Monthly Archives: November 2018

Victorian II

Posted on November 5, 2018 by d4vid

Melbourne’s architecture is more of what I think of as Victorian.  This particular building looks like a Sorcerer Supreme ought to live here.Appropriate, as the state is resides in is itself named Victoria.Much like San Francisco (which it reminded me … Continue reading →

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Cockatoo

Posted on November 5, 2018 by d4vid

En route to Melbourne, saw lots of sulphur-created cockatoos (like the one from Wikipedia above) all just standing around the side of the road, like pompadoured street toughs loitering on a stoop.

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Drowsy

Posted on November 5, 2018 by d4vid

Australia is super serious about drowsy driving.  There are road signs with warnings and admonitions and suggestion every mile or two.

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Victorian

Posted on November 4, 2018 by d4vid

Spent the night in a boutique hotel in Albury.  (A Midnight Oil song was playing when I walked into the lobby.  Peak Australia.)The main street had architecture that reminded me of the Old West (if heavily painted over.) It’s absurd that … Continue reading →

Posted in Albury, Australia | 1 Comment

Snorks

Posted on November 4, 2018 by d4vid

I’ve been shocked by how few American cars I’ve seen on the road here.  Almost entirely Japanese and German cars.  Only the rustiest of rust buckets turns out to be a Ford or a Dodge. The Toyota Hilux is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia | 3 Comments

Tucker

Posted on November 4, 2018 by d4vid

My first meal after landing I ate under a giant sign that read “Real Aussie Tucker”. Then, driving down the M31, I saw a sign for “Dog on the Tuckerbox” (which, I discovered later, is apparently a famous statue.) Wikipedia … Continue reading →

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Toponyms III

Posted on November 4, 2018 by d4vid

Bundanoon.  Goobarragondra.  Mirrabooka. All the toponyms here sound like they were invented by a child while drawing a crayon map of their paracosm. Wagga Wagga.  Tangambalanga.  Tumbarumba. Or like they’re the name of a Chumbawumba cover band. (More about my general … Continue reading →

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Nutbush

Posted on November 4, 2018 by d4vid

I learned about this baffling phenomenon while listening to Australian radio.  Apparently, in public school or something, everyone in the country learned some choreographed dance to “Nutbush City Limits” by Ike & Tina Turner.  And no one seems to know … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Canberra | Tagged | 2 Comments

Sassy

Posted on November 4, 2018 by d4vid

North of Canberra there is a town named Yass.  Luckily it’s in New South Wales which spares everyone involved a lot of “Yass, Queensland” jokes.

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Territory

Posted on November 4, 2018 by d4vid

Visited the Australian capital of Canberra.  (Rather than being a part of any Australian state, it’s in its own thing called the Australian Capital Territory, sort of like how D.C. isn’t technically in a state.)  The Parliament house looks like … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Canberra | 1 Comment

Antipodes

Posted on November 3, 2018 by d4vid

First impressions of Australia?  Much like the western coast of New Zealand on the other side of the Tasman Sea, it reminds me a lot of San Diego! Although, sadly, a San Diego dotted with kangaroo roadkill in every conceivable phase … Continue reading →

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Fragrant II

Posted on November 3, 2018 by d4vid

Sunset behind the clouds, high over Hong Kong.

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Pareidolia

Posted on November 2, 2018 by d4vid

I suffer from pareidolia as much as  anyone.  Which is why when I look at the control panel in the elevator at work I can’t help but see a sad, unshaven clown.

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Ghillie

Posted on November 1, 2018 by d4vid

Words cannot do justice to the colors of New England foliage.  The leaves don’t turn yellow, they turn golden. My first visit to New England in the fall, back in 2014, it was a revelation that even the leaves of … Continue reading →

Posted in Greenwich | 2 Comments