Slowly I am getting used to the local critters. Except for the roos, most animals here are small and deadly. All snakes are poisonous, and most spiders are too. Once evening I was brushing my teeth for bed when I heard some munching sounds coming from my bathroom window. In the window, on the inside, and a few inches from my head was this large Huntsman spider eating a moth for dinner. The Huntsman spider is about the size of a golf ball with lots of fur and long legs. And they are fast. They can dart about like a jackrabbit. They are also poisonous. I found one in my closet when I moved in here back in October. I knew that I would not be able to sleep knowing there was a large Huntsman running about my room that night, so I used the trick Trish taught me and trapped him under a mason jar to transfer him to the garden.
You have to careful when you walk through the bush and grasses in the sand dunes at the beach because of the snakes. There are lots of snakes at the beach. When you ride down the coast bike trail every few meters or so is a sign reminding you to stay out of the vegetation because of snakes. I first though it was a ploy to keep people from trampling the dunes, but no. I've seen the snakes crossing the trails.
Last week I pulled out a pair of shorts from the closet and as I shook them out to put them on, a small black spider dropped out and ran over to the corner of the room. Upon a closer look I saw it was an Australian Redback, the most dangerous of the spiders. Redbacks are like Black Widows in the Americas, except more poisonous. If I had put those shorts on and the Redback had bitten me I would be writing this from the hospital now. So now I shake out all my clothes before putting them on. Redbacks like to hide in dark spots, so here Australia you never stick you hand under anything unless you look first. For example, in the back yard you can see the distinctive Redback spider webs under the pool furniture which means you should never just go pick up a chair with your hand.
There are plenty of wild parrots here. I see flocks on them down by the lake when I bike to work. There is also a type of raven here that is very aggressive and will attack if you walk under its nest. They mean business. They try to dive bomb your head and eyes. Trish feeds them in one corner of the yard, and the leave her and the family alone. It is blackmail and they have learned that the humans here at this house are not a threat.
There are no koala bears in this part of Australia. They are limited to the SE corner of Oz in Victoria State. As I mentioned before, the kangaroos here are not the huge Red Roos native to Queensland in the NE. Here in WA they only get to about 6 feet tall. There are Quokkas out on Rottnest and Wombats in the bush.
Out to sea the fishing is great. You can get lobsters, shrimp, crabs, and even fresh water crabs in the river deltas. In two weeks I'm going crabbing with then Lentz's down south.
Wednesday, December 05, 2001
Relaxing
I've been trying to relax and take some time off for myself over these last two months. I was so exhausted when I left the States. On the weekends I bike over Hillary's Harbor, pick up the weekend newspaper and enjoy a nice leisurely Australian breakfast at the Italian Cafe on the piers. Then I bike down the coast the North Beach and go for a nice long ocean swim followed by a nice nap in the warm sun in the sand. It is a cheap way to spend a day. The ocean water is warm and clear, with large white soft sand beaches to play on.
I've been seeing a chiropractor weekly since I moved here. Medical services are much, much cheaper here than in the States. My weekly visit costs about $18 USD, which means I can go frequently enough to make a difference. She has been make adjustments to my lower back on this strange torture machine and it is finally paying off. Last week was the first time in recent memory when I did not go to bed with lower back pain. I was able to actually sleep all night long without being waken by pain. It is so nice. I was worried that this weekend's road trip would damage my back, but it did not. She was not thrilled when I told her that I slept on the ground when camping, but I seem to be fine.
Trish is a very good cook and makes some very interesting dinners. Her first husband was Indonesian, and they lived in Spain, so she picked up some interesting recipes. She doesn't use any animal fats and uses plenty of veggies. At least I am eating healthier than in the last year. I usually take the leftovers to work the next day for lunch, and I'm on my own for making breakfast (thank God for 60 second nuked oatmeal).
I think that between trying to limit my working hours to something sane, getting the divorce over with, and simplifying my life, it has been very beneficial. Other than paying my bills in the States once a month, I don't have too much to worry about. I don't have a phone, a car, insurance, groceries, or that much to worry about. Trish does all the grocery shopping, cooking, and laundry. I simply have to pay rent every week, bike to work, and except what I set aside to send to the US what is left (not much, sad to say) is mine to go out to a nice breakfast on weekends.
Since Trish has been doing my laundry I've noticed that my clothes have never been cleaner. I actually had no idea the clothes where that color. I asked her about it and she showed me that the trick is simply finding a good quality soap. I didn't know it makes a difference, but it does. That and the fact that everything gets dried on the clothes line and then ironed probably makes all the difference in the world.
The Perth library gave me a card, so get to check out books. I just finished a book called "Sparring With Charlie" written by this American in 1996 who went over to Vietnam and rode a Russian motorbike down the Ho Chi Mien Trail. It was a very good book that I recommend for anyone.
I've been seeing a chiropractor weekly since I moved here. Medical services are much, much cheaper here than in the States. My weekly visit costs about $18 USD, which means I can go frequently enough to make a difference. She has been make adjustments to my lower back on this strange torture machine and it is finally paying off. Last week was the first time in recent memory when I did not go to bed with lower back pain. I was able to actually sleep all night long without being waken by pain. It is so nice. I was worried that this weekend's road trip would damage my back, but it did not. She was not thrilled when I told her that I slept on the ground when camping, but I seem to be fine.
Trish is a very good cook and makes some very interesting dinners. Her first husband was Indonesian, and they lived in Spain, so she picked up some interesting recipes. She doesn't use any animal fats and uses plenty of veggies. At least I am eating healthier than in the last year. I usually take the leftovers to work the next day for lunch, and I'm on my own for making breakfast (thank God for 60 second nuked oatmeal).
I think that between trying to limit my working hours to something sane, getting the divorce over with, and simplifying my life, it has been very beneficial. Other than paying my bills in the States once a month, I don't have too much to worry about. I don't have a phone, a car, insurance, groceries, or that much to worry about. Trish does all the grocery shopping, cooking, and laundry. I simply have to pay rent every week, bike to work, and except what I set aside to send to the US what is left (not much, sad to say) is mine to go out to a nice breakfast on weekends.
Since Trish has been doing my laundry I've noticed that my clothes have never been cleaner. I actually had no idea the clothes where that color. I asked her about it and she showed me that the trick is simply finding a good quality soap. I didn't know it makes a difference, but it does. That and the fact that everything gets dried on the clothes line and then ironed probably makes all the difference in the world.
The Perth library gave me a card, so get to check out books. I just finished a book called "Sparring With Charlie" written by this American in 1996 who went over to Vietnam and rode a Russian motorbike down the Ho Chi Mien Trail. It was a very good book that I recommend for anyone.
Tuesday, December 04, 2001
Leaving The Nest
Steven, Trish & Martin's 21 year old son, has moved out of the nest. Actually, he was pushed out. This has been interesting to watch. Trish & Martin have told me what is going on. They feel that he was getting too comfortable living here at home with mom and dad. He got his meals, laundry, roof over his head.
He works as a driver for Dominos Pizza. He doesn't go to school. He decided not go to college or join the service. He doesn't really know what he wants to do.
The straw the broke the camel's back was Stevens refusal to pay rent, or to pay rent in a timely manner. Last year the parents decided to charge him a token amount of rent for his room and board. Not much, but enough to make him notice. He would often pay very late because of other priorities, primarily nights out drinking with his friends, or new music CD's. Plus, he is a total slob. Trish & Martin are afraid to go in his room. It looks like a war zone. There are stale pizzas rotting under the bed. Half the house's dished are probably lost in there somewhere. No one has seen the floor in years.
So on Dec 1st they had him move out. Typical Trish style, she took care of all the details. She found him an apartment and paid the deposit. She got the utility services and telephone turned on. She got him a car loan and then found him a good deal on a used car. She co-signed the car loan ($5000). And she and Martin rounded up or bought furnishings.
A friend of Stevens moved into the apartment with him as a roommate to help pay rent. The roommate is this girl I've met here before when she has joined the family for dinner. I don't like her very much. She seems shifty and lazy. Adam confirmed this to me one day a couple of weeks later when he told me that the same girl stole $200 from Adam's grandmother. This girl doesn't work, lives on welfare right now, and according to Steven, just sits around and gets stoned on pot all day. Steven is getting tired of her. He said that she doesn't even go out to look for a job.
It's been three weeks now. Steven comes over here for dinner at least twice a week because he is broke and doesn't have any money for food at his apartment. Of course after dinner he goes home with lots of leftovers. He also brings his laundry home. He seems to be trying hard. Trish told me that he has managed to keep the apartment fairly clean, at least cleaner than his old room here. It is funny to see him get irritated at his roommate who is lazier than him.
I hope he succeeds. Next week the first rent check and car payments are due. Trish & Martin swear that he is not coming back if he gets kicked out.
He works as a driver for Dominos Pizza. He doesn't go to school. He decided not go to college or join the service. He doesn't really know what he wants to do.
The straw the broke the camel's back was Stevens refusal to pay rent, or to pay rent in a timely manner. Last year the parents decided to charge him a token amount of rent for his room and board. Not much, but enough to make him notice. He would often pay very late because of other priorities, primarily nights out drinking with his friends, or new music CD's. Plus, he is a total slob. Trish & Martin are afraid to go in his room. It looks like a war zone. There are stale pizzas rotting under the bed. Half the house's dished are probably lost in there somewhere. No one has seen the floor in years.
So on Dec 1st they had him move out. Typical Trish style, she took care of all the details. She found him an apartment and paid the deposit. She got the utility services and telephone turned on. She got him a car loan and then found him a good deal on a used car. She co-signed the car loan ($5000). And she and Martin rounded up or bought furnishings.
A friend of Stevens moved into the apartment with him as a roommate to help pay rent. The roommate is this girl I've met here before when she has joined the family for dinner. I don't like her very much. She seems shifty and lazy. Adam confirmed this to me one day a couple of weeks later when he told me that the same girl stole $200 from Adam's grandmother. This girl doesn't work, lives on welfare right now, and according to Steven, just sits around and gets stoned on pot all day. Steven is getting tired of her. He said that she doesn't even go out to look for a job.
It's been three weeks now. Steven comes over here for dinner at least twice a week because he is broke and doesn't have any money for food at his apartment. Of course after dinner he goes home with lots of leftovers. He also brings his laundry home. He seems to be trying hard. Trish told me that he has managed to keep the apartment fairly clean, at least cleaner than his old room here. It is funny to see him get irritated at his roommate who is lazier than him.
I hope he succeeds. Next week the first rent check and car payments are due. Trish & Martin swear that he is not coming back if he gets kicked out.
Sunday, December 02, 2001
Summer's Here
It is starting to get warm down here. Summer is coming. I had to turn on the AC in my room once. Yvonne said that summer seems to always hit on Christmas day and it is like someone flipped the oven switch on. The noon time summer temps here in Perth reach up to 110 before the ocean breeze kicks in and cools it down by the afternoon. Inland behind the mountains it gets up to 120-130 degrees.
They have a really neat summer evening picnic and movie/show series in King's Park in the summer starting in December. They show classic films on a giant outdoor screen in the park, or they have live bands playing blues and jazz. I plan to checking those out. I read the band line up and they sound awesome
They have a really neat summer evening picnic and movie/show series in King's Park in the summer starting in December. They show classic films on a giant outdoor screen in the park, or they have live bands playing blues and jazz. I plan to checking those out. I read the band line up and they sound awesome
Saturday, December 01, 2001
Explaining America
Since I'm one of only 3 American's at work, and one of a handful in Perth, I am often asked to explain America and especially America's motives, thoughts, reasons, and goals in this War in Afghanistan. Europeans who live here, and even some Australians are very leery of the US.
In general, I get two reactions to what the US is doing depending on if the person has ever been to the US. Those who have been there totally support the US's reaction to the terrorist attack, and those who have never been to the US condemn the actions of the US. It's odd. I can tell what their reaction is going to be by simply asking them if they have ever been to the States.
The reason is simple. Once they have been there, all the misconceptions that they grew up with are usually replaced with a genuine appreciation of the place. They do find it very overwhelming, but they like it. They feel that the US should not just stand there and do nothing while cowards like Bin Landen take pop shots at us. They see Australia being just as vulnerable. There should be consequences to the terrorist actions, and declaring war should be taken seriously. You can't go around declaring war then saying "Oh. I'm Sorry. I didn't really mean it" when a cruise missile is headed up your butt.
Those that stay here worry that the US is bulling it's way around like always and that American's will never understand the Middle East. They think that we don't have any evidence of the Taliban's involvement and that we should leave it to the UN to decide how to react.
Boy did that statement start an argument. I tried to explain to them that the US is not going to leave it to the UN to handle our problems. I tried to explain that it is far too late for that now and that nothing short of the destruction of the Taliban is the goal.
Funny, they are both right.
Speaking of the war in Afghanistan, I have an idea that would make it very easy to get it over with. We should go in there with B-52's full of old Playboy and Penthouse magazines and carpet bomb the countryside with them. These Tabliban fighters have been living with a bunch of smelly men with beards in caves for years and have never even seen a woman's ankle. What is going to happen when they pick up a porno mag? I guarantee you won't see a Taliban "
"Freedom Fighter" for month, leaving Afghanistan wide open for troops to run around looking for Bin Laden.
In general, I get two reactions to what the US is doing depending on if the person has ever been to the US. Those who have been there totally support the US's reaction to the terrorist attack, and those who have never been to the US condemn the actions of the US. It's odd. I can tell what their reaction is going to be by simply asking them if they have ever been to the States.
The reason is simple. Once they have been there, all the misconceptions that they grew up with are usually replaced with a genuine appreciation of the place. They do find it very overwhelming, but they like it. They feel that the US should not just stand there and do nothing while cowards like Bin Landen take pop shots at us. They see Australia being just as vulnerable. There should be consequences to the terrorist actions, and declaring war should be taken seriously. You can't go around declaring war then saying "Oh. I'm Sorry. I didn't really mean it" when a cruise missile is headed up your butt.
Those that stay here worry that the US is bulling it's way around like always and that American's will never understand the Middle East. They think that we don't have any evidence of the Taliban's involvement and that we should leave it to the UN to decide how to react.
Boy did that statement start an argument. I tried to explain to them that the US is not going to leave it to the UN to handle our problems. I tried to explain that it is far too late for that now and that nothing short of the destruction of the Taliban is the goal.
Funny, they are both right.
Speaking of the war in Afghanistan, I have an idea that would make it very easy to get it over with. We should go in there with B-52's full of old Playboy and Penthouse magazines and carpet bomb the countryside with them. These Tabliban fighters have been living with a bunch of smelly men with beards in caves for years and have never even seen a woman's ankle. What is going to happen when they pick up a porno mag? I guarantee you won't see a Taliban "
"Freedom Fighter" for month, leaving Afghanistan wide open for troops to run around looking for Bin Laden.
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