Dental Drama

Dental Drama

My fear of dentists is so great that I went to my veterinarian for a follow up check up. This past week I was in the dentist’s chair and as usual I didn’t recognise the person sitting there. Between cries of pain, wiping my sweaty palms on my shaking legs, and struggling to keep my adrenaline-fueled, anxiety-pumping heart from jumping out of my chest I had an epiphany: my fear of the...

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Remember Me?

Remember Me?

A travelling companion from more than 20 years ago reaches out and says G’day after stumbling across The Experience Junkie website. I’ve always maintained that experiences are best shared: for the enriching perspective a companion provides – seeing things that you might not have noticed; for the energy they offer at the time, and even better for the shared experience that you can...

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Where Next?

Where Next?

I’m frequently asked two questions: Where’s your favourite place in the world? – and – Where would you go tomorrow if you could? I loathe the first question. It is impossible to answer. There are too many incredible places on this magnificent planet of ours to narrow it down to just one destination. I like different places for different reasons and even then I’d find it hard to narrow...

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Family Time

Family Time

My pets come together each morning and bestow their affection on me at the most inopportune of places and times. My street puppy Cenizo follows me around all the time. At first I thought it was insecurity. It’s a big world out there and as Dad I offer sense of safety. But then he started to get brave, and now if left off the leash the distance I can walk before he’ll race to catch up to me...

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Robbed: Bank Balance $0

Robbed: Bank Balance $0

Imagine my surprise this past weekend when I logged into my savings account via the internet only to find that my bank balance read a big fat $0. I had been robbed; my account emptied over the past month via a number of ATM withdrawals in Bogota, Colombia. I wasn’t completely shocked, resigned rather to the frustration and hassle that would, and has, ensued. You see this has been happening...

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‘Til We Meet Again Oprah

‘Til We Meet Again Oprah

Thanks for the insight, for the inspiration … we’ll take it from here. I just watched the final Oprah episode. (Thanks to a neighbour with Tivo and a television – I have neither). Her last show was simply Oprah, no guests, standing in front of the camera giving thanks to her audience the world over that have supported her these past 25 years and sharing for the last time all the...

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Life Got in the Way

Life Got in the Way

So here I was a couple of months ago humming along quite fine. My life had rhythm, it had structure. I was writing regularly, I was getting to the gym – gaining weight – eating healthily, sleeping well, and challenging myself by learning Spanish here in Guatemala. Most importantly I was content. That was the last time that most of you would have heard from me. So much has happened since...

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Mother Nature’s Mad

Mother Nature’s Mad

The buzz about the world for some years now is that Mother Nature’s mad. The question being posed is: Are we just being super-sensitive to her moods or have we gotten up her skirt and enraged her with our careless disregard for her home? Whatever the answer, wild weather is afoot. It seems recent years have seen a normally hyped-up media legitimately using phrases like ‘worst...

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Losing Momentum

Losing Momentum

Sometimes life’s curve balls force a temporary timeout but don’t let a slowdown in momentum mean a loss of determination. Who would have ever thought that playing Ultimate Frisbee would result in a cracked rib? I mean it’s only frisbee, gosh darn it! But that’s exactly what happened to me last week after a giant Thor-like opponent tackled me to the ground as I...

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Let There Be Sight!

Let There Be Sight!

I can see again!! Last week, I picked up my new glasses and a whole new world opened up for me. No, truly. It was like I had arrived on a new planet. Sure, I expected to be able to see better, farther, but I wasn’t prepared for the intensity of colour, for the brightness of my surroundings, for the details of things that suddenly flooded my vision. I’ve since spoken with friends about my...

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The Lessons of Golf in the Game of Life

The Lessons of Golf in the Game of Life

I play a game of golf once a year. I’m not bad for only playing once a year, but let’s be honest I’m not great either. I once took a golfing lesson from an Australian golf-pro in Vietnam so I know the basics of how to stand, swing, and stay focussed on the ball despite the distraction of the swing and the overriding desire to see where the ball went. Sounds easy right, but it’s actually...

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I Didn’t Like the Dominican Republic

I Didn’t Like the Dominican Republic