Once again more than a month

18/10/10

So once again it has taken me more than a month to update my blog; it just kind of seems to happen when you are having way way too much fun going on in your life and you forget to share your fun with your mates. So please let me fill you in on what I have accomplished. (besides the usual working and relaxing with co-workers) The one and only thing I’ve done is:

Yesterday Ashley and I actually made it out of Lancelin! even though it was just for a few hours and it was kind of disheartening to see that the towns actually seemed to get worse.

So we took a few photos, but I must say the best of the bad bunch was the pinnacles. Which are Limestone pillars in the dessert, they range from a few inches tall to 9+ feet tall.

Our trip ended up being more to do with relishing being out of Lancelin than actually going to do anything.

Here are a few more photos of my last days in OZ:

^ We have a Heineken bottle I drew with Chalk and Me at work with a borrowed mullet wig.

^ A stink bug (as big as a quarter) and some whiteboard doodles of mine.

 

^ The disturbing Aussie Mayonnaise and a storage box which my mate and I were sad to find not filled with it’s marked item.

^ A rather large Red Mantis to accompany the little green one I saw in Victoria.

A New Beginning

1/11/10

1. Yes, I can be this lazy.

2. yes, internet in Australia was that bad.

I’m sorry I haven’t been really up to date on this folks. So where to start? Well last night I arrived in Auckland, but that is where I should be finishing. So then that leaves me at the part where it was just after Ashley and I took our little road trip.

The last few days in Lancelin where pretty good, A group of us (Chris(ty), Fionna, George, Barry, Katy and myself) went to the beach for Georges birthday. Sadly the weather went pear shaped but I did get a chance to paddle out and work on my balance on a surf board! plus I did a little body/board surfing.

I got to drive around the sand dunes in a Short Base Turbo Diesel Nissan Patrol which was massive amounts of fun and then Ashley and I were gone, dropped of in Perth by Kiahna (another of our co-workers) So after we got into town via train, Ashley broke her back with her backpack and we made it to our hostel of one night. We relished in the wonders of civilization, did a little shopping and had Indian food for lunch and met up with some of Ashley’s friends from Thailand for the evening. The next day I sold my longboard and we headed out to Cottesloe beach for the day and we both pulled up with a touch of sunburn. Killed a little time at the airport pub and then I was flying to Melbourne on the old red eye. I left at 11PM arrived at 5AM, so that Wednesday I did nothing but sleep in Melbourne. Thursday I toured about a bit and went to Cricket training one last time, and while there after training I had my first pizza in three months. Friday Night I spent with Emma and Jenny, two of my last remaining friends in Melbourne besides the cricket team. and then Saturday all the cricket got rained out so I met up at the pub with the boys because it was Derby Day which has the most high level horse racing on any day of the year. So we had fun went out for Thai food and ended up partying at the Perseverance Hotel on Brunswick St until 3AM. I then went back grabbed my gear from the hostel and stayed awake until the airport shuttle picked me up (7:30) on the way to the airport we saw a Mercedes SUV crash into an island in the road doing 60K/hr other people had stopped so we kept going on our way.

At the airport it went all good, I’m 3 for 3 when flying out of an Aussie airport to be randomly drug/bomb swapped with a complimentary pat down. After almost passing out on the airport chairs (majorly uncomfortable I might add) and one attempted call to mums at god knows what hour (sorry about that mums, well that one from the airport and the one earlier in the day from my cell phone). After having boarded the aircraft, found my seat and passed out. After having been woken up by the attendant to listen to the useless kiss your ass good-bye directions, I instantly went back to sleep. I woke a few times during my flight but true fully woke up for the first time 18min outside of Auckland.

I was met at the airport by my friend Bindi who along with her house mates, are kind enough to let me stay with them for a week. Bindi took me out on a small tour of Auckland today seeing as how I got my lazy ass out of bed at 2PM. We went to Mission Hill for some yummy coffee and some photos!! How ever before we get to photos I shall let you know they were taken at Mission Beach, Michael (something) Savage Memorial, and a Old Volcano Caldera. Enjoy!

 

 

Kevin 007

The Night I Set the BBQ on Fire

August 31st 2010

So last night a co-worker and I planned a little BBQ.

It started a bit later than I thought, and I had turned on the BBQ so that it would be nice and hot. I forgot to turn down the gas when enough time had passed by.

So the BBQ was red hot and ignited the grease trap underneath. We got it put out and all was fine. There was a second BBQ we used to cook the food.

I swear I am truly amazing sometimes.

 

Kevin 007

My little day adventure

August 29th 2010

Today on my day off I went on an adventure of sorts. I woke up relatively early for it being my day off (10AM). The Hotel/Pub I work at has two kayaks that we are able to use so I grabbed one of them and headed over to Lancelin island. If you look at the pictures in previous posts, it is the largish island just out to sea.

It took me about 30 minutes to get to the island, at one point a sea lion popped it’s head out of the water to watch me paddle up onto the shore and continued to dive surface and watch on and off for the next 40 min. After pulling up onto the island I pretty much collapsed onto my quickly spread out towel to revel in the quite calm of an “abandoned” island. I grabbed my book and donned my birthday suit for some peace and relaxation. after about 3 hrs and one slightly burnt ass, I clothed up and wandered the island. I strolled the beach picking up seashells that might make their way back to one or more of you who are reading this.

There was a wooden walk way that went up and over the island to the other side and to a slightly higher viewing platform. here are some photos:

       

And so after all my photo fun and laughing at the snoring sea lion it was time to head back in to reality again.

Until next time,

Kevin 007

Addendum: One burnt ass, there is no doubt about it.

A Whole Lot of Nothing!

 

Hello to the English speakers, Allo to the French-Canadians, Bonjour to the French and Guten Tag to the Germans.

I’ll start with an apology for not having written in over a month.

Oh faithful readers of mine, I’m sorry!

Well I’m not too sure where to start at the moment as there is not much going on. I’ll let you in on a little secret though, this town is as boring as purgatory with the exception of the fact that you have some folks to talk to. I assume you have no one talk to in purgatory.

Over the last three weeks maybe four, they are all starting to blend together now, I’ve been lucky enough to have been chosen as the restaurant replacement for two of our staff team that headed off to continue their journey. So for one week our restaurant was crippled by my inexperience and we soldiered on. During the second week of my tour of duty the new staff members arrived, I passed on my basic training knowledge that I was taught over two shifts to the two new staff and by the end of the week it was their war zone.

I was back at the pub, in the relative safety of my understanding, but I came away with a new insight into how things work, and the ability to make a decent cup of coffee Aussie style. Ok fine it is drinkable though. I still get some shifts up in the restaurant and don’t mind it as I get some serving experience which is just plain good to have, and I still get to rack up my beer slinging experience.

I must also admit that I have been lazy, very lazy when it comes to “My Daily Do List” Yes, yes I have made myself a list of things that I want to do everyday. I made it about a month ago and haven’t done one thing on the list, on any day since making the list. List are like my Kryptonite, Lists and South Park and movies. I say this because my boss has lent us (the staff) a set top box that has a 1TB (1024GB) Hard Drive in it that is packed to the tits with movies and South Park.

About three days ago I performed my first ever haircut. On myself. Ha ha ha ha I know eh, but in all honesty it didn’t turn out that bad. I still look reasonably amazing. I was supposed to have a helper, but everyone seems to back out because they don’t want to be the one to fuck it up.

I have also been managing to live on a $50.00 a week budget, it kind of sucks but it is also fun to see what you are able to accomplish when you put your mind to it. Today is also going to be the day I send in my application for a NZ working Visa so wish me luck.

One thing that I am a little proud of is that my drawing skills have been greatly improved do to my sheer boredom at work and one of the few things to do being doodling. I have created a little comic book about the adventures of Backpacker Man and his Sporve Pikerang. I know what is running through your head, “What in the hell is a sporve pikerang?” Well I’m here to tell you, it is a utility item that blends together all the benefits of a spoon, fork, knife, tooth pick and boomerang. No it does not really exist but was created by two staff members and myself while having beers and a laugh one night. With out further ado I give you back packer man:

 

 

So that is Backpacker Mans first humble adventure and about all that has happened in the last month as to things I have done, with the exception of sand boarding but that is a story for another day… or month in my case.

Kevin 007

 

Addendum:

It has taken so long to get internet to post this that I am excited to tell you that my New Zealand Visa has been approved! I will be going to NZ on Oct 31 2010. Time for me to do a little dance *shaking it* oh yeah that felt good!

Lancelin, Lancelin and photos from a while ago

 

Yes Lancelin WA, any mail addressed to me should go to:

Kevin Bryk

1 North Street

Lancelin, WA

6044

The town has a population of about 700 people, yet it is much larger as it is a summer time vacation spot for Perth so many houses are unoccupied at the moment. Allow me to present, if you will, a panoramic picture (it’s like 10 photos just use your imagination you lazy arse) of the town from a lookout point by my work/home.

 

^This photo is towards town, the town does extend out of frame though.

^The lovely Indian Ocean.

^The sand dunes where I will go sand boarding, also the largest in WA (So I’ve read).

^ Right there with the red tile roof is where I live and work, hmm two small towns two hotels where I have lived on site, half a world apart. Weird.

So as you can see there is not much to the town, it does however add to the towns aura of relaxation (that I think it has). It would be great if I had my long board with me (it’s in Perth with friends) as I’m about 1-2Km from the town shops and they have these perfect sidewalks for cruising.

With there not being a whole lot to do in town I have semi-sequestered myself away in my room to watch movies and TV series on my laptop and occasionally peruse the 5 channels I receive on my TV. More and more often however I find myself sitting in front of my computer with Rosetta Stone open. Rosetta Stone is a program that is designed to teach you new languages. Sadly to my dismay, I tried to install the French learning package a dozen times; each resulting in failure (maybe Futurama is right, and French will become an extinct language. I however wish it would have installed for me though. Then I could find out what my mom says behind my back) So with French out I looked to my other options and decided on………………

Dum Dum Dum!

German!

I’m about a 1/3 through part one of four for level one German, and I have 3 levels that I can learn. So hopefully by the time I’m on my way somewhere else I will have a good grasp of the German tongue.

For those wondering, yes I do find myself spending some free time sitting on the beach reading a book whilst the sea salt tinged air tickles my nostrils and cold crisp beer soothes my parched oesophagus.

*Awooga Awooga Awooga*

(Insert generic military voice over loud speaker here)All personnel be warned, author is going into flashback mode, things may or may not make any sense to you or others, take all precautions to protect your own sanity, this is a warning

*Awooga Awooga Awooga*

(Crazy distortion plus a bright pulse that slowly covers, ah screw it I’m too lazy for this.

here are some really old (8 months max) photos from my cell phone with explanations (if there can be one) that I thought I’d put up to amuse you. Some may already be on facebook.

^ This children’s ride at victoria market in Melbourne just isn’t right. Just imagine a child sitting in that seat. Tell me it wouldn’t look just plain wrong.

^ Ha ha, yeah we look in on the kids occasionally, like 3 times a day or something.

^ There is a green mantis in the middle of this photo, it’s only about 3-4cm long.

^ This was Will and Christoph, hard asleep as we made our way to work.

^ Menzies place, finally somewhere to send them for the week.

This (if you already read other posts, you already know) is Aoife, Arabic version. Aoife, Jenny (another co-worker) and I spent this entire day doing nothing but sitting at this bench talking all day. Best day of work ever.

^ I have no explanation. I look like a freak though. This was on the best day of work as well.

^ This is a weird toilet I found at Taco Bills. The only way to wash your hands was to flush the toilet. It turned on when you flushed.

^ Biggest spider I have seen in Oz so far. (yeah six legs, it lost the rest in an epic battle for a fly)

^ I’m told gaytime’s are great, although I’m yet to have one. I probably won’t disclose if I have one either.

^ The trams in Melbourne operate until the ultra late hours of the night. There’s an 89 o’clock? Why didn’t anyone tell me this? AAAAAAAAhhhhhhhhh!

^ If you open up this photo, you will see that the name on the building across the street is: Shaft Adult Cinema.

 

^ Some street art in Melbourne that I liked.

 

^ This is a cricket award that I am very honoured to have won. It is voted on by the players and I cannot find a way to express how much it means to me.

^ Group conclusion was that I broke my toe, at least it only hurt that day.

 

^ This is Gregor and Sarah, two wonderful room mates from a hostel I stayed at.

As above with the cricket award, I cannot say enough good things about my cricket mates. The following photos are from our trip to Hobart, Tasmania for a long weekend.

^ A tall ship in the harbour.

^ This is Elton John er… Rompa on the left and Damo on the right.

^ This is Chris, I met him my first year in Fernie, and it was he who introduced me to cricket.

^ The harbour at dusk.

^ Oh Johnny Cristou.

^ Johnny and Chris, trouble makers abound!

^ Rompa (my room mate on the trip) with part of a statue in honour of I do not know what.

^ The two parts of said statue to some guy.

^ Sea Sheppard Crew, for some reason it was funny when I had beers in me.

^ Billy “No Neck” Quirk and I with our funny coloured lens-less sunnies.

 

^ Bottom row, Oh yeah? Oh yeah? well KAK Q! Once again beers make things funny.

^ These are from Kalgoorlie-Boulder in WA, I wrote on the wall of a pub and well brothels are “legal” there and that is a sign for one of them.

 

^ Afore mentioned Aoife, this is scary underwear in public version.

^ I love how genera this sign is, no matter what time your walking by. It tells you that it’s beer o’clock. FYI I was walking by this at 6AM.

^ I was setting up marquees in Perth for a few days and found a hilarious cooler out side a bottle shop.

^ Not only are there security devices on Perth trains, but also video surveillance.

^ I was about to climb this tree to sit in the branches, when a girl (from the bar it’s beside) told me “Don’t climb that tree! I work here.” to which I replied “You work on the street? protecting public trees?” Anyways we wanted into the bar so I didn’t climb the tree. She even looked back after she walked away to make sure I hadn’t re-attempted my climb.

^ These posters while being a giant example are located in smaller versions on the trains and are all about respecting fellow travellers. They all made me giggle.

 

^ This one is for all my Winnipeg friends who most likely have no idea about this blog or that I’m still alive. But still if I ever get the chance I will show them and they will laugh. I found it in Lancelin in my place of work.

For now that is all I have, But I’m sure that this wonderful town will leave me with a few more stories to tell you before I leave in three and a bit months.

I hope your all happy and well!

 

Kevin 007