check out (this) receipt
"I wish i would have thought more about the day-to-day implications of my job. It's a great overall experience, but can be absolutely hell on a day-to-day basis. I have a little pie chart in Excel that calculates the time remaining on my contract. The F9 key updates it. Sometimes I open up that file and just hit F9 every few seconds. It seems very therapeutic, until I realize that I'm not only hitting F9 on my job, I'm also hitting F9 on my life!"
-Melissa Blakeley, Investment Banker, 22-
from "How to Delay the Real World" by Colleen Kinder my favorite person in the whole world.
i laughed. hard. in that o god, you just got kicked in the balls that sucks but its really funny kinda way.
even if it be on my final breath, i will die a hero to myself.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Monday, March 13, 2006
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
3 meals a day
3/23/04
"Miners Pool"
"It never rains in the Kimberley" - well that's one line I wont be using with this group. Well here at Miner's Pool after 5 days of preparing, traveling and waiting for the rain to stop, we spent a couple of days in the lovely Broome getting friendlier with snakes than many of you hoped to and watching the feeding antics at the croc park which might put even the hardiest person off of swimming in the Kimberley! But no fear we'll soon be enjoying sharing the water with the freshies who are more scared of us then we will ever be of them. Then it was off on our 24hour outback adventure (you always have to exagerrate the story when you tell it each time) fleeing the perilous cyclone of Broome.
Well we made it to Kununurra after many breakfast bars, savoury shapes, doritos, apples and pears later. We arose once again at a sparrow's fart only to be forced to spend a day in the hubbub of Kunurra due to inclement weather.
After gate-crashing the peacerful mall cafe for a few hours we headed back to the caravan park to learn to put up bomber tarps, relax in the enormous pool which was a couple of feet less water once we exited and make the afternoon of the rolo man who had been dreaming of his relazing afternoon by the pool. After some food ID and tips by Kevin we enjoyed dinner by the other group and headed to bed.
Well today after changing a flat tyre on the trail and jump starting the bus we were away and off in two groups to Miner's Pool with our gear not too far behind. The day ended well with John breathing a sigh of relief now that he'll be able to see for the canoeing section and it won't be a blur, and gado-gado, quesadillas and other snacks were enjoyed. We studied things we may have never imagined we wiped our butts with - believe me i will never look at a rock or stick the same way again.
-Karen-
The last one or two lines are cut off due to water and xerox errors, but somehow ending on that note is quite satisfactory. Karen was our Aussie instructor, native of Perth, WA. Even if she was an astute environmentalist, a champion swimmer, blonde and understanding and funny and australian...she can't write very well. At least i had one up on her. After a come to peace with yourself kinda trip, i really shouldn't admit that, but i feel honesty with oneself and others is your only pathway to peace.
If there was any rain besides the rain we were potentially flying into, i dont remember. I remember the heat inside that bus. I remember the heat always. I remember the frogs in the grass at camp while trying to pitch my mozzie and the take-away after the food ID. I remember Kevin talking about the difference between a bag of white powder (flour) and a bag of white powder (powdered milk). This makes me remember about 2 months down the line when i put parm cheese in my hot coco...actually wasn't bad...but that's what the field does to you.
I remember that mall cafe and being in love with Eric Vose, the astrologist with the shaggy hair. I remember seeing him and Betsy at the airport in Sydney. You could tell they were with NOLS and so could they. Because i was too stubborn and too scared to make the first move. He was reading Atlas Shrugged and i spouted off some line steve once told me about her being a femi-nazie becauase i wanted to sound smart. He later brought up another of her books and i believe i asked who ayn rand was or something of the like. Own what you say. Either way, i feel, i dont think and he was something mystical, something i missed and something not many of the other students had.
I remember Keely and Brad buying and wearing matching khaki shorts and blue button down outerwear....something of Keely's doing. Everyone wants a little love i suppose. After about 6 weeks being out in the field she slept with him. Very unsanitary if you ask me.
"Miners Pool"
"It never rains in the Kimberley" - well that's one line I wont be using with this group. Well here at Miner's Pool after 5 days of preparing, traveling and waiting for the rain to stop, we spent a couple of days in the lovely Broome getting friendlier with snakes than many of you hoped to and watching the feeding antics at the croc park which might put even the hardiest person off of swimming in the Kimberley! But no fear we'll soon be enjoying sharing the water with the freshies who are more scared of us then we will ever be of them. Then it was off on our 24hour outback adventure (you always have to exagerrate the story when you tell it each time) fleeing the perilous cyclone of Broome.
Well we made it to Kununurra after many breakfast bars, savoury shapes, doritos, apples and pears later. We arose once again at a sparrow's fart only to be forced to spend a day in the hubbub of Kunurra due to inclement weather.
After gate-crashing the peacerful mall cafe for a few hours we headed back to the caravan park to learn to put up bomber tarps, relax in the enormous pool which was a couple of feet less water once we exited and make the afternoon of the rolo man who had been dreaming of his relazing afternoon by the pool. After some food ID and tips by Kevin we enjoyed dinner by the other group and headed to bed.
Well today after changing a flat tyre on the trail and jump starting the bus we were away and off in two groups to Miner's Pool with our gear not too far behind. The day ended well with John breathing a sigh of relief now that he'll be able to see for the canoeing section and it won't be a blur, and gado-gado, quesadillas and other snacks were enjoyed. We studied things we may have never imagined we wiped our butts with - believe me i will never look at a rock or stick the same way again.
-Karen-
The last one or two lines are cut off due to water and xerox errors, but somehow ending on that note is quite satisfactory. Karen was our Aussie instructor, native of Perth, WA. Even if she was an astute environmentalist, a champion swimmer, blonde and understanding and funny and australian...she can't write very well. At least i had one up on her. After a come to peace with yourself kinda trip, i really shouldn't admit that, but i feel honesty with oneself and others is your only pathway to peace.
If there was any rain besides the rain we were potentially flying into, i dont remember. I remember the heat inside that bus. I remember the heat always. I remember the frogs in the grass at camp while trying to pitch my mozzie and the take-away after the food ID. I remember Kevin talking about the difference between a bag of white powder (flour) and a bag of white powder (powdered milk). This makes me remember about 2 months down the line when i put parm cheese in my hot coco...actually wasn't bad...but that's what the field does to you.
I remember that mall cafe and being in love with Eric Vose, the astrologist with the shaggy hair. I remember seeing him and Betsy at the airport in Sydney. You could tell they were with NOLS and so could they. Because i was too stubborn and too scared to make the first move. He was reading Atlas Shrugged and i spouted off some line steve once told me about her being a femi-nazie becauase i wanted to sound smart. He later brought up another of her books and i believe i asked who ayn rand was or something of the like. Own what you say. Either way, i feel, i dont think and he was something mystical, something i missed and something not many of the other students had.
I remember Keely and Brad buying and wearing matching khaki shorts and blue button down outerwear....something of Keely's doing. Everyone wants a little love i suppose. After about 6 weeks being out in the field she slept with him. Very unsanitary if you ask me.
Monday, March 06, 2006
sand under pressure
"I put so much pressure on myself i can't even write my name sometimes."
I crave an adventure. It's not death i fear, it's feeling dead while still alive. My map and pictures of australia face my eyes every morning. Maybe it's the missing it that makes me feel as though i've missed out, done it wrong again. That the experience only settled on my surface and i blew it away when i decided to hold the sand too tight. Sometime soon the pressure will whisper instead that we have so much work to do.
As a reminder, a present to myself, and a reunion, i'll be transcribing the group journal from NOLS AAU3/21/04, credit of the dinky-dis (the real thing).
3/24/04
"DAY UNO"
Word of the Day: Bonzer - "great" "ripper"
Today we began the canoeing all had been anticipating for the last week. We awoke late feeling well rested and excited. The river is amazing and to my surprise extraordinarily clean. I have never seen trees sprouting out of the water before and here on the Drysdale there are trees and long grass emerging everywhere.
After an early breakfast we went for a swim followed by sliding over a stick like a bunch of whales. Karen provided some humor by flailing around as she demonstrated a defensive swimming maneuver. After swimming we experimented in the canoes by flipping over and just having lots of fun in general.
After a hearty lunch of tortillas, potato cheese soup and some brown sugar pasta courtesy of Marshall and his thirst for intense flavors, we continued to learn more about canoeing on shore before testing our new found skills on the river. We quickly learned that paddling on the shore and in our minds was far easier than in real life. As we practiced gaining control of our watercraft, Steph and Lauren decided to go for a little adventure down the river as the current carried them along. After a couple of runs through a tree obsticle course we called it a day and relaxed a bit before dinner.
No one was too hungry but afterr our various meals were cooked they mysteriously dissapeared within a couple of minutes. While we chose our menus Tyler, a member of Marshall's group, asked only that brown sugar not be included in whatever was made.
As the sun set hundreds of fruit bats flew overhead hopefully devouring the mosquitos that have been bothering us every waking moment. After dinner we gathered around candlelight and played a game of two truths and one lie, learning some things about each other. When i get back to the states I know where i can get some gas pumped, some lumber, or where i can go if i ever need a bull castrated.
We ended the long incredible day by starring up at the brilliant stars. I am so happy to be out here and it is so peaceful and wonderful and awesome to be self sufficient. I think i speak for everyone in saying that today was a real bonzer.
-Graham-
I remember learning how to put my gaiters on. I remember realizing how hard it was to steer that boat. I remember cole and i getting personal from behind 2 sheets of mozzie netting. I remember touching down in that 10 seater plane after picking out cascades between deep cut green covered rock from the clouds. I cant remember where that potato soup came from. I remember shitty tarp assemblages. Athough i dont recall, i dont doubt for a moment that Marshall put brown sugar on pasta. I remember log rolling (feet down river unless you're able to roll over, get on your stomach). I remember the rain delay from camp before the plane and asking Graham (Neilson) what an eddie was. I remember realizing how much i was going to learn. I can still feel those god damn PFDs. I remember those stars and i remember that game but other than the bull i dont know what the hell that gas and lumber is about. I remember Graham not being excited about writing the first journal entry but he volunteered to get it out of the way. i remember that space we camped in. I remember stading around and watching other groups from a distance, watching them in threes and fours do the same things in 12 different ways.
I also remember Brad, that jumped-up bastard from the Crocs that stole our journal and got it all wet so the pages fell out and out of order. I say this cuz this is the second entry in the book, not the first.
little words pack a big punch
take responsibility for yourself
take responsibility for your own learning
risk saying what you think
own what you say
if it needs doing, do it
if you dont understand, ask
enjoy your surroundings
maintain a sense of humour
help others learn and succeed
be kind
push yourself
admit your mistakes
if it is not safe for the group, dont do it
participate and observe
learn from your experiences
I crave an adventure. It's not death i fear, it's feeling dead while still alive. My map and pictures of australia face my eyes every morning. Maybe it's the missing it that makes me feel as though i've missed out, done it wrong again. That the experience only settled on my surface and i blew it away when i decided to hold the sand too tight. Sometime soon the pressure will whisper instead that we have so much work to do.
As a reminder, a present to myself, and a reunion, i'll be transcribing the group journal from NOLS AAU3/21/04, credit of the dinky-dis (the real thing).
3/24/04
"DAY UNO"
Word of the Day: Bonzer - "great" "ripper"
Today we began the canoeing all had been anticipating for the last week. We awoke late feeling well rested and excited. The river is amazing and to my surprise extraordinarily clean. I have never seen trees sprouting out of the water before and here on the Drysdale there are trees and long grass emerging everywhere.
After an early breakfast we went for a swim followed by sliding over a stick like a bunch of whales. Karen provided some humor by flailing around as she demonstrated a defensive swimming maneuver. After swimming we experimented in the canoes by flipping over and just having lots of fun in general.
After a hearty lunch of tortillas, potato cheese soup and some brown sugar pasta courtesy of Marshall and his thirst for intense flavors, we continued to learn more about canoeing on shore before testing our new found skills on the river. We quickly learned that paddling on the shore and in our minds was far easier than in real life. As we practiced gaining control of our watercraft, Steph and Lauren decided to go for a little adventure down the river as the current carried them along. After a couple of runs through a tree obsticle course we called it a day and relaxed a bit before dinner.
No one was too hungry but afterr our various meals were cooked they mysteriously dissapeared within a couple of minutes. While we chose our menus Tyler, a member of Marshall's group, asked only that brown sugar not be included in whatever was made.
As the sun set hundreds of fruit bats flew overhead hopefully devouring the mosquitos that have been bothering us every waking moment. After dinner we gathered around candlelight and played a game of two truths and one lie, learning some things about each other. When i get back to the states I know where i can get some gas pumped, some lumber, or where i can go if i ever need a bull castrated.
We ended the long incredible day by starring up at the brilliant stars. I am so happy to be out here and it is so peaceful and wonderful and awesome to be self sufficient. I think i speak for everyone in saying that today was a real bonzer.
-Graham-
I remember learning how to put my gaiters on. I remember realizing how hard it was to steer that boat. I remember cole and i getting personal from behind 2 sheets of mozzie netting. I remember touching down in that 10 seater plane after picking out cascades between deep cut green covered rock from the clouds. I cant remember where that potato soup came from. I remember shitty tarp assemblages. Athough i dont recall, i dont doubt for a moment that Marshall put brown sugar on pasta. I remember log rolling (feet down river unless you're able to roll over, get on your stomach). I remember the rain delay from camp before the plane and asking Graham (Neilson) what an eddie was. I remember realizing how much i was going to learn. I can still feel those god damn PFDs. I remember those stars and i remember that game but other than the bull i dont know what the hell that gas and lumber is about. I remember Graham not being excited about writing the first journal entry but he volunteered to get it out of the way. i remember that space we camped in. I remember stading around and watching other groups from a distance, watching them in threes and fours do the same things in 12 different ways.
I also remember Brad, that jumped-up bastard from the Crocs that stole our journal and got it all wet so the pages fell out and out of order. I say this cuz this is the second entry in the book, not the first.
little words pack a big punch
take responsibility for yourself
take responsibility for your own learning
risk saying what you think
own what you say
if it needs doing, do it
if you dont understand, ask
enjoy your surroundings
maintain a sense of humour
help others learn and succeed
be kind
push yourself
admit your mistakes
if it is not safe for the group, dont do it
participate and observe
learn from your experiences
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