Since my last post, life hasn't changed: Still working at the hotel, still living in the same apartment. I'm afraid the epic On-the-Road-esque manuscripts will have to wait until I start traveling again...
However, life is still very interesting! While standing at the front of Amora Hotel absentmindedly opening doors for guests, (and in between brainstorming the book I've decided to write and pondering the way my dress shoe heels have worn down) I decided the best way to convey this sentiment, and provide a snapshot of my current life would be through a breakdown of one of my typical days, narrated in the first person so as to annoy you and make everything seem really interesting:
WEDNESDAY
Today I start work at 10:30 am. I get up in time to make breakfast (homemade McGriddle), write down the nights dreams (A conversation in a car about District 9 that hinged on why Alien power sources are now integral in the real worlds power grid...huh?) and take a 20 minute shower during which I light a candle instead of using our terrible fluorescent lights.
My walk to work is still beautiful. I listen to music, don sunglasses and ponder. The view of the Sydney skyline almost always makes me think about how incredible it is that I'm here.
My walk to work, taken at night. Courtesy of Conni Inc.
Showing up to work involves greeting every Porter and Concierge with a solid handshake. I like this tradition. Wednesday's aren't too crazy, but seeing as check out time is 11, the lobby is pretty busy. I take a post at the door but within seconds am given keys to bring up a car from the parking garage. I drive past Pedro the Chilean parking attendant who hands me his latest caricature making fun of the front office staff. Today he chose the balding guy. When I pull up to the front door, the Australian getting into the car says "Good on you mate" four times as I load his luggage, give him his keys and wish him safe travels. He doesn't tip because he drives a Holden; the stereotypical Australian car. I hate Australian Holden drivers.
Waiting by the door again, Paul Seamen, the Assistant Managing Director, comes up to me and greets me. He asks how my day was. He asks if I own a razor. I wind up in the employee bathroom 5 minutes later with a shitty hotel shaving kit and 6 cuts on my neck.
At 12:30 I take lunch break and get ORIGINAL Japanese ramen noodles. It reminds me of Vietnamese pho but may be even better. The Sydney Morning Herald tells me about a guy planning on swimming from Japan to Santa Monica and that his plotted course is through an immense island of garbage that has formed in the middle of the Pacific. This blows my mind: 1) This guys nuts and 2) I have no idea how I have never heard about this man made monstrosity before.
After lunch I take welcome notes up to recently prepped rooms. I start from the highest floors. the first couple rooms I sit on the windowsill and look out over the city at this:
I waste just enough time not to get caught. The rest of the afternoon is spent bringing luggage up to people's rooms and parking cars. Unfortunately I didn't get to park this one:
(This bad boy pulled into our driveway the other day. Too bad you can't really see the
seat on the other side. This thing single handedly inspired me
into a "I'm-going-to-motorbike-across-Australia-in-one-of-these" phase until
I found out the cost over ten grand. Damn. "Motorcycle Diaries" would have
had nothing on me)
By 5 o'clock I've made $18 in tips. My daily goal is $20. I'm off at 7. Work is slow at this time and I chat with the other porters. Sebastian likes doing Tarzan whoops when he thinks no one can hear him and Masa enjoys throwing peanuts into the driveway in what I believe is a sign of contempt towards his employer.
At six thirty a woman comes down looking lost. The concierge is nowhere to be found. I ask her if I can help her. She's German and wants a restaurant recommendation. I've studied up on this so I give one to her. She gives me $10. I go home at 7 pm with $28 in tips; the life of a hustler.
Dinner is shrimp, which I bought from the fish market across the street from my apartment, mixed with pasta. (Shrimp are called prawns here and every time I hear the word I think of Vickus Vandermever from District 9 and get slightly grossed out). Post dinner I go out with my flatmates, drink Australian beer (not Fosters, they don't even have that here: "Fosters, Australian for ridiculously false US marketing campaigns") cheer when Miley Cyrus' "Party in the USA" comes on and dance to some solid electronica. We indulge in kebabs for $5 on our walk home, watch Andy Samberg music videos in our living room and eat ice cream from a 6 liter tub. I wrap up the night by drifting off to the sweet sound of Vince on the floor mattress muttering odd cliches in his sleep.
THE END
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So that's one day in the life! Here are some other things I could have added:
I've recently purchased an awesome orange knife and a folding spoon/fork set to support myself once I begin my travels. I am very fond of these two items. Arj Barker from "Flight of the Concords" tipped me the other day. He's the one always wearing the bandanna. See below:
I'm going to see Muse in January... and hopefully Avatar in 3D very soon. We've discovered a great park by the water with free barbecues and great views. Checkitout:
You can just make out the Harbor Bridge in the background...
For thanksgiving Vince and I invited over about 12 people and cooked for all. Quite the feat considering neither of us has ever cooked more than two dishes at one time. We pulled out all the stops...plus we played our first BEER PONG games in the Southern Hemisphere:
I was once again invited to attend a function hosted by one of the tour companies we do business with. (These things are turning into a real job perk!) Free everything, plus a cool choice of bar:
And that really is it. Holiday love to all!
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