Day 155-161: Sydney (Week 18)
Trip Start
Sep 12, 2004
1
29
57
Trip End
Jan 05, 2006
Sydney,
Australia
Sunday, February 20, 2005
Last week at work? Who knows! Not quite so crazy for a monday but nothing of any excitement or interest. Niki emailed over the notice letter so I could check and we could agree on the amount owed for the last few days. Finished at half 4 so walked home via Park St gym. Combat is now a ticket only thing, which is good coz there used to be 70-80 people in the class and you could barely move, which isn't good baring in mind the class involved kicks and punches. Anyways, turns out they only release the tickets 30 mins before the class, so walked home, got ready and ran to the gym in time to get a place. Then had a 20 min cycle, hour class and walked home.
No plans for the evening so done the usual Monday night thing and watched TV, Niki was in so she watched Desperate Housewives which actually I quite like, then I watched Shameless. Was in bed by 11.
Tuesday:
Was reading up about the New Zealand Working Hol Visa online this morning, just thought it might be an option to jump over there and find work if I don't decided to stay on in Oz. Supposedly you have to be resident in the UK before you can apply for it, though I'm sure I've heard of people that managed to get it when they weren't in the UK. Thought I'd try my luck at the NZ Immigration office which is only 2 doors down from where I work. Nipped in there lunch time and got the same story, have to be in the UK - which is stupid really, they couldn't really explain why except it was part of the agreement between the UK and NZ - so that's that idea out the window, would have to go just as a tourist....or get some cash in hand stuff.
Was expecting a call from OPSM today about the sunnies but didn't hear anything :O( Will chase them tomorrow coz I need to get them before Friday so I can take the Oakley's back within 14 days....though I'm undecided if I'm gonna do that, might keep them as spares or sell on eBay for a small profit, dunno.
Gym again after work, Bond St, the usual 20 min cycle, 15 min run, 15 min step then lower body weights. Relaxed in the steam room afterwards, the good thing about Bond St is the steam rooms are in the changing rooms so they're same sex....dunno why that would be an advantage but it is ;O) Jumped on the bus home and had another night in....hmmmm, remember the hole I said Al will leave, bastard! Crap all on telly really, saw bits of Dancing With The Stars which is pretty much a copy of the UKs Strictly Come Dancing, there's also a show which has started called Starstruck which is effectively Stars in their Eyes, then watched Rove Live which is a kind of chat show type thing.
Niki came home late evening and was on the phone, she had the conversation in her room but didn't bother to shut the door so overheard the fact that it sounds like she's just been made redundant! Think it's her last day tomorrow - god knows how that affects my moving out coz she obviously won't be going to Japan and LA for work now. Sounds like she may go off to stay with her parents for a little while too. When she came out of her room she didn't say anything and I didn't mention it so will have to wait and see what happens.
Wednesday:
OPSM called during the day about my sunnies arriving so wandered down there lunchtime to get them. Looked at them and they didn't seem quite right, they looked different on my face so didn't take them in the end, felt a tinge of guilt as they brought them over specially for me but no way I was gonna pay $100 for something I don't like. So came back to the office and went back on the net to try and find them, compared a pic of me in the sunnies with pics on the net and found the exact match, such a tiny tiny different but what I had were 'Cutter Round Square Wraps' and what OPSM got in for me were 'Cutter Rectangle Wraps'. So now I've got to try and find them in Sydney, they're available on a US site which will ship to Oz so that may be an option, don't really want to ask OPSM to look again, however there is another OPSM store just up the road from work so might ask them to do it instead.
Gym free night so wandered home via the city, stopping in a couple of sunglass shops to see if they could get the Ray Bans but no joy. Decided that I wasn't gonna spend another night in tonight so had a nap when I got home so I could go out later and not feeling completely shite the next day. Was actually in bed from 5.30 to 7, heard Niki come in and move around but by the time I got up she'd left. Noticed though that there were some bags of stuff in the lounge so looks like she cleared her desk out, still haven't been told anything - wouldn't surprise me if she never mentioned it and carried on as normal so she could still kick me out on the 12th, though it's gonna be pretty obvious she's not working when we're both in the flat during the day next week.
Anyways, watched Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and then got showered and ready to go out. Hadn't eaten so wandered down to Sushi Train for a couple of plates, had emailed Carlos earlier in the evening to see if he'd be around and he called as I was leaving Sushi Train so we arranged to meet in Stonewall. Went to The Oxford for a quick one first, when I arrived at Stonewall Carlos was outside with a couple of friends, one of them quite cute and american. Anyways Wednesday nights at Stonewall are Malebox, basically you can get a number sticker which you stick on you, then people can send a message to you through the Malebox....geddit??? Amazingly it's the first time I've ever been! Carlos and friends only stuck around for about 30 mins....Chris also joined us with his friend Nick. Had a really good evening, didn't get any messages *sob sob* but did speak to a couple of guys, and got some attention which is always good for the ego, no numbers though the fools!! Stayed there until about 1am, was getting tired so wandered home. Think I may well pop back there next week ;O)
Thursday:
Didn't feel too rough in the morning considering lack of sleep and amount of Vodka, guess the early evening nap helps. Found out this morning that they want to extend me for 2 more weeks, next week is fine, but the second week I'm not sure what I'm gonna do, Lisa is arriving in Sydney on the 2nd so would like to be around to see her and hang out so may just do the Monday and Tuesday of that week, it's still longer than I thought I'd be working for as the original contract was supposed to finish on the 28th. Was looking forward to finishing but the extra money is worth hanging on for.
Noticed the other day that $66.75 had suddenly appeared in my ANZ account, so emailed Rosey's today to find out if it was from them and it was...amazingly it's the payment for the photoshoot from December 9th....dunno why it's $66.75 though, thought I was getting paid $75 less 20% commission, oh well. They also mentioned in the reply that they've had the payment for the TV ad and that I'll have that money by the 21st!! Woohoo...amazing, they're suddenly paying up - we'll see how much commission they take for that, should only be 10% this time.
Went to the other branch of OPSM lunchtime to get them to hunt for my Ray Bans, gave them all the details and they're gonna get back to me. It's the last resort as far as finding them in store, otherwise will order from the US website, works out to be about £60 including shipping so not too bad, just better hope they're definately the ones!
Went for a swim after work, another 34 lengths (1700 metres). We had a 'sectional' at the choir at 6 so went straight there from the pool. This is where the same section, ie tenors, can practise there parts without anyone else being there. We've only got this and one other rehearsal before the concert!! We had a 30 min break at 7, I nipped home and got changed and stuffed some toast down my neck. Niki had left a note on the table telling me that she's been 'retrenched' whatever that means - is it the same as redundancy over here? Anyway she's gone away for a few days, didn't mention whether it changes anything about me moving out early though.
We ran through most of the songs tweaking bits here and there, it's starting to sound good, I'm rehearsing without music now so occasionally forgetting words but not doing too bad. The main problems occur when you try and sing with the actions....pain in the arse! Will have to practise somehow tho not keen on singing loudly at home, need to find somewhere private and soundproofed! Went to the Oxford for a quick drink after which then turned into another drink at Manacle, still in bed by 12 though.
Friday:
More piss taking at work today, one guy didn't turn up and no phone call, another phoned in sick and the 10 o'clock guy turned up at 10.30, 2 people on holiday too, which left just 2 of us manning the phones from 8 to 10.30, and then only 3 of us after that. They're really gonna have to crack down on some of these people, but they don't seem to be bothered, good job i'm not in charge, would kick their arses and sack the buggers.
Finished work at 4.30 and went straight to Bond St for the usual workout, upper body today. Didn't leave until about half 7, didn't have to wait too long for the bus though. Decided to make the most of Niki being away and had a night in watching the telly. 'About a boy' was on so watched that, hadn't seen it for a while, stupidly Niki has the DVD so could have watched that without ads but too late. Didn't have very late one either, all very sedate for a Friday night!
Saturday:
Lovely lay in, woke up about 9....just layed around for a bit and then got up and done some house work. Polished and hoovered my room, then hoovered the flat and gave the bathroom a quick once over. Carlos called to see if I wanted to go to the beach this afternoon as the weather was pretty hot, supposed to be storms later but worth trying to squeeze in a couple of hours.
The Scissor Sisters were appearing at the Hum record store on Oxford St between 12 and 1 so wandered down there to catch a gilmpse. They're not that huge over here at the mo though they're getting bigger. There was a queue at the store when I arrived, about 50 people I guess. Wasn't bothered about getting anything signed so just hung around the store until they appeared, took a few pics of them and the hubub, was pretty busy, wouldn't have minded having my pic taken with them but wasn't so desperate to get a numbered ticket and queue up for it.
Wandered back home to get changed and get the beach stuff then meet Carlos at Taylor Square. Caught the La Perouse bus which took about 30 mins to get there. Seems as if Carlos' relationship is off the boil at little at the mo, he's about as lucky in these things as me. Finally got there just before 2, weather was still good, beach wasn't too busy either which was nice. Went in for a little swim, water feels so cold when the air temperature is high though, but it's ok once you're in. After we'd been there an hour or so the clouds started bubbling up and it started looking a bit dark out to sea. We packed up just before 4, practically no sun at this point so jumped on the bus (accidentally buying an ice-cream on the way) and headed back. About 1 minute after stepping in the flat it started to rain, so just missed it. Then we had a huge storm which went on for ages, took some video on my Sony camera of the downpour, some fantastic thunder and lightning too.
In the evening I had a couple of films to see as part of the Mardi Gras film festival; Euro Boys at 7.30 and We're Not In Kansas Anymore at 9.30. They're both a selection of short films, the first obviously from Europe and the second from the US. It was still pissing down by the time I had to leave, and we're talking proper full on movie rain, so attempted to stay dry with my tiny brolly. Wasn't overly impressed with the first selection, though there were a couple of highlights. When I came out of that session I spotted Chris and a friend who were queuing for the 9.30 showing which I was going to see so joined them in the queue. Turns out they'd had a bit of an Ikea drama earlier in the day getting caught in the storm on their way back.
Second selection was much better, hate to say it but the US films were much better than the Euro ones, enjoyed pretty much all of them. Came out about 11 and we wandered up Oxford towards the bars, the rain had eased off so dropped the brolly home and met Chris back at Midnight Shift. Seemed quite quiet out, probably coz of the weather. Chris was knackered after his long Ikea ordeal so he didn't last long. I bumped into a guy called Tony who I met in Perth, him and his boyfriend are travelling round Australia at the mo and had just come to Sydney for the weekend, then they're going back to Melbourne and will be coming back here in time for Mardi Gras. Left Tony at Shift as he wanted to hang around there for a while and I wandered up the road, stopping off in Columbian, Stonewall, and Manacle. Was bored by about 2 so went home.
Sunday:
Woke up about 7 and could hear rain outside, which isn't good coz it's Fair Day.....fell back to sleep and woke up again about 10. Rain had stopped but was a bit cloudy and not looking to good. Took a trip to Bondi Junction this morning, haven't been there for ages, think the last time was with Al (bastard - no contact from him since last Friday.....definately over then!). Anyway wanted to go there coz I still need to get that long sleeve black shirt for the choir concert and needed to do a bit of supermarket shopping too. God bless K-Mart, got the shirt for $20, might even take it back after I've worn it coz I don't think I'm gonna need it anymore and I'm gonna be a poor traveller again soon! Got home about 1, reheated some left over spag bol from yesterday and got ready to go out to fair day.
Weather seemed to be improving slightly but still lots of cloud around, and the forecast was for afternoon storms too which isn't good as it's an outdoor event. Fair Day for those that couldn't be bothered to click the link above is the main daytime event for Mardi Gras. It's held in Victoria Park which is near Broadway on the way to Newtown. There are stage events, lots of stalls, food, dog shows, etc. They lay on a special bus service for the day which runs from Oxford St over to the park...service 69...original ;O) Jumped on the bus, a few drag queens got on the bus too, the dress was so big on one that she had to plonk herself in the luggage rack as she couldn't fit on a normal seat. It certainly isn't the kind of bus journey you take every day!...did take a pic so you'll see what I mean soon.
Got to the park about 3 and it was busy, bumped into King and some other choir members when I arrived. The choir has a stand there and I've volunteered to do the last couple of hours from 4.30, we're selling tickets for the concert and handing out flyers too. Basically spent an hour and a bit wandering around the stalls, chilling out by the pond and just relaxing in the park and taking it all in, including a new Bettle advertising www.herpes.com.au (!), loads and loads of gay dogs wandering around, tiny things with ribbons or bows....but actually to be entirely accurate there were also lots of huge great big dogs too, some of which could have been confused with horses, actually I could have been a special guest star at the Dog Show considering my new found association with pet products!
Wasn't too bothered about the entertainment on the stage tho as there was nothing particularly exciting on, tho the aussie Fab 5 (minus 1 tho) did roll on at some point but didn't stick around to see what they were up to. Loads of people had made a big effort for the day, with gazebos, picnics, chairs, blankets - all very civil and a nice way to spend a sunday afternoon. Got to the choir stall for my stint which I was doing with Chris and a couple of others, turns out it had been busyish - only sold 30 odd tickets but apparently that's not too bad, compared to other years it was quieter but the weather probably put a lot of people off.
The skies were slowly getting darker, in fact it had looked like it was gonna piss down for ages but had held off. I offered to wander around the park handing out flyers coz all they were doing at that point was standing in front of the stall with them, after wandering round for a couple of minutes the rain started so I took shelter under a tree near the exit as it was the best place to be to catch everyone suddenly leaving coz of the rain. Gave up after a while tho as it was getting heavier. Went back to the stall and by now they were half way through taking it down, there was no way the rain was gonna stop. There were people wandering around totally drenched, some people taking shelter under trees, stalls, tents, gazebos, brollys....some diehards were still hanging around the main stage as the entertainment struggled on.
I went to the bus stop and unsurprisingly there were plenty of people huddled underneath waiting for the 69 to arrive. By now it was pelting down, really really hard, more movie rain, the kinda stuff that soaks you through in about 20 seconds, plus there was the addition of thunder and lightning. My brolly wasn't really doing much for me at this point so went under a tent which wasn't far from the bus stop and waited. As it appeared round the corner there was a big cheer from all those waiting, even the bus driver was in a good mood and didn't even ask to see tickets, just got everyone on board. The same drag queens who were on the bus there were on the bus back, the journey back to Oxford St was fun, again not the kinda bus you take every day, there was even an impromptu show from the drag queens and despite everyone being soaked people were in a good mood. Still raining but easing off a little by the time we got to Oxford St, got a paper and went home to get out of the wet stuff.
Felt peckish about 7 and couldn't be bothered to cook so wandered back to Oxford and got Fish and Chips, haven't had that for ages. Well it wasn't really proper fish and chips, didn't taste the same and I haven't got any vinegar in the flat to have with it but still it was nice. Making the most of having the flat to myself at the mo, was possible going to go out with Carlos to Deckbar for the first time, but as it was still raining and I knew Niki wouldn't be around I decided to stay in. Watched X Factor and then the Edinburgh Military Tattoo which was on here in Sydney a couple of weeks ago - you may recall Al's brother is in it and he tried to get tickets for us but couldn't, then Al's mate Nick had a couple of free tickets so they went and I didn't (bastard!) - anyway, they'd televised it, quite enjoyed it actually, would have been good to be there (bastard!). Also today is the day that the Frontline ad is due to air, didn't see it on during the evening but don't know what channel it's on or when so it's a bit hit and miss. Went to bed about 11.....ready for another week at work.
