I really, really, really couldn't have featured a more predictable title for this inclusion. I feel a little bit embarrassed. All the other birthday related songs on Youtube were either somewhat saddening, unbearably morose, Delia Derbyshire (much love and respect) or probably not appropriate. No matter how much I love Conway Twitty, I just can't handle him calling me darling one more time.
Now that I'm 26 I wonder if I will magically get a life compass. Will I figure out what I want to do with myself? Even if I don't I really should be appreciative of what I accomplished while I was away. Four years is really nothing to snort at. I never really anticipated staying away from as long as I did. Two birthdays in England, two in the United States. And now twenty two in Australia.
I had a pleasant day yesterday. I woke up fairly early and did the 21st century routine - Facebook, twitter, tumblr, gmail. And I felt bad for it because I was simply skimming to see if anyone had said "Happy Birthday!". Given that a good 60% of my friends are in England/Canada/the U.S, it was somewhat of a forlorn attempt at boosting my ego. It wouldn't be my birthday for another half a day. Bother.
After I had decided it was time enough to get up, I was greeted with a cup of tea and a rather boisterous "Happy Birthday!" from mum and dad. Mum had purchased my present a couple of days before with my consent so I knew what I was getting. Still it was exciting enough to elicit a giggle of excitment from me. I'm now the proud owner of a Leatherman! Unfortunately it has a name yet. Everyone needs to name their multi-tools! All in good time I suppose.
Then tragedy struck. I began to feel rather lethargic and upset. My throat was starting to tickle, my eyes became incredibly itchy and my nose became home to what felt like the world's only supply of cotton buds. I had been hit with hay fever before but this was ridiculous. Of all the days that my body could decide to harass me! The nerve of it!
To battle this affliction I decided to go to bed and sleep it away. At this time I discovered headaches really hurt and that made me go to sleep a lot quicker. What I wouldn't have done for either a bottle of Laphroiag or just a whole load of Vallium. Yummo. I did eventually nod off and it was most pleasant. When I awoke the headache was still there but, unbeknownst to me, in somewhat of a dormant state.
I had mentioned to mum about going out for some food but wasn't quite sure on what I felt like. Although I guess it was always going to be Indian. There really is no other food I enjoy more than Indian. During my absence the number of Indian restaurants in Rockingham seemingly doubled. There's also one just down the road from where I live claiming to a "Neaplese" restaurant. Even the website goes with that spelling. How kitschy. In any case I decided upon Spices on Ocean. With a name like that it kind of reminded me of all the quaint English villages I used to visit. The meals were superb and, appropriately, I was in bed by 10pm. Can't say fairer than that for a 26 year old.
Right now I've got another year to look forward to. I'm unsure as to what I'm going to fill it with but, given the chance, I hope to make use of it somewhat better than I did my last one. I'd like to read a bit more, be a bit more savvy with my money, lose a little more weight and all matter of things. I've undertaken some of those bits already so at least I've got my head in the game. It's nice having my birthday in April because I can claim these are all New Year's Resolutions that I'm picking up again.
That only leaves with me to describe the music for this post. As I've already mentioned this song is by The Beatles. As far as I know this was almost a throw away track. The Liverpudlian lads wanted to go out and watch The Girl Can't Help It which featured Jayne Mansfield and had some ridiculous plot to go along with. They threw this together before hustling on out and watching it. It's some what enduring. I hope you enjoy!
Until next time!
Writing To Reach You
Ok. First up - I apologise. Clearly there has been much grief coming from the fact that I've not updated this blog for just over 2 months. I am truly sorry. Sorry for depriving my diligent readers from such amazing storytelling. Also my amazing modesty. Chortle reader, chortle.
So what have I accomplished in the proceeding two months? Let me cast my aging mind back. Seems I've not really accomplished too many physical objectives. I have begun to organise affairs for my departure at the end of the year. The itchy feet and travel bug have proved too strong for me and I've decided to jet back off to... somewhere in the world. Canada, at the moment, is proving to be the most popular decision in my mind. I want to attempt a pan-Canada travel route that will probably not come to fruition but it is there. I need to find a map of Canada and attempt a somewhat crude route. Perhaps.
Due to my unusual habit of picking up business cards on my travel, I have quite a collection just waiting to have their story told. I decided to send back quite a few of the cards in 2008 and trying to remember the stories has been quite fun. I never expected to want to do this but I'm going create a little scrapbook of my travels. I'm entirely sure I know how to divide up the mementos but it'll probably glide along the lines of America/U.K. I did pick up some incredibly silly things along the way but I guess that's part of the joy of travelling. If I'm successful or at least fail less than I anticipate, I might make this somewhat regular occurrence. Maybe. It is nice to look back on your memories. Nostalgia is a little dramatic but the Greek root words do feel right.
As it happens I'm actively on the lookout for another backpack. Something smaller. Something with less space. Something with more space. But I'm unsure what I really, really want. The weirdo in me is terrified of not packing enough. But I'm also quite aware of how damned heavy my other backpack became. My current backpack is the Gregory Palisade. By no means am I unhappy with this backpack but I did notice my propensity to load up on clothing due the 'off chance' that I might need that particular item of clothing. Pish posh. I want to load up light. Take minimal accoutrement and pack necessary items. I'm even questioning bringing the old laptop along. OR at least leaving it here to begin with and having posted over. I don't know what I'm doing to do yet. Any suggestions for backpack would be EXTREMELY well received.
I'm trying to be a little bit more responsible with my financial situation. Great how a goal will give you the urge to save. Everything is going pretty well so far. I'm trying to cut back on the frivolous purchases by getting myself something low in value every week. Oooh, it's entertaining! My goal is, at least, $10,000 AUD. Given the current American and Canadian exchange rate... well let's just say I'll be treated as one of the more wealthy people on the North American continent. Chuckle. However I do honestly hope to be capable of saving a decent amount so I won't have to say 'Oh, can't come. I'm poor'. I'll be able to say 'I'll have seven, please!'. Exciting. Seven of what though...?
Before I close this exciting blog entry people must know that my parents celebrated their 39th wedding anniversary yesterday. It was very pleasant day. We went up to the Casino initially for some food but ended up going and putting a couple of bets on. I'm not really a betting sort - at all - but mum made a bit of coin back. I was just very blessed to be with these two people and very fortunate that they were my parents. We ended the day by having a celebratory drink. Mum had a Singapore Sling, dad had a Martini and I was decidedly naughty and had a gin and tonic. Oh my goodness. It was delicious. Here's 40 years, mum and dad!
I'll leave you now with Writing to Reach You by Travis. I feel like Travis got lost a little bit in the Britpop era. There was a little bit of rivalry with Oasis but nothing too serious. There's an Oasis reference in this song ('and what's a Wonderwall, anyway?') but that's about it. I hope everyone enjoys it! You can find this song on The Man Who. The only thing I don't like about this album is whenever I'm in a Bowie mood and I search for 'The Man Who Sold The World' this album comes up. Not too much of a tragedy.
Lots of love to everyone!
So what have I accomplished in the proceeding two months? Let me cast my aging mind back. Seems I've not really accomplished too many physical objectives. I have begun to organise affairs for my departure at the end of the year. The itchy feet and travel bug have proved too strong for me and I've decided to jet back off to... somewhere in the world. Canada, at the moment, is proving to be the most popular decision in my mind. I want to attempt a pan-Canada travel route that will probably not come to fruition but it is there. I need to find a map of Canada and attempt a somewhat crude route. Perhaps.
 | |
| Painstakingly arranged for the highest aesthetic purchase. |
As it happens I'm actively on the lookout for another backpack. Something smaller. Something with less space. Something with more space. But I'm unsure what I really, really want. The weirdo in me is terrified of not packing enough. But I'm also quite aware of how damned heavy my other backpack became. My current backpack is the Gregory Palisade. By no means am I unhappy with this backpack but I did notice my propensity to load up on clothing due the 'off chance' that I might need that particular item of clothing. Pish posh. I want to load up light. Take minimal accoutrement and pack necessary items. I'm even questioning bringing the old laptop along. OR at least leaving it here to begin with and having posted over. I don't know what I'm doing to do yet. Any suggestions for backpack would be EXTREMELY well received.
I'm trying to be a little bit more responsible with my financial situation. Great how a goal will give you the urge to save. Everything is going pretty well so far. I'm trying to cut back on the frivolous purchases by getting myself something low in value every week. Oooh, it's entertaining! My goal is, at least, $10,000 AUD. Given the current American and Canadian exchange rate... well let's just say I'll be treated as one of the more wealthy people on the North American continent. Chuckle. However I do honestly hope to be capable of saving a decent amount so I won't have to say 'Oh, can't come. I'm poor'. I'll be able to say 'I'll have seven, please!'. Exciting. Seven of what though...?
 |
| Ah, they were young once. They still act it sometimes |
I'll leave you now with Writing to Reach You by Travis. I feel like Travis got lost a little bit in the Britpop era. There was a little bit of rivalry with Oasis but nothing too serious. There's an Oasis reference in this song ('and what's a Wonderwall, anyway?') but that's about it. I hope everyone enjoys it! You can find this song on The Man Who. The only thing I don't like about this album is whenever I'm in a Bowie mood and I search for 'The Man Who Sold The World' this album comes up. Not too much of a tragedy.
Lots of love to everyone!
