I have the mother of all hangovers, thank god the opposition team forfeited today and we don't have a game. I'd still be on the couch if the shows on the TV weren't so crap!
Reason for hangover = wedding = Mick married Sharon.
This really wasn't your standard lets all meet at church followed by a reception kinda wedding. If you know Mick and Sharon you wouldn't have expected it to be.
I first met Mick when I was opening a new restaurant here in Perth - Cocos. I interviewed Mick for a position as an apprentice chef. He was and is only 2 years younger than myself. There I was 26 years old, head chef of what was to become one of the biggest restaurants in Perth, sitting in my office come kitchen storeroom, when this tall blondish Nordic looking guy walks in to apply for the position. Extremely polite, attentative and most of all keen as hell. He got the position.
Now Mick had this habit of always wearing long sleeves even in summer, his chef jacket sleeves where never rolled up, and I tell ya it gets bloody hot in a kitchen so sleeves inevitably head north. But never with Mick. Then one day I was in the change room when Mick came in and changed into his chef gear. It was then that I saw the tattoos!!
His arms and chest were covered in them. There was a certain theme to them which I quickly noted to be that of a skinhead. Many years ago I used to be a bit of a mod and have written of that here. So I knew what to look for in my arch enemy - the skinhead!!
Micks life up until starting at Cocos had been a topsy turvy one, I mean if you're 15 and living out of home, roaming the streets of Northbridge and hanging in a gang of skinheads, you could hardly call it a normal life could you. But through all of this Mick knew he deserved and wanted better and that's why he made a fresh start and today is a brilliant chef, working within one of the biggest and most profitable restaurant groups in Perth. He even cooked under Gordon Ramsey, he's now makin a mozza and has a beautiful daughter - Anise. And so yesterday he married his partner of 17 years, Sharon.
Is Mick a reformed skinhead? No! The skinhead period of his life is part of the fabric that makes Mick the guy he is today, a great one, he's one of my true friends. He's come a long way and I've talked to him many times about what being a skinhead is all about, why he was one, did he have extremist political viewpoints? Mick and I don't agree on everything politically, but is he a fascist? Hey his best man yesterday was a black guy, I need say no more :o)
Now after the service it was back to Cocos for the cocktail reception, speeches etc then in true Mick and Sharons lack of anything too serious fashion, off to the Burswood Casino for drinks at the Diamond Lounge. Unfortunately neither Mick or Sharon had been to the Casino in about 10 years and the Diamond Lounge is no longer a big bar with comfy lounge chairs and a stage with crappy live music. It's now a tiny bar with a heap of slot machines and piped crappy music!! But we prevailed and managed to run amuck till the wee hours of the morn. I will refrain from the minor details as too many people I know read this blog and for fear of incriminating myself and others I shall stay mum!!
But fuck I feel ordinary right now!!
Nat, Sharons Uncle, Sharon, Mick and Chad
Marriage celebrant Lionel "Yorkie" York (anyone who grew up in Perth in the late 80's and early 90's will remember him as a more than annoying and yet highly successful radio dj) gets things under way.
Sharon recites her vows to Mick
Sharon and Micks daughter Anise, she was named after Micks favourite spice star anise
It was a great day.
Comments
Glad to see he is doing well - he was always a sweetie