The car is booked in today to have a few problems sorted out:

- Grinding noise in the front-left when turning at low speed
- Poor-fitting roof lining (you can actually see the foam backing when you open the rear driver's side passenger door)
- Clunking noise in the back boot area when going over speed humps and rough roads.

So I'm driving to work in one of the dealership loan vehicles (a 2007 Golf FSI 2.0L auto) and what do I spot on Parramatta Road? A GT Sport TSI!

FINALLY I see another one on a Sydney roads. Rego BFS-06L

The K850i died unceremoniously earlier today without any sort of warning. Currently using my old K800i while the K850i is with the service centre being repaired.

(Castlereagh Street, Sydney)

Data Warehouse Consultant - CHECK!
IT Solutions Architect - CHECK!
Business Analyst - CHECK!
Project Manager - CHECK!
Business Representatives x 2 - CHECK!

... yawns and blank stares aplenty - CHECK!

Dropped the K850i in for repair yesterday afternoon. Because they wouldn't gove me a loan phone, I Left them with both my home and office landline numbers so they could call me back as soon as it had been repaired. Hadn't heard from them this morning so I phoned to find out what was going on.

"Oh - we sent you an SMS. Didn't you get it?"

I just about exploded.

....and wait ....and wait ....and wait ....and wait ....and wait ....and wait ....and wait ....and wait ....and wait ....and wait ....and wait ....and wait ....and wait ....and wait ....and wait ....and wait ....and wait ....and wait ....and wait ....and wait ....and wait ....and wait ....and wait ....and wait ....and wait ....and wait ....and wait ....and wait ....and wait ....and wait ....and wait ....and wait ....and wait ....and wait ....and wait ....and wait ....and wait ....and wait ....and wait ....and wait

(3 Service Centre - Parramatta)

Uncle Tobys choc chip muesli bars appeared in the office snack bar. I wouldn't have had one of these in 20+ years I reckon.

Here's a few of my work colleagues - Keith, Chris and Maree. Someone made up a big bowl of "passion punch" (Passion Pop plus vodka, fruit juice etc) for us th drink before we all head off for dinner.

Our work social event tonight is at the Greek restaurant, Mykonos. Part of the entertainment is a belly dancing competition. Eh? Belly dancing? I thought it was a Turkish/Lebanese thing?

Oh - that's Keith on the chair taking on the ladies.

So much bloody food:

Greek salads
Tzatziki and taramosalata
Bread rolls
Carrot, celery and battered egg plant
Fried haloumi
Dolmades
Spanokopita
Calamari
Char-grilled octopus
Marinated chicken wings & drumettes
Fish
Lamb souvlakia
Chicken souvlakia

The boss is paying for the lot and everyone is in great spirits (and drinking them, too).

The professional belly dancer is a male. t's ticked the fancy of my female colleagues including Renee, Barb and Narelle who have moved in for a closer look.

....to get up on the dance floor!

Doing the Timewarp.

It's cold and gloomy in Sydney today. I have a head-cold and feeling about 50%. Making up some toasted ham and cheese crumpets to eat while I play Wii/PS3/360.

Geena knows that she has to sit and be given an "OK" signal before she dives into her dinner. But there's a sprinking of cheese (one of her fave foods) on top tonight and she can barely keep her arse on the ground.

The Rocks Aroma Coffee Festival 2008 starts in 40mins. Time to jump on the bus with my tastebuds, wallet and camera gear.

Good turnout again this year.

Still one of my fave local roasters - CRAVE.