On the Bottom Half

Doldrums.

Compared to the last several months, these past few weeks have been doldrums.

I do have a real and permanent address now and those of you who I haven't phoned yet will have it shortly. Just takes time, you see...

After the underwear escapade, I've really just hung out. Biding my time even, one could say. I took a bike ride to Moorabin airport to check out what needs to be done to fly here. The flying school recommends that I get the three month special flying permit that's available to Canadians, then just go ahead and do the flight test after that to get my Australian license! Cool! However, first I need to get a red pass/security screening from the government, which might take a couple of months. Ridiculous. You need a red pass to access the airside at ALL airports in Australia! Even a grass strip! So, I'm going to wait until I get paid, then pay the $100+ to do the screening, then start flying again!!!

Earlier this week I went to Chadstone Shopping Centre and bought just a couple articles of clothing because it costs more than my designer-fashion-label-filled closet is worth to ship it here, even by sea! I've been into the city a few times, with the most recent being two days ago. I went to the Australian Defense Force Recruiters to ask some important questions about which y'all have guessed already. However, rather than getting a deserted centre as one oft finds in the Harry Hayes Building in Calgary, there were about 30 or 40 people all hanging out, very unmilitarily I might add, what with their legs dangling above them like that.

But seriously folks, I didn't get to the front desk, so I took a cool 'How to become an airforce officer in 5 easy steps' pamphlet. If only it were easy... Actually, being easy would take away from it. Anyway, I ended up doing my questioning from the telephone and was redirected to a website and phone number for the head office chaps in Canberra and am pursuing that now. It sounds like their vision requirements aren't as stringent as Canada, but more on that when I find it out for sure.

After that, I went through the city to the Philatelic Museum at the Post Office, but the new exhibit wasn't quite ready yet. Then I caught a tram to the Shrine of Remembrance and spent the rest of the day there. It's a wonderful forces museum and Shrine paying homage to the fallen especially from WWI & WWII, but also for every conflict serviced by soldiers from Australia since the Boer War. It was a good day.

The past few days I've sat about reading my book and trying to prepare myself for yet more schooling... I bought a keyed door handle for my room and a file box, etc., etc. Today I've booked my bike in to get its brake pads replaced and the shifting system serviced. I've tried a bunch to adjust it myself, but I think it needs the hands an experienced bikesman.

Wah-hoo, huh? Loved hearing about the Seattle trip, boy that would have been awesome! Can't wait to take a trip on the 787!! Go Boeing!

The outlook for the next couple of days: Aussie Rules Football game tomorrow night, Bruce and Helen's for dinner on Saturday, start school on Monday. Actually, I'm going to call it 'work' because I want to view it more like a job than going back to school.

posted by Kyle @ 19:52