Day 153 - February 22

Another 3 hour training shift at AMF. I worked with Sharon again. Although she's older, she's fun to work with as she's young at heart for sure.

After working at AMF, I took a bus to work at OBJ, where I worked with Tom (assistant manager), Jennifer (server), Emma (server), Celeste (server) and Emily (food runner). This job is easier since we have a food runner to bring the food to the customers for us. All I have to do is take food orders and make sure their drinks are always topped up. Australians also like to say 'top up' as opposed to 'refill' or 'recharge'.

I also learned more of the OBJ menu. There were a lot of steak selections, some ribs, couple of chicken dishes, burgers and some seafood. Pretty good menu I'd say. Kinda expensive though for a regualr restaurant.

Day 152 - February 21

Worked the morning shift with Pujan and Dhiren. Dhiren was a cool guy from England. Relaxed like me and had a good sense of humour. I got along with him very well. I made a lot of coffee and a couple of ham and cheese toasted sandwiches. They call these sandwiches 'toasties'. It's a sandwich that is put in a grill, like the George Foreman Grill, so that it's pressed flat and becomes crispy. I made a lot of these sandwiches in Melbourne at the Harbour Kitchen Cafe.

Today was also my first working shift at Outback Jacks's. I worked with Ashley (the manager), Emma (server), Celeste (server) and Paige (food runner). All girls, sweet!

Ashley gave me a tour of the place. Celeste already did that last time, but I just went along with Ashley. Then she told me that Celeste would be training me. I didn't feel that I needed more training as I served tables on my own when I came in last time for the trial. I think that it's smart for Australian restaurants to do trials for new people to see if they can actually handle/do the job. In some, if not most, cases, it's better than a resume.

Day 151 - February 20

Worked my 4th of 6th training shifts. Kylie, my 21 year old boss, said that I was the easiest to train and that I'm done everything that a new employee needs to learn, but the company wants to stick with the 6 training shifts at 3 hours each before I can have a full shift.

I practiced on my coffee making skills. Worked with Sharon again. Always fun to work with her. Met Pujan. She's from Nepal. Since Kylie is leaving for vacation next week, Kylie will be putting her in charge while she's gone.

Finally found a coke bottle with my name on it!!

After work I went to try and get my WA license. I had everything they required: visa stamp, overseas drivers license, bank card, bank statement proving my address, work statement proving my address and my student ID card. Apparently the student ID is supposed to be from a school within WA. It didn't specify that on the sheet of requirements. This would be a cool souvenir. She could've just given me the WA license too, but she was being difficult. She said I could buy a proof of age card for $25 and use that card instead of the student ID card. $25 is not worth it just to get the free WA license since I can use my Canadian license to drive anyways. I'll try at another motor agency and see what happens.

Day 150 - February 19

Worked out again this morning. Over did it again. Felt a little dizzy afterwards. This heat is intense in Western Australia during summer time! Can't complain too much since it's snowing and freezing back in Calgary.

Ashley, the manager from Outback Jacks (OBJ), called and scheduled my first 3 shifts. I told her that if she wants me to work there, she has to work around my AMF work schedule. She agreed. Ashley is also Canadian, from Montreal. She came on a working holiday visa and met her current boyfriend and has since been in Australia for a couple of years. Outback Jacks has sponsored her to stay over a year. The conditions of sponsorship are that she must stay with that employer (OBJ) or find another employer that would sponsor her or face deportation within 2 weeks.

Day 149 - February 18

Brett came to Perth for his holidays. He's the Dj that Grace hires for the Harbour Kitchen cafe back in Melbourne.  Pretty cool guy. I decided that we should head to Fremantle, since I've never been there. We got there at about 12:30pm. We walked toward the Roundhouse, a prison, that was used from 1831-1886. It's also the oldest standing building in Western Australia. I read online that a canon is fired everyday at 1:00pm and I wanted to be there for that. The purpose is to give mariners and residents an exact daily time check. It has been an on-going tradition since 1900.

Punishment by order of being too Awesome!!

This could be right out of Looney Tunes.

Brett and I got there about 12:45pm and I was talking to the volunteer that was setting up the cannon. He asked if I wanted to fire the cannon at 1:00pm. "Hellz yeah" I beamed. As I waited for my time to shine, a couple of people asked the volunteer if they could fire the cannon, but he told them I was already picked. That's right people. Get out of my way, it's my cannon for the next 10 mins. I was told to put on ear muffs. The volunteer told a short story about the roundhouse. Then he and the crowd counted down from 10 and I fired the cannon. It was awesome! I even got a certificate that I was an honorary gunner officer. That's going on my resume.

Honorary Gunnery Officer
Be it known that on this day the above Honorary Gunner Officer discharged the Signal Cannon situated on the Gun Deck of the Round House Precinct in the City of Fremantle, Western Australia.
The Officer carried out the duties to the satisfaction of all present.

After that we headed for lunch at Cicerello's for their famous fish and chips (supposed to be the best in all of Western Australia). It was pretty good. I probably should've gotten something different since I've already had fish and chips before.

Shit On You.

We walked by the Little Creatures micro brewery but we were too full to stop for a beer. The Fremantle Markets was our next stop. It was pretty busy. Picked up some mini buttons for my collection.  

We walked about the busy streets and passed by a candy shop. Bought White Reese's Pieces. I usually have to have coffee or something hot when I eat chocolate, so we sat at a cafe and I ordered a mocha and Brett had a milkshake. It was funny to watch Brett eat one as he was so surprised at it. He'd never had a butter cup in his life! He was all like "how do I eat this?", all I could do was laugh. It tasted sweeter than the regular milk chocolate Reeses cup.

We headed back to a scooter car rental place that we passed by and rented it for 30 mins for $40. We took it for a spin around the busy parts of Fremantle. It was a lot of fun. People were watching us as we buzzed down the streets and smiling. It was really loud, like a scooter. Only crappy thing was that we had to wear helmets, but still fun. Everytime I stopped at a red light and there was a car beside us, I would look at the driver and do the nod, then rev the engine. Got a lot of laughs through that. I even told a girl that was beside us and told her I could get this baby up to 40 clicks haha.

Better watch out for this crazy Asian driver!!

After driving the scooters around, it was back to Perth. I texted Paul and Jenn to meet up for drinks with us. They agreed. Brett needed to change so we headed back to his hotel, which was directly behind where Jenn lives! We all met up and walked to the Moon & Sixpence pub. It was a pub that didn't reject me because I was wearing board shorts. Lots of places that have security/bouncers will not let people in that are wearing board shorts. I finished a pint, which is pretty rare for me. It was good times!


Ghosts of Perth.

 

 

 

 

 

Day 148 - February 17

Worked at the bowling centre from 10am-1pm. Kylie, the cafe manager, felt sick and was going home. She said to just help out Sharon, around 38 years old?, with the cafe. Super nice and bubbly. She's been there for 3 years. We had a small rush of people at lunch time. It was a group of bowlers that have mental disabilities. I had a bit of a challenge hearing what they wanted to order, but only more difficult because I'm new and I don't know all the products that we sell. Some patience and some help from Sharon and all went well. I took the orders and served drinks while Sharon cooked all the hot food in the kitchen.
 
I'm getting better at making coffees. I'm glad I'm working at a place where we get free coffee! Plus I can practice on making latte art.

It still sucks that the training shifts are 3 hours maximum. I wanted to work longer.
 
My body still ached a bit from working out 2 days ago. I'm weak sauce.

Made Hokkien noodle stiry-fry with mince beef, red capsicums and cabbage for dinner.

Kinda sucks that I'm always cooking for myself when there's lots of leftovers. I'll probably be cooking for my family and friends more often when I go back home. Now that I've made so many meals, I love cooking!

I was hanging out on my patio and saw a new housemate.

Day 147 - February 16

Hung out at home today. My housemate Nick came home after his last shift of work. He was flying back home to New Zealand the next morning. He said that his work didn't have a gathering or parting gift for him. Having worked there for so many years he was a little disappointed.

Nick went out for drinks with some of his friends. When he came back later that night, I had bought him a farewell chocolate cake. The three of us, including Cait, sat and chatted for a bit while having the yummy dessert. Cait didn't like chocolate cake though, so she had beers instead.

Day 146 - February 15

Woke up with intentions to work out.... And I did! Maybe worked out too hard though. Haven't worked out for a long time and the heat here makes it harder. Started off with a 2 km run around the park, then used the outdoor work out stations. Pretty cool that the city promotes exercise. I think Calgary has a lot to learn from other cities. 

Once I got home from working out, I got a call from Outback Jacks restaurant. The manager, Jason, asked if I was still looking for a job. I told him that I found one with AMF already and that I don't know if I would be able to take on another job. I told him to keep my resume till next week and that I would find out my schedule for the bowling alley when I work on Friday. He insisted that I come down for a trial anyways and that if it worked out, then I could work next week if I had free time. He seemed kinda desperate and I thought that since there's nothing to lose, I said I would do a trial from 7:00pm-9:00pm that night.
 
I met Celeste at Outback Jacks (OBJ). She was to train me as Jason was already off work. Her name was close to the name I would use if I had a daughter, Celes. Super cute, but super young. (This is where my friends would make fun of me about me and dating younger girls). She showed me around and taught me what they do. I was already familiar with everything since I've already done restaurant work.
 
OBJ also had a 30 minute challenge. You had to finish 1 kg of meat, potato wedges, and veggies. If you do, you win a tshirt, a voucher for your next visit, and a photo on the wall of champions. I think they should include a plunger too, for when the person clogs up the toilet the next morning. I think I may have to try this before I go back home.
 
I served 2 tables myself and Celeste said I did great, naturally haha. I even served some Manchester boys where one of them had an aunt from Calgary! I left after I was done my trial. I was unsure of working there when I talked to Jason on the phone, but now I really want to work there. I miss having interactions with customers.

We also get a choice of either wearing a cowboy hat or a regular hat. I'm from Calgary bitch, gimme the cowboy hat!

Day 145 - February 14

Worked my second shift at AMF. Learned how to make the different types of coffee: Cappuccino, latte, flat white, short black, long black, Mochachino. Only a 3 hour shift again. Read more manuals and procedures. At least this company helps you thoroughly with any situations that may happen.

Came home after work. Nick went to the mailbox with BBQ tongs and spider spray, there were 2 redback spiders in our mailbox.

Another round of Wikipedia: The redback spider is a dangerous spider endemic to Australia. It is a member of the genus Latrodectus, the widow spiders, which are found throughout the world. The female has a black body with red stripe on the upper side (the back) of her abdomen. Females have a body length of a centimetre while the male is smaller, being only 3 to 4 millimetres long. The redback spider is one of few arachnids which usually display sexual cannibalism while mating.

Redbacks are considered one of the most dangerous species of spider in Australia. The redback spider has a neurotoxic venom that is toxic to humans with bites causing severe pain, often for over 24 hours.

My housemate Cait wanted to have an Evil Dead marathon. I joined her. We made it through the first 2 movies. We didn't watch the third one.

Day 144 - February 13

Worked my first shift for 3 hours at AMF. Sharon, the other worker in the cafe, and Kylie, the F&B manager, taught me how to use the till. I was mostly shadowing Sharon on what she was doing. I also did a lot of reading of the companies manuals and procedures. They have a lot to go through. Everything was pretty straight forward though. The 3 hours flew by and I was done before I knew it. The crappy thing is that I have 5 more of these 3 hour shifts before I can actually be considered full time. It was company policy.

My position is in the cafe. Here I would be making coffees, serving alcohol, and making food, such as hamburgers, hot dogs, nachos etc. With the burgers, they come with lettuce, tomato, grilled onions and a slice of beetroot. Australians love their beetroot. They also don't like eating raw onions like Canadians do. It has to be cooked. Also, they call burger fixings 'salad'. For example, they would order a hamburger and ask for salad inside the burger.  

Day 143 - February 12

Went bike riding for a couple of hours. Thought a lot about life. There's something about just riding a bike by yourself. Time slows, almost like someone pressed paused on the remote of life. There's nothing but the wind and your own thoughts. You start thinking about things you would never have thought about on a regular day. I even had thoughts about grade 9 for some reason. But I've also had time to think about the present. Mostly about where I'm at, what do I want out of life, what have I done to get where I'm at, my relationships with family and friends.

I challange all those that read this to try it out. Go for an hour bike ride with no music. I find that night fall has a better effect on thinking for me. Day time may work better for you. Also, ride in areas that are not busy with people, cars, or office buildings. The less going on around you, the better.

Day 142 - February 11

Woke up and still felt full. Gotta learn some self control when it comes to food. I can't help it. I love food!!

Went to the bowling alley to do my paper work. After that was done, I went to the mall for lunch. Had good old greasy KFC. Kinda still felt full from last nights dinner though.
I headed down to Jenn and Pauls new place in East Perth. They lived in apartment with another couple, a Japanese girl and a Brazilian guy. The building also had a pool and work out gym.

Jenn made turkey ball vindaloo for dinner. It was really good. Paul can't handle spicy. I was watching him sweat. He didn't even know it was a spicy dish. He figured out why he was sweating after I told him it's vindaloo sauce.

After dinner we headed to the official opening of the Perth Festival. It was a bunch of white clowns on high wires going back and forth from building to building releasing feathers into the air. The whole street was closed down for this. When it was all done, we had a feather fight. There were so many feathers on the street, it looked like snow.

This street was a couple of blocks from where it all happened.

Went back to Jenns and played some Donkey Kong Country on my SNES emulator. Good times, good times.

Day 141 - February 10

Went for the interview at 'The Partisan' restaurant in East Perth. Met Dylan, one of the owners. He was super nice. The interview went well. His girlfriend was also from Canada. Maybe he had a soft spot for Canadians and that's why he was quick to call me. He asked me to come back at 6:00pm for a trial and I agreed.

Since I didn't have to come back till 6:00, I went to check out the Perth Art Gallery. Entry was free. I like free stuff! Saw some work that I liked.

This is called the Automated Colour Field by Rebecca Baumann. Baumann's kinetic sculptures are concerned with the relationship between colour and emotion for which she has researched into psychology, sociology and colour theory. She often uses ordinary found, low-tech machines which energise the moment when an experience is changed. The work consists of a structural grid of 100 split-panel, battery operated clockes, each with the number cards replaced with cards of solid colour, yellow, red, blue, green. The cards flip on the minutes and the hour, revealing endless combinations of the colour palette. The work can also be read as a diagram of emotions and the clocks as an extension of the role of chance and time in both the artist's work and our lives.

I liked how it's always changing and, as the desciption above, how there are endless combinations.

Suspended Stone Circle by Ken Unsworth

This is one of a series of suspension installations in both sculpture and performance begun from drawings by the artist during the 1970s to explore the physical and spiritual properties of natural materials, their innner forces and energies. Unsworth's signature smooth river stones, collected by himself and hung improbably by wire from poles, hover just about the ground in a circular formation and embody his avowed preference for 'making art that is timeless or ancient'. The stones - smoothed and shaped by time and held by lines that suggest drawing in space - defy gravity and their origin, to create a sculpture about equilibrium, balance and formal relations that is suspended between the material and immaterial worlds. Systematically structured but perceptually equivocal, the work seems to be both weightless and weighty, both arrested yet in contained motion.

I liked it cause it looks cool.

A couple of my other favorites...

Big Red Square - Erich Buchholz

Abstract - Frank Hinder

The Butterfly - Freda Robertshaw

Assassin - Albert Tucker

The Short Street - John Brack

Pastoral Symphony - Blamire Young

Early Morning - Florence Fuller

Snow Scene, Valmondois - Charles Daubigny

Bride Of The North - Tarryn Gill

All by Helen Taylor

Stick - David Shrigley

The End - Tom Gibbons

It's a stick with eyes and they call it art. Maybe I'll just put poo on a stick and call that art.
When I got home, AMF called and told me that I got the job! I told Judieth that I was going to a trial at a restaurant and she replied 'Well now I've saved you from going to that trial!'. It felt great to get that job. They said I would start casual then get more hours as my performance increases.

I decided to go to the restaurant trial anyways. I thought maybe I could work both until I would be full time at the bowling alley. Nic, my housemate, was home and he was headed to the horse track which was a couple of blocks from the restaurant, so he gave me a ride down there.

I was about 30 mins early so I went for a coffee. As I was having coffee, I was contemplating if I should bother doing the trial and work at the restaurant. After 10 minutes, I made up my mind. I went to talk to Dylan. I told him that I got the job at AMF bowling. I said that since it's just down the street from my place, it made more sense to work there and that I would try it out. If it didn't work out, I told him I would crawl back to him and see if he still wanted me to work at his restaurant. He said 'deal' and thanked me for my honesty. I was also thinking that since AMF is a business chain, wherever I moved next, would most likely have an AMF and I could just transfer and get a job right away.

I went grocery shopping and bought items to make spicy butter chicken.

It took me about an hour to make it all. I was really hungry while making dinner. I ate 2 bowls, 1 bowl too many. About 5 hours later when I went to bed, I still felt full...

Day 140 - February 9

I looked online for some USB controllers for my laptop. I recently downloaded a NES and SNES emulator. When I went to pick up controllers that I found on gumtree I tested it out. It didn't work and the guy wasn't sure why. He said just to take it. What a nice guy. It actually ended up working after I configured it correctly.

I applied at the Levis store for assistant manager at Harbour Town (there's basically a Harbour Town shopping centre in every major city, not sure about the smaller cities. It's an outdoor mall with a mix of outlet and regular stores).

I spoke to the manager and got along really well. We talked about how I used to work at the Levis store in Chinook Mall. The only set back was that they were looking for someone for the long haul, not a couple of months. 

The manager called me back from a restaurant that I applied to online, The Partisan. He asked me to come in the next day for an interview.

Day 139 - February 8

Didn't do much today. Stayed home and made sweet and sour pork for dinner. It tastes a lot better when the pork is deep fried though.