Azz - The Dead Quote Olympics

2007-04-30T22:04:00.001+10:00

A Funny Thing Called AIESEC...

I joined AIESEC in 2003. In that time I have realised I am a lot stronger than I thought I was, had a whole bunch of skills I didn't think existed, found out I am not as good as I think I am at times, and that there is always something extra I could be doing to develop, grow or simply to gain bragging rights.

Bottom line is, compare Azz of March 2003 to Azz of May 2007, and you have one person who has spent many an hour, into the wee hours of the morning, many a dollar going to all parts of the country (and some parts of the world I never thought I would go to), gained and lost friends along the way - a completely different person as a result of the crazy thing called AIESEC.

This week marks my 6th different role in AIESEC Queensland in a mere 14 months. I started out as one of 2 OCP's of State Conference and then July Conference 2006 in Brisbane, AIESEC QUT's EB coach for a period in 2006, AIESEC QUT OCC Director and OGX director - now I am working on my 2nd role description: that of Information Systems Director until the end of 2007.

Never thought I would be doing stuff like this, but I want my LC to have a web presence and this is the start - the aim is to have people signing up on line next year and such.

Bring it on I say.

Azz H.

2007-04-11T12:53:00.000+10:00

My Visual DNA - Courtesy of Mel Mel

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

2007-03-24T18:01:00.000+10:00

Now This IS an Official Record

For the past 5 years anyway...

Recruitment officially ended for AIESEC QUT today, and as the person who in the end would have been solely responsible for it if it failed - I am incredibly happy, relieved and proud.

In a campus environment where getting 50 financial members is usually a feat in itself, the official number stands at 116.

This beats the last known record of 106 set by the 'legendary' HR director Zara Lauder in 2004. She's now completing a term on the Norwegian MC.

For the record, we had around 65 go through induction.

Today we held our selection day from 10am - 3pm. 39 people attended, 4 sent their apologies.

Back in November the LC set a target to be a 30 member LC by state conference in April (just a few weeks away). We currently have 13 selected members. We have a pool of 43 to select 13 more.

Hows that for Culture of Excellence?

An incredibly contented Azz.

2007-03-15T21:45:00.000+10:00

Some Sort of a Record

This has to be a first. Me blogging for the second time within a week - haven't done that since I set up my blog!

This week has been spent in 'professional business attire' in a room at level 10, 260 Queen Street Brisbane. A 25 floor corporate building, home to WESTPAC's QLD head office. Here I have been processing mock bank transactions in preparation for the 'real' work which starts next week. It's been so far 4 9 hour days in a air conditioned room with a NAZI facilitator who has had it in for me from day one (I believe I pissed her off by not wearing a tie). Being a bank teller is actually a huge responsibility and a big challenge, I am however happy to say that in my class of 12 people, ranging from high school and uni drop outs to ex childcare workers, I am doing quite well. Day one was boring, day two successful, day three a wake up call and today was a confidence boost.

Wednesday night saw AIESEC QUT's first Induction meeting for 2007 where 35 people turned up (a huge improvement on 11 from last year), and we had another one today where I am unsure about the numbers. I am hoping all up that we get 60 people through induction. The LC's sights now shift to firmly be set upon awards at July conference.

I want a new mp3 player that fits every song I own on it.

University this semester will be a 'struggle' in a sense I am pretty sure there will be a lot of cramming at end of semester. I am missing most Tuesday classes at the moment and will be behind in quite a few classes as of right now.

I saw some photos today from the National Leadership Team Meeting for 2004, which was held in Sydney in May 2004. AIESEC Australia's outgoing MCP was Robin Goel whom I remember at this conference he told me off for not paying attention to a dry, boring finance session he was running at 8pm when all everyone wanted to do was get to the pub. Incoming president Taco Bosman looks so young in the photos, and I see people from AIESEC circles who I use to love spending time with such is the AIESEC world (at times it can be so small), but they have drifted, gotten on with their own lives and I just don't see them often enough or at all! Interesting that this was the conference where I pretty much decided I wanted to be a part of our Member Committee (which since then I have decided and then overturned my decision on several times).
I am at the moment trying desperately to not think about next year. I don't know what it will hold for me, I know my goal by the end of 2007 is to be in a 'good financial position', so I can do the things I want to do in years to come, but what those things are I am reluctant to decide based on previous history with my personal decision making.

Lots of fun to come. Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone - planning quite a bender.

Azz H.

2007-03-11T17:14:00.000+10:00

The Morning After the Night Before

Last night was AIESEC Queensland's traditional after LDS pub crawl, and as per usual I drank way too much too early, spent too much money and found out that when it comes down to it, the knowledge gained from previous experiences doesn't mean a lot to most people. Besides this, I am not nursing the predicted hangover but rather feeling quite satisfied after a successful recruitment at AIESEC QUT, looking forward to actually earning some cash and a lot of new skills at my new job at WESTPAC, and generally getting back into 'the zone' that I love about combining AIESEC, uni and work. The zone where you are so damn busy that personal issues aren't going to be dealt with in a hurry - which yes is the easy way out but for the moment, thats the way it's gonna be.

On AIESEC QUT:
This week is a sweet and sour week as far as my beloved LC goes. We mourn the loss of a member to another LC (despite my best efforts), Jess Erhart decided that her PBOX is best run out of UQ rather than QUT, despite the challenges of getting results at QUT being a far smaller one than the challenge of dealing with UQ's EB (in my view).

On the other hand I am confident that by Wednesday's first induction session at AIESEC QUT, we will have had 100 financial members and we are still on track to have 15 people apply for exchange and a total of 60 to go through selection in a few weeks time. Something I can't remember having happened at AIESEC QUT (and I've been in the organisation since 2003).

On WESTPAC:
Whilst I never thought I would work in a bank or a financial institution, I did always see myself playing a part in some way shape or form in a company that holds CSR very close to it's values. WESTPAC is the worlds best bank and had been for the last 5 years as far as the Dow Jones Sustainability Index goes and I am pretty happy to start work for them tomorrow. Three weeks of 40 hours a week means I will have $$ but not a lot of sleep. All part of it.

On Life in General:
Not exercising enough, drinking too much. I am hitting way too many roadblocks when it comes to getting healthier - perhaps I lack discipline, but a small victory would help. I am hoping with my extremely hectic three weeks ahead I shall be able to get my arse into gear and do everything I need to do in the small amount of time I have to do it, including exercising and eating better. The saving also starts this month as I consolidate all my debt into WESTPAC accounts and have the cash go straight onto them, not into my pocket first.

Things I would like to save up for:
- Cash for flights to Adelaide (something like three weddings, my bro's 18th), Melbourne in July, NLTM's in May (Sydney), Potentially SPM in Sydney in September (might need to sort out what next year holds for me this time around)
- A new MP3 player
- A new bed
- A new laptop
- Internship over summer (Central or Eastern Europe)

For now, thats about it. I know I ain't the most vigilant blogger anyway - but I am trying but be wary for the next few weeks. I won't be around.

Azz H.

2007-03-02T23:02:00.000+10:00

Contrary to popular belief...

I am in fact still alive, kicking, screaming and generally being myself.

It's been damn busy in Queensland, in my little corner of Toowong and in my little corner of AIESEC QUT. For the past 7 weeks I have lived, eaten, breathed recruitment at AIESEC QUT - with some results showing. I;m not complaining, I am fucking happy I am experiencing time in the closest to one portfolio I have ever experienced since joining AIESEC in 2003.

Been a strange time for my head though, thought I would attempt to lay it all out on my blog just so you all can rest assured my head is still as funked up as usual.

Thought about someone I haven't thought about or seen in just on 5 years, someone who back in high school for a period of around a year was incredibly close to me, so close that I haven't been fortunate enough to have been as close to someone else since. It's a rather weird feeling thinking about someone who, when I was last in contact with them, my life was in such a different state and now I am on the opposite end of the country. Chances of me seeing this person again are slim to nil, and unfortunately all I can put that down to is the inefficiency of Australia Post.

I guess that has been an interesting distraction to the stupour that is recruitment during semester 1 at QUT, however I haven't had much time to think about it seriously.

I start work at my new job in a week, WESTPAC, Australia's first bank has been named the world's best bank by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the past 5 years running. I shall be a bank teller and will be endeavoring to find some cool contacts for AIESEC while involved. I am looking forward to it but increasingly agreeing with the belief that recruitment agencies are unprofessional and disorganised.

Uni for 2007 has started also with me getting through most lectures this week unscathed and actually managing to enjoy some of them. Tutorials start next week so it will be interesting to see how we last through those.

Haven't done nearly enough sport since recruitment really got into full swing. That ends tomorrow with riding to tennis with Kezz. Will be fun just need to keep it up and then go to the doctor about my inability to erode the weight I have.

Aight, better go to bed all. Me love you long time.

Azz

2006-12-19T03:27:00.000+10:00

Drunkenness, Girls, Dancing, McKenna Bourbon, Water and Cashews (Unsalted)

Why the long title - I Think it is pretty clear I am recovering from a night out, and making the silly decision to contribute to my blog, which I haven't updated in about a month.

Yes I am drunk, 6 beers before heading to the DownUnder Bar (back on top of my favourite pubs list), followed by 'no hands' cowboys, several bourbon and cokes and then several McKenna Bourbons (my new Vice, not quite 'fuck tequila', but close).

We got to the DuB at 10:30, danced till 3am. I have come the conclusion that girls actually enjoy leading boys on and get off on disappointing them more than by actual physical contact etc etc. Not that I needed tonight to find that out, however it more than confirmed. You will be saved a rant as I am trashed and don't want to be editing a post all night, however it has gotten me into a 'am I really that bad a person' attitude of questioning myself. Everyone else around me seems to be kicking on with someone of the opposite sex, and I know everyone's time comes, but I have been ready and waiting for the someone special for quite a while - enough is enough perhaps?

Dancing is awesome, as long as the music is good and the level of intoxication high(ish). McKenna Bourbon is a new(ish) bourbon on the market. $7 AUD a bottle for a a McKenna and coke, but bloody worth it - I feel like I have a bit of cash ATM.

Right now I am drinking 2L of water and eating unsalted cashews to try and prevent a hangover tomorrow, when I have to work at 12:30pm. 13 shifts (65 hours) left until I hopefully start my bigboy job (Westpac Bank Teller).

Azz H.

2006-11-20T16:03:00.000+10:00

Routine

4pm in the afternoon and I am dog tired.

I thought I would do the right thing on Saturday afternoon and actually call work for my hours for this week, arrive at 7am this morning and am told 'oh, you don't need to be here till 8am'.

I had been given my hours for last week - what help is that going to do me?

An unwarranted schedule for Monday November 20th, 2006:

5:15am Wake Up
5:52am Get on train
6:00am Change trains and get breakfast
6:39am Arrive at work and begin morning cleaning duties
7:05am Tapped on shoulder and told I am not meant to be performing such tasks
8:00am Begin scheduled shift
12:30pm Board train for home
1:15pm Arrive home
1:30 - 4pm Complete AIESEC and personal stuff
4:00pm Time for bed

I am praying for some bloody routine!

Azz H.

2006-11-18T23:10:00.000+10:00

What's In A Name?

I have been asked a couple of times what the hell the title of my blog 'The Dead Quote Olympics' actually means.

It comes from a song by Swedish punk rockers 'The Hives', with the title of the song being the title of my blog. The song, through my interpretation is about those people who find old quotes from throughout history and almost try and claim them as their own. I don't have anything personal against people who do that, simply that my take on life is that you create your won history, own experiences, and hence own dialogue to sum it all up.

The Dead Quote Olympics
by The Hives
Can't make an omelette without breaking an egg
And I can't make a headache if I don't aim at the head
You had enough of their thoughts have your own
Then you wouldn't have to be such a clone
That just won't get you nowhere, you thought it would?
THE DEAD QUOTE OLYMPICS
This time you've really got something it's such a clever idea
But it doesn't mean it's good 'cause you found it at the library
Yes they were smart but they are dead
And you're repeating all that they said
You know it don't make you clever like you thought it would
THE DEAD QUOTE OLYMPICS
It's on!
You won!
I'm done!
You didn't read between the lines so it won't do you any good it's true
And that moment that you live for, it doesn't live for you
When weekends set standard and pace
We are all showered in books and berets
And that will just get us nowhere, who thought it would?

2006-11-18T02:19:00.000+10:00

Ironic...

As I sit here writing this it is 2am on a Saturday morning and I know what you are thinking: Azz is probably drunk and ranting on his blog. WRONG, he is about to rant however he is not drunk and far from it.

The past few weeks/months have probably been the healthiest for me as a person, physically, for the last few years and yet I find myself unable to sleep, breathe properly or muster up little more energy than to go to the bathroom. I have titled this post 'Ironic' due to the fact that my immune system has been shot to pieces by me 'overdoing it', as I so often do in an area of my life that has needed much attention for some time.

It all started on Tuesday evening with that feeling of 'I will wake up sick tomorrow.' I ignored it Wednesday morning before work and went for my 1km swim (I made it to 500m before deciding to call it quits). I then went to work for my usual 5 hours of standing around, came home, attended my AIESEC meeting and then attended pub night (which are getting lamer by the week I might add). I sit here writing this and reading it for myself thinking 'am I just stupid, or do I just have a mental deficiency?'

After 'resting' on Thursday I then decided to test myself again and go to tennis, lasting 2 hours before not being able to resist the call of friends drinking at my house. 5am and I have just finished my 19th standard drink and Kezz persuades me it is my bed time.

My insides feel completely thrashed out, screaming my head off for the Queensland Roar Football side tonight would not have helped either, nor the shit I have eaten today (mustering up the strength to order pizza around 5 hours ago).

Supposed to be at tennis tomorrow at 7am, may have just made my first wise decision of the week to not go to the bother of going to it, and rest up all day tomorrow trying to boost my immune system again, may even go to the doctor on Monday if I still feel the same.

I'll keep you all posted, yet this may not be my last post tonight, will be attempting to sleep again soon though.

Azz H.

2006-10-16T10:18:00.000+10:00

Not Exactly Life Changing...

I saw a movie last night, one which has been on the top of my 'to see' list for quite a while after reading several books about the subject and it being many a topic for late night, often drunken and passionate, conversation.

I saw 'An Inconvenient Truth' (http://www.climatecrisis.org/), Al Gore's continuation of his pre election conquest for the powers that be to recognise that there is no comparison between the economy and the environment, but that without an environment no one will prosper.

This movie did a lot of things, one thing was that it did not change my views at all: it re - affirmed them and actually made me more aware of the way the climate and the environment works and just how delicate it's workings are. We saw this movie as an LC learning event, to pre ceed a learning circle on global warming, under the wider banner of sustainability. The output of this learning circle are soon to be uploaded to qutlc.nomadlife.org, so you can all read about it there.

It is fast becoming a realisation of mine that this issue of global warming, is right on top of my pile of interesting issues, and rest assured the reading about the issue will continue. I urge everyone to see the movie, for a documentary run in lecture style it is insightful, funny in parts and very eye opening me thinks for those who are a little in the dark on the issue. Those in Australia will also be able to see we are one of the bigger villians in this saga as well.

Azz H.

2006-10-09T21:42:00.000+10:00

Taking Time Out To...

EXERCISE!!!! As I stated in my previous epic post, I am finally taking the time to exercise, and have fun while doing it!

This past week has seen me play tennis for an accumulative 8.5 hours, swim for 30 minutes and ride my bike for 30 minutes. This is just the beginning, I guaruntee you...

This week: Starting Tuesday, I will be swimming for 3 hours, playing tennis for 8.5 hours and riding my bike for 2 hours. I guaruntee that my heart rates are pretty damn high for most of that time, so hopefully my body will start showing some positive signs. I am already starting to wake up feeling fantastic, and I attribute it to the new fitness stuff.

Hoping to start playing soccer or touch footy sooinish as well.

I'll keep you posted, especially considering I am running for an AIESEC EB position this Wednesday night, which will take some time up. I don;t want it to erode into my fit time.

Azz H.

2006-09-30T10:37:00.000+10:00

Decisions

Our lives are full of them, especially as young people we decide whether to take an extra safety precaution in a particular situation or not, how much money we spend each week to survive living at home through to what direction we want to take in life and what is exactly important to us.

I have just recently had to make probably the most difficult decision in my short life of almost 23 years. There is a lot of background to it so if you will bear with me, I will share the whole thing with you.

As most people know I am a member, and quite an active member of the student organisation AIESEC, and for the year of 2005 I underwent significant personal sacrifice to perform two full time volunteer roles in the one year, as Local Committee President of AIESEC at UniSA and as State Manager of AIESEC South Australia. Now, talk about bi - polar tendancies: I was managing a region of which I was a president of one of the committees within the region, try and keep a level head all the time when you are doing that. Now I thought I did a good job, and really enjoyed my year, however just at the end of the year, when I was just about to commit to running for the MC, I lost my drive. This happened somewhere between the introduction of the dreaded culture debate and the realisation I had been doing AIESEC for 40 hours a week for the past 12 months and couldn't guaruntee an honest year's work on our MC in Sydney.

So as a kind of consolation, I moved to Queensland. Still involved in AIESEC, but completely unsure of what role a person of 2 years experience as an LCP, one as a State Manager and already explored a rather large scope of the Leadership stage of the AIESEC XP, and not having enough money to explore the Exchange stage and still no completed degree after dedicating 2 years of my life to an organisation which I love, things were confusing, so I went to APXLDS in search of direction.

I wont lie, I was skeptical and didn't expect the MC to select me to go on the basis I had no role and had already been to an international conference (silly me didn;t realise that made me a perfect candidate, not having responsibilities to leave behind and being a good support to the head delegate). I have already endlessly posted about the conference experience, however my direction was clear: I was going to run for MCP at the end of the year, in my hometown of Adelaide. The scene was set.

My role in Queensland had since been forced, I was to co - OCP July National Conference in Brisbane. A heavier workload than I had intended to undertake, but I can never say no, especially when am half helping out a best mate (the State Manager was in a bind). The experience was a broad spectrum of emotions, lots of frustration, anger, fun and happiness was had in this 4 month role, and on the outside it ended successfully, but little did I know it would become the catalyst for the decision I have only just recently made.

Anyhoo, the conference finished, we made profit but things were slightly awry. I mentioned in a recent post that I was being questioned by my two best friends in an AIESEC sense which did not help, at the same time the amount of effort and commitment I was giving to the conference was also being questioned. These two events made me angry and frustrated with the one thing I always held faith in: My good friends and the people within AIESEC. Things were not good, a lot of self doubt entered into my mind, not a good thing for someone with very poor self perception. I wasn't licked yet tho, I was still pretty sure I would be running for MCP, MC at the very least.

Just recently, elections were held in Queensland for LCP and SM. If we look at the identity of AIESEC at a grassroots level, one of the things we claim is that we are not political at all, however all participants of these elections should be ashamed at the level of politics which there were in these elections, and the gay abandon at which they so called leaders of my new region dismiss the claims of foul play. A loaded sentence yes, however this is how I see it and these events have been the killer blow, no matter how I felt about myself, I still held faith that AIESEC was such a progressive organisation that it would not stoop to this level of politicking, that faith had been breached - I no longer want to contribute to AIESEC if my way of life is going to suffer from it.

In 2005 my way of life did suffer: study was put on hold, I gained weight, lost sleep, lost friends. True, I did gain a hell of a lot, but now I find myself a 22 year old, obese male facing a situation: I have no degree, am unhealthy and could spend 2007/08 in Sydney on minimal wage, with little opportunity to spend money on my health and it does not look like a wise decision for my general well being and sanity. The other things is, I know I would be a good MCP, I do think the country needs someone like me, to rally the people around a common cause, however I am not ready, willing or able to devote another 12 months to the cause, at least not at the moment anyway. Everytime I weigh up the pros and cons, there are a lot of pros to moving to Sydney and being on the MC or MCP, however most of them are not directly going to have an in turn positive effect on me and/or have a flip side.

So the decision I have recently made, after another trip to Sydney recently, numerous conversations with dear friends and realisations I am not as good a friend to some people as they are to me, I come to the decision that my short term future is in Queensland, not in Sydney as was going to be the case. I wont be running for MCP or the MC, and will be focussing my time in another localised role in AIESEC Queensland, my studies (just getting the fucking degree out of the way), my health (recently beginning a regime of 10 hours of tennis per week and 2 hours of bike riding per week and hoping to start swimming again soon), and erasing my debts and actually getting some cash behind me (something which I have only just begun doing).

Some of you may be shocked, saw it coming, happy, sad etc. I havent said much publicly, so here it is, I hope everyone reads it, asks me questions etc. I still love AIESEC, I still enjoy the environment I operate in, however the landscape has changed since I joined, and I fear I am part of a dying breed of partying AIESECers, but I will save my two cent contribution to the AIESEC Australia culture debate.

Till the next adventure,

Azz H.

2006-08-31T21:55:00.000+10:00

AP: The Hangover Returns

Last night was the election for AIESEC Queensland's State Manager for 2007. The candidates were two close friends of mine, James Webb and Eloise O'Mara, so I had taken the back seat and didn't have much of an opinion other than 'they are both fabulous and should both get it'. Shockingly for me, James dropped out and Eloise was confidenced - much drinking followed.

As is normally the case when much drinking ensues, Jess Erhart and myself start talking about AP, 2007, IC, IC 2007 etc etc. Basically all of the AIESEC stuff we want to do right now dammit!! Jess' boyfriend Jake is currently in Poland for You Can!, and she mentioned he sent her photo's the other day of himself and other Aussies at IC with many members of the AP 2006 delegation.

How jealous am I? I found memories flooding back of fantastic times on an island in the Philippines and the incredible situation that most of those delegates are in Poland at IC, and we seemed like almost the only one's not. Anyway, we wished we were there.

Not much of an alcohol induced hangover this morning, the AP one still lingers.

Bring on Turkey 2007!

Azz H.

2006-08-24T21:58:00.000+10:00

CULTURAL CURIOSITY

It isn't a secret that lately I have had a lot more free time without a full time role in AIESEC since wrapping up AIESEC Australia's July National Conference for 2006, well most OC duties anyway. This has lead me to start doing one of the things I used to love doing as a child: reading.

Now when I say reading I dont ofcourse mean lecture notes, AIESEC materials or textbooks, I mean books which I go out of my way to read the blurb on the back of an purchase with my hard earned cash!

Combine this with my two seperate travels to Taiwan and Philippines, and me absolutely falling in love with people from the Asian continent, I noticed a book one day entitled Cultural Curiosity: 13 Stories about the search for Chinese Roots by Josephine M. T. Khu. Amazed to find that the sticker price was a mere $1.95, I hesitated but purchased the book anyway.

Well well well, I couldn't put the thing down could I! I think it was such a good book I must have finished the book in record time. I was intrigued reading about the perspectives of 13 different people with Chinese heritage who, through one way or another, were desperate to get back to their homeland and find their roots. Not all the essay - ists from the book lived in China at all, but their parents had such a profound impact on their lives, each person was drawn back to China for one reason or another, and all they wanted was to learn and experience more and more of what they had missed through being bought up abroad in as diverse places as Inida to Australia, the USA and the UK.

This book was a fantastic insight for me into a culture which I am deeply fascinated in, as well as opening my eyes to a facet of my growing up that I do not think I will have to deal with: Searching for forgotten roots in a foreign country.

Does this make me feel lucky? Interesting question really. Am I lucky to be 'white' as far back as people can remember? The interesting thing for me here is that there is some NZ Maori in my blood, and perhaps if I find more out about my family's heritage, it may take me back to parts of New Zealand, where I never thought I would be.

2006-08-21T22:35:00.000+10:00

Uncharted Waters

It's funny how things change and before you know it you are in a situation you havent been in in a very long time.

INTEGRITY QUESTIONED
This is something that was a real eye opener, a terrible passion and drive crusher, a reality check and potentially one of the best things that has happened to me for a while. A couple of weeks ago i was 'torn limb from limb' (may be dramatising a little bit) by some people very close to me, in a drunken state, basically, in my drunken eyes, being told I was shit and could perhaps not 'Be Better.'

REFLECTION
Upon recieveing this 'beating' I went through a lot of stages:
1. Disbelief or the 'How Could They?' Stage
2. The 'How Dare They?' or Denial Stage
3. The 'Maybe They Have a Point' or Swallowing My Pride Stage
4. The 'I Don't Think I Am Good Enough' or Stage Where I Gave Up
5. The 'Fuck That' or I'm Can Overcome Stage

and finally
6. The 'Lets Dot It!' or Evolve and Prove Them Wrong Stage

I am currently in the process of getting opinions from people in the form of professional competencies as to what areas I am shit in, and I use the phrase Shit as I respond to being called shit in an area better than 'Not Good At'.

One thing I have learned:
Complacency is the DEVIL. This is something I always pulled others up on, but that was my problem, I fell into the trap of stagnating in my own performance and development, while still being quite happy to tell others that they suck. I am past this now, I still voice my opinion, however am making steps to make myself a better person.

Special Thanks to these people for making me realise I am a valued person, but that it doesn't mean I can rest on my laurels and relax:

Mel Mel, James W. (A.K.A. My Two Amigos), Kezz, Jess (My QUT Girls), Nicky (Fav Sydneysider), Shaun and Caitlyn (My Other 2 Wheels).

Azz H.

2006-07-14T11:43:00.000+10:00

Due To Popular Demand...

I have returned to the blogging world, after a brief absence that people seemed to not be able to handle.

The past couple of months have been hectic at best:

YLC - Sydney

Yet another trip to Sydney for an AIESEC conference (am I sick of it - hell no). Found out more than my fair share of self discoveries, and only helped re - affirm my plans for 2007. Was definitely worth the $500 odd dollars i spent on partying with the stars of AIESEC Australia.

Strung Out - The Valley

I saw my favourite punk band from the US, Strung Out from California. Just when i thought it might be the last time i see them, they announce that they decided to visit Australia before going and writing another album. Their mix of melodic, poetic, hard and fast punk music will make me stand up and take notice any day of the week. They are a little dark at times, but i gotta feed my dark side somehow, knowingly it rarely sees the light of day. Best $40 i ever spent (i say that after every strung out gig).

Exams

I found out i passed everything, which is a plus, as well as doing as much July Conference promotion and running around as possible during exams - it was more sleep deprivation for the Azzman, but - I PASSED!

AIESEC Australia July National Conference 2006 - Brisbane

My baby for months, this conference was good, with me as OCP. I couldn't have done it without my right hand, Emma, who always kept her cool, more than me even tho she probably did more on site OC stuff than i did. To the 130 delegates: Thank you for challenging my patience, and testing me in ways i have never been tested - i found a lot out about the way i operate and this is imperitave for me to work on before january Conference in 2007. To the MC: Same as above but thanks for being supportive even with the weird and frequent requests - word is the delegates enjoyed ur sessions. To my OC: We did it, we pulled off a great conference - lets wrap it up in style and get on with the next chapter hey! We should make a profit, and thats a good thing.

Job Hunting

I am currently looking for full time work, as i am not studying this semester and need cash for my (fingers crossed) MC term next year in Sydney. Plus the current grind of the newsagent job is only giving me 15 hours - which is fine to live on but i cant make any in roads on my debts. Tax time is upon us tho so should get some cash out of that.

Thats about it for now. I am in rest mode, still tired as hell from OCP - ing and being way too drunk way too often. Having fun on the large part though.

Azz H.

2006-05-16T21:51:00.000+10:00

What a Weekend!

I almost officially feel like a dead person right now. Let me provide you with an insight into the weekend I have just had, when I was considering the weekend to be a 'rest' period for the upcoming Youth Leadership Convocation in Sydney on this coming weekend being run by AIESEC Australia in conjunction with the National Board of Advice and partners.

Friday May 12th: 9am - 5pm
Worked 8 hours at a new store of the company I work for. All day on my feet. Sleep would have been a good option.
10pm to 3am
Came to the realisation I love my Regional Board as I sat up and drank goon with my State Manager and UQ LCP until 3am the morning where I had to get up at 6:30am (in 3 and a half hours) to work.

Saturday May 13th: 8am - 1pm
Worked, thats all there is to it. My job is boring so I am always watching the clock anyways, but I think i checked my watch every 3 minutes, which in a 5 hour shift = 100 times looking at my watch.
10pm - 4am
Griffith LCP had his party at my house, and what a night. I think i tacticle spewed like 7 times, never done so many goon lay backs and at the end of the night we were trying to re - ignite the shisha which was going hours before. A lot of people, got a little too out of hand. Need to give my house a rest from parties for a little bit, at least until July Conference!

Sunday I 'rested' with a shocking hangover.

Monday May 15th: 8am - 5pm
Worked again, repeat, ad nauseum.
7:30pm - 3am
QUT EB meeting which I was present at as a coach. Good meeting, I love these girls and it's good to be apart pf an LC that is rebuilding itself again. Anyway, after the meeting the jelly shots came out, so did the vodka and goon. Plenty of pizza was had. Great night and fucking hilarious.

Tuesday May 16th: 8am - 1pm
Worked again, had to be up at 6:30am. I then slept all afternoon, and here I am.

Resting again tomorrow, pub night tomorrow night and then getting 'prettied up' (ie: getting a haircut) for YLC in SYdney which I leave for on Thursday.

Pray I get some sleep, or I might be grumpy.

Azz H.

2006-05-09T21:07:00.000+10:00

Beaconsfield

No, this is not the name of the latest follow up hit to 'Smallville' or 'Desperate Housewives'. It is a small goldmining town in Tasmania, Australia which has had worldwide attention on it for the past fourteen days as Todd Russell and Brant Webb fought for survival, 1km under the earth's surface after a rock fall. This small town is also the last place saomeone might re kindle their faith in humanity.

I woke up at 6:30am on a 'cold' Brisbane morning to get ready for work and did something I havent done in a long time, I turned the TV on to find these two men emerge from that goldmine after 14 days. To see the elation, the relief and triumph that these men had on their faces and in their body language raised two interesting issues for me, one good and one bad.

1. I wont dwell on this one, but it was almost as if these men felt as though they had 'defeated' mother nature, in the form of a rock fall which is a natural occurence and almost expected when mining, an unnatural activity to engage in with the planet is occurring. I found it interesting that these men had that mentality and reaction.

2. This is the one which hit me straight away. Within seconds of seeing these pictures, which plastered all television stations in Australia, I had tears in my eyes. The jubilation, the power of the human spirit of this town to band together, stop their lives (as if their own existence was nothing compared to these guys being given the chance to resume their lives as normal) and quit being so selfish and liberal for one monent in their lives to see that these two men, of whom not everyone would have known, return to 'the surface'.

I went to work, and the Foo Fighters new song 'No Way Back' came on the radio and the announcer said that Dave Grohl, FF Frontman would pay for both of the men to fly anywhere in the world to see them play a concert. I was like 'WTF?', I mean I have always been a fan of Dave Grohl because of his music ability but I was again, in tears. How embarassing, that an event which I had had very little to do with over the course of the two weeks was now making me cry! I have out it down to the power of the human spirit which we do not see enough of, this town banded together behind these guys, praying, cheering, wishing and hoping for them to come out safe and able to resume their lives as normal.

You know the human race has been and will in future be responsible for some pretty fucked up shit, but it is showing of human emotion and spirit that really hammers home the fact that I believe the things I believe: the human race is worth keeping around. Things such as this, plus other things like, well, Love for example, are worth saving and are worth fighting for. I hope I can look back on times like this when I am feeling a little hopeless and get back on my feet again.

Azz H.

2006-05-07T21:22:00.000+10:00

What I am passionate about - Part One

(yes I did steal this idea from Mel Mel)

The picture to the left is the album cover of a band called Slipknot, a heavy metal band from Iowa in the United States, formed based around the fact that there are issues in the world which are really crap, and making music was their way of shouting out about it. Their music although loud, agressive and sometimes just downright offensive, has become a calling for millions of almost religious fans around the world.

This is a poster which I spent $$ on, which adorns the walls of my bedroom along with a poster of the 'Choose Life' rant that happens in the movie 'Trainspotting', a 'Green Day - American Idiot' poster, a 'System of a Down' poster, a 'Red Hot Chili Peppers Poster', and many other posters from live music events I have attended.

Why am I telling you this? Well it is only just recently that I figured out why I am such a fan of music that, on the outside does not quite fit in with my demeanour, humanitarian views or career goals. I was surprised at an AIESEC conference in Adelaide a few weeks ago that my team of Sophie, Katherine, Dariusz and some guys I have forgotten told me that they didn't pick me for a Slipknot fan. This was after I told them that the sort of music which gets me going in the mornming is music that is loud and offensive. I started to ponder why...

It wasn't until Mel Mel came to stay with me whilst our state conference in Brisbane a couple of weeks ago happened. Having one of our many long conversations about life in general (not that I dont enjoy every second of them), we got to talking about music and sort of bam, like a freight train it hit me that the reason music like this is a passion of mine, is because it is simply performed by educated young people who recognise there is some shit in this world that is not right, and their music creates awareness around these issues. These bands also know how to have fun, which is something I am also passionate about, but we'll talk about that in more detail later.

If you ever get the chance to look at my music collection, most of you will say that the music isn't fit for parties or chilling out, but on the contrary i disagree. The music on the surface is a clammer of words and loud music that clearly doesn;t make much sense, however the poetic ability of frontmen of bands such as Slipknot, Green Day, System of a Down, NoFX, All, and my favourite band Midnight Oil is pretty awesome when you actually read the lyrics. I was in a band once to try my hand at developing my poetic side, I failed, however I was able to understand why people form bands, spend loads of money trying to get somewhere and then never wanna put their microphone down when they are on stage - they have a message and they have found the people who want to hear it, and maybe, just maybe, those people hearing the message will act on it.

Azz H.

2006-05-07T19:09:00.000+10:00

APXLDS 2006 - Philippines

Pre - Conference:

It was at this point that I asked myself if the trip to Philippines in March was worth the massive debt I was putting myself in to simply afford the conference and take another opportunity this fantastic organisation AIESEC had thrown at me...

The answer was obviously hell yes! I went to Taiwan in 2004 and thought that was huge step for me, a silly country boy who had little to no understanding of the world around me. Then i moved to Queensland and thought that was a big step - more change was afoot.

One of the most attractive things about attending this conference was being able to share it with such a bunch of talented individuals. We always say, well at least the people whom i hold dearest to me always say that we try and surround ourselves with beautiful motivating and directed people, and with this conference i surely hit the jackpot with the Australian delegation. Mel Mel, Nicky, Jess, Chloe, Aleks and Woodsy are all people who will have a place in my heart - they were there and supported me through one of the toughest times in my life: being at the crossroads in an organisation you have devoted your life to for three years before, and made me realise I have so much more to give in return for so much more benefit from the organisation.

Little did I know, as we arrived in the at first strange scenery that was Cebu, Philippines, that I was about to be inundated by people who i wanted to further be surrounded with in my future endeavours. I am not the most out there person when it comes to meeting people, and I will be the first person to tell you that the biggest hurdle I had to overcome at AP in Taiwan in 2004 was the language barrier the some people from the Asian continent have to deal with in regards to the strength of Australina english. However, the frienships I managed to make during my time in the Philippines will be for a very ling time (I wont say forever, we cant be sure of that). I guess thsi is me finally doing what I always wanted to do and hadn't had the chance to do it yet.

My Australian darlings, you all know what I think of you, so please dont slap me when I talk mainly about those abroad who made the most impact on me.

AIESEC China: One of those countries I didn't know much about before coming to the conference, howevere when I left I started making plans to get there by the end of 2006!
Vincent: You have been in Australia before, you know what we are like, after this conference I guess I am sorry I didn;t hang out with you more when I met you in 2005! I cant wait to perhaps to my CEED in UIBE, I know it will be a blast and you will be one of the most successful AIESECers to grace AIESEC China!
Amy: One of the most beautiful people I know. I have continued to speak to you since AP and you have always been so receptive to my ideas about travel to and doing AIESEC work in China, and for that I cant wait to see you again in Beijing in *fingers crossed* October or November this year, and then hope to bring you back to do a CEED in Australia.

AIESEC Japan: More fun than you can poke a stick at! I honestly loved the Japanese culture before coming to this conference (having studied it for 8 years in primary and high school), but you guys who I had a ball with learning drinking games and chants with will not be forgotten soon enough!

AIESEC U.A.E.: You guys blew me away, what can I say. Completely not what I expected from you guys. I'll admit, I was daunted at the prospect of meeting abunch of guys from Dubai, thanks for proving me wrong.
Maher: What can I say brother. You gave me a shisha! You also ave me a reminder of something which I have tried to live my life by before, you told me and showed me what it means to try new things whenever you have the possibility. I remember when everyone was trying to learn the Philipino dancing over the lng sticks, and I was sitting back being the 'photographer'. You said to me 'You have to try something.' From then on, I have tried everything. Besides our obvious love for a party, we obviously love life as much as each other.

AIESEC Philippines: What a wild ride huh. Thank you all for allowing me to party, pass out, eat, screw up the currency exchange rate and basically live a Pinoy experience!
Amy: You are the most intense ball of energy I think I have ever come across. Whenever our paths cross again, I know there will be an almost instant rapport there, just like when me met this time around.
Ces: What can I say dude. I have always been of the opinion that good things come in small packages, and from the first day I met you at the ferry terminal, and you first screamed for everyone's attention I became aware of your presence. It was fantastic to be around you, but I wont go too far because i left a comment on your blog!
Gladys: Probably the most polite person I have ever met, you were such a help to us and a reason us Aussies got comfortable in the Philippines very early on in our veulnerable stage in the Philippines.
JM: You party animal. I am upset I didn't get to know you better in 2004 when you facilitated, however it only makes me want you to come to Australia even more! Come and party with us down here, if not, I hope to see you in October.

AIESEC Bangladesh: You cynical yet fun loving bastards! Loved the chats, the parties, the beers, the weng weng's!
Adeet: I remember our chat the night before the conference at that random bar where we first had weng weng's. You were basically in the same position as an LCP when I became an LCP, and I understood all of your concerns! I hope your time is going swimmingly. I would love to hear about it, I can only say your head seemed a lot more screwed on than mine did when i was entering into the challenge you are currently dealing with.
Eshad: You jolly man. Loved the random chats during connection time, parties, lunches and sessions. It was fantastic and thank you for giving me insight into the way AIESEC Bangladesh works, and the country itself!

AIESEC U.S.A.: You guys were the last people I expected to meet at an AP conference, but am I damn glad you were there! Thnaks for partying with us, bitching about our respective countries etc etc.
Pinar: Man I remember the wild turkey, the party in Woodsy's room and the general shenanigans, as well as the talks about US AIESEC politics. I am gonna cherish those moments for a while, thanks for being there!
Sara: What can I sau dude. You've made an impression thats for sure. I'l try my best to get to Madison for Halloween one day, whether it's this year or the next or the next... One things for sure, I will be trying my hardest to get you down here as well!

Anyone I have forgotten, I am sorry. I hope I have communicated somehow what you mean to me. My travel party of Jess, Aleks and Nicky will know, I got corny and said I couldn't imagine a better bunch of people to travel and experience it with. I meant it but it would have been nice to travel with you all back to Australia. At least we had APXLDS to experience together. I am glad I have communicated this, because this conference has been instrumental in findning out what I want to do with the next stage of my AIESEC XP, and those who continue in AIESEC beyond this year, will be hearing my name a lot more *fingers crossed*.

Signing off for now, a re - energise, motivated and feeling very loved...

Azz H.

2006-05-05T21:15:00.000+10:00

CITYCATS
This is a CityCat. One of my favourite things to do is stand out on the front deck 'with the wind in my hair' and basically swallow the bugs haha! It is an interesting way to travel to university and the city, people keep telling me I will get sick of it or the novelty will wear off, after three months I am still waiting for that to happen.

2006-05-05T19:57:00.000+10:00

BRISBANE - City Without Trams

As most people know, I was born in Victoria, schooled in Adelaide and now I live in Brisbane to 'finish', or is that continue, my university degree. In Adelaide, South Australia we are proud of these new fancy trams that replaced older versions just recently. I have been to Melbourne and Sydney and seen their versions of trams as well (basically Adelaide was catching up to these capital cities as far as quality of public transport goes), and now I am in Brisbane and not a tram in sight. I am not saying that when i was in Adelaide all i caught was trams places, however i did not expect to live in Brisbane and have my major form of transport being a high powered mini catamaran they call a 'CityCat', run by the Brisbane City Council from one end of the city part of the Brisbane River to the other, Bretts' Wharf to the University of Queensland to be precise. This ferry - like vessel takes me from home to uni in 15 minutes for $2.50 return. It is one of the most unique and awesome things about living in Brisbane, besides the cheap pubs, abundance of pubs and awesome people. Their sporting teams kind of suck at the moment though. I still hold true to my beloved Adelaide Crows, the Australian Rules Football team that everyone wrote off last year as a bunch of misfits who couldn't even kick a football who finished third in the national compettition. Anyhoo, point is I am a Brisbanite now. I have been here for nearly 3 months (got here on February 8th from memory) on a $99 flight and well, I probably wont be here for much longer than a year but lets just say, besides the lack of trams Brisbane is an awesome place.

2006-05-02T23:05:00.000+10:00

WELCOME

Hello everyone. As some of you may or may not know my name is Aaron Hicks but for the past 4 years i have been affectionately (at least i would like to think anyway) as Azz, hence the address of my blog.

What will you find here? I have a habit of getting very corny as those who are closest to me will tell you, and this is an opportunity for me to get corny about memories in this strange thing we call my life.

I doubt you will see my opinions on a lot of things that are externally relevant, this is merely a place for me to store memories which i may be too intoxicated to recall, and hopefully a place for those who experienced such memories with me to reminisce and stay in touch and updated.

So, thats about it. I'll try and update as much as possible but no promises.

Azz H.