Captain Donovan... soon...

July 29/30/31, 2005: Not content to wait for the (very) occasional call from Tim Parker (my former FCB Sydney MD, and new football supremo in his role as Sydney FC head) to help him sail his yacht in Sydney, I have decided it is time to follow my family naval blood (Grandad, Papa, Uncle Bill) and get a better understanding of how to sail a boat... So, Manhattan Sailing School gained a new Aussie student... Thierry - a frenchman who grew up in Germany - was our instructur and by far the best at the school - not only for his knowledge but his laidback 'have fun' attitude... we were one of the only groups to enjoy learning to sail.... felt sorry for the others... The good news is that after a 100% on my theory / vocab / rules exam, and passing my practical (on the J-24) with such manouvres as rescuing 'Marcello' the lifevest that got tossed overboard in place of a real human, I am on my way... Cheers to Thierry, Stacey, Maggie & Anna... I can see in my future a Regatta in the Carribean coming up this Winter... or a trip to a beach where I can hire a hoby cat and fly around a bit... but my goal is to be able to skipper a 45' Beneteau on Sydney Harbour... 2006 is the target... look out skippers and remember that Prisoners Of War have no rights...

What IS up with my firkin diet...

July 31, 2005: I would hate to read a list of what I eat. I hear about people who write down everything they eat (for some women in NY that seems to be lettuce, Evian and flax seed oil). But if I published a list of what I eat in a normal month, there would be sirens down Washington St as the US Physiology & Scientific Research Unit came to whisk me away for tests... take this month, from bloomin' onions at Outback Steakhouse, to cocktails at Hudson Bar (as featured in Sex & the City), to The Cutting Room (co-owned by Sex & the City's Mr Big Chris Noth), Meet here in my 'hood the Meatpacking District, and some very nice italian food at Gusto... not to mention the jaffles & home delivery... yowser...

Meckeegovan is now Keeg-less

July 27, 2005: Another one bites the dust. Ok so I've had two people resign to me now (Dan 2003 - though as I type this he has just accepted a job with me here in New York... hope he's ready to work his ass off...). Hillary was superb. Gifted with words, a natural actress, and great fun... we had a little farewell that consisted of a champagne boozy lunch at Barbuto for Meckeegovan (special guest photographer AB), followed by a few sharpeners at The Other Room... Our loss is Paris' gain... Paul & Lorraine get another play pal... of course that means I gain another Parisian play friend - hurrah!

Yuletide in July

July 17, 2005: A visit from an old friend Ms Sarah Yule... from espousing the creative genius of Bon Jovi, to being Senior NSW Criminal Profiler, helping out saving houses in bushfire season, & being one of Australia's premier Violinists bringing us Carols by Candelight many a year, as well as one of the most superb people I know... won't be showing you her picture of course (her job isn't an in front of the camera one), but she's a peach I've known for 14-15 years now... it was great to spend an evening out & about New York... beers in Sydney soon.

Happy Birthday to my favo(u)rite DJ

July, 2005: Happy Birthday to DJ Wink! I like to think of her as my own personal DJ - though she does sadly play for other people... check her out at The Bourbon in Sydney... or as the music behind my upcoming housewarming party in New York... one day perhaps in person?

Excuse me sir, but your dear has no eyes

July, 2005: Some days more than others...

"It'll never, never leave you"

July, 2005: Am working on pitch at the moment that has a lot of similarity to some amazing work done with my two favo(u)rite creative lads... Not a great line for a restaurant, but spot on for the lasting impression a NT holiday has on you... so why wait? go now... And you can find the lads here

While we're at it, Now Talk...

July, 2005: Some other work I was lucky enough to write the brief for... so good, despite the ridiculously good sales results, 7 Caxton awards & a Finalist at Cannes, sometimes the work is simply too good for those it is done for...

Swedish supermodel

July 2005: Welcome to the Big Apple Treen! We were out at a bar last night in the UWS and both singers in the band competed to see who could serenade her best, followed by some locals wondering if she's a visiting swedish supermodel. All that New York charm runs like water off a duck's back when the woman is a very classy Aussie...

Hook 'em Horns

Independence Day Long Weekend, July 1-5, 2005: Chicago and New York lost their new favo(u)rite sons as they fled for the even hotter State of Texas. But NY/Chi's loss was Austin & San Antonio's gain. Two new cowboys emerged, got shot at Coyote Ugly, conquered the great river of the Guadeloupe, hooked many horns, "Toob'd", managed to "git er done", attracted much attention driving a convertible with the top down through SUV country, and still returned home without an accent. But officially Austin rocks - and I'd move there tomorrow. Miss you Brandee.

My favo(u)rite places

* Restaurant: Spice Market - their desserts are to die for... though the Stanton Social is giving it a run...
* Club: Marquee - how can I go past Adam & I, P Diddy, Prince, Damon Dash, Jackie, & a $480 bottle of Mandarin Absolut...
* Place: Yankee Stadium - need I say more
* Town: Austin, Texas... The weather, the people, the partying...

STOP STALKING ME

The only celebrity I see often (really often) is Mike Myers. He won't leave me alone. Mike, I love you, I watch everything you do, and I laugh my ass off, but you gotta find someone else to follow. Get a dog or something. Or borrow this one.

Project Transplant

Sex and the City, 2004-05: But, which girl would I be? Every month Michelle, Kylie, Barbara & I (plus occasional guest member Louise) hit a new restaurant and bar. So far Soho House, Megu, BLT Fish, Pravda, Public, Falai, V Steakhouse, Lure Fishbar, Sapa, Stone Rose , The Stanton Social & others I've forgotten, have come into our hungry yet discerning gaze. Next? I promise pictures of the glamorous group soon. But check out Barbara's biz www.spoylt.com (see the Toolbelt at left that is taking New York by storm), Kylie's biz www.robertsonsolutions.com, and watch & listen to Michelle here (love the newsreader voice).