Back in Australia
The weirdest thing about being in Australia though is that it's not weird to be in Australia. I have traveled so much and my home base is now non existent really, so traveling feels a little less removed from reality and more of the permanent status quo.
I don't want to always be a world traveler, always moving on to that next place. The last few months however, I have really needed it. It's helped get my head and my heart back in the right place. To remember what is important, to leave behind what isn't and to see the world in a way that makes sense again. I am thankful to have the opportunity to do so. I am also thankful for the friends and family who are there when you need them and the people that include, rather than exclude. Life is too short, ya know?
So, that being said, looks like Sydney is in the cards for early next week and I will be happy to see the place I called home for a time again. It's been over six and a half years since I have been there. It will be good to go back for a quick visit. I plan on seeing a lot and taking a lot of new photos.
G'Day Steve
Oh My Gah! Did you see Steve Irwin's daughter read her Eulogy to her dad at the memorial service? (snif). We should all be so lucky to remembered and regarded so well after we are gone..
All American Beef
A&W is running adverts here in Oklahoma slamming on Burger King (and others) for testing out the use of Australian Beef here in the US. Says the ad spokesman; "Nothing against Australia, I just think that an American burger should contain American Beef". The fact is, it's been going on for a while due to a shortage of lean beef in North America and honestly, I can't taste any Australian in them Australian Burgers any more than I can taste Freedom and Apple Pie in the beef over here.
In a statement sent to TruthOrFiction.com, McDonald's says it is the biggest buyer of beef in the U.S., using more than one billion pounds per year. (Burger King is second biggest.) McDonald's says that any foreign beef purchased is 100% USDA-approved and inspected. According to the statement, most major quick service restaurant chains including Taco Bell, Wendy's, and Carl's Jr. have used or are now using a significant percentage of imported beef, up to 50 percent.
Stop making it a freaking patriotic issue.
Little Sophie
A few years ago when I was living in Sydney, I wrote about a little Australian girl that had suffered a horrible ordeal when a car drove into her daycare center causing her massive burns and injuries that no person should have to ever go through. It happened in the same suburb of Manly I was living in at the time and while reading the paper one morning about little Sophie at my Saturday morning coffee shop. I became very emotional.
Maybe it was a connection to thinking about the what-if's with my own son, but it was mostly just this innocent and happy picture of Sophie they had (pre accident) placed in the article and reading about the horrific things she was going through just to stay alive. But as with the rest of the world we have the luxury of going on with our lives and putting the tragedy behind us. It's been some time since I have even wondered about Sophie and how she was doing. It was my greatest hope that she was doing remarkably better than expected and had a full life ahead of her to recover from the pain she went through.
A few days ago, Sophie was hit by an elderly driver in northern Sydney while crossing the road in a pram. She suffered broken ribs and head trauma. She will recover but honestly, I really think this girl needs to be handed the next winning lottery ticket and everyone just be okay with it.
Rioting in Sydney
I love my adopted country, I do, but i'd like to point out to all my aussie mates, that here is a good example of every country has it's share of dumbasses.
Rioting in the Sydney suburb of Cornulla this last week over who's daddy was born there and who's mamma wasn't, has sent the Prime Minister scattering to salvage Australia's image of diversity. Rival gangs of white vs. mid eastern have been clashing for days so far.
Alan Jones, the radio talk show DJ almost seemed to self handedly organize the riot himself in an effort to take back the beach by encouraging listners to get angry about the situation at Cornulla beach and "take it back this weekend". "I'm the person that's led this charge here. Nobody wanted to know about North Cronulla, now it's gathered to this." said the Radio DJ.
Honestly, the Aboriginee's should be pulling up a chair and grabbing some popcorn.
Melbourne Goodbyes
I had a great visit to Australia, and to Melbourne specifically. I have been here several times in the past but this was the first time we really got to know each other. I met some great people and caught up with ones I already knew. Nothing but friendly people everywhere I went. Melbourne has a unique feel to it different than Perth or Sydney. I kept thinking it had a bit of Chicago to it as well as some Christchurch. If you haven't been to Melbourne before then definitely make it a priority on your travel list. During the cup races is a particularly fun time to go. And try the semi dried tomatoes when your here.
So long Melbourne. See you again soon.
Melbourne Cup Day
In the state of Victoria, today is a public holiday so important and ingrained into the culture that even parliament is out of session during the half hour Melbourne cup race. The women have been dawning their large hats all week and the men have been dressed up as well. Of course, by the time I was out and about on Darby Day Saturday, a lot of those well-dressed people were a bit pissed (very drunk) and looking a little warmed over. You can catch many slouching over the steps at Flinders Street Station looking like a well dressed homeless person. Rough nights during race time.
Several of us headed down to the TAB to place a bet on the horses. My picts weren't that risky: Makybe Diva to win and Eye Popper to place. A whopping $4 placed on the line for the win. Makybe Diva came in first place for a remarkable and historical third year in a row. It was some big excitement in the state of Victoria today.
So, my first venture into horse racing and I came out a winner by about $10. I always have beginners luck in these things.
Missy Higgins
Missy Higgins is cleaning house tonight with five out of seven wins on the Arias (Australian Record Industry Association) with award after another and looking hot as hell doing so. Which makes me all that more excited since going to see her on Monday in concert here in Melbourne! There was also a tribute to the drummer of Crowded House who died this year with the song "Better be home Soon" and Jimmy Barnes (seen via Perth 2003) was inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame where he ended the night with "Working Class Man" .
Freakin' Sweet, Australia!
Back in Australia! I just arrived in Brisbane about an hour ago and had to run from international to domestic airport with luggage in hand and now waiting to continue out. Customs and all that is always fun but wasn't too difficult. The movies: sucked. The alcohol from LAX did me a lot of good for a long sleep on the plane, something that rarely happens for me.
Fraser Island Home Movies
My last weekend in Australia, a few friends got together and went to Fraser Island off the coast of Queensland and had a great time four wheel driving on the sandy beaches, sea fishing, eating, drinnking, swiming, snorkeling, etc. All this over my Birthday to boot.
I finally made a video to send back to those friends and made a smaller version for the web to share here. [ view quicktime movie 5.3mb ]
