Thursday, February 01, 2007

Heavier than Lead

I've been overcome by a wave of nostalgia from our ~18 months here in Oz. With only two weeks remaining, we're rushing to fill a void left by the procedural removal of our furniture and other earthly devices. Problem is, whatever we buy must be either shipped or packed on our backs across Asia for a month. I've gotten into a bad habit of buying used books like they are going in the censorship pyre soon. There couldn't be anything (save ice, lead or rock) heavier that one could decide to scoop up for their impending transition. Primarily, books on Australia (those big coffee table photo books) are going to suddenly double in price paid given the shipping costs. Clothing, as well, is a likely culprit. What will cost me 10 dollars here suddenly drops to 40 cents in Vietnam and Cambodia.

I've found that this was the case when we were transitioning from the states as well. When it gets close to leaving time, spend money like it won't work anywhere else or cannot be exchanged. We need less now, not more. Must... stop... purchasing...

posted by ncawthon at 8:47 PM

The Flyover

So a bit of a debacle last weekend here in Sydney. Google Maps, the online service which everyone likes to play with and zoom into their apartment / house / wherever, announced a large public event for their next flyover. They encouraged Sydneysiders through various media outlets to go nuts during the hours of 9am - noon, when their plane would be flying over the city to photograph the latest images for their service.

People went absolutely ape shit. The second coming of our lord and saviour, Jesus Christo, couldn't have drawn a bigger response. There were human lawn spellings, large banners unfurled on beaches and roofs, people painting the tops over their cars, thrown babies in the air, a general state of anarchy all for the hope of being able to zoom in on oneself. It had all the feeling of a cult waiting for a comet from the sky to deliver them to their magic spaceship, full of Keds and black turtlenecks.

Knowing that the second coming of his son wouldn't have upstaged this event, the big boss man in the sky decided to step in. Low clouds prevented the Google Plane from being able to fly its' circuitous route and snap from the heavens. Of course, nobody told the people who spent all morning setting up their home made publicity stunt. There were failed marriage proposals, lack of advertisement for the local municipal council seat and a general distaste for this technology we call Google. In my favorite aussie accent, commonfolk were yelling 'it was a bloody outrage!'.

posted by ncawthon at 8:27 PM

Monday, January 29, 2007

High Quality

Australia has just been ranked with the second highest quality of life in the world, only behind France (suburbs of Paris excluded). It has also been granted the best place in the world to be an old person. If the seniors down at the Bronte pool can attest, free sunblock and speedos for everyone.

Not surprising, really. The clean environment, low population, healthy economy and well paying jobs would be suitable for anyone. Housing market, that's another story. Prices here in Sydney are in the top 10, right behind all those housing markets that we're looking at dipping into head first within the next few years. A bit of a wash there.

We're two weeks away from putting the sun burnt country behind us, the apartment is looking increasingly bare with each trip to the couple whom is inheriting everything. I'll call them the 'transitionees'. I'm jealous of them, they're just starting on what will be a great adventure.

posted by ncawthon at 8:26 PM