2024: Already a journey

Long time, no read, friends! It feels like an age since I've seen you last, and I've been surprisingly busy.

Let's go about this chronologically. Remember that Interview with KLFM? I'm not totally sure how it happened, but I went from telling a KLFM host about my new single Tetris in Bed to... hosting a radio show? And not just one. I'm running two programs: Late Night Video Game Music, which is on every Tuesday at 11PM til the ass hours of the morning (just typical for gamers, ay). This is my baby -- I've been doing my own research, creating my own five minute audio reviews to broadcast (complete with music and effects from the game in question), and a litany of other things.

But I was also offered morning mix: every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 9AM til noon, where I take radio requests and do general radio stuff, engaging with the community. I take everything from regular song requests to nasty phone calls that complain about my voice (more about that later, I've already got some excellent stories to tell).

Both these programs appear to be well-received. I've no idea why. The music I choose is brand new and vexes the older folk, and my presenting still has much room for improvement, despite my performance chops. Speaking too fast -- it's a curse. Regardless, maybe it's the fresh new face making a difference.

That stupid spine issue I've been having? Gone. On January 6 2024 at 8:30AM, I went under the surgical knife to remove part of a herniated disc that was pushing into my sciatic nerve and causing pain. I woke up at 10:30AM cured. I took painkillers for the first day post-surgery for the actual wound itself, but since then, I haven't had to have anything. I'm amazed and cautiously optimistic. A few muscles are still sore -- getting used to being used again, I imagine. Hopefully the upcoming routine of going to uni will help kick them back into gear.

I've officially completed my Bachelor of Creative Writing! Though watch this announcement be premature because Deakin decides the prerequisites it set four years ago are now out of date for today. God, I shouldn't even joke about that... A Bachelor with Honours did not win the battle royale. I've done something incredibly stupid instead: I've gotten into a Masters of Teaching, at my local uni (sorry, Deakin Uni). Goodbye, cloud studies! Hello, regular university classes that don't involve nearly as much studying from my bed! I'm looking forward to getting out of my house, this prison of mine, in which I've been trapped for just over three years now. And I am very, very excited to be free.

Logical people question the decision I've made -- I've had friends dote on my writing, who encourage radio work -- but I think I want something... else. I want to make a change, a difference, if you will. My creative endeavours are usually not received, having been pushed into the ether and then never heard or read by anyone whatsoever. And perhaps this is because of the lack of frequency of each creation -- normally I create music or writings on a whim than anything on a dedicated schedule -- which means everything online is pushed into algorhithmic obscurity. Or, and which my anxiety chooses to believe, my works are just too... flat.

What's worthy of sharing? I don't know anymore, nor do I care to. So, rather than shoving my creative whims down the throats of my poor Facebook friends who have me added out of familiar or friendly obligation, I'm moving on to a more challenging pasture. Music and creative writing aren't going anywhere. It's not as if I'm selling my keyboards or my guitar. I'd rather throw myself into a boxing ring with an angry roo than quit either of those things. At the moment, those talents are being put to use in radio projects.

Oh man. It doesn't seem like a lot's happened, but when I write just some of it down, it feels bonkers. Isn't January through early February meant to be a holiday for most people?

I almost entirely forgot one of the bigger announcements! My father and I are committed to going on the Variety Bash again this year. We're fundraising to hit $7,000. If you've made it this far on this post, I have to ask: can you spare a dollar? Dad and I don't receive any of this coin -- it goes directly to Variety - the Children's Charity, supporting disadvantaged kids across Australia.

Regardless, the old car is back in action for the Red Dirt to Reef journey -- I've been informed it's now entirely repaired from our last foirez to Queensland, including a "re-gassed air conditioner" (I'll believe it when I feel it). We're leaning into my name for our theme this year, and our 1986 Volvo 740 has been named USS Volvo, NCC 1740. I'll be wearing the Commander pips I low-key earned from Starbase 118 a couple years ago. Not sure what department colour, though. Med and sciences just isn't my style. Would my masters study require it, though? Does Education come under sciences? Something to ponder, I guess.

I'll schedule some posts about my radio experiences soon. Thanks for reading.