Melbourne vs. Sydney: The Rivalry Continues

Melbourne and Sydney have between them what closely resembles a sibling rivalry. Both 'children' of the amazing country of Australia, this rivalry has been going on since what might as well be forever. So which is city is better, Sydney or Melbourne? The debate lives on. Ask Melburnians and you'll hear the resounding answer-Melbourne. Ask residents of Sydney and you will hear the obviously converse answer-Sydney. After spending time in each city, it's safe to say that each city maintains their own factors of favor-ability.

I met a girl who explained it to me like this:

If Sydney and Melbourne were two women in a bar, Sydney would be the gorgeous blonde with a breath taking figure that would put Marilyn Monroe to shame. Her external beauty allows her to soak up much of the spot light, but she lacks substance.


On the other side of the room is Mel' who would be more closely associated with the quiet brunette. More like an Audrey Hepburn, she is stunning in her own unique way. Melbourne is more likely to hold deep intimate conversations that continue late into the night.


In reality there are so many factors to consider when comparing the two its no wonder the debate has lasted as long as it has...

-The People     -Lifestyle Pace     -The Cafes  -Public Transport
-The Culture     -The Scenery      -The Pubs    -AFL vs NRL

...the list goes on.

What it seems to come down to is: What type of atmosphere are you looking for?

Melbourne definitely has a more laid back feel to it and the arts/entertainment culture sets it apart from most other cities in the world. The public transportation set up makes it extremely easy to navigate from one side of the city to the other. The cost of living is slightly cheaper than Sydney(both cities are terribly expensive), and overall Melbourne is an extremely livable city.

Sydney's lifestyle is noticeably more fast-paced and heavily business oriented. The views from the Harbour Bridge and of the Opera House are awe-inspiring. Sydney is also home to Bondi beach which ranks among the worlds best, and the botanical gardens within the city create a heaven amongst the high-rises.


After spending time exploring each cities gorgeous landmarks and surprise-filled lane ways, I can see why the rivalry continues. What I will say definitively is that their similarities far outweigh their differences and deciding which city is better seems to be largely subjective. If you've never been and you find yourself in the southern hemisphere, do yourself a favor and take a holiday then leave us a comment and tell us what you think!
For those of you out there who have experienced the rivalry first hand, What's your opinion?

Surfari Weekend

It's THURSDAY afternoon. I'm walking towards the 'Outdoor' section of Big W looking for a new tent and sleeping bag. A few guys from work and myself organized a fishing trip in Torquay for Friday. Torquay is a township in Victoria Australia which is home to world famous Bells beach and birthplace of RipCurl and Quicksilver. I had heard about a RipCurl surfing competition in Bells beach from a girl I met on the train a couple days earlier so knowing I had the weekend off from work I'd have a golden opportunity to check it out. I packed up the new tent and sleeping bag along with a weekends worth of clothes and was set to go.

FRIDAY
The guys and I spend all day Friday fishing and only net a pair of fish. It is far from the greatest day of fishing but on the bright side, two fish are better than none. When the guys finally decide to call it a day I have them drop me off at the nearest camp ground. As the sun sets we say our goodbyes. Backpack on,  I march over to the camp ground office to a big sign taped to the window. In bold letters the sign reads 'ALL BOOKED OUT. NO VACANCY'. This is not what I want to see but I'm already here and with my only other ride long gone I come up with a plan B

In a frugal effort to spend as little money as possible this weekend a hotel stay is out of the question. My only other option is to wait until the sun goes down and set up the tent in a shadowed corner of the beach. As the sun gets lower in the sky I make my way to the beach. I crouch behind a hedge as a security patrol car creeps through the park looking for offenders. When the coast is clear, I dart across the parking lot. Right past a giant sign with bright red letters saying NO sleeping, NO camping, NO tents. The sign also goes on to say that perpetrators face prosecution. I disregard the warning and take a narrow wooden staircase down to where the sand and water meet.

 There is a patch of grass at the bottom of the stairs and some bushy trees in the background. I sit down at a near by picnic table where I pull out a book from my backpack. Hoping that I might go unnoticed should the patrol car make another pass. After 45 minutes the sun is down completely and the moon is quickly on the rise. Before long I decide its dark enough to set up camp. As I lay out the tent, I notice some people a few hundred feet away who apparently have the same idea. I assemble the tent and slide it under the cover of one of the aforementioned bushy trees and square my things away. With flashlight in hand I stroll over to my new neighbors hoping to keep things friendly and maybe gather some info. As I walk up I can see they are just setting up camp.

"Do you guys know what the penalty is for getting caught sleeping down here?" (I probably should have came up with a better introduction as I can see the spooked look on the groups faces.)

"No we don't." they reply.

"Okay, well my name is Jordan and I'll be over here if you guys need anything." I say before turning around and returning to the shadows. Fifteen minutes later there is a rapping on my tent.

"Hey we're going to be playing drinking games over here if you want to come play." a voice says.

"Yeah? Cool thanks for the invite." I mutter.

Figuring I have nothing else to lose, I grab the couple of beers the fishing crew left me and a flashlight and climb out of the tent.

I sit down at the picnic table and everyone introduces them selves. Three guys in their early 20's. Two from England and one from Holland  They explain the rules of the games they're playing and share with me some beers from a case they had brought. Its not long before the table starts to resemble a beer bottle graveyard. With a solid buzz going we collectively decide to take a walk up to the local pub. It's a short 10 minute walk. We get there with enough time to each order a drink before we are promptly told the bar is closing. We finish our drinks and make our way to our respective corner of the beach. I thank them for the beers and I stumble into my tent. I'm into my sleeping bag in no time at all and quickly fall asleep.



SATURDAY
I am awake before the sun rises. I'm paranoid of copping a potential fine and the risk of getting busted increases with every hour. I daze in and out of consciousness until about 8:30 when I decide to pack up and get moving. As I roll up my sleeping bag and stuff it in it's nylon sack there is a rapping at my tent.

"Hello?" a voice says.

I unzip the tent and pull back the flap. A bald, stocky, park patrolman is standing over my tent.

"How many people ya got in there?" he asks as he leans over to try to get a look inside.

"Just me." I reply.

"Okay, you are not allowed to have a tent set up down here." He says sternly. "Its a $185 fine to camp down here so I'll give you five minutes to break down your tent. You can stay down here for as long as you want just no tent."

"Say no more" I respond. "Thanks for the heads up." Fully appreciating his mercy.

I quickly break down the tent and finish packing up. I make two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for breakfast and head back to the official camp ground. My plan is to wait around until the office opens at 9 o'clock and hope that a camp site has come available. I grab a coffee and sit on a bench near the office awaiting the first staff members to open the doors. 9 am rolls around and a staff member appears from around the corner. 'Please let there be an open spot' I think to myself as he approaches the door. I wait a few more minutes for the guy to set up before I head in and start asking questions.

"Good morning!" I exclaim.

"G'day mate, what can I do for you?" he asks.

"I was hoping you would tell me there's and open lot available." I say.

"Let's see if we have anything available." He replies as he searches through the computer system. After a few minutes of searching his voice comes from behind the counter. "Looks like we have a single lot open"

"I'll take it." I blurt out without a second thought. He hands me a map with the open lot highlighted and explains directions to get there."That'll be $32 please."

So excited there is an open spot I practically throw the money at him. As he hands me my change I thumb through the bills to notice he has only charged me half price. He smiles and tells me to "Have a good weekend." On my way out I drop a couple of dollars in a donation jar on the counter as a kind of thanks to the universe.'This is working out perfectly' I think to myself.

When I arrive, I find my lot with more than enough room for the small two person tent and start setting up. By the time the tent is assembled the sun is high in the air and the temperature is rising fast. I change into swim trunks, grab a towel, and make my way down to the surf shop down the road. As I walk through the open doors there is a blonde women in her late 20's behind the counter.

"Good morning" I say to her. "I'd like to hire a surfboard."

"No problem. It's $20 for 2 hours, $30 for 4 hours, $45 for all day." she explains.

"All day please." I say.

I can't believe I am about to spend all day surfing some of the best waves on some of the nicest beaches in the world. I can't be awake, this must be a dream. She hands me a wet suit after sizing me up and sends me to the back to change. I step into the wet suit and pull the zipper up my chest to my throat. I strut confidently out of the changing room to the front of the shop. One look, and the lady shakes her head a begins to laugh. I know her words before she even says them. "Your suit's on backwards. Zipper goes in the back." She chuckles. I smack my forehead, laugh it off, and head back to the changing room.

Wet suit corrected I walk back out shamelessly. "You're not the first person to do that" she says, in a clear attempt to lessen any embarrassment.  "Go ahead and grab that yellow board" she says pointing to a rack of boards at the door. Money paid and release form signed I grab the board and head back to the beach. The sun is shinning and the waves coming in sweet swells as I walk down another wooden stairway to the water, board in hand. I lay out my towel and kick off my flip flops when I find a spot on the beach that looks good. Taking a minute to give thanks for every chain of events I've been apart of that has brought me here. I savor this moment.

A couple minutes go by then I grab the board and charge the water. Having never surfed before I get some tips by studying other near by surfers. I wait for a wave and am immediately swallowed up by it. I try and fall several times trying to find the right balance.I don't get discouraged though knowing that I'm getting better with every attempt. A good for 45 minutes go by of paddling to the break and wiping out before I catch my first wave.

I paddle out once more and wait for my wave. I psych myself up with some encouraging words. "You've got this. Nothin to it but to do it" I say aloud. A solid wave forms. this is it, I can feel it. I turn myself around and paddle like a maniac as the wave rises taking me with it. I jump up onto my feet and ride my first wave all the way into shore. Its an indescribable feeling. I suddenly understand how people give up lively hoods in search of primo waves. There is something soulful about moving with the ocean so smoothly. Swarmed with a new feeling of enlightenment and surrounded by good waves I surf on. 3 hours go buy and my appetite is growing fast so I decide to take a break and grab some lunch.

I ride in one last wave and head back to the shops where I stop in a the local fish and chippery. A flake and order of chips later I'm stuffed. I rest for a half hour to digest before I head back to the beach. I surf for another hour and a half before the weather starts to turn. The waves are getting pretty choppy with the changing of the tide plus I only have the board hired for another hour anyways so I decide to call it a day. I pack up and head back to the surf shop to return the gear. Thoroughly exhausted I peel off the suit and rinse off. I return the board, extend my thanks and walk back to camp. I lay low the rest of the night in anticipation for tomorrows surf competition.

SUNDAY
The next morning I'm up early again. I want to get to Bells beach before the crowd and still haven't figured out yet how I'll get there. I consider my options as I grab a coffee and a bite to eat. I could walk(its not too far maybe 5km) but then I also have to carry my backpack. I could hitch hike, surely there would be tons of people headed that direction. Before I make an official decision I ask around. Apparently there is a free shuttle running back and forth all day. Yes! another awesome turn of events. Its only 10 minutes before a bus rolls up. The driver opens the door and looks my way "You headed to Bells?" he shouts. "Hell yeah!" I yell back as I run over to the bus I climb aboard.

It's a short 15 minute drive along a road with some steep hills but I realize trying to walk here would have been a bad choice. We arrive, I grab my backpack and jump off the bus. Hiking over to the ticket booth I notice a bright red sign that reads 'TICKETS: Children $5, Adult $8. CASH ONLY'. I dig in my pockets and pull out the last of my cash. $7 dollars is all have left after breakfast and dropping a couple bucks in the children's hospital donation jar back at the camp site office. As I walk up to the ticket booth I explain my situation. I don't know if the girl behind the counter believed me or just wanted to keep the line moving but either way she took my $7. She handed me a wristband, smiled and pointed me to the beach.

I made it! I work my balance with my backpack as walk down another set of wooden stairs much steeper this time. Thinking the entire way down how much it would suck if I missed a step and tumbled down the next 200 stairs. Escaping a fall I step off the last stairs onto the beach where a crowd is beginning to form. I find a prime spot to sit. It's near some pro photographers with their massive high resolution cameras so I know I can snap a few good shots myself. Camera out, I kick back and enjoy the show.


The best surfers on the planet together in one place, surfing some of the best waves that world famous Bells beach has to offer. 'I could die happy right now' I think to myself jokingly. The competition goes on for a few hours as the shoreline filled with spectators is gradually eaten away by the approaching current. This slowly forces the crowd to retreat back up to the bluffs.

It's getting later in the day and I'm scheduled to work first thing Monday morning so to I decide to start making my way back to Melbourne. The trip home is a breeze. The free shuttle returns and I climb aboard reflecting on the surreal weekend. The shuttle arrives at Geelong(the next town over from Torquay) where I take another bus to the train station. 20 minutes later I'm sitting on thee high speed V-line train cruising back to Melbourne flipping through photos reliving the trip. The adventure of a life time....can't wait for the next one!

LIFE* A Different Point Of View: pt.3/3

LIFE* A Different Point Of View: pt.3/3

Life As A Rock (the micro and macro view):

ALL matter, at its smallest, most fundamental level is energy condensed into a very rapid vibration. Every thing we see, feel, hear, and taste are different frequencies of the same vibrational field.

Lets compare the macrocosm vs microcosm in a simple analogy:

Imagine you are holding a rock in your hand. As you now see that rock(from the MACRO perspective) it is a complete and solid object. We know from looking very closely with microscopes that within that rock there are millions of molecules moving around at incredible speeds. However, even if you know conceptually that the rock is made up of many smaller moving parts, when you look at it as it sets in your hand, all you see is the rock in its current form. There is no separation. From the MACRO perspective you do not see this process that is taking place. The rock is not in the process of becoming a rock. It is a rock. 

 

Now, the molecules within that rock have have a different point of view. They know their world(the rock) only from the MICRO perspective. In which they experience themselves individually moving from “here” to “there”, very rapidly. 

Both of these perspectives are true.

It is only from our limited perspective with which we see ourselves as separate from one another. Our lives on this planet are series of very small, rapid movements in which we move from “here” to “there”. Seemingly, these individual movements do not effect the 'whole'. Though just as the molecules move together to create the rock held in your hand, so to do we move to co-create this reality.

LIFE* A Different Point Of View: pt.2/3

LIFE* A Different Point Of View: pt.2/3

Life As A Puzzle (differences in perspective):

In life it is easy to dismiss thoughts and ideas of other people that don't quite fit your understanding. It is important to remember however, that we will never be able to grasp life's 'big picture' by refusing to try and understand the perspective of others. Consider this metaphor:

A teacher comes to class one day and hands each of his students a piece to a puzzle. The students then take turns going around the class each saying what their idea of the complete puzzle is based off their individual puzzle piece. Some of the students are positive they know what the big picture is. Some students have a pretty good ideas as to what the completed puzzle will look like. Then some students inevitably blurt out “I don't knows” or answers that other students deem 'stupid', 'wrong', 'crazy'. Individually none of the students can be 100% sure what the 'big picture' is based off their own perspective.

Soon the students are instructed to come together and assemble the puzzle. As the pieces are placed, one by one, the 'big picture' becomes increasingly clear. The teacher then tells the class that each student with an answer that was considered 'wrong', 'stupid', or 'crazy' must remove their piece from the puzzle. The 'big picture' very quickly becomes unrecognizable as useful pieces(perspectives) are removed.

This metaphor represents life. The removal of important pieces of the 'big picture' is what happens when we regard others points of view as 'wrong' or 'stupid'. If we ever hope to get a better idea of what the 'big picture' really is we have to consider two things. First is that individually we don't know as much as we like to think we do. Second is that everyone's life and perspective contribute to the 'big picture'. Together we can work to understand even those people our society considers 'wrong', 'stupid', or 'crazy'.

LIFE* A Different Point Of View: pt.1/3

LIFE* A Different Point Of View: pt.1/3

Life As A Game (operating through life):

Growing up in the explosion that is the video gaming industry, I've come to know video games fairly well. From the original games such as Asteroids and the Mario Bros. with basic two or three button controls. To the more recent and more complex games such as the Halo and Elder Scrolls Franchises. Gaming is increasingly popular partly because of the opportunity it provides people to take control of characters and embark on different quests and adventures. 

What if I told you real life wasn't much different from the games we've come to know and love. There are many similarities between our games and the characters we control; and life and the ways we move through it. 

Consider this:

The world as we know it, down to its finest detail, is contained within this disk(life). In this game of life every possible outcome is already on this disc, but it is up to you to choose your experience. Your experience is created by every thought in your head and every choice you make. You get to choose your players levels of fun, participation, meaning, and fulfillment.

There will be challenges, rules, bosses, and achievements throughout the game. You(the main character) interact with other characters as you move along your journey. You may not be able to control every other characters contribution to the game but you do control your players response. If you choose to take the game very seriously with the sole intention of winning, as many people do, you can expect some cheating involved. Or you can enjoy the game for what it is and play as much as possible. It is together that we co-create this game of life and the game would not be complete without each players contribution.

How you play the game is ultimately up to you. Remember though, how you view life is vital to how you function within it. Remind the other characters not to take the game so seriously, as they often forget, and remember yourself that its meant to be enjoyed and shared with others.

YOU ARE AMAZING

Do you realize how fucking amazing you are? I mean how really, truly spectacular your existence really is? 

You have survived your entire life up to this point. The fact that you are reading this right now defies countless series of astronomical odds. You have made it through trauma, mountainous obstructions, and devastation all throughout your life and still, here you are.

I invite you to consider this:

 -As you sit at your computer, you are currently on a massive rock floating through space. Moving at roughly 2 million miles per hour.

-That rock is vastly complex, self sufficient, and 4.5 billion years old.

-That same rock is orbiting a star that is a million times larger than the rock itself.

-There are millions of stars in our galaxy that may potentially provide life for countless other floating rocks.

-Our galaxy is just one of the hundreds of billions of galaxies in the known universe.

AND STILL YOU EXIST.

Still unsure of how absolutely astonishing you are? 

 -Your experience has provided you with your own unique view of life. This means your ideas, abilities, and insights are unlike anyone else that exists.

-Each of your two eyes are composed of 130 million photoreceptor cells. In each one of those cells, there are 100,000,000,000,000 (that's 100 TRILLION) atoms-that's more stars than the milky way galaxy.

-Your entire body is made up of around 7,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 (7 octillion) atoms.

-The elements in your body came from collapsing stars at the beginning of time. You are literally made of star stuff.

-As quantum particles, electrons in the atoms in your body exist as a collection of probabilities and potential rather than specific locations.

You have infinite potential to do ANYTHING. To dream ANYTHING. To create ANYTHING.

Simply stupefying.

Continue to grow and to learn. Show courage. Shatter your limits. Celebrate life in everything you do.
Above all else, keep being you because...

You, my friend, are a fucking masterpiece.

Whats In Your Gym Bag? 14 Workout Essentials

It's a new year. That means new resolutions, new goals, new aspirations. We here at BoldlyGrow want you to excel in all aspects of life but for today, lets focus on your healthy living goals. In order to have effective workout sessions, you're going to need to be prepared. The following is a list of the 14 workout essentials to have in your gym bag so you can take your grown and sexy to the next level:

Water Bottle:
This one should be a no brainer but water should be one of the first things you throw in your bag. Its important to always stay hydrated when you're working out. Whether you're training for cardio, strength, endurance, whatever. Hydration is crucial in any workout routine so water has to be accounted for in your gym bag.  

Vitamins/Supplements:
A lot of times, when at the gym you'll notice people carrying around shaker bottles. The bottles will generally contain some kind of whey protein, creatine or other supplemental shake. Studies have shown that if your lifting weights you should eat approximate 15-30 minutes prior to hitting the weights and eating again within 15-30 minutes of finishing your workout. This allows your body the peak nutrient absorption and it is why you will see people packing extra containers of vitamins and supplements. *Always consult a physician before you start any supplemental regimen.

Flip-Flops:
Tough actin' Tinactin's stock may or may not take a dive after this post but this subject has to be addressed. Sandals, Flip flops, or "thongs" as they're called in Australia, are an important, not always accounted for, supply in any gym bag. Especially if you end up using the showers or the pool at your local gym. Athletes foot, also known as foot fungus is very easy to catch at the gym. You can take a big time preventative measure by tossing a pair of flip flops in your bag. 

Athletic Tape:
Ever dealt with the annoyance of a jammed finger or toe? Well I have, and you can take it from me, having a roll of athletic tape in your bag can be the difference between a completed work out session and going home early because of a strained digit. Athletic tape is used to support joints and add resistance to strains. Do yourself a favor a toss a roll in your bag.

Timer:
A timer can really come in handy if you're training for competition or even if you're simply trying to improve your mile time. It helps to have a training partner to help keep track of your times but its not impossible to record your own times. Either way, keeping note of your times goes a long way towards improving the effectiveness of your workouts.

Resistance Band:
Besides their portability, resistance bands are increasingly popular because of their number of uses. Many athletes swear by them because they target smaller muscle groups and can add another level of challenge to your routine. Resistance bands are also extremely inexpensive compared to most work out equipment. So even if you are ballin' on a budget and cant afford a gym membership, they cheap to add to your "home gym".

Towel:
The last thing you want when you sit down at the bench press is to lay your head in a pool of someone else's sweat. Unfortunately not all grown adults have reached the point in their lives where they clean up after themselves. Its not pretty but its the world we're living in folks. Bring a towel.

Deodorant:
You smell that? What is that smell? As your nose darts around the gym, trying to locate where that funky odor is coming from you suddenly realize, that funk...is you. No one wants to be that smelly guy so remember to toss a stick or can of spray deodorant in your bag. 

Gym Shoes:
Flat sole shoes work great for lifting weights and running shoes work great for running. What ever activities your workout routine consists of, have the proper footwear. Designated gym shoes will prevent unnecessary damage to those fresh new kicks you got for Christmas so remember to pack accordingly.

Workout Log Book:
TRACK YOUR PROGRESS. It doesn't matter what kind of workout you're doing, the ultimate goal is to improve and you'll never know how far you've come unless you know where you started. Pick up a cheap notebook and a couple of pens to keep in your bag at all times. Another popular component to tracking your progress is take before and after pictures. You'll get a real self esteem boost when you can look back at how far you've come, and with pictures, you can share your journey with your friends.

Nail Clippers:
This one is mostly for guys but this tool is partially a hygiene issue and partially a safety issue. Its important to have good hygiene when it comes to working out to prevent any infections and it can also steer you away from injury. If your fingernails are trim and clean, you carry far less bacteria and you lower the risk of ripping a nail off. Clippers are a great addition to any gym bag.

Lifting Belt:
When you are lifting weights and you start increasing your weight limits, its a good idea to have a lifting belt in your bag. You wont need the belt for every exercise because you still want the full range of motion for your abs and core. However, when you are lifting heavier weights during squatting or power cleans it helps to have that support. You only have one back after all and if you hurt your back well...that will put a big dent in any progress you have made.

Jump Rope:
Another cheap, portable, effective form of exercise. Chances are you have used a jump rope at some point in your life but in case you haven't I'll break it down for you. Jump ropes are great low impact tools. Not only do they improve cardio performance and tone muscles at the same time. They are a quick way to burn off  extra calories. Come clean, you and I both know you snuck that extra candy bar in at work! You can make it up to me though. Jump rope for 10 minutes and we'll call it even.


Headphones:
Regrettable to forget. Headphones are one of my favorite tools in my gym bag arsenal. Listening to music while working out can really help you get in that zone to bust out those last few reps. They also help drown out all the over-the-top grunting from the gym rats in the corner. Since I do enjoy creating my gym playlists so much I'll share a few choice songs I use to get in my zone. Feel free to steal this playlist as long as you use it!

 
So there you have it. The 14 workout essentials in any proper gym bag and a bonus playlist to help get the ball rolling. Its a new year people. lets stick with those resolutions we typically break and raise the bar for ourselves. Good luck on your training and I'll see you out there!
 
"A man who is physically fit performs better at any job. Fatigue makes cowards of us all."
-Vince Lombardi