Got into Noosa yesterday. It's a lot smaller than Surfer's Paradise, a lot
like Byron Bay. I already like this place.

Last night, we hung out at the hostel bar. Had a pretty good time. Spent
about an hour talking with Kirsty (one of the lesbians from the bus who is
actually bi and a good listener to boot). We talked about how I've been
feeling lately, about how I've had problems hanging out with Neil and Kenny.
After a bit of talking, I realized that I need to know when to change myself
and when to accept myself for who I really am. I am finally coming to grips
with my introvertedness, and it's getting easier and easier for me to watch
Neil pick up chicks and laugh.

After the pub, Lori, Kenny, and I went down to the beach. We walked on sand
so fine that it squeaked with each step, sat under the stars, and listened
to the waves. I smoked my first joint. So did Kenny. We talked for a few
hours, and Kenny and I learned a lot about each other. We talked about our
backgrounds, his extrovertedness, my introvertedness. I told him I admired
his charisma and that I was working on my shyness. I told him that I had a
hard time meeting people and being friendly with strangers, and he mentioned
that everyone on the Oz Experience bus probably feels the same way that I
do, scared or too shy to meet anyone else, and that all I have to do is be
the one to make the effort and say hello, and everyone else will appreciate
it. I was starting to think that I should split up from this group so I
could go out and find other people to hang out with, but I think I'm gonna
stick with these guys.

On the way home, I looked up and saw the most incredible stars I have ever
seen. They formed a perfect band across the sky, and perfect blackness on
either side. More stars than I have ever seen. I don't know if it was the
pot, but it sure was beautiful.

Now I'm sitting in the bar at the Noosa Reef Hotel now, watching the Super
Bowl. It just ended. A pretty exciting game. I was rooting for the
Titans, and watching that guy stretching for the end zone with the football
in his hand was heart-breaking. They kept on cutting from the commercials
and back to the game in the middle of the play, which was kind of annoying.
Instead of all the cool commercials that the rest of you got in the States,
we got soccer league commercials and instructional videos for those not
familiar with the rules of American football. Lindsay and I spent most of
the time explaining the rules to our English and Scottish friends.

In a few minutes, we're off to the beach.

No regrets.

Jeff