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My friends and my family,

The time is coming near to end this remarkable journey I've been on over the past three years. While giving up this lifestyle and heading home scares me, the opportunity to catch up with all of you makes it much easier to swallow. Of course, I will be leaving behind some people very important to me—family I've reconnected with and good friends I've made along the way.  But my time has come. December 16. Kansas City here I come..

Life in Perth has been a relative low-light of my travels. Not so much due to the city itself but more to do with a wide variety of factors. It's been an absolute wave of emotions since I've been here—like I've never experienced before. I've been what people here like to call "Billy No-Mates" (I love that phrase, HA!!) for much of my stay here. Long story short, I've not been myself since I've arrived. I've been a lesser Dooz than what I can be, so I've decided to do something about it.  I've got another three weeks of work then off for a month in Indonesia to clear my head and prepare for my journey home.

I work in a bar right in the city. Outrageously priced drinks with outrageously wealthy clientele. My kinda place, as you can imagine. But, they pay me well enough and I've managed to get on the good side of management—who is comprised of a couple of Sicilian friends. I have very little doubt they have their grubby hands in more than one unlawful cookie jar here in Perth. I don't ask and they don't tell. These fellas (Rocco Macri and Johnny DiTullio) are a bit rough around the edges and put up with very little but I seem to have managed to get on their softer side. Thank god for that.

During the week, I work with a lesbian who sucks the soul out of me. Never met anyone who could take a waitressing job so seriously. I've even lost my patience with her a couple of times—most of you know me well enough to realize that this is not an everyday occurrence. Having conversations with her, always about work, is like getting hit in the stomach with a 2X4. I get itching urges to shake her violently. At least I only have to spend about 45 hours a week with her..ummm. But, again, I'm searching for the good in all people. She's a caring girl and is nice. Very nice.

The Irish are everywhere here in Perth. Most of them are drunk by brunch and legless by afternoon tea. Inspiring. That being said they're cheery enough lads and even though I can't understand most of what they mumble, I laugh when they laugh and smile when they smile. That is my relationship with the Paddys.

Beyond that, I live a pretty shallow life. Not many friends about, working 6 nights a week. In three years, you can't expect good times, all the time. However, in my constant pursuit of happiness, I believe getting out for some snorkeling and surfing on the beaches of Bali, should do my soul some good..

That's about it. Hope you lot haven't forgotten about me down here. I'll need some support when I return. I'll be broke and in search of work. I'm aiming for something between $120-150K per year, between 20-30 hours a week, 4 days a week, low-stress, low-responsibility. I'll field any interviews you can set up if I feel like they're a good fit for me.

No drug-dealing, either—-those days are in my past. Cheers.

Look forward to hearing from you all. As always, I hope this email finds you all well, happy and thriving in life.  Trully, I think about home lots these days. I had thought about a quick return back down to NZ after a short visit at home, but all plans change and I think I might stick around for a wee while, now. See how I get on.. Please drop me a line if you get a chance—I could benefit from hearing from old friends at home, as always. Just need to snap out of this funk I'm in.

Miss you all.
Go easy on 'em,
dooz