The Official 2008 Year in Review Highlights (in handy list form)

JANUARY:

Holiday at Sandy Point with Kids, fierce winds, seas and giggles.

Fly to Hamilton Island with chums for some seriously rained out gigs

FEBRUARY:

My beautiful girl turned 7

I chased a streaker (Jamie Robertson) across the hallowed grounds at the MCG

Flew to Adelaide for a corporate gig and ended up going to the festival and meeting all manner of friends for an enjoyable evening in the Garden.

Seeing Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings at the Hi Fi with AB and shaking our respective things.

MARCH:

My Dad turned 60 and we were treated to an incredible dinner at Tolarnos in St Kilda. Happy Birthday Dad!

Began teaching my own special unit of improvisation at Deakin. Some brilliant talent and fun times.

Worked with Deborah Frances White from the Spontaneity Shop

Shot a corporate video which was a send up of Underbelly. Ripe for the plucking.

National Theatresports Competition! Lost by one point! What a night!

Happy Birthday Zoe! – spent the night at Aurora Kurth’s amazing one woman comedy show.

Directed and performed in Late Night Impro for Comedy Festival. Good houses but uneven nights of comedy (meh – it’s improvised – what are you going to do?)

Danced – quite a bit.

Dad had a book launch as well as his retrospective opening at Heide – couldn’t be prouder.

APRIL:

Performed at Celebrity Theatresports (where Rik broke his wrist – and still won the night)

Box Hill Tech School reunion – scared and delighted me in equal amounts.

Returned to the Ripponlea Studios to film Comedy Slapdown – so many good people on one show.

MAY:

Turned another year older (getting coy now about reveling my age) and also celebrated Rik Brown’s birthday with chums.

JUNE:

Spent the Queen’s Birthday by the Opera House and in good company

Launched Pia Zadora (the improv format) on the world at the Impro Cave

Flew to Darwin for a corporate gig and seriously underestimated the heat. Bought some shorts.

JULY:

Hooted and Hollered from the cheap seats at the Aria Hall of Fame.

Guest role on the Hollowmen for Working Dog – brilliant show and an amazing group to watch in action.

Happy Birthday Mum! Big party that I couldn’t get to because I was:

In Brisbane for the Improvisation Festival. Loads of friends, shenanigans and improv.

AB and SY breezed into town and we went to see Wicked.

More Corporate work (before the meltdown…lovely stuff)

Resurrected “El Cheapo the magician” for Asha’s birthday party – was heckled, lovingly.

AUGUST:

Filmed an opening piece for “Last Bucket of Water” for the Hounds. Giggles all round.

SEPTEMBER:

Loads of auditions, meetings, corporate gigs.

Flew to Adelaide for a Repco conference – maaaaate. Jason and I daubed some red on the town till the wee hours of the morning.

Happy Birthday Little Brother. He survives this party intact!

Scout family camp nearly kills us both.

OCTOBER:

Fringe festival opens and good times roll

Vapour Boys flickers onto the screen – well done Josh (and Family)

Film a scene for “Tangle” a new drama from the makers of Love My Way.

Film a scene for “Whatever Happened to that Guy?” from the makers of Peter Moon’s life.

Watch my son in a four hour school play (he tops maybe 20mins all up) – twice.

Halloween Classic kicks off with loads of friends coming to town.

Dad and I go see Jerry Lewis – and laugh and groan in all the right places.

Writing workshop/camp/weekend away turns into gag-free-for-all but forget to record for posterity.

NOVEMBER:

My Boy turns 11 and has a ‘hang-out’ party with his mates (what? No pin-the-tail guys? Guys?)

Dan and Toby have a party and we all laugh at Dan’s shorn scrotum on a prominent morning television program.

Movember Party – I’m joined by the lovely instigator AB and we marvel at the hirsute wonders.

DECEMBER:

Christmas parties galore

The “It’s a Dad’s Thing” group finally folds and we bid it a fond farewell. I smell a musical.

Russell’s Santaland Diaries is great followed by the remainder of the Skirty Christmas party.
Oh feeling very worn out by 2008 now…

Just enough time to squeeze in a pilot for a new show with Geoff, Julia, Josh, Ross, Colin, Toby and Gen. Brilliant.

Ok time to eat.

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Thanks to everyone who made my year brilliant.

All my friends are different and I love them all.