I've just joined up to the global Couch Surfing phenomenon - where skint travellers curl up on other strangely willing people's couches as a form of free accomodation. It's fabulous because we can now jump on wherever the cheapest flight takes us and stay with complete strangers without spending a penny! They might even become friends in the future.

It is surprising how the internet, being an impersonal thing can lead to such random opportunities like this. It's like internet dating I s'pose: getting to chose who stays with you and who you want to stay with. Somehow it's wrong but still fun.

So, come and stay on our couch. For 4 days maximum. Unless we like you.

That's right, Pavlova. The best bit is, of course, licking the beaters afterwards.

May Day party today, but for more about that see Elisse's post below. And may all your endeavors be fertile.

It's May Day and once again we are holding what has become our annual tradition (since our first attempt last year): a May Day party. On this day we erect a May Day pole and select a young maiden to play the role of Diane, Goddess of the hunt and Queen of the May. We ask the Gods to bless our agricultural endeavors for the years to come. Loosely translated, that means we clean the house, chill the wine, and make sure we have stacks of home-cooked goodies to kick-start a lazy, boozy afternoon.

Unfortunately, it's the one day of the week that they forecast rain, but all is not lost. We have space.

It was my birthday yesterday and I had a great, if very low key, day. I was at work, and took lamingtons for everyone, then neglected to mention the reason in the all staff email I sent around. Marlene, Dan and I went out for lunch, which is a fairly rare event in itself. Dan and I had a couple of drinks after work too.

When I got home Elisse had made Shepherd's Pie for dinner, which I was thrilled about. We had a nice dinner with Jonathan and then Fiona from next door dropped by to wish me happy birthday as well.

All in all a wonderful day. And now I'm 23.

It's ANZAC day tomorrow, well today in Australia. Elisse and I have made a whole lot of anzac biscuits for me to take to work in what I'm making an annual task, to educate the English about ANZAC day. Not in a nasty, you should know about this kind of way, just saying, "this is something we do." And bring food so everyone remembers.

So much has happened since my last post. In summary:

-We went body-boarding at Torquay which was great fun except when I nearly drowned ((Haydendidn't teach me what to do when a giant wave approaches..) and we had an awesome burger at Swell.
-Cooked curry (3 different types!) for Haydens friendly bunch. It worked!
-Spent a day in Healesville with Maz and Josh. Awesome lasagna!
-Ev's 21st. Dress up as 'what you want to be when you grow up', when you were that age to imagine such things. Can you guess what we were?
-My brother went skydiving. He couldn't stop grinning all day.
--Haydenleft, I saw more friends and family, I left (Sally knew) and now we're both back in rainy uk!

Last night we went and saw the Mighty Boosh live. H and I dressed up for the occasion and it went down a treat. The show was fantastic - my head is still spinning from all the strange goings-on! Haydenwore an excellent jacket that attracted many compliments, and I based my costume on the 'Yeti mating season' episode.

I hit level 40 today with my main character - a troll hunter - on World of Warcraft. This means I can get a mount. Big thanks to Warlobo, a guildie from Sinister Past, who helped (a lot) with the money for the mount. I now have my very own Violet Raptor, which is really cool.

For those of you rolling your eyes, you just don't understand.

Went to the circus club (thingy) at Spittlefield Market tonight with Edd, to get some unicycling practice in. Funny how much easier it is to keep practicing when there's other people around doing similar things.

I was sitting around catching my breath when I saw something plummet from the ceiling, followed by a moist thud. It turned out it was a baby bird, obviously fallen out of it's nest a good 10 metres overhead, and survived. I think it was probably quite injured, although it's neck and head seemed fine. Someone wrapped it in a juggling scarf to keep it warm and we left it in a corner to die a peaceful death.

I'm allowed to post! It is fantastic to have the Londoner's home with the families. We miss them both, but agree that their life in London is not to be missed! We have all done it ourselves.

So congratulations to Haydens and Elisse's achievements to date and I am truely looking forward to seeing them after another year of experience in London.

I had an overwhelming urge to get back on my unicycle this evening. So I've spent about half an hour out practicing before it got dark. Feels really good to get back on it, and while I can't do it yet, I can feel my self improving towards being able to idle successfully.

When I got back in Fiona (who lives next door) dropped by to give me a FedEx parcel that had been delivered last week. It was my first revenue cheque (or should I say check) from SMS.ac, for just under 250 US dollars, so that's really nice. I think it will go towards a fund to 'buy Haydensomething cool'.

Work's been really good so far, busy as usual. The server rack is still present, but I've been assured we'll be moving it soon - Hampton Safeway is finally being renovated as we speak, so I can't rule out having the server rack move.