17 March, 2006 (Friday - St Patrick's Day)

Hi All,

I'm surviving in the wild wild Canadian West, where the cars are big and the gals are well rounded. Yes, life is swell. No connotations attached.

(Picture: A ticket-tart St Patty's - Tania, Myself, Precious, Kate, Sarah)

Right now I'm sitting here at Happy Valley skating rink and it looks like the St Patty's celebrations are in full swing. At least, the girl in the green top and short short mini skirt / belt leads me to believe that I should leave here early and make my way upstairs. I can hear the call. It's all that Irish blood flowing through my veins. I think Irish-ness is not a regressive gene.

Anyway, it's Friday here and (as usual) the week has blasted past once again in a flurry of snowflakes, chicken wings (with extra sauce), hours staring at the computer screen and episodes involving belligerant customers. I love my jobs.

It's Friday and I'm working back to 10pm. But after that I've been promised a pint of guinness with some of my favouritest ticket tarts (Kate and Precious!) and some of the tastiest Westridge-ians (Lauren and Emily say 'hi!').

Today (Australian time) it was Josh's birthday, so I finally managed to call through. Apparently things are all amok back home. It's emotional turmoil and too many hours on the books (but not on the red). Love lost. Love gained. Love spent on a dozen bottles of good Margaret River Cab Sav. Summer is waning. My presence has been missed. Winter is coming. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOSHIE! Welcome to Quarter-life crisis country! (Picture: Dancing with the Happy Valley bear)

Brendan had some constructive feedback on my content - less ski hill junk and more on the chicks. "We want to know all the details. We want to see the hotties." He said (or something like it). Well, dearest readers - while I want to cater for your respective tastes, I'm afraid there are no details to confess of. I have been the perfect ski monk. Kate even just commented to me as such. I puffed out my chest.

Anyway, enough of me. Tonight is going to be busy. St Patrick's day drinks then off to the depths of Snowpines to say farewell to Kelly, my hippy co-worker who is going off on a jaunt to Africa. It's my first Snowpines party and i'm not sure what to expect, but the place is called 'The Penthouse' so that at least sounds promising.

What's happening here more generally? More snow on the way. Lots of last week partying and, being Spring break, lots of jailbait and cougars on the prowl. It's a good time to be working here. I think I just need to find more sleep somewhere along the way. But, that's an old complaint. The snow is fine. I'm being cheekier to customers, and I don't think they get my sense of humour. Go figure.