Trade #4: Mini cross bow for... oh I'm so ashamed!

The three lads up Newcastle way were dead keen to get there paws on the cross bow. Aaza 'shottied' the trade up. I asked him what he could offer. "I dunno but we'll find ya sumin," He said with that rough Aussie accent and a shine in his eye. I thought I'd better find another proverbial pie to pop a finger in just in case he didn't find me something. I had a plane to catch back to the UK in two weeks and there was no way my hot potato was getting through customs.

I showed the item to Radar, a maintenance guy I knew. "'ow much ya want for it love?"
"Mate, it's not about money. I'm on a trade up mission. What you got you can trade for it?"
Radar struggled to grasp the concept and said if I couldn't secure a tradee before I left, he'd give me a couple of hundred bucks for it. He had a hobbie: weapon collecting. So why couldn't he understand mine?

Sadly I was running out of time and Aaza let me down. Last minute he offered a body board for it. As tempting as that was, it would be far too awkward to fit on the plane. So, in disgrace I took the money. It probably was a good choice though. Unlike with the boys, I couldn't see Radar getting drunk and accidently shooting someone with it, so I told him: "It's probably best you take it, you won't accidently kill someone with it," at which point he burst into laughter.
"If I was gunna kill someone, I'd use a gun love!" Dear God what have I done?

As trading up rules have yet to be established I can get away with this one, even though deep down I know it's wrong. I kept two arrows for future trading and at least I have a little Christmas cash. Back in the UK I almost feel like I'm back to square 1. Perhaps I'm now in a better position for attaining that shiny boat/car/house at the end. But for now, I'll kick back and enjoy the journey and the colourful characters I meet along the way!

Trade #3 Laptop for "a hot potato"

The laptop came in handy for writing emails and notes, but it sure was heavy and I wanted to get shot of the damn thing. I'd been lugging it around for half a year when I finally met Josh, a fellow coach surfer in Melbourne who wanted to start up a home media centre. He ensured me that the damaged screen made no difference as he wanted to project movies anyway. I asked what he would trade for it. He told me he had a hot potato to offload.

This 'hot potato' aroused my interest somewhat. It turned out to be a mini cross bow. Something I could get into a lot of trouble for possessing. However, I would be leaving Melbourne soon to visit some friends who I was certain wouldn't be able to resist the allure of this illicit item. Three masters of (friendly) chaos living together, with interests including surfing, playing guitar hero and bird breeding, one of them would surely give me a gem of a trade up!

So the trade was made. I now have a mini cross bow with four deadly arrows! A nice bit of protection should I get into trouble along the road to Newcastle! Also, the couch surfer that hosted Josh and I was inspired by the mission and wants to begin trading up herself!

Point of Interest #1: Trading Communities!”

“We’re going out for dinner tonight,” King Bood of Ballintaggart Castle informed me. Good! Means I don’t have to cook. I started WWOOFing (willing workers on organic farms) at Ballintaggart in the Atherton Tablelands the other week. It’s a gorgeous location 1000 metres above sea level, in a round house with 360 degree views and a rainforest next door. I’ve been planting rainforests in return for food and keep, a rather sweet deal I’d say!

Before we left Bood mentioned that it was a dinner with a local trading group where items could be exchanged for other items. This caught my attention and I explained that I had a laptop up for trading! He prepared a dish and took some wine. We went to Kevin’s house where 8 other people had gathered with home grown, home made, organic and bio-dynamic food! After the delicious feast, we got down to business. The group are called LETS (local exchange trading scheme). Each person at the table spoke in turn, telling us their ‘wants’ and ‘offerings’. So for example, Phil was offering eggs, and wanted curtains. Because of the complexity of matching up value for value trades (i.e. curtains are worth much more than a half dozen eggs,) a trading currency had been introduced: Bartles, named after the local mountain Bartle Frere.

One Bartle is equivalent to about $1. People can earn Bartles by trading off items, then use the Bartles to buy more costly things. Ingenius huh? So when the world goes mad and currency looses it’s value, strengthened communities like this one may just survive!

My ears perked up when Alison offered a car. Her want was someone to deliver some books to Brisbane. If I had a car, I could deliver some books! Sadly she didn’t want a laptop and I realised that this battered Acer is only really worth about 150 Bartles at a push. The car is going for 600 Bartles. Out of my league? Yes. Interesting? Definitely! I’m pleased to have learnt something new about community life in North Queensland. It’s thriving and it has some innovative and resourceful people in it. Now perhaps I should go chase up the latest trade up lead; I’ve been offered a Toyota Hiace van for the laptop! Rusty around the edges, coloured like a cow, doesn’t start. Now if I can jut find a battery for it…

Trade #2: Worm farm for laptop (May 09)

In May I was offered passage as crew on board a yacht sailing North of Port Stephens. How could I refuse? I had planned to leave my job, LJ was gone and Winter was drawing in with it's frosty mornings. It seemed like an exciting way to tour up the East coast of Australia into the sunshine. I didn't have many belongings to take. The only thing I had tying me down was the worm farm! If I wanted to go sailing I'd have to trade up, and fast!

Captain Yacaaba collected me from Bundabah Creek at work and I went to stay the night, see if we were compatible sailors and happy for me to join as crew. It went well so I stayed for 3 nights. Before I returned to work to collect my things I sent a few texts to the staff to see who might want the worm farm. I crossed my fingers hoping I might secure a laptop from Matt. It was a long shot but you never know!

I got dropped off and collected a few hours later. Captain Yacaaba couldn't believe it when I arrived with the laptop under my arm! Matt had traded me for the worm farm! I couldn't believe it! I had traded up to something that was portable and of greater value! It had a damaged screen but it was still good. Enough. I guess.

Tiwi stood in for Matt on the photo as he wasn't around. (No I didn't steal the trade item!) And I shortly set sail into the sunset with a shiny new (ok maybe not so shiny or new) laptop! Yay!

Trade #1: Staff shirt for worm farm (April 09)

The rules of trade up stated that the first trade had to be work uniform. A hard first trade, LJ pointed out. I assured her that starting with a tough one would ensure good future trades. She offered me her worm farm for my t-shirt. In terms of value for money it would be a good deal, but the worm farm would be even harder to trade than a t-shirt! I don't think such an item is in high demand. Not to mention it's heavy, bulky, can't be transported without spilling (true story, don't ask!) and time consuming. She wanted it to go to a good home and I thought it would look cool as a first trade. Almost novelty infact. So I agreed and the trade was done! Now I'd just have to work on off loading the thing. Whilst trying to secure a new tradee I decided to name all 1000 worms Chris. And fed them banana skins.

All things begin with a DREAM

Why do people dream? Why do we strive for greater things in life? Is it pure coincidence that LJ and I met at The Great Aussie Bushcamp at the start of January 2009? I don't know the answers to such questions. Maybe we were just bored but our odd ramblings and hyperness gained us many a bemused look from anyone unfortunate enough to overhear us. LJ and I gave birth to the much loved Batmanesque expressions of "Giant jam rings!" and "Sweeping generalisations!" Together we could make even the most mundane tasks at work exciting. Notably forming Team Bin Run! (Smelly) service with a smile. We also entered the world of couch surfing together and found the most awesome host (James Nash...legend). To cut a long story short, when 2 open minded (is that a euthamism for mad?) young go getters come together, the world can become your oyster, so long as you ignore the puzzled looks and 'sensible' warnings around you.


"Success is not the key to happiness, happiness is the key to success." A wise man once coined this phrase. He needs no introduction. The point is that we should enjoy the journey. I believe that if you enjoy what you do it will lead to more things you enjoy. Simple enough. Well, trading up for me is about the journey. It's about meeting new traders, inspiring others who take a keen interest in what we do. Its about friendship and bringing people together. More importantly it keeps me sane. Trading up is a healthy hobby!