Contemplating the future
Hi from the shoe salesman,
Yes I’m selling shoes! And proudly earning the minimum wage! Nicole and I have both only been paid for the first four hours of work we both did (just a coincidence that we both did only a half day in our first week before the pay period) – and Nicole’s pay was double mine, and she does nothing while I frantically run around all day with no breaks except for a half hour lunch break (usually not until I’ve been on the job for at least 5 hours!). All good though. I’m getting to be a hiking shoe and outdoors expert. Have had to bluff my way through other merchandise and almost sold a guy a ladies backpack the other day!
Training for footy at the mo and working as a ‘coach’ for a school kids rugby training camp. Sussed it out over a beer after training last week – $20/hr to teach kids how to run around with a ball! One of the older guys said I should say I was the 26th man for the ABs world cup squad! I’m sure after they see the Jimmy K side step they’ll have no trouble believing it!
I’ve been enjoying rugby training -although this week we started proper training (as opposed to just playing touch) so the drills were a bit of a shock to the system. First game is next Saturday – wait till they see what the wiry farm boy from the rough side of Cambridge is made of!
I’ve meet some really good sorts at rugby though – a few English, Irish, Saffa’s, Aussies etc but surprisingly about 80% locals. It seems that not too many of them go in to the club for a beer after the Tuesday and/or Thursdays training? Weirdos. What do they think they are- aspiring All Blacks?!!!!
I just bought a new bike from a second hand shop – Giant ATX 760. Sussed it out and then had to meet Nicole for a ‘coffee’ during her lunch break – ulterior motive was to get some funds as I’m officially broke. The bike shop was near UBC (University of British Columbia) where Nicole is ‘working’ at the mo, so I had a nice bike ride home – although it took me a few minutes to remember which lanes to be in (at the lights etc) when biking on the ‘wrong’ side of the road.
Tags: Giant ATX 760, minimum wage, outdoors expert, rugby, selling shoes, University of British Columbia
August 28, 2008 at 7:52 pm |
I have been reading your blog with amusement(just stumbled on it while googling the hail that occurred in Penticton that I totally missed!! I grew up in the Okanagan….lived in Oliver, Okanagan Falls, Penticton and Kelowna.
Also lived in the West End (Vancouver)for a couple years….and for 8 months (after putting up an ad on a local internet store) got an Aussie as a roomie who was doing the same as you both. While living in Kelowna, also had a Kiwi plant himself in my apartment (thanks to my roomie!) for a year….I cant remember if he ever paid rent.
Anyway…..hopefully you have a good time here and people are kind to you …..! Make sure that you do as much as you can….don’t miss any opportunity for an adventure and if there are no opportunities – make them! Keep writing…..it is interesting reading about what we view as “ordinary” thru the eyes of someone not from here.
And, by the way, if you go down to the USA, there will be another language adjustment….our “washroom” is their “restroom” —-and they don’t understand Canadianese down there…………!
August 28, 2008 at 8:30 pm |
oh…and my old school chum lives in Tauranga, New Zealand