h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Well, it's been 6 months in Melbourne. I think I have finally broken through the depression, and the loneliness, so the only way is up from here.

If someone was to ask me what I like about Melbourne, I guess I would have to say that the people are generally nice.

Strangely though I now feel like I am a local. It has been so long now, and the excuse of 'I am new to Melb, so I am not sure where you a talking about' is running thin, but also I made an effort to be very observent about where places are.

Though I sometimes wish I was back in Townsville, I am more than happy to be able to start my life here in Melbourne. The initial break from home was the hardest, and since then it has gotten easier, and I always know that my family is only a phone call away.

I am free, and independent from people. I no longer need people around me to feel that I 'free'. I guess I used those people, and for that I am sorry to all of them, I was only escaping the pressures of the day, and not really dealing with the problems.

These days I just want people around as I enjoy socialising, and it makes me feel alive to have people around me. My next major step for independence is going to be getting my license.

For those who don't know, I am 24, but can't drive a car. I have been taking lessons, and my instructor has asked me to take an extra $50.50 next lesson so he can book in an exam for me. So after that I will not need someone to drive me, just someone with a car, though for work I use public transport and it's not that bad.

So I look back and think what have I achieved that makes me, me. I think that the complete turn around in my personality to back to what it used to be is the biggest thing. Also I am able to communicate to people better, which definitely helps when going for job interviews in the IT industry.

I may have left Townsville for the wrong reason, but if I was to go back there to live, it would be a complete waste of the last 6 months. I love Melbourne, I love where I live, I love who I am, and I currently have someone who I love.

Well to all those that have read this, I hope that no matter what you are going through today, that you can sort out your problems before tomorrow. This is probably the greatest thing I have gotten from counselling, and it works.

So if you're in a situation, like you have moved away from home, or dealing with life in general, or trying to find your independence, I'd suggest deal with the simple problems of the day and work on the major problems over time, and life will soon be good for you again.

So with this I say, I look forward to the next 6 months in Melbourne. Whether it be good or bad, I know that I will be able to deal with life.
 

Wow, sounds like you've really got it together . I'm happy to hear everything's going so well; and as for driving, you're not missing much but hostile feelings towards all those other idiots on the road . I completely agree with solving your problems before the next day.

Yeah, I am a bit down today, as one could probably understand. Though I am going over to my Great Aunt's place tonight. She is like my second mum down here. I stayed at her place just over 3months, rent free. So I thought I would go see her.

As for driving, I know. Actually learning to drive has helped me a bit with my anxiety, as I have had to learn to be patient, and not to worry if I stuff up changing the gears and all that.

But solving my problems of the day, and starting with a new plate each day has helped a lot. I think it's close to 3 months since an anxiety attack, and I have also been able to speak to people about personal issues instead of letting them build up for a weeks/months.

I guess I am happy, but missing home atm. But I will get over the loneliness soon enough and get back on track with my life. Also in the next 6 months I will see all my family, like I will see my oldest sister and brother-in-law in a fw weekes time. So that is what is keeping my happy (plus other thigns )

Well should be working.

Talking always helps things. I've never had anxiety attacks, but one of my best friends do, and my boyfriend used to have very bad times, so I can kind of understand how it is. I'm glad you've been able to deal with it.

You seem to have a very strong family. That's always made me jealous, as all I've got is my mom... never ever let the ties grow thin with them, okay? If you ever need anyone to talk to, I'm here, though I must admit I haven't been known for compassion - I'm working on it, though.

Yeah I have a very strong family. In fact considering all of us were living in Townsville before I left, it made it harder. I was the one who was going to go 3000kms away. But the phone brings us a lot closer, and this next 6 months will go so fast the rest of my family is having trips and so I can catch up with them when they are down this way.

Oh, thanks for the offer for chatting Fenchurch. It's good to know people who are willing to listen and talk. Compansion comes over time, so don't worry about it too much

If you want, you can email me at [email protected] That way we can talk about other things like, Queen and their music.

I feel better now, I didn't get too down, just a bit emotional, but I just went and got lunch.

Hey Gari, I have to ask: what is the attraction of a licence? I am actually 30 years old, and have never had one. Even when I have lived in places like Broken Hill, which do not have public transport systems, I still haven't been really tempted to get one. Is this unusual, or am I just stubborn?

Incidentally, I do know how to drive, I just don't feel that a licence is a really good idea - what with public transport, global warming, traffic accidents, the number of people (drivers and pedestrians) who get killed on the road, registration costs (Australian reference), car costs, fuel costs, the natural superiority of pedestrians...

How did I get on to this, when I think you were making a point about loneliness: which is much more important...?

You have lots of friends in h2g2 GB Please do communicate if and when you need to.I hope that your silly animation on my page will cheer you up a little...hope that you like it

The attraction to the licnce is not my doing. It's the fact that most work places in Melb want someone to have a licence, even if they don't have a car. I don't mind PT, actually I get in the extra sleep I need. And as soon as I get it, I won't be out there hooning around, as I don't have a car anyway.

Thanks Shaz. Though I wonder about your choice? Is there a deeper meaning to see a chicken get blown to bits by a stick of TNT? Thanks again.

Not at all. It was just nice and lively,and colourful!If you don't like it I can change it..they are all a bit funny though..I have a sweet little jumping frog still available

I guess you missed the failed attempt at humour. I like it thanks.

I must have done I am knee deep in html at the moment..and failing miserably Someone complained about the width of my page so I'm trying to reduce it!! Now I've lost one of my pics I'm feeling really miserable. Never mind I guess I'll get it right ..eventually

Don't feel miserable. IF you want we could share the load. That way you don't feel so miserable, and you can get back on track quicker. Then you can help me.

Anyway, I know how miserable HTML can be. That is why I dread doing my page on here

Shazz, to change the width of your page all you need to do is shorten the title, you know, the part that shows up in yellow.

If anyone needs help with HTML, there's Madmunk, Pastey and I; the secret love children of Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. It really does get easier once you get the main points, and there's always Frontpage Express and other html editors for you to experiment on if it still seems a bit tricky.

OOOps Thanx for the support GB.I found the problem My red flashing line was way too long!Once I shortened it and moved one of the other pics back in line it all fell into place beautifully

Just give me raw code. I have WYSIWYG editors. Because if you look at the raw code, it's full of usless crap that, and that means extra info to d/l.

Sorry, I will settle down now.

Raw code it is! I take it you mean the extra info to d/l are the meta tags at the top... A really easy way to do things is just right click a page and look at the source.

I remember trying to use a WYSIWYG and it wasn't smart enough to do what I want. And the ones these days, I don't want to spend an hour or so getting used to IDE. Just give me a text editor (I use EditPlus as I used it once and it does code highlighting) and a web browser. Ok, I may take longer, but at least I know what my code does. Which reminds me, I should do my proper homepage up sometime, and also fix up my h2g2 page

It's always better with a text editor anyway, if not because it's easier to manipulate and transfer it, then just for egocentric purposes (yes, I can just type in out anywhere, I don't need no stinkin' editor)