New Thing Of The Week: Escape the Rat Race

So, I've been having enough of work lately with a lot of the stuff happening at work - I decided to take some time off to get away.

"Everybody needs a little time away,
I heard her say, From each other.
Even lovers need a holiday,
Far away from each other"

I decided to get out of Sydney altogether to my favourite place. No it's not the Paris Hilton hehe - it's the Blue Mountains.



Ever since I became a working member of society things cost more and now going to the Blue Mountains on a link pass costs $40 for a day pass (including return travel)! But it's still worth it.

So, my little sister departed the inner west at 10ish and headed up to the Mountains on the train. A couple of hours later we were in Katoomba.

After taking the double decker bus from there we stopped at Scenic World.

Scenic World has some sky way things (these carriages on cables that take you to the forest) and also a cool coal train that takes you down/up a 52 degree trip down the mountain to the bottom.



The train trip was scary for me and Sonja - but other people didn't seem so frightened? Have a look below..

Scenic World Coal Train (click this link if the video player below doesn't work)

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After a nice walk through the forest we took a bus over to Echo Point (which always makes me think of Echo Beach song)

"From nine till five I have to spend my time at work,
The job is very boring, I'm an office clerk
The only thing that helps pass the time away
Is knowing I'll be back at Echo Beach some day"

Well I change the words from Echo Beach to Echo Point. But then again, wasn't there a really sad soapie on Ten in the nineties called that?

But I digress, we took a walk from Echo Point to the Three Sisters.

The air was so clear and fresh and just different to the city!

Most of the walk was down hill, but once you get to the main walkway it is down - steeply! It's about 60 or so steps the size of your foot going down down down - but once we got there it was worth it - just to be standing and touching the first of the Three Sisters.



That was until the walk up (or in my case pulling myself up). Sonja said "oh my god, we are so fat". I prefer the word unfit myself.

After returning to Echo Point and getting some fudge (Baileys and Cherry Ripe) from the nice fudge maker (not fudge packer) there we went to this nice ye olde high tea house at Leura.

It was a nice little cottage with silverware and everything - oh so formal.



And wasn't the bill formal - $20 for tea & scones for two - until I showed them I had been on the red double decker bus and they slashed the price by half (I fear for the locals who don't take the tourist bus).

So yeah, we took the train home then and it was good to breathe in the fresh air of the country and then get back to the city.

I'd love to live there one day - but I'd need to get a job out west somewhere.

New Thing Of The Week: Contact my teacher!

[he's not quite Robin Williams but he's still pretty inspirational]

The other day something strange happened.

Someone thought I was good!

I've lived all my life with not much motivation from my Dad yet when my teacher (the Robin William type) said "I reckon I'd have a job for you at my (radio) station" I didn't think anything of it.

But later on, after leaving the class early to go look after my little sister I thought about it more and more - I realised I should have probably talked to him more about it.

You see, he does run a radio station in the country and I wouldn't have to move to the country to work for them - but was he serious?

If I were to get a job there it would pretty much complete the majority of HAPPY resolution.

I ended up emailing him but got the wrong email - I then passed on a message from another teacher to give to him - hoping he will contact me.

It's all about experience, and to think that I could go and do something that is 100x better than what I thought I would get out of this (instead of community radio - a real radio job), that would be great.

As always, I will let youse know.

New Thing Of The Week: Watch something different

["I really love this director's cut of One Night In Paris"]

The other night something strange happened. I was up late at night watching the start of Letterman and then it occured - Letterman was not on Letterman.

Letterman has been sick for sometime now coughing and hacking more than a nerd on Jolt, but Adam Sandler was hosting!

Sandler's hosting of the show was... umm different, but he had a co-star of his recent movie on (as seen above). This made me think.

The usual stuff I see is comedies or obscure Australian dramas (obscure to the Australian public that is) so I thought well if Sandler can try something different in having a thought provoking drama I could go watch the thing.

So, (and this is a review of the New Thing, not a preview) I ended up going yesterday to the movie and it was awesome.

Yes, Sandler plays someone with a mental defect, again, but this time it is different.

It is a beautiful performance and something that inspired me later in the week.

A lot of my mates think that Sandler can't go to acting because there hasn't been that many good comedian>actors.

I say Robin Williams, but then they say "What Things May Come".

To them I say Good Will Hunting.

What an excellent performance! As was Sandler's.

So, in conclusion - I really do recommend going to see Reign Over Me because it is something different than the usual twaddle, it is a heart affirming movie and it is thought provoking.

And that's all we want in life - something to provoke thoughts!

New Thing Of The Week: Rock TAFE

TAFE is going well, but I have a major assignment coming up - radio play based on the history of radio, the technology and the future.

We chose our groups of 3 for the presentation and I chose Josh (not to be confused with another Josh) and Sebastian.

Sebastian left TAFE a week later and never came back.

Now Josh (at TAFE) has been somewhat amiss and unfortunately hasn't been to as many classes as required so I ended up writing the whole play myself.

Josh did do some revisions but other than that I basically wrote the thing in half an hour.

I got 91% for my audio editing assignment, so I hope to go as well this time.

The play is pretty much 80% filler (humour, drama) and 20% information - so I'm not sure how that will go.

New Thing Of The Week: A little something for me

[Homer's fat, Homer's fat. He knows it..]

I have been making big progress at work and even at TAFE where my teacher praises my work and uses it as an example for others (a good thing) so I thought it's time to do something for me.

Ryan went to an Evanescence concert the other month and enjoyed it and when I read in the paper that the Sydney Comedy Festival is happening I thought that it would be great to go see one of the acts there.

Who just happens to be one of the said acts? Weird Al Yankovic.

So, on Monday night (ironically instead of going to TAFE) I'll be going to the Enmore Theatre to see him with Ryan (my little brother).

New Thing Of The Week: Unclutter my environment

[a re-enactment, not an actual photo hehe]

I've been living back at Mum's for some time now... at least six months.. and my room is still in a state of transition.

Stuff is still sitting in boxes throughout the house and is unorganised.

So, this weekend amongst going to TAFE and driving I will be tidying up my room and making it from something temporary to something short to medium term.

They say that having an uncluttered environment means an uncluttered mind.

That sounds alright by me!

New Thing Of The Week: Start driving

[She may not be pretty or fast or reliable... but she's mine... kinda]

I've been awaiting my birth certificate now for a fortnight. The Dept of Births, Deaths & Marriages have buggered up the application three times now.

The reason I want the birth certificate is to get a replacement driver's license. I lost it when I moved many months ago.

But to first get my birth certificate I had to get a replacement Medicare Card (which I also lost when I moved). To get that I had to give them my new address and wait three weeks before asking for a replacement card (those are the rules) and then up to a fortnight to receive the card.

I need an ATM card, a Medicare card and my overblown mobile phone bill to get the birth certificate.

I need all of the above, plus a signature from mother dear to get my driver's license.

Tomorrow, before TAFE but after I leave work early, I head to the said department and get my birth certificate. On Saturday I will wait for hours on end and get a replacement card.

I hope to begin my first hours of learner's driving that afternoon.

The car at the top of this post is my car that Mum owns but is lending to me. Hopefully by my next birthday I will get my P's and be able to drive by myself.

People have put me down for not being able to drive. I choose not to drive because I have public transport - but currently the PT I take ends up being up to 4x the time it would take to drive there.

The time has come for me to take this big big step. I am scared of driving the car over 20km/h as it doesn't seem natural to me. Certainly, my ancestors didn't have cars.


[Why not take a crazy chance? Why not do a crazy dance!]

However, there are opportunities out there that require me not to be suckling on the Cityrail teat - so it's time to turn a new leaf and take a crazy chance.

New Thing Of The Week: Play more sport

[Earthquake always wanted to bowl a maiden over at the beach]

Okay, I have decided that the excercise that I do is not enough: I need more.

I bought a beach cricket set from Rebel Sport today which includes a pitch mat so I can bowl my famous spin bowling without it plodding in the sand.

I plan to use it tomorrow at the beach and play the best that I can.

It's all about family, friends and fun as I continue bettering myself this year!

New Thing Of The Week: Be Positive

[No I didn't say B+!]

I guess this could be a variation on the whole "smile it confuses people" new thing that I did.

I have been told by a good mate that lately I have been feeling a bit down and as a consequence have been a bit negative.

I have even be told at work by my boss that I haven't been that happy at work.

I can think of one reason why. But right now the negative person is out of my life. I am no longer under the thumb. I can be who I want to be without being forced into things I don't want to do and without having to be a slave.


[Both me and Tina Arena are not in chains anymore.]

"You broke my world; made me strong, thank you, messed up my dreams; made me strong, thank you," Jamelia - Thank You

So, this week I will do as my good mate says and be positive. At work, at home - wherever.

It's time to be positive! It's all part of being HAPPY.

Life is for living - it shouldn't be a funeral.

New Thing Of The Week: Build a PC from odds and ends and have the bastard work!

[Thank God for Google Images! This was the funniest PC pic I could find...]

Okay, this week you can call me Michael J Fox as I go back to the future and use Windows ME for the first time in what seems like a millenium.

I am using my current PC but have shoved my old PC's C drive in there so I can get my PC semi-working (until I can get a new PC in the coming months).

The tough thing is that the IIRL is coming to the end of its season and I need to get things up to date on the website and doing training, etc. With my little sister back at home I need to have PC to myself so I can do the IIRL stuff as well as chat to peoples and play games, etc.

The only problem with that is last night (due to not having some of the software for the hardware on my system) I was running on a VGA display featuring 16 colours and 640 x 480 resolution. Also, my wireless adapter was not working.

Well, better to have a semi-working PC than not one at all. Tonight I attempt to resuscitate the PC with getting the software to match the hardware and hopefully will get all the IIRL stuff done tonight on time for once.

I have never really thought of myself as a PC repair specialist but I'll try my best until I do get a new PC (which can't be soon enough!).

New Thing Of The Week: Join TAFE

[Actors pose as TAFE students for this photo from the official website. How do I know they're actors? TAFE students never look like they're actually studying!]

So, last night I went to TAFE's "information session" (really a selection night where you are sized up against other people to see if you can take part) in the hope of getting into TAFE.

Last year I missed the info session due to being sick - I had a doctor's certificate but as Monica Lewinsky might say - no cigar.

Six months later I went to the info session for the same course, the TAFE website said that evening sessions were available for the course I wanted.. when I rocked up I was told this was wrong and they blamed the website team and said to come back in six months. Great! A year wasted!

So, I was a bit worried when I got to TAFE last night and there were 100 people going for a 15 person class. I might be a multi-skilled entertaining son of a gun but as to being compared to others I'm a bit pessimistic.

How I was wrong though. Today I got a phone call and an email asking me to take part in this 6 month course.

Woohoo! I'm really happy and I officially become a TAFE student on Monday when I enrol.

Josh today asked "What are you going to do with the skills that you get from TAFE?" and while it may only be a short course, I will still get something out of it.

Good things come to those who wait. So, Cronulla Sharks fans have been waiting too long. Hehe

New Thing Of The Week: Packed lunches

[A meal fit for a blogger!]

I have been guilty of buying noodles from Coles and microwaving/boiling them at work. They're not that healthy and really not that nice.

Four years ago when I was working for a government department I used to have steak and three veges with mashed potato for lunch every day. In those days I felt a bit happier and healthier for eating it every day.

So I've decided to go back to the future and have packed lunches every day at work in plastic containers.

Today was the second day that I did and it was nice. People at work were actually surprised that I was eating decently! Amazing I know.

Smile Update

[Wayne tries Earthquake's New Thing Of The Week]

Okay, so this is a post mortem on the Smile NTOTW.

First off, it was hard smiling at work when we're continually five people down (3 people quit, 2 people away/sick) so that means we're constantly behind the ball with screaming customers and long waits on the phone.

So, I did try to smile at work and did have a good week last week (all three days of it). This week has been more stressful as the lack of staff continues!

Here's an example of a lovely customer (The names have been changed to protect the innocent)…
Cus: Your name's Earthquake isn't it? Could I please have your ID number?
Me: I don't have any ID number.
Cus: That's a bit strange.
Me: Well I did lose my driver's licence.
Cus: What's that got to do with it?
Me: Well I use that for ID.
Cus: Oh you're a smart arse are you. Well I will be complaining about you. Have a nice day.
Me: You too.

But I digress, smiling for a week felt good as I felt good for smiling. It's something that I will do more often hopefully.

New Thing of the Week: Smile... it confuses people

As I sip on my frosty cold Pepsi Max (I really needed that Pepsi Max!) I sit here thinking what is my new thing of this week. It's Sunday - it's time for something new to do this week.

This week I head back to work (which is something I am dreading) because the way I get treated at work.

But I am going to take some advice from a workmate and just think to myself "bugger 'em".

I am going to smile and I'm just going to try and make the best of a bad situation.

At work for the past 6 months I have been stuck out in the hallway (where everyone can see me - but also not with a group of people so it is hard to talk to others at work and get into D&Ms because I have to shout to speak to anyone) and for the last week of last year I got moved directly outside my boss' boss' office.

It is quite intimidating having my boss' boss watching me for most of the day. I feel overjoyed when she does finally shut the door and allow me to not feel like I'm on Big Brother.

Noone else gets that shit - only me. But I digress...

So yeah, I'll let youse all know how it goes.

No Caffeine update #2

[Mr Dr Pepper was dancing around in Earthquake's head!]

Oh EQCers I have sinned!

Today I was going out with my little bro to Putt Putt and we went to Macquarie Centre for some reason to go to lunch.

On the way to the food court we passed Lolly World where I was mesmerised by some Dr Pepper in the fridge. Now we all remember that I missed out on the real Dr Pepper last time because there was none left!

So I bought a can and went on to the food court.

Now, once I was there and had my KFC (I felt sick afterwards - too much fat!) and ate that and without even thinking opened the can and drank a sip.

Only once I had said sip did I realise that I had sinned! I had drank caffeine!

Anne-Marie, the lovely lady that she is - all beautiful and... but I digress, said that I had drank caffeine yesterday when I drank Mountain Dew, I will believe her though cause noone wants to get such a wonderful person angry. But yeah, tis a shame that I have succumbed to the Devil twice in two days.

So from tomorrow I will try my best to keep to my pledge of one week without caffeine (so three days to go) - but as you can see people, it's tough tough work!

No Caffiene Update

[mmmm Bondi burger!]

Today was a tough tough day! I went to Oportos for lunch and when I get my Big Bondi meal I usually get a Pepsi Max with it.

But not today nah-ah - it's no caffeine week! So I had Mountain Dew instead.

It was tough, but I just survived drinking Mountain Dew. One thinks I should have had the Crab Juice. Hehe, a Simpsons reference there.

I'm up at half past 10 writing this but feeling a touch tired (such is life without caffeine).

Will I stay up for Letterman (an hour away)? Lord knows!

UPDATE 03/01/07: I stayed up for Letterman (and watched the delicious Little Birdy on Live at The Chapel!) but went to sleep after the Top Ten. Was that Madden guy on there real? I've never seen John Madden on there but it seemed like it was some guy who was taking the piss?

New Thing Of The Week: Swedish Meatballs

I know I have already had a new thing, but what's so bad about 2 new things?

Okay, so first off take away the mash and zuchinni from the pic above and that's what I had for dinner.

Swedish meatballs with a mushroom flavoured gravy and berry jam.

Very nice. I bought the jam, gravy mix and meatballs for $12.95 from Ikea the other week and made it tonight for Mum, myself and the stepdad.

The gravy is quite savoury and the jam is not sweet but adds a difference to the meatballs (the way I did it was having the meatballs sitting in the gravy and the dip the meatball into the jam) and it dances on your mouth.

Quite lovely. I would definately recommend it.

By the way... I reckon I'm getting better at these reviews (must be something about not having the unhappiness of no Dr Pepper hehe).

New Thing Of The Week: L&P

So first off, I was going to Macquarie Centre (to a place called Lollyland) with my best mate to get a Dr Pepper (because this seems to be the only place left in Sydney that sells it) - but when I got to Lollyland I didn't have any cash to buy it so I had to go find an ATM to get money out.

However, he went and bought 3 Dr Peppers (2 normal and one Cherry flavour). So I went to the ATM and got money out and went back to get a Dr Pepper and all that was left was one Berries & Cream flavour. So I reluctantly got that and bought an L&P (as seen above).

I can't believe he came for us to both get Dr Peppers and he decided to buy all of them. He says there were some left when he bought three cans but still - not happy Jan!

But yes, I bought the L&P as part of my New Thing Of The Week: where I do something new and different every week.

Yes, I know that officially it starts next year but what the hell, I thought I'd start it today.

L&P to me is alright, it's not all too lemony - it's an alright drink.

When I do go to NZ (hopefully next year), I may drink some with my Oportos (there is an Oportos in NZ thank God! I'd die without it hehe).

But still... I wouldn't've minded that Dr Pepper!