Advice on travelling in Australia:
- Super glue, soy milk and Red Bull will save your life.
- Surfboard bags make awesome sleeping bags.
- Cornflakes mixed with leftover rice and jam do not make a good breakfast.
- Sex in a dorm room is never a good idea.
- Bare feet are the best shoes you own.
- Dingoes will not make good friends.
- If not showered in 5 days or more, it is acceptable to do anything to regain personal hygiene.
- Ask yourself “Will I regret it if I don’t do this?” with everything you do.
Who is this dag?
Hello, I’m Ainslie, 5’2″, clumsy and very hyperactive. I will also respond to Short-stuff, Midget or Leprechaun if used in a friendly enough fashion.
I live in the ridiculously small country Holland (yes, the one with the weed and windmills). When I was 22 I left home to travel round Australia for three months. It is now the 26th of January 2012, I am now 25 and I got back a week ago today. Let’s just say I like to do things my way 
I believe that everything happens for a reason (cheesy but true) and I prefer to act first before I think. Other than that I like to think of myself as optimistic, open-minded, impulsive and a very happy person who generally believes you can achieve anything in life as long as you believe in it.
What’s up with this blog?
I have written diaries full of my very unexpected, extended, life-changing, adventure. Some of it was good and some of it makes me cringe when I think back at it. But all in all, it was done without regrets and always having life’s surprising ways and frantic whirls of joy in mind. My next goal in life is to study journalism/creative writing and what better way than starting right here!
March 6th, 2012 at 6:03 pm
cheers! there is no better way Ainslie. no regrets this time
taylor
March 6th, 2012 at 6:05 pm
No regrets ever !
March 6th, 2012 at 6:12 pm
ps did you find my story by searching for ‘love’?
March 6th, 2012 at 10:57 pm
pps didn’t mean for that to sound weird. Had literally just posted the piece when I saw your ‘like’ and the tag ‘love’ was the lead in.
I’ll shut up now.
March 7th, 2012 at 12:14 am
Yes I did
Why’s that?
March 7th, 2012 at 1:27 am
because i love that.
I read your first story and want to read more … will let you know when i catch up.
tj
March 7th, 2012 at 11:45 pm
Love this, Short Stuff!!
I found your blog through another…the one about Santa Barbara. I’m a native Santa Barbaran, and that caught my eye initially…
You have great writing style, and I totally enjoy your sense of adventure…:)
Dug
http://tr4f.wordpress.com
March 7th, 2012 at 11:48 pm
Hey Dug,
Wow thanx!
I think I know which blog you mean. The lady who loves camping and works in the outdoor business for ages? I liked hers 
Thanks so much, being back home makes me miss adventure..everything is so safe and ‘known’..hopefully I can go out again soon into the unknown, with a camera and a backpack.
Really like your photos by the way.
Short-Stuff
March 8th, 2012 at 12:00 am
Thanks!
And I hope you get out there too. If you’re ever planning a trip tithe States (amazing hiking! PCT, Continentsl Divide…just beautiful!) let me know!
Dug
March 14th, 2012 at 10:08 am
Hi Ainslie,
Nice to meet you.
I really like your question. “Will I regret it if I don’t do this?”
Looking back, the most things I regret are the ones I didn’t do. Go figure
Veeh.
March 14th, 2012 at 4:44 pm
Nice to meet you too! It’s the best thing my brains worked out so far, and it got me a lot of strange placed and in situations, but all with a big smile
March 14th, 2012 at 4:18 pm
Sounds like an Awesome Adventure, I’ll have to Check Your Blog out… From The Age of 30 to 35 I moved 12 Times, lol… Those were My Years of Adventures, lol
But for me it was only Southern California, Eugene Oregon and Arizona… Nothing too Exotic, lol… But I loved it.
DarkJade-
March 14th, 2012 at 4:56 pm
Thanks!
Well, Arizona and California are definitely still on my bucket list! To me it sounds exotic:)
March 14th, 2012 at 5:02 pm
Ha Ha, for you I guess it would be… So you’re back in Holland now?
Southern California is Beautiful, I grew up here, but My Dad remarried over in Arizona, so I used to Fly out there a couple times a year when I was a kid.
I actually moved there for 4 or 5 months in 2003 and stayed with My Step Brother who still lived there… He had an Amazing Band, and I would travel around with him to Local Bars that played Music, and to his Gigs, and to The Studio where they were putting together an Album… It was Awesome… I’ve had a Couple Bands myself, but never got beyond The Studio, lol
Oregon was Beautiful, and Rainy… An Artist’s Paradise really… I Pained, Wrote, and Worked on Film, as I Pursued Film Making from 2000 to 2003.
But Southern California always Pulls me back, There is Amazing Weather Here.
DarkJade-
March 14th, 2012 at 5:10 pm
Yes I am, but am planning a eurotrip and New Zealand year away as we speak
America is still on my list. You make Oregon sound like a pretty cool place. Did you ever do anything with your Film Making? sounds amazing.
I think I am also a big follower for the good weather. It’s a fact people are more friendlier where there is more sun. ( Who doesn’t smile with the sun out?!)
What do you do now?
Ainslie
March 14th, 2012 at 5:30 pm
Wow, that sounds Amazing… Hope you take some Pictures as you go…
Oregon is one of Natures Wonders… I lived in Eugene, which is Beyond Lush… So much Rain, it made everything Darker, which was just Awesome… I also traveled to a place called Florence, which was Like Visiting a Forest from “Lord of The Rings”, lol… We actually did some Filming in the Woods there, Incredible.
But in the end, as you say, it was “The Grey Weather” that I couldn’t deal with anymore, lol
In fact, I bought a Pair of Yellow Lensed Glasses, just to fool my mind into thinking it was “Sunny”, lol And help me not be “Depressed by the Darker Lighting of a Grey Day”… Yes, 6 or 7 Months of Rain was Cool, and Inspiring Whilst Writing, and Filming… But after that, I Longed for the Yellow Light of The Southern California Sun…
And when I Drove back to Southern California I had a Black Convertible Jeep at the Time, and the moment I Reentered Southern California, I could Literally Feel The Light, and it Felt Amazing… Growing up there, I didn’t notice it as much until I had left for Greyer Climates, and then Returned… It is an Amazing Place… But I would still recommend spending a few days in Eugene Oregon, and at least one up in Florence http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-478794-florence_vacations-i … The Rivers in Oregon Are Huge, and Wide… And The Forest and River Driving to Florence felt like thee should be an Indian (Native American) paddling away in a Canoe Right Next to you… It truly felt like you transported to a different time.
People are definitely friendlier in Sunny Climates, lol…
I studied Film Making in 2000 to 2003… In 2002 I made a Short Film, and Got it into a Film Festival in New York, which I flew to at the End of the Year… It was awesome seeing it on a Big Screen…
Sadly I had some Personal issues that came up and I stepped away from Film Making, but switched to Screenplay Writing in 2003-2005… I then started to Convert one of my Screenplays into a Comic Book in 2006-2007…
From 2007 to 2011 I basically put Writing aside, which is why I Started a Blog last August, and now have 5 Blogs, lol… But two of them are My Main Blogs, one for Creative Writing, and one for Journalism…
Now I am pursuing Writing Full Time, I just Self Published My First Poetry Book (Just got it into a Local Bookstore actually), and have My First Novella Waiting to be Edited, so I can Self Publish it as well… In addition to that, I am an Admim./Marketing Consultant for an Architect.
But mostly I just Write, Write, Write, lol… I also have two more Poetry Books that just need to be Edited, and am Working on a Fantasy Novel. So yeah, I’m busy, lol
Oh, and I just Self Published an 8 Page Comlet (Partial Comic Book), using the Art I had done back in 2006.
DarkJade-
March 15th, 2012 at 5:50 pm
i like your yellow lens technique
May I ask what you write now? I am just a starter, still studying and still exploring markets and finding out how to get what work:) Screenplay must have been pretty hectic..That sounds amazing.
Poetry and comic book..jeez you know how to keep yourself busy! AND travelling when you get the chance?:)
March 15th, 2012 at 6:24 pm
Currently I am Writing Poetry As Seen Here http://darkjade68.wordpress.com/poems-scribblings/ on My Main Creative Writing Blog
This Is The Poetry Book I Just Self Published http://darkjade68.wordpress.com/winter-lust-and-wonder/
I also Wrote My First Novella Here http://darkjade68.wordpress.com/writing-projects-ido-and-lions-roar/ and am hoping to Get It Edited in April, and Then Self Publish It as well.
I’m Currently Writing a Fantasy Novel Here http://darkjade68.wordpress.com/writing-project-chess-with-agatha/ which has just been Awesome
Other than that I Write 4 Blog Series Regularly Here http://darkjade68.wordpress.com/blog-series/ Here http://darkjade68.wordpress.com/captain-fire-197/ Here http://darkjade68.wordpress.com/whisper-moon/ And Here http://darkjade68.wordpress.com/the-mind-chronicles/
Other than that I do a lot of Journalism on My Second Main Blog Site Here http://thedarkglobe.wordpress.com/ Where I am a Senior Writer, Executive Editor and Creator of The Site, Which has some 20 Artists that Contribute Work, whether Writing, or Photography
As Far as Screenplay Writing, I Wrote My First Screenplay in 2002 when I was Living in Eugene Oregon for the Second Time… It was an 80 Page First Draft… I then sat it down until 2003 Where I picked it up, and spent the next many months Re Editing it, and Re Editing it, and Re Editing it until it was Complete… I than Sent what are called “Inquiry Letters” to Screenplay Agents, which is basically a Letter where you’re trying to get them to Read Your Script… Sent several out, to no Avail.
During 2004 and 2005 I also Began Several Other Screenplays, but never Completed or Re Editing any of them. One of the ones that I wrote during this time though was the Sequel to the First, as It is a Trilogy.
Writing Screenplays was Extremely Time Consuming, but Worth it when you finally have a Finished Product. I am Very Proud of My Finished Screenplay, and like I say, in 2006-2007 Started to Convert it into a Comic Seen Here http://whitejadecomic.wordpress.com/
As Far as The Writing Market Goes, I only Truly Started to Write Full Time Last August, 2011… And have been Writing My Ass Off Since, lol One thing that I hear is though, Write as Many Books as you can, don’t just spend all of your time on “One Great Perfect Novel”… But that is just what I’ve heard, and I don’t mind that, as I like “Change”, so Fresh Material Keeps Me Interested/Inspired.
Would Love to Read some of Your Work Sometime, My Dark Globe Site is having a 1,200 Word Short Story Writing Contest in April You should Check out if you Like to Write Stories… Here http://thedarkglobe.wordpress.com/2012/03/14/create-a-world-writing-contest-18-days-until-liftoff/
Like I say, it Starts in April… My Greatest Advice from one Writer to another is, Write, Write, Write… Which is what I’ve been doing since August, and it’s really Paying Off… I have 3 Finished Poetry Books, and a Finished Novella so far, and a Fantasy Novel on The Way.
I Write about 1,000 Words A day, Counting My Blog Posts that is.
DarkJade-
March 18th, 2012 at 11:02 pm
Lucky you! Holland and Australia are definitely places I’m planning on visiting someday. Haha, sometimes it’s beneficial doing things in our own ways, that means we’re independent and are not afraid of life
Nice website.
March 19th, 2012 at 10:18 am
Thank you
True, alone is better:) nobody influences you or you don’t end up making choices you didn’t want to. come to Holland!! 
where are you from?
March 20th, 2012 at 7:59 pm
Thanks for following my blog, Ainslie, and good luck with yours, and with your travels.
We’re heading back to Holland next week and looking forward to spending a few months there, as we do each year.
Veel succes!
March 21st, 2012 at 7:49 pm
It’s nice to see someone having the same passion for these particular countries in common
missin’ Oz heaps though 
Try Delft next time 
April 3rd, 2012 at 4:00 pm
LOVE your blog! Holland was my favourite country to spend time in (so far) so I can only wonder what it’s like to call it home. I hope it treats you well while you sort out your next adventure.
Thanks for the inspiration — one of these days I’ll say F-it and get out there again too
April 3rd, 2012 at 4:04 pm
Haha thanx! It’s funny how Dutch people think their country is so boring, while the rest of the world absolutely f-ing loves it!
come over for summer! (summer tho, winter is ..no words for it)
May 3rd, 2012 at 11:12 pm
thinking of going into Journalism? I’m studying my Master’s in Sports Journalism right now, when do you think you will start?
May 3rd, 2012 at 11:27 pm
I recently started majoring in travel writing! I love it!
how are you going so far?
May 4th, 2012 at 2:31 am
o nice, how do you like it so far? and me i’m almost done, i’m moving to Barcelona in a month to start work
..funny how you were in Australia far longer than expected, i did small eurotrip last summer and and i know the travel bug is easy to catch 
May 4th, 2012 at 1:33 pm
Aw it’s awesome:) Finally feel like I’ve found something that suits me. Where are you from? and where are you going to work in Barcelona? What a city! I love it there.
Travelling will always be a part of my life, I am planning to head of again soon
May 4th, 2012 at 2:53 pm
hehe thats good, and I’m from Bermuda, haven’t been there for almost a year though,, and i’m going to work for a company called Stoke Travel, http://stoketravel.com/ so traveling is gonna be a part of my life too lol..thought i might as well get paid while i do it, and where do you plan on going next?
May 4th, 2012 at 3:35 pm
Mate, i am looking at that website,..you do realize you just got my dream job?;) haha that is awesome, congrats! I think New Zealand will be the way, but waiting out a few options in Australia before deciding
May 5th, 2012 at 3:00 am
hehe i know i do
well its never too late to apply, but if ur looking to return into the New Zealand/ Australia area then go for it, thats a nice place to be so i’ve heard…but if you ever find your way back to Barcelona then let me know, i’ll show u around town 
May 10th, 2012 at 10:02 am
I’ve been to Barcelona many times
first Aus/Nz (gotta start extreme;)
May 10th, 2012 at 1:58 pm
hehe only way to go
June 20th, 2012 at 6:28 pm
Thanks for the visit and the ‘like’, Ainslie. Nice to see you’re back in NL after a fine time DownUnder. Hope the kikkerland is good to you too.
I’ve gone the other way, you see, from Australia to Holland, now living between the two countries and loving them both.
Cheers, Richard
July 3rd, 2012 at 1:51 am
Hooray for journalists, or those wanting to become them. Couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else – tough industry, but a lifetime of memories makes it worth it. Good luck!
July 3rd, 2012 at 1:54 am
Thank you! It’s a long tough road, I know, but I’m willing to do it! Like you say, can’t imgaine doing anything else
Thanxx, your comment made me smile 
July 3rd, 2012 at 1:58 am
Happy to be of service. A smiling lady is a wondrous thing. Make a trip out to South Africa to start your journalism career and you’ll never be bored. Guaranteed.
July 3rd, 2012 at 5:07 am
Hahahaha! @Cornflakes mixed with leftover rice and jam do not make a good breakfast. That is one dirty combo!
July 24th, 2012 at 11:34 am
Hello!
Got to your blog from iwtkangaroo’s ^ Great stories with nice flow. It’s a terrific coincidence that you live in NL, I just moved here with my wife a year ago and we love it. Sadly, it seems that work will be taking us to another great European city but, as an American, I am loving my European residence.
Best of luck with your travels and documentation thereof, will be checking in to read more stories!
Cheers,
Dustin
August 4th, 2012 at 9:42 am
Hi Dustin,
How are you enjoying this Dutch ‘summer’ so far;) Thanx for the comment:) There will be more post soon!
August 9th, 2012 at 11:25 am
Hi Ainslie,
Well here in The Hague lately the weather has been quite Dutch. Two weeks ago we had about five days of unbelievable weather and I went to Scheveningen almost every day to take in the sun. Since then, I have had to use my raincoat and umbrella but the long days and warmish temperatures make it wonderfully bearable. Thanks for the message and I hope to read more soon.