I'm open to change in most circumstances (work, life, relationships & otherwise), but I'm pretty set in my ways when it comes anything else. I like a bit of structure and organisation to most things. I can change but I have to want to change.
And that I think is the case with most people.
This image was from my trip to Hong Kong & South Korea, roughly 4-5 years ago. It was taken somewhere I cant remember (god I wish I'd taken notes in the dates before GPS tagging). From memory we had caught a bus to the opposite side of island, to get to some markets and touristy places. While we were there we just began walking about and enjoying the weather and the scenery before we started to follow a sign which pointed to a temple. After what felt like OH GOD I DON'T KNOW 4 HOURS OF WALKING, we found this temple and this was its views. It's always kind of stuck with me because it was just one of those moments where I was able to take in how much urban development encroaches on the environment. That; and I was travelling with my best mate Stu. God I miss that boy. I need to go OS again.
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Men:
If you've followed my Facebook statuses over the past few months (there was a particular week when there were some absolute pearlers), you would know that I've probably alienated most of Gay Adelaide because they're all (ok ok most of them) indecisive shallow cunt burgers. I've one of these dudes for a few years most of which he was bugging me to "be intimate" with him, and then all of a sudden now that hes going to the gym and got mediocre arm muscles he's decided he justs want to be mates with me. Yeah, you know what dude; NO BODY WANTS A CLOSET CASE WITH A GREAT SET OF ABS AND ARMS UNLESS THEY CAN SHOW YOU OFF IN FACE PUBLIC BUT SMASHING FACES WITH YOU.
Women:
I love the women in my life (and for the purpose of the post I'm talking exclusively about family members), They've all contributed in some way to me becoming the kind of level-headed foul mouthed homosexual you see (read) before you. But what I don't get is A) the constant moving of the goal posts (Hello Mum), B) The self doubt and low confidence issues & C) (in at least 2 of them) their prudish attitudes to some aspects of life).
Lets address B in this post; My sisters are beautiful, Every one of them (I have 3), but they're always trying to loose weight or change something about themelves and I don't think they need too. They are radiant, fun loving women who occasionally go through bouts of self doubt. I wish they could get past this.
But I thought out of all those the excitement applies to anything to do with my friends. Hanging out with them is always a treat, I never know what I'm in for in some cases!
I had an absolute blinder of a night a few weeks ago, which just came totally out of the blue. It was brilliant; Awesome day watching one of my friends perform in a competition, then relaxing beers. Shortly after that we'd ordered pizza, began drinking beautiful wine, slowly moving to any booze we could find before we stumbled into the CBD to a friends birthday party( (at which we fucking owned the dance floor) after which we someone dragged ourselves to the local gay bar before once again owning the dance floor too.
I hurt for 3 days after. It was so painful. I get excite for hanging out with friends. Really really excited.
The (non-existant) romantic aspect of my life is possibly the most stressful thing I deal with, and even then I don't think that stress is the correct word to be using.
It's probably more of an annoying itch that doesn't seem be go away. I wan't to have someone in my life again; but I just cant be bothered dealing with the horrid rancid gays in this city that seem to be the only ones that are willing to talk me.
Anyway, this isn't about that; How do I relax in those 'annoying itch' situations; Probably with alcohol, the gym, podcasts, music. All the good stuff.
Breakfast Bun and Coffee
I used to believe that I needed a coffee to function in the morning, but I now realise that it was the ritual that I enjoyed more than the actual beverage; Waking up, dragging myself down the stairs & pouring myself a cup of coffee - and then sitting at the kitchen table for about 45 minutes too long while I read the paper, ate some breakfast and generally become 10mins late for work.
But around a year and a half ago I started a change in my breakfast routine, I was cutting out the coffee. Its not like I need it to operate, I find that replacing that coffee with juice of some description works just as well.
The downside of this is that i'm mostly unable to actually afford a holiday or trip when I have the time to take one. I've got so much annual leave up my sleeve it's actually ridiculous. This will come in handy over the next few months though; I plan on taking a couple of trips interstate (Sydney, Melbourne & Brisbane) and hopefully a little later I'll be heading overseas to see my mate.
This means I have now got to be even more stingy in the way I spend my money; I've cut down my drinking, I'm not buying expensive things from work & I'm trying to not spend so much money during lunch break on food stuffs.
Ladies Night
This coming week, I get to hang out with two of the most awesome chicks I know. Both of them have had a rough few weeks for varying reasons; and we unfortunately don't get to hang out as often as I wish we would. We're having a massive drinking/catch up/feeling sorry for each other night this week. Its so overdue.
Garden Of Unearthly Delights Opening!
The Adelaide Fringe festival is starting again shortly, and I've been lucky enough to score an invite to the opening night of the Garden Of Unearthly Delights (thanks to my Adelaide ArtBeat commitments). For those of you that live here and have not attending the gardens, please make an effort to get there this yeah, its one of the most beautiful / sexy / cheeky atmospheres you can find during the festival season.
Felicity Ward
OH MY HEAVENS I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS WOMEN. She is incredibly funny, very quick and so very down to earth. She also wrote back to me on Twitter once and for that I'll always have a soft spot for her in my heart. She is wickedly funny.
Mangina
If you follow the Adelaide ArtBeat blog, Last year I reviewed a show called Drags Aloud; this year one of the stars of that show has her own. It covers her journey through life covering her youth, growing up realising you were a little different and then having a major car accident which let you see that its time start living your life the way you feel you should be. Can not wait for this show.
Boys Catch Up
and lastly, but only because I just saw it on my calendar; Catch Up Drinks With The Boys. Recently two of my great mates were transferred out to other stores and I unfortunately no longer to work with them and this makes me a sad panda. I miss my boys, they always had reason to make me smile and were always willing to listen to my horrible dating stories. I desperately want to work with those boys again; but thats selfish of me as I know they have gone out to bigger and better things. Hopefully I'll follow suite soon enough.
Every Friday I try to play one of THE BEST CDs EVER MADE. It is not stop amazing track after amazing track.
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We've got 7 of us in our family so this house had a fairly huge amount of people wander through it over time.
The biggest memories I have are of our Christmas parties; my mothers side of the family has always celebrated it together and for as long as I can remember they have rotated the parties yearly from sibling to sibling; Generally we hosted Christmas about once every 3 or 4 years depending on outside factors.
Many years we had a theme (because apparently my mother isn't content with just Christmas), Crazy Hats is one such theme which springs to mind; and I do not much care for that year as it was a remarkably average idea.
Last time it was held at our home I drank quite a lot; My father had found some home made alcohol given to him by a mate or work colleague about 20 years ago and my siblings and cousins all decided it would be a good idea to make some sort of vile punch out of them.
Christmas is always the same; no matter where its held. Lunch at 12 O'Clock and Santa Clause visits at 2. Turkey, Beef, Chicken, Pork with vegetables and an awesome pudding thats travelled all the way from Bendigo with my sister.
Australia Day
I'm so keen for Australia Day its kind of silly, as this years Australia Day party simply will not be the same without my two mates mates who are floating about overseas. DEVASTATED! But as usual there will be drinking, music, friends & maybe a slip & slide! So excited about it!
Eggless
I'll be going to eggless on Wednesday night with a couple of friends who I unforunately no longer have the privilege to work with. I've never been to Eggless, so I'm a little excited about this!
Day Off - Tuesday
Tuesday is my day off this week, so I have a couple of things to organize on that day, Like a beer bong for Thursday, maybe a date for the weekend and I may even organize a date for the weekend; lets see how I go. Oh, and Im also going out to dinner with a mate during the evening, But i'm not going to drink alcohol and I may even try going to the gym on the way home.
The Gym
Late I've made a much better effort at returning to the gym and I'm feeling better for it. I'm (attempting) to eat healthier and I'm drinking less booze then I would normally which is MEGA BONUS! This week will hopefully be the week that I get myself in the habit of waking up early and go to the gym before work.
Poofcast
Hopefully there will be a new poofcast released, this is practically the highlight of my week.
Absolutely it depends who I'm with, it also depends on what the situation is. If I'm at work, most of the time I act my age, but if the right people are there i can turn into a quivering giggling school girl laughing at the word cock.
Outside of work its the same, great people & great drinks make for possibly the most immature giggling mess you've ever met; and I do not think that there is anything wrong with that at all. Everyone needs to be a little childish at times; you cant be serious all your life and expect people to like you simply for that.
Also, just on a side note; the following clip, I didn't realise how kind of disturbing it actually is as I've been listening to the CD so much I didn't really have to YouTube the clip.
http://youtu.be/j2N32PIYVHc
This year I will not let myself become to emotionally invested in men that have no idea what they want, I will not be lead down the garden path only to get to the front door and be turned away. I also will attempt not to do the same; I love affection and sometimes for me I unfortunately get blinded by that and sadly waste the other persons time.
I will also attempt not to drink so much this year, no drinking during the weekdays. I give myself only a few weeks before I fuck that up.
I'm going to read more. I need to read more.
Lose Weight: This is absolutely one thing that needs to occur this year. I'm kind of off to a good start but need to get more motivation so that i can go before work and actually last the distance lol.
Tone Up: Next phase after weight loss will be to get some definition to my stupidly large frame. I have a frame that some guys would die for (so i've been told anyway), so I might as well do something about it.
Go On A Fucking Holiday: Be it Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney or EUROPE! I need to see people I love.
The first two are my beautiful amazing friends Stu & Nicky; both are currently travelling overseas for anywhere up to 2 years. I've spoken about them before, and I met them at my previous job but they started to see each other after they'd left. Absolustely two of the most grounded, honest, beautiful people i've ever met in my life; and i'm horribly neglectful of our friendship when we're even in the same state. But I love them to death and will do absolutely anything for them!
The third person is someone who i've known for close to 27 years. He is a long time family friend who lives up in Brisbane and is essentially the older brother I never got to have. Over the past few years when we've been able to hang out together in Adelaide, we've noticed vast difference and similarities between us but we have one connecting bond; My family. He had a tough passage while growing up and coming out to his parents and my family was there for him to get support.
I need to travel to see these amazing people this year.
Sydney New Years Eve Fireworks
Well, I would have hoped that I would have had a boyfriend to share the moment with and probably have a bit of a party pash. What actually happened was a little different, I was surrounded by wonderful drunken work mates who I love dearly. Low key parties are excellent; and that group are all just out to have fun and enjoy each others company. It was wonderful.
Also at 2 O'clock it became "shirts off O'Clock" so being the only gay boy surrounded by rather attractive shirtless males was wonderful; And even better at 3 O'clock when it became "pants off o'clock" and they all walked around in their underpants.
Happy New Year, Absolutely.
Parklife
I've missed out on going for the past couple of years, mostly because I was hideously poor. But this year I've had some spare cash and I was able to afford a ticket! This year is also super important to attend; two of my favourite ever people are about to head overseas for god knows how long and this is one of my last chances to hang out with them and enjoy their company.
WestFest
That's all you need to know.
Family Dinner
One of my sisters leave today for a trip overseas, another one leaves in about 3 weeks for her overseas trip (they're meeting up in Venice I think) and the third one has a birthday on Sunday; so we're having a birthday family dinner farewell thing. Should be nice if those two sisters will actually be talking to one another.
Returning To Work
It sounds stupid, but I actually miss work when I'm not there; I get to hang out with the most awesome bunch of people everyday and so I get sad and binge eat when I don't get to see them every single day. We have to most incredible team these days, its reinvigorated my love for that work place after a rocky start to my time there.
Kwiz Nite
Started of as a huge group of people, but it now just a small intimate group of individuals who REALLY WANT TO WIN BEER VOUCHERS. It's a good downtime for like minded colleagues.
Squatters Arms
I've been telling a mate of mine that I'd see his band for about the past 3 years; and they happen to be playing this Saturday night. Couple of peeps from work are going so it should be good crown and hopefully I can find some ear plugs as I suspect I might need them.
I would probably select the free international travel for life option. I'm obviously going with the "no conditions apply" angle while I dream about this.
Picture it; Adelaide, 2011. A young (alright....late 20's) male gets 'asked' to take annual leave by his employer because he has too much leave in the bank. He says "Sure, why not; I might go to [INSERT NAME OF IDEAL HOLIDAY LOCATION HERE] for the week". He calls some secret number that only he knows and BAM gets on a flight out of the country. All he has to do is pay for accommodation & have some spending money. He returns from his trip rested and probably a little hung over. He repeats this numerous times through out the year,
This would also be really quite helpful with music festivals that are always too far away for me to even dream about getting to and to visit the ever increasing amount of friends and fammily that I have who are travelling.
The first one is Beer; seriously what is there not to love about beer. Admittedly we weren't exactly pioneers of this WONDERFUL WONDERFUL beverage but it still plays a massive part of our culture. I think.
Pubs; Very closely linked to the first one. I'm definitely a fan of the pub; as my waist line shows. They're socially inviting, relaxed atmospheres where yo can drink and have fun with your mates; not loud horrible nightclubs filled with drunk slags and jersey shore wannabe cock knockers.
Beach; Sun, Sand & Waves. Also normally my beach visits include Beer.
Triple J Hottest 100 Australia Day Parties; My absolute favourite thing about summer, drinking and singing along to music that I've probably heard a few too many times. We normally who head to my mates place, shelter under a big orange tree, and make use of a make-shift slip and slide. Love it
If you'd asked this question about 5 years ago. I probably would have answered with "hanging out with 2 of my best mates, at our local pub getting absolutely blind smashed" and to be honest, I actually still really like doing that, although these days it doesn't happen as often as I'd like but that's because they've both got partners and people move along in the grand scheme of things; but we're all still good mates.
If you were to ask me this now, like right this very second; I'd like to be curled up in bed with the boyfriend or on the couch watching Alias.
But I do go through phases of what I want. Last Saturday for instance I got ripped drunk at a mates house before we headed off to some club in town for a stupid long time; and the weekend before that I had a wine tour through the Adelaide Hills with my best mate and a bus load of his mates. Then when we got back to his place, we drank two slabs of beer...I think.
I guess all I really want is to be surrounded by good people who like to have fun, regardless of whether we've been drinking or not.
I don't think I'd be as social and outgoing. I think that comes from having such a large age gap between my eldest sister and I. I'd also probably not be into music as much as I am; My older sisters would always be playing records or listening to the radio, so I'm able to associate older songs with great memories of growing up too. But not only my memories either; I can tell a great second hand story about my sister watching Hunters & Collectors perform their track "Holy Grail" overseas, and having herself tear up because it was so emotionally charged.
It's also given me the skill to be able to relate to people of different ages; but I think that also comes from the parents. Being that they're so old.
I've learned a couple of things from my older sisters; Time Management is not one of them. Well, actually that's incorrect as I'm very good at time management with in the workplace; but when it comes to turning up to things on time I'm pretty fucked.
That's a couple of things that I can think of, I might revisit this topic entry at some stage.
Wanted Poster at Holburn Station (London, UK)
This probably stems from playing Grand Theft Auto games; and yes i realise this will probably play into the hands of those people that say video games are bad. Lets get something clear; I totally know its against the law and unsafe. Its a fucking fantasy you morons.
I think its probably the excitement of it all; the vehicle theft, the speed and the unsafe nature of the behavior. Totes fun.
Ok, I guess 'petty' is probably the wrong term to use but in the grand scheme of things its not all that bad; at least im not bludgeoning someone to death and hiding their body in my back yard or throwing it off a cliff down south near Aldinga Beach. I guess theres also the "I could totally kill [blank]" things that people say, and yeah I've said that as well on occasion but I'm fairly certain that i couldn't kill a person unless my safety, or that of a loved on was compromised.
The first one happened recently at work, and its happened a couple of times which is kind of surprising to me every time this question comes up; "So Pete, Do you have a girlfriend..."? No, no I don't sorry as I have boyfriend and he's pretty awesome. This question surprises me as I tend to think Im pretty 'out there' with my sexuality, not screaming queen 'out there' but just that its something you can kind of pick up.
The second one is my age; people think i'm both older or younger then my real age. The general consesus is that I'm older than what I appear; and I put this down to the fact that I have older sibling, older parents and older extended family members. The oldest cousin that I socialize with is about 42 (I think), and my oldest sister is now 40. My parents are OLD. It's a little odd for someone my age (27) to look at other people of my generation and age group and realise that they are not as, oh christ this is going to sound wanky; Socially Aware. By that I mean a few things too like Historically, Culturally (Pop), Australian History and a couple of things too.
The third thing is a little understandable because some people just don't get to met a set of twins. Everytime I mention my brother I always get the same questions like "Doe's he look like you", "What does he do for a living" and 'How old is he?'. It's the final answer that gets them; "Actually, he is the same age as me, hes my twin". They always end up wide eyed, jaw hitting the ground; grabbing at my shoulder for some support while they steady themselves.
Bulldog Lowertown St Paul Beer Flights
Because turbulence doesn't worry me; the "worst" flight that I've probably had is self inflicted due to alcohol consumption.
Oh, I can hear you all now; "Shouldn't drink so much Pete", "What kind of a fool go's drinking the night before" and so on and so forth. Well quite frankly; shut up. It was 11am in the morning and I had been at the airport since 830am because it was the only time I could get dropped off by a family member; What else is a 25 year old male supposed to do, read the paper? I'd consumed quite a few pints before the rest of my travelling companions had turned up, and then rather quickly we were all standing at the boarding gate tickets in hand shuffling down the line to the flying sardine can.
It was probably about 4 minutes after the crew had "armed doors and cross checked" that I felt the urge to urinate. Oh god, did I need to urinate; and we weren't even off the fucking ground yet. I've never been in so much pain. It was bringing tears to my eyes. I couldn't even read the in flight magazine as it hurt so much. I'd try looking at the screen, flicking through through the pages then STAB, urine pain.
If you've never flown from Adelaide to Melbourne its actually quite a quick trip, so once they turn off the 'fasten seatbelt sign' you have roughly a 1min & 30sec to bolt for the bathroom before they prepare for landing. God did I run, if there was a child or an elderly person in my way I would have pushed them to the floor and kept going. All I could think about was releasing 5 pints of 'Coopers Clear' from my straining bladder.
I returned to my seat feeling refreshed and slightly lighter, and ordered myself another beer. My travelling buddies new exactly what was up too, so they may have given me a round of applause as I returned to my seat. I look forward to doing this all over again in September.
In reality however my day starts off by begrudgingly waking up and dragging myself to the shower. Normally I try to wake up around 630 but in reality its normally about 7 or 730 by the time I've completed the snooze cycle. Then I sometimes eat some breakfast (I'm getting into the habit of doing this, there was about 23 years where I just didn't eat breakfast at all). Normally breakfast is Coffee & Toast; Nothing special. During the winter months I REALLY DO VERY MUCH ENJOY PORRIDGE. It is at this point I normally make another coffee in my travel mug and begin my deceptively long drive to work; because apparently people don't know how to car pool & also because Adelaide has a god awful public transport network. I arrive at work and put by shoes on.
If I had the motivation to wake up early enough (which I do when I house-sit or am on holidays) I would like to think that I'd get up early enough to do some kind of physical exercise before work (gym or swimming); but realise to do this regularly would be mean early nights for me during the week, and I have trouble trying to sleep before at least 1am.
Anyone have tip on how to make myself more active in the mornings? Help a sister out please!
I'm only going to talk about the work situation as that person made me hate my job, and contemplate quitting, and leaving to do nothing at all. It was an absolute nightmare; performance management for issues that were out of my control, disciplinary action for accessing information I'd received dedicated & assigned login details for, even the sacking of a staff member to increase my workload with the aim of forcing me to fail at tasks & goals I'd been assigned as part of my job description. I'd like an apology from them, If only for the reason that they made me dislike my job so much; I LOVE my job.
I am fairly certain that I don't have any IOU's waiting for payment; Generally if i owe one that person gets it, and I make good on it. I've done this within the past 6 months and things between that person and I are better than they were previously. It's also been acknowledged by others, whom I wasn't aware they needed to be told but hey; someone apparently likes to share.
Probably a childs writing. I'm actually really self conscious about it most of the time and I know that I probably shouldn't be as I HAVE SEEN SOME OF THE WORST HANDWRITING EVER in my time in retail & customer service. I think i have an example of my writing somewhere which i will try upload to.
A few years ago while at the pub (yup, all of my my good ideas occur there), friends and I actually had this discussion, and we then set our selves a task for the next which; which was to all write roughly 3 pages of random bullshit; after which we were all to compare our script. Out of the three of us; despite having writing that looks like a doctors, mine was probably the easiet to read. WIN!
On a slightly different note, i'd like to learn how to shorthand one day. Although I really have no need for it it would just be one of this quirky skills to have; or maybe I can just develop my own shorthand for swear words.
This photograph was one of a few taken while on my recent road trip to Alice Springs. It is Uluru also known as Ayres Rock. Despite the fact that Australia is the driest inhabited continent on earth; it was green and lush the entire way up & there were pools of water around the base, which was just amazing.
I took this picture by resting the camera I was using on the top of my water bottle. I definitely want to go back again and see it again. We're planning on doing this trip again and heading out to see The Olgas as well which would just be awesome.
The trip was wonderful and provided some fantastic photos.
The first album I purchased was Oasis - (What's the Story) Morning Glory. To be honest I don't remember why I wanted it, or even which song I liked off it. But it's still sitting my CD Collection; teasing me that I have a working class brit pop band in my collection.
I think I purchased it from the old Brashes stores with a gift voucher that I got for my birthday.
I really think you would have to be a bit simple not to take this offer up; I mean seriously who wouldn't love the chance to find out what their co-workers and friends REALLY thought about them. I would honestly love it.
To my face i'm 96% certain that people in my life are honest with me, but there are times when I would love to get their real thoughts on certain situations in my life, or on the political / socio-economic landscape. Imagine being able to finally see what your friends really think about Gay marriage & Equality; or perhaps Religion & Politics. IMAGINE THE AMAZING CONVERSATIONS THAT COULD ARISE FROM THIS. THINK ABOUT IT.
There isn't a particular group of people I'm thinking about in my life I must say, besides the above lol; I'm more of a people watcher when I head out and socialize so I'd probable call in sick and head off in to town or a pub somewhere and just immerse myself in other peoples minds. Oh gosh, imagine the filth you could dig up.
Sadly, I have a suspicion that it would have to be a proximity thing too, so I couldn't read minds from home while people are out shopping. Damn, I'll have to text message mum to get my chocolate. Which brings up another question, can I just read their minds, or can I influence / speak to them. Really some #FirstWorldProblem shit going on here hey.
