What Does $1.41 Buy You?

It seems as though I was stiffed when I worked (ever so briefly) for Elections Canada this past Fall.

And I was reimbursed for what was mistakenly taken from me, and it totals to a whopping $1.41.

Seriously, I have a cheque made out to me, for $1.41.

So my question is: what can a person now buy with $1.41?

Just a question...

Here's what I can spend the cash on:

-Toll of the Port Authority from New York to New Jersey
- Gallon of gas in Ortonville, Michigan
- A Copy of "Let's Look At A Puddle" from the Christian Home School Online Book Store
- One portion of "Gabriel's Love Potion" from Keen Erotica

Good news is, according to the book "Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Prices", 9 of the retailer's top 15 selling items are under $1.40. Hmmmmm. Perhaps this is an elaborate plan between Wal-Mart and Elections Canada to launder some cash...I wouldn't put it past them.

I Want Some M.O.M.!

As I am getting ready for my trip to Oz, I'm trying to figure out what it is that I need to do.

And I've decided that I have to eat a kangaroo. Not a whole kangaroo, but at least a portion.

I hear that the kangaroo is somewhere between beef and venison, and I like both.

This intrigues me. Besides that, eating the kangaroo would be an opportunity to get closer to the culture of the Aboriginals of Australia since it was traditionally a food that they ate (and still do).

Apart from that, farming kangaroo is illegal, so all kangaroo that is eaten is wild. Thus the elimination of genetically modified marsupial.

When it comes to what cut I would like to try, there are many choices, I am reading. I could go with a filet, or perhaps a "kanga banga" (kangaroo sausage).

Besides that, eating kangaroo would be able to help the rampant population of kangaroos in Australia. There are about 50 million wild kangaroos running around doing what they do...I'm guessing that includes pooping in driveways, hopping, hiding in pouches and boxing.

Keep this in mind- there are over 50 million kangaroos in Australia. And there are only 21 million people. That's practically a plague.

And every part of the kangaroo is used! People drink the fluids (ew, none for me thanks, I want to get the Australian experience, but that's a little extreme), use the fur for rugs (I remember my stuff kangaroo Catherine got me when she first visited), and make purses out of the scrotum. Yes, the boy kangaroo's 'area' is used to make purses. Now, I like bags, but that one is a doozy.

The only thing will be to figure out what it's called on a menu. I've read that they farmers held a contest to see what it should be named, because people tend to think that kangaroos are sweet, cute and fluffy, not tasty. The winner was 'australus'. Other were kangarly, maroo, krou, maleen, kuja, roujoe, rooviande, jurru, ozru, marsu, kangasaurus, marsupan, jumpmeat, and MOM (meat of marsupials).

Hmm...sounds delicious.

My Hotels!

Check it out...

This is where I'm going to be staying in Australia (minus the lovely accomodations in the Canberra region).

The hotel on the right is the Four Point Sheraton, Darling Harbour where I'll be spending 4 nights. It's located on the harbour, and if I'm lucky enough I'll get a view of the harbour.

The hotel on the left is the Cairns International Hotel in Cairns where I'll be staying 3 nights. It's in the centre of Cairns, and across the street from a casino.

Sweet!

APRIL 17TH, 2008 6:40PM

I BOOKED IT!

Very, very, VERY exciting!

W00T!

Last week I met with a travel agent and tonight, after finding out the last details, I told her to BOOK IT!

So I leave in April for 3 glorious weeks at the bottom of the world!

So much to see, so much to plan, I'll be spending some time with my family then hooking up with a tour.

And while I'm there I'll get to go to Canberra (the capital and Colin&Cath's home), Adelaide (where all the wine & Colin's fam are), Sydney (Nemo's home), Cairns (the "r" is silent- I know, I need to get fluent in Oz speak), and Brisbane (just the airport, though).

Aussie fact: Australia has the coolest sounding islands. They include: Christmas, Cocos, and Kangaroo.

It's A Girl!

Ok, here she is...isn't she beautiful???

I L-O-V-E her!!!!!

If you're lucky you can get a ride...but not if you're Maggie because she mocked my colour choice.

I'm already having nightmares (literally) that I'm crashing cars...luckily the cars in my dreams that I'm crashing are my parents and not mine.

TA DA!!!!

I BOUGHT IT

Yes folks, I bought a car, well, leased it anyway.

It's a 2007 Pontiac G5...and it's orange.

I L-O-V-E it.

I pick it up tomorrow and I'm terrified someone will hurt it already.

I ran around (my office at least) today trying to get auto insurance figured out.

It's going to cost me almost as much for insurance as for the car...but it will be worth it. That's what I'm telling myself.

I may have to live at home for a few extra months...but I'm lucky my parents like me.

No more bumming rides off of people (namely my mom... thanks mom!).

Now I need a name for it...I won't know until tomorrow if it's a boy or girl (I have to look under its hood).

I was thinking "Money Pit" or "Gas-zilla".

Sigh.

:-)

Hate Car Shopping

Seriously, why is this so annoying?

I understand that I'm going to pay a lot of money for a car (trust me, I understand). But does this merit you harassing me?

I enjoy the Saturn people, they don't try and annoy me too much. Except when it comes to financing. Back off.

The Toyota people are more annoying. The most annoying.

Leave me alone. I kind of hate you. Even if you offered to install an iPod Interface for "free".

When your manager came out and actually said to me: "What's it going to take to get you in this car?" I vomitted a little in my mouth. Especially because I said not 2 seconds before that I WAS NOT GOING TO BUY A CAR THAT DAY.

Do car salespeople not listen?

I have to drive this car for many years. I'm not going to run into this without checking everything out.

And guilting me with the "I'm one sale away from my quota today..." is complete bullshit.

I'm not so annoyed with the salespeople even. But with people who buy cars who like this shit. Who are these people? What is the matter with them? Why do they have to ruin car buying for people who don't need their ego stroked?

I hate you.

I don't have a car yet, but I will soon....argh.

I hate car shopping.

Too much money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!