Ho Ho Headlights

Ikea

Ikea designers from Denmark? Pshh.

What's Ours Is Ours Again

It's amazing how nice it is to have our stuff in the house. A real bed - I haven't slept this well in months. Dishes and kitchen supplies - it's actually not a chore to cook. The grill - oh man, we had this out on loan in San Francisco. Words can't describe how good it is to have it back. It's mostly almost a house! Visitors now welcome.

Also, here's a picture of festively large booze, spotted at Dan Murphy's.

Moving In

After being in our apartment for six or seven weeks, all of our things from San Francisco have finally arrived. It's amazing to be able to have dinner at a real table, work at a real desk with a real chair, and sleep on a real bed. Much like moving out of our SF apartment, it was lovely to have someone move our stuff in. We didn't have the guys unpack all the boxes, but with it all moved in, we were much less tired, and more interested in unpacking promptly. I think there are only two boxes that aren't unpacked at this point, and even though there is still a lot of stuff to put away, it's really starting to come together well.

I'll post pictures of the place once it all is in place. That will probably be next year though, since it looks like this will be the week I fly back to the US for Christmas.

Abnormal Access

The local moving company called today. They told me that since we live on the 2nd floor (really third, in US-Speak, G-1-2), that they had to charge us A$275 for abnormal access. They told me that this fee is assessed for any place above the first floor. But, see, we have a lift. It's not like they are coming up the stairs.

So you're telling me that pressing 2 instead of 1 is worth A$275? Bloody rubbish.

Our Stuff!

It's coming Saturday! I think that's actually 56 days of the promised 40-55. Think I can get a refund?

This of course makes me very glad that we didn't opt for the "significantly slower" method...

Gap Year

Why doesn't the US promote this concept to our young people? So many other countries do, and it seems invaluable to see the world and open your eyes to what else is out there. They certainly promote it here in Australia.



Shannon and I have met people in different places around the world, who have come from many places, who are off on a gap year. Not only do they seem to be having a blast, but they have recounted great experiences to us. While my job has put us in a unique and fortunate position to travel more than most people our age, we both recognize how much we have not yet see.

Without sounding like a total celebrity fanboy, I happen to agree with Matt Damon on this issue:

Damon believes in the power of travel to transform people. He wishes that Americans were less insular, and quotes the fact that only 21 percent of Americans have passports. "I think many of our problems as a country would be solved if people had thick passports," he says. "There's just no substitute for actually going and seeing things."

Full article available here, if you want to have a read.