Images

An old fella busking at the markets in Maitland.

My friend's son whose ever-present snot trail seems to have disappeared just in time for the photo. Seriously, how can such a little person have so much snot up there?

One cannot visit Sydney without taking a picture of the Opera House and the bridge...

Both of which I managed on my way to Manly by ferry.

Old Sydney Town

Yesterday I caught the train down to Sydney proper. The plan was to catch up with my mate after she finished work at about 7 so I had the entire day to kill. I dragged myself and my suddenly twice as heavy backpack down to Circular Quay and ate lunch while doing a bit of people watching. Had a good stare at the Opera House and Bridge - seems the obligatory thing to do with oneself in Sydney. Watched some aboriginal blokes performing some songs and posing for photos with tourists. They'd be making a fair bit of money I reckon. I caught the ferry out to Manly, it hadn't changed much from what I remember it as a few years ago. I saw a sign near the sand that said "Due to pollution please do NOT swim for 24 hours after heavy rain". Nice. We can swim at all other times at will, but of course only at our own risk. I didn't swim. Not because I was afraid of pollution, but because it wasn't that hot, and I had nowhere to put all my stuff while I was at it. Instead I called Centrelink and registered for the dole - yes, I applied for unemployment payments while at the beach! I think I'm on the right track, unemployment is going to be a piece of piss for me.

Today I thought I might head to China Town and pretend I was back in Japan or something. But turns out that just walking down George Street can do the same job. So many internationals, I couldn't hear any English being spoken at all. There's a bloke next to me in this internet cafe looking at soft porn! BTW - internet cafes in Australia suck! Where are the free drinks? Where is the relax chair? Where is the ice cream machine? And most importantly, where is my privacy?? Anyone walking past can see my screen (as we have just seen with porn man on my left). Some things the Japs just do better.

Vego update

Inspired by a comment on a previous post I have been thinking about my vegetarian journey thus far. Tonight we are having a BBQ for dinner. To be honest the whole BBQ thing has never really been up my alley, I have never been one to salivate over the idea of sausage in bread. So it really doesn't bother me that I am restricted to my vegie sausages (should they even technically be called sausages??). In general I have found that to be the case with many things. We went through the Hungry's drive through and it was just not an issue - I didn't feel tempted to dig in to a burger, or even thickshake! Across the way was The Colonel - still no temptation there, and I LOVE the chicken there. There are so many vegetarian places around now that eating out simply isn't an issue, and eating in is easy, just sort it yourself. So despite various people telling me it would be a struggle, that I would give in to temptation - I have been fine, and no one is more surprised than me. I think it really helps to just not consider meat as food anymore - just look right through it at the shops, look for the vego option first - it's usually tastier anyway.

My stay in Newcastle is drawing to a close. Tuesday I will head back into Sydney and sort something out there. Gonna be a real backpacker and see if I can secure myself a hostel or something. Or maybe I'll be heading to Canberra, it depends on what others are up to. I just hope the fine weather holds out so I can get around without getting wet. I hate getting wet!

Newcastle (there's no castle though)

Been trotting around the Newcastle area today. Went for a walk up a tree covered hill, got lost, but then found our way, and came home again. Did a shop at Coles, perused K-mart and drove through Hungry Jacks (I was just in the car, I didn't approve of this plan). It was another lovely day, sunny and blue skies. Just gets better and better here like there is no such thing as impending winter. I hear it's been a bit windy and rainy in Adelaide, which is great cos we need water, but even better when I am not there!!

Newcastle is a funny place. Mix of affluent and effluent. Waiting for my friend on Tuesday I sat next to a bloke and his mum and girlfriend while they went into great details about how to rip off Centrelink and have your case thrown out of court. It's just another world, living day to day finding any way possible to rip off the system. Good as any other job I suppose... That'll be me waiting in line for the dole soon enough!

Child's play

I am in Newcastle. Staying with an old old friend (she's not old, but our friendship is) and her family. The family consists of one husband and one small child of the male variety. So far I have been a hit because a) I brought him a Magna Doodle, and 2) I have been taking every opportunity to swing him upside down by his ankles. Right now he is snoozing (little tackers get siestas everyday, dunno why, they're not even working! What do they need to rest for??). We've made a pav and all that's left to do today is anticipate eating it. Yummm... I'm up here until next Monday when I will jump on a train possibly to Sydney, possibly to Canberra - we need to have a chat with another friend before deciding.

This morning I woke from the best sleep I have had for a long long time and spent an hour or so watching a film called Cars. Very funny - I like how there are kids jokes and adults jokes getting along together in there. Does anyone remember Scarface Claw from Hairy McClarey (from Donaldson's Dairy)?

Scarface Claw

My suggestion is to just start bandying that about the office today - guaranteed smiles.