SMILE, It's the Weekend!

I've had just 2 days of work this week - but I am very ready for the weekend!
This cute man is a welcome addition to anyone's weekend.
Smile - he may just turn up in yours!

Mud Explosions

A bubbling mud pool south of Rotorua, NZ

I'm not sure why, but I LOVE the mud pool where I took this photo. (Have a look at this one in enlarged form by clicking the image). There's the unpredictability of it all - the noise and wonder, the smells, and the splattered mud all around. Maybe I'm primitive at heart, I guess we all are one way or another. Perhaps its the chance to get the 'perfect photo' where the mud is exploding into the air... still smooth where it hasn't yet lost its bubble shape. Regardless, we almost missed the spot - had been there before - but found it again on our trek through Rotorua (in fact way south of Rotorua not just the 2km or so I remembered...) I'm glad we did.

White Island, NZ

White Island Volcano, off the East Coast of New Zealand's North Island

A perfect day gave us distant, yet still impressive views of this volcano off the coast. New Zealand is filled with volcanic and earthquake activity, which gives it an extra element of adventure... If only we could really travel as fast as we can with google earth... I'd be somewhere new every day, and tomorrow I think I'd chose to be chilling out on big day bed overlooking a crystal clear 100m long pool/lagoon in a remote pacific island destination... anyone joining me? I just need the gps coordinates and an enhanced google earth...

superchilled race around the world - Location 3

Here is the latest photograph from the superchilled race around the world series... can you tell me where it is taken?

Remember first correct and most creative incorrect responses are the winners...

Location 2 - Revealed

Location 2 in the superchilled race around the world series proved too difficult for even an international crowd. Peter of Amsterdam was closest to the mark with Costa del Sol, but does not win the prize, runner up though for his noticing the shrivelled up older couple's need for a high SPF sunscreen. (Did you notice the makeup?)

The correct location of the photograph was in fact Benidorm, Spain. Click here for the specific location with Google maps.

Location 3 will be posted around midday Thursday, Sydney time. So be ready. It will be much easier this time...

Don't know the race details? Click here.

Stories from NZ

Camping near East Cape - NZ

I'm not quite sure there's a category for the kind of travelling we do, but it frequently consists of a mix of all worlds. Flashpacker is possible category, but I'm not sure we quite fit that either. And so on this short New Zealand trip we mixed hotels, backpackers and camping in remote locations. We typically have a car which carts us around in varying levels of comfort, and this time it was a Toyota Camry (but Avis gave us the now superseded model damn it!). It took us far and wide - with no day spent idle. Hiking, swimming, dining out (or via supermarkets), exploring and running from scary locals all regular features, often all in one day, through our travels. The final destination for the day is flexible - and accommodation arranged in transit, sometimes using wotif.com sometimes with a 'that looks alright' for the night. Bryce managed to collect an entire forest by the time we returned to Wellington, and I managed to photograph the hell out of Sylvain & Bryce, both reluctant subjects, amongst others.

More stories / photos will undoubtedly follow soon.

Flight Plan

Staring at me all the way back from New Zealand was this emergency opening graphic... The staff even go to the point of telling you how to open the damn door... Half way through the flight I find myself thinking, 'hmmm I wonder what would happen if I followed these instructions...' So this is me staring out the window at a rather spectacular afternoon, calculating how easy it would be to throw out the 15kg door (yes they label the weight and all) whether I would be sucked out regardless of my seat belt firmly fastened.. then if someone else happened to be unfastened, could I in fact stop them from flying out when de-pressurisation ensued... it goes on. But it made me think - how often do we think of the things we could possibly be doing badly? But not actually do them.

On the positive side - it meant I was sitting in a seat with extra leg room - and in economy class on any plane - that's a very good thing. (especially if you have legs as long as mine)

Oh, yes. We're home!
Lots to post. Keep tuned.

NZ North Island - East to West Coast

It's Monday. We're in not old, not middle aged, but New Plymouth, having driven from the east to the west coast of New Zealand today, and explored quite a bit. The most adrenaline pumping part was driving to the end of a dirt road in a kind of wilderness area, the narrow and steep cliffs besides us weren't the adrenaline pumping part - it was the guy at the end who seemed to be pissed off that we had driven into his property. We had turned around realising it wasn't where we wanted to be... he came up to us yelling and screaming and even through a rock at us (hitting the car) as we left... scary stuff - and we still don't know quite what it was that we did wrong... were going to report him to police - but well, holidays are too short and we decided to move on - something it seems he won't be doing for a while. The scenery has been spectacular the weather amazingly warm and sunny. Last night we were camping - tonight it's a backpacker (I'm under the steps in the internet box!). So it has been quite varied. Tomorrow we'll explore Mt Egmont (volcanic mountain) and head back towards Wellington... see how it goes. Everyone keeps apologising for the rooms with only a double/queen and single etc... ie not 3 separate beds... poor us - how will we cope?

pictures from this Easter...

Watch this space....

superchilled race around the world Location 2 Clue 2

OK it does seem competition is a bit hard for this one. The pic below shows the beach in a European country... it IS Spain, but it is mainland Spain.... do we have any takers? (see below for details) (my time is running out here and Bryce needs the pc)

So this is Gisborne?

Here we are in sunny downtown Gisborne. Where's that? It's on the east coast of the north island of New Zealand (about as far east as you can go I think). It is indeed a sunny day here - which is a little of a surprise from the land of the long white cloud... but I'm enjoying being back in shorts. The first night we spent in a tent (no room in the inn) and started off well - but we all managed to have terrible sleep, cold and not so comfy, so booked into a hotel here last night with a HUGE, palatial almost, 4 room suite (usurping someone who hadn't turned up in time) the town is booked out it seems. So last night we got some good sleep. Managed to swim last night as well and then this morning as well. So the holiday is going according to plan. Next stop - well who knows.. but we'll keep on moving and exploring... and seeing what happens.

Happy Easter!!

Location 2 - CLUE

So far Location 2 of superchilled race around the world seems to have been a challenge. So it's time for a clue. It's taken on that continent we call Europe. That's all I'll reveal for now - apart from the fact that it's a popular destination for British tourists...

superchilled race around the world - Location 2

The superchilled race around the world continues...

Where is THIS photo taken?

Peter von Amsterdam won Location number one, The Railway (underground-ish) station at the Berlin Olympic Stadium, with Geoff d'Vancouver a close runner up with everything but a piece of the building in his competition entry. I was impressed! Round 2 may be a bit more challenging, and distracting. The photo is one of a series...

But can you name the location?

Again first prize to the one who gets it right first, runner up to the most creative entry.

Competition details & Location 1 can be found here.

It's time to search the planet!

New Zealand bound

We're off to the windy city of Wellington, the Capital of New Zealand for a 6 day Easter escape. Our good friend Bryce has been studying there since January and we promised to visit, so this is it. We have a hire car booked, a map, our camping gear packed (although we'll probably mix it up with solid walled accommodation from time to time) and not a lot in the way of plans. Everyone has been cringing when I say Wellington - but I really liked it on a fleeting visit some years ago and in the end we'll be touring the southern part of the north island much of the time anyway, to fill in gaps from that 4 day north island blitz all those years back.

Posts here will be thin on the ground I expect, but superchilled race around the world will continue. Be prepared. Location 2 will be posted within the hour!

Here's a stolen moment from a serene Bryce.
Happy Easter!!

The Race Heats Up

The superchilled race around the world is heating up. We have a winner - the runner up yet to be finalised - but the quality of the entries has been high. Peter of Amsterdam pipped Geoff at the post with the correct answer (see it in the comments), Geoff fought back with GPS coordinates, postal address, map link and official opening details, after a technically incorrect first entry. That said, he is at this point, the leader in the runners up category, but can you find a more creative and entertaining incorrect or late answer?
See the photo of the location below. A new location will be posted early Friday morning Sydney time (think 1am-ish) for Round 2 of superchilled race around the world.

superchilled race around the world

A brand new worldwide competition STARTS NOW.

A photograph of mine from a location somewhere on the globe will be posted on superchilled.
The first person to correctly name the location (most accurately and specifically) wins.
Most creative guess is runner up.
Both winner and runner up will be posted here on superchilled.
Over the coming weeks and months scores will be tallied to also provide a series winner.
Below is the first location photograph.
May the world be with you!

Tell me where this photo is taken and be the first winner.

Sex is best when it's one on.....?

If we listen to the George Michael from the "I want your Sex" days then sex is best when it's one on one. But is it? Or is it best when it's one on two or three or four, or more? When less is more - is more morer?

I spoke with a former monk, "Scott," today. After leaving the monastic life Scott did a 180 and sex became a major part of his life. He had sex with multiple partners, and he very much enjoyed it. But ultimately he found it was too unbalanced for him. He’d left one extreme for another. Now he's embarking on a more settled life with just one partner, and he seems very happy with his choice.

As gay men we have the possibility of a whole other world than the yellow brick road that society expects of our heterosexual counterparts. If you're outside the norm on being gay - well, you might as well make up your own rules on everything else too?

While it's not always the case we have generally less entanglements with the whole sex thing. One or two or three partners in sex are often discussed and many of you will know of relationships where there are three partners living together. I personally know of 2 (although they're not close friends of mine), and while it's not for me, at least not right now- it does seem to work for them.

But bring up the topic and there will be a wide variety of reactions. Some people will claim the more the merrier, others find the whole idea abominable, some are curious but not quite sure how to go about doing it. Are you thinking less or more? Or are you still unsure?

Motivation

What motivates you?

It's never an easy thing to put on paper, defining the things that drive us to do the things we do. It is easy to look at it from a carrot and stick perspective... you work because you get money to buy things that you want or like - the carrot - or to pay the bills that keep arriving - the stick... You work out because you like to keep fit, look good, perhaps look like that mouth-watering cover model from Men's Health or DNA and ideally have more men chasing after you (the carrot?) or alternatively because it keeps you healthy and prevents disease such as heart disease and diabetes... the stick... But it’s much more complicated than that - and its much more fluid in the way it changes evolves and challenges you. Sometimes you’ll start a fitness regime because of that extra weight you put on over the festive season, and when you really get into it – even if you’ve lost the weight – you’ll feel better and the exercise itself will make you feel good – so you keep on going well after the weight has been lost… but sometimes you won’t, and you find it hard to keep going, and you miss it now and again – and then weeks have passed and your membership payments are the only regular thing about your gym.

For me sometimes the routine of doing things keeps me going– I swim with monotonous regularity. Sometimes I’m not particularly motivated but I find myself at the pool with my gear on standing thinking, hmmm I really feel like being at home on the couch, but I’m already there so I jump in – follow the long black line… and jump out filled with more energy than I had standing at the side not so long before… In the end I guess it’s the feeling good a the end that motivates me – and hopefully some physical aesthetic and long term health benefits add to that as well… Entering in ocean races will motivate me as well, more so if there are others I know also entering (I’m competitive at heart). When I’m at work and I’ve been faced with people day in day out with lists of complaints as long as – and maybe including their arm… sometimes getting through the day needs that swimming pool to escape to. And then I’ll focus on the end of the day – perhaps meeting with friends, a movie, dinner… something to look forward to when this is all finally over… or perhaps the weekend ahead if I’m pushing it, perhaps even a positive comment on my blog! (ok I AM new at this). But the mental idea of something beyond all this hardship will often be enough to take the stress out of it, and maintain the motivation to keep going. The things that make you feel warm and fuzzy inside – the small things - are often the things that will keep us going, and the sense that we’ve made some kind of difference to humanity – regardless of how small it may be – can be a powerful motivator.

There are so many things out there that we react to – but what makes us actually get off our collective butts and get out and do something?

What motivates you?

World domination?

In my quest for world domination - it's a slow process - I'm making some headway. I've been headlined in this blog which is kind of a directory of sorts... BestGayBlogs... It's kinda weird opening someone else's site and finding yourself as the main picture (unless of course you're a model or 'celebrity') I did a double take - but no it wasn't my profile I'd clicked on.. Anyway - some of you may have found your way here through there, and if so welcome. Pictured above are some classic Abercrombie men; embodying some of the themes for my blog (cute men, water / swimming, photography). I try to throw in a little intelligent discussion as well, from time to time, to keep you on your toes.

To Kiss, Hug, Shake Hands or What?

Should I kiss him? Should I shake his hand? Would a hug be appropriate? Maybe if I just pass by the whole physical contact no one will notice... Jump right into conversation? A jovial pat on the back?

I remember the first time I saw men kiss male friends. I was 18 and a uni student, I wasn't sure if I was gay, but somehow I'd gotten invited to dinner at the home of a gay couple my mum worked with. They lived in Ashfield in inner west Sydney and for the time being I was boarding with one of their parents... (this world is indeed convoluted)... anyway... I arrived and was shown around the house, "this is our bedroom, here's the..." cut, wait a second, I'm still absorbing the whole one bed thing... of course they share a bed - but this is Gay Ed. 1.01 for me, my memory imprinting is in overdrive...

A doctor friend of theirs was also there for dinner, me being the first year Med student I guess they wanted to find some kind of match, but I knew nothing, nothing about anything it felt. The dinner was immaculate. He was a lecturer in fine arts, and he was a ballet dancer… The conversation cultured beyond me, and then on departing they kissed the doctor farewell, end of a dinner party - usual thing – it was warm and heartfelt... I'm sure my jaw didn't drop, but in my head it did. I went home thinking my mum must think I’m gay!! … But that kiss… it was just a routine departing kiss, but it was man with man… brand new to me. I was thrilled and stunned all at once. Some evening that turned out to be.

But for some reason – I’ve never really gotten the gist of the whole kissing thing. And to make it more complex – everyone seems to have a different take on it. Some people kiss on the cheek, and when you live with a Frenchman both cheeks enter the fray… Some kiss on the lips, some the air… With one friend (you know who YOU are) we exclusively shake hands; I mean I kiss his partner, but it has been a thing that we just shake hands, and I REALLY like it. It seems to say more to me because it’s different, and special. But it’s always a conscious thing for me. I have to think about how I greet whom and if I kiss or hug, or shake hands, or run a mile. It’s never automatic. I don’t want people to think I’m cold – a greeting or departing contact adds warmth I know. How well should I know someone before I go in for the kiss? Is a handshake too, um, cold?

And then to make it more complicated if you’re outside the gay-friendly zones, there is a sensed need to be careful and filter your level of contact – although even then I think I SHOULD help the rest of the world get over homophobia… but do I want to be the one hit over the head because of it? Oh and it’s not just men now either – some of my best female friends never get a kiss from me on greeting or departing.

Maybe it’s just me – maybe I should invent a whole new greeting that’s uniquely me? Next time I walk up and gently scratch the back of your neck, it mean’s ‘Hi great to see you again, or sorry to leave you but it’s been great’… Better still, you take the initiative. I’ll take it like a man.

Sundays are for...

1. Lounging in the warmth of the morning sun.
2. Brunching with your closest friends.
3. Reading the papers - the bits you really like.
4. Dancing with someone you love.
5. Swimming (every day is for swimming!)
6. Calling family & friends that you miss.
7. Taking the dog for a long, wandering walk.
   Singing, like you just don't care.
8. Sex.
9. Driving along winding roads with the air in your hair.
10. Making things with your hands.
11. Things that make you smile, and laugh, and giggle uncontrollably.

What are your favourite Sunday things?

Recommended reading this Sunday:
The Patient Man: An Abercrombie Avalanche