Life in Pictures

Recently...

2012-02-02T19:49:00.002+11:00

I have started work in the bridge simulator.

I have found out where I'll be posted for the rest of the year, and it's exciting. Very exciting.

I have been more and more grateful every day that I have the most amazing man in my life.

I could not be happier if I tried.

Song of the Day

2012-02-02T19:44:00.001+11:00

If you fall hard, I'll fall harder. Love this song so much! Official video here, embedding was disabled... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_UvT7FlsBQ&ob=av2e

Song of the Day

2012-01-29T10:43:00.001+11:00

Australia Day

2012-01-26T08:09:00.001+11:00

We've got enough food to feed an entire army and enough booze to get an entire navy drunk. If we were in a 5 star hotel then we'd complete the service trifector...

In all seriousness though I have mixed feelings about Australia Day, mainly because of what the date symbolises. I do however choose to use the day as an opportunity to reflect on how lucky I am to call this place home. I am not 'proud' to be Australian. I see no sense in feeling pride in something that just happened, by chance, without any effort on my part. I am proud to serve my country, but not for merely being a citizen. I am however incredibly grateful to have been born here, into a life of relative privilege in comparison to the rest of the world. There is nothing that makes me any better than the kid living on the streets of Manila. What separates us is luck. This is indeed the lucky country.

Happy Australia Day, however you're celebrating it.

Quote of the Day

2012-01-23T14:34:00.002+11:00

"When the special forces come onboard you don't fuck with them. Why? Because they look like ninjas. And you don't fuck with ninjas."

Cairns

2012-01-16T21:16:00.000+11:00

Road trip

At Flagstaff Hill in Bowen

Zac bungee jumping

My text book swan dive!

Our first scuba dive. looking rather stoned thanks to a mask malfunction...

Afternoon snorkle

On our way back to Cairns

Song of the Day

2011-12-30T10:52:00.003+11:00

So excited to see these guys at Field Day!

Song of the Day

2011-12-29T13:23:00.000+11:00

Camping.

2011-12-28T19:47:00.003+11:00

Seal Rocks was kind to us, rain and loss of car grill aside. Apparently the Audi does not appreciate being driven like a rally car on dirt roads.

Clean

Cooking, drinking and poker setup

Mrs Frost

Mr Frost

Perfection

Christmas 2011

2011-12-25T17:46:00.001+11:00

The night before Christmas

Roam's highlight - playing with the Christmas decorations

Christmas angel

Daddy's boy!

Saucy minxes!

Present centrepiece. Both of them loved it!

Seven Years Ago Today

2011-12-24T21:10:00.000+11:00

I met Ryan Stuart Smith, a typical larrikin taken far too soon. It really is true, only the good die young. I think of you all the time mate, you'll never be forgotten.

Morning at the Beach

2011-12-24T13:49:00.002+11:00

'Here, have some seaweed'

Poster boy for being sun smart. Minus pants.

Ima float like a butterfly and sting like a bee. Or something.

Lilu already too cool for school

Video of the Day

2011-12-21T10:52:00.002+11:00

My old ship, letting their hair down on deployment!

Farm.

2011-12-20T18:49:00.000+11:00

Boof

Brrk

Jake, the 3 legged dog. The (barely) walking poster boy for rear view car cameras.

I had every intention of taking more photos around the farm but alas, I am lazy. Actually, I went for a 5km run and then walking over the road a couple of hundred metres seemed like climbing Everest.

Reasons Why My Father Should Not Own A Vehicle

2011-12-18T07:56:00.000+11:00

Exhibit A – 16 Dec 11

- Got a flat tyre
- Got a second flat tyre
- Missed a turn off
- Ran out of fuel
- Nearly hit two lambs
- The road scraped the guts of the car
- Only one out of four brakes worked
- Wires in the headlights were loose
- It squeaked. A lot. (“Dunno what that noise is aye”)

*Update

Exhibit B - 18 Dec 11

- Nearly got bogged. Twice.

- Successfully got bogged.

*Updated update

Exhibit C - 19 Dec 11

- Another flat tyre. Sigh.

Hottest 100

2011-12-15T14:06:00.000+11:00

My top ten:
Adalita - Hot Air
Black Keys, The - Lonely Boy
Boy & Bear - Feeding Line
Florence & The Machine - Shake It Out
Gomez - Options
Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know {Ft. Kimbra}
Joelistics - Days
Phrase - Apart {Ft. Davey Lane}
Seeker Lover Keeper - Even Though I'm A Woman
Washington - Holy Moses

Song of the Day

2011-12-13T20:10:00.001+11:00

Next tat... after my next one... 'No happy ever after, just happy for right now'. Love his lyrics so much.

Soon...

2011-12-09T09:04:00.001+11:00

Boom!

Gay.

2011-12-08T07:54:00.001+11:00

This Sydney weather business is a joke. Luckily, I've got flights booked for Melbourne and the Goldy in the coming weeks. At this stage the Goldy is a one way ticket, so if I don't come home... well, I could be anywhere.

If I Were Drunk Right Now...

2011-12-08T07:25:00.001+11:00

Where would I put my hair comb?

This is always a fun game to play in the morning.

Song of the Day

2011-12-05T12:26:00.001+11:00

Homebake 11

2011-12-04T11:29:00.001+11:00

It had it all. Fights with angry Scotsmen, husband spotting, whale watching, epic dancing and of course, insanely good music. Best weekend! Photos are from phone so crappy quality...

Meow

I'll have the one on the left, thanks.

Someone call Sea World!

Drapht

Pre-fight with angry Scotsman

Drapht with Urthboy

Ladyhawke

Cut Copy

Photo of the Day

2011-11-30T12:54:00.001+11:00

I like that they included an illustration, just in case it wasn't immediately obvious what the sign meant.

Song of the Day

2011-11-29T19:31:00.001+11:00

Heard this song for the first time this afternoon and fell in love with it!

Song of the Day

2011-11-27T13:36:00.001+11:00

They must have run out of money for this clip. I like it though!

Weekend Shenanigans

2011-11-27T13:33:00.000+11:00

Beers, barrels and bitches.

Waiting for the ocean to stop looking like poo

I don't know...

Party aftermath

Recovery time

It's True

2011-11-26T13:22:00.002+11:00

I have a writers crush on Marieke Hardy. This morning I bought her book You'll Be Sorry When I'm Dead, and... wow. Just, wow.

Although I'm only up to the second chapter, what I've read so far can best be described as devastatingly hilarious. Not coincidentally, this is how I would summarise my life.

The numerous messed up situations she's found herself in are written about in cringe worthy detail, making me feel alarmingly normal and have to fight the urge to spontaneously wet myself.

It is amazing and she is my heroine.

My Old Home

2011-11-25T14:18:00.003+11:00

So sad.

Song of the Day

2011-11-22T21:20:00.001+11:00

Loved this song for so many years.

Song of the Day

2011-11-20T09:42:00.001+11:00

Epic hang over album, and Feist is so God damn sexy.

Day at the Beach

2011-11-19T14:37:00.001+11:00

Reading the RAN's Leadership Ethic. Good read, but not very exciting as far as Saturdays go.

I forgot how shit being immobile is. Roll on next weekend!

Voicemail of the Day

2011-11-17T16:56:00.005+11:00

Mechanic Receptionist Lady: Yeah hi Karleah... I need you to call me back... it's uh... it's about your car...

Somehow I just knew returning that phone call wasn't going to end well.

Hoorah for warranties.

Song of the Day

2011-11-14T14:33:00.000+11:00

More From Dallas Green

2011-11-13T00:13:00.003+11:00

Aka City and Colour

This song has been stuck in my head for days... maybe even weeks.

More Pretty Places

2011-11-12T19:27:00.003+11:00

Very disappointed we didn't see more volcanic dykes but I guess there just weren't enough bodyboard chicks there...

Can't see the wood for the trees...

Different perspective on Flint and Steel Pt Lt...

The bane of my existence for Phase I sea last year...

Purdy

Swim time

How's the serenity?

Song of the Day

2011-11-08T20:25:00.002+11:00

'These are the good times in your life'

Yes they are. It's nice knowing I'll never look back and think I took things for granted, because every day I can't help but think how incredibly lucky I am.

Quote of the Day

2011-11-07T20:57:00.002+11:00

'I'm not a hairdresser and I'm straight.'

Cos those were the two things we were just wondering...

Song of the Day

2011-11-06T16:01:00.003+11:00

I love how perfect and raw this song is. And how Adalita must be pushing 40 and still looks bangin' in a flanno.

Home Time

2011-11-06T08:13:00.000+11:00

Tender Moment in Anna Bay

2011-11-04T21:04:00.001+11:00

Man walks out of bottle-o with a slab of beer.

Woman follows him saying 'Oi cunt, wait for me!'

Man turns around and says 'Orr sorry love I forgot about ya'.

Brings a tear to the eye!

That Shit Moment

2011-11-03T22:37:00.006+11:00

When you get the exact response you wanted, but then realise that just makes things harder.

Fuck.

Song of the Day

2011-11-01T16:33:00.001+11:00

Memories

2011-10-25T15:51:00.002+11:00

This song reminds me of being at sea last year, bludging in the chart house with two of my shipmates who are no longer with us.

You were two of the kindest, gentlest souls I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. Rest in peace boys, you'll never be forgotten.

Nationals 11

2011-10-23T17:14:00.000+11:00

Hang outs.

Birthday

2011-10-23T15:09:00.001+11:00

There were no waves so we went and got tattoos.

Confessions

2011-10-19T18:01:00.001+11:00

Unfortunately there's no official video for this song, and the picture/sound quality is average but it's still fairly amazing.

Song of the Day

2011-10-18T15:24:00.001+11:00

Sydney Times

2011-10-17T12:23:00.000+11:00

Good times.

Song of the Day

2011-10-16T17:19:00.001+11:00

Sound Advice

2011-10-16T13:52:00.000+11:00

Pretty Places

2011-10-16T13:45:00.002+11:00

There were no waves so we went driving.

Un-emo

Emo

Emo-er

Me and Violeta

Naw

Roar

I love you're friends, they're all so arty oh yeah.

Conversation of the Day

2011-10-14T17:27:00.003+11:00

Me: Hi Andrew... yeah I can't get my car into reverse...
Andrew: Have you tried pushing the gear stick in?
*silence*
Me: Thanks.
Andrew: Bahahaha

Introducing Audrey the Audi

2011-10-13T17:34:00.001+11:00

A slight upgrade from Nora the Nova. At least this one can't get repossessed haha.

Seaman's Lullaby

2011-10-10T20:58:00.001+11:00

I've travelled over land and sea, tryna find a meaning to the riddle but the riddle runs deep
And everywhere I've been, everything I've seen, it only adds to the beauty of the beat.
The heartbeat, the drum beat, the beat we keep, the questions we ask and the answers we seek.
Whatever you are, what a thing to be. Wake up, sleep, then do it all again and again
And if you're not happy where you're at pack a back pack, travel on a level all over the map,
You got a life, go and live it, give it everything you got cause one day the beat will stop.
The truth is in a hundred years it won't matter so use your head and heart like a rudder and
Sail through the day, make a mark on the page, blaze a path through the waves
Cause the only thing that won't change is change.

This is all there is now generate the vision, every single day get busy on the beat.
There's nothing they can tell you that you haven't heard before so keep your head high when you walk through the world.
Everybody talks a lot but few people are listening, speak your own truth, let love be the guide.
Trust that everything falls into place and if you get lost then follow the baseline.
Most of them don't really mean you any harm but some of 'em might wanna fuck with your program.
Pay 'em no mind, don't let 'em waste your time. Haters have a habit of acting like quicksand.
Cherish all the sunlight, when it gets dark, build yourself a fire and burn down the area.
No excuse justifies a life not lived, a life unexamined or a sheep mentality.
Read a lot, see a lot, break down reality, investigate the goings on, inside, outside,
Whatever you choose to put your time into, make sure you give it every single fibre of your being cause life is but a moment, life is but a dream and sure enough all of us will have to move along
So here's a few thoughts for you to mull on, come on, you are not the first and you won't be the last.

Come, come when it calls
Run, from nothing at all

~Joelistics

Probably my favourite lyricist. So inspirational.

Expensive Weekend

2011-10-10T08:31:00.004+11:00

Oops.

New Interface...

2011-10-10T07:43:00.003+11:00

It's fucking with the formatting of a lot of my posts, but I can't be bothered going back and fixing them all up.

In other news my weekend was epic. My head hurts, my liver is crying, my wallet is empty and I'm pretty sure a bomb hit my room but I can't stop smiling.

Maybe Sydney isn't so bad after all.

Song of the Day

2011-10-09T21:38:00.000+11:00

So beautiful.

Song of the Day

2011-10-07T08:50:00.001+11:00

I Want One

2011-10-06T10:00:00.004+11:00

...one day...

Need more glass first.

New Lens

2011-10-05T12:59:00.004+11:00

It's in the post. Hells yeah.

Reflections

2011-10-04T14:48:00.000+11:00

Today I passed my Fleet Board. For the non-naval amongst you, that means I'm one step closer to becoming a qualified Officer of the Watch. One step closer to being in charge of the bridge on a frigate. I don't know how to say this but... it's kind of a big deal.

Sometimes I have to pinch myself when I think of where I am now, compared with where I've come from.

I'm the same kid who was homeless for 8 months when she was 15; living in domestic violence refuges. Not able to go to school. I'm the kid who lived with heroine junkies and fed, clothed and changed their babies. Who comforted them when they had heroine withdrawals. I'm the kid whose mother left the state for good without telling her when she had just finished Year 11, at 17. I'm the kid who despite that finished school, got good grades, supported herself by working after school and on weekends, got drunk way too much and had the time of her life living in share houses on $200 a week. I'm the kid who slept on the floor in winter for 3 months because she was saving for a new bed and was too proud to accept a second hand one. I'm the kid who could have been a fuck up. Who could have had all the excuses in the world for having a chip on her shoulder and thinking the world owed her something. I'm the kid who believed that she was the only person who controlled her future.

Just goes to show that anything's possible with determination and positive thinking.

Fleet Board

2011-10-03T11:01:00.001+11:00

Tomorrow.

Bring it.

Eyes Wide Open

2011-10-02T11:33:00.001+11:00

Honesty

2011-09-30T20:48:00.002+10:00

It's not always appreciated, apparently.

Changes

2011-09-29T10:12:00.001+10:00

Failure

2011-09-24T14:19:00.000+10:00

Is for second, for those who didn't know how close they were when they gave in.

Mi Familia

2011-09-23T13:00:00.005+10:00

Just a bit awesome.

Getting so big!

Love

Cuddles

Too cute

My Job

2011-09-18T23:44:00.005+10:00

It's better than yours. Here's the proof.

And that's just from the last four days. Imagine what you could do in a lifetime.

I should totally work for recruiting.

Nor-West WA take two - good times.

Credit Cards

2011-08-10T15:13:00.001+10:00

They're for emergencies.

Like buying beer.

Holidays

2011-08-10T08:46:00.000+10:00

Tanning. Gym. Study. Daytime soaps. Beer. Sleep ins.

Life is good.

Going to the Casino

2011-08-04T10:15:00.001+10:00

Uh oh.

Getting Fit

2011-07-30T16:13:00.002+10:00

Yep, I will.

Starting tomorrow.

Song of the Day

2011-07-30T16:11:00.001+10:00

Song of the Day

2011-07-26T19:22:00.001+10:00

Boxy

2011-07-25T19:09:00.003+10:00

Kieran Woodford

Mitch Woodland

Alan Chegwidden

DK Ads

Song of the Day

2011-07-24T12:18:00.001+10:00

Seal Rocks

2011-07-23T11:27:00.001+10:00

Wild and gloomy

Sun trying to come out

Point trying to work

Potential

Unrucky

Convoy

Happiness Is...

2011-07-22T16:45:00.001+10:00

...a full tank of petrol, board and camera in the boot, music so loud you can't think but can't bring yourself to turn down, the open highway and the prospect of good times to be had.

Not even torrential rain can bring me down today.

My Family Is Better Than Yours

2011-07-20T15:20:00.000+10:00

Just sayin'.

Less

2011-07-19T20:23:00.001+10:00

Is More.

Song of the Day

2011-07-17T17:20:00.000+10:00

Lists Are Good

2011-07-16T12:02:00.001+10:00

Yeah Okay

2011-07-16T01:52:00.000+10:00

I'm pretty sure I've posted this video before but I just listened to the song for the first time in ages and it never fails to make me feel something... which at times is rare.

Welcome Roam

2011-07-14T20:01:00.002+10:00

Look forward to meeting you little man

Travels

2011-07-11T16:50:00.000+10:00

Eighteen months ago I joined the navy to travel.

Since then I've been paid to go to Jervis Bay, Melbourne, Hobart, Sydney, Darwin, Perth, Wollongong, Brisbane, Townsville, Cairns, Christmas Island, Exmouth, Broome, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia.

Mission accomplished, one could say.

At anchor off Broome

Exmouth

2011-07-07T10:03:00.004+10:00

Good times.

Cairns

2011-06-06T09:07:00.002+10:00

Work...

...and play

Tough gig.

Lazy Photography

2011-05-27T22:20:00.001+10:00

From my drive from Townsville to Cairns this afternoon. Getting out of the car is over rated.

Picturesque

Speeding Cassowaries damage cars

Purdy sunset over Atherton Tablelands

Road Trip

2011-05-14T07:54:00.000+10:00

Campsite at Buddah

Triple layered luxury... still got cold though

Dinner first night - Steak and onions with greek salad

Wine, bikkies and cheese by the fire while Kent got the rods ready

Campfire cuddles

Old cinema on the property

"Still works" ~ Kent McKeon

Examining the cotton...

Lateral movers in the field

Toasty day in Orange - got down to 4 degrees between Bathurst and Lithgow (with snow)

The Tropics

2011-05-07T00:08:00.001+10:00

...can't come soon enough.

With the exception of consistent swells, winter sucks balls. And since I'm not surfing at all it just plain sucks balls.

Song of the Day

2011-05-04T11:24:00.001+10:00

Cos it's been a while.

Greater Saturday

2011-04-24T14:04:00.001+10:00

We went fishing and caught stuff.

Such a natural

The one that got away...

The one that didn't get away

And the winner of the uglist fish goes to... me!

Artay

On our way home

Unlucky fishy

Fishy got unluckier... cat thought it was Christmas, not Easter

Voila!

Great Friday

2011-04-22T15:33:00.001+10:00

Happy

Post lunch nap

Poser

Party Boat Times

2011-04-18T06:45:00.002+10:00

The fam

Photo Bomber

Kent and Dubbo

Weekend Home Time

2011-04-11T07:57:00.001+10:00

Kent and Lilu getting acquainted

Gan Gan Lookout

Tomaree Head

Zenith times are good times

At Murray's Brewery for my bro's b'day

Au Voir HMAS Adelaide

2011-04-11T07:22:00.002+10:00

Adelaide leaving Sydney Harbour for the last time

South Coast Camping

2011-03-14T11:12:00.002+11:00

Tas

Unknown shredder

Looking very proud of himself

Finished product one hour later

Joanna Goanna made herself at home in our tent

Beers by the campfire

Man. Fire. Meat. Beer. Ugg.

What happens when you fall asleep with your arm resting against the mosquito net of your swag...

Angry Music

2011-03-09T16:54:00.000+11:00

Cuz I can.

HMAS Watson Summer Ball

2011-03-08T18:40:00.001+11:00

Meow

CDF Parade

2011-03-08T18:33:00.001+11:00

ADFA kiddies looking shithot.

Playing "Where's Wally" with CDF is fun but a bit too easy since he's a giant