November 5, 2002 (Melbourne Cup)
8 AM
Started getting ready for the races…been up for hours, got up before the alarm went off…yes, I am excited. Hat pinned securely to my head, shawl draped elegantly (I hope) on my shoulders, handbag dangling from my wrist and we were off to walk the park…9 AM
Walked across Carlton Gardens to meet Heather at her hostel then walk towards Victoria and Elizabeth Streets to meet her friends…one happy group going to the races. There was Ian and a girl named Joe and another chap whose name I cannot remember now…
10 AM
Tram ride to Flemington Race Track was uneventful…one note though, the streets of Melbourne CBD are practically empty of pedestrians. Today is a holiday indeed! No one is around!
11 AM
Purchased the general admission tickets for $35 and a race book for $5 (yeah, like I am even going to look in the book much less try to make heads and tails about betting)…don't I just have to give them my money and pick a horse? Heather seems to know what she is doing…Nikki purchased the first bottle of champagne. Why not have champagne for breakfast? Why the heck not? Ohhh…lots of nice hats, must take pictures…I think we already lost Heather's friends.
11:40 AM
First race of the day…no, we do not have time to place a bet, but we need another bottle of champagne. Heather was buying. I think I need to eat something…here, have another glass of champagne. Oh, sure. Thanks! I guess I will eat later…
12: 40 PM
Another race, but we were still trying to figure out what horse to bet on… meanwhile, the champagne is already gone. My turn to buy a bottle now…more pictures were taken at this point. I think Heather is drunk…she is sitting on the grass now, and flashing people. Ahahhah
1: 30 PM
Heather bumped into a four guys she met the previous night at an Irish Bar. I think they want us to bet on a horse named…heck, their accents are so thick I cannot understand a word they are saying. That or I am really getting drunk… well, thanks old love Nikki! Another bottle of champagne…
2:30 PM
We had better find a patch of grass, bet on a horse for the 3:30 big race. I think I will bet on #9 Pugin, why? I do not know…but I only have $10 to play with, so let her rip! Come on big money! Hey, yeah, so whose turn is it to buy the champagne? I think its mine, but Heather also got a bottle…what the heck, the more the merrier. Did one of the guys just proposition Nikki? Did I hear him right? Did he ask her to go back to his hostel and have sex? Nah…maybe…can I please have another glass of champagne?
3:30 PM
Big race is over, who won? I do not know… My horse did not, I think. Nikki's horse did not. But Heather's horse placed….hey we have a winner! Cool…lets get your winnings and head back to the city to a pub…we cannot look this good and not go out tonight! I might not be able to walk straight but I can still pound beer and shots with you two! Sure!
4:30 PM Tram ride back to the hostel…I think I was very friendly towards a guy in a suit who said he is from Chicago. He helped steady me while on the tram. Got to the hostel just fine…still dressed, still have the hat on my head, still have the shawl wrapped around me, still have the handbag and the shoes are killing my feet now...
5:30 PM
Sleep, take a nap, set the alarm for 7 pm so we can get up and go to a pub.
6:30 PM
Sleep.
7:30 PM
Sleep.
8:30 PM
Sleep.
9:30 PM
Sleep
10:30 PM
What is that noise? Go back to sleep…
11:30 PM
OH! MY! GOD! My head! I have a massive headache! I think I am going to be sick. Oh God please let me reach the toilette before I get real sick. Hurl. And some more hurling. Dear Lord, if I survive tonight I promise not to drink champagne again. Hurl. Hurl. Hurl.
I am Mary Grace, drunk as a skunk, hurl...