Christmas Cupcakes

Christmas Cupcakes
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

Today, Chrissie brought in Christmas cupcakes. So tasty!
Thanks, Chrissie! Delicious!

Apricot, Orange, and Honey Muffins

Apricot, Orange, and Honey Muffins
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

They look so tasty! I wanna eat 'em now!
Thanks go to Marty and Heidi for the ceramic muffin cups.

Pig Intestines Stuffed with Sweet Potato Noodle

Pig Intestines Stuffed with Sweet Potato Noodle
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

Last night Lilly and I went out for Korean and I couldn't help but order the pig intestines stuffed with sweet potato noodle. I've been lusting after such a dish since seeing Tampopo so very many years ago.
The waitress tried to talk me out of ordering it.
It didn't have any meat in it (apart from the intestines), but it tasted a bit like black pudding, which is a good thing.

It's hot today

It's hot today
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

And a beautiful day at that.
I'm currently working on my FINAL assignment for my grad dip. Very exciting, but cruel that it's a beautiful Saturday, and I'm stuck indoors.
Interest in the assignment is waning, so I've used the last of the coffee in the house to keep me focussed. I'm just waiting for it to cool down.
I can't wait to finish.
Listening to: The Black Seeds - On The Sun (album)

A Novel Concept

A Novel Concept
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

I just noticed that they have bins on the platforms in Brisbane. Hooray for common sense!
We haven't had bins on platforms since September of 2001.
We can't let the citizens feel at ease, can we?
Of course, we did have the sense to shade the platforms, something that seems to be missing from the second hottest capital city in Australia.
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Does not this drink look fantastic?

Does not this drink look fantastic?
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

A helping hand on a hot, assignment-filled day.
Lemon vodka and tonic.
I thought, for no good reason, that this drink looked particularly good.
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A Curious Daschund

A Curious Daschund
Originally uploaded by Carafaele

Do you like my curious daschund?
I drew this on Simon's phone using Doodledroid.
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It's like orange flavoured crack

It's like orange flavoured crack
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

I really like Mother Surge. I find myself thinking of it often, too often. I didn't feel like a coffee today, I felt like orange crack. Gimme a hit!
Note the deliberate halo around this holy vessel.
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Blackberry and Lychee Muffin with a Long Black

Blackberry and Lychee Muffin with a Long Black
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

A most tasty treat indeed.
The work fridge was out of milk (so I couldn't have my usual bowl of
cereal), and I felt like treating myself after getting 20/20 for my Parklife
review last night. Woo!
I wasn't sure if the lychee was just in the icing, but luckily enough, it
was mixed through. So tasty.

Pre-exam Rest

Pre-exam Rest
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

Exhausted at work today, I decided to leave early for a bit of study and
relaxation.
Two thoughts run through my mind:
My uni is so pretty.
Man, I'm tired.

Livin in da Ghetto

Livin in da Ghetto
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

It's laundry night tonight, and this laundromat feels *particularly* ghetto.
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Doodle of the Day 20090929

Doodle of the Day 20090929
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

For some reason, this screen capture of the job I'm currently working on really resonated with me.
I felt that it somehow represents how I feel right now.
The weekend has caught up with me, and I'm quite sleepy right now.
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Pre-dust-storm

Pre-dust-storm
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

This is the photo I took out of my window before the dust-storm hit.
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Dust Storm

Dust Storm
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

The East Coast (and inland, actually) of Australia has been hit with severe dust storms this morning.
I received messages from friends in Sydney, and out in North West Queensland telling of the storms.
This is taken outside of my window.
Pretty impressive.
I took a photo this morning (pre-dust-storm) to show a friend in Sydney how clear it was up here. I will post that next.
It's actually gotten worse since typing this up.
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Buses and Buses and Buses and Buses...

Buses and Buses and Buses and Buses...
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

There was a pedestrian hit at the Cultural Centre Busway. Looks like it caused some severe delays.
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Chalk Art in Reddacliff Place, II

Chalk Art in Reddacliff Place, II
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

A close-up of the chalk art in Reddacliff Place promoting the Brisbane Writers Festival.
I love Kombis.
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Old Bus

Old Bus
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

Walking home from the bus stop today, I saw this old bus.
I want to travel around the world in a bus like this.
So awesome.
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Central Station, post-reggae.

Central Station, post-reggae.
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

Oh man. Had a massive night last night at a reggae party in Redfern. A most awesome night, but I'm feeling worse-for-wear right now.
I'm waiting for a bus to take me to Avalon, to meet Mum, say hello/goodbye to Grandad, have a shower, and drive on over to Ros's house for afternoon tea.
I'm then meant to be going out to the City tonight, to write myself off one final time before flying back to Brisbane on Monday morning.
I stupidly removed my mp3 player from my bag before heading out last night though. The hour-long bus trip would have been so much more bearable if I'd just thought things through a bit better and left it in there. Bummer.
I've had a great time this trip though, in between the mourning and adjustment, that is.
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Irish Recovery Breakfast

Irish Recovery Breakfast
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

After a fair few cocktails last night, this is exactly what I need.
An Irish Breakfast at Funky Monkey's on King St.
Note the black pudding. I was so excited when I saw it on the menu, I nearly fainted.
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Extreme Advertising

Extreme Advertising
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

I liked how excessive the posters on this telegraph pole were.
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Mum and Catch

Mum and Catch
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

I'm at Grandad's house right now, after having a lovely breakfast at Terrey Hills Tavern.
Catch is my brother Talan's dog, and probably has ADHD. She jumped into Mum's arms for this photo.
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On Our Way To Sydney

On Our Way To Sydney
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

Lilly and I are now at the airport, ready to head south for my Uncle's funeral.
A strange blend of excitement and mourning.
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Rorting Three

Rorting Three
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

Part one of my plan complete.
A 32GB iPhone 3Gs, ready to be unlocked and sold to make way for an HTC Hero.
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Adventures in the Forest

Adventures in the Forest
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

Lilly and I have now left the ferry and are making our way through the campus. Much adventuring.
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Waiting for a Ferry

Waiting for a Ferry
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

Lilly and I went out for Korean tonight (it was delicious), and are just about to catch a ferry home! Wee!
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Paper NES Console

Paper NES Console
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

Just made (folded, not drew) this at work, after seeing the post about it on Engadget. It's available at cubecraft.com
It's totally awesome.
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Desert blues

Desert blues
Originally uploaded by Swiatoslaw Wojtkowiak

I thought this was really pleasant.
Hope you enjoy it.

Guitar Hero Just Doesn't Cut It

Guitar Hero Just Doesn't Cut It
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

It's hard to be proud of my/our Guitar Hero skillz when this is going on outside.
But that happens, I guess.
Brazillian BBQs rock.
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There is something so majestic about a beach at sunset.

There is something so majestic about a beach at sunset.
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

Lilly's parents were meant to come up today, but her brother had to go into hospital with appendicitis, so they cancelled the trip. I had taken the day off to greet her parents, so Lilly decided that we should use this opportunity to head north to Noosa.
It's so lovely here.
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Tequila & co.

Tequila & co.
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

Oh man. Strawberry champagne for entree. Bootleg rum for mains. Tequila for dessert.
Tonight is awesome.
Three cheers for Dan and Lulu.
Lilly and I are going to Mexico next year. You should come with us.
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Bored

Man. I am fucking bored of work. Fucking bored. It's neither challenging nor interesting to make maps, and I just can't give a shit about it.
Fuck this, I need a new job.
I was bored after being at work for 40 minutes today. Not good.
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Sad Tomato...

Sad Tomato...
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

Packing up some dirty plates today, I inadvertedly made this sad face.
Aw.
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New Headphones

New Headphones
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

Finally bought some new headphones today. They're "ear canal" style, which roughly means "uncomfortable". These suckers will take some getting used to. I had a pair of Sony "in-ear isolating" headphones (much the same concept), but they didn't go so deep within my ears.
I first listened to Wiggle's Fabric CD (which I've been listening to a lot lately), and wasn't overwhelmed. I played around with the various tips, and settled on the largest silicon ones (tips, not tits, you perv). I then switched to Mastodon's _Blood Mountain_, and was very unimpressed. I swapped tips again (to the foam type now), and played with the EQ a bit.
Still sounded not that great.
So I swapped back to the silicon tips, and changed to Massive Attack's _Protection_. A quick adjustment of the EQ, and I'm wafting on the most beautiful sound waves.
I'll go back to Mastodon soon, to see if I just didn't achieve a good fit. I'm fairly confident that's the case. Either that or I need a larger capacity jukebox so I can rip my music at something higher than ogg q4.
Oh, and not all is great; the plug for the new headphones doesn't fit in the LCD remote for my iriver. Sucks. I loved that remote.
Looks like there is now very little stopping me from getting a large capacity ipod and Rockbox-ing it.
I will miss you, LCD remote!
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Floating Land

Floating Land
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

I forgot to send this photo!
This is from the Floating Land exhibit where we spent Lilly's birthday. Was fun!
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Lilly's Birthday Breakfast

Lilly's Birthday Breakfast
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

Happy Birthday, Lilly!
In celebration of Lilly's birthday, I took her out to breakfast at Moondoggies in Noosa.
Oh man, is it tasty.
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The Mouth of Hell

The Mouth of Hell
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

Lilly and I are walking near Sunrise Beach on the Sunshine Coast, and we're about to enter the gates of hell. Scary, no?
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Metal Detectors

Metal Detectors
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

Lilly's Uncle Pete and his friend, Margie, are metal detector enthusiasts. They make a decent amount from it (not an income, but a nice amount). Here they are doing there thing. Lilly and I were sitting in a tree while this was going on. I like trees.
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Look at me! I'm a fisherman!

Look at me! I'm a fisherman!
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

Finally finished my final assignment last night. Only 5 days late. What a stressful semester it has been.
So now, hindered only by my fear of final marks, Lilly and I are relaxing on the Sunshine Coast. It should be an awesome next few days.
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Paradise

Paradise
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

Lilly and I spent the greater part of yesterday at the beach down the end of this path. It was just *perfect*. I love Queensland if only for the fact that it was the first week of winter, and Lilly and I were lazing about in the shade of a tree at the beach. Fantastic.
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Bundy Brekkie

Bundy Brekkie
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

I'm so full right now.
The eggs in the picture are actually scrambled eggs with cheese (an unexpected delight). It also came with a crazy caramel chai tea drink. Nice.
Lilly and I are in Bundaberg for an exhibition opening that she designed the catalogue for.
The opening is tonight, and I'm really lookin forward to it.
I'm sorry, but I'm too full to write anything interesting right now.
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Cradle are Rocking

Cradle are Rocking
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

At the Cradle of Filth concert, and it's totally rockin.
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Bouncing Dog

Bouncing Dog
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

At the park with Ross, Luke, Tristan, and Ross' brother Andrew and his wife Sally.
The dog loves to play ball.
We're about to have a BBQ. I love BBQs.
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Behold! The Coffee Tower!

Behold! The Coffee Tower!
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

It's growth has certainly slowed, but I'm still proud of my baby.
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The Best Hat In The World

The Best Hat In The World
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

This is actually the best hat in the world.
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Tiki Taane

Tiki Taane
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

At the Tiki Taane concert. It's totally awesome. Does anyone want to come up to Brisbane for Salmonella Dub in June? All are welcome.
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Chimay Blue

Chimay Blue
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

I'm drunk and it's awesome. And only $9. A significant improvement over the $24 I said at Jackson's on George.
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Absynthe Time!

Absynthe Time!
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

We're at Suzeh's birthday, and Lilly and I figured it was time for absynthe. It's nice, and no doubt we're gonna be drunk soon. I already can't feel my tongue.
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Strawberry Yoghurt Mousse Cake

Strawberry Yoghurt Mousse Cake
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

Chrissie baked (well not really baked) a strawberry yoghurt mousse cake for no real reason.
I am happy.
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Mum's Lost Her House

Today was the deadline for Mum's eviction from The Hunter.

After pissing her money up a wall on the bridging finance for the house in Newport (and defaulting on that), and turning down the only offer she'd had on the Hunter in two years (only to default on that mortgage the following week), Mum was given two weeks to get out of the Hunter House.

Those two weeks are now up; the locks are being changed as we speak.

It's been a long time coming. There were plenty of escape routes Mum could have taken, but her pride, her poor decision making, her habit of putting everything on credit, and always giving into Talan's demands, meant she never took them.

It's her fault. There's no one to blame but herself. It's undeniable.

But I can't tell her that, and she can't admit it.

So right now, Mum and Talan are loading the last of the stuff amassed throughout the years into a shipping container, ready to be taken off to storage.

They'll fill the car with the vitals and the pets, and will drive somewhere. I don't know where. Talan will leave for his job in Central Queensland later this week, and Mum will be left alone and homeless.

Mum has been offered countless places to stay, from people that really love her, but it seems she is too proud to accept them. She mentioned something about a caravan park this morning; I don't think she can even afford that.

Just don't make another mistake, Mum.

Farewell, Hunter. You were a magic place, and I'll miss you dearly.

My concern now is what's going to happen to my Mother.

Soju

Soju
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

Lilly met me after work today, and we decided to go out for a beer, and what goes well with beer? Korean! So we then decided to go get Korean, and what goes well with Korean? Soju! So here Lilly and I are, getting a little drunk, waiting for what will doubtless be a delicious meal.
Assignment denial foo!
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Our Last Night in The Van

Our Last Night in The Van
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

Aw, sad times. Our last night stayin in the van. We hand it in at Perth tomorrow afternoon, then we fly out that night.
We're currently staying by an inlet north of Bunbury.
It's a little cold, but pleasant overall. We just passed the biggest mob of roos I've ever seen. Like 80 of them. Awesome.
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Beach Soccer

Beach Soccer
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

Time for a post-wedding match of beach soccer. Needless to say, I'm not participating.
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Our Rail Carriage

Our Rail Carriage
Originally uploaded by JadeMonkee.

Marty's wedding is tomorrow afternoon, so for the next three days, Lilly and I have proper accomodation in Dunsborough.
We are staying in a very cute converted rail carriage.
We're currently drinking some spiced mead that we bought from a meadery we passed the other day. Delicious!
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