meatpaddy.net

Dear Homeboys and Homegirls,

I do realise that I haven’t updated since February 21 (and it is now April 6), but blame-me-not for I have not had time nor motivation, and and one stage, a computer… you know, so don’t be hatin’. There are a few things to tell you all about.

The Job is going well. I’m not running full sections and am loving that I can leave a shift with $50-$80 cash tips in my hand. It’s a ruddy nuisance though that just after I’ve got a decent grasp of the menu and wine-list, they’re changing both this coming Thursday! Although annoying, it will be good to get a full tasting of the new menu allowing me to properly answer peoples’ questions without bluffing with a “ah, yeah sure its a pink fish!” or an “I KNOW you’ll love it….“. I quite enjoy the shifts where I run the bar… I enjoy being in confined spaces.

The Education has lost its novelty. I’m starting to realise how seriously unbearable some people are and noticing the fact that in a class of seventeen for three years, I’m going to have to deal with it. The good outweigh the bad though, I’ve met some great people and “got to know” one particularly well after too many litres of wine. The assignments are coming in and the lecturers are getting more hardcore, but I’m loving the course (Hospitality Management and Business for those who don’t know). Next weekend we’re being taken to the Hunter Valley (a famous NSW wine region) for free to taste wine, cheese and schnapps. Am looking forward to that!

The Money is suffering slightly at the moment because of the death of my computer. I’ve taken out a loan from my dad and am paying him back $100 a week for the next 18 weeks after the purchase of my new MacBook, Hugo II. Hugo is quite impressive, sexy and fast. I just wish he didn’t cost so much. I’m also discovering the beauty of iWork and Office:Mac as a team. With both programs, I seem to be able to do anything and have it looking shmick. I was lucky to be given the new copy of Office:Mac, as the price-tag probably would never have had me buying it.

 The money is also slightly suffering due to my activities today. I just got back home after jumping out a plane 14,000ft in the sky and free-falling at 250km/h for 50-65 seconds before floating back down to earth while controlling the parachute for me an my instructor. I just went skydiving for the first time and it was the most amazing thing I think I’ve ever done. I’m going back as soon as possible (and taking four people with me so I can do it for free!) - it was absolutely incredible. It’s the only one here where you fly over the beach as well, so the views were outstanding. I can’t stop raving about it, it was awesome!

The Future is so uncertain for me right now. My moving out of home plans have been delayed because I’m currently saving for a holiday to Queensland with three friends this Winter and a possible overseas trip to Europe or Thailand at the end of the year. I’m starting to realise I have it too good at home to leave - at least for another four or five months. It makes saving for holidays so much easier. 

My Budgeting is probably not the greatest though to be having the fun that I’m having. In order to save more money, I’ve stopped buying train tickets and started drinking goon (cheap cask wine for those not in ‘the know’). My eating habits are shot to pieces and many nights I won’t get a meal until dinner time. My breakfasts when I’m at uni are usually a coffee and a cigarette with an occasional juice for lunch. Although this is the kind of stuff that is supposed to make you feel like shit and make your mother cry - I’m having so much fun at the moment. L is G!

Love,

Paddy