The Chronicles of an Outback Misfit

Well it's time I give you all a real blog and I do apologize for the lack of blog I left you with last time. My world is definitely different. In the outback I got used to getting up at 5:40am each morning (with no problem I might add! It could be because I don't have to dress up and do my hair... sorry Dail that part just sucked. I now just thrown on my jeans and t-shirt and trusty hat and I'm out the door!) I put in a 12 to 14 hour day of physical labor. I might add that I'm getting quite strong I was very impressed with myself the other day when I hoisted a 12x4 sheet of tin on top of a shed we were building for a cattle yard. But enough of me bragging about myself hahaha! We then return to the pub for at least another 3 hours of serving drinks making dinners and listening to yammerings of drunk and impaired individuals. Then it's off to bed to wake up to do it all agian the next day! All this physical labor and time outside has contributed to the most amazing tan! Sadly it's just from under my sunglasses to the nape of my neck and from my elbows to my wrists as I wear gloves all the time because it gets SO hot that when you pick up tools they burn the snot out of you! But it's a tan nonetheless and it apparently brings out the native american features in me because I've been asked so many times what tribe I belong to. Oh my! Well it's either that or if I'm from Canadia... yep that's right Canadia! Yeesh these bush people are all over the place. First of all Canadian! I don't sound anything like they do - maybe if i was from North Dakota or Wisonsin "Don't ya know!" And second of all it's CANADA!!!! Well I guess it's no different than the guy who wants to learn to speak Mexican (oh how my family will appreciat that!) Then there are things like the "Worstest trip I've ever taken", Betterer, or More Betterer! Can you believe it!? And that's not just tied to one person they ALL say it! Along with Fitted and redicleeous! I'm not making this up people! Actually if you want to pronounce it in Assie Dialect all your er's should sound like A's and if you want to further your Aussie lingo take the word my out of your vocabulary entirely and replace it with me. Hahahaha it's been interesting by all means. Oh and the word thing is pronounced thinK ~ they do know that's already a word right? It all cracks me up and I might need some intervention when I get home... to think my English was already bad now it might end up getting much worse after the next 9 months of being out here. We shall see. The alphabet is a little different as well but only two letters. H and Z. When spelling out words they say Hey-t-ch for H and Zed for Z. But enough of that you want adventure stories don't you? Well I have them!

I ate Kangaroo for the first time the other day! There are professional roo shooters and they help maintain the over population of the kangaroo's. Sounds cruel I know but if they don't they start choking out the land and the cattle suffer therefor the station owner suffers financially. Roo shooters are regulated and can't just go crazy killing roo's they have to only get a certain breed and then only a certain number per month or they get docked. It's a really good system if you have to go to those extreams and even though I couldn't do it I understand the need. I've been out here long enough to see the effects and need for it so please believe me when I say it's not inhumane. Anyway some process their own meat and just as my Uncle George makes elk and buffalo sausage they make roo sausage and so I had a cook out at lunch out on the line with some blokes not thinking anything of it and in the middle of me eating my very good sausage by the way they asked how I liked it and I said it was actually quite delicious. The then informed me what I was eating and to be honest I wasn't grossed out of repulsed. So well done me for trying something new and liking it and well done them for doing such a good job! Would eat it again!

So I must say that we are now in Victoria and are enjoying a week of relaxation and comfort. But we did not get here without some near misses and some crazy adventures. You may think I'm about to tell you about a travel story or something but those two days of travel were quite nice and very smooth thanks to the well run air system and train and bus systems of Australia. I'm going to tell you about Danielle and I's near miss at death! I'm not exagerating here it was VERY scary!!!! It all started on a very dark and stormy day... no lie! It was so black with clouds outside and thunder and lightening was everywhere but surprisingly not over us directly. We were in the middle of a cirlce that was untouched by the bad weather but it was all around us. Very strange. It was nice outside because of all this and wasn't hot as it started getting boiling outside so Dani and I decided to go on a walk. We saw the goats that live in the dam paddock and thought we could maybe muster them in but as they saw us approaching they ran the other way. No worries we didn't really care we just thought we would help. We think we are cool in the middle of no where and just chit chat and walk well out of no where comes the camel. Dani already doesn't like him and so I place myself in betweent he two and start petting it's face and talking to him. He likes it for a minute and then decides he doesn't like us at all and starts kicking and stomping and freaking out. We don't know what to do and know we can't run so we play it cool and try to leave he rounds on us and does his fit all over again. Yikes! We try to leave again this happens 4 times until we see Jonesy and she tries to help us out. He ignores her and starts chasing me around the tennis courts. I know I have to find cover because he is much faster than I am and with stomp me if he can get close enough. I find a light pole and run around it keeping it between me and the camel. He gets bored with this and goes to find Dani who is taking shelter under a tree. Chases her and get the pack of her shirt at one point but then drops her and leaves for me again. He does this over and over and it gets worse and worse each time he starts frothing at the mouth and I'm feaking. Jonesy picks up a stick and starts hitting him and he retreats to the woods. Dani and I make a run for it and all is safe after that. But man get your heart pumping! Too much for me friends! The next day we leave and now we can laugh at it but I don't know if it was the thunder or if he doesn't like Americans but it was VERY not funny at the time!

Well that's all I have for now folks. I will let you know more when I know more.

Until next time. :)

Cabin Fever

Ok I'm sure most of you will think this blog is lame but my friend Danielle (click on her name to the right of the screen) has blogged it all for us which is fine because I have no words in my head. We have had no internet for 5 weeks and now that I have access to my email and such I am drawing a blank. I think the lack of internet has calmed me down hahahaha I've been stunted! J/K

Well the good news is that we are moving to Robinvale, Victoria! We are finally leaving the Outback after a huge case of cabin fever and homesickness the doctor has perscribed a move back to civilization. I will update once we get there and make a worth while entry but I wanted to let everyone know that we are alive and kicking.

Behind the Line...

Serving a very strange and extremely drunk woman who graced us with these fun pics.

The lady took pictures all night long and as you can tell it's day light in this picture... they started at 2pm and didn't leave until after 11pm when she finished her Rump Steak almost laying on the floor trying to finish it. As you can imagine it was a very interesting night for us. These are the clear shots... the rest as you can guess were quite blurry and distorted.

Rain Rain Go Away!

Well life at the Pub is an interesting way to pass the time when things are dry and busy with people! Add some 10 hours of rain and flooding and the boredom sets in and crankiness begins...
It’s really not that bad it’s just very interesting how things change when the big water comes. They call this the channel country out here because when it rains there is oh so much water that is channelled in all different directions causing flooded roads and trapped in station workers and NO MAIL!!! Sucks when you are waiting for a package and you are taunted by the pitter patter of rain drops on the tin roof. It’s very interesting to experience life way out here in the outback. It’s a different pace of life and makes you appreciate things a bit more and helps you to understand different people and cultures.
I really enjoy the behind the scenes work but the serving of beer and dealing with drunken people gets REALLY OLD! When the walls come down and they make fools of themselves it’s quite entertaining but when they become jerks and pervs it loses its entertaining quality and just becomes intolerable. Daxy is our saving grace and deals with the belligerent fools when we have had enough. We get to knock off any time after dinner is served and we retreat to our room for movies or book reading.
Last weekend we had a blast. (We were rained in and no one was coming or going for a good 48 hours) For a change of pace we had just a handful of caravan-ers and it was raining so we didn’t get our usual Sunday night crowed (as Sunday nights is a big roast and we are packed to the max) we decided to make a big meal anyway for the 6 tourists and they came over early so we entertained with a game of Phase 10. We had an absolute uproar of a good time! Giggles and jokes and revenge for Skips were all over the place for about 4 hours. It was so fun and after it all we made some great friends and contacts for places to stay in Victoria as the couples fell in love with us and us them.
Besides the Pub life of serving customers steak burgers and beer we have many animals that we look after as has been mentioned in Danielle’s Blog. There has been a little black lamb that has been added to the family as well as a puppy named Tex. Tex is mine and Danielle’s responsibility to look after and is just as cute as a button. She is a great sheep dog and has all the right instincts. With some good training she will be a great musterer! She hunts the dogs and chases the lambs and thinks she is big and bad. It’s very funny. The baby lamb is adorable and a full black lamb with a white triangle on the top of her head. We named her Snow White. J She was near starved and just hanging on so we give her bottles and try and make her eat as much as possible. She is getting stronger and loves Mary the other lamb that lives here. They are sisters now and can’t be separated. I have taken a liking to the both and love feeding them and looking after them. For those that know me I’m a freak about keeping my clothes clean and not getting full on dirty. Well I constantly have dirt on my jeans and spots on my shirts and muck on my hands. These animals have taught me to stop beings uptight about things that can be washed off. Not sure how long that’s going to last but I’m sure enjoying it and love playing with them and getting dirty with the lot. The Camel is oh so precious and likes to lick and eat my hand. Not sure what the appeal is but its cute and not an experience you can get everywhere. Hahahaha!
Toompine is a crazy place! We have our ups and downs but ultimately it’s enjoyable and has brought us many stories. It’s crazy how you can go to another country and do jobs you would have NEVER done in your own country. Every once in a while I think to myself “I HAVE A DEGREE WHAT AM I DOING?!” But then I remember I couldn’t come over here without my degree and you can’t get this sort of learning and experience in a classroom. I think life is funny and this chapter will bring lots of laughter and quality growth for the chapters yet to come. Thank you all for supporting me and pushing me along. I thank you for all the thoughts and prayers. You know who you are and it’s your strength and belief in me that keeps me honest and brave enough to take the next step.You are all angels

Pictures

Ok we have very slow compters and could not post pics but I have managed to post them to my WebPicasa. Sorry there are no captions but you can get an idea of what we have been up to.

Click on the link on the right hand side that says.

Say cheese! It says a thousand words...

I have posted both mine and Danielle's pictures ~ there are some 300 photos so have fun!

Later Mates!

Toompine

Well we are safe and hard at work in Toompine (the Pub without a town) It seriously is just a pub on the side of the road and there is nothing else around it but dried up land and dead trees but it is ALWAYS hopping with customers. It's everyones local watering hole and it cracks me up I still can't figure it out. I go fencing everyday while Danielle stays at the Pub and works all day serving customers and doing the Pub thing. At night we serve customers beer until we get tired or listening to drunks or just plain want to go to bed and then we get to retire to our room of which is provided for by the Pub and they even gave us our own little fridge and toaster, kettle and a TV and DVD player! Baller! Hahahaha its very sweet of them to try and make us feel at home here and they do a great job. Our first week went smoothly and over the weekend we learned to play Tennis with this couple that was staying here in their caravan. They used to play competative and they taught us the tricks of the trade it was so sweet and so fun. Later that day we played Ping Pong with Jonesy and Daxy (The owners) and cooked some Meat Pies for the upcoming week. So Meat Pies are very good. it's like a chicken pot pie type feel but with ground up beef and some great gravy SO GOOD! I love them.

So to update you since the last time I got to blog I'm all healed up and 100% my shoulder healed and so did all the bruises and scratches so no worries mates! Hahahaha

I'm no longer Crook! Another Aussie word it means many things. Not feeling well, bad mood, crooked person, yelling at someone. Hahahahaha So any different meanings.

Then of course the traditional Bugger! It's a Bugger of a day (it's a bad day) or bugger in frustation or this thing is a bugger... this thing is not working with me and things aren't working out. You can be called a Bugger or whatever the case may be.

Worstest is my favorite! Hahahaha Scotty told us about he Worstest trip he has ever been on! What is that?! I thought it was only him that used it but no others use it as well. My english graduate friend gets all bent out of shape when she hears it over and over again. Makes me laugh!

Flash is another good one... means you are rich or are trying to look bling-bling! Hahahah Scotty calls me Flash because I have a house back in the states. Oh if he only knew! :)

Footy is for Football which is really rugby. Sounds kind of funny when there are a whole bunch of blokes at the bar asking to turn on the footy. Makes me think of Footy pajamas.

Shifters are what they call wrenches. Imagine trying to figure that one out! I had no idea what I was going to the tool box for!

I gave my first haircut ever in my life and I did a good job if I say so myself. Scotty needed one in a bad way and handed me his clippers. I thought back in my many days of watching my Robin cut our dads hair and it paid off. She would be proud! Thanks sister! I would have hated to do a hack job on my bosses hair we hadn't even been paid yet so I was sweating it out! :)

We call Scotty Shrek and Gus Gus. He is one complex character. Shrek because he is set in his bachelor ways and LOVES onions! And Gus Gus because he gets all stuttery when he gets excited about telling us a story and laughs so hard at himself and just wants to please us and make sure we are taken care of. We are gunna miss being at his place but since we've been at Toompine he has been by two times to visit and Daxy reckins that's good for business. Hahahaha He was really cute after my fall on the motorbike. I was telling them about the dream I had that someone wanted to give me a hug because I was hurt and I told them to be careful because of my injuries... he said that's funny because I dreamt that I gave you a cuddle and it made you all better. So sweet and just melted my heart. P.S. Cuddle is hug in Aussie. Yet another word to put in your back pocket.

Instead of counties and city limits they have Shires out here. Makes me think of Lord of the Rings. Welcome to Quilpie Shire! Then in the town you have the Quilpie Shire Library and the Quilpie Shire Hall and don't forget the Shire workers! They wear bright yellow shirts and jackets so you can't miss them on the road ~ They are road construction workers and aparently are well paid and lazy as all get out but what country doens't have that lot!?

My favorite part of being out here is the huge night sky. I told you it's like 10x bigger than the Texas sky which I didn't think possible and at night you can just see every star as if it was just at your finger tips to touch. The Milkyway is magnificent and just spans over the whole sky looking to be out of a dream. I can't believe how bright it is out here at night and how small I feel when I look up into the huge sky.

Well I will update as often as I can. We don't have internet at Toompine so it's going to be few and far between but we will do our best to get to a computer. Miss you all and talk to you soon.

NO MORE WIRE HANGERS!!!

Well it was bound to happen...

I crashed on the Motorbike! I know I know! I'm supposed to be safe and careful. I want you all to know that we were not doing anything we weren't supposed to and we were only going 15 to 20 km/h. It was just a freak accident and I'm ok and on the mend. Whathadhappenwas... Scotty and I went out mustering Goats and couldn't find any to bring back in see the money is with the Billy's so we were headed back after looking at the gorges and caves! Beautiful I must say and all on his land. So amazing all the different land scape's and such. We had visited them early that day to take pics and walk around then it was off to work... This was Saturday by the way so it was a pretty leisure day so anyway. I went with Scotty on the bike and I usually sit on back and the sheep dog sits behind me... picture that! Hahahaha it's quite cute and funny to me that he sits back there until it's time to "Push 'em up!" Well we saw this amazing Eagle Hawks nest and some Kangaroos and went down into the gorge to set a goat trap. Don't worry nothing that hurts them just traps them in a gated in area to must up later on. On our way home Scotty said I could drive and put me in front I controlled the clutch and handle bars and he controlled the gears which are controlled by the foot on the left side. It was really cute because I put my shoes on his boots like you dance with your dad at a wedding or something when you are a little girl. We were going along great on the open road and we turned along side a fence just going along and he said something and then motioned for me to go to the left so I started that way not wanting to jerk the bike afraid of crashing or something and sure enough it didn't matter next thing I knew we were skidding along the gravel and Scotty was smooshed on top of me! Yikes! Apparently what he yelled was wire and it had a hook on it. It grabbed hold of the speedometer cable and yanked the bike out from under us. OUCH! I shot up and made sure he was ok to find out that I was not so good myself. My whole left side screamed in pain and I instantly thought I was going to faint as I went into shock and decided it was a good idea to sit down for a bit until I could regain myself. I got it together and we rode home this time Scotty drove. He was so scared I hurt myself bad and convinced I was dying or something the poor guy he just felt so bad. It wasn't his fault it just happened. We got home and I laid down Scotty immediately got on the phone to call the ambulance. From my knee to my elbow on my left side was just stiff and hurt like crazy. I had a little gash above my left pelvic bone and that was the most sensitive place probably because that's where Scotty landed on me and he is pregnant with a baby elephant so you can only imagine the rock and a hard place I was between for two feet of skidding. So the funny thing was that we are way out in the outback as I've painted for you already and I'm thinking who is going to come get me and how will they know where to go?! Besides I HATE Doctors and I know I will be fine if I can just calm down the screaming muscles I haven't broken anything it's just a major shock to the body! Scotty says the ambulance can't come for a couple of hours because an accident just happened in Eulo (84 KM from here) and so he calls the Flying Doctor... hahahaha it's dark at this point and the poor bloke says he can't make it out because they don't fly at night due to the kangaroo's and cattle, too risky and dangerous! Believe me guys I'm fine just give me a day or two! Hahahaha so I stay the night here and that's what I want and Scotty decides the next morning we are going to Cunnamulla (2 hours away) to get me some xrays. My hand is swollen and hurts like heck and my pelvis is tooooooooooooo sensitive to touch and he just look petrified that he's internally killed me or something. Do you know that doctor looked at me for 5 mins poked me asked if it hurt and pushed on all my bruises and sent me away with 400mg of ibprophan... however you spell it. I was ok with that then because I hate doctors as I've said before but now that's it's Wednesday and although all my immediate pains are healed and as I suspected just bruises and shocked muscles my left shoulder decided to scream out in the most unbearable pain when I tried to put the Ute in first gear yesterday! So now I'm fighting that and I hope it's nothing serious but yikes it hurts and I'm afraid to use it because any time I put a little pressure on it it yells back at me to stop. So free health care is cool and all and only paying $7.30 for your meds is even cooler! BUT you get what you pay for and right now I'm pulling the I want my American doctors card because I want a second opinion. Hahaha I think I will be fine in a few days actually I just think it's weird that it took until Tuesday to realize that my shoulder was hurt... so strange and poor Scotty has developed a blue belly as he is now discovering his belly is bruised. He hopes his baby elephant is ok. :) I just hope I'm tip top for the new job starting Monday. Scotty has been really good taking care of me and he just worries so much I try to tell him I will be fine but he just shakes his head. So just send some extra prayers to my shoulder. The rest is almost completely healed so yay for all that! :) Oh the adventures of Motorbiking and Station Life! Scotty says he falls off at least once a week, it's just the break and like our saying for cycling... it's not a matter of IF you are gunna fall it's a matter of WHEN!

So now that I've got you all worried about me I'm going to give you two things to think about... Tivo and Costco!

Tivo is just now being talked about for Australia and they are all in aww of it's capabilities and wonders of the recording and rewinding world of Tivo. It's cute but so sad that they are just now discovering this wonder that we Americans have had for many years now.

And Finally Costco... they are talking about getting it here next year and you should see the looks of shock and amazement at the bulk quantity options. Even Scotty was amazed to see cereal come in such big boxes he's only seen 2 inch boxes before this will do wonders for us in the outback he says... too cute!