I am coming to you today for one very important reason - my mother told me to.

We got back from Niagra Falls on Sunday night. It was amazing. You might think about it, hear about it and see pictures of it and you think ‘cool, a big water fall’, but in reality it is truly awesome. We were told that it was the low season, and it was a shame we couldn’t see it in the summer, but it was still spectacular - the cold and the ice made it that little bit more surreal. Some photos featuring Trudy’s pig hat… (click to enlarge)

As we travelled there by bus, we had to go quite out of the way to get there going through several towns and small cities and on the way back even through Toronto. On the way there though the bus driver went out of his way to work out a quicker way to get us there by telling us we could get off in a town called Burlington and get the next bus to Niagra. So we did, and we had a nice breakfast at a cafe there called Fava with an abundance of shandeliers and very nice staff. It was on lake Ontario, so the waterside was very beautiful. Niagra also had a very impressive city centre but it was very touristy - there was a big casino that we had dinner at (we stayed across the road from it overnight for quite cheap) and a street with lots of game arcades and tacky museums that we oubviously partook in. It was good to get out of London for a bit of a change and it was very strange being so close to another country as Niagra is right on the border of the US and you could literally see the customs buildings on the other side of the bridge.

The Friday night before we went to Niagra we went to a Art Exhibition that featured a few short films and a performance group that called themselves ‘Small Appliances’ who essentially clanked a vacuum cleaner, a bleander and a fan around for about five minutes before commencing some destruction. Then we went to the rock concert Kenny helped organise which was great. Some good acts, but unfortunately we had to leave early to be awake for our 7AM bus.

In other news, all is well. Thursday will feature my fourth exam - the past three exams have gone OK. I haven’t failed anything yet, so we’re going according to plan. I don’t know wether it’s the ammount of work here or maybe I’m not just used to it yet, but Uni here does seem to be a little more hardcore than at home. Not to worry, mid-semester break next week and we’re off to skiing!

I hope everyone is well. It’s been good to ring a few people over the last few weeks. If anyone else wants chat, swing me an email and we’ll work out some times. I can ring for 1 cent per minute! Missing everyone.

Hello all. I’ve just been abused for not updating my blog. AND Trudy just reminded me that we didn’t buy blu-tak again today. Anyway, let’s get straight into it. Since our last blogging I’ve had three painful exams which has reminded me how much of an essay writing research student I really am. Sure, one or two sociology exams a semester I can handle. But over this single semester I will take nine exams! And I’m an Arts student. This should be illegal. That’s more exams than I’ve had at Griffith over the past two years. Anyway, I’ll get over it. It just means I have to read text books. Which has its advantages. For example, I may now graduate with a major in sociology with having some actual sociological theory drilled into my brain.

Which leads me to my next topic - the future, academic careers and a poster sale. Yes, you see the interconnections? The other day there was a poster sale at Uni so I bought some cool stuff. A wide shot of New York’s Time Square for Casey, a Serenity symbol for Bodie, a close-up and textual deconstruction of Michelangelo’s ‘Creation’ and a smaller James Dean picture for me. (Trudy had already bought one the day before) So all these posters and their popularity got me thinking. Why do we buy posters? Why do we surround ourselves with images and symbols? Why am I suddenly obsessed with James Dean? So, having contemplated the prospect of doing an honours year at Griffith next year I thought this might be an interesting starting point. The deployment of cultural iconography (in contemporary forms such as posters, websites, etc.) to portray, construct and invent personal identity. This is something I touched on a little in a course last semester, but it’s so fascinating I think I could take it places.

We had a big night on Saturday and went to a few bars. Diesel was very ‘GC’ and there was this cute little Irish pub. Then inevitably onto 181 which was fun. I think I slept through most of the hangover on Sunday, only in time to wake up and start stressing about the exam worth 45% I had the next day. Oh the joys of academia. Today we went to the official opening of the Pride Library at Western. It was amazing. There must’ve been 100+ people there from across the community and all over the place to celebrate. The President of the University spoke, various contributors and supporters, and one guy from Toronto even came with a message from the Canadian Minister of Culture to congratulate the project. And of course James, a professor of Trudy and I. He is hilarious. He’s the one who takes the class that goes from 2.30 until 8 (well that’s when I leave anyway, I’ve heard it went until 10 last week). He co-ordinated the whole thing and started the library as a wee shelf in his office many years ago. Now it’s a fully fledged section of the main campus library with over 5000 volumes! It was very humbling to think of what one persons dream can turn into with the support of a community. James was very proud and excited. When the crowds thinned we managed to say hello and congratulations to him, and he emplored us to send him a list of queer authors from Australia to boost that section of the library because he saw it as severely lacking. No doubt he’ll be raving about it in class for the next few weeks. Here’s an older rundown on the library to give you an idea, but judging by the ammount of reporters and cameras there today I suspect there will be much more about it around in the future.

So yeah, I was going to go on a bit more about other stuff, but it’s late and I’m tired. We might be going to Niagra Falls this weekend though which could be cool. And we’re going to a rock concert this Friday night! Kenny has put us on the guest list (we love you Kenny) so we’re looking forward to hearing some local music. Oh and I nearly forgot - last Friday night we went to an Art installation that Trudy was involved in. It was awesome! There was throwing of chairs and tables, convulsing on the floor, red candy and burning filing cabinets. Trudy was all matrixed up and striding around with a big stick with a flag on the end. We were very proud of her.

Sarah - You’ll probably be home when you read this. Welcome home! Can’t wait to get back soon to give you a big hug and have a few drinks.
Loz - I hope the art is going well. I can smell some pastry treats from here..
Sly - So good to hear about your new job. I want all the details! We need to set up another phone date.
Zoe - Speaking of phone dates, I shall be calling you in the morrow! Yay!
Adam - I hope the new job and Brisvegas are going well. Hopefully we’ll be able to have a chat soon. Miss you!
LisaG - You’re probably in New York or even somewhere in Europe by now. I hope you’re safe and having fun.
Family - Missing you lots. Looking forward to reading a draft of Colby’s Ancient History assignment. Saw some very impressive leadlight work in the pride library today that made me think of Dad. And I’m definitely missing the mothers home cooked meals.

And that’s about it. Missing you all!

Hello! It’s been an eventful week. We have an Australian visitor - Bodie! He’s a friend of ours from Uni, you may have seen him at the new years eve party. With him he brought a package from my family which included tim tams, vegimite, Austrlian themed boxers and socks and some James Dean merchandise. Thanks mum!

There were a few dramas in actually getting him here, such as one of his flights being delayed in LA and hence him missing his connecting flight to Canada. So instead of him arriving in London at 7.30, we had to go hire a car and pick him up from Toronto at 12 that night. Fortunately Jamie drove, because if Casey drove several decades would’ve been added to my life. Anyway, after some confusion over the terminal number, we found him. We also managed to get a quick drive by tour of Toronto which is beautiful. The CN tower is massive (photos soon) and we’re definitely going back there for a weekend soon. At one point there was 16 lanes of traffic! It was insane. Like a sea of light even at midnight.

Thursday night we did the usual pub thing at the spoke. We’re getting a good group of friends together. It’s very comforting to walk around Uni and see people you recognise. I very much feel like we’re settling in. Further, I played Cranium that night for the PrideWestern meeting, and despite a minor losing streak, Kenny and I are the greatest team to ever grace the cranium board.

I hope all is well. There are so many things I’ve been meaning to do (calls, postcards, photos, etc.) but we’re quite busy over here. Hopefully we’ll get some cool down time soon. I miss everyone!

Hi there and hello faithful readers. I apologise for not blogging earlier, I didn’t know it would disturb so many of you. Anyway, things have been up, down, a little to the left, backwards, down then up again since we last spoke. First there were dramas with where we’re living. The person we were subletting off and the company that owns the place we’re living in had a fight and decided to terminate their lease (and subsequently our lease..) which a) left us out on the street at the end of February with two months left in the semester and b) the prospect of applying for the ONLY available lease on this place - 12 months! So we were in a bad way. We had an emergency meeting with our top Canadian advisors - Jamie and Tom. Several contingency plans were organised. The next day, however, salvation! Deus ex machina! Someone with some compassion intervened from on high. The details are apparently secret because they’re not entirely in line with company policy, but it’s sufficient to say that we’re good until the end of April and we didn’t have to get ourselves into something we didn’t want to get into. Huzzah!

If this wasn’t enough, by Friday things were really looking up at our slightly late Australia Day Party! Click the link for photos taken by one of our brand new friends Kenny! We took photos on Casey and Trudy’s camera too, but I’m too lazy to get them at the moment. Anyway, there was Anzac cookies which everyone was impressed by and some solid drinking and only one complaint about the noise and some pizza and some good times! The day after was lots of sleeping, Donnie Darko in the afternoon and a real genuine North American ‘diner’ for dinner - called the Prince Albert (a bit different to our own local P.A.)! This was followed by a funky little pub down the road called Alex P’s (a little closer to our P.A.) where I had some strawberry beer. Hmmn. Trudy was a bit ill, and we were all a bit knackered, so we went home for more sleep. Then on Sunday a cold I had been keeping at bay finally reared its ugly head, so I slept more and more and more (hence the title of this entry) and today it’s getting better. So I’m well!

Some quick shoutouts..

Liz - Get back to your study and stop waiting around on my website for new blog entries. Try and check back only once or twice a day.
Adam - Happy Birthday Pats! 22.. so old, and yet so.. old. Email me your Brisvegas landline number and I’ll give you a ring with my cheap calling card.
Sly - We need to organise a time when you’ll be at home so I can ring. I’ll email you now actually..
Bodie - I calculate you should be sitting on death couch in approximately 50 hours, so prepare your toque (beanie) and mittens! You better be packed. No wasting time on the internet, get some sleep!
Mum & Dad - thankyou for your supportive emails and phone calls. Only now when I’m on the other side of the planet do I realise how lucky I am to have protective parents.

So things have been good. Uni is going swimmingly. Had a class the other day that was scheduled to finish at 5.30 (started at 2.30) and went ’til 8 - Dante’s Purgatorio. It’s so fascinating, I just couldn’t pull myself away from the class. By 8 there were only four of us left, but it was just so interesting. So yeah, loving Uni. Here are some photos of the campus…

You have to click these ones and the bigger one will come up. Should save on the load time for this page.

In other news we’ve been doing some solid drinking and going out, true UniBum style. Jamie has been hosting us at his place, and he’s taking us on a ski trip at the end of February up to this place called the blue mountain.. Which might sound familiar to some people.. His parents have a time share place up there so it’ll be hell cheap which is handy. We’re definitely looking forward to that.

And more photos! Some of me on the path to Uni, and a few pictures of what it looks like from the balcony when it’s snowing. Which sadly isn’t every day, but the snow will come soon we are told.

frozen puddles - squirrells chasing each other in the trees - fire alarms - checking to see if i have my wallent and passport - ice sculptures on the balcony - egg in the glass (i thought) i just washed - cheap smirnoff - taking ten minutes to prepare to walk outside - mojo is a dog - fat salad - paying for internet that doesn’t work when the free internet we had before worked sometimes - purgatory? - why is this bus taking so long - add the taxes - laptop geeks - when will the snow come? - i wish it would stop snowing - $40 rocking chair, i will never forget the way you would sway me - Z equals.. - trudy hearts hegal -iPod in the rain when you can’t feel your face - imaginary knocks at the door - always only just missing the phone - horrible kelsey’s - load, page.. load - green paper - pausing to remember and putting that memory in your fingertips for later - sitting here in my coat, looking stupid - virtual insanity over the rainbow - appletini - asian chicken salad - exposed flesh in canadian winter.

As promised, images from afar…

Brady & Trudy at the Taipei airport.

Me in Vancouver, sleep deprived and wandering.

An upside down chapel in the city of subversion?

Some Vancouver city scape.

More wanderings around Vancouver - Casey and Trudy on the phone to her mum.

Our reception at the airport - my friend Tom!

Tom’s hotel in London, Ontario. Our first good night sleep, knowing we had arrived. Very tropical below, and snow roof above!

Snow! On our rental car! And me waving.

Trudy carting her luggage through the snow like a real woman.

Our home for four months. We just kinda threw everything on the floor.

Homesick-ish.

The view from our balcony.

Tom, Iain and Brady infront of the Australian flag. Tom’s friend Iain was so helpful in helping us get set up. He found death couch for us! Me tired still..

Casey getting settled in.. photo wall and James Dean in the background.

People sitting on death couch! We have friends.. Trudy, Casey, Tom, Jamie, Michael and Michelle (in no way replacing THE Michelle (sly) who I pine for daily)

And that’s it so far. I’ll have to smuggle Casey’s camera to Uni soon to take some pictures of the awesome campus. More on that later.

Tomorrow will be my third day of classes at Western and it’s all going well! My timetable is finally coming together after some extensive stuffing around… One of the sociology courses I’m taking is called ‘Life in the Contemporary City’ which will deal mostly with Canadian cities which will be a good chance to get familiar with the country, especially from an academic perspective. I also have a psychology course with this German professor who seems funny, but none of the Canadians in the class find him as funny as I do. Another of my classes is ‘Dante’s Purgatorio’, the second ‘book’ of Dante’s ‘The Divine Comedy’ that I’ve been looking forward to. The course is also convened by the professor that runs the Western Pride Library which will be cool.

The campus itself is very beautiful. Old buildings that clearly have a deep and rich history. The snow makes everything look like it’s come straight out of a movie, but I can imagine that the campus would be equally amazing in summer.

Photos soon, I promise!

The last few days have been so full on, I feel like I’ve been away for ages but it hasn’t even been a week yet! Our appartment now has one piece of furniture (besides matresses) that we call Death Couch. Iain, Tom’s friend who has been helping us get around and find place every day since we got here, saw it on the way to walking over here. It was just down someones driveway and they didn’t want it, so some extremely Canadian hippie man (who I’m sure was trying to sell us pot) that lives upstairs and owns a big moving truck offered to pick it up for us and help us get it in for 20 bucks. So here we are trying to squeeze this giant three or four seater leather couch that is FROZEN SOLID into a tiny elevator. The logistical nightmare of it all. If only my father was here. Only now do I realise and fully appreciate his prowess as a removalist and a boot packer. Anyway, the Death Couch is now sitting in our loungeroom (centre of attention) on plastic sheets defrosting. To hasten the thawing process, we removed all the frozen padding to discover the seedy inside of a well used couch. Casey and Trudy then started telling each other ghost stories and began inventing ‘imagine if..’ stories about the couch and who may or may not have died on it and whose corpse now inhabits its insides. Hence it is now the death couch that occupies our living room stripped of all padding waiting to be dry. Casey and Trudy seem adamant on cutting it up and throwing it over the side of the balcony, but I dream of a day where we can sit on it instead of the floor thus reducing the pain in my back.

In other news, the grocery shops here are horrid. They’re thrice the size of Kmart at Pac Fair, and they have everything in them include BAGS OF MILK and LARGE BUCKETS OF MARGERINE. We had to line up for half an hour + just to SERVE OURSELVES at a self-serve checkout. Which would’ve been more amusing had we all not been ready to kill each other and any Canadians that dared run into our tired legs with trolleys or ‘carts’ as they call them here.

The rocking chair is just a little something I picked up at the local Salvo store which here is called ‘Good Will’. The shop and the people therein were hilarious. We’re waiting on the furniture to be delivered as I type. We got a dining table with four chairs (two white, two blue), two bedside tables (Trudy’s was $2 and is awesome), a desk with a record player built in and of course my fantastic rocking chair. It all came to like $150 or something. We love the Canadian op shop. When we get a stable internet connection and Casey gets his photographic act in to gear, I’ll post some before and after pictures of our appartment.

Finally classes started today. It’s so odd. I have to keep reminding myself I’m in an enitrely different country. The campus is so beautiful and everyone is very helpful, but it is a bit of a rush to get things organised so quickly and in such strange surroundings. More on campus life later.

I hope all is well!

G’Day! Well we’re here in Canada now, or Cranada as our toilet likes to say.. and it’s been ‘awesome’..! So much has happened in the past week that there’s no way I can remember it all and type it all in here. So I’ll give you some memorable highlights..

On Tuesday we flew from Brisvegas to Taipei. The flight was pretty cool. We had these nifty little screens infront of us that we could watch any movie from a huge selection whenever we wanted to, listen to a huge range of CDs, play games, trivia quizzes, etc. The food was better than expected and because the flight was empty we ended up spreading out over six seats so Casey and Trudy were able to sleep. I was too awake though, so I just watched movies. Then in Taipei we got picked up by a woman screaming ‘Green Paper’ which is a long story and will henceforth enter into the realm of the personal joke. Anyway, the Taipei airport is nowhere near the city, so we drove through farms and slum areas to get to where we were staying which was this huge ‘Bruce Wayne’ type mansion where a can of coke of the local soft drink ‘C is for creative people that drink C’ costs $25. Which works out to be about $1.25AUD I think. So anyway, that place was fun. It was quite chilly there, but nothing compared to what we had ahead. We also met this Australian dude who was flying to Canada to start a snowboarding instructor career with virtually no snowboarding experience. On the flight from Taipei to Vancouver he made us drink until the stewardesses had to say “No more for you!” and then we were sad. They didn’t understand the, “But we’re Australian” rebuttal.

So anyway the flight to Vancouver was about 10 hours and there was no personal entertainment units, so it was quite hellish. I got no sleep on that flight either, but I was OKish because of a good night sleep in Taipei. So now we’re in Vancouver. Our first dose of semi-cold, or as the Canadians called it ‘mild’ five degree weather. We caught a bus and instantly made like three friends who started talking over each other to give us advice. So we arrive in downtown Vancouver and it’s really funky. Everyone was very trendy and the shopping was great. Alas we couldn’t really buy anything except for postcards. And then we discover the bain of our Canadian existence - taxes. They don’t include them in the price like we do, so you rock up to a buy something that said $1 on the sign and they charge you $1.30.. it’s very annoying. You just have to guess how much it is unless you carry around a calculator all the time. And then we discover tipping.. which is essentially compulsary. But you only have to tip certain people.. and we’re still getting used to the etiquette.

So now it’s about 4 in the afternoon and I’m really crashing. Timezones are all screwed up, it’s cold, Casey is pissing me off and my head is spinning. But we have to make ourselves stay awake to get over the jet lag ASAP so we do. But I’m allowed to sleep in the airport at 8, so I do. Then then our flight to Toronto is at night so I sleep there too. And then we’re at London all of a sudden, where the airport is even smaller than Coolangatta.. and Tom and Iain are there to pick us up! So we get in a rental car and Casey starts driving normally which over here is of course the wrong side of the road. Anyway, last few days have been huge, but we’re nearly moved into the appartment and we’re spending out second night in Tom’s hotel. The people here have been awesome, so friendly and helpful. Everyone wants to hear about what we’re doing and where we come from. Uni starts on Monday and we should be settled in by then. Yay!

We’re really missing home right now. Everytime my mum calls I feel like crying. I’ll hopefully get on to some emails next week, but everything has been so full on we’ve just been so busy. Talk soon, I hope all is well with everyone!

Hey hey!

Thanks to everyone who swung by to celebrate new years and say goodbye to us. Trudy, Casey and I fly for Canada on tuesday. Hopefully this blog will be regularly updated by moi while we’re away. Thanks again to everyone. Michelle, Zoe, Adam, Elise, Tez, ‘trina-mole, Alinta, Daniel, Kya, Taters, Matt, Bodie, (biker)Suz, Lucan, Jen, Toni, LisaD, Dom, Koi, RyRy, Claire, Karissa, Paul, Amy, Em, Stan, Chach-ski, JD, Nicole, Sarah, Richo, Craig, BenStG.. and anyone else I’ve forgotton. I would’ve liked to have seen more people and had a longer goodbye, but you’ve gotta cut yourself off at some point I suppose!

I hope everyone that didn’t make it to mine last night had an awesome new years. Next time I write I’ll probably be in Canada (time and temperature in the little box above). Have fun!

The countdown is on.

Christmas: 5 days
New Years: 11 days
Leaving Australia: 14 days
Arriving in London, Ontario, Canada: 16 days

Work has been like hell. Akin to Dante’s Seventh circle of hell actually, which is where I’m up to in part one of the Divine Comedy - Inferno. Anyway, lots of working. But I need the cash, so hello Kmart! I had Sunday, yesterday and today off though. Adam comes home tomorrow and back to work on Thrusday. During my time off I’ve been doing a bit of sleeping, redesigning my webpage and slowly (very slowly) ticking things off my Canada to-do list.

Loz, I hope you’re having fun on your adventures. Thanks for your email, sounds like you’re having a blast! =) I have to respond to that one day..

Everyone else, hi! Come to my new years eve/going away party (Trudy, you’re not invited) because if I die in a plane crash you’ll never get to see me again. Ciao!

I pulled a bit of an Adam last by walking home from Surfers at 2AM.. seeing as how I don’t have a bed in town anymore now that Casey has moved in to my place in preparation for our big foray into Canadia! Y’see there, I told you three relatively important happenings in the one ..elongated.. sentence.

What else has been happening? Trudy’s going away party last weeked was so much fun! Until the ambulences came for a poor chap that Trudy works with because he had an epileptic fit. But other than that it was sweet. There are some cool photos from it on Casey’s camera if I ever get the energy to put them on le website. Also, my friend from Uni - Laura is now gone to New York! One of my most avid blog readers.. have fun Lau! I shall try and keep this updated so you know the low down of our lives back here.

Other than that, my head hurts and I have to go to work in 15 minutes. I blame this all on Matty & Michelle, Domino Harvey, Tahna, ‘trina-mole of Mexico, dooM, Tom, Daniel Turner (back from O/S) and his tribe of poofs. Also, MPs in general. I paid $10 to get in there, skulled a Smirnoff black and left. Oh, and I should blame that half bottle of OP rum I drank in the cinema.. ahaha.. I go now.

..because the wind will move when it clangs and when it breaks silence like beautiful plates carved from ceramic trees that meet the ground as if by gravitational coincidence. Do you have a bell? I lost mine in the cracks.

And I’m not even drunk –> or hungover. I’m waiting for everything to happen now that everything I used to be waiting for has happened. My hours at work will be flexed up soon so that all will be left of me will be a kmart t-shirt and my name badge floating around the universe like some meta-bio-post-thought accident up until December 31. At this point, I think we’re having a new years/going away party. You’re all invited, see you there. No really, come. I might never see you again. Actually, shit.. LisaG is going soon, and so is Loz. I’m missing people already.. like lost pins that are holding together a very important piece that is still under construction. I need more pins.. New pins are easier to find (they’re in the box) but the old pins are reliable, except for the fact that they run off sometimes.

Clearly I should lay off the somethingferkate.. My next plans are Thursday where I’m going to Brisvegas with Zoe to order her dress (wedding bells, that ties in to the post title actually, I’ll claim that), then I work 5-9 and drinks after with Zoe hopefully at some pub - I’m thinking Gilhoolies.. which reminds me that schoolies will still be kicking. Oh well. The weekend is covered (Christmas party, pre-drinks at Casey’s, work both days - bitches and hos from kmart, come to Casey’s from 6 on - we’ll kick over to legends about 7.30) but until Thursday (now is Sunday night) I’m blank. So.. like.. message me. Or I’ll just sleep and it’ll be all your fault.

Recently (re)presented pins:

Yay! The second year of my undergraduate degree is now complete.. next year I’ll be a third year! And then, perhaps on to an honours year.. but we shall cross that bridge when we come to it. So yes, I’m footloose and fancy free as far as my academic obligations go. Now Kmart owns me until December 31 and then off to Canadia!

Had a few drinks to comemorate the event. Good to catch up with some people - Craig, Nick, Tudy, Bodie, Loz, Lucan, Ryry, Piers and Darth Vader. The sun was coming up when I went to bed, so that’s always a good sign. Now I’m a bit seedy. It’s an odd feeling not having anything due or anything to read or anything to write.. I picked up Dante’s Purgatory for some lite reading until work picks up.

Nose - good luck with your examinators, you will ace them. I shall be up soon for tea parties, wedding talk and to witness your cat using a human toilet. Although that could be a bit odd and make me sick in general. See you soon!

For all you others out there, (Sly, etc.) give me a ring and we can catch up. I hope everyone else finishing a semester went well. Ciao!

Bitches and hos! You all missed the midget showdown last night, except Lucan, Matty, Michelle and Casey. Apparently Luke and Craig were in the area, but failed to actually arrive. Typical. And the rest of your excuses were lame. Such as sick partners (x2), being in the wrong city, losing phones and stressing about exams. EXAMS. The horror. For those of you who didn’t even make up an excuse, I have disdain for your lack of creativity. I’m talking to you.

In other news.. Loz: We need to hang out soon. I forget what you look like. Let’s go to a bakery after cyborgs is finished. Say: I hope Sam does not get deported. That would be, as you say with your Austramericenglish accent, “shite”..

TO ALL READERS: New Years Eve party at my place, which will also double as our going away party! We’re going on the third of January for five months, so if you don’t come to our party we shall have to catch up before departure. I’m talking to all you people I see once a month or so. You know who you are. Anyway, if you don’t come to the NYE/Going Away party, I will hate you forever. Bye! =)

(Tilly went walkabouts today. Silly dog.)

Hello all. Captain Responsible here. I found this old visual arts diary today. What should I do with it? I remember Say had that cool book where she wrote everyone’s phone numbers, emails, postal addys, etc. in it so I was thinking of taxing that. But also getting everyone to write messages in it and maybe I’ll stick in some photos. It’ll be my travelling book. I’ll get everyone I meet in Canadia to add themselves to it also. Suggestions? Trudz, we can do it together if you like.

Last Friday night was fun. Trudy, Casey, Michelle, Matty, Alinta, Daniel, Bodie, Matt.W, Lucan and I went to see this crazy Russian movie with subtitles called Night Watch. Trudz loved it, Casey and Lucan hated it.. I was somewhere in between. It’s a trilogy so I’ll probably see the other two. The bugs were omnipresent, and the subtitles were effectively engaging. That’s analytic, isn’t it. Did I mention we drank vodka through the movie, to get into the Russian spirit? These pictures ensue.

And also…

In response to an overwhelming back lash against the “I hate you all post”, I should point out that I love my life and the people in it. I just like wallowing in my own self-pitty from time to time. So bite it.

Hello lovelies. Well it’s been some time since I last blogged - I can tell because Say keeps commenting on my vommit post. So it means I must make a new post. Hi Say, by the way! You’re my new most avid reader. I hope your man is better - I’m sure you love playing nurse though.

Well, things are good. Dee’s party on Saturday was fun. Good to catch up with all the old St. Micks people. Too bad James scared Brendan off so early. I would’ve liked to have met his girlfriend. Perhaps I will organise a vodka movie for this Friday. Haven’t done that in ever. So yeah.. what else. Worked. I’m now 3/4 of the way through my assessment load! Yay! Just a few gigantic essays to go and I’m free until next semester in Canada! I’ve been making enquiries into places to live over there, and I think I’ve found something. No thanks to Casey. Here I am thinking he will help me out with it given his experience with renting place and my zero experience and my Uni workload.. but no. Once again, Brady has to organise everything. One day, I swear, I’m just going to become totally unresponsible and unorganised and everyone else will have to pick up the pieces. FYI, I’m planning to have a mental breakdown sometime after my 21st and sometime before Year Three Semester Two.. so pen it into your diaries.

Hmm.. that’s an overly negative point to end on. So I probably shouldn’t finish with my dog getting all her teeth out either. Oh fuck it. Life sucks sometimes, why bother cover it up. You all know what I’m talking about. I hate you all.

When I run, I run to run. Not to exercise my cardio-vascular system, or to wage war against the calories, or to construct myself as healthy.. I run to feel my legs burn and blood rush from my head. I run to feel sick. I run to sweat. Because when I hurt from running, I forget my mind and it is freedom, because my most important cognitive process is to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Freedom from mind.