Switching Deodorant... It's a Big Deal!

"I hope this stuff works!"

One of the funny things about being on this trip is coming across things that I never thought would be an issue. For example, I thought every place in the world (Especially Australia) would have the Old Spice deodorant that I used. However, here in Australia, the main type of deodorant is the kind that you spray. No Old Spice Red Zone for me. Goodbye trusted old friend...

^My Retired Deodorant^

When we arrived in Cairns at our program introduction we were told that "Australia has no ozone layer." However, when I tried to do my own research I found that the hole in the ozone layer is actually over Antarctica. Only a small portion of the hole sometimes reaches the far southern part of Australia.

So, what does the hole in the ozone layer have to do with deodorant? Well think I remember something from high school about how aerosol products help contribute to ozone depletion. Now I'm no scientist, but it looks like all these Australians using their spray deodorant is why the hole in the ozone layer is getting larger. One of the closest continents to Antarctica is Australia, so it makes sense to me. :-)

So anyway back to the nerve racking event that involves picking out a new deodorant. Switching types, brands, and smells. This is a big deal people! I was ready to replenish my deodorant reserves, and when I was at the store and I was confronted with several types of spray deodorant. I did not recognize a single brand. So decided to start smelling ones that looked cool. After about the fifth bottle, they all started smelling the same. And then I saw it... on the bottom row was a familiar logo and can:

Now it may have had something to do with the previous five deodorants I had already smelled, but the Brut didn't smell as much like an... um I mean... like I had remembered. It actually smelled halfway tolerable. So I decided to give it a try.

When I got back to my apartment, I asked my roommate what he thought was the best deodorant. Ya know, the stuff that makes the ladies go crazy. He told me, "The chicks like this stuff called Lynx." And he showed me the stuff he used. The scent he has is called, "Africa."

Now when I think of Africa, the first thing that comes to my mind is not something that smells nice. I think of lions, elephants, and exotic safari creatures of the sort. And I'm no Steve Erwin but last time I checked, elephants didn't smell very nice. Anyway, I digress. Back to the story.

Asked my roommate if that was the scent the ladies liked, and he said, "Oh yeah the chicks go crazy for it." I then showed him my purchase in the green can. He responded with, "Mate, you need to just throw that stuff into a fire, that's the only thing that it's good for." So I was sure to go back to the store as soon as possible to buy this "Lynx" and buy the "Africa" scent.

When I got back to the store, I had to choose between the "Deodorant Bodyspray" with the "Improved Fragrance" or the "24-Hour Anti-Perspirant." It was way too much pressure, so I just bought them both.

^My roommate says it makes the chicks go crazy...^

Sunset

"A picture is worth a thousand words."

Here you go... as promised. Again, this was the sunset after the first overcast day since I've been here in Townsville. Enjoy!

First Weekend of No Plans

"It's nice to not have something on the to-do list."

First, I want to say "sorry" for not updating the blog in a while. The second week of classes was fairly uneventful, and this past weekend was pretty easy-going.

Friday we went down to a couple rope swings on a nearby river. It's only about a 20 minute walk from ole' George Roberts Hall.

^The first (more wimpy) rope swing^

^Waiting our turn for the more intense rope swing^
You actually have to jump out of a tree

^I'm next!^

^I call this "the Spiderman"^

Friday night we went to Uni-Club for a battle of the bands event. I think it goes on every Friday night. It was fun!

Saturday we went down to the Strand (the Beach). The Strand actually has its own Wikipedia entry. Click here if you want to read up and see more pictures. I believe it was Wednesday that Townsiville started what is called Cultural Fest. It is defined as "5 fun filled days of dance, food, music, arts, workshops and sports Cultural Fest brings the Townsville region to life."

^Aerial shot of Townsville's Cultural Fest^

It was pretty interesting, there was lots of food from all over the world. However, I did spend most of the day trying to find an ATM. Oh well, and since we were in no hurry to get back to campus we stuck around and took some pictures of the sunset.

^Full Moon Rising^

^Sunset^

Today (Monday) was the first overcast day since I've been in Townsville. Most days are very clear with not a cloud in the sky. I asked my roommate what was the white stuff in the sky was because I hadn't seen it here before. He said, "I don't know. I think a cotton factory exploded somewhere and that stuff is just stuck in the sky." Hardee-Har!

However, the overcast sky made for an amazing sunset, and I will post those pictures tomorrow. What? I gotta leave you with a reason to come back to the blog tomorrow.

Cheers!

Cross Country Run and Aussie Barbecue

"They're seriously serious around here!"

That's what I said at 6 'clock in the morning on Saturday morning when we were woken up for the Fischer Shield 5K Cross Country event. Fischer Shield is the name of the events between all the colleges (residence halls) on campus. So our college (George Roberts) had people bang on doors, blow whistles, and even drive a car through the courtyard and blow its horn to wake people up for this event. They don't mess around. Each college gets a certain amount of points for the percentage of their residents that show up. And more points are given by what college gets in first place, but we weren't too worried about that. We just wanted as many people to participate as possible. Most people don't even run the event, they just walk.


^After standing around for half an hour I decided to take a video^

Waking up that early on a Saturday was bad. However, I didn't have to run or walk. I volunteered to work a checkpoint and all I had to do was stand in one spot and make sure people knew which way to run. And I still got participation points for GR. Once the last person walked by, I was picked up in the truck that dropped me off, and was driven back to the starting line. I actually made it back faster than some of the slower people. As Borat would say, "Great success!"

^Standing at my Checkpoint, I decided to take a few photos^

Later that afternoon, my buddy Drew and I went to an Aussie barbecue. Drew met a guy in town named Gavin, and it was his barbecue. There wasn't anything too exotic there; no kangaroo or koala. We just ate steaks and sausages. However, we still had a very good time:

^Gavin on the Barbie^

^Me wearing Gavin's Corona hat^

^Wide shot of the BBQ^

^Drunk Australian who needed a cool down in the cooler^

^I made friends with a blow-up-Australian-flag-kangaroo^

Overall it was a very good day, and I hope to go to several more Aussie BBQs.