My Easy Buy

The best thing about my old man is that he is never scared of spending money, especially if it is going to make work easier. The other day I was trying to cut a doorway in a wall with our Stihl brand quick cut saw. A quick cut is a big petrol powered angle grinder that we use to cut steel and concrete. Now normally it will start first time every time but for some reason I could not get it to start. I pulled the pull start until I couldn't pull it anymore and was very annoyed. With a lot of swearing I climbed down of the scaffolding I was on and tried again on the ground to get it to start. My dad had realized that I wasn't making any loud noises so came to find out what the problem was. I was very angry at this stage and was swearing at it to see if that would help. He came straight up to me and said, god its not that hard! He tried about five times to get it to start and unsuccessfully started swearing and walked off. I thought great what a huge help that was. He disappeared after that and left me to sort it out, or so I thought. I tried and tried to get it to start and finally got it to fire up. I climbed back up onto the scaffold and started cutting. It lasted about three seconds until it died again. I was royally pissed off now and climbed down and walked off.

About five minutes later my old man came back with a brand new Stihl quick cut. He didn't say anything, just handed me the saw and walked off. It started first time and I cut the doorway in about five seconds. Our old one is only a few years old and probably just needed a service but it did enough annoying to be replaced so look out for a second hand one on Ebay, lol.

My Lost Week

To be honest I don't know where this week has gone. All day today I thought it was Tuesday but obviously I was way off. We struggled Monday and Tuesday to get a job finished so it could be sprayed with concrete Wednesday. We only just got it ready in time and had to work some really long hours. The shotcrete gang came Wednesday and 8 guys sprayed the walls. I was a huge day for them with over 180 square meters of wall to be done. They were still pouring when I left at 2 to go to a different job. It came up 100 percent but god to those guys work hard.

I had tea with Tilney Tuesday night which was really good. We hadn't caught up for a good two months and it was amazing how many things had changed in such a short time. It made me realize how much I enjoy her friendship and how lucky I am to have friends like her. Its so good to have people around you that you have known your whole life and you are completely comfortable around.

I took a few photos of the guys spraying the walls but the camera on my phone is a bit scratched so they are pretty average. I am going to have to go in and get another phone or something because the one I have, even though its only six months old, everything is going wrong with it. I guess they arn't meant for my sort of work. Oh well, I think I might even get an Iphone next?

Tonight, to celebrate getting her new job, the girl went out a bought a watch. We went and saw our friend Bridie who works at a jeweler and she gave us such a ridiculous discount on the watch that the girl bought two different ones. We got two watches for half the full price of one. A very good buy.

This weekend will be a bit weird for me because for the first time in a long time I might not be working Saturday. I probably won't know what to do with myself for two whole days. I guess I will just watch a heap of TV and annoy the girl. Its what I do really. Byes nows y'alls.

My Ipod Theatre

Last night, instead of watching the closing ceremony, because it got a bit boring, the girl and I watched Juno on her Ipod and I have to say, it was a cool movie and a cool way to watch it. I had one of the original Ipod's but am just getting into the new ones with movies and games on them and they are soo cool. I want one but cant quite justify the price for how much I would use it. They are very cool though.

Here are some pictures of the job that we did that we have to go back and change. I cant believe the way some companies throw money away. Half of the walls have to be pulled out and the pit has to be made 6 meters longer because it wasn't right when we started and no one at the company noticed. Its incredible how dumb some people are. It took me two days to form the whole job up in timber and it got a bit tedious in the end. Interestingly enough it only took a few hours to pull it all down.

I heard an interesting fact last night while watching the start of the closing ceremony. China spent 40 billion dollars putting on the Olympics, 40 BILLION DOLLARS!!! that is ridiculous. They could have given every single person in the world 7 dollars. Imagine that, for many people in the western world it would be an odd payment that might pay for a snack but for many people in Africa and other third world countries that may be a months wage. We talk about how to save the planet and how to increase awareness but its hard when the cost of one event could change the lives of billions of people but instead it is wasted on fireworks in the shape of footprints. Don't get me wrong the footprint fireworks were cool but I'm sure the ceremony would have been just the same without them. Just a thought I guess. If the world was perfect we wouldn't have these problems and If I had 40 billion dollars to spend maybe I would host the Olympics, who knows?

This week is going to be crazy because work is still so flat out I barely have time to get home before I'm back at work. I think this week will be spent relaxing, apart from tomorrow night because I have a coffee appointment with the lovely Tilney which I am looking forward to because its been way too long since we have caught up.

The whether is starting to fine up a bit and today even had hints of summer and spring. The sun had a little bite to it and it was warm on my back for the first time in months. I think its summer here we come. Byes

My Double Take

I noticed two things musically today. The first was that Bloc Party's new single which came out recently is pretty good. Its a bit like there old stuff but a bit more dancey which I'm not really into but still liked it. On the other hand Metallica's new single which came out today is terrible. They have followed on from St Anger but have gotten even worse. The vocals are weak and the song just does not flow. Disappointed. Oh well.

Apart from music my working week has been pretty boring. I was working up at Lonsdale for three days getting a job ready and then pouring it. We were putting some concrete walls in a pit which had already been poured by another company but once we were finished we got a phone call to come back because they had stuffed up and the pit was 6 meters too short!!! It was a huge stuff up on there part so now next week we need to go back and fix it all up. It sucks cause we have to do just about the same job twice but we will get paid twice and the price we gave them just to do one wasn't cheap so its all good. Another job where we have to fix some other companies fuck up. Story of my working life these days.

I have been taking it easy lately and not going out too much so I can save some money. The girl and I are starting to seriously look for houses and what is on the market. We are still a bit away from actually buying but I am really trying to work more and save more to help get a huge deposit to start us off. If anyone wants to make a donating to my savings that would be awesome, lol. Bye now.

My Post Impression

I'm sick of a few things that are going on at the moment. I'm sick of people judging me. Whether it be at work, when people don't think I know what I'm doing or whether its out on a Saturday night when I go home early because the six day working week raped me and I'm dead tired. I'm sick of it. I'm also sick of not having time to write in my blog. Some nights I really want to type away but after making tea and watching a bit of TV I'm not in the mood. I'm also sick of people letting me down. Lately I have been let down in a big way by some friends of mine as well as my family. I have good people around me and I'm thankful for that but some of them don't deserve my company sometimes.

I'm also down about something I learn't. A friend of mine recently split up with his partner of 17 years. They have two kids together and the split has been very taxing on both of them. She has the kids and he is only allowed to see them once a fortnight which is absolutely killing him. Now this bloke is one of the nicest people I have met and since day one has been nothing but kind to me and always accommodating. I hate seeing people like this and especially not a person who deserves so much more. My heart goes out to you mate and I hope you won't hesitate to ring if you want to catch up for a beer.

Apart from the whining I am ok, I think. I am missing a couple of people who I haven't seen for a while but It was good on the weekend to catch up with the people I always see. Bye again.

My Olympiad

Its a weird time when the Olympics are on because no matter what there is always something to watch on TV. I have watched a bit of the coverage but not a huge amount because work has been pretty hectic and I have been working weekends and longer hours. I watched some of the opening ceremony but fell asleep before the athletes walked in and I have to say I wasn't that impressed. The best part was when all the Chinese guys were in the boxes going up and down. Apart from that and the fireworks, I thought it was pretty boring.

The one thing I am sick of in the coverage is montages and that is saying a lot because I am a big montage fan. It seems that every time Australia wins any medal it results in a montage that is played every 30 minutes. Enough TV people! Play more beach volleyball because that is an underrated sport. Woot bye!

My 40

I stole this from JaG, who took it from someone else, but is the best.

1. My uncle once: Took me out in his Cessna and we nearly landed on top of a freight train.

2. Never in my life: have I seen the godfather???

3. When I was five: I was really small and skinny.

4. High school was: one of the best times of my life because of all the great people who were around me.

5. I will never forget: My late grandparents and everything they did for me.

6. Once I met: You, and you said hi back.

7. There's this boy I know: that fell in some mud, got rabies and now sell flowers for a living.

8. Once, at a bar: I met my beautiful girl.

9. By noon, I'm usually: 87% water.

10. Last night: I went to a farewell for a friend who came back to visit from his new life and did not change. It made me happy.

11. If only I had: More time to spend with people who have time for me.

12. Next time I go to church: I cant remember the last time I went to church but hopefully the next time will be for a positive joyous occasion.

13. What worries me most: is not living life to the full and not being as successful as I can be.

14. When I turn my head left I see: the blue wall of my room and a Holden poster.

15. When I turn my head right I see: the Adelaide Crows game on TV and my mess of a room.

16. You know I'm lying when: I say im not hungry.

17. What I miss most about the Eighties is: single kick skate boards.

18. If I were a character in Shakespeare I'd be: Shakespeare him self.

19. By this time next year: I hope to be looking for a house but we will se.

20. A better name for me would be: Jimmy Ricard

21. I have a hard time understanding: Chinese. I'm not Chinese.

22. If I ever go back to school, I'll: say hi to your sister.

23. You know I like you if: I send you a text message.

24. If I ever won an award, the first person I would thank would be: my friends and family.

25. Take my advice, never: regret anything.

26. My ideal breakfast is: reheated pizza.

27. A song I love but do not have is: Riders of the storm by The Doors.

28. If you visit my hometown, I suggest you: call me and we will have a drink.

29. Why won't people: recycle more?

30. If you spend a night at my house: you will wake up the next day dazed and hung over.

31. I'd stop my wedding for: a soda?

32. The world could do without: daytime tv shows.

33. I'd rather lick the belly of a cockroach than: eat eggplant.

34. My favourite blonde(s) is/are: you with blonde hair.

35. Paper clips are more useful than: guns without bullets.

36. If I do anything well it's: being me.

37. I can't help but: eat more than I should, most of the time.

38. I usually cry: beer after too much beer.

39. My advice to my child/nephew/niece: Always be yourself and always stand up for who you are. Never forget where you have come from but do not dwell on it.

40. And by the way: always have fun!!!!

My Snow Dome

The snow was incredible, absolutely freezingly incredible. We had a whole week of incredible weather and some good snow fall in the first couple of days that lasted until we left. The food and accommodation were so good and the people staying in our room were even better. Our room slept twelve people eight of which I knew previously and there were four other randoms. We were hoping they would be cool and they turned out to be great. It was an awesome atmosphere in out room no matter what time of the day it was. Whether drunk and ready to go out or recovering from the night before there were always laughs.

The highlights were definitely the nights we spent out dressed in stupid costumes. There was a traffic light party, green for single, yellow for undecided and red for taken. The 80's night and the Legend and loser night both went off but the highlight was the last night, The porno night. There were a lot of very average costumes but a lot of hilariously good ones as well. It was a huge night and even though our heads were heavy and sore we still made it out onto the slopes nice and early.

There were a couple of big spills on the slopes, one of which included my mate Calvin. We we boarding a couple of slopes and doing a few of the jumps when Calvin tried to pull off a backside 180. The trick involved him coming up to the jump backwards and spinning so he landed forwards. It did not go to plan and landed badly on his back. He was pretty distressed so we called for the Ski Patrol who took him down to the medical center on a spinal board and a sleigh. In the end he was fine and we got it all on camera so it will definitely make it onto the ski trip DVD.

It was such an amazing trip but the highlight would have to be the helicopter flight that the girl and I did over Mt Hotham and the surrounding mountains. We got to see everything in the area as well as spotting a whole heard of wild brumbies rolling in the snow on one of the mountain tops. It was an incredible experience.

We wont be going on a uni trip next year but I definitely think we will plan another trip to the snow. I learn't this year that buses are not made for someone who is six foot tall so next time we will either fly or drive because I had 13 hours of very uncomfortable and 13 hours back of incredibly uncomfortable. It was still an amazing trip and I can't wait to go back in the next few years. Byeeeeeeee

Photos on the Spud Photo Blog!!!!

My Week Back

So this week has been way more hectic than I thought it would be and to be honest I haven't even had time to unpack my suitcase from my snow trip let alone write about it on here so even though it sucks, it will have to wait until next week. This week involved working like mad and catching up with everyone. I organised a tea at the Coopers Ale house on Wednesday and 31 people came! It was huge and a really good night. The schnitzel I had was awesome. The girl and I are heading down to my farm tonight and a heap of other people are coming down Saturday so it will be great. Lots of drinking and playing the old school Super Nintendo! Cant wait to get out of town on another little holiday. Woot