Grand Ball 2015

I just attended the Grand Ball of 2015 in Northcote, Melbourne and it was nothing less than incandescent. The entire night glowed with glamor and elegance - complete with a three course meal, six piece band, instant photo booth, and parquetry dance floor.  The three girls behind the glamorous night did such an amazing job of organising everything, and I had such a great time on stage as master of ceremonies. The night was such a massive success we're all waiting for invitations to the next one. Thanks girls.

Boy & Co. Deliciousness

Boy & Co. in Malvern is not only the best place to get a Nutella milkshake (pictured above) but also the only place to get a decent serving of chilli fries in Australia. I went there with my wife for a burger - which they do not serve. I have no idea why I thought they would - perhaps some obscure online review with misinformation. But I was very quickly impressed with the minimalist interior and deliciously simple menu. Just a few different types of dishes involving perfectly cooked fries and a range of ridiculously tempting milkshakes. Bring $20 each. You might want an extra milkshake for the ride home. Thanks for moving in Boy & Co. Love your work. 

HVAGDY

HVAGDY is the abbreviation which had been painted on signs hung up all over my place of work. I honestly thought it was the lady's last name - the woman who'd painted the signs. She was the gardener at school and by far the happiest and most colourful woman I'd ever met. Was it her last name? Some sort of Baltic State heritage?

It wasn't. It was the abbreviation which had become a sort of logo of the woman herself. HVAGDY was "Have a Good Day!" and it was the numberplate on her car, at the bottom of every wooden 'Please put your rubbish in the bin' sign, and something that has stayed with me ever since.

Sometimes this woman is the only person to say hello with a smile, and she is an absolute legend - and someone who has become a friend of mine. Not just a gardener at all - she also cultivates happiness and positivity everywhere she goes, installing up-cycled garden sculptures, colourful murals, new planting ideas and positive affirmations all over the place.

Leanne has become an icon for everything creative and happy - and when it was my Year 12 students' last day this year I wanted to throw them a music festival - and I knew just who to ask to help. I waved her down as she was rocketing along on her ride-on mower on the top oval, pink RayBans, faux flower headband and all. I heard the classic rock blaring from her headphones long before I got to her, as usual.

She instantly wanted to help. That Friday after school she helped me lop branches off unwanted trees, make bunting to hang, and the following Monday morning before school helped me set up the rest of the room. Unbeknownst to me she had also made cupcakes the night before for the students to have. I honestly can't thank this woman enough for all of the positivity and light she beams, everyday.

Here are a few photos of the end result. Thanks Leanne for all of your help - not just for my 'music festival' but for every 'have a good day' you yelled across the quadrangle, even when I seemed grumpy or stressed. We all love you more than you know.

So to you, dear reader: HVAGDY