Welcome to the first edition of Sean and Ed’s Annual Christmas newsletter! As with every year, 2022 has been filled with heaps of fun-filled memories that we would like to share with all of you. This is year was extra special as it marked many firsts for us both: first year out of university, first year in our new grad jobs at HSF and Deloitte, first Mardi Gras and first year living together! Although this year has had its fair share of challenges, we look back fondly at all the key milestones that we shared, the late-night outs with friends and all things we learnt about each other as we navigated living as domesticated gays.

So without further adieu, here is our wrap-up of some key memories from 2022: 

New Year Lockdown

We started off the new year in party mode, going to Charlie’s Annual White Party followed by us hitting the dance floor at the Beat (a regular occurrence for us this year). However, our hyper-socialised New Years resulted in us catching COVID and the mandatory lock down that followed. We both spent lock down at Ed’s family’s house in Graceville, where one by one, each of his siblings came down with the spicy cough. Other casualties from the Williams-Trans cluster include attendees of the Crichton’s potluck dinner. (For the record, we do note that we were not responsible for the 2nd Crichton super-spreader at their wedding a few months later). 

 

Like most of Brisbane, we experienced the mad-rush and shortage of RATs and the super long lines for PCRs tests where we waited in the car for about 3 hours… Thankfully our symptoms were not too bad and Sean only lost his smell for a week. 

Moving to King Street

In March, we moved into our apartment in King St. Albeit stressful, this time was really exciting for us as it really marked our transition from uni to work/adult life. Having both lived only with our families before this year, it was interesting learning how to share a space together. Ed has proven to be the true handy-man out of us two, having assembled nearly every one of our furniture pieces. The most impressive by far was when he single-handily bought and assembled our bedframe while Sean was off at the Real Estate BBQ at Luke’s house. 

 

One other clear benefit from living where we live was how close we are to everything! We both definitely took advantage of our proximity to all of Brisbane’s nightlife (as many of you have probably experienced)… Despite making questionable health-related choices as a result, we had some great times out including Big Gay Day, Halloween and too many nights dancing at the beat.

Ed's Graduation and Sean's Admission

This year also marked the complete and (final?) ends to our university lives. In the middle of the year, we both went through the joys of our respective graduations. Ed graduated IT and Law, while Sean completed his PLT and was admitted as a solicitor. Both milestones were equally ceremonious and long-coming after what felt like nearly a decade of being professional students (7+ years). 

 

August, September and October, continued in much the same vein – in what seemed to be the theme of the year – partying – with Sean's birthday, Brisbane Pride and Halloween. For Halloween, we attempted to dress as the iconic Sino-Soviet Communist propaganda meme couple, however, we soon realised that our shabby outfits made us look more like gay mechanics or hillbillies. Not pictured is Sean rubbing soot from a candle on his face to complete the look. Later in the club, Ed attempted to tell people we dressed as Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton from The Simple Life. 

Merry Christmas!

...And some Additional Photos of the Year