I found a place to live and I got a job!

Went to the Coogee (KOO-jee) Beach Hotel last night. Really cool place.
One of Felicia's friends, Owen, suggested that I just move in with Felicia
and Janet for the time being, and they said it wouldn't be a problem. Their
place is in Darlinghurst, which is just across the street from King's Cross,
so I'll be keeping my eyes and ears open for a new place. I'm gonna get out
of this part of town as soon as I can. Last night, I watched a guy get his
ass kicked on the street while chowing down with Wade and Karin at a Thai
restaurant down the street.

Then Owen told me about the Internet cafe he has been working at for the
last few weeks. It's called Internet Bakpak Travel, and coincidentally,
it's across the street from the hostel that I'm staying in now. He said
they needed someone pretty badly. I went in this morning, submitted my
resume, and my first day is Monday. It's part-time, and my job is to play
on the Internet all day, change the CD every hour, and sell the occasional
tour package. I'm going to pursue real work, via the temp agency, next
week.

The trick is now seeing if I can extend my stay in Australia for another
month or two or six. For all the things I want to see and do, two months
just doesn't seem like enough time, especially if I only get to do this
once.

I went to lunch with Jennifer today at the Rocks, a few trendy city blocks
with shops, cafes, and restaurants near Sydney Harbour. We went to a cozy
little Italian restaurant called Zia Pina and had one of the worst dining
experiences of our lives. The restaurant manager welcomed us and stuffed us
into a corner table like cattle. Our waitress took our drink order and
returned with two warm, flat, shot-sized glasses of Coke. When we got a
pizza and lasagna and decided to split them. The pizza was greasy and
tasteless, and I'm pretty sure Chef Boyardee made the lasagna. Our mango
cheesecake dessert didn't have any mango in it and was frozen solid. I
tried to get the manager's attention to complain each time he walked by, but
he was noticeably avoiding us. When he finally brought the check, I told
him that the lasagna tasted like dog food, the cheesecake was inedible, and
stormed out of there. I couldn't leave him with a lousy tip because tipping
isn't even a custom here in Australia. Darn. I didn't get a chance to go
to Fox Studios today but plan to do so tomorrow with Jennifer.

I was approached on the street today by somebody who actually *went* to
Hobart in New York. His name was Matt, and he asked me if I played
lacrosse. Turns out he came down here to be with a girl, it didn't work
out, he got stuck here, and he kinda learned to like the place. Then, while
riding the train on the way home, a *local* asked *me* for directions. And
I gave him *correct* directions. At least I think I did.

Watched a family set up speakers, an amp, and two microphones on the way to
the Internet cafe. Apparently, Jesus will save King's Cross.

Until next time,

Jeff