Face Cards and Parrot Heads

I know that ever since i arrived in the USA I have either been planning a trip to Vegas or preparing one. Now, after this last weekend, it looks like i will not be returning to Vegas on this trip so i am very happy to be able to say that i went out with a bang!

We arrived early on the Friday and checked out Fremont Street - the Old Town Vegas. It was very,  very interesting with a lot less glamour than the Vegas i know. Nonetheless, it was another place to lose some money. I am glad i checked it out but it was a bit dirty in more way than one.

It was straight on to the Mirage next for check in and to get ourselves used to the surroundings. Naturally, it was not too long until we found the tables and we got into the formulas and maths of single deck blackjack! Laura seemed to have the lucky touch and we had a really good time with the other people playing. Next stop was a trip up the strip to my favourite casinos such as the Cosmopolitan. We gambled, got drinks and laughed as our fortunes fluctuated.

There was a possibility of going to a show that night. Cirque de Soleil, Beatles and even Kanye West! We decided against any of these in the end. Upon searching for Kanye tickets we realised we would be sitting right up in the nosebleeds ("Can we get much higher? So high...") so we gave them all a miss and just wandered about, continuing to try our luck. To continue with the theme, Laura was killing it. My cards were varying but we had a bit of trouble with the dealers. They were generally drawing well and, irrespective of the cards we got, we had to push or still lost! On the walk home, i dropped the rest of the money into a Grease machine, purely for sentimental reasons and was lucky enough to recoup some of my losses!

We woke on Saturday nursing only slight hangovers (a change of pace) and went to the buffet for unlimited food and mimosas - always the best start to the day!  Then we headed to the dolphin and tiger  show, which we got free tickets for!! It was a lot of fun and an unexpected adventure into the jungle!

That night was the next of the different experiences - The Jimmy Buffett concert! I had never followed his music too closely but i knew what to expect. The sort of sun soaked, sand scratched, surfboard swerving beachy music which all of us can relate to at some stage and to a certain degree. I was really looking forward to it! Fans of Jimmy Buffett are quite fanatical and he has a big cult following. These people refer to themselves as "parrot heads". We met people who were going to their 46th show of his and others who had followed him across the country and were in Reno two days earlier. When i used the rest room, the urinal looked like a mug shot from a Hawaiian bachelor party.

The crowd that was building was unlike anything i have ever seen or known. Lor was winning more blackjack (the old, obese man next to her said he was hoping to get lei'd after the gig...or maybe he said laid. I think it was the latter) and i just watched people walk past me. Old men with coconut bikinis and grass skirts, people with parrots on their shirts, shoulder and heads. A young woman, heavily pregnant, had "Future Parrot Head" painted on her exposed midriff! This was an invasion. Drinks in hand, smiling loudly and proud of the brand often emblazoned on their apparel. This was parrot head central and we were a part of it!

The show was great fun. He came out in an unassuming manner, barefoot and board shorts and just jumped straight into it. His backdrop was a powerpoint presentation of sailing boats and Hawaiian sunsets. It could have been done by a 10 year old but i suppose he played to what the audience wanted and they lapped it up! His main songs, 'Fins' and 'Margaritaville' were a huge hit and left the whole crowd buzzing and ringing. He did not overplay his hand but delivered what was expected of him. All in all, he played for about two hours and i can honestly say it was a new, fun experience and well worth the money! The people watching alone was worth it.

Following the show, more drinks were definitely required. We found ourselves surrounded by cowboys (the rodeo was in town!) and we met up with Amanda who broke hearts and taught me how to line dance. I swung Laura across the dance floor with pizzaz but could not hide the fact that i was lacking some knowledge regarding the correct steps. Now it was time to gamble some more. I am a big fan of the get out of jail stakes but the stakes were quite high here and i did not want to bite off more than i could chew and leave myself unable to afford food for the next week. Blackjack was going well at a gimmicky spot where i had hoped to play with a dealer dressed as Lady Gaga but, when she took her break, i sat with Brett Michaels. Was he a wrestler or something? Either way he was quiet and dealt some decent cards. I found myself up and my eyes becoming heavy so put down my biggest bet of the weekend. I got two face cards and he got a number so i doubled down. This was make or break. I had 19 and 20 come up and had really started counting my chickens when he drew another number...and another...and it came to 21. Sort of summed up my gambling weekend! Still, breaking even at the table was better then what a lot of people can say when they come to Vegas!

We headed home, at some un-godly hour. stopping for a foot long hot dog and another quick, impulse gamble before sleeping like people who had spent their entire weekend drinking, laughing, dancing, gambling and exploring the fantabulous, unbelievable anomaly which is Las Vegas.

Sailing into History

Laura's grandfather often says that watching sailing races is as exciting as watching paint dry. As a cricket enthusiast I am used to that description but, like cricket, sailing is a very exciting event to be a part of.

We got down to Los Angeles Yacht Club bright and early on Saturday morning to prepare our steed, 'Picante' to coast outside of the port and to the finish line at Catalina Island. It would be about a three hour ride and we would stay the night. Then the next morning we would have another race back to LA Yacht Club. I met my fellow crew Russ, an older man with a knowing look and Charlie, a younger, energetic son of a son of a sailor. Along with Laura and her dad, Tom, we readied ourselves for whatever perils lay before us.

When all was in readiness we went out towards the starting line to be met by a huge cloud of fog which was almost impossible to see from ashore. I had only seen a gorgeous day so this was a surprise. And it never really burnt through! Nonetheless the crew discussed which sails to use, given the wind, and got them prepared. The start of a sailing race is a lot of fun. Obviously a standing start is impossible so you need to time your jump just right. There is a ten minute warning and a four minute warning and then the next thing you hear is the starter's gun. We looked at the best angle to begin from and circled a couple of times, looking at the other two yachts in our class, and trying to gain any psychological edge possible. Sure enough we timed it nicely and were off and racing, getting a nice start and off into the fog and unknown.

Mine and Laura's role was mostly to provide weight on the side of the boat so we will travel faster. This role is referred to as "rail meat". I think an endearing term really. We did our best for that and helped adjust lines and things like that when it was safe and not too pressing! I was learning so much and we had only just started the race!

Despite the fog, it turned out to be a very easy sail over. I was able to get comfortable on the side of the boat and lean out and ponder life, the sea and everyone who had done that throughout history. Hemingway, Dickens...some of my favourites. Authors, poets and artists have always found inspiration from the sea and it was pretty easy to see why.

We headed out into the fog,
Five sailors sly and cunning.
The salty mist hitting our lips
As the waves carry the boat.
The sail hoisted,
high and tall,
Spinnaker at the ready.
Poseidon lifted us a’ front
and sprayed us from the side
Working with the Anemoi
To add peril to our journey.
Made it through the whitecaps
And rigged the sails right
To a land rarely travelled a’ fore
Of warmth and natural beauty.

See that? All I did was repeat exactly what happened, recounted the facts. and it sounded so poetic and smart and incredible. You just change some words around, add an apostrophe and recount your tale.

It was quite a fun, easy sail across and, due to our crew's supreme knowledge and skill, we were able to finish first past the post. On handicap we were relegated to second but it was quite a close call. At no stage did I even feel queasy and, as we came closer, the island radiated untouched and radiated beauty. Unfortunately, at about this stage, with the danger falling, I hit my head hard on the boom... it was not as bad as it could be but boy that could have gone terribly!

The night was fun and filled with rum and chat with other salty sailors. On a deserted beach with a BBQ and a full moon providing a stairway to heaven. It really was an idyllic scene and we had so much fun without overdoing it, given the trip home the next day.

The next race was much tougher given the conditions but our crew really showed their class and took a slight risk, ending up going the complete opposite direction to our rivals. It resulted in us finishing about 20 minutes before our nearest competitor! It was a ride with less wind and more strategy, more reliance on being able to read the situation. We came up trumps. With no help from me whatsoever!

After the boat was cleaned up and out, we went up to the club for a drink and we were given our winner's trophy! Something that will stand proudly on our mantle in Sydney! My first sailing experience was definitely a very fun one and I really learnt so much and had some excitement. The trip reiterated what we saw in the recent America's Cup, that every American yacht crew needs an Australian on board and hopefully I can add to my trophies sometime in the future!

"Greed is the root of all evil."

My Mum often said this to me growing up. When it came to issues concerning family breakdowns, public issues, politics, economics and sometimes for reasons i still do not understand. I am still learning that it applies to almost everything and how far it really goes in explaining what is wrong with our world.

In high school i was forced to read Chaucer's "Pardoner's Tale" and i found out my Mum's quote was somewhat borrowed from that. In the story, avarice is blamed for causing destruction and it should be avoided at all costs. As long ago as this was written, it is still relevant. Funny how human nature changes...very little.

My sporadic, flirtatious journey studying economics taught me about the significance of the Bretton Woods Conference, post World War II, and the implications it still has today. I am a big supporter of Keynesian economics. The stuff is fucking spot on. It is real world economics. It is applicable and assisted Australia in diverting the largest effects of the global financial crisis. Unfortunately, Keynes was British and, post World War II, that did not give him much sway. His proposal of an International Clearing Union was refuted by Henry White, an American with self interest and a lot of power at the time, and the worst kind of Capitalism was able to take hold of the world. Debts were almost impossible to be paid off, global development was unable to be feasible and all encompassing and the whole notion of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer made a lot more sense.

This happened because America was the world's biggest creditor and it would have taken longer for them to be paid back under the ICU...well, couldn't America use that cash now? Other nations would be more advanced in terms of economy, infrastructure and development. Global competition would keep costs down and debt would not be an issue. More importantly, the standard of living would be increased throughout the world. I know it may be a long bow but issues of religion, ethnicity, etc are exacerbated due to poverty. I know there were inherent differences between to Hutus and Tootsies in Rwanda but there were also extreme economic issues and people were losing money, land and business due to mismanagement. Same with Syria. The growth and development promised by Bashar has not come to life and people got frustrated and it has caused a division through the population. And now who knows what it will lead to?

I have no hesitation in saying that greed is still the most evil factor.

America is the biggest example of the division between the have and have-nots. Division is such a big part of American life. Do you go for the Lakers or the Clippers? The Yankees or the Mets? Are you Republican or Democrat? Cities are divided, people are divided.

I do not understand the government shut down. Will not try and play the moral high ground route as i know Australia has had similar issues due to supply bills not being passed in parliament but this is a bigger issue. This is holding the country to ransom because you can already afford healthcare, so why can't everyone else? The issue grew larger than Obamacare and turned into the control big business has on the Republican party and the growing interest in the Tea Party movement for several senators. I was watching Fox News (for a laugh) the other day and Bill O'Reilly (not the ex-Aussie cricketer) said, and i paraphrase "and where does our increased tax money go to... to the poor people." now correct me if i am wrong but are they not the people who should get it? We pay taxes to aid our country and the people who are doing it tough. Not everyone is able to get employment, provide for their families and save cash. If you have more than you need, why should you not be taxed a little more to help someone else? Everyone has a right to affordable healthcare. One thing that makes Australia so great. Obamacare has some kinks but it has not even been fully implemented yet...when it does it will save lives and assist a lot of Americans.

The growing Tea Party movement in Australia scares the hell out of me. Already changes are being made to the NDIS... something that everyone agreed on months ago. Disability care and pensions should already be well and truly sorted. But now government are going to tamper with it and change it. Hopefully it will not be harder to access. Again, Keynesian economics... Australia and America can not fight their debts by shutting up shop... that is how we fall into recession. Spending is needed for growth and development and something like education will be a building block to recovery. This is in danger.  We keep cutting spending and there will be fewer opportunities. The economy will not recover organically or sustainably. It may result in some taxes but people who complain about being taxed to "breaking point" really ought to take a good look at themselves. In Australia, the first $18,000 you earn is tax free!

My rantings, somewhat piecey and erratic are coming to a close but i want to finish with a common thought of mine. Respect for our fellow man. Asylum seekers, refugees, those with little or nothing. The conditions they are put through, the efforts they go to protect their families... this is stuff we will never understand. We need to have more compassion and respect.

It horrifies me when i hear people say that we should cut foreign aid because "we need to worry about our own country first." It was a common war cry of bogans and the clueless, effluent-affluent in Australia and i now am hearing it in America. People want more so they think they should stop giving first and keep providing for themselves. People do it tough in developed countries but a whole lot more struggle in Africa and Asia. Our aid is, sometimes, a matter of life or death. It can give people hope and a chance at life. If you want to forget that and have cash to buy some more beers or, i don't know, an ipad or something, you epitomise greed and the evil it embodies.

Fixing America - Part Three: The Obesity Pandemic

I use the word pandemic here specifically. Although it started as an epidemic, probably in America, it has spread across the world to such an extent that other nations are literally biting at the heels of America (i hear bogan chants of "aussie aussie aussie!" and "we can do it fellas" from here).

Consumerism can be a great thing but when it comes to food we are just consuming too much of generally what we should not be. The whole idea of something being always within reach or available stems from the American business and culture model and it has caused the loosening of belts and explosion in "one size fits all" pants across the world. I feel that if you fix the cause, the beginning, then we will be able to trickle this down through to the rest of the world (although the trickle down effect is largely refuted in economics - for good reason).

So what has caused this abundance of supplies and growth in girth? To be honest, it is not too hard to see how America won the mantle of World's Fattest. Everything is convenient. Everything is bigger. You use the drive through to do your banking, buy your food, buy groceries and even receive law advice (this really happened!). With this sort of convenience and also removing the necessity of exerting any physical effort, people are obviously becoming more lazy and consuming more while exercising less. My advice, lose the drive thrus unless you are a fast food restaurant!

The mention of fast food must also raise a poignant factor for Americans. There are so many fast food joints here that i never knew existed. And they are everywhere. You cannot go down four streets without running into a McDonald's, Del Taco or Red Robin. The proliferation of these, and their convenience, makes them popular at all hours of the day and night. As many of these are open 24 hours, there is no escaping them. The prices for burgers and burritos are also frightfully cheap. If you are living on a big budget, it may be cheaper for you to go and get some double-double's for the kids rather than cook your own thing. In comparison, fresh food - fruits and vegetables - are a very similar price in America to what they are back home. So the cheaper, easier, greasier option is often the one you will go for. Do not get me wrong. I love my fast food. And i love my American fast food. Tonight i had El Pollo Loco for dinner and it was freaking scrumptious. But too much is not a good thing.

I am quickly learning how important portion size is to overall well being. Much of this comes down to what you put on your plate but, when eating out, portion sizes are bigger and juicier. Just look at the whole point of the tv show Man Vs Food. Many places have food challenges or just things bigger than normal for the more extreme eaters. Add to that the plentiful sides of "fries" (chips) and you have yourself a huge meal to get through. No one wins from overeating but in eating contests you may win the respect of equally fat people. If you are lucky, they will muster up the energy but do not hold your breath - it may be your death.

The common thread here seems to be laziness. Walk around the shops, take the time to cook your own food and know what is going in to your body. Exercise helps too but, if you are serious about staying thin, you can do it by simply eating less and healthier.