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April 14, 2009
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Experiences, Oceania
Some days it’s a circus underground, and I can’t believe how much fun we have. My crew has a few real characters who play off each other for the entertainment of all. Luke is a 28 year old practical joker with a quick wit, and Brent is similar but at 35 he’s wiser and more …
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February 24, 2009
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Experiences, Oceania
Last month this continent country celebrated “Australia Day”, based on the anniversary of the first fleet of colonists to descend upon this land. Most people celebrate it with shrimp and large quantities of beer. (If you were paying attention you’d note this sounds awfully similar to how Christmas
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January 17, 2009
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Experiences, Oceania
Work My little room is outfitted with a fridge and aircon. When I leave for work each day I turn off the aircon, and when I leave site for a week I save more energy by turning off the fridge too. This week summer is finally gearing up and bringing daytime temperatures above 40˚C. I …
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December 29, 2008
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Backyard, Experiences, Oceania
On my first night back from the mine I was driving in my flatmate Peter’s car when we arrived and parked in the driveway sometime in the night. You know you’ve been mining too long, when you’re fumbling in the dark for the door handle and decide to reach up and turn on your cap-lamp, …
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November 28, 2008
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Backyard, Experiences, Oceania
My Croc-wearing Vancouver friends would be interested in knowing that Perthians seem to dislike hate loath Crocs. I’ve been told they’re so ugly, they’re actually offensive. During my first week in Perth, with little luggage, I went out on a Friday night in the city with some new friends. I was in my
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October 26, 2008
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Experiences, Oceania
So I’m back at work for my first full two-week swing. The first week is nights, the second days. After my first couple nights of night shift I must say it’s been a tad easier than I thought to adjust, and there’s a few reasons why. They have made 12-hour day timing symmetrical, basically having
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October 8, 2008
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Backyard, Experiences, Oceania
The CampWhen I arrived at the mining camp, the promised wireless internet connection did not reach my room. Damn. I went into the camp manager’s office and told the large woman behind the desk about my complete lack of wireless reception with the hopes of a room transfer. “Oh, that’s because
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September 25, 2008
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Experiences, Oceania
Nicknames My buddy Dave Medilek, well known in Canada as ‘D-Med’ told me a story about his first day at his mine. They asked him if he had a nickname, and he told them “Sure, everyone back home calls me D-Med”. “D-Med? No way, that won’t stick. You’re ‘Horse’
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September 22, 2008
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Backyard, Experiences, Oceania
G’day mates, After a grueling 25 hours of first-class flights I have arrived at the antipode. My new home: Perth. I am struggling to find a decent place to live so I’m being patient and hoping that at work I meet some people that know people. *mental ventilation warning*: The city itself is urban-planning
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August 27, 2008
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Asia, Experiences
Upon landing in Japan I was expecting to be guided by multi-lingual robot assistants to a mag-lev bullet train which would take me directly to my destination. This did not happen. I obviously had some misconceptions about how advanced this country was. But after more than a week I’ve come to appreciate the
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August 26, 2008
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Asia, Experiences
I have continued my eastward trend and have come to Japan. Before commenting on all the zany things this country has, and how completely different two neighbouring countries can be, I’ll say a few things about China: I spent 64 days in China including Hong Kong, and visited 17 provinces in an “ADD”
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August 26, 2008
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Asia, Experiences
Here are the final three China updates, emailed separately but posted together: Go West (Update #7) When I woke up, I couldn’t feel anything below my waist. Don’t worry, I’m not paralyzed; but I imagine the feeling I experienced to be similar. I was riding a hard seat train overnight to Xi’an
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