Gold Coast for Dummies....

I got back from the Gold Coast last week, that place is amazing. I've never been to Australia, and it was so cool to hear all those freaky accents (kidding). Kept thinking I was in the cast of Neighbours. Gutted I didn't meet Karl or Susan Kennedy, my childhood heroes. I suppose Australia is quite a big place...


A quick run down of things I achieved in the Gold Coast (in no particular order)

Went to Dreamworld
Went on the best rides at Dreamworld
Went to White Water World
Went on the best slides at White Water World
Went fishing
Caught some fish
Went to wedding
Went fishing in wedding get-up
Caught fish in wedding get-up
Jumped off roof into pool at wedding
Saw a stingray
Saw kangaroos, dingos, lizards, pythons, alligators, crocodiles, and emus
Patted wallabies
Cooked a huge t-bone steak on the 'barbie'
Cooked massive prawns on the 'barbie'
Combined the two and had the best 'barbie' ever
Went to a surf club and ate a bucket of prawns
Bought a 'scooner' of beer (I didn't know what the barman meant, so I just asked for a big one)
Got drunk
Passed out on the couch
Got hungover
Lost 3 pairs of sunglasses
Bought 4th pair of sunglasses
Still have 4th pair of sunglasses
(It was an expensive holiday for sunglasses)
Played mini-golf (or 'Put Put' as the natives call it)
Didn't lose mini-golf (3rd out of 4 aint bad)
Drank alcoholic slush puppies (always been a dream of mine)
Went to the beach
Didn't get eaten by sharks
or snakes
or spiders
Went to Hooters
Spoke to the english girl who worked in Hooters
Wished I didn't speak to english girl because she ruined it for me
Found out english girl went scallop trawling for 3 months
Wondered who her careers advisor was
Bought 70 hooters chicken wings between four of us
Probably didn't even finish half of chicken wings
Ate oysters
Ate more oysters
Went to Pacific Fair
Found out 'Pacific Fair' means "Big SATAN'S ARSEHOLE Mall" in Australian
Went to Draculas cabaret restaurant
Enjoyed the show
Got suitably drunk
Got scared on the ghost train
Got the video of me with my hands over my face shown to the whole crowd at Draculas in the intermission
Rode in a limo with strangers
Went to a strip-club
Went on a flow-rider (at Dreamworld, not the strip-club)
Went on a mono-rail
Took photos on the mono-rail


Most importantly, I feel I made the most of it.


So there you have it, my Gold Coast holiday in a nut shell.

Being back at work sucks the big one, I'll tell you that for free.

I've signed a contract for www.suite101.com and am now writing articles for them, I've only done two so far though, so don't get excited...

Had a bloody good night out at the Monster Bar in Lyttelton the other night. Funky tunes and too much whiskey make ollie a bad boy...certainly paid for it the next day!

Soon.

On Reflection...

Good morning Christchurch, good night Eastbourne, hello world!

After a lethargic start to the morning, I've finally kicked into gear. It only took half of the day to get there...coffee works wonders hmm!?

I woke up feeling unmotivated, tired, lazy and like I wasn't getting anywhere. I soon realised that often all it takes to make you feel like you are getting somewhere is for you to get out of bed. So I got out of bed, and now I'm here, in the kitchen, so I guess I have got somewhere - today at least.

It's sometimes pretty tough to stay happy when all of your friends and family are on the other side of the world. The fact that they all go to sleep as soon as you wake up doesn't make things much easier either. The thing is, if I could, I wouldn't change a damn thing. Being away from loved ones only makes me appreciate them a whole lot more, and when I do get to talk to them, the quality of conversation is so much better. It's true that you don't know what you've got till it's gone - that is why I'm here after all. It took less than a day after my girlfriend left the UK for me to realise that I couldn't lose her, so off I went to the travel agent and booked myself a ticket over here.

Although I can't be with everyone I love at the same time, I consider myself blessed to have so many incredible people in my life at all.

Eastbourne will always be my home, no matter where I end up. I don't care what anybody says about that town, it's home to some of the most friendly, inspired and beautiful people I've ever met. I think growing up in a town like Eastbourne instills that hunger in you for something more. Sure it has it's problems, but doesn't everywhere? EVERYONE I know from Eastbourne has affected me in some way. My Willingdon boys that I know I'll be with - even when I'm away from them - till the day I die. The Eastbourne skaters that I grew up with and spent every day of every summer (and the seasons inbetween) with from the age of 12 - 18. The Hailsham boys who are some of the funniest, friendliest, loyal and talented guys I've ever met. Anyone from Eastbourne who's started a band, a clothing company, record label, shop or graphic design company. Everyone who I've ever shared a drink with in Blue. Everyone who I've ever sat on the beach with and had a BBQ and a few bottles of beer. Anyone who I've ever been camping with on the downs. Any drunken soul I've ever waited for a cab with (or walked home with) All of the mates I made when I was at Lewes college. Then later, every single person I met at Kingston University. All the writers, poets, messheads, stoners, MC's, musicians and aspiring young journo's - keep up the good work.

If you're reading this then you're included too.

Shit. That coffee made me babble a bit huh. Sometimes you just need to take a step back and look at everything to really appreciate it. The human condition can be a beautiful thing.

My new life in Christchurch is treating me well, so is everyone I've met over here and for that I can't thank any of you enough. The Kiwi's are a friendly bunch, firm handshakes and warm smiles all around - I'll drink to that.

I feel like I needed to get that out of my system...

ANYWAY

Lately I've been working, partying, and hungover-ing. Went to a party on Friday night that was pretty hilarious, not too many people there and the people that were there were on top form. A few dramas, but when is there not?! It all adds to the experience huh...

I'm going on holiday to the Gold Coast tomorrow (Australia) for a week. This promises to be uber-rad. I've never been to Australia, so I'm going to be making the most of it. I'm going to take a tonne of snaps and I'll chuck them all online somewhere when I get back.

The cat just ran in with a lizard hanging out of her mouth...it was fully gross. Little twitching legs and everything...she's gonna need a tic-tac after that one...

I've got work tonight, making coffees was fun to begin with, but now it's a little boring. Oh well, at least 'Barista' sounds better than 'Dish Pig'...although I do find washing dishing all day rather therapeutic...

One DUNCAN ABRAHAM told me on Saturday night that my blogs have been too short and not frequent enough. He said just as he was getting into them I always stopped, and he compared it to pulling out during sex...

Well Duncan...I hope you need a cigarette after this one...

(Sorry Mum)