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?
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