Feeling Old
Mood:  chillin'
Now Playing: Rain
I went to the Dropkick Murphys show on Thursday night with Brett. During the first song of DM's set, there was a fight, the bloodied loser being dragged off the floor by his girlfriend, the winner vanishing back into the crowd through which they'd rough and tumbed their way. The crowd was hyper, bouncing around, enthusiastically pumping their arms and whatever body parts were most easily accessible.

From my vantage point it was quite a sight to behold. I know when I've gone to see Flogging Molly I get right in and let loose, but this time I felt like an outsider, like it wasn't really the thing for me to do - as if, I'm too old to be bouncing around like a mad fool. Perhaps it was because I was with Brett and constantly trying to play it cool, I don't really know.

All I know is that it was good to see a US band get such a good response, especially when they did a rendition of an AC/DC song.

Consequences of Dreams
Mood:  hug me
Now Playing: Guns n Roses - Patience
When is it good to follow your dreams? I've always thought and been taught that if you have a dream you need to stick with it no matter what hardships you face, and it will make acheiving the dream that much sweeter. Well, obviously in trying to make my dreams happen, I've run into some rather well built walls, but in many of the cases I've found a way past them.

So when do things get to the point that there is such a thin line between following your dreams and wasting your life?

I've spent so much time trying to help others with their dreams and living their lives for them. Now that I'm trying to live my own life, I've been told that I'm wasting my life. Definitely not the most positive thing to be told.

In thinking back on some of the people who have made such an impact in all of our lives and the way we live them, i.e. some of the great artists, Einstein, etc., I'm sure most people thought they were completely insane, but when they chose to ignore the negativity of others and focus on their passions, look what happened. I'm not trying to put myself in their league, I'm hardly an Einstein, but hopefully you see my point.

So the positives in my life at the moment:
-I'm on my own and independent
-I'm making money and doing a job that I don't mind too much
-I have made a life, made friends, and am well on the way to finally feeling settled, to feeling like I'm home
-I'm creating a new plan of action that will truly be the realization of what I want to be doing

The negatives (aka Walls to be broken):
-At the moment I'm still trying to find a permanent way to stay
-I'm not in school at the moment
-I'm far from my family

So if I died today, would people say, "Jeeze it's a shame she didn't have a Bachelor's degree before she died, she'll need that in Heaven or wherever she ends up.", or would they look back and say, "Wow, it's good that she's gotten to do all the things she has done and shared it in her own way with everyone she loves."?

Just thought I'd share.

I Love My Camera
Mood:  spacey
Now Playing: Something For Kate - Song For A Sleepwalker

Melbourne Exhibition Center. I was lucky enough to snap this photograph while there is water in the fountain. Since there are tough water restrictions here at the moment, they let the fountain dry up, but as there is going to be a festival there, they've filled it with recycled water, and after the festival is over they'll drain the water to use around the surrounding parklands.

Luck O' The Irish
Mood:  lucky
Now Playing: Peace and Quiet
Happy St. Patricks Day. St. Pat has been good to me.

Last Thursday, Jim and I went to Finnegan's Irish pub for dinner. While we were there we noticed some very drunk men wearing the coolest green Guiness hats. Then I noticed that to get one, you had to buy four pints of Guiness, at $6.40 a pop. I'm not much for beer so I had to stifle my disappointment.

Yesterday, Chris and I had to clean a unit down near the beach. We were told by the agent that the prior renters were four Irish girls. Upon walking into the flat, what did I see? To my unquenchable excitement, there were THREE Guiness hats on the kitchen counter! Of course I can't wear all three (well I can but I might look a bit odd), but with the green shirt I just bought I will be one festive lass tonight at the Waterloo.

*Happy Birthday Steve!*

*Thanks to Dad for writing me the first e-mail from him ever - once I worked out what he was on about, it was a thoroughly enjoyable read. - Dad, go to the Doctor. *

Like A Pig To Slaughter...
Mood:  d'oh
Now Playing: Black Eyed Peas - Shut Up (Thanks for the CD Mom)
I never thought I'd be so happy about eating. This weekend was all about gluttony.

Friday night, Brett came over and we had an American snack night. He got to try the beauty that are s'mores, as well as American Coke (yes it tastes different), after dinner mints, and Junior Mints. Someone has to show these Aussies what they are missing in our food.

On Saturday we had a yard sale, and Jim came over to help out. He went to our favorite cafe, Silly Yaks (Jim is a Coeliac) and got Chicken Foccacias. That night we went back to his house for awhile, and decided to try our luck with having Mexican food. I haven't had Mexican food at all while I've been here, except the times I've made quesadillas or, once, taquitos. We went to a restaurant just down the street from his house, and lo and behold, they had wonderfully authentic Mexican food, although there were no authentic Mexicans cooking it. I haven't been that content after a meal in ages.

Sunday, as a thank you to Jim for helping me out with a last minute job, we went to Smorgies, a buffet restaurant. Contrary to the name, the place looks like the Tiki Room at Disneyland, down to the fire breathing tiki gods and an animated tree show. The food was decent, but again I was only too happy to indulge.

This morning Chris and I finished our job and went to Silly Yaks for breakfast. I'm getting spoiled (and probably on my way to being hugely obese) by all this wonderful food. I'm on my way out to try to walk some of it off.

U.S. Invasion
Mood:  chillin'
Now Playing: Delta Goodrem
Waterloo Wednesdays... I arrived at the Waterloo last night, and the bouncer took a look at my ID (yes I still get ID'd for 18) and mentioned that there were other Americans there as well. He then practically took me by the hand to lead me over to the group and introduced me to them. Talk about service!

These girls are from all around the states, literally in every corner - Hawaii, Florida, Pennsylvania. They were very nice, it was just weird, I'm sort of an outsider now to them, and listening to them just felt a bit odd. They were so "Valley Girl", and then me, soft spoken with my more Australian inflections.

I introduced Brett to them, and he mentioned that it was invasion and reasoned that the abundance of Americans was to blame for the lack of attendance. Ha.....ha.

I got my digital camera back from the shop and it's once again happy. Here are some pics from the last 2 days.

Labour Day Weekend
Mood:  irritated
Now Playing: Jack Johnson - Hopefully He can De-Irritate Me!
Waiting..one of my pet peeves is having to wait for someone when they say they'll be here at a certain time and then call five minutes before they're meant to be here to say that they're just then on their way. Unfortunately that is a habit that Jim has. I'm waiting for him to get here so we can take the tram down to the city to catch music and fireworks of the Moomba Festival.

Last year I went there with Glen and Kate and the fireworks were fantastic. This year we're going down a bit early so we can catch some of the bands -they're playing some world music, which hopefully means reggae - and just generally get a better look at everything.

On Wednesday I went to the USA Foods store and stocked up on the things I can't live without - smores fixings, pinto beans, Coke and Dr. Pepper, and various other goodies. I went to see Stuck On You on Thursday night, and in one scene they went to Jack In The Box. Sourdough Chicken Club, thanks! God, sometimes I miss being back in California.

Torquay, One Year Later
Mood:  bright
Now Playing: Lisa Loeb - How
I had such a great weekend, even in spite of all my cameras being broken or needing batteries.

On Saturday I got a craving for some homecooked food, so I made some cornbread from the boxes I brought back with me. Man, I forgot how much I loved the stuff. Leigh asked me if I was eating or having sex, that's how good it was! I swear Aussies are missing out.

That morning I sent Brett a message about going to Torquay, because when we went out to dinner the night before, he mentioned he might be going and invited me along. He responded that he was going, and asked me to go, so of course I said yes.

We didn't get down there until about 11 pm because Brett had cricket and had to stick around afterwards to hear the results of the other division and didn't arrive to pick me up until 930pm or so.

On the way out to Torquay I saw some flashes in the sky out of the corner of my eye. I looked off to my left and saw a fireworks show. A few minutes later, off to my right was another fireworks show. It was surreal, reminding me of a time Tom and I were driving on Fourth of July and saw fireworks at the Camarillo airport and over the grade.

When we got to the caravan park, we had the option of going out to the pub, but we decided to sleep and get up early to take photos.

We got up the next morning, went to the shop for some food and a disposable camera. When we got back to the caravan, Brett made me a toasted cheese sandwich with Vegemite. Yes, after over a year here, I've finally tasted Vegemite. How did it taste? Very salty, almost like putting soy sauce on the sandwich. It wasn't horrible, but it probably won't replace Miracle Whip in my cupboard anytime soon.

We drove down Great Ocean Road to Lorne, and to Erskine Falls, which are the waterfalls I have photographs of from my last trip down there. Unfortunately this time we didn't have the place to ourselves, there were many tourists around, but we were still able to find some peaceful moments walking along the river.

Yesterday I developed the photos that I took with the disposable camera, and to my surprise, many of them came out very well, if a bit on the grainy side. I got an e-mail from the photo place that has my camera, but it didn't tell me what the verdict is or if it's been fixed, just that it's ready to pick up. I'm almost afraid to go and see what they say.

I arrived home on Sunday night to discover that the housemates from hell had moved out. When I moved out before, I was replaced with a couple who basically were still children. We did their dishes, cleaned up the bathroom after them, many times had to flush the toilet after them. Today I spent most of the day washing down the walls, windows, and vaccumming their room to try to get rid of the cigarette smell. I also took the opportunity to scrub the bathroom and their kitchen cabinets, preparing for any new roommates. I might move into the room, but I'm kind of content in my half room/half office, though it could do with a scrub as well.

Work has been sparce, hopefully it will pick up soon. I could really use the money.

Random Photos
Mood:  hug me
Now Playing: Tori Amos - Precious Things
This photo was taken when I was back in California over the holidays. My brother Jayson, my friends Nik and Steve, and I went to Vegas, and then made our way over to the Grand Canyon.

It was winter, there were patches of snow, and it was quite early in the morning. The site of the Grand Canyon was spectacular, ruined only by the vulgar shoutings of my brother, who was praying for an echo. I had to beg him for this photo, knowing Mom would love a decent photo of her children.

Brett and me at the Cricket Ball. Luckily the photo was taken before I had consumed too much wine.

Save for some embarrassing moments for Brett (yes it was my fault, but I was trying to win $500 bucks), the night was fun. I met another American there, Stefani, who is from Texas. She met her Aussie husband working at a pub in Ireland I believe. How random is that? Another reason I highly recommend traveling!

Here We Go Again...
Mood:  a-ok
Now Playing: Traffic in the background
Here is my second attempt at a new web journal. The other site was severely limited in what I could do with it, so I decided to use trusty Tripod and start again. It looks promising, offering me an option to post images. I will post the entries from the other site onto here when I get a chance. Until then, I will post some photos from Queensland.