Yesterday, I returned from my Queensland holiday. Four days in Brisbane and three more on the Gold Coast that revolved around seeing the legendary Iron Maiden (again.) I wish I had more mental energy to expertly and succinctly chronicle all my adventures there, including taking in the Andy Warhol exhibition while slavishly trapising around the Brisbane CBD in stifling humidity; encountering strange foreigners in our Hostel bedroom who were content to walk around semi-naked or fuck on the bottom bunk (no great surprises); witness an eighteen-year old metal fan descend into his first blistering hangover (getting kicked out of the bar to boot!); the stand in awe at the grandeur of Bruce and co. as well as way-too-laid-back locals soaking in the pulsing, intense atmosphere. Karen and Anita (whom organized the trip) took us to meet her father who works as an electrician in Deception Bay (the names of places were a definite highlight also. My absolute favorite was "Fortitude Valley.") He was one of the most interesting people i've ever met. If I ever do half the things he described, i'll die content. It felt like I was there for weeks yet only there for a short while...I had some fun - which is all one can ask for.
I'll be interviewing Hate Eternal soon. This journalism thing is even impressing me now. It impresses girls (at least backpackers on the Gold Coast) so I think this job might be a keeper.
Here's a short piece of prose poetry that I wrote after I came back. I think it captures my underlying mood at the end of my trip:
I'm addicted to melody
but you're singing out of tune
pins and needles twist your ears
I think i'll be coming soon
this sun burns hot like matches
lit under my fingertips
stop blowing me kisses babe
and lock up my lips
i'm being grilled again
but you're the one stewing
we want everyone happy
but they're not laughing
i'm counting down to your extinction
and i'm hopefully waiting for
your beautiful inevitable
self-destruction
your key falls flat against my ear
it turns the latch to finally set me free
i loved it most when you hated yourself
i loved it most and hated it best of all