Finishing the Saga and Planning a Friday Night (Part 5) – Mad Chaos: October 16, 1998
Cash for a Play Station, two girls in a parked car and a phone call from Tessa with surprising news before the gym.
Run-ins at Macarthur Square (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: October 8, 1998
Shawn and Keith flick through albums while I wonder why some people avoid me face to face. Gossip about Simon caps off a late night drive.
A Night In With Lyssa (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: October 19, 1998
Past midnight the house goes still, but a sleepwalking moment on the stairs shows just how much Toni cares.
A Fragile Truce With Lyssa (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: September 23, 1998
Back home alone with Mariah Carey on the stereo, the diarist replays the last two days with Lyssa. Regret arrives too late, just as hers once did.
A Landmark Weekend of Clubbing and Beach Days (Part 5) – Mad Chaos: October 25, 1998
A friendly dance turns awkward, the night winds down, and the group heads off only to learn a friend turned up just after they left.
A Sold Out Night at Penrith Panthers (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: October 20, 1998
Shawn, Simon and Toni sit down for an absurd conversation that quickly gets out of hand.
Hot Days and Fresh Starts – Mad Chaos: September 30, 1998
On the last day of the month he writes a song about a crazy world, prints his resume at a friend’s and sorts out an Optus bill before the month ends.
A Landmark Weekend of Clubbing and Beach Days (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: October 25, 1998
The group steps into a nightclub built like a theatre, wanders the venue between sets, and slowly eases into dancing.
The Twist at the Runs – Mad Chaos: October 14, 1998
A candid chat about hating customer service sets up a night of surprises at the car runs.
Telling Lyssa About Jewell (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: September 22, 1998
After one emotional night with Lyssa, the diarist sits down and writes out exactly what he wants from his next girlfriend. It is part wish list, part confession of regret.
A Landmark Weekend of Clubbing and Beach Days (Part 6) – Mad Chaos: October 25, 1998
A relaxed beach afternoon brings new faces, a brave run into the ocean, and a story about a bike ride gone wrong.
First Night at the Catholic Club (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: October 10, 1998
I sign the registry and enter the Club for dinner, then wander the floor bumping into old friends who cannot believe I am there.
A Long Night Out with Keith and Tatton (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: October 15, 1998
A night with no plan turns into an adventure as the car heads from Ingleburn to Campbelltown and beyond.
Red Beams and a Harbour Night (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: October 5, 1998
Ralf and I wander the City rocks near the Harbour Bridge, watch a nightclub cruise boat unload, and prank Ralf while he sleeps on the way home.
A Landmark Weekend of Clubbing and Beach Days (Part 7) – Mad Chaos: October 25, 1998
An evening call with Lyssa moves through old irritations and tender moments, then drifts into the author’s hopes of one day being famous.
Two Girls and a Missed Chance (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: September 28, 1998
He spends Sunday waiting on friends who never come and watching a suspicious grand final. Lyssa finally phones and plans for the evening begin.
First Night at the Catholic Club (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: October 10, 1998
No luck on the pokies, so the group moves to the snooker tables. Keith shines while I mostly mess up the white ball, and nicknames fly.
Lost Necklace and a Night with Lyssa (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: October 30, 1998
Lyssa leaves with her mum, the missing necklace turns up, and the evening drifts into memories and Friday night plans.
Two Girls and a Missed Chance (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: September 28, 1998
The evening swings from warmth to distance as Lyssa sends mixed signals. Frustrated, he watches her leave and struggles to sleep through the flu.
Liverpool Dance Floors and the Last Day of October (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: October 31, 1998
The night peaks with a crowd dropping to the floor and a dance circle, then ends with security and a wait outside the club.
Parramatta Shopping and a Call from Lyssa (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: October 3, 1998
A day of work clothes shopping in Parramatta ends with an unexpected phone call from Lyssa, bursting with news about her pay rise and her trip.
A Day Out With Lyssa in Parramatta (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: October 6, 1998
A cheeky squeeze of a make up tester goes wrong and has us both laughing. Later I wait with Lyssa for her bus and head home to rest.
Two Breath Tests on a Friday Night (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: October 18, 1998
Shawn is pulled over for a second breath test, Phoenix hangs up on a late call, and the next morning Keith turns up at the door.
Finishing the Saga and Planning a Friday Night (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: October 16, 1998
A freshly showered diarist catches a movie, then Lyssa calls to ask if she can come over as just a friend.
Lyssa’s Worrying Late Night Call – Mad Chaos: October 9, 1998
Lyssa rings after midnight with worrying news. I sit up late, torn between guilt, hope and old feelings, and write it all down.
Sick Day at Cronulla Beach (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: September 27, 1998
He spends hours on the sand while Jett rides the waves, then catches the train home with a few close calls with ticket inspectors.
Serbia, the Three Hundredth Page and a Day at the Beach (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: October 27, 1998
A milestone page, reflections on family roots in a war-torn region, and a plan to get paid lead into a drive to the coast.
Serbia, the Three Hundredth Page and a Day at the Beach (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: October 27, 1998
A puzzling phone call sends two friends driving around Campbelltown, late night theories flying about what Tatton is really up to.
Two Girls and a Missed Chance (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: September 28, 1998
Determined to better himself, he sets off for the job seeker office and then spends the day in Westfield, where two girls catch his eye.
Cronulla Beach and a Night at Lonestar (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: October 21, 1998
A long train ride, a freestyle rap session and an almost empty beach at dusk.
A Night at the Catholic Club (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: October 24, 1998
Familiar faces turn up around the club before the crew heads off to Simon’s.
When Gossip Comes Home to Roost (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: November 11, 1998
A bit of gossip told in trust travels much farther than Tony ever intended, and now his name sits at the centre of it. Later he hunts through old diary pages for a poem he once wrote.
Run-ins at Macarthur Square (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: October 8, 1998
Movies with Keith and the boys go well until I see Lyssa with her friends and then Ali. A sneaky stroll inside the cinema follows.
Resentments, Workouts and a Broken Down Car (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: October 28, 1998
Keith confides about trouble with Tamsen on the drive home, and the author wonders what a breakup could do to the whole circle.
Telling Lyssa About Jewell (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: September 22, 1998
On the train to Parramatta the diarist admits what Jewell meant to him during the break up. Lyssa’s hurt reaction turns the rest of the journey into one long apology.
A Landmark Weekend of Clubbing and Beach Days (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: October 25, 1998
A car trip, a Subway stop and some hot gossip about a rushed proposal, plus a reflective chat about where things stand with Lyssa.
Lyssa Buys Me a Chico Roll (Part 5) – Mad Chaos: November 5, 1998
Tony rides out to Lyssa’s, rents a movie they never watch and gets caught off guard by a tender moment with her cat.
Red Beams and a Harbour Night (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: October 5, 1998
I open with a dramatic hunters-at-the-gate retelling of a club night, then rewind to the quarrels before we left the house.
Phantom of the Opera and a Bitter Phone Call (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: October 13, 1998
Soaring music softens his mood, but a call from Lyssa turns spiteful, and a movie outing follows.
Fate Charm Fuels Prank Calls (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: November 1, 1998
A new month opens with a fallen chain, a tense phone call with Lyssa and a prank calling spree that reunites Tony with old flames.
A Red Celica And Other Nights Remembered (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: December 9, 1998
The memory hunt continues with a long wait in Ali’s car, an outing to Wollongong and a few late night thoughts on sleepiness.
The Greatest Madden Game Ever Lost (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: February 25, 1999
Shawn and the diarist trade blows in a Madden game that ends in heartbreak. A card game at Subway rounds off a wet night.
Kuper The Spotter Who Wouldn’t Spot (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: November 10, 1998
A gym session with Kuper turns into a quiet contest, with spotting that is anything but helpful. Errands, a new hat and a friendly girl round out the day.
Jury Roll And Calorie Maths (Part 5) – Mad Chaos: November 30, 1998
The month ends with a stubborn Monday, a diet breakdown and an odd letter in the mail. Tony closes November with a wish for the summer ahead.
A Long Night Out with Keith and Tatton (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: October 15, 1998
A movie night at Simon’s house ends with awkward silences and a sudden call to stop. The saga carries on.
Two Breath Tests on a Friday Night (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: October 18, 1998
A diary written at dawn leads back to a restless Friday night out with Shawn and Tatton, cruising the streets near the crossing.
The Shower Is My Real Office (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: February 10, 1999
Tony explains why his best ideas arrive under the shower, grumbles about interruptions and takes stock of his poetry so far.
A Bag Of Returned Gifts (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: November 30, 1998
Lyssa arrives with a bag of belongings and a few gaps in it. A walk to the shops brings news about old friends.
My Finest Sonnet Arrives Unannounced (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: February 10, 1999
After rereading old pages, Tony writes a sonnet about the lost years and spends the rest of the entry explaining its meaning.
A Night at the Catholic Club (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: October 24, 1998
A restless start to the weekend as Toni plays out hopeful and cautious scenarios.
Squeaky Clean For The Big Night (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: January 15, 1999
Tony spots a stylish stranger in Campbelltown, writes a bird poem on the walk home and gets spotless for a birthday dinner.
Jett Spills and I Plan My Gains (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: November 19, 1998
Jett passes on a bundle of neighbourhood gossip before the diary turns to a heavy Wednesday gym session. Tony then sketches a smarter weekly routine to get big before summer.
A Fragile Truce With Lyssa (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: September 23, 1998
Lyssa’s cold and her questions about Jewell leave the two of them lying apart in the dark. The next morning they head to Campbelltown still unsure where they stand.
Resolutions and the Lion I Fed (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: January 1, 1999
Tony opens the new year with a short poem, a list of big resolutions and a wry look back at the lost years, including a lion that never quite came to the hand.
Ants, Gym Pumps and a Last Corner Race (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: October 7, 1998
Ants take over the toilet, I laugh at my own growing diary entries, and a call from Imad and a long ab workout fill a quiet day.
Cronulla Beach and a Night at Lonestar (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: October 21, 1998
A tender movie night leaves Toni happy and unsettled in equal measure.
Milton’s New Year Romance (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: January 6, 1999
Gossip about a friend’s new relationship, a search for temping work and a full back and triceps workout fill this Wednesday afternoon.
A Cheek Kiss And An Alarm Nobody Heard (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: November 9, 1998
The night runs long, an alarm goes unheard twice and morning brings a surprise encounter with Mum. Lyssa leaves in a taxi with a kiss on the cheek.
The Human Switchboard Takes Calls (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: November 25, 1998
Everyone seems to call Tony with their side of the story, while the one call he wants stays silent and another waxing lesson goes badly.
Spies in the Station Toilets (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: December 14, 1998
Tony finally starts writing up Saturday night, beginning at Ralf’s house and a walk to the station. Two girls try very hard to spy on the group before the train arrives.
Locked Out Then Lifting Heavy (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: January 2, 1999
Locked out at sunrise, Tony finally sleeps, hits the gym for back and arms and catches up on everyone else’s New Years Eve over the phone.
Smelling Like Chrome at the Mall (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: January 29, 1999
A vivid school dream ends with a stolen bag, then the diary turns to a wander through Macarthur Square, a black shirt, a scent called Chrome and an old neighbour.
Knocking On A Door Too Late (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: November 17, 1998
After the dancing stops, the lads sing to strangers, play chicken with taxis and hunt for food in the early hours. One knock on a cabin door comes too late.
I Invented The Word Prothane (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: December 2, 1998
After a flat call with Lyssa, Tony spends the evening defining a word he made up. He gives it rules, examples and a vivid backstory.
Jumping the Train to Meet Lyssa (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: December 17, 1998
Tony writes a poem that needs no voice, then wakes to a call, power walks to the station, and gambles on a free ride into the city.
Turning Twenteen With Empty Promises (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: January 18, 1999
Tony turns twenty in a mood, charts his biorhythms and recalls a Friday gym session and the visit that left him let down.
A Love Greater Than Love (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: February 12, 1999
Tony stays up until dawn finishing a new sonnet for his Lost Years series. He then asks, line by line, whether the feeling behind it was love or something louder.
Playing Detective with My Own Diary (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: November 5, 1998
Tony goes back through old diary entries hunting for clues about an old night out, and starts to doubt what he was told.
Frozen on a Rooftop as Security Strolled By (Part 6) – Mad Chaos: November 20, 1998
The long flashback ends with a tense wait on a rooftop and a very heavy walk home. Back in the present, Friday fizzles into phone calls, a Centrelink queue and a lonely night.
Chest Aches And A Phone Call Gone Cold (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: December 7, 1998
Tony pushes his chest hard at the gym and feels something pull, then admits over a late call that he and Lyssa are never going back.
Caving In To A Day Trip To The City (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: December 24, 1998
Lyssa begs Tony to meet her in the City, and he reluctantly caves, rushing his workout and listing everything the pair do not agree on.
Lost at the New Nightclub (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: January 23, 1999
Tony swears he will change, then finds the new Macarthur Square nightclub is not for him, before looking back at a Thursday of calls and job ads.
A Television Dies of Old Age (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: February 24, 1999
A friendly workout with a new gym buddy leads to a phone call with an odd muffled sound. The story ends with a dying television proving Lyssa right.
Pity Gets Me A Ride Home (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: November 9, 1998
Tony’s gloom finally gets Lyssa’s attention, and she finds a reason to leave with him. The ride home and the quiet hours after are full of nerves.
Blaming the Biorhythm Cycles (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: November 27, 1998
A rough month gets blamed on biorhythm charts, until a long awaited phone call changes the mood completely.
Left Behind on a Birthday Night (Part 6) – Mad Chaos: December 14, 1998
The group splits up and Tony sticks by the birthday boy for the rest of the night. A fast moving scrap upstairs gives them plenty to watch.
A Night of GoldenEye and Tears (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: January 2, 1999
Tony rides around with Jett, loses hours to GoldenEye at Dennis’s place, then ends up playing peacemaker when a phone call between Jett and Min-Su goes wrong.
A Miracle in a Pizza Hut Car Park (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: January 29, 1999
A friend’s long-overdue repayment arrives in a Pizza Hut car park after a detour through a petrol station. The diarist also hears the story of a black eye.
A Sunrise I Never Actually Saw (Part 5) – Mad Chaos: November 17, 1998
After a sleepless night, the lads chase food, a hot dog and a drive that proves some skills never fade. At dawn a quiet walk to the beach turns into a cold morning swim.
Pizza Hut Pity and a Burning Excel (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: December 2, 1998
Tony watches a friend dig himself deeper into money trouble, sneaks into a movie with the boys and ends up staring at a burning car on the way home.
Chewing Gum Rules and Christmas Presents (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: December 17, 1998
Hurt feelings follow Tony and Lyssa through a department store, a lingerie shop and a train carriage as the cost of Christmas becomes an argument.
A Spider Web Waiting for Keith (Part 5) – Mad Chaos: January 18, 1999
A rejected ID, a stubborn Keith and a very large spider set up one of the sillier stretches of the birthday night.
Long Bitter Love Down the Phone (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: February 12, 1999
The explanation of Tony’s new sonnet continues, from the vines of early romance to the late-night calls that kept it alive far too long. He ends by comparing it with an older poem.
Lipstick Numbers and a Crowbar (Part 5) – Mad Chaos: November 20, 1998
Tony recalls meeting Clover at the station, a kiss at Centrepoint and the way it all ended. He then turns to a risky night he had planned for weeks.
Drifting Apart One Weekend at a Time (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: December 6, 1998
A lazy day leads to honest thoughts about a fading romance, followed by a night chasing a girlfriend’s party with Keith and ending at a service station.
Suede Shoes And A Donkey Parable (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: December 24, 1998
Tony wrestles old word processing software at the library, laminates his sonnets for Lyssa, buys suede shoes, and recalls a donkey parable.
My Biorhythms Added Up Wrong (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: January 23, 1999
Tony discovers his biorhythm sums were out by days, redraws his charts, and tries to predict when his mind is at its sharpest.
Easy Money the Hard Way (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: February 24, 1999
A long phone call ends as the crew arrives for another round of Madden. Keith’s dubious get rich quick scheme steals the conversation.
A Gym Crush and a Flat Tire (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: November 11, 1998
Lyssa wants to know what Tony said as she drifted off to sleep, and the answer says more than he planned. Later, a night at the Mobil servo brings a familiar face and a very flat tire.
Stranded Mates and Borrowed Petrol (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: November 27, 1998
A peace making phone call is followed by a rambling night drive, a mate stranded without petrol and some amateur detective work.
A Birthday Boy and the Night Bus (Part 7) – Mad Chaos: December 14, 1998
Ralf turns the whole City into his audience, collecting birthday wishes from anyone who walks past. The ride home on the night bus is the funniest part of all.
Whispering Under the Full Moon (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: January 3, 1999
Tony reflects on his daily calls with Lyssa, then tells the story of her visit, from whispered smokes in the yard to a fashion parade and a movie night.
Stung by a Bluebottle and Smitten (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: January 28, 1999
Tony and Ralf fight for parking at crowded Cronulla, then Tony spends hours in the surf hoping to meet a certain swimmer and finally finds his opener.
Sunburnt And Selling Cologne (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: November 18, 1998
A sleepy day at the beach ends with a sunburnt back and a ridiculous stop at the drive through. Back home, a phone call with Lyssa turns to her modelling day.
Arguing With Plato Over an Apple (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: December 3, 1998
A sleepy day of phone calls turns into a deep dive through the encyclopedia, where Tony decides he disagrees with Plato about where inspiration comes from.
Reliving Old Mischief With the Boys (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: December 17, 1998
A quiet train ride and a chat with an old coach lead to a late night out with the boys, who trade tales of mischief and money worries.
Rush Hour and a Tower of Cups (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: January 19, 1999
Sunday rolls on with a knockout, cup juggling, a movie and a late call with Lyssa.
Hiring a Nintendo for Lyssa (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: February 11, 1999
A console rental becomes Tony’s pet plan to cheer Lyssa up. Later he turns to the glimpses of his neighbor and a sonnet inspired by them.
A Hug with Only One Arm (Part 6) – Mad Chaos: November 5, 1998
Tony’s night at Lyssa’s falls apart when company arrives, ending with two empty hugs and a call that never comes.
I Hid the Phone in the Garage (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: November 23, 1998
The night ends peacefully but the morning does not. One honest remark about the early months of the relationship snowballs into phone calls, a hidden handset and angry words.
A Mystery Payment And A Fresh Haircut (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: December 7, 1998
Tony finds more money in his account than he expects, then spends the afternoon on a very particular haircut and a shopping loop around Campbelltown.
Perfume Money Buys Peace (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: December 24, 1998
Tony trails Lyssa through the city on Christmas Eve, loses an argument about staying over, and wins her back with a bottle of perfume.
My Slow Motion Walk Across the Dance Floor (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: January 24, 1999
Tony sits out the dancing, imagines himself striding through the crowd in slow motion, and has an awkward run in with Lyssa and her friends.
Madden, a Celica and One Awkward Visit (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: February 25, 1999
A lazy Madden session with Keith and Shawn leads to a stiff visit to see a new car. Later, a phone call with Lyssa raises the same old question.
Prank Calls and a Slipped Name (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: November 11, 1998
A night of waiting around Queen Street turns into a round of prank calls that unravels when Tony accidentally says the wrong name. The mates then spend hours with old photo albums until dawn.
A Stakeout With Terrible Driving (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: November 27, 1998
The boys chase a rumour across Campbelltown while Tatton fights a stalling car. Back home, Tony weighs a quiet life against a famous one.
A Fake Lighter for a Snobby Dancer (Part 5) – Mad Chaos: December 14, 1998
An unexpected visitor interrupts a quiet night in, and Tony returns to Saturday and the nightclub his mates had been hyping. A trick with an invisible lighter does not go down well.
The Night the Stuffed Cow Flew (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: January 3, 1999
A sleepover that began sweetly ends in a squabble over noise, sleep and a toy cow, followed by a sulky morning and a phone call that fills in the gaps.
Burnt Pasta and a Taxi Fare (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: February 1, 1999
Lyssa rings with the gossip from a messy weekend out, then turns up by taxi for a movie night. The pasta did not go to plan.
Dad Plays Chauffeur For Lyssa (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: November 18, 1998
A long phone call about a modelling shoot leaves him seething. Later, with a little help from Dad, Lyssa arrives for a quiet night.
Poetry Is Basically Air Says Me (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: December 3, 1998
Tony argues that poetry is a material just like air, shares five haiku, then heads to the gym and finishes with a theory of matter and time.
Bland Hair and One Honest Opinion (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: December 17, 1998
Pants, nail polish and Saturday night plans fill the afternoon until one honest remark about a hair colour shifts the mood.
Tyson at the Catholic Club (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: January 19, 1999
Tony winds down the Waves night, then drags himself out of bed to watch Tyson fight with a hundred strangers.
Awake All Night to Hand In a Form (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: February 12, 1999
With the sonnet contrasts done, Tony forces himself to stay up so he can hand in a form in town. By evening he is a sleepless wreck with a new mystery call to ponder.
Clones Wars And A Very Late Night Rant (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: November 7, 1998
Tony heads home when Wollongong was on offer, hears some surprising gossip, then sets out his theory of a cloning future. The night ends back on Lyssa.
A Movie We Barely Watched (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: November 23, 1998
A quiet evening at home with Lyssa starts with snacks and sunburn and drifts away from the film. Afterwards Tony puzzles over the mixed signals that follow.
Syllables Missing From My Sonnets (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: December 26, 1998
The sonnets finally reach their reader, and the evening fills up with persistent callers. Tony counts syllables and counts rivals.
Too Shy for the Dance Floor (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: January 25, 1999
Plans collapse, a camera standoff gets settled and the crew drives to a Wollongong nightclub, where Tony dances near the action but never quite joins it.
A Poem Read Down the Phone Line (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: November 12, 1998
With rumors flying, Tony finally reads Lyssa the poem she has asked about for weeks. The quiet moment does not last, because plans for Saturday soon turn the call into an argument.
Lyssa Calls At One In The Morning (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: November 28, 1998
Lyssa rings in the small hours with news from a night out and a heavy heart. By morning, the plans for the weekend are already getting complicated.
Where My Poetry First Woke Up (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: December 15, 1998
In the early hours Tony sets the chronology aside to trace where his poetry came from. Old jobs, old crushes and a first line he still thinks is his best.
Writing the First Lost Years Sonnet (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: January 3, 1999
After a frosty phone call with Lyssa, Tony maps out goals for the year, then pours the early hours into a sonnet about Jewell and the lost years.
Missing Half the Super Bowl (Part 5) – Mad Chaos: February 1, 1999
A night of compromises ends with Lyssa sleeping over and a Monday that starts far too late. The big game was already in its second quarter.
Marley Picks Up After a Year (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: November 1, 1998
A night of prank calls turns into an hour long chat with Marley, plus some honest thoughts about Jewell and the future.
Tatton Teaches Me World History (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: November 18, 1998
A taxi sends Lyssa home, a late call stirs up old memories and Tatton and Shawn turn up with a night of history lessons. Wednesday plans arrive just as the entry ends.
The Mystery Call That Said Nothing (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: December 4, 1998
After a drive with Ace and a kebab shop run into old faces, Tony gets home to a strange silent call and then wonders why a day has twenty four hours.
Lifting Heavy And Overthinking Saturday (Part 6) – Mad Chaos: December 17, 1998
Tony finishes a punishing back and triceps session, takes stock of his injuries, and plans a perfect Saturday that Jett promptly rearranges.
A Haircut Too Short for Comfort (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: January 19, 1999
Tony finishes Sunday’s phone talk, reads some sonnets, then heads to Campbelltown for bills, a surprise meeting and a haircut he regrets.
Three Goodbyes and a Spelling Question (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: February 14, 1999
A friend’s house is found unlocked and empty, and Tony fills his sleepless afternoon with ridiculous phone calls. Lyssa and Ralf are the lucky audience.
Three Hours Beside A Silent Phone (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: November 7, 1998
A promised phone call never arrives, and Tony fills the silence with suspicion. The day behind it is full of phone tag, old teammates and window shopping.
Burning Poems Over a Bathroom Sink (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: November 23, 1998
A furious row over keepsakes ends with poems in flames and letters in pieces, and a nineteen year old wonders what he has just thrown away.
Rereading Old Entries Over A Pizza Night (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: December 9, 1998
Late at night Tony goes hunting through old pages, wishes he had written more, and recalls a Valentines weekend in vivid detail.
Skateboard Girl At The Bus Stop (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: December 27, 1998
Tony reviews his muscle gains, retraces his sweltering walk home and works up the nerve to talk to a stranger.
Ralf and the Elevator That Hated Him (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: January 27, 1999
Ralf meets a huge spider in the car park, the lift refuses to cooperate and a hi-fi shop tempts Tony. The long way home takes far longer than it ever should.
Who Knows Ace and Nobody Admits It (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: November 12, 1998
Tony stays up through the early hours trying to work out who is hiding what, and why a certain phrase keeps turning up. A dawn phone call to Imad adds another piece to the puzzle.
A Heavy Chest Day And Heavier Guilt (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: November 28, 1998
Tony tries to keep both his night out and his ex happy and mostly fails. At the gym he finds out how strong he really is on the bench.
Inventing My Own Sonnet at Dawn (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: December 15, 1998
Before sunrise Tony works out a sonnet structure he can call his own, closes the book on an old flame, and answers the dawn with a poem and its meaning.
Two Sonnets and a Stubborn Pen (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: January 5, 1999
Tony skips the computer games for poetry and wrestles two sonnets onto the page, one of them written through the eyes of the girl who got away.
Sonnets Beat a Nine to Five (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: February 2, 1999
Tony weighs a life of poetry against a desk job, praises the night and flips through old photo albums before a flat day at the gym.
Gridiron Beats Footy Every Time (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: November 3, 1998
Tony tells the table gridiron is the tougher sport, spots Lyssa with Penelope and ends the night online with a borrowed modem.
A Dripping Tap And A Stopped Clock (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: November 18, 1998
A movie night with Lyssa does not go the way he hoped, and the long shower afterwards turns philosophical. Monday morning brings a second try and a few more misunderstandings.
My Hand Fell Off in My Sleep (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: December 4, 1998
Tony wakes certain his hand has dropped off, then plans a dramatic poem set in a poisoned English castle and recites the speech of a dying prince.
Jett Brings Worms And A Weekend Unravels (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: December 21, 1998
Tony wakes to a forgotten anniversary and rewinds to Friday night, when Jett, a PlayStation and a surprise call from Lyssa changed the plan.
Fried Rice and Wounded Pride (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: January 21, 1999
A belated visit on his birthday brings a walk to the shops, a funny phone prank story and a promise to himself.
Braveheart Made Me a Bard (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: February 14, 1999
A battle-cry sonnet pours out after a Braveheart night, followed by a short poem about being told he cannot be a bard. Then Shawn tries to correct his Shakespearean spelling.
The Phone Call Where The Angry Button Got Pushed (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: November 8, 1998
A dull night out is nothing next to the afternoon phone call with Lyssa. The talk turns nasty and ends with a question Tony has wanted to ask for months.
The Night the Secrets Spilled Out (Part 5) – Mad Chaos: November 23, 1998
Old secrets finally come out, a framed photo meets the floor, and two late phone calls prove neither of them has quite let go.
Wheat Field Sheets and a Sore Chest (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: December 12, 1998
A rough night on the waterbed leads to a sweltering gym day and a warning about a strained chest. Evening brings a careful phone call and a movie that stirs up big ideas.
Hanging Up On Lyssa Again (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: December 27, 1998
A string of tense phone calls pushes Tony to draw a line, tally up the arguments and hold on to a few words from a song on the television.
Fighting Words Before Back Day (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: January 27, 1999
A frosty call with Lyssa is followed by a sluggish back and triceps session, a chat about a cheap car and a tired, sun tanned end to the night.