How
do I begin to describe my life in a realistic, reasonable and rational
light?
Shredding birthday waves!
Quarter
century, baby! That's how long I've been
around on this planet. And I must say,
for the past 10 years or so, each year has been successively better. Each year I can't imagine how the coming year
will top the last, but lo and behold, it does.
Granted, my expectations are getting extremely high - from crossing
oceans to free diving pristine coral atolls, from working on super yachts to
working as a writer - but I hope with a good attitude and an adventurous
spirit, my expectations will continue to be met.
The
past few weeks, however, have been somewhat ridiculous and a bit too much fun,
therefore I do not expect the rest of my life to top the party that has been my
life recently. You see, a visit from
Emma, Sydney Mardi Gras, a Cat Empire concert, epic waves and my 25th birthday
just happened coincide within a few very action packed weeks.
A
few weeks back I convinced Emma to come down to Sydney from Brisbane for Sydney
Mardi Gras on Saturday night, and then managed to swoop two tickets to see the
Cat Empire on Sunday. She flew in on
Thursday night and we proceeded to have a four day party, which started off
with drinks with Couchsurfing friends on Friday night - complete with dancing
at a seedy club until 3am.
Saturday
night was Sydney's Mardi Gras, which is the official gay and lesbian party of
the year. Emma, our friend Alex and I
headed downtown, but not before convincing Mom and Dad to join us. The streets were absolutely packed with
people young and old, wasted and sober, gay, straight, transgender and
everything in between. As we got there a
bit late we did not see much of the parade (too many people) but we managed to
find a table at our favorite bar, Coco Cubano, and people-watched and shared
silly stories until the early morning.
It was a pretty wild scene. (For
the record, Mom and Dad did not join us at the bar, but I might have seen them
dancing on a float that went by in the parade.)
Mazel Tov Mardi Gras!
If
I remember correctly, Emma and I spent most of Sunday sleeping and recovering
from the two previous nights before gearing up for the Cat Empire concert. It was on my bucket list to see the Cat
Empire - my favorite Aussie band - in concert while I was in Australia, and I
am sure glad I did. The show was at the
Metro and, while the Cat Empire usually plays huge venues and headlines music
festivals, this concert was in a smaller venue where everybody could see the
musicians and sing and dance along.
The
Cat Empire rocks. They have two lead
singers, brass, keys, a DJ and drums.
They jam super hard and although they have a new album out that they
were debuting, they played a great mix of old and new songs. It can be kind of tedious to stand there and
listen to songs you have never heard before at a concert, but I loved all the
new songs I heard, and all of the old songs I know and love were played in
slightly different versions, all awesome and rock-a-licious. I think it might be the best show I have ever
been to.
Fortunately
I didn't work on Monday, as I would have been totally ruined and useless after
partying all weekend. In all honesty, I
do not remember too much about the next week, only that I might have worked a
day or two, and spent the rest of my time gallivanting around Sydney with
Emma. I convinced Emma to extend her
"long weekend" trip and stay for my birthday, a few days away.
A
day before my birthday Mom and Dad took the boat up to Manly upon my request,
as I could think of nothing nicer than waking up in Manly, walking over to the
beach side and catching some epic birthday waves. While Rutea sailed past the Opera House Emma
and I took heaps of photos, trying to capture the the beauty of the city and
the iconic, "I sailed here on my sailboat" photo.
"I sailed here on my sailboat"
The
next day was my birthday and I awoke in Manly to bright blue skies. Dad offered to take some pictures of me
surfing and managed to get a few, although I swear the waves were WAY bigger
than they look on camera. After surfing
Mom made me an excellent Mexican breakfast - made with legit Mexican products
imported (smuggled) in from the US (and Mexico). We spent the day drinking screwdrivers,
swimming off the boat, listening to music and enjoying life. In the evening we went out for a fun sushi
dinner and to the bar afterward for a totally unnecessary drink.
Happy birthday to me: Screwdrivers, sunshine and two of my favorite chicks!
By
this time I am sure you are thinking, "Doesn't she work? Is she an alcoholic? What a bum!" And yes, I am a bit of a bum. Work has been very spotty and way less hours
than I would like, but I have been making the most of my free time. And yes, I have been partying quite a bit
but, hey mate, that's the Aussie way of life!
I do, however, expect things to mellow out for a while - at least until
my friends Annette and Sara, who are currently traveling Asia, meet me in
Brisbane for a road trip.
I
live a charmed life. I know this. I recognize the fact that I have been given
so many fantastic opportunities, and try - really try! - not to take them for
granted.
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