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October 20, 2008

Gee I hate people that don't know how to do their job. Case in point, the bloke behind the counter at the CityRail ticket window at Circular Quay at 7 AM this morning.

Perhaps he does not get too many requests for a "Bus Plus pass, Parramatta 6 to 9", but he should still know WTF it is. Instead, he's tried to issue me a red weekly rail ticket, and some type of bus pass (not for the T-Way bus) costing a total of $79. This is $7 more then the already outrageous prices I'm paying every Monday morning.

When I explain to him that he's completely cocked it up, he says "Oh yes, I know the ticket you mean, but it's not issuing it". That's right, blame the computer instead of you lack of ability to operate it. Eventually, I agreed to buy a train ticket to Parramatta and sort it out there, mainly to appease the angry mob that had been waiting for 5 minutes while this bloke tried and failed to do his job. That cost me $5 on top of what I usually have to pay.

And I get to Parramatta and the nice young lady behind the counter there issued me the correct ticket in under 20 seconds...

October 6, 2008

Last day of the festival today. Bands I saw included Exposed Bone, Psycho Zydeco, and the highlight of the festival, Wycliffe Gordon.

Wycliffe commented on the weather at the start of the day, saying that after it had stopped raining just before midday, he thought to play this tune. He then launched into "Sunny Side of the Street", only to have the clouds roll in in seconds, and the rain to come falling down ;) He laughed, and the loyal crowd that had stayed watching under umbrellas laughed along with him. And oh boy, can that guy play the trombone? Wow.

October 5, 2008

Day 2 of the Jazz Festival. Bands I saw today included the NSW Police Big Band, Joy Yates and Dave McRae, and a bit of the set for a band with the unlikely name of Mucho Mambo.

I didn't get to see the bands later in the day as of course the Rugby League Grand Final between Manly and the Melbourne Storm was on. And it couldn't have been a better atmosphere, or a better win for Manly! 40 to nil. What a thrashing. Go, Manly!

October 4, 2008

Today was the start of the 31st Manly Jazz Festival. I went a saw a number of bands on the outdoor stages today, including Cotton Club, the Warwick Alder Quintet, the Adrian Cunningham Quartet, and Jeff Duff & the Prophets. Then I ran into Shannon, Mark, and Craig at the Steyne afterwards. What a good day.

October 1, 2008

We had dinner at Garfish last night. I'd heard mixed reviews about this place (from the same person who'd eaten there a number of times) but we had no problems last night. The food was excellent.

I had yellowfin sushimi to start, followed by a beaut bit of blue eye with rocket, pear, hazelnut, and citris dressing. Very nice. And I even had dessert when I saw the honey and bitter chocolate tart with chocolate sorbet on the dessert menu.

I'll certainly be back to this restaurant.