Vegemite & Cheesegraters

Hello!

Well, another weekend sets with the sun...... Ahhhhh, was a nice weekend, overall. Rained cats and dogs (must look up what that really means. Probably something sinister from the Dark Ages) all day Saturday, but I braved it to hunt down cat food. Actually ran quite a few errands in the rain. Am well-trained after New Zealand. Umbrellas help.

And today, was really lovely, warm and beautiful outside. So everyone's happy - from the drought-stricken farmers to, well, me. So, today, ran around a little bit spending money I should be spending on others (thinking of Xmas... hint hint). Bought much-needed speakers for the little laptop (Mozart's Requiem sounds really good through them, much to the neighbors chagrin I'm sure. Ahhhh, I see your loud tv and I raise you!!!!!!), plus it's provided hours of entertainment for the cat - just like kids, they have more fun with the box (and bag) it came in. Excellent.

The week was fine. Fast. Soooo busy at work. Status quo, really. Everyday the management does something new to make our jaws drop. For example, they introduced a new phone system that has it's own button for "bathroom break", and if you're away longer than the time allocated (2.5 minutes or something highly scientific like that), a flashing red button appears on the supervisors' computer screens telling them you've been in the toilet too long, and they come running to wait for you to ask you what took so long. Yeah. It's all part of the comedy it's become. Hey, at least it's funny. For now. My job contract comes to an end at the end of December (like I said, rocket scientists for management; 'merry xmas - you're unemployed!' Ho ho ho!), but in saying that, they've advertised my job, again, which, if I get it, will last until June next year (clever scientists again. It takes them 2 months to train a newbie, 4 months to get any miles out of them and by June, it'll be getting into peak enrollment time, just in time to let the new staff go!). So I have to put together, well, basically the same application I did for it last time, if I want to extend the fun. Only this time I need to be "coached" on my governmental interviewing skills. Apparently private sector and government sector interviews are as different as night and day. Uh, ok. So, yeah. Work. Can't say it's dull! But on the brighter side, I have 3 applications out there for jobs in my degree/interest field that I hope to hear back from, well, hopefully before this gig ends. They take a long time to do anything here I've learned. So fingers are crossed for at least one of these.

Hey, here's a little fact for you - did you know that Vegemite is now banned (apparently) from being sold in the US (much to the horror of expat Aussies)? http://www.snopes.com/food/warnings/vegemite.asp It's got folate in it, which is apparently a bad thing. I thought we needed folate, but then, I don't work for the FDA, I got my degree in film production. http://www.vegemite.com.au/index.cfm?fuseaction=FolateForMums.welcome
I heard that last week and everyone gave me a hard time. Kraft makes it. Gee, they don't make things that are bad for you.

And, sadly, that's as exciting as it got this weekend. No adventures had, other than learning the nuances of the bus system and how to creatively get from point a to b. Oh yeah, for fun, I took some photos today of this new building that's finally finished, here in town. It's ugly as all get-out. Everyone, except maybe the architects, hates it. We all thought the colored blocks were just some sort of weather stripping/cladding that they'd cover when they finished. Nope. Them's the colors and they're here to blemish the skyline forever. Apparently those ugly colors are the theme colors of the architecture firm that built the monstrosity. Eeessshh. And I won't mention the giant silver soccer balls covered in cheese graters.

Maybe the management at my work is doing some consulting work on the side..... Well, it's just a bit of a shame as it's across the street from the beautiful Treasury building (which now houses the casino - fitting, I suppose).

So, well, there you have it. I know, I keep messing with the little blog settings, and I still haven't figured out how to display certain selected links where I'm supposed to, in addition to other things; will send the Blog Gods an email and ask for help. So in the meantime, have a look at what I've been meaning for you all to have a look at. Not that I'm hinting or anything, but it's an Aussie travel site/tv series with lots of good ideas about travel down here and further afield..... Bee, meet bonnet!!!! http://getaway.ninemsn.com.au/

Hope you're all well!

Bye!

J!