Bought myself another pair of shoes yesterday. I've spent like $350 on shoes this month, it's worth it though. The work shoes are nice and comfortable and the most recent addition are my running shoes. I went into a sports shop and got some expert advice on what sort of running shoe I need. They're pretty much perfect for my feet, supporting them properly and allowing good airflow.
Pictures: #1 #2 #3 #4
Wednesday, 12 May 2010
Sunday, 9 May 2010
Charitable stuff!
So, the biggest news as of late is that I have decided to join the HBF Run for a reason. It's a fundraising run that goes from East Perth, in a loop, through a tunnel (which they are shutting off from traffic) and ends up back in East Perth. Since I have never been in a run before, I thought I should start out small and go for the 14km run. Perhaps in the future I might venture out and try a marathon, but for now I'll keep it simple. If anybody would like to sponsor me, here is the link:
http://www.everydayhero.com.au/conantheaustralian
I also joined another charity recently, called friends of the bush. I got talked into joining by one of those people in the street, but I am satisfied. I tried to offer my services but it doesn't seem feasable unless you apply for a job on one of their ranges, so for now I will have to donate every month instead.
Other than this rather charitable news, not much else has happened. I bought a new pair of work shoes (which seems to have done wonders) and also gave myself a haircut again. It's a little better this time round. Also after being paid rather a lot at work, I finally paid off my computer debt and now can focus on saving up money for when I return to the UK so I can pay off Mum and Dad!
We just had mothers day over here, which I found amusing since mum gets to have two mothers' days a year now.
http://www.everydayhero.com.au/conantheaustralian
I also joined another charity recently, called friends of the bush. I got talked into joining by one of those people in the street, but I am satisfied. I tried to offer my services but it doesn't seem feasable unless you apply for a job on one of their ranges, so for now I will have to donate every month instead.
Other than this rather charitable news, not much else has happened. I bought a new pair of work shoes (which seems to have done wonders) and also gave myself a haircut again. It's a little better this time round. Also after being paid rather a lot at work, I finally paid off my computer debt and now can focus on saving up money for when I return to the UK so I can pay off Mum and Dad!
We just had mothers day over here, which I found amusing since mum gets to have two mothers' days a year now.
Sunday, 2 May 2010
Thursday, 29 April 2010
More money please!
I handed in another of my CV's to a pub/restaurant in Fremantle called Little Creatures. They brew the majority of their own alcohol and it's a pretty quirky place (apparently they only hire weird people). I mainly applied for the job (assuming they have some) because I do want to experience some bar work and it's also a good way to meet people. Would also give me some extra money, which would be useful since I seem to owe rather a lot of money.
No matter, life goes on. I do need to book a couple of driving lessons though, to touch up on my parking and maneuvering before I take my test. Driving in general is a breeze, just need to get those handy tips that could make the difference between pass and fail (2nd gear, foot off of clutch and break for corners?). I don't know, hence why the lessons.
Only three months to go until I'm back in the UK for crazy party times (and seeing the family!) - all very exciting and can't wait to go. I do need to save up some money though before I go, so I'm not scrounging every last penny. If the exchange rate stays the same I'll be laughing, it's bloody cracking at the moment.
Just spent the evening trying my hand at Adobe Premiere - a video editing program. Never before used one, but managed to get the swing of it after about half an hour. Trial and error is the way forwards, especially with computers! Once I have finished editing these videos and have uploaded them to youtube, I shall link everyone - they are awesome videos.
No matter, life goes on. I do need to book a couple of driving lessons though, to touch up on my parking and maneuvering before I take my test. Driving in general is a breeze, just need to get those handy tips that could make the difference between pass and fail (2nd gear, foot off of clutch and break for corners?). I don't know, hence why the lessons.
Only three months to go until I'm back in the UK for crazy party times (and seeing the family!) - all very exciting and can't wait to go. I do need to save up some money though before I go, so I'm not scrounging every last penny. If the exchange rate stays the same I'll be laughing, it's bloody cracking at the moment.
Just spent the evening trying my hand at Adobe Premiere - a video editing program. Never before used one, but managed to get the swing of it after about half an hour. Trial and error is the way forwards, especially with computers! Once I have finished editing these videos and have uploaded them to youtube, I shall link everyone - they are awesome videos.
Monday, 12 April 2010
Looooooooooooong update
Not updated for a while, been lazy I guess. What's been going on for the last month you ask? Well, let me see.
Job has been going good. We've had a change of commission structure so I earn money based more on turnover rather than profit, so sell sell sell is the motto at work now. Which is good, because it's much easier to sell when you're not too fussed about losing commission. I've found that I also enjoy talking to people. Just random customers who come into the shop, having a chat while they're looking to buy something - it also helps sales when they like you, which is all the better for me. I'm also thinking about looking for a second job in a bar somewhere, so I can earn some extra money after work. Hopefully it will be cash in hand so I always have some money on me, which means I can leave the money in my account alone. Which isn't much - I have about $9.22 to my name right now. Thankfully rent is due on payday so all is good.
Still in debt, although it's getting paid off fairly quickly. I borrowed $2k, I don't know if I mentioned before, but I spent it all on components for a super awesome computer, and it certainly is super awesome. Also in debt to my parents, they graciously paid for one of my plane tickets back to the UK later this year. I'm off to the music festival Sonisphere - and apparently lots of my mates are going too but I have no idea who. Anywho, it should be amazing since the lineup is truly epic - even seeing Rammstein on their own would be crazy, their pyrotechnics are insane not to mention the awesome music. I'll also get to pick up the rest of my things when I return, making my move to Australia final! I can offload my CD collection to Liam (who I'm sure doesn't have the space), and drink my Sloe Gin that I've been brewing since I left. I also plan on stocking up on a few bottles of wine because there are a few that I can't get hold of over here that I quite like.
I'm also going to be moving house abouts the middle of July - the landlady here is going to end the lease and move elsewhere, so that leaves Orlando, possibly Gareth and I to find somewhere new to live. Which is fairly exciting I must say. Not sure where exactly we might move to, but I'm hoping it's not too far from where we are the moment because I'm in a pretty good spot - not far from work, and when I go to Uni next year I'm right on the bus route too. Which leads to my next update! I'll be going to the University of Western Australia next year. I did want to just do Philosophy, but from what I've found out you have to do something similar to A-levels (structure-wise). So rather than doing only Philosophy, I'm going to have to do foundation units in Philosophy, Psychology, Sociology and a fourth subject. I'm tossing up between Linguistics (which interests me), and Anthropology, which will tie in a bit better with the other subjects. I've got until August to decide though, so that's a fair while. I can pick up my notes from my A-levels when I return in July which will help me study when I'm doing Philosophy, Psychology and Sociology.
Driving is going well. I think I'm a competent driver now, Orlando often gets me to drive him places and comments on what I'm doing wrong which helps - I now take corners at the correct speed and gear. I can change gear fine, and rarely stall. However I did stall the other day, and it was amazing! I managed to put it in neutral, switch the engine off, switch it back on, get back into gear and move off all in about two seconds! I felt like a rally driver or something, it was so damn quick. Anyway, I shouldn't be stalling as it is. All I feel like I need to do is book a couple of driving lessons to get my parking sorted and I should be good for my test. Which doesn't get me off my L-plates, only onto the logbook which I have to have for a couple of months, then I have to take a theory test, THEN I get my P's. They last for two years, and have certain constraints that you have to follow, like not driving after 10pm with other people in the car and other crazy things like this. Anyway, I'll get there in the end.
Not much else to report, which is good because that was quite a lot. I guess it builds up after a month.
Job has been going good. We've had a change of commission structure so I earn money based more on turnover rather than profit, so sell sell sell is the motto at work now. Which is good, because it's much easier to sell when you're not too fussed about losing commission. I've found that I also enjoy talking to people. Just random customers who come into the shop, having a chat while they're looking to buy something - it also helps sales when they like you, which is all the better for me. I'm also thinking about looking for a second job in a bar somewhere, so I can earn some extra money after work. Hopefully it will be cash in hand so I always have some money on me, which means I can leave the money in my account alone. Which isn't much - I have about $9.22 to my name right now. Thankfully rent is due on payday so all is good.
Still in debt, although it's getting paid off fairly quickly. I borrowed $2k, I don't know if I mentioned before, but I spent it all on components for a super awesome computer, and it certainly is super awesome. Also in debt to my parents, they graciously paid for one of my plane tickets back to the UK later this year. I'm off to the music festival Sonisphere - and apparently lots of my mates are going too but I have no idea who. Anywho, it should be amazing since the lineup is truly epic - even seeing Rammstein on their own would be crazy, their pyrotechnics are insane not to mention the awesome music. I'll also get to pick up the rest of my things when I return, making my move to Australia final! I can offload my CD collection to Liam (who I'm sure doesn't have the space), and drink my Sloe Gin that I've been brewing since I left. I also plan on stocking up on a few bottles of wine because there are a few that I can't get hold of over here that I quite like.
I'm also going to be moving house abouts the middle of July - the landlady here is going to end the lease and move elsewhere, so that leaves Orlando, possibly Gareth and I to find somewhere new to live. Which is fairly exciting I must say. Not sure where exactly we might move to, but I'm hoping it's not too far from where we are the moment because I'm in a pretty good spot - not far from work, and when I go to Uni next year I'm right on the bus route too. Which leads to my next update! I'll be going to the University of Western Australia next year. I did want to just do Philosophy, but from what I've found out you have to do something similar to A-levels (structure-wise). So rather than doing only Philosophy, I'm going to have to do foundation units in Philosophy, Psychology, Sociology and a fourth subject. I'm tossing up between Linguistics (which interests me), and Anthropology, which will tie in a bit better with the other subjects. I've got until August to decide though, so that's a fair while. I can pick up my notes from my A-levels when I return in July which will help me study when I'm doing Philosophy, Psychology and Sociology.
Driving is going well. I think I'm a competent driver now, Orlando often gets me to drive him places and comments on what I'm doing wrong which helps - I now take corners at the correct speed and gear. I can change gear fine, and rarely stall. However I did stall the other day, and it was amazing! I managed to put it in neutral, switch the engine off, switch it back on, get back into gear and move off all in about two seconds! I felt like a rally driver or something, it was so damn quick. Anyway, I shouldn't be stalling as it is. All I feel like I need to do is book a couple of driving lessons to get my parking sorted and I should be good for my test. Which doesn't get me off my L-plates, only onto the logbook which I have to have for a couple of months, then I have to take a theory test, THEN I get my P's. They last for two years, and have certain constraints that you have to follow, like not driving after 10pm with other people in the car and other crazy things like this. Anyway, I'll get there in the end.
Not much else to report, which is good because that was quite a lot. I guess it builds up after a month.
Friday, 5 March 2010
05/03/10
So what's been happening? Not much to be honest. Work is the same as ever, however I've been given extra responsibility so I have a few more things to do in the shop. All good though, I do enjoy my job, however it's never-ending. But that's life I guess. I went to a few release nights of new products which was cool - I even won a DSLR bag at the Canon 550D release. It was pretty amusing when I went to pick up the bag, since I forgot to put my flip-flops back on and went up bare-footed. Which was ironic since I work at Peppermint Grove which is the richest suburb in Australia. There was some jibe which I didn't pick up on, but I guess that was the gist of it.
I've been debating whether to take out a small loan in order to get my computer sorted because I'm getting tired of trying to save up then having to pay out for things and being back where I started. There are a few options open to me, so I'll have to do a lot of thinking before I settle on anything, but the most likely option will be a loan though. Still need to save up for the plane ticket though, however I've got a few months so it should all be good.
In other news, I just got back from what I guess was the first date I've ever been on. However I am unsure whether to call it a date. Who knows. It was good fun though, had a good chat and a laugh and some nice food too. I am very tired though (from going to the gym) so I expect I will sleep well tonight. It's also a fairly cool temperature so that's good, it's been too hot to sleep recently, makes things a little difficult when it's 30 degrees at night.
Not much else to report, I'm off to watch Dexter (Damn it's a good TV show)
Sunday, 7 February 2010
Wax on, wax off
So, I finally got my car today! I paid for it a while back but had to have bits fixed and it's just come out of the garage. Drives pretty well, now I just need to get back into the swing of driving so I can pass my test the first time through! I had planned on cleaning the exterior and interior today, however the interior will have to wait since I have run out of time and patience today. I spent a good three hours applying some sandpaper-esque substance to the bodywork to remove all the grime, gave it a general clean with some water then applied the wax. Now it looks nice and shiny parked down on the road outside the house.
It was quite a challenge reversing the car down the driveway though - it's only just wide enough for a car, and there's a brick letterbox on one side at the bottom. I think I did quite well to get it all the way down, then park it on the side of the road (albeit under a tree). Now all I need to do is pay the mechanic, pay the government, pay some insurance association and pay the RAC, and probably some other person who requires my money. I expect having the ability to drive will be worth it though.
Other, non-car related news - well, there isn't much. Work is going well, should be getting a few bonuses next week, and I have ordered my business cards and name tag! Cementing my place at work. It's actually a really enjoyable job, since all the guys I work with are great fun, and I'm working with computers which is another thing that interests me. I've been going to the gym every day after work and am feeling a lot better because of it. I managed to jog for a good 12 1/2 minutes the other day, which I've never been able to do because of my asthma. Seems like everything is getting better over here!
Not much else to report, now I must go and satiate my hunger.
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