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By doriluthy, September 14, 2006 5:01 pm

I woke up two mornings ago to the sound of Dustin’s voice: “There is one cloud in the sky and it’s sitting over us!” And as my eyes adjusted, I looked out the little tent window to the splatter of rain, but only seeing the blue-est sky ever. I put on my boots, opened up the tent flap, and looked around. Besides a very light sprinkling of rain, all i could see was sandy-busy for miles.

Let me back up.
We have just spent a week travelling the Great Ocean Road (GOR), the most beautiful turquoise beaches, amazing rock formations and a wild array of wildlife (kangaroos and koalas, and the most amazing birds! king parrots, Galahs…). We had been staying in these lovley things called Caravan parks, which have a clean kitchen, and some have a TV room! to spend the cold evenings. heated pools, internet, friendly service, etc. We’d pull in, pay our $21, and I’d set up camp while Dustin took on the role of chef. The best beans and barley, sausages and barley, satay and barley EVER! (alot of barley, yes).

So after 8 days of this, it was time to meander northward to Mildura on the Murray River. A long drive straight through, two nice short days. So we drive. and drive, and it becomes more remote, more deserted, and we come to a spot on the road: Pertendi Hut Campground, in the middle of the bush- a HUGE conservation park in the middle of the South Australian east border. We pull in, find the outhouse, water supply (rain catchment system) and a picnic table. I get to set up camp in the sand, wow.
we take the 45 min nature walk around the area (it’s really impressive, considering it’s the middle of nowhere, with placards telling about local flora and fauna) hoping to catch a glimps of a kangaroo?, a skink?, how about an emu? NO? so i’m beginning to wonder, cause there are signs of them everywere, skat, echidna digging holes, etc. oh well. and then it gets dark, and i remember my stop me in my tracks fear of huge wide open places in the dark. And Dustin is cooking and I have to walk to get water…. headlamp.. check… boots laced up… check… water bottle… check… okay, step one, step two, baby steps the 200 or so meters to the water tank in COMPLETE darkness, with no idea what creatures lurk around me…
oh- look at that diamond or something shining over there in the sand? oh, there is another… i’ll have to show dustin when i get back. i make up a song to sing as i walk…

the diamonds? wolf spider eyes. glinting in the light. they are harmless (relativley, and beautiful)
i survive, there and back. it was frightening.
I could not go the toliet by myself in the night (but that’s what husbands are for)

and i have 2 minutes left on the internet here. so i’ll say goodbye for now, we are still alive, living it up in a fancy hotel in Mildura for a couple days.

bye!

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By doriluthy, September 1, 2006 8:30 pm

Dear Jian Gomeshi,

I didn’t take the Ulysses challenge (yet) but in spirit I struggled and laughed my way through with you, the numerous experts, that 14-year old teenager, and: an inspired nation. That book is coming with me to Australia for my own version of the U. challenge! And YES- i tried 2 differnt stores to purchase it, but both were sold out (according to the one bookstore owner “I could be rich if I had known what Jian was up to!”) Then I finally found a friend who had a dusty copy on her shelves. You have done something great, Jian, in your honest approach to such a massive undertaking.

Oh, every day we (Y., S., M., Y-H., & me!) listen faithfully; and although I was travelling with work for much of August, my dear studio mates filled me in on your antics and interviews, brilliance and humility, charm and geekiness. That sweet, humoured sigh of resignation you make, as your peeps stick one to you. You know, a harsh word, the silence, the inhale, and “yeah”… Oh, those coorespondents were the best. And that 14-year old?! “Okay old man!” Wow. Oh, Ultimate Hippie- i wish it could be me, so inspiring to hear such honest compassion for the human race. Go Scottie. And, always looking forward for mustmusic song of the day- how you make us love a song more than anyone thought possible!

Every day had it’s own magical touch, and I would rather be late for work than miss the morning monologue- your sheer brillaince (humbly shared with the rest of us) in prose and poetry, word games and mystery. Magical manipulation of the English language. Your wit is as potent as your eyes are brown.

I love Shelagh; but Jian, dear Jian, you are in a class of your own. Truly one of my favorite things about living in this amazing country. You are what Sounds Like Canada… We are going to miss you.

A huge fan,
Dori