Sunday 18th August 2019 1.10pm – The time is relevant to this story because my weekend is full and everything has to go right if I’m to get to the footy. On Friday night we go out as a family to see Shakespeare in Love at the Playhouse and, unless we are greatly mistaken, Geoffrey Rush, who was in the film 20 years ago, is sitting a few rows in front of us. It is a wet, cold night and the kids … –>

I leave the house in a rush but go back for my gloves as it’s so cold. But I still manage to forget my scarf, of all things, and I don’t realise until I’m well up the road. I’m aiming for a train that I’ll have to run for and I don’t go back for the scarf. I hope this doesn’t bring us bad luck. I have to give up on the train and I catch a timely tram instead. If you think we’re spoiled for choice … –>

Saturday was my birthday but I was not at the ‘G but at the Recital Centre for a performance of Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks. This is a piece of music I cannot tire of and, it being my birthday, I had to go. So far as I can remember this was the second time I’d been to see a professional orchestra. You can see why tickets are expensive – the crowd is under a thousand and there’s fifty … –>

Clashing with this game, I was invited to go out to MONA and see Robert Forster. My gut reaction was noooo - its a huge game and I've got to watch it live. And Forster, aaaaah it's great music but he's such a knob. In the end, the gig won out. A night out with old friends can't be recorded and experienced later like the footy. And Forster was actually great fun. I maintained radio silence and came … –>