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
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COMMENT FROM D.D. -
ReplyDeleteFascinating . . . . ice skating down under? "What's next, bobsledding in Jamaica?", she sniffed. As to the 'Strine culture of alcohol, actually that doesn't surprise me . . . from Outback's slogan ("no rules, just right") to almost any movie or TV portrayal of an Aussie, alcohol seems to be a firmly established staple in that ethos. At least, that's how Life Down Under tends to be packaged for Yank consumption. And that "very transitional age group"?? Man, you're not kidding! My mom could pontificate on that for a week or two . . . she taught junior high music for 33 years, and she would totally wig at the idea of just throwing these emotional train wrecks into a 7-through-12 hodge-podge and calling it high school . . . talk about a recipe for disaster! It's a wonder any of these kids make it to graduation.
But now as to this dandelion thing, I feel I must protest . . . . Miss Hil, I'm well aware that you have a puckish side, but I do think it was rotten of you to sneak those sunny yellow weeds into Oz just to watch the invasion from a distance. You're a caution, you are.
D.D.-
ReplyDeleteThose dandelions are a bit of a game changer in the biological warfare dept! Ha ha