A Baby Ate My Dingo

Popular culture in America is a fascinating observation. The title of this blog first came to semi-popular attention many years ago on the release of the film 'Evil Angels' about the disappearance and tragic death of the 9 week old Azaria Chamberlain at Ayrs Rock, Australia. The film follows these events and the conviction of her mother Lindy Chambelain. Lindy, played by Meryl Streep utters the words, 'a dingo ate my baby."

The line itself would have faded into cinematic obscurity had it not been taken up in an episode of Seinfeld in which the character, Elaine delivers in the utterly inane remark that, "maybe a dingo ate your baby."

Its bizarre but from that moment on some Americans seem compelled beyond normal reason to say that line to any Australian they are meeting for the first time. Having not done a count of it I can't tell if this is the more popular line to, "that's not a knife." I suppose I could get very tired of it after a while but I am oddly pleased that so many Americans seem to know anything about Australia, including these inane lines from Australian movies. It would be easy to get irritated and impatient with this kind of repetition but I find it strangely comforting. In any case the fact is that Australians are exceedingly popular with most, if not all, Americans. I think we ar very unthreatening to them. They love our accent, and I will write more about that soon, and they want to know as much as possible about Australia and Australians.

Australians are still largely unknown to most Americans but they are eager to know more about us. They want to know why we drive on the wrong side of the road; they want to know all about how we live; they want to know about the sports we play. Most Americans won't ever get to the Australian shores but they still love Steve Irwin, Paul Hogan and Hugh Jackman. The Outback Steakhouse while having nothing to do with real Australian ciusine but it is hugely popular because of its Australian theme.

Come back within a few days and I will have a bit to say about the Australian accent. Look out for the title, 'I Paid a Lot of Money for this Accent.'

And the Snows Came

A snowless winter in upstate western New York? Not likely. Its been snowing for a few hours now. At first it looked like it would be very brief and with no accumulation, as they say on the weather forecast. No that's not happening either.

I am often asked, at this time of year, if it snows in Australia. Yes of course it does and then I proceed to rattle off the names of the more prominent and well known, down under ski resorts; Thredbo, Blue Cow, Falls Creek and Hotham. Very little snow falls anywhere near the big cities in Australia. If you want to go skiing then its at least a few hours in the car and plan on making a weekend of it.

Here in New York the snow is a regular and eventually very annoying reminder of just how cold it does get. As I have said before the white Christmas is a lot of fun but after that a few months of perpetual sub-freezing temperatures do not have a very positive affect on anyone.

The driving is tricky to say the least if not downright dangerous. Its time to slip the Jeep back into 4 wheel drive mode. Ah yes, its time for snow ploughs, snow blowers and snow shovels. Heart attack snow they call it. Get out and start digging the snow off the sidewalk (footpath) and you very quickly find out how unfit, read old, you really are.

So dear reader, I am off, snow shovel in hand, to clear the way. If I manage to make it from the garage to the door I will congratulate myself that I am fitter that I was this time last year. Just chest pain but a reminder to slow down and thank my neighbor for his generosity with his snow blower. Thank you Darren.