February 23rd- March 1st: Watch-tan Diaries

February 23^rd – March 1^st

            I really would not have even been writing right now but I have completely trashed the PowerDVD on my computer. There are 8 different DVD regions in the world. The U.S. is 1 (of course) and Australia is 4. Every time that I check out a movie from the Bond University Library (about 25 times so far) there is a chance that the film is either 1 or 4. Not ever reading the pop up box that asks me to change the country code for the DVD player, I always click “change.” What I have been missing all these times is that you are only allowed to change you DVD player’s regional country code 5 times before it becomes stuck on the last region that you have watched. There is no way of changing this once it has occurred. That said, my computer will now be forever stuck in the Australian and New Zealand code of 4. Thus one more reason that I must live here forever…

            When I was first looking back at the week I thought that it was rather uneventful, until I started writing.

            The beginning of the week was pretty hectic, as I felt totally disorganized from my trip to Fraser, and I had 2 papers that were due for film. I had yet given either much thought. They actually went fairly well and did not take up too much of my time. I rewarded myself Tuesday once they were done with an evening surf session instead of class.

            I surfed a lot this week: once a day, sometimes twice. Not that there was much swell but it was indeed better than the current forecast in Harrisonburg, Virginia where I would be otherwise. Thursday at Duranbah was a real treat. The waves were fun and the waters were shared with the likes of Bobby Martinez, Mick Fanning, and Greg Emslie. It was fun seeing those guys out in the water. I tried to thrive off their power and use it to my motivation. That night we did the usual and always entertaining Don’s. We would have gone out to Surfer’s, but we had larger fish to fry in the morning: Surfing South Straddie.

            We awoke early and made the trek down to the spit. Foolishly forgetting my booties in my room, I would make the rock jump / climb with naked feet. After a quick paddle through the shark infested waters, we ran over the dunes to see what we were working with. I felt as though I had just gotten out of my car mid summer on Pea Island, North Carolina to look at some hurricane swell. The crowd factor would be considered negative for the Gold Coast and the waves looked perfect. We surfed for 3 hours before paddling back with noddles for arms. I went home for a nap and a snack.

            The afternoon was consumed by rock jumping in the Currumbin Valley and pushing our luck at the natural rock slides in a part of Springbrook National Park. The water was cold, but everything about the jumps and the slides was so sketchy that the racing of my heart had overtaken the icy waters.

            Saturday was equally fun. The world circuit tour had arrived and although the waves were not very good, seeing all the pros out at the place I surf weekly was some real eye candy.

            We went to Surfer’s both Friday and Saturday night this weekend. The tax return money that I was just notified that I would be receiving was being quickly dispensed, as if it was already in my bank account. The Beer Garden was our “go to” both nights. Music is exponentially better live especially when cover bands are playing late 80s and 90s with a hint of today.

 I know that this up coming week is going to go by really quickly. Thursday we leave for Mardi Gras in Sydney. Melbourne has been booked for the following weekend.

On another note- I am frustrated to say that I am still reading Anthony Bourdain’s A Cook’s Tour. I have another book of his waiting on my shelf, and more books on an imaginary list that I have created. It is really hard to have down time to read or watch a good film, let alone sleep in a place that has so much going on all the time. The culture is much relaxed here, but there is so much that I want to do. I have really developed a love for writing since coming here, but sometimes I find that writing gets in the way. I love the feedback even more (hint hint for the readers I have). Not that it makes me think that my pieces display anything great in any way, shape, or form, but that people are going out of their way to listen to my thoughts. I hope to intrigue them to think and optimize everything they come across.

I want to keep this lifestyle once I return to Virginia Beach this summer: no wasted time, continually being outside, not watching tv, capitalising on creativity and wit, exploring the natural / unnatural landmarks that my surrounding area has to offer. I want to continue this when I get to JMU as well: checking out hiking trails, enjoying time in Deerfield, being constantly productive. I can only hope that these entities remain my focus.

Here is a riddle I made the other day:

            What is something abstract that is measured with hands?

Answer will be displayed on next post.