Sunday, January 30, 2011

To all the believers!

... and to all the non believers (especially you Tom Jackson)


Monday, January 31st, 2011

Well here I am writing a blog. I never thought I would ever do this in my life but then again I have had a lot firsts recently so it really should come as no surprise. I guess the aim of doing this is to give people a chance to keep up to date with my new life in Sydney now that we can no longer talk about our lives over a beer in Perth or America or wherever you may be reading this from. So by all means sit down with a beer or a coffee or a glass of straight bourbon and enjoy or laugh or shake your heads in disgust at my first ever blogging attempt. Also if you read something in this update that makes no sense whatsoever, it is more than likely a joke and I am not a complete weirdo, just a medium one.


Ok so what has changed in the 7 months that Sara and I have been dating? (Yes I still refer to it as dating even though for the most part we didn't go on any actual dates, just Skype dates) Well for one I now support the Cleveland Browns, the Cincinnati Reds, Chelsea FC and the UC Bearcats. I have begun to watch new TV shows like Modern Family, The Amazing Race, the Bachelor and Jersey Shore. It would also be remiss of me not to mention reading Twilight, no matter the damage it will do to my tough guy persona. But at the same time I did grow a pretty good beard so I hope that wins me a little respect back in the 'real man' department. I have traveled to Hawaii, Cincinnati, Athens, Orlando, Cleveland and Chicago. I have attended live NFL, NBA and college basketball games. I have ice-skated, decorated cookies and celebrated Xmas away from my family for the first time. I have lived away from my family and friends in Halls Creek where, if it wasn't for a few good people I wouldn't have lasted half as long as I did. And now I find myself in Sydney trying to find a job and a house for when Sara arrives in less than 2 weeks! To say I'm excited would be an extreme understatement just as it would be an understatement to say that I'll be a little annoyed if the Steelers win the Superbowl.


My first impressions of Sydney, amazing. Just a great place where there is so much to do and so much to see. I am lucky enough to have some people here who have taken me in and looked after me like family. That has made the move much easier on me. I am excited to start my life here and explore all the things that Sydney has to offer. 


But most of all I am excited to actually be able to see my girlfriend in person, just like a regular couple should be able to do. I'm looking forward to taking Sara to see my sports teams play, although I am also stuck with the unfortunate task of trying to not only explain cricket to an American but also trying to trick her into liking it. She once told me Michael Hussey was good at standing on the popping crease, so I definitely have my work cut out. I look forward to showing her my country, just as she has shown me around hers. Australia really is a beautiful place and I think sharing it with someone that doesn't live here will make me appreciate it even more. I look forward to watching the final Harry Potter movie with Sara when it is released, probably another X in the tough guy department so I may have to grow a beard similar to Hagrids to make up for it. I look forward to driving her insane with incredible amounts of John Mayer blasting 24/7 so that she has no choice but to learn all the words and sing along. And last but by no means least I look forward to our families and friends visiting us in Sydney.


My visit to Perth last weekend was a lot of fun. It was great to see everyone again and see that not much has changed. I hope I haven't changed too much either. It's nice to know that you can be gone for such a long period of time but when you return your family and friends make it feel like you never left in the first place. There were a lot of highlights but the conversation about Oolong certainly takes the cake. So I will leave you as I started, with some wise words from Jets LB Bart Scott. See you in Sydney?...


 CAN'T WAIT


JD
(ps if anyone would like to explain to octavius what a blog is that would be muchly appreciated, although he may disown me after reading this...)