Haaaaave you met these guys?

Let me introduce three friends of mine Jim, John and Jack. I've known these boys for the better half of a decade now, each with their own characters and each with their own story. Something they all share is a slight bad boy nature. Kristina Grish describes it as something along the lines of 'irresistible rogues with a dizzying ability'. But there is so much more to these boys that have proven them to be great partners in crime, allies, friends to call on when you need them. When the tough get going, they make the world easier to take on.

                             

I met Johnnie earlier in life than I should of, I was still quite young when we crossed paths. He was dapper, polished and dressed to a 'T', always the gentleman, you would never guess he has a darker side to him. He is the more charming and suave of the three, all the boys want to be him and all the girls want to be his arm candy. But he too easily convinces you that we are all the same, without a care in the world, we can all do anything we want, money isn't a problem, spending endlessly, there are no responsibilities to think of or any consequences to worry about. I must say I kept my cool quite well, especially for someone so young, but I may have kept myself at bay out of fear of what could happen around him. But there were the nights with John where I may have gotten swept away, nights where I was on top of the world, nothing seems impossible. Nowadays John is my 'growing up friend', the one I call on when I'm reflective on life and get all contemplative. 

                          

On the opposite end of the spectrum there's Jack. The straight up tough guy, always donning black and never backing down from a challenge. He is that eccentric mix of bad boy charm, laid-back, understated and quick-witted, the complex brooding type. But the same boy knows how make the night unforgettable, easily gets you out on the dance floor, doesn't know any limits and never hesitates about breaking the rules. That's what is engaging about Jack, he's a roller coaster you can never quite pin point what's going on inside his mind. He's a good guy, you never know if he's the best thing for you but he is loyal and pulls through when you need him. I always keep Jack close, he's my go to man, especially when I need a good distraction or encouragement with something.

                          

Then theres Jim, it's always memorable with this guy. Everyone knows this guy, he's been around for as long as I can remember. He's just a big kid really, entertaining, life of the party type. Although some moments with him can be tough to swallow. He knows how to get himself and whoever he is with into some mischief and easily leads you down a path of crazy fun, which always seems like a good idea at the time, but you probably won't remember anything in the morning. Although there are the flaws, he's a bit of a flake I must admit. He'll always turn up to the party, and then you tend to loose track of him as he disappears, usually on some kind of ridiculous scheme. But you can bet on him popping up around the big moments and opportune times. I keep him around for those I need to let off some steam nights, give it to the man nights, take that 'insert name here' nights, or the nights that lead to - what was I thinking last night mornings. 

                        

Between these three I've had some of the best times of my life, they never fail to help out my cause. There's a chance you've met these three lads before, but if you haven't you should definitely introduce yourself, they never pass up the chance to meet new people. You will have to buy a drink to get the chance.

                         

                         

now be a darl' and hit that button.

I was starting to think she didn't exist.

I am a longtime How I Met Your Mother fan, and just finished off the series with its "controversial" ending. Admittedly, no, it was not what I expected from this sitcom. Although in this fan's opinion it was a solid ending, And the kids have a point. So much of it was based around the five it was wrong to think in the last moments a sixth person was going to swoop in to tie all ties in an epic happily ever after.

"if you can't understand what's been produced, then you haven't been paying attention" - David Letterman

But I think we're focusing on the wrong thing here. Yes, endings are a big part to the story.
But the story isn't the ending, the story is what happened getting there. You don't stick around nine seasons just to see what happens, finales are never the endlessly played re-runs, finales aren't the years from now re-enacted moments and mimicked lines. Nope, it's that middle part, the 205 episodes in between pilot and finale that really matters. And I would rather a confused ending than a confused and cut too short series.

The show is a lot bigger than the last two episodes, and I will continue to love it for what it was.
(.. Look how bloody sentimental I'm getting over a show.)

Mainpoint, this is one of my favourite HIMYM moments.

I LIVED

NINE months ago whilst driving through Borneo listening to the music on my phone, a song came up that I hadn't really listened to before. As I repeatedly kept pressing the next button I gave this song more than the usual five seconds before continuing through my playlist. The intro was intriguing, the song then became captivating. The chiming charm, big drum beats, rhythmic melody, continually cresendoing (yes that's a word, I think) into uptempo chorus lines captured me.

Then I started to really listen to it, its lyrics, its words, its message.

This song alone is the driving force that made me go on my four month adventure, the single inspirational influence that made me see the stupidity of not going rather than going. It is a song about the bigger picture, our lives are to be lived, our expansive world to be explored.

So thank you One Republic, The NATIVE album is definitely a listener.

And thank you to everyone - family and friends from home who supported me. From the bottom of my heart, knowing that you all wanted me to enjoy the world, that it seemed you wanted me to keep going and not come back. To the new found family and friends who shared in the amazingness that was this trip. To the people of the world who showed me how much beauty and good there is in it, and it all takes our part to make it so.

This song is now the anthem to my travels, this song is now the anthem of my life and features as the music to my video re-capping my first stint around the world. And here it is, Chapter 1, or better put, the blurb of what's to come. Hope you enjoy it.

The hunt for the Easter Egg.

There's talk of a legendary sweet - the chocolate egg, elusive morsels of goodness that shine with bright colours as though covered in a coating of melted jewels. From far and wide people desire for the sweet delectable substance in novelty form. Some say in this egg form they are covered in sprinkles, there have been sightings of them covered in nuts, some even go as far to say there may be an egg with smaller eggs inside. 

Yet they are kept hidden in far off lands beyond the reach of Google maps, under the protective watch of a mythical rabbit hell bent on spreading diabetes to those who let their sweet tooth lead them into his realm.

Many have hunted them in the past, some returned with epic tales of their quests for the eggs, whilst most fallen victim to the hunt. 

Despite all efforts it has been nearly a whole twelve months since anyone has last successfully even seen a chocolate egg. 

I wanted a taste of this chocolate action, I gathered my team and set out on a whim, my only lead being the whispers and rumours of their whereabouts.

Others are also on the hunt. Not all are willing to share such fortunes. 

They say there is no better time to hunt them than on an Easter Sunday, like a solstice or full moon, the eggs present themselves at certain times of the year and Easter marks their abundance. So along with my team we head out to find our treasure, hoping to avoid the rabbit known as the Easter bunny and his toothy grin.

Sometimes the team's looking too hard ... 

Storm's a brewin'

Now reunited with the car I needed some decent time behind the wheel. With time on my hands, pensive thoughts in my head, eager for a scenic winding road stretched out before me and needing to catch up on four months of music, where else to go but for a drive along the coast. Sydney's national parks boasting some of our best.

It might not be the cliffs of Dover but Australia has some of its own amazing ocean plunging coast lines. 

There's a storm brewing off the coast today, waves crashing in high over the rocks, white water's thick, rain spattering from overhead and winds blowing in from the east. No it isn't dry and balmy this autumn day as Sydney high tails it towards winter, and as it may surprise some, it does rain in Australia. But with this weather comes some good surf. The rain brings a polish to the rock faces, bringing out the deeper colours that gleam amongst the grey skies and deep ocean blues, that even in this weather makes you appreciate this outdoor arena and it's spectacular views.

After strolling along the rock cliffs, melancholic as though a character from Macbeth, I slapped myself out of some edge of the world sentiments and took some time to watch the boys tackle the oncoming waves. 

Reflecting on the past few months (recapping stories/posts to follow), one thing travelling makes you appreciate is what you have at home.

Many people from all over the world all saying in unison I can't wait until I get there, here that is, 'Straya! And Why wouldn't they, it's a beautiful country no matter where you look with its own upside down character. 

A friend of mine from Chile once said "I want to see the world, but there's my own country to see first". Sometimes travellers from other lands get to see and experience our own better than those that live here. Maybe it's because the last trip may have emptied the bank account for now I'm out to explore my own backyard.