It has been a fantastic week - rock climbing, surfing, boozing with the world...
Last week my Indian roommate and I went to a rock gym. Its been a while since I've belayed. Its been a long time since I've worked out anything other than my neural pathways or my pre.frontal cortext. It honest - to god - hurts to sit.
At this beautiful, and challenging, rock gym I managed that trickey one in the middle there. That vertical one, that goes more upside down and stuff than vertical. It hurt, but it was worth it getting up there.
At this gym, I also met her. A blonde, sarcastic, Aussie chick with dimples and perfect teeth. She was busting my ass about me having a hard time getting the damn harness on.
Things are backwards down here - not just the way you drive - your damn harnesses too.
So her name is Jen, shes hot, funny, and just graduated in chemical (freaking) engineering. Which means shes going to be rich too. Blown away by this opportunity, I finally got my harness (and my shit) together and attempted to have a conversation with Jen.
She and I had a bit of a chat, and then I realised I haven't seen her stand up yet. Shes been sitting behind the desk at this gym for quite a while. And then she stood up...
She was, 6'3" maybe 6'4"
That's how a lot of the ladies down here are - freaking huge. Its humbling seeing them towering over me when I go to a bar to grab a drink or stand next to one on the train.
So needless to say - I found my way out of that conversation.
...although, our kids would be tall...
Moving to more fun stuff: Moolooalaba.
It was 85 degrees the whole time. It was freaking brilliance. With 85 degree weather, comes a sun with a rage. The ozone layer down here has been depleted, and is usually at its worse in March. I found this out the other day after I sat down with my massive sunburn - even after using damn.near a bottle of sunscreen.
Surfing wasn't hard - but it wasn't easy. I figured i'd learn as i went. I understand the general principle - STAND. Thats not that hard to me. Like skiing, its just standing, and not falling over. But, the whole process of turning into the wave was much trickier than i thought it was. thats where a majority of the falls took place - where the saltwater would find its way down my esophagus. Wiping out - as they call it - is kinda a blast.
Its just fun to go from..."this is awesome I'm standing. I'm surfing, mwahahahhahahahhaha"
to...
"...owe"
That night I headed back to Moolooalaba backpackers hostle; which is where I was told to go back to my room because they have a 10:00 curfew.
...child please.
So my buddy Chris and I found a spot that was far away from this Nazi who's running this backpackers joint and sat down on a curb in Australia. I sat with my sunburn, beers, whiskey, and Mumford and sons. The moon peaks it's way thru the palm trees, the ocean roars from down the street, and the air smells like salt.water.
Joining me on this gorgeous night is Chris - a 45 year old Aussie bloke - he has been blinded by a brain tumor and balded by a pituitary gland tumor. He cannot grow hair, he cannot see, but he is one of the coolest guys I've ever met. He's got 2 tumors and diabetes. Hopeful, apathetically-confident, laid-back, generous, and care-free don't begin to explain this man.
I told him I would be at the beach around 9 am tomorrow - he's more than welcome to come down with me - he told me that half of his day is gone by then...
Damn...
Live high, ya'll.
