Fri 01: May Day - I think the only place this is celebrated now is Russia (USSR). Amazing weather in Perth - 12ºC overnight (when I was driving to work this morning) and a high in the mid-20s later in the day. The temperature is incredibly warm for this time of the year - temps as high as 29ºC are tipped for early next week. Still very dry - Perth home-owners are going through a lot of scheme water to keep their gardens green. Just the one day off again this week (tomorrow) and then another 6 day week - money is nice but I am very tired.

Sat 02: My day off for the week and it was spent cleaning up the inside and the outside of our house - ready for a rent inspection on Monday. I did my laundry and cleaned my room. Also went to the Post Office and collected a parcel. Mowed the back lawn and had to take a rest as I was experiencing chest pains. Troy went to the local chemist and came back with a Nitrolingual pump spray - which brought me back to normal. My BP is 127/75, pulse 75.

Sun 03: A shift of nearly 10 hours today. I thought I was supposed to be in 2 places at once this Saturday - but my mistake. All is sorted now.A quiet morning - a quick visit to see Mum and Ian. Met Elsie (Ian's sister) and her husband. They are visiting WA from Melbourne. Troy and Amy did an excellent job today (helped by Andrew and Danni) of house-cleaning. The place looks really nice.

Mon 04: Absolutely exhausted and in bed by 1700 (5pm). Asleep less than 5 minutes later!

Tue 05: Day off. I did manage to get a lot done today. Made a number of phone calls (to pay bills). Caught up on my email. Made a brief visit to Coles to do some shopping. Did my laundry and actually ironed all my work shirts. My desk looks a lot tidier now - and I am happy. There's just two letters to post (hopefully tomorrow), plus I need to organise a time to do a fasting cholesterol test.

Wed 06: It seemed like a long day - with a 6am start - but my work day was only 6.5 hours (with a convenient break which enabled me to drop in and say hello to Mum). Came home via Greenwood and picked up my present to myself - like an early birthday present - thanks to Mr Rudd's stimulus package. It's an 80Gb iPod - so I can listen to music and watch videos when I am on the road. Troy made dinner tonight (chicken and steamed vegies). Very tired. Early night tonight.

Thu 07: It's nearly Friday. Did I say that? I am working Friday and Saturday! Roll on Sunday!!! Actually today was quite a good day. A quiet morning. A lunch of cold meat and salad (thanks, Mum) and a busy afternoon - but a good one as I had a 'happy' Renault bus. Finished on time - fish and chips for dinner. Updated my iPod and had an early night - ready for another early start tomorrow morning.

Fri 08: Brother (Brian) is moving house today. No news about that as I did my update at 1650 (4.50pm). I am very tired (4.15am wake-ups!) and I am feeling very run down. I have a Webmaster who is going to look after the technical side of peter991.com so please keep coming back. I am hoping to go LIVE with the new format at the end of this month.

Sat 09: It's Mother's Day tomorrow and flower sellers were out in force - I am sure most mothers will receive something nice. My next couple of weeks (leading up to my holidays) are only Monday to Friday 5 day weeks - so I am putting my name down for voluntary overtime where possible. I am having computer problems at the moment - nothing too serious - just annoying. I think I have lost my computer's wireless drivers. Day off tomorrow so I need to catch up on my laundry, mail and housework.

Sun 10: Happy Mothers' Day to mothers everywhere - especially MINE. In Perth, the weather was glorious - cool overnight and a fine, warm day. I went to bed at 11pm (2300) last night and woke around 0800 today.I did my laundry (washed and hung on the line). I even ironed a couple of shirts after bringing in the washing this afternoon - while I waited for my daughter to join me. Tracey and I worked out a rough draft of what I will be doing during my holidays. My son, Troy, had a sore throat. We both had 'flu shots a week or so ago.

Mon 11: A mixed sort of day today - a reasonable morning, a nice lunch and nap, a reasonable 2nd half - but the final run was hell on earth. Dropped in and saw Mum and Ian after work - picked up some x-rays, tools, clothing and had a nice dinner (even the boiled carrots were nice!). Just 7 weeks of work left before I start my holidays.

Tue 12: The same shift as yesterday, but today I had a 9yo Mercedes bus instead of a 21yo Renault. A reasonably pleasant day today. Weatherwise - rain is possible on Sunday. Workwise - TC Rob reminded me that I have 3 hours at Malaga's Training Centre this Saturday (8am to 11am). Plus, there is the possibility of an overtime shift this Sunday (but I won't know for sure until Thursday). I decided to spend some more of Kevin07's Stimulus Package by visiting the Chinese Masseur at Centro Warwick after my training this Saturday. Tonight was Budget night and Treasurer Wayne Swann handed down his second Federal Budget - it tips a $AUD58 billion overdraft for Australia (and I thought my credit card bill was bad!)

Wed 13: Once again - the same shift as the previous two days - so I had things down to a fine art - the morning went well. I went shopping at Woolworths and Kingsway City Shopping Centre's butcher before visiting Mum and Ian. My frozen foods spent some time in one of their freezers while I had a nap and then went back to work. A pleasant second half at work - then dropped back to pick up my groceries. Ian loaned me their Esky (portable fridge) to ensure my frozen food stayed frozen until I came home. No mail today (for me), so I had dinner - did some more work on my iPod nad had an early night.

Thu 14: Hooray - pay day. Also paid the bills - so I guess things balance out. A reasonable day today - I am doing a different shift today and tomorrow - so it was a pleasant change. A Mercedes 0405 model bus for both halves too. I must be in the TC's good books - Rob gave me a Sunday shift, so now I have 12 days straight to work. Most people would grizzle - but I am sure I will catch up on my sleep during my holidays at the end of next month.

Fri 15: I am reasonably happy to say TGIF today - as I have a 3 hour work day tomorrow as part of my Certificate 2 in Road Transport studies. A great morning, a chaotic afternoon and a quiet evening. That sums up today.

Sat 16: An amazing day today. I can't remember the last time I got so much done in a single day. Up early this morning for my 3 hour (0800 to 1100) session at Path Transit's Malaga depot as part of my Certificate studies. Then I went to Girrawheen and caught up with my daughter, Tracey. The two of us went to the Chinese Masseur at Warwick for massages - Tracey had a foot massage, I had my neck and shoulders done. We stayed at Warwick for lunch (Chinese meal at the food court), did a bit of shopping at K Mart then I drove back home. I did my washing while Tracey scrubbed the bathroom. A quick trip to Woolworths for grocery shopping, before I washed my car while Tracey reset my watch and tidied my room. I drove Tracey back home then updated my Diary, brought in my washing off the line, made my lunch (for tomorrow) and had an early night.

Sun 17: I didn't want to give you news which was wrong, so I didn't tell you about the WA Daylight Saving referrendum result - but the bad news was in when I woke at 0700 today ... 55% of Western Australians voted NO (about the same percentage as the previous 3 referrendums on Daylight Saving). Damn and blast !!!!! That means that WA, NT and Queensland will be the only states/territories that do NOT have Daylight Saving from October this year. On the local front - an average sort of a day. I brought in my laundry off the line and put it away when I got home today - tidied up a bit too. Early night tonight as I have a 0600 start tomorrow.

Mon 18: Monday - day 2 of the bus driver's week. I am trying to be organised, ready for my holiday at the end of next month. A cool start to the day - so I raced through my shower and shave and got ready for work. Two Renault buses needed, after the original one needed changing off (thanks, Andrew). I did a bit of washing when I got home from work today as rain is forecast for this evening.

Tue 19: Cool overnight (10ºC) - rain is expected soon. Dark clouds on the western horizon this morning - but nothing noted as I update today's entry. A tiring day today - good sleep at Mum and Ian's place then back to work - and a surprise random drug and alcohol test before I started the second half of my shift. Actually - not just me - but all staff starting work or finishing work between 1300 and 1600 hours. No worries here. Amy came over and cooked dinner for the 3 of us (Amy, Troy and me). I still have a head cold and dry throat - so more early nights on he way.

Wed 20: Rain - where are you? Still nothing to report as of 1630 hours today although all WA Government emergency departments, including FESA have been placed on Priority 1 Alert, ready for tonight's expected serious storm. I made a visual check of our rented property when I came home from work today - to ensure the gutters are clean, downpipes secure and there is nothing loose to blow around the yard. Workwise - another reasonable early shift - with a 22yo Renault bus for 7hrs 45mins. We are a 1 computer household at the moment - as our desktop server is in for repairs (due back tomorrow evening). I want to get our backup server attended to (soon), so I can take my laptop off-line for a few days to clean it out as I will probably be taking it with me on my holidays at the end of next month.

Thu 21: Both our cars were parked under cover last night - but all Perth received was 7mm of rain. The strong winds came today - 100kph gusts, which lifted roofs off houses, blacked out 39,000 Perth homes and caused road chaos (mostly in the southern suburbs) when (electric) trains ground to a halt and 60 sets of traffic lights failed. It was stressful driving - with the rain and strong winds - but I had a reasonable day.

Fri 22: Wind (lots of it) and driving rain today. Mum excelled and make me a hot lunch. Troy phoned to advise we had lost part of our back fence, which blew over during one of the 100kph plus wind gusts. The rental agent and owners have been advised and will hopefully repair it early next week. No idea where Tracey is - she was due here at 1830, but hadn't arrived by 2000. Day off tomorrow - haircut and washing in the morning.

Sat 23: Brian is 50, Julie is 46. It was nice to sleep in this morning - until nearly 0700. Makes a change from the 0415 wake-up this week, courtesy of my alarm clocks. Had a shower, cereal, toast and coffee, before heading to Girrawheen to catch up with Julie, who gave me a haircut. On the way, I dropped into Kambos in Malaga to buy a new home phone as my Telstra T200 died. I hoped to have a quick nap this afternoon (that didn't eventuate), then off to Fremantle with Troy and Amy to celebrate Brian's birthday with family. A great night - 22 people celebrating. Got home around 2230 and went straight to bed.

Sun 24: Quite tired today - up at 0730 and started work at 0844. Tracey came over just before I finished work and cooked me a nice dinner of sweet and sour chicken and vegetables. Five weeks from today, I start my holidays and I fly out of Australia to Thailand via Singapore.

Mon 25: Not one of my better days - nothing bad or remarkable - but I have had better. Cold in Perth this morning. At least I had a low-floor Mercedes 0405 bus for both the first and second half of my work today. A confusing morning (stuff ups), a better afternoon. Only 1letter for me - from DPI. I paid my car rego online, before making scrambled eggs on toast for dinner (by myself tonight) - Troy had to see a doctor after work - then went to play poker.

Tue 26: Ouch! Please, someone make the pain go away! I am in a lot of pain - my left knee feels like some-one has hit it with a baseball bat. Mum has kindly loaned me an elastic knee support brace and some Tiger Balm. I hope it gets better soon as I don't have any sick leave left (after my 5 weeks off while I recovered after my hernia operation in March this year). A better day at work today - busy, but things ran like clockwork. An en joyable lunch of home-made soup and toast from Mum and Ian - who celebrate their Silver wedding anniversary (25 years) today. Congratulations to both of you.

Wed 27: It was 13ºC when I woke this morning. Not too bad, considering it's still fine and sunny in Perth. I am still in a lot of pain, but nowhere near as bad as yesterday. Just as well I get to rest my left leg at work - driving an automatic bus, with power steering is almost a breeze. Nothing too much to report today - a few emails exchanged tonight between myself and Jayce (my webmaster). Because I am getting a lot of emails from people who can't wait until the end of this month to see my new-look website - here's a sneak peak Troy got motivatedand .

Thu 28: Lately, there's never enough hours in the day to get everything done that I want to get done. It's 2011 (8.11pm) and I am updating today's Diary entry. I'm sitting on a chair in the dining room as my laptop has to be connected by LAN cable as my laptop's wireless is not working. I am looking at a pile of dirty dishes that should be washed ... at a pile of paperwork that should be sorted ... at more papers that should be thrown out ... but I don't have the time or the energy. I got paid (just after midnight, this morning) and I have paid most of my bills. I have worked the last 12 days straight and I have this Saturday off (to do my laundry, cleaning etc) before I go into another 6 or 12 days straight. I guess I will be doing a lot of sleeping during my holidays at the end of next month! The only good news is my arthritis / rheumatism affecting my left knee seems to be easing.

Fri 29: TGIF - Thank God It's Friday and I have tomorrow off. I am really angry at the moment - not with any particular person - just life in general. I am angry with old ladies - who shouldn't be out alone (partly for their own safety!); I am angry with single mothers who travel on public transport during peak hours; I am angry with rude car drivers - who should know the road rules, but apparently have forgotten them; I am angry with police officers - who are currently operating a work-to-rule campaign - not that anybody will notice any difference - when was the last time you saw one patrolling the suburbs, looking for criminals; I am angry with cyclists - you must wear a helmet, that's the law. It's designed for your safety - I wish the police would charge you under the Hoon legislation and crush your bike - so you have to walk or catch a bus! Phew - enough ranting from me .... for now. Let me know if you agree - or disagree with my rant.

Sat 30: Out of bed just after 0900 (9am). Finished off some left-overs for breakfast. Had a cup of coffee and did my washing - work shirts, T shirts, underwear, socks plus sheets and pillow cases. Hung it on the line and then off to Beechboro shopping centre - to the Post Office to bank rent money from Andrew and Danni, a quick shop at Woolworths and then home to make my bed, tidy my room and iron work shirts. I ended up ironing all 5 work shirts and removed all the 'dust bunnies' from my room also. Troy got motivated - mowed the back lawn and stripped down the whipper-snipper. Tracey dropped over and made dinner.

Sun 31: It should be been a routine day - 4hr 31min of work - but I scored an extra 2.5 hours of overtime. A healthy dinner (Subway) and an early night.