Robo and Kev.

Meat pie: CHECK
Ice break: CHECK
Footy mullet: CHECK
Southern cross sticker on the back of a lowered commodore ute: CHECK

It's official, I'm back on the Gold Coast. It's funny how seeing certain things spark a memory of specific places and times...whats not so funny is coming back and realising some memories that you had hoped were gone are still alive and living! But I guess without those things..even the bad ones...it wouldnt be the place that you remembered and like any place in the world the good memories are accompanied by some bad and bad accompanied with some good...thats what makes it rememberable.

My travels have come to an end, the ship that sailed me through north america and europe has found itself shipwrecked on the sandy beaches of the Gold coast.Now comes the challenge of rebuilding the life lived while away here on the shorelines of what was once called "home". I loved the lifestyle I had in Canada and most recently in Germany,no set schedule of events just the desire to do what I liked when I liked, and I hope I'm able to accomodate this lifestyle back in my reclaimed home.
I guess time will tell, who knows...maybe in a months time I"ll be getting Robo and Kev over to help rebuild the Torana,sinking a few VB tallies watching "Bathurst"........or maybe not ;)

I don't like MONDAYs.

I used to think Monday-itis only came to those taking part in the working community,yet here I sit unemployed still struggling to muster the energy\motivation to get my day started!
I completely blame my lack of drive on the insistant burrage of rain falling outside and the submissive shade of grey that lurks above it....this is hardly "im going to put some pants on" weather.
Why is it so hard to get moving on Mondays? I must admit I generally have weekday-itis and my day isnt exactly that frightning to awaken too...ie today my plan is to have breakfast- have a coffee and some cake- shower- paint- movies..........I'd hardly call it a "behind the 8ball" kind of day,actually its more like the 8 ball was sunk off the break and now your just hitting the balls aimlessly for shits n giggles kind of day...NONE THE LESS!!!!!
I don't like MONDAYS.

FRIEND OR FOE?

There were times when I cherished its presence, It's soothing sound melodicaly tapping at my window and its eveloping scent of purity.....But after living in Hamburg I have now decided that...
THE RAIN IS A WET JERK! It's like that kid in the street your mum would make you go and play with, It was ok for a day because he had cool toys but fuck going again tomorrow!
GO AWAY RAIN!! I WANT TO PLAY WITH SOMEONE ELSE!

BERLIN.

Everybody I have spoken to who has travelled to germany always talk how amazing Berlin is...that was defintaley not my opinion after a visit in january this year, i was leaning more towards cold baron wasteland after being greeting with -15 temps and the smell of a homeless dude which i can only imagine being replicated by satan's crotch after a game of squash. So I took it upon myself to change my opinion and give Berlin another chance....and I'm glad I did!
The joy of living in europe means amazing cities and sights are within a few hours drive from most other locations,so lena and I set out to re-discover Berlin in a day.
This time instead of being welcomed by a noseful of death the lady at the shell service station where we asked for directions offered us a place to park our car for free and to show us to the subway which will take us downtown.From here we discovered the 'tacheles' art house,a series of personal studios and galleries spread over 4 levels of a shabby warhouse block...the brandenburg gate for a mandatory tourist shot..the holocaust memorial site,the sony center,sumer by the river and the remaining section of the berlin wall(east side gallery) which is now a openair exibition with each section painted by various artists.
Berlin this time around was a completely different experience. From the bars and parks down by the river where you can have a drink and soak in the afternoon sun to the historical sites and streets of the inner city, Berlin really is an amazing city.
The day was perfect except that when we got off the subway heading home we walked 30min in the wrong direction to get back to the car and then when we finally got moving we got stuck in crawling traffic for over an hour with nothing but really bad german radio...im talking 'Enya' bad!!!

So as a travelling lesson: Sightseeing in the european winter blows!! go back in summer for the real experience!

SNOW DOME.

When I first moved to Hamburg I heard of an indoor snow park with jibs n jumps etc but I was mislead by bus advertising into thinking the snow park I sort after was only a single run so I lost interest...BUT! its seems there are two snow parks in Hamburg and the one I had heard about really does exist!!! I COULD OF BEEN RIDING THIS ENTIRE TIME!!! With the dissapointment of this late discovery set aside Lena,Justus and myself made the most of 1 night of awesomeness...well as much awesomeness you can have on a 100m indoor slope with sketchy take offs and ice landings. I was just stoked to be back on a board.

.madeathome-byhands.

I don't think I truely understand this whole blog thing...it seems as though most people update there blog daily;im more of a monthly blogger i think...or a "Its pissing down outside and this is my last resort" blogger....ANYYYWHOOOOO... I finally finished my sweater this summer..good timing ay?....well it's done and thats all that matters!!! here's a a finished snap, Hamcat needs to finsh his now so our venture is complete. IN YOUR FAAAAAACCCCCCEEEE!!!!!

Goodbye old friend.

Since December 2008 a lovely little town called Whistler nestled high in the coastal mountains of British Columbia has been where I've called home. I have to say Whistler has been my favourite place to live, what more could you ask for? epic snowboarding all winter (and spring-summer), warm sunny summer days by the lakes, skate shreds,clean air and prestine surroundings plus a like minded population who in one way or another enjoy all the above notes as much as yourself. People bad mouth this place for being a scenester paradise but it's hard to look past the facts that Whistler is an amazing place to live.
Sadly for myself my time in Whistler has come to an end, It's been fun to say the least but unfortunatley it is time to say goodbye :(

The last 1.5 years have been a wave of good times, great people and lots of fun but where one adventure ends, another begins and I have Whistler to thank for leading myself to a new adventure. If it wasn't for Whistler I would never of met my lovely lena and I would never of found myself stumbling over the right words to ask 'where is the toilet?' It only seems like yesterday I was strapping in for my first shred of the season and now all of a sudden I'm looking dazed and confused trying to order a cheeseburger at McDonald's in Germany!!! and it's still called a cheeseburger!!!

So thankyou Whistler for the life changing experience. Goodbye for now,You won't be forgotten.