JAN 24, 2006
Today I stayed home intending on working on my thesis, but the internet was down. Instead, I sat around watching the first season of 24, went through some Adobe Premiere Pro and Photoshop CS tutorials, read, and played drums. I needed a low key day, 'cause tomorrow it's off to Byron Bay for surfing and Australia day on Thursday!
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
JAN 23, 2006
Stuck around the house to day and finished my book “Ecstasy,” sat by the pool, and played drums.
I managed to get the energy to bike to the gym. The hills around Michelton are great one way, torturous on the return.
In the evening, I connected with Michelle and the group from Saturday night at a couple of guys’ flat. When I arrived, they were just about to chow into heaps of food. I grabbed a plate and dug in. I met even more people and made some more Aussie friends.
Stuck around the house to day and finished my book “Ecstasy,” sat by the pool, and played drums.
I managed to get the energy to bike to the gym. The hills around Michelton are great one way, torturous on the return.
In the evening, I connected with Michelle and the group from Saturday night at a couple of guys’ flat. When I arrived, they were just about to chow into heaps of food. I grabbed a plate and dug in. I met even more people and made some more Aussie friends.
JAN 23, 2006
Stuck around the house to day and finished my book “Ecstasy,” sat by the pool, and played drums.
I managed to get the energy to bike to the gym. The hills around Michelton are great one way, torturous on the return.
In the evening, I connected with Michelle and the group from Saturday night at a couple of guys’ flat. When I arrived, they were just about to chow into heaps of food. I grabbed a plate and dug in. I met even more people and made some more Aussie friends.
Stuck around the house to day and finished my book “Ecstasy,” sat by the pool, and played drums.
I managed to get the energy to bike to the gym. The hills around Michelton are great one way, torturous on the return.
In the evening, I connected with Michelle and the group from Saturday night at a couple of guys’ flat. When I arrived, they were just about to chow into heaps of food. I grabbed a plate and dug in. I met even more people and made some more Aussie friends.
JAN 22, 2006
My cousin and I woke up early to catch the 9:30 bus to BIG DAY OUT! The line up for the buses was already massive by the time we arrived. I would guess that at least 25 coaches were commissioned for the day.
When we got to the venue we wandered around for a while and checked out what bands were playing and when. There were three main stages, other tents for DJ’s, and lots of food, beer, and entertainment tents. Indeed, the venue was massive.
We grabbed some cold drinks, applied a ton of sun block (a must) and caught a few main stage acts from Australia. During Mudvayne, we were right up against the barrier when shit hit the fan. The entire crowd went nuts and started moving forward, almost crushing us against the metal barriers. We got the hell outta there pretty quick.
All together it was a great day. My favourite acts were definitely the Mars Volta, who absolutely killed. Franz Ferdinand, Henry Rollins, and the White Stripes were also great. Iggy Pop, well, was Iggy Pop. He’s a crazy dude!
My cousin and I woke up early to catch the 9:30 bus to BIG DAY OUT! The line up for the buses was already massive by the time we arrived. I would guess that at least 25 coaches were commissioned for the day.
When we got to the venue we wandered around for a while and checked out what bands were playing and when. There were three main stages, other tents for DJ’s, and lots of food, beer, and entertainment tents. Indeed, the venue was massive.
We grabbed some cold drinks, applied a ton of sun block (a must) and caught a few main stage acts from Australia. During Mudvayne, we were right up against the barrier when shit hit the fan. The entire crowd went nuts and started moving forward, almost crushing us against the metal barriers. We got the hell outta there pretty quick.
All together it was a great day. My favourite acts were definitely the Mars Volta, who absolutely killed. Franz Ferdinand, Henry Rollins, and the White Stripes were also great. Iggy Pop, well, was Iggy Pop. He’s a crazy dude!
JAN 21, 2006
Today was absolutely incredible! My family and I left at noon for the Lone Pines Koala Sanctuary just outside of Michelton. Lone Pines is home to hundreds of animals including koalas, kangaroos, snakes, dingoes, and many other native Australian species. The unique thing about Lone Pines however is that you are able to touch and interact with many of the creatures!
When we got to the park we headed for the kangaroo park. There were 3 species of kangaroo running around. On my way in, I found a half bag of food spilled on the ground, so I picked it all up to feed the kangaroos. I walked over to where approximately 25 animals were lazing in the shade and held out food to them.
We continued along through the park checking out all the exhibits, and the hundreds of koalas eating and sleeping in their open-concept compounds. In the snake compound we got to examine some of the deadliest snakes in Australia, including some huge pythons, and a toad that secretes antibiotics that cure STD’s such as Herpes from 2 glands on the back of its neck. Crazy shit!
At 1:30 the Koala exhibit started and one of the Lone Pine staff began a presentation on the koala. Indeed, I learned some interesting facts:
1. The koala is a marsupial that is in the same family as the kangaroo (the young are born in a pouch), and newborns are the size of jellybeans when they are born.
2. The babies are not born with the enzyme that allows them to digest the otherwise poisonous eucalyptus leaf. They acquire the enzyme through eating the mothers’ pap, otherwise known as shit!
3. In the 1920’s, the koala was almost extinct due to hunting.
After the presentation, Daniel and I had our pictures taken with a koala. They were so cool and smelled strongly of eucalyptus.
Later on, I met up with a girl named Michelle, who was the daughter of one of my aunt’s acquaintances. There was a group of them meeting in the valley to do some partying and they invited me to come along. Even though they were complete strangers, I went to go meet them downtown.
I was glad I did. I met them along Brunswick St. after taking the train into the city. We had some drink at a swanky new club and I got to know a whole group of Aussie’s. They were all extremely welcoming, and invited me out to a cookout on Monday, and hooked me up with a contact for work.
Today was absolutely incredible! My family and I left at noon for the Lone Pines Koala Sanctuary just outside of Michelton. Lone Pines is home to hundreds of animals including koalas, kangaroos, snakes, dingoes, and many other native Australian species. The unique thing about Lone Pines however is that you are able to touch and interact with many of the creatures!
When we got to the park we headed for the kangaroo park. There were 3 species of kangaroo running around. On my way in, I found a half bag of food spilled on the ground, so I picked it all up to feed the kangaroos. I walked over to where approximately 25 animals were lazing in the shade and held out food to them.
We continued along through the park checking out all the exhibits, and the hundreds of koalas eating and sleeping in their open-concept compounds. In the snake compound we got to examine some of the deadliest snakes in Australia, including some huge pythons, and a toad that secretes antibiotics that cure STD’s such as Herpes from 2 glands on the back of its neck. Crazy shit!
At 1:30 the Koala exhibit started and one of the Lone Pine staff began a presentation on the koala. Indeed, I learned some interesting facts:
1. The koala is a marsupial that is in the same family as the kangaroo (the young are born in a pouch), and newborns are the size of jellybeans when they are born.
2. The babies are not born with the enzyme that allows them to digest the otherwise poisonous eucalyptus leaf. They acquire the enzyme through eating the mothers’ pap, otherwise known as shit!
3. In the 1920’s, the koala was almost extinct due to hunting.
After the presentation, Daniel and I had our pictures taken with a koala. They were so cool and smelled strongly of eucalyptus.
Later on, I met up with a girl named Michelle, who was the daughter of one of my aunt’s acquaintances. There was a group of them meeting in the valley to do some partying and they invited me to come along. Even though they were complete strangers, I went to go meet them downtown.
I was glad I did. I met them along Brunswick St. after taking the train into the city. We had some drink at a swanky new club and I got to know a whole group of Aussie’s. They were all extremely welcoming, and invited me out to a cookout on Monday, and hooked me up with a contact for work.
JAN 18, 2006
Today was extremely low-key, but productive. I woke up and went to the Brookside mall to buy a new mobile with Vodophone. After I hooked up my new phone my aunt dropped me off at the bank close to my gym and I opened a bank account with ANZ.
After I opened the account I decided to work out for an hour. The guy working the front desk had been to Canada for a year, and had worked up North at the Deerhurst resort in Muskoka, and spent some time in Whistler.
On my way home from the gym I picked up some fresh avocado, pineapple and lychee from the fruit market. The Lychee was expensive, but it is one of my weaknesses!
I got back to the house to find that my aunt and uncle’s next door neighbour had arranged to have his drum set brought over so that I could use it!!! It’s a five-piece set with ride and crash, in pretty decent condition. I was so stoked. I really didn’t expect to be able to play drums for a while.
Some things are just meant to be.
Today was extremely low-key, but productive. I woke up and went to the Brookside mall to buy a new mobile with Vodophone. After I hooked up my new phone my aunt dropped me off at the bank close to my gym and I opened a bank account with ANZ.
After I opened the account I decided to work out for an hour. The guy working the front desk had been to Canada for a year, and had worked up North at the Deerhurst resort in Muskoka, and spent some time in Whistler.
On my way home from the gym I picked up some fresh avocado, pineapple and lychee from the fruit market. The Lychee was expensive, but it is one of my weaknesses!
I got back to the house to find that my aunt and uncle’s next door neighbour had arranged to have his drum set brought over so that I could use it!!! It’s a five-piece set with ride and crash, in pretty decent condition. I was so stoked. I really didn’t expect to be able to play drums for a while.
Some things are just meant to be.
JAN 17, 2006
Today my aunt, my cousin and one of his friends got up early and made our way an hour south to the Gold Coast; in particular, we headed to Surfer’s Paradise. We brought our boogie boards along for the ride and as soon as we stopped we were out running for the ocean.
The waves were much better than Bribie Beach, however not the best I have seen by far. Instead of renting a board as I had planned, I used the boogie boards and body-surfed in the warm water.
We had our fill just after noon and decided to grab a bite to eat on the main drag. I grabbed a chicken pita with my aunt, while my cousin and his friend opted for “Hungry Jack’s,” which is the Aussie equivalent of BK.
We walked along the main strip and Ocean Ave., which is the main club district. After hitting a couple of shops I noticed how awesome the shopping is in Surfer’s. Indeed, the Aussie’s have style!
I said goodbye to my aunt and cousin and tried to check into a hostel for the night. First I tried the popular hostel “Surf ‘n Sun” On Ocean Ave. but found it was full for the evening. Instead, I walked up the street and found a bed at a place called “Cheers.” Cheers seemed alright, and as a bonus, it had a pub underneath the dorms!
I sat around reading for a bit, and then joined a game of asshole with a few Aussie’s and a Canadian who was from Vancouver. Needless to say, the dudes were extremely chill and the night quickly progressed into a debauchery.
The hostel organized a round of “killer pool,” which is a round-robin elimination tournament where each player has three lives and must sink the ball during their turn or loses a life. Each player has 3 lives. Once all of your lives are gone, you are out. Sinking the black ball gives you another life. The last one standing got a $40 tab at the bar.
At around 10PM more people joined into our drinking games including 2 more Canadians and a Brit. Our plan for the evening was to go to Melba’s, which was offering a free drink and a 2 for 1 drink special. Little did I know when I left my aunt’s for 1 night in Surfer’s that the clubs require you to wear pants and closed-toe shoes. I was completely unprepared, having packed for thirty-degree weather. Luckily, one of the Canadians and the Brit hooked me up with shoes, socks and jeans so that I wouldn’t be left out of the festivities.
As soon as we get to the club, one of the Australians named Mike decided that it would be fun to see how much the Canadians can take, and quickly ordered heaps of shots, including rounds of 151 Bacardi. It was a good night.
When all was said and done, there were 3 things I remember from the night:
1. A guy passed out in the driveway outside of the dorm.
2. A Brit in my dorm fed me Bourbon and Coke when I returned from the club and we discussed politics with an Israeli chick.Another Brit roommate returned at 4:30, just as I was getting into REM, turned on the light and started screaming at the top of his lungs. His friend was in bed with a random he picked up at the bar. Too funny!
Today my aunt, my cousin and one of his friends got up early and made our way an hour south to the Gold Coast; in particular, we headed to Surfer’s Paradise. We brought our boogie boards along for the ride and as soon as we stopped we were out running for the ocean.
The waves were much better than Bribie Beach, however not the best I have seen by far. Instead of renting a board as I had planned, I used the boogie boards and body-surfed in the warm water.
We had our fill just after noon and decided to grab a bite to eat on the main drag. I grabbed a chicken pita with my aunt, while my cousin and his friend opted for “Hungry Jack’s,” which is the Aussie equivalent of BK.
We walked along the main strip and Ocean Ave., which is the main club district. After hitting a couple of shops I noticed how awesome the shopping is in Surfer’s. Indeed, the Aussie’s have style!
I said goodbye to my aunt and cousin and tried to check into a hostel for the night. First I tried the popular hostel “Surf ‘n Sun” On Ocean Ave. but found it was full for the evening. Instead, I walked up the street and found a bed at a place called “Cheers.” Cheers seemed alright, and as a bonus, it had a pub underneath the dorms!
I sat around reading for a bit, and then joined a game of asshole with a few Aussie’s and a Canadian who was from Vancouver. Needless to say, the dudes were extremely chill and the night quickly progressed into a debauchery.
The hostel organized a round of “killer pool,” which is a round-robin elimination tournament where each player has three lives and must sink the ball during their turn or loses a life. Each player has 3 lives. Once all of your lives are gone, you are out. Sinking the black ball gives you another life. The last one standing got a $40 tab at the bar.
At around 10PM more people joined into our drinking games including 2 more Canadians and a Brit. Our plan for the evening was to go to Melba’s, which was offering a free drink and a 2 for 1 drink special. Little did I know when I left my aunt’s for 1 night in Surfer’s that the clubs require you to wear pants and closed-toe shoes. I was completely unprepared, having packed for thirty-degree weather. Luckily, one of the Canadians and the Brit hooked me up with shoes, socks and jeans so that I wouldn’t be left out of the festivities.
As soon as we get to the club, one of the Australians named Mike decided that it would be fun to see how much the Canadians can take, and quickly ordered heaps of shots, including rounds of 151 Bacardi. It was a good night.
When all was said and done, there were 3 things I remember from the night:
1. A guy passed out in the driveway outside of the dorm.
2. A Brit in my dorm fed me Bourbon and Coke when I returned from the club and we discussed politics with an Israeli chick.Another Brit roommate returned at 4:30, just as I was getting into REM, turned on the light and started screaming at the top of his lungs. His friend was in bed with a random he picked up at the bar. Too funny!
JAN 16, 2006
It was a very busy day today. I woke up casually around 9AM and made myself “breakie” as the Australians call it. They do this to other words too. For instance, Christmas is “Chrissie,” Mosquito is “Mozzie” etc. And they think I sound funny! I finished up “Breakie” and my aunt drove me into Brisbane so that I could get some work done on my thesis, researching at the Queensland State library.
I spent the morning researching my thesis on Product Placement in the media.
After a few hours in the library I headed back out into the midday heat and once again walked through the Queen St. mall. I walked past the huge casino and explored some of the clothing shops and looked into mobile prices and plans.
I spent the rest of the afternoon listening to “The Da Vinci Code” on audio book and wandered the streets in the extreme heat. By the time I reached my uncles work where my aunt was going to pick us up I was drenched in sweat. I cooled of in the air-conditioned lobby of Hatch Australia and waited.
The Aussie’s are so great! Yesterday one of my aunt and uncle’s neighbours overheard my complaints about not being able to workout at the gym. Today he kindly dropped of a free pass to his gym, which was biking distance away. After we finished I decided to check the place out and ended up staying for an hour and a half. After chatting up the front attendant, I am pretty sure I will be working out for free while I am here! What can I say; I am good with my words…
I finished the night reading the book “Ecstasy” by “Trainspotting” author Irvine Welsh, and played around with some of my new software.
It was a very busy day today. I woke up casually around 9AM and made myself “breakie” as the Australians call it. They do this to other words too. For instance, Christmas is “Chrissie,” Mosquito is “Mozzie” etc. And they think I sound funny! I finished up “Breakie” and my aunt drove me into Brisbane so that I could get some work done on my thesis, researching at the Queensland State library.
I spent the morning researching my thesis on Product Placement in the media.
After a few hours in the library I headed back out into the midday heat and once again walked through the Queen St. mall. I walked past the huge casino and explored some of the clothing shops and looked into mobile prices and plans.
I spent the rest of the afternoon listening to “The Da Vinci Code” on audio book and wandered the streets in the extreme heat. By the time I reached my uncles work where my aunt was going to pick us up I was drenched in sweat. I cooled of in the air-conditioned lobby of Hatch Australia and waited.
The Aussie’s are so great! Yesterday one of my aunt and uncle’s neighbours overheard my complaints about not being able to workout at the gym. Today he kindly dropped of a free pass to his gym, which was biking distance away. After we finished I decided to check the place out and ended up staying for an hour and a half. After chatting up the front attendant, I am pretty sure I will be working out for free while I am here! What can I say; I am good with my words…
I finished the night reading the book “Ecstasy” by “Trainspotting” author Irvine Welsh, and played around with some of my new software.
JAN 15, 2006
I stayed up late making photo slideshows on my new laptop using Roxio Media Creator; I’m finally putting some of this new technology to work!
I was going to head into Surfer’s Paradise tonight for a couple of days but decided it would be best to nurse the sunburn, sit around and read. I made plans for the week and it looks as though it will be the city tomorrow to hit the library, Surfer’s Tuesday and Wednesday, and Noosa Thursday and Friday. Plans are always tentative these days since I have been doing things day to day.
Finally, I had the opportunity to hit the gym today and am starting to feel 100% again after the crazy flight. I did push-ups and sit-ups and walked the steep hills around Michelton. On my walk I saw two huge spiders in a gap between two fruit trees. My cousin has promised to take me to see a bunch of spiders in a fence near the mall; apparently there are hundreds!
Besides working out, I spent the day floating in the pool, feeding the local possum we call “Billy” and stared at the stars. What a life!!!
I stayed up late making photo slideshows on my new laptop using Roxio Media Creator; I’m finally putting some of this new technology to work!
I was going to head into Surfer’s Paradise tonight for a couple of days but decided it would be best to nurse the sunburn, sit around and read. I made plans for the week and it looks as though it will be the city tomorrow to hit the library, Surfer’s Tuesday and Wednesday, and Noosa Thursday and Friday. Plans are always tentative these days since I have been doing things day to day.
Finally, I had the opportunity to hit the gym today and am starting to feel 100% again after the crazy flight. I did push-ups and sit-ups and walked the steep hills around Michelton. On my walk I saw two huge spiders in a gap between two fruit trees. My cousin has promised to take me to see a bunch of spiders in a fence near the mall; apparently there are hundreds!
Besides working out, I spent the day floating in the pool, feeding the local possum we call “Billy” and stared at the stars. What a life!!!
JAN 14, 2006
After a few tumultuous flights from Toronto to LA, then Fiji, and finally Brisbane, I have quickly settled into my new life in OZ. It’s been a few days of sitting by the pool, drinking cocktails, and exploring the city.
The day I arrived I spent swimming with my cousin Daniel and tried to stay awake as long as I could to try and thwart the jet lag. I stayed up until 10 PM (roughly 50 hours awake) and finally fell asleep standing up.
Yesterday, my aunt Jill, uncle Mark and cousin Daniel hopped onto the train in Michelton and headed into the city to explore. We walked along the river, taking in the lush wildlife of the botanical gardens, including the mangroves at low tide. We ate lunch at a Greek café, and walked along the path near a man-made beach on the South island.
Later, we took the city cat (a taxi on the water) across to the North Bank. We went shopping in the open-air Queen St. mall. I went into see a travel agent and walked out with a flight of $150 to Melbourne on the 28th.
For the rest of the afternoon we “perved” (looked at girls),
drank pints and got messed up. In the evening, my uncle and I met up with some of his work friends for more pints at the Pig ‘n Whistle.
I finished the night drinking bottles of beer at Steve and Heidi’s, Mark and Jill’s next-door neighbours.
Pura Vida!
After a few tumultuous flights from Toronto to LA, then Fiji, and finally Brisbane, I have quickly settled into my new life in OZ. It’s been a few days of sitting by the pool, drinking cocktails, and exploring the city.
The day I arrived I spent swimming with my cousin Daniel and tried to stay awake as long as I could to try and thwart the jet lag. I stayed up until 10 PM (roughly 50 hours awake) and finally fell asleep standing up.
Yesterday, my aunt Jill, uncle Mark and cousin Daniel hopped onto the train in Michelton and headed into the city to explore. We walked along the river, taking in the lush wildlife of the botanical gardens, including the mangroves at low tide. We ate lunch at a Greek café, and walked along the path near a man-made beach on the South island.
Later, we took the city cat (a taxi on the water) across to the North Bank. We went shopping in the open-air Queen St. mall. I went into see a travel agent and walked out with a flight of $150 to Melbourne on the 28th.
For the rest of the afternoon we “perved” (looked at girls),
drank pints and got messed up. In the evening, my uncle and I met up with some of his work friends for more pints at the Pig ‘n Whistle.
I finished the night drinking bottles of beer at Steve and Heidi’s, Mark and Jill’s next-door neighbours.
Pura Vida!
JAN 10, 2006
In one way, saying goodbye us so hard, while at the same time, so easy. I have had to say goodbye to my good friends, my family and my soul mate. The tears are painful, yet full of understanding and love. I will miss many things about this way of life, but the time has come to explore.
I made my way through customs, but two minutes ahead of the legendary James Brown, master of funk. As I finished a burger at the gate café, I think about history, my present surroundings, and the future experiences yet to come. I am blessed, I am ready.
I wonder what sights I will behold, what trials will hold me back, the people I will meet, and the relationships…I think about the waves I will ride and the music I will play.
Bring it on.
EVERYTHING AT ONCE
Make your move.
Today or tomorrow it will make sense.
Hope and dream and do not be afraid to fail.
Never give up.
Rise above it all.
It’s as every moment equals a sum.
Be ready to use your legs and run.
Grab hold of destiny and help it unfold.
Destiny is meant to unfold.
These are just words.I am just human.
In one way, saying goodbye us so hard, while at the same time, so easy. I have had to say goodbye to my good friends, my family and my soul mate. The tears are painful, yet full of understanding and love. I will miss many things about this way of life, but the time has come to explore.
I made my way through customs, but two minutes ahead of the legendary James Brown, master of funk. As I finished a burger at the gate café, I think about history, my present surroundings, and the future experiences yet to come. I am blessed, I am ready.
I wonder what sights I will behold, what trials will hold me back, the people I will meet, and the relationships…I think about the waves I will ride and the music I will play.
Bring it on.
EVERYTHING AT ONCE
Make your move.
Today or tomorrow it will make sense.
Hope and dream and do not be afraid to fail.
Never give up.
Rise above it all.
It’s as every moment equals a sum.
Be ready to use your legs and run.
Grab hold of destiny and help it unfold.
Destiny is meant to unfold.
These are just words.I am just human.
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