The Final Chapter

Hello readers.
I've been going on lately about how nothing's going on, and how I'm just ticking over.
Haha, not so much now.
I went out on Friday night, to the rock club, and then on Saturday I had been invited out by some of the people from the department store I used to work in. That was great, except I was still hungover from the night before.
Anyway, when I got back from the meal, I didn't want to do anything except chill out, maybe even go to bed. But I checked my email first.
Turns out my stepmum and my dad, who are at the moment living in Saudi Arabia, are going back to New Zealand for a couple of weeks, for a skiing trip. And I have been invited!
This is my break, the best way to get out of Sydney. Ha, leaving the country wasn't my first plan, but dammit, it's one of the best that could have sprung on me. It's been a good few months since I saw Dad, and even longer since I've seen Sue. And New Zealand has been a destination I've been aiming for, but I just never thought I'd actually get the chance to make the first move.
Well that move's been made. I just finished sending off the Working Visa application, and I'm pretty syched.
I have two weeks of work left in Sydney, and then I have to claim my taxback. Luckily I was told of a good company to go through, and I'm going to phone them tomorrow, make arrangements. They can fill out the paperwork and then, once I finish working, I send one more docket in and they do the rest.
The flights I'll book once the visa's been approved; I hope it's as quick as the Aussy one was, I want to get a flight fairly close to this date, and as they're cheap (due to the recession) there may not be many seats soon.
A backpack is hopefully being picked up from this friend in the next few days, so that's cool.
And I'm waiting for my birth certificate to be sent, as I need a secondary piece of identification, and because I lost my drivers license, Mum had to help me out. What a lej.
So yeah! The future's brightened considerably.
A small annoyance is of how little of Australia I've seen, but as Abi said to me, there's more time in the world. And as I realised, the beautiful sights aren't nearly as beautiful in winter.
However in NZ, there is real cold. I like the cold :).
And I get to see Fraser again, it's been frikkin ages.
And I was talking to a kiwi guy at work, a good guy, and I was talking of what was available that was more dangerous than a bungee jump. Dan bungeed, and I've been determined to beat him. Turns out skydiving isn't as scary, because you don't push yourself out, you're harnessed to a pro, and you just hang onto him. With a bungee, you have to jump off.
There's a thing called Nemesis, or something. It's a bungee, but instead of off a bridge, it's off a cliff. Or something.
I might just try and fight a Maori... That's gotta be pretty intense.
YEAH. Oh yeah, my pops mentioned an excursion he did to Mt Aspiring. I checked it out on t'internet, and I figured if I want to go camping somewhere, might as well go around A HUGE MOUNTAIN. That'd be cool.
Lots to think about, lots to get done.
Speak soon.
x
Oh yeah, and I finally replaced my Ipod Touch. With a much, much cheaper version. The Touch is $530 here, the one I got is about $12o. Haha. I havn't got it yet, but I'm looking forward to it's arrival.

Heya everyone. I'd posted an update yesterday, but the internet is so FRIKKIN terrible, the computer shut down. So I lost it all. Anywhoo, I tried something new, I tried putting videos up. I'll try again, they explain shizzle. Here we go.
This was the first attempt. It wasn't a success.




And here was the next, slightly better version.



Next step, BBC newsman, chyeaaaaa...
Might try and do more of them in the future, this was a warm up.
But, as I'm finding out, it takes a long, long time to upload. I'm sitting in Mcdonalds, waiting for the damn thing to finish, while hobos tramps and general hoodlums are walking around me.
Vunerable much?
I hope they don't read what I just put though, or I'll be in trouble.
I went to the beach today, the famous Bondi Beach. Not that great, but some friends were going, and once I finished sending the mp4 player back (oh yeah, it was so terrible I had to send it back) I joined them. Just sat on the beach, watching people and digging a huge hole. Then we buried one of the mates. Good laugh.
I was planning on going to the Blue Mountains before I leave, but I don't think that's going to happen now. This evening I'm off to see some friends, hopefully pick up the backpack, and then tomorrow I'm meeting a friend from the place I was working at last week, and we're gonna just hang out somewhere or some hostel people might go to see Transformers 2 at the IMAX, that should be cool. Then it'll be Wednesday, and it's my last night, so there'll be celebrations and whatnot, and then Thursday it'll be packing up. Not nearly as much time as previously thought.
OK, my friend Scotty is a comic book fan, a fan of "graphic novels". I've read some of his, some Batman comics, and they're awesome. Really, really good. And the other day I got one, Watchmen, it's the one that they made into a film recently. Man! So damn good.
I'm wafting, trying to fill in the time. The video's still uploading, and it doesn't have a bar to show how much has been done, so I'm here for an indefinate time, and I don't want to just sit here doing nothing, might as well be typing.
But what ho, I think it's done. Whoop!
I don't believe it, the damn Mcdonalds wifi just booted me off halfway through the DAMNED UPLOAD. Will try again in near future, if I can.
See ya...

Heya everyone. It's Thursday, last full day in Australia. I'm doing my laundry and uploading the videos. Go to Youtube.com and type in Flobbyblobby, and my smiling face will greet you.
Not much else to say really. For my last night, I'll be having a steak in the local, and then me, Scotty and two other guys are gonna go see Transformers 2, at the Imax no less. Looking forward to that. Then coming back, getting a few beers and chilling out, watching movies. If people wanna go out, they can, but I'm gonna kick back. Nice...
Oh yeah, I got the backpack! And a beast it is too. Now the main problem is getting as much stuff as I need, without going over the 20kg limit for airport check in. I look forward to that challenge, considering I have a cooking stove and pots and pans. Haha, might have to leave those. The tent and sleeping bag are priority.
Ok then fellow humanoids, this has been a good blog. I will either start up a New Zealand version, or go to writing in a journal, which I will send home when it's finished/the adventure ends. I'll see what happens. Looking forward to not knowing what happens next. And the mountains. More outdoor dreams last night, thinking of everything that could happen. :D
Speak soon. See you on youtube.

"If you want a happy ending, that depends, of course, on where you stop your story." Orson Wells
"Every end is a new beginning."

See ya.

Tuesday 9th

Hello everybody.
I'm still at the Swagman, still doing nothing. Not living at the moment, just ticking over.
But Scotty might have found a slightly cheaper place, so a move might be in the books.
Really nothing else to say.
Hope you're all well and happy.

:D

"In these last days of time
As the earth spin faster
I often fantasise about the afterlife and here-after
Paradise, the afterlife, land of the pleasant
I dream of how my life will be when I get to heaven
I don't embrace the taste of death
But I don't fear it...
Visions of heaven draw me near it
Everlasting life as a spirit
I obey the commandments, Universal laws
I prophesize about heaven
This is what I saw...
I was placent in the land of milk and honey, fascination
I was given powers beyond the average imagination
But peep this, what I saw next left me speechless
in heaven, everyone had the same level of uniqueness
in heaven, theres no greed, no need for worldly things
no diamond studded rings, peasants become kings
I don't know about you all
But this is were I got to live
Where men and women don't have to be so provocative
And live as true kings
See in the way we do things
Intoxicate your minds without that gin and juice that snoop brings
By far in the heaven the world is ours
No more drugs, money and cars
Just suns moons and stars
Reunited In the universal family
The man in me cant wait for heaven to fulfil my wildest fantasies
As I search for better days and praise the number seven
When I get to heaven...

So fresh, (so fresh)
So fly (so fly)
My life in paradise

So fresh, (so fresh)
So fly (so fly)
My life in paradise

Once again it's the Last Emp the raw
These lyrics wont leave you gassed
In heaven I encounter famous spirits from the past
I crack jokes with black folks
Like robin Harris and Red Fox
Loungin' with Bob Marley, giving me tips on my dreadlocks
To put it loosely, an angel will introduce me
To all these famous people I'll learn kung fu Bruce Lee
The best rhymes on the best labels
Doin shows with ??? and Prince Messiah on the tables
Discussing politics with ??? and Malcolm
By chance Queen latifah brother Lance will do production on my album
Heaven tracks with heavenly rhyming
Jimmi Hendrix on guitar vocals by Phillis Hymen
Yes in my heaven my album will be a smash
Generating cash, serving rappers like off the ash
Flippin' in the sense of free voice, I can rejoice
Look over there its Heavy D's boy, Trouble T Roy!!
Hes kickin' dead stuff with Sammy Davis Junior
If I known heaven was Gonna be like this Ida been here sooner
Where heavenly emcees can be
No robbery, no thievery...
No police brutality for Eazy E
And all our love ones that passed away
Take it from me, some day we can all be free like Donnie Hathaway
I make the world feel my presence
Until I'm called back to the essence.
When I get to heaven....

Chorus

Its one for the physical
Its two for the spirit
Three for hip hop
That makes ya heads bob when you hear it
My minds in heaven and im lovin' it
No politicians, no government
No democrats, no republicans
And in the other men might create a civilisation
Where hip hop rules
The Emp the Raw rocks the nation
There's no stress in heaven we all relax
And real lyricists sign record contracts
Not these gun toting, blunt smoking
Cross over acts, lying on wax
Claiming they drop facts
Imagine possibly no animosity
or malice, where your home is a palace
Sippin' wine from a golden chalice
Just loungin' and living lovely
No one above me, the very thought of it drugs me
Just like this track does me
In heaven people live there lives how they happen to live'em
No longer trapped in a prison
None of this capitalism, no need to boast squad
Even try to pose high, just give thanks and praise to the most high
And maybe we can all make it
And take it right back to the essence
When I get to heaven..." (The Last Emperor, Heaven)

Friday 23 May

Hello hello.
Things aren't too bad here. Still working as often as possible, and because of a very generous donation I haven't had to spend any of my earned money this week on transport or food, so saving is easier. Also grabbing all the free stuff I can, it helps.
I have just finished reading Twilight. Ha, it's brilliant. It took a day and a half, and I have the second one, ready for tomorrow. Thanks to Abi and Cat, it was as good as you said.
I had a reply for the cattle ranch job, and there's not much work at the moment. I shall wait.
And also, a friend is looking to get rid of her backpack, and she was eying up my suitcase, so another swapsies could be imminent.
And also, I've planned where to travel. West of the city are the Blue Mountains; I was planning a camp a few months ago, and I may try it. That's my latest plan. I'm very aware that I've made a few of these plans, and none have come to completion, and so if this one never starts I will be very, very annoyed.
All it takes is the first step out the door. The rest is easy.

Dan, nice one about exams, you have any plans for free time? Thanks for that hat advice, I was toying with getting a cheap one from a tourist shop, but if it's a long time I'll be using it, the extra spendage will be payed off in quality.
Say heydeehey to Cat and folks, and speak soon man! Oh jeez, I'm not sure why but lately I've been having serious urges to play Skies of Arcadia. No idea what started it, but I need to play that game again, haha.
Abi, I'm planning on keeping a journal, and I'm gonna try and make some video diaries when I can, and then post them on the web when I get back.
And Ma, thanks for that, I've heard good stuff about it. Just need to get a job there, haha.

Right, I have work tomorrow, and it's late. Must be off, toodlepip.

"I like the dark, it's when you can see the stars." (Bella, from Twilight)

Hi everyone.
I'm not happy. In fact, I'm gutted, and annoyed. I got a phonecall today, from my job agency. My old job, the good paying one, has a free place, and I was asked to fill it. The cinch? I have to stay in Sydney for another four or five weeks.
I took the job, because I need money, and this is a certain chance to get it. But I'm so, so damn annoyed. I was looking forward to being called and told that there was no work left at the department store, because then I could have finally had the boost to go camping. I had a dream last night of just that, and I woke up really psyched up for it. The dream was great, actually, it was of Dan and me, and we were living in this little hut in the tiniest of villages, and we had to catch fish and hunt animals, and it was awesome.
But because I now have to stay in Sydney for another month, it means that when I'm free, I'll have about six days to start the cattle ranching job, in order to complete the full three months for a second year visa. If I do manage to get a job after those six days, I'm pretty sure the farmer would sign for the visa anyway (there are so many ways of skipping through the legal requirements, apparently only one out of fifty written applications get checked). But it's just so frustrating.
And the most annoying part? I remember writing not so long ago, saying how I make all these plans that never happen. This was the closest I'd come to going through with a plan, and now it's bogus.
But.
Now I've had a chance to work stuff out, plans may have changed. What I'm thinking of doing now, is working these four or five weeks, in that time getting my tax back (end of the tax year). This will leave me, I'm guessing, with around maybe $5,000, maybe more if I save and am lucky. That will then let me get a New Zealand visa. I can then do my camping, going up the coast to see a bit of sand, a bit of the East coast. And then around September, I trot over to New Zealand, and then I would like to get serious. I want mountains, I want real wild. I prefer forest to jungle, and New Zealand has that kind of terrain. I want to walk through some of the places seen on Lord of the Rings.
So that is what's forming in my mind. Disappointed about the way it's worked, but needs can overule wants. Gotta look for that silver lining.
On the plus side, me and Scott have found a cheaper place, literally across the road from the hostel. There's nothing keeping us here now; almost everyone has moved out, and the place is overrun by new people, making the oldies the outcasts. So saving could be slightly easier. And also, by starting this old job again, I might try and go to the classes I haven't been to in a while. I need to lose weight, I've seriously plumped up, because I was planning on burning it off on this ex-camp. So yeah, throw out the pies, in with the veg.
So many annoying niggles.
And I finished the second Twilight book a few days ago, I'm now waiting for the third one, that's circling the hostel. Can't wait.
Ok everyone, it's late and I need to grab some sleep. All the best, hope everyone's ok. Good luck to those hunting for jobs, and for those finishing exams, keep at it, the end of the tunnel's in sight.

Saturday 17th May

Heya everyone.
I know I haven't updated in a while, I apologize. Life is moving slower than I like at the moment. I wanted to move out of Sydney a month ago, but sometimes what you want isn't easy.
I've now officially applied for cattle ranch agencies, I'm expecting a call back any day now. Meanwhile (luckily) I'm still getting hours at this huge convenience store, and I'm on a mission to spend as little money as possible other than obvious expenses, ie rent. Food is now something to be rationed. I don't drink at the moment, I don't go out. Not that I did before, heh, but now I have a better reason for it.
Oh yeah! Something awesome happened yesterday. I was working at the department store, and I got invited out for drinks after work. I have been accepted in society! Man, it was such a frikking good feeling, having a laugh with people completely unrelated to the hostel. And now I know more people at the job, it makes it more fun. I'm already meeting loads of them, and I get a smile and a wave from some of the nicer ones. Man, I love it. And also, nobody there thinks I'm under 25, haha. Every time they realise, it's the same response. It's good. It's goooood.
Heh.
On a downer, I'm ill again. Was throwing up last night, haven't eaten a meal comfortably since. I'm sure it'll be ok, it's just annoying. Everyone is sneezing and coughing. This flu epidemic is really serious, I passed a bus while walking down the street and a lot of people on it were wearing masks, covering their mouth and nose. Because Australia is so close to Asia, it's a lot more paranoid. But I think, I think, that there haven't been any confirmed cases. Yet.
I'm still planning my camping trip. All I need (still), is a backpack, which I can get because Scotty owes me a bit of money, and can pay back whenever, I need some iodine tablets, some filter paper and I need a trip to a hardware store to get some copper or aluminium piping, with which I hope to make a blowgun. I plan to go out with some big bags of rice, and then I'll hunt for meat. Probably birds. Scatter a bit of rice, get the birds or animal close, and then pfft. A meal. I have everything else I need. Oh yeah, and a map.
The knife I bought has some fishing line inside, so I can find a small river and then snaffle a worm, or a gecko. Spook a gecko and it's tail gets detached, and riggles. Stick that on a hook, and just wait for a fishy to bite. The knife also has a compass, so that'll be good.
The cattle ranch job sounds awesome. I read some details, and it involves horse riding, wild camping, cooking, cattle catching and branding, fence building and mending, possibly tutoring kids... Everything. Which is great! I've put up fences, I've helped kids with homework (Tom Elliot and Daisy, I'm looking at you), I like camping and I'm looking forward to getting back on a horse. And I've told myself that if I get a job, I'm gonna buy the classic Ozzy hat. And maybe some boots. If I can afford it.
Right, I'm outta material. I hope this long post covers part the lack of postings. Good luck to exam peoples, all of you guys, and everyone else, keep smiling. Think of rainbows, the rays of light through a raincloud, and sunrises.
Haha.
All the best.
Tom

Friday 9th

Hey everyone.
Just letting you know I'm still here, still breathing.
I want to get out of Sydney. I want to go camping, and just live outside of cities for a while. I would like a bit of breathing space.
However, I need more money to get this started, and I need to start fruitpicking soon to get the three months needed in. So I'm still grabbing all the hours I can for this rubbish-payed department store job, but it doesn't really save money, it just keeps the balance even.
I found that I have about $4000 in tax money, which I can claim back, it's just difficult. I'll look into it, because that would really, really help.
Not much more to say.
Speak soon.

"Not all who wander are lost."

Friday 1 May

Hi everyone.
Man, this week has been a bit more exciting than usual. I have worked since Tuesday, and I have more work this Sunday and all next week, at the huge supermarket place. Damn, it's so much better than the Co-op, haha. Great people, a nice atmosphere. And the pay is nice too, fnar.
So I'm happy with that.
And two oldies have come back! Marta and Giovanni, two awesome people who were in the Swagman when I arrived and through my first stay in Sydney, have come back. They're leaving soon, to go fruit picking, so this means that if they find a place, I can phone them and join them, and have a kickass three months. Looking forward to it so much more now.
So yeah. Working most days for a week, that should help get me by. It's because lots of people are ill, and there's been some people quitting. Man, an economic crisis and a pandemic - not a fun mix, at all. This country is scared, the danger level for this swine flu has jumped up to level 5, out of six levels. The world is burning, for some reason.
Anyway, gotta go. A drunk has sat next to me (I'm in Maccy's) and I don't trust him.
Oh, I'm eating healthily again now. I know I keep saying this, but it's on my mind at the moment.
I'll upload some photos when I can, I took them just for you persistent fools. But the hostel internet has crashed again.
Speak soon, all the best.

Oh yeah, to Cat's message. A friend of mine has the books, so I might try and steal them from him. I've heard from lots of people now that the books are much better, so I look forward to a possibly good read. :)

Friday 24th

Heya people.
I'm sorry for lack of update, I've been unable to get online in a while.
Ok, the last three days I managed to find work, I was taking down and putting up a fence. Hard work but good fun, I was using power tools. Three days use of circular saws and nail guns, and no injuries! Man, that surprised me, and it feels good.
So I can pay for another week. And the money from home arrived, so I'll go to the airport tomorrow and pay for the flight change.
I have to get out of here. And luckily, a friend from the hostel has given me a number of a farm that I could be going to, in Cairns. If I get work there, I'll be so happy... A change of scene, a chance to save up money... I see no downsides there. Plus I'll have a country to live in for another year if I work hard enough, and there is work available. Banana picking. I like bananas.
I still haven't been drunk since the last time I got wasted, it must have been a month now, probably more. I don't feel the need to anymore. I don't actually want to - I'm surrounded by people who pull out the box wine, for no reason. I don't want that.
So yeah. I'm selling some stuff, I'm trying to get a backpack. I found a cable for the camera too, so I might be able to take pics and put them on here.
I hear your country is warming up now, eh? Ha, over here it's still warm in the day, but it gets dark about 5.30, and last night it got so cold I had to put a coat and jacket over myself while sleeping. Was lovely.
I'm still ill! This cold won't go, I still have a cough... And the second day of this fence work, I had that recurring problem, my stomach/belly area was excruciating. It was so bad this time that I stumbled to the nearest shop at four thirty in the morning, and spent $2o on painkillers. I thought it might have been bad indigestion, but after taking the right stuff it didn't go. So I managed to get to work, throwing up on the way there, when I got there. It wasn't fun, but I was ok once I started working, and I got a day's pay, which I needed.
Not fun.
I hope you guys are all ok? Working hard, staying healthy?
Not sure what else to say really. Still miss most of you. Haha, I'm kidding, I miss you all. Trying to stay on top of birthdays, if people don't get theirs then just wait a few days, it should get there.
Right, gonna head off. Spaghetti, tomato sauce and sausage meatballs are waiting to be made.

"All the ways you wish you could be, that's me. I look like you wanna look, I ---- like you wanna ----, I am smart, capable, and most importantly, I am free in all the ways that you are not. " (Tyler Durden, Fight Club)

"I'm going nuts, man. I can't be someone else every day. It's been a year of this. I've had enough of this!"
Dignam: "Calm down, alright? Most people in the world do it every day. What's the big deal?" (Dignam, The Departed)

Heya everyone.
Today is Thursday 29. I've been at work, and then I watched "Twilight", the new film about vampires. I'm guessing it's been around in England for a while now, but nevertheless, if you haven't seen it, I think you should. It's a good film. Lots of emotions.
I bought a bottle of rum the other day, Captain Morgan's Spiced Rum. It's nearly gone now, but I hope it'll last a few nights longer.
Not much to report on really. Same as always. Basically, in a nutshell:
Always looking for work, therefore money,
Working as much as possible,
Trying to pay for rent.
I'm working at David Jones, a huge supermarket. And in my hour long lunchbreaks, I've developed a habit. I go up to the foodcourt, get a cheap sandwich to takeaway, go down to the bookshop and then sit and read "Splinter Cell". It's a book by Tom Clancy, about Sam Fisher, a man who few of you will recognize. The few who do, should read these books: they're pretty good, the description is a bit weak, but the action sequences are very detailed, and it feels like you're watching the actions take place on a big screen.
Enough said really. Speak soon, not much to say. Miss a lot of you, loads.
Tom

Sunday 12th April

Hidey Hi!!!
It's Sunday. Easter. The day that Christ reawakened, I think. My holiday knowledge is fuzzy. But I DO know that today is my brother's birthday, so will everybody please give a round of applause for Dan making it to 22 years of age.
I will speak to la famille later today, hopefully. Having a few Skype problems, but sorting them out as I type.
I mentioned a plan, of walking around the coast to another city? Well, I had a "practise" the other day. I walked for four and a half hours, and I think I managed just over 18km in that time. Now I need to know distances to other places, cost of backpacks and tent, and then calculate how long it should take me. Then I can work out how much food to carry. Water is the problem, I'll be walking along roads without shops for quite a while. But I can buy some water cleansing pills, or even some filter paper and a funnel, and then filter seawater. Problems and methods, see?
Everyone is out drinking tonight, but I'm not with them. Didn't feel like it. I haven't gotten drunk in at least two weeks now, that's not bad in an environment where there is ALWAYS at least three people planning on getting drunk a night.
I worked Thursday and Saturday, and I have work for this Tuesday, so I'm happy with finances for this week. And I plan to pawn some stuff I have on Wednesday, and get a haircut. Guh, plans all round at the moment.
In technological news, my DVD player on my laptop might now be truly buggered. It won't recognise DVD's at all, something which vexes me. It vexes me right off.
Ok, I need to get back. I'll get a phone call soon, and I need to take it.
Speak soon y'all.

Heya people.
Not much to say. I've managed to find work the last few days, some good jobs. Yesterday I worked for a company that made beer and then sold it on to smaller companies, to sell on again. I was in a huge garage, just moving stuff around, and I came out of the work with some shiny notes, a new small backpack and free bottles of beer. And today I worked for three hours for $80 (score), for the guy I worked with a few weeks ago in the crazy pot shop. But today we were demolishing an apartment. Handyman jobs are great! I was given a mallet, and told to break some walls.
Oh yeah, I got a haircut. I don't like it, it's too short. Here's a tip; never piss off an italian barber, holding a razor. Scary stuff. "That doesn't look like the pictures."
"What? You tella me to cut it, and it looks like-a that. Look at it!"
"Oh yeah, it does look like that..."
What a woos.
Anyway, still saving up money to get out of this crazy city. I might need to get some money from my home account, to pay for the flight change. So I'll be in touch.
Ok people, speak soon, I'm ill and annoyed. (Bad work session this evening.)
See ya.

Warro everyone!
I almost didn't leave a post today, but then I remembered I had some big news to write.
Yah, haha, I bought a tent and camping supplies today. Oh my, it's amazing what people will get rid of when they move off... I bought:
A tent, sleeping bag, camping stove, pans, sleeping mat and some plates, all for $50.
Woop! Now I can investigate camping sites around Sydney, see if I can stretch the savings even more by only paying one or two nights accomodation in a hostel, the rest I can slum it in my new pimp shack. It's a pimp shack, not a tent, because lots of people in a campsite have tents, but I'm guessing few of them have pimp shacks. I might hang some beads from the centre poles, and maybe steal a tiki torch, haha.
Anyway, this brings me a huge deal closer to my walking trip, all I need now is a backpack, and I'm on my way to getting that. A friend at the hostel is looking for a suitcase, and I'm looking for a backpack... Swapsies might be in order.
On top of that, I'm going to try and walk down to the fish market tomorrow, see if I can get a job on a fishing boat. If I can, it will be awesome. There are some more mini cruise liners down there too, so it can't hurt to let them know how wicked awesome I am.
On health news, I'm slowly recovering from my illness bout. I have had a constant, severe headache the last week, and a cold at the same time. Not sure if they're related, but the headache's wearing off slightly.
Right, I gotta go. Speak soon, all the best.

Thursday 2nd April

Heya people. It is indeed Thursday, I'm in Maccy's (free internet, haven't bought anything, ain't gonna) and I'm still applying for cruise ships. There's so many! But I think this Saturday, I might go down to the harbour, and try and find a job on a fishing boat, something along that line. I'm determined for this to happen.
I have a job! For the last two days, and tomorrow, I've been working for a shop that sells outdoor furniture. Huge pots and urns from Thailand. I mean, huge. Like, I could have a bath in one. Very heavy, but I'm working with a good team, and it's actually quite fun. And I sleep like a beby. Getting some exercise, heh.
People are leaving. In the hostel I'm staying at, everyone is like a family, and when people leave it can get quite emotional. And my friends are starting to ship off home too. I may have mentioned a guy called Oli? Yeah, he's leaving, and it ain't fun. And there are more to go. Just something to get used to, everyone leaves eventually, and as harsh as it is, there's not much we can do about it.
I can't think of much else, really. Am on the instant noodles again. I don't have to be, but I learned that keeping food cheap as possible is a very good thing, in the long run. I'm going to sell some things as well, some useless things I've been lugging around. I bought a mini hifi in Melbourne that's been sitting under my bed, I can turn that into cash. And getting rid of a few pairs of shoes that I never wear, that can't hurt.
Right, I'm out, haha.
All the best. A return message will be sent as a comment.

Hey, it's Wednesday. I tried posting yesterday, but the internet crashed, so sorry Abi and those people waiting fruitlessly.
I'm ill! Yes, the invincible one has been weakened, with a sore throat and a cold. Not funky, but everyone in the hostel has had it, so I'm not complaining too loudly.
For the people who don't know, I managed to change my flight home. I am now returning to the homeland on the 23rd of September, the time when my Aussie visa runs out. I just need to go to the airport to pay for the change, as I don't have a credit card. So yes, a few more months before you see this bubbly pot of joy.
I'm not sure what to say, really. The hostel is just as happy, but I'm going out with them less often, and drinking less. The latter I'm only too happy with, I really don't enjoy drinking at the moment. Don't drink, kids, it ain't cool or fun.
What I really want to do is start going back to the park, regularly, but I don't have the money to do it safely right now.
My plans, here they are. I'm planning a walk. A big one. Either up the coast to Cairns, or down south, back to Melbourne, where there might be job left fruitpicking in Tasmania. But yeah, I'm really gearing up for ditching my chaff and walking my way around. It'd save a pretty penny, and it'd be a nice way to see the country. And it'd be healthy. The only thing I need is a tent, and a steady supply of water. But I'm thinking of following the coast around, stopping off in the little towns when I need to, there will be plenty on the way.
Yeah. That's a plan. The more I think about it, the more I want to do it. I haven't done something big for a while, and the hardest part is starting off. Once you're a day in, it's easy, you just keep walking.
So I'm looking into that.
Still looking for a semi permanent job, instead of maybe three days a week if I'm lucky. Will check out some places soon.
Right, I'm out of words. Except the ones in italics.

"Our reality is only a perception of information we have access to." (Can't remember)
"A living is what we earn, a life is what we give." (Winston Churchill)

Wednesday 25th March

Heya everyone.
Sorry for this late post, havn't felt like logging on for a while.
Life back in the Swagman is strange. It's odd to be back in a place you thought you might never return to. Getting a job is difficult, but tomorrow I will phone the company I worked for months ago, see if they'd like someone who already knows the ropes giving a hand. I doubt they'll have a job open though, seems like things were ticking more smoothly when they stopped me working before.
The people I'm getting to know are all decent. When I left, there was a balanced mix of languages, but now pretty much everyone is English. It's nice in a way, but when there are lots of 'lads', it gets heavy sometimes. But Scott is here, and Pierre (a cool French guy) came back, so I know more people well. Still get lonely, now and then. I don't have a really close friend, just lots of friends. Would be kinda nice to sit back with a bro or stepbro, just watch a movie, without having to get drunk on cheap box wine to pass the time. I'm not drinking at the moment, after a bad spell. The last few times, I suddenly got very drunk very quickly, and wake up with a headache, not knowing if I embarrased myself the night before. There are still a few things I hide from the people around me, and I'd like to keep it that way. But the last time I got drunk, it was so bad, the local tramp had to help me get inside. That's not funny to me, that's too far. People laughed, said it was hilarious, but it scares me, not being in control. So I haven't touched a drop since. I'm happy to watch others get drunk around me.
There are some very good looking girls here too, but I can't let myself get close, it just doesn't happen. I'm not trying anymore, really. I'm happy to be a friend.
Meanwhile, my fast food intake has risen drastically. Not something happy about, but I just get so hungry, and it's always at night, when the shops are closed. I try to time my meals, to avoid the inevitable, but when I think I've managed to get through the urges return stronger. I have a plan though, I'm going to record everything I eat. Then hopefully I'll put myself off having to read a long list of crap at the end of the night.
I plan to try and start running again. I went to this beach a bus ride away, and the direction goes through Rushcutter's Bay, so I hope to run through the bay to the beach, and then swim, and then maybe walk or bus back. And I also plan on going back to the park, I want to make that a regular thing. I want to come home with more skills, and I won't if I don't push myself to.
My birthday is nearby. I don't know how I feel about that, to be honest. One part of me doesn't want it to, because everyone will be constantly around me, and they'll expect me to get wasted at a club, and I don't want that. But then, I remember not looking forward to last year's birthday, and it turned out to be really good, my best.
So I really don't know.
I need to plan out my flight. That is vital. I just checked it, but will make phone calls, and stuff, hopefully soon.
So many plans, and it feels like only a month since I first got to this country.

Right people, I have to go. I might buy that tramp some chicken Mcnuggets as a thank you.
All the best, hope you're all still working or studying, and having fun, whichever is applicable.
Speak soon.

“All travel has its advantages. If the passenger visits better countries, he may learn to improve his own. And if fortune carries him to worse, he may learn to enjoy it.” (Samuel Johnson)
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” (Mark Twain)

Hello everyone!
Thank you for all the birthday love, I had a great day. Spent the first part walking round the city looking for jobs, and then chilled in a park for a while. Then I came back to the hostel, got pulled into a drinking game where whenever anyone said the word "birthday" I had to drink.
After a few "Happy Birthday to You"s, I was fairly plastered. I do remember, however, stumbling to Mcdonalds, and sending off a job application to the Cruise Ship company! Man, when I remembered I'd done that I was worried, but I've just checked it and it's a surprisingly good application. Could still be sailing round Africa, cleaning a pool on a huge ship.
I got lots of Facebook love, that was nice. And people at the hostel are now really gelling, it's a really nice place to stay again.
But today, just now in fact, a friend went out to a club. She's leaving tomorrow, so it was the Leaving Outting, and she was upset that not many people were going out. So I joined them, to boost the numbers.
Turns out they were going to a gay club. Wow. Now I hate clubs, I can't dance, and I'm not gay, so I was worried. But hey, haha, I had a good time. An hour later I was going mental. Good stuff.
Actually enjoyed myself. It won't happen again, it was a one off, but it was a good night.
Right, I'm getting tired. It's 3.40, I've spent an hour thanking everyone on Facebook.
I have a thing on Tuesday, a day course that will allow me to work in places that serve alcohol, so that'll help with jobs, and on Wednesday I might be working for a guy unloading shipping containers, so looking forward to that.
Ok people, lots of love, all the best.
xx

Saturday 14th

Heya guys.
Nothing to report on really. Had to change hostels, probably for the last time in Melbourne. But got to carry my luggage through the city in a storm, that was nice.
And I got stopped by police on the way. They had a report that a drunk person was throwing over tables in the Aussy equivalent of Burger King, and I fitted the guy's description. Was quite fun actually. They could tell I wasn't drunk, and so I enjoyed the experience of being questioned.
I'm a bit low at the moment, but I'm not sure why. I get lonely sometimes.
It'll pass once I get back to Sydney, I'm guessing. Not much longer.
Anyway, speak soon.

"Don't you worry son,
the hills and mountains you look upon,
It's in your Blood, it's in your soul,
And it will be till you grow old." (Lee Evans, Land of Your Forefathers)

Still Saturday. It's frikking freezing. I love it. The moon is full, and people are staring at me staring at the moon. However, two wasted Tasmanians are nearby, pissing in hedges and enlightening me on how they're feeling. They're fun drunks, but it's still slightly unnerving.

Hello hello! It's Tuesday night, on the 17th of March. I have just had an stressful and emotional few phone calls, basically cancelling my university application for this year. But it's not as bad as I had originally thought; my plan was to reapply this year for next year, but having been told that I probably won't get a place as I applied late, I can apply later this year for next year. All I'd be doing is reapplying, without a gap year. And as I've made my mistakes, I won't make them again, that's the plan. So it is annoying, but it certainly isn't a disaster. When I was told I probably wouldn't get in, I was angry, because if I go home this June/July, then I will have only been to two cities, and would have therefore wasted my trip. That's what I felt.
Now I'm slightly more relaxed, things make more sense.
No other news apart from that, that's pretty much the main event of the day. I'm going back to Sydney tomorrow probably, and I bought a nice jacket. It's St Patrick's day, so there are lots of drunk people. I might let off some steam with the help of a bottle. Of Jaiger.
Right, I'm done here.
All the best. Lots of love, LOTS of love. Y'hear?
See ya.

HEYO.
I'm back in the Jolly Swagman, in Sydney. Just got here, the bus journey was alright. I had one guy nearby who kept snorting, every three minutes. And two women in front who stank. But I got through it ok, I can see why people fly though.
So the plan is to chill for maybe a day, then get on the phone to the job agency I had months ago, and they'll hook me up with a jobby.
And then, who knows.
I'm checking the emails, but nothing from universities.
Ah, well.

Sunday 8th March

Heya people.
It is Sunday, the last full day of my hospital adventure. I'm in good spirits, I was able to get the cheque made to cash, so I can go into a bank tomorrow and put $2050 straight into my account, no faffing. I am able to eat a meal that doesn't take two minutes to prepare by adding it to boiling water. And I may soon be on my way back to Sydney, to get a bloody job. Don't wanna piss away the money I'll soon have.
And on top of that, I just won a poker game. Seven people, I won by holding a pair of aces, and then another came up on the river. Had to get the guy to think I had crap, it worked, I won. I love that game.
I'll try and phone Emma tomorrow, see if she got her parcel delivered.
And Scott paid me back and checked me into a hostel tomorrow, so I can simply walk in and do whatever.
I'm looking forward to whatever happens. But I just wish the frikking UCAS thing would get sorted, I'm very worried now. I sent another email to my teacher, I just wish I'd get some feedback. Ticking me off.
Ok, I gotta go, need to sort stuff out, got things to do. Speak soon, I'll let you know what happens.
All the best.

"Don't worry, about a thing,
Cus every little thing, is gonna be alright.
Woke up this morning,
Stared at the rising sun,
Three little birds by my doorstep,
Swinging sweet songs, A melody pure and true,
Singing, 'This is my message to you hoo hoo." (Bob Marley, Three Little Birds)

Alright people! I am out of the hospital, it's a beautiful day, and I discover that pretty much the whole city is shut down because of Labour Day. People everywhere, walking in the streets, music and partying... Daim, haha. Quite odd, being cooped up for a week and then let out onto a festival. But on the downside, the banks are closed, so I can't cash my flipping cheque. And I had to sign a form, saying if I lose or damage it then there's no replacement, so I'm kinda crapping myself. Luckily the cash Scott gave me plus my poker winnings will keep me going for a good few days, just in case.
So tonight I'm gonna chill. I'm not even gonna go the gym; apparently a guy on the trial had blood taken, and the same day he did some weights and his arm filled up with blood. So I'm going to just relax.
Right then, will keep you updated.
Speak soon.

G'day. It's Tuesday, David's birthday! WOOO, happy birthday to you indeed :).
I wish you much happiness and many smiles.
You won't read this for a few hours, but if I were you I'd start celebrating your birthday in Australia time, then you can start a few hours earlier :D.
All the best.

Hey.
It's Wednesday, not my happiest day in a while. I couldn't sleep last night, at all. And then from about 8am til about 7pm, I was having those recurring stomach cramps. Kept taking painkillers and throwing them back up again. Was the closest I've ever been to going to hospital and getting help. I have a theory as to their nature, it could be simple food poisoning, as I had a steak last night that hadn't been kept cold. Oh well, I'm feeling better now, but I know for a fact that tonight will be another sleepless one, due to having been asleep in the daytime.
Better news, UCAS is now completed. Everything that had to be sent off from school has been done so, and I'm now waiting for the universities reply. Bit worried, but at least they've recieved the damn thing. A letter will be sent from UCAS to the house, and I'll need the track number that's inside to see what decision is made.
I need something to do, I need a goal. At the moment I feel like I'm stumbling around achieving nothing. Once I get my money, I'll try and use it to achieve a target, one of the little ones I set myself before I came out here. Once I get to Sydney, I'll be able to go to the park three times a week, that'll be good, I'm out of practice. But at the moment, nothing.
If you can, look on the internet for the American Beauty soundtrack. Try and listen to the song called "American Beauty." It's by the same composer as the soundtrack for Meet Joe Black, and it's a nice tune.
Right, I'm off. I need to think of a way to waste a few hours.

"The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say. " (Lord of the Rings)

"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us." (Gandalf the Grey)

"Many folk like to know beforehand what is to be set on the table; but those who have laboured to prepare the feast like to keep their secret; for wonder makes the words of praise louder."(Gandalf the White)

Saturday 26

Hello. This is my first entry on my new laptop.
:D
It's tiny! A Toshiba Portege, bought from a second hand laptop shop. I've got three weeks to see if I like it enough to keep, otherwise I can trade it back for another type. But to be honest, it's pretty good. Dinky. The old one was huge, heavy, loud, missing keys, overheating, and very difficult to replace. This one's small, light, silent and seems to be working pretty good.
The old one had a blooming good run though. I got it from Jo, and after many, many months of being battered, dropped and other kinds of torture, it's only really died now because the cable's been stretched. Bit of a bummer, I wasn't able to get software from the old one. My DVD ripper is still on there, and I paid good money for that, I'll see what I can do.
So yeah! I'm basically just mucking about, downloading the essentials (firefox, that kinda stuff). I'm going to see Scott at two, in hospital, to get an idea of the layout and see what it's like. And to see him, of course. A city is a lonely place without money or someone to talk to.
I have decided that everyone needs to be poor, at least once in their life. To learn how to live off the basics is something you can't just be told about. When I first got to Oz, I was buying expensive stuff, because that's what I'd been used to. Now I can appreciate the little I've got. Man, instant noodles are a lifesaver. $1.09 for a pack of five! I've spent days now, where I wake up late (so I'm not as hungry for as long) eaten a pack of noodles, and that's been it until about seven at night, where I have another pack and maybe an apple if I have any left.
This means that I can spend a dollar, and then last about two or three days without having to spend any money. Champion.
And you start looking at better deals as well. $5 meals, cheap buffets, these things are invaluable to a tightass. See, learning life's lessons :).
And bookshops are great. I've spent the last two days in Border's, reading my way through Dostoyefsky's (?) "Crime and Punishment", because it was free, a good way to escape for an hour or three, and maybe intellectual too. I'm on Part Two, haha.
So yes. People need to be poor sometimes. I pity those fools who've led a sheltered life, away from the harsh realities of life. Don't get me wrong, I'm nowhere near knowing everything, hell no. But I'm trying :).
I'm exhausted. Lack of sleep. Reason 1: General inability to sleep. Reason 2: People SNORING. Geez, there should be a law, allowing snorers to be tasered. I know I snore sometimes, but God, send a few thousand volts through them and people learn! And Reason 3: When almost asleep, one drunken guy comes back, keeps punching things (door, wall), shouting and almost falling out of bed. What a jackass.
So yeah, pretty tired. Oh yeah, lack of caffeine too. It's not a habit, more a little treat I've gotten myself into. Cookies are on offer, you can get a box for 2.50. And I would get a box, chill out. But no, no caffeine allowed, and so no chocolate. So no cookies. That hurt slightly, but might help me get into shape. I keep feeling I'm getting pudgy again, I need exercise.
This blog was partly an excuse to get used to the tiny keyboard on this thing, and it's worked. Making less mistakes. I like it.
Ok, I've run out of topics. I will close this conversation down, with a nice quotation, standard procedure.
Wait, a quick update. I managed to get the DVD thing from my old computer, that was fine. And I just went to see Scott, the place looks great. I'm looking forward to going to hospital.

"Somewhere out there, there's a bullet with your name on it. The trick is, to die before it finds you." (Captain Mal, Firefly.)

Sunday.
Ok, I know I keep going on about this, but it's becoming a problem now. I lay in bed until the early hours of the morning, unable to sleep, and then when I do nod off I do so until about five in the afternoon. It truly is a bummer. I'm hoping that the regular hours in hosptial and the early hours they wake you at will sort me out. Going to the gym until three in the morning was fun because it was empty, but I now know why nobody else was in there; they were rightfully asleep.
On a happier note, I am currently downloading Conker's Bad Fur Day! Yes, reinstalled the software that let me play N64 games, and in hospital I shall be guiding that cute little squirrel around, shooting off the heads of the evil Teddiz. Those who don't know what I'm on about, I apologise. Those who do, and I know who you are :P, imagine me laughing while controlling Conker, running around with a samurai sword. I'm also REsorting all my music files, completely. It's taking - a while.
I'm not sure if it's me, because my diet hasn't been the most impressive as of late, but Melbourne is getting really cold in the afternoons. I'm sat in Federation Square, which is probably the most modern place in this city, as it's got free internet, and I'm wearing my hoody and still shivering. Tres bizarre.
Ok, this is the plan as of yet. Me and Scott had a massive brainsesh in the hospital, and this is the end result. Be nice, it's not complete yet, but the general outline is thus:
I go into hospital tomorrow afternoon, and Scott will use my bed in the hostel, saving the trouble of checking in and out. I'll leave my stuff with him, all locked up. He's going to take mine and his stuff to his old school friend, and it'll be safe there. Scott is then going somewhere, to see friends (either Sydney or Adelaide), and he'll return near the end of the week, by then his cheque will have gone through. He'll pay me back my money, which means I can come out of hospital and then have enough to go into a hostel. Then we're either going to Adelaide on a road trip, or going back to Sydney, where there are JOBS, saving up a bit of cash, then doing a road trip up the east coast.
Either way, a road trip is happening. We even thought of going to Alice Springs and Uluru in a van, that'll be a hefty one.
But as soon as my cheques gone through, we're having a big meal. To celebrate getting through the most difficult month we've both ever had.
YEAH! Haha, the troubles are coming to an end. The light at the tunnel's end is warming my face.
Been thinking about future's as well. Big questions, but I won't put those down. Need to think about things more.
Ah, just checked, and the UCAS application has now been checked by Mr Sorel-Cameron, just need to wait for it to go through to the university. The cogs are moving again. Hey, today seems to be a pretty good one, huh.
I've run out of convo again, this keeps happening.
I bought a celebratory pizza earlier, now I have four dollars left :). But it's cool, I need two to get the tram to hospital, and then I need nothing for a week. It was good pizza too, whCh is always nice.
Ok, speak soon everyone. All the best.

"Mr Ghandi, what do you about civilization in the West?"
"I think it would be a good idea." (Mohamdas Karamcha Ghandi)

Hello people. I'm in hospital, and it's the first morning. I had a needle sticking out my arm for a good few hours today, but they have TVs on the beds, and I have a fair bit of stuff to read, so I'm not too bored yet. The facilities are nice, the nurses and doctors are all really friendly, and I'm having a whale of a time. I also had a nice sleep! Comfy beds, plus I was up all night on Sunday night, so was just exhausted from that. Also they have healthy food here! Vegetables!
So I'm pretty happy.

Not much to say, except that graphic novels are a lot, lot cooler than I thought they were. Scott is a geek, but a cool geek, the kind that appreciates the geeky things but is still a fun guy. Anyway, he brought a Batman comic from England, which he let me borrow. And the when he went to see his friend in another city a week or so ago, he came back pretty depressed, so as a present I bought him another Batman, which he let me borrow for here.
They're both really good! Yeah, might have to look out for a few more, maybe.
Alright, speak soon, stay cool.
Byee

"But you must be mad, or else why would you be here?" (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland)

Heya folks. I think it's Wednesday afternoon, 4.20. Things are ok, going a bit slowly but can't complain too much. The things I can complain about, aren't to do with the hospital jobby.
The new laptop I bought, it's still working but it won't play DVDs. I borrowed a whole bunch of them, series, but only ONE disk out of about eight or nine can be played. It's very frustrating. And even then, that working disk works only half the time, so I don't know if any of the other disks do work on it and just havn't done so yet, or if they're just not playable. Quite frustrating.
Anyway, the mornings here aren't so bad. Early rising, but they put tubes in and stuff, and so the morning is broken up, and before you know it it's time for breakfast, around half one in the afternoon.
I've realised I'm craving two things: Southern Comfort, and cinnamon swirls, those oh-so-tasty danishes. I've actually hunted for them, in bakeries and supermarkets, but I havn't seen a cinnamon swirl since I left England. For shame... And the SoCo, I remembered it the other day. Since having had no alcohol for a good two or three weeks now, and after having spent the last few months drinking cheap box wine (Goon, it's called), I remembered the refreshing, delicious taste of a double southern comfort on ice.
Daim...
Scott's apparently having a bit of trouble, the cheque goes through tomorrow but he's low on the dough, so he's keeping busy with that. Should be ok tomorrow.
Not much else to report on really. It's quite funny sometimes, people around me go dizzy now and then, or feel sick from the blood and needles, but whenever it's my turn I'm eager to watch what happens. Not sure if it's cus I'm well ard, but I just enjoy seeing science take place. Watching the people in the lab work on the blood, it's brilliant.
And the food, though not in the amounts I'm used to, is healthy and yummy. So I'm not complaining, haha.
Alright folks, speak soon.
Oh yeah, I also had a craving for Pirates of the Caribbean again the other day. I couldn't get those onto my computer, so I don't have them in my collection. It's been a while.
See ya!

Heya, still Wednesday. I just scored a heartrate of 46 bpm. :D

"What you lookin' at? You all a bunch of f-----g assholes. You know why? You don't have the guts to be what you wanna be? You need people like me. You need people like me so you can point your fuckin' fingers and say, "That's the bad guy." So... what that make you? Good? You're not good. You just know how to hide, how to lie. Me, I don't have that problem. Me, I always tell the truth. Even when I lie. So say good night to the bad guy! Come on. The last time you gonna see a bad guy like this again, let me tell you. Come on. Make way for the bad guy. There's a bad guy comin' through! Better get outta his way!" (Tony Montana, Scarface)

Monday 23rd

Heya guys.
I just checked my UCAS, I got bored of waiting around. It tells me that my application still hasn't been checked by the referee. I'm a little annoyed, as I sent two emails to my old teacher, the second reminding him of the first, and he said he'd get to Mr Sorel-Cameron, my referee last year. I even sent them the reference, so they didn't have to find it themselves. Oh well, I'm about to send them another email, asking for a bit more haste.
My friend Scott goes into hospital this afternoon, I go in next Monday. Exciting times, simply because it'll be a change of scene. Plus, my money is dwindling. And I have to move out of the nice hostel this Wednesday. Their booking system is shockingly bad. On the plus, I found a decent hostel to move into, above a pub. The downside? I'm not allowed to drink alcohol from now until I go in. So the pub could be annoying, haha.
Not allowed to drink, exercise, take ANY kind of pills (paracetamol, aspirin, cod liver oil, nothing), sunbathe, eat grapefruit containing products... My body shall be pure. Should be good for saving money, anyway. That was the reason I hit the gym so hard, because I can't from now on. I watched 300 the other night, on the treadmill. Me and Scott went to see his old schoolfriend, we chilled out, had a few drinks (not Scott). But yeah, the treadmill is twice as fun when you're drunk. You gotta run forward, and keep in a straight line. Cue Jack Sparrow run, woop!
Everything seems to be breaking at the same time. My laptop is dying, it keeps shorting out, overheating, the cables are stretching... My iPod got water damage, and I took it to get repaired to find the insides had completely rusted... Yup. The good news, there is a shop nearby that sells second hand laptops, very cheap. Most of my stuff is on the external harddrive I bought before Christmas, so that shouldn't be tooo much of a problem. But the iPod, well, I might buy a cheap, older style one. The Touch was fancy, but I can make do without the gadgets. So yeah, when I come out of hospital in two Sundays time, I'll be able to listen to music again.
Can't think of much else.
Will update soon :).
Speak soon PEOPLE. GOODNIGHT.

It's Wednesday, 3.49am. Can't sleep. Moving hostel tomorrow morning, so I can't go and pass out in the TV room, watching whatever's on.
Got annoyed of turning over and over, so I thought I'd write about it! Hey ho.
Would like a drink. No, I want to exercise more, physically knacker myself out. But can't.
Bugger it.

"Grab your carotoid bunch and pinch it until you pass out then!" (James Robinson's method of solving my sleep deprivation.)

Wednesday, 10.45pm.
I'm in an internet cafe, just checking up on events. My laptop has finally rolled over and died. Basically, it has half an hour battery, so I gotta keep it hooked up to the power. But now the power cable has conked out, so I have a laptop that works, but nothing in Melbourne that can power it up. I lie, there is a shop that I could buy a replacement adaptor, for $125. And I don't have that much money, haha!
But I have a guardian angel in the form of mummy. She is hopefully able to send over some money from my bank account, and I'm gonna try and buy a cheap second hand laptop. Was contemplating getting a new one, but it's just not economical. And I've found out just how far a few hundred dollars can stretch, which is very nice to know.
I changed hostels this morning, wasn't easy. Lugging my friend's baggage, then mine across town, because he's in hospital and I'm holding his big bag for him. He'll do the same when I'm in there. He's having a great time, they have PS3's and Xboxes, tv's at the end of the bed, big meals... And the testing is going down no problem, no problems at all. So I can't wait!
So I'm basically bumming around, because I can't sleep. I fell asleep at three in the afternoon earlier, and now I'm wired. I think I just somehow changed my body clock back to English time by mistake.
Can't think of anything else. Will come back online when I can, will tell you fine fellows how things turn out. But I know for certain, I have a roof over my head until I go into hospital, which is a huge comfort. So no sleeping on streets for this young lad :).
Ok, speak soon guys. All the best.

"Do you want to exercise to build strength, or to build up your endurance?"
"I just want to look good naked!" (American Beauty)

Sunday 15th

Hello Hello, my good friends and avid readers.
It is indeed Sunday, the day of rest. I took advantage of this by getting up at 2pm, haha.
Basically, I'm trying to get to the gym as often as possible. I've gone in three times in four nights. And my legs, when I woke up this afternoon, felt like they weren't there, until I tried to move them. Then I quickly realised their presence, as they hurt.
But I feel good. I'm eating healthily, omitting carbohydrates in the form of bread, stuff like that. I have these cravings though. Like, I've discovered stem ginger and chocolate cookies, which are made perfectly, so they're not crunchy... And I found these chocolates, I call them DeathSquares. They call themselves Peanut Chocolates bites, but its basically peanuts moulded together with toffee, and then covered in chocolate. I didn't realise they would be THAT bad, but it certainly makes you want to burn them off.
My money troubles are over. I decided to omit these details before, because I wasn't sure if I had been signed up, but me and my friend have signed up for medical trials. Basically, we go into hospital for a week, they give us some pills and measure the effects. The pills are anti-inflammatory jobbies, similar to another pill that's a steroid. They've already been tested on another group of people, I'm just a week behind them. The risk is very small :). But the outcome is muy grandé: I get $2050 upon leaving hospital.
My friend is getting the same treatment, and the same amount. This will possibly help us fund the roadtrip, if it's still on. Scott is in Canberra seeing a friend, but he tells me it's not as fun as he thought it would be. So who knows.
More good news, some roommates left this morning, for the same reason I did; they didn't book another week quickly enough. So I sneakily grabbed the bottom bunk, hoo-harrrr. Sho shneaky.
Not much else to report on really. Making friends, I have a cool Canadian roommate to chat to.
Alright mateys, next report coming in a few days.
All the best.
Byeeeee

"What?!"
"I want you to hit me, as hard as you can." (Tyler Durden, Fight Club)

"But where is the food, the shade, the rum?"
"The rum is gone!"
"But why is the rum gone?!" (Captain Jack Sparrow and Elizabeth Swann, from Pirates OT Caribbean)

Tuesday, 18th.
Scott is back from his mini travels, all is well. The road trip is still on, so that's something to look forward to. I'm still trying to get by as smoothly as possible. No more DeathSquares. Watched Snatch last night in the gym, all for that final fight scene. Burnt off 1,000 calories. Woop! Was on there for an hour forty minutes, haha. My legs hurt.
I've discovered that humans live for distraction. What we really want, all we need, is to get by, trying to find something to keep us from boredom. I say humans, but I really mean I was walking the streets the other day, trying to think of something to do. And the other day I had a lazy day, something I hadn't had in a while. I basically sat on my bed, watching series my friend had left behind with me, while eating milk and cookies. Beautiful! I plan on doing it again sometime, it truly was amazing.
Not much else to say really.
Umm...
The weather's still nice. I discovered quite a severe tan line on my arm, where the Tshirt ends. My body is still pale as milk, haha, need to get that sorted.
Nope, I'm out.
See ya...
Oh yeah, plan on sending Emma's pressie soon. Anti nag, anti nag...
Bye

"The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long." (Blade Runner)

Ello ello people. Not much to report on, just popped in to say a friendy "Ello ello."
Melbourne is sunny again, it's nice. People are all cool, have been invited to a barbeque on Saturday, and some friends from the Jolly Swagman are coming down here tomorrow, so that could be exciting.
Anyway, low battery. Keep smiling everyone :). And if there's nothing to smile about, remember something that made you laugh. Don't be ashamed to laugh out loud at that thought, who cares what other people think. Treasure those happy moments :).
Alright people, gotta go.
See ya.

"I had always heard your entire life flashes in front of your eyes the second before you die. First of all, that one second isn't a second at all, it stretches on forever, like an ocean of time... For me, it was lying on my back at Boy Scout camp, watching falling stars... And yellow leaves, from the maple trees, that lined my street... Or my grandmother's hands, and the way her skin seemed like paper... And the first time I saw my cousin Tony's brand new Firebird... And Janie... And Janie... And... Carolyn. I guess I could be pretty pissed off about what happened to me... but it's hard to stay mad, when there's so much beauty in the world. Sometimes I feel like I'm seeing it all at once, and it's too much, my heart fills up like a balloon that's about to burst... And then I remember to relax, and stop trying to hold on to it, and then it flows through me like rain and I can't feel anything but gratitude for every single moment of my stupid little life... You have no idea what I'm talking about, I'm sure. But don't worry... you will someday." (Lester Burnham, American Beauty)

Friday 6th

Hello people.
Ok, still no job. Turns out now is the time when uni students are on holiday, so all the available jobs are filled by them. But they should be gone in a few weeks, so remaining hopeful.
But me and my friend are doing our little things to keep the money we got. Eating spaghetti on toast for dinner, getting the free breakfast, stretches out the pennies.
We got removed from the kickass hostel. Basically we didn't book another week quickly enough, and they booked our beds for other people, so we had to move hostel. Now in a dingy, horrible place, so we're staying out of there as much as possible in the day.
But I've booked us back in for next week, so there's light at the end of the tunnel.
Battery's about to die, so hope you're all ok.
Speak soon.
x

"The world's getting smaller Jack."
"No. There's just - less in it." (Barbossa and Jack Sparrow, At World's End)

Saturday 6th,
Not feeling great. Me and my friend discovered a DVD room in the crappy hostel, which has raised it's standards slightly. We still try and avoid it throughout the day, but at least there's somewhere to chill.
Anyway, last night we watched The Dark Knight. With goon (cheap box wine). And I drank a lot. Like three litres of the stuff. Embarrased myself slightly, apparently. But not unrecoverably. Like, I was funny.
But gotta limit the stuff.
I'm reading a book, I can't remember the name, but it's about a man who took meladin (?), a drug, and got someone to record how he behaved and what he said while going on this inner trip. And basically, I've read that throughout history, mankind has been on a voyage, trying to escape this world and mentality by taking drugs, and drinking alcohol. It's a deep, very human need, to escape this world, and people do it by taking drugs and drinking.
I find it a very interesting read. The fact that this universe is not enough for a lot of people.
Strange, huh?
Anyway, I'm beginning to ramble.
It's 45 degrees outside. People have died across Australia, it's insanely hot. Like, you pray for a breeze, and then the wind hits, and it's EVEN HOTTER.
Not fair.
Speak soon, all the best people.
See yaaaa...

"The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams." (Oprah Winfrey.)
"It's hard to let go, isn't it?" (William Parish, at the end of Meet Joe Black.)

Sunday 8th.
Good day peeps. I'm having trouble sleeping. It's been happening for a few weeks now, but I just lie there, for hours.
And then when I finally hit the hay last night, I dreamt of people back home. Woke up troubled.
Maybe tonight it'll be different, but today will not be the best.
Anyway, on a happier note, me and Scott have plans! Basically, he found out it's cheaper to live in Adelaide, and he's got a really good friend there. And he found out the cheapest way to get there is to rent a campervan, and have a road trip, which will be AWESOME. So we're looking into that.
Speak soon, anyway. I try to update whenever I can, but I might go for a few days, maybe even a week, without being able to get to an internet spot.
See ya.
"Don't let today's disappointments cast a shadow on tomorrow's dreams." (Unknown)
"As soon as you start to pursue a dream, your life wakes up and everything has meaning." (Barbara Sher)



Hello there everyone.
Not too much excitement to report on really. Booked back into the nice hostel, woop. Will buy a pillow today, see if that helps me sleep. The ones at the hostel aren't great.
My friend leaves tomorrow for a few days, he's off to see his friend in the next city. I'm staying here, so I'll try and get into the gym as often as possible and run myself into the ground.
Yeah, I really don't have much to say at all. Sorry.
Just worrying over this UCAS situation, nobody's responding to emails.
Speak soon, anyway.
The Amazingly Fantastical Tompalompalous

"Hey, you heard of this guy, The Amazingly Fantastical Tompalompalous?"
"Course I have, he's the bomb!"
"I know!" (Inner conversation in my head)

Sunday 31st?

Heya people.
I'm currently in a free wifi zone, jobhunting. It's not that fun.
My friend I'm here with has discovered he is almost broke, so I'm helping him out until we get money coming in. I've sent a few CVs off to different people, one audiotyping for a medical company, that could be interesting.
Basically, having an interesting time here. The hostel is still great, I'm on a health binge, really gonna try and tone up while I have the chance. And my mate is pretty cool, he's not trying to stinge me, he's given out about twelve CVs and sent off as many emails, so I'm happy to help.
Not really much else to say.
Speak soon, thanks for all the comments :).
All the best.

Oh yeah, Melbourne has THE funkiest architecture I've seen. It's mad.

Heya people.
Today is Tuesday. I had possibly the worst night last night.
I'm on the lower bunk, in a room of six, three bunk beds. Last night my friends Oli and Luke, from my group of mateys in Sydney, came through Melbourne on their way to Tasmania, and me and Scott met up with them. Had a few drinks in the pub, had a good time. In my slightly drunken state, I bought two packs of horrendously tasty biscuits, and then at 10pm went to the gym. Was in there for about two hours, did a great session, had a shower, and I'd planned it so that I could go straight from the shower into bed.
I did this. But the guy above me snored so - frikkin - loudly. I was there, just listening to this chainsaw above me.
Tried putting in headphones, but no good. Tried putting my pillow above my head. Nothing.
At FOUR THIRTY, I pulled on some clothes, picked up my pillow and went and tried sleeping in the lounge area. Had a few people checking in to see what the hell I was doing, but I was destroyed by tiredness. Managed to get a few winks, then at ten in the morning I went back to my room, and slept till 1pm.
Terrible.
Now I'm back in the free wireless place, jobhunting again.
Fun Fun.
Oh well.
Speak soon.

"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe." (Anatole France)

"Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens." (Carl Jung)

Saturday 24th

Hello people.
Today I actually have news! It's not just another repeat of me saying "Nothing new to report on", because I have something new. I'll call it "news."
I'm moving.
Yup, I spent yesterday chilling with my friends who are going fruitpicking, and I am now booked to fly to Melbourne next Wednesday. I'm not going fruitpicking with the guys who are doing that, not yet, I'm chilling in Melbourne with one of the guys in that group. The hostel looks great, it's got a gym, it's in the middle of the city...
So hopefully events will happen again!
Can't wait, Sydney is losing it's appeal. I'm still not bad for money, so I can afford to go a week or two without a job yet.
But this means packing, and that involves effort. And I hate airports, so will have to put up with that too.
BUT - Melbourne is cooler. Temperature wise. There is a heatwave at the moment, and it's absolutely killing me. Sweating instead of sleeping? Not fun.
So yes, that is my big news. Smaller news, I still need a haircut. Um, still need to see Emma, will phone her tomorrow at lunchtime. That whole thing has gone to pot, worst comes to the worst I'll get her address and post her present to her, but I really don't want to do that.
I can't think of much else to say. Tomorrow I hope to skip for at least a whole hour of the day, to burn off the pizza I just ate. It was an impulse buy, and one I'm not happy about.
Yeah.
Speak soon people.

[Space for quotation.] (Author of previous quotation.)

Heya people, just a quick one today.
Basically, my flatmates killed an insanely poisonous spider that was living on the doorstep. It was eating a cockroach twice the size of itself.
And my landlady repeatedly tried to introduce me to pyramid selling. From nowhere! One minute we were talking about people not folding the bathmat the right way, then for the rest of the day she's talking about this bloody company, even giving me a brochure and tablets!
Christ.
Not taking the tablets, have no intention of doing so, not checking out the company, not going to keep her email address in case I want to sign up in the future.
No more news, peace out.

"Even when you are faced with certain death, die laughing." (Toda sensei)




"Susan?"
"Hmm?
"Thank you for loving me." (Meet Joe Black)

HEY!
Im now in Melbourne, in THE BEST HOSTEL EVER.
This place is the cheapest Ive stayed in, it has -
A gym, a cinema, and rooftop with barbeque, and lounge, and an ARCADE with pacman and space invaders. MAN! its awesome. Im considering getting a job here, and staying for a few weeks.
Right, not got much time, its a public comp.
Speak soon.
xxx

Friday 16th January

Good day my fellow humans.
I still think it's Thursday, it's now 1.00am. But hey, gotta keep it real, huh?
Just spent my day still being ill. And the annoying bit is, my stomach's getting better, tomorrow it'll probably be fine. But oh yes, a cold has decided to settle in, and put it's feet up. Git.
So now I'm sneezing and such.
But on the plus, I've just been back from the cinema. I went to see Will Smith's "Seven Pounds". Man, that's some heavy stuff. I didn't know what it'd be like, I just sat down and started watching it. And then once it finished, I walked straight into Benjamin Button again. I wanted to watch it again, something struck with that film...
So anyway, five or more hours on my arse watching the silver screen, not bad eh. And all done without popcorn. Just ginger biccies.
Not really gonna say much tonight, I'm pretty tired, and gonna chill out with the rest of Cook's soup. But I will say this.
I don't want to grow old. I don't want to depend on others to get along. As soon as that moment hits, I'll be living a life I don't want to live.
And also, at my funeral, I want people laughing. I wanna be watching over the ceremony, seeing smiles on people's faces. That'd be nice :).
Speak soon friends. My soup's getting cold.
X

"Life is like a box o' chocolates Forrest. You never know what you're gonna get." (Mama Gump, from Forrest Gump.)

TODAY IS FRIDAY. It's now 9.5opm. I spent today preparing for a haircut, going out, meeting friends and getting to the barbers after it shut. So basically, I chilled with mateys.
However, I made plans for tomorrow. A group of fellow awesomeners* (people in the class of Awesome) are going to a beach, to have proper surf lessons, barbeques and a mild partay. I am joining them. For a reasonable price, I get surfboard hire, a wetsuit to wear, beer, food and a day to chill with lots of people I do like and a few who teach me the social skills I'll need for uni.
So I'm happy.
Plus, I am fairly sure I know where I'm travelling to. But I need to speak to people first.
Speak soon everyone.

"The world is like a flower. Beautiful to look at from a distance. Then, as you look deeper, you find how it's made up of more and more intricate and complex simplicities, all working seperately but providing for a whole. And when just one of these tiny, seemingly insignificant simplicities breaks down, then a cloud of damage can spread, taking down those nearby. Makes you think, doesn't it. About how fragile a beautiful thing is. Enjoy is while it lasts. For nothing does." (Tom Prestwich)

Hello hello grublings.
Today was one worthy of a blog update! I awoke at the grizzly time of 6.30, showered and got to my old hostel to jump on a bus, taking us to a random beach of random location! However, the beach was privately owned, so it was pretty much empty apart from me and the people I was with. I was taught how to surf, safely and AWESOMELY. At the end the main trainer asked me if I'd ever skated, as skaters often tended to find surfing easier. Man, I got so many compliments on how well I did, I wanna try it again soon. Standing on that wall of water breaking around you, the rushing sound, and feeling the board underneath you twist when you move it... Awesome. By the end of the day I was standing on pretty much half the waves I went for.
But the downside? Sunburn, haha.
It was forecasted to rain, but oh no, at midday the clouds were blown away and the sun was B e a you-tiful.
So yeah, I've had a funking good day.
Now I'm ready for bed.
G'night :)

"The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit." (Nelson Henderson)

Today is the 21st of January, and I actually had to look on a calendar to see what day it is today.
Wow.
I had a surprisingly early start this morning, I think it was 10.30am. Not bad for someone with nothing to wake up to.
But today I actually did something. I took my washing off the line outside, it'd been there for about two or three days. And then I went for a walk.
It was forecasted to be insanely hot today (35 degrees) and hot days = STORM. So I left the house around 3pm, and walked up to the cliffs. There I sat, listening to the waves and thinking, for about two hours, until the first raindrops started falling. Then I proceeded to lie on my rock, and watch the lightning pass over my head. It was wonderful. Seeing the wall of rain in the distance, slowly moving closer, watching the light surrounding me getting blocked out, and watching ships out to sea getting blacked out by the rain...
Good stuff. I missed the last storm, so I was determined to sit this one through. I got home at I think 7pm or 8pm, I'm not sure. Had a shower, cooked dinner (steak chips and salad). YUMMY. Now I'm going to end my day watching a film called the Whole Nine Yards, I havn't seen it in years and it's a killer. I took out six films on Monday, and they're all good ones.
Right, I can't think of anything else.
Oh yeah, I started writing in the journal last night.
Apart from that...
Nah mate.
Speak soon.
"There are as many nights as days, and the one is just as long as the other in the year's course. Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word 'happy' would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness." (Carl Jung)
"That man is richest whose pleasures are cheapest." (Henry David Thoreau)
"Those who can laugh without cause have either found the true meaning of happiness or have gone stark raving mad." (Norm Papernick)

Tuesday 13th

Heya people.
Just a short one today, I can't be arsed to spend a lot of time here :).
Basically, still at work, it's still dull. Today I had to leave early, because I felt sick. Still do, Cook made me chicken soup and some crazy herbal tea stuff (mint and parsley?).
Had a nightmare last night, one of my friends got bitten by a spider. Havn't woken up like that in a long time, it ain't fun.
Speak soon, nothing much else to report on. I know you guys back home are all busy now, exams and coursework and such and such, I hope it's going well.
See ya.

"I don't believe in weakness. It costs too much." (Lyman Zurga, Ocean's Eleven)

I think today is Wednesday.
You wanna hear something funny? I got fired today.
The reason I went into work yesterday morning, even though I thought I was going to throw up on the bus three times, was because I was pretty sure I would get fired if I didn't go in.
And today I had to call in sick again. I didn't want to. But sure enough, I got a call saying I didn't need to come back tomorrow.
And you know the thing I'm most annoyed about? I left a thermos mug at work. I leave it on my desk every night, so the next morning I can eat my muesli in this mug. And thinking about it now, I realise I've left half a box of muesli there too.
What a pisser.
Nevermind. Once my health returns, I'm going to really start getting fit. I bought a jumprope, for me and a friend, and I'm going to try and keep using it. I'm going to get into shape if it kills me.
And mum, I'm planning to meet Emma at the end of this week or the start of next. She's had family round, that's why she didn't call. So nyah :P.
Speak soon people. Time to start living.

"If life gives you lemons, say 'Fuck the lemons' and bail." (Kunu, from Forgetting Sarah Marshall)

Wednesday 7th

Good morning comrades. It's 1.48am, I should be in bed. But I'm not, so there.
Just sorting out my music. Since getting the external harddrive, all my music got jumbled, and I had to wade through all the stuff I wanted, had to rename, all that gubbins...
Boring.
I'm still working, I keep thinking they wanted to get rid of me, but I might be working this Saturday. Tres confusant. Either way, I'm still saving what I can, even though my funds are slipping through my fingers like the very dust of our creation. A lot of friends have left, there've been birthdays and get togethers... They all cost money...
I was invited to the cinema today. It was great, I love the movies. Got home, cooked my simple meal, and then Cook's son popped his head round the door and asked who wanted to go and see "The Curious Tale Of Benjamin Button." I didn't at first, as it's three hours long and early start tomorrow, but then I thought what the hell.
It's a great film. Not what I expected, but it really is.
I have an annoying habit though. I get really into the characters, and I end up with a completely different way of thinking for days, sometimes weeks after I watch a film. I never used to do that, but now I just absorb the character...
It can be a good thing, can be not so good. Depends on the film and my moood.
I did an A level past paper an hour ago. At work, I was bored and my train of thought was cruising on neutral, when a scientific equation just flashed on my vision. Man, I suddenly got really scared. I'm not using my brain, not like I did at school, and if I don't keep this stuff updated I'm gonna forget parts. And when you work your ass off for a year to recover from mistakes, you DON'T want to lose that hard work. So I did a past paper.
It's surprising how much floats back into focus when the right words are viewed on paper. Still making stupid mistakes though, some things never change.
Some things never change.
Anyway boys and girls, speak soon. I havn't updated as regularly as before, I apologise. Nothing's really happening.
All the best.

"Time does not change us. It just unfolds us." (Max Frisch)
"This is your life, and it's ending one minute at a time." (Tyler Durden, Fight Club)

First day of 2009!

Heya guys.
It is 11.30 on Thursday. I've just gotten back from my friend's house, after having a very good New Years.
It started yesterday, work finished early and I was able to get home, pick up some essentials and boogie on down to Rushcutter's Bay. But it was maaad.
The train was packed. Imagine a tin of sardines, but these sardines have shopping, and are all trying to move around inside this tin. Madness I tells ya.
Managed to get to the Bay no trouble, picking up a 6pack of Kingfisher beer. Couldn't find Tiger, so got that. And then picked up a new wick for my Zippo. And THEN boogied to the bay.
It was full of people. Festival sight, it was crazy. And met my friends, hugged a lot and had a good time. The fireworks were great, I didn't get too drunk and it was all good. The way back to my friend's house wasn't, taxi drivers were A holes and buses weren't on time, but we managed to get back without too much trouble.
And today, we've all just taken it easy. No hassle, no fuss. Working tomorrow, so couldn't stay too late. Plus I feel ill. But when I got home, I find a new bankcard waiting to be put in my wallet, so that was a very pleasant surprise.
I hope everyone had a good time, and the New Year is a good one. Stick to resolutions, mine will start in a few days, when I can start it. (Less crap food. He says, eating from a pack of biscuits.)
Alright my pretties, speak soon, I actually tried taking pics last night so you might see them.
All the best people.

"If one does not know to which port is sailing, no wind is favorable." (Seneca)

"Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn't know you left open. (John Barrymore)

"The winds and waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators." (Edward Gibbon)

Warro people, tonight is Sunday, it's 4.30 in the morning. I've just been at the old hostel in King's Cross, with Marta, Lucy and Cat as it's their leaving night. Cat is leaving tomorrow, while the two others are leaving on Monday. I say I was with them, but about 15 other people were there too. Old hostel mates, good people all of them. Had a good night for most of it. Still not a happy drunk, but I'm trying to limit the amount of drink I take in at the moment. Can't have every time being a bad one, eh. I returned to Southern Comfort tonight, she is an old friend. We always get on well together, and most of the time we invite ice around and have a jolly good old time. Haven't found an Ozzy beer I get along well with yet, they all taste like piss and we don't end up getting along. Good thing Southern Comfort will always be there for me.

I still have the same job, they haven't kicked me out quite yet. But the amount of work is reduced to a dammed river, the pathetic little stream coming out the other side being the amount of work I now have while the potential tidal wave being how much I used to get. So I can't see me working there much longer. And even worse, I've noticed my account balance dwindling because of it! It was $3000 before, and now it's under. Not significantly, but enough to cause worry to settle in. Tonight a friend brought up the idea of fruit picking. Before now, I hadn't even thought about staying, the idea had always been shunned, because I knew I was coming back to Uni. But now, I'm not as keen as I was to return. Uni can be put off a year, and while I'm already out here, it would be a shame to cut off a chance to see what I can. I don't know, a plan needs a lot of time, but let's just say I'm not as sure I want to come straight home. There are places I would like to go, and I have potential time in which to go there. I will think about it. But travelling is an option previously unthought of, and I will think about my options. I just don't want to come home, wishing I could have seen and done more. Let's just say that. Ok people, I will now watch the rest of a film I started earlier, eat a mango or two (they're amazing) and have a good night's rest. I woke up at 5.45 in the afternoon today, impressive huh? Wasn't even planned! I kept waking up in the middle of dreams, really good dreams in which I was with friends from home, going somewhere but I always woke up before we agreed on a destination. I might try and end the dream tonight, see where we all go. Speak soon friends. Stay funky.

"The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams." (Oprah Winfrey)

"Security is an illusion. Life is either a daring adventure or it is nothing at all."

"Man cannot find new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore." (Andre Gide)