JPF Home Page Forums Southeast US Chapter Message Boards Tampa Chapter Message Board Greetings from Sydney

Arrived in Sydney around 8AM Sunday after 20 hrs travel. Checked into the Marriott and hit the streets by noon. Took a tour of one of the most beautiful cities I have ever visited on the top of an open air double decker bus. Becky and I had a great first day and are preparing to take off this morn to explore some of the sites we saw yesterday. The Aquarium, Botany Gardens full of landmarks and history, cathedrals, shopping, and a GRAND harbor.The Opera House is also on the route but we have all week and there is so much to see. If I had visited in my twenties I may have moved here. Thats how impressed I am. A very international city with a warm and inviting way about it.
Ill check in, in the next few days and catch up.WE are taking lots-o-pix.
Keep Strummin' Al

Glad you arrived safe and are having a good time.
Jerry

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Jerry Jakala

Hi Al,
Happy to hear you and Becky made the 20 hour trip with "flying Colors"!

Can't wait to see the pic and hear all about your trip.
Give a toast to all JPF back in Tampa when your out and about!

See ya soon my friend!

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JoDell
jodellsmusic.com
Believe in yourself and your dreams will come true!

Hey Al...
Stay Safe & Enjoy yourselves.
The BackYard BBQ/JAMM event was super. A bunch of really neat people doing great music!
By the way....Many thanks to Andy Karpinski for being here to join in & do some of his songs on stage. I now have a couple of his CD's so I can play them on my show. And of course, Carl Wade & Barbara Shaffer were the bomb!!! EVERYONE totally enjoyed their music too.
You'd have enjoyed the variety of artists today. The food, weather & everything else, well, we were blessed.
Keep us posted on your sightseeing adventures for us vicarious travelers.

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Atchya'Later, Ms.Goody
Mellow Melodies with Goody Internet Radio show at
www.PeaceMaker-Web.com

Hey Al and Becky!!

Glad you guys are having a great trip so far.
All our best and have a wonderful, memorable vacation.

See you both soon.
L,
Cin and Frank

Hey Al,

You guys are so lucky. I'd love to be there as I love traveling. Glad you guys are enjoying yourselves.

Eleni

G'Day Everybody,
We are having such a great time, its absolutely beautiful here. It is Autumn so Jeans and sweat shirts in the evenings and Tees daytime. Bright and sunny with a cool breeze.
Have seen a harbor that Channelside will eventually become but here its on a larger scale. Monday visited the Harbor and Aquairium, yesterday an all day bus tour to the Blue Mountains and National Park. WOW!
On the way back into Sydney part of the tour was a wildlife park called Featherdale. One of the coolest animal parks Ive ever been to with Emus,Wallabees and Roos running around loose and coming up in a curious way. Also reptiles including Crocs(caged)and many, many indigenous birds.Oh yeah and Becky says Dingos(Canus Lupus)too.
Zoo today and a Bridge climb that will take us hudreds of feet above the Harbor. I hope Becky doesnt throw me off. We have allot to do and see.
Thursday the songwriters come out here in the city so I have some local spots already scouted out and will spread the JPF hand of International community.
Before coming over I started communication with Wirdaz on the Australia message board. He and his wife have invited us up to visit as their nearest town of Denman is hosting a wine, cheese and Jazz festival on Saturday. We will rent a car and attempt to drive on the left side of the road about 160 miles over unfamiliar terrain. He may be able to introduce me to a representative of the ABC "Austailian Broadcasting Company" who generally covers this annual event. I am directing folks I meet to WWW.jpfolks.com as well as www.aandrproductions.com so if you don't have a profile up on A and R site yet see me when I get back and we will take care of that. I have a GO from WMNF to invite Aussie artists to network with Tampa also so part of my musical mission is to set up a type of cooperative between out two cities for indie airplay. Wish me luck.
Thats all for now, we are off to breakfast then out exploring.
Keep Strummin' Al
www.aandrproductions.com

It's been said, "If you want something done, give it to a busy man." Al, you must be one of the busiest. Well done on all the diplomatic maneuvers. I'm glad you are remembering to have some R&R too.

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Steve Dockendorf
"Quality music for quality people"
dockendorf2000@yahoo.com
www.soundclick.com/stevedockendorf

Another absolutely gorgeous day in Sydney. Walked to the harbor and caught a ferry (catamaran) across the bay and over to the zoo. Pretty darn nice facility but too much walking. Got back to the Sydney side about 5pm and started walking back to the hotel. My party wife says, lets do a pub crawl back. And of coarse I say, well okay. so five pubs later we walk into a swank downstairs club and landed up singing karaoke. We just got in, its 9pm.
Opera House and climbing that huge bridge tomarrow, then we'll see what this old dog has left in him.G'night yall.
Strummin' from Down Under, Al

Thursday,
Becky and I decided to walk through Botany Park that leads to an outlook of the OPera House. Along the way we came across the museum of art and stopped in for about an hour. It was free and absolutely beautifuly done. Throught the park which was a penninsula, landscaped, terraced, harbor view, statues.....
Wow. Lots-O-Pix.
The Opera House tour was about 90 mins and we got to look in on a ballet in reheasal (Shhhhh...) and a jazz ensomble who will be performing with the philharmonic.
The structure itself is called one of the wonders of the 20th century. When you stand beside it you will know why. Shopping on the way home through town. And out to a songwriters night that showcased three performers who were pre booked, a single named Cassandra Evelyn and a duo, Wayne and Steve. Talked with them all and gave them a three song CD and A and R Productions business card with JPFolks site on back. Told them all about JPF and how it brings folks together. They had alot of questions and were very receptive. Everyone we have met has been absolutely pleasent and helpful, they were no exception.I hope to see them on the boards here soon.
Off to Bondi beach now to enjoy the Austalian sand between my toes.
Cheers from Down Under, Al and Becky

Al,
Thank you so much for sharing all the wonders and experiences you are having right here on the Bulletin Board for all of us to enjoy right along with you.

Your vivid descriptions evoke plenty of pictures right here in the mind's eye...man all I can say is I hope more of us can visit that beautiful country someday.
Thank you as well for such creative ideas about radio play etc. with sharing other artists from down under. Your creative mind never ceases to stop nor to amaze!!

Enjoy the rest of your trip and keep us up to date!


All the best,
Cin and Frank

Yeah Cindy and folks we are having the vacation of a lfetime just being here. Everyone is absolutely helful and hospitable. Took a ferry over to Manly, a beach area with lots of shops and restaurants and a gorgeous beach. We put out feet in but the very clear cool water but was just too brisk for us. At the harbor on the way back we enjoyed street performers playing the diggerydoo with an Aborigeony gent all painted up. Bought their CD and gave them one of mine. Then met a couple of young men on the train coming back and introduced them to JPF.Took pix of coarse and are now back in the hotel. We have made car rental arrangements to drive up to Denman to visit Noel Downs and his wife Christine in the morn. Looking forward to the drive and meeting a JPFer who is the most active on the Australian board. Will check back when I can. Energy permitting. I leave for home Monday to get some rest.
Jim and MaryAnn were good enough to take care of the homestead and Tabatha for us. Hi Jim, how is our baby girl?
Peace from Down Under, Al and Becky

When is the Roo & Croc barbecue?
Glad you are having the time of your life.
Well earned I am sure.
Have a safe trip home!

Jerry

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Jerry Jakala

hey al and becky.... all is well at casa alvarez... the huge parties have been great.. every nite til dawn... even the sheriff is havin' fun.... tabitha has had several kitty friends over and drank the place dry.... we got the fire out quickly by using the pool water, but the new 'skylight' is kinda cool.... oh, by the way, did we tell you that... oh, never mind.. we'll tell you at the airport when we pick you up.... the cops say that the paperwork with the lawyers should be worked out by then... anyway, don't worry 'bout a thing... we're taking really good care of the place for you.... safe journey home,
jim & mary ann

ROFLOL!!!!!


Oh, gawd.
ROFLOL!!! Some more.

Good ones Jim. I read this aloud to Becky and we almost choked up our coffee. Eewww.
Last day in Sydney as I fly home tomarrow. Will go to an area called the Rocks. Street bazaar, restaurants, pubs, shops and and all this overlooking the harbour. This is one of the first settlement points when the Brits came over. It has the old world charm in all the architecture. Terraced with sloping streets and monuments.
The trip to Denman was pretty cool yesterday. A small town about 160 kilometers north of Sydney. Through some absolutely gorgeous countryside and into wine country. The Rosemount Winery is right outside of Denman. They were hosting an annual street scene so folks from surrounding areas were in and the wineries, olive oil company, cheeses etc. had displa and tasting booths.
The main street was blocked off at each end with these 4 ft high wine casks and the majority of the buildings were circa early 1900s. We met up with Noel Downs (Wirdaz on the Australian board) A very nice gent about 40 with a nice big smile broad shoulders and and a colorful face that reflects his choice of lifestyle. Raising horses and an obvious outdoorsman who appreciates the land to which he was born.We walked over to the Pink Rose Gallery which is a store front with a wooden porch big picture window and full of art and craft items consigned there by local artists. His Mrs. Christine greeted us, a lovely lady, petite with a natural beauty and piercing blue eyes. Quite a handsome couple. She was manning the store as part of a local consignment deal with the gallery and local artists. She displays some of hers oils and scultures there and should be proud her her artistrt. These two complement each other nicely. Stop in at the Australian board and say G'Day to Noel.
He has lots of lyrics he would like to collab on.
We had taken a few trinkets as gifts, CDs from myself and Jim Mason, A and R Productions T shirts and a couple of Tampa curios.
We were pleasently surprised to accept a very nice bottle of Rosemount champagne and Noel put together a small box with a few fosilized leafs a petrfied snail, piece of quarts and there is another I need to ask him about. Im not sure he actually understood how much we loved their very thoughtful gift. Gracious.
The next couple hours we toured the shops, met some locals and ate and Noel shared his song book with some pretty nice compositions. He gave me a book with some of his favorites and I will have some enjoyable reading material for my flight home. Im ready to come home, my back is getting ready to quit again and I better get back to therapy.
Becky and I will come back within the next few years but next time we will have at least two weeks to explore and dive the reef and see some of the outback territory.
Time to get ready for our last day out together as Becky stays for three days to work as I leave tomarrow.
Stll Strummin' Down Under, Al

didn't mean to make you croak on your coffee, mate.... truly, all is well here at home....mary ann will be meeting you at tampa international when you get off the shuttle at the terminal... i will be in orlando overnight for my new job...you arrive at 10.25 pm on american from dallas, is that right?.... please confirm or call if you have a chance... safe journey...
jim

Jim,
Congrats on the Gig and the Job. I actually land at 10:38 but then have to grab the bags etc. I know that MaryAnn has to work the next day and I will be worn to the bone. As much as I appreciate the offer I have no problem taking a cab from the airport so that she doesnt have to be
waiting around at the airport at night. All our connecting flights were delayed coming out and I would hate to put her through all that. Its an easy cab ride 15 minutes up the Vet as you know.
I will have a drink with the two of you though the first few days back.
Im saying goodby to an amazing sunrise with a cup of java and my Becky getting ready to go to work.
See ya'll in T-Bay
Still Down Under, Al

Hi Al and Becky,

What a wonderful trip you had. Jim your a stitch. Poor Becky joking on her coffee.

I had not kept up with the boards for the passed few days and scrolling down I was in tears. This was better than any novel I could have picked up and read.

Welcome home my friend,
Can't wait to see Al my pal

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JoDell
jodellsmusic.com
Believe in yourself and your dreams will come true!

I'm Baaaa....ck.
MaryAnn was the smiling face as I got off the tram and it was so good to be home. What a good friend to come out and see me home safely. Thank you darlin'. Time for a shower and then Ill see how my biological clock is working. Napped a few times but 22 hours in transit makes me a little confused as to what time it is and when I should sleep. Ill catch up with ya'll tomarrow.
Strumming back at Chez Rebal, Al

Welcome home!
Thanks for posting some of your Aussie adventures.
It was a treat to read them.

Jerry

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Jerry Jakala

Hey Al!
Welcome home and thank you again for posting all of your wonderful adventures from Down Under. We really enjoyed reading and being able to absorb through your vivid descriptions.

Rest up, and we'll see ya'll soon.

All the Best,
Cin and Frank

Don't we have a bad enough immigration problem without you inviting all the nubile blond songstresses in Aussieland over here? Oh, maybe not. Keep on stummin'
Kevin

Hi Al,

We got the Postcard from Aussie.. Thanks!

Glad you had a great trip. Looking forward to hearing more about it. One of these days we'll take a busload of JPF members to another country for a tour together.

I put a pic of the Tampa crew on the home page and linked your site.

Brian

Hi Brian,
Glad you got the card. I didn't exactly get to make the contacts I was hoping for but I'll chalk that up to last minute communications. It seams like anything inside of two weeks is last minute now a days. I did however talk to some very nice local artists and have e-mailed them the link to JPF, haven't seen them yet but I'm hoping they will get around to visiting here. I'm hoping they re lurking at least.
Back to chipping away at business. Jerry has things well under control for our next JPF meeting and showcase, and that's a big help in itself.
Thanks for the pic on the home page and the link. Very cool. That was a great trip for us, kicking off the chapter and getting to see a road trip in action. Let us know when your schedule permits and we'll get you down here for a road trip. We will rock you.
Or... we'll see you in Los Angeles for the awards.
Becky gets home tonight from finishing up business in Sydney so I'm tuning the house up for her home coming.
I just keep on, keeping on.
Al