Another month passes guys, and here we are in November. As with each passing month now, it is my second of each since being here. Arriving naive and wet behind the ears as an expat way back in August 2012. This year seems to have particularly flown by, a fact brought sharply into focus when I think that I am in month 9 of my work contract. Only 16 weeks left. Then what? Who knows. Keeps me on my toes I guess, not really knowing what next year will bring.
October brought Halloween and all it’s associated commercial crassness. Bah humbug you may be shouting at me, but to the childless amongst us, it definitely has less appeal, So, no pumpkins at Cormack HQ and nothing scary perhaps apart from the fact that it is almost Xmas, ergo, I’m another year older. Or is that younger. Could I claim to be the new Benjamin Button?
Something in my Twitter feed, claiming to be from Santa Claus, but I’m dubious it is really him, tells me that there are only 52 sleeps to Xmas. That is a sobering thought. I better get back to wok on that booze cupboard. Following my last missive to you all I got asked whether the photo of all the booze I posted was just for Xmas morning! Then again, that comment was from a dipsomaniac.
Following on from my great trip to Byron Bay recently, a couple of mates felt cheated that I went alone, as is my wont. So, we have booked another trip, this time to Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast. In a couple of weeks we will be flying up there straight from work and having a weekend of debauchery. And being poms, and completely unaware, we can even be excused for choosing a notoriously bad time to go and get end up getting labeled “toolies”. Friends in the UK, it’s an Aussie thing. Just Google “schoolies week”.
The month of October seems to have come and gone in a blur of very long work days and late party nights. If there is one takeaway from the month it is probably that drinking shots is no good for you. Yeah, you probably already knew this. Drinking 101, right? But as I live a less Bacchanalian, more austere lifestyle this was news to me and has contributed to a few hazy mornings and a dangerously depleted bank account.
These shenanigans are likely to continue this week as on Tuesday it is Melbourne Cup day. Reputed to be the horse race that stops a nation. Not being big on the nags I never really understood all the fuss, but the nation is obsessed with it so I go along for the ride. I watched it last year and it was like a poor man’s Grand National, *ducks from abuse from proud Aussies*.
Tuesday at approximately 3pm will see us watching the race at work, with wine and nibbles, before de-camping to a local hostelry of choice to continue the festivities. People get really dressed up and it has been fascinating to listen to the girls at work talk about fascinators. To the blokes amongst us, these are the funny little “pretend hat” type things that girls wear to the races. And often seen at weddings. That the girls will pay the prices they charge for some of these things is fascinating enough for me.
However, contrary to popular belief, it is not all party party party over here. It’s not one long continuous episode of Geordie Shore. I do other things than just get “mortal”. Honestly. It I do. The ying to that yang is that I have pushed myself even harder in the gym to compensate for this decadent lifestyle. It helps to have some friendly competition to motivate you so me and a mate complete on number of gym visits, to be able to proudly claim to be #mostrecentchampion. And despite my recent best efforts, I still have to claim the title back.
Could this be the week?
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