Australian Heat Wave

So, I’m gonna try this. We’ll see what happens. And rather than give some sort of preface or back-story synopsis, I’m just going to start here, in the middle, and see where it takes me.

Heat like this reminds me of Giving Chase tours rolling through the South in the summer. Brutal, all encompassing. Like sitting in a fireplace, only in the South it’s the most humid fire you’ve ever endured. Standing on a no name street corner in a no name town with nothing to do but wait, staring into an empty hall. Maybe a few microphones and two speakers on flimsy stands, maybe a stage but probably not. No air conditioning to speak of—probably few people in the audience to speak of later that night. We used to do so much standing around, in the boiling heat and in the freezing cold. Standing, bullshitting, kicking stones, knocking back beers, walking to the corner, wandering back. Tour skill number one: patience. Hurry up and wait. Hurry up and wait.

I just checked the Celsius conversion on my phone and it was actually 113 degrees Fahrenheit today. That’s actually way worse than I thought, and probably one of the hottest days I’ve ever experienced—save for a few choice days visiting family in Tucson I’m sure. It should be that hot for the next couple days. The Big Day Out show in Adelaide should be a hot & steamy pleasure.

Eating in Melbourne, Australia: check out Trippy Taco on Smith St. in Collingwood. Pretty tasty all vegetarian Mexican food. I had a Tofu Asada burrito while reading Bukowski and then sauntered along down Smith St. in the heat. A junk shop, a bakery, a guy drinking from a brown-papered bottle. Finally, a little bit of artsy ghetto! Back downtown, Lord of the Fries for dinner—corner of Elizabeth and Flinder Sts. Owen and Reggie raved on this place. I finally got there. All vegetarian fast food. Just imagine if In-and-Out Burger didn’t serve any meat. Awesome fries, solid, protein-packed burger. I’m sure it’s not the healthiest thing, but sometimes comfort food is good for the soul.

Also, all hotels should pair up with local gyms instead of stocking some half-ass exercise room that usually consists of a treadmill, and stationary bike and (if you’re lucky) so sort of poorly maintained multi-purpose weight lifting machine. High-fives on the Melbourne City Baths, which I made good use of…and also rooftop pools rule.