Hawaii, Uni, and the races...

What could have been three separate posts I've merged into one. Aren't I smart?

Let's start with Hawaii.

Recently went on a trip to Hawaii. I had a great time, lots and lots of fun. I'd love to go back one day. Yes, I went surfing; yes, I went shopping; yes, I did the beach thing; yes, I stayed in the penthouse suite of the hotel; yup, I climbed Diamond Head... It was a very busy week away, and I did a lot of things and come back with my own set of scars, mementos, presents and tattoos...

I experienced food like I've never witnessed before. Some things Australia is clearly better at. First is conservation of energy. Most of you will have already heard me rant about the continual and massive waste of electricity, water and petrol over there, so I won't repeat it. Next would be food, while their portions were very decent sizes (ie. Too much) and it tasted nice; by the end of the week I ended up wanting something healthy... Like a salad... Yes, America is the only thing in the world that will get me to eat my vegetables... (As a side note, can anyone say free refills?). Finally, I think Australian's would have to do far better with driving and road rules too. I was happy to be back on the left side of the road when I got home. None of this "the light is red but we can still turn here" shit. If the light is red, then you stop. I like our method...

But the place is just so different that it's something you have to go back to. We explored about 85% of the beaches of O'ahu, the third largest island of Hawaii, and I still want to go back for more. Every day was a different beach. Whether it was surfing at Waikiki, swimming at Kailua, skin diving at Sunset Beach, or face planting while body surfing further along Kailua Beach (It was ranked #1 US Beach in 1998). The beaches were a whole different experience too. I think the main things that made them so amazing were the views you enjoyed while swimming, and the fact the weather was always perfect.

Yup, I'm browner too for those that did notice.

The last week of uni was recently, and it's now exam time. I had one yesterday, one tomorrow, and another Friday. Then my last one is next week. I could do very well on these exams, if I was willing to put in the effort. Mostly I know that I've been doing well, and am not putting in as much effort as I probably should. The weather is too nice to be studying. I think my best result will be from Engineering Design, even though I attended a grand total of three lectures, because I find the subject quite cruisey. Some might struggle with this one, and I can see why if it's your first time around logic gates, but logic happens to be what I'm good at. Though last semester the subject I felt I was going to do the best in was the one I did the worst, so I'm not going to hold my breath for fantastic results.

Finally, the Spring Cup Carnival. I've been working at a bunch of the races so far (Geelong Cup, Cox Plate) and will be working at quite a few more I hope (Melbourne Cup, Oaks Day) so make some money. I always enjoy watching people progress from sober to blind drunk over a period of time, and there's no better time to do that than when working at the Spring Carnival. Already had people offer me $20 for my nametag (free money, I have several nametags) and I made something like $14 worth of tips, all in 10c pieces at the Cox Plate. Straight to my car for them, they aren't staying in my pocket. Working Melbourne Cup should be good, because it seems they've finally figured out that I'd prefer to be bartending than holding a platter of food in my arms all day (Marble platters are heavy, and you get dead arms by the end of the day). Instead, I come home with hands that get pretty badly cut up from bottle tops and cans. Sigh... Long live the invention of the teaspoon and the bottle opener (though some fucker nicked mine the other day).

Overall, I come home with more money than most people went to the races with, so I'm one of the few that get away on a profit. If you're going to bet, chances are you'll lose. That's why TAB and bookies exist, they actually make money. The math says you will lose more than you'll win. Same goes for casinos. Don't bother unless you're really good (or can card count).

Until after exams,

James!

A word of thanks

I probably should have updated this a week or so ago, but I have been that busy. Mostly trying to help people actually, stuff I don't actually have to do, but am because it makes me feel like a better person (and it delays before I actually have to write something.).

What amazes me though are the so very few people that say "thanks" and actually mean it. Sure, we all say it. I bring someone something at work and I have the polite "Thanks, James" but has this person actually realised the time and effort I went to do find the box?

Yesterday, however, I was surprised by the first person who said "thank you" and actually sounded like they cared for the effort I'd gone to to help them. I was a wet, cold, Melbourne evening, and I was on my way home from work. It was the second time in two days I'd been caught in the rain; this time however, was neither fun nor enjoyable. As I squelched my way of the tram with other travellers, a man down the street caught my eye. He was blind, and had clearly lost his way. Not one person stopped as they trundled past him, so I did.

As a result, it took me an extra forty minutes to get home. I become even wetter, and I knew that I now had no chance of not getting sick (at the moment I'm suffering with a sore throat). And when we arrived at his destination, I received the first thanks in weeks that sounded honest. He shook my hands, told me he could never thank me enough, and that he would repay the favour someday, if he ever has the chance. It wasn't what he said, but the way he said it.

And as a result I'd like to expand my list of words that have lost all meaning due to abuse because of today's society: "Love," "Sorry," and now "Thank you." I try always to only ever use these words when I honestly mean them, and I hope you'll do likewise.

There have been plenty of times that I can think of when "Sorry" might have fixed it, or "Love" might have had a laugh, or "Thanks" would have been custom; but I have refrained from saying it, cause it wasn't what I truly meant.

So what I have I done since my last update?

Well, quite obviously, I had exams. Lots of fun there... Not...

Actually, lunch before exams was kinda awesome, much better than a bread roll, though I don't think eating at a fancy restaurant on Southbank is the best way to revise for Enterprise Engineering... I packed in work wherever possible between exams and I'm making some money now. Well, until uni goes back at least. Money's kinda very handy at the moment, especially with the cost of petrol and our trip away to Jervis Bay.

Trip away was much needed, and I really am glad we went. Had a couple of walks along the beach, and got to see someone special graduate from the Navy. Dyed Al's hair... again... Lounged on the couch, the bed, the floor. Watched Al speed at 130km/h, and listened to Ken get angry at him. Photo's are on Facebook if you'd like to see them. Most are of Izzy marching, which was great to watch, but it does all start to look the same after a few minutes. :P

The Sunset Parade wasn't as loud as I was expecting. Yes, I know that it was loud, and I know that we were told it was going to be extremely loud, but I did actually expect more noise. So I didn't jump out of my skin, like some people did. But watching the whole thing is definitely something I'd watch again (which is why we watched it twice).

And the Passing Out Parade lived up to expectations of people passing out. I think it was five in total. Three honourable mentions here:

1. To the person behind the crunching noise at they hit the ground. It carried quite a distance, and although there was no blood, it was great to hear.
   
2. To the person who passed out, but remained standing. Never seen it before, and probably never will, but serious points for that.
   
3. To Izzy, for swaying, turning pale, and wanting to vomit. You looked like you were next to hit the deck the whole parade, but you stuck through.
   

Overall, I knew where I should have parked my car!

The Ball was... Actually... I don't think there's a word for it, and because I'm in the habit of making words at the moment, I think that the Ball was benourable. Which is sort of like endurable, but only if you knew a portion of the people there. I just spent my time following the one person who might know people, and there was people following me accordingly. We all left early, only because the Ball was starting to get a touch benourable, and we'd be having much more fun at home with movies, coke and vodka.

And then since getting back, I've been back working again, and having quite a few late nights. I'm exhausted, why do you people keep me up so late? (Yes, I want to be asleep at 3.30am). So I'm working on more money before uni goes back, I need to save for a trip away to Hawaii in September. And a new desktop. And just save in general. You can never have too much money saved.

And I got my results today. I'm actually quite impressed. My average would be a distinction, if you balance the high distinction and the credit out. I'm a touch disappointed in my score in Math, but to be fair I don't show any working, so maybe it was deserved. Biggest surprise was Enterprise Engineering, which I'm beginning to think that if I'd actually handed in one preliminary assignment (no, I didn't hand in a single one, they counted for a total of 15%) then my score would have been in the late 90's. So the one class I expected to fail I got a High Distinction in, and the one class I expected to do really well in, I didn't do as well as I thought.

And as much as I hate writing, I'll try to update the blog soon, but I need something to write about first...

Take care, talk soon.

I'm Old!

Or so everyone keeps telling me...

I woke up this morning and I did feel older, but I suppose I'm supposed to feel that every morning... Maybe it was the new shirt I wore... I donno...

So I called for the nurse to bring me my walking frame and I wandered out to the park to feed the ducks pieces of stale bread all day... Please remind me to buy more bread; I'll forget if someone doesn't remind me... Similar to phone calls – I would have called if I was reminded (if I managed how to figure out how to press the buttons in the first place).

What was I talking about? Oh that's right... I'm old...

I mean nineteen is the last of the teens; isn't that a scary thought... That means I'm almost dead!!! Quick, drink more alcohol to make sure the liver dies first!!! And doesn't nineteen just seem like the "forgotten age?" We see movies where the main character is a teenager and they're always eighteen... Never nineteen... How sad...

Also, I've decided it's a very bad idea to let Harry lick you: he eats poo... I see Afrika taking a crap and next moment the crap is gone with Harry standing over it, doing the whole "yay I've found something to eat" thing... No wonder Harry craps twice as much as Afrika...

Oh right... It's my birthday... You don't want to hear about dog crap...

Ok, seriously, there's not that much to tell about my birthday this year; I'm nineteen, it's a "forgotten age," remember? Of course you don't remember, you're almost as senile as I am!

And the post date and time is significant by the way...

P. Sherman

Got up early Friday morning – 0330. Considering that I went to bed at 0100 I suppose I got a good night's sleep... I guess...

Cranked a uni assignment off and then head to the airport for a 0600 flight – joy! Well... I suppose I did pick it...

Had a whole row of seats to myself; centre, window and aisle. Didn't get a chance to have a sleep on the plane though, instead I transferred contacts from my old Nokia 6280 to my new Nokia 6110 Navigator. Yes, I now have two GPS units; one in my pocket and one in my car. I know which one I prefer too – Ken. There was nothing really that wrong with the 6280, I just didn't think that having loudspeaker on for every phone call was going to be appropriate, especially when around other people. Still have to get used to the new S60 interface, I much prefer the S40, basically because the S60 is so much slower. Damn Nokia you piss me off... I'll leave my hatred of PCSuite for another day...

Oh that's right, I was flying to Sydney, I nearly forgot what I was talking about there. :P

Arrived at whatever time I arrived and caught a train to the hotel. Ok, yes; we all bitch about Connex and how bad their service is, but CityRail is really hard to top. It cost me $50.50 for unlimited travel to and from the airport for a week, and unlimited travel around Sydney CBD for a week. When the lady at the counter did the calculations, it was going to cost $70 if I bought daily's instead. Ok, fine, as a tourist to the city I'll pay through my ass for the privilege to get to my hotel, thanks CityRail.

Then on the platform, I've found that rather than a screen that lists all the stations, it instead scrolls through them, with an accompanying voice (he sounds gay, like the rest of Sydney) reading out the list. Really frustrating to have to stand at this screen staring at it like an ape until your station appears. I much prefer the quick glance at Connex's screens, even if your train may not arrive. Fine, your service is on time, and fine, it's more reliable; but I really don't give a shit when I miss the next three trains trying to figure out if it goes where it wants it to go. Connex used to have three zones, but went down for simplicity. I've finally found where they put this extra zone. I think CityRail bought it off them. Honestly, they have something like seven zones! Anyone who says Connex is complicated and hard has never been to Sydney.

Oh and as a result their machines have a billion and one buttons on them, and force you to go through the alphabet in your head looking for the right station...

Ok, rant about trains is over.

Checked in early cause the room was ready early. Went and explored Sydney. The pushy bitch (the voice in the phone) kept misplacing me streets from where I was, if she could find a position in the first place. I'm learning to ignore her, and I could insert a sexist joke here, but thought better of it. Instead I just scrolled the map to find out where I was.

I ended up somehow getting stuck in the centre of the ANZAC day parade circle that went round the city, probably because I was lost. So I just found a place and stood there for the next five hours. There was a pub on the other side of the road, and celebrations there were very loud and alcoholic. Many passing parades were offered free beer from the patrons who had spilt out onto the road, and every band was yelled to "throw it up, throw it up" in reference to the baton they twirled and what not.

Later, after the parade had finished, there were enough cans on the ground to open up a new aluminium mine...

I however had gone in search of more important things. Found it, and went back to the hotel. Feel asleep for an hour, getting much needed rest, before heading to the station to go and find the person who I really missed – Izzy.

Finally found her, upon realisation that "clock tower" means the 20 meter tower sticking out of the ground, that thing looking like a clock tower; not that clock attached to the building above my head. Well, I don't normally look up in the city, the top of the buildings hurt my neck to look at. :P

So we did couple stuff for the rest of the day of course, as couples do. You know, shopping, walking, talking; that stuff... Went to Coles and bought the necessaries for the weekend: Coco-pops, milk, and pasta.

Couple stuff again for all of Saturday, I like the couple stuff, it's a lot more relaxing than my usual run round and try to find stuff. Ate when hungry, slept (or tried to) when tired, drank when thirsty. Spent part of the day searching for an ATM, eventually found one, and then of course they started popping up everywhere; when we weren't looking for one. Must be a Sydney thing, never had that problem in Melbourne.

Went and tried to see a movie that evening, but there was nothing good on. Sydney, why can't you just conform to Melbourne and call us the gods of entertainment, sport, restaurants and cafes. I couldn't find a single thing Sydney had going for it really.

Dinner, Nando's again, for something like the third time (nope, there's nowhere better to eat in Sydney). Not complaining though, I like Nando's (the company I was with was far better though).

Went out clubbing that night. First place was called 333, and I thought it was too dark, and the bartenders were boring; but they served me over other patrons because I'm a nice person. Had a great time meeting new people that night though, all the navy people (well, not all, some...). Only name I can remember though was Tash, and she was wearing purple. So if tash wants any chance of being remembered next time I meet her, I suggest she wears that same purple dress. :P

Moved along to the next club, as you do when you need a change of experience. The Brooklyn Pub had a guy with a metal detector which was a nice touch to the whole possibility of getting stabbed in Sydney experience. Place was basically a dance floor and a bar. Again, got served quickly because I'm nice. Stayed here longer than the first place, but only cause we were told to stay put while Tash went and found the next club; she never returned.

Hopped along to the third club. This time it was at Circular Quay, and you could watch the water as you drank (assuming you watch the water, and saw that ferry come in... :P). The bartender here was funny, and could flair really well, got my drinks quickly here and went and sat outside with Izzy. (No, I'm not telling you the secret to fast drinks at the bar). Nice champagne at this club, I know what my favourite way of drinking it was too...

Hotel time now, since it was technically Sunday, but we had to stop at McDonalds and the toilet on the way. McDonalds sells Mint Slice McFlurry's now if anyone has been out of contact from the world for the past few months.

Sunday morning (well, when we got out of bed), we did the whole pack-up hotel thing and left them our bags while we explored the city before I had to go home. Izzy got a new phone (after a frustrating "my employer has no telephone number" conversation the night before); a Nokia 6500 Slide. She believes her phone is better, and I believe mines better. We'll have to see which one ends up lasting longer I guess... Izzy got some hay fever tablets; she needed them. Only supposed to take one though... tut tut tut...

Eventually the time ran out again and it was time to come home. Airports again. My turn for a plane though.

Plane trip was loud, noisy, and the kid behind me enjoying kicking my seat.

Overall, getting abused by taxi drivers in Sydney (what? I'm from Melbourne, red flashing means it's ok to go; and here in Melbourne giving someone the finger is something of a sign of gratitude that you didn't actually hit me) wasn't what made the trip interesting; it was Izzy that did that. Really miss her...

Ok, some of you are strangling yourself or throwing up on the floor, I get it... I'll change the topic...

I'm glad to be back in Melbourne, but I just wish I'd brought everything back home with me.

P.S. In case you're wondering, I couldn't find 42 Wallaby Way; maybe next time.

Periodic Table?

From Wikipedia:

Vodka usually has an alcohol content of 35% to 50% by volume. The classic Russian, Lithuanian and Polish vodka is 40% (USA 80 proof). This can be attributed to the Russian standards for vodka production introduced in 1894 by Alexander III from research undertaken by the Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev. According to the Vodka Museum in Moscow, Mendeleev found the perfect percentage to be 38.

You mean that old guy Mendeleev we've been studying actually did something interesting other than create the periodic table?

And you thought chemistry was boring...

And I'm working on a shot for schoolies, I need a name... Vodka, Sambuca and Whiskey probably... And it burns... Like actually on fire burns... Suggestions?

What can I get you?

So I finished my Responsible Serving of Alcohol and my Food Hygiene Certificates on Saturday. I can now apply to jobs behind the bar and legally sell people alcohol, assuming that I'm selling it to people with adequate ID and all that jazz... Also part of my course was a basic coffee making lessons and wine appreciation. Turns out Cappuccino's and Latte's are almost exactly the same, just I fold the milk with a Latte (and I've also got to be careful not to destroy the crema).

And while the bar downstairs burst with roars of excitement when a favourite team would kick a goal, our group was pulling beers, foaming milk, sipping wine and breaking glasses. For a lovely change, I didn't see a single minute of the grand final this year due to my thoroughly enjoyable and very worthwhile course. The purpose of this is to lead into part time work for after exams and university, and I've already applied to several places including the place I was training at, the Belgian Beer café; even if it's a little annoying to get to (I hate public transport).

Today, while in the process of trying to backup Izzy's Tablet, I stumbled across something which has distracted me for a couple of hours now. While virtual desktops aren't original, the 3D cube model of them is relatively new, and my notebook now takes on a whole new flippy feel as I whir around the box. A separate background on them all helps me remember which desktop I'm on, handy! Only a few things I need to get used to, one of them is checking conversations in other desktops, because they don't make noise when they aren't on the active desktop. Nevertheless, I can see this as something that will change my productivity process. Have a screenshot of my computer, flipping between the desktops:

Pulling Hard

Well today was the first of my two day bartending course at the Belgian Beer Cafe in Eureka Tower...

Today we did part one of Responsible Serving of Alcohol, Cleanliness and all that other OH&S stuff. But by far the best part of today was pulling beers (not pouring). The Belgian Beer Cafe has, well, all Belgian beer (funny that) and it was all specially imported. A place like this you don't go to get pissed at, you go to try an assortment of different beers and to enjoy the fine atmosphere. This explains why the cheapest beer on tap was $5.50 a glass... The more expensive ones were around $12... But I tell you, they were fantastic!

But we had to work for our beers, and pulling them isn't an easy process:

• Take order,
• Select appropriate coasters to match order (each drink takes a corresponding coaster),
• Select individual glasses (again, special branded glasses for each different brand of beer),
• Clean glass (yes, I know it was on a rack with clean ones, but this time we're POLISHING it),
• Rinse,
• Chill glass (using a really cool spray-ma-bob-thingo),
• Run the tap off (so that the beer comes out non-frothy),
• (Here's the tricky bit) Tilt glass to 80° and place under tap (it's still running...),
• Continue to run until beer is just about to spill over the edge, then in one fluid movement,
  Straighten and lower the glass, placing it on the counter, shutting off the tap abruptly when it is full.
• Logically, the head will continue to form and overflow is expected. Hence, cut the top to produce the desired half-moon from the head.
• Then, dip the glass into your rinsing water to remove the beer from the sides,
• Finally, serve to the customer by placing on the coaster prepared earlier.

Sound hard? No? You've obviously never tried it... Should I add in that the entire process has to be done with the branding facing the customer at all times, plus that you can only touch the glass with two fingers, on the stem of the glass, and cannot move them at all... Does that make it harder? Yeah? That's good...

So after pulling eight beers of different species, I had a taste test and enjoyed them all...

I'm looking forward to next week, where I continue to pull beers. I'll also get to taste test wines (not spirits unfortunately, the stuff they have on the wall is VERY expensive) and get to make a few coffees. Finally, at the end of next week, I'll come out with a couple of certificates, a skill in pulling and pouring, and the knowledge of when to legally (vs. when to socially) stop our resident Panda from drinking.