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Published: November 10th 2009
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G'Day Everyone!
Like last time it's been a delayed process in writing to you all. Apologies, but the weather here is improving rapidly... 1 - I can't bring myself to miss the sun until I found a job, 2 - I can't see the screen of my laptop if I take it outside (!!).
Soooo, I left you when I was about to embark on the Tolkein-like task of finding a job in a city of 4.5 million people. I'd like to say it took me ages because I had grossly underestimated the competition. This is not the case, read on, but after taking what was 5 weeks NOT working (or doing much at all!), believe me it is very hard to stand up in the morning and say... right, let's go start working again!
But I managed it last Thursday. I spent the previous day trawling the internet for sites and ads and some inspiration. I found couple of bars/restaurants I'd consider, and scribbled the addresses down. Armed with about 20 CV's I went to my first drop off... "The Winery, by Gazebo". Gazebo is a very upmarket, popular place in Elizabeth Bay (it's Kings Cross really
but Elizabeth Bay sounds a lot more upmarket by comparison!). Gazebo have just opened a sister bar called "The Winery", I'd read reviews and checked the website and really like the look and vibe of the venue. I approach the bar, ask if they're hiring, the bartender directs me to her manager, I hand her my CV explaining I've achieved my RSA course and I'm asked to have a seat. Jess, the manager takes one look at my CV, and rushes off to find the bar manager, Toby. I speak with him for about 10 minutes, we hit it off, realise we have a mutual friend in Edinburgh (!!), and I'm penciled in for a trial on Saturday (a big hospitality no-no, but Toby reassures me "Gary, you'll cope no problem!").
Trial was a walk in the park...
... Gary is employed.
So there we go, I've still got 19 CV's weighing my bag down but I'm sure I'll find a use (maybe i can practice my paper aeroplanes or origami). After a 4 hour trial shift I suddenly felt the urge to work again, especially behind a bar (which I haven't done in over 4 years!).
The Winery... a wine bar so the cocktail list is very uninspiring and I feel the need to question how they make some of them as they are completely wrong by most bartender's standards. Then I just think, I'm here to enjoy this, so head down, serve, and meet some interesting people..... finally!! I may actually make some friends out of this...
So enough work chat until I have something to say about working full time. What else have I been upto... ummmm....
Met up with Brendan a few times, we've hit it off like we never were apart (it's been 5 years!) and I'm DJing at his office christmas party next week so that should be a laugh. It's an advertising company so it's quite cool, young, out-there crowd which I'm looking forward to. I can't wait to DJ again. Brendan is arranging some more gigs for us in the new year so hopefully all goes well. Brendan's into his late 60s early 70s soul music whereas I'm into my disco/funk/boogie records these days so hopefully, if we find the right market we can setup our own club night or something, that would be a dream come
true.
What else? Errrmm... A mutual friend of Vicky and I arrived from Edinburgh two weeks ago so we've shown her about a bit, went to a barbecue and met lots of nice people. Barbecues here, although common, are massive. Almost everyone on the host's street was there from all ages and walks of life so I had some good chat with a lot of people in the glorious sunshine.
A few days before that I'm sitting at home scouring the internet and Daphne runs in yelling "Gary grab your camera... follow me" and shoots off out the door. We run up the road to a horse paddock nearby and witness what can only be described as something truly amazing that I doubt a lot of people get to see. A horse was giving birth right beside the fence running by the road. Daph and I were first on the scene except for the horses' carers and I was truly dumbstruck at how addictive it was to watch. Time passed and there were probably about 30 people glued to the fence willing the young'en to stand up and walk while Mother urged the foal to do the same.
Cars were slowing down, stopping, blocking the road, kids, joggers, cyclists, EVERYONE stopped what they were doing to have a look. Cameras flashed, mobiles were phoned urging loved-ones down to join and sure enough, after about 45 minutes, the foal stood up and stumbled around as the crowd broke their silence and cheered! This. Was. Amazing! I'd had my SD card in my laptop so had to run back, then my camera's battery ran out, so had to turn to my mobile (which it then turned out had no memory card either haha!) But the couple of pics I did get are happily attached...
I'd told you about a guy called Pete that took me to the opening of that funk bar then essentially ditched us! haha. We went down to the club he works at on Friday, that was good fun, a good catch up, lovely bar, very much the "place to be seen" at so it reminded me of Opal a lot. Bartenders doing flair with flaming bottles (he drops it in video attached haha). Good music until it got busy (black eyed pea's "I got a feelin", most overplayed pile of rubbish ever?!). A nice evening
out anyway.
Been to Coogee ("Koodjee") Beach twice now. Nice enough, Bondi is apparently where all the tourists go so was nice not to have to deal with the masses. I'm lying on my towel and notice a plane sky-writing something... turns out it's a massive, possibly 3 mile wide advert for a nightclub happening the week following... now that's marketing! Beaches though, I've never really got them, you sweat yourself silly travelling there, lie down, do nothing for a few hours and get up, go home absolutely exhausted and fall asleep early. Same in any hot country no? I don't see the attraction.
Not much else comes to mind at the moment, been relaxing, enjoying the sun (i have a tan!). First proper shift at work tomorrow so wish me luck. I'll get back to you all with more stories as they unfold.
Grandma, Pap and Aunty - Hope you're all swell, Aunty, still no Koala's sorry!
Helen - Happy Birthday for next week!
Ryan - Happy Birthday for today!!
Opal Lounge - Errr... don't work too hard?
Stuart and Alan - Leave some lager in Bodo's for my return! Love to everyone (if the place
is still open?! Send me an email)
Penny - Still keeping hold of your car?!
Mallett's Europe Branch - I hope you're enjoying the new garden.
Jaff - Take some leave and come visit, you'd luv it.
Mum and Dad - Thank You!!! I mean it.
Miss u all,
Gary xxx
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