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.
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.
Chasing Lyssa Through an Olympic Dream (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: April 23, 1999
Tired eyes and a broken sleep routine lead into last night’s dream. A train ride, a stranger on Lyssa’s shoulder and a frantic run through the carriages follow.
Boiled Eggs and a Fading Romance (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: April 11, 1999
A sleepless night ends in a late waking, coloured boiled eggs for breakfast and some blunt thoughts about Lyssa.
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.
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.
Fig Tree Dreams and Desperate Referees (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: March 25, 1999
After the interview, a detour to a beloved fig tree in Hyde Park turns into a poetic reverie. Then it is a scramble to find two referees.
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.
Keeping Lyssa Awake on the Phone (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: April 18, 1999
A quiet Saturday night turns to cards at Subway and a sour mood. Then the phone rings in the early hours with someone who says she only wants to talk.
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.
Scaring Birds With a Stereo (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: March 4, 1999
Birds scraping leaves outside the window meet a CD player at full volume. A haircut, a toast order and a typing test fill the evening with Lyssa.
Hiding Inside My Own Fig Tree (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: March 18, 1999
An explanation of the Lost Years sonnet, line by line, with the fig tree at its centre.
Waiting Hours for Itha (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: April 11, 1999
The group waits for a 3:30 a.m. show that never lives up to its billing, then drives home through the early morning.
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.
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.
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.
My Double Light Bulb Theory of Time (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: March 30, 1999
Past six in the morning, a new philosophy of the universe takes shape using two joined light bulbs, piping systems and fusion chambers to explain time travel.
A Laptop Dream and a Forgotten Anniversary (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: April 20, 1999
Another very late wake-up leads to money plans, a laptop wish and a phone call with a job tip. Tomorrow should have been an anniversary, but nobody is planning one.
The Keyboard Gives Up on Me – Mad Chaos: January 8, 1999
A lonely Friday has Tony questioning his friendships, cursing a failing keyboard and recording a chest and arms workout.
Eavesdropping on Keith and Tamsen (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: April 26, 1999
Keith and Shawn turn up unannounced, and an hour-long phone fight with Tamsen follows. A Subway visit and a Commodore race wind up a long Sunday night.
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.
Measuring Up to a Mate’s Biceps (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: February 26, 1999
Back from the gym, the diarist measures his arms against Ralf’s and records three months of numbers. He ends the night calling himself an everyday scientist.
Planning to Be the Next Shakespeare (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: March 9, 1999
A diarist plots his rise as a poet, then loses five games of Madden 99 to Shawn.
An Ashtray Hunt at the Motel (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: March 29, 1999
Room 325 turns out to be non smoking, and Lyssa is not impressed. A KFC run and a trip downstairs for a smoke follow.
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.
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.
Lyssa Kind of Misses Me (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: March 14, 1999
After two silent nights Lyssa finally rings, and the conversation shows how far apart they have drifted. News about an old flame sends the diarist back to the fig tree.
Fainting in the Bank Queue (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: April 1, 1999
A necklace repair run through Campbelltown turns into a bank queue drama, an awkward roadside chat with Imad and a full gym routine.
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 Neglected Racer and a Hung-Up Call (Part 5) – Mad Chaos: April 26, 1999
Fresh pay brings new plans, from getting online to rebuilding a racing bike. The month ends with a call to Lyssa that goes badly wrong.
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.
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.
Beaten by a Free Fax Machine (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: March 16, 1999
A fig tree anniversary, a new poem for a girl I have not met and a free fax machine that refuses to be used.
Waiting for Ralf and His Scenic Route (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: March 8, 1999
Bad news about Penelope, a diary nearly three years old and Ralf taking his sweet time on a Friday night.
Explaining My Own Fallen King (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: March 19, 1999
The long promised explanation of the siege sonnet, from the pun in its first line to the mercy offered in the last couplet.
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.
The Waiting Game in the Dark (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: March 29, 1999
A late entry on keeping the diary going before the story returns to Friday night. Lyssa proposes a game of seeing who can last longer without touching.
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.
Six Temping Agencies and a Hot Day (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: February 17, 1999
Armed with a fresh resume and a fast typing score, Tony works his way through the city’s temping agencies on a scorching Monday.
Tears on the Line and a Late Lift (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: February 28, 1999
The weekend plan slows things down, then Lyssa shares what has weighed on her. Waiting for a late lift tests the diarist’s patience.
Entombing a Cockroach in the Wall (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: March 11, 1999
Cockroach warfare at home, a sluggish workout and good news about Lyssa’s car loan.
Two Hours of Television and Tears (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: March 29, 1999
The night sours into two hours of television and an argument. Lyssa packs her bags, comes back and confesses how obsessed she is.
Staring Women and a Broken Chain (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: April 15, 1999
Out of work again, the diarist builds theories about jobs that feel like hobbies, why women stare, a broken chain as fate, and the laptop he wants to buy.
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.
The Microphone Was Never On (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: February 7, 1999
Tony finds his girlfriend talking in her sleep and tries to record it, only to learn the microphone was switched off the whole time.
A Missed Anniversary and a Sleepless Morning (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: March 22, 1999
Lying awake with a head full of thoughts, from empty poetry to money worries, a forgotten anniversary and what it means to be stuck at home.
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.
Fifteen Cents Worth of Hot Chips (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: March 11, 1999
Cards with Keith and Shawn, some dodgy talk about a laptop and a letter from the link.
Hiding in the Motel Shower (Part 5) – Mad Chaos: March 29, 1999
The talk drifts back to the same sore topic and the night ends badly. Morning brings a long shower, a silent room and a quiet breakfast.
Words on a Stick in the Fig Tree (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: April 15, 1999
Having walked out on the job, the diarist quits by phone, hunts for a pen, leaves a message on a stick in the old fig tree and rides home with Lyssa.
Hunting For Diamond At Macarthur Square (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: December 10, 1998
Keith needs a present for his dad but Tony has other targets: a girl in a work uniform and a run in with a group of old mates.
Two Wheels Round a Roundabout (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: April 4, 1999
Keith finds a way to skim a few more coins, Simon takes a roundabout on two wheels, and the cards at Subway run until dawn.
Gym Day and Another Cockroach (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: March 8, 1999
Skipping targets, lost confidence, a heavy chest session and one more cockroach down the toilet.
Olive Oil and Overpriced Burgers (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: April 10, 1999
A train trip to the City for a birthday dinner ends with expensive burgers, milk at three dollars a cup and a very dramatic Ralf.
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.
Ringing Phoenix After the Fight (Part 6) – Mad Chaos: March 29, 1999
Lyssa wants company at the hairdresser, and the day turns into a street argument. Later a phone call to Phoenix brings gossip about Imad.
Windows 3.1 and a Brain-Draining Day (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: April 15, 1999
With bus money raided from his dad’s car, the diarist finally starts his first job in years, struggles with old software and walks back across the bridge at lunch.
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.
Sleeping Through a Real Earthquake (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: March 18, 1999
A sonnet written twice, an earthquake slept through on the waterbed and a long walk for photos and cash.
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.
Less Confident Friends Make Me Brave (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: January 26, 1999
Shared glances over a snooker table lead to a late night theory about confidence, big plans for a larger circle of mates and a look back at a tearful call.
A Footy Sonnet and a Giant Greenhouse – Mad Chaos: March 12, 1999
After a night of poetry that would not come, a half sonnet, a rewritten line and a football sonnet finally arrive. Then comes an idea for a greenhouse big enough to see from the moon.
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.
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.
Mum Killed in Kosovo, Apparently (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: April 5, 1999
A beer table in the basement leads to a chatty stranger, a tall tale about a war and a late night at Subway.
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.
Keith as the God of Self-Worship (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: March 25, 1999
Keith’s money habits inspire a short sermon on a god of self-worship. Then comes a nervous interview at a temping agency and some surprising test scores.
Calling Ralf Who Had Already Called Me (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: January 27, 1999
A groggy phone mix up opens the Australia Day long weekend. Ralf, Keith and Tony cruise toward Miranda while Keith frets over a messy, unpaid mobile phone bill.
Seeping Guts and the Dying of Summer (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: March 1, 1999
The first day of autumn brings a cockroach that refuses to die, a plan to stretch the last of the government pay and a thousand skips.
Ralf’s Secret Move to Queensland (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: March 4, 1999
A sonnet about being a servant to time opens the night, then Ralf spills the secret behind his New Zealand story. Full stops are demanded.
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.
Yawning Through Sunrise and Dodging a Nightclub (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: March 14, 1999
A night of failed yawns ends with a sunrise in the backyard. By evening the diarist is working the phones to avoid a nightclub trip with Ralf and Preston.
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.
Waxing Woes Before the Hotel Night (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: March 26, 1999
Wednesday night brings a girl walking a dog and news of NATO bombing. It also brings arguments with Lyssa about the hotel night and a bad batch of wax.
Photographing Three Girls in the Rain (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: March 1, 1999
Squeezed into the parade crowd, then wandering Hyde Park and dodging rain, I finally found the nerve to ask three girls for a photo.
Rain, Alliteration and a Siege Sonnet (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: March 19, 1999
A burst of rain breaks a long dry spell. Alliteration, a book of commentary and a very late night produce a sonnet about a besieged King, then a second sonnet about Autumn.
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.
The Call That Never Came (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: February 5, 1999
A sleepless stretch and a missing phone call send Tony into a spiral of theories. One call clears it all up.
Ralf Takes the Scenic Route Again (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: February 17, 1999
Ralf drags every minute into an hour on the way to a warehouse sale, then steers the day toward a packed Cronulla beach. A sticky February diary entry.
Tracksuit Pants and a Sneaky Shawn (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: March 19, 1999
Rain cancels one lift and Ralf steps in for a long trip around the shops. Then Lyssa’s family drama, a night of dodging Shawn and a look back at how Old English was learnt.
Explaining a Sonnet and Writing Another (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: April 7, 1999
The author explains his latest sonnet quatrain by quatrain, then rushes a new one onto the page before sleep.
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.
Phoenix Jokes and Armpit Headlocks (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: April 6, 1999
Keith throws a tantrum, Simon throws the cards, and the night ends in headlocks and gossip on the drive home.
Where Did The Hours Go (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: January 14, 1999
A biceps session, a sleepy talk about time and a few new lines of verse round off a quiet night before a big birthday weekend.
Photos With the Cloak Room Girl (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: March 2, 1999
Ralf decides he is smitten, I get an earful in the ear, and then a very tall cloak room attendant says yes to a photo before the long way home.
Cola, Cards and Blocking the Toilet Door (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: April 21, 1999
A blank mind and a sleeping problem give way to a late visit from Keith and Shawn. A long card game ends with pot plants, gas containers and a flying cup of cola.
A Mystery Call and Pretending to Be Rupert (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: April 8, 1999
A call from two girls ends with a fake voice and a lot of shouting, before a quiet night of cards and ice-cream.
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.
Marriage Advice Over the Gym Counter (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: January 22, 1999
A short poem on ageing opens a catch up entry, followed by a Wednesday gym session and an unexpected heart to heart about marriage at the gym counter.
Lost in Pyrmont With Murphy’s Law (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: April 13, 1999
A good night’s sleep promises a smooth start to a temping job, until one wrong turn sends the day into a long, sweaty hunt for an address and a working phone.
Free Chicken and a Spider Hunt (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: March 16, 1999
Keith shows off a mysterious turbo wind, a spider gets the broom and a long card game ends with a secret about Ralf.
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.
A Dead Nightclub and a Taco (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: March 8, 1999
Ralf takes the toll road for once, but Meridian is nearly empty and the night only gets slower.
Madden 99 Until Sunday Afternoon (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: March 22, 1999
News of an old acquaintance lands heavily. Then a missed gym session turns into a marathon of Madden 99 with Shawn and Keith, and some strange late calls from Lyssa.
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.
A Pay Rise With an Expiry Date (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: March 17, 1999
Fifteen extra dollars, no poetry and a gym session that felt weaker than it was.
Three Years of Diary and a Dodgy Birthday – Mad Chaos: April 22, 1999
Spell-checking the early diary entries shows how much the writing has changed in three years. Then comes a birthday mix-up and a heavy look at the news.
Winning at Pool and Losing at Dancing (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: March 8, 1999
I beat Ralf at pool, then suffered through three songs on a half-empty dance floor.
Five Hours on a Sonnet About a View (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: April 8, 1999
The varlets, the gallows and the crumbling walls get explained, then a new sonnet about a beautiful and deceiving view takes shape.
A Leather Jacket and an Unpaid Loan (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: April 23, 1999
With a week left in April, an overnight data marathon is interrupted by Lyssa ringing about money again and again. Her new leather jacket is the problem.
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.
Tiger Woods Golf and Cards at Subway (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: March 13, 1999
A blocked poet skips a thousand reps, then recalls a Thursday of golf video games and cards at Subway. Saturday ends with a heavy back and triceps session at the gym.
Dressed Up With Nowhere to Go (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: April 5, 1999
Ralf rings twice, the plan changes in five minutes, and a dressed-up night out turns into pokies, railings and feeling out of place.
Flushing Cockroaches and Judging Keith (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: March 30, 1999
Two weeks of aged thoughts finally get aired, from cockroach warfare to a swollen eye, plain dreams and Keith’s endless money schemes.
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.
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 Million Dollar Ring Idea (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: January 12, 1999
A huge diamond on TV inspires a poem about trading riches for love, while a friend returns from Brisbane with big stories.
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.
A Doomed Cockroach and the Gym Crowd (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: March 13, 1999
After the gym, the diarist reflects on the regulars and on losing his closest friends and his partner. The night ends with a grim cockroach experiment in the toilet bowl.
Inventing the Word Disgress (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: March 30, 1999
Fate mocks every old relationship, the neighbors are moving, and a made-up word called disgress gets its definition along with two movie ideas.
An All-Nighter of Madden With Shawn (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: April 18, 1999
A brain in meltdown, an awkward call about a lost job and a night of Madden that turns into a long, giggly all-nighter. Even the eye colour changes.
Interrupted By A Phone Call (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: December 26, 1998
A quiet night alone at last, with plenty of honest reflection from Tony about habits, nerves and a very untimely call.
Tatton Storms Off Over Black Bitch (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: April 6, 1999
A Monday that starts at 3:00 p.m. ends up at Subway with cards, a missing entry box and a very loud exit.
Trading Insults With Ralf by Phone (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: April 26, 1999
The month is nearly over and the diarist ponders fortune and misfortune. Then a bored Saturday morning turns into a string of phone calls and a plan to hit a nightclub.
I Wrote A Sonnet Instead Of Sleeping (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: January 12, 1999
Instead of sleeping before the beach trip, Tony stays up writing a sonnet and a short poem, then explains what each line really means.
Prank Callers and a Dumaresq Street Chase (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: March 30, 1999
A football season with Shawn gives way to two mystery callers, a walk to their flats and a game of cat and mouse that ends with a crazed laugh.
Lyssa, a Pond and Five Silent Nights (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: April 1, 1999
A new month brings hope like fresh tire tread, a snapped chain and a stubborn silence with Lyssa, while the Kosovo bombings dominate the news.
Nikita Gets the Wrong Idea (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: January 7, 1999
A kind gesture on New Year’s Eve is twisted into something else, and a tense phone call with Lyssa leaves Tony angry and misunderstood.
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.
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.
Weighing the Air Before a Motel Night (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: March 29, 1999
A late night of philosophy about the weight of air gives way to the plan for a motel night with Lyssa. Devon and Kiley nearly spoil it at Leumeah Station.
Calamari Rings and a Cold Goodbye (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: April 13, 1999
After a squatter takes over the fig tree, lunch with Lyssa turns awkward, a calamari ring goes down the wrong way, and a loan call confirms the distance between them.
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.
Arguing With Lyssa Over a Festiva (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: March 9, 1999
Lyssa wants a loan for a Melbourne Festiva and the diarist cannot keep quiet about it.
Answering Lyssa With Oh Well (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: March 17, 1999
Lyssa asks for a favor, accuses me of not caring and reveals a plan to draw my portrait.
Counting Pages Like an Encyclopedia – Mad Chaos: November 2, 1998
Tony stays up reading his old diary, owns up to hard lessons and tallies how many pages each year has produced.
Ralf Sleeps Through Mardi Gras Prep (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: March 1, 1999
Ralf promised an early start for the Mardi Gras, then went to sleep. The long wait, a phone bill dream and a very jovial lift to the station.
Predicting Kieran’s Big Sleepover Plan (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: December 23, 1998
Convinced Kieran has ulterior motives for a sleepover, Tony plays out the whole night in his head and grumbles about Lyssa not listening.
Cards, Cold Shoulders and Stolen Papers (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: March 14, 1999
Keith and Simon turn a boring night around, but passing old friends at a petrol station stings. After cards at Subway the three of them nick the Sunday papers.
Credit Card Trouble and Lyssa’s Silence (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: April 4, 1999
A sleepless dawn, a credit card that is short by a few dollars and a week without a call from Lyssa.
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.
Keith Hoards Petrol for Posterity (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: January 28, 1999
A midnight meet up at Caltex turns up gossip about old faces, Tony invents a physics theory about Keith and the road to Cronulla finally begins.
Door Knockers And Train Carriage Daydreams (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: December 23, 1998
Two polite visitors with books knock at the door, a second long train ride follows, and Tony drifts into dreams of a boys choir song.
Stingy With The Toothpaste (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: December 26, 1998
Tony lists everything Lyssa will not share, spends the small hours awake with magazines and sonnets, and is politely shown the door by lunchtime.
I Tackled a Giant in Tracksuit Pants (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: November 20, 1998
Tony remembers the worst team in the league and the day he threw himself at a man three times his size. The recollections drift on to first crushes, a rebellious year and his first factory job.
A Cockroach and a Plan for Two (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: November 13, 1998
Rain, a stubborn cockroach and a quiet night in lead Tony to map out a hopeful future with Lyssa. He then retells a Wednesday night that began at a servo and a handshake.
Playing Cold With Lyssa (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: January 26, 1999
A mood that will not lift, gossip about Imad and a strained phone call with Lyssa. Tony tries to stay distant while the tears start on the other end.
Sleepy Phone Call Then a Soggy Interview (Part 4) – Mad Chaos: January 23, 1999
Tony fumbles a half asleep call from an employer, rings back to fix it, and heads off to his first interview in over a year before hitting the gym.
Carriage Hopping And A Flooded Station (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: December 23, 1998
A late night train ride to the City, a burst water main at Wynyard and two scary break in attempts at Lyssa’s house fill a long diary day.
Haggling Over a Telescope (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: January 6, 1999
Tony looks back on Jewell with fresh doubts, then gets drawn into a price tussle over a telescope and a home gym set.
A Cricket Night Simon Will Never Live Down (Part 2) – Mad Chaos: November 10, 1998
Tony watches his mates play indoor cricket and enjoys cruelly cheering on the worst batsman of the night. Afterwards come a Subway run, a nervous learner driver and weekend plans with Lyssa.
My Golden Chain Gives Way (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: January 19, 1999
A snapped gold chain, a dance floor full of friends and one girl Tony was too nervous to approach.
My Anniversary Slipped Right Past Me (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: November 20, 1998
The penny drops about a significant date with Lyssa. Tony then wanders back through his teenage years, from school and music to his first computer.
Midnight Visitor and a Stubborn Silence (Part 3) – Mad Chaos: January 24, 1999
A pay phone swallows Lyssa’s calls, then she turns up in person, and Tony struggles to hide his mood while she retells her night.
A Candle Explains the Dance Floor (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: February 9, 1999
Inspired by a girl on a crowded dance floor, Tony finally finishes a sonnet about a candle and then walks the reader through every line.
Waves At Three In The Morning (Part 1) – Mad Chaos: November 29, 1998
The boys arrive at Waves just as the night ends and the street fills with drama. Tony is left dreaming about one unforgettable stranger.