Mardi Gras

This weekend was a crazy one.  Last night was the Sydney Mardi Gras parade and party.  There were 135 floats and 9000 people in the parade.  They say some 300,000 people were there for the parade.  Was quite the spectacle!  I took up a window at a bar named the Local Bar.  It had great beers and fun people to party with.
The quote of the night came from a guy from Brisbane who flew in for the party.  We were discussing Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
"I would drown a puppy to get a chance to go to New Orleans!"

The best business opportunity I saw was selling plastic milk crates for $5 each.  There were thousands of them on the streets after the parade was over.  I ended up with 2 that we took on the bus.  It was a good thing because the bus was full and we needed seats!  Lost them at the next bar when the bouncer wouldn't let me take them in. 

Ended up in Bondi at a bar near the beach.  The English bloke that I was hanging out with really wanted to watch the Chelsea play Manchester City in soccer.  Ian, Teresa, Katie, and I boozed it up until the wee hours of the morning.  I caught one of the last buses out and finally made it back to my hotel (which was an absolute crap-hole, but more on that later). 

Hi

Week one is done.  Weekend 2 is done.  There has been an awful lot of activity since I got here!  It seems like I've been in Sydney for a month! 

I met up with my friend Joe from college who moved here not too long ago.  He and his wife Belinda got married about a month ago and reside in west Sydney.  They invited me over for dinner last Wednesday evening and we did the Spit Bridge to Manly Beach hike.  About 10 km.  Twas a good one!  B is an awesome person!  Joe snagged a good Aussie girl!

I haven't been too crazy here yet.  I had a long week of work and knocked out the prospect's demo on Friday.  I hope they sign and become a customer!  Maybe this experience will blossom into a job in Sydney?!?  That would be a big change in my life but I think it would be an excellent thought.  :)

I have had my fair share of beer while in Sydney.  There are so many different kinds that are tasty!  I did have a Guinness on Friday the 19th for the Great Guinness Toast 2010!  Hopefully I had some of you joining me!

Time for bed.  Monday is gone.  Have a great day!

Oh, P.S., the USA is cleaning up at the Olympics.  Canada still sucks.  :)

Happy St. Valentine's Day

Happy St. Valentine's Day!! Or should I say Happy Hallmark revenue day!! It is big here in Australia too. There are crazy people selling roses at the bars & weekend getaways are common. I tried to get me a valentine for the day but struck out. On the plus side, I spent a good 4 hours at the beach!! Too bad it was not sunny and rained for most of it. Wettest that Sydney has been in like 50 years or something like that.
Went for a run today from Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach and back. Also stopped by the lawn bowling club http://www.bowlsaustralia.com.au/ (bocce ball). It was a nice, peaceful afternoon. Had a pretty good steak sandwich for lupper and caught a bus back to my new hotel. The room is a bit nicer and it is closer to bars and restaurants. That's always a plus.
Tomorrow I start working with the first customer. It should be a good day. Am hoping I can catch up with Mr. Joe Freach this week and also hit up a rugby or cricket game. Looking forward to it!
Cheers!

Made it (and finally got internet)

This flight didn't suck as bad. Quantas jets (A380) are pretty sweet. That and I got a window seat with nobody sitting next to me. Hooray!
Friday I checked into hotel #1. Vibe in North Sydney for 2 nights. There are a ton of things going on while I'm here so hotels are hard to find. I have to move 4 times! This weekend is Valentines Day weekend. Apparently it is customary for everybody to get a hotel in Sydney. Thursday is the AC/DC concert so I think the whole country is coming to Sydney for a long weekend. I haven't looked into tickets yet but I'm guessing they will be expensive! Mardi Gras is kind of a big deal here too. Lots of activity!
I met up with the people I'm working with yesterday afternoon. They took me out for drinks at the Slip Inn and we chatted. It was a good time but then they all had to go home. I decided it was time to find a new bar. Next up was the Heritage Belgian Beer Cafe.
I made some new friends at the bar. Faith, Rachel, and #3 (can't remember her name). Didn't have my camera though. I'll have to take it out tonight. Maybe I can find me a valentine!
Everything seems to be going good except for the weather. It is humid as ever and rainy. Hopefully it calms down tonight so I can go to the beach tomorrow!

I'm Back!!

G'day to you! So I failed miserably with keeping up to date with my blogging efforts. At least Australia is well-documented. Speaking of which, I am en-route to Sydney again! They decided that I didn't screw up the first job enough so I get to try again. :)
Sitting in LAX at the moment. It is much nicer here than in Kansas City or Dallas. Anything above 40 degrees is nice... Sydney should be plenty warm!
This trip is going to be 3-4 weeks. Not exactly sure how long but I'll be home sometime in March. Hopefully in time for March Madness but I guess if not I shouldn't complain.
Stay tuned. Hopefully I get myself into lots of trouble and have many stories to tell.
Cheers!