The quote above is from one someone I take a lot of advice from. The one and only Ferris Bueller.

I haven’t had a bigger start to the weekend in a long time. Wednesday was uncommon and rather frightening. A group of friends got together, hired a bus and went to the old mental hospital in Karaka, that’s been taken over and modified into scare city, aka Spookers. I had never been before and had heard horror stories from past victims, so to say I was apprehensive was a horrendous understatement. There are a few “entertainment” options out there, 3D vortex, corn maze, freaky forest etc. I chose “The Haunted House”. We formed a close pack and inched past the “Do Not Enter” barricade. 20 minutes later we resurfaced covered in blood and shrieking with laughter. It was a fun thrill, but I doubt I’ll go again. I hear the other options are far more frightening. The Haunted House is for rookies.

The El Paradiso Pony Club ensued. It was jumpin’n’pumpin’ and most punters had made an effort to get themed out. I was a bit pissed that the costume I’d bought for last year, and never used, was going to have to wait another year to get a full airing. I was still doused in blood, so all was not lost. A couple of Ecstasy Liqueurs later I was anyone’s.

Thursday saw The Breakers bust open The Brisbane Bullets defense and rack up 127 points, against their 126. The game was one of the highest scoring in NBL history. Anyone going to this week’s game please let me know; I’ll bring the pom-poms and Carlsberg. Thursday was also the first day of Movember, so we had a rather large launch at The Kingslander. The lovely Alyssa and Hannah C did the shaving honours, and 21 gents went under the Gillette Fusion blades to form “The Kingslander Handle Bar Alliance”. The band (James Malcolm & The Debarcles) was great and the Monteiths flowed till late.

My parents flew into town on Friday afternoon for the first time in years, so I was eager to show-off. Luxury Rentals lent me an uber-flash Audi A4 convertible to greet them in, then it was time to hit the Mt Eden Bowling Club for a bit of a roll-up. Persistent drizzle diverted our focus to Pasha in the Viaduct Basin. Big thanks to Roi there, who showed how great service with a smile can be. The olds were very impressed. From there we had a lusty tapas at O’Sarracino, and dessert at Deve. We parted company here, it was onward and upward for me.

I’d been looking forward to seeing Goodwill and John Course mix for weeks, so I wanted to get there early (shame nobody else had the same idea). The place soon began to fill, the tunes heated up and the Agavero and Jagers began to find their way into my belly. Oddly, Karn Hall’s set was the best for me, not the big internationals. Even though his DJ prices have recently gone up, I’m still getting him to DJ my wedding (still at least 7 years away). The vibe at Met & Code isn’t the same as it used to be, before the renovations (not that there’s any visible difference that I can see). But I am sure that with Sam Hill at the helm, the former glory will return.

Getting in at 5.30am is never easy, but when your parents get up soon after it then becomes a problem. After barely 100 minutes rest I rose to a wonderful cooked breakfast. Thanks Mum. We then hit the North Shore for sight-seeing, tennis, coffee, shopping and mini-golf.

“We Will Rock You” is a stage musical show based around the band Queen’s music. I recommend you all to see it. Prices start at $60, so for almost 3 hours of mind-blowing theatre this is a bargain and I am going again. It’s set in the year 2342 (roughly) and music has been banned. There are some renegades that fight against this and rise to overpower. The acting, singing, set and lighting is magical, a true international production. The Achilles heel I feel is the inclusion of Annie Crummer in a lead role, she was too manly and her character didn’t gel with the rest of the cast.

I let my folks have the evening off to do as they pleased. I headed to Sublime Times at The Westin Hotel. Most were in their best party gear and ready for a night on the tiles. Happy Birthday Rob, I still find it hard to believe you’re a sprightly 24; Bravo on your success to date. After a short walk we were at the Les Mills Masquerade Ball. 1000 tickets had been pre-sold, so Toto’s Restaurant was humming from the 9pm commencement; fit bodies and confidence galore, but by midnight it had thinned out dramatically. I guess that’s how they keep so trim and proper. It was only then that there was room to mingle and meet new friendly faces. Jason Eli played a super set and kept the party-heavyweights in good spirits.

Again, after a few minutes sleep, I rose to the smells of a wonderful cooked breakfast. We checked out, and checked into a few markets, before waltzing the cobblestones of Parnell. Karaka Bay is a little secret haven I was shown by a former partner when I first moved up here and I really wanted my parents to also experience its tranquility. Karaka Bay didn’t disappoint and we had a memorable picnic.

We went the long way to the airport and reluctantly bid farewell, but only 41 sleeps to go till we catch-up again, isn’t that right Mum, or was it 40?