Saturday was just one of those magic days where everything was perfect. I hung out with friends, played football in the sun, got ice cream, watched Black Books with my girlfriend. I feel very grateful for the life that I've built in Melbourne over the last 5-6 years! Also on this week's podcast, did you know that birds can't look up?

First week of the new year and I'm boring myself with how organised and focussed I am. I have goals and dreams, and I'm working towards them, while also trying to treat the people around me with empathy and respect. What an absolutely tedious load of shit.

I've spent the last week in Adelaide relaxing, seeing friends and family. Christmas with my cousin and his wife and kids in Bendigo was incredible, and now I'm back in Melbourne and taking the next few days before the end of the year to plan what I want to do in 2023. I'm super excited for the future! I hope you guys have all had a great holiday period so far. Thanks for listening to the podcast if you're one of the 54. You rock!

In the last week I've driven 1500km from Darwin to Alice Springs, performing shows in Katherine and Tennant Creek along the way. I've visited a town of 8 people that is nationally famous as the site of an unsolved murder mystery, then met the owners of the town's pub 600km away in the audience of my show. I've seen Messi finally win the World Cup and become the greatest footballer of all time, as well as winning $650 with my best friend on a bet we placed at the start of the tournament. It's been an incredible week! But somehow, for some reason, I spent the first 20 minute of this podcast talking about something I saw on Instagram called 'Metalbird'.

Barney Ronay's Maradona Article:

I just dropped my girlfriend at the airport in Darwin, we're not going to see each other now until May 2023! It's a long time, and I'm scared and I know it's going to be difficult, but it also feels right that we're going to hold on to this thing. I'm excited for the future, so this week I spoke about that. Also dickheads bringing their stupid pool noodles and needy attitudes on holiday. Away with that!

Just to be clear, what I mean in the title is like, "Australia" (Good! Positive exclamation) then, "Fuck You!" (directed to everyone else who isn't Australia). I'm full of pride after our Socceroos made it to the last 16 of the World Cup, and put on a phenomenal display against Argentina. I got up at 4:45am to watch it in the city, and even though we went out, it was worth it to say I was there!

I've been an absolute ball of psycho-energy mayhem the last week or so, and I only just realised! But I've been home for two days and I'm feeling so much better, my god. Who would have thought that taking two days to stay at home and rest would be good for a person? WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT?!

The World Cup is here! Despite all the sadness and exploitation and EVIL (!!) surrounding it, I am so excited that it's here. Last night after watching my good friend Milo do his solo show in Melbourne we went out to watch the England game at the pub and the fans were out singing songs and celebrating. I was literally jumping for joy at one point, not for England, but at the prospect of a month of football, every day. It's here!!

Yesterday I reversed my brother's car into a bollard in a parking garage. I was furious at everyone, myself, the government, the bollard. When will life be easy? Maybe when I let it be easy. Whatever, things are actually going great. I have a girlfriend now! For the next few weeks, until she leaves the country to move to the UK. Waaaaaah! Anyway, this episode of the podcast was fun, I hope you enjoy!