Sydney, That was cRaZy! (part 2) in Adventures in paradise

I met up with Sheldon at Central station, and we walked down to the parade route together. We hadn't even really planned to see the parade together. I guess he just assumed it because we have in previous years? Anyway, the company was nice.

I got myself an entire large pizza on the way there lol. I was so hungry! I'd actually found a party store right near my hotel, and couldnt believe how much stuff they had. I ended up getting a pair of bunny-ears and a white towtie, plus a heap of other small things.

I can't believe how much attention they got! Especially from one of the floats where everyone was also wearing bunny ears. Quite a few of them called out to me when they noticed mee and I'd, of course, put my hands up like paws lol.

There were 144 floats this year. I swear it just gets bigger each time. 5 of them were about protesting Russia. My favourite float this year was the ANZ float. They really went all-out. I love how Fred Nile (a conservative religious headshot wanker) tweeted to his brainwashed followers to change banks because ANZ temporarily changed their ATM's to sequined "gAyTM's" over Mardi Gras. As far as I'm concerned, it was a brilliant marketing tactic. So many people were getting photos taken posing in front of the ATM's. Even when you got your transaction receipt, it would print out with a bit of rainbow paper. So well done!

Anyway, I picked a good spot on the parade route, right toward the end, as I've learned to do to avoid the can-of-sardines areas toward the middle of the parade route. My pizza box acted as a makeshift barrier between me and other people, whom of course all squeezed in for a closer look, so our quiet area had become somewhat crowded, which I expected.

The afterparty was pretty unreal, I have to say. There is no other dance party that I have been to anywhere in Australia where I have been able to dance all night long and drink overpriced drinks all night long. This year, I stayed until the very end! 8:30am I walked out of there, after the final show. They always keep it a secret who it is. This year it was Marcia Hines.

Yeah. Great. Whoopdiedoo.

I've already seen her at Big Gay Day in Brisbane. I was wanting at least someone international!! But, I can't complain too much. All the performing artists were Aussies. First Courtney Act at midnight, then Tina Arena at 3am, then Samantha Jade at 5am, then finally Marcia Hines at 8am.

I ran into a few people I knew at the afterparty. First, I originally saw hottie Liam there, but then I lost him and didn't get to say hi. He was only wearing a pair of white underwear. Like holy shit, wow!

Shel then pointed out Matt, who was there, so we spent the rest of the night clubbing together, since we were all Brisbane boys. We then ran into a friend of Matt's, who stuck around the rest of the night. Sheldon got annoyed after the first performance, because it was his first after party, so he didn't account for how hot it got in that main building. When you're crammed in a room with loud doof-doof/techno/EDM music and about 15000 mostly shirtless guys, with no air-conditioning, you can imagine how HOT it gets in there, despite being quite cold outside. So Shel , left at 2am.

In the past, I have made it until about 6am, but this year I stuck it out. The annoying thing is, we're all made to wait for up to 3 hours between stage performances, and then they do ONE song, and that's it. It is literally over in 5 minutes. So, it's really downsized from what it used to be. You at least got a couple of songs out of an artist. Not this time!

It wasn't until around 6am that I ran into my old housemate Josh. He looked so good. I've really missed him. I asked him where his boyfriend was, and he goes, "At home being a shithead!" LOL! Love it. I asked if he was letting him play, but Josh brushed off my question with a "No." Fair enough! Pretty much immediately after, a guy who I used to go to CHURCH with up in Brisbane back in the day, recognised me and said hi. It was Aaron!! He introduced me to his boyfriend. Of course, they are one of those 'dreamy couples' who don't have a physical flaw to them! Bastards :P Nah, it was real good to see them. It's pretty much totally a rare occurance to run into Aaron K these days, as he lives down here in Sydney now, and has for many years.

When it was daylight outside, I did briefly spot Liam again. I didn't realise until after he walked right past me. I'm still not sure if he recognisex me or what. I was only still wearing my bunny ears. In fact, I'm amazed no-one ripped them off my head during tne course of the crazy night and dancing. My right ankle was KILLING me, as it's not used to repetitive dance moves over 8 hours lol, so I was thanful when I was able to sit down and massage it. Damn getting old! I wanna be forever young! Then a bit later, I saw Liam outside but he was smoking. I found it surprising, as I didn't think he would still smoke in his profession. Oh well. I'm just annoyed with myself that I didn't get to say hi to him, since he's been such an inspiration to me for so long.

But not only that. I knew other friends were there, but this party is that big, I didn't even see them once!! Gah. Oh well :( Not much I can do about that. I just find it amazing this happens. Life is so weird.

I had 3 hours sleep, then went back to Laneway. All I wanted to do was sleep, but I'd paid for it, and I'd wanted to check it out. It was (again) pouring rain. A lovely venue and great crowd, but I really didn't stay that long.

I'm really hoping I can catch up with a couple of good friends in a more quiet area before I head back home on Tuesday :)