Thursday, January 25, 2007

Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oy! Oy! Oy!

Happy Australia Day everybody. A bit of contraversey this year with regards to the flying of the flag. Some concerts and outdoor events have banned the flag, due to worries of race related fights. The Cronulla riots this time last year are still fresh in people's memory, when a patriotic rally turned ugly and many hid behind the flag. I wouldn't say that Aussies are a racist lot, but there is a certain tension between Anglos and the large number of immigrants that have been incorporated in the 'populate or perish' scheme of the past few decades.

That being said, banning the flag is a pretty auspicious move. The PM, John Howard, has come out against it, calling it a 'bloody outrage', as he calls most things in life. Hard to imagine the U.S. banning flags in public. Burning flags, yes, but banning altogether is another story.

Today we went on a refresher scuba dive trip here in Sydney with our friend Ellen. Really easy, relaxed sessions, no more than 20ft down with a casual pace. We saw a variety of small sharks, rays and fish. Big blue gropers came and said hello, and a cuttlefish who was none too pleased to see us. After about 20 minutes, we all got oriented enough to have good mobility and balance, but it was very awkward at first being under water again. Getting ready for Thailand in a few weeks.

posted by ncawthon at 10:40 PM

Monday, January 22, 2007

Fire and Ice

A mini heat wave hit Sydney this weekend, making for some good beach book reading conditions. The odd thing about this summer has been that, although the weather has been hot, the water has stayed absolutely frigid. Yesterday, where the temperature reached 100F (40C), the water stayed cold at 60F (15C). It is quite a shock to go from a roasting hot beach to an ice cube of a swim in the ocean. A forty degree swing results in some major shrinkage.

The local scientist in this relationship has not found a conclusive reason as to why this occurring. Papers, news media outlets and the internets have stated that there is some warm water off the coast a few clicks, but the cold water is staying at shallower depths. True to Aussie journalistic standards, no Why in the standard Who What When Where Why has been reported. My bet is El Nino, which the Aussies have labeled "The Ninnie Ninnies" due to their lack of Spanish influence. Playing out like an Al Gore allegory, the effects of global warming have come to roost for even the most casual of lifestyle.

posted by ncawthon at 9:24 AM