Australian Open 2008 - Day 7

Today started out somewhat oddly.  I woke up fairly early aware of the fact that I needed to get my laundry out of the dryer.  I was really only worried about the state of my work shirts and of course my khakis.  I got up, folded everything and hung the appropriate parts and then actually fell right back asleep.  That meant I didn't get up to run, didn't get up to do any wandering around town.  I woke up and had to get ready to walk to work.

I still had a little time so I called Mike.  He had just ordered at Nando's and asked if I wanted to join him for lunch.  I jumped at the chance as it was the first time this trip to eat there and I love the stuff. :-)

We chatted and decided that while we had the extra time, we'd head over to Ferrari Formal and Bridal so that we could hire the tuxedos we'll need for the Australian Open Ball.  I wound up choosing The Gable from that page.  The store doesn't take AMEX, which means I had to put it on my Mastercard and then remember to hang onto the extra receipt so I can get it into my expense report.  It was a bit depressing to be trying on the tux knowing that Colleen will only get to see me through a picture wearing it.  I wanted her to be able to see how I look in the thing close up.  I know it is a much smaller one compared to the one I am wearing in the wedding pictures.

Venue life itself is pretty dull.  There isn't much to do unless you're in the middle of a serious fire or meltdown of something in the environment.  That doesn't happen as often, so mostly it is about trying to find ways to stay awake and get play over as quickly as possible.

A longer evening match meant I didn't leave the venue until after 1AM.  I am supposed to turn right back around and work the day shift tomorrow so I can meet an old mate Bill.  Haven't really seen him in a few years.  It could be interesting.  A Friday night loose in Melbourne.  The last time he got me out was when we saw Eugene Hamilton and I came to the realization that Australians believe that any alcohol and Red Bull can't be half bad.  I got back to the room and was surprised to have had my third disappointment from the Medina Grand.  Despite calling the desk before noon as the note slipped under my door suggested, I had not received service on the apartment.  Now, I didn't really care, I had clean supplies and I don't spend a ton of time in the room, but after getting the note under the door, playing by their rules and getting assurance from the desk that they'd take care of it, having no one show up was a but annoying.  It was late and I let it slide.

After not running this morning, and knowing that I was going out on Friday night for "a beer" (the man's term for more than one) that a run on Saturday morning was unlikely at best, I decided that I'd forgo an extra hour of sleep and get up to run on Friday morning.  I may regret that decision, but I did take the time to set everything into one pile so that I could quickly rise, get changed and out the door before I realized how stupid it really was.  Once again asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.  The bed isn't all that comfortable.  The pillows are at least foam.  I suspect that's what it comes down to.  The pillows aren't typical hotel fare and I can drop like a stone if I don't have to jockey the pillows into some configuration I like.

Cheers!