And the beat goes on...

My dream of lounging on the beach in Australia has been crushed. Not because my competitors had better videos and not because of any lack of qualifications on my part, but simply because Tourism Queensland's computer systems could not support the massive amounts of applications they received. I was told there was nothing I could do, even though I uploaded my video on two occasions well before the Feb. 22 deadline. My anger and frustration quickly turned to productivity as I registered an account on CNN's iReport and posted my video and my complaint for the world to comment on. Lots of friends and Facebook-acquaintances left me kudos and encouragement, but surprisingly, I heard from no one else that had suffered similar circumstances to mine. The mass e-mail I received had said 4,000 people lost out on their chance at The Best Job in the World on the final day alone. So I figured I'd be greeted by a slew of other distraught travel journalist hopefuls who would view my video, comment and boost my ranking until CNN had no choice but to air my piece and shame Tourism Queensland. I mean how do you hold a competition with a prize of $100K during a devastating world-wide recession and not prepare for tens of thousands of applicants? As I mentioned in my post at http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-218526, in the end, Australia is the real victim of this fiasco. My video is creative, fun, and a definite contender amid the mass of web-cam creations featuring snorkel-masks and fish tanks. My original goal after hearing the bad news was to gain so much attention for my misfortune, that Tourism Queensland would appreciate my resourcefulness and allow me to resubmit my application. But the response I've gotten from family, friends and people I hardly know has given me the ego boost I needed to dust myself off and get back to planning new ideas for videos, trying new things, chasing my dreams. Below I've uploaded my first travel package about Syracuse, New York. Where will I travel to next? What new endeavor will I pursue? I change my mind daily, thanks to all who understand that and support me as I keep searching for happiness, and my very own Best Job in the World.