Friday, July 28, 2006

back home on range

Back in Wyoming and its summer! Yay! A smooth but sleepless flight over the Pacific put me in a familiar but grubby unwelcoming LA airport where I experienced the usual hassels. This is the 3rd time I have been detained and I've never committed an offence. I've never even thought about committing one! I had all the documentation that the Sydney consulate assured me i needed to get through immigration but apparently struck the wrong official. When I handed the pan-face, uniformed clad, 'gentleman' the sealed envelope he asked me where the attached piece of paper was. There never was one but there were staple marks. It couldn't have been too important if it was stapled to the outside with one measly staple! I said I had no idea and gulped as he ripped open that precious document I had been guarding with my life. Then he put it asside and told me to wait while he attended to TWO 747's worth of passengers. I told him I had a plane to catch at 10.44am and he just nodded and mumbled, "you'll catch your plane." It was 7.30am but after having been detained twice before for a miserably long 5 hours a piece, I wasn't feeling too reasurred. So I sat down where he told me to and tears welled up as I watched and airport full off people of all nationalities pass happily through his hands.
After about an hour another officer came out from the 'little room' and asked me what was going on. By now my friend at the counter had served everyone and had dissappeared with the all my documentation including my passport. The second officer said "this isn't right" and took off looking for him. Now both of them had dissappeared and i was left in limbo. However they both returned a few minutes later.The second officer went back to what he was doing and 'Gracia' beckoned me back to the counter. Suddenly he was Mr nice guy telling me i didn't have to get so upset.
He figure-printed me right there at the counter, handed me my stamped passport, smiled broadly and told me to have a good day. I took it mumbled something like, "you too" and raced off to get my baggage to take through customs. I caught them just as they were ready to take them to the unclaimed dept. No hassels in customs thank goddness;got to the terminal with only 25mins to spare. Ordered and drank a nice vod and ton, boarded the plane to Denver and bopped across to Colorado.Need I say it was so comforting to step inside the friendly and civilized DIA and be greeted by sweet Mernie.The rest is not history, its the future.

Monday, July 24, 2006

down to the wire

Well i'm down to the wire now. I leave on Thurday morning to pick up life again in the US. My good buddy Dianne has been busy helping me tie up the loose ends of my four year return to australia. I will miss her so much. I haven't made a lot of new friends since returning but the few i've made have been gems; especially this one. I'm really on the hop now so i wont go raving on as much as i'd like to about this.
Anyone who happens to be on my dad's email contacts please write to him as he has become an email monster!
Adieu

Sunday, July 16, 2006

baby its cold outside

Its cold, damp and wintery here in South Australia. I'm looking forward to going back to Wyoming where it is warm. Now doesn't that sound topsy turvy?

Thursday, July 13, 2006

limbo

Still sitting here in limbo. I' m spending most of my time trying to sell our property and two cars. The market is pretty flat right now. I think what we are asking is really reasonable if not a down right bargain but have also come to the conclusion that the value of anything is directly proportionate to whether you are buying or selling it!

Sunday, July 09, 2006

quick update

Mernie's in Sacramento, CA. I'm still in Callington, SA. Had an offer on the house.Put in a counter offer. Waiting, waiting waiting.
Meanwhile I'm working on a picture book about a spider called Boris (of course) that gets sucked up by terrible Hilda's new vaccuum cleaner. It seemed to be a 'really bad day' for poor ole Boris! As it turns out though it was just another 'bad hair day!'

Friday, July 07, 2006

mernie in LA

Mernie has arrived safe and sound in LA.

Thursday, July 06, 2006

Bye bye Mernie

Mernie left for the great US of A this morning and will be missed by all here in OZ ;especially by this little black duck. Had a nice little send of last night with a few drinks at the Doggie and deli ( local pub and general store). I took him to the airport at about 8am but it didn't really sink in that he's gone until I came home to this particularly empty house. Of course we'll be together again soon but we don't know how soon. I have to sell the house and vehicles and take care of a few fiddley things first. Bit of a waiting game. In true form, I bet nothing will happen then everything will happen at once and I'll be catapulted out of here and lob in the states thinking now what was that all about?
Mernie has taken the camera so there wont be any piccies for a while unless i figure out a way to get them off of email. Possible? Please stay tuned.
Bloggfully yours, Ronnie.