of flowers and footy

Well everyone, its Bill and I am back by popular demand, or at least at my mom's insistence.  Well its finally spring time here in the antipodes.  The temperature in now over the legal drinking age, the cherry blossoms are in riotous bloom,  and the house is filled with the sounds of cleaning and preparation for summer.   Stephanie has put me to work installing screens on the windows, all 19 of them.  When that is done I get to raise the washer and dryer 14 centimeters on a platform yet to be constructed.  And then to the gardening.  Stephanie and I have big plans  for the back patio and the side yard.  We hope to create an out door dining and barbecue area.  

One thing this time of year always has regardless of whether summer is coming or going is Sports!  Fall is the season of baseball play offs and football back home.  Spring here is the season of footie finals!  By footie the Aussies mean just about every team sport that is played on grass.  Aussies seem to inherently know what sport other Aussies are referring to when the word footy is bandied about.  But god help the yank who confuses Aussie rules football, rugby union, rugby league, and soccer.    Rugby is perhaps the most confusing.  There are two different versions!  Rugby Union is the version most people have watched in complete confusion and with a dash of awe.  It is a game of field possession and controlling the ball.  Rugby League is considered by many as the poor man's rugby union. its a game started by the working classes.  It is a game of speed and ball movement.  I guess the difference in American terms is rugby union is a game for full backs and tight end and defensive line men, while rugby league is full of running backs line backers and wide receivers.

This year we are being treated to a special event in the rugby world.  The Rugby World Cup in being hosted by new Zealand.  No small feat for the Kiwis considering the host city of Christchurch was pancaked by a massive earthquake.   Parts of the city are still off limits because the buildings are still unsafe and power has not been restored.  The New Zealanders pulled together and have spread the games around the entire country.   It has been fun learning about the intricacies of rugby and following the the american eagles as the US rugby squad goes by, play their amateur hearts around against the powerhouses of the rugby world.  Next weekend they are going to  play the Aussies which should be interesting to say the least because the winner advances to the next stage.  I am more concerned the wallabies are not just going tho win but beat the Americans but assert their dominance as if we were a poor latin american nation.

I haven't even tried to explain Aussie rules to you all yet which is an allegory for Australia culture and history. but I will leave that tale for another day.  Until then keep your mauls moving forward your rucks honest and your scrums clean.

10 years later - an American outside the US over 9/11

Hi All,

I promise I won't prolong this post, but wanted to offer a few thoughts as an American living outside the US during the 10 year anniversary of 9/11.

I still remember, much like everyone else I know, exactly what I was doing, where I was and who I was with on that day - I am not sure I will ever forget it.  Over the years I have had numerous discussions with friends and family on those exact questions, and we have shared a bond that I am positive we wish didn't exist.

Today, however I had a different discussion on 9/11 - one with my co workers here in Sydney.  It was an interesting perspective on how people outside the US were impacted by this momentous and horrible event.  For the Aussies, it is something to study - an unbelievable event that happened really, really far away.  My girl friend that sits next to me has watched all of the movies and shows that she could find.  Not one of my friends didn't feel for the US, and condemn the actions of the terrorists on that day - but it definitely was not personal for them.  I am usually able to talk about 9/11 without getting emotional, I have had time to digest my feelings from that day and move forward, but today I wasn't as successful.  Being surrounded by people for whom this was more a curiosity than an life affecting experience was tougher than I thought.  I had a few tears, and felt the love from my friends - though I knew it was because they didn't want to see me upset.  I don't want to diminish their sympathy, it just wasn't the same as sharing the story with someone who was closer to the event.

On the flip side - I spent the week last week in New Zealand (beautiful county, lovely people, I recommend everyone goes at least once) and caught up with another guy from the office.  He was so moved by the 9/11 tragedy that he went back to school to get his Master's Degree in Terrorism.  I didn't even know that was an option, but for him it became about understanding why, how and who would conduct such a horribly violent act.  He went so far as to visit Pakistan and ventured out to the remote areas, interacting with some of the tribes that run those parts of the country.  He was a little like a man possessed - but I could feel his passion for the cause.  I felt that he was as touched by the event as some Americans I knew- and motivated to do something about it.  Typically - finding a job in the "terrorism sector" wasn't as easy as perhaps he expected, thus his working at a software company.  But his interest in the subject and desire to know as much as he can is not diminished.

I am not sure what Bill and I will be doing on the 11th - but I will definitely be thinking about my family and friends back home, as well as my country and fellow Americans who lived through the attack.  I will also be thinking about those who did not make it - and hope their family, friends and loved ones are able to celebrate their lives and legacy no matter where they are in the world.  God Bless America

Catching Up -

Hi Everyone,

We have been remiss - though I am willing to bet that the few of you have given up on us.  I am going to try and update all the latest, so that next post can be all current stuff.

Let's see - in short, the cruise was a blast with the exception of the weather.  We had a ton of fun catching up with the Macrate clan (and Mudge's, Barbee's and Steer's) and experiencing the gorgeous scenery and wildlife of the Alaska/Canadian coast.  There were a ton of whales to see along the way (really, all you had to do was look out the window and there they were!)  The only thing we would change is the amount of rain that fell on us - it is very clear why that part of the world is so green and lush.  Ironically we heard while in Juneau, it was apparently 85 degrees a few days before which set record high temps.  We did a few of the excursions that were offered along the way, including a sea kayaking adventure and orca whale watching (at sunset no less).  Much to Pam's chagrin, no bears were sighted.  Overall - an excellent time was had by all.

We jetted back to California as quickly as possible after disembarking - though not without our share of plane delays.  Our excellently planned 1:00 arrival turned into almost 4:00 and a mad dash north up the 405 to our dear friend's the MacRae's.  Kelley and Jason had very graciously offered their home for a BBQ catch up with our home town "posse" and we didn't want to be late.  We rolled up just in time and had an awesome time hanging out with our friends.  Sunday was an opportunity to visit with Kelley, Jason and Dave - we ended up at the Malibu Winery enjoying the amazing weather (finally some sun for Bill and I) and good wine (except for Kelley, but that's cause she is incubating, so we excused her).  The day went too fast though - before we knew it, it was dinner time (Mexican, Bill and I were dying for some good Mexican food, its not the same in Australia).  Then it was back to Long Beach to see the Barbee's for a few hours more, do laundry, pack and get ready for the long flight back.  We didn't think we would get to see much of Steve, Nicole and family because they were heading to East Coast, but it turns out that they caught a later flight than planned so we had a chance to say a proper good bye.  Our flight back to Sydney was uneventful and Bill even got an extra day off the day we arrived (meanwhile I worked until 6:30, but I digress).  We had an amazing time in the states and can't wait to get back there at Christmas.

Phew...that was a mouthful :-p  On to our life since returning from the grand adventure has been busy.  Bill has been working up a storm and I have been travelling up a storm.  Seriously, I have been to New Zealand 2 times in the last 3 weeks (2 different cities, but still).  All for a good reason though - there are a lot of sales opps to be had.  We did make some fun 2nd anniversary plans (we are heading to Fiji!!!!) and the weather has finally turned (or at least it did this past weekend).

I would be remiss if I didn't also share our cat's wild adventure.  Anyone who has met our cats knows we have a lazy, fat cat and a mischievous troublemaker.  In the past, Sidda (the troublemaker) has made several attempts to escape the comforts of home - but has always (or almost always) been caught.  This past Saturday night, not only was she successful - but she had a whole girls night out before we realized that she was gone.  To be fair, I was sick (so much so I napped for 4 hours!  That never happens) and Bill was putting around getting things done but still.  We didn't notice she was gone until Sunday morning.  At that point I panicked a bit, we even made and distributed posters around the neighborhood.  I even had a hard time enjoying the first Husky game (hard to believe I know with the stellar performance they pulled out against EWU).  In an attempt to keep this story short, I can happily report that Sidda strolled on home just in time for dinner - in fact she was demanding it while she attempted to sneak in the house.  Diving through the window she snuck out of the night before - and walking right into the kitchen to eat.  It was hard to believe that nerve, but there you go.

As I typed, she has made herself comfortable on Bill's lap waiting for me to finish on the computer.  To that end - I will cut this off.  Until next time, and promise it will happen sooner!  Ciao friends!