Australia
January 31st 2007 12:36
I admit, this is a little late, but I think, very fitting.
Australia day is the day when all those that live in this great southern land remember things about it. We remember that we enjoy living here, we remember that we love it, that it is the best bloody place in the world mate. We reflect on these things and we do things that are stereotypcially australian. We barbecue, we have a long weekend, we go to the beach, we watch cricket. We call in sick in order to have a LONGER weekend. ( I had to work that weekend, but I DID make alot of money, so I think it balances).
So what better thing could I do than to write about what a few different authors have said about us. Douglas Adams once said that "Australia IS Jack Nicholson. It comes up behind you and smiles at you in an intimidating fashion." Which fits us perfectly. We are a nation of character, the kind of character that steals the show from Batman, makes witty remarks and has dastardly awesome schemes.
Terry Pratchett's work, The Last Continent, presents a view of australia that is a mirror, but a mirror with an interesting twist. His australia is a land of heat, a land full of animals that are unique and dangerous. A land where no-one can leave but they don't want to. It's the best bloody place in the world mate. People here don't drink the water, not when they can drink the beer. For the observant and well humoured, buy this book.
But where Pratchett holds up a slightly twisted mirror Bill Bryson presents the honest and sometimes fearful interpretations of an outsider. He notes that all the most dangerous animals in the world, and unique ones, all live on or around this one island. That if it is not venomous or poisonous, it can eat you or give you a serious beating. That even our geography conspires to do us in. Yet we remain some of the most laid back and relaxed people in the world.
We were built by criminals, planted out in the middle of nowhere in a land that almost takes an active role in killing us and that is large enough and empty enough for people to explode a small nuclear device without notice (do some research, it may shock you).
No worries, hey?
JZ
Australia day is the day when all those that live in this great southern land remember things about it. We remember that we enjoy living here, we remember that we love it, that it is the best bloody place in the world mate. We reflect on these things and we do things that are stereotypcially australian. We barbecue, we have a long weekend, we go to the beach, we watch cricket. We call in sick in order to have a LONGER weekend. ( I had to work that weekend, but I DID make alot of money, so I think it balances).
So what better thing could I do than to write about what a few different authors have said about us. Douglas Adams once said that "Australia IS Jack Nicholson. It comes up behind you and smiles at you in an intimidating fashion." Which fits us perfectly. We are a nation of character, the kind of character that steals the show from Batman, makes witty remarks and has dastardly awesome schemes.
Terry Pratchett's work, The Last Continent, presents a view of australia that is a mirror, but a mirror with an interesting twist. His australia is a land of heat, a land full of animals that are unique and dangerous. A land where no-one can leave but they don't want to. It's the best bloody place in the world mate. People here don't drink the water, not when they can drink the beer. For the observant and well humoured, buy this book.
But where Pratchett holds up a slightly twisted mirror Bill Bryson presents the honest and sometimes fearful interpretations of an outsider. He notes that all the most dangerous animals in the world, and unique ones, all live on or around this one island. That if it is not venomous or poisonous, it can eat you or give you a serious beating. That even our geography conspires to do us in. Yet we remain some of the most laid back and relaxed people in the world.
We were built by criminals, planted out in the middle of nowhere in a land that almost takes an active role in killing us and that is large enough and empty enough for people to explode a small nuclear device without notice (do some research, it may shock you).
No worries, hey?
JZ
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Comment by Sharky
Comment by Optomistic Opportunism
Bohemian Hiphop
Japanese Jazz Funk
Optomystic Opportunism
Maybe a bit outdated though.
Comment by JoshZ
A Simple Christian
Yes. Australia does rock.
We are the only people in the world that named a swimming pool after the Prime Minister that is famous for having drowned.
JZ
Comment by JoshZ
A Simple Christian
Might have to read it some day.
Right now reading Bill Bryson's Downunder. I am constantly shocked about how accurate he is.
JZ