The Festival of Erk 2013

[erkpod]

Day 4 (Friday) was a quiet one - apartment appreciation day. This was as close as I got to a tram all day...






It was nice to welcome me with fireworks, Melbourne, but I've been here since Tuesday. There seemed to be two launch sites, one near Southern Cross station & one near Bourke St to the SW of me. I could hear the fireworks but could not see them directly looking east over Victoria Harbour. I could see limited fireworks reflecting off the windows on the other side of the harbour & reflecting off the water.
I invited a friend & her partner over for dinner & chat & it was a lot of fun.

My building isn't hard to miss. It looks like a cheese grater. Here's some cheese.



We had some dinner thanks to ordering it via the interweb & some ice cream thanks to me having a sookylala on Twitter that I wanted ice cream.

Immediately after being asked "Are you having trouble with that ice cream?", this happened...

 

[erkpod]

I've had this parody song Melbourne Cliches by the D Generation in my head since arriving here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ap-t46_Sy3A

I found out the fireworks last night were from the Harbour Town shopping centre. It's a thing now.

 

[erkpod]

Day 5, Melbourne

After what would normally be a sleep-in for normal people, I met up with Serfty for lunch at The Nixon & then North Melbourne v Hawthorn at Eithad Stadium.

I almost decided to move on from Nixon but Serfty informed me there was indeed another double page of the menu. Happy with what I almost missed out on, we ordered.

After a nice lunch, we crossed the road to Eithad Stadium. It turns out that the seats were great for an AFL virgin, right near the North Melbourne interchange bench & in row B.

Just before the start of the game, I saw the Hawks mascot.



With the roof on, the weather was good & the game seesawed. It was a good atmosphere & the Hawks won. Considering I was using my iPhone & play was often on the other flank, I grabbed some photos to mark the occasion.

 

[erkpod]

I was surprised at the amount of interchanges that were going on. Even when off the field, the players were on the move & my iPhone could not keep up.









Even the umpires got into the act. They have to keep moving, even if the ball is nowhere near them.

 

[erkpod]

With the last quarter over a few minutes earlier than expected by the guy who knows the sport (Serfty), the Hawthorn fans around me could celebrate another win.

It was good for me too because as a child, I loosely followed Hawthorn. As has been explained to me twice in 2 days, it was because the Hawks were winning & so I'd see them more on TV. It was also pre-Swans.

We left the ground (attendance 33000) & headed our separate ways. I did some train spotting at Southern Cross as the crowds thinned out.





I got a drink & found a perfect gift for your favourite AFFer.




My plan was to head to St Kilda for a music festival but I saw a crash between 2 cars, a bus & a tram (thankfully no injuries)

 

[erkpod]

Planning to get the 96 tram to St Kilda from Spencer St, I could see one of the tram operations vehicles. Getting closer, a bus, 2 cars & a tram were involved. It was a nose to tail for all vehicles except for the tram that got sideswiped, it appeared.

There appeared to be no injuries but as you can imagine, road & tram traffic was disrupted. I bumped into a fellow Sydney train driver on site & a Melbourne train driver saw me from a distance.



At one stage, the tram driver in charge of the 96 tram I was going to catch locked up his tram after detramming (?) the pax to find out what was going on as his way was blocked by the damaged tram.



So I babysat the tram, letting people know that it was not going anywhere. Think of the Simpsons episode where Krusty The Clown faked his own death in a plane crash & you'll get the idea. If the way's blocked, it's blocked.


The tram I babysat.

Several of Victoria's Finest showed up - I was waiting for Victoria's Bravest to show up but they didn't need to.



After quite some time, the vehicles were cleared & trams could continue.

After letting the backlog of trams to clear (including one with a message that should be on the front of every tram), I headed out to The Espy at St Kilda for Progfest.

 

[SeatBackForward]

I've had this parody song Melbourne Cliches by the D Generation in my head since arriving here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ap-t46_Sy3A

I found out the fireworks last night were from the Harbour Town shopping centre. It's a thing now.

That was mocking Weddings, Parties, Anything wasn't it?

 

[erkpod]

Arriving at The Espy, I spotted the Restaurant Tram.



I've now settled in for Progfest. I've found a powerpoint to powerwhore from which has 2 milkcrates to sit on while side of stage. It's going to be a long night of music but a great way to see some live music in Melbourne.

 

[serfty]

....

We left the ground (attendance 33000) & headed our separate ways. I did some train spotting at Southern Cross as the crowds thinned out.

View attachment 18321

View attachment 18322

...

I think I was in the second photo ..

Seems like you had a bit of an adventure while I was heading home ...

 

[erkpod]

That was mocking Weddings, Parties, Anything wasn't it?

Close. Things Of Stone & Wood.

 

[erkpod]

I think I was in the second photo ..

Seems like you had a bit of an adventure while I was heading home ...

I was going to go to the stop you suggested at Bourke & Spencer but I wanted a drink. Then I went to Spencer & Collins which is where the crash was.

 

[erkpod]

I had a good time at Progfest. While waiting for dinner outside, a drunk lady called us all losers - I'm thinking she started her session rather early as it wasn't even 8.30pm & she was a few sheets to the wind.

After talking to some of the local ladies & seeing this tram, someone is trying to tell me something...



After a few hours at Progfest, I decided to leave early so I could get the tram to the front door. I downloaded Tram Tracker. Instead of the 96 tram I caughr there, I caught the 16 tram in, changing at Collins St. I was surprised to have my Myki checked at Flinders St just after midnight on the 16.

I just missed connecting with the 48 at Collins St. Twice I was asked if the trans were running as the real time info at the stops wasn't working.

I got a lot of tram shots outside the Chesse Grater before returning upstairs.





I just checked my VFF account & the DRW status run SC have been updated. I'll check over to SG on my J trip home on Tuesday.



See those people who are coming to dinner with me Sunday night. Tempted to go to the St Kilda v Gold Coast game at Eithad tomorrow (Sunday).

 

[JessicaTam]

I have just boarded my BNE-MEL flight home, so see you this arvo.

Where are we meeting again? 5.30 right?

 

[erkpod]

I have just boarded my BNE-MEL flight home, so see you this arvo.

Where are we meeting again? 5.30 right?

1730 at Blue Train. See you then!

 

[JessicaTam]

1730 at Blue Train. See you then!

If I am still awake...

 

[erkpod]

Day 6, Melbourne


Go team VA!


The goal umpire needs a bigger flag.







I thought I'd go back to Eithad Stadium for a different view prior to dinner.

 

[serfty]

Go team VA!
...
I thought I'd go back to Eithad Stadium for a different view prior to dinner.

No problems getting a ticket today!

 

[erkpod]

No problems getting a ticket today!

If yesterday was 33k, today must be 15 - 20k.

 

[erkpod]

If yesterday was 33k, today must be 15 - 20k.

I wasn't bad - 17k.

 

[erkpod]

I decided to head back to Eithad Stadium for a different view. The game wasn't as close as yesterday it was still a good game.





Halfway during the match, the players shrunk. But the roof was on!





Thankfully the guy driving the medicab had a quiet day.