The list

Initially once I decided I was going to spend a year (or three) abroad I had no idea where to start. I haven't been out of the country and only had stories from friends, travel guides and blogs to go by. So I decided to compose a list of things I wanted to see. Now this isn't your basic
list of monumental landmarks, or photo opportunities etc. I decided to list all the global sporting events I wanted to witness. The list then naturally progressed to festivals (mostly of the music variety), and a few other random things I wouldn't mind seeing. I have also started flicking through '1,000 Places to see before you die' by Patricia Schultz and I'm sure I will find a wealth of other things to add to the list. But for now it stand as such:

The Isle of Man TT - I have a couple of review dvds from this great race
and I just have to experience it in the flesh.
MotoGP world circuit - my goal is to attend a grand prix on every track.
NBA - in particular Madison Square Garden
MLB - visiting Yankee Stadium is a must
NFL
NHL
Soccer World Cup - if all goes well I will head over to South Africa
with my best mate (who is South African) for the world cup
Rugby World Cup - seeing as the next one is in New Zealand there is a
chance I will make it over there for the event.
The Ashes in England - nothing would be sweeter then witnessing the
Aussies crush the Poms on their home soil.
Cricket World Cup (one day and twenty20) - preferably when it is held
somewhere tropical!
IPL - seeing Shane Warne play again is a must on the list.

The Festivals:
Ruisrock - Turku, Finland
Austin City Limits - Texas, USA
Creamfields - England
Ibiza Rocks - Ibiza, Spain
T in the Park - Scotland
Roskilde - Copenhagen, Denmark
Isle of Wight - England
Endinburgh Fringe Fest - Scotland

The new plan?

Against everything I stand for I have decided to pass up on going to Mt Hotham and working for the snow season.

Why?

Mainly because I need to save 4k to get into Canada on a working visa. And I know myself all to well and being in that environment will equal me heading back to Melbourne with no savings and a severely damaged liver. Not to mention I'm heading to NZ as well which will not help the cause. If I want to make it to Whistler for the snow season / Winter Olympics I'm going to need to start saving now, and avoid any temptations to spend my money.

Overall staying in Melbourne and working is the best idea for the next few months. The less dept and more savings I have when I head overseas the better.

But in saying this my plans change every week. And the only time I will ever pass up an opportunity is if there is something better on offer ie Whistler over Mt Hotham.