Friday 27 January 2006

Taxi Driver Story

I needed to go to the other campus to pick up an equipment for the office. Because I took public transport to get work, I didn't have a car to get me between campuses. I needed to catch a cab.

The taxi first of the ranks was driven by middle aged man from a country formerly known as Yugoslavia. He's a thin man with white hair on his goatie. If you can imagine the typical italian henchman in movies then you'd know what he looks like. Just take away the Armani suit and the sunnies and add the receeding hairline and white hairs on the goatie.

This driver was specially interesting because of the unsual way he answered my automatic taxi driver pick up line "Have you been busy today?"

The expected answers usually go like this..
"Yeah.. its been alright.. very busy..very busy.."
or
"Nu. not really... its because its blah blah blah..."
Either way, conversations roll on from this. But today my driver was different. His answer to my cabby pick up line was:
"I dunno. I was late today so I wouldn't really know. Im a lazy driver you see. You actually woke me up from my nap.."
He said it with a smile so I knew he was a cool dude.

His name is Yasglov. Cheery fellow. Theres only so much you can learn from someone you talk to for twenty minutes. Some of his more memorables lines were:

"Australia such a bad country. It feels like prison to me. If I was young and handsome like you, I would enjoy it too. But me, im 57 and old.. i don't like it.. ya?" Hahaha. I think he's trying to hit on me!!

"Everyone wants nice house and nice place ya? And once you have nice house and nice car, what next? You need to get nicer house and nicer car ya? It does not stop.
You know the more you earn the more your partner spends? Thats why Im taxi driver. That way my wife doesn't spend too much ya?"

But he did have some pearls of wisdom.

"We could all be hurt next week you know. Everyone is working so hard that they have forgotten how to live. We should all be working to make a living, not live to work. You know ya? We should see the country, go on holidays, have dinner with good wine.. all with people you like ya?"

He asked me if I was married. No (Don't scare me). He asked me how old I was. Twenty five I said.
"Ah.. still young. No need to rush and getting a girl. Enjoy life ya? Me, I've been married twice. First wife was very good looking. Oooo she was nice ya?
My friends all jealous.
But she wasn't my best friend. Naah.. it was nu guud. Nu guud.
Now my second wife.. yes.. she is good friend. Very good friend.
If you have a best friend for a wife, she becomes very good looking and everything is good. Thats what you want. A best friend for life. Umm. Do we turn here?"

Definitely one of the more animated drivers I've met. Funny guy.
"Thank you for our conversation. I enjoyed driving you around. Now I go back to sleep ya?"

Tuesday 24 January 2006

BMW Perth Cup - Race End

By around 3PM everyone in Ascot has had their fair share of champagne. The formalities and elegance of the racing cup had faded away and the place has turned into one big afternoon party.
Jeff and I abandoned the chill-out spot and headed out for a stroll (PW). We discovered a nice spot next to Tentland.
Tentland citizens got unlimited food and drinks, but had to fork out $200 (P8400) each! Hanging next to the fence was a great idea because there was shade and we were able to scam free Tentland music!

Jeff and I enjoyed the view from the fence.
Sorry Jeff, I messed up the above photo. Lemme fix it..!
Much better!! Daamn! Those legs are really long!!

We were spotted by this beautiful group of people
GRrrrrrr. Foxy ladies!!
Jarrad finally discovered why we've been gone for so long

Spot the difference
There are 5 things that are different in the next two photos - can you spot them all?

Hanging out with Mariza, Vi and gang put time on fast forward
Before we knew it - the final race had finished! I didn't even get to check if my horse won!
I think this guy was the winner of Race 8 - the big Perth Cup race.

After the last race most people headed back home.
We stayed and continued our little fence party!
Some had no choice but to stay..

Speaking of winners, this guy was definitely a big winner! :P
Mr Random and Vi
Ouch!!
Jeff and Charith with some tongue action
"Save a horse - ride a cowboy"

Like all good things in life, our little fence party eventually came to an end.
A fight in Tentland forced everybody out
Bye bye Ascot

The line for the shuttle back was heaaaaps long! We lined up for about an hour.
Luckily, we were entertained by "Bananaman" while waiting in line
Jarrad gives "Bananaman" a thumbs up for his cheeky performance
It was around 8pm when we finally returned to Belmont.

We were all dead-tired by the end of the day, but we certainly had an awesome time.
We all can't wait for next year's cup.

Monday 23 January 2006

BMW Perth Cup - Race Start

A great way to celebrate the new year public holiday in Perth is by rounding up your posse and heading off to the annual Perth Racing Cup at Ascot Racecourse.
After two hours of sleep from the previous night's partying, I was already out cruisin' with Jeff and Jarrad to Belmont Racecourse. This was where we parked the Will- mobile and caught a shuttle bus to Ascot Racecourse.
Arriving there, we were confronted by the $30 (P1260) gate entrance fee. I think its $200 (P8400) for unlimited food and drinks in the richer Tent land! Insane!!
The Perth Cup is all about the people, the fashion, the gambling - the craziness that IS horse racing.

Mr Ed and brothers were in the house

Jeff was really into the racing. He even saddled up with my belt!!
Did I mention that there were lots of people?!!!
Find Jarrad in the above pic!
We later met up with Thi and gang. I was suppose to teach them how to bet on the horses, but they ended teaching me instead! (Or maybe I was just playing dumb.. maybe...)
Thi, Kim, Anh and Sowat. These ladies won on their first bets!!
(But I was the bigger winner coz I got to hang with them :P)

A band rocked the stage near our chill out spot
Jeff and Charith
Charith, Jarrad and Dilini
Matt, Adrian and Charith
Look at the hottie in green!! We love this photo of Joe and Charith.
Kim, Anh and me
Sowat and Thi
Joe and I sharing a gay (happy) moment

I was still recovering from the raw sausages and alcohol from the previous night, so I stopped at two glasses of champers. I think each of the boys stopped at two aswell, two bottles that is.