First and foremost, in my enlightening sobriety, I would like to apologize for my previous post and the way I portrayed my fling as some sort of cheap call girl. When I say that she said she'd call me she rather implied that, and I paraphased that sentence. The encounter really wasn't that skanky-I just used poor diction and had an altered perspective due to Deb's 21st and a night of dancing and drinking in a high class, top-floor suite at the Crown.


So let's take some time to tell you about my friends. Long overdue, but I wanted to really have something to say. Lately my closest female friend has been Miranda Emanuel, a sunny California girl proudly hailing from Santa Cruz. I remember visiting Santa Cruz and liking the carnival and arcade set up on the beach, and enjoying the UC's campus as well. That must have been 2005 I went there? My, my, how time does fly. At any rate, here is a picture of the little skankatropolis in all her glory



She's pretty lovely, I know. Miranda I never tell you how pretty you are, I know, but that's because we're friends and I think it might be inappropriate, but for once I'd like to take the chance to tell you how beautiful I think you are. The most remarkable thing is that she is CONSTANTLY assumed as my girlfriend. This has happened almost immediately from the beginning of the semester, as we became friends during the welcome and have remained tight throughout the duration of our Australian semester abroad, thanks to us living together and her strange enjoyment derived from cooking me meals. In Byron Bay all the guys I met also asked if she was my girlfriend, which I suppose I can understand as we were two young free spirits from California traveling together. I've been saved from fat girls hitting on me at Eurotrash (what did I expect at a place called Eurotrash, I know) by her playing my girlfriend, and I've been granted entry into Billboard's thanks to her posing as my girlfriend. While I"m not one to ever rule that out entirely I'm basically positive we're so far in the friend zone that the line separating friends from all else is a blur. In the beginning we toyed with the idea, and I think we both had open minds and thought something might be in the cards, but we quickly realized that we were better serving as close friends (maybe best friends?) and so friends we stayed.


Plus losing her as my gym buddy, female opinion, end of every joke, girl that feeds me, everything else in between, and foregoing my position where I hear all the juicy stories and gossip normally saved for the circle of girls isn't really worth throwing away....Did I mention she surfs? Quite the little woman, I know. Also she's my little bro.....she's gonna be mad about me posting this pic but I only ever promised to keep it off facebook. Her she and I are scoping the wreck during one of the off days in Byron Bay.

Love you Miranda, my little skankatropolis. I'm glad we're friends.

The weather today is shit. It's Spring it needs to be warm. I'm upset.

New Friend update soon!!

An ode to 3:38 in the morning....

Tonight Dan Frannson got punched in the face and it was a complete atrocity. It was Deb's 21st at Crown and man things got wild in the casino club. I danced with a girl, Carolina (care oh lean uh-not care oh line uh), and she and I wound up kissing. She was a great kisser, too. She told me she was born in Argentina then moved to Melbourne. She had the look and her hips moved like she was South American, but even if she was lying I don't mind. She was very pretty. One guy in my same cab home even commented on how girls that pretty don't normally give it up that easily.

Seriously though I can't be happier. This girl came into my life, danced with me, kissed me, took my number, and said she'd call me if she was looking for a good time. Given my circumstance I'd say this is exactly what I need. To my friends back home, this is officially the first Australian girl I've hooked up with. The good ones seriously are hard to find, but if you look long enough you're sure to find. The best part is if I don't see her again life goes on and I'm sure neither of us will mind much. If it does, the mutual attraction and two fired-up personalities hopefully can.

Well now it's 3:42 and I have class at 10:00 in the AM. Australia Now! Woohoo! Better see all you hippies there!

DMR

I spent the last two months setting myself on fire for you

Our time at Byron Bay came to a close and we returned to Melbourne on Wednesday night.


I must say I had a blast and made some amazing friends and shared some unforgettable experiences. I spent the first night under the stars, in my winter bag (Go Mountain Hardware). I seriously considered not buying a tent and going the full two weeks in a bag but the girls--Miranda and Fleur, my wondeful travel buddies who stuck it out for the week with me despite our constant gender-clashing moments of sheer awkwardness or tension-convinced me to buy a tent, which I am now lending to a friend who is still at Byron from Melbourne Uni so that she doesn't have to buy one. Sometimes men and women really are on different time schedules, and often have different ultimate goals. Put the two together and things will stir up a bit. Fortunately, we remained civil and I'm proud to have traveled with the ladies, including Camille "Old Greg" Hunter. I'd like to note that upon her arrival I completed a proper harem of women, all of whom I defended gallantly-er as gallantly possible due to me being on Mid Semester Holiday and constantly drinking near the Eastern coast of Australia. At any rate, this has all been an overtly thorough, roundabout approach of thanking you all.


That was a mouthful. Here's a picture of Old Greg in the morning for some comic relief.

Going to Byron especially made me reconsider what exactly my life is about and where exactly it is going. I see all these broke travelers having the time of their life, and here I am struggling my way through school so that I can become part of the more successful American society working a job that pays well so I have money to buy more shit that I don't need. Capital isn't everything, and it alone certainly won't make me happy. And yet, I feel as though I can't be as free as the travelers, for my parents have sacrificed so much to give me a private education from age 11 on, solidifying me in a route destined for a proper professional career. I've decided to do further traveling after I graduate and before I attend Grad/Law school, because even now sometimes it's more than I can take. The hustle and bustle of the Melbourne life is so routine now, and the bad weather continuing this far into spring is bringing me down, but I'm holding out for a bright day and a good splash of sun upon my face. After the impeccable weather at Byron Bay the effects are worsened on me, creating a depressing dichotomy that makes me yearn for a sunny beach town more so than ever before. However, it's not all doom and gloom and after the 7th inning stretch I'm sure the sun will make it's glorious comeback. On that higher note here's a few pictures of the trip.

This was the day I went fishing with the Frenchmen and the Belgian guy I met. From left see Ben, a charming French surfer who is extraordinarily shy around women, Olivier, a guy who vowed to drop me a line when he's in Melbourne and travel with me to the south Isle of New Zealand for December, and Gaetan (Thomas being his chosen name). They all spoke French, and at one point they met up with two other Frenchmen and of course they were all speaking French! Seriously for a good hour French was the entire conversation spoken, until Thomas apologized for speaking only French. Truth be told, I was kind of glad to just be able to not understand entirely what is going on, I couldn't understand a word. Surprisingly, they noticed they were speaking the elegant flow and smooth slurry of sweet noises a non-speaker hears emerging from their mouths.

But ahh that was just one afternoon!


I'll hit you with more info on particular stories/people I met while at Byron when I inevitably recall them from memory over the next few weeks.

In today's news: Nothing Gold Can Stay. Robert Frost, you still said it. It was beautiful and pure and something larger than me and quite the ride, but it took its toll and came crashing to an end, although there may still be a happy friendly ending once I sort some more of my thoughts out and take some time to let go and get thoughts out of my present mind and instead recall them as fond memories when I look her in the eyes again. Extremely poetic and stupid and gay and shit blah blah blah I know but I liked this one and sometimes it's just hard to let go, though we knew the fall we were taking and took the plunge together, something I really admire in a girl. Emmi and I were always daring, accepting, and willing to learn from each other. She gave me an experience completely unique and precious compared to any I've felt before in any of my relatively short and unsucessful years with women. But alas, we were simply too different and it couldn't be. Life goes on, and it improves. As are the ups and downs. Our lives were simply heading in opposite paths and we couldn't come to a compromise for what we both wanted. A final night together kept it a romantic endeavour until the end, making the entire experience even more memorable. I'll never forget you, Em, and I hope you always remember that I'm glad we met and things worked the way they did. It was beautiful, a valiant struggle to hold things together for the Glory of Love until it all inevitably came crashing to an end. There really is no blame for the way things went. We both could sense things were off after the break, and strangely I've heard similar stories from many people, including my roommate Ben. I guess mid semester holiday in Australia just does that...who knows.

But now I can get back on with my life. Save the world, lose the girl. I've been here before and I'm sure I'll be here again. On goes my path in life, separate from everyone but myself, my family, and a few friends that will last me a lifetime. I look forward to going to the gym again, continuing my running during the week and surfing during the weekend, and really putting my focus on friends and schoolwork and saving money for New Zealand for the next month. I really do have my life back, but yesterday she called me thinking I called her (turns out I hadn't)...strange to say the least.

Tonight Ben and I ate chicken with rice. The chicken was some pre-marinated chicken I bought at the Queen Victoria Market. Cheap and delicious. I'm excited to have some more good cooking nights in Room 2 with Ben. We really do eat extremely well.

In other news last night I went out with the guys. I started with Mike and Damo and we wound up going to one of the really nice RA's rooms. There was a huge space for beer pong and I played and drank way too much goon in the process. After that we grabbed a taxi to some bar on Brunswick, the name of which I forget, and got a jug. After that we went to another place and I drank an extremely tasty beer, really hoppy and delicious. Can't remember most of the night after that but I'm almost positive I threw up and we went home, which marks my first blackout and vomiting basically since the first week I got here. But hey it was Friday night what can I say you can't win 'em all. Looking forward to going out again tonight as well.

More to come soon, I promise!

Byron Bay Week 1 Update

Well we're a week into our trip in Byron Bay. The surf has been great, the weather even greater, and the atmosphere at our hostel even greater still. The Arts Factory, as its called, is truly an amazing and unique place. I can't tell you how happy I am. Good friends and scenery make it all the more better, and I'm meeting a ton of new traveling people. Most of them are Europeans, and their friendliess and surprise at meeting Americans is refreshing to say the least. Rather than lose myself in self righteous reverie, however, I will simply accept that I'm happy and this is an experience that has truly been unforgettable. I'm running out of time on my timed internet thing so I'll have to hit you with a proper update in a week once I return to Melbourne.

Take it sleazy.

D

So much fun on my mind it's all I remember

Sorry I haven't been updating at all, mom. I know I'm bad about calling as well, but you haven't figured out a way to call me so I don't feel so bad. I am calling you now...

In other news I bought an authentic Australian Crocodile Dundee hat at the QVM. I'm a tool, I know...but I'm gonna need some serious sun protection for two weeks in the gold coast. I'm about 500 words from completing my Terrorism essay and it's no sweat seeing as 200 words alone are a conclusion.

The past week was pretty solid. We had the MUSEX booze cruise, which featured a ton of drinking at an open bar and pizza whilst floating down the Yarra river. I can't say I recall the finer details but a great time was had by all and I found out I was attending the day of, so I threw together a Mad Hatter outfit as quickly as I could. It turned out looking slightly like Willy Wonka but whatever. Here's a shot (from left) of Castille, Miranda, myself, and Christina.
Thursday and the weekend continued and I spent all of my time either writing papers, blowing off steam with the guys around the village, or going to Bimbo's on Brunswick to get the $4 pizza deals. Probably my favorite place to eat here, certainly the cheapest, and I vow to try every pizza on the menu before I leave. I've got two months and I'm well into the menu so I think I can make that happen.

On Sunday Emmi was nice enough to cook for me and she cooked me a traditional Scandinavian combo, meatballs with some sort of amazing sauce and mashed potatoes. I wasn't sure how I'd like meatballs and mashed potatoes together regardless of the fact that I like both but I really enjoyed it. I'm going to have her make it again, but first I'm going to see how she likes my fettuccine Alfredo with shrimp...that's right I've still got that Ace up my sleeve. She even brought two cupcakes for dessert. What a sweetheart. For you, mom, here is a picture of us that night. Notice neither of us are smiling because we don't really even like each other that much...


...Okay so maybe I'm kidding.






I'm no longer able to remain warm with my own body heat. It's becoming a problem. I'm going to have to start doing work during the days and packing my stuff for class when I spend the night elsewhere (Unilodge, which is actually closer to campus, anyway), so that I can make it to class in time. Whatever.

Tomorrow I'm off to the Gold Coast-Byron Bay and Surfer's Paradise-for the next two weeks. I am so fucking excited!!!! Tonight is the last Taco Tuesday for a while, and the last of September, so it's gonna be epic. HUGE things in Room 2 tonight. I'd like to take this time to give a shoutout to my roommate, Ben Freeman. Lots of love for the guy for being a phenomenal dude and a stand up roommate. Cheers to you.

I'll hit you with an update when I return. Peace E-Z.

D Rose

River Picture

The Yarra just off of Swanston St. Beautiful Saturday afternoon September 5th, 2009. If only I could hold this moment, kept away from everyone else...

The Good, the True, the Pure, the Beautiful

This week may have been the best yet. On Tuesday I had my American Psycho presentation. Three of us were presenting so we had to keep it to five minutes. Since I'd prepared a fifteen minute presentation I had no problem talking quickly and succinctly and made my points before the class knew what hit them. The tutor said I did great and proceeded to ask me a few questions about America, Neoliberalism, and how I like the states. I think they just liked my American accent, but at any rate I'll take what I can get. That's one major assignment done with, and I'm nearly certain I got a high mark.

Wednesday was great since I spent the evening at a park with a special someone. Afterward we went to my room to watch The Simpsons and other stupid shows until the time came for me to walk her home.

Wednesday faded into Thursday and I had what would be one of the greatest days I've had in quite some time. I'll keep the details to a minimum on that but I finished my Australia Now essay and had a great night, and made it in bed early enough to ensure a good surf day on Friday.

Friday we went out to Torquay. The surf was perfect! Great sets, small waves, clean breaks, and light rain. Here's a shot of the northern shoreline. If you paddle out just south of the rocks you can get behind the waves and the current will carry you down the shoreline. For a few of the sets we had a good five to ten minute intermission between them. During the calms, I sat there in reverie floating on my board thinking about how lucky I was to be here in Australia, spending Fridays surfing every week, battling the beautiful sapphire waves the ocean breathed into me, feeling the salty spray of seawater on my face and tasting it on my lips. I thought back to where it all began in my hometown. I never dreamed I'd be down here so far from what was once my entire life as I knew it, living at the edge of the earth before I saw a day past two decades. I think a bit harder and realize it's all thanks to my parents. They always valued my education over anything. At the time I hated it-towards the end of high school at the Albuquerque Academy I couldn't have been more apathetic at times, but I realize now that this is where it all pays off. This is what I put the hard work and long hours in for-so that I could transcend the small world most are left within, for better or for worse. So I thank you, mom and dad, for showing me the path to the good, the true, the pure, and the beautiful. I'm trying more and more to find a deeper meaning in my life and not conform to the thinking plaguing most Americans that leads them to believe that acquiring capital is the only way to be happy. Sometimes it's like a sick joke-the better educated you are the more you look for in your life. The more it takes to make you happy. Money isn't enough-better yet, money isn't even what I want, it's no longer an end or a goal. The more philosophy I dig up and the more I take from great minds the more I learn about the world around me. I'm trying to figure out how to find beauty and harmony in everything I do, with every being I interact with, and I feel as though living in a city as international as Melbourne, by befriending European and Asian peers, by dating and becoming more close to a Scandinavian girl than I ever imagined I would, that I'm on the right path. Each day I learn more and meet great new people and I have so much more to learn but I couldn't have come close to where I am now if I didn't have your support. Thanks for everything; you know how much this means.


Today is Sunday and we went to the Queen Vic Market to buy some foodstuffs. I gotta say it is still probably the greatest place ever. Imagine a mixture between flea markets, live animal sales, the largest selection of farmer's produce, a butcher shop, and a fish market. Above see Chris surveying the scene at a fruits stand. Below is the indoor meat section, where they sell bascially any cut of meat from any animal you could want by the kilo. If you go at the right time they will cut the prices drastically, and sometimes you can even haggle. It's awesome.

Finally here's a shot of me at the Torquay surf academy where they let us borrow the lockers, change, and use the showers for free. Great guys. Here I am with my new girlfriend proving that I'm still young at heart and quite boyish underneath everything. And no, mom, this isn't the board I bought, so don't worry...



I went to the river yesterday (Saturday) with Emmi and I'll throw up a picture or two in the next update. She has my camera right now (I left it in her purse), so until I get that back I can't hope to post you any pictures. Until next time my friends.
DMR