Day Off in Melbourne, Australia

I woke up feeling like shit! It felt like I had 5 pounds of that dust imbedded in my throat and nasal passages. I just know it's gonna make me sick.

And talk about an underachieving day. This was it for me. I didn't get around to anything fun at all. I finally left the room around 3:30 to go to the laundromat. While I was there, I popped into the little shop next door and bought some fresh macadamia nuts and dried figs. This place has the best figs I've ever eaten. The owner told me that they're from Iran of all places. They're sun-dried and far different from the dried figs you can buy in the States.

Got a phone call about going to a steakhouse with some guys, but I was hell-bent on Chinese tonight.

Met Sooner and Robert Long in the lobby around 7 for a couple of beers, then headed off. Had a couple of rounds at Spleen. They were finally open following the long holiday weekend. Met some interesting folks hanging out at the bar.

Then, off to Post-Mao, the place I'd eaten at back in October when I was here before. Again, the food was amazing. For some reason, the service was a bit slack. Back to the room at a decent time.