Tag Archive | New Zealand
Reduce 7 billion people to 100 people to depict our world
When Mr O Jnr 2 (he of the recent major bone surgery) was whinging about my internet restrictions he stated, categorically, that “everyone” else in the world had the internet – all seven billion people, according to him. Remembering the 100 People: A World Portrait I had read longer ago than I thought, I reminded […]
In the Australia of the future, you will fly out to see a doctor
Jane felt the baby’s head. Little Jamie was hot. Too hot. “Philip”, she screamed, “I’m scared!” Jane’s husband dragged himself out of bed and with considerable effort limped down the corridor to his daughter’s bedroom. One look told him she was feverish. Jane was sponging Jamie gently and had administered yet another dose of Infant […]
Is Russell Crowe a Kiwi or a Kangaroo?
Many people think of Russell Crowe as an Australian. Most know he was born in my homeland, New Zealand, but assume he is now an Australian. Russell is not an Australian. I discovered this last night and have to say I got a bit of a shock. Not that he isn’t a citizen: after all […]
S for Spiders
I recently put out a call for Questions about Australia as part of the A – Z Challenge. Gilly of Lucid Gypsy wanted to know about Australian spiders as she has heard you are bound to get bitten if you step foot on our shores. Now let me tell you, Gilly is NOT the timid type. […]
O for Overseas
For those who may be geography challenged, it takes a LONG time to get anywhere from Australia, other than to New Zealand! Yet most Australians travel, unlike some other countries. Look at the map – we are a long way from most other countries! In the 12 months to June 2010, 6.8 million overseas trips […]
M for Music 1
The tone around here has been a bit serious lately, so let’s lighten things up with a bit of Australian music. Australia does have a thriving music industry and a rich music industry history: we have even been known to try to steal New Zealand musicians from time to time. My focus is to share […]
L for Laconic Larrikinism
Aussies have a rep. A couple of reps, actually. A reputation for being laconic (I’m not, but I can be excused for having been born elsewhere) and a reputation for being larrikins. I might have been one of those in my younger days: I am way, way too old to be one now! 😉 I […]
B for Balls and Barracking
Get your mind out of the gutter! I’m talking about balls in sport, naturally. While many countries are predominantly a one or two sport nation, Australia is a many sport nation: many of those sports involve balls. Mr O and the ankle-biters come from a country that plays soccer. Big round mainly white ball with […]
Random Observations of Life 