My Shot at Fame Misfires!

Had a callback for the Outback Steakhouse commercial today.
I though a callback was a function you pass as a parameter to another function in javascript but in TV speak its when you are "called back" to an audition! Those theatre types - they're so literal!
When I arrived at the casting agency, it was festooned with beautiful people, the like of which I have never before seen. There was a rock climbing chick with arms as big my legs and a flat stomach you could crack walnuts on. There was a young christian dude auditioning for a part as a waiter and a cool glider pilot/skydiver with snakeskin boots plus some young ingenues all looking gorgeousy and very Sydney.
Then the sea of buff bods parted and in walked this veritable amazon! She was at least 6ft 2 in the old scale with hair as blonde as Paris Hilton's and skin as smooth and as polished as alabaster - except it was tanned. She strode in and went straight into the casting studio to emerge some minutes later looking a bit flustered. The higher up the beautiful scale you are the more likeley you must think you are for the part.
I was called in after a succession of spunks did their thing for the assembled creatives in the studio, with a guy called Fabian, a sailor.
There was a bunch of people in there, a bit of a contrast from last week when there was only me, the kids, and Ally Fowler - the principal of the casting agency - Fountainhead Casting (I'm not sure if the name of the place reflects her politics or if she thinks its just a catchy name - but she was in the Chantoozies and on All Saints if that helps).
There was the director - a yank - 2 ad agency types (I think) and 2 of Ally's minions.
She had Fabian and me position ourselves in front of the camera and basically repeat what was said last week - how long have you been [insert adventure activity here] etc etc.
Afterwards we were told we had to look at a mark on the wall and pretend we were digging a groovy party and to respond when our name was called out. Ally was just prepping us for this staged improvised banter when the director interrupted and said "No, we don't need that!" (he said it with a smile though, and kind of offhandedly so it wasn't at all nasty).
I walked out with Fabian the sailor, grabbed my backpack and kept on going. Fabs was heading towards Central as well so we had a bit of a natter.
I asked him if not doing the party scene was a bad thing, he said it was. He's in advertising so I suspect he knows.
Well, that's it. There goes my part in 'Home and Away', the ensuing hit single, the raunchy video clip, the relocation to LA, the checking into rehab, the newer younger wife.
All gone. In as long as it takes to say "No, we don't need that".
I sat dejected on the train back to my normal non-celebrity, non-groovy life back in Newy.
Liam was there to greet me at the door with a big hug so I guess its not so bad after all!

Treachery 2008

Went with the Donnelly Cooks to Treachery Beach where they go annually for a post Xmas, pre NYE sojourn by the seaside.
Lisa stayed at home an painted the family room with El Fozzo. I took one for the team and had to endure drinking, surfing and camping with the kids.

Flight Log (FLOG) 02/01/2009

Friday, 2nd Jan.
First flight of the year and the first for some months.
Started out as a glorious day and by 11:30am I was on deck at Strezzie where Cottsy was about to launch after having a verbal joust with Matt.
It all gets rather silly at times.
James T had just launched and Matt had just top landed (to applause from the gathered throng). Tony Barton was about to take a customer aloft as I was making ready.
After Tony B got away I got sorted and waited a bit so Anton could grab some footage of the majestic Edel taking flight.
Launch was good and I was away after one step in the direction of the coal ships. Lots of consistent, fun lift. I flew out over the rock shelf a few times and tried a bunch of easy wingovers and some 360's and stuff. After a bit I flew to Watt St to see how it was going there. Got good height going over and managed to maintain it while I was there but it wasn't a abundant as the lift at Strezzie so I thought I'd head back. I applied 3/4 speed bar to cross the bit between the bowling club and the Bogey Hole and was sinking substantially. In a moment of panic I thought about heading back to the cliff at Jimmy Fletcher Park but held my nerve and pushed on.
By the time I crossed the Bogey Hole, I was about half way down the cliff face but by the time I'd reached the Fort at King Eddie Pk, I was back at launch height again.
One long pass down the cliff to Monument and I was back about 100ft above launch. Just goes to show!
I made a few more passes along the ridge and more hangies were setting up, plus the white caps were developing over the water so I headed down to the park for a nice landing. Mick - a hangy who was flying a fun - was packing up and took me back to launch. Hurrah.
All up about 90+ minutes. Excellent!