Game On!

Week 1, sort of:

Brisbane

This should be the one week marker for my trip to Australia. Should be, but its not. Somewhere along the way, a day went missing, probably sitting in the same place as all those missing socks from the dryer. I left on a Wednesday, traveled for 17 or so hours, and then arrived on Friday. One week ago today, I didn't exist.

Of course, had I actually arrived on that missing Thursday, then today would be Wednesday and I still haven't been here a week... bugger.

Either way, today was my first Thursday in two weeks, so I was glad to live it up. I celebrated the most fantastic way I knew how- I didn't get lost once today. Not when taking the bus to the city, nor when finding my way to the shops in Fortitude Valley, which were awesome by the way. I visited 5 or 6 outdoor stores today in a 3 block radius. You'd be lucky to find 5 in all of Atlanta, and 3 would be REI.

I'd swear one of the salesmen used to work at a car dealership. I had inquired about sleeping bags for my New Zealand leg of the trip, and he knew the perfect bag. In fact, it was the bestest bag in the whole wide world. He pointed out some "grand" flaw with any other bag I tried to look at. Oh no, I would not want that one, it was red and teal, and, as we all know, the combination of red and teal attracts sharks. That one over there had horizontal stripes, which made me look fat. The patronizing belligerence was thankfully absent from all the other stores; I even managed to learn quite a bit sleeping bags and tents, though I didn't buy anything yet. With the heat of Queensland I will need little more than sheet and some mosquito netting. Besides, most of the sleeping bag manufacturers are Kiwi companies, so I'm hoping they will be a bit cheaper over there.

Today turned out to be a fine example of a skin searing day with temps in the 90's (F). Despite this morning's warning to the general populous of the extreme danger of bush fires, several broke out around the city (most were the result of negligence or arson). Lee and I ventured up the hill to a fantastic vista looking out over the city, though foolishly I left the camera behind. You could see one fire glowing along the ridge a ways west of the city, with the smoke beginning to fog the city lights. Why didn't I bring my camera?

I didn't even have to time run back for it, as it would have made me late for Ultimate. As much fun as it is to bike 20 miles for empty fields, I emailed ahead this time. Sure enough I arrived to lit fields and discs flying through the air; its always a welcome site. One team, who was down a few players, was unlucky enough to be stuck with me. Ironically, the team was comprised of UQ (University of Queensland) players, the place where I was I was snubbed just two nights before. Perhaps it was a little cocky for me to start the game with a layout score, but you take what you can get. Add in a few (unintentional) "Ole" catches (the defender dives for the defensive block but you catch the disc with a flourish just enough in front of him to give enough false hope to try several more times), and a good time was had by all. Coincidentally, when I head down to Australian Nationals with a team from Townsville, we will be sharing accommodations with the folks I played with tonight.

I'm glad I didn't miss this Thursday.

And of course, a picture. This one is a few days old and I've been saving it to spice up a lack-luster post. I took this one at the Multicultural festival in Roma Parklands last weekend. Cute girl, cute dog, nice picture, right? ILLEGAL! Its a illegal to take pictures of other peoples children, even if you give them candy first. So enjoy, this picture may very well get me deported, or a severe caning.

Aghast! A ghost!

Day 5? (I can't keep doing this, I'm loosing track):

Brisbane (at least I know where I am)

An excerpt from http://www.ourbrisbane.com/visitors/placestogo/greatsoutheast/scary.htm

A little known fact about Brisbane, it's one of the most haunted cities in the world, according to the International Haunted Places Directory. The Directory contends there are ghosts residing in the hallways of many Brisbane institutions such as Old Government House, Parliament House, the Brisbane Arcade and Brisbane City Hall. Supposedly, it's not uncommon to see a ghostly figure of an elderly lady from yesteryear wandering the staircases of City Hall, or the now-retired maintenance man who rides in the elevator. Who would have thought! The question is, do you believe?

In my now 5 days since I arrived in the city, I have yet to see a single ghost. The closest I had come was the old man conducting the elevator in City Hall. Sure, he looked authentically alive, but you never can be too careful. That said, I'm not about to go poking and prodding an old man in an elevator just to be sure, and I can live without validating his corporeal nature. I'd have to find my ghosts elsewhere.

Not wanting to miss all the paranormal hoopla I resolved to snoop around the one place where surely ghosts would reside, Toowong Cemetery. And what better way to get there than yesterday's newly discovered bicycle paths. Unfortunately, I am quite incapable of figuring out directions, forks in the road, and one-way paths (evident from the frustrated headshaking of oncoming riders).

I added a good 10 miles onto that leg of the trip, ensuring I would arrive at the cemetery right at twilight. And though the dim lighting was not conducive to reading headstones, or taking pictures, it did seem the perfect circumstance for some spookiness. Add in the wind whipping the dead leaves into miniature cyclones, and I was ready for the dead to rise from the grave. Sadly, without a sacrificial virgin, goats blood, or even a Ouji board, I was again denied my communion with the dearly departed.

Not wanting to miss my opportunity to play some Ultimate Frisbee at University of Queensland, I put a hold on the ghost hunt. Yet once more on the way to the "Uni" I managed to lose the bike path that I had been on only an hour earlier. Overwhelmed by the desire to run, throw and jump, I pounded out the remaining miles once I was back on track, making up for lost time. Arriving earlier than anticipated, I even had time to determine that the location of Field 7 is so secret that even the Uni students themselves are not told of its location. I half expected, when I found the field, for it to rise from the mist like some sort of Shangri La, with beautifully lined fields of perfect dimensions, and players skying and hucking and 'breaking the mark' with skills surpassing even the highest club teams.

I tried so hard to imagine these things sitting in the dark corner of a desolate Field 7. Drinking a Red Bull and eating a Snickers, I thought, "Its Ok, I'm early, there's still time". And surely there was time; I've rarely seen ultimate players arrive on time to their own weddings, let alone pick-up games. And so the self delusions continued to run through my head long after I should have started on my way home, or at least getting lost along the way. Alas no last minute arrival , no lights, no signs of life, or even death.

Dejected and beat, I pumped the pedals once more towards the infamous bike path. However there was a reward, this time, at the end of the rainbow. Well, actually, the reward was a rainbow itself, at 8 PM. Sitting along the banks of the Brisbane river, the view of the urban rainbow went a long way towards recharging my less than affable attitude.



A few pictures, and too many miles later (another 32 mi. today) I was chugging Gatorade and snacking on yogurt dipped granola bars in the comfort of my home away from home, far too tired for anything requiring more effort than ripping packaging and instant consumption. I have too little energy left to stay conscious any longer.

Tomorrow I'm taking the bus.

Nick's Big Day Out

Day 4:

Brisbane

Today was my first day that I truly fended for myself. With Tane and Lee off slaving for the man, I had plans to strike out for the big city. With no alarm clock other the incessant screeching of birds, I managed to sleep in today, till 8. A quick breakfast of snack bars, and I was on the road to the city.

With my now functional bike, I managed to pick my way along the numerous bike paths into the CBD (central business district). Its not exactly the shrine to capitalism that one would expect from a city of 1 million. It has a small town feel that everyone seems to notice. The city itself seems modest, with its subtle underspoken monuments dotting the cityscape. There would be a large monument with a man playing with his children as his wife looks on joyfully. "John Smith, a convict from exiled from Yorkshire, enjoyed his spare time playing with his children and walking the dog." And then in small print "Ps- He single handedly killed 3 battalions of Nazi's in WWII and invented underwear that never needs washing." It gives me hope that someday Brisbane will erect a monument for me...

Nick Vitone, depicted here eating a bowl of ice cream, also enjoyed creme brulee.

Ps- On October 3, 2005, he cycled 32.9 miles into the city and was the hero of the day when he rescued a school chaperone's seemingly lost sandal from a stairwell. And after dinner he washed the dishes.

Sunday in the Parks

Day 3:

Brisbane

Yet another early day, 5:45 AM. Though while my day was just starting, the neighbors' night was just ending. The college coed neighbors, who were just gearing up for a night out when I was on my way to bed, were just pulling in at around the crack of dawn. So while they were sleeping it off, Tane Lee and I were on the way to the Daisy Hill Park koala sanctuary. With an estimated 135 koalas in the various eucalyptus trees around the sanctuary, it promised to be koala filled walk. To spot one during the day just look up in the branches for a lifeless fuzzy blob shape. Just out of the car, still in the parking lot even, Tane spotted the first koala, which is about the size of medium size teddy bear wedged in the "Y" of a tree, and just as active as the stuffed bears. With only 5 active hours a night and the rest of the time snoozing in the crooks of trees, they remind me a bit of the neighbors. While there were plenty of shapeless lumps high in the trees, none turned out to be koalas. Fraiser Island promises to have a cornucopia of koalas, so I may have to hold out until then.

After a leisurely and snacky lunch, we headed into downtown Brisbane via the fantastic bus system. Perhaps its still new, but the busses were quite clean, punctual and eco-friendly, which seemed to be a reflection of the city itself (though I'll reserve final judgment until I see more). Today's second adventure was to Roma Parkland for the mutlicultural fest. There were several stages on which local ethnic troops were demonstrating their native dances and plenty of booths touting their cuisine. There were even competing ethnic tents, such as the Queensland Vietnamese Association and the Australian Senior Vietnamese Club. Regrettably there was no fantastical martial arts clash between them.

Lee was also kind enough to point out the benefits of socialized

health care today. Not only does the government insure your well being, but that of your children as well. The city has invested millions in these Robo-Nannies. When you can't be bothered to look after your own child, Robo-Nanny will be the mother you never were- strolls through the park, feedings, changing the diapers, you name it. Batteries not included, patent pending.

Drummer from the Toowoomba English Forest Dancing Troop. Notice the 48 pieces of flare on his vest, and of course, the flowery antlers. They were, in my opinion, the most entertaining of the acts I saw today.