Typical Jenny: Dirty Stories and Rambling

Today was kind of a boring day. I spent most of the day doing online sessions and quizzes about international accounting standards. For you non-accountants: The sessions and quizzes are about as much fun for me as they sound to you. But at least I get to learn a little something before going out into the field to work on an audit.

For lunch, I took a big risk. No, not really. But I saw this place yesterday and since then have wanted to go try it: McDonald’s. It sounds silly, I know, but I wanted to see how different it was. Man, this place was nice! They have McCafes inside, as well, which is where you can order coffee and cafe-type food, rather than the traditional burgers. I was pleasantly surprised by the price – about $6 for a small value meal. Of course, they aren’t kidding when they say small. My drink would equate to the kiddie size back in the US. (We Americans set the benchmark for excess!) But I wasn’t too terribly thirsty, so no big deal. The only down side was no sweet tea. I guess I will just have to crave it for the next 3 months and then go crazy when I get home. Although I might have to ween myself back on to Bojangles tea!

Nothing too big for my evening tonight. I worked out, ate dinner (TV dinner since it was a little late when I got home and I didn't think I had time to get to the grocery store), and then hung out watching TV. Sally called me in the apartment, so she kept me updated with things going on back at home. All the important stuff, too – celebrity gossip, etc. (Although most of that stuff is included in the news over here, too.) But we got to talk for a while as she was getting ready for work. It is still kind of weird to get used to it being the day I have already had when I am talking to folks back home. She then called me back on my cell phone on her way to work to let me know that it was 8 am, and she just passed a couple of guys walking near our neighborhood. They were drinking out of their 40-oz beers as they walked down the street. I can honestly say I have yet to see that kind of thing over here!

mX Update:
The homeless man saga continues! “Roo from Campbelltown, who are you to judge anyone in a lesser economic situation? I gave that guy his shoes. Check your facts before you mouth off. Your comments about booting him all the way to Darling Harbour is a negative example to young people. Touch that hobo and I’ll ram your boots where the sun don’t shine.” From CC in Penshurst. (I think there just might be a fight on the train next week!)

The other story I wanted to share was a “Letter of the Day” from a reader. It is a little crude and immature, but that just means it is right up my alley. It took all I had not to laugh out loud while reading it on the ferry tonight! To set up this letter, two things: First off, the CityRail system has been advertising the crap out of these 14-day passes that let you ride the trains at some slightly discounted rate (to shorten the lines to buy tickets). Also, there was a train that was stopped on Wednesday and the people had to evacuate because there was smoke (but no fire), presumably coming from the AC shaft. Trains were delayed for 30 minutes or so because of this little problem.

So the writer tells the story of getting on the train with a large group of schoolchildren. He noticed a rotten egg odor on the train that did not seem to go away. Apparently some guy on the train with them had eaten garlic curry the night before. In the writer’s words, “He was making the mistake so common to people who travel on trains with headphones playing loud music – we can still hear you fart. Let me tell you, there was no way his underpants were still clean.” A woman got onto the train and began putting her makeup on. “It was one of the few occasions where the stench of nail varnish actually had something to compete with.” Just as the train pulled into the Holsworthy stop, several things happened at once: “The schoolchildren kept yabbering, curry man let rip, nail varnish woman switched to hairspray, two mobile phones rang at the same time, and then... the PA system informed up the 14-day tickets were really good and now available at more stations. The last ingredient was just too much for the already toxic atmosphere.” The result was “spontaneous cynical combustion, creating an ignition somewhere above our heads. That is how CityRail made smoke without fire yesterday, and that’s why we all had to get off at Holsworthy and spend the next two hours getting to the city.” I seriously cannot make this stuff up. I am having quite an entertaining experience getting stories from the other public transport riders, that’s for sure!

Since I have nothing else to discuss, let me address some of the comment posts that have been put onto the blog page (just to show you guys that I actually read them):
Mom: No worries. I am coming home at the end of this thing. If I meet someone here, he will have to get a green card and come to the US. Good luck getting one of those! And don’t worry about the care package; I know international postage is expensive, and the peanut butter here is starting to taste a lot better. Oh, and thanks for the movie quote. For those of you wondering what movie she is quoting, frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.
Sally: I am sure I the guy is not talking to me, as I have only taken that train once. Although I don’t think I have seen any other redheads around here (leprechauns, as Tony likes to call us), I am sure they are out there. On your other comment, I will probably go to the pub this weekend and will ask the barmaid about the hat rule. I am kind of interested to hear the explanation, as well!
Nicole: I’ll see what I can do about pictures. Although I don’t remember saying any of the guys were hot, so I think you’re just assuming. (Not all Aussies are cute, trust me.) But I’ll still see what I can come up with. As for the amount of laundry I am doing... It’s a weird thing, I know, but I have a habit of wanting to wear clean clothes. So I have to wash them. Crazy notion, but I just can’t break myself from the habit. In all seriousness, the washing machine and dryer are tiny, and it takes about 3 hours to wash and dry one load, so it does take about a day to get my 4 loads of laundry done each week.
Lauren: Who knows what they would think about your accent? They might think you are from some other country. Like Gastonia.
Mom-mom: Thanks for reading. Don’t worry about duplicate posts. It just gives me more stuff to read from back home! And if you have this thing down pat by then, I might have to keep this blog going to you can keep practicing making those comments! Rock on!