The Mess Around

Richard is trying to regain fitness because , as he explains , its the only thing in his life he can control. It is ,however, a long journey & therefore requires a soundtrack . This is discussed in some detail. It leads us naturally to a conversation about TV themes & Andrew mourns the lost genre of the explanatory theme. Under the theme of recovery, Richard asks "Would a bit of stero...

We find the resolution to the story of Andrew living in a high-rise with no functioning lift . Christmas has come and gone ,you'll hear tales of family gatherings ,presents & backyard cricket matches . A terrible day for bracelets - or was it ? Richard tells the story then asks "is the bottle half full or half empty ?" The subsequent discussion will help to guide our view of wha...

Richard feels he could do other things .Andrew points out that other things would make a wonderful Comedy Festival show .This then gets workshopped , some ideas are better than others. We find out why the phrase "end of night sushi" triggers Andrew & ,oddly ,his hatred of Duran Duran. Andrew is living in Hell, what does that look like I'll let him tell you... Also, how do you an...

Episode 23 is the Christmas Precursor. Some podcasts wait until the last minute to actually talk about Christmas, but not at The Mess Around .  No, we get in early to prepare you for the oncoming storm.  And it's not just Christmas, the significance of birthday cards is debated heavily as well. Richard reveals his son's unique, emotionally detached and yet amusing way of signing off card...

It's difficult to explain this week's episode. For starters, Richard has a tree named after his son.  Make of that what you will. Which is nothing compared to Andrew who names his plants, and the cars he has owned...  one of which was a literal tiny red clown car. He even occasionally talks to them, the cars, not the plants.  Meanwhile some irresponsible business is advertising dangerous...

In this episode you will learn why we should all strive to become Happy Idiots. Richard and Andrew appear to have nailed at least one part of that description, you be the judge which one. Unusually there's a plethora of useful advice this week, most of which would be found in the Richard Stubbs Self Help Book, were it not for the fact that this seems to be one of the worst ideas in publishing...

In this episode we take the time to look back at the Compilation Episode that could’ve been, but ultimately wasn’t. But first we present insights into sleeping, waking, being grumpy and all the nuances in between.  Andrew comes to the terrible, realisation that his partner is purposely laying a trap for him every morning, and Richard presents a piece of bedroom advice that will surely come in hand...

Andrew finally tells the story of the time he travelled to Rome with his dog . Without spoiling it , lets just say the story wasn't as simple as "we both got on a plane , we both got off a plane and were in Rome "  This is a true saga and a testament to what can happen to a young person with a dream but who doesn't think it thru  There's other stuff in the podcast but its...

Andrew talks elections - no not that one , his local council. He voted but not without disappointment . This leads to the heartwarming story of his dog who loved elections and we learn why. An idle question triggers Richard & there's a realization that the sins of the father may have also been visited on the grandchildren. As usual , film references are scatted throughout the podcast , od...

Richard and Andrew declare themselves firmly in the "Dumb and Dumber" Sub Genre. Fascinatingly Richard shares the multiple reasons why he doesn't go sailing at night.  Andrew struggles with the concept of changing names to protect the innocent, while sharing a nasty whipper snipper incident, that didn’t happen to him, so is therefore funnier. Speaking of tragic incidents, sadly and...

Andrew tries to defend his relaxed Gold Coast lifestyle to listeners, who may or may not be in a pandemic lockdown. Richard’s family are concerned that his growing fascination with local elections may develop into an unhealthy obsession.  He calms the angry mob by taking them out on Stubbs Family Picnic, which during lockdown turns into a culinary  operation requiring military precision. Staying w...

Andrew is struggling with life at Uni.  A closer examination of his behaviours reveals many of the issues. Andrew details his Tao of Shopping & Lists.  This leads to a conversation about list creation & how our partners help. We also discover what Andrew lives for, it is indeed a gift that keeps on giving . Richard sums up Melbourne's lockdown vibe at the moment. He is coping by reall...

Andrew has been living a life while Richard is lockdown bound.  He generously shares the thrill of it all with Richard.  He has done a stand up gig which was not without issues. Some of these related to Instagram - weirdly. Meanwhile, Richard has discovered several annoying issues that only a pandemic & subsequent lockdown could reveal. Andrew updates us on his quest to better his Nemesis&apos...

It's Episode 13, should we be frightened? Not according to Richard who goes into a history story, to everyone's delight. Neither Richard nor Andrew slept well, for different reasons, however both involved alarms. We  learn that Andrew is overexcited in a crisis but also uncaring. Richard has created a new suburban triathlon. It would be easily broadcast on 7 Mate. Andrew took a personali...

Lockdown hasn't got any better for Richard, but his Apple watch is proud of all his achievements. Andrew has returned to Uni & in a rush of blood, decided to attend orientation in person . everything happened as you'd expect. Richard decided to do something stereotypically manly. It involved a mattock 7 an ill-conceived plan. The local economy was the winner. Andrew's Tai Chi sc...

We enter the world of some of Andrew's previous jobs (careers ? ) , mainly the ones involving big money - not his. Specifically we enter the world of Casinos as a croupier and banks as a teller. It naturally leads to a revealing insight into the mind of the Australian worker & may explain why Australia isn't a superpower. Andrew has some brilliant tips for rising to the top. It'...

Unbelievably ,Richard manages to name drop yet again. It does provide an interesting insight into what some celebrities do when they travel. This leads to another discussion about comedians trying to fit into normal society, spoiler alert , they don't. Unfortunately, Richard relentlessly name drops again. Andrew struggles in the supermarket, Richard helpfully explains why. Lockdown has create...

Getting food delivery in Melbourne ( critical in a lockdown ) is fraught with peril. This simple story moves the conversation into a rolling discussion of films to watch in lockdown. Richard watched something disturbing so the topic veers to the safer ground of 80's action films.  It then continues seamlessly into how Richard's children are trained like ninjas ready for the Zombie Apocal...

Andrew delicately brings up a sore point for Richard, who explains why he can't go to Tahiti - ever. The podcast is going well, is it time for a sponsor?   Probably not and besides who would it be? Both make suggestions before realizing it's hopeless. The conversation reveals Richard is terribly brand loyal, Andrew is not.  Richard finds this disturbing.  Andrew argues film students don&...

Questions of language are examined. Phrases are analyzed.  No conclusions are reached. No one is the wiser for the effort. Richard outlines a saga occurring in his house of epic proportions.  Sweeping and grand in its scope. Everyone is exhausted by the end of it. Andrew's brother in law goes on a date which doesn't go well but does raise the question, can you revisit old places from pre...

Richard has discovered a physical condition that has lurked without notice in his life.  It now rears its head and Richard is shook, Andrew laughs. Andrew has broken his lecturer.  He explains the circumstances, Richard is unsurprised.  A question, can you have a Nemesis if your Nemesis doesn't know you exist?  If you can, Andrew has one, if you can't he needs help.   

This whole episode strays into uncharted waters.  We learn way more about how people are making money in a Pandemic than we really needed . We will possibly never look at our Teddy in the same way. Richard provides a method for achieving complex task that is actually effective . Both he and Andrew are startled by this.  Andrew demands more Instagram presence , he will set one up. He desperately wa...