Volume VI - Customer unserviced?

Greetings everyone....

I must say, we've been getting a lot of news about the disaster in New Orleans. It is headline news - the national news here is a bit fluffy, but last night on 60 minutes (no really it's 60 minutes only with better graphics, bad anchor back lighting and more in depth coverage). They really showed everything... not fluffy foo foo news, but hardcore trauma to New Orleans - imagine all the raw video we received in house at Channel 9(and for those of you who didn't work at 9, think of all the things I told you about, dead bodies and such)

Seven news saved two families trapped in the Super Dome... I can only see Tracy and Todd down in front of the dome doing a live shot with people screaming behind them "Help Me!" In fact, it wasn't like that at all... the reporter went in with this Australian turned New Orleans Police officer and found some Australians and with this cop driving with one hand gun in the other, escorted them out of there! So, okay, it's a bit 'fluffy' and probably done for 'ratings' but that's now how the story was told... it was just, "I couldn't stand to watch it anymore.. so we got them the hell out of there!" Journalism or not.. it was humanitarian.

I guess I could just talk for hours over this because I have no one here to really argue over the Bush Regime - i bet a few of the republicans that this e mail goes to will have some witty responses... it's all good, I need to hear it cause no one here is conservative! :)

On a much lighter note, it rained for the first time in over a month here in Sydney! YAY! I never thought I would miss rain as much as I do here! I remember being in London and hating the rain and never seeing the sun, but I really gotta say "Rain is COOL!" The east coast has only been in a drought for the past 3 or 4 years... the water supply is down 40%... nothing to worry about... just the usual.

Driving in Australia - well, today was my first REAL driving experience - I played hookie from work today - well, not really... we left early from work today and went into Sydney for a bit of shopping. So, I drove on the highway though the many tunnels into the city... My problem right now is that I'm still thinking left... When I drive, the car shifts left... I need to totally pay attention... and for those of you who want to imagine what it's like driving a not totally upside down car, but a totally 'everything is messed up because they put them in the strangest places' kinda car, read on...

Steering wheel - Right
Indicator - Right
Stick Shift - Left
Windshield washers - Left
Clutch - Left foot
Gas - Right foot

Okay, draw a diagram of that... you'll see what i'm talkin about.

Comfort Foods - um... American comfort foods DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT exist in Australia!!!!!! PERIOD!!! I attempted to make coleslaw and potato salad... um... that was a no go... First... the mayonnaise is not Real Mayonnaise!!!!!! It's runny... it's tinkie... it's just not Helman's Real Mayonaise! Second, I make my potato salad with Onion Salt and bacon... I was told to use real onions for my potato salad! No way... so UN AMERICAN! Oh yeah, bacon - there's nothing like true American Bacon... it's amazing compared to the cunky ham that they call bacon... silly australians! So, i made potato salad with salt, imitation mayo, potatoes and sun dried tomatoes... a few of you may think.. 'gee that sounds great..." but well, it was just um... not great on day two... I cant continue to describe it... I am scarred. Oh yeah, there's no Velveeta here either... i know you guys are ALL shocked!

BANKS SUCK! I opened a bank account with Commonwealth bank (go to www.commbank.com.au) and well, how do i say this.... they're not completely ALL there. See, here's the problem: I opened the account, asked for Internet banking, phone banking and regular banking... they tell me that in about a week everything will arrive - passwords, bank cards, web information - everything..... it's been a whole month. I cant activate my bank card, i just got the Internet banking information and no one has a clue why i cant access anything. So, i keep calling and they keep looking into to it... and they keep telling me that they have no clue or that they'll check into it and straighten it out... and it's still a real pain in the butt... but no worries... i'll give them a can of American whoop ass tomorrow :)

Ah, well, i guess that's all I've got for now... We're JUST getting survivor... Starts on Friday. (Dont tell me what happens) We get all the bad American TV too... and a few good shows... Also, the stuff they produce here just for Australia - like the travel shows, are just absolutely amazing - they really must have an awesome budget.. or just know how to make stuff look really incredible... like commericals here rock.. i mean, you get a few bad ones with the race car driver voice trying to sell you things that are like "70% off!!" and "must go now!!!" But a lot of the commericals really rock. I'm glad to be a part of this sort of thing.. I just hope I can get my grimey little hands on a few docs or commericals while I'm here. :)

Might I add, there's no slouching on graphics either... they're KICK ass... i mean it..

Alright... I guess that's all my ranting for now... :) It's all good...

---

---