Cable Park

Penrith, NSW


Ever been to a cable park? I hadn't before this. I've watched wake boarding competitions before, but all the boarders were pulled by proper tow boats. Instead, this has a tension cable system that forms a track around a man made lake, complete with kickers and other features.

First time up, the guy asks me if I've boarded before. I answered with a solid yup. I went wake boarding once at a camp roughly 8 years ago. I managed to get up my first time, but as soon as I left the wake, I ate it. I can water ski and slalom ski decently well. Add in the years of snowboarding and I felt confident enough.

I started on a rental board that is basically a step in, rather than a boot/binding. Green light, cable taught,  and I was up. I was a little surprised that I got up my first time. Once up though, it felt pretty natural. I was able to do nice big S turns as I traveled around the lake. When you take a turn around the predetermined corner, some slack develops in the cable. The amount of slack depends on the angle of the turn. Needless to say, the last turn was a whole 90 degrees. Wasn't ready for that one. But I did make it 80% around on my first try. (When you fall off, you have to swim to the side and walk all the way back. Luckily I never fell on the far side of the lake.)

After completing a handful of laps, I decided to trade up to the park board. Strapped in, I took off and went right for the first jump. My jump was semi decent, but the landing sucked. I landed to a loud crack in my left leg. Hurt really bad. Just kinda floated there for bit, then slowly made my way back to the shore. I think I hyper extended a ligament in my knee. Walking from then on was extremely painful, but I just payed a bunch of money to go wake boarding. So after 20 minutes, I decided to get back on the board. Boarding with my leg locked in a binding didn't hurt at all, mainly because that leg is forward and does not really have any wait on it as you tend to lean back. I was done with the jumps though.

Overall, great experience. This being a couple days ago, my knee still hurts, and I'm probably going to go see a doctor this week.

Better Pics of the Opera House

Pics taken from the ferry on a cloudy day...

Exploring

Sydney, NSW

Decided to check out Sydney on one of my days off. Caught the ferry from Olympic Park to Circular Quay, the main hub in the harbor. I believe that the best way to learn a new city is by randomly exploring. I spent nearly 4 hours looking for signs and following crowds of business men to lunch. I managed to see just about everything this way.

I started off in the Harbor, then headed for the Opera House. Just a two second walk from the ferry. On the opposite side of the harbor there was a Rolling Stones cover band playing from a rooftop, loud enough to hear as I walked to to the Opera House. The Opera House was extremely unique. The white overlapping sails were pretty cool. It was so big that I couldn't get it one nice big picture of the whole thing, at least from where I was standing. I plan on returning to take a tour concert halls inside.

From there I walked into the Royal Botanical Gardens and into the city. Once in the city, I started to follow the crowds, looking for the busy streets. This lead me past Parliament and the Sydney Library. Continued on through George Street to Town Hall, passing multiple clubs and bars. Checked out the huge Westfield Shopping Center, home of the Sydney Tower Eye. Looks like the Stratosphere hotel in Vegas protruding from the top of the mall. I ended my day in Darling Harbor, next to the Hard Rock Cafe Sydney. Picked up some fish n chips, and got back on the ferry home.

Love Australia's Labor Laws

Newington, NSW


During my second day in country, I lucked out and found a job working in the kitchen at a cafe/restaurant called Fusion on Europe. Food was mediocre and the owners were crazy. I was offered $15 an hour, under the table. Fine by me, despite thinking I should get about around $20/hour, but some money is better than no money at all. Though minimum wage is $15.51, before tax (which I get back at the end of my trip), I would take home a little less. Personally, I wanted to be paid on the books, but he wouldn't have it. He also said I would not be paid for my first "training" shift, as we discussed wages on the 2nd night. I only worked for 4 days before I quit, due to the poor managing and sketchy feel. When I went to collect the cash that was owed to me, he was changing agreements and making things up. All I wanted was my $412.50 and I would never see them again.

After a wonderful call to Fair Work Australia, I was enlightened about all his faults about my employment. It turns out that there are different minimum wages for every job around, these are called awards. My award called for $20.22 an hour and higher wages on weekends. : ) So now after launching a formal investigation, they will be forced to pay me more, on top of getting heavy fines for wrongfully employing me. Something close to $500-$600 before tax and $1000 fines. Works for me.

Start of a Journey

Hollywood, CA


Here we go! I am about to fly half way around the world for an experience that will change my life forever.


I have a rough idea, some general plan that I would like to follow. This being a work-holiday trip, it does involve me working. Whether it's one job followed by my travels, or multiple jobs between trips, remains to be seen. Regardless, the first thing I have to do upon arrival is get on my feet. There's more to do then you think when it comes to moving to a new country: new phone, bank accounts, certifications, living arrangements and of course, finding a job. 


All that said, I feel prepared. A little nervous, but prepared. 


Just a 14.5 hour flight and then I'll be living down under.