Hi everyone. Sorry for the unexpected break (again!).
So the good news is that I've moving the location of this blog to a new host for a variety of reasons.
Also good news, is that I've basically managed to move pretty much everything across to the new location - archives and comments included.
So come on over and check out the new home!!!! (and don't forget to update your bookmarks). I have no plans to shut this site down in the near future, but hopefully everyone should well and truly be using the swish new site before there's any risk of anyone getting left behind.
See you on the other side!!!
Monday, September 03, 2007
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
That's All Folks
OK, that's it for now.
I'll be back as soon as possible. I promise.
It'll totally be worth it.
I could even do one of those "Next week on....Just Because I Can...."
You can look forward to...
I'll be back as soon as possible. I promise.
It'll totally be worth it.
I could even do one of those "Next week on....Just Because I Can...."
You can look forward to...
- At least 2 celebrity spottings
- Maybe more
- Me making fun of NTB
- A post about Ice cream (who doesn't love ice cream?)
- Some less than ideal travel adventures
- The worst ever trip to Queensland travel diary
- The Tale of the Vegan and the Airport Bar
- Probing question number 742 - how well do you have to know someone before you can ask for a bed for the night?
- Queuing friends
- Advice to Virgins. Ummm - make that Advice to Virgin Airlines
- Back in the olden days musings
And that's even without counting on anything that happens in the next couple of days!
So tune in soon...same place, probably a similar sort of time.....
J.
The Last Supper
Is there anything more depressing than the last night on holidays when you realise it’s pretty well all over and you’re flying out the next morning?
You’ve pretty well scoped the place and gotten into the groove of the place. You know your way around, and have figured out the sort of places you want to hang out in your time there, and then suddenly it’s all as good as over.
We hit this point pretty much straight after our trivia disgrace. And then missing the courtesy bus back to our accommodation. It was pouring (who would believe it would be 14 degrees and raining, even in winter, in Byron Bay) and taxis were pretty much non-existent.
We decided to go get pizza and try to catch a movie.
Well, on the cusp of end-of-holiday depression, we stumbled upon the most amazing pizza. Bloody amazing!!
Is there anything that pizza can’t fix??
You’ve pretty well scoped the place and gotten into the groove of the place. You know your way around, and have figured out the sort of places you want to hang out in your time there, and then suddenly it’s all as good as over.
We hit this point pretty much straight after our trivia disgrace. And then missing the courtesy bus back to our accommodation. It was pouring (who would believe it would be 14 degrees and raining, even in winter, in Byron Bay) and taxis were pretty much non-existent.
We decided to go get pizza and try to catch a movie.
Well, on the cusp of end-of-holiday depression, we stumbled upon the most amazing pizza. Bloody amazing!!
Is there anything that pizza can’t fix??
Not Competitive at all
Sunday in Byron Bay heralded the start of the foul weather that is currently continuing up North. So what is a couple to to with the last full day of their holidays in a relaxed seaside town?
Pub Trivia, of course!
NTB and I turned up and settled in, with our pencils sharpened. The two of us, with a couple of other mates were quite the trivia aficionados a couple of years back. We had a regular team and used to play every week and do pretty well.
It’s fair to say that with our background we went in pretty cocky. We may have even discussed what we would do about the prize if we won.
Of course, according to the rules of false pride coming before a fall, we may have not done as well as we had hoped.
OK, second last, since you asked.
Bugger.
Pub Trivia, of course!
NTB and I turned up and settled in, with our pencils sharpened. The two of us, with a couple of other mates were quite the trivia aficionados a couple of years back. We had a regular team and used to play every week and do pretty well.
It’s fair to say that with our background we went in pretty cocky. We may have even discussed what we would do about the prize if we won.
Of course, according to the rules of false pride coming before a fall, we may have not done as well as we had hoped.
OK, second last, since you asked.
Bugger.
Burger Etiquette
There are as many ways of eating a big fat burger as there are people. What’s your preferred technique?
I personally go for the “cut into quarters and eat from the outside, in” technique, whilst trying to drop as little as possible all down my front. What does everyone else think?
For the record, in case you were wondering, it was a tofu burger. And a Damn good one, at that!
I personally go for the “cut into quarters and eat from the outside, in” technique, whilst trying to drop as little as possible all down my front. What does everyone else think?
For the record, in case you were wondering, it was a tofu burger. And a Damn good one, at that!
Holiday Joys – Part 2
Has anyone else out there ever been in a float tank. It was one of those things that was there at the accommodation and you totally feel like you have to give a go.
I personally enjoyed the whole float tank experience. It was pretty strange. After we booked in, there was the whole question of float tank etiquette – what do you wear? Deo you turn up in your bathers? Shower beforehand? How do you know when you’re done? Is it going to be like a coffin? What if I freak out?
Just for reference, the answers are: Nothing. No. No, that’s part of the process before you get in. There’s instructions about the music being played in there so you know when to get out. No. You open the hatch or get out.
I really enjoyed the experience. There were a few initial things to figure out – like how to put in earplugs, and the correct positioning of the neck-cushion so you don’t get a sore neck, and what to do with your hands. But once I got the hang of it, I ended up so relaxed I actually fell asleep in there. It was also way larger than I expected, which helped with my main reservation about the whole experience.
The only weird bit was waking up after drifting into the land of nod and being a bit disoriented about where I was. After a few seconds, though, all was good and relaxing again.
After an hour in there, followed by an hours’ massage, followed by an hour sitting on the beach reading my book, I don’t think I could have possibly been more relaxed! I highly recommend the whole experience.
I personally enjoyed the whole float tank experience. It was pretty strange. After we booked in, there was the whole question of float tank etiquette – what do you wear? Deo you turn up in your bathers? Shower beforehand? How do you know when you’re done? Is it going to be like a coffin? What if I freak out?
Just for reference, the answers are: Nothing. No. No, that’s part of the process before you get in. There’s instructions about the music being played in there so you know when to get out. No. You open the hatch or get out.
I really enjoyed the experience. There were a few initial things to figure out – like how to put in earplugs, and the correct positioning of the neck-cushion so you don’t get a sore neck, and what to do with your hands. But once I got the hang of it, I ended up so relaxed I actually fell asleep in there. It was also way larger than I expected, which helped with my main reservation about the whole experience.
The only weird bit was waking up after drifting into the land of nod and being a bit disoriented about where I was. After a few seconds, though, all was good and relaxing again.
After an hour in there, followed by an hours’ massage, followed by an hour sitting on the beach reading my book, I don’t think I could have possibly been more relaxed! I highly recommend the whole experience.
Holiday Joys – Part 1
Walking as far as you physically can in both directions along a beach, for hours and hours and hours. Is there anything more relaxing and refreshing and better for the soul?
Backpacker Hostel Bonus
Hi to Clare and John. One thing I totally love about staying in backpacker hostels is that you can literally talk to anyone, and you make friends so easily. We made friends with the gorgeous Clare and John who we are looking forward to seeing again in Sydney this weekend. Yay facebook, also, as it totally makes these things a lot easier to organise!
Thanks also to the couple who taught us to play Texas Hold 'Em one night!
Thanks also to the couple who taught us to play Texas Hold 'Em one night!
More Fun and Games
OK, here is the second installment of holiday posts as promised.
Hang in there, I've just discovered that I' have somehow managed to double-book my weekend this weekend with one of my high-school friends, Alison, as well as my parents all coming to visit (I thought they were due the following weekend until a couple of hours ago).
It's possible I'll be running around trying to coordinate various plans with various people over the next couple of days, but will try to get on to give the odd update when I can.
In the mean time, enjoy the several posts on holiday adventures!
J.
Hang in there, I've just discovered that I' have somehow managed to double-book my weekend this weekend with one of my high-school friends, Alison, as well as my parents all coming to visit (I thought they were due the following weekend until a couple of hours ago).
It's possible I'll be running around trying to coordinate various plans with various people over the next couple of days, but will try to get on to give the odd update when I can.
In the mean time, enjoy the several posts on holiday adventures!
J.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
On an Unrelated matter
CONGRATULATIONS!!! To Karen and Anthony, who are expecting a baby in February!!
Holiday whinge number umpteen
Ooh – the perils of trying to sleep in whilst on holiday. You’ve got to love the child having a temper tantrum directly outside your window at 7.30am on the first morning of your holiday!
Classy Venues
One thing every classy joint should have: the requirement for patrons to pay a deposit over the bar for use of a pool cue and the white ball.
Sharing is Caring
So, hypothetically, say, this couple (friends of mine, you see) were out to dinner. It’s a Thai meal (hypothetically, of course), and they share a couple of dishes and have a drink each.
At the end of the meal, the girl has hypothetically half of her drink, a red wine, left in her glass. As she is finishing, the waitress brings over the bill, and with it a plate with 4 scorched almonds on it. A lovely touch, I though. Umm, she hypothetically thought.
Not wanting to ruin her palate, she decided to finish her wine before partaking of her tasty scorched almond dessert treat. Her dining companion, chatting away about how delicious the meal had been, hypothetically eats three scorched almonds off the plate.
Do we hypothetically think maybe a manners line was crossed?? You know, hypothetically speaking?
At the end of the meal, the girl has hypothetically half of her drink, a red wine, left in her glass. As she is finishing, the waitress brings over the bill, and with it a plate with 4 scorched almonds on it. A lovely touch, I though. Umm, she hypothetically thought.
Not wanting to ruin her palate, she decided to finish her wine before partaking of her tasty scorched almond dessert treat. Her dining companion, chatting away about how delicious the meal had been, hypothetically eats three scorched almonds off the plate.
Do we hypothetically think maybe a manners line was crossed?? You know, hypothetically speaking?
Musings on Flying – Part 2
What sort of parent thinks that the appropriate toy to keep a young child amused on a flight is a plastic mobile phone toy that makes an array of beeping noises when each key is pressed; each more earsplittingly irritating than the last? And then allows them to play with it for the entire trip?
Musings on Flying – Part 1
I’ve never yet missed an airline flight. Amongst my siblings that’s something of a rarity and I’m touching wood as I type this.
I do, however, think it’s a huge hypocrisy by airlines, that if you are even a couple of minutes late checking in for a flight you can be refused admission onto the flight. On the other hand, airlines fell free to delay or even cancel flights or leave customers waiting in flight lounges indefinitely with impunity.
P.S. I actually wrote this one at the very start of my trip. You have no idea how ironic this post is but will do if you keep reading.
J.
I do, however, think it’s a huge hypocrisy by airlines, that if you are even a couple of minutes late checking in for a flight you can be refused admission onto the flight. On the other hand, airlines fell free to delay or even cancel flights or leave customers waiting in flight lounges indefinitely with impunity.
P.S. I actually wrote this one at the very start of my trip. You have no idea how ironic this post is but will do if you keep reading.
J.
Warning – Intensive Travel Adventures Posts Ahead!!
The Telstra debacle piece appears to have been cancelled due to lack of interest. Guess you’ll never know what you missed out on (well, unless I hit a case of writer’s block in the near future), but good news is at hand. I have recently returned from a sensational holiday and am brimming with inspiration.
Whilst on holidays I invested in a good sturdy notebook to capture all those fleeting thoughts, so you my loyal readers, strap yourself in for a rollercoaster ride!!
Enjoy!
Whilst on holidays I invested in a good sturdy notebook to capture all those fleeting thoughts, so you my loyal readers, strap yourself in for a rollercoaster ride!!
Enjoy!
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Democracy
So, let's put it to a vote...
If anyone requests it, by the time I get back from holidays (Tuesday next week, thanks for asking) I'll post up the ongoing saga of my dramas with my internet provider.
I know this sounds kind of dull, but since it seems to be a conversation between me and a clueless automatic email response system, and I happen to be a bit of a smart-arse who intends to find out just how cheeky you can be to one of these things before someone steps in and actually reads one of your emails, I actually think it's kind of funny.
So what do you think?
J.
p.s. I'll think of you all whilst I'm relaxing in Byron Bay....;)
If anyone requests it, by the time I get back from holidays (Tuesday next week, thanks for asking) I'll post up the ongoing saga of my dramas with my internet provider.
I know this sounds kind of dull, but since it seems to be a conversation between me and a clueless automatic email response system, and I happen to be a bit of a smart-arse who intends to find out just how cheeky you can be to one of these things before someone steps in and actually reads one of your emails, I actually think it's kind of funny.
So what do you think?
J.
p.s. I'll think of you all whilst I'm relaxing in Byron Bay....;)
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