yet again... things change! Brisbane

Not a day goes by I don't feel some kind of guilt for not updating my blog for my public for over a month. When I close my eyes for rest each night in my cocoon, of whatever is playing on my ipod, all I read across my mind like red tickertape is Update Journal Please Update Blog Please Update Journal Please Update Blog, etc. So this one may be a bit long, but hopefully its worth the read :)

I've decided that this blog is gonna change. Morfe into a leaner being. Give the reader something more than 'I did this and heres a photo'. I am going to separate the posts. Some will be about what's been happening, where I am, etc (the factual stuff) and the other will be a journal of thoughts and experiences (the messed up crazy thought process I take and a record following my observation of everyday people and things along the way).

"Yesterday I was packing up my bags,
Now I'm sticking round for a while,
Thought it was time to catch the plane,
When in fact its time to stay in Brisbane."

"change is the only constant"

The day I get back to reality and routine, its gonna seem mighty weird! I am currently living and working in Brisbane and will be for a total of 3 months. I managed to change the date of my ticket for San Francisco to August, so I am here for a while longer than originally planned. I have been in Brisbane for a month now. And at the time of writing this am living and working here. However by the time you read this everything may have changed again. Life has gone from good to bad, bad to good, good to bad and bad to worse (over various points over the past 6 weeks). Its been all go... I spent the three weeks prior to last week staying at an old work friend Nikkie's house in a suburb outside of the city whilst I hunted for a job. I signed up to 5 temp agencies and heard not one thing from any of them. I applied for jobs online and heard nothing also. Eventually I found something which didn't involve me selling my soul to the devil and doing telesales. I managed to blag my way onto the books of a legal recruitment firm, even though I am not even qualified, and got what was originally scheduled for 2 weeks work in a corporate law firm working on an archiving project. The firm has their office right on the riverside of the city, with great views for miles. Sweet. It also houses the Australian stock exchange. Most notably, they have a coffee machine which churns out cups of caffeine goodness of the same quality as a Starbucks. I commuted up on the hour long train ride for two-weeks of it from the suburb of Ormiston where I was staying. It was nice to sit on that sunny train ride each morning, ponder life whilst chilling out to some great tunes. I actually enjoyed being in some resemblance of order and knowing what the plan for the next day was. But that was only ever going to be for a short while...

I figured that its not often that you get the chance to just go and live and work in a city on the complete opposite side of the world with little to no ties. So why not go for it? We got a nice little pad of an apartment lined up, which was for a lease of 3 months. So after alot of hassle I changed my ticket to San Francisco to August 16th in order to still be here till the end of the lease. I knew either way living and working here was going to be an experience... The apartment even had a gym, a pool and a massive balcony. Somewhere to call home after months of hostels. But after some time and hassle that fell through! It turns out that not only was the landlord not wanting to extend the lease to travelers but it also had a bed lice infestation that required professional fumigation! So it was probably lucky that we didn't sign up for three months of it. I now had a problem because by that stage a lease of 3 months was too long, for I would be gone. So, unfortunately I am forced to be living in a hostel until mid-July. Unless I can find something better. I moved two weeks ago. They are gently taking me from behind because not only am I sharing a room with 3 others but the kitchen has rats and ants, there are 2 forks and one coffee cup and I am paying $168 a week for the privilege. The positive is that I am earning. But for how long? As a temp I can't be sure.

The one saving grace is that Brisbane is a really nice city. It is the third largest city in Australia (the capital of Queensland). The city center is a good size and never too crowded. There is a river running through it which for some subliminal reason makes me rest easier, bit like Melbourne did (probably because I am used to The Thames, dunno), and its only a short stroll and you are in the Botanic gardens and away from the 'hustle and bustle' (particularly pleasant on a sunny Sunday morning after the night before). The only drawback is that its nowhere near a beach with any surf but its only 3 months and I've had a good innings prior to arriving. I can't get too greedy. But most importantly, Brisbane has a great music scene, which was the main motivating factor for staying. I've been frequenting all the live music venues around since I arrived. The biggest disappointment is that I have yet to find anyone else with the same interests whilst travelling. Notably, I've seen the Australian artist Lior (pronounced "lee-ore") a couple of weeks ago and last week I got to see one of my most favorite artists and someone I have wanted to see live for many years - Ben Harper! Touring off the back of his new album, which is brilliant, he played at the Riverstage which is like an outdoor bowl in the Botanic Gardens. It was so awesome, I was one back from the front row and it was a truly amazing show. I took 287 photos over the course of the gig, I add a few below. Another person I've only had the privilege to see because I am in Australia. A review in one of the local weekly music listing papers described the evening as "a reason to be thankful for the creation of music." Amen!




(above: taken during "another lonely day", you could hear a pin drop)

I also went down to the second show, the next night, and listened on the wrong side of the fence perched against a tree so I could just see the top of Ben's head. Another great gig, especially with the cover of Bob Marley's "War" and a very surprising guest appearence from the (one and only) Jack Johnson. I am also very happy to add that one of my favourite bands "The Beautiful Girls" are coming to Brizzy at the start of July and I can't wait to see them again, after catching them in London last September.

I have decided to de-clutter my life again recently. Go back to how I was when I left bound for Perth back in January. Although I am not travelling lite by a backpackers rule book (but hey I ain't no 'backpacker'. I am 'travelling'. I am not a 'backpacker') I have realised over these past (nearly) 6 months that I don't need half the stuff I own. Its not essential to my survival (which the entire contents of my room back home basically falls under). I have a tendency to collect crap that I don't need in life, and clearing it all out is such a good feeling. This trip has taught me that if I can survive without something for a week, I don't need it. Materialism is for those with nothing else to fill their void. Its seeing natural things, friends and family, doing what you love and just 'stopping to listen' that really matter. I know I could survive the rest of my life with 3 material objects: a laptop, a guitar and a bag of clothes slash essentials (maybe the last one is cheating due to its wide ranging definition but you get my drift). I probably annoy and keep awake everyone in my room with my key tapping even as I write this...

There have been times over the past week where I have felt that strange but very powerful forces are trying to punish me. Make life difficult. Uncomfortable. The first example has been my car. As part of my 'spring clean' I realised that it was another thing that wasn't of any use living in a city for 3 months. So why not sell it now when it has lots registration and warranty left! Then the nightmares began. I bought it literally 2 months ago down in Sydney and drove it upto Brisbane over that period, travelling just approximately 2,000km. Never did I once have any issues. Not even a ropey start. Then on the way from Byron, the temperature gauge all of a sudden goes berserk. The problem seemed to subside but reoccurred when I went to sell it, actually to Nikkie. To cut a very long story short I ended up having to pay out $750 in repairs to decrease the $3000 sale price! (The radiator was 75% blocked apparently! Probably partly consisting of ganja fumes after being stationed in Byron for 3 weeks :) It was the most costly and frustrating mistake that i have made since being away. After all the time and effort I went to avoid this sort of thing I just have to walk away from it and put it down to the lessons you learn from buying and selling secondhand cars (especially ones aimed at travellers). If you are ever in Australia and looking to buy a car in Sydney steer well clear of City Car Mart (and I hope this gets picked up in Google under backpacker car dealers to avoid.

I have also been in the market to purchase a brand new guitar in Australia. I have had plans for a couple of years now to get a brand new solid timber high-quality guitar. I decided upon the Cole Clark Fat Lady 2 after weeks of comparing. These guitars are not mass produced instruments they are hand made in Melbourne, meaning the production is few and far between (as they only make one model range at a time) and thus can be very slow. They also all sound a bit different. They use timbers native to Australia meaning this thing will be as unique in the UK as you are ever likely to get. They are beautiful and there's probably only a handful back home at the moment. So, I've spent many hours seeking out 'the one' but when I finally found it (after deposits, hours of deliberation and the fact it was beautiful) as the deal is about to be done; I notice it has a massive crack running down the side! I considered buying a Taylor 514CE (for those that know, how nice!!) but I decided that at 3 times the price of this already bluddy expensive one, I couldn't justify it just yet. The salesman, Paul, managed to locate two more Cole Clarks from Melbourne for me. One was damaged in transit (ahhhhh) and the other was the one I went for it the end. This is basically what it looks like, you're all gonna be hearing what it sounds like when I get back! I just have to hope pray that it gets home safely when I send it!! The latest fiasco is that the shop don't have (and can't get hold of) a case that is suitable for international travel so are trying to locate one at this moment. I never thought buying a guitar could be so much hassle.

So, I have approximately 6 weeks in Brisbane left. I am basically focused on working and earning money for the USA at present. My task is to try and stay in work for the next 5 weeks at least! Then I have plans to head north to do Fraiser Island and sail The Whitsunday Islands/Barrier Reef before flying back down to Sydney before flying out to San Francisco on August 16th... I can't wait. The US summer is very appealing! Its coming into winter here and although its not exactly the English winter it is getting cold in the evenings. I could have even done with a jacket a couple of times! I miss you all. Absence makes the heart grow fonder and I know its gonna be awesome to see you all again when I get back in what will probably be November-time now (depending on money). Its really good to hear from you all when you either email me or post a comment up here... I look forward to it so please keep it up.

p.s. I want to wish my cousin Dan and his fiance all the best. They are getting married on June 10th, and unfortunately I can't be there. Please raise a glass on my behalf (as you know I would be doing it myself if I was there... remember Kate's wedding? no...me either)

p.p.s Tristan Prettyman turned 24, on Tuesday (23rd) big love to her from me. I live in the hope that she sees it one day :)

yet again... things change! Brisbane (part 2, the remix)

Whats the deal with the real world? What is the real world? Where is the real world?

I would recommend you all stop by Emily Maguire's web site and check out the video for her track "the real world". You can get it here Emily is a songwriter from the UK who gave up the day job and the flat in London and left to live in Australia. More precisely a self constructed tin shack in the Sunshine Coast hitherland (just north of Brisbane). With no electricity and no water, she is living self sufficient. And she's no weirdo, no loner and no hippy either (I've met her to confirm this :) This song will make you think...

Life is full of borderlines, money and 9-5's. Pre-paid and pre-packaged life. Life inside a credit zone. Pager, fax, mobile phone's - "don't they ever want to be alone". A world of rules and corporations where artistic expression, creative thinking and "day dreams are not allowed". Do do we live a life "as seen on the TV screen" or do we just except life as seen on it?











This video is particularly poignant to me at the moment as it is shot in and around Brisbane, and I am living this 9-5 lifestyle at this moment (even though temporarily). In fact I have been working in one of the tower blocks featured in the shot taken from the bridge each day for the past month. I see it all everyday. The corporate world full of shallow, overly self-important people, to whom title, power and status are the be all and end all. I overheard a telephone conversation last week which a partner of the firm was having. She said in a condescending tone "Why are you telling me this, Who's Mr.X?" (as we'll call him for now, only because I don't know who the hell he is)... "Is he anything special, is he even a such and such manager?!" It was said in such a tone that unless this guys job title was to her satisfaction he was a worthless piece of sh*t. Aren't we all something special? Don't we all have unique talents? Shouldn't we all be be tolerant to allow another to offer their opinion? Aren't we more than titles? Descriptions? Must we fit a stereotypical role of lifestyle? Its a sad world to me that someone will judge another so bluntly by the title of their job. Without even seeing or meeting them, giving them a chance to speak. Its fascism of the worst denomination. But we are all probably guilty of doing it to some degree. The corporate world of Australia appears not quite as developed as London, but it is following suite at a rapid speed. It is full of many ultra assertive, 'efficient' people who come across as though life couldn't be better, but in fact deep down they must know they are lying to themselves. Creative, independent thinking and having the freedom to follow the artistic expression that your heart tells you (whatever it be from playing music to running your own business) are the most important things in life - not titles, objects or the amount of money you have in the bank. If these people really are following what matters to them fine. But ask yourself the question "Where is the real world?" for you. What are the things that matter the most to you? What have you always wanted to do in life? Why haven't you done it yet? What's stopping you? Is it the "real" world?

Have you also ever noticed that when people ask "how are you?" or "how ya going?" (which is the favored greeting phrase in Australia), they are just using it as a phatic vehicle or even just as a method of breaking an awkward silence in a confined space (like a kitchen or an elevator). They don't want to hear the truth. They don't want for someone to suddenly spill out how their life is terrible and that they are contemplating suicide. Its like the etiquette of life, you grin and reply "very well thank you" or "not bad, yourself?" (my personally favored retort) - even if its not the case. But should we lie? (I notice that even if you reply "not so good to be honest" they will often avoid any further investigation). Why should we lie to others let alone ourselves? These people are effectively giving us a vehicle to get free counseling or therapy right there in the workplace kitchen or public elevator. So when I ask, I live in the hope that somebody, somewhere will spill out their true feelings at that present moment. So that I can in some way shape or form offer an ear and maybe even some advice and go along my day feeling better for it. Then when I do finally get asked the same question I can tell the person about how I asked the same, and helped that person along, showed an interest. Maybe if I could recruit others to follow the same method I could end up, single-handedly creating a society built upon love and compassion for others. One where everybody supports one another, never puts them down and thus we all live in utopia. Maybe I am crazy, maybe it will never work, but I'll live in the hope that it could for now.

We spend life travelling at a million miles an hour, fast food, quick downloads, faster cars, express highways, drive thru's, instant coffee... its all about where we're going next not where we are today. We live life without sitting back and realising that we are lucky to have what we've already got, because without it we'd have nothing. Friends, family, good times, good music, good food... even money (there are alot less fortunate out there). Its strange having such a different perspective on what is going on around you. Being away from what you know puts you in something a bit like survival mode. Back home you are worrying about what career you are going to have for the next 35 years whereas here I am thinking about where I'm going to sleep tonight or where I'm going to get lunch from. You take each day as it comes in the literal sense. Its about not having a plan, about turning up and seeing what happens. I've found it less restrictive being in such a situation and have found the creative thought process, progressing ideas that I had before I left - alot easier. I am also listening to alot of new music, which has an uncanny ability to rub off on you. Its not about being instantly inspired but when something does come along its about feeling you have the time and space to sit back and run with it. Not being restricted. It is for this reason that having the freedom to roam, to travel where and when you want and at anytime of the night and day with a couple of bags and no responsibility can, at times, be so refreshing.

(These observations were bought to you by "free" wireless access courtesy of Gloria Jeans Coffee house... until i think they figured it out and cut me off...)