chunder down under

Well I'm typing this in a foul mood. It could be because it's tipping it down with rain for the second day in a row, but being the rainy season that's to be expected, and it has got rid of the oppressive heat and humidity for a while. Or then again it could be because I am at work in one of Cairns' finest internet cafes - not. The last two days here have been fraught with problems and my idiot tolerance is at an all time low. Add to this the fact that none of the computers seem to work and there was no connection this morning (I had to reboot the router and switches) and so opened up late, I am very pissed off. Unfortunately I need the cash, and at this time of year there are very few jobs in Cairns as anyone in their right mind heads away. My time here could be coming to an end: although the boss is now out on bail one of the stores is closing for refurbishment and that leaves 14 shifts to cover and 9 staff to do it. Although I will probably get most of them, I don't want to put all my eggs in one basket.

The alternative is to go for the bar-back job at Gilligans backpacker resort and bar where I currently only work weekends. It was offered to me after a raucous party (where I went with the bar staff and bar chicks after a Saturday shift) at 7 in the morning shortly before the police were called, it means more money but all my nights taken up with working which is not what I want to do. As it is I am working 7 days a week, although it feels like more. I will check it out tonight.

Not been up to much recently apart form working. Went to a jazz night (mmm, nice) at the Cairns Yacht Club last night with one of my flatmates and a bunch of Koreans. Quite a good location on a balcony overlooking Trinity Inlet, while the rain bucketed down. They were all a good bunch but apart from one (known as "Brendon" as his korean name is fairly unpronounceable) could hardly speak english. Was talking to two korean girls who although they were urging me to get up and dance with them was such hard work trying to have a conversation that I decided I was too tired/lazy to bother. Although I didn't have many drinks feel a bit groggy today, must be out of practice. They are all off to a "Bikini contest" at one of the clubs tonight - luckily I have the excuse of working to get me out of it.

The constant downpour means that I have temporarily given up wearing shoes - they only get soaked - and walk barefoot when I can. Must be going local, the beard and mullet will be coming soon, I can feel it.

Well, back to work and another argument with some tight-arse backpackers who get uppity over having to pay a dollar more than than they expected...