(Not So) Magic Bus

Today I think I officially realized that I miss the Jeep. The ability to jump in your own car at any given moment is defeintely underrated at times. People complain about sitting in traffic, but don't have a problem zoning out and driving to work.

What I do have a problem with is today's situation: just like every day, I walk out on Bondi Road to watch 3-4 buses roll by. When I get to the bus stop, it's another good five mins until another bus comes along. And that's a 381 - no use to me. Then a 333 comes....great, but it's completely full. Did I happen to mention it's not exactly spring weather outside and it's raining? Finally get on the bus and although I get a seat, it's right across from a mental girl who is ready to start grabbing me or kicking me at any moment.

Compared to most cities, the bus experience is fantastic. But there are days where I'd love to start up the Jeep, throw a CD in and watch those suckers on the bus frown their way to work.

Don't even get me atarted on people talking on the phone.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind

In the last month, I've lost the following:

Spare keys

Key card #1 - retreived

Key card #2 - retreived

Necklace

Sweatshirt

Ipod - not retreived, but got another one for my bday

$50

I'm a little worried since things happen in threes and I'm only at seven. Does my mind count as another thing I've lost?

Deportiva

We're in the midst of fall sports madness, complete with baseball playoffs, BCS poll shifting and NFL drama. But I'd be remiss to not discuss the Aussie sports scene. Both Grand Finals (AFL and NRL) took place a few weeks back, which marks the end of footy season and the beginning of cricket and basketball. A good thing for summer to arrive, but difficult to get too excited for those two.

It's a strange one, sports Down Under. Not sure if there's just other stuff happening or not strong enough fan bases in the big cities, but seems like a pretty tame scene in comparison to the U.S. (and I lived in Southern California!). I don't mind the sports too much....NRL is sorta like our football, just a bunch of laterals and no pads. And no dancing when they score, a good thing! AFL, otherwise known as Aussie Rules, is a strange one. Think one part soccer, one part trying to score a field goal while running and another part kill the carrier. It's like other sports but unlike any others. Fans in Melbourne seem to like it, so maybe I just need to spend some more time there.

Basketball is basketball, just without the polish and illegitimate kids of the NBA. Cricket isn't exactly a high-octane sport, but seems like it could be a good drinking game.

The common thread with these sports is that while people seem invested in the big games and their teams, it feels like America truly treats sport as religion sometimes. At times it can be a bit scary, but other times, it can bring people together. My colleague was confused how I called home after the Giants went to the Super Bowl last year b/c her family doesn't have that same common thread. I do miss that a bit, but thanks to ESPN I can still get my fill....without the tailgating.

By the way, that is one tradition I will introduce to Australia before it's all said and done. I've already imported beer pong, tailgating is next!