On Mon, 7 Apr 1997, Kergma wrote:

This is well, not spam, but sort of anime related.

Well, after much ado, and several twisting of arms, the Trickster managed
to get time enough to go and do something he'd been meaning to do for some
time.  ie, actually have and relax on a long weekend.

So, after arranging time off work ( you juggle 4 seperate jobs and tell me
how easy it is ), I departed sunny Brisbane on Thursday afternoon for
Melbourne of the debatable weather.  My main purpose?  To attend the
Wedding of Saotome Ranma and Tendo Akane.

Aha! you may scoff, Ranma and Akane are merely anime characters, figments
(and what popular figments they are) of some writer in Japan.  This maybe
true, but I attended the Wedding of two delightful friends, whose
relationship has been strewn with obstacles, but still they forged on,
gradually realising that yes, they are meant for each other.

Their behaviour towards each other, especially in the early months was
very like Ranma and Akane, so much so that she nearly decked someone when
they pointed out that they played their online personalitys on several
Anime MU*s too far.  ( I have seen what she puts into her handbag, and do
not wish to investigate for fear of finding certain kitchen implements )

Thursday night was interesting.  I met the Bride-to-be, and nearly got
clocked by a coke bottle in the first five minutes.  Ah well, perhaps it

*giggle* Sorry about that ... but you DID deserve it! ^_^

was a mistake dredging that reference up again.  She is extremely huggable
though. *now now guys, get those sordid grins off your faces*

Heh, thanks ... *baps any hentai around*

The Wedding itself was of course, superb.  We broke tradition in many ways
in the enactment of the Wedding I guess.  For a start, the bride did not
wear white, instead a lovely peach (colour dress) nicely complimenting her
auburn hair.  It was also performed not on a Sunday, but on a Friday
morning, just as the mist had finally burnt of the foothills of the
Dandenongs.  The Groom did not wear black, but instead a comfortable blue
and black (and no, not from being the receiver of a beating )

Hey! I don't hit him _that_ much! Only when he deserves it ... :p  Teehee,
but he looked so good that I couldn't hit him that day ... *smilesigh*

They did not retain a Photographer, nor any musical entertainment, relying
on us, their friends, to provide such (organised photos are so... lifeless
and our organised spontanous singing provided much in the way of joy,
laughter and outright surprise in the behalf of the assorted Wedding
guests.)  Unfortunately, everyone *forgot* to get the celebrant to say
'mawarriage' (aka Rowan Atkinson, _4 Weddings and a Funeral_ ) which we
were all hoping for.

Thank kami-sama for that! You'd have gotten the glass coke bottle over
your head if you'd have done that! Beeedah!

After the ceremony, we adjourned for the recption, partly because we were
hungry, partly because some of us had run out of film, but mostly because
it was had started pouring down.  ( Melbourne has exciting weather, you
never know what your going to get next ).  The contingent from Queensland
and America was easily spotted, being huddled next to the roaring fire.
( Did I mention that it is *cold* at times down there? )

*grin* Just a tad ... thankfully Adelaide is slightly warmer ... Not that
I actually go outside much to see the weather. *giggle*

After many courses (ok, 4), several enjoyable speechs ( 'This is a great
pleasure for me, unaccustomed as I am *howls of laughter* as I am to
giving great pleasure *more laughter' ), no boring speechs ( we made sure
none would be given ;) ), and several dances, we were finished.  We
watched as the Bride and Groom departed for their Honeymoon, and made our
happy (if slightly drunken) way back to our places of rest.

Mmm...and the Hilton is great. Really nice rooms... and even one of those
net connections! *grin* However much that idiot's web page annoyed me, I
can only complain about him during our ... rest periods. ^_~  Geeze, you
don't expect me not to check e-mail, even on a honeymoon!

Although, I must admit that the rest of the time is sooooo much more fun
than being online. Pity it can't be done _all_ the time ... Mmm...

As for the rest of my long weekend, I visited the Puffing Billy railway on
Saturday ( a cab ride in one of those little NA class locos is fun, esp if
its a double header ), and went for a hike on Sunday ( I do love the
ranges, esp when it is on the cool side ).

One downside, do *not* attempt to travel *through* Melbourne in order to
catch a plane, especially in peak-hour traffic.  Monday morning peak-hour
traffic.  After breaking several road rules ( 'I think those numbered
signs with red circles are actually there for a purpose', and 'I think the
tram behind us doesn't like right turns here' ), I did make it
to my plane (with time to spare actually).

*grin*

Home again, home again, to a decent coffee ( Airline coffee wakes you up
yes.  Enough to get to the toilet to violently purge it from your system
).   Work again *sigh*

Still, meeting Kun-chan in the flesh again *those grins again tut tut* was
worth it (although, the rainforest *bap* wasn't worth it)

*smirk* Hands off, minna-san! I'm taken! ^_^ *smilesmilesmile*

Kun-chan...