An actual post.

So, it's turning into winter here. I am loving the cooler weather, seems like summer goes on for half a year here in South Australia. Cool weather makes me feel all romantic and like the holidays should be coming up but alas, on the other side of the planet no holidays in sight.

I've been thinking a lot and I really need to get back into writing. I miss going deep within myself and spewing my inner most me onto a page. It makes me remember that I do feel, and that I do have the ability to express myself in a creative outlet. I like to bottle things up sometimes and it's easier to just push my feelings away and deal with them later on. Which as everyone knows always leads to some major explosion or breakdown.

I need to learn to love life no matter what it throws at me and to think of hurdles as minor speed bumps. As my psychologist says " It may be uncomfortable, but it won't cause you physical pain." Which seems to be working for me when I know shitty situations are inevitable.

I've been thinking about my cousin a lot lately. I really look up to him. He's living his life the way he wants. Creating amazing music, performing, writing, and just living life. He always tells me how much I rock but, I really just don't feel it! I suppose I just can't see what another sees. He makes me miss home and all the time I have missed out with everybody. All the times I have missed out on getting to know everybody and to involve myself with people I love so much. It makes me feel guilty that I have distanced myself so much all these years. I guess it was inevitable as I get older that these thoughts come into my brain.

I am very lucky to have traveled as much as I have but it has always come at a cost.


I suppose that's all for now. If anyone actually reads this anymore I will try and keep up with the blog even if it's only once a week.

Sorry folks, for lack of a decent post. Things are busy here as you might expect with my moving to the other side of the planet and all. I am leaving Roc-city here in a few days. Saying goodbye to my home of over a year. I am going to spend some "quality" time with my parents. Which I am sure will mainly consist of my parents working and me snuggling up with a cat or five. Ah, it's alright. It will give me a chance to relax before some of the madness starts up. Not saying that moving over to Australia is madness, but there is lots to be done when I arrive. Such as PLAN A WEDDING! I think we have three months left to pull this shin dig off. I know we can do it. Especially with the help of Miks family. Anyways, hope you all are happy and healthy. If I don't post within the next few weeks you know why.

Don't worry though, there will be plenty of wild, wonderful and wackyily adventurous photos coming. Mik promised me he would take me to go hold a koala. There will be OODLES of photos of that.

Update on the ankle.

Emily asked how the ol' ankle's doing. So, I must oblige. My ankle is still a bit swollen and sore. It's probably because I have about zero time to rest it. Being on your feet 12+ hours a day wouldn't help the healing situation. Anyway, that's all for now. I need to go to bed so I can turn around and get my sorry arse back to work in the morning. Hope everyones holiday is going swimmingly!

Interesting and offbeat Aussie stories.

Kangaroo farts could fight global warming: scientists

Posted Thu Dec 6, 2007 1:19pm AEDT
Updated Thu Dec 6, 2007 2:28pm AEDT

Livestock passing wind contribute a surprisingly high percentage of total emissions. (File photo) (Getty Images: Phil Walter)

• Map: Brisbane 4000

Australian scientists are trying to give kangaroo-style stomachs to cattle and sheep in a bid to cut the emission of greenhouse gases blamed for global warming.

Thanks to special bacteria in their stomachs, kangaroos' flatulence contains no methane and scientists want to transfer that bacteria to cattle and sheep who emit large quantities of the harmful gas.

While the usual image of greenhouse gas pollution is a billowing smokestack pushing out carbon dioxide, livestock passing wind contribute a surprisingly high percentage of total emissions in some countries.

Queensland Government senior research scientist Athol Klieve says 14 per cent of emissions from all sources in Australia are from enteric methane from cattle and sheep.

"If you look at another country such as New Zealand, which has got a much higher agricultural base, they're actually up around 50 per cent," he said.

Researchers say the bacteria also makes the digestive process much more efficient and could potentially save millions of dollars in feed costs for farmers.

"Not only would they not produce the methane, they would actually get something like 10 to 15 per cent more energy out of the feed they are eating," Dr Klieve said.

Farming view

Even farmers who laugh at the idea of environmentally friendly kangaroo farts say that it is nothing to joke about, particularly given the devastating drought Australia is suffering.

"In a tight year like a drought situation, 15 per cent [more energy] would be a considerable sum," said farmer Michael Mitton.

But it will take researchers at least three years to isolate the bacteria before they can even start to develop a way of transferring it to cattle and sheep.

Another group of scientists has suggested Australians farm fewer cattle and sheep and just eat more kangaroos.

The idea is controversial but about 20 per cent of health-conscious Australians are believed to eat the national symbol already.

Peter Ampt, from the University of New South Wales's Institute of Environmental Studies, says the meat has health benefits.

"It's low in fat. It's got high protein levels. It's very clean," he said.

"It doesn't get drenched. It doesn't get vaccinated. It utilises food right across the landscape. It moves around to where the food is good. It's a good food."

- AFP

Prostitute offers sex for charity

Posted Fri Nov 30, 2007 1:06am AEDT

A high-class Chilean prostitute touched by a charity telethon's bid to raise money for handicapped children has stepped forward with her own contribution - 27 hours of sex.

That's how much paid sex work the escort, Maria Carolina, has said she wants to contribute to the Teleton association.

The money she earns from the marathon session, scheduled for November 30-December 1, will go to the charity, Ms Carolina said.

She said she would post a picture of the bank deposit slip on her website afterwards to dispel any doubts.

"I am going to contribute with my work to a purpose that touches me deeply," Ms Carolina said.

She has spread her message through several online sites and television programs.

But the administrator of the Teleton foundation, television presenter Mario Kreutzberger, has thrown cold water on the proposition, saying it falls well outside his moral guidelines and he cannot accept it.

Ms Carolina, though, said she was determined.

"How can someone question a person who wants to put her job at the service of a noble cause?" she asked.

- AFP

Wedding dresses, sitar up for grabs in 'dead letter' auction

Posted Sat Nov 24, 2007 9:16am AEDT

• Map: Melbourne 3000

Two wedding dresses are among a range of unusual items up for sale today, at Australia Post's annual auction of undeliverable mail in Melbourne.

There will be 15,000 items auctioned, including a sitar, a saxophone, and 27 coffee machines.

Australia Post spokesman Don Elgin says the auction lots are just some of the 8,000 items posted every day without the correct address.

"Unfortunately people haven't found out about the addressee's correct address, they haven't put a return address on there and so they end up in what we call a dead letter office, basically the end of the road," he said.