So I was really looking forward to taking my husband to see the English Beat, an old British 80’s ska band known for songs like “Save it For Later”, “Tears of a Clown”, “Mirror in the Bathroom”, and “Can’t Get Used to Losing You”. Dave Wakeling, the lead singer, also went on to sing for General Public. I had seen them a few years ago at an 80’s concert (with Berlin, Flock of Seagulls, and I don’t remember who else) and really enjoyed them. Although I was the only one of my friends who knew who they were…lol..

Anyway…they were playing last night at the Culture Room, a tiny venue in east Ft. Lauderdale that reminded me of someone’s basement–yes, folks, it was THAT small. Well, that didn’t really bother me (aside from being quite frightened that we would get blown away by the decibel level, being that we were standing practically on top of the stage).

We got there just before doors opened (being the fuddy duddies that we are, it said doors opened at 8pm so we got there just after). We were excited that we secured a fantastic spot on the second floor that overlooked the stage…and then we waited. And waited. And waited (yawn…). That still wasn’t totally the problem. It was the SMOKE. Cough cough…choke choke.

Now, again, I’m no prude, and I’m a former smoker, but I can’t stand being indoors and surrounded by clouds of smoke. It seemed like everyone on the lower level was puffing away, and of course, all the smoke was floating up nicely to the top, where we were. But I nearly lost it when a guy right behind me lit up and blew the smoke pretty much in my face.

That was the last straw. I honestly couldn’t breathe. So we decided to forfeit our coveted spots and head out to the patio for a breath of fresh air. Cough cough…choke choke. More smokers abounded out there. Sigh…I tried to find some sanctuary with a patch of fresh air, but it was impossible.

And being that it was now nearly 9:30pm and Bad Manners, the first band, hadn’t gone on stage yet, we decided to see if we could get a refund.

Surprisingly, when I told the guy selling tickets that we didn’t know it was a smoking venue (which was true) and that I couldn’t breathe, he gave us our money back (all $40.00 of it–okay, so we lost $10.00 in service fees that we paid Ticketmaster, but I was happy just to get something back!) and we headed home.

Very disappointing, to say the least. I guess I’ll have to make due with downloading my favorite English Beat songs from iTunes and jam out on my own, in a deliciously smoke-free environment.

And to you smokers out there? Have a heart. Let the rest of have some fresh air once in a while, would ya?

So…I thought I had the best job in the world as a Web Developer/consultant. Guess I was wrong! Because over in Australia, Queensland tourism is offering internationally what it calls “the best job in the world” — earning a top salary for essentially lazing around a beautiful tropical island (Hamilton Island) for six months. WTF??

Yes, you heard right…they’re paying $150,000 Australian dollars ($105,000 U.S. Dollars) for a six-month contract, where job responsibilities include “exploring and reporting back”,”feeding the fish” (um, does that include the Great Whites that I think frequent the Barrier Reef?), “getting the mail”and “cleaning the pool”–which to them means picking up the occasional stray leaf that falls in. OH. MY. GOD.

If I didn’t have a fear of sharks, I would be sending in my application RIGHT NOW. Seriously. Who wouldn’t want this job?

Oh, did I mention that you get to live RENT-FREE in a beautiful 3/2 house? And you get a little golf cart to tool around the island in ( I guess to do your exploring in) AND they send you on little trips to spas and other islands…the list goes on.

Apparently they’re doing this to help promote the Australian islands and tourism over there. I dunno, I saw some of the prices homes were going for (in the millions) so it doesn’t seem like they’re hurting…but it’s one heckuva PR ploy, isn’t it?

I personally just don’t get WHY they’re offering so much money…I know I’d do it for half of that salary (or less, it’s only for 6 months). And I bet other people would take less too–hello, it’s RENT FREE!?!

And I’m pretty sure I’d never want to come home. Well, maybe. Because I’d miss the crazy pace of South Florida too much.

Yeah right.

Anyway for more info, check out Yahoo’s story, or this one. Or visit the official site here. And get your cameras rolling and your 60 second video in, applications are being accepted until Feb 22, 2009.

Good luck! I’m going back to my day job now, in my boring, gray cubicle. Will try not to dream about this job.  Sniffle.

Ok, I know all of you folks up north are going to want to tell me to shut the heck up. But I gotta tell you, it’s been FREEZING down here in South Florida lately! Last night temperatures dropped to the 40’s again, and we had a freeze warning on until 9am. A FREEZE WARNING ?!?  Imagine that…

I made the grave mistake of putting on what I thought was going to be a nice, toasty jacket…I mean, it was ankle length and felt very warm inside my house this morning. My bad! It was way, way too cold even with said stylish jacket on. Lesson learned–go back to the leather!

Anyway I feel really bad for all of you up north suffering with REALLY freezing temps…but pity us down here too. We’re just not equipped for this cold snap, wimps that we are! Hoping for some warmer days soon…