Arrived

I came into Kingsford Smith Monday morning after a series of problem free flights. Infact the 14 hour haul was probably the nicest flight I've ever had in my life. I had absolutely no jetlag - amazing! It has been sunny and 70 the last few days and it will only get hotter as the summer months get closer. I had my orientation today so am now on my information overload mode. The last couple days have been spent wandering around the city and trying to figure out what is what. I have not really done any flat or job searching yet. I should probably do that instead of updating my blog! In short I feel overwhelmed with the possibilities of what I can do in terms of work, fun, travel and living.

Initial thoughts on Sydney after a couple days are that it is very much like both the US and UK, but also distinct on its own. The city itself is beautiful, sitting on the harbour, surrounded by beaches and lush with green. It reminds me of London/UK because of its multiculturalism, the place names, and certain cultural icons (union jack on the flag, the queen). It reminds me of the US for the most reasons though. Suburban sprawl dominates the country and thus most people rely on cars and highways. They have huge pollution problems (and have not signed up to Kyoto like the US). I read that almost 60% of the population are overwight or obese, though no one in Sydney really fits that descriptor (Brits are getting close to this too, though). The Aussies past and present relations with the Aboriginees are nearly identical to ours and Native Americans. Every single aboriginee from Tasmania has been wiped out of existence because of British and Australian policy. Today there are huge chunks of land that have been given back, though it is all in mostly Uninhabited and remots areas of the country.

So for now everything is cool. Just have to think about what I want to do in the short time I have here.

And I'm Off!

In 11 and a half hours I will be flying to Denver, then LA and finally onto Sydney. It is more of a 2 day time-warp. It only seems a few days ago that I arrived home from London and the rest of Europe wrecked, disheveled and completely misplaced, wondering how I was to pass the next 2 months. It went fast and I got to see people I hadnt seen for about a year. One of my goals was to relax, refocus and get ready for Australia. I can tell you I am no more prepared to move to Sydney now than compared with 2 months ago. Oh well, at least I got my bags packed.

Yes, there are butterflies in my stomach, I am scared outta my mind (just a bit) and have been a bit jittery the last two days. That all leaves me wondering how I will get to sleep tonight; and I probably won't. The only planning I have going for me is a voucher that gets me a shuttle to a hostel - and that is for two nights. Past that the rest is unknown. I have no job and no flat. So in a sense it is quite similar to London, but I knew London incredibly well before moving back there. This is new and naturally makes me nervous, but I am doing it anyways and everything will turn out fine.

Thanks to everyone who came out to Sweeney's tonight, I definitely appreciate it. See you in 6 or 7 months!

Also, don't be shy and email me your mailing address.

The Overlander

During my stay in Kilronan on the Aran Islands in Ireland, I met a guy named Mark. Upon seeing him and what he was doing I asked the question I am now positive everyone asks him whilst travelling (he has a big camera and various pieces of equipment): "Are you making a movie?" Turns out that he was. Mark is from Australia, outside Melbourne in the south I believe and works and travels the world as an independent film maker. He told me about his projects; he goes all over a ocuntry looking for people with interesting stories to interview, basically asks why they live there and what they like about it. He has covered Australia quite extensively and when I met him was filming for his Ireland series. Spain and Vietnam are next - ambitious! It is a neat project and also gives me a better appreciation for travel. For if I had not wandered about to random places such as the Aran Islands I would not have met this guy and not been able find these new things. Here is the website where is Doco's are hosted. I highly recommend watching at least intro video to Australia. After that you will probably sit infront of your computer and watch everything else, same as me! Enjoy.

Keith Olbermann Who?

Well, I have been hearing the name more and more over the last 6 months. And after watching this piece of commentary by him I am left stunned. What Keith Olbermann does is quite literally breath taking. He lays waste to the liars, to the administration, to the warmongers, to the propagandists and to the man who really has no idea as to what he is doing when it comes to National Security. This video is on youtube.com. Watch! This comentary is a response to Wallace's interview with Bill Clinton on Fox News the other night.