Just over 24 hours before I embark on a new journey.
Keep posted for 3 weeks time when I update with the adventures of what truely will be an epic journey.
Merry Christmas to all
Birdman xoxo
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Friday, November 24, 2006
A brief set back
Well at least I hope it's brief.
In the effort to get myself fit for this trip I have once again managed to throw an injury into the mix just weeks away from the beggining.
Ij'm putting the injury down to the fact that I haven't practiced Yoga in about 4 weeks, so I suppose I've only got myself to blame.
I suffer from a re-occuring lower back injury which can put me out anywhere between a few days and a few months.
The absolute worse time I went down in the hallway from pain and lay there, unable to move, for about an hour before someone found me. That started a 2 week period going from flat on my back, to flat on my stomach, to the shower, often crawling there and back to the lounge room floor. After that I started back at work at first with 1/2 days standing up at the desk.
After 5 weeks the back pain had subsided, however the sciatica set in for the next two months and I lost the feeling between my toes, down the left hand side of my left calf, the bottom of my left foot, and I had a permanent pain in my left arse cheek (it's funny now, but at the time it was hell).
Last year it happened about 5 days away from my trip to bali, and because of my responsibilities at work I decided to brave it and go in. That decision probably caused the injury to last for about 2 weeks longer then it needed to, and kept me in quite a bit of pain for most of my holiday.
This time, I felt a niggle earlier in the week and felt it begin to go yesterday morning around 7am. By 11am I was at the physio to begin what seems to be an annual or biannual event (I'm sure I'm putting on of Tim's kids through uni).
What's also different about this time is I have no allegence to work and took yesterday afternoon and today off to make sure the problems starts to get better before it starts to get worse.
So fingers crossed after 4 days on my back everything will correct itself in tme for me to take my camera, couple of surfboards, guitar and bag on the tour down the eastern/southern coast of Australia.
In the effort to get myself fit for this trip I have once again managed to throw an injury into the mix just weeks away from the beggining.
Ij'm putting the injury down to the fact that I haven't practiced Yoga in about 4 weeks, so I suppose I've only got myself to blame.
I suffer from a re-occuring lower back injury which can put me out anywhere between a few days and a few months.
The absolute worse time I went down in the hallway from pain and lay there, unable to move, for about an hour before someone found me. That started a 2 week period going from flat on my back, to flat on my stomach, to the shower, often crawling there and back to the lounge room floor. After that I started back at work at first with 1/2 days standing up at the desk.
After 5 weeks the back pain had subsided, however the sciatica set in for the next two months and I lost the feeling between my toes, down the left hand side of my left calf, the bottom of my left foot, and I had a permanent pain in my left arse cheek (it's funny now, but at the time it was hell).
Last year it happened about 5 days away from my trip to bali, and because of my responsibilities at work I decided to brave it and go in. That decision probably caused the injury to last for about 2 weeks longer then it needed to, and kept me in quite a bit of pain for most of my holiday.
This time, I felt a niggle earlier in the week and felt it begin to go yesterday morning around 7am. By 11am I was at the physio to begin what seems to be an annual or biannual event (I'm sure I'm putting on of Tim's kids through uni).
What's also different about this time is I have no allegence to work and took yesterday afternoon and today off to make sure the problems starts to get better before it starts to get worse.
So fingers crossed after 4 days on my back everything will correct itself in tme for me to take my camera, couple of surfboards, guitar and bag on the tour down the eastern/southern coast of Australia.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Takamine goes in for repair
The Takamine was the first guitar I ever bought and was the result of long hours working at the cricket and my first ever tax return.
Unfortunately it succumb to humidity of Darwin and the bridge began to lift.
Off it went to the repair shop........ twice.
Unfortunately on the secome visit the repair man decided to glue it with boat glue, a big no no for musical instruments.
As you can see from the photo's below it didn't work and started taking the wood around the bridge with it.
It's now in Melbourne and is on the way to jim matheas from Matheas Guitars to have a look, and fingers crossed, fix it for good.
Friday, November 17, 2006
Ever Had One Of Those Weeks?
Have you ever had one of those weeks where everything just goes from ok, to good, to better, to bestest (I am aware that's not really a word, but you get what I mean).
Like you'll find $1 on the ground, put it in a pokie machine and win $20. So you buy a softdrink and under the cap is another free softdrink prize. So you reclaim that at the newsagency, which just happened to have the latest edition of your favourite magazine which you buy, and realise it's a special edition with a free book and all the articles are awesome. But, before you leave you spend the rest of the $20 on scratchies, and you find that you win $250.00. Not a big win, but you're faaaaar better off then you were before you bent down to pick up that $1 coin 5 hours ago.
In fact, you're now two drinks, $250, and 2 hours of good reading time richer then you were.
Then you go out for a drink and you end up catching up with everyone you've wanted to catch up with recently, and bump into that special someone you've seen around but never talked to. To hell with it, things have been going well, why not say hello. And things progress well, however gorgeous they were prior to this meeting (causing you to forget your name when they were in the room) its now like you've known each other for years, and even though you didn't think it's possible they appear even more attractive to you now. And so it continues, good thing, after good thing and so on.......
Well this week was the exact opposite.
What a shitty shitty week.
One bad thing after another.
Last year I managed a relatively large project at work which changed the way that we looked after our hard copy and electronic records (word doc's, spreadsheets, maps etc).
We moved from using a regular file share system into and Electronic Document Management System, EDMS.
This changed the way that our Corporation delt with documents and affected over 700 staff. Anyway, the project finished in December of last year, completed, successfully rolled out.
Now, literally in the last 3 weeks, when you open a document, make changes, then save and close it, it doesn't necessarily put the changes back into the EDMS.
Now this would be fine if it happened every time (not fine, but understandable), or if it happened when you followed a specific series of events..... but no. Why make it easy to diagnose. Why not just let it happen randomly.
And it is seriously random, except for one similarity.
Over the past month we've also been rolling out Active Directory. This has been as smooth as silk.
The best packaged rollout that anyone has seen. In fact, the rest of the departments had attempted this with some varied results (ie, nothing worked).
Of course, this silky smooth rollout now has a flaw, as it is the similarity between the issues I'm having with the EDMS. However random the "no save" issue is, it happens only at AD sites.
So now a silky smooth, perfectly engineered system rollout needs to be put on hold because of issues with a system which I managed the implementation of 12 months ago.
To make it simple to understand, can you imagine writing this blog, getting to this point, then saving as a draft, the writing the rest of what is below, saving as a draft again, coming back and finding that you were back to this part? Would you be annoyed? I certainly would be.
Unfortunately it's not just work that's going wrong.
This morning it was raining so I decided to drive to work. The car is having clutch problems so I had to put clutch fluid in it before I left. So I opened the passenger side door and got the fluid out and put it on the roof. The I went around to the other side of the car and realised that I was parked up against a bunch of bushes, which were obviously wet.
So back to the passenger side to lean across to pop the bonnet. I did that, then decided that I'd push the car back while there so when I was ready to go I wouldn't get wet with the bushes.
So as I was pushing the car back the car suddenly stopped. The clutch fluid had fallen off the top and was now jammed under the tire (thank god it didn't pop). So I pushed it forward a little, took out the fluid, and raised the bonnet.
Have you ever tried to raise the bonnet of a car while holding an umbrella and a bottle of clutch fluid? That's pretty tough.
Have you ever tried to raise the bonnet of a car while holding an umbrella and a bottle of clutch fluid while the car is still in neutral and the hand brake is off?
That's a lot harder.
So I went back to the car and put on the handbrake, then went back and popped the bonnet, then poured in the clutch fluid and closed it all back up again.
Now I was ready to go, and I'm dry still.
Ever tried to get an umbrella into a small car?
Now the umbrella's in the car, and I'm ready to go, albeit I now find that I'm wet.
Luckily the drive in was uneventful, however there were people going straight when they should turn and visa versa.
When I arrived I parked and grabbed the $3 needed for an all day park. First coin got stuck, but I was able to push it through with the second, which suprise suprise, got stuck. In goes the 3rd dollar to push in the second, but now there's nothing left to push this through. So the ticket machine gives me a ticket for $2 up until 1pm, instead of $3 for all day. AND the other dollar is still stuck in the machine!
That's fine, I'm okay, I'm just going to get some breaky at the cafe and then head to work. But hang on, I've only got $10, that won't be enough. So I stopped off at the ATM to get some cash out for the rest of the day.
"Please remove card" *beep* *beep* *beep* *beep* *beep* *beep* *beep* *beep* *beep* *beep*
The card didn't eject all the way out...... So I pushed it back in with another card.
"Please remove card" *beep* *beep* *beep* *beep* *beep* *beep* *beep* *beep* *beep* *beep*
Again the card didn't eject out enough to get a grip (if only I carried tweezers someone would later point out to me today)
"Card Confiscated, cancelling transaction"
And that was that. I was left with my $10, and no bank card for 5 working days on friday morning.
And this was all before I got into work to hit the EDMS issues (have a look at how much work you could lose when it doesn't recognise you saves)
I'm sure someone came along to find that extra $1 in parking machine, and they proabably put that into a pokie..........
Next time you're on that winning streak, spare a thought for the person that's doing it rough to keep the balance in the Universe.
Like you'll find $1 on the ground, put it in a pokie machine and win $20. So you buy a softdrink and under the cap is another free softdrink prize. So you reclaim that at the newsagency, which just happened to have the latest edition of your favourite magazine which you buy, and realise it's a special edition with a free book and all the articles are awesome. But, before you leave you spend the rest of the $20 on scratchies, and you find that you win $250.00. Not a big win, but you're faaaaar better off then you were before you bent down to pick up that $1 coin 5 hours ago.
In fact, you're now two drinks, $250, and 2 hours of good reading time richer then you were.
Then you go out for a drink and you end up catching up with everyone you've wanted to catch up with recently, and bump into that special someone you've seen around but never talked to. To hell with it, things have been going well, why not say hello. And things progress well, however gorgeous they were prior to this meeting (causing you to forget your name when they were in the room) its now like you've known each other for years, and even though you didn't think it's possible they appear even more attractive to you now. And so it continues, good thing, after good thing and so on.......
Well this week was the exact opposite.
What a shitty shitty week.
One bad thing after another.
Last year I managed a relatively large project at work which changed the way that we looked after our hard copy and electronic records (word doc's, spreadsheets, maps etc).
We moved from using a regular file share system into and Electronic Document Management System, EDMS.
This changed the way that our Corporation delt with documents and affected over 700 staff. Anyway, the project finished in December of last year, completed, successfully rolled out.
Now, literally in the last 3 weeks, when you open a document, make changes, then save and close it, it doesn't necessarily put the changes back into the EDMS.
Now this would be fine if it happened every time (not fine, but understandable), or if it happened when you followed a specific series of events..... but no. Why make it easy to diagnose. Why not just let it happen randomly.
And it is seriously random, except for one similarity.
Over the past month we've also been rolling out Active Directory. This has been as smooth as silk.
The best packaged rollout that anyone has seen. In fact, the rest of the departments had attempted this with some varied results (ie, nothing worked).
Of course, this silky smooth rollout now has a flaw, as it is the similarity between the issues I'm having with the EDMS. However random the "no save" issue is, it happens only at AD sites.
So now a silky smooth, perfectly engineered system rollout needs to be put on hold because of issues with a system which I managed the implementation of 12 months ago.
To make it simple to understand, can you imagine writing this blog, getting to this point, then saving as a draft, the writing the rest of what is below, saving as a draft again, coming back and finding that you were back to this part? Would you be annoyed? I certainly would be.
Unfortunately it's not just work that's going wrong.
This morning it was raining so I decided to drive to work. The car is having clutch problems so I had to put clutch fluid in it before I left. So I opened the passenger side door and got the fluid out and put it on the roof. The I went around to the other side of the car and realised that I was parked up against a bunch of bushes, which were obviously wet.
So back to the passenger side to lean across to pop the bonnet. I did that, then decided that I'd push the car back while there so when I was ready to go I wouldn't get wet with the bushes.
So as I was pushing the car back the car suddenly stopped. The clutch fluid had fallen off the top and was now jammed under the tire (thank god it didn't pop). So I pushed it forward a little, took out the fluid, and raised the bonnet.
Have you ever tried to raise the bonnet of a car while holding an umbrella and a bottle of clutch fluid? That's pretty tough.
Have you ever tried to raise the bonnet of a car while holding an umbrella and a bottle of clutch fluid while the car is still in neutral and the hand brake is off?
That's a lot harder.
So I went back to the car and put on the handbrake, then went back and popped the bonnet, then poured in the clutch fluid and closed it all back up again.
Now I was ready to go, and I'm dry still.
Ever tried to get an umbrella into a small car?
Now the umbrella's in the car, and I'm ready to go, albeit I now find that I'm wet.
Luckily the drive in was uneventful, however there were people going straight when they should turn and visa versa.
When I arrived I parked and grabbed the $3 needed for an all day park. First coin got stuck, but I was able to push it through with the second, which suprise suprise, got stuck. In goes the 3rd dollar to push in the second, but now there's nothing left to push this through. So the ticket machine gives me a ticket for $2 up until 1pm, instead of $3 for all day. AND the other dollar is still stuck in the machine!
That's fine, I'm okay, I'm just going to get some breaky at the cafe and then head to work. But hang on, I've only got $10, that won't be enough. So I stopped off at the ATM to get some cash out for the rest of the day.
"Please remove card" *beep* *beep* *beep* *beep* *beep* *beep* *beep* *beep* *beep* *beep*
The card didn't eject all the way out...... So I pushed it back in with another card.
"Please remove card" *beep* *beep* *beep* *beep* *beep* *beep* *beep* *beep* *beep* *beep*
Again the card didn't eject out enough to get a grip (if only I carried tweezers someone would later point out to me today)
"Card Confiscated, cancelling transaction"
And that was that. I was left with my $10, and no bank card for 5 working days on friday morning.
And this was all before I got into work to hit the EDMS issues (have a look at how much work you could lose when it doesn't recognise you saves)
I'm sure someone came along to find that extra $1 in parking machine, and they proabably put that into a pokie..........
Next time you're on that winning streak, spare a thought for the person that's doing it rough to keep the balance in the Universe.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
and the winner is..........
I won a competition trying to work out the source of a quote.
Thanks to Skye for putting it together, can't wait till the next one.
Thanks to Skye for putting it together, can't wait till the next one.
Monday, November 13, 2006
Lemonade - G Love
Alright, for those of you that don't know there's a really cool band called G Love and the Special Sauce. G Love himself has done a few albums of his own, and Lemonade is his latest.
Once again G Love has not let me down. His musical style is quite unique, and he's possibly the coolest white dude alive. Have a listen to "Lemonade" now......
I had to attend a meeting yesterday and quickly ripped off a copy of this album to listen on the car ride there. I was only listening for a couple of songs, but I spent the rest of the meeting tapping my fingers and thumbs to the tunes.
G Love has the amazing ability to change my music stylings and I find myself trying to write and play around his style.
Shirts and cars, aircon spa's guitars
Trippin' down the coast with Gilly, ily, Jilly
and the stories of old in the school yard silly
Thorner moung the roses, check'n once check'n twice
check'n three times in the car coastin fine this is nice.
Once again G Love has not let me down. His musical style is quite unique, and he's possibly the coolest white dude alive. Have a listen to "Lemonade" now......
I had to attend a meeting yesterday and quickly ripped off a copy of this album to listen on the car ride there. I was only listening for a couple of songs, but I spent the rest of the meeting tapping my fingers and thumbs to the tunes.
G Love has the amazing ability to change my music stylings and I find myself trying to write and play around his style.
Shirts and cars, aircon spa's guitars
Trippin' down the coast with Gilly, ily, Jilly
and the stories of old in the school yard silly
Thorner moung the roses, check'n once check'n twice
check'n three times in the car coastin fine this is nice.
Friday, October 20, 2006
Surf Trip goes World Wide
What has started as a two week adventure down the East Coast of Australia has now grown to a one year treck around the World.
Ever since I can remember, after the age of 18, I've wanted to travel the world. I look at the way I am when I'm on holidays in Australia and it's the kind of person I wish I always was. Carefree, expressive, relaxed........ travelling is like my muse.
So I've combined the quest for my muse through travel into my new found love of surfing. The trip will begin in May and go to
Darwin
Bali
Brisbane
Hawaii
New York
Vegas
San Diego
Mexio
Costa Rica
Morroco
Spain
Portugal
Spain
France
Ireland
????
6 months to plan, 6 months to save.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Surf Spots
The days are slowly ticking away and the trip is getting closer and closer.
My original companion for the trip has left Brisbane and is currently working in Darwin, so I'm out my own again. I've still got Jill for the first part of the trip to Cabarita, and hopefully I'll get to catch up with my old flat mate in brissy or sydney.
I've got an idea of where I'll be when, but nothing definate has been set out just yet.
I'm really looking forward to the Fot Sun festival. I've been in touch with Simon, an english guy from Sydney that I met while staying in Byron Bay over Australia Day 2006. He used to play lead guitar in a band with his twin brother and we spent hours on the balcony at Middle Reef strumming out tunes. It turns out that Simon is friends with one of the band members playing at the festival so he might get a free ride while he's there, and it would be awesome to hang out and jam with some professionals.
The Beautiful Girls will be making an appearence as well so I hope to catch up with Clay again, might even try to see if they can squeeze a surf in while I'm there.
My original companion for the trip has left Brisbane and is currently working in Darwin, so I'm out my own again. I've still got Jill for the first part of the trip to Cabarita, and hopefully I'll get to catch up with my old flat mate in brissy or sydney.
I've got an idea of where I'll be when, but nothing definate has been set out just yet.
- Cabarita - Burleigh Heads, Fingal, Cabarita (see Nicole, Emma, Lizzy, Reanna, Picko)
- Byron Bay - Cabarita, Pottsville, Wategoes (see Jen)
- Byron Bay - as above
- Lennox Head - Lennox Head
- Crescent Head - Crescent Head
- Crescent Head - Crescent Head
- Port Macquarie - Port Macquarie
- Port Macquarie - Port Macquarie
- Sydney - Angourie
- - -
- - -
- - Wilson's Promentry - Wilson's Promentry
- - Wilson's Promentry - Wilson's Promentry
- - -2hrs from Melbourne -
- - Melbourne -
I'm really looking forward to the Fot Sun festival. I've been in touch with Simon, an english guy from Sydney that I met while staying in Byron Bay over Australia Day 2006. He used to play lead guitar in a band with his twin brother and we spent hours on the balcony at Middle Reef strumming out tunes. It turns out that Simon is friends with one of the band members playing at the festival so he might get a free ride while he's there, and it would be awesome to hang out and jam with some professionals.
The Beautiful Girls will be making an appearence as well so I hope to catch up with Clay again, might even try to see if they can squeeze a surf in while I'm there.
Friday, October 13, 2006
Google Surfing Maps
I've been playing around a little bit with getting Surf Maps to appear using the Google Maps functions.
I managed to get the first couple working well on my footage blog, and then tried to recreate it with another blog which I will dedicate entirely to Surf Spots. Unfortunately only one map is working on this site at the moment, but that leads me to the next step.
I came across a tutorial from the Ajax Search API Hack blog site and intend to implement.
Fingers crossed, and i'll be sure to keep you updated as it goes. I'll be documenting and adding each surf location on my "Surf the Dream" tour for anyone that happens to follow in my footsteps.
I managed to get the first couple working well on my footage blog, and then tried to recreate it with another blog which I will dedicate entirely to Surf Spots. Unfortunately only one map is working on this site at the moment, but that leads me to the next step.
I came across a tutorial from the Ajax Search API Hack blog site and intend to implement.
Fingers crossed, and i'll be sure to keep you updated as it goes. I'll be documenting and adding each surf location on my "Surf the Dream" tour for anyone that happens to follow in my footsteps.
55 days, 11 hours, 32 minutes until East Coast Road Trip!
Times ticking down and I'm happy to say it's all going to plan.
I've been hitting the road 4-5 times a week with a 5km run, and swimming 1km once a week (in a very slow 40 minutes ). I've got my flexability to a point I've never had before, I can actually touch the ground while standing.......with my legs straight! Seriously, first time I've been able to do that without warming up EVER!!!!! Go Yoga!
Yoga has slipped off to once a week but will be back onto twice a week next week, and the gym will be reintroduced to work on my core stability.
The trip couldn't arrive quick enough.
I've been hitting the road 4-5 times a week with a 5km run, and swimming 1km once a week (in a very slow 40 minutes ). I've got my flexability to a point I've never had before, I can actually touch the ground while standing.......with my legs straight! Seriously, first time I've been able to do that without warming up EVER!!!!! Go Yoga!
Yoga has slipped off to once a week but will be back onto twice a week next week, and the gym will be reintroduced to work on my core stability.
The trip couldn't arrive quick enough.
East Coast Trip Expands
I've taken the idea of this east coast trip and i'm trying to expand it to cover the world.
The idea of travelling, suring, playing guitar, and filming is soooo compelling to me that I want to make it my full time job. The only problem, as someone rudely pointed out, is that you don't get paid for having that kind of fun.
To them I say, why the hell not?!?!?!
Now for a good idea to make me money.....................
The idea of travelling, suring, playing guitar, and filming is soooo compelling to me that I want to make it my full time job. The only problem, as someone rudely pointed out, is that you don't get paid for having that kind of fun.
To them I say, why the hell not?!?!?!
Now for a good idea to make me money.....................
Blogger Beta
Hooray, I've been allowed to upgrade my old blogs to blogger beta.
Now I've got to work out what's new, which labels I want to use, what cool nerdy geeky things I can now do, and how I'm going to get refocused on my actual day job now I've got a new toy......Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Song for Margaret River 2006
I have duplicated this post, but I didn't want to delete an old post, anyone know how to bump a post to the top without deleting?
Stop crying when we're
Free and flying..............and we
be gen seeing ...... just what we
Might be believing ............ and please
Times like these,
they only seem to flash and then
they are gone
with the memories that we're so strong
So it's things
That you can hold in your
hearts and minds and hands and souls
it's things like these so sing it please
little things,
that mean a world to you and me
but to most, it's just pine-app-les on a blue uku le LEeeee
Chorus.....
Wrong way back through apple cross,
dick chany in charge makes people cross
Lucky dip hair ties, fairy dolls and pirate patches no one knows
Pirate's home is home to men
in dresses playing cards and then
We're on a tri vi al pursuit for the mupputs star in a green frog suit
Hammocks break while flies have sex
24 shop closed, how much for 8 m & m's?
fucking love you man the targo van
B grade boobs, pass what looks like fag, rhymes with dudes?
________________________________________________________
Stop crying when we're
Free and flying..............and we
be gen seeing ...... just what we
Might be believing ............ and please
Times like these,
they only seem to flash and then
they are gone
with the memories that we're so strong
So it's things
That you can hold in your
hearts and minds and hands and souls
it's things like these so sing it please
Chorus.....
little things,
that mean a world to you and me
but to most, it's just pine-app-les on a blue uku le LEeeee
Wrong way back through apple cross,
proved the quickest scenic route
Lucky dip hair ties, fairy dolls and pirate patches
Pirate's home
Is home to men in dresses playing cards
We're on a trivial pursuit for the green frog star of the muppets
Swings just break,
While flies are copulating
24/7 closed, 20c for m & m's
Fucking Love you Maaan
Awesome week
Tandoori chicken sandwiches
tarago drive
mission for straps
wrong way back through apple cross proved the sceneric but 2quickest route
Fairy shop lucky dip hair ties, fairy dolls and pirate eye patches
Beers packed at backpackers
Game of kings, wearing the dress and being hit on by guys.
Impossible questions from a singapore trivial pursuit board while the green frog star of the muppets is asked.
Long hard days of nothing
Breaking hammocks sore buts
Flies bonking
24/7 that never opens
4 hours of strumming in the court year while the roommates court
powerfully b-grade movies with too many boobs.
Late night fast eddies burgers
OBH patron superman over the bar
While sivi from Norway drives us home in a cool van, cathy from sweeden plans our demise witha crazy laough
and tries to stab us in the ear.
later night water runs on a hungover head.
20c for MM's but only 7 (8 if you're lucky), skittles not as popular.
Eating 2-3 things on every menu
Not missing the secret handshakes on the drive down.
Crap house, crapper fire place and setting fire to everything burnable
Best man not the best sport when it comes to wearing the dresses.
VIP's where it counts
Not able to speak in the surfers lounge
Early morning drives when you can't see the bus
Buying beers from Grace Town with cards and wax with cool packaging
Filming south point while adam snaps the falls and wipe outs.
3 panadol the stable breakfast diet with heart stopper breakfasts not too far behind.
18+ or - at the bakery
Thnk everyone the contest was on during school
Filming sunsets while sinking beers
BBQ's at night and everyone's there
Wedding couple Bianca and Craig, Dan and Kara, Renee and CJ, Adam and Sharlene, Chani and Jess, Nicole
and Mardi and Coby, Luke+1, olly and Mikey with Mel and Caleb.
Juice Stain Justin
Early morning Sunrise Scientology when you can't feel your toes beats the best sleep in at home.
Coffee warms the hands
3 coffees and a diet coke with a "do you want any coffee in those?"
Cut away shots
Simple life of Christian in the bush
Naked Mermaids
Clear eye's for a best man before the wedding for his "sun burnt" eyes.
Flowers found with ease
All places can be found from Caves Road
REligion stretch of camp sites.
Gas point barrels, Box barrelling out of control.
Dolphins swimming in the waves
Chani makes every morning but only brings glasses once.
Spectators Rock the frame
The Canon XL1 gets you places you can't go.
$3.50 water from the large breasted bunch - $4 for beer!
Tightest ass going round in media with black tights
the hot brazilian surfer dude with the hot tattoo
a memorial stantds where a surfer was taken
nic bush bahing snoozes in the scrub
beanie weather good times
kungfu fighting team
funky chicket protects the dunes
dick cheny takes over as president as we recover couch bound by the fire
really really ridiculously good looking people.
blue ukulele's with pineapples
Ukuleles strums the wedding march while max stamps the quiet front at the wedding
No door on the brde and gooms room means we all share their love
last minute beading, water to consecrate the earth, missing children, and long children walks.
"I hope you swallow your own tongue"
Bakery, Cally (swedish) with her meat cleaver.
Soccer stars head butt paper into the fire.
Stop crying when we're
Free and flying..............and we
be gen seeing ...... just what we
Might be believing ............ and please
Times like these,
they only seem to flash and then
they are gone
with the memories that we're so strong
So it's things
That you can hold in your
hearts and minds and hands and souls
it's things like these so sing it please
little things,
that mean a world to you and me
but to most, it's just pine-app-les on a blue uku le LEeeee
Chorus.....
Wrong way back through apple cross,
dick chany in charge makes people cross
Lucky dip hair ties, fairy dolls and pirate patches no one knows
Pirate's home is home to men
in dresses playing cards and then
We're on a tri vi al pursuit for the mupputs star in a green frog suit
Hammocks break while flies have sex
24 shop closed, how much for 8 m & m's?
fucking love you man the targo van
B grade boobs, pass what looks like fag, rhymes with dudes?
________________________________________________________
Stop crying when we're
Free and flying..............and we
be gen seeing ...... just what we
Might be believing ............ and please
Times like these,
they only seem to flash and then
they are gone
with the memories that we're so strong
So it's things
That you can hold in your
hearts and minds and hands and souls
it's things like these so sing it please
Chorus.....
little things,
that mean a world to you and me
but to most, it's just pine-app-les on a blue uku le LEeeee
Wrong way back through apple cross,
proved the quickest scenic route
Lucky dip hair ties, fairy dolls and pirate patches
Pirate's home
Is home to men in dresses playing cards
We're on a trivial pursuit for the green frog star of the muppets
Swings just break,
While flies are copulating
24/7 closed, 20c for m & m's
Fucking Love you Maaan
Awesome week
Tandoori chicken sandwiches
tarago drive
mission for straps
wrong way back through apple cross proved the sceneric but 2quickest route
Fairy shop lucky dip hair ties, fairy dolls and pirate eye patches
Beers packed at backpackers
Game of kings, wearing the dress and being hit on by guys.
Impossible questions from a singapore trivial pursuit board while the green frog star of the muppets is asked.
Long hard days of nothing
Breaking hammocks sore buts
Flies bonking
24/7 that never opens
4 hours of strumming in the court year while the roommates court
powerfully b-grade movies with too many boobs.
Late night fast eddies burgers
OBH patron superman over the bar
While sivi from Norway drives us home in a cool van, cathy from sweeden plans our demise witha crazy laough
and tries to stab us in the ear.
later night water runs on a hungover head.
20c for MM's but only 7 (8 if you're lucky), skittles not as popular.
Eating 2-3 things on every menu
Not missing the secret handshakes on the drive down.
Crap house, crapper fire place and setting fire to everything burnable
Best man not the best sport when it comes to wearing the dresses.
VIP's where it counts
Not able to speak in the surfers lounge
Early morning drives when you can't see the bus
Buying beers from Grace Town with cards and wax with cool packaging
Filming south point while adam snaps the falls and wipe outs.
3 panadol the stable breakfast diet with heart stopper breakfasts not too far behind.
18+ or - at the bakery
Thnk everyone the contest was on during school
Filming sunsets while sinking beers
BBQ's at night and everyone's there
Wedding couple Bianca and Craig, Dan and Kara, Renee and CJ, Adam and Sharlene, Chani and Jess, Nicole
and Mardi and Coby, Luke+1, olly and Mikey with Mel and Caleb.
Juice Stain Justin
Early morning Sunrise Scientology when you can't feel your toes beats the best sleep in at home.
Coffee warms the hands
3 coffees and a diet coke with a "do you want any coffee in those?"
Cut away shots
Simple life of Christian in the bush
Naked Mermaids
Clear eye's for a best man before the wedding for his "sun burnt" eyes.
Flowers found with ease
All places can be found from Caves Road
REligion stretch of camp sites.
Gas point barrels, Box barrelling out of control.
Dolphins swimming in the waves
Chani makes every morning but only brings glasses once.
Spectators Rock the frame
The Canon XL1 gets you places you can't go.
$3.50 water from the large breasted bunch - $4 for beer!
Tightest ass going round in media with black tights
the hot brazilian surfer dude with the hot tattoo
a memorial stantds where a surfer was taken
nic bush bahing snoozes in the scrub
beanie weather good times
kungfu fighting team
funky chicket protects the dunes
dick cheny takes over as president as we recover couch bound by the fire
really really ridiculously good looking people.
blue ukulele's with pineapples
Ukuleles strums the wedding march while max stamps the quiet front at the wedding
No door on the brde and gooms room means we all share their love
last minute beading, water to consecrate the earth, missing children, and long children walks.
"I hope you swallow your own tongue"
Bakery, Cally (swedish) with her meat cleaver.
Soccer stars head butt paper into the fire.
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Surf Spot Maps
I've been reading through my Wave-finder Australia book to find a couple of new breaks to surf during my trip down the east and onto the south coast of Australia.
I think the book is amazing, but it started me thinking about other ways to share this information. Fortunately I had recently been part of a review panel for the advantages and disadvantages of using Google Earth as a work application.
I suggested perhaps look at Google Maps because it is less taxing on the bandwidth and does not require any 3rd party software to be loaded for use.
I've been fooling around with the API for a few hours and have so far developed something which I think is the beginning of something useful. I've created these Surf Maps on my footage site, only because it's more of a test site for template changes.
If it's successful or people find it useful I'll migrate it to this site, and who knows I might even take it out of a blog and make it a site of it's own.
Please take a look at the Surf Maps and let me know if you find them helpful, or something else that could be added for ease of use. Click on the HYBRID buttons for Fingal, Pottsville and Cabarita for a better look (the others have poor photo's of the areas).
I'm only going to be using spots that I have previously been to or have been told about by friends, and the descriptions of the surf spots will be either my own or of friends.
I think the book is amazing, but it started me thinking about other ways to share this information. Fortunately I had recently been part of a review panel for the advantages and disadvantages of using Google Earth as a work application.
I suggested perhaps look at Google Maps because it is less taxing on the bandwidth and does not require any 3rd party software to be loaded for use.
I've been fooling around with the API for a few hours and have so far developed something which I think is the beginning of something useful. I've created these Surf Maps on my footage site, only because it's more of a test site for template changes.
If it's successful or people find it useful I'll migrate it to this site, and who knows I might even take it out of a blog and make it a site of it's own.
Please take a look at the Surf Maps and let me know if you find them helpful, or something else that could be added for ease of use. Click on the HYBRID buttons for Fingal, Pottsville and Cabarita for a better look (the others have poor photo's of the areas).
I'm only going to be using spots that I have previously been to or have been told about by friends, and the descriptions of the surf spots will be either my own or of friends.
Friday, September 22, 2006
Song for Margaret River 2006
Stop crying when we're
Free and flying..............and we
be gen seeing ...... just what we
Might be believing ............ and please
Times like these,
they only seem to flash and then
they are gone
with the memories that we're so strong
So it's things
That you can hold in your
hearts and minds and hands and souls
it's things like these so sing it please
little things,
that mean a world to you and me
but to most, it's just pine-app-les on a blue uku le LEeeee
Chorus.....
Wrong way back through apple cross,
burning everything that burns
Lucky dip hair ties, fairy dolls and pirate patches no one knows
Pirate's home is home to men
in dresses playing cards and then
We're on a tri vi al pursuit for the mupputs star in a green frog suit
Hammocks break while flies have sex
24 shop closed, how much for 8 m & m's?
fucking love you man the targo van
B grade horror to many boobs, what sounds like spliff but rhymes with dude.
________________________________________________________
Stop crying when we're
Free and flying..............and we
be gen seeing ...... just what we
Might be believing ............ and please
Times like these,
they only seem to flash and then
they are gone
with the memories that we're so strong
So it's things
That you can hold in your
hearts and minds and hands and souls
it's things like these so sing it please
Chorus.....
little things,
that mean a world to you and me
but to most, it's just pine-app-les on a blue uku le LEeeee
Wrong way back through apple cross,
proved the quickest scenic route
Lucky dip hair ties, fairy dolls and pirate patches
Pirate's home
Is home to men in dresses playing cards
We're on a trivial pursuit for the green frog star of the muppets
Swings just break,
While flies are copulating
24/7 closed, 20c for m & m's
Fucking Love you Maaan
Awesome week
Tandoori chicken sandwiches
tarago drive
mission for straps
wrong way back through apple cross proved the sceneric but 2quickest route
Fairy shop lucky dip hair ties, fairy dolls and pirate eye patches
Beers packed at backpackers
Game of kings, wearing the dress and being hit on by guys.
Impossible questions from a singapore trivial pursuit board while the green frog star of the muppets is asked.
Long hard days of nothing
Breaking hammocks sore buts
Flies bonking
24/7 that never opens
4 hours of strumming in the court year while the roommates court
powerfully b-grade movies with too many boobs.
Late night fast eddies burgers
OBH patron superman over the bar
While sivi from Norway drives us home in a cool van, cathy from sweeden plans our demise witha crazy laough
and tries to stab us in the ear.
later night water runs on a hungover head.
20c for MM's but only 7 (8 if you're lucky), skittles not as popular.
Eating 2-3 things on every menu
Not missing the secret handshakes on the drive down.
Crap house, crapper fire place and setting fire to everything burnable
Best man not the best sport when it comes to wearing the dresses.
VIP's where it counts
Not able to speak in the surfers lounge
Early morning drives when you can't see the bus
Buying beers from Grace Town with cards and wax with cool packaging
Filming south point while adam snaps the falls and wipe outs.
3 panadol the stable breakfast diet with heart stopper breakfasts not too far behind.
18+ or - at the bakery
Thnk everyone the contest was on during school
Filming sunsets while sinking beers
BBQ's at night and everyone's there
Wedding couple Bianca and Craig, Dan and Kara, Renee and CJ, Adam and Sharlene, Chani and Jess, Nicole
and Mardi and Coby, Luke+1, olly and Mikey with Mel and Caleb.
Juice Stain Justin
Early morning Sunrise Scientology when you can't feel your toes beats the best sleep in at home.
Coffee warms the hands
3 coffees and a diet coke with a "do you want any coffee in those?"
Cut away shots
Simple life of Christian in the bush
Naked Mermaids
Clear eye's for a best man before the wedding for his "sun burnt" eyes.
Flowers found with ease
All places can be found from Caves Road
REligion stretch of camp sites.
Gas point barrels, Box barrelling out of control.
Dolphins swimming in the waves
Chani makes every morning but only brings glasses once.
Spectators Rock the frame
The Canon XL1 gets you places you can't go.
$3.50 water from the large breasted bunch - $4 for beer!
Tightest ass going round in media with black tights
the hot brazilian surfer dude with the hot tattoo
a memorial stantds where a surfer was taken
nic bush bahing snoozes in the scrub
beanie weather good times
kungfu fighting team
funky chicket protects the dunes
dick cheny takes over as president as we recover couch bound by the fire
really really ridiculously good looking people.
blue ukulele's with pineapples
Ukuleles strums the wedding march while max stamps the quiet front at the wedding
No door on the brde and gooms room means we all share their love
last minute beading, water to consecrate the earth, missing children, and long children walks.
"I hope you swallow your own tongue"
Bakery, Cally (swedish) with her meat cleaver.
Soccer stars head butt paper into the fire.
Free and flying..............and we
be gen seeing ...... just what we
Might be believing ............ and please
Times like these,
they only seem to flash and then
they are gone
with the memories that we're so strong
So it's things
That you can hold in your
hearts and minds and hands and souls
it's things like these so sing it please
little things,
that mean a world to you and me
but to most, it's just pine-app-les on a blue uku le LEeeee
Chorus.....
Wrong way back through apple cross,
burning everything that burns
Lucky dip hair ties, fairy dolls and pirate patches no one knows
Pirate's home is home to men
in dresses playing cards and then
We're on a tri vi al pursuit for the mupputs star in a green frog suit
Hammocks break while flies have sex
24 shop closed, how much for 8 m & m's?
fucking love you man the targo van
B grade horror to many boobs, what sounds like spliff but rhymes with dude.
________________________________________________________
Stop crying when we're
Free and flying..............and we
be gen seeing ...... just what we
Might be believing ............ and please
Times like these,
they only seem to flash and then
they are gone
with the memories that we're so strong
So it's things
That you can hold in your
hearts and minds and hands and souls
it's things like these so sing it please
Chorus.....
little things,
that mean a world to you and me
but to most, it's just pine-app-les on a blue uku le LEeeee
Wrong way back through apple cross,
proved the quickest scenic route
Lucky dip hair ties, fairy dolls and pirate patches
Pirate's home
Is home to men in dresses playing cards
We're on a trivial pursuit for the green frog star of the muppets
Swings just break,
While flies are copulating
24/7 closed, 20c for m & m's
Fucking Love you Maaan
Awesome week
Tandoori chicken sandwiches
tarago drive
mission for straps
wrong way back through apple cross proved the sceneric but 2quickest route
Fairy shop lucky dip hair ties, fairy dolls and pirate eye patches
Beers packed at backpackers
Game of kings, wearing the dress and being hit on by guys.
Impossible questions from a singapore trivial pursuit board while the green frog star of the muppets is asked.
Long hard days of nothing
Breaking hammocks sore buts
Flies bonking
24/7 that never opens
4 hours of strumming in the court year while the roommates court
powerfully b-grade movies with too many boobs.
Late night fast eddies burgers
OBH patron superman over the bar
While sivi from Norway drives us home in a cool van, cathy from sweeden plans our demise witha crazy laough
and tries to stab us in the ear.
later night water runs on a hungover head.
20c for MM's but only 7 (8 if you're lucky), skittles not as popular.
Eating 2-3 things on every menu
Not missing the secret handshakes on the drive down.
Crap house, crapper fire place and setting fire to everything burnable
Best man not the best sport when it comes to wearing the dresses.
VIP's where it counts
Not able to speak in the surfers lounge
Early morning drives when you can't see the bus
Buying beers from Grace Town with cards and wax with cool packaging
Filming south point while adam snaps the falls and wipe outs.
3 panadol the stable breakfast diet with heart stopper breakfasts not too far behind.
18+ or - at the bakery
Thnk everyone the contest was on during school
Filming sunsets while sinking beers
BBQ's at night and everyone's there
Wedding couple Bianca and Craig, Dan and Kara, Renee and CJ, Adam and Sharlene, Chani and Jess, Nicole
and Mardi and Coby, Luke+1, olly and Mikey with Mel and Caleb.
Juice Stain Justin
Early morning Sunrise Scientology when you can't feel your toes beats the best sleep in at home.
Coffee warms the hands
3 coffees and a diet coke with a "do you want any coffee in those?"
Cut away shots
Simple life of Christian in the bush
Naked Mermaids
Clear eye's for a best man before the wedding for his "sun burnt" eyes.
Flowers found with ease
All places can be found from Caves Road
REligion stretch of camp sites.
Gas point barrels, Box barrelling out of control.
Dolphins swimming in the waves
Chani makes every morning but only brings glasses once.
Spectators Rock the frame
The Canon XL1 gets you places you can't go.
$3.50 water from the large breasted bunch - $4 for beer!
Tightest ass going round in media with black tights
the hot brazilian surfer dude with the hot tattoo
a memorial stantds where a surfer was taken
nic bush bahing snoozes in the scrub
beanie weather good times
kungfu fighting team
funky chicket protects the dunes
dick cheny takes over as president as we recover couch bound by the fire
really really ridiculously good looking people.
blue ukulele's with pineapples
Ukuleles strums the wedding march while max stamps the quiet front at the wedding
No door on the brde and gooms room means we all share their love
last minute beading, water to consecrate the earth, missing children, and long children walks.
"I hope you swallow your own tongue"
Bakery, Cally (swedish) with her meat cleaver.
Soccer stars head butt paper into the fire.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Maybe it's just a coincidence
I read a post today on "The Skye's the Limit" and it started me thinking about coincidences. I figured that rather then take up half a page in Skye's comments, as I may have done once or twice, that I'd post a completely off the Surf topic here.
I have this thing about 11:11. I always seem to look at the computer at work at 11:11. Seriously, it happens at least twice a week.
Or so I thought it did.
I noticed that it was 11:11 today, was it a coincidence that this happened on the same day that Skye was posting about coincidences? And that it would then cause me to post about the same thing? But wait a minute, when was the last time that actually happened. A week, a month? I couldn't remember.
Before we look into that further I'll explain about another situation.
A few months ago I was speaking to a friend of mine, Kara, and she asked if I'd read the Obituaries in the paper. Someone our age had passed away, and Darwin being so small it was rare for you not to at least have heard someone by name if not know them by face, but on this occasion neither of us had.
I forgot all about this, and a couple of days later I was getting out of my car, which I park behind one of our old night clubs Rattle n' Hum, and looked up at the building and thought about all the good times that we had in that night club.
My thoughts jumped from Rattle's to another club called the "Vic", and all the good times we had there. I then started thinking about meeting people at the Vic, and then the night I saw a mate of mine Clint for the first time in ages. I remember catching up with him and having a drink, wandering through the club catching up on old times, and I remember him limping as we were walking around.
I then remembered back to when I was working at the Norther Territory Institute of Sport and Clint was in the Rugby Squad, and the laughs we used to have there.
I also remembered the day at the NTIS when answering the phone to Clint calling to tell the coach some news, but because I answered he told me instead. He called to say that the doctors had found cancer in his knee.
I remembered talking to him about it for a while, then not seeing him for ages until that particular night at the Vic, and then wandering around, catching up on old stories and enjoying the laughs we used when we were a few years younger.
I remembered sending an sms to Clint a few months later to see how he was doing and wish him well because I hadn't heard anything for a while.
I remembered sitting at Clints funeral with all his friends and family. I remember the eulogies thanking everyone that visited and sent sms which kept his spirits high.
I remember crying at the funeral.
My mind dwelled there for most of the walk, between good times and sad, until something caught my eye and my mind went off somewhere else.
Later that week I was at work and someone asked me to check an article in the paper from a few days before. As I was flipping through the paper I remembered what Kara had said about looking in the Obituaries.
When I flipped open the page I saw it almost immediately. It was the anniversary of Clint's passing, and it was on the same day that I'd gone back through all those memories.
Not a coincidence?
I'm not convinced.
I was attending a Buddhist Meditation session a few months ago and they had a special guest who talked about the similarities between Buddhism mantra's and chants and Aboriginal beliefs and songs.
It was interesting to see how he made the connections, and to be honest sometimes they seemed quite a stretch, but what he did say was that both areas were very close to him, he studied one for 20 years and the other for 16 years, and that you always seem to find similarities in things that are important to you.
I think the same goes for coincidences. Things happen around us all the time, but we only notice a very small portion of them.
The 11:11 example for instance. I look at the clock at work anywhere between 5 and 50 times a day. The only time I notice the time is when it's 11:11 because I believe that happens all the time. The time is probably 10:34 just as often, but that's a boring number and not important, 11:11 is cool!
Sometimes we see things as being more then they are because we want to believe that there are clues, plans, or paths there for us to follow, let us know that we're on the right track, or to provide guidence and affirmation for what we believe is true.
Sometimes............ it's just a coincidence.
I have this thing about 11:11. I always seem to look at the computer at work at 11:11. Seriously, it happens at least twice a week.
Or so I thought it did.
I noticed that it was 11:11 today, was it a coincidence that this happened on the same day that Skye was posting about coincidences? And that it would then cause me to post about the same thing? But wait a minute, when was the last time that actually happened. A week, a month? I couldn't remember.
Before we look into that further I'll explain about another situation.
A few months ago I was speaking to a friend of mine, Kara, and she asked if I'd read the Obituaries in the paper. Someone our age had passed away, and Darwin being so small it was rare for you not to at least have heard someone by name if not know them by face, but on this occasion neither of us had.
I forgot all about this, and a couple of days later I was getting out of my car, which I park behind one of our old night clubs Rattle n' Hum, and looked up at the building and thought about all the good times that we had in that night club.
My thoughts jumped from Rattle's to another club called the "Vic", and all the good times we had there. I then started thinking about meeting people at the Vic, and then the night I saw a mate of mine Clint for the first time in ages. I remember catching up with him and having a drink, wandering through the club catching up on old times, and I remember him limping as we were walking around.
I then remembered back to when I was working at the Norther Territory Institute of Sport and Clint was in the Rugby Squad, and the laughs we used to have there.
I also remembered the day at the NTIS when answering the phone to Clint calling to tell the coach some news, but because I answered he told me instead. He called to say that the doctors had found cancer in his knee.
I remembered talking to him about it for a while, then not seeing him for ages until that particular night at the Vic, and then wandering around, catching up on old stories and enjoying the laughs we used when we were a few years younger.
I remembered sending an sms to Clint a few months later to see how he was doing and wish him well because I hadn't heard anything for a while.
I remembered sitting at Clints funeral with all his friends and family. I remember the eulogies thanking everyone that visited and sent sms which kept his spirits high.
I remember crying at the funeral.
My mind dwelled there for most of the walk, between good times and sad, until something caught my eye and my mind went off somewhere else.
Later that week I was at work and someone asked me to check an article in the paper from a few days before. As I was flipping through the paper I remembered what Kara had said about looking in the Obituaries.
When I flipped open the page I saw it almost immediately. It was the anniversary of Clint's passing, and it was on the same day that I'd gone back through all those memories.
Not a coincidence?
I'm not convinced.
I was attending a Buddhist Meditation session a few months ago and they had a special guest who talked about the similarities between Buddhism mantra's and chants and Aboriginal beliefs and songs.
It was interesting to see how he made the connections, and to be honest sometimes they seemed quite a stretch, but what he did say was that both areas were very close to him, he studied one for 20 years and the other for 16 years, and that you always seem to find similarities in things that are important to you.
I think the same goes for coincidences. Things happen around us all the time, but we only notice a very small portion of them.
The 11:11 example for instance. I look at the clock at work anywhere between 5 and 50 times a day. The only time I notice the time is when it's 11:11 because I believe that happens all the time. The time is probably 10:34 just as often, but that's a boring number and not important, 11:11 is cool!
Sometimes we see things as being more then they are because we want to believe that there are clues, plans, or paths there for us to follow, let us know that we're on the right track, or to provide guidence and affirmation for what we believe is true.
Sometimes............ it's just a coincidence.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Brisbane Coochie and Bryon Bay 2004
I came across this journal entry over the weekend. I wrote it 4 days after getting back from my first trip to Byron Bay with Roland and James. There is more to the journal, but this was my reflection on the last few days of the trip I ever made down the East Coast........ and when I re-read the entry I can't help but smile and become more excited about the trip ahead.
Some things have been omitted to protect the innocent
Thursday. Two weeks since the start of something which will be looked back on with smiles, laughter and perhaps slight regret. No, regret is not the word, those “regrettable” experiences merely serve the same function as the flags on the beaches we spent so much time at, we know where we are supposed to swim, and occasionally straying from that can have dire consequences.
Life has again returned to its empty state. It's in that period between knowing what living is really like and falling back into the boring mundane task of waking, eating, working and sleeping.
True stock on life and the people you share it with should be made during this time, when you know what you really need to enjoy yourself as opposed to what you want to have to distort your perspective of real enjoyment.
Before more reflection let’s go back to our last days of the trip.
Friday we arrived back from Byron. Once again we were awake at 5 waiting for the inevitable “are you awake?” before the car was packed and off tot he beach.
The night before was a turn up for the books... or at least this journal. 5 beer Jim closed shop and headed well before the boys were ready. In fact I think the previous nights were called closed by the boys much later. Regardless however good times were had by all. Our German friends (both physicists) joined us for drinks at the Bay Beach Bar......and that was after I absent mindedly explained to Ben about RSL's and the significance of The Last Post. Luckily Roland was there to make me realise the err of my ways... if only I was there for him later.....but I digress.
The Germans, Ben and Zabeena, had not drunk for quite sometime so the vodka and lemon they had lasted us 3 beers. Zabeena told an entertaining story of her first cocktail experience, with great quotes like “I remember thinking I really really like this feeling and I want to feel like this again” shortly before vomiting continuously for the next 24 hours. Later on, and a different story, all minds wandered when she spoke of twisting her ankle riding “bare back”.
The rest of the night was good fun, excellent company and cold beers. The only shame was the Great Northern, which is definitely not known for their HUGE pizza's.
Anyway, up at 5 and this time the hold up wasn't caused by James losing something, instead it was James getting the German's out of bed and downstairs. We stopped for the usual Diet Coke and Iced Coffee in the morning, and probably should have thought about getting some fuel for the car at the same time.
We went out to Watego's again and James very unselfishly gave his board to Ben, which also meant that he had the tough job of keeping Zabeena company on the beach.
To understand just how attractive this girl was can be explained in one simple way.........James went the whole time on the beach WITHOUT a cigarette.
Waves weren't all that good but it was great being out and in the water so early.
We, with thoughts of walking for fuel, dropped the Germans off at THE lighthouse before coasting back down the hill in neutral to conserve fuel. We made it back, however Rollies 40 Litre take took 42.5 litre's of fuel.
Jim, the ever alert, pointed our my need for super glue (the same glue that stuck 3 pairs of boxers together in my bag on the flight home) and we were off again.
After photo's with the German's we bid farewell to our little town with FAR too many beautiful women, and far too much beautiful scenery before heading back to Bris Vegas.
Of course being a surfing tour (sort of anyway) meant stopping at every beach on the way back, and not to mention the best bakery in NSW “Hot Bread Bakery” in Brunswic.
The surf was quiet at our regular stops, and judging by the wind at Cabarita we nearly bypassed it. Single to 1/1/2 over heads stretching from the far right point right the way down to the left beach where I first jumped on the board, then fell off, then got back on, then fell off again and again and again. Too big too big would be the cry.
Off again, stopping at Kira, Snapper, Coolongatta and our last stop.
The last stop was D-Bar but with a sore right hip and lack of surfing fitness Rol's was the only one who hit the water.
Sitting back on the “grassy nowl” with nearby kids inches away from a lawsuit, I brought out the guitar and played to the ocean. No one stopped and listened, but being in the sun watching the waves and the surfers while strumming away with nowhere to be pretty much summed up what I loved about the trip.
Back on Huessler Street I got one of my anxious “fuck it lets go to the pub” feelings so we sat there, Jim and I and watched Australia make history while getting slightly sauced. Unfortunately someone had 5 beers and wanted to rage all night, and although thanks were passed on in the morning, there was definate distress at night.
That leaves us on Saturday. The final part of the holiday chapter, and things were looking good. We hadn't drunk so much that I had no recollection, that Jim wanted to go home early, or that Roland was a broken shell of a man.
How much 24 hours can change a situation. But before I continue I have to mention that my friend, and pathological liar, did come to visit us at the pub on Friday. And although James made me say “slotted” while she was in ear shot, and the fact that she didn't recognise me from a foot away it was good to see her....... and her car....... which after a quick description Jim decided he had seen before, no need to leave the pub to see it again.
Anyway, we were dressed and ready to go to the races after another great breakfast at the pandamonium. After a middy at home we jumped in the cab with Joe, a friend of Roland from Mullins, and with directions from Joe headed off to Doomben.
Pretty soon we were in the Chief De Beers room with Joe, John, Mark, Jim, Rol's, Luke, Mark and Kate.
The pick of the day were the 2 girls in green being picked up by bogans while we stood on the members balcony reviewing the entire race course, or at least the crowd watching it. The worst was done by Mark (mullins) and I. Turned out that what was good from far was far FAR from good. In fact she was about 60 years far.
Next there were spirits, 14 rums on the table (thankyou Roland) and we were on a bus heading towards the GPO.
Now are Sterlo always says “If we freeze it here” the footage stops and we look at the playing field. Roland is throwing a handful of coasters across the bar, James is telling some pill popping kids he's a NSW policeman and I'm buying Vodka Smirnof Black for myself and 3 others. Alarm bells are ringing for our short term memories, knowing that only bad things can happen from here. So they do what they do best in this situation...............shut down.
Of course not all memories are lost. We can still identify the following
Someone hit on an engaged girl
Someone kissed a married woman near the toilet
Someone spent $41.00 at the servo
Someone had to catch a cab from around the corner because they were lost
Someone pashed a random chick until the pub closed at 5am
Someone got locked in a toilet
Someone hit on Michelle while completely naked (Michelle was clothed)
Someone was out danced 3 worms to 1 in a dance off.
When the morning rolled around I found myself hanging out in the front of a kabab shop enjoying a Diet Coke and speaking with two girls (I even remembered their names).
A short walk home found my usual bed taken so onto the floor with what felt like a bed sheet as a coushin, but by that stage I could have slept drenched in honey on a fire ants nest without complaint.
Unfortunately the sleep was far too short and I was soon retelling stories (and finding out some others) with Benny, Rol's, Jimmy and Michelle (I wonder why she slept on the couch and not in the room).
We had done it again. We had managed to make it through 7 days of relaxation with rol's before cramming in 3 months worth of anxiety into him within 24 hours.
The trip was over.
There was nothing left to do but pack our bags, load up the guitar and surfboard and think back on the fun we had all had over the past 10 days.
Although we finished feeling fairly ordinary on Sunday, those feelings were, eventually, well outweighed with the entertaining week before hand.
I laughed then, and each time I look back on the car ride out to the airport. Always a quiet ride, watching the cars pass us by as the sun sets over the horizon. Everyone is thinking about what had been done, try to remember what we'd forgotten, and striving to hold onto the feeling of being free and alive you only seem to get on holiday. And always, just as we pull up to the Virgin doorways Roland turns and says “Well boys you've done it again, you've destroyed me. Are you happy?” Of course it's always said in jest, but it's EVERY time we leave.
Shell of a man.
He calls every so often to make sure I'm saving up and have booked my flights, knowing full well he'll say he's happy to see the back of me at the end of the trip.
Ahh, although the staff change at the PADO, we meet different people, the Pandamonium moves down the road, we live with different people we can be sure that we will always leave him a shell of a man.
Although I've had many thoughts about it, the move to Brisbane would kill our careers, however we'd have the clothes on our back, guitars and surfboards, a bit of money and an entire countries coastline to explore and conquer.
As I sat back at the end of the bar at shenannigans, with completely new staff working and Louise crying on her way to the toilets I realised something.
Things will Inevitably change, however some things will always remain the same.
So from our trip to Brisbane, Coochie and Byron Bay I say goodbye, good luck and see you again in 2005
Some things have been omitted to protect the innocent
Thursday. Two weeks since the start of something which will be looked back on with smiles, laughter and perhaps slight regret. No, regret is not the word, those “regrettable” experiences merely serve the same function as the flags on the beaches we spent so much time at, we know where we are supposed to swim, and occasionally straying from that can have dire consequences.
Life has again returned to its empty state. It's in that period between knowing what living is really like and falling back into the boring mundane task of waking, eating, working and sleeping.
True stock on life and the people you share it with should be made during this time, when you know what you really need to enjoy yourself as opposed to what you want to have to distort your perspective of real enjoyment.
Before more reflection let’s go back to our last days of the trip.
Friday we arrived back from Byron. Once again we were awake at 5 waiting for the inevitable “are you awake?” before the car was packed and off tot he beach.
The night before was a turn up for the books... or at least this journal. 5 beer Jim closed shop and headed well before the boys were ready. In fact I think the previous nights were called closed by the boys much later. Regardless however good times were had by all. Our German friends (both physicists) joined us for drinks at the Bay Beach Bar......and that was after I absent mindedly explained to Ben about RSL's and the significance of The Last Post. Luckily Roland was there to make me realise the err of my ways... if only I was there for him later.....but I digress.
The Germans, Ben and Zabeena, had not drunk for quite sometime so the vodka and lemon they had lasted us 3 beers. Zabeena told an entertaining story of her first cocktail experience, with great quotes like “I remember thinking I really really like this feeling and I want to feel like this again” shortly before vomiting continuously for the next 24 hours. Later on, and a different story, all minds wandered when she spoke of twisting her ankle riding “bare back”.
The rest of the night was good fun, excellent company and cold beers. The only shame was the Great Northern, which is definitely not known for their HUGE pizza's.
Anyway, up at 5 and this time the hold up wasn't caused by James losing something, instead it was James getting the German's out of bed and downstairs. We stopped for the usual Diet Coke and Iced Coffee in the morning, and probably should have thought about getting some fuel for the car at the same time.
We went out to Watego's again and James very unselfishly gave his board to Ben, which also meant that he had the tough job of keeping Zabeena company on the beach.
To understand just how attractive this girl was can be explained in one simple way.........James went the whole time on the beach WITHOUT a cigarette.
Waves weren't all that good but it was great being out and in the water so early.
We, with thoughts of walking for fuel, dropped the Germans off at THE lighthouse before coasting back down the hill in neutral to conserve fuel. We made it back, however Rollies 40 Litre take took 42.5 litre's of fuel.
Jim, the ever alert, pointed our my need for super glue (the same glue that stuck 3 pairs of boxers together in my bag on the flight home) and we were off again.
After photo's with the German's we bid farewell to our little town with FAR too many beautiful women, and far too much beautiful scenery before heading back to Bris Vegas.
Of course being a surfing tour (sort of anyway) meant stopping at every beach on the way back, and not to mention the best bakery in NSW “Hot Bread Bakery” in Brunswic.
The surf was quiet at our regular stops, and judging by the wind at Cabarita we nearly bypassed it. Single to 1/1/2 over heads stretching from the far right point right the way down to the left beach where I first jumped on the board, then fell off, then got back on, then fell off again and again and again. Too big too big would be the cry.
Off again, stopping at Kira, Snapper, Coolongatta and our last stop.
The last stop was D-Bar but with a sore right hip and lack of surfing fitness Rol's was the only one who hit the water.
Sitting back on the “grassy nowl” with nearby kids inches away from a lawsuit, I brought out the guitar and played to the ocean. No one stopped and listened, but being in the sun watching the waves and the surfers while strumming away with nowhere to be pretty much summed up what I loved about the trip.
Back on Huessler Street I got one of my anxious “fuck it lets go to the pub” feelings so we sat there, Jim and I and watched Australia make history while getting slightly sauced. Unfortunately someone had 5 beers and wanted to rage all night, and although thanks were passed on in the morning, there was definate distress at night.
That leaves us on Saturday. The final part of the holiday chapter, and things were looking good. We hadn't drunk so much that I had no recollection, that Jim wanted to go home early, or that Roland was a broken shell of a man.
How much 24 hours can change a situation. But before I continue I have to mention that my friend, and pathological liar, did come to visit us at the pub on Friday. And although James made me say “slotted” while she was in ear shot, and the fact that she didn't recognise me from a foot away it was good to see her....... and her car....... which after a quick description Jim decided he had seen before, no need to leave the pub to see it again.
Anyway, we were dressed and ready to go to the races after another great breakfast at the pandamonium. After a middy at home we jumped in the cab with Joe, a friend of Roland from Mullins, and with directions from Joe headed off to Doomben.
Pretty soon we were in the Chief De Beers room with Joe, John, Mark, Jim, Rol's, Luke, Mark and Kate.
The pick of the day were the 2 girls in green being picked up by bogans while we stood on the members balcony reviewing the entire race course, or at least the crowd watching it. The worst was done by Mark (mullins) and I. Turned out that what was good from far was far FAR from good. In fact she was about 60 years far.
Next there were spirits, 14 rums on the table (thankyou Roland) and we were on a bus heading towards the GPO.
Now are Sterlo always says “If we freeze it here” the footage stops and we look at the playing field. Roland is throwing a handful of coasters across the bar, James is telling some pill popping kids he's a NSW policeman and I'm buying Vodka Smirnof Black for myself and 3 others. Alarm bells are ringing for our short term memories, knowing that only bad things can happen from here. So they do what they do best in this situation...............shut down.
Of course not all memories are lost. We can still identify the following
Someone hit on an engaged girl
Someone kissed a married woman near the toilet
Someone spent $41.00 at the servo
Someone had to catch a cab from around the corner because they were lost
Someone pashed a random chick until the pub closed at 5am
Someone got locked in a toilet
Someone hit on Michelle while completely naked (Michelle was clothed)
Someone was out danced 3 worms to 1 in a dance off.
When the morning rolled around I found myself hanging out in the front of a kabab shop enjoying a Diet Coke and speaking with two girls (I even remembered their names).
A short walk home found my usual bed taken so onto the floor with what felt like a bed sheet as a coushin, but by that stage I could have slept drenched in honey on a fire ants nest without complaint.
Unfortunately the sleep was far too short and I was soon retelling stories (and finding out some others) with Benny, Rol's, Jimmy and Michelle (I wonder why she slept on the couch and not in the room).
We had done it again. We had managed to make it through 7 days of relaxation with rol's before cramming in 3 months worth of anxiety into him within 24 hours.
The trip was over.
There was nothing left to do but pack our bags, load up the guitar and surfboard and think back on the fun we had all had over the past 10 days.
Although we finished feeling fairly ordinary on Sunday, those feelings were, eventually, well outweighed with the entertaining week before hand.
I laughed then, and each time I look back on the car ride out to the airport. Always a quiet ride, watching the cars pass us by as the sun sets over the horizon. Everyone is thinking about what had been done, try to remember what we'd forgotten, and striving to hold onto the feeling of being free and alive you only seem to get on holiday. And always, just as we pull up to the Virgin doorways Roland turns and says “Well boys you've done it again, you've destroyed me. Are you happy?” Of course it's always said in jest, but it's EVERY time we leave.
Shell of a man.
He calls every so often to make sure I'm saving up and have booked my flights, knowing full well he'll say he's happy to see the back of me at the end of the trip.
Ahh, although the staff change at the PADO, we meet different people, the Pandamonium moves down the road, we live with different people we can be sure that we will always leave him a shell of a man.
Although I've had many thoughts about it, the move to Brisbane would kill our careers, however we'd have the clothes on our back, guitars and surfboards, a bit of money and an entire countries coastline to explore and conquer.
As I sat back at the end of the bar at shenannigans, with completely new staff working and Louise crying on her way to the toilets I realised something.
Things will Inevitably change, however some things will always remain the same.
So from our trip to Brisbane, Coochie and Byron Bay I say goodbye, good luck and see you again in 2005
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Festival of the Sun 2006
Another chapter of the two week east coast trip has been penciled in after I bought tickets to the Festival of the Sun.
The Festival of the Sun is on the weekend of the 15th - 16th December at the Sundowner Breakwall Tourist Park in Port Macquarie.
The band line up includes
The next step is to look around Port Macquarie and find a couple of easy breaks to surf in the mornings.
78 Days, 16 hours and 1 minute until the trip starts..............
The Festival of the Sun is on the weekend of the 15th - 16th December at the Sundowner Breakwall Tourist Park in Port Macquarie.
The band line up includes
- Augie March
- The Beautiful Girls (I was lucky enough to film The Beautiful Girls in Darwin earlier this year, fingers crossed I can do the same.....)
- Faker
- Mia Dyson
- Blue King Brown
- The Fumes
- plus many more.........see the line up for more information
The next step is to look around Port Macquarie and find a couple of easy breaks to surf in the mornings.
78 Days, 16 hours and 1 minute until the trip starts..............
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Tips for relaxation and sleep
After being caught out for promising something and then not delivering, here's a few relaxation techniques. It might not seem to have much to do with a surf trip, but I had these problems going into a Surf Trip to Bali in 2005 and it's no fun being on holiday and not sleeping. These suggestions were all put into practice to help alleviate the sleep issue and enjoy my holiday.
In September 2005 I was Project Manager on a fairly large project at work, and while it was rare that I felt stressed the signs were definately manifesting themselves.
I was waking up 2-3 times a night thinking, and having just dreamed about, the project. Once awake I found it impossible, or at least very difficult, to get the thoughts out of my mind.
To compound things, I also had a constant twitch in my right eye. It would start shortly after I woke up each day and would come back anywhere between 5 - 20 times a day, sometimes for 1 minute, sometimes 5, sometimes 15 minutes at a time.
The strange thing is I didn't feel stressed, but my body was obviously telling me otherwise.
This all went away eventually, and it was thanks to the few suggestions I've listed below......
In September 2005 I was Project Manager on a fairly large project at work, and while it was rare that I felt stressed the signs were definately manifesting themselves.
I was waking up 2-3 times a night thinking, and having just dreamed about, the project. Once awake I found it impossible, or at least very difficult, to get the thoughts out of my mind.
To compound things, I also had a constant twitch in my right eye. It would start shortly after I woke up each day and would come back anywhere between 5 - 20 times a day, sometimes for 1 minute, sometimes 5, sometimes 15 minutes at a time.
The strange thing is I didn't feel stressed, but my body was obviously telling me otherwise.
This all went away eventually, and it was thanks to the few suggestions I've listed below......
- Let all the thoughts come to you at once
You're lying in bed but can't sleep because you're flooded with thoughts? Let them come, search for as many thoughts as possible and play each one out. After a while you'll find a) you've fallen asleep, or b) there are no longer any thoughts left so you can fall asleep.
The idea is to stop worrying that the thoughts are stopping you from sleeping and embrace each of them until they no longer exist. - Thoughts still there? Write them down
Sometimes thoughts are tasks you didn't accomplish that day, or need to do tomorrow, sometimes they are ideas of posts for you blogs. What ever it is, it's something that you are worried about forgetting the next day.
There's nothing you can actually do about them while you're in bed, so write them down.
I sleep with a pad and pen next to the bed (or futon). If I have one of those thoughts I'll write them down, that way I know I've done something about them and I can stop worrying/thinking about it..... it's on the list for tomorrows tasks. - Exercise. Run, swim, ride, walk, climb, yoga, pilates, pushups, crunches, surfing.................
Ok, so you don't have to do them all, but some form of exercise tires the body, which in turn then requires the body to rest........... sleep! - White/Black Board (circle work)
Seem strange, it was when I heard about it too. Don't worry, it' doesn't involve hitting yourself over the head with a white board.
Imagine a white board, like one you would have seen at primary school..... if white boards weren't around, imagine a black board, if they weren't invented then..... imagine a cave wall (and congratulations for still being alive!!! ;)
Make a circle large circle on the board. Now put a big cross (X) in the middle of the circle. Get the eraser (this is tough on a cave wall) and erase the X in small circles starting in the middle and working your way slowly to the outside being carefull not to erase any of the circle.
Once you're finished, write the word "deeper" on the right outside of the circle. Each time you write the word deeper, feel yourself getting drowsier and deeper in to sleep.
Now write the number 99 in the middle of the circle. Erase the number using the same technique as the X. Once it's gone go over the word deeper again, remembering to feel yourself getting drowsy and deeper into sleep.
Write the number 98 and so on and so on until you fall asleep.
The important thing about this is you need to feel yourself falling further and further each time you write over the word deeper.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Big Wave Surfing
FWWAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Here are some movies from a typhoon in Japan and big wave suring at its best
Pros take on typhoon surf in Japan
Here are some movies from a typhoon in Japan and big wave suring at its best
Pros take on typhoon surf in Japan
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Yoga for Surfers
I love to surf.
I love the practice of Yoga.
Both, at least for me, are very much a pursuit for the perfect moment.
Yoga can give you the feeling of completness, sustenance, fitness, flexability, calmness and the total acceptance of ones self in the moment.
Surfing offers the same thing, except the ocean is your yogi.
I decided that rather then list several poses now and continually update the post as I discover other poses, that this will serve as an index to Yoga poses that assist your surfing.
If you've found the perfect pose, please share it in the comments below.
Beginners (give me a week to prepare them)
Intermediate (give me a few months)
Advanced (give me a few years)
~ Namaste ~
I love the practice of Yoga.
Both, at least for me, are very much a pursuit for the perfect moment.
Yoga can give you the feeling of completness, sustenance, fitness, flexability, calmness and the total acceptance of ones self in the moment.
Surfing offers the same thing, except the ocean is your yogi.
I decided that rather then list several poses now and continually update the post as I discover other poses, that this will serve as an index to Yoga poses that assist your surfing.
If you've found the perfect pose, please share it in the comments below.
Beginners (give me a week to prepare them)
Intermediate (give me a few months)
Advanced (give me a few years)
~ Namaste ~
86 Days 7 Hours and 51 Minutes
The trip is getting closer but I don't seem to be getting any fitter. In fact I think it's quite the opposite.
You know what it's like................ There's something on the horizon that you know you should be getting ready for, but it's still fare enough away to procrastinate the preparation. Next thing you know it's two weeks away, you're still 5 Kg over weight and the only fitness you have is the inability to fit into a pair of jeans.
So take II.....
I went for a run yesterday from work to the gym and nearly died (still it's much better then swimming). The weather in Darwin is strage at the moment. It's warm, very warm, but the air is still cold and dry (sounds strange hey). This leaves you sweating to death WHILE your lungs burn from the cold dry air.
Once at the gym, and 8 mouthfuls of water later, I was ready.
I have a thing about exercise though, and that is every time I try to get into I throw my back out. Not just a strain either, it's 2 weeks off work with daily physiotherapy, then back to 2 weeks of half days with physiotherapy twice a week. Then of course the sciatica kicks in, and for those of you that might share this condition, I share your pain.
Now the first 6 weeks of my gym routine is structured around core stability. I use a cut out core strength exercise routine from a Mens Health Magazine (or CLEO for me as my female friends have pointed out on more then one occasion).
While I was there I (stupidly) checked to see how close to my goal I had got and........................... 86KG. Yes, I've managed to inch further away from my target!
No more procrastinating
You know what it's like................ There's something on the horizon that you know you should be getting ready for, but it's still fare enough away to procrastinate the preparation. Next thing you know it's two weeks away, you're still 5 Kg over weight and the only fitness you have is the inability to fit into a pair of jeans.
So take II.....
I went for a run yesterday from work to the gym and nearly died (still it's much better then swimming). The weather in Darwin is strage at the moment. It's warm, very warm, but the air is still cold and dry (sounds strange hey). This leaves you sweating to death WHILE your lungs burn from the cold dry air.
Once at the gym, and 8 mouthfuls of water later, I was ready.
I have a thing about exercise though, and that is every time I try to get into I throw my back out. Not just a strain either, it's 2 weeks off work with daily physiotherapy, then back to 2 weeks of half days with physiotherapy twice a week. Then of course the sciatica kicks in, and for those of you that might share this condition, I share your pain.
Now the first 6 weeks of my gym routine is structured around core stability. I use a cut out core strength exercise routine from a Mens Health Magazine (or CLEO for me as my female friends have pointed out on more then one occasion).
While I was there I (stupidly) checked to see how close to my goal I had got and........................... 86KG. Yes, I've managed to inch further away from my target!
No more procrastinating
Top 5 reasons why running is better then swimming
I know what you’re thinking, isn’t running harsh on your knees? Isn’t swimming better for muscular recovery? This guy works for the government and has a blog, what would he know about fitness?
Well have you ever considered;
Well have you ever considered;
- When you stop running half way because you're tired, you don't drown.
- You don’t have to wear budgie smugglers to be accepted as a runner
- You don’t shower with others after a run (too much nudity at swimming pool showers)
- People don’t pee on the road while they run
- When you get out of the shower after a run you don't still smell like chlorine.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Technorati Profile
I've decided to add this site to Technorati to see if I can increase the traffic. I wanted to test it with the site first before making changes to some of my other blogs.
Technorati Profile
Technorati Profile
Thursday, September 07, 2006
One Step Forward.........
.........and two bloody steps back.
It appears that my body is not designed to do itself any favours.
After a week of swimming, running, riding, meditation, yoga and vegetarianism (is that a word?) I've just endured a week of late nights, too much alcohol, not enough sleep and hotdogs.
We celebrated the birth of the first Lamberton boy last night, congratulations go out to Paul for breaking the 3 birth girl streak. A few quiet drinks turned into quite a few drinks, as to be expected from the Lamberton brothers, and while I'm not feeling the effects of the alcohol I most certainly am feeling the effects of 3 hours sleep.
At the moment I'm doing my utmost to try and focus on the task at hand but my mind keeps wandering off to say "Aren't you tired" "You really should get some sleep" "Why aren't we sleeping now" "You know 3 hours isn't enough sleep" "I wonder why they decided to make DVD's 4.7 Gig"
I think I'll take an early mark from the day and put my mind, and eyes, to rest.
It appears that my body is not designed to do itself any favours.
After a week of swimming, running, riding, meditation, yoga and vegetarianism (is that a word?) I've just endured a week of late nights, too much alcohol, not enough sleep and hotdogs.
We celebrated the birth of the first Lamberton boy last night, congratulations go out to Paul for breaking the 3 birth girl streak. A few quiet drinks turned into quite a few drinks, as to be expected from the Lamberton brothers, and while I'm not feeling the effects of the alcohol I most certainly am feeling the effects of 3 hours sleep.
At the moment I'm doing my utmost to try and focus on the task at hand but my mind keeps wandering off to say "Aren't you tired" "You really should get some sleep" "Why aren't we sleeping now" "You know 3 hours isn't enough sleep" "I wonder why they decided to make DVD's 4.7 Gig"
I think I'll take an early mark from the day and put my mind, and eyes, to rest.
Friday, September 01, 2006
Minimalist
Short post.
I'm down to 97 days, 7 hours, 54 minutes.
Oh, and today the boys have flown out to Bali on the September Sessions adventure. Bastards! For an update on how they're going check out the September Sessions link on the left on my homepage.
I'm down to 97 days, 7 hours, 54 minutes.
Oh, and today the boys have flown out to Bali on the September Sessions adventure. Bastards! For an update on how they're going check out the September Sessions link on the left on my homepage.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
106 Days 11 Hours and 1 Minute
Ok so who's counting?
Things are still coming together nicely, apart from the fitness which has taken a massive hit over the past week due to the Shenannigan's 10th Birthday Celebrations.
I've been making a couple of purchases on Ebay to bring the film making up to speed.
While I'm waiting for that to arrive I've been continuing with my editing. I've managed to finish up the 28 Days Footage and need to send that off soon.
I was lucky enough to be allowed to film The Beautiful Girls gig (thanks heaps guys) as part of their Laying Tracks Tour. Luke Vasella's performance has been sent and I'm in the process of finishing up Saritah's gig. I'm still playing around with putting the whole night onto one DVD with sweet menu's, but there's 4 hours of footage and I don't want to leave any of it out. The Beautiful Girls footage is done, but again I want to smooth it out before I send it off.
Things are still coming together nicely, apart from the fitness which has taken a massive hit over the past week due to the Shenannigan's 10th Birthday Celebrations.
I've been making a couple of purchases on Ebay to bring the film making up to speed.
- Hard case for the XL1S, keeps it away from knocks and bumps. It holds the camera, two lenses, rain jacket, shoulder pad, 11 tapes (one cleaning) 3 filters, headphones, spare batteries, charger, and IEEE DV cable. There's room at the bottom for my handy cam as well, but that's about to head off to the shop for repairs.
$190.00 - Dual Output Video Card for the computer, speeds up the rendering process and gives better performance using After Effects. 256Mb AGP 8X Nvidia card, HDTV, VGA, DVI
$97.95 - 19" Wide Screen LCD monitor. Well there's no point in having a video card with two outputs and only one monitor. Gives me a bigger screen area to set out Adobe Premiere for editing and leaves the old CRT monitor to see the final product in play backs.
$320.00 - Panasonic Minidisc Recorder. This little device can plug directly into a mixing desk and get the raw sound from gigs leaving out the crowd noise. Good to mix through with the camera audio to cover any noise spikes or unwanted voice overs.
$36.00
While I'm waiting for that to arrive I've been continuing with my editing. I've managed to finish up the 28 Days Footage and need to send that off soon.
I was lucky enough to be allowed to film The Beautiful Girls gig (thanks heaps guys) as part of their Laying Tracks Tour. Luke Vasella's performance has been sent and I'm in the process of finishing up Saritah's gig. I'm still playing around with putting the whole night onto one DVD with sweet menu's, but there's 4 hours of footage and I don't want to leave any of it out. The Beautiful Girls footage is done, but again I want to smooth it out before I send it off.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Day 128.......
Things are good. Things are very good.
There's 128 days to go and I'm beginning to get organised.
By the time the magic day rolls around I want to have achieved 3 main things
1. All work is completed and contigency plans are in place while I'm on the coast
2. I manage to hit 90% fitness.
This is broken down into;
swimming 1.5 km twice a week
mad dog run tice a week
Yoga 3 times a week
riding 20km twice a week
I aim to be down to 81.5 kg and should be able to paddle across the lake twice without rest.
3. Reach financial stability.
All debts paid off and have the available funds to complete this trip.......without resorting to the credit card.
At the moment the mad dog run is stopping 5 times (after each hill and rest one hill climb) in 31 minutes.
Swimming 500M in 100, rest, 100 rest, 50 sprint, 50 slow, rest, 100 slow,rest, 50 sprint, 50 slow, finish.
There's 128 days to go and I'm beginning to get organised.
By the time the magic day rolls around I want to have achieved 3 main things
1. All work is completed and contigency plans are in place while I'm on the coast
2. I manage to hit 90% fitness.
This is broken down into;
swimming 1.5 km twice a week
mad dog run tice a week
Yoga 3 times a week
riding 20km twice a week
I aim to be down to 81.5 kg and should be able to paddle across the lake twice without rest.
3. Reach financial stability.
All debts paid off and have the available funds to complete this trip.......without resorting to the credit card.
At the moment the mad dog run is stopping 5 times (after each hill and rest one hill climb) in 31 minutes.
Swimming 500M in 100, rest, 100 rest, 50 sprint, 50 slow, rest, 100 slow,rest, 50 sprint, 50 slow, finish.
surf movie scenes
Flights -> $470.00
Wicked Van from Brisbane to Melbourne over 14 days -> $1215
Fuel -> $1500
Accomodation -> $0
Wax -> $12
Wetty from Kirra Surf -> $200
SPF 30+ Sunscree -> $20
50 burnt CDs -> $20
New pair of boardies -> $60
40 polaroids -> $90
15 DV Taps -> $60
Pickup hitchhickers -> +$100 each
Food -> $500
Beer -> $600
Festival of the Sun Port Macquarie -> $98
Wicked Van from Brisbane to Melbourne over 14 days -> $1215
Fuel -> $1500
Accomodation -> $0
Wax -> $12
Wetty from Kirra Surf -> $200
SPF 30+ Sunscree -> $20
50 burnt CDs -> $20
New pair of boardies -> $60
40 polaroids -> $90
15 DV Taps -> $60
Pickup hitchhickers -> +$100 each
Food -> $500
Beer -> $600
Festival of the Sun Port Macquarie -> $98
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
two week transformation
After an awesome saturday night filming the likes of Luke Vasella, Saritah, The Groovesmiths and The Beautiful Girls i've got the film bug again.
I'm going to doco the 2 week trip down the east coast but i'm having trouble landing the right way to tell the story.
At the moment i'm looking at the cost vs benefits of the trip. I want people to be able to watch the film and go book their own trip right away.
"$4000, 14 days, 2179km, 32 beaches, infinite number of memories".
Friday, July 14, 2006
The Dream becomes a Reality
Could it be that I will achieve what I was setting out to do?
Well not entirely, but it's a start at least.
Today I booked my flights to Brisbane for the 8th December. Once I arrive it'll be a quick train ride into the Vally where I pick up my Wicked Van and start my journey to Melbourne.
I've hired the van from 9-23 December, giving me 2 weeks of coast line, sun and surf.
I've got the wave finder out and along with google maps and mapquest I'll begin to plot my course down the east coast and to the bottom of Australia.
I am very excited.
Well not entirely, but it's a start at least.
Today I booked my flights to Brisbane for the 8th December. Once I arrive it'll be a quick train ride into the Vally where I pick up my Wicked Van and start my journey to Melbourne.
I've hired the van from 9-23 December, giving me 2 weeks of coast line, sun and surf.
I've got the wave finder out and along with google maps and mapquest I'll begin to plot my course down the east coast and to the bottom of Australia.
I am very excited.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Another Weekend Another Wedding
The funds for my end of year surf trip seem to have stopped increasing and began rapidly declining.
Fortunately it's for a good cause (not that surfing's not a good cause).
I'm off to Adelaide and then onto Barrosa for Darin and Bec's wedding.
After the wedding it's off to Sydney for the day so should be able the get a quick surf in.....Fingers crossed.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Mobile Surfing
There are days when all i do is dream of surfing, and days when it barely crosses my mind, but every day it's there.
Over the course of the next 6 months you will see the way shape and form of that love.
In The Beginning
So what ever happened in the Beginning. Was there ever a beginning or was there always something here? Sure things have evolved but from what..... and where did it all come from?
Things surely can't always have been, for something to exist it must have been created. Or is it that we think too narrowly? Is our understanding of Beggining Middle and End flawed? Does it only apply to the rules of our self made understanding of the Universe?
I read Scott Adam's book Gods Debris which gives quite an interesting theory on things. I urge you to give it a read (takes about 1.5 hours).
I remember while in High School I sat next to a friend of mine, Matthew, in Science class. I explained the theory of the Big Bang and the Big Crunch. This is the theory that time reaches the end, stops, then runs backwards again until the Big Bang, which in turn kickstarts it off again.
A few days later I told him that it was proven because someone had made a video tape from the future which could survive this process and told the secrets. He was good student but was obviously gullible in area's that were not his forte.
Can I compare the small trick I played on Matthew to what Religion might put forward to the believers? Are we gullible in the areas which we do not understand?
I'm sure all the answers are lying right under our noses, we just haven't been able to open our minds to see and understand them.
Things surely can't always have been, for something to exist it must have been created. Or is it that we think too narrowly? Is our understanding of Beggining Middle and End flawed? Does it only apply to the rules of our self made understanding of the Universe?
I read Scott Adam's book Gods Debris which gives quite an interesting theory on things. I urge you to give it a read (takes about 1.5 hours).
I remember while in High School I sat next to a friend of mine, Matthew, in Science class. I explained the theory of the Big Bang and the Big Crunch. This is the theory that time reaches the end, stops, then runs backwards again until the Big Bang, which in turn kickstarts it off again.
A few days later I told him that it was proven because someone had made a video tape from the future which could survive this process and told the secrets. He was good student but was obviously gullible in area's that were not his forte.
Can I compare the small trick I played on Matthew to what Religion might put forward to the believers? Are we gullible in the areas which we do not understand?
I'm sure all the answers are lying right under our noses, we just haven't been able to open our minds to see and understand them.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)