A friend of mine called me up today. We got to talking about the blog. I haven’t updated it within the last few days because there isn’t much to say. “I’m sure there is something to say”, she replied. A my new friend Nic would say, seems fair enough. So, here we go!
The other day I woke up before the sun came up. I do that quite frequently. I find that I seem to wake before everyone nearly everywhere I go. I woke up and I put on a hoodie and some sweat pants and I went for a run. I ran down some roads here on the side of the mountain. I reached a clearing and I ran in place as the sun came up behind me and the distant city skyline of Perth came brightly into view.
I am living with an awesome family in a small suburb just outside of Perth. They treat me like family and I’m grateful to them for making me feel right at “home”. I caught myself explaining what home is to me to a friend the other day. It became apparent to me that I don’t have one of those. Well, not in the technical sense. I don’t have a mortgage, or a garage clicker, or even a doormat. I don’t even have a pillow. Wait, yes I do! I have one of those inflatable pillows that rolls up to the size of a coffee mug. I used it to sleep in the airport a couple of months ago. I guess you could say that home is wherever I am at the moment. So right now, I guess it works if I say I’m “home”. In several weeks I’ll move though, and home will move with me. I’m sure one day I’ll have a doormat that says something clever, but for now I’m okay with that inflatable pillow!
I take the bus into Perth several times a week. I like to go to the museums. They have an AC/DC exhibit right now. Did you know that they are from Australia? Yup, Silverchair too. The other day when I hopped on to a bus the bus driver charged me a student rate. How’s that for just turning thirty? Not too bad. If aging has anything to do with your mind, and looking young as well, than perhaps I am onto something. Simply put, I don’t mind getting older. I was at a friends house the other day. The table asked my age and was surprised when I told them. They asked jokingly whats the secret to aging to well? I smiled and easily responded, don’t worry about it. Hey, I just broke into my thirties, I’m excited about this new chapter. Perhaps I’m actually onto something here. I mean, I spent my thirtieth in a vineyard in Western Australia. Not a bad way to start that chapter if you ask me, ay mate?
I’m helping the family renovate their home. It’s not a major overhaul or anything to that nature, but there are a few things that need to be done. They want to sell the home by the end of the year. I like that I can help. I’ve taken out some of their stone patio and unearthed some of the ‘wild weeds’ that were growing beneath and pushing up on the stones. Yesterday I drilled in a new door knob to the rear door. It’s little things but they go a long way. “I really enjoy using that door now!” I heard the other day. That sort of makes it all worth it. I like helping out.
There is a local coffee shop in town. The owner saw me in the bank yesterday. She is a friend of the family here. After inviting me in for coffee she offered me some casual side work washing dishes. “If we get really busy, can I call you?” I told her that I am only a fifteen minute walk away.
The weather has been wet. I don’t mind though. You’re from Florida. You’re probably used to it. That’s what someone in the city told me last week. It’s true. I’m always impressed when someone here knows about Florida. I can easily count on one hand without using any fingers how many of my Florida mates know about Western Australia. At least by reading this right now you can say that you know it is a state and not just a direction.
I’m reading a book called I, The Aboriginal. It is by Douglas Lockwood. It was written in the 60s and is a narrative piece in the first person by an aboriginal who left his tribal land and adapted to the “white mans world”. It addresses the influx of Christianity and how the affect on European laws on ancient Aboriginal customs and law flipped their world around. When I read it I can’t help but contemplate how it was written more than forty years ago I wonder what the author would say today.
So here I am. I’m fortunate to be enjoying civilised metro WA life. I have hot tea and coffee. I am fortunate enough to have access to internet too! Yes, I guess you could say that I am rich. There is a trail right down the road that splices the mountain. I like to climb down it. I found a big granite rock that I enjoy reading on there. There’s plenty of work to be done around the house too. The Perth library has an exhibit coming called “Oddities”. I’m excited to see it. Last week I went longboarding with Nic, the son of the family here. On Thursday I meditated with a monk for the first time in my life. The bus ride took two hours. I like the bus rides. I call them forced moments of introspection. So, that’s about it. If you happen to wonder what I could be doing here on the other side of this small world it could be any of these things. I can’t guarantee which it will be, but whatever it is will likely begin with a clear head, conscious, a deep appreciation, and maybe even a grin on my face.