Week 5?

Yo!
Today is Thurday, the 29th. I arrived in "The city of villages" on the 26th of September, a Friday, so tomorrow should, I think be week 5. But hey, I thought I'd put up a new post, it's fun.
Today I had work, same as the last three days. Starting to kill me. But at least when I do finally get back to the room, it's only Melano and Hendrick. No girls. But the music is pumping, guh. That's what headphones are for, right...


This is I! New haircut, and I love it. The little old fella did himself proud. My spots now have a little cycle going on, for a few days I'm a sexy bitch and then for a few days I'm not the nicest, but it's a damn sight better than it used to be in previous years.
That's my room in the background. The bed in the bottom right is Hendrick's, the bed on the top left is Melano's and mine is below his. But we're swapping at the end of the week, he's been moaning.

This is my banana bread! And just as I came home, funnily enough, the guy on reception asked when I was gonna make another loaf. I laughed heartily, and told him I'm going through a healthy moment. Sushi is so easy to get here, it's not too difficult. Except for the six Krispy Kreme donuts I bought yesterday :(. Soo damn tasty.
Right, I'm probably gonna head off to bed. It's 8.10, and I'm knackered. Gonna get into bed, put on Donnie Darko and chill.
Right, see ya later guys.
Byee

Hiya guys.
Friday evening, 8.30 o clock. My feet are killing me from work, I have to stand all day, it's hurting. And tomorrow, I have to go to the park, I havn't been for a week now. It's terrible.
I had a minor shock the other day, I looked at my english bank account and it's starting to droop. I took out (hopefully) my last withdrawal from there just now, to pay for rent, and then I'll be able to use my Aussie account. Havn't been given a card though yet, I've been checking the post and nothing's come through. I'll have another look in a mo, and if it's not there I'll go into the bank tomorrow morning and peacefully inquire.
I have dinner planned: brown rice, red and green peppers, an onion, carrots and Dolmio tomato sauce stuff. I was worried about scurvy and a lack of veggies, so I'm gonna overload my system with them. Have no alcohol, but I'm trying not to buy any, for the cash limit.
I hear it's been snowing back in Pommie land! Crikey, wouldn't mind a bit of that stuff here, it's boiling. At night it can be uncomfortable. But it rains now and then, it's good enough.
I was at work earlier, and I was zoned out listening to music, when some words just popped into my head. I thought they sounded good, so I wrote them down. Here they are.

"Sometimes light breaks through the clouds,
But who looks up to see?
The light burns away from a fading star,
But who sees one among many?"

I missed the sunset again today. It was so beautiful. I actually ran, on my aching legs, down the road towards the bay, but I knew I'd miss it, so I gave up. Pink and gold, with streamers of orange cloud. I'll get it one day.
Right, I'm ready for a lie down. Fell asleep through my movie yesterday, woke up at four for some reason to an empty screen. So gotta try and get back 'into the film' and watch the end, see if it makes more sense the second time. Jake Gyllenhall plays Donnie, I'm watching it partly because my good friend Alex Oliver told me about it in an english class many moons ago and partly because Jake is The Prince in the movie "Prince of Persia" that's coming out soon.
Ha! Can't wait.
Forgot I was saying goodbye then.
Right, speak soon, whoever is still reading these. Am I updating too often?
Byeeee :)

Yo peeps. It's 3.34 am on Sunday. Have been having a fairly busy day, social wise. Went to the park, and then it was Marta's birthday, so the whole hostel has been celebrating. And I went out with them, clubbing. Still don't like it, but this was the best one I've been to, I was there a good few hours. Had a fair few drinks, but wasn't drunk, just at that stage where I was thinking. So I came back to the hostel, and got changed to go and play basketball. This was at about 2.00, mind you, and people don't appreciate me wanting to vent my feelings by exercising. A woman threatened to phone the cops if I didn't stop. I politely apologised, and left. I'd only been playing for a minute, and on the way to the court I'd passed fellow hostel people. They asked where I was going, and I replied that I was off to play ball, and I didn't want to go back shamefaced. So I took a detour, and went to Rushcutter's Bay. I thought a bit of chillout time would be good, time to sober up and think my thoughts. Well when I got to my spot, against the garage wall, I had an urge to swim. Why not? Nobody else around, slightly tipsy, it'd be good exercise. So I climbed down the wall, and put my bag on a tiny little beach around the corner (it's literally someone's back garden, with a private jetty and stuff, so I was sneaking.) Stripped to my boxers and waded in.
It was glorious. Cold water, that salty sea smell, the thrill of getting spotted, and in front of me the city lights shimmering against the gentle waves of the bay. Night noises of bats and the bells on the boats, with the waves slapping the sea wall... I just sat in the water, at 2.30 in the morning, and calmed down.
Then as I waded back to the garden I got pinched by a crab. I hope it was a crab, anyway. And I cut the bottom of my foot somewhere, possibly climbing back up the wall.
But it was worth it! I may do it again in the near future.
Right, I gotta get some shuteye, it's now 3.45. My body hurts.
Speak soon friends, all the best.
Stay funky.

Week 5?

Second month, first week of...

Heyo!
Was at work today, it was a lot better than the last two days. Still exceedingly dull, but as I'm getting to know the people who work there more now (I get the same bus to and from work as three of them) and am knowing my job more, I can relax a bit. But at times, it still bogs you down... that's what music is for! Yes, plug in my iPod and I'm safe in a little cocoon of my own world, away from the shuffling plebs of humanity. I've realised I really like a band called Blue Oyster Cult, one introduced to me by my stepbrother, and so have had them playing to me nearly all day.
Another reason the day was better was because on Fridays, they order about 20 pizzas for lunch! Ha! Free pizza and coke. My diet for today has been shot like the police cars Arnie shoots in Terminator 2, when he's holding the minigun, so I've returned to this quaint little internet place and am now re-obtaining the banana bread recipe. Going to redo it, but a lot more this time, and with a few splashes of vanilla essence. Sounds good, huh.
I've just realised, back to the work topic... It's nice, when I'm plugged in and my arms are just going through the motions, my mind can wander for long stretches of time. I was stood there working solidly for about an hour today, while thinking of home, and the people back there. Was nice to be able to slow down and think, while actually not letting people know you're doing it. On the way back from work I saw the sunset, but by the time I actually did get back, it wasn't worth the rush to get down to the bay. I'll do it tomorrow though. Will get up around 10, play basketball until about 12.30, go to the park for two hours, come back and maybe chill or go back to my court, and then at 6-6.30 I'll walk to the bay, and relax and unwind. Sounds like a good day. I have less things I need to buy now, the main being food and rent. I have enough clothes to cover me for most occasions, I have entertainment (ball, baking and I've joined blockbusters, so I get 3 movies for $5. Considering I put the movies on my laptop and keep them, NOT BAD.)
So my earnings are lasting a while. That's good.
Ok then, I really can't think of much else. Missing those who matter to me. Not missing the rest, haha, screw yourselves. (Just kidding. That would be unpleasant for all.) But nah, missing you guys.
Speak soon, you all know how.
Byeeeeeee.

Captain's Log, Sunday 26th October 2008. Time: 1.51 pm.
Mood - Curiously upbeat.
I'm back in the little internet place around the corner, getting a map of the coastline. I have the urge to walk, all day. This is partly to do with me having eaten most of the woopass banana bread, and feeling pudgy, and also because I really don't want to hang around my roommates today. Suprising how much you are repelled by someone who wakes you up by calling you lazy, and then pounding bass into your skull with the same frikkin song that he plays every day.
My body is aching from the last few days, working and tennis and basketball. My roommate Melano is good at tennis, and he kinda made me buy a raquet so we could play in the court next to my basketball place. And I try to play well, but he can't help but make me feel like I'm worthless, so I don't really want to hang around him much either.
So, I shall walk. I have my walking boots, I shall buy a few two litre bottles of water and I'll try and print off maps of coastlines and paths. And then I'll walk to a high point on a cliff somewhere, and relax.
Must be home before nine though. Mum has planned a Skype convo, and I need to get back here as the hostel's internet is GAYEEEEE. And I have work tomorrow. Basically, the workplace asked me on Thursday if I wanted to work Saturday (yesterday). I turned it down, as I was pretty tired, and I have stuff on Saturday. But the Saturday work was killed off, and instead I gotta work tomorrow from six in the morning to six in the evening. This means getting a taxi from a station at 5.30. Which means waking up at about 4.30. Hurrah!
Think of the money...
I can't think of much else to say. I'm now on a health binge, refusing to let myself buy cake, M&Ms and rum. And ingredients for making B. bread. And I'm trying to eat well, like noodles and sushi.
Ah yes! On our trip to buy tennis raquets yesterday, Melano and I went to a foodcourt. There were about 10 different stalls, selling food from around the world. I had an urge for Korean food, as I can't remember trying it before, and I went out on a limb and bought the seafood noodle dish. Prawns, octopus, squid and mussels! It was horrible to look at, but really tasty. I bought it partly because I never have before, partly to try and get over my phobia of sea creatures (if I've eaten it, I'm better than it) and partly because when I was younger, my folks took me out to a fancy restaurant, and in my childish innocence I ordered the most expensive thing on the menu, the seafood platter. Well, when it showed up I was horrified at the sight of it, and didn't touch it. Dad had to eat it, so it wasn't a waste, and they were both annoyed because it was so expensive.
Sorry folks :P.
Well, now I really can't think of anything else.
Speak soon friends!
All the best.

Heya guys.
Pretty tired, this'll be just a quick post.
Basically, still with the same warehouse job, been working all week. So tiring, but it's more fun now, a friend from the hostel called Marta (Marter?) is working the same place as I am, so I get to hang out with her. And the room she's in has a spare bed, so I might change rooms for a while, to get away from Hendrich. He's got a girl round for the week, and last night I had to feign sleep for about two hours. Not doing that every night, so probably gonna just move room, it'll save me some horrible memories.
Hoping everyone at home is doing well. And the wellesbourne crew, much love.
The walk was good! I don't think I've posted since then. Basically, I was walking along a road, in a jungle. Walked for around three or four hours, and now my back is in agony. I realise the importance (now) of good bags for walking long distance, a rucksack just doesn't cut anything, let alone mustard. But it was nice to walk again. Even though I didn't get to where I wanted to go, as it got dark. Walking through a jungle in the dark is pretty ominous. Bats flying around, that's cool, but not for more than an hour.
Right, I gotta head back. I've been renting movies, and I have Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon tonight. I bought donuts (a weakness hit me, just as I passed the stall. Fool!) and have the remains of last night's dinner, so it'll be a quiet night in.
Speak soon!
Byeeee

4th week! That's a month!

Hello ladies an jennulman, hope you're all keeping well.
Today is Sunday the 19th of October. Early morning start, I phoned a friend of my mum's on Friday called Emma, and made plans to meet up today. Gonna be a long train ride, but they're cool peeps, so should be good.
I was about to say not much has been happening, but then I realised I've been quite busy. My flatmate Melano, from Holland, used to do his swimming, and now he's trying to get back into it I'm going along too. So we've been to the pool a few times, and that's pretty knackering. I happily told him how I'd swum 14 lengths, and he said he'd done about 35. Yeah, knocked me down a few rungs, haha.
And then on the way back from the pool, we were walking through the city and he told me he loves banana bread. I wondered how easy it is to make it, and he told me I couldn't find a better loaf of B. bread than in a certain deli. It was expensive but worth the money, he said.
So I set myself a task for the future, to make a loaf of cheap, yummy yummy banana bread. And last night, half the hostel went out drinking and clubbing and such, and my other roommate was using the room (met a girl), so I was bored. And then, I went online, found a recipe that wasn't too complex, and for the next hour or two was in the kitchen, covering the floor in flour and cinnamon powder, eventually producing a freaking AWESOME bread. Due to limitations of the kitchen (no mugs, no measuring instruments, no cake tin, a broken oven, etc) I'm happy with how it turned out. People were impressed, I made a few friends and now I have enough flour and sugar left over to force me to make several more batches. Turns out supermarkets don't sell flour in single portion amounts.
But yeah, making cakes is fun. And Melano thought it was really good. So I'm happy with that.
On the job front, nothing yet, but I've seen an advert for a job working on the waterfront. Gonna phone up later, see if they still want an extra pair of hands. Sounds like it could be fun.
Oh yeah, definately going to get a haircut in the next few days. It's getting annoying. So life is now more comfortable in this place, I'm finding my niche.
Speak soon, hope the weather is still bearable.
Stay funky.

Hey, yo. Today is Monday. I have a feeling... that my last scrawl was actually on Saturday, as last night I didn't make cake, I played poker. Yes, I did. So I think my days are wrong, somewhere...
Anyway! Yes, today is Monday, I just asked someone. They gave me a funny look. And last night, I did indeed play poker. I was cooking dinner for me roommates, as it was my turn, and as I was dealing out the spaghetti and meat-a-balls I spied the chips being laid out. Last time I saw them, the game was already in session, so I told myself to try and get into the next one. Well, a man came round asking if anyone wanted to join, and lickety quick I bought myself a seat.
5 hours later, I came in second. After hanging on from me fingertips for hours, I came to double my money, and my grand total came to $4. Yes, five hours for $4. Nevermind, I made some new friends, had my second game for money and didn't do badly. I'm happy with the result.
And with that $4? I did my laundry. Might as well have gone to bloody work, I could afford the rent then.
I phoned a number I spied on the hostel board, and now I might have a job scraping weeds or barnacles (not sure yet) off the bottom of boats. Sounds pretty hands on, I like it. Just gotta wait for the call back, if not I have another contact, in a job lifting trees. As long as I'm not near customers I'm happy, haha.
Right, speak soon, I'm in an internet shop. Got annoyed by the hostels slooooow download speed.
Speak soon, all the best.
Byeeee

Yo ho ahoy my fellow mateys. Today is Tuesday, about 5.30.
I got another job! Hoo haa haa, yup, got a call earlier, and the woman offered me the job that requires all black clothing again. I took it this time, and after 10 minutes she phoned again, with another job! So instead of the department store, I'll be working in another warehouse, picking and packing clothes. Should be similar to the Trinity Street job, hopefully I won't need too much learning to get into the swing of it.
So I've just been planning routes and bus times and stuff, all boring. But I thought, instead of getting a haircut in the middle of a job, I thought I'd get it cut before I start, so people at the workplace don't have to adjust to the new "doo". I went into the nearest barbers, which is a really nice old fashioned place, with beams in the ceiling and a little oldish man there, gave him my picture of "Meet Joe Black" Brad Pitt and said, "Could you do that for me?"
After about half an hour, a new me walked out, unhappy. My hair was fluffy and weird. But I had a shower, and got my own wax in it, and hey, I like it! Yeah, usually it takes a day or two to adjust, but I really like this style, it looks gooood. Might take a picture of it, and put it up on the blog, let you fellows see what your eyes are missing out on, haha.
Anyway, got to go, I need to chill out for a bit. I saw an advert in the hostel for a pool competition. If I win, I get $100 cash, plus $100 bar tabs. And I'm not the worst pool player around, I thought I'd give it a go.
So gotta go rub linseed oil into my biceps in preparation for the tournament. All the best people,
speak soon.

Watup me bruddas, yah...
Hey gang. Today is Wednesday. I had work today, and I can happily say I have now followed my family's traipse into the medical world. Yes, ladies and folks, without even having been through university, the woman who interviewed me managed to slink me through a backdoor into the clean, sterile world of Medicine.
Instead of packing clothing, I pack medical supplies. Ha, got ya. Yup, in another warehouse, and the job is the most boring I've ever had. I was planning on killing someone, just to move my arms in a seperate direction from the sellotape. And the journey was hell!
I got on the bus, which proceeded to change its number. So I went close to the job, didn't realise, and then went far away from the job. Had to catch a bus, back to the job. >:-(
Not funky. Was an hour late, but the guy I was referred to was really cool about it. Turns out he's very anti English, that's fun. And I work near a guy who smells like wee. That's not as fun. The trick is to avoid their trail, then it doesn't hit ya.
Exhausted now though, the hours are ten to six, but as they're so busy it turned out to be half six. Eight hours on my feet, now they're hurtin'. And last night I got roped into going to the club with the hostel group. I bought a bottle of Mount Gay, and this morning found out I had drank 2/3rds of that bottle, with a pint of beer and Jaiger (putting the shot inside the beer, yum), and a vodka and lemonade (free drink from the club), and whisky and coke.
So had a mild headache while running for buses, to top it off.
Now I will cook. I'm thinking noodles. The train station nearby has a frikkin awesome sushi place, with the tall rolls of rice at two for $3. That tastes good, it's healthy and it can fill you up, if you follow it with lots of muesli :-P. Just had a few rolls from there, but still peckish.
I know you fine fellows only actually read this in the hope I let you know what I have for eats. But that will do for today, I think I've run out of news.
Yup, I can't think of much else.
Speak soon, all the best.

"May the wind always be at your back and the sun upon your face. And may the wings of destiny carry you aloft to dance with the stars."
(Quotation, from the film Blow.)

Oh yes, I was planning to put a picture of me and my new hair on this blog. But I took a few pics, and have found that I look like a pillock when I try and take pics of myself. So no pic.
Oh yeah! Just remembered news! The local supermarket sells diet vanilla coke! For those who don't know, diet vanilla coke is waaay better than the regular stuff, and then they stopped selling it in England. So my rum has a friend.

3rd week?

Hey! Today is Monday 13th, and it's 4.20. I'm pretty sure it's now week 3 of my adventure.
It was me mum's birthday yesterday, and I spoke to them for the first time on Skype. Really great to see the family, even if they thought I was drunk. I really wasn't, but my stepbrother's constant mentions of rum have kicked the healthy part of my brain into the background, and I'm going to celebrate my latest news with a punt of alcohol :).
My news? Ah yes children, I have fresh news. I got a phone call today, and am now officially employed. For the next 6 days, but even so, at least I'm doing what I've dreamt of doing for many years now. I shall be placing letters into envelopes, and then counting them. And then, I think, I place the envelopes in a box.
Thank God at Trinity Street, I helped my stepbrother do a similar task, otherwise my tiny brain couldn't ponder the intricate details necessary to accomplish this feat of magnificance.
But hey, I'll be paid to do it. So I'll try and weedle as much of my personal touch as possible in such a short time. And I'll be able to put some money in my new bank account, and pay off the new shoes I bought today. New shoes I hear you cry! Yes, new high tops, as I plan to really train for next years basketball team. I went and played just now, and dominated the court. Nobody else was using it, but that's not the point, if people had played they would have known that it was MINE.
:)
Alright, speak soon, I gotta go to the park again. I overslept, and missed it last Saturday, but my shoulder was killing me anyway. See ya!

Yo yo, today is Tuuuuesday.
Work was not fun. Mainly because for the last week or so I've been unable to sleep until 3am every night, last night finally resting at about 3.30. So when I got up at 6.30 to shower, I wasn't as up to the challenge as I've ever been. Then came the trouble with times, as I ran out of it. Wasn't able to have breakfast, only just managed to have a spoonful of last night's risotto. And then the usual fun of finding trains and buses, getting lost and then finally turning up, only just on time, out of breath from running.
Still, the actual job wasn't as bad as I thought. I got COMPLETELY the wrong idea though. Instead of putting letters into envelopes, I had to sort out envelopes into piles. And then put the piles into boxes. For about 6/7 hours. But I'm working with another guy from the same interview company, a cool Irish fella. Once we got talking, it was actually pretty manageable. Not fun, as such, apart from when we set off a fire alarm, but he's a decent chap. Hopefully I'll get him talking enough to steal his accent.
This job is only for a few days, so chances of my soul being destroyed by boredom are slim. Plus, the guy who showed us the ropes is pretty cool, a quiet man who seemed genuinely grateful we were working. That was nice.
So, onto other matters. Can't really think of anything major, except the blatant realisation that I need a haircut. Now that I'm away from the clutches of my folks at home (:P), I'm thinking of the possibilities. I'm actually toying with the idea of going really short. It'd be easier to manage, and I've met very few other guys here with fringes. I'm a rare breed in these climes. So yeah, I could go short. I could stick with the last cut I had, that was a success if the barber can pull it off. If not, I could resort to the short cut. Or I might get it thinned but not cut, so I can grow it long and sweep it back over my head, surfer dude fashion. Toying with ideas.
Not much to report on, so I'll mention things I've forgotten to recently. My roommate and I went to the Olympic Park the other day, he used to swim semi-professionally and wanted to see the sights, and use the pool. So we walked on the same ground as those olympic heroes years ago. And by now I've seen at least three kookaburras; each time I do, I just have to stand and watch. Lovely birds. Except one I saw attacking some finches, that one wasn't as nice...
And I caved in today. On the way back from work, I made a detour and bought a bottle of Mount Gay... I love it, here they put the alcohol in brown paper bags, I can feel like a hobo if I choose. I havn't had any yet, but I might do soon. Well dear readers, I can sense your interest waning as you think of me passing out with a smile on my face. So I'll leave you with this:

"We are the pilgrims, master; we shall go
Always a little further; it may be
Beyond the last blue mountain barred with snow,
Across that angry or that glimmering sea..."

Make of it what you will. I see a shimmering horizon, speckled with light clouds.
It's not my poem, by the way. The SAS salute to it's inscription on a memorial.
Much love, speak soon. X