Two Girls and a Missed Chance (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: September 28, 1998
Back home he rewrites what the computer ate and listens to Jett’s story. Then he recalls following two girls from the platform onto the Campbelltown train.
Liverpool Dance Floors and the Last Day of October (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: October 31, 1998
The author recovers from a night out, takes a compliment from Lyssa to heart and sets new fitness goals before closing the month.
Dressed Up With Nowhere to Go (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: January 1, 1999
Tony works through a list of friends who all said no, then heads out alone on New Years Eve, sneaking through ticket gates to catch the big fireworks.
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.
Every Summer Before This One (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: November 30, 1998
Spring ends with a card game, a yellow bedroom and a long look back at past summers. Tony vows this one will be the best yet.
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.
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.
Typing Lessons for a Loud Kid (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: February 2, 1999
The library has no decent fonts, but it does have a very loud boy who cannot type. Tony helps, in his own way.
Birthday Dinner And A Bill Mix Up (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: January 15, 1999
A birthday dinner with Lyssa has a rushed schedule, new shoes, gossip about friends and a waitress who hands the bill to the wrong person.
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.
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.
A Chalk War on the Platform (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: January 2, 1999
The new year begins with fireworks on the wharf, a sweaty dance floor and a very long trip home, with chalk flying and a few cheeky strangers on the train.
A Landmark Weekend of Clubbing and Beach Days (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: October 25, 1998
A round of visits with Ralf leads to Binh’s shop, a cheap donut, and a nagging fear about a payment being stopped.
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.
Racing a Mystery Girl in My Sleep (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: December 14, 1998
After finally sleeping at a normal hour, Tony wakes to a pair of dreams he works hard to remember. A cross country race and a school graph of shame fill the nap.
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 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.
Super Mario Is Too Cute for Me (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: February 21, 1999
After a night of rally bragging, the diarist tries Super Mario and finds it too cute. A teasing phone call and a rushed workout fill the rest of the day.
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.
Pizza, Pumping Iron and Getting Dogged (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: October 22, 1998
Toni trains hard on the bench and bike, chats with the regulars, then heads home for dinner.
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.
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.
Hopping Out Of A Raging Car (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: November 17, 1998
An argument over nightclub tickets ends with one friend walking away from a reckless driver. Back at the cabin, a camera and a few drinks lift the mood before the night out.
Lyssa Brings the Ettamogah Photos (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: February 16, 1999
A pointless road-rules debate gives way to a warm Saturday night, with Lyssa flicking through photos and praising Tony’s poetry. Old friendships get an honest review.
Three Sonnets Ready for Christmas (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: December 16, 1998
A sonnet series for Lyssa comes together, each poem explained and the whole set planned as a gift, while real life offers lunch dates and weekend plans.
Tatton’s Terrible Driving Night (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: October 1, 1998
Keith turns up in his new dark red car and invites me out for a drive. Letting Tatton behind the wheel turns out to be the night’s worst call.
Pizza, Pumping Iron and Getting Dogged (Part 5) – Mad Chaos: October 22, 1998
A strange game of cat and mouse leads to Phoenix’s house and some talk about Lyssa.
Dancing With My Shirt Undone (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: November 17, 1998
A night of cheap orange juice, wild dancing and a few brave attempts at conversation. One brunette stays on his mind long after she disappears into the crowd.
Red Beams and a Harbour Night (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: October 5, 1998
Lyssa memories sting while Jett talks to Min-Su. Later a red beam light brings out silly night time pranks on a beach full of strangers.
Pizza, Pumping Iron and Getting Dogged (Part 6) – Mad Chaos: October 22, 1998
Gossip from Keith reveals a sneaky plan, and a call to Imad is the only plan left for the evening.
A Subway Detour And A Club Lock (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: December 6, 1998
Keith checks on a party in Ingleburn and it goes badly, then a Subway run ends with a laugh over a mistaken car door and a late call from Lyssa.
Fate Works in Pairs (Part 5) – Mad Chaos: January 19, 1999
Tony’s Monday ends with a surprise lift home, tales of his brother’s fights and a gym session that leaves him aching.
A Six Minute Radio Show for Two (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: February 22, 1999
Honest and sometimes awkward thoughts about closeness fill a long afternoon. It ends with a driving game and a six minute recording on the computer.
Do You Still Love Me (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: January 12, 1999
Over several phone calls, Tony and Lyssa weigh up getting back together and she asks the one question he cannot answer cleanly.
A Nintendo Surprise for Lyssa (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: February 20, 1999
With a Mario game in mind, Tony works out how to get a Nintendo for Lyssa, and the plan takes him from a shop counter to Jett’s room.
A Long Night Out with Keith and Tatton (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: October 15, 1998
The crew drives out to Thirlmere, finds Simon’s house unlocked and wakes him up for a night nobody planned.
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.
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.
Worms On The Playstation And A Cinema Door (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: December 11, 1998
Jett shows up with his console and a new game, then the lads head to the movies where Tony decides to stay outside.
Singing Silly Opera Voices With Lyssa (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: January 4, 1999
A long evening call turns into a game of high notes and cracking voices, with plans for a birthday dinner and a promise to tape Lyssa asleep again.
A Valentine Trail of Red Crepe Paper (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: February 17, 1999
A secret admirer leaves a trail of red crepe paper through the streets, and Tony and Ralf follow it, with doubts growing at every tree.
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.
Shrieking Through My First Leg Wax (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: November 25, 1998
A sleepless, jobless morning ends with a bold experiment, a pot of hot wax and a war cry that probably carried down the street.
Phantom Gunshots Before Christmas Eve (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: December 24, 1998
Tony finishes his back workout, shops for presents with Lyssa, then hears a wild story about sparks and bangs outside her house overnight.
Testing the Torn Pec Again (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: January 4, 1999
Tony starts the day with a small victory over a cockroach, then heads to the gym to see how his injured chest copes, before Jett calls with questions.
Coffee in a Dark Little House (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: February 17, 1999
Tony tracks down his Valentine admirer, accepts a coffee he does not want and plots his escape with Ralf, before a long phone chat with Lyssa.
A Night Lyssa Could Not Stop Talking About (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: October 11, 1998
Lyssa calls at midnight, buzzing about her night, and the conversation tests his patience. Tomorrow’s gym session might decide a few things.
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.
Parramatta Shopping and a Call from Lyssa (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: October 3, 1998
A restless afternoon train ride from Campbelltown to Miranda, with glances across the carriage and thoughts about my body, summer and finding a girlfriend.
Finishing the Saga and Planning a Friday Night (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: October 16, 1998
He debates keeping to a friends only agreement with Lyssa, while plans for a night in the city take shape.
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.
Training Tatton To Remember The Nineties (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: December 2, 1998
Shawn and Tatton keep Tony company with cards, teasing and television. The next day brings sneezes, summer heat and some close calls.
Ants, Gym Pumps and a Last Corner Race (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: October 7, 1998
I spot a popular girl from school on the gym bikes, then recount a night race where Keith tried to run me wide on the last corner.
Walking Out on Sunday Roast (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: January 11, 1999
A surprise visit ends badly when ignored and snapped at, Tony leaves a roast dinner untouched and meets someone on the walk home.
Pizza, Pumping Iron and Getting Dogged (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: October 22, 1998
Memories, old photos and a month-old confession set the tone for a thoughtful look back.
A Subway Table Full of Old Stories (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: January 23, 1999
Keith turns up at the door and a late night at Subway becomes a sprawl of football arguments, old mischief and a loose plan to escape to Canberra.
Finishing the Saga and Planning a Friday Night (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: October 16, 1998
A recap of Thursday: a visit to Tatton at Mobil, a mystery girl called Marley and a run in with Simon’s wild kids.
My Murmuring Disaster Beside a Commodore (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: January 25, 1999
After a night of near misses on the dance floor, Tony follows two girls to their car and freezes. The ride home brings jokes, regrets and a call nobody answers.
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 Bank Mix-Up and a Trip Not Taken (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: October 12, 1998
A personal best on the bench press leads into a spontaneous cinema night with Keith and Tatton.
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.
A Sonnet About a Horse And Time (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: December 8, 1998
Tony wrestles with a stubborn sonnet that compares a galloping landscape to the way days pass, and finally lands a poem he is proud of.
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 Cruel Little Joke From Lyssa (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: January 6, 1999
A prank call leaves Tony stung and sets off an honest night of thinking about his breakup, his friends and what love should be.
Centrelink, a Poem and Plans (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: September 25, 1998
After hours of thinking about the triangle of Lyssa, Jewell and himself, he writes an old style poem and annotates its symbols. It is his first real attempt to make sense of it all.
A Goodnight Kiss With No Spark (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: January 11, 1999
After a long evening together, a call to dad and a goodnight kiss leave Tony wondering where the old spark went.
A Sold Out Night at Penrith Panthers (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: October 20, 1998
Shawn, Keith and Toni cruise St Johns Road before picking Penrith Panthers as the destination.
Closing January With Sonnets and Spite (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: February 1, 1999
The diarist looks back on a month of sonnets and sets new goals. Then the story turns to Saturday night, when two cars of friends head for Wollongong.
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.
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.
A Blue Haired Night in the City (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: October 17, 1998
A loud train carriage, curious guards and a friendly chat with Rhiannon about Chevy’s wrap up a big night.
Tatton’s Terrible Driving Night (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: October 1, 1998
We sit in Lucas and Simon’s lounge room trying to talk them into a weekend party. The night drifts into car naps and dreams of a Casino night.
A Long Night Of Bad Luck In Ralf’s Car (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: November 8, 1998
Tony and his mates go from an awkward visit to a standoff with another car, then a nightclub that fizzles out. Even the drive home delivers one more twist.
First Night at the Catholic Club (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: October 10, 1998
We give up waiting and drive home, trading ideas for Shawn’s short film and picking character names, before I sit down to write it all up.
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.
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.
A Chain Mended and Faith Renewed (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: January 21, 1999
Tony kills time in Campbelltown while his chain is repaired, then spends the evening on the phone with Lyssa as their relationship keeps shifting.
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.
Chance Meetings Always Come in Twos (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: February 14, 1999
A Valentine’s Day letter and a trail of red crepe paper hint at a strange day to come. Before that, Tony rewinds to a sleepless trip into town and his theory that chance meetings come in pairs.
Cronulla Beach and a Night at Lonestar (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: October 21, 1998
From a Video Ezy trip with Lyssa to ideas for the weekend, Toni catches up on Tuesday.
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.
Kieran Walks in on Me (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: November 5, 1998
A dawn of pointed questions, a stumbling answer on the phone and a surprise face to face in a house full of candles.
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.
A Night In With Lyssa (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: October 19, 1998
Playful footsies and a dance beside the waterbed bring the warmth back between Toni and Lyssa.
Two Girls and a Missed Chance (Part 5) – Mad Chaos: September 28, 1998
He regrets not speaking up, jogging through the heat and ending up with a cold drink and nothing else. Back home, calls from Lyssa and Imad wait.
A Purple Dress and a Shared Taxi (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: January 2, 1999
A tired walk through Campbelltown turns into a chatty night on the footpath, until Nikita appears in a purple dress and the two share a slow ride home.
A Landmark Weekend of Clubbing and Beach Days (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: October 25, 1998
After a huge night out, the diary looks back on two chances he nearly took and a confidence boost that has lifted the whole month.
A Night In With Lyssa (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: October 19, 1998
A quick chat with Dad, a bit of cologne and a gentle evening that moves slowly and sincerely.
A Black Outfit Worth My Gym Money (Part 5) – Mad Chaos: February 17, 1999
A shout of seafood and chips, a shop window outfit and a train ride past an old schoolmate shape a day that costs Tony his gym money.
Hot Days and Fresh Starts (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: September 29, 1998
He sets out to rebuild his body and confidence, recording a full workout from chest to abs and noting what to improve next.
Pizza, Pumping Iron and Getting Dogged (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: October 22, 1998
With little money left, Toni joins Lyssa and Kieran for dinner and chatter on the way.
Explaining My Own Gloomy Sonnet – Mad Chaos: February 3, 1999
A new sonnet about a forbidden love and a graveside farewell, followed by a long line by line explanation of what every phrase means.
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.
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.
Borrowed Jeans for a Nervous Clubber (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: February 8, 1999
Tony marks three years of writing, squeezes in a late workout, then helps a nervous mate face his very first nightclub.
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.
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.
A Blue Haired Night in the City (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: October 17, 1998
He reflects on a better than usual October, a punishing gym session and the group phone calls that kick off a big night.
A Pencil for a Pretend Smoke (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: February 8, 1999
While Ralf and Shawn own the dance floor, Tony babysits a nervous mate, meets a friendly stranger and invents a very silly trick with a pencil.
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.
Macedonian Strangers in the City Crowd (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: January 1, 1999
After the early fireworks Tony wanders the packed city, queues for a club and then bumps into three girls who share his heritage and his language.
Telling Lyssa About Jewell (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: September 22, 1998
Guilt keeps him quiet all the way to Leumeah until Lyssa slips her hand around his. The invitation to stay raises hopes he is not sure he deserves.
A Blue Haired Night in the City (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: October 17, 1998
The boys take over a pub table, watch gridiron and wrestling and wave at strangers from a moving train.
A Sold Out Night at Penrith Panthers (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: October 20, 1998
Outside the packed club, Keith works the payphone while arguments about loyalty bubble up.
Arm Wrestling Tatton at Subway (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: February 4, 1999
A surprising phone call from Lyssa, then a late night trip with the lads, where Tony shows off his new muscle in an arm wrestle.
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.
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.
A Sold Out Night at Penrith Panthers (Part 5) – Mad Chaos: October 20, 1998
A hard look at who his friends really are leaves Toni brooding on the long ride home.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Seventeen Hours on the Nintendo (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: February 5, 1999
A hired Nintendo 64 turns one evening into a seventeen hour football marathon, complete with a playoff loss that still stings.
A Night In With Lyssa (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: October 19, 1998
After a hard look at Phoenix, Toni returns Lyssa’s call and a movie night at his place begins to take shape.
Parramatta Shopping and a Call from Lyssa (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: October 3, 1998
Jett and I trade games of John Madden Football while he spends the night on the phone. The hoped for Cronulla beach trip never happens.
My Favorite Sonnet and Its Nervous Lover (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: March 2, 1999
I wrote what I believe is my best sonnet yet, then explained every line of it, plus a pun that works only in Macedonian.
Burgers and Goodbyes With Lyssa (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: September 24, 1998
After an hour of talk at a fast food table, Lyssa heads home and he heads into a lonely evening. He starts counting down to Sunday.
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.
Hot Days and Fresh Starts (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: September 29, 1998
A scorching walk to Campbelltown, a catchy summer song and a decision about Lyssa open the day. Centrelink and the mall fill the rest.
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.
Three Hustlers Playing Cards at Subway (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: February 18, 1999
A search for a Playstation ends with a borrowed deck of cards and a late night game that Tony and his mates refuse to let die.
Hot Days and Fresh Starts (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: September 29, 1998
In the evening Lyssa phones twice, he works on his resume and fights off bugs. The night ends with an odd, rambling joke.
Walking Home Drunk With One Sock (Part 8) – Mad Chaos: March 8, 1999
A drunken walk from Macquarie Fields, a furious Tamsen at dawn and a new sonnet to close the day.
A Fragile Truce With Lyssa (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: September 23, 1998
Hours of waiting end with a call from Lyssa, who has finally listened to his CD. The conversation is gentle, sad and a little hopeful.
Braveheart Sonnet and Hotel Doubts (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: February 16, 1999
Tony stays up writing a Braveheart sonnet while a tangled night with Lyssa leaves him questioning what a hotel stay would really change.
A Day Out With Lyssa in Parramatta (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: October 6, 1998
I reflect on saving money and writing from home, share a bit of blank verse, then recall Monday night with Keith and Simon before heading out.
Cronulla Beach and a Night at Lonestar (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: October 21, 1998
Toni cuts his diary short when Lyssa arrives with Kieran and an invitation to Lonestar.
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.
Finishing the Saga and Planning a Friday Night (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: October 16, 1998
The group wakes up awkward and hungry, trades stories over a free breakfast and finally collapses in exhaustion.
L Plates at Three in the Morning (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: November 19, 1998
A night of cards turns into a wobbly after-midnight drive around Campbelltown with the L plates swapped between cars. The month-end gloom settles in afterwards.
Centrelink, a Poem and Plans (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: September 25, 1998
He battles Centrelink over a missing form and discovers his money has run out. A call from Jett gives him something to look forward to.
Keith Breaks a Plastic Chair (Part 7) – Mad Chaos: March 8, 1999
Who likes who, one collapsed chair and a decision to stay behind at Tamsen’s house.
A Broken Chain and a Dream Girl (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: April 10, 1999
A link in the golden chain breaks, a dream about two girls plays out, and a temping agency rings with a job offer.
A Crayon Love Letter for Keith’s Car – Mad Chaos: March 31, 1999
Shawn, Tatton and Tony leave a fake love letter on Keith’s car, sneak into a movie, then a wax sealed note and a very quiet Tuesday close out March.
Ralf Grills the New Girl (Part 6) – Mad Chaos: March 8, 1999
Ralf interrogates a guest, I try to rescue her, and a camera captures the rest of the party.
Glitter in Tatton’s Hair (Part 5) – Mad Chaos: March 8, 1999
A late-night ramble about work and a laptop, then Saturday night at Tamsen’s party.
Smarter Cockroaches And Heavy Rows (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: January 12, 1999
Between a long gym session and a floor-bed bedroom, Tony wonders if his bathroom cockroaches have evolved and plans a beach trip with Jett.
A Yugoslavian Sonnet and a Fake Stamp (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: March 2, 1999
I printed my first poem in Macedonian with a translation, then picked up the Saturday night story at a club door with a stamp that washed off.
Explaining My Greedy Love Sonnet (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: March 9, 1999
The newest sonnet gets its full explanation, quatrain by quatrain.
Meeting Clifton and His Baseball Bat (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: April 8, 1999
A car chase over headlights, a man with a bat and a call from Lyssa that leaves no feelings at all.
A Furtive Trip to Club X (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: March 25, 1999
A job-hunting week in March 1999 takes a furtive turn with a secret trip to King’s Cross. A chance meeting with Nikita and a sleepless night follow.
A Baby Pool Nobody Asked For (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: February 18, 1999
A narrow card game win at dawn is followed by an odd gift in blue wrapping paper and a gym session with friends. Diary, February 1999.
Debuting My New Black Outfit (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: December 25, 1998
Left waiting for a visit that never came, Tony takes up Keith’s offer and heads out in his new clothes. The old crowd reacts exactly as he feared.
Jett Borrows the Phone Again (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: March 3, 1999
A big gym night ends with progress photos in front of the mirror while Jett chats on the phone. Lyssa’s late night phone call brings some odd questions.
Winding Up Keith at the Card Table (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: March 18, 1999
Keith and Shawn get wound up over cards, then a towel transforms my back workout.
Pinky Swearing With Lyssa (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: March 18, 1999
Surprise doubles at the photo shop, a theory on blondes and two long phone calls with Lyssa.
Free Chicken and Midnight Gossip (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: January 30, 1999
Plans for a quiet night fall through when the mates drop by. They end up sharing gossip and leftover chicken before a late call from a faraway voice.
A Quiet Visit From Simon Mid-Sonnet (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: April 7, 1999
A slow Wednesday of puns, bills and a half-finished sonnet, interrupted by a whispered hello at the door.
A Haircut and a Yellow Monitor (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: April 12, 1999
A day of small errands in Campbelltown ends with sit-ups, a chatty hairdresser and a monitor that has had enough.