I haven't really done alot these holidays thus far other then work, which is a little disappointing but yesterday I managed to have a great day. I woke up to find that I had passed all my uni subjects, which is awesome considering I thought I was going to fail one, possibly two. My GPA dropped a little, I'm now sitting on 5.167 from the once mighty 5.75, so this semester I have made a decision to knuckle down and get the GPA nudging higher. I just worked out in my boredom that even if I average a 6 for the next three semester's the highest GPA I can get is 5.58 and with an average of 7, I can get a 6.08. Looks like I'll be flat out for the next year and a bit

After the results, Benji rode over, set his ipod to sync with my music then we headed out with my trusty Shell footy on our adventure. A few years ago I used to be heavily into BMX and it wasn't until Friday night when I was talking to a mate at work that I realised I missed it, so today I was keen to set out and hit up some old trails that were floating around. First stop though was for Benji to collect some monies for web hosting from Mark. I haven't seen Mark since high school so it was a good, quick, random catch up that involved some random banter about toll booths and clogging the Gateway with a synchronised convoy of cars paying in 10c pieces.

Once all was said and done, Benji collected his money and I pumped up my tires when hooned down Nottingham Road where we proceeded to race down the footpath... without pedalling. So basically this required us to act like cyclists and squat to get the most aerodynamic position. It was pretty even for a bit there, but then Benji's black bullet pulled away leaving me in the dust. We eventually reached our first destination at Ackama Street jumps, which are quite small and pathetic, and after doing the same thing a few times we decided to head to Parry (Paradise Road) to check out the monsters there.

Again, lots of random banter on the way, including why is a dog park built next to a primary school. I can just imagine a kid and Rottwieler facing off and which one would end up victorious. When we got to Parry there was this huge truck coming down the highway, so being the geeks we are, we pretended it was Optimus Prime and starting riding away and hiding behind this mounds of pebbles, dirt and grass acting all scared. Well I did, Benji just rode behind the rock and watched Optimus go past, I go off my bike and leaned onto the mound. The truck past, I grew up about 10 years and then we rode into Parry. The jumps are just fucking gigantic in there, Benji positioned himself for a few great photos then we started to explore the area.

There was these small path that led to a mini cliff with a creek running through the forest so was ditched our bikes and went off on an Indiana Jones trek down the path. The creek was a bit wider then I hoped, so I had Benji get his camera ready incase I owned myself into the water, but I managed to summon enough athleticism to jump the void and continue. We reached this clearing that was littered with rubbish.. and tennis balls. I took one as a souvenir then we started to climb this cliff face to see what was on the other side. Benji nearly destroyed himself by mounting up a tree which nearly collapsed and I managed to start the climb when we heard a mixture of noises. Voices, machines and like a whistle or something. I looked at Benji and then we bailed. I have never ran so fast I don't think, I was like an Indian jumping over logs and ducking under branches, I even cleared the mighty creek with one super jump before I stopped to see where Benji was. I just heard a splash, he had fallen into the creek I started laughing whilst he told me of the trail of destruction I left behind with trees and branches falling and dirt spraying up everywhere. We decided to leave once with retrieved our bikes and admired the view a little bit longer.

It was time to put the Shell footy to good use, so we stopped in at Col Bennet Park and started kicking it around before we started a game of forscee backs. Wow, how do you even spell that game, you know the one with the footy kicking back and forth to get past the point and if you catch it you can take ten steps towards your goal or bank it. That's the game we played after I taught Benji the rules. IT was good fun and we discovered how old and unfit we are. I was so close to winning but Benji's catching abilities gave him 30 steps which he used and then booted the ball home to claim victory.

Rooted and tired, we rode towards Action to get some supplies. On the way I called Mum to let her know I didn't need dinner as we had an awesome Sizzler plan brewing. Benji stocked up on lollies and drinks and then we started to great trail trek again riding towards to the back of these nursing homes. As we rode down the trail we passed a bunch of young kids all hanging around their bikes. We didn't think anything of it and continued to ride around and scope the area out. Bored, I decided to head back to where the kids were and these old school rocket jumps. I rode down the little valley to check out which rocket I wanted to do when disaster struck. I popped my tire somehow! The kids came over to ask if I popped my tire as they all did as well. Me and Benji sorta giggled for a bit here, 5 kids all with popped tires. Anyway, turns out that some fuckstains decided that placing spike strips at the base of the jumps would be a good way to protect them. Raging up for awhile, we threw the spike strips into the bush and then pondered what to do next.

We bonded with the kids for awhile, who provided much amusement. They scabbed lollies off us and told us weird stories. The mannerisms of one kid were fucking priceless and I'll never forget when I asked them all if they had tube repairs kits. Each one of them stood up proudly and was like "I DO!" and then they'd follow it with a dejected "but my tire is popped too.." before stepping away to allow the next kid to repeat the same actions. One grilled me about my choice of bike, so I asked him about his and replied "MONGOOSE, BECAUSE IT'S PRO". I cracked up. Benji and I asked if Action sold tubes to which the 'leader' replied, "YES, we could buy tubes, but we have no money...shit". You know when Napoleon Dynamite does his infamous 'gosh!' thing, the kid repeated that when he said '..shit', making it a classic moment. I called Mum in the end and she set off to retrieve me and the bike. To entertain us during the wait we watched these egotistical kids do some funky tricks and stuff off the rockets.

When I got home I jumped in Dev to pick Benji up to buy a new tube for my bike. On the way to Big W we cruised to The Smashing Pumpkins which is so old school and great chillout music. Once inside Big W we raided layby to find Danman there. Random banter before we left to get our tube because his boss was rapidly approaching. We then went back to layby where he processed our sale and then chatted to him about Sizzler that night whilst I ensured he gave me the biggest bag possible to put my tiny tube into. We managed to convince his supervisor to let him finish early, but then he was yelled at by his other one for not serving other customers. It would seem that a queue 5 deep had formed behind us chatterboxes. We left him to deal with the other customers and then just randomly sussed out other things in Big W to buy before deciding we should leave.

Upon driving home I got really bored and thought it would be fun to stalk this poor kid on his bike with the car. Eventually I pulled up level with him and then just let rip 'YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO' and sped off around the corner. Benji nearly died in his sickness from laughing and choking. It was great. I drove straight past Benji's house in hope that we could find more random kids to suprise and shock, but it was getting dark so they were all inside. However, we did manage to find Yank's brother outside his house putting the rubbish out so we had a grand chat with him for a bit. His Mum came home in the end and as we were blocking his driveway we thought it was our cue to leave.

With Benji dropped home, I headed to mine and got ready for Sizzler. We had a fairly random group of people going, including myself, Josh, Benji, Cam and then Mel and Lynita, who we haven't seen in ages! Sizzler was great, food was good and me and Benji discovered that pineapple in soft drink tastes beautiful. It's like a fizzy fruity flavour, so damn good. Infact, so good that we have plans to create a Vodka infused pineapple. Adam came down to Sizzler after his ref training and had a feed and caught up with us. After we finished demolishing the salad bar, rumor had it that Boden and Kelly were at the bowling alley so we ventured forth to discover the rumor was actually fact. Everyone mingled for a bit as we watched two drunk guys attempt to put every ball in the centre down one alley. They got three racks through before management kicked them out.

I'm pretty sure that concludes the great day. In parting, go see Transformers, I have seen it twice and loved it even though I don't like, or know for that fact, anything about Transformers

OaO

After working for 18ish hours over 2 days, I was tired and sore, but keen for a fucking awesome shack night and last night delivered. Earlier in the week Benji and I did a few more progressive enhancements to The Shack including a shoe rack, a table and wall trim to finish the place off. All it needs now is a few blokey add in's and it'll be complete.

The day started well, I managed to score a 6pk of McK for the grand sum of $4.49 from 1st Choice and I had completed sewing my mattress together to the sights and sounds of Curb Your Enthusiam. After a dinner, I eventually rode to The Shack at about 7.30 after navigating my way through the The Plateau of Metal of Destruction, Death and Despair successfully.

Everyone was there, bar Josh who skipped the night due a bout of TVitist. My mattress was awesome, and the night begun slowly with everyone drinking and chanting along to music. The atmosphere was great, plenty of awesome photos were taken and a really nostalgic Barbie Girl karaoke is present on someone's phone. Being the fire warden, I decommissioned the candle as it was dangerous but then the unthinkable happened and Danman's arm was attacked by candle wax after a candle was blown out by Mudos. He said it hurt, we had no idea, it was dark and The Shack love was in full swing. There was a few random phones throughout the night, I don't remember them, but hey I know they happened.

Our tastebuds were tingling so we all set off towards the Shell. We wandering through the various valley's before me and Kyle climbed onto the Moon. I just remember shouting 'I'm on the moon motherfuckers!' and then next thing I was screaming 'I FELL OFF THE WORLD' as I fell onto the dirt below eating shit. Kyle somehow managed to do the same thing and that Moon had claimed two of the best soldiers The Shack had ever seen. Benji and Danman helped us up and before long we were trekking along the newly paved road towards the Shell again. There was a massive pipe on the side of the road, so being awesome and manly we carried it an extended distance before rolling it along the road. DANGER WILSON. A porch light came on so being teenagers and pussy's we ran like rabbits into the darkness.

Here I remember falling into a ditch and trying out my  high jump skills on a retaining wall before launching my McK bottle across the neverlands. Round Two and it finally smashed. It was about this time that we busted the biggest conspiracy to man. Why did they make light. Well they wanted something ot emulate the sun, that's why they are yellow and these days they are white. They aren't yellow cause yellow promotes the sun, and sun means cancer, sorta like sunroofs are now called moonroofs for the same reason. So the light manufacturers had to the make the lights white, like the moon, so moon lights. It's so perfect.

Danman had he traditional engineer rage up and destroyed the barricades before running like the wind. This was when Benji just ate shit on the road which was amusing for all. We eventually got to the servo and everyone headed their separate ways for various foods. Me and Benji teamed up and got two packets of Kettle Chili Chips for the bargain price of $4. While buying them I told the service station attendant our theory about the lights and although confused, he seemed to understand.

After getting foods, we regrouped outside the servo and examined Danman's arm. It was a massacre! The candle wax had it in for him good. This is where the night turned a bit sour. Mudos wouldn't apologise to Danman and in the end walked off home by himself leaving us in shock and having to navigate the path home a man down. We got back to the Shack and decided that as hardcore as we were, Danman's arm needed a shower and some loving so we closed up shop and trekked home.

I remember having a rambling rant to Benji and Kyle about getting to The Shack early at 6.30 when they said 7, but all was sorta lost in the moment. I remember Benji struggling to maintain a straight path with his bike and then he suddenly veered off into the bush and nearly down this huge hill. We crossed the The Plateau of Metal of Destruction, Death and Despair together and then parted ways and headed home.

As soon as I got home I jumped on MSN and chatted to Mudos for awhile before hitting the bed before waking up this morning at like 11 to relive the love with Danman and Kyle over MSN. Good fucking times. So sore though, falling off the world hurts

OaO

Haven't done a great deal this week, but nonetheless, I will attempt to create an insightful and interesting story that will soak up about five minutes or you time, give or take a few seconds where you take some time to contemplate whether it worth commenting on, which I'm guessing more then 90% will think along the lines of 'too much effort' or 'i have nothing to say'.

On Wednesday night I was pulled from my house by Cam, Benji and Danman to go the Shack. It wasn't much of a mission, I hadn't been there in a while and was keen, although due to being as poor as a cluster of bums on Queen Street and opting not to drink warm XXXX, I stayed sober and watched the night unfold.

Benji and I rode there, which was good. I keep forgetting how relaxing it is to pedal somewhere, wind in your hair and bugs in the teeth. I love it. While we rode, Danman picked up Kyle from Sheepstation Gully and then dropped off all the supplies (ice and booze) and walked back to The Shack. The night started slowly, so when Yank came to drop off more supplies (food), I went for a drive with him for Maccas. Despite the lack of bacon, the resulting food was heaven (and Danman's shout) and everyone continued to drink and before I knew it we were on the walk to the servo for the chicken rolls.

I fucked up somewhere back there so this was were I took my leave and left admist Danman flykicking hessian barricades and Kyle nearly walking off his cliff again. I rode home and had a pensive night before waking at 9.30 to start our coast trip. I was completed rooted from lack of sleep, but still managed to pick up Benji, Dani, Mel and Nat and head down the motorway to Main Beach. The surf was weird, there was a huge gully that was quite deep but allowed for wave free swimming, but then if you walked out across the sandbar there was a few decent waves to catch. Also it seems that it's now jellyfish season, the gully in particular was littered with baby jellyfish who stung Dani, Mel and Benji. The day was pretty good, and after scoring some free icecream and downing some chips and water, we headed home so I could get back in time for work.

Friday was a day of random driving thanks to Mel's shiny new licence! After having a bit of a sleep in, I become Mel's errand buddy which took us to the City for her glamour shots, which look pretty damn good I might add, and then to the Bank of Queensland for documents. We then had to head to her old work for more documents and in doing this, we saw two crows eating a dead magpie, very crazy and I'm not sure what sorta voodoo luck comes with witnessing such an event, but I'm pretty sure it's not the type that's going to get me a pot of gold complete with leprecahns.

I worked that night and then was conned to come out again to the 'vale with Benji, Yeatsie and Mel. Yeatsie bailed so Kyle filled in. None of us were really keen on the 'vale just kinda wanted to be out and about. After a meal at Macca's we headed for Mt Nebo to climb a fire tower which in my view is very That 70's Shoe-esque. Armed with no refidex we pretty much just headed towards Slaugther Falls and then got horribly lost. Mel thought she recognised the area, but a few wrong turns and 'where the fuck are we' lead us to Lake Manchester and Mt Crosby and to the party bus and zombie kangaroos. We ended up coming home along the Logan Motorway, so it was one huge loop. I got home at 2.30am, just 3 hours before I had to be up for work.

I worked 6am till 10, then headed home where Adam picked me, Benji and Yeatsie up and headed to the coast. Over the last seven weeks I've been to the coast at least once every week, so I'm proud of keeping the tradition alive for so long, but it has it's downsides, I was always the driver. With Adam driving, I was allowed to work on my passenger arm tan! The weather was fucking great, pity the surf wasn't though. Surfers Paradise is nice, but it's overcrowded, the surf is always mediocre and you have to pay for parking. Main Beach for the win. Although I suppose Surfers does an edge with being so close to eateries though. After getting snapped by shore dumps and being stung a few times we headed home again via the servo where Adam stocked up on fuel, food, drink and adult magazines.

The trip back was uneventful and before I knew it I was passed out listening to some Led Zeppelin. When I woke I was talked into going out with Yeatsie knowing that I had no money and with the promise that I would be shouted all night. Benji and Adam joined us so the four of us started at Yeatsie's place where he guitar wanked for a bit (he's a god) and watched some AC/DC and Strapping Young Lad DVD's. I'd just to take the next thirty words to say that Rumba is not too bad. It's cheap, seems like coconut and goes down really easy! I'll definitely trying it again soon.

We caught the 130 into the City and whilst on the bus started talking to some boys from Sydney who were up here for a good time. I felt sorry for them, coming from Sydney nightlife to Brisbane must suck, especially last night as the City and Valley were empty! We started at The Victory with Long Islands and Firetrucks. We caught up with an old mate, Davo and then headed into the Valley for some good times. On the way I randomly bumped into some dudes I know from uni, which was a bit surprising but fun all the same.

Our first stop was The Elephant and Wheelbarrow which I didn't mind, I thought it had alot of potential and with a few more drinks, slightly less repetitive playlist (The Killers twice in 10 minutes?), it could be awesome. I had a few drinks here and we meet up with more guys from Brodies and two of Adam's rendering buddies. I chatted to three 25 year old's about the amount of experience they could give me and how young isn't all bad for a bit, then tag teamed Benji into the fray and watched for a bit. We left after about half hour and headed to the Mustang Bar. The Mustang Bar was actually one of the few places that had people in it, so I was keen for it, but Benji was rejected for being drunk so we  after a Macca's run for soberity, we headed to the Basement 388.

Initial thoughts was that it was shit, but an upstairs level covered in pool tables, jugs of spirits and a live rockish band quickly changed my mind. It's a very cool place, great to chill with mates and overlook the street on the open deck! A few random phone calls later from Adam and me and we had Jess picking us up from The Mustang in an hour. We waited for Benji to sober up a bit, then tried the Mustang again. He wasn't allowed in, but I said I needed to find Yeatsie so went in and instead found Davo rocking out to AC/DC. I joined him for a bit then called Yeatsie to find out that we were now getting picked up from outside The Victory. Everyone had already left so I had to run like hell to catch them before Jess left. I made it! Jess got pulled over for random breath testing and a 'seatbelt check' thanks to Adam. Random singing and drunkeness followed and before I knew it I was passed out at Jess's.

I got dropped home at about 11 this morning and was asked by Yeatsie if I wanted to go to the coast. I rejected, I feel seedy and have work in 3 hours, but now looking outside I'm regretting it hardcore, the weather looks ace and some salt water sounds like just the fix I need right now!

And there you have it, my last few days

OaO