writing more than 140 characters is so foreign to me now.

I hate coming in here to address gossip. Alfie does it all the time in his blog, but I kind of prefer to use this as a place to think, as opposed to a public forum. It's running rampant though, so... here goes nothing.

No one is getting fired from the movie. Filming is going great, Brady is back with us, and his face is just as perfect as always. He still has his cast and he can't do any feats of gymnastic awesomness, but I can sit on his lap just fine, and that is all I need. Everyone is professional, minus Brady's lap being my newfangled director's chair, but I reckon that was expected from day 1. We're over halfway done, so even if there were problems? We'd suck it up and deal with it, instead of scrapping all that hard work. We've got a bunch of awesome people doing cameos, and this whole cast is perfect together. Everyone is so talented, but you know I have to shout out my little brother - Jules is like... this amazing actor and none of us ever knew it. He's been working his big butt off and is taking a bit of time off to stay home with Alfie and the babies, all of whom are just fine. My brother is fine - he's better than fine, he's lovely and sweet and a wonderful Daddy, and he always greets me with flails and love when I get home from work, and humours me by allowing me to take his four month old daughter to tea parties in the backyard. Oh, and August loves Jules almost as much as I do.

Secondly, I am friends with a lot of people, and I don't care who my friends date as long as they're happy and being treated right. I don't do raging psycho bitch, it's just not me. If I had a problem with someone they were dating, I'd deal with it - either by telling them to piss off, or punching them in the face. End of that story.

Lastly, I am definitely not engaged. I didn't bully anyone into making me their wife - I don't even believe in marriage most of the time... great for some people, but more and more, I'm realising it's totally not for me. Bombshell: I'm actually not even dating anyone at the moment. Gasp! Yeah, we broke up. It happens. Stuff happens, people change or you start to see true colours that aren't so pretty or you just grow tired of the same fight or you realise that this just isn't what you want, you end things, and life goes on. Life always goes on. I've kind of learned that over the past year, you know? Life always goes on. No matter what happens, the world keeps turning and you can either cry about it, or deal with it. I'm too busy to sit around crying, so, we're moving along. Everything happens for a reason, and every single little moment makes you who you are. I wouldn't change a thing about me, so I wouldn't change a thing about my life either. Nothing. I love who I am right now, and it's taken a lot to get me here. But I'm happy. Despite some things really sucking right now, I really do love my life.

Anyway. Can you guys believe the Crows are on a six game tear? It makes me super happy but also scared to go home come the end of the month (as soon as filming wraps and I finish what I am needed for), they never win when I am home and I don't want to jinx this wonderfulness. My husband Brett Burton should be back soon, and I believe we get a few more boys back from injury, possibly Simon Goodwin... please please please. I will enjoy this while I can! Because we all know it won't last.......

By the way... apparently we, The Empire, are number 3 on the Billboard top 100, and number 1 on the electronic album charts. REALLY? Ungh. This is so amazing and I can't thank you guys enough. One more dream to have come true - thank you thank you thank you!

On that note - I'm going to hang out with my brothers, niece, nephew and dad. Fambily = everything. Hope everyone is well :)


xoxo
Aubrey

there's no place like home.

I, however, firmly believe that Oz trumps Kansas, or anything else America has to offer.

There still hasn't been a chance to catch up on sleep, but at least I've figured out what time it is where I'm at. I should be fast asleep like the rest of Australia, but my body still feels like it's in America, and it's the wrong end of the morning - I should be up and at it. In Europe, it's well into the evening and I should also be up and at it. So despite what my Mum wants me to do, I am up and at it.

At least I am not the only Laine child who doesn't sleep. Most of us are up and at it, those of us who are here. I hear Rockband on down the hall, I suppose that means everyone is up. Everyone except Mum, and maybe Alyse. She is probably asleep on the couch down there, somehow blocking out the boys being rowdy. I wonder which one of them is trying to sing? I wonder when someone will pay Asher to play this game? Kid is epic, and hey... he's one of us. He's got to be famous for something, right?

This is only the tip of the iceberg. Friday we go around the gulf to whichever beach Mum has chosen this time, and Friday, all 500 of us will be together again: aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, in-laws, and friends. Seriously, a hell of a lot of people. I love our family Christmases, for as long as I can remember we've done it like this: rent house on beach. Head to house the weekend before Christmas. Decorate in a mad whirl. Celebrate Christmas on beach. Food, beer, cricket and music, until the sun is long gone and someone passes out. As soon as someone passes out (or nearly falls into the fire, or tries to get the babies drunk, or throws up in sight of Mum), Mum calls an end to it and we all go to bed. So we try to stay on our best drunken behavior. Try.

On top of Christmas, we have other celebrations to attend to. My niece is turning 5 next Wednesday, and my littlest brother will be a teenager two days into the new year. Where has the time gone?

It's probably a good thing said little brother just burst into the room, ranting about Alfie's lack of vocal skills (...what?) and demanding I come join his band before his scores go to waste, because I would spend the rest of the night rambling and reminiscing. But who am I to deny our littlest, and spoiledest, what he wants? He's going to make tiger toast if I comply - how can I say no to that?

I never want to leave this again. Burn the ruby slippers, I refuse to depart.

it's a new day, it's a new dawn, it's a new life.

And I'm feelin' good.

I am angry that blogspot will not let me embed this beautiful video of my brothers. Search it on youtube; watch it live. Unbeatable.

Three hours from Greece. Two weeks from home. Rove, Gma, Christmas specials with my brothers and a proper fucking meatpie. All the carmello koaloas we can stand, Julian Jonsson. Everyone under one roof - well, three rooves, but all together. Christmas on the beach; it's been too long. California beaches just don't cut it. Awesomeness awaits.

Awesome happenings will awesome. Just you wait.

The Empire Strikes Back, again. 1231. Beware.

I'm lucky I have a big family. If I didn't, I wouldn't have anyone I can trust.

My brother is home. His shows are sold out, but if you haven't gotten tickets I promise you standing outside the venues to catch the sounds that seep through the walls will be worth it. He hasn't shown me everything - I hate surprises and he makes me wait for them regardless - but 22 and a half years has taught me that August Laine is a magical creature. 22 and a half years has taught me that he always saves the best for last, and I am going to be blown away by what he is keeping under wraps. You're all going to be amazed.

Adelaide and Sydney, you should count yourselves lucky.

There is a lot happening in the near future. My holiday season has fallen in line with that of the world at large, and I will be work work working until but a few days before Christmas. Los Angeles is coming next week, errands need to be run and Thanksgiving is doing nothing but getting in the way - I've never really celebrated, it's another one of those North America exclusive holidays I usually forget about until I head to the shops for cigarettes and shoes and realize everything is closed. I'll remember this year, and the day off will be appreciated. It will be one of a very few. Interviews, travelling, appearances, premieres - I've never been a part of something as big as `Mamma Mia` is projected to be, and I've never had a role so integral to the plot. A lead, if you will. I am important to this mess of publicity, and I plan to do the best I can. It's the least I can do - this movie may have been the only thing keeping me in business.

Someday I will do like Alfie's myspace, and answer a bunch of questions on here. Today isn't that day, but feel free to send them over.

It's not perfect, but I wouldn't trade my life for anyone elses.

--

And although it's a week late (on here, I DID call on time), happy birthday to my wonderful, perfect, beautiful, majestic, perfect, superiffic Mummy. No one will believe you're as young as you are, but you still say you're too old... silly lady. I won't give a number. You're amazing and I love you to squishy bits, more than you'll ever know. I miss you - see you in a few days. Tomorrow, I suppose, if we're being technical.

xoxo
Aubrey

37.

Turn the focus. Zoom in on what you can control, let the rest fade into the background. Move along.

Bridges burn. It doesn't mean they can't be rebuilt. It doesn't mean we can't pick up the pieces that weren't too badly charred and piece them together with new beams and brackets, and make a new bridge. Maybe it'll end up an even better bridge. Maybe it won't - but as long as it takes us from point you to point me, any bridge is good enough.

Give me a day and we're on. You, me, and The Temple of Doom. And all the scotch fingers we can stand.

I can't remember the last time I told you I love you, but I do.

Perspective.

Aunty Bunny, round 4!

Claire Violet Cahill, welcome to this crazy world and even crazier fambily!

We love you to squishy tiny pieces already, and are glad you look like your Mummy! And rest assured - your big sister Shelby will get over you being cute and tiny and stealing all her attention and love you better than anyone. I yelled that my favourite was ugly too!

Love,

Aunty Bunny