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This blog is more one of retrospect and self worth rather than the ones detailing my trials and tribulations of traveling so be prepared for the deep stuff because this is about the peak of my emotions as I'm sure you know I'm not exactly an emotional open book! First things first, mum brace yourself.... I've read a book!!! From start to end! No one made me and it was nothing to do with science or muscles or training or the human body!! However it was ex England and arsenal footballer Paul Mersons autobiography so not far away! Ben brought it with him and since we've had one or two 14+ hour bus trips I thought I'd go for it! I really enjoyed it, it turns out he wasn't far from Gazza in drinking and banter stakes and it wasn't one of these stupid books about wizards or vampires! This is slightly off topic but whilst we are sort of talking about it, it annoys me that people say I musnt or can't have a good imagination because I don't read Harry potter! What a load of crap! You don't need to have an imagination because every detail is explained to the smallest point and I know I have one of the best imaginations of anyone I know, Naomi will vouch for this all of the crap I've spouted over the years! Rant over. A few people have mentioned how traveling is supposed to broaden your horizons and teach you about yourself etc so I've been trying to think what I've learnt so far now I can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel. I think if anything it has only reenforced what I already knew. That last month with Stace especially has been very similar to my days at uni where 3 main characteristics are at play:
1. Fun time Charlie - I think if you were to ask anyone I know they would say tat first and formost I like to have a good time! If I stumble through a degree or earn some money on the way then that's a bonus but fun and banter is always the ultimate goal.
2. Win, win, win - I've never liked loosing not any part of it! Some say you have to loose to learn and to become better, I say you show me a good loser I'll show you a loser! This mentality also pushes me toward pretty much any challenge even if it's as stupid as bet you can't do ..... Or Ed do this it will be funny. I think they only thing that's changed over the last few years is that I now filter out some of the more stupid one which I realise will get me in a sticky situation later on (notice I say some of these not all yet).
3. Fresh as a daisy - I am blessed with bundles of energy to the degree where people have often thought I have ADHD. In Australia I slept about 5 hours a day with the Germans clocking 10-12! I also seem to have a handy knack of very rarely getting hangovers however I've realised that when i get drunk I loose all memory of what's happened which I suppose is a fair trade for the fresh feeling I get the next day when everyone else (Ben Stacey) is in a tangle!!
I've discovered that these 3 traits can often combine to deadly effect! For example when we go out we like to have a good time so we drink, play pool, talk to people. The combination of the fact I've discovered I'm a pretty good drinker, I know I'm not getting a hangover and I like to win I'm often at the front of the que to be Billy big balls and down drinks etc. This has lead to numerous hilarious, awkward, sobering and at times naked situations but as I said in the last blog bad decisions make great stories! Just reading back over this blog and I've realized that I've basically proudly described and defined what some might call a drinking problem or the first confessions on the road to recovery in the local aa meetings! Don't worry mum this is not entirely the case drink is involved occasionally but examples and stories can also be found in non alcohol related stories in equal number!!! And I have found out a few other useful things, such as; I'm a lot better at pool than I thought, shouting in English is easier for me and often prefered by locals, just because people look like they should know Kung Fu it's not always the case, I can get on with pretty much anyone, in Asia I'm huge at home I'm distinctly average in America I'm tiny, Germans live up to most stereotypes, the Swiss are sneaky, health and safety is not a priority in south east Asian countries and Mexico, mexicans are the friendliest people you will find, don't let hookers from Singapore near you with cigerettes and finally if you have a good pair of flip flops do not under any circumstances loose/swap them however much it seems like a good idea at the time! Finally I am going to stop rambling on but as the true greats (Jerry springer and Jeremy Kyle) do I will finish on my final thought... When I was about 17 a friend told me the best piece of advice he'd ever been told and it's always made sense to me: if in doubt do it because you will only regret it later!
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