Hi Tony,

So, on the topic of annoying things. Went to a ball on the weekend. Yep, a gala, glitzy $165/person gig held in a big shed with some drapery to make it seem flash.

I like these things. A chance to dust off the dinner suit, relearn how to tie that pesky bow tie (ok, I failed that bit. Just lucky I am marrying someone who can figure that stuff out), polish the shoes proper like and drink an unknown quantity of vin ordinaire. Much fun.

This time we were kindly invited as guests of The Grollo Group and enjoyed the company of some old friends.

Ok, rant time…at $165/head, held in a shed, with those jet-engine like things as heaters, average and I mean average wine, why did we have to do the “chicken or beef” shuffle? Honestly, one of my pet hates.

A mysterious white, creamy sauce graced both the dried out chicken and the grey beef. I’m ok with that at a school formal, where “eating is cheating”, or perhaps the wedding of the 20 year old kids of some friends, but at a function jam packed with some of the wealthiest people in Melbourne? (I should note, I am a long way off being one of the wealthiest people in Melbourne).

Not that I got a choice of chicken or beef, it was simply alternately plonked. Circumstance would have that I got chicken. Am I better for it? Well, the bread roll was ok, as was the schnapps.

Rant over.

Did you partake in Eurovision viewing? I’ve developed a love/hate relationship with it. But, it’s like a car-crash. I just can’t look away. Perhaps it was the “traditional” performance by Poland which I can’t look away from? Makes me want to wash my clothes…

Daniel