The dread of winter is a bit exaggerated here: people complain how cold, windy and rainy it gets for the months of June, July, August. Despite some chilly mornings and lack of heat in any household, it's really not that bad. Growing up in the snow, ice, slush, cold wind (and snow) of Connecticut, this winter is a tropical paradise. But in the last few weekends, we've been reminded of what real summertime feels like. It's amazing the memories and feelings that return with an increase of about five degrees of temperature. Walking around Bondi, the constant smell of bbq permeates the air and voices of rooftop parties is everywhere. Wow, that was so poetic, I know. For some reason we forget what summer feels like every year, and it feels oh so good. With daylight savings coming in a few weeks, that will make these warm spring days even sunner.
Meanwhile, I'm sitting inside watching college football. Priotrities, people.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
G'Year, Mate
On the eve of my one year in country, I'll discuss the most Australian topics of all: college football and the U.S. election. Thank you ESPN for finally putting college "gridiorn" on tv, but did it have to be such a bad game for the Buckeyes? My boys are turning into the party poopers of big time college football games. Are we going to be forced to root for a sub par season, just to get us out of the spotlight? It all started with those damn Gators from my least favorite state. Regardless, here's to a touchdown in next weeks game, please.
As for the great high school popularity contest, we're about a month and half from this election nonsense and it's looking a little scary. The fact that McCain is still in this race is a credit to the Republican PR machine that is able to dupe the ignorant public that actually ignores the hipocrisy of this race. If Sarah Palin was a Democrat, the right would be preaching about the "immoral left" with no family values, but they've somehow made this woman a hero as an everyday mom from a small town. Wow, truly juvenile, and it works. Now it's up to Obama's own PR people to get on the ball, fight back, or this is going to be the same old story.
Would we want to take a cue from Australia and make voting mandatory? I'm sure we don't want the man telling us what to do, but would be interested to see how an election would turn out if young people actually got out to the polls.
As for the great high school popularity contest, we're about a month and half from this election nonsense and it's looking a little scary. The fact that McCain is still in this race is a credit to the Republican PR machine that is able to dupe the ignorant public that actually ignores the hipocrisy of this race. If Sarah Palin was a Democrat, the right would be preaching about the "immoral left" with no family values, but they've somehow made this woman a hero as an everyday mom from a small town. Wow, truly juvenile, and it works. Now it's up to Obama's own PR people to get on the ball, fight back, or this is going to be the same old story.
Would we want to take a cue from Australia and make voting mandatory? I'm sure we don't want the man telling us what to do, but would be interested to see how an election would turn out if young people actually got out to the polls.
Monday, September 8, 2008
City to Surf....to Blue Mountains, to....
August was one of those busy months, both in and out of the office. The focus date early on was August 11: aka, City to Surf, a 14k race from the, um, city to the, er, yeah. Anyway, the race involves running through the streets of Sydney, great views and a little incline known as Heartbreak Hill. Definitely an exercise in exercise, but fun times, especially with the post-race beers at Beach Road.
Watching the Olympics afterwards made us feel like slackers in comparison, but at least we don't have to wear swimming goggles. As an aside, there's something about the Olympics for me that makes them seem like pancakes: when you first get em, you're all excited but after about five minutes, you're sick of em. OK, loosely stole that line from Mitch Hedberg, but it's true. After about 50 swimming heats without even seeing a gold medal race, not too interesting.
Somewhere along the way, work reared its ugly head and my friend Trynn (Trinh?) came to visit, which pretty made the Beijing Games null and void. Having a visitor in a city like this really makes you want to show them all Sydney has. We couldn't see the Harbour until it was sunny, but we did catch a good chunk of town and made our way to the Blue Mountains for a few days. A few massive hikes and 30 views of the same awesome canyon/mountain thingy, followed by a semi creepy hotel celebrating Christmas in August, we had a pretty damn good time.
The next week we finally did the Harbour thing, Manly, Darling Harbour. Just thinking about all the walking makes you tired, but when you're a host on a mission, it's got to be done.
The month ended with a trip up to Cairns and Port Douglas. Great preview for summertime, took in the sights of Great Barrier Reef, Daintree River, Cape Tribulation. First real vacation in awhile, felt real good. Skip Cairns, but make it up to Port D if you can, it's amazing how the scenic beach of Northeast Australia can combine with deep rainforest. Me likey.
I think this blog this is now up-to-date. It's been a long, strange trip catching up. Now I can talk about important current events, like Ohio State-USC and Sarah Palin. Can't wait.
Watching the Olympics afterwards made us feel like slackers in comparison, but at least we don't have to wear swimming goggles. As an aside, there's something about the Olympics for me that makes them seem like pancakes: when you first get em, you're all excited but after about five minutes, you're sick of em. OK, loosely stole that line from Mitch Hedberg, but it's true. After about 50 swimming heats without even seeing a gold medal race, not too interesting.
Somewhere along the way, work reared its ugly head and my friend Trynn (Trinh?) came to visit, which pretty made the Beijing Games null and void. Having a visitor in a city like this really makes you want to show them all Sydney has. We couldn't see the Harbour until it was sunny, but we did catch a good chunk of town and made our way to the Blue Mountains for a few days. A few massive hikes and 30 views of the same awesome canyon/mountain thingy, followed by a semi creepy hotel celebrating Christmas in August, we had a pretty damn good time.
The next week we finally did the Harbour thing, Manly, Darling Harbour. Just thinking about all the walking makes you tired, but when you're a host on a mission, it's got to be done.
The month ended with a trip up to Cairns and Port Douglas. Great preview for summertime, took in the sights of Great Barrier Reef, Daintree River, Cape Tribulation. First real vacation in awhile, felt real good. Skip Cairns, but make it up to Port D if you can, it's amazing how the scenic beach of Northeast Australia can combine with deep rainforest. Me likey.
I think this blog this is now up-to-date. It's been a long, strange trip catching up. Now I can talk about important current events, like Ohio State-USC and Sarah Palin. Can't wait.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Oh Say Can You See...
Red party cups, KFC, Krispy Kremes....sounds like 4th of July, Sydney style. We celebrated America's 232nd birthday with a jelly doughnut, greasy fried chicken, Budweiser bash. Things got a little loud at the new pad, but at least there weren't any fireworks.
The dead of winter was just fine: didn't see any snowflakes fall, hardly any visible breath and didn't break out any heavy sweaters. Even got a real bed...yes, bed, for the first time in way long. Also started my career as a musician, learning my G, D, C chords and most importantly, the calluses on my fingers.
Tough not to be on the summy Cali beaches this time of year, but discovering the views of Sydney from Vaucluse puts it all in perspective.
The dead of winter was just fine: didn't see any snowflakes fall, hardly any visible breath and didn't break out any heavy sweaters. Even got a real bed...yes, bed, for the first time in way long. Also started my career as a musician, learning my G, D, C chords and most importantly, the calluses on my fingers.
Tough not to be on the summy Cali beaches this time of year, but discovering the views of Sydney from Vaucluse puts it all in perspective.
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