Lazed about Lee and Annie's during which the news was full of tributes for Steve Irwin, and now Peter Brock, an Aussie motor-racing legend who was killed during a race, prompting people to ask who was next. The death penalty was also a topic of conversation due to the Bali 9, a group of young Australians caught smuggling heroin in Indonesia, and upon appealing their life sentences, were given death. Heavy. We decided to go out on the town in Melbourne. It is renowned for the little alleys coursing through downtown, where pushing open unmarked doors can lead to clubs, pubs, cafes, or perhaps simple warehouse space or squatters. We weren't intending on being that random this night, opting instead to go see a band called Bop Deluxe at Manchester Lane, a soul-funk revue. Out were Norm and myself, Lee, Annie, one of the Eds, Alison, Luke, and Norm's friend Verika. I'd brought my horn with me, and talked my way into playing a bit the second set. Nice guys and a good bunch of players, and I did okay, although it took me a chorus or so to figure out that we weren't playing "Summertime" in the key I knew it. This was a bit of a first for me, since I usually make sure there is no one I know in the club when I throw myself into this kind of stuff.

The next day, caught a little Yum Cha with Annie's cousin Annie, then went to the Melbourne Cricket Grounds (MCG) with Norm, Luke, Alison, and Lee. I was cheering for my beloved (been a fan for about 12 hours) Collingwood Magpies, a team reviled by the rest of the AFL, and they were taking on the Western Bulldogs. Learned a lot about the game, and can't believe that Melbourne can sustain so many sports teams (though it should be noted that none of them made it to the finals, to be played at the MCG). Apparently this site is referred to as "sacred ground", as the game originated in this park over 100 years ago. There is even a piece of the original structure worked into the current facility. Loved listening to the little kids get into it ("Go 'Pois!! Cut your hair ya hippie!!) Though they showed promise in the first quarter, the Pies couldn't keep the energy going, and were trounced by the Bulldogs roughly 126-84.