The Mess Around

This episode kicks off with a specific welcome to a listener who is a dog walker . Turns out Andrew was a dog walker too . While describing his operation we realise it was done in his unique style . Richard's partner minded dogs and this gives us the heart-warming stories of Ned the Beagle and Barny the Giant . Somehow walking dogs has recently presented Richard with an etiquette and moral di...

Richard is still in lockdown ,he manages to casually mention it *sigh*. To cheer himself up he asks about Andrews film . The student film is every bit as chaotic as you'd expect . The issue  seems to be mainly the conflict between the film being a group activity and Andrews struggle to work in groups. However you have to admire his grim determination .  The importance of optimism is discussed...

Richard is still in lockdown ,Andrew isn't . As a result Richard hungers for tales of "going out" . Andrew obliges but perhaps could've used his going out time better . one of the places he visits is is a Teppanyaki style restaurant . There is much discussion of that style of eating . Andrew felt he was set up , Richard has a method . Food in general is discussed , Richard was...

In an effort to prove exciting things happen while in lockdown , Richard revealed he's been wearing shorts . Shorts are the discussed at length , Richard is in awe of folk who commit to wearing them all year round in Melbourne . Andrew is suddenly interested when he realises its a challenge although he does have some fears in the shorts department . Possibly looking round for work in a COVID...

The term "off kilter" is revisited . Andrew has done some unasked for  research ( where did he find the time? Shouldn't he be working on his film ?) and his results will astound you. Somehow Richard swings a tale from History in early . This one is all about making the best of a bad situation . We also learn who is  Richard's favourite Viking ( Harald Hardrada) and his surprise...

Out of nowhere Richard is obsessed with the term "off kilter" , mainly he keeps asking if anything is ever "on kilter". A brief mention of sailing allows Richard to share a warning of an event to avoid. Seasickness and the ability to sleep quickly are discussed . Surprisingly there is a link . Richard has a trained and highly developed ability . In the hope of discovering wheth...

Are you in lockdown or not ? Are you even allowed to ask that question ? Suggested rules are discussed. Andrew's life is fraught for many reasons but his choice of new glasses has not helped . It seems the design is incompatible with his head and as a result they come off at critical moments . Richard feels Andrew has no choice but to use the Rubberband of Dorkiness. Andrew however remains un...

Andrew is in lockdown . As he lives in a tall building , Richard  fixates on his lift arrangements .  He's not happy that the doors open directly into the apartment . Andrew tries to reassure him. How is lockdown going for Andrew ? Well, there are some signs of cracking in the elite team he lives with . Mask wearing is covered ,Richard has tried novelty ones and advises against it . Masks are...

Food , particularly take away, is discussed at length . Possibly because Richard is in Lockdown again . Andrew is vegetarian & Richard is fascinated with his late night eating choices .Particularly on the Gold Coast where there is not much ....at all . Venn diagrams feature heavily , Andrew realises he is caught between mocking carnivores and rabid Vegans . Richard is delighted there's an...

Richard throws himself into the second year of the podcast with a rodeo reference because it turns out he likes them . Although not for the reason you may think. It turns out he has some other well advanced thoughts for crowd entertainment as well. Meanwhile ,Richard is starting to think he has let his car go beyond accepted levels. He turns to Andrew for advise. After a short discussion its found...

Well here we are at Episode 52 which means that the Mess Around has been going for a full year of weekly podcasts! No one could be more surprised than our intrepid heroes ,but before any celebration can happen the fact that Andrew is in lockdown and Richard isn't has to be dealt with. Richard is somewhat childish in his glee but then has the gall to suggest to Andrew that he has become mature...

Strangely the art of sumo wrestling is discussed . Richard shares the best way to enjoy watching sumo and when to pick the winner . Some how the conversation turns to another ancient art , that of celebrity spotting .  As both Andrew and Richard have had celebrity encounters while at work , the rules were these were spottings that took place in the wild . Richard is not a fan of asking for photos...

The magic of communication thru different languages is discussed. Except it only seems like magic to some Australians , a lot of people speak more than one language ,this is also discussed.  This topic came up as Richard confessed that during lockdown he has achieved nothing . Certainly, he hasn't learnt a language . He did try to help his partner in her unending war with the possums who eat...

Richard is not his usual self .  His city has had to go into its fourth lockdown while Andrew skips around . Richard is taking it badly , it actually gets quite dark. Suffice to say, don't tell him he's got this . Andrew begins to talk about emotional eating ,Richard agrees he gets emotional whenever he eats too . Trying to change the subject Andrew explains the pitfalls of not being in...

Drinks ,dressing gowns and ornate drinking cups are discussed. This morphs into Richards vision for a bar. Its quite detailed. Even down to the theme nights . Naturally the talk then turns to your Elvis song for karaoke. Andrew tries to show he's way more clever than we think and fails dismally. He does have a strength , however, and its his ability to remember names. The method he uses is fr...

A thrill packed episode that comes with a warning - Richard gains insight into how to live. Andrew loves the power of operating "force quit' on programs . Richard just loves the sound of the words together and imagines ...well quite a bit . In a discussion of ending things the movie techniques of " it was all a dream " Vs " it's a multiverse with many realities "...

So many questions  this week. Have you ever been rushing to make it home to go to the toilet? How much longer do you think you could've hung on?  Have you ever wondered why no one ever starts a podcast with that question? Have you ever tried to master a foreign language by using only swear words? If your  Personal Trainer is  filming your weight lifting efforts, are they being shared on socia...

Do people listen to albums anymore ?Richard & Andrew discuss. Richard has recently listened to an entire album, not exactly a current or even popular one . The choice of music when going to or from a gig is talked thru, Richard & Andrew are opposites in their choices . Andrew mentions a recently deceased celebrity. Richard is confident because he knows who Andrew means - except he doesn&ap...

Andrew has been drinking . He never drinks & isn't good at it . He's chosen Chinese beer, why ?Who is he drinking with ?  There's a lot to unpack . He is still able to pick Richard up on a terrible mistake from last weeks episode . Unfortunately , fixing the mistake doesn't lead us to any real conclusion ,rather it appears like the beginning of a quest . Richard has been to...

Andrew is back doing stand up gigs ,which are going well but now he needs help with what to do when people want photos. Say yes & smile you'd think but it's not that simple. Richard ,of course , has a series of rules & coping strategies to assist Andrew. Some how this strays into autographs which in turn gives us a frightening insight into what Andrew writes on group work cards....

Andrew should be terribly relaxed because Uni is over for another semester .But it turns out he is still wound up . Of course he is . We find out a little of what causes tension at Uni ( who has arguments about the opening to Sound of Music?) . He claims he is unable to fully relax because he is denied his usual outlets . We discuss those outlets , they involve stand-up comedy during a Festival in...

Richard kindly checks in on Andrew's welfare as he is in the final weeks of his Semester. Andrew hasn't slept  Richard is hated (actively) by an animal, he asks the question "has an animal ever really hated you - personally?" Richard goes on to describe the nature of the enmity. It makes for chilling listening . Andrew shares that he had an incident but used the teachings of th...