Booze, Ice skates and Dandelions - Random Musings #5

   Every now and again I discover something interesting or noteworthy as I go about life in Perth. Sometimes it just not worth extravagant amounts of research for its own blog post. Others might be considered an addendum to posts already written. In either case, these bits and pieces bloat my 'topics to blog about' list and I'm getting them out of the way in another Random Musings list.

   Perth is the proud home to Infusion, the national champions in synchronized ice skating soon off to Canada for the international championships. Ice skating? In Perth (or anywhere else in OZ for that matter)? It's hard to imagine such a sport (which is also known as precision skating) gaining any traction here. But there is the odd ice rink in the big cities.  I live across town from the nearest one and have never been there. Along with so much else, I gave away my leather boot/steel blade skates when I moved here.  Somehow I am so uninspired to drive a distance to rent plastic boot/aluminum blade skates to whirl around the rink. Maybe some day. In the meantime, Go Infusion!

   A few months ago, I walked past a very familiar plant and was surprised. I don't believe I have ever seen a dandelion here in Perth.  It had a straggly "Australian bush" quality about it but it was definitely a dandelion. And it was about thigh high. What? Don't people realize that they have to pull these weeds or it will take over the lawn?  Of course they don't.  They've never seen one before. But now, they see many...

   There is no such thing as a Junior High or Middle School here.  A public elementary school will go to sixth grade and high school starts at seventh grade.  Private schools (which refer to themselves as "colleges") flex a bit but there is still no distinct transitional education atmosphere for this very transitional age group.
http://epostcardsfromoz.blogspot.com.au/2009/02/school-days-school-days-dear-old-golden.html

   There is a culture of alcohol here in Australia.  And it extends way beyond the youthful --and not so youthful--binge drinking.  And it always comes as a surprise to  people from other nations.  My previous employment had me occasionally visiting law firms for hearings or depositions. Invariably, the visiting attorney from North America would be gobsmacked to see in the corner of the lounge or boardroom a silver tray well stocked with brand name bottles of booze.  Jaws literally dropped at the sight.  This wide open bar is like what you see in old movies. Certainly not in today's more cautious business atmosphere where liability or whispers of anti-social behavior from booze-soaked employees keeps every office a model of temperance.  Parties or afterwork "sundowners" are frequently held at the workplace here in Australia.  But I've only seen such extravagant tipple set-ups in law offices.  Make your legal appointments near happy hour, folks.
epostcardsfromoz.blogspot.com/2009/07/culture-of-alcohol.html