Last few weeks Part 2 – finally written!

The last couple of weeks Part 2

Well, for my second big week in a row, I was down at CYC Philip Island. 

Having just done a big week at Forest Edge, and after a good night sleep, I was ready to go! I came home, did my washing and was ready for the next following week. Well, after I went to a 30th on the Saturday night…

So I arrived at camp on the Sunday arvo to find that half of the camp site was being dug up! They were tarring , that doesn’t sound right. They were paving the road with asphalt, so there was construction stuff all over the place. But I eventually found where I was meant to go. Having come from a leadership team of nearly 30 the previous week, walking into a room of less that 15, was kinda cool, strange, different and small. I found i pretty good, as we all had a much better chance of getting to know each other, which we did.

That week my official title was leader support, but I was also assist Jae with programming. Basically the running of the show of telling kids where they were going, and what they were doing next and trying to find a balance and re-organise things as required. Jae did a great job for her first time too.

So, getting to meet everyone in the room, we made a camp rules video, which was a bit of fun in it self. We went through the usual type rules of no smoking, no guys in girls rooms etc, no ipods, no purpling..

Purpling? I can see you wondering what the heck I’m talking about. I’ll put it simple. Guys represent blue. And girls represent red/pink. When you mix them together, you get purple. It’s a nice way of saying no holding hands/kissing etc on camp. Sure, hang out, but apart from that camp’s not really the place to be doing that stuff.

So anyway, the video was cool and I think we had chicken wraps for lunch. Yummy. 

We didn’t do any speed dating this time, but we still all got to know each other reasonably well. I’ve got to admit, and I’m actually ashamed to say this. But I got caught out again. I lead with Esky earlier this year at Summer camp, and he introduced himself and said remember me… I was too honest, and said no!!! ARRGGHHH!!! I can’t believe it. Oh man. I felt so bad. It still haunts me! Sorry man. I won’t forget next time I promise! 

I met some pretty cool people too. It’s funny how God puts similar people on camps together. I met another guy, Pete, just like myself. 26 and single. And both of us have the same question. Where are all the single Christian girls our age? We can’t figure it out. But I’m sure it’s a good question though.

So anyway, the kids came and with about 40 kids, I’ve got to be honest, it was a great little camp. We had our first session, and rarely on camps do you see 90%+ of people getting involved. We had nearly all the kids up, singing, clapping, jumping, whatevering. It was just so awesome to see. 

Andrew Scarborough was speaking and he did a really good job. Yes, he’s the tree man from Australian Idol.   (http://www.myspace.com/andrewpscarborough)

All name dropping aside, he’s a top bloke and I know that what he had to say was really good. He shared about his friend in Indonesia where his family live who had some severe persection come to him. Having his neck nearly sliced off, he lived and is a walking testiment to others who once wanted to kill him. Strangely enough, remember Aceh in Indonesia? Well, that was once a Muslim stronghold, very closed to Christianity. When the tsunami hit, it broke down all barriers, and the people that had once been persecuted – Christians were able just show God’s love and help those who really needed. Amazing stuff if you ask me.

There were some great things on camp. I learnt to surf! I’d never been, and I had my surf board, my wet suit, and little sunscreen, and I was ready. The trouble was, the water was freezing cold! Good old Bass Straight didn’t fail us again with the cold water. But even though the clouds hovered, we never really were rained on, and I even managed to get slightly burnt! 

Anyway, so I was talking at the dinner table one evening after the first day at the beach, and I heard one of the girls do a head stand. I thought, “I can do that!”  So the next day, I got my board on the sand while we were all just practicing, and  practiced a few times doing a head stand. Sure enough, I went out in to the surf and did it!!! Yeah, I rock! ha ha.

So it was pretty cool. Hmmmm. What else did we do?Oh I remember now… ha ha.

Ok, I got the nick name of Aladdin towards the end of camp…

 Ok, so get this. I’m absolutely knackered, as was on my second week of camp. So I went to bed early by 10pm. (its ok, the program continued on without me). But I’m lying there and the guy leaders come in and I start to notice I’m moving. My mattress started sliding out from under me, and so I left it go, still staying in the sheets and under the doona. Then, because I’m too tired to move and react, I notice that somehow I’m now being carried out by about four guys. Out of the cabin, out along the path, and on to the road – where my mattress now is. So I then lay there. I don’t know how long it was… but it was a while. I then got up, and so I’m told, I picked up all my stuff, mattress and all like a surf board, and walked back to my room. They told me it was so funny to watch.

So now, I’ve got the nick name Aladdin. Kinda cool and funny. They also got poor Dave in my room with texta, Oops.. Esky didn’t stay in our room that night strangely enough. He was too scared to stay in the same room as us! ha ha… I was too tired to care. But had I have been more tired, I would have put up a fight. Oh boy it was funny…! ha ha ha

Um… I guess one of the other things that I was really impressed by and surprised at was one of the older campers. Just before I was going for a quick snooze one arvo, she came over and said what’s your favourite chocolate. Um… “what for?” and she was like, just pick one. So I did. And she gave it to me. I said what’s this for? She said it was for helping her earlier that day. But I was like, but I didn’t do anything. I just do my thing. 

I remember seeing her hobbling out of the surf, and thinking she’d injured herself I went to see what had happened. But it was nothing I could do. But um, yeah. I was just ‘amazed’ that someone would do that. To me. It was strangely enough, a special thing. I still haven’t opened the chocolate yet either! I should do that!

We also had a messy night too. There were some nasty things that happened there. food things.. like catch an egg flying up in the air… Um, Face sundaes, where you drop stuff from a height to the face. A Coke and Saline pressure thing… I nearly gagged myself at some of them! There was mess everywhere on the black plastic afterwards! Boy it was fun!

So, there were lots of things that happened on camp. These were a few of the highlights.

Camp finished on the Friday, and I got an early night  – finally, ready for the Slog to Sale.

We had 98 riders, with no major injuries which was so awesome. We raised over $14,000 for the 4C’s Emergency Food Bank in Paky. 

Check out the photos on the website. http://www.slogtosale.org/

So anyway.

The week that just went, I did work experience down at 3TR. Earlier in the year, I’d done a radio course. It’s called Introduction to Commercial Radio, and so I figured I should get some formal training of some sort in radio – having worked in it for such a long while on just experience. But anyway, part of the course we had some work exp. at a station. I chose 3TR at Traralgon. It was pretty good. I learnt heaps and it was interesting. he problem was though, that as the work Exp person, I couldn’t really do anything. Sure, I paneled a John Laws show a few times, but there was only so much I could do. I mean, it was interesting. But after the third day, it was all too familiar and all could really do was watch. I wrote a couple of ads while in the copy department, and they got approved on the first attempts, so I was pretty happy about that. I wouldn’t say it’s my strongest gift though. Hmmm.. By yeah, I was talking to one of the morning hosts, Kasey, and we used to go to school together, and we remembered each other (after she reminded me), of stuff such as musicals and things. Another guy I was observing, Greg, knows a whole bunch of other people I know. Wes, Pencil, and lots of others in the Christian music industry. So I didn’t completely fell uncomfortable at all, which was great. It’s a small world. Either that, or I just know too many people. ha ha

Ok, enough from me know. Bye!

The Last couple of weeks Part 1

Oh Wow. Where do I start about writing about the last couple of weeks?

I guess I’ll start by saying it was pretty full on. I’ve been away at two Christian youth camps run by CYC (http://www.cyc.org.au) about an hour away from home, and they were such good camps.

The first week I was down at Forest Edge, which I had never lead on before. Sure, I’d been there before for the music festival last year, but actually doing anything else there? No, not particularly.

I arrived on the Sunday afternoon for a BBQ, to a nice reception of people that I barely knew, totaling nearly 30 by the end of camp. These guys were the leaders that were to look after the 100 or so kids for the week.

I have to tell you this though, ’cause it was funny.

As I was driving there, I saw this little yellow wagon, with some sort of Jesus sticker on it, so I didn’t want to pass it and look like a hoon – just in case they were going to camp. Anyway, the camp got to Neerim and turned Right at the round-a-bout. I sort of said “Well, if you are going to camp, you’ve gone the wrong way”. Twenty minutes after I arrived, this little yellow wagon showed up with Courtney and Phoebe in the car… HA HA HA I stirred Courtz up about that one! Mind you, I’d only just met the poor gal at that stage. But it was pretty funny.

Then, after lunch, we played a few get to know you games and did some speed dating type thing where we changed tables every couple of minutes. It was pretty fun. It wasn’t about dating at all, but a good chance to know more about the people we were leading with. I’ve been on other camps, and that sort of thing doesn’t always happen.

There was a stack of stuff to set up and make for the theme. Our theme was Prison Break, and the camp was connected with HYPE – the youth from Heathmont Baptist.

Bonte Snr and I set up all the sound and lighting gear, only taking around 4 hours to do… There was a lot! But once it was done, I was happy and could sleep.

Other leaders did stuff with banners and who knows what else…

The kids then arrived the next day and we greeted them all.

I was a leader with Simon Byrne, and we had 10 kids, finishing the camp with 9. Unfortunately, one of our guys was sent home, as with several others. It’s not something I enjoy seeing. Sometimes these things happen though, and this time it did.

Having spent time with my guys, I found them to be absolute top fellas. There was a few that had been to camp and were all mates before hand and so they were able to help the others who hadn’t been there before. As a cabin though, they needed very little intervention as far as discipline being told to go to sleep. A leader’s dream cabin!

Many of us found common interests in music and other stuff, so that made pretty good dynamics. That and the other cool quirks that existed.

Ash, Josh, Brad, Brendan, Nick, Sharpie, Matt, Matteo, Jake and Jarrod – you blokes rock! Stay awesome for Jesus.

I don’t have a program of what we actually did on camp, ’cause it went walkabout. But there were plenty of highlights.

The first night of camp, Dave and I did lights out. This was (I think) the first camp I’d done were leaders didn’t stay in the cabins with kids. It was interesting. Some cabins were really good, while others just didn’t know what sleep meant. It was rather frustrating at times. There were Yo Mumma jokes told everywhere, and I discovered that although telling them to get them to be quiet… didn’t really work.

In saying that, It was a good chance to have a chat to Dave and catch up on stuff too. Something that we probably wouldn’t have gotten the chance to do any other time.

Camp consisted very much of Jesus focused sessions with the studies all about breaking free. We had two speakers, Ash Price and Cam, who came down from Sydney with his family.

Cam had recently done time for fraud related crimes in a Sydney jail, and had such a passion for Jesus. His stories were absolutely amazing. He shared about his first night in jail – and being happy to be huddled up in the corner and not disturb ‘that big scary hairy guy’ that could do who knows what to him in jail. To his surprise Jesus protected him the whole time, as he was given opportunities to hang out with, gain trust and minister to the Banditos MC, with their president and others. I think that everyone has a fear of going to jail and having terrible things happen to them. Because of the mates he gained in there, he was protected.

Cam’s story was lapped up by the kids, and the words he spoke had an incredible impact on many.

The topic was breaking out. Sure you can be out of jail, but what is really holding you back and trapping you in life? So many people were released from ’stuff’ in their lives.

During the week we also had a hip hop artist come and share his amazing testimony. Chris also had an amazing testimony, having come from a very rough background and finding Jesus at an ‘army’ style jouvi camp. He played a couple of tracks from his upcoming album and the kids went wow. Many lives were changed that night too. Check out the music here too. http://souledout.com.au/

There was so much stuff happening that it’s almost hard to remember and comprehend. I loved it!

While setting up the sound stuff, I was asked if I played any instruments. I said, yeah, piano and guitar. “Can you play keys?” I go to my reply.
“Sure, if you can’t find anyone else… I can try”.
They didn’t find anyone else.
So I played the piano and was part of the band again. It was really cool to be playing in a band again. I didn’t know many of the songs, but I faked though it all and just played a few chords though the guitar driven songs. As for the piano and slower songs… I was great! ha ha.. nah, I did alright. I faked it nicely. I just turned down the keyboard at times so no-one could hear my mistakes!!!

Hmmm.. Let’s think. What else happened on camp? Oh boy, I remember a big thing that happened. I remember getting an urgent go to the tramps, as someone was hurt. I was only in my cabin, about 50 metres from it, so I went over and found one of the young guys off the tramp on the side complaining of neck pain, laying rather still.
After a quick assessment, I determined he could still wriggle his toes and move fingers, but no risks were taken. The official first aid girl (who is a nurse) had also called down before I arrived too, so other help was on the way. After her assessment, and Lloyd’s wife (a doctor) checked him out, an ambulance was called. Poor Will was given the full spinal treatment and loaded into the car. I then followed Warragul hospital in my car, where we then waited in casualty for the hospital staff to do there thing. Will had been given the old penthrane (green no pain) stick and he was quite happy at the time. Til it wore off. But, the ambos were telling me he was telling a few crazy stories…
Anyway, Mum arrived and after x-rays and things they determined he had no breaks or anything. He’d basically over stretched muscles or something. Not a break anywhere. So he was getting a bit annoyed with the neck brace and just wanted out of there. So after the all clear, we said bye to mum and she went back to her conference and we got a meat pie and headed back to camp.

I actually saw Will and his mum Jacqui yesterday too, at the Slog to Sale. They were cooking sausages and things and did great! Thanks guys! Will was still a little sore, but he was fine.

I know that I’ll probably miss a few things and highlights, but I’m trying to write quickly. This has already taken over half an hour to write.

Ok, I remember one funny thing that made me laugh heaps. The guys and girls were split up and the guys had to make rafts. The girls were making little men, that were escapees – as per the camp theme. And the plan was to float these little things down the rafts on the river that runs all the way around camp.

Oh boy… there were some great rafts… other’s weren’t quite as good as others though. ha ha. Although none sunk straight away… they were very close to it.

The girls then came down with their little funny looking wire men covered in toilet paper, ready for rafting… They were the funniest looking things in the world to see! So on went these things and away the went down the river. One didn’t even get around the first corner without having it’s little man fall off! Other’s went all the way down the river and beyond. It was so cool.

But that was Forest Edge, the first of two weeks.

The best man speech.

Ladies and Gentleman, if you have any mobile phones, cell phones, pagers, blackberries and or palm pilots, now is the time to turn them to the off position.

Now that you have done that, Can I have anyone who has hearing aids or glasses, to either please turn them on, or put them on your face, or if you need to, please do both.

Right now that you can all see me…

Please take a look, so you can see who the best man really is. ?

As this is my first, and now probably the last time I’ll be the best man,
I would like you to raise your glass and join me in a toast to the beautiful bride’s maids over there, Caroline and Michelle.

These girls have been wonderful and have told Mark and I where to stand all day and kept us occupied out of the couple’s way.?
Well, my little brother has just got married.

It’s funny, as the bigger and much better looking brother of us 3, I kind of had these sorts of things planned out in my head as the way things ’should’ happen.

I get married, then Andy would, and finally Mark.

I guess I was wrong…

And, I’m quite glad too. Because with me being the older brother, Andy used to always learn from my mistakes.

So, I guess it’s my turn now.

Actually, when writing this speech, I couldn’t really think of any bad stuff he’d done.

And So I guess this is proof he’s done it all right.

So maybe I’m starting to think I should take lessons from him of how to do it right.

In gaining Shaz’s attention, they spent lots of time together in just doing stuff. He took her out to places, such as the beach, Tara Bulga National Park, Tasmania, and for an anniversary date of some sort, Geelong…

He even tried out our secret family recipes of cheesecake and chocolate self saucing pudding. And no, you can’t have the recipes.

I must tell you though, that Growing up, Andrew has always enjoyed life and has always been thinker. He has lived life to the full, and explored many places that I could only dream of, travelling overseas to many destinations including Papua New Guinea, France, Italy, Switzerland, USA, Canada, England and many others.

When he said he was going to these places, All I could do was, tease him about him ringing up home saying, “Um, I’ve run out of money… Can you help?”
Now, although he did that… He thinks BIG!
Yes, Andrew is a thinker…

He loves thinking big.

When he was young, he wanted to be a farmer.
And a vet
And a doctor,
And an ambulance officer,
And he still has plans of being a missionary overseas, to Tanzania.

These are all good things, but he’s also thought hard about business opportunities.

I know there have been many, and I can’t think of them all, but some of these have included, go-karting, (maybe that was mine), starting a billboard signage company and even his own patient transport company.

You know what though? Andrew is slowly working through his lists of ‘to do’s, and I he’ll do most of them.

His best achievement to date though, which I can more than happily say, is marrying you Shaz.

The other ones are just details.

You have married a Godly young man, who is honest, loyal, friendly, easy to talk to, of good character and funny – looking.

I look at him and think wow. That’s my brother. And I would do anything for him.

Now, though, as much as he’s been a best friend and brother, today, he’s yours.

So Let’s toast to Andy and Shaz.

Something to write about.

Hello. Well, I guess I thought I’d write a message – as it’s been a while since I’ve last updated this.
So… news ay? Well, I’m over 1000 views to my profile. I’m not sure who these people are that look at this, but I thought it was pretty cool, that people are interested in me! Not that I have a low self esteem, but I just think, why me? Surely there’s plenty of other things to learn about. But I’m honoured. Thankyou to all.

Now, on to the news… Now that I know there are people actually reading this thing, I guess I’d better be carefull what I write? Either that, or go for it, as my audience is huge!
I have left the quarry. Now more dirty rocks, or filthy hair and a sore body every night. Yes, the scars and the injuries will heal. But… I won’t be getting more!
Friday was my last day, and although I kept a low profile at the quarry, most people knew I was going. But it wasn’t until I was saying goodbye, one guy (Who I would have thought knew most things that were going on) didn’t know I was leaving. But yeah, it was intertesting.
So where to now? I’m off to do a bit of youth work down at Forest Edge. So after Andy’s wedding!!!!!!!!! I’ll be down there running activities and programs and stuff. Should be good.
My evenings are now free too~! I have the evenings at home -well, that’s kind of going to be the plan… Mind you – I’ll probably end up being just as busy – except I won’t have the days free. Movies here I come! HA HA. I’ve got a couple of tickets I need to use up too – else they’ll become expired this coming week. Anyone want to come with me? (yes, I’m checking who reads this)
Speaking of movies… We (Andy, Mark, Stu and Myself), went and saw Die Hard 4, for Andy’s Bucks night. Yes, he is getting married this coming Saturday!!!! So, naturally on the day, I’m going to be the best man on the day. I’ve just got to write a witty funny speech. That’ll be easy though I think. (yeah right) That’ll be a marathon session. But I’ll enjoy writing it. I promise I won’t embarress him too much, or Shaz.
They’ve now got a house to live in too. It’s rather small, house that is very narrow and long. It kind of reminds me of my Grandma’s house. It’s a nice little joint though. So last Thursday, we moved the stuff in there. It’s a good thing I have big muscles! Andrew is lucky I have big muscles!!!
It’s a very exciting time in our family at the moment.
I’ve also finished my radio course too. Which is a bit of a shame, ’cause I really enjoyed it. The teacher there had some great stuff to say, and I learnt heaps too. What to do, and not to do as well, and how to do it. So if I want it, I’ve got a good chance of a bit of work experience too at a radio station (which I’m told is hard to get). But if the station likes you apparently there is a good chance of employment too. So once again, there is another path.
Sometimes I just don’t know where I’m going in life. I work at LightFM, which is great, and I love the environment, and the guys and girls there. As for a career move to there on a full time basis. That opportunity hasn’t arrived, and probably won’t. But where I am at the moment, it’s good.
Last night (at the CYC event) I met a super top gal, who is studying mid-wifery and told me within the first 5 minutes of conversation that she wanted to be a misho in Africa. WOW! She knows what she wants to do. I so wish I had one drive of something. There are so many things I’d like to do, and things I do do. But to have one? I don’t have it. My brother Andy said to me that he would love to be in my position with the world at my feet, able to do anything and go anywhere. Would I like to go overseas and do mission work? YES! Ok, where? I don’t know. Money? I haven’t particularly got any, and that would be something that would hold me back. Why? I’ve got a problem. I don’t like asking. Simple. Ok. Yes, if God wants me to go, then I’m sure I’ll go. However. I don’t think I’m ready to go yet. I think I’m still in training.
At the age of 26, I’ve done many many things already. I’ve worked in various industries, retail, industrial, office, radio, youth, farming, manufacturing. A whole bunch of stuff. But I think there is still more (training) to come.
One day, I think I’ll go somewhere. I just don’t know where to.

I’m going snow boarding this Sunday!!!!

I’m skipping church this Sunday to go snow boarding at Mt Buller….
I’ve never done it! So it’s going to be so cool. (I hope!!!)
I’ve decided to ditch the old skis and try something different. So… if I’m no good with the first lesson… tough luck, ’cause I’ll be on the board all day!
So much for sticking with what I know. Oh boy. This is going to be hard for me in a way…
Anyway. I’m exicited!!!!!! Hope I don’t break any arms! Or legs! Or anything else.
I’m sure people will understand why I’m not at church – at my home church and the one I’ve visited a couple of times recently… ha ha. Oh boy. sometimes I don’t know if I’m coming or going by the amount of stuff I do…

A completely ‘random’ scenario

What do you do when your career is at a possible crossroad?

Here is a hypothetical for you to think about.

You already have a full time time job that you don’t enjoy, but in the times you aren’t working there, you are working somehwhere else, which you love.
Then, you get offered a job, which you are good at as well, which is completely different from the two you are already doing!
But the one you do love has the potential to move forward in great ways, but the future is uncertain as you don’t know if that’s entirely possible, but the one you’ve been offered, which you love too, has a guaranteed position and job security.

Hmmm… Wouldn’t it be a strange world to have this spanner in your life.

Actually… this is my life right now.

Why am I so vague? ‘Cause I know people who know people who know people and some of those people who know people, may talk to the other people, who know some peoples, that know me… And yeah.

And it’s a time when you ask God for guidence, and you are left questioning lots of things.

i don’t know where to start

I guess i could say that at the end of the day, I have learnt what I hate.

In a word. Quarries.
Why? Let me paint a picture and give you an insight in to my daily life and work place.
This is a place where every day you come home dirty, tired and sore, because you’ve either hit yourself on something, or something has squashed something of yours, or you’ve probably burnt it.
You are never, or rarely encouraged, and if you are, it’s for something of no significance.
You work in vain every night – ‘cleaning’ something that is going to be the same as it was after the machines run for two hours. Doing this work, that any untrained person can do, makes you feel so worthless, as you know you have so much more potential than this.
The rude, crude and foul language is no encouragement either. Sex, sex and more sex. I don’t need it or want to hear of it.
Sure I build stuff. But what does a supervisor say when he sees it? “Oh %$^#.” Not, “Wow, that looks good. Well done.”
I’m sick of it, sick of it, sick of it.

life life

So, double the life now ay? Well. i’ve got some good news, two ways I guess!
I’ve now enrolled in the Melbourne Radio school for a 10 week course which shall be great, and I hope to learn heaps.
The other thing with it though, is that it will nicely split my night/afternoon shift work up well! My week will now run like this:
Mon: quarry (night)
Tue: quarry (night)

Wed: Radio (night)

Thurs: quarry (night)
Fri: quarry (day)
Sat: quarry (day)
Kinda cool I reckon! It’ll be a good change. It may even signal a career change somewhere too. So the Wednesday I’ll probably be doing a bit more at LightFM too just doing random production type things. Steve on the go…. ha ha
But, I don’t know. It’s still going to be good to have some offiicial radio training.
So that’s my exciting news for the week!

Oh, I’m also going to get ready making the camp radio show too. So for those of you who are on CYC camps these holidays, Malcolm Mo will be back!
If you want to here him, go here and you can!

Link :: Malcolm Mo – Live

That’s it for me for a while!
-Steve

100 things about me – updated!

100 things about me – updated!

1. How old will you be in five years?
Half way to 60! Arrghhh… The beginnings of an old man,.

2. Who did you spend at least two hours with today?
my 2 brothers

3. How tall are you?
5″ 10? I think. If I stick my hand on my head, I’m ‘about this tall’.

4. What do you look forward to most in the next six weeks?
um, radio school.

5. What’s the last movie you watched on dvd?
I can’t remember. It was a kids film though.

6. Who was the last person you called?
Mark

7. Who was the last person to call you?
Mark

8.What was the last text message you received?
A picture of a boat.

9. Who was the last person to leave you a voicemail?
Hmmm… I’ll dial 101 now. What a waste of a call. Dave

10. Would you rather call or text?
Definitely call.

11. What were you doing at 12am last night?
Checking email after watching Shrek!

12. Are your parents married/separated/divorced
Married.

13. When was the last time you saw your dad?
Yesterday

14. What colour are your eyes?
Blue

15. INTERMISSION OF RANDOMNESS!
Intermission is the break in the plays… hmmm… But, the church I went to today had a short break in it. The preacher said – dismissed, and I thought that was it! But it was only a quick thing to meet everyone. ?

16. What are you wearing right now?
jeans and a shirt

17. What is your favourite Christmas song?
Oh, Holy night.

18. Where is your favourite place to be?
At Home? Out, Um, with good friends. Just in my comfort zone I guess.

19. Where is your least favourite place to be?
work

20. Africa-New Zealand-Japan?
Never been to either…

21. What do you think you’ll be in 10 years?
I don’t know. Married – maybe?

22. Do you tan or burn?
Both, but often burn….

23. What did you fear was going to get you at night as a child?
The dark.

24. What was the last thing that really made you laugh?
Water getting thrown on a bloke at work. It wasn’t me who did it though. The poor fella was in the toilet, and someone dropped half a bucket of water over the door!

25. How many TVs do you have in your house?
A coulple. Oh boy. 4.

26. How big is your bed?
Too small. My feet can poke out the end if I let them.

27. Do you have a laptop or desktop computer?
Both.

28. What do you wear to bed?
PJs.

29. What colour are your sheets?
Blue. I’ll be switching to the flannels soon!

30. How many pillows do you sleep with?
One FLAT Pillow!

31. What is your favorite season?
Winter

32. What do you like about Autumn?
The weather I guess. The leaves turn a great colour for photography.

33. What do you like about winter?
Drinking hot drinks and sitting in front of the Coonara.

34. What do you like about the summer?
The beach.

36. How many countries have you lived in?
one, but visited 2 others

37. What cities/towns have you lived in?
4. Dunolly, Maffra, Pakenham and Moorabbin.

38. Do you prefer shoes, socks, or bare feet?
Shoes I guess.

39. Are you a social person?
Yep. I know heaps of people.

40. What was the last thing you ate?
Chicken and chips!

43. What is your favourite dessert(s)?
Cheesecake, lemon meringue, and chocolate self saucing pudding!!!

45. What kind of jam do you like on toast?
A berry type.

46. Do you like Chinese food?
Yes.

47. Do you like coffee?
Oh yeah baby! I love coffee!

48. How many glasses of water, a day, do you drink on average?
Barely one

49. What do you drink in the morning?
Maconna

51. Do you sleep on a certain side of the bed?
Yes, the bed is next to a curtain. What a dumb question!

52. Do you know how to play poker?
Sure do. Suck at it though.

53. Do you like to cuddle?
Who doesn’t?

54. Have you ever been to Canada?
I was ‘this’ close. But my car broke down. Still going to fulfil that dream one day.

55. Do you have an addictive personality?
Mmmm… Depends I guess. Haven’t had anyone tell me they want to be like me recently… ha ha

56. Do you eat out or at home more often?
Definitely at home.

58. Do you know anyone with the same birthday as you?
Yes! A girl at my school in highschool who I haven’t seen for 10 + years. And someone else. I can’t remember though.

59. Do you want kids?
One day.

61. Have you ever gotten stitches?
Yes, when my appendix came out.

62. Have you ever ridden in an ambulance?
No. Just loaded heaps of people in to them.

63. Do you prefer an ocean or a pool?
Ocean.

64. Do you prefer a window seat or an aisle seats?
A window of course.

65. Do you prefer manual or automatic?
Depends I guess. I like to drive my auto like a manual!

66. What is your favourite thing to spend money on?
Oh gosh… I spend too much already! Music at Koorong…

67. Do you wear any jewelry 24/7?
No.

68. What is your favourite TV show?
Hogans Heros.

69. Can you roll your tongue?
Yep.

70. Who is the funniest person you know?
Maybe Mel, or Kate…

71. Do you sleep with stuffed animals?
I gave that up years ago.

72. What is the main ring tone on your phone?
Pirates of the Carribbean

73. Do you still have clothes from when you were little?
Nah. Who does?

74. What red object is closest to you right now?
My mickey mouse cup from Disney World.

75. Do you turn off the water while you brush your teeth?
Sure do! I’m a water saver!

76. Do you sleep with your cupboard/wardrobe doors open or closed?
Open, when there is stuff on the floor. But usually closed.

77. Would you rather be attacked by a big bear or a swarm of bees?
Bees? I guess I’d be dead either way.

78. Do you like someone?
My mum.

79. What do you dip a chicken nugget in?
Sweet and Sour sauce?

80. Have you ever written a love letter?
Yeah. I sucked at it. I’m feeling old now, ’cause that probably happened back in grade two… ha ha

81. Can you change the oil on a car?
Yep. Haven’t though. Why do it when someone else can? But I’m struggling to find ‘good’ mechanics. I keep hearing too many bad stories.

82. Have you ever gotten a speeding ticket?
Yes…. About 4. Grrrr.

83. Have you ever run out of gas?
Twice. Fortunately I was at home both times!

84. What is your usual bedtime?
After 12 usually.

85. What was the last book you read?
Saved to Serve – by John De Silver. Very good.

86. Do you read the newspaper?
Sure do. I look for me in it! Ha ha

87. Do you read any magazines?
On occasions.

88. Do you watch soap operas?
No WAY! I don’t even watch home and away or neighbours!

90. Do you dance in the car?
If hitting the steering wheel and tapping feet counts, then I guess yes… I dance in the car… ha ha

91. What radio station did you last listen to?
LightFM

92. Who is in the picture frame closest to you?
Me, Stu, Baulchy, Nic, Kim, Mel and Andrew

93. What was the last note you scribbled on a piece of paper?
Directions to church this morning.

94. What is your favourite candle scent?
A strawberry one? I don’t know. I like the smell of the Dusk shop though!

95. What is your favourite board game?
Risk I spose.

96. What are your favourite pair of shoes?
I’ve only got three to choose from! And none of them are brilliant! Just shoes!

97. Was your first kiss good or bad?
Hmmm… Depends who you are and only then, I still may not tell you.

98. Who was your favorite teacher in high school?
I think my year 12 English teacher… Unit 4 – I think! MS Hancock.

99. What is the longest you have ever camped out in a tent?
Hmmm… a week or more.

100. What do you want to do as a job?
I still haven’t figured that out fully. I do so many things, but I enjoy radio and the media side of things.

Reading…

Reading…

I’ve decided that I don’t read enough. I guess the reason I say that is because the most things I read these days are webpages, and the newspapers.
I guess the problem is that I don’t feel the urge to sit down and read a good book. I start them, but alias, I don’t ever seem to finish them.
Maybe I need to set a goal and read the book I bought in the USA. The Visitation by Frank Peretti. It’ll probably frighten me though, espeically if I read it at nights! Anybody ever read ‘The Tombs of Anak’ by the same author? Oh boy, now that was a bit of a frightening story. It was good though!!
I read that when I was younger.
I seem to have lost my Aussie Bush Poetry book too. Has anybody seen it recently? It’s got all the famous ones in it. The Man from Snowy River, The Man from Ironbark etc. All very good reads. Here, I’ll post them for my benefit.

THE MAN FROM SNOWY RIVER by A.B. “Banjo” Paterson

There was movement at the station, for the word had passed around
That the colt from old Regret had got away,
And had joined the wild bush horses — he was worth a thousand pound,
So all the cracks had gathered to the fray.
All the tried and noted riders from the stations near and far
Had mustered at the homestead overnight,
For the bushmen love hard riding where the wild bush horses are,
And the stock-horse snuffs the battle with delight.
There was Harrison, who made his pile when Pardon won the cup,
The old man with his hair as white as snow;
But few could ride beside him when his blood was fairly up –
He would go wherever horse and man could go.
And Clancy of the Overflow came down to lend a hand,
No better horseman ever held the reins;
For never horse could throw him while the saddle-girths would stand,
He learnt to ride while droving on the plains.

And one was there, a stripling on a small and weedy beast,
He was something like a racehorse undersized,
With a touch of Timor pony — three parts thoroughbred at least –
And such as are by mountain horsemen prized.
He was hard and tough and wiry — just the sort that won’t say die –
There was courage in his quick impatient tread;
And he bore the badge of gameness in his bright and fiery eye,
And the proud and lofty carriage of his head.

But still so slight and weedy, one would doubt his power to stay,
And the old man said, “That horse will never do
For a long and tiring gallop — lad, you’d better stop away,
Those hills are far too rough for such as you.”
So he waited sad and wistful — only Clancy stood his friend –
“I think we ought to let him come,” he said;
“I warrant he’ll be with us when he’s wanted at the end,
For both his horse and he are mountain bred.”

“He hails from Snowy River, up by Kosciusko’s side,
Where the hills are twice as steep and twice as rough,
Where a horse’s hoofs strike firelight from the flint stones every stride,
The man that holds his own is good enough.
And the Snowy River riders on the mountains make their home,
Where the river runs those giant hills between;
I have seen full many horsemen since I first commenced to roam,
But nowhere yet such horsemen have I seen.”

So he went — they found the horses by the big mimosa clump –
They raced away towards the mountain’s brow,
And the old man gave his orders, “Boys, go at them from the jump,
No use to try for fancy riding now.
And, Clancy, you must wheel them, try and wheel them to the right.
Ride boldly, lad, and never fear the spills,
For never yet was rider that could keep the mob in sight,
If once they gain the shelter of those hills.”

So Clancy rode to wheel them — he was racing on the wing
Where the best and boldest riders take their place,
And he raced his stock-horse past them, and he made the ranges ring
With the stockwhip, as he met them face to face.
Then they halted for a moment, while he swung the dreaded lash,
But they saw their well-loved mountain full in view,
And they charged beneath the stockwhip with a sharp and sudden dash,
And off into the mountain scrub they flew.

Then fast the horsemen followed, where the gorges deep and black
Resounded to the thunder of their tread,
And the stockwhips woke the echoes, and they fiercely answered back
From cliffs and crags that beetled overhead.
And upward, ever upward, the wild horses held their way,
Where mountain ash and kurrajong grew wide;
And the old man muttered fiercely, “We may bid the mob good day,
No man can hold them down the other side.”

When they reached the mountain’s summit, even Clancy took a pull,
It well might make the boldest hold their breath,
The wild hop scrub grew thickly, and the hidden ground was full
Of wombat holes, and any slip was death.
But the man from Snowy River let the pony have his head,
And he swung his stockwhip round and gave a cheer,
And he raced him down the mountain like a torrent down its bed,
While the others stood and watched in very fear.

He sent the flint stones flying, but the pony kept his feet,
He cleared the fallen timber in his stride,
And the man from Snowy River never shifted in his seat –
It was grand to see that mountain horseman ride.
Through the stringy barks and saplings, on the rough and broken ground,
Down the hillside at a racing pace he went;
And he never drew the bridle till he landed safe and sound,
At the bottom of that terrible descent.

He was right among the horses as they climbed the further hill,
And the watchers on the mountain standing mute,
Saw him ply the stockwhip fiercely, he was right among them still,
As he raced across the clearing in pursuit.
Then they lost him for a moment, where two mountain gullies met
In the ranges, but a final glimpse reveals
On a dim and distant hillside the wild horses racing yet,
With the man from Snowy River at their heels.

And he ran them single-handed till their sides were white with foam.
He followed like a bloodhound on their track,
Till they halted cowed and beaten, then he turned their heads for home,
And alone and unassisted brought them back.
But his hardy mountain pony he could scarcely raise a trot,
He was blood from hip to shoulder from the spur;
But his pluck was still undaunted, and his courage fiery hot,
For never yet was mountain horse a cur.

And down by Kosciusko, where the pine-clad ridges raise
Their torn and rugged battlements on high,
Where the air is clear as crystal, and the white stars fairly blaze
At midnight in the cold and frosty sky,
And where around the Overflow the reedbeds sweep and sway
To the breezes, and the rolling plains are wide,
The man from Snowy River is a household word to-day,
And the stockmen tell the story of his ride.

HE MAN FROM IRONBARK by A.B. “Banjo” Paterson

It was the man from Ironbark who struck the Sydney town,
He wandered over street and park, he wandered up and down.
He loitered here, he loitered there, till he was like to drop,
Until at last in sheer despair he sought a barber’s shop.
“‘Ere! shave my beard and whiskers off, I’ll be a man of mark,
I’ll go and do the Sydney toff up home in Ironbark.”

The barber man was small and flash, as barbers mostly are,
He wore a strike-your-fancy sash, he smoked a huge cigar;
He was a humorist of note and keen at repartee,
He laid the odds and kept a “tote”, whatever that may be,
And when he saw our friend arrive, he whispered, “Here’s a lark!
Just watch me catch him all alive, this man from Ironbark.”

There were some gilded youths that sat along the barber’s wall.
Their eyes were dull, their heads were flat, they had no brains at all;
To them the barber passed the wink, his dexter eyelid shut,
“I’ll make this bloomin’ yokel think his bloomin’ throat is cut.”
And as he soaped and rubbed it in he made a rude remark:
“I s’pose the flats is pretty green up there in Ironbark.”

A grunt was all reply he got; he shaved the bushman’s chin,
Then made the water boiling hot and dipped the razor in.
He raised his hand, his brow grew black, he paused awhile to gloat,
Then slashed the red-hot razor-back across his victim’s throat:
Upon the newly-shaven skin it made a livid mark -
No doubt it fairly took him in – the man from Ironbark.

He fetched a wild up-country yell might wake the dead to hear,
And though his throat, he knew full well, was cut from ear to ear,
He struggled gamely to his feet, and faced the murd’rous foe:
“You’ve done for me! you dog, I’m beat! one hit before I go!
I only wish I had a knife, you blessed murdering shark!
But you’ll remember all your life the man from Ironbark.”

He lifted up his hairy paw, with one tremendous clout
He landed on the barber’s jaw, and knocked the barber out.
He set to work with nail and tooth, he made the place a wreck;
He grabbed the nearest gilded youth, and tried to break his neck.
And all the while his throat he held to save his vital spark,
And “Murder! Bloody murder!” yelled the man from Ironbark.

A peeler man who heard the din came in to see the show;
He tried to run the bushman in, but he refused to go.
And when at last the barber spoke, and said “‘Twas all in fun—
‘Twas just a little harmless joke, a trifle overdone.”
“A joke!” he cried, “By George, that’s fine; a lively sort of lark;
I’d like to catch that murdering swine some night in Ironbark.”

And now while round the shearing floor the list’ning shearers gape,
He tells the story o’er and o’er, and brags of his escape.
“Them barber chaps what keeps a tote, By George, I’ve had enough,
One tried to cut my bloomin’ throat, but thank the Lord it’s tough.”
And whether he’s believed or no, there’s one thing to remark,
That flowing beards are all the go way up in Ironbark.

And that’s my ending for tonight.
-Steve.