Yadda Yadda Yadda

Well it's that time of year again! My friends & I always head down to Philip Island for new years. I'm off tomorrow for 4 days. Should be lots of fun! We're staying in a workmate's house right on the beach! Whoo!!! See ya all next year! I hope you all have a wonderful new year filled with all the good stuff!
Always look on the bright side of life.

Food for thought:
The internet should supplement life, not be a replacement for it.

Well it's that time of year again. Trees, mistletoe, presents, lights and carols. Although I don't know anyone who has ever hung mistletoe... I'm singing in the Carols by Candlelight choir again this year. Lots of fun! We've been rehearsing each Saturday morning for a while now. I'm not so keen on Saturday morning practices I must say... But it's been fun getting into the Christmas spirit. And now we have rehearsals every night this week leading up to it with the orchestra and soloists. I enjoy singing in the choir, but it's also fun watching some of the people take the choir waaaaay too seriously! We matter, sure, but we are the least important part of the night and some people have no sense of perspective! Mostly those who've been doing it for 15 - 20 years. I swear the sopranos think the higher the note you can sing, the better a person you are. Hilarious! So anyway, Christmas Eve is the night if you want to watch us on tv. Live on channel 9 from 8pm. I think it's repeated at lunchtime on Christmas day too.

Richard's memorial night on Sunday was truly amazing. It was a wonderful night of people getting together to celebrate Richard both as a person and as a professional. It wasn't cheap, nasty, or downright boring. There were lots of tears and lots of laughter. We started off just having some drinks, then there were lots of speeches interspersed with clips of Richard's radio and tv work. He truly was a talented man! Not a bastard, adrift in a blizzard of cocaine. I've never laughed so much at a memorial before! It was dizzy stuff folks! Then we went back to mingling and listening to some of Rich's favourite music. Although I didn't hear one semi by the sea, not did I hear about the rains in Africa. I got to meet so many amazing people and share in wonderful stories of Richard. Everyone was not just lovely about Richard, but also lovely to each other. It was beautiful. There was so much love in that room. Awwww how good is this?! After all is said and done, Richard was one of the best. He will be truly missed.

You may take my license, but you'll never take, MY TEQUILA!


Richard at the save Get This rally last year


Richard & I at the Get This final party last year


Lachy Hulme & I at Richard's memorial night

Here is a great article that came out in an Adelaide newspaper on Friday.


RADIO star Richard Marsland's final phone call to his mum in Adelaide ended the way it always did: with an "I'm fine mum", and "I love ya, I love ya, I love ya".

But the wide-smiled "comedic genius" – dubbed the "nicest guy in radio" – was hiding a pain far deeper than his devoted mum could imagine.

IT was nine days ago and Richard had finished his last breakfast show of the year alongside hosts Pete Helliarc and Myf Warhurst on Melbourne's Triple M.

The talented broadcaster, known for his infectious laugh and witty one-liners, was meant to have dinner with former colleague Tony Martin and friends at a pub, but he never showed.

About 8.30pm he phoned his mum Alisson and they had a regular mother-son conversation, with Richard intent on finding out the family's plans the following day.

She secretly hoped the questions related to his penchant for surprise visits home to Adelaide. Instead, it was a final phone call home hours before Richard made a lonely drive to Shiprock Falls in Victoria's Dandenong Ranges where he was found dead on Saturday morning.

His grieving family spoke to the Sunday Mail this week, telling of his tragic battle with depression.

They hope it will help others recognise the warning signs and get help before it is too late. But most of all they wanted to celebrate the life of a comedian, writer, and radio host, whose achievements included writing for TV shows Rove Live, The Glass House and Newstopia.

And they want people to remember him for his kindness and love of making people laugh. Mrs Marsland and her husband Peter, of Gawler River, said their son had suffered depression and attempted suicide about 10 years ago but few people knew.

Even his closest colleagues were unaware what his sunny facade masked, with one describing him as like a "Berocca" on the breakfast shift. He recovered after extensive counselling and had been "happy and in control" ever since.

But professional and personal difficulties this year, including a relationship break-up, wore down his coping mechanisms.

He relapsed and reached his lowest ebb in October, telling his parents he felt "lonely and alone". His anguished mother said she had felt "very scared for him". She said he was concerned about what his future held in 2009 and talked about going on holidays for a while.

They flew to his home in Melbourne to support him, but, never wanting to worry his family, Richard gave no indication of just how low he'd sunk. At the Gawler River home where he lived for 14 years, his mum and dad both tearfully said if they had realised the true extent of his pain she would have "taken him away" and kept a constant eye on him.

"He never would have wanted to hurt anyone," Mr Marsland said this week.

"This was not an act of selfishness on his behalf, rather a loss to his recurring battle with depression. This was a way for Richard to get release from his pain and nothing else."

Mrs Marsland said the torment they were now going through was indescribable.

She urged anyone suffering depression to seek help.

"It's a mother's worst nightmare," Mrs Marsland wept.

"If someone is contemplating doing this, they should have spent the last three days with me, or the next three days. Everyone has somebody who loves them, if they are suffering depression or any sort of suicidal tendancies they need to know just how precious they are.

"There is always help if they just pick up that phone."

Even in the depths of their grief, Richard still had his family laughing.

Like the time he was asked to write about his life in Year 2, and duped his shocked teacher by his fanciful tale of being adopted in New York.

Or how, in his early days on community radio, he accidentally sent a series of expletives across the airwaves in Adelaide's northern suburbs.

While listeners would remember him for his SAFM characters Tripper and Thorpy, two druggie teenagers from Redwood Park, these are the quintessential "Richard" moments his family treasures.

Mr Marsland remembers a man who was not embarrassed to kiss and hug his dad, and went to ante-natal classes with his mum as a teen.

"He was beautiful, loving, caring, talented, very sensitive, a gentleman and a gentle man," he said. "He was unbelievably apologetic, he was nicknamed "Mr Sorry".

He never wanted to offend anyone. Like he would apologise to the cleaning lady at SAFM for being in the way."

But he rued the fact his son was never given enough credit for his immense talent, and described him as like a "ventriloquist" – always making other people look good.

Despite effectively being a third host in some of his radio ventures, he was never officially recognised.

Triple M said after his death his role was to be expanded on the Pete & Myf show next year, but friends said had been told it would be cut back.

Good friend Ben McEachean, who studied journalism with Richard at UniSA, believed he never truly knew how good he was.

The film journalist recalls his friend sneaking off to Melbourne in uni days to perform stand-up comedy, but never telling anyone.

"I know he never recognised what other people saw in him, despite the successes he had, which were many and great," McEachean said.

"He was the funniest person I knew. . . but he had a low opinion of himself."

Facebook groups set up to honour and pay tribute to the music-loving radio personality have been flooded with messages of sadness, disbelief and thanks.

In an interview earlier this year, Helliar praised Richard as far better than "your typical anchor".

"Eventually, I'd like the show to be called Pete, Myf & Rich," Helliar said.

"He writes these amazing sketches that are cerebral yet accessible.

"But even after he delivers an absolute zinger, he'll take off his headphones and go, `Was that OK?'."

Marsland admitted to taping audience laughter from the first gag he wrote for Rove McManus, and comparing it to the laughter from the show's other jokes. He oozed talent from a young age, whether it was his creative writing, scrawling impressive cartoons aged 10, or making kooky movies as a teen. Sister Tammy laughs that he also wanted to be a clown – "and in a way, he was".

Richard lived at home until he was 28, and the special bond with his family was the subject of many Mail Men columns penned for the Sunday Mail.

He also wrote of his affection and admiration for his sisters Bonnie, 19, and Tammy, 35, describing himself as like "a mad magazine between two ornate bookends".

The former Christian Brothers College student with an encylopedic knowledge of pop culture got his start at community station PBA FM aged 16, then later cut his teeth on commercial radio at SAFM. It was there he dreamed up promotions like The Fugitive and joined breakfast crews on air, including Amanda Blair and James Brayshaw. He was later also a co-host on Channel 7's morning program AM Adelaide. His comedic talent would eventually become sought after by some of radio and TV's finest in Melbourne.

The highlight of his career was working with his hero Tony Martin and Ed Kavalee on the national Get This radio comedy show on Triple M.

Originally recruited as an anchor – announcing the time, cutting to the news – he became an unofficial co-host after his talents were realised.

Blair broke down this week as she spoke of how much she will miss one of her closest friends.

"From my experience, there is a darkness with any comedian, it's part of what makes them so good," she said.

"We all just want to remember him for the great person he was; warm, loving, generous, kind, funny, insightful and sensitive."

His funeral will be held later this week.

We lost a great man yesterday. Truly one of the nicest people I have ever met, and one of the most talented. He was brilliant at what he did and was loved by everyone who knew him, and even lots of people that had never met him. The world is poorer for losing you Richard Marsland. Rest in peace.

More photos of late

Today I went shopping for bridesmaid dresses with Naomi! So much fun! I'm her maid of honour in June next year. How exciting! I love trying on dresses!

Today is my Goddaughter's 2nd birthday! She's such a big girl now! I spent the day with Naomi (her mum and my friend) and Yuna. How fun! Now for some cute photos! Part of the present I got her was that blue and green dress. I also got her a massive monkey soft toy that looks very anime.

It's quite surreal being home. I've been home for 4 days now. I know I was only gone for 2 and a half months. It's not that long. But it felt like a long time when I was there. It's a small community where you feel at home very quickly. You live and breathe each other and it feels familiar and comfortable very quickly. Now that I'm back it feels like I never left, which is weird. It's almost like that patch of my life has been erased. It's like it never happened. I can pick up my life in Melbourne where I left off and it's like I never went away. But it was a significant experience and I hate that it feels like it's been negated. I know that's a bit ridiculous but that's how it feels, like a significant part of my life has been taken from me. No one here was there, so no one can relate to it and coz I wasn't gone that long, my friendships just pick up where they left off, like I never left. I feel like part of my life has been taken from me. It's all surreal and strange. I'm not quite sure how I feel about it all.

By the way, I'm not massively upset about it, just thinking out loud. It just feels weird is all.

Honey I'm home!

I've been a bit of a tourist lately. It's been great! Yesterday I went to Uluru with Jess & Tiff and we walked around the base of the rock. It was hot and long, but beautiful and worthwhile. It took a bit over 3 hours to walk the 9.4km. Then we headed over to the cultural centre to have a look around. Then back home for a swim and back to the sunset viewing point at sunset for a lovely view of Uluru with wine and nibbles. Lovely! Then this morning I got up to watch the sunrise from a sand dune, then had a lovely buffet breakfast, then off to Kata Tjuta! I wandered around there for a couple of hours, only did 3.5km today. It was so lovely. They are such bizaare and beautiful landmarks in the middle of flat desert. I've loved spending the last couple of days up close enjoying them.

Tonight is my going away party. Yay! Should be heaps of fun! Although I am very tired... might need to get some caffine into me so I can last the night!

I get home on Tuesday. Yay!

I had my last day of work today! Whoo!!! I'm free!!!

I went on a sunset camel ride the other day. So lovely! It went for about an hour and we trotted over some dunes watching Uluru and Kata Tjuta while the sun set. I'm exhausted today. I'm having a bit of a homesick day. My first one in 8 and a half weeks. By the way I've been here for 8 and a half weeks now! Photos ahoy!


This is the first souvenir I bought. He's called Sterlo. After the camel I rode!


A lovely sunset over Kata Tjuta


CAMEL!


Tiff & I with Uluru in the background. It looks like I have my arms around her waist or something, but I'm just holding on to the bar. Weird photo.


Sunset over Kata Tjuta again


Me with my sexy helmut.


Just a shot of the camels in front of us.

So it was a fun night. I'm glad I did it. Quite different really. I've never ridden a camel before.

Just some more photos


Sunrise one morning over a dune


Sunrise over staff housing


Some typical landscape around here


Just another pretty picture


Kate, Olivia & I when they came to visit

I booked my flight home last night! Tues 28th of October is the date! I was planning on coming home the day before, but the flight sold out. Oops....

So things here have been good lately. Apart from being totally exhausted from work that is. This is the hardest job I've ever had and the lowest I've ever been paid. Go figure. I'll be leaving in about 3 weeks though. I'll be home at the end of the month. Yay! I'm glad I came up here, but 9.5 weeks is long enough for me! It's getting hotter all the time and the work is just so hard! Did I mention that it's really hard work?!

Kate left yesterday and Olivia left the day before. It was great to see some faces from home. I enjoyed hanging out with them and letting them see where I live and work. Kate & I played a gig at the resident's club here on Wed night. Lots of fun! I've been getting so much positive feedback about it, so that's good! We even got paid for it! Whoo!

That's all from me for now. I'm hanging out for my day off on Tuesday!
Love you to all!

Kate arrives tomorrow. Yay! It'll be nice to see some familiar faces. Olivia arrives soon too.

It's now been 5 weeks since I arrive at Yulara. Things are pretty much as they were. Work is still exhausting, the people are still nice. But I'm feeling like I don't fit in. For starters, I'm about 5 years older than most people. There are a few people my age, but most (where I live at least) are early 20's, still 'finding themselves'. A lot of them basically get as drunk as possible as often as possible. I'm way past all that stuff. I don't mind a few drinks, but I'm not up for getting smashed all the time. I guess I have other priorities and a different respective on life. A lot of people here are very selfish and one outworking of that is that people get things stolen a lot. I do have some friends here that I connect with, but I'm still feeling out of place. I'm not sure I'll stay the full 12 weeks I was intending to stay. I'm not sure I want to spend another 7 weeks in this environment.

Don't get me wrong, it's not terrible, it's just not quite right. There are lots of good things about being here too. I love the weather (I even have a bit of a tan!), the scenery is stunning (see photos), the people are nice (well some of them are!) and it's nice to do something a bit different for a while. I just think I might be ready to come home soon. Maybe I'll come home in a couple of weeks. We'll see. Kate is coming to visit on Sunday. I'm looking forward to a familiar face! We'll play a couple of gigs while we're here which I've set up. That'll be fun! I'm really looking forward to that!

That's about all I've got to report for now. Now for some more photos!


The sunset last night at the oval. So pretty!


Gerrard & I the other night at the res.


Tiff & Maddy spinning around on the oval last night at sunset. Lots of fun!


The hotel I work at at sunset the other night. Lovely!


Card on the head game! I taught Tiff & Maddy the other night. Awesome fun!



Uluru at sunset the other night viewed from a sand dune

Tiff & I with our sexy upside down sunnies!


Tiff on a sand dune at sunset the other night.

Today is the 4 week mark. And Thursday will be a month that I've been here.
I have nothing else to report really. Things here rarely change. More work, more of the same.
Apart from the fact that I keep getting sicker. I thought I was getting better, but no. The last 3 days I've been having uncontrollable nose bleeds. They last most of the night, and sometimes during the day. Usually lasting 3-4 hours at a time. It stopping me sleeping which means I'm exhausted. I went back to the doctor today. He said now I have an ear infection, a minor eye infection and an infection in my nose which is contributing to my nose bleeds. Great. How fun it is to be me right now. I know this sounds like a whingy, sympathy seeking post, but I honestly feel like utter crap. I am tired all the time and feel really sick. I have today and tomorrow off work again. My eyes are all bloodshot and I look awful.

If I'm still sick in 2 weeks I've decided I'm just going to pack up and go home. I'm not getting better. I feel so awful and I'm having to take time off work without pay because I don't have any sick hours saved up yet. Today is my 3rd sick day in 4 weeks. And I have tomorrow off too. I've been trying to go to work sick, but it's making me sicker. I feel guilty for taking so much time off when I'm so new to the job. But my bosses are being really understanding which is great. But I'm sure they'd still rather not have a sick worker...

Anyway, now that you've read my whinging rant I'll leave you to do something more fun with your time!

Today is my last day off before I go back to work...
I've enjoyed having time off. Some people say they get bored up here with lots of time off, but not me! There are lots of great people to hang out with and I've done a bit of reading which has been nice.

Speaking of which. I got a BARGAIN!!!! I went to the library the other day to get some books to read and they had a shelf of books they were getting rid of for 50c. I'd never heard of any of them, but then I saw the 5th Harry Potter book. They had excess copies, so they sold it to me for 50c! Oh yeah! I finished the 7th book about 3 weeks ago, but I don't own any of them. So I might start buying the books seeing as I have one now. Bargain! I LOVED the series!!! So addictive and compelling!

I'm almost better now. I'm feeling so much better than I have been, but I'm still not 100%. It shouldn't be long now!

I've been getting to know some different people which has been good. I've made some great friends! As you can see from lots of my photos! I have more photos on facebook if you want to check those out.

The weather has been stunning! It's low 30's at the moment, fine and sunny! I love it! All dry heat! I'm not a fan of the humidity. But the nights are hot, so yay! Best of both worlds! I might even get a tan if the weather keeps up!

The girl I'm sharing with in my half of the house is moving house next week, so I'll have half a house to myself which will be nice. She's great, don't get me wrong, but it'll be nice to have some more space.

That's all for now! Stay tuned for more of the adventures of Megan!

So I'm pretty sick at the moment...
I've been sick for about 2 weeks now and I finally went to the doctor yesterday. I'm not on any medication (he said it wouldn't help), but I do have some time off work so I can rest and get better. The problem is that I haven't been sleeping since I got here so I'm not getting the rest I need to get better. I'm not sure why I can't sleep. All I can figure is it's a psychological thing to do with being in a new environment. So the doc gave me a low dose of valium to help me sleep. I took some last night. That stuff is completely useless! I slept even worse last night than I normally do. All I need is a few good nights sleep I think...

Today it was nice to see some familiar faces! A family from my church, the Gawler's are up here at the moment as part of their caravan tour of Australia and we spent the afternoon together. We'll catch up again tomorrow after I finish work. It's nice seeing some faces from home!

I also started a new job tonight. I'm working at Tali bar when I've got some free time. Get some extra cash. It's good so far. It's a small bar in the 5 star hotel I'm working in.

Now for some photos! There are photos on facebook too. These are just some of the gang I've been hanging out with up here.



















These last 2 are from the sand dune I walk over on my way to work. On one side, Uluru, the other Kata Tjuta. Stunning! Not great photos though unfortunately... I'll have to take some better ones.