I'm SO rock and roll right now.

I've been getting a bit carried away lately buying tickets for live gigs. I wasn't aware how bad this little habit had gotten until this week though...

I think it all started in July with Splendour in the Grass. I had such a great time discovering new bands and seeing some acts that I already knew I loved, it re-woke my passion for live music and things kind of started steam-rolling from there.

Last weekend, Kelly and I went out saw Boy and Bear at the Zoo, which were AWE-SOME! Then next weekend we're off to see Little Red on the Friday night and Smashing Pumpkins on the Sunday night. I may also be going to see Metallica on Saturday night (a friend who has been trying to get me into metal - by convincing me that metal drummers are the ones to watch - offered me the ticket but is now being all coy, as I think he's also accidentally offered to his flat mate while under the influence and figures I'm easier to disappoint).

Also coming up I'm seeing U2 in November and Bon Jovi in December, both at Suncorp Stadium.

Anyway, as I mentioned, I wasn't really aware how carried away I was getting with the concert tickets until this week, when Big Day Out went on sale.

Years ago, when I was a bit younger and more energetic, I used to love a good one-day music festival. Big Day Out is pretty full on though. Upon examination of the line up (headlined by TOOL, Rammstein and Iggy Pop) I decided that despite there being a few acts I wouldn't mind seeing (M.I A, Grinderman, Wolfmother, Bliss'n'Eso) - it wasn't worth the hassle of battling for tickets on-line, getting to the Gold Coast and back for the event, and dealing with the BOGANS and wankers who have become synonymous with the BDO.

Until... I was wandering past Rocking Horse Records on my lunch break on Thursday and noticed a sign saying they still had tickets for sale. Getting so caught up in the excitement that the little multi-coloured golden passes, which are usually almost impossible to get your mitts on were so close within my reach - and the rumours that Blink 182 were going to be a surprise late addition to the billing running around in the back of my head - I ran in and purchased four!

God knows why. That was $666 my credit card couldn't really cope with and not only was I still only lukewarm on the idea of attending, but none of my friends had expressed an interest either.

I tell you - its the bug! The live music bug that has me in its grips at the moment.

Luckily, common sense has returned and I'm now in the process of off-loading said tickets to my 18-year-old flat mate and her suitably enthusiastic young friends.

But the wake up call was certainly received loud and clear.... next time my eyes glaze over at the sign of live music tickets, I'll stop and check myself before I wreck myself.

I need a ...

Lately I've taken to drinking at popular inner/west Brissy pub 'The Paddo'.

This is for a number of reasons:
1. My friend Kelly (who has become one of my favourite people to have a chin wag over a cold cider with) lives only a couple of streets away
2. There is a massive big covered balcony out the front that's perfect for people-watching on a lazy Sunday afternoon
3. The crowd is generally pretty chilled out. No one hassles us, we always seem to score our own table and we never get bothered by young, idiotic, squealing girls or creepy, sleazy blokes
4. Drinks are well-priced (becoming more and more rare unfortunately)
5. They have a regular Sunday house band - a guy who isn't too bad and a girl who goes alright when singing on her own, but loves to have a crack at harmonising and really, really shouldn't (her attempts keep us quite entertained).

On one my recent visits to the Paddo, with our friend Mandy, we were enjoying a comfortable pause in conversation when Kel happened to notice the name of the venue's Nominee printed on one of the windows.

An unfortunate combination of Christian and surnames (best appreciated when said out loud and at a fast pace), we were convinced it had to be some kind of joke until one of the locals assured us that it was indeed correct.

Either way, we got a bit of mileage out of it. Have a look for yourself and see if you can work out the attraction : )