I am so f**king sick of apartment renovations and the noise that gets transmitted through the building framework. I followed the noise - entered an open door and came across Cleatus and his equally farm proficient associates, with a cheap smoke hanging from his lips, dressed in : well, ill-kempt clothing.

Inaccurately drilling a hole with a Ryobi drill and a 10mm drillbit. (Oops, wrong spot, guess I will start again....)

I strode over the building debris laying on the floor, the junk and the sawdust. Inspected the sub-standard kitchen cabinets. They all stopped work to gawk at the very annoyed Laowai strutting about as if he owned the joint.

Grumbled, swore and stalked out. Kicked a few pieces of timber on the way. Swore again. Loudly. Turned to Cleatus and asked in Chinese "When will you finish the work ?"

On account "o" Cleatus and his neglible Putonghua : silence. Drag, Puff. I offer all the boys a cigarette to say No Hard Feelings, but hurry the fuck up"

Mate, we got a nice holiday coming soon. Good boss, pays us on time.
so....we bug out for a week.

and then....Bye Bye Beijing. Going home for a few days, get some REAL food from Mum.

The plasterer swoops. The painter is a little reticent but egged on by all - he finally leans forward and accepts a Nanjing. The electrician does not smoke. The plumber tucks in to a free fag, takes two, "smoko"- down tools boys.

Of course, these guys have nothing to do with :

                                     

 Or this :

J has spoken.

If it wasn't for migrant labourers (Farmers turned Labourers) there's no way Eastern China could have developed so rapidly. I see them every day strolling the streets of Suzhou. Some even wearing their best Sunday attire - a suit, no tie - with sandshoes.

I feel like taking these guys aside and saying "Good look mate, but an 80 kuai pair of fake leather dress shoes and a tie would make you a chick magnet. Oh, and a shave wouldn't hurt, either. I'll show you how to do a Tie knot, it will take 2 minutes.

Just look at that upward curve. That is old news. You should see it now !

Damn, I should have.....could of have.... If I knew how...... Double damn. I would have made a killing.

If : Don't get into Kipling, Jamieson scolds.

Power bill the other day. 1,300 RMB = $206 AUD for 2 months. So, I like the master bedroom shivering for Mrs. J. all night. We sleep under a quilt, for Gods' sake !

J. does not fancy sweating all day, then tossing and turning in sweat-soaked sheets, to wake up exhausted next morning, unrefreshed.

That's an easy less than half the bill in Australia.
------------------------------

Speaking of Australia...

Ahh, Kangaroo tail soup. Oh, did I mention we are also allowed to own guns and ammo in a gun safe back in Oz ?

Gasp, imagine that ! Private citizens allowed to own a gun ? I don't want one.

No need. If I needed one one, I'll borrow a mates gun,go out on a beer fuelled spree, dropping kangaroos like flies and be congratulated by the Cocky (Land owner) for saving him the trouble and expense.

Sleep in the sheep (shearers) barracks with a free HUGE breakfast.

(Bring your own pillow, linen and quilt, they stink of lanolin and sheep). Plus, it gets bloody cold at night.

We'll have a barbeque before we head out - bring lamb chops, sausages,onions, salads and steaks in the esky (iced cooler device box) for a sunset feed for the Homestead boss and his family before we head out.

However, I will cut off and skin the tails and bring them home. Nice soup, that.

250 million kangaroos





in Australia won't make a dent. They eat farmers crops - the farmers hate that, and welcome shooters with a smile, total permission, encouragement, Cold Beer and a Bed & Breakfast. (B&B).

Just don't shoot toward the lights boys, allright ? (Farmhouse)

Bugger if I plugged a female with a joey (baby Kangaroo) in her pouch.

Oh, well - win some - lose some.

Bang. Not squeamish. HACK IT OFF.

J.