Rejoining the Rat Race

So after coming half way round the world and after much travelling (mainly up and down the East Coast – I really need to learn the other points of the compass) I find myself with a shortage of cash. So after blanketing all of Sydney with my CV (or Resume as the locals call it) I land a job in the heady heights of the Australian financial sector. It’s a pretty cool job actually as I’m working in a building designed by the same person who designed the Google headquarters in America. The main draw for me however, was not the design of the building nor was it the closeness to my hostel. No, it was the $1 cans of drink. Lovely.
So here I am writing my blog (when I’m supposed to be reading some training documents) and paying taxes and everything – luckily I get these back before I leave.


In other news, I now night manage and manage half of the entertainments and events for the hostel. Night managing consists of checking people in after reception hours and being woken up at all hours of the night by my phone. Oh, and occasionally clearing up after people who have just thrown up all over the roof terrace. Entertainments’ managing consists of largely getting drunk. No, really it does. Basically I take out a group of people from the hostel on a night out to certain pubs/clubs and I get a wristband. This magical piece of paper that adorns my wrist for the night gets me free drinks ALL NIGHT. So there you have it the grim and the glam all in one package and what do I get for this? Besides a REALLY bad hangover the next day? Free accommodation. Nice.


It’s really surprising to think I’ve been here for 8months already, with 4 months to go, New Zealand is edging closer and closer…


Anyway better get back to work,

Fraser Island and The Great Beyond

Fraser Island is amazing. Not just amazing. But *actually* amazing. Clear blue lakes that taste of Evian water (well one of the lakes is green and looks more like a pond but that's because it's full off tea tree, so it's OK). 4x4 driving which is brilliant fun, especially when carrying a back full of hangovers. The dingoes that walk past you with all the arrogance of an inner city chav. Lizards that wouldn't look out of place in Jurassic Park And the sand that gets EVERYWHERE. Most annoyingly in the crisp sandwiches. After having the traditional Christmas lunch of lots and lots of BBQ, we decided to be really rock and roll and have an early night (we had to be up on Boxing Day at 5am). Crystal had different ideas and continued drinking throughout all of the next day, now that WAS rock and roll.

After Fraser Island and Hervey Bay aka the most boring place in Australia (where the bats blacken the sky). Myself, Greg and (a now sober) Crystal took a greyhound to Sydney where we are all looking to make our fortunes (or minimum wage at the very least). The bus ride was horrible. 25 hours sitting next to Greg (neither of us are exactly what you call "small") was not my idea of fun. Sleeping was even worse with feet going out into the gangway and, well, I'm not exactly sure where Greg's legs went and I don't think I want to know.

But anyways, we're in Sydney and we're trying to find jobs looking high and low, left and right with a few things in the pipeline, things are on the up. That hasn't stopped me playing the odd drinking game on the Woodduck (aka greatest hostel in Sydney) roof or drinking with Adam and Jack (and Adam's Irish mates). Some of the highlights include me pretending to be Bryan McFadden (from Westlife) with the crappest Irish accent ever (which went from a passable Irish to Liverpool to Wales to Essex wide boy) and being believed.... by an Irishman.

I think the next time I write on this will be the day after my birthday....maybe two days after actually, which will be in two weeks. Until then, catch you on the otherside....