Remember how awesome the other day was, and how uber-excited I was after having done 2 full P90X videos plus the Ab Ripper? Ya… well, my legs have hated me ever since. Yesterday the only thing I was missing was the Medical degree and I’d of been Dr. House. The Vicodin would have been nice.
The family now has a new van which we took for an adventure to Wagga (the nearest “big” town). It was an interesting trip for me with the whole not being able to walk thing. I didn’t get to pick up the paper yesterday, but, that’s ok, because I was having way to difficult of a time walking to let the girl that works there see me.
Last night, we watched a movie made in 1965(-66) titled, “There a Weird Mob”. The “There” they refer to are Australians. The movie is about a Dago/Wog/Wop/Guinea immigrant (Italian) who comes, and spends his first few days in Kings (Bloody) Cross – which happens to be where I stay in Sydney. He then starts learning all the Aussie ways of saying things. Gets himself a bit mixed up. Goes to Bondi beach. Gets a job as a day laborer and works faster than the Aussie he is working with. Needless to say… I was seeing a few parallels in the film to real life.
Today is Christ’s Mass eve. Legs are still sore, but no where nearly as bad as yesterday. But, since God has the great sense of humor that he has… I go to pick up the paper with Paul and Adam. We walk in, (myself, proud of the fact that I could walk) Paul grabs the paper, sees the girl that I’ve been talking about. And I think to myself, “today will be the day that I learn her name”. Paul goes the counter with the paper, the owner says,
“ah, the Irrigator, this is our local paper” to which Paul responds with,
“umm… I know… I’m a local; (pointing to me) this is the non local” - Paul
“Ya, I’m definetly not a local” - Me
“Oh! You from New Zealand?” - Owner
“WHAT?! No… I’m from California” - Me
“OH! The States!” (walks off) - Owner
“Did your boss just call me a Kiwi” (to the cute girl with a bit of an offensive tone) - Me
“what’s wrong with that… I’m a New Zealander” – Cute (Kiwi) girl
In other words… I had quite an FML moment today.
After that, I lost a lot of motivation to go back and get the newspaper, but Paul and I talked it over, I think I can do damage control, and so the day after Boxing Day, I’m going in and saying something like, “hey, sorry about the kiwi thing, I feel bad about, cause I don’t really have anything against kiwis, I’m just American, anyway, can I make it up to you by taking you out for coffee sometime?” or something like that, we’ll see how it goes.
So then we went to the Presbyterian Church for Christ’s Mass eve service. I left the family a bit early to go to the Catholic church, which, unfortunately had no Mid-night Mass, but there was at least an eight o’clock Mass, so, I went to that. Mass in Australia is just as boring as it is in the US, potentially a bit more, because the Priest didn’t sing some of the lines like they do at home.
Home once again. Mass attended, failed attempt with hot news girl, tea with the family, and now, a relaxing rest of Christ’s Mass eve at home in the company of a very beautiful blonde friend of the boys, so, the day… not a total loss.
Fairly good day after all, and for me, Christ’s Mass tomorrow (Christ’s Mass eve for ya’lls back home)
Showing posts with label Paul. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Paul. Show all posts
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
(Insert Clever Title About Long Hard Day)
Why am I telling you to do it… simple, I’m too tired to think of something witty and such. Today’s run: fourteen seconds faster than yesterday’s. Immediately after the run I got a call from a guy who finds jobs for backpackers. Today, I helped plant vines at a vineyard that sells grapes to Casella Wines, the makers of Yellow Tail.
When vines are planted (at least the way we did them today) one guy is in a tractor pulling a water buffalo that is connected to a drill. Another guy walks along and finds the place to insert the vine. And one guy does all the bitch work of bending over repetitively inserting the tiny vine into the newly dug hole, then carefully compact dirt back around the vine. I was working with two other guys today, with experience… so; guess which of the three jobs I ended up with. If you guessed bitch work, you would be right.
Not only, was I the one doing the bending and such, but this is after having ran a mile and a half, and having a half hour of time to get ready and get there, BUT! This is after having done the P90X work out yesterday. So not only where my muscles already sore, I got to do all the manual labor today. This is of course all in 36 degree heat, Celsius! Converted for those like me who hate making mathematical conversions (Sorry Michelle + Vic, but we can’t all be as left minded as you) that equals 96.8 degrees F.
All this sounds crappy enough (and if it doesn’t I don’t think you’re getting the full force of the crappyness of the situation). To top it all off, I got to work with 2 rocket surgeons. Australian rednecks with no concept of time or urgency. I know it is the country and all that, but come on. What was supposed to be a half hour lunch break, turned into two hours, because they had something pressing that had to be done right away that was only going to take “a quick sec”. Then, even though I was moving as fast as the machine was, and we could have finished by the time Paul was going to come pick me up, they still decided, even though I was the one doing the hard work, THEY were going to take a break. The problem is, if they take a break, I can’t do my job. I was working harder then these guys. So I had to keep at their pace. Paul came and left. So, forty five minutes AFTER when we should have finished, we’re free to go. Unfortunately, I have no means of my own transportation, so one of the rocket surgeons has to take me home (but not strait home, because the family was hanging out at Maccas [McDonalds] where the boys work).
But, even having someone waiting on him, does he hurry? NO. Does he show any effort to move faster? NO. Then he also has to drop off the other rocket surgeon before I can gain my freedom. Miserable heat. Miserable conditions. Miserable work. Miserable coworkers. There was I suppose one good thing that came out of work today, now if I ever use the phrase "I feel like I just got hit by a tractor pulling a water buffalo" I actally have a reference point for what that really feels like.
And yet, like the sick glutton for punishment that I am… I can’t wait for work tomorrow.
"Why?" One might ask. I came to this country for many reasons, one of which was to un-spoil myself. I made it through a day, of hard labor (outside of camp) in extreme heat (outside of camp) and with a couple assholes, who made my day difficult, that I did not punch in the face. They slowed down the work. Took their sweet time. Basically did everything possible to make the day miserable. Miserable enough to quit, and not come back the next day.
The Spirit of America however, is not one of quitting. It is one of perseverance. The Spirit of America keeps going strong, long after others have fallen. THAT is why we kick ass. THAT is why our nation leads the world. This boss is a douchbag who uses and wears down his day laborers to nothing. Looking at the paper of the names of other backpackers traveling in the area who had worked for him, in the last week and a half not one person lasted more than a day. But, also looking at the names, none of them sounded American. Not one. I will go back tomorrow. I will kick ass. I don’t care how much my muscles hurt, I don’t care how much of a jerk my “co-workers” are. I will go back tomorrow. I will out work the “professionals” that “work” there regularly. I will make Rod tell his friend Michael (aka. The orange guy who got me the job) “Next time you have a yankee bloke looking for work, send him to me”.
Oh, and did I mention that tomorrow is suppose to be at least 40 degrees (again, for those of us who aren’t left brained) that translates to about 104 F and so I have to be out the door at ¼ to 6 in the AM. Ya… this will be fun.
When vines are planted (at least the way we did them today) one guy is in a tractor pulling a water buffalo that is connected to a drill. Another guy walks along and finds the place to insert the vine. And one guy does all the bitch work of bending over repetitively inserting the tiny vine into the newly dug hole, then carefully compact dirt back around the vine. I was working with two other guys today, with experience… so; guess which of the three jobs I ended up with. If you guessed bitch work, you would be right.
Not only, was I the one doing the bending and such, but this is after having ran a mile and a half, and having a half hour of time to get ready and get there, BUT! This is after having done the P90X work out yesterday. So not only where my muscles already sore, I got to do all the manual labor today. This is of course all in 36 degree heat, Celsius! Converted for those like me who hate making mathematical conversions (Sorry Michelle + Vic, but we can’t all be as left minded as you) that equals 96.8 degrees F.
All this sounds crappy enough (and if it doesn’t I don’t think you’re getting the full force of the crappyness of the situation). To top it all off, I got to work with 2 rocket surgeons. Australian rednecks with no concept of time or urgency. I know it is the country and all that, but come on. What was supposed to be a half hour lunch break, turned into two hours, because they had something pressing that had to be done right away that was only going to take “a quick sec”. Then, even though I was moving as fast as the machine was, and we could have finished by the time Paul was going to come pick me up, they still decided, even though I was the one doing the hard work, THEY were going to take a break. The problem is, if they take a break, I can’t do my job. I was working harder then these guys. So I had to keep at their pace. Paul came and left. So, forty five minutes AFTER when we should have finished, we’re free to go. Unfortunately, I have no means of my own transportation, so one of the rocket surgeons has to take me home (but not strait home, because the family was hanging out at Maccas [McDonalds] where the boys work).
But, even having someone waiting on him, does he hurry? NO. Does he show any effort to move faster? NO. Then he also has to drop off the other rocket surgeon before I can gain my freedom. Miserable heat. Miserable conditions. Miserable work. Miserable coworkers. There was I suppose one good thing that came out of work today, now if I ever use the phrase "I feel like I just got hit by a tractor pulling a water buffalo" I actally have a reference point for what that really feels like.
And yet, like the sick glutton for punishment that I am… I can’t wait for work tomorrow.
"Why?" One might ask. I came to this country for many reasons, one of which was to un-spoil myself. I made it through a day, of hard labor (outside of camp) in extreme heat (outside of camp) and with a couple assholes, who made my day difficult, that I did not punch in the face. They slowed down the work. Took their sweet time. Basically did everything possible to make the day miserable. Miserable enough to quit, and not come back the next day.
The Spirit of America however, is not one of quitting. It is one of perseverance. The Spirit of America keeps going strong, long after others have fallen. THAT is why we kick ass. THAT is why our nation leads the world. This boss is a douchbag who uses and wears down his day laborers to nothing. Looking at the paper of the names of other backpackers traveling in the area who had worked for him, in the last week and a half not one person lasted more than a day. But, also looking at the names, none of them sounded American. Not one. I will go back tomorrow. I will kick ass. I don’t care how much my muscles hurt, I don’t care how much of a jerk my “co-workers” are. I will go back tomorrow. I will out work the “professionals” that “work” there regularly. I will make Rod tell his friend Michael (aka. The orange guy who got me the job) “Next time you have a yankee bloke looking for work, send him to me”.
Oh, and did I mention that tomorrow is suppose to be at least 40 degrees (again, for those of us who aren’t left brained) that translates to about 104 F and so I have to be out the door at ¼ to 6 in the AM. Ya… this will be fun.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Exercise… argggg
No matter how hard breaking up is… waking up is even harder (for me anyway). What is it about mobile phones and the alarm function not working for me… like ever. Whatever the case may be, I did at least wake up in a timely manner today. Had a nice cup of coffee in the morning, then… Adam woke up.
Last week Adam and I had a Rocky marathon so that he would know why I was here, and also to take notes from Burgess Meredith’s portrayal of “Mic”. Since then he has been yelling out helpful phrases at me like “you’re gonna eat lightning and crap thunder!” and also of course “Come on you bum!” So today we left the house with one of the twins timing us. I ran/jogged one and a half miles with Adam riding his bike next to/ahead of me. The other day on my scouting out of the run, it took 20 minutes 43 seconds. Today when I was actually doing it for the first time: 21 minutes 2 seconds. So, bad news, 19 seconds more, good news, I ran much more of it at a higher rate. Therefore, my recovery time when I went into jog/speed walk mode took longer. The Navy would like the time to be 12 minutes (minimum for my age group) considering this is really the first time I’ve run in about 5 years, I think it’s a realistic and reasonable time to ask or me.
After nearly dying from the run, Adam and I did our P90X video of the day. What is P90X you might ask? Well… it is an amazing workout routine. They always have infomercials for it at like 2 am, and I always thought it was like total bullocks. However, my brother-in-law uses it. Now… Pappy was always in shape, and thin, but when he left for Iraq, he was RIPPED! Ripped like Jesus (another story)
We both felt great afterward, but tired, and I know things are going to hurt when I wake up in the morning. It will however be that good hurt. You know the kind. Where everything burns, but you think to yourself, it’s totally worth it. Ya, that kinda hurt.
In other news; latest intel reports say that the twins' old science teacher who caught my eye the other night does in fact have a boyfriend :(
Another lovely teacher lost :(
I leave you with this for the day:
On the warning label of Paul’s medication it says the following:
“Do not take dairy products, antacids, iron or calcium supplements within two hours of each dose of this medicine”
Then open the package and it says this:
“It is recommended that tablets are taken with a glass of milk or liquid during a meal. Tablets should not be taken immediately prior to lying down”
Go ahead… let it sink in… it’ll hit you if it hasn’t yet.
Last week Adam and I had a Rocky marathon so that he would know why I was here, and also to take notes from Burgess Meredith’s portrayal of “Mic”. Since then he has been yelling out helpful phrases at me like “you’re gonna eat lightning and crap thunder!” and also of course “Come on you bum!” So today we left the house with one of the twins timing us. I ran/jogged one and a half miles with Adam riding his bike next to/ahead of me. The other day on my scouting out of the run, it took 20 minutes 43 seconds. Today when I was actually doing it for the first time: 21 minutes 2 seconds. So, bad news, 19 seconds more, good news, I ran much more of it at a higher rate. Therefore, my recovery time when I went into jog/speed walk mode took longer. The Navy would like the time to be 12 minutes (minimum for my age group) considering this is really the first time I’ve run in about 5 years, I think it’s a realistic and reasonable time to ask or me.
After nearly dying from the run, Adam and I did our P90X video of the day. What is P90X you might ask? Well… it is an amazing workout routine. They always have infomercials for it at like 2 am, and I always thought it was like total bullocks. However, my brother-in-law uses it. Now… Pappy was always in shape, and thin, but when he left for Iraq, he was RIPPED! Ripped like Jesus (another story)
We both felt great afterward, but tired, and I know things are going to hurt when I wake up in the morning. It will however be that good hurt. You know the kind. Where everything burns, but you think to yourself, it’s totally worth it. Ya, that kinda hurt.
In other news; latest intel reports say that the twins' old science teacher who caught my eye the other night does in fact have a boyfriend :(
Another lovely teacher lost :(
I leave you with this for the day:
On the warning label of Paul’s medication it says the following:
“Do not take dairy products, antacids, iron or calcium supplements within two hours of each dose of this medicine”
Then open the package and it says this:
“It is recommended that tablets are taken with a glass of milk or liquid during a meal. Tablets should not be taken immediately prior to lying down”
Go ahead… let it sink in… it’ll hit you if it hasn’t yet.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Australia: the first week in review
Getting settled into a new home… what fun. Actually, truth is, it has been. Most of the time this many changes at once sucks. I have the good fortune of living with a good group of people I actually feel at home with. The whole having brothers thing is still taking a bit more adjustment than anything else in my only child mind, but I’m getting it.
I miss the ocean. Not going to lie about that one. Although I’d go for days and even a couple weeks without going to the beach at home, it is nice knowing I have the option to. I have chosen to harness my energy of missing the ocean, as inspiration to train harder, to accelerate my joining the Navy process, so that I never stray too far away from a large body of water (unless by some misfortune I get stationed at China Lake in the middle of the California Desert)
The boys have finished school this week. I have gotten use to my new surroundings. I hate the circular design city. I’m getting it. I think I know how to find my way home now if I was randomly dumped anywhere in town (in theory). Slightly worried if I tell that to Paul he may actually blindfold me and test me on that.
Besides the being totally inland thing, Leeton seems like quite a nice place. I have to actually start working this week. Money doesn’t grow on trees down here either. My first week here was good though. A couple minor setbacks here and there, but such is life. Thank God for Skype though.
Orientation week down... another 5 months to go :)
I miss the ocean. Not going to lie about that one. Although I’d go for days and even a couple weeks without going to the beach at home, it is nice knowing I have the option to. I have chosen to harness my energy of missing the ocean, as inspiration to train harder, to accelerate my joining the Navy process, so that I never stray too far away from a large body of water (unless by some misfortune I get stationed at China Lake in the middle of the California Desert)
The boys have finished school this week. I have gotten use to my new surroundings. I hate the circular design city. I’m getting it. I think I know how to find my way home now if I was randomly dumped anywhere in town (in theory). Slightly worried if I tell that to Paul he may actually blindfold me and test me on that.
Besides the being totally inland thing, Leeton seems like quite a nice place. I have to actually start working this week. Money doesn’t grow on trees down here either. My first week here was good though. A couple minor setbacks here and there, but such is life. Thank God for Skype though.
Orientation week down... another 5 months to go :)
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Australia: El Segundo y Tercero Dias
Amo ha este hostal. Amo ha este pais. Amo la globalización. Absolutamente NO amo los francés.
Otra buen fiesta en el hostal el jueves. Mi favorito britanico negro (Doug) tocaba la guitarra mientras todos hablaron y tomando vino. Era buen tiempo, hasta que un franco vino. Comenzó a trabajar en la mujer que yo estava hablando con, y con su acento, el gano.
Kai (mi nuevo amigo coreano) y yo fuimos a la playa de Manly adonde yo ensenie el arte de sorfeo de cuerpo. Era muy divertido hasta que yo lo necesitaba rescatar de la aqua. Pero el recupero y tenimos un buen tiempo otra vez. Pizza, cerveza (que, no me gusta mucho, pero Kai lo compro y no queria ser ingrato), nuevo amigo, mujeres en bikinis, y sorfeo en un playa bonito, se hace mejor de eso? No creo que si.
Despues de la playa, Kai y yo caminamos al hostal, cambiamos, y fuimos al restorante de mis amigos de Iraq. Cenamos y hablamos con Masar y su primo Tony. Despues de comer, regresamos al hostal donde yo estava despierto todo la noche hablando con los otros, y, los francés regresaron y robadon todos las mujeres otra vez. Tuve un hora de sueño.
Paul y Jan llegaron a las ocho y medio in la mañana. Mi vida con mi familia Australiana comenzó oficialmente. Suvimos en el auto y yo dije adios a Kai. El es un gran amigo, el se levanto a decir adios y espero con migo afuera. La familia y yo nos fuimos adonde los 2000 Juegos Olímpicos estuvieron para un carrera y un concierto con el banda musical favorito de Paul. Paul era en el ultimo concierto del grupo hace mas que 25 años. Era un dia muy divertido.
Yo senti immediatamente que esto va ser un buen 6 meses. Me siento como un miembro de la familia. Paul y yo tenemos el mismo humor. Los gemelos, Jan, y yo me caigan bien. Y Adam (el chiquito) es un buen compañero (como mi Sancho Panza).
6 meses de esto, si, yo puedo a ser esto. Lo que me precupa es… ellos si pueden?
Otra buen fiesta en el hostal el jueves. Mi favorito britanico negro (Doug) tocaba la guitarra mientras todos hablaron y tomando vino. Era buen tiempo, hasta que un franco vino. Comenzó a trabajar en la mujer que yo estava hablando con, y con su acento, el gano.
Kai (mi nuevo amigo coreano) y yo fuimos a la playa de Manly adonde yo ensenie el arte de sorfeo de cuerpo. Era muy divertido hasta que yo lo necesitaba rescatar de la aqua. Pero el recupero y tenimos un buen tiempo otra vez. Pizza, cerveza (que, no me gusta mucho, pero Kai lo compro y no queria ser ingrato), nuevo amigo, mujeres en bikinis, y sorfeo en un playa bonito, se hace mejor de eso? No creo que si.
Despues de la playa, Kai y yo caminamos al hostal, cambiamos, y fuimos al restorante de mis amigos de Iraq. Cenamos y hablamos con Masar y su primo Tony. Despues de comer, regresamos al hostal donde yo estava despierto todo la noche hablando con los otros, y, los francés regresaron y robadon todos las mujeres otra vez. Tuve un hora de sueño.
Paul y Jan llegaron a las ocho y medio in la mañana. Mi vida con mi familia Australiana comenzó oficialmente. Suvimos en el auto y yo dije adios a Kai. El es un gran amigo, el se levanto a decir adios y espero con migo afuera. La familia y yo nos fuimos adonde los 2000 Juegos Olímpicos estuvieron para un carrera y un concierto con el banda musical favorito de Paul. Paul era en el ultimo concierto del grupo hace mas que 25 años. Era un dia muy divertido.
Yo senti immediatamente que esto va ser un buen 6 meses. Me siento como un miembro de la familia. Paul y yo tenemos el mismo humor. Los gemelos, Jan, y yo me caigan bien. Y Adam (el chiquito) es un buen compañero (como mi Sancho Panza).
6 meses de esto, si, yo puedo a ser esto. Lo que me precupa es… ellos si pueden?
Australia: the second and third days
I love this hostel. I love this country. I love globalism. I don’t love the French.
So, another great party at the Pink House Thursday night, I use the term party loosely, it’s more like, everyone from the hostel just hangs out with each other with my favorite black Brit (Doug) playing guitar and everyone talking and drinking and such, but, still good times. Good times until the French arrive that is. Start working on a girl, then a frog shows up, and of course, damn accent wins.
Anyway… Kai (my new Korean friend) and I went to Manly beach, where I taught him the art of body surfing, it was great fun till I had to save him from drowning, but, he recovered, and then it was great fun again. Pizza, beer, new friends, women in bikinis, and body surfing at a beautiful beach on a great day… does it get any better than that? I don’t think so.
After Manly, Kai and I walked back to the hostel, hung out, went back to the Iraqi place, had dinner and hung out with Masar and Tony. Went to buy some drinks, went back to the hostel where I stayed up all night conversing and drinking with the others. And of course, getting “cockblocked” by the French. Ended up with an hour of sleep before…
Paul and Jan showed up at 8:30ish in the morning. My life with my new family officially started. We all hopped in, said bye to Kai. Kai is such an awesome friend he actually woke up early and stayed outside on the corner waiting with me even though he should have been asleep for how late he stayed up. We then wandered through town to the site of the 2000 Olympic games for the Sydney 500 and a concert featuring Paul’s favorite band, “Cold Chisel”. Paul was at their last concert 25 years ago. Much fun was had by all that day, especially with the enjoying of all the scenery.
I immediately felt like this is going to be a great 6 months. I feel like I fit well in the family for the most part, besides being a “damn Yankee” as they so lovingly refer to me. Paul and I seem to both have the same sick sense of humor. The twins, Jan, and I get along well. And Adam makes for quite an excellent side kick (most of the time).
Six months of this… ya… I’m pretty sure I can handle it. The thing that does worry and concern me… can they handle it?
So, another great party at the Pink House Thursday night, I use the term party loosely, it’s more like, everyone from the hostel just hangs out with each other with my favorite black Brit (Doug) playing guitar and everyone talking and drinking and such, but, still good times. Good times until the French arrive that is. Start working on a girl, then a frog shows up, and of course, damn accent wins.
Anyway… Kai (my new Korean friend) and I went to Manly beach, where I taught him the art of body surfing, it was great fun till I had to save him from drowning, but, he recovered, and then it was great fun again. Pizza, beer, new friends, women in bikinis, and body surfing at a beautiful beach on a great day… does it get any better than that? I don’t think so.
After Manly, Kai and I walked back to the hostel, hung out, went back to the Iraqi place, had dinner and hung out with Masar and Tony. Went to buy some drinks, went back to the hostel where I stayed up all night conversing and drinking with the others. And of course, getting “cockblocked” by the French. Ended up with an hour of sleep before…
Paul and Jan showed up at 8:30ish in the morning. My life with my new family officially started. We all hopped in, said bye to Kai. Kai is such an awesome friend he actually woke up early and stayed outside on the corner waiting with me even though he should have been asleep for how late he stayed up. We then wandered through town to the site of the 2000 Olympic games for the Sydney 500 and a concert featuring Paul’s favorite band, “Cold Chisel”. Paul was at their last concert 25 years ago. Much fun was had by all that day, especially with the enjoying of all the scenery.
I immediately felt like this is going to be a great 6 months. I feel like I fit well in the family for the most part, besides being a “damn Yankee” as they so lovingly refer to me. Paul and I seem to both have the same sick sense of humor. The twins, Jan, and I get along well. And Adam makes for quite an excellent side kick (most of the time).
Six months of this… ya… I’m pretty sure I can handle it. The thing that does worry and concern me… can they handle it?
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