Saturday, August 15, 2009

Yes, I'm Still Alive

Sorry for the long delay between posts. I think I forgot I had this thing up here and that some people actually read it.

I've seen almost everyone back here in the states since I've been back but there are some, mostly out west, that I haven't been able to meet up with yet. So most of you have some idea of what I've been up to. But I'll fill in for those who haven't.

I had my back surgery one year ago today, well actually yesterday as Oz is a day ahead, I didn't blog that I was coming home as it was a surprise for my grandparents. I got back to the states 2 days before they were heading off to Florida and didn't want to tip them off. Anyways, got back to the states on Sept. 15th last year and chilled out for a few weeks visiting everyone and spending time with my family. It was really good to see everyone again. I moved in with my brother and his two doggies, about 15 minutes south of my parents house, and everything is going well.Where I live

Tater (lab-husky) & Sadie (Ibizan hound-??)

Then I got exposed to the horrible Cleveland winter not to long after that. I remembered why I moved away and said I wouldn't come back. It's not fun. I think I have some pictures of the snow I'll try and find so everyone down in Oz can understand what it's like here. It is not fun coming from nice sunny Queensland to a place that only gets 120 days of sun a year, and those days are not in the winter. A metre and half of snow, frozen beer, and -12C is not fun.

Cleveland Browns Stadium, it was -12C this day...and they lost, as usual.

Not Good

Sadie in 1.5 m of snow

Yeah there is a picnic table under there.


After a few months being back I started looking for some work. Not in Cleveland or anywhere in the Midwest. Mostly out west or the south eastern part of the states, as well as overseas. Needless to say a year later I'm still doing the same thing. Now I'm starting to look at the dreaded lab jobs as well. There is plenty of stuff out there but I guess I'm not as experienced in my field as those they are hiring. I've even applied for jobs that are two levels below and have still have only received one interview so far. But it also didn't help coming back to an economy which was ruined by the former president and is the 2nd worst in US history. It's hard when 75 other people are also trying to get the same job you are. Guess I'll have to find a lab job and volunteer to get some experience. Oh well, make lemonade.


To keep busy and obtain some money to pay off my exorbitant school loans I have been renovating my parents house. They are planning on moving sometime in the next two years and need everything updated in order to sell it. My brother did quite a bit of painting and other stuff while he to was also unemployed but there is still a bunch to finish. Just a short list of stuff; sod half of the backyard, drywall one bedroom, paint 4 bedrooms, basement, and garage, gut and restore two bathrooms, and stain a deck. And there is plenty of stuff to do as well. So I have to thank my parents for helping me out by giving me some dough to keep me afloat. I'll post some more pictures next time.
Sod

So, that's pretty much all I've been up to since I came back. Looking for employment and working on my parents house. The summer has been good. Not too hot and not too rainy, but we still have another month or so to go. The 4th of July was good and my friend bought a place up on the lake which is a nice little getaway on the weekends. Drinking, friends and a firepit are always a good time. And we have been brewing our own beer as well. Fun and it's better than most of the stuff you can buy in the store.
Brewing

Bottling
Capping our beer

I'm headed back to Australia for about 5 weeks coming up in September. I can't wait to see everyone again and relax for a bit. Before I get out there I'm going to Denver with some friends to see the Browns (american football) game and then I'm off to Vegas to visit some friends for about a week. If anyone down in Oz would like me to bring them something "American" just send me an email and we'll figure it out. Tri I already have something for your truck.

I will try and keep up with the blog as hopefully things will be changing soon and I would like to keep everyone informed of what is going on. But if I haven't posted in a while, most likely nothing has changed.

Cheers,
Brandon