Thursday 31st July 2008
July 31, 2008
Early to rise for a 09:00 gym appointment…which isn’t until tomorrow.
Pop into the agency on the way to return a call.
I never even got to see the night crawlers but by the time I return from my non-appointment they have already been replaced by a new English guy. No time for pleasantries before my second visit to the agency today. Yet another KPMG shift – a full day. I’ll have to move the gym induction for a third time!
Use up my cinema voucher before it expires. Hanncock – no worse than expected, certainly no better!
Wednesday 30th July 2008
July 30, 2008
Finally collect my dues from BarHumBug. $70 ($14 p/h) – a touch more than expected, but I doubt I’ll be getting any more work from them after ignoring a shift offer last week.
Sun, sweet sun. I can venture outside without my hat. It’s starting to feel like Australia again.
[KPMG, 18:00 – 23:30]
Two, maybe three, guys move into my bedroom at 00:30. What kind of check-in time is that?!
More to the point, what are they doing in MY room? 
Tuesday 29th July 2008
July 29, 2008
Mount Buller – Australia’s most popular ski resort. The agency offer me the chance to pot-wash up there for the rest of the season (8 weeks). Very tempting, and at least the accommodation will have heating!
32km (20 miles – a couple more than I used to ride to work most days in preparation for Brazil) on an exercise bike to break-in my new gym membership. Great view out onto the beach for the ‘journey’.
[KPMG, 17:00 – 20:00 (booked 21:00)]
That little bike ride might have been a mistake: I start work with a headache, tiredness and feeling sick. the tail end of a cold probably isn’t helping. Luckily the shift is cut short to three hours but I still get paid for four.
They ask me to work tomorrow night. I’ll have to move a gym induction appointment – money first!
Monday 28th July 2008
July 28, 2008
Agency call with another KPMG shift tomorrow night. While I’m grateful for the work, it’s going to take a few more shifts to cover the $200 gym fee I just paid.
Sunday 27th July 2008
July 27, 2008
Try to hide in bed from my cold and distract it with a few DVDs.
Saturday 26th July 2008
July 26, 2008
Williamstown. Industrious and baron.
Late in the night we are joined by a new guy (German I think) but by morning everyone is gone and the room is all mine. Expect it to get even colder in here now.
Friday 25th July 2008
July 25, 2008
Over to Port Melbourne to Join the gym…or try – card denied!
I’d forgot that I’d squirrelled everything away into that savings account.
Hunt down an ANZ branch but they are unable to touch my Online Saver and refuse any further help. I just need Internet access and I can do it myself. Eventually the gym allow me on their computer and I’m back in business.
Some of the funniest busking I’ve seen: dancing to headphones – music that nobody else can hear. Genius!
Sharing a room for a week with a guy who has a cold – there was only ever going to be one outcome.
Thursday 24th July 2008
July 24, 2008
It’s a perfect blue, sunny day; what little I see of it between bed and the library.
[KPMG, 18:00 – 21:45]
My last confirmed shift. I don’t know when I’ll next get any work. I couldn’t find anything suitable online today.
Wednesday 23rd July 2008
July 23, 2008
The aches have taken control. They hold me hostage in bed until late morning and then torture me for the rest of the day. Even my chin hurts!
A perfect DVD day.
“Hotel Rwanda” – mandatory viewing.
With the complete absence of any heating system in this hostel I kind of wish for a few more bodies in the room if only to warm it up a bit.
Those first few minutes in bed are never fun but a double helping of douvet eventually turns it into a cocoon of cosy.
Tuesday 22nd July 2008
July 22, 2008
[KPMG, 08:30 – 17:00]
Just a blur of cups, plates and baking trays.
The expected aches arrive; always punctual.
