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.'
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
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.
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.
Monday, November 29, 2010
In Praise of Beer
'Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.' Benjamin Franklin circa; who cares. He was never more right about anything in his entirely glorious life.
Beer drinkers all over the world often mock American beers because all they know about are Bud, Coors and Millers. Hardly a glowing example of the brewer's art but there are hundreds of beers from every part of the USA. Saranac, Lake Placid, Sierra Nevada, Goose Island, Great Lakes, Sam Adams Lager, Old Thumper, and Eliot Ness Amber Lager are just a few of the almost infinite number of extremely fine beers being made in the United States these days.
Yes they are hard to get if you don't live here but it is almost worth the trip here by itself just to sample a few of them.
But if that weren't enough the range of beers from all over the world is even more amazing. It is in New York city that I was intoduced to Chimay. It is truly one of the finest beers in the world. Brewed by Trappist monks in Belgium. Wherever you are in the world, if you see it on the shelf it is a must buy. It will be expensive but you must treat yourself.
Below are links to some very fine brewery websites. Visit these sites, anticipate and then come and enjoy.
www.greatlakesbrewing.com/
www.cooperstownbrewing.com/
www.saranac.com/
www.brooklynbrewery.com/
Beer drinkers all over the world often mock American beers because all they know about are Bud, Coors and Millers. Hardly a glowing example of the brewer's art but there are hundreds of beers from every part of the USA. Saranac, Lake Placid, Sierra Nevada, Goose Island, Great Lakes, Sam Adams Lager, Old Thumper, and Eliot Ness Amber Lager are just a few of the almost infinite number of extremely fine beers being made in the United States these days.
Yes they are hard to get if you don't live here but it is almost worth the trip here by itself just to sample a few of them.
But if that weren't enough the range of beers from all over the world is even more amazing. It is in New York city that I was intoduced to Chimay. It is truly one of the finest beers in the world. Brewed by Trappist monks in Belgium. Wherever you are in the world, if you see it on the shelf it is a must buy. It will be expensive but you must treat yourself.
Below are links to some very fine brewery websites. Visit these sites, anticipate and then come and enjoy.
www.greatlakesbrewing.com/
www.cooperstownbrewing.com/
www.saranac.com/
www.brooklynbrewery.com/
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Winter Comes
In Australia the approach of December means warm days, barbeques and swimming at the beach or in the pool. Here in America for most it means that snows and extreme cold are not far away. It means being a whole lot more careful on the road. It means not going outside unless you absolutely have to.
The summer driving season and baseball are far behind us. We have enjoyed the fall, Halloween and the overindulgence of Thanksgiving but the diversions to come in our times of human hibernation are plentiful and varied. For just one there are the televised sports. For the few months there is plenty of professional football, basketball and hockey. Yes that is hockey played on ice. These are the days we are thankful for wide screen, high definition television and centrally heated air. The hardy pioneers of America's past would hardly recognise their modern cousins. The more adventurous will head for the ski slopes at Bristol Mountain and snow mobile tracks in the Adirondacks but most of us will stay at home secured against the deep freeze.
All across the northern plains, the midwest, the north-east and New England we will welcome a White Christmas and yes, it really is a magic time. Growing up in Perth, Western Australia, the only thing white about Christmas was the sand on Cottesloe Beach. I am certainly not knocking the thought of a blisteringly hot Christmas day (I still miss those days) but there is something quite wonderful about snow on the ground, a warm fireplace and being all rugged up. Most Australians would give almost anything to experience just one White Christmas in their life.
Last night there was a little snow on the ground. It has melted now but soon it will be a permanent feature and we will shovel it or use a snow blower to remove it from the sidewalks. Yes, sidewalks. A little concession to our American cousins who get a bit confused when I say footpath. Snowblowers are, of course, something most Australians have little knowledge of, for very good reason, but in this part of the world if you have a driveway of any length you have to have a snowblower.
As an Australian it is a unique experience to live in America and I am so grateful for that opportunity. The winter will be long and by the middle of January the magic will be gone. Apart from the snow there is so much to write about. I will think about it so get back to me in a few days.
The summer driving season and baseball are far behind us. We have enjoyed the fall, Halloween and the overindulgence of Thanksgiving but the diversions to come in our times of human hibernation are plentiful and varied. For just one there are the televised sports. For the few months there is plenty of professional football, basketball and hockey. Yes that is hockey played on ice. These are the days we are thankful for wide screen, high definition television and centrally heated air. The hardy pioneers of America's past would hardly recognise their modern cousins. The more adventurous will head for the ski slopes at Bristol Mountain and snow mobile tracks in the Adirondacks but most of us will stay at home secured against the deep freeze.
All across the northern plains, the midwest, the north-east and New England we will welcome a White Christmas and yes, it really is a magic time. Growing up in Perth, Western Australia, the only thing white about Christmas was the sand on Cottesloe Beach. I am certainly not knocking the thought of a blisteringly hot Christmas day (I still miss those days) but there is something quite wonderful about snow on the ground, a warm fireplace and being all rugged up. Most Australians would give almost anything to experience just one White Christmas in their life.
Last night there was a little snow on the ground. It has melted now but soon it will be a permanent feature and we will shovel it or use a snow blower to remove it from the sidewalks. Yes, sidewalks. A little concession to our American cousins who get a bit confused when I say footpath. Snowblowers are, of course, something most Australians have little knowledge of, for very good reason, but in this part of the world if you have a driveway of any length you have to have a snowblower.
As an Australian it is a unique experience to live in America and I am so grateful for that opportunity. The winter will be long and by the middle of January the magic will be gone. Apart from the snow there is so much to write about. I will think about it so get back to me in a few days.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)