A typical day starts thus; I get up at 0530, shower and change, and usually catch the 0620 JetCat to Circular Quay. I pull a few yards, taking bags up or down, and then go for first boff. Usually about 10 or 11 o'clock is the first split, sometimes accompanied by a zob. Lunch boff rolls around and I go for my 1/2 hour break. More bag carrying, sometimes a few room checks, maybe a pick-up from Mac Street, possibly a group pull. When it comes to the end of the shift, I make sure I have collected my split, check the next shift time and head home. If I have the energy, I'll go for a surf, but today I pulled an extra long shift, and it hurt plus I feel so drained I dont think I could manage to paddle out, so I sit here, out of the thunderstorms and type.
The work speak has been interesting to understand, but learning Aussie slang has been better. I always used to say "no worries", but it seems to have aquired additional vowels. "Ay" can be said at the end of any sentance as can "but", e.g. "It's busy today ay" or "it's hot today but". Both are used rhetorically and are not questions. I was always hanging on to peoples sentances, expecting more to be said after "I didnt win in the lottery today but." I don't get it, but I have to admit to saying it. This shocked me when I said it. I was out surfing, and I have got to know a few of the locals. Sitting out the back, I was talking to one particular bloke I know, about the waves and I said "Yeah, it was better yesterday; its closing out more today but." I could feel my brain say to my mouth "but what?". I hope to recover from these language problems soon.<
I said I get up at 0530, when in fact the hostel cat, while insufferably cute, jumps in through the window at 4am and requests our attentions and food. This time of the morning is never that good for me. The peculiarities of this cat never cease to amaze me; it turns its nose up at smoked salmon, fresh ham, beef and spag-bol, but hoovers up cat biscuits as if the pigeons and roaches will eat them first, which they might.
Yesterday at work was slightly different, as I managed to leave work early, and I met Cathy to head towards Hyde Park. As we came out of the underground, we were met with a sight of thousands of people. I have been feeling particularly anti-American and anti-Blair lately and found my channel of release through the peace march in Sydney. Fortunately, after seeing that thousands marched in the U.S. Im now not anti-American, rather anti-Bush. Dubya and his intellectually stunted colleages seem hell-bent on creating hell, and get upset when anyone criticises them, plus lambasting foreign governments and worldwide public opinion. The U.S. Ambassador to Australia criticised the opposition leader Mr Crean for opposing the P.M. Mr Howard regarding Howards support for the U.S.A. Another example of U.S. government sticking its nose in where it doesnt belong. How dare he interfere with the politics of another country where he is only a guest. The ambassador was suitably castigated the next day.
My visa means that I can't work at the hotel any more, due to the 3 month limit for any one employer, so I can concentrate on getting an I.T. contract out here, and maybe a little bit of surfing. If I dont get anything within a month then Cathy and I have decided to make a break for it, as we cant hang about in Sydney for much longer if we arent working. It is just a city after all, and there is so much more to see out here, like all of the east coast, the west coast, a little of the south coast and some of the north coast, plus all the stuff in the middle.
Seeing as I stop working within the next few days, Im going to start looking for a car or van, as well as more work, as well as maybe another surfboard. Well, I think I have earnt it.
