The last several months have been a bit of a challenge in the world of Tony in more ways than one. So much so that I have put off putting down any news for much for the same reason I usually don’t ask people how they are when I greet them. They might actually tell me. “Hi. How are you?” “I’ve got a rash, a bad back and my kid’s down with a snot-bubble blowing flu.” I don’t really want to hear, I was just being polite, you know?
However, thinking about it now, it’s easy to see how easily the positives can be overshadowed by the not so positives. With that in mind, positives to follow.

Ivan Engler, Visual Science, Zurich — Ivan Engler, Visual Science, Zurich

Ivan Engler and I just finished the first of two feature film scripts we’ve been co-writing over the last couple of years. This is huge news, since one of those years (2016) saw one, or the other, or both of us in hospital under the knife, or recovering from said knife. It’s been a slog but now that both of us are fighting fit we’re moving like a bat out of hell. Not bad for a couple of blokes who live on opposite sides of the world and have never met in person!

In Australia, I continue my collaboration with Tony Rogers. Our exciting horror/comedy/thriller has taken an exciting new turn into an exciting new format. I’m very excited about it. Tony and I have also started writing a cool new modern day Gothic series. Even though it’s very early days, I’m just thrilled to bits over this one… as opposed to the characters who are just in bits. Wet, bloody bits.

In other news, I’ve been doing a little… eh-hem… acting lately. Bit of TV playing a bearded country gent or bearded biker thug. Mini-series playing a bearded bar-tender. TVCs playing a bearded... well… whatever. Let’s face it, it’s the beard that’s getting the parts. I’m just the driver. The ad most noteworthy, I suppose, is the Haier refrigerator ad in which I play a bearded hipster. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TepQcqwzwXU

On a more personal note, I’ve just started the final unit in my university degree. Got to tell you, dear readers, I didn’t think I was going to get there. I realise full bloody well that I should have got this out of the way 25 years ago, but I seriously doubt the guy I was then could have got as much out of it, or anywhere near the marks, I have now. That guy was a bloody galah.

On a more, more personal note, my midlife crisis is in full swing. I just got my p-plates for my motorbike. The best thing about this story? I’ll have my full license on Star Wars day, May the 4th, 2019. The poetry of it brings a tear to my baby, bloodshot blues… well… sort of a hazelly green depending on what I’m wearing.

Oh... and also... there's this cat I live with. There is something definitely not right with him.

2018 thus far...