Lost in Brisbane

I can't believe its not butter....

2009-07-31T04:53:00.000-07:00

Well it has been almost 10 months since I last wrote in my blog.....That's a hell of a long time in blog years. Lets see what has happened since last we spoke.....I bought a house.....I am now the proud owner of a 3 bedroom home....at the side of the house is a cement driveway which would be ideal to setup a hockey net to play some driveway hockey.......the problem is that I now live in Australia not Canada and the chances of finding a road hockey net is slim to none....oh well...something to strive for I guess.

Today is the first night before the first weekend of my 3 week vacation. The first week I will be vacationing alone as my wife continues to earn money in the hopes of buying me pretty things to wear. I will endeavour to write everyday on what I got up to on my vacation.....I hope to include pictures.....if not here then on my facebook or flickr page....there are so many different ways to annoy people that I can't choose which is my favorite.

My biggest plan this vacation is to finally finish off my screenplay that I have been writing for 7 years or so....it might be more but if it is more then that would surely depress me and force me to come to the conclusion that I am a loser who needs to get a life....so 7 years it will have to be. I finally have a professional interested in it....but only if I do a re-write....so my 3 weeks will be the re-write.

More to come.....unless I forget that I wrote this and in that case its your fault.

9/11 conspiracy

2008-09-11T16:29:00.000-07:00

I'm watching a program about different 9/11 conspiracies. I have come to the conclusion that an Internet connection should be based on merit. I think from now on you should have to apply for a license before you create a webpage. These conspiracy theorists pick and choose facts that suit their needs and then just make up other facts that have nothing to do with reality. Think about it like this. If the U.S government was responsible for the 9/11 attacks think about the thousands of people that would have to be involved. Then think about the thousands of people that were involved afterwards (like structural engineers looking at destroyed buildings) How do all these thousands of people keep mum and not reveal the secret to anyone else. Think about how much they could sell that story for? Think about the guilt that would be eating away at these people? What I do believe is that the U.S. Government ignored warning signs and handled things very badly. George Bush is a dirt bag and used this as an excuse to attack Iraq. But please if you think the U.S. Government was behind the attack just do some research and everything will be clear.

The Podcast

2008-08-15T01:52:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone.

Over the last few weeks Adam and I have been doing our podcast Oldskool.Newskool. If you haven't had a chance to check it out yet I would encourage you to do so. You can find us 3 different ways. If you have an iTunes account simply do a search for Oldskool.newskool and you will find us. If you do not have an iTunes account you can find as at the following link:

http://www.switchpod.com/p19609.html

If you have Facebook simply do a search for Oldskool.Newskool and again you will be able to find our facebook page. If you become a fan of our facebook page we then can send you updates on all our future podcast episodes.

If you have any comments or critiques you can either leave them on the facebook page or send us an email at Oldskool.Newskool@gmail.com

I very much look forward to hearing from you.

Peter

Listen to my wonderful voice

2008-07-29T03:46:00.000-07:00

On Monday me and my friend Adam started Old Skool/New Skool its a cultured look at pop culture.....well cultured look from my point of you.....Adam would rather just blather on about god knows what.

Coming up in future episodes will be a Cold War Kids concert review.

An interview with a good friend Matt Newton about his bands new CD.

I'm sure Adam will go on about something.....as he does.

Old Skool vs. New Skool

2008-07-26T03:33:00.000-07:00

Monday morning I will be going over to my friend Adam's house and we will be taping our first Podcast episode of Old Skool/New Skool (emails can be sent to oldskool.newskool@gmail.com). Old Skool/New Skool will be a podcast about Pop culture and film. Our first film critiques will involve the Dark Knight and Hell Boy II. Adam is in Film school and will contribute a technical aspect to the podcasts. I will be voicing my (hopefully amusing) opinions on things I know so little about.

I will post again when the podcast is ready for a listen. We have also created a facebook page for information in regards to the podcast.

See you soon.

Peter

Thank God I'm not famous

2008-07-11T04:17:00.000-07:00

So, its 5:00 am and I'm driving to work.....I decide that before I arrive at work I need a coffee and a muffin.....so I stop at my local and order meself a cup of coffee and a blueberry muffin (the muffin was rather dry) and as you will at 5:00 am you run into some interesting peoples. So I gets a tap on my very large and muscular shoulders. "Did you see Pamela Anderson on Big Brother?" (Australia has their own version of Big Brother. They roped Pam Anderson to spend 3 days in the house) says the scary man with wiry hair and bad breath. "Um. Yeah I heard." I replies to him. "She's in Australia." He claims the obvious. "Yeah. I heard." He then tries to shake my hand with her very stained fingers. I instead reach for my cup of coffee and scram. He then begins to tell everyone else in line about Pamela Anderson being in Australia and on Big Brother. Now I don't run into smelly people too often but I can imagine celebrities must run into people all the time that want to hug and kiss them....so thank god I'm not famous. It's a good thing I don't have the looks or the talent or the drive or the money or anything else that helps people become famous. It's a good thing I'm a very ordinary and kinda ugly.

Euro Cup predictions

2008-06-06T17:50:00.000-07:00

With Euro cup just a few days away, here are my predictions for each group, QTR finals, Semi finals and the Euro 2008 Champions.

Group A
Portugal
Czech Rep
Turkey
Switzerland

Group B
Germany
Austria
Croatia
Poland

Group C
Italy
Netherlands
France
Romania

Group D
Spain
Greece
Sweden
Russian

QTR Finals.

Portugal will beat Austria
Germany will beat The Czech Rep
Italy will beat Greece
Spain will beat the Netherlands

SEMI Finals

Germany will beat Portugal

Spain will beat Italy

Euro 2008 Finals

Germany will beat Spain 3 - 1

What to do....

2008-06-06T01:24:00.000-07:00

Sarah (the wife) is away at a friends tonight.......so here I sit able to do what ever I want. What have I done up to this point? I'm glad you asked.........I took a nap when I got home from work. That was a lot of fun. While I slept Polly (my dog) sat at my feet chewing on a rawhide. Then I woke up and decided more fun was needed.....now I'm listening to history podcasts on iTunes. So far I have learned about Aqueducts in ancient Rome, Cleopatra, the Byzantine empire and why people are currently moving to New Zealand.

Here is what I learned about Aqueducts.....The Romans wanted to drink some water......Cleopatra was actually Greek not Egyptian (I actually knew that) Byzantines are some messed up fellows. They used Greek fire during war (no one to this day knows what Greek fire was) and had such relics as the true cross, John the Baptists hair and sandals once worn by a fellow named Jesus......yeah sure you did.......People are now moving to New Zealand because it is roughly the same size as Japan but Japan has 178 million and New Zealand only has 4 million (this figure does not include sheep) also due to the ocean winds pollution does not carry over New Zealand like Europe and North America.

So obviously my Friday night rocks........

Dead iPod, no problem.

2008-05-25T20:14:00.000-07:00

So, last year Sarah (my wife) bought me a special addition U2 iPod for our wedding anniversary. That iPod died a couple of days ago. I called apple support to see if they could do a fix for me over the telephone. After talking to the guy he said it was a hard disc problem and that we couldn't fix it over the phone. It was also out of warranty (the one year warranty had ended) so I would have to take it in to get it fixed....which would cost a little bit of money.....but this is what they did for me. He transferred me to customer support.....they switched the warranty so the computer now thinks that the warranty is still valid for the rest of the week (warranty ended 2 and half months ago) so now I just have to take it in to a retail repair service and then in 72 hours I get a brand new U2 special addition iPod.

Now that is good service. I didn't even ask if they could still cover it. They just did it. Warms the heart!

Other news, winter is rolling in so its starting to get cold. In fact its a chilly 21c outside. Time to break out the parka and the long undewear.

Glory Glory Man United

2008-05-22T03:06:00.000-07:00

So I woke up at 3:30 am and got in my car and drove to the Casino in the city to watch the Manchester United vs. Chelsea match. Hanging out with various Scotsman's I witnessed a great game and victory for my wonderful United.

So this is for Manchester United. Champions of England and Champions of Europe:

Glory, glory, Man United,
Glory, glory, Man United,
Glory, glory, Man United,
As the reds go marching on,
on, on. Just like the Busby Babes
in Days gone by
We'll keep the Red Flags flying high
You've got to see yourself from far and wide
You've got to hear the masses sing with pride
United! Man United!
We're the boys in Red and we're on our way to Wem-be-lyWem-be-ly! Wem-be-ly!
We're the famous Man United and we're going to Wem-ber-lyWem-be-ly! Wem-ber-ly!
We're the famous Man United and we're going to Wem-ber-ly
In Seventy-Seven it was Docherty
Atkinson will make it Eighty-Three
And everyone will know just who we are
They'll be singing 'Que Sera Sera'
United! Man United!
We're the boys in Red and we're on our way to Wem-ber-lyWem-be-ly! Wem-ber-ly!
We're the famous Man United and we're going to Wem-ber-lyWem-be-ly! Wem-ber-ly!
We're the famous Man United and we're going to Wem-ber-ly
Glory Glory Man United
Glory Glory Man United
Glory Glory Man United
As the Reds Go Marching On! On! On! (3x)

Playoff hockey

2008-04-10T15:56:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting here at 8:55 am Friday morning watching playoff hockey. A thought came to me. If the NHL held a golf tournament then I am positive that a Toronto Mapleleave would win. Years and years of practice.

Life has been really simple lately. Lots of work followed by lots of time off. I had 8 days off of work due to me working too many hours. I've interviewed something like 80 people over the last 2 months and hired 45 of them. I'm tired of asking Australians questions.

Me and Sarah celebrated our 4 year anniversary. So that was really cool. We went to Surfers Paradise for the weekend.....but it rained the entire time. But that's ok.....its nice that I have some of the worlds best beaches only an hour away.

The San Jose Sharks will win the cup......or the Boston Bruins........or another team.....not sure yet.

cocks, roaches and Australia day

2008-01-17T12:53:00.000-08:00

The heat has gotten to their heads me thinks as I am reading an advertisement for this coming Australia Day (Jan 26). At the Story Bridge Hotel they are holding their annual Cockroach race day. Come in and join the fun. Pick a roach and see if he/she can claim top prize! Afterwards drink more warm beer and watch the Miss Cocky (could I really make this up?) beauty pageant. Who wouldn't want to be Miss Cocky 2008?

I asked a few Australians about this (my actual question was, what the hell is wrong with you people) and I was told it was tradition. But some traditions should just die. Like the monarchy in England or the Toronto Maple leaves, somethings should not continue despite the idiots that support it.

I also asked why don't they just put on the TV? I mean they have cable over here, put on a bloody soccer game and let the cockroaches race themselves in back alleyways like nature intended. Somehow this was seen as Non-Australian way of thinking. The heat has gotten to their heads.

On a brighter note its 28c outside.

Brand new year brand new car

2008-01-04T22:42:00.000-08:00

We are 5 days into the new year and we have purchased a 2007 Toyota Corolla. We take ownership in about a week and I am looking forward to not taking the bus. Australians smell on the bus. When I am coming home on a Saturday night (like tonight) and it's 11:30 pm Australians really seem to stink it up. I'm thinking that people on buses in Canada smell as well but I didn't ride the bus in Canada and they don't have the 39c heat to add to it. There has been many times that I have held my nose as I sit amongst these smelly Australian people. So I am looking forward to having to only smell people that I know. The cool thing about the new car is that it comes with Aux jack, so I get to plug my IPOD in. Since I have almost 4200 songs on my U2 30 GB video IPOD I can't see the need to pop in a CD anytime soon.

Sunday I'm going to be a photographer at a wedding. My friend Adam's (I actually have a friend now) friend is getting married and has asked me to be the photographer. This will be great experience for me in the future so I said yes. So I checked my gear last night and my 50 mm lens was in 2 pieces. Its not supposed to be in 2 pieces. So I have called a few places today and after many, many rejections I was able to find a 50 mm lens for $135.00 So tomorrow morning I trudge off to the city (on the bus) and pick up the brand new lens. I guess I can't complain too much. My old lens did last me nearly 15 years. The good thing about having a new lens is I get to use my filters on the bloody thing. My lens filter didn't work on the old one because it was so old it wouldn't fit properly. So, other then spending $135.00 that I really didn't have today has been a really good day.

For Josie, who will never be forgotten

2007-12-05T14:52:00.000-08:00

Sleep, sleep tonight
And may your dreams be realised
If the thunder cloud passes rain
So let it rain, rain down on here
So let it be
So let it be

Sleep, sleep tonight
And may your dreams be realised
If the thunder cloud passes rain
So let it rain, let it rain
Rain down on here

Fat Hobbit!

2007-11-01T01:58:00.000-07:00

So, I’m a millions miles away. In Brisbane Australia. Hanging out with the locals waiting for a bus to take me to work on Adelaide street. I look up and what do I see coming towards me? A chick wearing a Toronto Maple Leafs Hockey Jersey! The very thing that would make me cringe when in Toronto I had to witness in Australia.

Note to all peoples that will one day come to Australia, do not wear your bloody awful Toronto Maple Leafs (leafs is not even a word. It’s Leaves!!!!!!) Hockey T-shirts!!! Leave them at home. No one here wants to see them. To borrow a line from Gollum…..”We hates it…..fat hobbit.”

By the way….its 30c today.

Mullets and Rat tails.

2007-10-19T22:38:00.000-07:00

The rat tail vs. the Mullet! I am amazed at the amount of men and women that are sporting Mullets and the Rat tail hair styles here in Australia. And it’s not even the queers, gays and or the lesbians. It’s normal people as well.

The rat tail was the most surprising to see. The Mullet you do see everywhere (as silly as it looks) but the rat tail I have not seen since 1984. If you don’t know what the rat tail looks like….please click on this link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/archangeli/241183760/

The rat tails over here come in all sorts of colours. Allot of young boys have them. I feel like walking into the city with a chainsaw and taking care of business. Yes I know if I was to actually attack these rat tailers with a chainsaw there would be some unfortunate/fortunate decapitations. But I say let the chips fall where they may. It’s a hairstyle that never, ever should be worn. I don’t blame the parents…..I blame the hairs dressers!

Now the Mullet….what is wrong with you! There are countless websites devoted to the lunacy of this hairstyle. If you are reading this and you have a Mullet (and it’s not around Halloween) it’s time you look at your life and figure out where it all went wrong. Was it that AC-DC concert in 1982 that started it? Maybe Paul Young looked really cool and you thought you would try it…..stop it! The only person ever to pull of the business up front and rock and roll in the back was Bono Vox!

Here is an example of a mullet: http://images.ientrymail.com/mullet_john.jpg

Next blog is on the awesomeness of Joe Tex.

Waltzing Matilda

2007-10-15T22:47:00.000-07:00

There is this Australian song…..it’s like the most important of all Australian songs. It’s called Waltzing Matilda. It’s so important that some Australians want this to their national anthem instead of Advance Australia Fair. In fact during the 1976 Montreal Olympics when an Australian won a gold medal they actually played Waltzing Matilda instead of the National Anthem.

Now the reason for this post is because I always thought this Matilda to be a wanton women and the song was about paying for her services. This is what I expect from a country full of convicts. But apparently it’s not about that. I was confronted by some very angry Australian women who defended this Matilda and the song with the clawing of hands and the showing of very pointy teeth.

The song is a traditional Australian Bush song about a guy who steals sheep from a farm. Then the said farmers who once they have noticed that sheep have been stolen they do this man hunt and try to get this sheep stealer…..he hides in a pond and then dies. He then haunts them or the pond or Paul Hogan or something like that.

There is also something about making cups of tea in tin cans by the camp fire and then sealing the can and swinging it around to either hit people or to mix the tea and the water together (spoons had not been invented yet apparently). This can of tea is called a Billy can. Again showing off the Australian flair for naming things.

The one thing I don’t understand is, who is this Matilda? According to Wikipedia a waltzing Matilda is, “…to waltz Matilda" is to travel with a swag, that is, with all one's belongings on one's back wrapped in a blanket or cloth…” So being a Vagabond and carrying all your gear on your back is Waltzing Matilda.

Now, I ask you dear readers wouldn’t it be a much better song if it was about an Australian Prostitute? I think so……here are the lyrics and when the Aussies read this I may be asked to leave the country. Next entry will be about what is better, the Rat Tail or the Mullet?

Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong,
Under the shade of a coolibah tree,
And he sang as he watched and waited
'til his billy boiled"Who'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me?"Waltzing Matilda,
Waltzing MatildaWho'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me
And he sang as he watched and waited 'til his billy boiled"Who'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me?
"Down came a jumbuck to drink at the billabong,
Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him with glee,
And he sang as he stowed that jumbuck in his tucker bag,
"You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me".
Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda"You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me"
And he sang as he stowed that jumbuck in his tucker bag,
"You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me".
Up rode the squatter, mounted on his thoroughbred,
down came the troopers,
one, two, three,"Where's that jolly jumbuck you've got in your tucker bag?"
"You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me".Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda"You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me"
"Where's that jolly jumbuck you've got in your tucker bag?",
"You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me"
.Up jumped the swagman, sprang into the billabong,
"You'll never take me alive,"
said he,And his ghost may be heard as your passing by that billabong,"Who'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me?"Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing MatildaWho'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with meAnd his ghost may be heard as you're passing by that billabong,"Who'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me?"

Its 6 am....

2007-09-22T13:57:00.000-07:00

Its 6 am and I'm awake....the puppy woke me up (again). I'm looking at the window and there are Japanese people walking around outside. I hope they are walking in between the flags.

Nothing much new to report here.....everything is good. Work has been going very well. I'm doing some training in a few weeks....so it will be nice to do 9 to 5 life for a couple of days.

Sarah's parents have gone away for the week to the beach. Which means I have access to a car while they are away.....so no taking the bus at 11:00 pm at night for one whole week. Also I am playing golf on Monday.....I don't have to take the bus to the golf course....I can drive. Happy days. (another Japanese person is walking outside.........he's not between the flags!!!!!!)

Dave and Claire's wedding is coming soon.......less then 30 days away.....wish I could be there. Best wishes to the happy couple.....good luck Claire.....David is a bit o' nuts.

Now the puppy is sleeping and I am fully awake....someone send me a double double.

song playlist for walking at 5 am

2007-08-23T04:14:00.000-07:00

I have this job you see, so I have to walk to the bus at 5 am. Its about a 15 minute walk so I created a play list on my IPOD to pass the time. I'm going to post the play list. Some of the songs are not the best songs from the selected artists but I feel most appriopriate for walking at 5 am. Comment and I ask you what would be on your play list for a 5 am walk.

Wake up - The Arcade Fire
Windows in the sky - U2
Hospital Beds - Cold War kids
Dry the rain - The Beta Band
Why wont you give me your love - The Zutons
1234 - The Feist
No cars go - The Arcade Fire
Silent Sigh - Badly drawn boy
Gratitude - Beastie Boys
Here comes the sun - The Beatles
Sunday Sun - Beck
Dear Catastrophe Waitress - Belle & Sebastian
Catch my disease - Ben Lee
Bad luck blue eyes - Black Crows
Where is the love - Black eyed peas
Kelly's Heroes -Black Grape
I shall be released - Bob Dylan
Get up stand up - Bob Marley
Billy Boola - Bono & Gavin Friday
Fearless - The Bravery
Drivin on 9 - The Breeders
The River - Bruce Springstein
The Distance - Cake
Tubthumping - Chumbawomba
Hang me up to dry - Cold War Kids
The Scientist - Coldplay
Fix you - Coldplay
Dreams - Cranberries
Around the world - Daft Punk
Heroes - David Bowie
Suffragette city - David Bowie

Its no good - Depeche Mode

Isralites - Desmond Decker

White America - Eminem

Stacked Actors - Foo Fighters

The Dark of the Matinee - Franz Ferdinand

The Fallen - Franz Ferdinand

Only happy when it rains - Garbage (only listen to this song when it actually rains)

Dare - Gorillaz

Main Offender - The Hives

Slow Hands - Interpol

ABC - Jackson 5

Just like honey - Jesus and Mary Chain

They harder they come - Jimmy Cliff

Instant Karma(we all shine on) - John Lennon

I wont back down - Johnny Cash

Crucial - Kos

Shoot the runner - Kasabian

This is the last time - Keane

Believe me Natalie - The Killers

Read my mind - The Killers

Sweet Jane - Lou Reed

Finding out true love is blind - Louis XIV

Lets get it on - Marvin Gaye

Poster of a girl - Metric

Dead Disco - Metric

Body Rock - Moby

Ocean breath salty - Modest Mouse

Irish blood, English heart - Morrissey

Into my arms - Nick Cave

Hurt - NIN

Penny Royal tea - Nirvana

Sliver - Nirvana

Morning Glory - Oasis

Range life - Pavement

Why go - Pearl Jam

Barely listening - Pilate

Pure morning - Placebo

Sylvia - Pulp

Odd fellows local 151 - REM

We suck your blood - Radiohead

Breaking the girl - RHCP

Under my thumb - The Rolling Stones

Thumbelina Farewel - Ron Sexsmith

In dreams - Roy Orbison

Go to sleep - Sarah Harmer

You made me the theif of your heart - Sinead O'Connor

Hotel Expressionism - The Streets

On the other side - The Strokes

Lone wolf fever - Suckerpunch

20th century boy - T Rex

Spring time in vienna - The Tragically Hip

Wild Honey - U2

Electric storm - U2

Heroin - Velvet Underground

Outtathaway - The Vines

American Music - Violent Femmes

Dance hall days - Wang Chung

Drifter in the dark - Ween

You've got her in your pocket - White Stripes

You better you bet - The Who

Y Control - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Gold Lion - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Joey - Concrete Blonde

Closing time - Semi Sonic

I'm afraid

2007-08-19T01:34:00.000-07:00

It's funny, now that I am here in Australia I find that I am more afraid of black people. I don't know why it is but when I see one coming my way I'm clutching for my wallet and making sure they don't rob me.....sure there are not a lot of black people here.....and yes 99% of the crime is committed by white people but why let reason and understanding get in the way of an unnatural fear and stupidity. Hey if its worked for the catholic church for 1500 years who am I to stand in the way of such convoluted way of thinking.

I started working last week.....so far the job has gone well.....I did make one very silly mistake. I don't know Australian slang very well....every so often I will say something that is harmless to me but not so to the Aussies. Its my second day and I am talking to this women and I'm trying to explain to her that it is very important to me not to be useless at the job. I didn't want to go in there and not do anything. I wanted to make a difference (very un-like my days at RBC where I took pride in the fact that I had no idea what I was doing). Here is where it gets embarrassing. I used the term I didn't want to be a dead root. Now to me that means what I explained a few sentences ago. To an Aussie that means I am lousy in bed since root is slang for sex. Yeah.....so its going well.

And now, the end is here and so I face the final curtain

2007-08-07T16:26:00.000-07:00

And now, the end is here
And so I face the final curtain
My friend, I'll say it clear
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain
I've lived a life that's full
I traveled each and ev'ry highway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way

Ok, to borrow a few lines sung by Frank Sinatra (lyrics written by Paul Anka) I am here to inform you of some very sad news. I got a horrible call yesterday. I am now fully employed. Yes, yes it is true. I start work as of Monday :( My dream of being a kept man crashes around me and now I have to think about horrible things like combing my hair or shaving. I put up a good fight. Almost 6 months of futility and golf.....but all good things must come to an end.

I will take now a second and recall some happy moments:

I shot an 82 at the golf course :)

I get really tired around 10:00 am and then take a 2 hour nap.

I get really tired at 4:00 pm and took an hour and half nap.

Books, lots of books.

Finally finished my screenplay.....having trouble selling it....

Africa cam. I get to see Wildebeests drinking water!

Photography....I'm getting better all the time.

My IPOD and the library. I now have over 3000 songs

Teaching Polly (that's my puppy) how to sit and come when I call her

So as you can see my 6 months have been very productive. I guess I will have more money now to spend on things. I can't remember the last time I had a beer. So the good news is now that I am working I plan and becoming a very violent drunk who will then call people on the phone and tell them how much I love them....then abuse them....before breaking down in tears and telling them I'm Jesus Christ. Nail me to that cross. I will will be the goat! Now I'm not sure what that might mean but I have said those lines before.....I think....I was not sober.

Well there you have it......now....someone please send me a can of bloody coffee!!!!!!!

training puppies is like working in Visa.

2007-08-06T16:56:00.000-07:00

First things first. I'm really sorry it has taken me so long to post another blog entry. I guess the reason for that is I'm waiting for things to pick up in the last few months. Now I see enough things have happened for me to update everyone.

I haven't found work yet so my dream being a kept man continues unabated. The bad news is that I'm up for a job and they are currently checking with my refrences (thanks to Alykhan and Rob) to make sure I am qualified. Its a team leader postion working with the deaf....well not exactly working with the deaf.....but it is working with the deaf. But the people I will be working with all have hearing....well I think they do at least. The pay is good and it is helping the community....which I like to do.

The weather has been great lately. Last week it got up to 28c. Fantastic winter weather if you ask me. Its a little cold this morning but not to bad. I think its something like 18c right now.

We bought a puppy a few weeks ago. Her name is Polly. She is a cute dog. She chews everything but so far I have taught her a few things. Sit, stay, and be a puppy. So as you can see training a puppy and being a team leader in Visa is very much the same thing.

I left the cable for my laptop lying about and Polly did a really good job chewing through it and now I can't power up my laptop.....so I have to go to the store and buy a new batter cable. That is why I haven't updated my picture blog lately.....but I am on the family computer right now so I will go get my camera and also update my photo blog. I have spent sometime at the beach and around Brisbane.

I think that is everything? I'm going to try to play golf next week sometime. Might as well play as much as I can while the weather is not to hot. I shot an 82 last time I played but that was about a month ago. It is just so sad taking the bus to play golf. The looks I get!

Talk to you all soon.

Oh, send me Tim Hortons coffee!!!!

2206 songs down

2007-06-24T20:28:00.001-07:00

I've spent the last few weeks listening to my IPOD. In total I have listened to 2206 songs. Everyone from the Arcade Fire to the Zutons. Throw in some U2, REM and the LDC Soundsystem. Do I have any insight to share after listening to all this music? Well I have a couple of thoughts. A: Bob Dylan is as amazing as I always thought. U2 is still my favorite band. It's a shame that the guy from T-rex died in the 1970's cause T-rex is awesome. I really like the Jackson 5. Brian Eno is someone I can only listen to when the mood really strikes. And Eliot Smith is great to listen to when you are about to take a nap and Beck is great to listen to when you are sleeping.

That's all I learned in the last few weeks.

We bought a puppy last weekend. Her name is Polly. Apparently her official name is Pollyanna but I can't call her that so I call her Polly. Currently she is sleeping on my feet (which is her favorite thing to bite) She came to us without being toilet trained so that took a few days and lots of cleaning up to manage but she goes where we want her to go. Right now I am teaching her to come to me when I call....this has been successful for the most part. But if she is playing with one of her toys (which includes two of my socks) it can be more difficult to get her attention. There are two other animals in the house. There is Pixie the cat and Jake the Jack Russel. Polly is really scared of Pixie. She likes to hide when Pixie is around. Jake so wants to get to know better but we are keeping the two apart for now cause Jake might not want a pup biting his ears. He is a lovely dog but does not suffer fools gladly.

I had a job interview on Friday. It went well and I think I have a shot at getting it. The one problem is that they are also interviewing people internally for the job. If they hire me this will be the second TL position in a row they have hired from the outside. And the last guy only lasted a week. So for moral I believe they will hire internally. I do have another interview on Wednesday for another TL position. So lets see what happens.

Its getting colder here. The houses don't have any insulation so they get cold. The other day it was 8 c in my kitchen but the weird thing it was 20c outside. Freaky innit?

Silent Sigh

2007-06-07T02:11:00.000-07:00

I don't know if anyone has ever heard of the band Badly drawn boy? Well its not really a band its actually just one guy. He did the soundtrack for the movie About a boy. Well my favorite Badly drawn boy song is a song called Silent Sigh. I think it sums up what is going on in my life currently.....maybe not 100% but I just really like the song. Here are the lyrics:

Come see what we all talk about
People moving to the moon
Stop baby don't go stop here
Never stop living here
Till it eats the heart from your soul
Keeps down the sound of your
Silent sigh Silent sigh, silent sigh silent sigh
Keeps down all move me down
Could we love each other
Come see what we all talk about
People moving to the moon
Stop baby don't go stop here
Never stop living here
Till it eats the heart from your soul
Keeps down the sound of your
Silent sigh Silent sigh, silent sigh silent sigh
Keeps down all move me down
But don't love each other
No don't love each other
Never gonna be the same

So that's the song. I would download it if I were you. If you don't like it well then your ears might not be working right.

I see that The Ducks have won the Stanely cup....that's to bad. I really wanted Ottawa to win to rub it in all the Maple leaves faces.....but I guess there is about another 200 years or so before the leaves win the cup again......but I might be giving them to much credit....so maybe like 300 years plus.

I miss you all.....I have been taking a few photo's but I promise I will be taking more. But I have a challenge for all you....start sending me photo's!

Hello my long lost friend

2007-05-20T15:29:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone, I'm sorry it has been so long since I have written but nothing much has happened to me in the last couple of weeks. Lets see if I can sum up what has been going on:

1. I'm still looking for work. I have had a few interviews but nothing concrete yet. I could have had a job that I'm over qualified for but I'm sort of hanging out for a job that I really will love and enjoy to do. I hope I find her before I have to apply for that filler job. Wish me luck.

2. My writing is coming along. I have finished one story since I have been here and have written about 29 pages of my second story. That is really what I'm trying to stay focused on. Also it so much fun to write and imagine and create different worlds.

3. I'm continuing to think about my charity work. I don't actually do any charity work. I just think about doing charity work.

4. Enjoying the great weather. I have worn shorts every single day I have been here. I can't remember the last time I put on long pants (other then interviews). That's got to be a personal record or something.

5. Bugging people on face book. I don't have a lot to do so I do bug quite a few people when I can. By the way I need one more friend to make 69 friends. I don't know why that number is important but it is.

6. Watching the Office on the net. Thanks to my friend Shaun (he sent me the link) I get to watch full Office episodes. So I am fully up to date on what is going on. Long live the Shrute!

7. Yeah I think that is about all that I do.......sorry just thinking....I guess I was National Geographic TV allot. Yeah that's fun......I read........I'm up to 1800 songs on my IPOD....still waiting on two boxes to come from Canada with more of my stuff.......yeah that's about it.

8. Just remembered one thing. I went to McDonalds yesterday and had a cup of coffee....this was the first true cup of coffee I have had since being in this country. It was incredible. Now mind you it was not a nice cup of coffee or anything....but it was coffee.....just coffee....Mcdonalds is the only place in this entire country (might be a bit of reach but no one at this point has proven me wrong) to sell just coffee....sure a small coffee is 1.50 but that's ok. We also got a coffee maker now (after the Mcdonalds coffee I had to :) so I have made some coffee at home. My mother did sneak a can of Tim Hortons coffee into my luggage (almost getting me arrested and helping to slow me down so I could miss a connecting flight) so I have brewed some nice Tim Hortons coffee.

That is all......talk amongst yourselves until I get back.

Greenpeace Oh my

2007-05-04T02:50:00.000-07:00

Some of you may know that I had an interview with Greenpeace earlier this week. I was excited about it because it was to run a team of charity organizers.....so I was made to believe. I was running a little bit late when I finally found the building that the interview was going to take place in. It was a hot day and I was wearing my best suit (ok I only have one suit but I do have two ties) so I wasn't feeling comfortable. So I get to this really great old building that didn't have an elevator. No problem I will take the stairs. Yes its humid but this is for Greenpeace I say to meself. I get to the top of the floor and there are 7 other people there also for the interview. I was told this was going to be a group interview so I kinda expected a few people there. What I wasn't expecting was that everyone would be wearing shorts and t-shirts. Ok, I'm wearing a suit. But maybe the interviewer will be dressed like me.....no he wasn't. He was even more casual then the people who were there for the interview. Well I had nothing else to do today so might as well hangout for the day. Then I find out that I am being interviewed for a completely different job....for Greenpeace. Here is the job they want me to do:

Go to malls with one other person or maybe a team and stop strangers on the street and ask them to contribute money to Greenpeace.....but its not give me $2.00 for the cause oh no....its give me your credit card and we are going to take $30 out of your account every month. And they want me to get at least 4 people a day to agree to do this. Yeah that's going to happen lol so as a little test they make us go on the street and try to get as many people as we can (complete strangers)in 10 minutes to answer one question. The question is: If you had to support one charity would it be Greenpeace? Amnesty or protection of animals? So in ten minutes I got 8 people to answer this question. The 5 other people in my group (all really good looking women) got like 25 to 30 people to answer the question. So as you can see I didn't get the job lol.

But I did have another interview the next day for a job that pays well in a bank.....so you never know right.

Looks like the weekend is going to be slow. We are just going to be hanging out here for the most part. Email me if you got something to tell me.

Miss ya all.

The long and sick of it all

2007-04-29T22:12:00.000-07:00

I had the best weekend. It started Thursday night Sarah and I headed out to the coast. We got to Cleveland and then took a water taxi to Stardbroke Island. So far Stradie (as the locals call it) is my favorite place in Australia. Its located about 25 minutes by boat off the coast. The Island itself is not very populated so the air is clear and the water is clean. Sarah's Dad had been staying at Stradie for a couple of weeks now so he picked us up from where the water taxi dropped us off. It was kinda late so we had dinner and a few beers and then it was off to bed. The next morning I woke up early and me and Jim (father in law) drove around the Island for a little bit. Sarah was still asleep. I got to take some great photo's of the coast line. Jim then took us to see his friend (forget his name) who is a local fisherman. He proceeded to tell me a story of when he was 5 miles out to sea. The story goes that he decided while the boat was travelling he would try to get a bucket of water for some of the fish he had just caught. Well when he put his pail over the side the weight of the water and the speed of the boat sent him over the side. Remember he is 5 miles out to see and Australia has sharks and there is a moving boat. He managed to grab the side of the boat and it dragged him along for a little bit before he was able to climb back in. To me (I'm afraid of sharks) this would be the worst thing in the world. The rest of the weekend was spent walking around the Island taking photographs and going for a swim. Sarah was upset with me because I wouldn't go to far out....Sharks you see....so I stayed in the shallows. While I was at point look out and I saw about 4 or 5 dolphins jumping through the waves. I never had my camera ready. The only decent photo I got was 2 days later and they were very far out to sea....but I saw Dolphins none the less. As we left on Sunday I could feel a cold coming on but I managed to hold it off until we got to the mainland and then I started to feel sick. Maybe the sea air was keeping it at bay. But being sick aside it was just a great weekend.

Tomorrow I have a job interview with Greenpeace and then the next day I have an interview with Suncorp. I hope one of them shakes lose.

I am Annette Funicello and I am going to the beach

2007-04-25T18:46:00.000-07:00

Later today I meet Sarah in the city. Then we are off to Cleveland (yes they have one of those too). From Cleveland we then hop on a water taxi to the wonderful Island of Stradbroke. Stradbroke is my favorite place that I have been to in Australia so far. The last time I was there (3 years ago) I was standing on a cliff (not to close to the edge) and saw a dolphins swim by. That's the kind of place I am going to. We will be staying at a condo for the weekend with Sarah's Dad Jim. So I will not be around much this weekend so I'm sorry to everyone who need me more then oxygen itself (and that is allot of people)I promise that when I come back I will have lovely pictures and a great tan.

On a sadder note, on Tuesday I have a job interview :( The good news about the job interview is that it is with Greenpeace. So it would be nice to get this one!

The Pro's and Con's of living with a house of women

2007-04-23T15:39:00.000-07:00

I have 2 brothers and a mother and a father. So it was always 4 males vs. 1 female. So I never really have lived with a house full of females. I have cousins (Peter, Lou and David) that did grow up in a house full of females, but not me. So now that I live in Australia with 3 women I am finding it a joy and bewildering at the same time. As we speak Sarah Mom (or Mum as they say here in Australia) is on her way to pick up Sarah's grandmother so that is going to add to the female presence. Here are the pro's and con's.

Pro's: There is always allot of tissue when needed. Even though Sarah complains about the lack of it there is allot of snacks about. I have never seen so much Easter chocolate eggs before. There is always someone who wants to talk to me. If I look a little sad there they are ready to make me some food. Its nice.

Con's: There is more crying then I'm used to. In my parents house no one cries. Well except for my mother and she does the sensible thing and cries in the bathroom or in her room where no one can see her. I have to tread careful at times to make sure feelings don't get hurt. But my nickname is Pompouspete for God sake! Sarcastic biting comments is what I do.

Waiting for the call that never comes....

2007-04-22T21:57:00.000-07:00

Its Monday here in Oz. Nothing much is going on today. I have been waiting for most of the day for a phone call that has not been made. I had a phone interview at 10:30 am.....its almost 3:00 pm and no calls. Maybe tomorrow they will call instead......on the flip side I did get a call today for me to come to a job interview next Tuesday. This one sounds promising just for the fact that the job interview is for Greenpeace. That presents some interesting possibilities. For one: does working for Greenpeace mean that I will get paid less money then I would for another corporation? If I do get paid less is it part of my moral compass to accept less money for doing good things in the world? I don't know the answer to these questions yet. I will have to get allot more questions answered after my interview to see exactly what I want to do...interesting problems to encounter.

Right now on tv I am watching cheaters....yeah that's what my day is like today. At some point I should try to get some work done and finish writing one of my scripts......ok here goes.

The good and the bad about Cable tv

2007-04-17T20:30:00.000-07:00

Ok, so let me say that yes I know I'm officially bitching....but what else do I got. First the bad news, I got a call today and I have a phone interview on Monday....again my kept man status is under considerable jeopardy.....wish me luck.....ok now to the cable highs and woes:

Yes it is true I no longer have to worry about having only 5 channels and I got to see one of my favorite movies on tv today (the princess bride) and I also watched a hockey game today (Buffalo beat the N.Y. Islanders) and right now I am watching the 10 deadliest sharks and guess where one of the hot zones for a deadly shark attack is? Apparently according to the tv program its somewhere out my front door....if the snakes and spiders don't get me first. Also 24 hour Party people is on in a few minutes......if you have not seen this movie you must see it if you like music........not just any music.......New Order, Happy Mondays, Sex Pistols you must like that kind of music.....rent it you will love it.

Ok here are my misgivings for having cable......one of the good things about cable over here is the lack of tv commercials. Most stations because we are paying for it don't show any additional tv commercials....they do show commercials of what's coming up on that tv station but there are no Coke or pepsi ads anywhere....this is good and bad....the good is that I don't see any commercials the bad is because there are no commercials tv shows and movies start at weird times here. I'm used to thanks coming on at the top of the hour or the mid hour....but how can am I supposed to know that the Daily show with Jon Stewart starts at 1:40 pm? How would I know that.....so I now watch a lot of shows half way through.....ok my movie is on now. Its starting at 1:40.....go away we will talk later.

300 and friends

2007-04-15T05:06:00.000-07:00

On Saturday we ended up seeing the movie 300 with friends. First off let me say that we saw it on the IMAX screen which increased the intensity of the film. Another great thing about the film is that the admission was cheap. Apparently the business man who bought the movie house decreased the price of admission and the price of the snack food. To see the IMAX feature it cost $7.50 per ticket......not to bad in Canadian prices.....absolutely unheard of in Australian society. Yes the movie was bloody, yes the movie was macho ( I hate macho) but it had a great epic feel to it. I did enjoy the movie more then I thought. I knew I would get into it but the story drew me in more then I thought. So out of 5 I would give it a 4.

I also had the pleasure of seeing the movie with my wonderful wife and good friends Sarah (my wife's friend Sarah) and Shaun (Sarah's boyfriend) (not my Sarah, my wife's friend Sarah it was her boyfriend) Shaun is an actor and after the movie he had to leave to attend rehearsal for a play that he is in. I can't remember the name of the play (my memory) but it is a very physical role and he does get beat up a few times in the play. So they had to rehearse the beatings. Sounds like fun. I hope we get tickets to opening night......or any night. After the movie we went to a nearby pub and had a beer (ok 2 beers) and then walked around Southbank before hopping on the night bus home. If you go on my flickr site you can see some of the pictures I took of Southbank.

This week will be spent applying for jobs and also a continuation of my writing the greatest story ever told......or the greatest story I have ever told.......its going to be a story. If you have not emailed me then I say shame on you and you should email me. Facebook does not count.

Anyway miss you all and I look forward to all your emails Ptrcabral@yahoo.ca

Rugby and weekend plans

2007-04-13T16:27:00.000-07:00

Ok, so rugby is on tv like 24 hours a day. I thought I finally was understanding the game but then someone let me know that there are 3 different types of rugby being played. Rugby Union, Rugby League and AFL. Each league has different rules. Also they call it footy over here. So when ever I flick on the TV and they say footy is on I'm thinking oh maybe its Manchester United? But no its bloody Rugby! So I am officially boycotting Rugby! I now this will get me shunned from home and family but I am putting my foot down.

Last night I met Sarah in town and we went for dinner at an Irish Pub called O'Mailey's. Its a really nice Irish pub that wasn't to expensive. I had a lovely pint of VB. I had a hell of a thirst that was quenched with the lovely amber gold draught. Sarah was pretty drunk when I met her. They had a wine and cheese party at her work and they actually let her have a drink while she was taking a phone call. So by the time I met her she had had 5 glasses of wine and then at the pub another glass was had.

I drove to the corner store by meself yesterday. It was quite interesting. I felt like I was 16 again and I just got my license and I took my parents car out alone for the first time. That's what it felt like yesterday........but the good news is that I now can buy beer cause I'm 33. Being able to buy beer is one great advantage.

Later today we are going to the city to watch a movie on the IMAX screen. We will be watching 300. Has anyone seen it yet? We are meeting Sarah's friend Sarah and my Canadian brother Shaun. Now he's not actually Canadian but he lived in Guelph for a few years and can drop a great Canadian accent down when ever he wants. I will write a review of the movie in a few hours.

Lazy days by the sea

2007-04-10T14:03:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we woke up early (6:30 am is early isn't) and some of us headed off to the beach. Sarah couldn't get the time off work so she was off to earn the dollars. Jo, Caitie, Maureen and Pompous went to the Gold Coast. It was such a sunny morning. I must admit I fell asleep for most of the drive (and for most of the drive back) which most likely disappointed my fellow travelers for as any good host will do they like to point out features along the way. But I think I did see Sea World......or some kind of an amusement park. I had never been to the Gold Coast before and it has some of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen. When we got there we met up with more of the family and hung out at the beach for a little......but I had to walk around with my camera. If you go to my flickr site you will see some of my photo's (some of the best I have taken).

In case you were not aware the Leaves are still out of the playoffs. So to all you Leaf fans enjoy because you probably have not seen good hockey in a long time.

Today is going to be spent writing. I have started a new story that has had an easier birth then my last one. I have written about 13 pages far so that is my plan today.....well after I apply for my jobs of course. I can't be a lazy lay about forever.............or can I?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/20011844@N00/

Easter Monday, and the leafs are out of the playoffs.

2007-04-08T16:58:00.000-07:00

My family called me early Monday morning to wish us a Happy Easter Monday. It was great to talk to the kids and my family. I was able to offer some advice to Nick on a video game that he is playing that I have finished. So that was nice. While talking to my brother Joe I got the best news since I have been here. The Toronto Mapleleaves (leafs is not the plural form of leaf. There are no such thing as leafs) are out of the playoffs. Oh happy days. I do not like that team, and I am always happy when they lose after all the miserable leaf fans think that year after year they will win the cup. They will not win a championship......ever.

I know that back home everyone got hit with a cold snap, well I just want to let everyone know that it is very warm here. In fact in about 3 hours we are going to go for a BBQ. We are heading up to Mt. Glorious which is covered by a rain forest. I've never been there before so it will be nice to see what a real rain forest looks like. I'm sure it looks like a forest.

Driving for the first time

2007-04-06T18:38:00.000-07:00

Well its official. I have finally driven in Australia. It only took me 7 weeks but I finally did it. Jumping behind the drivers seat (the passenger seat in N.America) was a little off putting. I did have to fight my own instincts a little bit. But I managed to go up hills and through dales and around drive abouts and under traffic lights. Yes I did flip on the windshield wipers a couple of times when I was trying to put on my turning signal but that is to be expected. The good news is that I didn't hit anyone or anything. No damage done. Now I just to have to build up the courage to actually go to a store.....or if I dare drive to the golf course to play a round of 18.......how wonderful would that be.

Its currently Saturday morning and we are patiently waiting for Sarah's did Jim to come up so we can have some lunch.....I see pizza in our future. It was also Catie (Sarah's younger sister) birthday today so lots of presents were opened.

I didn't get a good night sleep.....I tossed and turned all night......so I turned on my ipod and listened to music for about 3 hours......thank god for the ipod.

No job yet but still looking. I have applied for a few more positions so I hope to hear back after the Easter break. Fingers and toes people......fingers and toes.

Bluejay baseball!!!!!! I love cable

2007-04-02T21:18:00.000-07:00

So I doing some surfing watching some tv, applying for some jobs talking on the phone about other jobs.....when lo and behold bluejay baseball on tv! Here I am sitting in the The Gap(its the name of the town. I am not sitting in a gap store. I wouldn't even walk into a gap store) in Queensland Australia and what's on cable? Bluejay baseball against the hated Detroit Tigers. How cool is that? Yes it is on delay and I know who has won this game (the bluejays ruined the home opener for the Tigers) but that matters little. I love watching the jays.

Its a good day.

concerts!

2007-04-01T14:30:00.000-07:00

Now that I live in Australia there are a few things I have to do so that I am seen as one with the people. One of the things that I do is drink beer. It's a hard task but if it has to be done it has to be done. The other is happening later this morning. Have you ever heard of the band Silverchair? Yes, that band from the mid 1990's is still around and have a new album out. Australian's are mad for them. Think the tragically hip but the tragically hip surfing and you have silverchair. Well Sarah really digs them so I am off in a few hours to try to get tickets. I don't actually think I am going to get tickets. They could sell out arenas but instead are playing a club. Because we have decided not to own any sort of credit card (they are bad evil soul sucking things) we just have cash. So by the time I get into town and stand in line to buy tickets it will be sold out. Or not I have no idea.

From the library on Friday I get 3 cd's checked out. Bob Dylan greatest hits, The Vines and Elliot Smith. At the library here you can do a self scan to get your things checked out. So I checked it out meself only to find when I got home that the cd cases were locked and I had to get one of the non-friendly library staff to unlock the bloody thing. I was going to load these albums on my IPOD on the weekend but now I have to wait till the end of today.

As I have mentioned in my last post we now have cable. It is great!!!! I got to see some soccer highlights yesterday. On Friday I got to see the Golden State Warriors beat up on the Phoenix Suns. I hope to watch some baseball over the next few days. Right now I am watching a show about WWII. Life is not to bad.

Still waiting to hear back about the job interview that I had last week. We are running out of money so I guess I hope to get this job.

Taste is the enemy of art.

The cable man is coming!

2007-03-29T14:38:00.000-07:00

Great news everyone.....the cable man (or woman don't want to be racist) is coming to town. So this now means that I don't have to live with 5 channels anymore and now will have access to over 80. I get to watch soccer and baseball and hockey. I think there is going to be lots of cricket and rugby on as well. But I don't watch sports that are named after insects or carpeting of any kind so I will not be watching that. The only bad thing about this cable business is that the Office season 3 is not any channels!!!!! Yes the U.K. office is on but I have all those DVD's so I have seen them many many times. But I hope that Extras is on....cause that would be fun. The only light in my tunnel (that is not a sex joke by the way) is that my good friend Shaun (last name not being revealed for legal reasons) sent me a link that I can watch the office on line. Thanks Chang. Rock with your bad ass self.

I had a job interview yesterday and it went well. The building is right by the river.....on the 28 floor.....oh if I get the job I have to wear a tie everyday to work......me in a suit and tie.....yeah that's what I think as well (cheeky bastards).

Maureen (Sarah mom)(Sarah is my wife) on Saturday is going to a meeting or a party or something like that with the Dali Lama.

Well that's it for me. I am going to the store to buy flowers and candy and then slip into something more comfortable as I wait for the cable man to pay a visit to my tv. I am very excited.

Job interviews oh my

2007-03-25T18:31:00.000-07:00

I woke up early Monday morning and jumped on the 385 bus from The Gap to downtown Brisbane. My job interview was at 1 eagle street at 9:30 am. So after having a quick breakfast snack with Sarah, I bid her adieu and she went off to work. I dressed in my finest and was sticking to the shady side of the street cause I didn't want to go in sweating. That's never a good look. I got there early, at 8:40 am....so I had some time to kill so I sat down and read the newspaper......it didn't have the hockey scores but if I understood either Rugby or Cricket I'm sure I would have been in heaven.....so I eventually got up to the 27th floor and met with Ryan Webster and had my interview. It went well. He also lives in The Gap and plays golf. I live in the Gap and I play golf. He worked at RBC in London England I worked at RBC in Mississauga. So I guess the bad news is that the interview went well so I do stand a shot at getting it....which then means my future goal of being a kept man is in dire jeopardy. Why or why am I so cute and charming. Damn my good looks!

The weekend was really fun. I ended up in Mt. Nebo with Sarah and Jim (Sarah's Dad) for an early morning BBQ. I never had a BBQ breakfast before....so that was very interesting......it was really good.....Jim is a master at the BBQ. Because they drive on the other side of the road driving up a mountain to me is bloody scary at times. Not that I don't trust Jim's driving (he's a very good driver) it just goes against my instinct when cars and bikes are flying at you from the wrong way. But I am slowly getting over it.

smoke em if you got it.

Deep thoughts by Peter Cabral

2007-03-18T22:53:00.000-07:00

Now that I have been here for exactly one month there are a few things that I have figured out.

And here they are:

1. Living in Australia is like living in an airport in Canada. This may sound weird but this is the best example I can think of to describe what its like living here. Its like an airport because the weather is always the same, it has not really rained much and they have outdoor escalators so it kind of feels like I'm inside anyway. Every where I go people have accents....like when you go to the airport. Also they have all the stuff that we have in Canada but at airport prices. Buying a bottle of pop (i.e. coke/pepsi) costs about $2.20 which is what it costs at the airport. There are allot of taned people as well......kinda like the at the airport.

2. Service at restaurants is horrible. This is strictly due to the the fact that no one tips here. So they don't give a crap if you need more beer (which I often need more of. Its not that I drink allot its really hot here and I'm thirsty).

3. Most Australians are very fit people but they show allot of fat people on tv....strange huh?

4. I feel more Canadian being here then I feel in Canada. I have never felt so conscious of my voice compared to everyone else. I get car sick sometimes because when we drive here its all hills and valleys....where in Mississauga/Toronto its flat.

5. There are allot of Asians here. Sometimes when I'm at the mall (this happens quite a bit as Sarah likes to shop) it always just feels like I'm at the Pacific Mall. Which is my favorite mall in the entire world because I feel so tall when ever I am there.

6. I am very thankful that I am a lesbian. Men are disgusting here.....actually men are really disgusting everywhere. Just let me say if you are in a country and every day it's in the late 20's or low thirties for temperatures you should wear some kind of deodorant. If I ever run for any sort of political avenue here it will be on the clean armpit platform.

7. The news on in the morning's are really weird. They do the news bit then someone comes in and talks about Hollywood gossip or what ever crisis Kylie Minogue is currently facing (her boyfriend just dumped her and her ex-boyfriend Jason Donavan is writing a tell all book! Eh don't look at me like that we only get 5 tv stations. What am I supposed to watch Ozzie and Harriot?) then they do a shopping channel thing for about 15 minutes. It is so odd. I've seen them sell toner to get rid of crows feet on your face (it doesn't work trust me), a miracle ladder and pilates equipment. Its quite an odd thing.

So there are the 7 things that I have noticed about Australia since I have been here. Oh, has anyone heard the new Arcade Fire cd? It's getting rave reviews over here but its selling for $25.00 so I don't want to buy it yet....I might download it but I would rather buy....so someone let know if the album is worth buying!!!!!!

Peace out brothers and Sister.

Happy St. Patricks's day ya bastards

2007-03-18T14:48:00.000-07:00

Ok so how many hung over people are there today? I would say more then a few of you had too much green beer. Drink some water, take some Advil and you will be fine.....you will live to love and drink another day. My St. Paddy's day was a quiet one....but not intentioned to be quiet. Australia has a lot of Irish blood. To quote Morrissey for a second Irish Blood Aussie Heart sort of thing going on. So I was thinking that they would be up for a grand time......but it didn't turn out that way. I was with Sarah and her friend Kim as we went to a little cafe to have a spot of dinner before we started drinking. The cafe was alright but the staff were horrible. I wont mention the cafe name because I can't spell it. I do find the staff at cafe's and restaurants are not as good as the Canadian wait staff and there is one reason for it. They don't tip in Australia. So there is nothing in it for the wait staff to do anything other then bring your food and drinks. After that you wont see them until its time for the bill. So trying to order another drink (which I tried to do a few times) can take a few minutes. But that is a some quibble. Not tipping anyone is a good way to save a few pennies. After dinner we walked over to bar called the Paddo in Paddington. It was about 9:30 pm and there were a handful of people already drinking but the vibe was very casual. There were no decorations (well they did have 3 green balloons but they looked like they had been out since last St. Patrick's day) no green beer nothing....in fact no one was wearing green. I did have an unfortunate conversation with a drunken idiot in the bathroom who was telling me the bouncers wanted to kick him out for being to rowdy. I said they couldn't do that on St. Patrick's day. He then told me he wasn't Irish. I then concentrated on my peeing. After wards while I'm washing my hands (up to the elbows. Always wash your hands like your going into surgery kids) he walks right out without washing his. Disgusting!! Thank God I am a lesbian!!

We tried to drink but because the vibe was so weak our hearts were not in it. The only highlight of the night was a guy who ran up and down the street naked. Sarah complained that she didn't have her glasses so she couldn't see anything flapping.....I don't need glasses so to my misfortune I did see things flapping. We cut our loses at about 11:30 pm and just split. It wasn't getting any better. So that was the night. So now I am asking anyone who did have a good time on St. Patrick's day to send me the photo's so I may see. Ptrcabral@yahoo.ca

By the way its 29c here today. Don't know why I mention it I just thought I had better.

Peter

Gifts and Snakes

2007-03-15T22:11:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry for not updating this page this week but I have been busy....well almost busy. I am proud to report that I finished the screenplay I was writing as of this afternoon. Now the only thing left to do is edit it. So that will be done over the next few days. I just have to make sure everything lines up the way it should and it all makes some kind of sense. Then I start shopping it around to see if any literary agents want to represent me in trying to sell it to a production company. Fingers crossed that it all works out in the end. Oh if you are a literary agent why don't you email me and we will talk. Ptrcabral@yahoo.ca

The last few days have been spent writing and going to the beach to swim. I met up with Sarah every few days in town to have lunch and just hang out. Its our anniversary coming up on March 27 so while we were in town I picked out Sarah's gift. Now this is not a surprise to anyone because she helped me pick it out. I have bought her a really nice watch. I know she likes it because she told me she liked that one....so that's the one I got.

She bought me something but I don't know what it is. All I know is that it came in the mail today. So here's how the story goes. There is a knock at the door and I go to open it. There is a delivery man there holding a package. This is what he tells me, "Be careful you have a snake trying to get into your garage." I look and I see the back end of snake that has slide half way under the door.....it wasn't a very big snake....but what do I know about snakes. So I ask, "Is that a dangerous snake?" Which he replies, "Yeah by that colour I would say its a dangerous snake." So perfect I am home by myself (everyone is at work and school) with a poisonous snake in the house. Then it dawned on me. Is 911 911 over here? I don't think it is. I think its something 1111 or something....so if this snake bites me who do I call? (ghostbusters! C'mon you were thinking it) So I close the door that connects the house to the garage and I put a blanket down on the ground so it can't sneak out under the door......I then go into my bedroom and close the door and put a blanket at the bottom of the door so it can't get into here. So wish me luck that I don't get bit by the snake that is somewhere in the house.

a minor heat wave

2007-03-12T04:01:00.000-07:00

this is what my day consisted of today: Woke up about 6:40 am.......washed my face, turned on the tv. Answered some email and checked out the hockey scores (The Bruins beat the Red Wings :) I then did a load of laundry and hung it out to dry. The clothes did not take very long to dry.....the reason........its bloody 38c today. After the laundry was put away I jumped on the bus because I had to meet Sarah for lunch in the city......I brought my hat with me just in case I was going to be in the sun for a long time. I got into the city and walked into the library and got my library card........the first book I checked out? About a boy by Nick Hornby. I have never read a Nick Hornby book but I have heard good things and About a boy is a great movie so I gave it a shot. Sarah was late for lunch so I ended up waiting half an hour for her but she finally came out and we got Subway (I had the turkey breast on whole wheat it was lovely) after lunch we walked around a little bit and tried to stay in the shade as much as we could. Sarah then had to go back to work so I kissed her good-bye and decided to walk around the city. I ended up at the Dendy which is a great movie house that shows mostly art house movies that I like so much. Right next to the Dendy is a cafe that has the best coffee in the city (as far as I am concerned) so I got a flat white coffee (still have not found a place that has just coffee) The great thing about this cafe is that there is a space in between two buildings and they have planted all these palm trees so you walk in the back and sit down at a table and you don't feel the heat at all. The palm trees block most of the sun but leave a very lovely glow coming in. So I sat down down had my coffee and read my book. I took a picture of the frog and my book so that is on my flickr site. I then walked over to the bus stop and caught the bus home.......the bus I catch home actually drops me quite far from where I live so I have to walk for about 25 to 30 minutes. In the heat this is a little tough. So I put my hat on and my sony mini disc player loud and just tried to enjoy the heat. Then I got a nice surprise when an old friend who I had not talked to in about 10 years messaged me at my facebook page. Simon its great to talk to you again.

So that was my rather busy day. I know very stressful. Sitting in a cafe reading my book for about 45 minutes in glorious sunshine. But this is my cross to bear so what can I do?

We went to go see Bobby

2007-03-10T00:52:00.000-08:00

Has anyone seen the movie Bobby? It was about the killing of Bobby Kennedy that took place in California in the 1960's. It was a really good movie.....I was really surprised. The movie was written and directed by Emilio Estevez. Yes the same bad actor who was in the Mighty Duck movies.....his last contribution in the written and directed movie world was the 1990 masterpiece Men at work http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100135/ Ok Men at work might be one of the worst movies I have ever seen......so I will say that Bobby was written very well. The complexity of the characters really drew me in as a viewer. If you get a chance to see I would highly recommend it.

We got some rain....so that's good

2007-03-08T21:28:00.000-08:00

Hello, don't know if this is making news in what ever part of the world you are in but there is a drought here in Queensland. Water restrictions are in place which is a good thing. They are asking everyone to take 4 minute showers and refrain from watering lawns and washing cars and things like that. So we are trying to do the best as a household not to use to much water. Since the 4 minute shower is about 2 minutes more then I take anyway I can handle it quite easily. The good news is that they are trying to put some programs into place to help with the drinking water. So I am happy to see that.

I got my medicare card in the mail yesterday! That's a very good thing I now am able to get a library card.....so we know what Peter is going to do on Monday (get a library card if you didn't figure that out). Today has been a very relaxed day. Just took it easy. I wrote about 20 pages of my screenplay so that was good....I'm going to see if I can write more tonight. Also was able to talk to David on the phone.....so that was good.....I have a call card now so a few of you reading this can expect a call from me in the next few days....if I don't call it must mean that I just don't love you.

I finally did the water draining test.....and I'm having trouble in completing the science experiment. The problem is Australia. The water test is to see which way the water drains here compared to north america......in north america water flows counter clockwise if I am not mistaken....in Australia is supposed to flow clockwise....well the toilets when flushed don't swirl they go straight down. Sort of like if you are on an airplane and you flush the toilet. Then I did some dishes today and drained the water to do the test....but the drain was to big so instead of swirling it went straight down again....so further tests will have to be done on another day. But if the Simpsons say its true then its true.

I went swimming yesterday.....and it was fantastic....then I just sat there are read my book. So not a bad day at all. I miss everyone very much.

Peter

All I want is a a coffee

2007-03-06T02:17:00.000-08:00

Ok, has anyone tried to order a cup of coffee in Australia? Its hard. No one sells coffee. The only thing close is something called Flat White. Which is coffee mixed with espresso. Its a nice enough drink but I want a coffee....something that I can put cream and sugar in.....not something that costs $3.40!!!!! I think the only place that might have coffee is McDonalds....but I don't think I can go to McDee's and order a cup of coffee....that doesn't seem right does it? Has anyone else had this problem? I'm longing for a double double from Tim Hortons.

I spent the day today walking around Brisbane. I made it to the Botanical Gardens. I took lots of pictures....please go to the flickr site to see the photos. While I was taking one photograph a lizard ran past my feet. Now this wasn't tge type of lizards that you will see in Mexico or when your in Florida visiting the snow birds....this lizard was about the size of my leg. When it ran past me it jumped into a pond a swam away. I didn't get a chance to get a photo....I thought the flash might scare him and then it goes for my neck. So not a good idea.

I then headed over to Southbank. Southbank is a man made lake in the middle of the city. I didn't bring any swim wear cause I thought it would be like lots of mothers with kids. But to my surprise it was filled with the Japanese and college kids.....so on Thursday I am going back with swim wear. Also I think on my next trip I will try to make it to the Brisbane art gallery.

And how are you?

Day at the beach

2007-03-02T22:22:00.000-08:00

Jim, Sarah's dad came early Saturday morning and off we were to the beach. This was really the first chance I had to actually get some swimming in. The drive wasn't to bad. The roads were busy with like minded people. It took us about an hour to get there and then it was into the water. The day was hot and the sand burned our feet but we got to some shady ground. As we approached the beach I could smell the salt water in the air. I was expecting the water to be freezing but to my great surprise it was rather warm and inviting. The waves were not that big and we didn't get tossed around to much. We had to swim between the flags (I've been told always swim between the flags. It has something to do with the riptides. Japanese people don't swim between the flags and they die allot over here) and so there current was not to bad. Not allot of people lie out in the sun here. Skin cancer is very common so most people were wearing sun shirts. Kids all have hats on and sun shirts. So after the swim we went and cooled down in the shade of some palm trees. Jim (Sarah's dad) likes to swim out far so he stayed longer in the ocean then we did. I can't help it every time I'm in the ocean or taste salt water all I hear in my head is da dah, da dah (this is supposed to be the theme of Jaws composed by John Williams) so I can't help but get a little freaked out. Also I'm Portuguese so I come from a long line of sardine eaters so maybe I give off a fresh scent to the sharks. I walked around and took some photo's so please go to my flickr site to see the photos. The drive to the beach is really beautiful. You get a nice view of the glass house mountains http://www.glasshousemountains.com.au/mountains.htm This one of most beautiful mountain ranges I have ever seen....its unlike any other mountain range I have ever seen.

I miss everyone and I hope you are all well. There are a few of you that I have not heard from so please email me and let me know how you are doing.

Peace, love and happiness.

Peter

I shot a 94 :(

2007-02-28T01:54:00.000-08:00

Well today was the big day. I got to play golf!!!! Here is where I played: http://www.ashgrovegolf.com.au/ Well the course was in fair condition. But I wasn't. My tee shots were excellent. It was everything else that was crap. Where I live is in between 2 mountains so the course is very hilly. I didn't rent a buggy so I was very tired. Lucky for me the day was not very hot. There was a very refreshing mist that would blow in ever hour or so which cooled me down. There was a rain delay for about 30 minutes that didn't do my game any good. So I got tired. Now I know most of the people who were reading this are at work. Its cold and you have to drive in snow and you having to worry about compliance and PCP and coachings and things like that. But let me tell you, Golf is hard. Not only was the walk really long but the worst part was that after when I was done, the beer wasn't even that cold. I know what your thinking and thank you very much for you sympathy. So to make up for the somewhat warm beer I decided to have two instead.....and that was a good thing. So then I came home and took a nap.....that was very stressful. Then I had some pizza. So as you can see a hard day was had by me. Tomorrow it gets worse. I have to wake up around 11:0o am and then go into the city and do some shopping maybe catch a movie. My life is very hard at the moment. I have no new pictures to add to my site but I do plan (if I am not to stressed tomorrow) to take more photo's of my goings and doings.

(to quote my good friend Andre and Neil Young) Keep rocking in the free world!

Peter

What a hot bloody day....but there is golf tomorrow

2007-02-27T00:35:00.000-08:00

Good news all.....I am playing golf tomorrow.....I have a tee off time at 9:00 am but there is one tiny hic-cup....well I have to take the bus to the golf course. I know, how silly I am going to look with my clubs at the bus stop but what can I do. I will let everyone know tomorrow about my humiliation in my next blog.

It was very hot here today. Sarah starts her new job on Monday so we went into town to open up an account with Suncop. On the bus we go...now the problem is that this bus we hop on is not air-conditioning....so that was a great treat. Suncop by the way is the bank she will be working at. I was really impressed with some of their offers. First they have a debit card that works as a visa....so you can make purchases on line but it uses your money not credit. So you don't get charged any interest charges. So that is really cool. Also they offer, get this 6.12% interest on their savings accounts. That is bloody great. RBC gives something like .02% on accounts. Even investment rates with GIC's at RBC are about half this bank is offering in savings accounts. So I was really pleasantly surprised to see that.

Later in the day I take Jake for walk/run in the park. Jake is Sarah's dog. Look for pictures of him on my flickr blog. As we were going for our run I found a basketball court at the park. Sarah has a basketball (don't know what condition it is in) so I will try to go there every few days to shoot some hoops. Good news is that all the kids will be at school so I have free range to make as many bad shots as I can. Oh Anil Parmachand. Can you email me at Ptrcabral@yahoo.ca and let me know how the raptors are doing? If Anil does not see this (as I am sure he does not read) can someone else who knows Anil tell him to email me! Thank you.

I found a really cool soccer store and was able to buy a Manchester United jersey for $65.00 down from $129.00 Now the bad news is that its an old Jersey. It still has the old logo on it but for $65.00 it was a deal I couldn't pass up. So when I tossing up bricks on the court maybe I could wear my old Manchester United Jersey. Yes now that sounds like fun.

Oh by the way to David my good friend. They also had your soccer shoes in the store...you know the ones you bought? For $45.00. Not a bad price.
Peace out!

Oscar spotting

2007-02-26T04:38:00.000-08:00

Why is it, whenever a song needs to be sung with some gravitas they always get Celine Dion to do the singing? Ok, we get it she's got a good voice....but give her a break for about 10 to 15 years. Then trot her out like an old race horse and that will have impact. Now I have to watch this silly woman beat her chest with her hands like she is going into some cardiac arrest. Ok so the Oscars are on here in Australia.....its not live.....its old.....its been born for about 14 hours. I'm afraid it will never end. You would think that since its been tapped editing of some kind could be enjoyed......its the Oscars for godsakes....they give out awards for editing but they can't pluck some noname from the audience to come and have a twiddle with the knobs? Ok this is a rant blog.......but I haven't done one yet.....so this is my first...I'm sure there will be more to come.....I like to expound on my own greatness. How are you? Get a coffee sit down with me and tell me everything.

Peter

Its like living in a bio-dome

2007-02-24T18:46:00.000-08:00

We decided that we hadn't really had a valentines day weekend ()since I was still in Canada) so we rented a room at the Marriott. The hotel was located along the Brisbane river. The view from the room was great. If you want to see a photo please go my flickr site. We went for a walk along the boardwalk that holds some very nice cafes. The place where we were staying also had a great view of the Story Bridge. I asked Sarah what is the story bridge story and she told me its that people jump off to commit suicide.....I don't know if that was the intention of the builders but since she wasn't saying anymore I believe her. So as far as I can tell this Bridge was built for 2 reasons. One: To connect one side of the river with the other, Two: A way for the locals to commit suicide.

The one thing I find really odd about where I'm living is that it doesn't feel like I'm outside when I'm outside. The weather is so nice and there a palm trees that I know are real but feel fake. They have outdoor escalators for god sakes. So it really feels like I am in a really big bio-dome that occasionally turns on the sprinklers to allow rain in. I know that it may seem like a strange thing to think.....but its what I got. They have a great pool at the hotel on the fourth floor which again allows you to have a really cool view of the city. The fool that I am, I forgot my brand new sandals at the pool and they have gone missing. Oh well, it will teach me not to buy expensive sandals but stick to the $10.00 walmart specials. I have a lot of pictures that will be updated on the flickr site so please go take a look. If you want to email me please do so at Ptrcabral@yahoo.ca or if you don't know me very well or I don't like you very much please email me at Eliotwhale@u2.com

Peace out.

Its come

2007-02-22T01:46:00.000-08:00

Well it finally came, after waiting for an entire afternoon and evening my lost bag arrived at 8:30 pm. Hey change of clothes...yeah!!!!!! I woke up early this morning. Not because I wanted to but I thought it was later then it was. Australia is weird in that way. When the sun comes it comes quickly. And when it leaves it doesn't linger. It just goes. So I woke up to the bright sun thinking it was around 9 am cause that is what it felt like but it wasn't even 7 am. So wide awake I just read my book as quietly as I could until the rest of the house woke up. Then at night around 7:00 pm it goes from bright sun to dark in the blink of an eye. Because where we live in Brisbane is very hilly the views of the valley are fantastic. I would have taken pictures but I think the family are getting a little tired of me draging my camera everywhere I go. To them driving to Pizza Hut for takeaway is not the adventure it is to me. So Sarah rolls her eyes when I grab my camera. We are going into town again tomorrow so I hope to be able to take a lot more photo's. I'm off to Sarah's grandma's house also tomorrow so I am looking forward to that. She is a lovely lady and I will get a nice portrait shot of her and will post it on my flickr site. Everyone is watching the TV show the biggest loser. I know this show is on in Canada but I still get a kick when the people on the show swear and they leave it in. If you ever want to watch Big Brother watch the Aussie version. There is lots of nudity and they only pick the most depraved of people. So lots of fun to watch them melt down. That's about all from this end I hope everyone is well. I miss you all. I will try to send a post card soon so look out for that.

Peace out snow birds

2007-02-20T15:11:00.000-08:00

I woke up early. Around 8 am or so. Not jet lagged currently. I crashed last night around 8:00 pm...but I could feel the energy just leave my body. We went shopping got out a few movies that we didn't get a chance to see and ate tacos.

The birds woke me up.....Josie you may know what I'm talking about, the birds make some incredible noises over here. I thought there was a monkey in the back garden the first time I was here. So it was nice to hear the birds again. We are going into the city in a couple of hours to look around and I hope to have a beer on a patio somewhere....its 29 c what's a boy to do? My pictures will be updated shortly so stay tuned for that. I have not gotten my lost luggage yet. I think its the Australian government trying to keep Canadians out of here. On the plane from San Francisco it was all Canadians...and most of the Aussies I have met all ski in Canada. How strange. Well I'm off to see the city. I miss everyone and I hope you all are very jealous!!!

The soul leaves in small amounts

2007-02-19T21:50:00.000-08:00

Ok, I have arrived.......it took awhile....a long while but I am here. I will start from the start....I called Saturday to confirm my flight....and it had changed.....I now was going to Chicago instead of Dallas....no reason why but that was the deal. This now meant that I would have a 9 hour stop over in San Francisco rather then the 7 hours I originally thought....I don't know but I was bloody terrified on the Chicago flight. Maybe cause it had been a few years since I had been on a flight but every noise scared me. The flight didn't last very long.....just about an hour and half. O'hare is a very nice airport by the way. I must have been in a really messed up mood because I did some writing. And its bad....here it is:

A wave of loneliness has washed over me. I look around at strange faces and understand for the first time the phrase stranger in a strange land. I was for my flight to San Fran with a pit of emptiness. I wonder if I look as tired as I feel? I drop my glasses over my eyes to hide. No one can see me, no one can see me. I pray that when I arrive at my final destination I will appear almost human. Will I be recognized? Or just a shell of my former self. Will my soul leave my body in small amounts? Or maybe I should not write when I'm tired.

So as you can see I was a little messed up.....good for a laugh though. All my flights were grand. I had a great time in San Fran walking around. I listened to some music watched some DVD's fell asleep in some really uncomfortable chairs...the thing I like most about San Fran is that they don't make a lot of announcements on speakers. Some airports have messages spouting off ever minute or so.....but not the hippies in San Fran. 10 or 20 minutes between messages. The one that freaked me out was a message saying that the threat lever was now Orange....this scared me until it dawned on that I have no idea what threat level Orange is....so things were good. While waiting for the flight I ended up meeting 3 other couples that were all Australian/Canadian. How odd.....I thought I was or I guess me and Sarah were the only ones. I crashed as soon as that plane took off.....and what a weird disjointed sleep it was....full of broken thoughts that could not be repaired....then I ate and I felt refreshed. To all those drunk people out there....I didn't have one alcoholic drink at anytime during this trip....so it can be done.

So I land in Sydney, I feel the heat as soon as I get off the plane....I'm excited to pick up my bags so I can put some shorts on.....so I walk over to the luggage pick area and wait.......and wait....and wait some more......my bag is not there. I walk over to the Oversize luggage and pick up my golf clubs....so that is good I got my clubs. I walk back over to see if my suitcase is there...and it is not. I find a guy who works at the airport and ask him if more bags are coming off my flight and he tells me that there are no more bags....so my bag is lost.....but I can't report it because I have to catch another flight in 45 minutes.....at another airport and I have not cleared customs yet! So I snatch my clubs and get in the 30 minute lineup at customs. When I finally clear the line they roll my golf bag through the X- ray machine.....I got stopped by security. They asked me if my clubs had been cleaned....I said yes....then they asked me about my shoes....did they have dirt on them.....no they don't....Open up your bag sir....I do and they are not happy about my clubs.....apparently there is dirt on them.....I am asked where is the dirt from (it was hard not to be sarcastic cause my first thought was to tell him it came from his mothers knitting parts) I said the dirt was from Canada....then he asked what was the can I had in my bag.....I told him there was no can, and he says yes there is, I saw it on the X-ray machine.....we open it up further and there in my golf bag is a can of tim hortons coffee....which my mother had snuck into my bag without me knowing.....lucky for me the can is sealed and no further questions are asked....but now I have 15 minutes to catch my flight. I get to the shuttle bus and we get to the domestic airport very quickly. I have 3 minutes to catch my flight. I get to the ticket agent and he tells me I can make the flight but my bag can't go on because everything has been loaded. So we decide that I should get booked on a later flight. The problem was that I was sure Sarah had already left the house to come and get me. So he booked me on the 11:30 am flight. I have now another 2 hours to wait. I am able to get Sarah on the phone and tell her to wait a couple of hours.....then I start walking around the airport looking for famous rock stars...the last time I was in Sydney I met Blink 182.....but no one this time. Oh because of the lost suitcase and the flight delay the ticket agent said that he will make sure that I get a seat by myself so I can stretch out. I got on the plane and there is someone sitting next to me which means that either Australians are liars or just son of..........but lucky for me the guy turned to be an alright dude. His name was Brad and we talked about lots of things....he told me where I should go swimming and where I should by my bread....but I don't really remember anything he said. I get to Brisbane and there is Sarah waiting for me.......it was blood fantastic to see her again........she looked lovely as always. So now we went to go report my lost bag. They were really nice about everything and then they gave me $1o0.o0 to tie me over in case I need a toothbrush or a razor which then made me remark how much are toothbrushes and razors in your country. No one laughed....but I thought it was funny.

So now here I am....a few hours later....very warm.....wearing shorts and t-shirt that I happened to have left here the last time.....so score. I'm getting a little tired so I might go to bed soon or I may go for a walk.....not sure.....please go on my flickr site....I will be updating some new pictures.........by the way it is currently 32c I know its a little cold. I hope it heats up soon....cause I am really cold.....oh wait that's you not me.

I miss everyone very much. Please comment if you have read this or please email me at:

eliotwhale@U2.com or Ptrcabral@yahoo.ca

I love some of you and others I really like and others hey how's it going?

Peter

It's Rob's fault

2007-02-06T11:15:00.000-08:00

OK, before anyone asks me I'm doing great! Yes Friday night and subsequently Saturday was a little painful but it is now Tuesday and things are good. I sent a package to Sarah on Saturday. It cost a little more then I thought. It was $173.00 which is about 50 bucks more then I was hoping. The good news (I always try to see the good in things) is that I have one more package to send. I can send this one much cheaper cause I don't need it there soon. I am bringing one suitcase and my golf clubs. The bag I have for my clubs is huge so I will be able to puts lots of things in there. I might even be able to fit my Rollerblades. But that might be a but of a stretch.

I'm not to busy this week so if anyone wants to hang out with me you can. OK Wednesday night I'm busy, and Saturday night I'm also busy (playing soccer) but any other day I'm good. Actually this is a problem. J'aime if you are reading this I have a soccer game this Saturday. Is there anyway that you guys can come down here for dinner? Please send me an email at Peter.Cabral@rbc.com and let me know.

Oh, once again if you are reading this and you were at Enfields on Friday and I said something mean or stupid to you, I am sorry. I blame Rob! So together we will abuse him until he cries.

I wasss a liddle beet drrrunk

2007-02-03T14:57:00.000-08:00

Alright, I don't really remember everything that happened last night. Talking to Clyde today he he filled me on a few things that happened. I hope you are feeling better Raheel. Rob I am going to get you for last night! I see a pureed steak in your future. David thank you for driving me home. I don't remember the drive very well but I did wake up in my own bed so you must have done a good job. If I said anything mean to anyone last night I do apologize. It was the drink! If I promised anyone raises or the like....it was the drink.

While talking to Clyde he did mention that the music that was played last night was very good. Which shocked me because I didn't even know there was music. I remember seeing a D.J. and I did see him with some vinyl but I don't recall any music at all. Oh, a note to all you youngsters out there: Tequila is bad for you. It may have a lovely amber gold look to it but its a ruse! I'm sure tequila is just produced so the Mexicans can attempt a bloodless coup for North America.

I will describe my morning like I was a character in a book:

Tongue glued to the roof of his mouth. He could hear crying, he wasn't sure if he was the one crying. His eyes felt stitched closed. He wondered what kind of surgical procedure would be needed to regain sight. The crying got louder. The sound bursting like a shell in his head. Even though movement of any kind would result in serious injury he risked it by sitting up. What a mistake. Any pain that did not infest him while lying down came at him now. It eroded blood vessels, collapsed veins and viciously made his hair hurt. After seconds slipped past like silvery waves he located the crying culprit. It was his 2 year old niece who spent the night. Relieved that it turned out not to be him he collapsed again on the bed. The bed took him and swallowed him into its protective clutches.

That is as accurate as I could get describing my morning. Now that its a few hours later I feel much better.

Soccer bliss and soccer burn

2007-02-01T10:45:00.000-08:00

Well, last weekend we played our soccer game against our bitter rivals the insurance no names. Apparently they went to call themselves the Platypuses but seriously....what is that?!? We went in very confident and had more chances at the beginning. We hit a couple of posts and my adversary in net made some nice saves. We were missing two players due to poor weather conditions. But I didn't think that would effect us to much. But this was compounded with the fact that 3 players went down with injury. We had a sprained ankle, a banged up knee and a bad back. So we were down 5 players after the first half. Although I have been told I played well and kept us in the game I feel that I did not. The first goal that went in should have been stopped. I played the angle horribly and paid the price for it. The no names did a great job in protecting their lead. We were waves that crashed upon their rocky shore. Once we exhausted all our energy they played a great counter-attack method and ended up beating the Card Sharks 3 - 0. A heart breaking defeat. I ended up with a minor burn on my knee from a save that I made. We have vowed revenge or Vendetta if you like. The next game will take place Feb 10 12:30 am to 1:30 am. Come one come all.

I am currently trying to sell my car. Stanley has been with us since 2001. I have just completed a safety on the car. 2 brand new tires. A new clamp or something like that for the muffler and I am ready to say goodbye to my dear Stanley. The reason he is called Stanley if 3 fold. I bought the car in 2001. One of my favorite movies is 2001: A Space Odyssey. Directed by Stanley Kubrick. Also my car is a Saturn which is in space....which again plays to theme of the movie....wait is that two fold or three fold?

It was cold

2007-01-25T10:07:00.000-08:00

So its 12:30 AM on Wednesday. Its cold (-13c ) and there is a few snowflakes falling. Isn't this a great time to go for a walk to the park? Well the correct answer would be no.....but I went anyway. So I put on my winter jacket, gloves and stole my Dad's woolly hat. I fixed my Canon Digital Rebel XT to the tripod and trudged into the snow. I took some fantastic shots of tree's and the playground covered in snow. I thought it would be really funny to leave the shutter open for a few seconds and then jump in front and begin thrashing about.....but I got distracted by the sound of nothingness and it never happened. I will be posting those pictures soon.

Tomorrow night at 11:00 pm we play our much anticipated indoor soccer game vs. our arch rivals in Home and Auto insurance. A full post game analysis will be provided on Sunday.

Driving in the Snow

2007-01-23T12:14:00.000-08:00

I worked Saturday for 12 hours. It was a long day but it was good to make some extra money. So needless to say Saturday was a write off. But Sunday, that is when I did some things. First off it was a great day Sunday. The Chicago Bears are going to the Superbowl. So that is fantastic and the weather was brilliant. I ended up in Kitchener visiting my friends Henri and J'aime. It was great to see them again. They made a lovely Thai dinner that I had many helpings of. I took a lot of pictures of the very beautiful Sadie. They are currently posted on the flickr site. It you want to see it I have a link on this page.

While I was driving home it was rather sad because I wasn't sure when I would be returning to see them. I do hope I get to see them one more time before I leave. If you haven't been to Kitchener in awhile I suggest going there. Winter time is a good time. Downtown King St. looks very nice when its snowing.

As I was driving home it started to snow which made the drive a little tricky but not to bad. T.J. called me and we made plans to see a movie so I headed to Brampton to pick her up. We ended up seeing The Good Sheppard with Matt Damon. I liked it allot....more then T.J. She found it rather long and slow. It was both those things but I really enjoyed the story line on the beginning of the C.I.A. T.J. was more interested in getting outside for a smoke. She fidgeted the entire time. For a very long time we were the only 2 people in the theatre but eventually some more customers showed up and it was about a 1/3 full by movie time. I hate crowded movie houses due to the high level of idiots that seem to attend movies. There should be some medical procedure done as people enter to remove function of your voice box before you sit down. Or put everyone in sound proof capsules as the movie starts where you can make all the noise you want but I don't have to hear it. After I dropped off T.J. I started to drive home and stopped off at a couple of locations to take photo's of the snow. They are posted on my flickr ssite if interestd

D&C 2

2007-01-20T19:29:00.001-08:00

D&C 2
Originally uploaded by Pompouspete.

Hey I love this photo. Dave and Claire had just started dating a few weeks prior when we went to the park. They snuck away for some alone time and I started to snap away.

Slipping by unseen

2007-01-20T13:27:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure if anyone is aware but I'm trying to finish a screenplay that I've been writing for the past couple of years. It's very near completion. I have finished the final edit and currently typing it out with the proper software and then going to try to sell the sucker.....so if anyone reading this happens to run a production studio or happen to have a few million dollars not ear marked for anything.....

It's been a quiet day. I haven't made anyone cry yet, so fingers crossed. ( bad news someone did cry )I have decided that Sunday will be spent by me driving around to different locations and taking photo's. I'm always in need for model's, so if you would like to pose for any pictures let me know.

One of the things that I want to do allot of before I go is to be with my friends. Tonight I'm going to try to hang out with my good friend Tabitha. But she does a pretty good job of ditching me so I don't know if that will happen. And Sunday, (after my picture taking) driving to Kitchener and hanging out with Henri, J'aime and Sadie. I haven't seen them for a few weeks. I will be taking pictures so that will be updated on this site on Monday or Tuesday:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/20011844@N00/

Talk to you soon

Preperation and confusion

2007-01-19T11:10:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone. I am starting this blog because I am moving to Australia from Canada and I think this is a great way for people to know what I am up to rather then me having to call. For I am one cheap S.O.B.

Oh, a quick thank you to Mike Rovira for showing me this. Thanks dude I really appreciate it. Also if you want to read Mike's blog please go to this site:

http://mike-in-korea.blogspot.com/

Who knew moving to Australia would be expensive? OK other then everyone in the world. I thought it might cost me a few pennies but my god this is silly. Currently I'm in the process of selling my car to my friend Mauricio. So that really is the big thing that I got to do. But sending boxes full of crap is not fun. I would rather just chuck things in a box and let the chips break where they may but according to the wife things have to be wrapped up carefully in bubble wrap. That takes some of the adventure out of things but what's a poor boy to do?

I'm working lots of OT at work trying to make and save money. The first thing I should probably do to save money is to get off heroin and crack. Being a crack whore is more hassle then it is worth.

So the plans for the next few weeks are:

Get my stuff together and ship and pack!

Get off crack and herion!

See all my friends as much as possible!

Get drunk as many times as I can!

Also if you want to see some of my pictures please visit this site:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/20011844@N00/