Day 43?

Okay, I am getting a little homesick. I miss the stupid little things- Chili's restaurant, cheap shoes- well, affordable ANYTHING really- and nighttime phone calls from friends. boo.

The weather down here has sucked lately, which has really inhibited my sense of adventure. I mean, who wants to discover a new town when it's a freakin' monsoon outside? *sigh* And, I still cannot shake this cold. Ry has it now, and then he passed it back to me. I have been chasing his sick ass around the house with disinfectant the past two days.

There has been some stuff cheering me up though- Ry and I meet two new American friends (friends of a friend- shout out Martha!), and the internet and video streaming is keeping me up with stuff in the states- Project Runway! Lance Bass, Gay! Olympics in CHICAGO! That last one is very exciting for me. I have always enjoyed watching the summer games on TV, and if it where to come to Chicago, I would be able to ROCK the games with my friends and family. I mean, how cool would it be to take my nieces and nephews? Also, on the cheer me up end, Kylie, Robbie and U2 are coming down under. I was crossing my fingers for Madonna, but the bitch decided not to come. DANG! Kylie (aka Australia's Princess) is one highly anticipated show. There are some hard core fans out there and I think it would be tight to see a Kylie Production. Also, Kanye West is opening for U2. I would go JUST TO SEE HIM. I mean, I like U2 (who doesn't?), but Kanye is EXPLOSIVE. And Robbie Williams would just be fun to watch. (sing Millenium, bitch!) So, not all is lost.

Also, I think I might meet with immigration here to review the terms of my visa. I am getting listless, and a job would be a great idea. But I don't want to do anything that would get me booted out of the country. I'm not that desperate!

Alright, hopefully the weather will clear up soon, and I can take more pictures and go on more adventures. Shout out...

Day 39 ya'll!

I've been out of commission the past few weeks because the cold I had kicked into overdrive. All I wanted to do was nap and drink tea. I lived in my nappy sweatpants. I often went to get mail in my dayglo orange camoflage teeshirt and said pants. The neighbors must have been LOVIN' it!

I have finally started to get my magazines. I started to call the publishers and read them the riot act, but then they started appearing in my mailbox. *phew* Because mags down here are about $8.50 each. sheesh. I am almost done with the books I brought with me, so I will soon scooting over to the amenemic library to find some books. I went to a book store here, and even throwaway paperbacks are $22.

Weather permitting, I have been going to the beach and just reading or sketching. (check out piccies below). Also, I finally have found a volunteer position at the Aus Red Cross. I am super amped about having something to do every week. In less than a month, I am heading to the Great Barrier Reef! Super pumped to go, I will get to swim with the fishes and see one of the world's natural wonders! Its still very warm up in Cairnes, so I am ready to lay out and get some color. The Seattle "pasty" look has been creeping back!! If any of ya'll have been there and have recommendations, please email me or leave a comment. The more info, the better!

Whew, well thats it for now... hope everyone is enjoying their summer.

***CONTEST!!!! What the heck is this thing?***
Do you think you know what this is? Leave me a comment with your guess and I will bring you back a 'prize' when I get back to the states. heh, heh...

Umm, gelato by the pool. Want some?

So, I need a reminder to stay on the left. But ONLY when I am on "iffy" roads. Its quite obvious where you should be on the bigger, busier streets. This stickey note sits on the dashboard when I drive.

Um, this picture is just disturbing. This is at the local RSL. Whatever that is....

Day blahdittyblah

Australian mobile phone providers are like French waiters, and let me tell you how....
if you have ever been to France, you know how shite at service French bistro waiters are. They don't really care about your comfort. You want a coffee? FINE. I will bring it to you, but DON'T ASK FOR ANYTHING MORE. They don't work for tips like we do, so they could care less about exceptional customer service. (Of course there are some exceptions to this rule, but for the sake of my story, ignore those exceptions) Well, Aussie mobile providers are the same way- they are not about the customer. The customer NEEDS THEM. So onto the story...

I went to the mall yesterday to get a mobile. I really needed one...I had already done some research into providers, and chose the one I wanted- so I went to the store. And STOOD next to the front counter for 20 minutes waiting for someone to acknowledge me. I caught a worker's eye, but still no acknowledgement. I browsed all the expensive phones, another 20 minutes- still no love. Flash to what it would be like in the States- they are like vultures! Employees would be all over me or if they were busy, someone would SAY something to me to let me know they would be with me. NOT SO here. I was pissed of course, so left and went to the rival provider. Same deal. Plus, the first provider has the better deal dollar for dollar. So I went back there, tail between my legs, but still pissed off at the horrible service. After the second wait, someone finally asked me if they could help me (they must have gotten sick of me throwing eye daggers at them). In the end, they couldn't use either of my US phones (one was SIM comp, one wasn't) so I had to buy a new one. I walked back to the bus stop feeling like I had just been emotionally run over!

Now, this isn't my first experience with service issues here. I do (and have been told repeatedly) that because people don't really work on tips, and perhaps comission, here, not to expect good service. BUT COME ON! That was just stupid. I have learned to tolerate the way they treat you at restaurants, but .....okay I have to get a grip. Its not the end of the world. It was just annoying. Man, I had better use the crap out of my new phone *grumble, grumble*....

Day who knows when- I'm sick, DAMNIT!

I knew this was going to happen. I had it too good. I mean, I flew 4 times, for God's sake. And now, I am finally sick. BOOOOHOOO!

So, this was my first day in awhile I have felt well enough to do more than just check my email and popsugar.com out. I hope to have an adventure today, and post more about it soon.

For all my Eastsiders, HAPPY 4th of JULY! Where my subscription to BH mag, at? DANG!