Work as Usual

So I can't report that the last two days has been that terribly exciting, but.. I will brighten this blog entry with some photos that I took today of the UQ campus, I'll be sure to add more later since I haven't done much reporting on what my place or the place that I work looks like... But here are some teases of the University of Queensland - St. Lucia campus (it sounds like it would be pretty right?), Well it is. It's pretty much situated right on the river, but it also has quite a few lakes immersed within the campus. I work in the engineering building in a small blocked-view office which probably typifies the lifestyle of a grad student. I should also mention that the office itself is down a long dark corridor that has a faint smell of coffee, and at the terminus of the hallway is the ever popular copy room. So yesterday and today were fairly similar in nature, more meetings, different people. I did have the chance to meet up with an old friend from my hostel days, a bloat (australian for dude), who is a programmer from the UK who is actually running his own computer game company while traveling, pretty sweet huh? So his job/making money scheme is pretty much going to the local library, and coding for a few hours a day. Doesn't seem like a bad lifestyle since he is pretty much on vacation.

So what else happened yesterday, I usually go to the gym after my day to release some extra energy (vs. being in Berkeley, where I am going to release excess stress), but this is my first experience at a private gym (versus a university rec facility), but I always thought that Australia was the anti-gym type of society, but for whatever reason, that memo did not make it to the Indooroopilly corner of the Brisbane world, my gym is packed full of people at all times, and the type of people that you may expect at an inner-city business suburb, late-20s early thirtysomes. Some men who are lifting to show their physical dominance over inferior gym-goers, and some women who are dressed as if they are shopping for a spouse.

So moving onto today, Thursday. I had my first high-level meeting downtown. But I wanted to head down to my office at UQ first. My office mate probably thinks I'm the biggest slacker ever since I show up for about 2 hours a day, then leave. I'm not saying that I put in my 8 hours a day... because I definitely don't. But I think my 2-3 hours in the city and interview local officials is plenty more productive than sitting in that office and reading about my research. So my meeting downtown was at high noon, and it would be a showdown between property/real-estate experts, and the Brisbane City Council Planning Department. In a nutshell, it was the planning department that was looking for real-estate/developer feedback on their plans for certain parts of the city. Very insightful and good info. After the 1.5 hour meeting, they asked me if they could have a copy of the report when I was done.... so the pressure is starting to build! I'm pretty confident that I can produce something decent, but in 6 more weeks... hmm, i'll give it a go. I had about a 2 hour break before my next meeting, so I ran a few errands downtown, but eventually made it back to 200 Mary Street for another group meeting at 3:30, have of the attendees didn't show, so it made it a rather quick and easy meeting, finishing up at 4:15.

So wooohoo, workday finished by 4:30pm, I can't complain about that, I jumped on the train and grabbed my free "Mx" newspaper and opened the first page to learn that apparently Paris Hilton's release is the most exciting thing going on here as well... So after quickly skipping over the first page, I went onto other news. I arrived back at my place around 5pm, and went for a quick cardio workout, and then hustled back to the ole Lodge to make it in time for dinner. I guess there is definately an upside to having meals served, except that I think I've been here long enough where the meals are now rotating through their typical schedule. It's not too bad though, I am a definate eater of habit, so it doesn't bother me too much.

So it's thursday night, and I'm beginning to plan for the weekend. I'm not sure what the boys have in mind for Friday, but I am definately thinking about heading to the coast again Saturday and Sunday, the weather is supposed to be great, so may as well give the surfing another go, and maybe even give a try at some kite surfing.