Lots of time on my hands

I was a bit of a stress-head this week as I did my best to enjoy time off from work. Yeah, I know - ridiculous, right?! I'm not complaining, really --- it's just hard for me to enjoy a few days with no work when the bank statement looks pathetic! It's still the first term of the school year here, and it's been very quiet for substitute teaching work.

The weather has been fine and hot, though, so I've made sure to be outdoors exploring the neighbourhood. Here are a few of my favourite things I've seen this week, and all of them are just within a few blocks of Rancho Deluxo.

Yes, that's right. The EVERFRESH SNOWBALL Co. ?!

One of many inner suburban graffiti murals.

 A Morrocan-inspired door.

Benny's Apples

For the past couple weeks, I've been a guest at Rancho Deluxo, the Collingwood home of my good friends, Benny and Nadia. They are gracious hosts and excellent fun to hang out with!  

Benny brought these beautiful apples back to share with us from his family's orchards in Canberra.

Got a House!

The house-hunting search has been in full swing for the last week. It's a competitive market in Melbourne... housing is NOT cheap, so the inexpensive/reasonably priced places have the most people inspecting and applying.
In Australia, you usually can't organize a private inspection of a property with a real estate agent. Open Houses or OPEN FOR INSPECTIONS, (affectionately nicknamed OFI's) are your only chance to view a property. They pop up at tricky times of the day (like 5:00 pm - when most people are just finishing work), and they live only for a brief, intense 15 minutes.
People flock to these OFI's like Ibis to rubbish.
There's a congo line of people weaving through doors, down hallways and into rooms. Everyone smiles and is friendly... but you're the competition ... so that's just for show!
You must make eye contact with the agent.  And despite the rising damp, the stains on the carpet or the cracks in the plaster, you must respond positively to his/her questions: "Is this what you're looking for?" "It's really bright and open, isn't it?"
Above all, you must hope that you look good on paper! It helps if you pick up lease applications from the agent's office or download them off the internet, filling them out BEFORE you go to the OFI. Efficiency and neatness count! Many people recommend  putting together a cover sheet, (complete with happy candid photos),  describing your work situation and listing the qualities that make you the best tenant in the world!
My friend Rose and I just got offered the first place we handed in an application for! We move in on April 8th. Take a look at the new place!

Closing

Steve performed the last show of the  Incompleteness season at the Carlton Courthouse last night. Strong performance, good house...and a lot of archive boxes to break down and pack up! I am so lucky to have been able to work on this project with these lovely guys! Check HERE and HERE to read reviews of the show.

Things I'll miss about working at the spa

1. The smell of spray tans in the morning.
2. The New Age spa song that is a rip off of The Rolling Stones' song "You can't always get what you want" - just with pan flutes and didgeridoos. 
3. My well-modulated spa phone voice. 
4. The default response to everything is "Beautiful".
5. Making hectic grumpy people calm and content.

I may be so lucky as to work a few shifts during the school holidays and over Easter! We'll see how I go.

Epic Nights Out Start with Tea

 In Australia, the evening meal is often called "Tea" not Dinner or Supper. Doesn't make that much difference to me! I was happy to go out with some of the girls from the spa for tea and drinks --- and then some of us went "up the pub" for some sweaty dancing after.  Bec brought her partner, Nathaneal, and he was our token male at the table.

Justine and Bec

Rosie and Candice

Me, Laura and Rosie

Sadly, there are no photos of the dance floor, but trust me when I say it was good times!

Opening

Incompleteness opened again this week in its new home at the Carlton Courthouse.

There was a small but supportive audience on opening night, Steve gave a great performance.... and the best bit is that it only gets more interesting from here on in.