your own free will at some of the more avant garde establishments in town.

The first time I visited Melbourne was the very first weekend the city was trying out the new "2am lockout rule". Basically this meant that if you were in the bar before 2am you could stay until closing time, which could be 5am or maybe even 8am. This particular experiment did not go over so well and thankfully was removed and all is normal in the Victorian city. During the weekend you can party in the various clubs, pubs, nightclubs, discos, etc till the wee hours of the morning, or in some cases the hours after the sun has now lifted from its slumber. A side-note to my first Melbourne experience is that my group and i were not subjected to the silly lockout rule as we were under the guidance and direction of a Miss Cal Reynolds. Queen of the Melbourne scene and an extremely wonderful girl to have as a first night tour guide.

Fast forward to a few years later and I recently found myself back in Melbourne. Not only was I back in Melbourne, but we had two days off, followed by two shows at the same venue. If this was not quite enough, we then had a midweek day off, followed by two more shows at the same venue..the Rod Laver Arena. Not only was this a great week to be in the city, but it was a helluva expensive week and thus began my lack of website updates! I hope you all understand. Now for the benefit of you , the reader, and for myself and my memory, I am going to link to a few of the more cooler and colorful places i like to visit while in one of my favorite cities.

First off St Kilda is a great neighborhood that borders the city. Accesible by tram and surrounded by water, it is the home of one of the coolest live music clubs i have had the fortune to visit. I am talking about The Espy of course! This building was almost torn down until a petition stopped the impending demolition and instead they renovated The Espy and all is good in the land of St. Kilda.


http://www.melbourne.com.au/stkilda.htm

http://www.espy.com.au/Espy_Content/INFO/default.aspx

Another extremely cool and multi leveled bar/pub/club/rooftop bar that my tour mates and I visit everytime we are in the city is the Carlton Club. Now Carlton is a local beer that is quite popular and i will add that i sure have drank my share while being over here. The Carlton Club, like a few of the other cooler spots in the city is all subject to whether or not the door staff want to let you in. They may say sorry folks its guestlist and members only tonight, or use their discretion to keep the clientelle on the cutting edgy side as opposed to a more mainstream tourist/aussie crowd. I of course have no trouble getting in most places i go , and in fact seem to make good friends! A personal thank you to Cammy at the door, Peter behind the bar of the main room, and of course my favorite espresso vodka drinker Georgia up on the rooftop. I may just miss you all a bit....

http://www.thecarlton.com.au/

One of my favorite places to go in Melbourne is a club unlike any you have been to before. In fact the first time i went there with our amazing tour guide Cal , my mates and I were greeted at the front entrance by a 6ft tall transvestite. Quite the sight i must say, but such a beautiful open vibe and full of uber cool people having a good time. LIke all the other city places to be The Toff in the Town has multi rooms you can get lost in, lots of stairs to climb, a dance floor to get your groove on , and several booth style seats that you can fit about six people in , and the promptly shut the door. Service to the table will only come if the door is shut when you push a button located on the inside wall. Now what sort of things could one get up to while in a closed booth in a night club....card playing of course!
If you are ever in Melbourne, make sure you are dressed fairly well and head over to The Toff in the Town on Swanston Street. You will not be dissapointed and may never want to leave!

http://www.worldsbestbars.com/public/venue_listing.jsp?categoryId=33¤tVenueId=16569043

http://www.thetoffintown.com/

Getting away from the club style places a really great Australian designer is based out of Melbourne and the Tshirts, although pricey , are amazing! Check it out and order online....

http://www.tomorrowneverknows.com.au/

I could probably go on for hours about Melbourne and just how truly unique and void of blah mainstream characters it is, but i should run and let you discover it for your own. Just remember that nobody judges and if you want to wear a towel and a fur hat when you go out, then by all means go right ahead. Melbourne you truly do march to the beat of your own drum and should be proud of it! I love your hair, your style, your music, your openness, and your disinterest in conforming. IF only more could be like you , but then I am sure you would still strive to be different. Thank you

Craigers