Crazy birds, Taxing Times and Half Days

I have finally worked out how to describe the noise that the odd black birds (not blackbirds in the British sense, but larger and more crow-like) make. It's an odd sound, but one that was strangely familiar: They sound like a cat mumbling and grumbling at a bird or squirrel through a window*, but much much louder :)

Second day of work seemed to go ok. I feasted on Goats cheese and meat sandwiches, made by my own hand. I hope to live to tell the tale :) Spoke to the Australian Tax Office, who were kind enough to give me my Tax File Number ("TFN" for those in the know) over the phone.

Thankfully my dev PC hasn't arrived, and I can't develop code on the company's desktop, so I'm only working a half-day tomorrow :) W00t!

Lots of luv,


Greg

*If you've never heard a cat do this, I'm afraid I can't help describe it :)

The first full day

Evenorning all :)

Yesterday I requested a move to a single room in the hostel... not having any time for quiet contemplation was stressing me out somewhat :P Clearly being an only child shows through :D Tonight shall be the first night of calm and quiet for a week. I feel rather rubbish that I only managed a week of shared dormness :/

Today was my first full day at work. The morning was mostly meetings, but the afternoon was spent coding! (Yay!) The first meeting was about what I was expected to be doing... turns out that it's most of the techy work: coding, architecture, specs etc. Should be good; was getting a bit stressed about it on Sunday, but after completing the first day, I feel somewhat better. It'll be tough, but challenging and I'm warming up to everyone there :/ :) I even have my own pass with a cheesy-smiling me staring back at me!

I went to the big shopping centre of Glebe to buy goat's cheese, sandwich fillings etc. I gave in and had to buy the mini scooter thing. (Photo to follow, once I've uploaded the others :D )

Yawn! Time for bed :)

The Other Way / Watson Bay / No Escape / Later

I walked The Other Way down George Street today and discovered a pleasantly large shopping centre where I spent the hottest hours of the afternoon enjoying the air conditioning :)

Came rather close to buying a teeny push-scooter (one of the non-powered metalic skateboardesque-things-with-handlebars); the 45minute walk to work in the toasty heat is tough going, and a push-scooter would let me sail down the hills! :)

Visited Watson Bay and Gap Bluff, which is an ex-military cliff top outlook onto the Pacific which has been designated an Australian National Park. Very windy today up there. Traveled there by Sydney Ferries' SuperCat which was officially Woosh! Took the bus back just in time before it started to rain :D

The dorm is now down to three people. The French girl will be leaving tomorrow, so unless someone turns up, it'll be down to two. The other chap is friendly enough, but doesn't stop talking. Hence I'm hiding in this web cafe. Once I've posted this, I'll be pretending to use the computer whilst actually reading my book. When I say to the chap in the dorm "I'm now going to read my book" he just keeps on talking! That, combined with the explicit stories of Thailand he tells everyone he meets (including all girls he meets!) results in much embarrassment... and I didn't think I could get embarrassed easily :/ - there are just some things you don't tell strangers! :0

I asked the reception girl if I could "Upgrade" to a single dorm... she said it was possible, so this may become an option. It's a shame, because he's friendly enough; he just doesn't stop!

Sent some emails to sort out a flat share. Nothing back yet!

Tomorrow shall be spent mooching, lazing and schnuffling around Sydney. I still need to book some things to do later in the week, but as I don't know which days I'm working, it's tricky.
I'm still worried that they want me to work five days a week and late into the night :/

The Induction

Today was my warmup day at work (10am-4pm). They seem a decent bunch of people and I suspect once I get to know them will be a good laugh. The office is very smart and apparently I can kayak to work if I chose :P ... oh my goodness are they focused on the business! Changing from the public sector to the private one is going to be tough, but better sooner than later... I think! :/ I believe that I can do the work - it'll be challenging, but that's something I've needed for a long time; my only concern is that I will be asked to work full-time rather than the few days a week that was agreed.

I'm continuing to look for a flatshare, but am dare-I-say-it growing fond of the group in the dorm... even the snoring is less noticeable. Thankfully I've been so knackered that I fall (and stay) asleep quickly; which is handy when you find out from the other three that they were kept up all night by a couple in the dorm next door having rampant hows'yerfather! :P

My goodness I need a drink tonight. Yesterday was a Frequent Noodle, as I decided to spoil myself before starting work today. The day before was chicken satay in the WakeUp bar - I came back late from using t'internet and had agreed to go for a drink with the guys from the dorm. When I arrived in the bar, the only one I could see was busy chatting up a girl, so to avoid acting the gooseberry, I left them to it, had dinner and wandered back to read meh book. Tonight's menu will probably be something from the WakeUp bar again :)

Day of calm

Aftermorning all! (Warning: Dull Post Alert!)

Today (so far) has been a day of madness, preparing for tomorrow's big first day. Had to buy a long sleeved shirt. Chose a blue one... hopefully they won't be too offended by it.

Finally found a shop that sells imported copies of Private Eye, and bought a little FM/AM radio (the whirring of the windup one I took annoys the other people in the dorm :/)

Had a chat with one of the other people in the dorm, but everyone else in the hostel seems to be German, Spanish or Italian, so communication is difficult. Yesterday's foot (Satay Beef) from the hostel bar was 4tw! vereh filling. I suspect today will be a FrequentNoodle night! :)

This afternoon will hopefully be spent at the Botanic gardens, reading meh book :)

My ears!

Oh my goodness! The Snoring! ALL NIGHT! ARRRRRGGGG! (That and I had to be up early for an informal chat with prospective employers today! Apart from that, WakeUp and the people in my room seem a nice bunch. Still, I think I need to find a flatshare with my own room and bathroom... pronto!

The meet up seemed to go well... I don't think I offended them too much! :P The fun is due to start on Friday :) Picnic Stations! :0

It's 32degrees C here; apparently hot for this time of year. Dressed smartly, I am filled with toastiness!

Hello Hostel, Goodbye Hotel

Today I have checked out of the Hotel and into the Hostel... Seems nice. Details to follow once I've settled in. :)

Oh, and I am now an official Frequent Noodler (http://www.frequentnoodler.com.au/index.php) No Giggling at the back, Mr Rashpal! :P

Apol4Length! :P (More later :D)