Dingo Days

Weekend in South Australia

2009-12-09T18:32:00.000-08:00

This past weekend I went to Adelaide to visit The Chapmans; Doug, Ruth, Max and Thomas. Doug is one of the owners of the Sea Ray dealership in Adelaide, and we became friends before I left the company. As there is a lot of laughter constantly surrounding Doug, I made it a point to get to SA as quickly as possible for a weekend. Unfortunately my camera was dead for most of the weekend as a result of some very poor planning, but I do have SOME photos.

I arrived on Friday, and went with Doug to the pub for a late lunch and some wine tasting. The whites in SA are incredible, and their Sauvingnon Blancs are regarded almost a highly as those from New Zealand.

On Saturday, I went to the Adelaide Oval for day two of the 2nd test match between Australia and West Indies. Doug and Ruth are members, which I guess is a big deal. I don't understand crickets at all myself, but we had a really great time. I was very close to Ricky Ponting, one of the world's best cricketeers, and enjoyed the sun and Pimms for the afternoon. After each over, little kids come out and play on the oval.

Cricket at the Adelaide Oval

After the cricket (and a nap), we went to meet some of Ruth and Doug's friends for dinner. We had a great meal at a local Korean restaurant, and then headed out for some karaoke. I'll spare you the video.

Doug has always told me about the koalas in his yard, so I was very excited when Max, 8, jumped up from the breakfast table to alert us that there was a koala in the big gum tree behind the house. After that, Sunday was a lazy day spent watching A Christmas Story and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.

Friendly neighborhood koala

Me and Bertie Chapman

Thomas,5 and Max, 8

On Monday, I went to work with Doug at his family's marina to help with some Compass and warranty training for Sea Rays. On the way home we stopped in Handorf, a little German village in the Adelaide hills for a couple of beers and then home for dinner. I flew into Perth on Tuesday morning and took a taxi straight to work! And it has been a VERY crazy week.

An Aussie Thanksgiving!

2009-12-03T05:55:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is my favorite day of the year. I really like turkey, and, although I don't particularly like the feel after I gorge myself, I look forward to next year on Black Friday. Despite a snag in the plans for this year, I had a great Thanksgiving, and cooked a full meal for 8 Aussies! We had turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, stuffing, angel biscuits, corn on the cob, green beans, brussell sprouts, pumpkin pie and whoopie pies. Everything was delicious, everyone ate too much, and Stephen and Aileen even came back for lunch the next day! The event started on Friday when I went grocery shopping with the Wren girls! Here are some photos of the weekend!

Caitlin and the shopping list

Taryn and the trolley full of groceries

Thanksgiving decorations courtesy of Mama Link

Aileen, Jo and Shan waiting for the food

Stephen carving the turkey

And I got the wishbone!

The spread

An Aussie Thanksgiving with a proper ending

Those Famous Aussie Sunsets!

2009-11-16T20:32:00.003-08:00

I really don't know if they are famous or not, but here are some of the photos I took while I was house-sitting. All photos were taken from the kitchen.

DIY Wine Chests, Little Creatures and a Championship Match

2009-11-16T20:07:00.000-08:00

This past Friday, Amy and I decided we needed to soak in the spa to relieve the stresses of the week. However, when the spa is set to 40 Celsius, how are you to keep your wine cold? Enter the DIY wine chest of which I was VERY proud!

Amy and my creation!

The next day, we headed to Fremantle to browse at the market. While I was extremely successful in Christmas shopping for Keaton, we quickly developed a thirst that could only be quenched at Little Creatures, a brewery on Fremantle Harbour. I recommend the Pale Ale if you're ever there.

Little Creatures

The photo is bad but the beer is good!

On Sunday, I headed up to Darryl and Brenda's new house to watch the boxing match in Vegas. As Darryl works for Challenge's parent company (which manufactures pools), he works with a large number of Filipinos. As a moral booster, he invited a bunch of the guys up on Sunday morning to watch the fight. The favorite, Pacquiao, ended up winning and everyone in the house was happy. Nothing like buffalo wings, BBQ pork skewers, and a lot of other delicious Filipino food that I can't name at 10 am. I enjoyed it though. I felt like I was tail-gating!

Darryl and Brenda's new house!

Dylan jumping into the pool

Darryl and Dylan's impromptu boxing match

Darryl manning the wing station!

House-sitting, Glorious House-sitting!

2009-11-16T19:52:00.000-08:00

As I said in my last post, I have been house-sitting for the past three weeks at my friend Amy's parents house. They have been VERY generous allowing me to make myself at home. This means using the spa, American TV channels and their Saab convertible. In exchange, I simply needed to mind the house and take care of Guinness, a 14 year old black lab, and Hercules and Helena, their 17 year old cats. Here are some photos of the house and my housemates.

Front Terrace

Guinness

Pool and Spa

Tennis Court

Hercules and Helena

Koi Pond

Side Terrace

View up the West Coast Highway

Kitchen

Eventful Times with Dead Camera Batteries

2009-10-29T21:27:00.000-07:00

While nothing terribly exciting happens during the week (unless you count after-sales service for boats exciting, which I don't), I did have a very good weekend last week. Unfortunately, my camera batteries were dead, so none of the action was documented.

On Saturday, Amy and I went to Burswood, which is a resort, casino, mini Las Vegas strip just south of the Margaret River. We went for what I like to call "extremely low stakes gambling," and Oktoberfest at one of the pubs in the resort. Unfortunately, Oktoberfest was dead in the middle of the afternoon, but the food was good. After promptly losing $40 (my limit) at the $2.50 bet roulette table, we headed to Ikea to buy some things for Amy's house.

That night, we headed to the Paddo, a pub in Mt. Hawthorne, for Amy's birthday celebration. We had a very good time, and even found a stag party with an open bar, so the beers were free! My favorite kind of beer is free beer!

After leaving the Paddo, I headed to another birthday party for my friend Ryan at his house. As I got there a little late, everyone was feeling really good by the time I got there. Amy met up with Taryn and I at Ryan's and we ended up staying over at her house.

Sunday afternoon, I went over to Darryl and Brenda's and swam and played Rock Band. I killed the vocals on "Say It Ain't So"!

Tuesday, I came home from work to some very exciting news. Amy's parents, who live in a house with AMAZING ocean views, were leaving for Melbourne the next day, and were wondering if I would like to house-sit and watch the two cats, both 17, and the dog, 14. The house is beautiful, and the animals are awesome (I'll post some photos later), but the best part is that they have also entrusted me with their Saab convertible. Yes, that's right, I've been driving myself around Perth! Driving on the "wrong" side of the road isn't as scary as you would think, and I've only turned onto the wrong side once. It does feel really good to be able to hop in the car and go, I have to admit. I may need to rethink my whole, "I don't need a car" stance. I don't need one, but I think I might want one now!

I've got another jam packed weekend ahead! Amy's husbad is home from his job working on the oil rigs, so he has requested a "spa party" (a spa is a jacuzzi) at Amy's parents house. So....that should be fun. Tomorrow Darryl and Brenda are moving to their new house, so all hands will be on deck to help. Sunday is looking a bit lazy, and for that, I'm excited.

Next Tuesday is the Melbourne Cup. For those of you who don't know, the entire country stops (literally) to watch Australia's Kentucky Derby. Even at work, we will have a luncheon with chicken, salad, rolls and champagne. Yes, champagne at work. Not something that happens very often in the States. I'll be sure to take some photos and post them.

That's all for now!

Into the Bush

2009-10-19T21:40:00.001-07:00

On Sunday, I went for a walk with Darryl and Brenda in the Craigie Bush, which is actually just a park in one of the suburbs. However, it was really exotic to me! Here are just a collection of photos. We saw a lot of parrots and cockatoos in the trees! Luckily, I didn't see any snakes, but we did find a blue tongued skink!

You can see the parrot if you look REALLY hard!

Blue Tongued Skink

Please note the switch in my hand. It's used to swat flies.

Up the Coast in a 300SLX

2009-10-19T21:21:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, I went on my first "real" ride up the coast with Stephen. We needed to bring a 300SLX that we sold at the Mandurah Boat Show from Mandurah to Hillary's, our local marina. The trip took nearly 3 hours total (with a stop in Fremantle for fish and chips). It was definitely rougher than the lakes and rivers in East Tennessee, but I am happy to report that I didn't get seasick! It was the first really warm day (nearly 100 degrees), so I was glad that I was on the water....until I got off the boat and realized how dehydrated I was!

The video below was taken for Adam, one of our salesmen, who was second in line to bring the boat up the coast.

Here are a couple of photos from the trip!

Sailboat Hire in Fremantle Harbour

Underway on the Indian Ocean

The Marina in Mandurah

Brenda's Birthday!

2009-10-19T21:07:00.000-07:00

Last Wednesday was my friend Brenda's 40th birthday! We had buffalo wings, wood fired pizza (the marinated lamb was my favorite!), pumpkin whoopie pies for dessert, a lot of wine, and a WHOLE lot of dancin'!

Editor's Note

2009-10-07T20:01:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to clear up some confusion about Australian viewpoints that might come from a very strange coincidence. Yesterday, I posted a photo of some Golliwog dolls that I discovered in the mall over the weekend. As it turns out, they are very rare, and, in fact, Glenda thought that they were banned from sale on the continent.

Similarly, over the next day or two, you may hear a fuss about a black face skit on the reunion of a popular variety show from the 70's and 80's called "Hey Hey It's Saturday!" The skit was originally performed 20 years ago and was brought back for the reunion show on a segment called Red Faces, in which people embarrass the hell out of themselves (if you clicked the link on my Vegemite post, you will see a clip from last week's Red Faces). The performers are judged by a panel, including a celebrity judge, who last night happened to be Harry Connick Jr. He was terribly uncomfortable by the skit (which was meant to be a Jackson Family Reunion), and was later apologized to by the host of the show. Always the southern gentleman, he handled the situation with class, and simply explained that, as an American, it was highly offensive.

So, with that I just wanted to clear up the fact that Aussies are not racist. While they do not really understand Americans extreme sensivitity to race issues, they do accept the sensitivities of some towards those issues. It's been all over the news this morning, and no one here really sees what the fuss was about. They were just having a laugh with no malice intended. I, however, just about fell off the couch when the skit started.

My First Roo Sighting

2009-10-06T21:15:00.000-07:00

Between Freemantle and throwing some snaggers on the barbie, Brenda took me to Pinaroo Memorial Park. Since arriving in Perth, I have been told that this is the best place to see kangaroos without going into the bush. The only downside is that it's a cemetery. Creepy as it is, there were tons of Roo's, some with joeys. Check out the video below! I'm sorry if I sound like a complete moron, but I was so excited!

Freemantle and Politically Incorrect Children's Toys

2009-10-06T06:53:00.000-07:00

After two weeks in Oz, I am settling into work, my body clock is slowly adjusting and I am having a lot of fun! On Saturday, I met up with Brenda, who moved to Perth from Florida 3 years ago after Challenge stole her husband away from his job at Sea Ray. Brenda suggested that we head down to Freemantle, a port town about 22km south of Perth. We went to the Freo markets, walked around town and even stopped at a lovely brewery on the water called Little Creatures! Afterward, we headed back to her house for some snaggers (sausages) and wings on the barbie. They are wonderful people and, even after only two weeks, it's nice to be able to start sentences without the phrase "Back in The States...."

Here are a few photos of Freemantle:

The Freemantle Market

Senior Photo Nostalgia with a Statue

Freemantle Harbor

On Sunday afternoon, I went with Aileen, Taryn and Shannon to the Galleria for some light shoe shopping and general browsing. When walking past a book store, I spotted the dolls in the photo below. While I do not endorse their sale, I was SO amazed that they were actually on sale that I took a photo of Shannon with them. Apparently, they are called Golliwogs.

Shannie helping to set us back 150 years

Vegemite!

2009-10-01T22:27:00.001-07:00

Vegemite is notorious in American culture as a disgusting yeast paste that Aussie's bathe in! Although some have been known to use it as hair gel, sunscreen and toothpaste, most regard it as a lovely spread from toast and crackers. Here is my first attempt at eating it...

Please note that the spreading was done by Taryn (and she did a top job!), with cinematography credits going to Brett.

Sharp Australian Wit

2009-10-01T22:04:00.000-07:00

Aussies are well known for being quite witty! Shannon did her best to get her family to display their "sharp Australian wit" for the camera. Unfortunately, no one felt particularly witty!

Wren Family Picnic

2009-10-01T21:46:00.000-07:00

As promised, here a couple of videos of the picnic in Mundaring State Park!

Bocce with the Wren family!

A friendly game of Frisbee!

Just Another Day at the Office

2009-10-01T21:35:00.000-07:00

My First Week in Oz

2009-09-28T00:28:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to the first post of my Aussie adventure! I have been here for a week now, and although it has been a little hectic, I am feeling very settled in my new home. Here is a brief recap of the past week:

The trip over was quite long and tedious, especially the 15 hour leg from LAX to Sydney. No matter how many movies you watch (and I watched 5 movies), you come to a point when you really do think that you will never get off of that plane.

Upon arrival in Sydney, I faced a customs debacle, with 5 International flights arriving at the same time, and missed my flight to Perth. I thought that I was lucky to book an aisle seat on the next flight, leaving 2 hours later. However, after a 10 hour delay due to technical issues on 3, yes 3, Qantas planes, my 4th plane touched down in Perth at 9:30 pm. I was supposed to arrive at 11:15 am. Needless to say, after 44 hours of travel, I was in desperate need of a shower, a soft bed and a glass of wine.

I spent my first two days walking around the local shopping centers and supermarkets, and settling into my new home. I am living next door to the Wrens (Stephen, Aileen, Taryn, Caitlin and Shannon), my surrogate Aussie family (and my bosses), with Glenda, who has plenty of room, as her two daughters are living in Europe for a couple of years. We get along quite well, and I'd have to say that my favorite part of the day at home is standing in the kitchen, drinking coffee and eating toast before work. Also, Glenda has a 13 year old Jack Russell Terrier named Bella, who provides me with my fur fix and helps me from missing Gertie too much!

I began work at Challenge Marine last Thursday, and although there is a lot to catch up, new systems to learn and just some general settling in to do, I think that I am really going to like it. Challenge is a small dealership, and everyone is really nice! Plus, one of the advantages to living next to the boss is that I have to go where he goes on the way to work. On Friday, I got to ride along on a 44DA on the Indian Ocean for a Cummins test ride. I was VERY excited but I played it off as something I had done a million times!

My first weekend in Perth was a big one! Not only was it a long weekend for the Queen's Birthday, which is actually in June, but Western Australia chooses to celebrate it when there are no other public holidays. Hence, our day off on Monday.

Friday I hit the town with Taryn, Ryan (from work) and Amy (Stephen and Aileen's niece-in-law). We had a great time!

Saturday, the main event was the Grand Final, which is basically the Super Bowl for footy, or Aussie Rules Football. I went to a small gathering at Stephen and Aileen's friends' house. The food was great, the drinks were cold and the game was close, although I had no idea what was going on! In the end. Geelong beat St. Kilda 80-68, winning the Premiership for 2009.

Sunday I went with the Wrens to Mundaring State Park for a birthday picnic celebrating Stephen's "mum's" 84th birthday. The weather was perfect and the food (again) was great! The Wrens are so much fun to be around! I was hoping to post a couple of videos, but I have having some trouble, so I will try again later.

After the picnic, I headed to a Sunday Session in Cottesloe for a few and then back up to Perth. Later in the evening, I tried Vegemite for the first time, and I didn't hate it! It was quite salty though.

Monday was cloudy, cold and uneventful! It was just the relaxing day off I needed after my busy week!