On the ground - September 6, 2007

Landed in Sydney tonight. It's a police state here to say the least. Choppers buzz overhead continually and what can only be described as "packs" of cops loiter around.

A bit overcast and drizzly, so no photos yet. Pretty horrid train ride to get here so I'm bushed. I'll probably try the security zone after this post and see what it's like, then tomorrow the day starts with some goofy green actions.

Really early in the morning off to Bondi beach to make some sort of human banner, and then in the afternoon we're going for a world record mooning. I guess it's not Oz unless there's a naked bum in there. I don't really like green actions, and I certainly didn't come here to partake in them, but the reality is that I am going to be pretty constricted in my choice of protest and will have to take what I can get. The authorities sure are spoiling for a fight...

For a quick idea of what this whole APEC thing is about, I'll refer you to the always amazing Aussie comedy team, The Chasers.



Oh, and they were just arrested for pretending to be Canadians and sneaking all the way into the exclusion zone. They figured no one would really bother to check. Gorgeous.

I'll post tomorrow night after a day of silly democratic foolishness.

Love,
Nick

Backs to the fence - September 5th, 2007

Hey guys,

As some of you know, I'm off tomorrow to protest the APEC summit in Sydney. Lots of preparation and consternation as there is quiet fear of deportation. The odds are pretty low, but the Australian government really is flexing it's muscle on this one and I have to be smart.

A lovely train ride across the countryside should provide lots of relaxation enroute, then a day to see Sydney (what isn't encapsulated in a massive, expensive, security fence), then the major protests begin on Saturday and Sunday.

I'm a bit nervous about this one, namely being able to restrain myself from fully participating in democratic action, and having to resist when the moment arrives. The stakes are just too high though for me to risk arrest or deportation, seeing as the office needs me fairly badly. James did an excellent patrician job of reminding me that after a lovely and costly trip half-way around the world, I'm not allowed to get sent home.

Lots of photos will come, but not from Sat and Sun, when I will not be using my digital camera but instead easily-transferred film. I'll be posting every day for the next week or so, so keep in touch and you'll get some idea of what the APEC summit is really about...

Nick.

P.s. For the Aussie secret service, which has no doubt picked up on the keywords I've used in this post, let me clarify that I'm no terrorist, but one of the millions unwilling to accept the state of our world, and willing to use my voice to say so. See you on the barricade.

Oh, and if you guys were going for "scary", David Hasslehoff shouldn't have been your inspiration.

Oh yeah, not to forget... - August 29, 2007

My search for bizzare signs in Australia continues unabated, and has morphed into some sort of arthurian quest, made all the easier by the sheer amount of strangeness that abounds.

Anyways, there is a new photo album up that houses the best ones to date, you can find it under the Australia section of the album. Link is that way ----->

And for sating your needs at this hour:

Funnily enough, it's always cheap to have your pet put down...

Wet rocks are still hard rocks - August 27th, 2007

Sorry for the long-time coming for this one folks, I have such a terribly difficult time getting photos, and now, videos, up on the blog in any sort of useful time frame. Of course, I could simply just post words up here, but we remember those days, the dark days, when men were pigeons and the gods wore Lycra. We shall not go back.

Lots and lots to celebrate down here in Aus, the winter is fading very quickly into blistering heat, and we whet our hours with footy matches, trips to the southern seas, and spanish.

Jess and I headed to the south-east coast on Saturday, place called Kalcunda, and she transformed, not unexpectedly, into a denizen of the sea. Photos are not needed to procure in your imagination the contrast between Jess' unnerving oneness with the sea, and my salty, choking, spluttering mechanisms quite common to those raised on the great, dry, prairies. Never the less, had there been lifeguards, they would have been concerned.

Also, in a move to worry both my mother and Sarah, I picked up train tickets to Sydney next weekend to join in the APEC protests. Should be understandably horrible, seeing as deportation, rather than detention, may be my forecast. I'll let you all know more this week.

I guess finally I was able to drag Jess to a footy game, and the appropriate videos have joined the ranks at the photo album. If you haven't been be lately you might want to, all photos are up and ordered, albeit not captioned with my usual horrid witticisms. Actually, the timing might be perfect.

I'll throw this post up now, and hopefully tonight retreat to a parlor of the "internet" to get some photos in this space and perhaps a vid or two.

Anyways, adios,

Nick.

Signs - August 11th, 2007

So,

I was going to write on and on about how poorly I've communicated what I actually spend all my time doing, and how crazy/active life here is. But as I began to select photo highlights from the Dandanongs, Mornington Peninsula, Barmeh Millewa, Warrnambool and others, I was struck by the large collection of bizarre signage I'd collected photos of. Maybe these can give a glimpse of how truly messed up this island is...

Sign One: Ballarat Animal Preserve

Hmmm...Sounds pretty nasty. All that "lightning-fast" stuff, and the "20 young" thing. Waitwaitwait.. "Common"?! Welcome to Oz.




Sign Two: Mornington Peninsula

You've probably seen this on my Facebook site, but I think what I really need to clarify is that I took this photo in a national park. I'd hate to see what the signs for littering look like.

Sign Three: Nepean Military Base

Ummm...geee...I dunno...mmmm....I mean, I don't to be a promise breaker...

Sign Four: Warrnambool Estuary

Come see the World-Famous Historic Hopkins River Bridge! Oh no, wait...





Sign Five: Warrnambool coastline

Or: Please Keep Mindful of Sea Monsters

Sign Six: Dandanong Highway

Not much here for most of you folks, but for a certain new puppy dog my family just got who shall remain unnamed, this sign goes out to you. Don't be pee on my stuff man, it's not cool. Actually, that last bit goes out to all of you, seriously.

Sign Seven: The White Lotus Restaurant

Now, Melbourne restaurants are delicious, and the ol' Lotus here has got to be one of my favorites; but I will tell you one thing, and you had best listen closely: It doesn't matter who you think you are, you do not try to sneak cake into Mr. Lee's restaurant. There is a cakeage fee for a reason, and if you don't respect that or maybe think it's a little funny, he will fuck your foreign ass up.

Sign Eight: Fishtales Restaurant

Here you are Bob. This one is all for you. I asked some people where I could find a good vegan restaurant, and you know where they sent me? To a place that sells 'effin spiders. I am seriously done with the cuisine in this country.

Anyways everybody, that should tide you over for a couple days, have fun.

Data - August 1st

Today I started the new door program, in a new city, with new staff, in a new country, for a new client. Everything went great, and in between great gulps of relief we are all taking a step back to realize how good a company Public Outreach is.

We really are the best at what we do, and I don't mean making money (forgive me boys). I mean that there is to my eyes no greater source of talent, compassion, and knowledge than the pool of activists at PO. A job where die-hard morals and the tendency to weep for the world will get you a sense of satisfaction instead of a bitter, hardened edge. Work that demands that you are never satisfied, not even with your choice of employment. A place where I build standards higher and higher, only to look over my shoulder and see they were set so tall, so long ago. A discovery of trust. A cult, a damn good one.

I'm looking forward to completing the cycle soon, and being employed with a certain NGO I've had my eyes on. Much like my admiration for Kappa Sigma drives an urge to give back, Public Outreach fuels my need to expand, create, and repay. I hate to say it, because I can't take it back, but we are a very good company, one of the few; one of the ways out. Proof of escape.

Other than that, today Jess patched things up between me and the gorgeous Kiwi girl at the neighbourhood cafe. You see, the other day I was right about to shoot the most absolutely drop-dead look at my favored coffee-slinger when Jess totally wiped out on the floor with great clamour. I guess I kind of looked like an ass when, instead of helping her up, looking concerned, or even flinching with worry, I just kind of looked disgusted with her for ruining my moment.

Well, you know.

Anyways, Jess patched things up by letting the lady know I was single and amazing, and now I get to try all over again tomorrow. She doesn't even know who it was who sent her all those flowers last month...

Finally, a note to Nat, who left for her home in the Netherlands last morning: We already miss you terribly, and our house certainly isn't the same without the smoldering cooking. Thanks for the moments, I'm sorry I didn't trade enough for them, but three nights is never enough.

Farewell All, I think this experiment in writing about life without the neccesary capability to express it should draw to a close,

I'll write more when I actually should,
Nick

When you've got time for no-news, it's time to share. - July 31st

Okey Dokey,

So what's been going on down in Australia? Lots. Work has been a real devil, as the whole reason I was sent down here was to start a program that is finally getting up and running. Considerably, I'm spending sixty hours a week at work, and looking forward to planned weekends a month away.

I did get a lovely/crappy, new/used bike though, he's yellow, and his name is Sparky. I don't know why, these things just happen. And then you have to live with them.

Melbourne in the "winter" is great, it's like Vancouver but with half the rain and it's 10 degrees warmer. People are still bundled up in beanies and scarves, so we of the pale northern sun get to swagger down Flinder's Lane rugged and hardened. Word on the street though is that Australia tends to get quite hot in the summer, so I'm predicting less rugged, more sweaty. Oh man, do the ladies like sweaty.

Like I may have mentioned before, I barrack quite relentlessly for the Collingwod Magpies, the undisputed Team to Hate in the AFL, but also the sharpest looking in a jumper. Here is an idea of what makes footy so good:

here

Have to run very soon, guess I'll just say I start work for Greenpeace tomorrow, and then this weekend seeing the Collingwood v. Carlton game, then catching a train to somewhere with a lovely Costa Rican girl. Needless to say, I started Spanish lessons last week. So it is.

Jonesing very hard for the old Hali-life right now, especially since you monkeys are decorating the web endlessly with your photos and summer bbqs and undying happiness.

Anyways, quite a spurious and useless posting, but sas I said, when there is no news, let the world hear.

Fair Dinkum,

Nick