Oh won't you stay-ay-ay

Right, so, most people know by now that I didn't go to India. Funny how appropriate the title of the last post ended up being, huh? But yeah, I wasn't really happy about leaving Brisbane, so I didn't. There are people I care about in nearly every corner of the world. For the most part, I feel like who I'm with and when I have to leave have been largely out of my control. This time, I did have some control. Going to India was a holiday and an adventure, and I just felt like spending a few more weeks with the people I care about here was more important than that. But fear not - I've got a ticket home now and will be seeing NY and CT, spending some time with Besh in Atlanta and hopefully doing some freelancing there, going to Guatemala in August and India later in the year, so the lack of photos of the sub-continent is hopefully only a temporary thing and there should be plenty of good stuff to fill in the space.

So here in Brissy I'm still working for my parents, even occasionally putting on a tie to go to a meeting, and trying to get more into the swing of having an everyday life here to see if it's really the sort of place I want to hang out or if all that fun I was having was just new-guy-on-semi-holiday syndrome. So far, things are going well, and while it's not been one long party like my first few weeks here, the party has only taken short breaks.

For example, Elliot's been taking me to rock shows. Been long time since I was going to good shows regularly, mostly because I'm a lazy bastard who can't be bothered finding out about shows on my own so I let people like Besh, Syd and now Elmo take me.

Here's Elliot's friend Daniel of The Shrewms having a rock moment a few weeks ago. Despite the psychedelic name, they rock. A lot.






Grungeboy of Sonic Porno.



















The Shrewms again.





I got a new cord for my flash. Now I can do this. The lady is Elliot's friend who's name I can't remember right now (starts with a J) but she's heaps of fun, dances really well and kinda reminds me of my birthday twin Maria.





Haven't seen a whole lot of Peter or the boys recently - he's been really busy at work but he comes round every once in a while to visit.
















(Photo Credit: Regina Lysaught)



This is my homegirl Tracy. She works at the same company as Peter and I met her just as she was about to leave for the year to work in Papua New Guinea. She's one of those people you meet and neither of you can shut up 'cuz you just hit it off that well, so it was sad that she left right after we met, but she was back for a week over Easter and took me up to Coolum on the Sunshine Coast to meet her family and see her bit of the world.







Coolum is very pretty, like all of the Queensland coast, and is also pretty laid back and quiet.















There just happened to be a skate competition going on.


Went to lunch at a place called Bathers, which for the benefit of any Americans reading is the Strine word for a swim suit. Also known as 'togs'. While most Aussie boys wear board-shorts (boardies), the briefs-style Speedos are more common here than in the US, and are referred to as 'DTs', short for 'dick-togs', or my personal favorite; 'budgie-smugglers.' Anyway, the chips were pretty much the best I've ever had.






I made good use of South-East Queensland's public transport system that weekend, having gotten my coasts confused and ending up half way to the Gold Coast, South of Brissy, before realising I needed to be going to the Sunshine Coast which is North.






This past weekend was a full one. Friday night I went to watch Kwella, Bess, Lee and Marian play touch footy (rugby league, not real footy). Kwella doesn't usually play, and she had a few before the game, but she scored a try anyway. Every time there was a bit of a pause in conversation for the rest of the night and the next day she'd go, "Oh my God, I got a fuckin' try!" Classic.






Kwella, Bess, Lee







Elliot's girlfriend Narn (Adriana) was having a birthday party that same night, so we went over there for a bit after touch. We were told to come wearing something Dr. Suess related, so I walked in wearing a red hat and stripey socks on my hands. I was the only one dressed up, so I probably looked like I was a retarded kid who has to wear socks on my hands to stop me from playing with myself. Nice.


Anyway, after I removed the socks and drank enough to relieve the embarrassment, me and Elmo had a jam. (Photo Credit: Clair Wetherall)


And then Narn and I had a dance. (Photo Credit: Clair Wetherall)



















Next day I was gonna go with Clair to her Hockey game, but didn't, so I ended up wandering around Milton. I saw this heron in a grotty canal. Every photographer's allowed an arty shot like this every once in a while, right?





As usual when I have no where in particular to go, I end up at Cades' place in Paddington, within sight of the lovely XXXX brewery. These guys have become my second family, and my relationship with their couch is deep and rewarding.





I've decided Cades is my new sister. It's been a long time since I've met a girl cool enough to stand with the likes of the Rodell women. Now all she needs is a tattoo.



So I wasn't totally random about showing up at Cadie's. Lee was having a birthday party that night anyway - I just showed up 5 hours early. So after I helped them clean up and do the shopping and everything, Grace kicked things off with a round of shots. Or 3. What's Cadie looking at anyway?








There was dancing...



And general silliness.













And somehow more people got hold of my camera. Bess, Louise and Lee. Louise sometimes threatens to stab people, but has a lovely smile. (Photo Credit: Grace Wetherall, I think)





Grace has the cutest little kid giggle face ever.

















Someone took a picture of me being silly at the boards, but I cropped it to this 'cuz the background is funny. Y'all can call me 'DJ Clinical Waste'. Take that, Biohazard. (Photo Credit: Um, Lee maybe? Or Grace again? I was a bit clinically wasted by this point.)


Right, that's all the pics I've got. Bye!