Dodging Centrelink and the Dole Seminar (Part 1)

Phone Finally Fixed

It is a new day, close to the middle of this month and this year. That to me signals nothing but a lasting progress, to better myself and my life, so that it will be a new world. In these betterings, I note that my phone has now been fixed. There is absolutely no more crackling, cross lines, nothing at all, just a clean phone line. However, when waking up on Friday morning I tried to use the phone company coming to fix the wires as an excuse to Centrelink so I could postpone the inevitable, it didn’t happen.

Dodging Centrelink

Waking up at 9:00 a.m. after setting an alarm for myself I knew I had to head out for my Centrelink interview but my eyes weren’t fully sober. Resentful to the fact that I had an interview with those idiots I called the main number of Centrelink in the hopes of reversing my appointment to another time slot.

At first I was going to inform them that I had a job interview within the hour but I thought it to be best to tell them that Telstra was heading over to fix cabling. Therefore, this is the story that I stuck with when I chanced my speech with the operator and stricken as I was from fates guiltless hand I received some wearisome news.

The operator informed me that I had to supply them with a letter from Telstra stating that they indeed checked out my house and if I hadn’t done that they would cancel my further payments. That was how I could postpone for a week and after that conversation I tried to secure that letter. Ringing up Telstra their operator gave me no such luck as he heard me out, sounded sympathetic but informed me that he couldn’t send me out one stinking letter. For that reason, I was forced to attend the inevitable interview or face a certain payment doom.

The Work For The Dole Seminar

Dressing myself and having a shower I had my dad give me a lift since he was heading to Centrelink to drop off his form. Parking out the front we both walked in together but separated as I sat down and watched him hand his form in and exit. There were a bundle of people sitting down, obviously waiting for the same seminar that I was attending.

After a quarter of an hour after the interview time we were finally ushered upstairs by an Italian or Romanian looking guy. Thinking that this was the same person that was being a prick on the phone and looking like a bastard, I gave him the evil eye all the way upstairs despite his not being able to see.

When finally in the room he advised us that there had never been a case when so much people had turned up to the seminar because as usual, much people opt to miss it. Nevertheless, there wasn’t enough space for all the people that turned up but I found myself purposefully seating myself to the most beautiful girl in the room. I feel that she was Lebanese or Greek but that didn’t bother me as she looked great with her dark tan, black hair and work orientated clothing.

The seminar lasted for more than an hour as we watched a movie about working for the dole and how it affected those people. From there the guy cared to explain more about the course where none of us were really taking much heed to what he was saying. While sitting there I had to continually try and get comfortable as I kept getting light headed and feeling as if I was going to blow small chunks because of the uncomfortable breath of ethers.

Signing the Agreement

Overcoming this with patience the time came when we were made to sign our agreements and thus, be bound by the terms and agreements to look for work. There were three options available, work in Mt. Annan as a paving person, work as a gardener or do work for a certain business which they choose.

The third choice was prevalent in my mind and thinking it would be more logical to chose a topic which I liked and which they would have to spend time to find me, I chose it. The Lebanese girl was the first to leave as she made up some excuse in which the guy blindly accepted. As everyone filled out their forms they each stepped out one by one, I was one of the last to leave.

When finally I did leave signing my agreement I made my way down Queen Street, looking at all the decent girls I could find. There was a quick stroll past the station, down the main street and after heading into the Mall I was on my way home, empty handed as usual. Arriving home around 12:30 p.m. I bought some hot chips en route the shops in which I used as energy for the forthcoming Gym session.

Temp Agencies Calling

When arriving home my mum notified me that a temping agency had called me and after turning on my computer for reference and having something quick to eat, I called them back. The temping agency was Ottoline Vance and they were just checking up on me to see if I could commence work any time soon and rechecking my forsythes. The conversation had much needed communication as I handled mine and for that, she sounded more interested about my enthusiasm.

They informed me that I would be receiving a call soon and after that was complete I gave ‘Skilled Personnel a call to see if they had anything available. There was nothing at that moment but the lady told me she would put my name up on a special board for enthusiastic people so they would get called up for a position much quicker.

Job-wise, things are starting to look up for me as I now have two temping agencies working to find me a job and I will, by hopes and means, find myself a job or two and sustain more money. I also called the Computer Operator Position a couple of times in the day but each time, the guy was at a meeting. Oh yeah, another thing, the phone is now fully functional and fixed. There is no more crackling, no more cross wires but I’m sure you’ve heard all this before in my last entry.

Gym Progress and Weight

Getting now to the topic of heading to the Gym, I had myself a great workout and only an hour or two afterward, I started feeling the stretch in my Triceps and overall body. While at the Gym I weighed a surprising 81 Kilos which signifies to me that eating less and working out with lighter weights (Including occasional skipping) has helped to trim down my bodyweight.

Tone is starting to appear to my body and my Abs are becoming all the more visible. My goal now is to trim down to 79 Kilos, the size I was when I started getting into the bulk I had a couple of months ago, not to mention the fat. Anyway, let me now record my workout for Friday afternoon…

Friday Gym Log

Warm-up: While on the bikes I had Jett and Maddox come up and chat to me about their playing Playstation for the night. Apart from that, I pedaled for 6 minutes burning off 50 calories.

Chest: Beginning with 40 pounds for only a slight warm-up I pushed out 10 reps. Taking the weight up to a more serious 80 pounds I warmed up some more with 25 reps. Increasing that plateau to 120 pounds I pushed out a further 11 reps, then finished off 4 more reps in two quick sets. Decline Dumbbell Press was next and with 45 pounds I pushed out a hand shaking 20 reps. After this great ordeal I tried the same weight with Incline Dumbbell Press and finding it a touch easier I pushed out 15 reps.

Assisted Dips with 60 pounds was next where I pushed out 15 reps of hardened ease. Machine Seated Bench Press was ensuing where with 120 pounds I pushed out 10 reps to take the weight down to 100 pounds for the last 5 reps. Peck Deck Fly’s was next and starting with 110 pounds I pushed out 12 reps. All up, I believe that I had completed 2 sets where I kept taking the weight down to 60 pounds to fatigue my muscles with all I had. My last set for the Chest was with Close Grip Bench Press and with 50 pounds I completed 20 reps.

Back: Without much ado, I made my way to Neutral Grip pulldowns, warming up with 70 pounds and 30 reps. Increasing the weight to 110 pounds I pulled down 15 great reps. Reverse Grip Lat Pulldowns was next and with the same weight I produced 15 reps. Close Grip Lat Pulldowns was succeeding where 110 pounds was enough to pull the weight down for 15 reps.

Wide Grip Lat Pulldowns was tried with a light weight of 70 pounds but it doesn’t deserve too much of a mention. Heading to Seated Cable Rows with 70 pounds I pulled 30 reps and then after a pause I concluded with 15 reps on 110 pounds. One Arm Cable Rows was next and with 50 pounds I completed 15 reps each arm. My last set was with T-Bar Rows and with 40 pounds I completed 20 reps with a great stretch.

Biceps: Starting with Preacher Cable Curls and 20 pounds I pulled out 25 reps. Making my way to Alternate Dumbbell Curls I tried my luck with 25 pounders and to my surprise, completed near 40 reps of continuous drudge, killing my arms to a certain degree. There was some hammer curling included when I got tired but all in all, it was rather exhausting. Preacher Cable Curls with 30 pounds was then performed to exhaust the area for 15 reps. Reverse Cable Curls was subsequently added where with 30 pounds I did produce 15 reps to bring out that long rip in my forearm.

Abdominals: Being the last body-part I did go all out beginning with Machine Ab Crunches and crunching for 35 reps with 40 pounds. The next set was for 30 reps with the same weight where mostly I done side crunches for my Obliques. Another set of 30 reps was performed and for a finale I completed 15 reps on Low Ab Crunches. Before concluding my day I done a set of Donkey Calf Raises, Seated Calf Raises and Standing Leg Curls.

Pari and Osama Knock

Heading back home from the Gym, I waited for someone to call me for the night from my acquaintances but no one ever did. That is, until 8:00 p.m. arrived I heard a slight knock on my window and wondered who it could be. Answering the door I found my hunch to be correct, it was Pari and Osama, eager for a night out or for some companionship.

Allowing them in we sat around for a couple of minutes as we chatted away. Osama had an intensely dried throat and a slight headache so I headed upstairs to hand him two Panadol which fixed him up. Because Pari and Osama are so constrictive on their opinions it was hard to figure out what they wanted to do (If anything) but when Osama blurted out “Come on, let’s get in the car, we’ll talk on the way”

I knew he wanted something to happen for the night. However, I was soon to learn that they are both stuck inside a shell in which they are afraid to explore the nightlife, to meet and talk with people or even to mingle. There has to be a way for me to open that door and that barrier for them but for Friday night, it wasn’t prevalent.

Driving Around With Nowhere to Go

Let us now digress to our leaving my house and jumping into Osama’s car. There were no plans in our minds of what to do but I was grateful for Pari’s politeness to let me sit in the front seat. When reaching the bottom of my street Osama asked the both of us where we were going, we didn’t have a clue. Our plans so early in the night became stuck but suggesting we head to Campbelltown Osama done just that. Once there we didn’t have much to do except for drive around but because Osama was hungry we headed to Macdonald’s.

While he parked his car and made his way inside Pari and I sat on the brick wall near where the car had been parked. Wearing my Industrial Pants from Hound Dog and my older Black tight shirt from that same place (The package credited by my black boots), I was fairly cold but coped with it. Taking along a jumper I didn’t wear it through the night but had to cope with the miserly cold that was holding back the warmth and taking mine.

Off Towards Bankstown

From Macdonald’s we headed to the park nearby where he parked his car and we walked in the cool winter night to the tables so he could eat. While there I visited the public toilets and because they were closed I relieved myself on the walls, ironic you might say. Making haste of our hasty night, thoughts to head to Bankstown Hoyts Cinema was urged by Pari and so, without any further deliberation we left.

The trip was through the Motorway where Osama had to pay but by the end of the night, I realized that Osama showed great and humble pride in paying for other people. What’s more, Osama hates it when people want to pay him back and thus, he acts like the Godfather without the dark image to himself. When finally at Bankstown we parked in the Cinema carpark and made our way into the complex. Looking fairly outdated in its surroundings we lined up to the side of the small queue and decided what to watch.

I kept myself out of the decisions because I knew that Osama would end up paying my way despite what I said. However, just as we were about to buy tickets Osama received a phone call and when done he advised the both of us that his cousin and one of his friends would be meeting us soon so that we would head to the City. This brought me some relief as I thought now we were finally going to have some decent fun and we were going to head out to the City, where I’ve wanted to travel by car for so long.

However, this tale I must finish another time as my right shoulder is now starting to ache because of grinding at the Gym. It is more a hurt than a good pain and just like RSI, I think it ticks in a tad more when I type so I will leave these pages now in hopes that I will come back at a later time and finish off my saga.