Today marked the first time i got behind the wheel in the USA. When you add the fact that i sold my car a few weeks before i left and that Mum, for some reason, did not want me driving the camry (a luxury automobile), it had been about 3 months since i had been in control! And i was very keen to get that back!
All in all, i did a pretty good job. Adjusted to being on the other side of the road (although at times wanted to keep using the right lane marker as the guide), only put the windscreen wipers on instead of the blinkers twice and only partially mounted the curve parking the first time. Being on the left side of the car is weird!!
Being a passenger for so long though, especially on some rather long car trips, has allowed me to make several observations regarding Californian roads and drivers. And let me tell you, it ain't all pretty. Best Coast said it best. Well they showed us in a video clip. "I love California (but i hate the traffic)"
Californians are obsessed about driving. The SNL skit was not lying! Back home, people will go to the shops or something when they are bored. I think in California they just go for a drive. Not necessarily to go anywhere in particular or with any destination in mind. It is just to have something to do. One night i was on the way home from a baseball game in LA and it was bumper to bumper at 11pm. I have no idea where they wanted to go or where they came from. But the road was chockers! Didn't people have work tomorrow?
City driving is hilarious. Californian drivers are so susceptible to weather changes. California's climate is pretty right on. Warm all year round and little rainfall. But, given a light shower in the city people will lose all dexterity. They will mainly refuse to drive at all but when they do they will swerve and struggle and eventually just run off the road. The same applies if the temperature goes just a little bit above what is normal...
Roads are a huge problem here too. Bottlenecks everywhere and traffic comes to a standstill on the regular basis. Sydney drivers who complain about the M4, M5, M7 etc! would not be able to cope. And that is something which makes me smile. There is no road rage apparent when we go down the 101 or the 80 or anywhere else! It is very heartening.
I have learnt that a "California roll" is what people do at a stop sign. My thinking is that, as there is no one around, it is understood that there is no reason to entirely stop. Also, there are no roundabouts, only stop signs. And it is quite systematic that each direction goes one at a time. What order! It is also apparent that there is an accepted rule whereby the speed limit is just a sort of... a suggestion. 5-10 miles per hour over is completely reasonable and expected. I suppose when you are so used to being in traffic, you ought to take advantage of any free driving space as possible!
Tuesday, 11 June 2013
Wednesday, 5 June 2013
What Australia can learn from America (and vice-versa!)
I have hit the two month barrier. To say I have smashed through it would probably be a lie but, with some very exciting news in the pipeline and opportunities aplenty, I really do not think there will be too many more blog entries where I am unemployed! In my time here I believe I have made enough observations to make both my home country and the country i am currently in, better places. This can be done by taking aspects from one and placing it inside the other. Pretty simple stuff really.
First things first. The easiest one. Australia needs a Disneyland. Imagine the hullabaloo and craziness which would be "Disneyland DownUnder!" It is not called the happiest place on Earth for no reason and I think it would really allow some of the characters like Jasmine, Aladdin and Nemo a chance to shine in a more appropriate climate. I won't be too much of a dreamer. This will not come quickly or cheaply. I think a perfect spot for it could be the current construction area which is "Wet N Wild Sydney" because, let's face it, it is going to head down the gurgler just like Wonderland as soon as people realise that they have already been there once. Disneyland DownUnder would make the Rooty Hill RSL like downtown Disney and bring tourists and smiling people to Western Sydney. Not to mention employment. Every Westie wanted to grow up and be a Disney Princess!
Another thing which thrives in America but is seldom seen in the Great Southern Land is brunch. And don't tell me about the brunch you went to in Surry Hills last weekend where you went to Bill's Cafe at 10am, had avocado, tomato, turkey and cheese on sourdough bread, an espresso and then left. You only think you did brunch. Brunch in America is done properly and consists of getting to the cafe at 11am. Ordering more pancakes or egg benedict or bacon and eggs than you could possibly eat and then paying an extra $15 for bottomless mimosas. Four hours later you stumble out of the establishment, giggling, and scour the city for a bar that has a patio area because you're outdoorsy like that. Then you get home with just enough time to be sober for dinner. Happy Sunday!
Another simple change, that could liven up Japanese restaurants, is the art of Sake (sah-kee) Bombing. In essence, you order a beer and shots of sake (sah-kee) and pour half of your glass and a shot glass. You then take your chopsticks and place them over the half filled glass, enough apart to place the shot glass on top of this. You and your friends (because I would not encourage someone to do this alone) then bang the table with your fists until your shot falls into your glass. Once this happens you drink all of the beer. Including the sake (sah-kee) inside. The last time i did this, the waitress got involved and did enough screaming to get the whole restaurant involved. We were the only table at the restaurant doing this and, although obnoxious, it almost felt like a performance.
Lastly on this topic. I think Australians need to back themselves a bit more. Americans are a friendly bunch. Lots of hellos. Lots of unnecessary conversations at check outs, bars, etc. Sometimes this is unwanted but I think the good well and truly outweighs the bad. Australians could be friendlier and America is winning that race.
I won't pretend, there are many, many changes i would bring to America to improve it and leave a drop of Australiana. I will make this quick, painless and a figment of my imagination. Better mental health facilities, universal healthcare, Tim Tams, replace Z's with S's (e.g. realise. And stop saying "Zee") and the metric system!! I don't understand the American passion for pounds and miles. It just makes things harder for the entire world. In the Olympics, we could call the event the 5km run but it has to be called the 5,000m because America refuses to relent on this subject. While the final is on at Rio 2016 (see you there?), you will hear some American say, "Oh, 5,000m? They mean 3.125 miles." See my point? It is simply easier! Finally, whilst gig tickets are cheaper and amazing. Tickets for sporting events are through the roof. Generally over $100 for a hockey or baseball game. Which, somehow, are always sell outs. I know supply and demand probably dictates this but it does not make sense that it is $12 to get into Penrith Park and they get 5,000 fans in but it is $100 to go to AT&T Park and the SF Giants get 45,000!
Finally, and perhaps most importantly. Gun control. Why it so much easier to see the issue more clearly from the outside?
First things first. The easiest one. Australia needs a Disneyland. Imagine the hullabaloo and craziness which would be "Disneyland DownUnder!" It is not called the happiest place on Earth for no reason and I think it would really allow some of the characters like Jasmine, Aladdin and Nemo a chance to shine in a more appropriate climate. I won't be too much of a dreamer. This will not come quickly or cheaply. I think a perfect spot for it could be the current construction area which is "Wet N Wild Sydney" because, let's face it, it is going to head down the gurgler just like Wonderland as soon as people realise that they have already been there once. Disneyland DownUnder would make the Rooty Hill RSL like downtown Disney and bring tourists and smiling people to Western Sydney. Not to mention employment. Every Westie wanted to grow up and be a Disney Princess!
Another thing which thrives in America but is seldom seen in the Great Southern Land is brunch. And don't tell me about the brunch you went to in Surry Hills last weekend where you went to Bill's Cafe at 10am, had avocado, tomato, turkey and cheese on sourdough bread, an espresso and then left. You only think you did brunch. Brunch in America is done properly and consists of getting to the cafe at 11am. Ordering more pancakes or egg benedict or bacon and eggs than you could possibly eat and then paying an extra $15 for bottomless mimosas. Four hours later you stumble out of the establishment, giggling, and scour the city for a bar that has a patio area because you're outdoorsy like that. Then you get home with just enough time to be sober for dinner. Happy Sunday!
Another simple change, that could liven up Japanese restaurants, is the art of Sake (sah-kee) Bombing. In essence, you order a beer and shots of sake (sah-kee) and pour half of your glass and a shot glass. You then take your chopsticks and place them over the half filled glass, enough apart to place the shot glass on top of this. You and your friends (because I would not encourage someone to do this alone) then bang the table with your fists until your shot falls into your glass. Once this happens you drink all of the beer. Including the sake (sah-kee) inside. The last time i did this, the waitress got involved and did enough screaming to get the whole restaurant involved. We were the only table at the restaurant doing this and, although obnoxious, it almost felt like a performance.
Lastly on this topic. I think Australians need to back themselves a bit more. Americans are a friendly bunch. Lots of hellos. Lots of unnecessary conversations at check outs, bars, etc. Sometimes this is unwanted but I think the good well and truly outweighs the bad. Australians could be friendlier and America is winning that race.
I won't pretend, there are many, many changes i would bring to America to improve it and leave a drop of Australiana. I will make this quick, painless and a figment of my imagination. Better mental health facilities, universal healthcare, Tim Tams, replace Z's with S's (e.g. realise. And stop saying "Zee") and the metric system!! I don't understand the American passion for pounds and miles. It just makes things harder for the entire world. In the Olympics, we could call the event the 5km run but it has to be called the 5,000m because America refuses to relent on this subject. While the final is on at Rio 2016 (see you there?), you will hear some American say, "Oh, 5,000m? They mean 3.125 miles." See my point? It is simply easier! Finally, whilst gig tickets are cheaper and amazing. Tickets for sporting events are through the roof. Generally over $100 for a hockey or baseball game. Which, somehow, are always sell outs. I know supply and demand probably dictates this but it does not make sense that it is $12 to get into Penrith Park and they get 5,000 fans in but it is $100 to go to AT&T Park and the SF Giants get 45,000!
Finally, and perhaps most importantly. Gun control. Why it so much easier to see the issue more clearly from the outside?
Monday, 3 June 2013
A Grand Don't Come for Free.
"Today i've achieved absolutely nought
In just being out of the house, i've lost out
If i wanted to end up with more now
I should've just stayed in bed, like i know how"
Anyone close enough to me would understand that I have a liking for quick witted, English, white boy rappers. There's something about that cockney accent, use of slang and predictable wardrobe which makes me want to buy an album and shoot a bootlegger.
However, never did i ever believe that something would happen to me which would make me relate to Mike Skinner (of The Streets fame). I suppose we have both worked out that a grand don't come for free. But it was supposed to be easy.
In a nutshell. It was supposed to be so easy. I had sorted the visa, boarded my flight. Scored an aisle seat but with limited sleep. Fat Freddy's Drop on repeat (not addicted). Someone pulled up their window cover. Blinded by the light. Made it through customs and thought i could well be in. Had to get a social security number to work legitimately and thought i wouldn't have it any other way. Homeland Security and Social Security have different records of what Visa i have in my possession. No one has said "get out of my house" and i hope i am not deported. Can't work for most companies now, sitting around the house. lucky my girlfriend is so fit and you know it. Call homeland security and the rude receptionist is such a twat. Wondering what is he thinking? Realise that i need to sort this out. Have to dry my eyes and get on with living and working out how to land a legit job. Otherwise i will just be surrounded by an ever growing amount of empty cans. It was supposed to be so easy.
Essentially, Homeland Security think i came here to study. I am not sure why as all of the information and papers I had to sign, fill out, agree to, etc specified that i could not study. As an overseas student i would not be eligible to work. Hence, they are not letting me have a social security number. This hold up has probably cost me a month's wages. Turns out a grand don't come for free. I bought a scratchie today. Desperate times.
I spent over an hour waiting in line to get in the Social Security Building six weeks ago but i will need to make a return visit after an appointment with Homeland Security this week. It all sounds so serious!! Fingers crossed it is a very easy thing to rectify and i am out making cash before too long. It is not that i don't like sitting around but, when bed is always an option in your day, you need to sort out priorities. There is a time and place for being in bed. Currently it sings to me like a siren of the seas all day every day.
There is frustration at the fact that most of my job hunting has been fruitless but i would not have been able to work without the Social Security Number anyway. In terms of employment, so far i have achieved nought. In terms of life experience, love and fun. The past 7 weeks have been swimming pools of rainbows which i have been able to dive into headfirst and bathe in their colourful goodness. I don't really think there are any real complaints from me yet.
The problem has been identified. A remedy prescribed. Time to speed up the dosage and save enough cash for an extravagant Vegas adventure in the not too distant future!
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