I'm the world's worst correspondent. I think it's been caused by a couple of weeks of navel gazing on the couch; marathon sessions of self-reflection punctuated by walks to the DVD-store. Starting a blog will probably not help matters. My apologies to those who have been neglected and thanks to those who have persevered!

the Melbourne vibe

Melbourne is like the friend that you enjoy spending the night with because they are interesting and charismatic, yet concerned about you and whether you're having a good time. Sydney is interesting and charismatic but it knows that it's good, it flaunts it, and it couldn't give a shit if you have a good night or not - come the end of the evening, it starts to piss you off.

Lars and the Real Girl

Great film. The story is ambitious but refreshingly original. Lars is a gentle, introverted guy in his late 20s living in the garage of his childhood home, now occupied by his brother Gus and sister-in-law Karen. Many in his small-town community, including his family, have a great affection for Lars but find it hard to get close to him. Sensing an underlying loneliness, those that love Lars just want to him to be happy.

When Lars tells Gus and Karen that he's met someone on the internet, they're overjoyed, until they are introduced to Bianca, a life-size sex-doll that Lars relates to as a living, breathing girlfriend.

When a friend told me about the film, I was expecting that the absurdity of the sex-doll would be flogged to death. There are some good visual gags in there - because it is a pretty bizarre scenario - but rather than repeating the same joke over and over, the doll becomes a vehicle to explore Lars's character; why is he having this delusion; how will those who love him respond.

Two-thirds of the way through the film, despite the fact that she has not uttered a word, let alone altered her facial expression, Bianca, to me, was a character in her own right, which is a real achievement on behalf of the filmmakers. It speaks a lot for subtle plot development and good acting.

the core

The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.

Christopher McCandless, the guy who inspired the book and the film Into the Wild, said this in a letter to a friend that he met during his travels.

It's a great story and McCandless is an incredibly intriguing and complex character. His journey and philosophy are particularly inspiring for someone about to set off on an extended trip, but there are many who think that he was a idiot; an idealist who underestimated mother nature while overestimating his ability to survive in the wilderness.

I think he was onto something though. I think it's a stretch to say that adventure is at the core of every human spirit. But I think if it is there, it's important not to ignore it. It's interesting to note that relationships really took a back seat for McCandless. He was an idealist and I think he was looking to nature to fill the gaps left by significant broken or disappointing relationships, namely with his parents.

Although it is unlikely, if I were to tattoo this quote onto my chest, I think I'd add something about good relationships. It's a facet of my life in which I have a lot to learn but I'm hoping there's a cuddly combine driver in the States waiting to impart his knowledge to me in this respect.

What-the-hell-am-I-doing moments

I got a call today from my contact in Australia to say that he's found me a spot on a harvest crew. I've still got to pass my interview at the US consulate but, assuming that this goes off OK, I'll be looking at a mid-May departure.

I've constructed this adventure in my head for months and I've taken steps to make it happen, but, because it is so far removed from anything that I've experienced before, there's been a part of me that has doubted that it could actually eventuate.

But it's exactly this - the off-the-wall nature of this trip, full to the brim with unknowns - that makes me know that it is exactly what I need at this time. For a long time I think I've been addicted to the familiarity and safety of routine, ignoring a yearning to discover things and people that are different.

Clearly, at this stage of the trip, I'm running on a lot of romantic notions. I'm sure these will quickly dissipate when I touch down. But I can't wait for the challenge. Such challenges make for good stories. Hence the blog. Make sure you keep posted!