Look Right

Oh, yeah? Well, I'm offended that you're offended!

2010-01-25T19:04:00.008-05:00

People in general, and Americans in particular, love to get offended by things other people do or say. Some recent examples include:

Harry Reid's comments about Barack Obama's "light skin" and lack of a "negro dialect ".
A lawyer's reference to South Carolina's mascot as a "goofy little chicken".
SC Lt. Governor Andre Bauer's comparison of people on welfare to "stray animals".
A Minnesota radio station's "imitation" of Dallas hockey radio broadcast.

Of course this is only the tip of the iceberg. I pulled these examples not because I necessarily think the offense is justified (some I do, some I don't), but because they were recent and top of mind. Other possible events are readily available.

Probably the only thing people like more than getting offended is insisting that everyone else NOT get offended. Which leads me to this article: Russian ice dance tribute to Aborigines offensive to Aborgines. In summary, the article is about a Russian ice dancing couple who chose Aboriginal imagery for their performance. Problem? None of the music, costumes or movements actually reflected Aboriginal culture, and some of it was offensive. As a former Australian resident, the article caught my eye.

However, it is the comments to the article that have drawn my ire. One questioned the author, Maggie Hendricks, for taking the word of Stephen Page, the artistic director of an indigenous group, that the dance was offensive. A few take pot shots at ice skating/dancing. But most expressed their opinion that people are too sensitive and that political correctness is ruining the fun for everyone.

In my experience, when people complain about the PC Police, what they are really doing is complaining about being reprimanded for their self-centered, offensive and boorish behavior. Take Brian, for example, who says "aboriginals are offended, big deal." Or Tim S, who wants to know "where's the bone in their nose?"

Josh D says "we are talking about Australian Bushmen here, right? I'm fairly certain they don't have televisions and are not at all concerned about how 2 Russians portray their extremely niche and secluded culture." First of all, Josh, activities and products are niche, cultures are not. And allow me to correct your misconception: yes, they do have televisions, and no, they do not all live in the bush. Walk around Sydney, Melbourne, or any major Australian city and you will see Aborigines. But even if you had been right about Aboriginal ignorance of television and Russian ice dancing, would that have made it OK? I was always taught that character was doing what was right even if no one was looking--wouldn't that apply here?

vgbaron: "Who the heck cares? These overly sensitive bozos should take the dance in the SPIRIT in which it was done. I am SO sick and tired of someone getting their panties in a bunch everytime [sic] yhey [sic] percieve [sic] a slight. I am an Italian and I don't get up in arms everytime [sic] there's an Italian mobster in a tv show or someone mentions dago red wine, etc." Well, vgbaron, I'm glad that as an Italian, you are not offended by these things. But I think you would agree there is a difference. I don't think mobster movies imply that all Italians are mobsters, and anyway, they are usually portrayed as a sort of anti-hero. As for dago red wine, A quick Google search finds some mention of it being offensive, but most references are neutral at worst. Personally, I've never heard the term. Maybe it's your friends. Either way, the fact that it does not offend you has zero relevance when it comes to what is or is not offensive to someone else.

Richard: "I am offended by all the people who are so easily offended. Just stop it and worry about something that actually might affect your life." But that's just the point, Richard: It is their life, not yours. And when we are talking about a severely marginalized community, it does affect their lives. We have a right to determine what offends us and how we deal with it. We have no right to make these determinations for others, particularly minorities.

Arni A: "Whats [sic] all the hupla. [sic] The russian [sic] thought it was a good idea and considered it an honor. And thus it did so. [sic] Maybe more research should have been done. but [sic] the thought is alright with me." True, the Russian pair intended it as a tribute. But that doesn't make it OK, because you were also correct that more research should have been done. Would it have been appropriate if they had chosen to "honor" Nigerians by skating in blackface while carrying spears? Or the ancient Chinese by painting themselves yellow and drawing slant eyes on their faces? Intent is important, but execution matters, too. I am sure they did not mean to offend. They probably started with an Aboriginal theme and modified it along the way to make it conform to the requirements of movement, music and costume for an ice dancing routine. But what they ended up with was no longer a respectful tribute to the proud Aboriginal heritage.

Perhaps the wisest commenter was lazurline_09, who said "I can't say anything because I know nothing about Aborigines." Who knows, this might encourage him/her to read up a bit. If only the others had shown similar restraint.

Five Times August

2009-08-15T09:10:00.003-04:00

For those who don't know, Brad is a friend of mine and a talented independent musician. He has a new project to release that he is currently raising money for. He is very close to his goal but only has one day remaining. Please consider making a donation to help him reach his goal. Thanks!

Lucky Sevens: Jaromir Jagr

2009-06-07T22:06:00.002-04:00

Heather and I are planning a trip in August to Germany, Czech Republic and Poland. We (more she than me at the moment) have been researching that part of Europe recently, and decided to make that this month's Lucky Sevens.

Jaromir Jagr is a hockey player from the Czech Republic. He is best known for his years in Pittsburgh, but he also spent time with the Rangers and a few years here in DC with the Capitals. He currently plays in Russia. Throughout his career, he has worn the number 68, as pictured above in his Czech Republic uniform. Your Lucky Sevens question for June: What is the significance of this number?

Lucky Sevens: Washington Nationals

2009-05-07T23:42:00.006-04:00

It's a good thing I started this Lucky Sevens series two years ago--I can't seem to post any thing else lately.

In order to help us integrate into our new home, Heather and I decided to get a Washington Nationals Sunday Mini-Plan, which gives us tickets to all thirteen Sunday home games. This means that we'll spend roughly every other Sunday afternoon out at Nationals Park, unless it's raining, like it did this past Sunday, postponing the game against the Cardinals. By the way, they still haven't announced a make-up date for that game, but I'm betting it's never made up. Since the Cards aren't scheduled to come to Washington again this season, I suspect they will hold it until the end of the season and only play it if necessary. My only hope is for St Louis to go down to the wire in the Central, requiring them to come back to D.C. and play the hapless Nats.

Recently, the Nationals resigned their best player, keeping him in town for the next five years. Your Lucky Sevens question for May: Can you name the player?

Lucky Sevens: Cherry Blossoms

2009-04-07T16:58:00.004-04:00

Last week marked the arrival of a Washington icon: the blooming of the cherry blossoms. We knew these trees lined the tidal basin near the national mall, but I've been surprised to see the white and pink blossoms all over the city and surrounds. Even our apartment complex is loaded with them.

Of course, these trees are not indigenous to the area. Your Lucky Sevens question for April: Where did these trees come from, and when and how did they get here?

Lucky Sevens: Taxation Without Representation

2009-03-07T20:46:00.004-05:00

As mentioned in last month's Lucky Sevens, the District of Columbia does not have voting representation in Congress. Of course, the debate here is that DC is not a state. Some (normally Republicans) argue that since the Constitution specifies that states will be represented in Congress, DC is excluded. They also occasionally argue that DC's population does not warrant a vote. Others, (mostly Democrats) argue that all Americans should have representation in Congress. Given that DC votes overwhelmingly Democrat (93-7 in the last presidental election), one cannot help but feel that the real conflict here is over the balance of power and a vote.

On Thursday, the Senate passed a bill to settle this, giving DC a vote in the House of Representatives, as well as an additional vote to Utah, which should normally bring a Republican vote to counter DC's likely Democratic one. The bill now moves to the House, where it is expected to pass easily.

Of course, all 50 states currently have representation in Congress. Your Lucky Sevens question for March: Name the states that have a smaller population than the District of Columbia.

Policy change on Cuba?

2009-02-24T11:19:00.003-05:00

Two years ago, I shared my opinion on the failure and injustice of the Cuban embargo. Now it seems that someone in Congress, a Republican no less, agrees. Senator Richard Lugar (R-Indiana) has stated that "the current U.S. policy has many passionate defenders, and their criticism of the Castro regime is justified. Nevertheless, we must recognize the ineffectiveness of our current policy and deal with the Cuban regime in a way that enhances U.S. interests." Thank you, Senator: I couldn't have said it better myself.

Perhaps this will finally lead to an end of the embargo. With the UN again calling for it's end, Obama in the White House, and a leading Republican on board, maybe it is time. There is a lot going on in our country right now: I look forward to the embargo's end being part of that change.

Australia's National Day of Mourning

2009-02-21T15:21:00.004-05:00

You have probably heard about the bushfires in Australia this month, and have probably seen the above picture of the thirsty koala. Bushfires are always a problem in drought-stricken Australia, but this year has been even worse. To date, 209 people have been confirmed dead, to say nothing of the environmental damage.

All of this has prompted the Australian Government to declare February 22 a National Day of Mourning. A service will be held in Melbourne at 10:00am (6:00pm Eastern here) and will be available to watch online at the Brisbane Times website.

Lucky Sevens: District of Columbia flag

2009-02-07T21:00:00.000-05:00

This is the flag of Washington DC. A few years ago, however, there was talk of changing it slightly. Your Lucky Sevens question for February: What change was almost made to the DC flag?

OZ TV: The Chaser's War on Everything

2009-01-28T15:58:00.004-05:00

One of Australia's most controversial, and in my opinion, greatest, TV shows has come to America. The Chaser's War on Everything will premiere on G4 tonight at 9pm Eastern. If you want to see Australia's brand of satirical humour, check it out. It is largely about Australian current events, so some of the references may be lost on you. If so, feel free to post a comment here and I'll be happy to get you up to speed.

Heather and I saw these guys around town every once in a while getting ready for a bit, although I don't think we ever saw them actually in the middle of something. It was always fun to watch and look for familiar locations in the city that they pranked. One that comes to mind is when they attempted to "move" furniture using the city buses. Guess you had to be there.

The picture above, as well as the two videos below, are from their fine work during the APEC meeting in late 2007. The Osama bin Laden stunt got them arrested--Heather and I saw a big crowd, including cameras, around the police station near our flat, but didn't find out until the next day that it was for the Chasers. Given the ultra-tight restrictions that we witnessed, including snipers in helicopters hovering over the city, Heather and I found this segment particularly amusing. It's fair to say that this was the Chasers' finest moment.

Chaser's APEC security measures

Chasers infiltrate APEC security

Obama and Guantánamo

2009-01-25T15:14:00.004-05:00

Last week, President Obama signed an executive order to close the Guantánamo Bay detention facility within a year, a quick move signaling that the United States would once again respect human rights concerning the war on terror. While reading "Issue of terrorists' rights to test Obama's pledge" I came across this interesting quotation from John Boehner (R-OH), House GOP leader:

"The Guantánamo Bay prison is filled with the worst of the worst -- terrorists and killers bent on murdering Americans and other friends of freedom around the world. If it is closed, where will they go, will they be brought to the United States and how will they be secured?"

Rep. Boehner is either a remarkably uninformed member of Congress or he is knowlingly lying through his teeth. Of the 775 prisoners who have been held at Guantánamo over the past 7+ years, 420 have been released without charge. Of the roughly 270 currently held, "50 to 70" have been cleared for release, but cannot be returned to their home country for fear of punishment (Reynolds). Clearly, Gitmo is not "filled with the worst of the worst" and it would be refreshing if Republican leaders would stop parroting Rumsfeld's tired lie.

In spite of this, Boehner does raise an important point: where do the freed prisoners go? I feel Obama's executive order is lacking in this area. The United States continues to deny any innocent detainees settlement in the United States. How can we expect our allies around the world to help with this process if we do not take some of them as well? What is wrong with taking seventeen Uighurs, a nomadic people from Western China, who ended up in Guantánamo because they were sold for bounty by Pakistanis (Mariner)? They have been cleared for release for nearly five years but remain in Gitmo because they cannot be safely returned to China and no one else, including the U.S., will take them in. The case of the Uighurs, and many others like them, is an injustice and a human rights violation.

Also, Obama's order does not end the military commissions that conduct the trials of the charged detainees in a manner that denies them due process, but instead calls for a study into the feasibility of moving the trials to the federal system. In seven years of operation, only three people have been convicted by the military commissions at Guantánamo: David Hicks, an Australian who joined the Taliban; Salim Hamdan, Bin Laden's driver; and Ali al-Bahlul, who made a video. All in all, these are three very low-ranking, low risk terrorists. On the other hand, you have the infamous Zacarias Moussaoui, one of the designers of 9/11, and Richard Reid, the "shoe-bomber". Both were convicted in Federal courts, not Guantánamo (Sullivan).

I was glad to see that Obama quickly followed through on his campaign promise to close Guantánamo, but his order was incomplete. Obama's declaration of last week was a good first step, but there is still further to go if the United States is going to take its place once again as a champion of human rights and justice in the world.

Masters degree conferred--now with merit!

2009-01-21T16:36:00.004-05:00

What began as a dream is now official: I am a Master of Development Studies with merit. It may bear a stronger resemblance to a business letter than a diploma, but I'll take it. Behind this mere piece of paper is a year and a half of my life, and hopefully my future, in the form of the following:

Development: Critical Perspectives (A and B)
Human Rights: Peace and Justice
Key Issues in Peace and Conflict Studies
Peace Through Tourism
Politics of the World Economy
Professional Practice in Development
Rethinking Poverty

There were too many choices and only eight slots, but I'm satisfied with my selections. If nothing else, I have a foundation for further study. It was a challenging course of study, both academically and intellectually. Many of my world view assumptions were challenged, many altered, others reinforced, but all were strengthened with information, logic and reasoning.

Perhaps the most important thing I learned is that I have a lot more to learn.

Ornaments: Christmas Tree

2008-12-25T09:22:00.000-05:00

I've shared 24 ornaments here this month, and if you add a couple hundred more, you come up with this. The picture is full resolution, so if you click it, you'll get a nice big image to look around at some of our other ornaments. Merry Christmas.

Ornaments: Washington D.C.

2008-12-24T10:24:00.002-05:00

Ornaments: The Kiss

2008-12-23T18:46:00.003-05:00

This ornament is a recreation of The Kiss by Gustav Klimt, one of Heather's favorite paintings.

Ornaments: Pickle

2008-12-22T09:49:00.003-05:00

It is commonly believed that the pickle ornament is an old German tradition. The story goes that the pickle is hidden in the tree and the first child to find it gets an extra present or good luck for a year. A few years ago, Heather and I mentioned to our German friend Klaus that we had a pickle ornament and were surprised when he asked why. Come to find out, he had never heard of this alleged German tradition. That led to a little research, which seems to point to another traditional holiday custom: the marketing ploy. Anyway, we still hang ours every year.

Ornaments: Flags

2008-12-21T15:57:00.004-05:00

Ornaments: Eiffel Tower

2008-12-20T10:28:00.002-05:00

This ornament, of course, reminds us of our trip to Paris, the greatest city in the world.

Ornaments: Maneki Neko

2008-12-19T10:05:00.003-05:00

Our home in Sydney was near Chinatown, so we saw these Maneki Neko cat figures in store fronts quite often. According to the Wikipedia page, our ornament's raised left paw indicates it will bring in customers, as opposed to money, brought in by a raised right paw. Others would say the raised left paw indicates our home is a drinking establishment. Whatever.

Ornaments: Statue of Liberty

2008-12-18T09:31:00.000-05:00

Ornaments: Reef

2008-12-17T10:17:00.001-05:00

This ornament reminds us of our trip to the Great Barrier Reef.

Ornaments: Nortre Dame Cathedral

2008-12-16T09:49:00.002-05:00

Note the rose window.

Ornaments: Santa and sandman

2008-12-15T13:41:00.003-05:00

Here we have another Southern Hemisphere ornament, this time Santa with a sand--as opposed to snow--man.

Ornaments: Bindi ball

2008-12-14T11:34:00.004-05:00

This ornament is one of the few we have that is not made of glass. The decorations on the ornaments are bindis, the decorations worn by Indian women on their foreheads.

Ornaments: Noah's Ark

2008-12-13T17:38:00.003-05:00

Ornaments: Cat mariachis

2008-12-12T10:24:00.000-05:00

Some more cats today, this time as mariachis. There is a third as well with a horn.

Ornaments: Coronation Carriage

2008-12-11T09:39:00.002-05:00

This is an ornament that we actually did pick up in London--the royal coronation carriage. And as you can see, it survived the rest of the trip.

What is the What

2008-12-10T09:29:00.004-05:00

I have just finished reading What is the What by Dave Eggers, one of the most important books I have read in a long time. It is the novelized version of the story of Valentino Achak Deng, a refugee from Sudan. I told Heather she needed to read it and she said she doesn't like to read sad books. I replied that while it is often sad, it is also at times funny and awe-inspiring. Besides, the reason I like reading books like this is because they are sad, because life can be sad. I do not want to take my life for granted. I want to be reminded how fortunate I am, for no other reason than the circumstances of my birth, and I never want to forget the unimaginable suffering that others live with every day.

As Americans, it is easy for us to forget the oppression and suffering that billions of others face every day. And when we are reminded, it is easy to ignore. What is the What ends with a comment on this:

Whatever I do, however I find a way to live, I will tell these stories. I have spoken to every person I have encountered these last difficult days, and every person who has entered this club during these awful morning hours, because to do anything else would be something less than human. I speak to these people, and I speak to you because I cannot help it. It gives me strength, almost unbelievable strength, to know that you are there. I covet your eyes, your ears, the collapsible space between us. How blessed are we to have each other? I am alive and you are alive so we must fill the air with our words. I will fill today, tomorrow, every day until I am taken back to God. I will tell stories to people who will listen and to people who don't want to listen, to people who seek me out and to those who run. All the while I will know that you are there. How can I pretend that you do not exist? It would be almost as impossible as you pretending that I do not exist.

Don't pretend this doesn't exist. Take a month, read this book, and acknowledge.

Ornaments: Koala

2008-12-10T09:22:00.002-05:00

Another ornament for our time in Australia, but it wasn't bought there. Like the India suitcase, this was a gift from Heather's parents.

Lucky Sevens (late): Independence Hall

2008-12-09T15:06:00.001-05:00

I told you a few days ago how Heather and I went to Philadelphia on Saturday for my birthday, visiting Independence Hall, the site of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. The painting pictured above hangs there, depicting one of the signings. Your Lucky Sevens question: which signing is depicted, and what in the painting gives away the answer?

Ornaments: Pizza

2008-12-09T10:27:00.004-05:00

I know what you're thinking: Oh great, another ornament completely unrelated to Christmas. But that's where you're wrong. Heather's parents have pizza on Christmas Eve, a tradition that I particularly enjoy.

Ornaments: Two peas in a pod

2008-12-08T10:13:00.003-05:00

This ornament is Heather's favorite--of all ornaments not featuring a cat.

Ornaments: Snake

2008-12-07T12:45:00.003-05:00

It's a snake. I have no idea why we have a snake ornament.

Halfway to 70

2008-12-06T22:11:00.007-05:00

Today was my birthday and I am now halfway to 70, or as Heather likes to say, 490 in cat-years. She surprised me this morning with a day trip to the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia. Given my pursuit of World Heritage Sites, the primary purpose of the trip was Independence Hall, but there were several other bonuses we squeezed into the day.

Independence Hall is one of the few World Heritage Sites in the United States that is not a natural park and was the location for the signing of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. It also served as the home of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, and was the former home for the Liberty Bell, now on display in the building across the street.

After a quick visit to Benjamin Franklin's grave, we headed over to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. They had a special exhibit called Gee's Bend: The Architecture of the Quilt that Heather wanted to see, but the highlight for me was the Rocky statue. Heather was nice enough to do a Rocky pose for me, though, including her blue mittens/boxing gloves.

Other features of the day:

we drove through three states, a big deal for people from Texas
I ate a real Philly cheesesteak from a sidewalk cart (street-meat, as Heather says)
it snowed on my birthday--a first ever

Ornaments: India suitcase

2008-12-06T20:33:00.002-05:00

No, we did not get this ornament in India. It was a gift from Heather's mother last year before we went to India.

Ornaments: Double decker

2008-12-05T11:11:00.003-05:00

When we went to London last year, we made sure to take a ride on the famous London double decker. This ornament commemorates that trip.

Ornaments: Cat with fish

2008-12-04T10:27:00.003-05:00

Given that Heather likes cats so much, it should be no surprise that we have quite a few cat ornaments. I won't share them all, but here is one of them.

Ornaments: Santa surfer

2008-12-03T14:08:00.005-05:00

Our first holiday season in Australia was a bit unusual for us given that it was in the summertime. It's a strange time Down Under, where you see a mix of typical Northern style, wintery Christmas scenes and the influence of the actual weather conditions around you. In our time there, we picked up several ornaments of the Australian Christmas persuasion, this one probably being my favorite.

Ornaments: Yellow rose/boot and fishing lure

2008-12-02T14:29:00.006-05:00

After our Mexican-style Thanksgiving dinner, a hit or miss affair but fun nonetheless, Heather and I put up or Christmas tree. Over the years, she has collected glass ornaments, but because we have been overseas, she has never had all of her ornaments, about 120 total, in one place. That makes this the first year that we have had a full tree, although she says we still need 120 more. Our collection is quite eclectic, ranging from the bizarre to the sentimental. We have had a few adventures getting these, including a recent trip to Neiman Marcus, where we were surprised to learn that they only accept cash, check, NM card or American Express. No Visa, no MasterCard. What can I say: we aren't frequent shoppers and Neiman's. I'll share one a day with you until Christmas, but because I missed starting this yesterday, you get two today.

The first is a reminder of where we came from: a cowboy boot filled with yellow roses. This is one that Heather and her mom found four or five years ago. Note the golf ball next to it--that one's from Neiman's, paid for with cash.

This one Heather bought a couple months ago and was new to me, but it immediately became my favorite. I like the ones that are a bit silly, and a big glass fishing lure fits the bill there.

Check back daily for more.

Jørn Utzon (1918-2008)

2008-12-01T12:29:00.007-05:00

When the New South Wales government decided it wanted an opera house, they went on an international search for its architect. Jørn Utzon's submission in the design contest broke several rules for entries, but was selected nonetheless due to its originality and majestic design. At the time, his submission was little more than rough sketches, lacking detail and specific plans for construction and cost, but it was clear that this was the building to house the new opera house.

However, the design proved problematic when it came time to actually build it. They could not figure out how to construct the shells that would make up the roof without making them too heavy or too complex. It was such a problem that it nearly wiped out the project in the middle of construction. But Utzon himself found the solution while eating an orange. The shells would be based on sections of a sphere, allowing for mass production of the elements and keeping the weight, and cost, at a reasonable level.

Despite the international acclaim the Opera House receives today, including World Heritage status, it was very controversial during its construction, with Utzon himself eventually being forced off the project by the newly elected Liberal government looking to cut costs and leverage for power. At the official opening of the Opera House, Utzon was not even mentioned. Utzon returned to Denmark and never returned to see his most famous design.

However, over the last decade, the Sydney Opera House has again reached out to Utzon, naming him as an advisor on the future development of the Opera House. And although Jørn Utzon has still never returned to Sydney, his son Jan, also an architect, has, where he works in conjunction with his father on the other side of the world. Some have again criticized Jørn, questioning how he can work on the Opera House without having ever seen the finished building. He responded by saying that he carries the Opera House with him in the same way a composer carries his music in his mind.

Jørn Utzon, Danish architect and designer of the Sydney Opera House, died in his sleep in Copenhagen on November 29. The Australian icon of Danish design reigns over the world's most beautiful harbour as his legacy to the world.

Hello DC

2008-11-28T12:03:00.002-05:00

I've been in Washington for a week now, so I thought I should let you know what's going to be happening here at Look Right. Basically, things are going to continue as before, except with (hopefully) more posting. I've been slowed down a bit this year because of school and preparing for the move, but I hope to pick that up a bit again now. I will still attempt to keep you up to date on the happenings in Australia, but the D.C. scene will be added to the mix. I have a few things in the works to post, including some things from my last few months in Sydney that were put on hold. I considered an address change, but decided to keep Look Right as a reminder of where this all began. So if you keep reading, I'll keep writing. More to come.

Farewell, Australia

2008-11-25T23:05:00.003-05:00

I love a sunburnt country,
A land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges,
Of drought and flooding rains.
I love her far horizons,
I love her jewel-sea,
Her beauty and her terror
The wide brown land for me!

Dorothea Mackellar (1904)

Why I'm voting for Barack Obama

2008-11-02T07:39:00.008-05:00

I am well aware that most of the frequent readers here are both Republican and Christian, and are likely planning on voting for McCain. But please, before passing over this post, give it a read. I think that my story is different than others you have heard.

As you likely know, I used to be a Republican as well. But over the last four years, my view of America and the world has changed, and so have my political leanings. I alternate between amusement and disgust with the Religious Right component of the Republican Party. Though I am certainly a Christian, these people in no way represent me, nor, in my opinion, do they represent Jesus.

In my understanding of Jesus's teachings, we are called to love one another and to help the sick, the poor and the downtrodden. These are moral issues. The Religious Right, and by extension the Republican Party, have campaigned for years on a platform of morality and family values. However, they have been selective and too narrowly defined morality, limiting it to abortion and gay rights.

I agree that these are moral issues. I, too, am pro-life. And while I oppose gay marriage, I do think that, for example, access to a partner's health insurance should not be denied because of sexuality, whether I am morally opposed to it or not. So in in these issues, there is at least some level of agreement between me and the Religious Right. But what about other moral issues?

Poverty is a moral issue. The economic policies of our country put the poor at a disadvantage and make it difficult to escape what quickly becomes a vicious generational cycle. Our tax policies provide loopholes, havens and exemptions for the wealthy, while millions of Americans live below the poverty line, most of them children. And still the wealthy dare to challenge any suggestion of increasing their tax liability as un-American? Still corporate CEOs expect buyouts from the American people when they are reckless in their business dealings and walk away with millions while the common man worker in his company gets nothing but a pink slip? This is morally wrong, and the Religious Right are silent.

Health care is a moral issue. I have heard that the United States is the only highly developed country without some form of universal health care. People die in America from treatable illness and disease because they cannot afford health insurance. Millions of others with insurance are denied coverage they have paid for for years when they need it most. Basic preventive care alone would resolve many of these issues, but it is currently not available to the American public. This is morally wrong, and the Religious Right are silent.

The environment is a moral issue. We have been ordained by God to be stewards of this planet. And yet we plunder the earth for energy, throwing habitats out of balance with our exhaust and our waste. We have abused our position of God-given authority and made the natural environment our servant rather than serving it as protector. And we have done all this because we are too lazy to realize other sources of clean power that are readily available. This is morally wrong, and the Religious Right are silent.

Human rights are a moral issue. Our government has been holding hundreds of people illegally in Guantanomo Bay for seven years, denied them a speedy and fair trial and has used torture on the authority of the President to extract "confessions" from many of them. You say they are not American citizens? Agreed, but they are humans, and deserve to be treated humanely, even if they are eventually proven guilty. This is morally wrong, and the Religious Right are silent.

I choose to stop the list there.

In 2004, I voted for George W Bush, even though I preferred John Kerry's policies on most issues, most notably education (as a teacher, I witnessed firsthand Bush's failure with No Child Left Behind), health care and the environment. But I was persuaded by fear--fear that Kerry was weak on the issue of national security. I voted on a single issue, despite my misgivings on all others. I will never do that again.

Which is why I mailed my absentee ballot two weeks ago, casting my vote for Barack Obama. Even though I disagree with his stance on abortion, I will no longer deny the other moral issues that are also at stake.

Besides, the abortion issue is a red herring for Republicans anyway. In the thirty-five years since Roe v Wade, we have had a Republican president for twenty-three of them. Not one has so much as mentioned Roe v Wade outside of an election year. This is nothing but a ploy used to bring in conservative voters. To his credit, McCain is not pushing this button like his predecessors have. But the Religious Right is doing it for him to the same effect. And yet on other moral issues, they remain silent, choosing instead to spew hatred and fear of anyone who does not look or sound like them.

The United States is in desperate need of a leader who will address these other moral issues. The world is in desperate need of a United States that is willing to champion morality without exception. Please pray, consider what you believe morality to be, and vote accordingly. God bless.

Where the hell is Matt?

2008-10-19T05:33:00.003-04:00

I'm only the 11,040,653rd person to see this, so this might not be new to you. But my friend Jesse posted about Matt and his site wherethehellismatt.com recently and this was the first I heard about it. There is also an outtakes version that is humorous.

Scanning through the comments on the YouTube page reveals a few who think Matt "needs to get a job". I say that when you think about some of the other things he could be doing--starting wars, dismantling the economy, yelling "kill him, he's an arab!" at a Sarah Palin rally--traveling the world and dancing isn't such a bad choice. I think it is beautiful that he sees all these places and meets all these people who share his joy. And I am thankful that he has recorded it to share that joy with the rest of us. He has stripped away everything that makes us different and focused on what makes us the same--the joy in being alive. May we all approach life a little more like Matt.

Lucky Sevens: The Green and Gold

2008-09-07T05:50:00.006-04:00

Last month, everyone had their eye on the Beijing Olympics. At the time,
I got a question from a friend that I will now pass on to you for this month's Lucky Sevens question: Australia's flag is red, white and blue. So why do all Australian national sporting teams (further examples: rugby, cricket, lawn bowls--yeah, that's right, lawn bowls) wear the iconic 'The Green and Gold'? Bonus points will be awarded for identifying the athlete pictured here and his event.

Next stop: Washington D.C.

2008-08-17T07:52:00.000-04:00

I've been putting off writing this one for a while now, partly because you probably already know and partly because it makes me sad, but in a good way. OK, kind of in a bad way, too.

Heather interviewed for a job in June with the National Cancer Institute in Washington D.C. She found out just a couple days later that she was hired. The only bad news was that she had to start August 4, while we had been looking for a January '09 start date. By the time she got back to Sydney she only had a few weeks to say goodbye to this city.

Meanwhile, I have a semester to go on my masters degree. I looked into finishing it there--George Washington University has a program--but I would have to wait until next July to continue my coursework. So instead, I'm still here in Sydney, while Heather left three weeks ago. I will make a two week visit in the beginning of October and move over for good right after Thanksgiving.

It's tough being away, but it has made the move easier in some ways. We scouted the internet for an apartment and picked out a car before she left, so in her first two days she had an apartment lease and bought a car. Shipping will be easier than it was three years ago, too. I'll be here to pack up, and she'll be there ready for delivery. Of course, having the government pay for it all helps--the movers will pack everything, as well as unpack it all there. All we have to do is point.

So that's all well and good. But for now, I miss my wife. I had a couple papers to write the first two weeks that kept me busy, but now I'm just bored. Heather stays occupied getting settled in to a new place and a new job, but she misses me, too.

As for Washington D.C., we are both excited. Heather's job is a great opportunity, and there are a lot of NGOs in D.C. that are potential employers for me when I finish my Development Studies degree. Besides that, we both like Washington. When Heather began applying for jobs, we were very selective. We love Sydney and weren't going to leave it unless a great opportunity in an equally great city presented itself.

Now for the important stuff: I've been partial to the Washington Nationals for a while now, with the Texas Rangers history in the capital, so that's a natural fit. I'm intrigued by the Capitals and their young talent. The Wizards leave me completely apathetic for now, but I have already looked up their schedule to see when Dallas will be visiting. As for the Washington Redskins--well, it'll be fun rubbing it in when the Cowboys win the Super Bowl.

Lucky Sevens (Late again): Australia/New Zealand Rugby

2008-08-08T08:30:00.003-04:00

Once again, I must beg for your apologies for being a day late. Perhaps I should consider just renaming this "Lucky Eights" so I'd be on time.

Two weeks ago, Heather and I attended an event that we have waited three years for: the rugby union test between the Wallabies and the All Blacks. The last time they played in Sydney was in 2005, one week after we arrived here. Needless to say, we have anticipated this event for quite a while.

Not only is this a great rivalry between neighbours, it is also some of the best rugby played in the world. Include South Africa, a fellow competitor in the Tri-Nations Series, and you have the top three sides in the International Rugby Board World Rankings. There is talk of Argentina joining the Tri-Nations in the next few years. Guess what? They are ranked number four.

I'll give a full report in the next few days, but for now, here is your Lucky Sevens question for August: As stated Australia, New Zealand and South Africa compete in the Tri-Nations Series. But within that, what special prize do the Wallabies and All Blacks complete for in their annual rugby union test series?

2008 City2Surf and Oxfam Australia

2008-07-18T01:08:00.006-04:00

If you are in my email address book, you probably already got this, but the 2008 Sun-Herald City2Surf is in less than a month. This will be my third time to run it. Each time, I have improved my time, and more importantly, moved up in group. They have four starting groups: Red, Green, Blue and Yellow. This is a really big deal when you have over 60,000 participants. My time last year qualifies me for the Green starting group, and gives me a shot at beating 75 minutes, which would qualify me for next year's Red group. That's my goal.

I have a more important goal, however. City2Surf added a feature allowing runners to raise money for a selected charity. Last year, with the help of friends and family, I raised $365 for UNICEF.

This year, I have chosen to run for Oxfam Australia, an organisation that works to relieve poverty around the world. As I have studied development over the past year, I have looked at many aspects of developing countries, including human rights, peace and conflict situations, and the environment. But the issue that has inspired me the most is poverty. I recognise that most of what I have today is due to the fortunate circumstances surrounding my birth, and that I am not a better or more worthy person than the billions that are living in extreme poverty around the world today.

My goal is to double last year's donations, so I have targeted $730. If you would like to help, please go to my donation page and consider a small gift to this worthy cause. I believe that we really can end poverty in the world if we so choose. Let's make it happen.

Did I tell you about the time when...

2008-07-13T07:19:00.001-04:00

A few items from the trip that I somehow missed before.

In London, we went to two musicals, the first of which was Wicked. This is based on the book of the same name by Gregory Maguire, which I read several years ago. The book is very good, telling the "true" story of the Wicked Witch of the West. It gives all the "extra details" that are omitted from the popular version of the story The Wizard of Oz. As an English teacher, I really enjoy how a story like this can be created, completely turning a popular story on its head without actually contradicting anything from the original. I also enjoyed the political dimension of the story as it examines the control of power by the wizard and the media campaign enacted to turn the people against the "wicked" witch.

Unfortunately, most of that was stripped away from the play, leaving a rather bland version of the story instead. And they absolutely butchered the ending. The performances were good enough, but the musical version of the story is lacking. If you have seen this performance, do yourself a favour and read the book.

Our second musical was Avenue Q, the story of a recent college graduate (with an English degree, no less!) who is ready to take on the real world. Unfortunately, he quickly discovers that he can't find a job and most of the world isn't interested in being changed. He settles in a neighbourhood of other struggling young adults and even a few monsters. As a group, they start to figure out what real life is all about, or at least how to deal with it.

This play was quite a surprise for me. It's a musical with puppets, and it is irreverent, crude and outrageously funny. In other words, it isn't your typical musical, and chances are, you have never seen anything like it. If you have the chance to see this one, I'd do it.

Also in London, we happened upon a film site on one of the many bridges on the River Thymes. We asked someone in the crew what it was for, and we were told The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus. When we got back to the hotel, we looked it up and saw that is was starring Australian Heath Ledger. A week later, we heard that he was found dead in his New York apartment.

While we were in India, the Indian cricket team was touring Australia. When we met people and told them we lived in Australia, the cricket always came up. I was told by several people that I looked like either Ricky Ponting (left) or Adam Gilchrist (right). Ponting is the team captain and Gilchrist was on his farewell tour, so both guys were getting plenty of facetime on TV. I figure that accounts for why I was told I looked like them, since I don't particularly think I resemble either.

And Weet-bix agrees with me. During the summer, they ran a Face2Face campaign, which enabled you to upload a photo and would tell you which player you most resemble. When we got back to Australia, Heather found a suitable photo of me and submitted it. Face2Face returned with Stuart Clark, pictured below. Of course, the picture she chose was a few years old when my hair was much shorter, which I think accounts for the selection. I'm sure a more recent picture would yield different results, but alas, Face2Face is no longer available.

Serendipity?

2008-07-12T09:33:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I mentioned our beneficial hassle with our flight to Thailand. Here's that story.

We just missed our original flight from Bangkok to Phuket, but were just able to catch the next one half an hour later. As we sat down to catch our breath for a minute before boarding the plane, we noticed a gentleman across from us wearing a University of Wisconsin shirt. Heather struck up a conversation with the couple, asking if it was a bit cold this time of year there. Turns out Jim and Sandy were in Thailand visiting their son, Jesse, who had spent the year working there. We asked if they were staying in Phuket, or were going elsewhere--they said they were going to Ko Phi Phi. Us, too! What hotel? PP Casita. Us, too! The plane was open seating, so we sat across the aisle and kept getting to know each other. About ten minutes into the flight, Jim mentioned something about Cuba--Heather turned to me and said "switch" so I could be on the aisle. Jim and I talked about Cuba the rest of the hour long flight.

He goes with Pastors for Peace (their 2008 trip is nearing the end right now, by the way). Their "Friendshipment" starts all across America, gathering donations and people to make the trip, funneling down through Texas. They ship everything over to Havana from Mexico, then fly to Cuba for a week. Everything is above board--Jim even showed me the Cuba stamps in his passport. As an organization, they feel the Cuban embargo is unconstitutional and inhumane, and they actually welcome a challenge from the U.S. government, because they believe that if it ever goes to trial, the ban would be struck down. This year is the 19th Friendshipment: the government has backed down the previous eighteen times that Pastors for Peace have called their bluff.

If you were reading here about a year and a half ago, you know this is a big interest of mine. Over the next four days, Jim and I frequently talked about Cuba, as well as other issues. He told me that whenever Heather and I get back to the U.S., I should consider joining the trip, which I am certainly looking forward to. Heather and I enjoyed ending our round the world trip relaxing on the beach, but spending time with good people like Jim, Sandy and Jesse (who is now taking it day by day in LA after his year in Thailand), in addition to making a huge contact for a Cuban humanitarian relief effort was a very pleasant surprise.

Thailand

2008-07-11T10:12:00.003-04:00

At times, India was tough. But when it came time to leave, we were both a bit sad. That is, until we got to the horrible airport in Delhi and had our flight delayed by five hours--then we couldn't get out fast enough. We made good use of the time, though: we rescued a two year old who wandered off from his mother in the crowded terminal.

Contrast that hectic airport experience with Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, the nicest airport I have ever been in, bar none. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to enjoy is, as our generous four hour window until our next flight evaporated with the delay in Delhi. We checked at the ticket counter to book a new flight to Phuket, and were just able to catch a new flight out. Turns out, this hassle turned out to be quite beneficial, but that story will be told in my next post.

Once we got to Phuket, we got a car to the ferry dock, then took a two hour ferry ride to Ko Phi Phi. So by the time we got to our bungalow on the island, we had been on two planes, three airports, a car and a ferry, all without so much as brushing our teeth. Needless to say, we were ready for a nap.

We did get a little refreshment at the ferry dock. Recognise these?

This was our beach for the week. You'll notice the deeper water is very blue, while the water in the foreground appears browner. This is only because is was very shallow, and stayed that way for quite a ways out. It was so shallow that low tide caused the water to move out a couple hundred metres--the boat you see here was easily grounded at low tide.

As nice at Ko Phi Phi was, there were plenty of reminders that this part of Thailand was hit by the tsunami a couple of years ago. These signs give instructions on what to do and where to go in the case of disaster. There was plenty of rebuilding going on over the island as well.

This is on the other side of the island, on the dock side. This part of the country has lots of these rock formations/islands, many very dramatic in their structure--let's just say that you wouldn't want to be underneath some of them.

Also did some SCUBA diving while we were there. I've done it before, but it's been twelve or thirteen years. I was a bit nervous when it came time to go in--putting my trust in some hoses and a bottle of compressed air just didn't come as easy as it used to--but when I was underwater I forgot to be scared. I did well on conserving my air: a sure sign of a rookie diver is a quickly emptied tank. We saw lots of fish, plenty of coral and rock formations, and even a couple sea turtles. the dive instructors told us we might see some black tip sharks, but no luck. So my goal of swimming with sharks is still on the table.

The food on the island was fantastic. In between our bungalow and the docks was a small village of shops, tourist attractions and food. Heather and I both love Thai food, especially when it is authentic and cheap. Other than that, we just sat on the beach.

All in all, I would highly recommend Thailand. I have been to several tropical destinations--Cozumel, Tahiti, Great Barrier Reef--and I rate Thailand the best. It's beautiful and provides an authentic yet convenient experience. The people are beautiful--so friendly and kind, and down on the island, very relaxed. Instead of going to the Caribbean again, why not give Thailand a try?

Indian animals

2008-07-08T08:29:00.002-04:00

While in India, we saw quite a variety of animals. In addition to the usual dogs, cats and birds, we also saw (in the cities, mind you): cows, horses, mules, pigs, goats, chickens, peacocks and camels. As for a few of the more exotic, I'll let you see for yourself.

And that last picture is not the closest we got to a cobra. On the way to dinner one night in Agra, we found ourselves next to a boy, about twelve years old, carrying a small basket. As he was standing next to me and right behind Heather, he removed the lid of the basket to reveal a cobra, who began to slither out of the basket, about a foot behind Heather's arm--she was completely unaware of what was happening. I told her to hurry up. Why? Just hurry. Why? Hurry, there is a cobra. What?!? As this is going on, I am trying to tell the boy thanks, but we'd rather not see your cobra. But we survived, and dinner was lovely.

Missed the tigers--maybe next time.

Lucky Sevens: Platinum Populations

2008-07-07T09:45:00.002-04:00

We're going to take a look at populations this month. The United States has nine cities with a population greater than one million. Your Lucky Sevens question for July: How many does Australia have, and can you name them?

Agra

2008-06-28T07:50:00.002-04:00

The Taj Mahal is, without question, the most impressive structure I have ever seen. The combination of size and craftsmanship are astounding, especially considering it was built nearly four hundred years ago.

In this picture you can get a bit of an idea about the craftsmanship. This inlay work is quite impressive, especially when viewed up close. Although the Taj appears completely white from a distance, in reality a fair bit of it is covered with detailed work like this.

This was a popular spot to take a picture--it is a bit elevated from the surrounding area and is front and centre of the Taj Mahal, plus you get a nice reflection in the pool. Because it is so popular, there is quite a line to get the picture, so we had to wait our turn. But the end result was worth it.

Everyone was taking pictures as if they were holding up the Taj. When we first got there, Heather and I laughed at the silly tourists. Before we left, however, Heather decided she wanted to dangle the Taj, too. Hey, it's not like everyone couldn't tell we were tourists anyway.

Lucky Sevens (a day late)

2008-06-07T20:39:00.001-04:00

Hey, cut me some slack--I'm a bit busy with school at the moment. Besides, as I write this, it's probably still the seventh for you.

Because I missed last month, I've got two questions for you.

Belated May Lucky Sevens question: I made a CD for a class a few weeks ago. Here are some of the titles (others were omitted because they were too revealing. I'll include them in the comments after someone answers correctly).

Fortunate Son - Creedence Clearwater Revival
The Call Up - The Clash
The Edge of Darkness - Iron Maiden
Rooster - Alice in Chains
Orange Crush - R.E.M.
Inoculated City - The Clash
Eve of Destruction - Barry McGuire
Drive On - Johnny Cash
Old Hippie - The Bellamy Brothers

Can you tell me what I was teaching?

Nothing yet? Try googling " lyrics".

June Lucky Sevens question: Today (that being June 7) is an important one. What is the occasion?

Jaipur

2008-05-18T09:45:00.001-04:00

Our first stop outside of Delhi was Jaipur, the Pink City. Even though there are over three million in the city, it still felt much smaller compared to Delhi, which has about seventeen million. The air is cleaner and the pace seems slower. It was a nice change of pace after all our "adventure" in Delhi.

One of our first stops in Jaipur was the Jantar Mantar, or observatory, the largest of five in India. Above is picture of a sundial showing the shadow falling on the arc, allowing a view to tell the time. All of the instruments on the site were very interesting because of the precision that went into their construction. For example, the angle of the sundial must be the same as the geographical latitude that is is located on, which in this case is 27 degrees. Below is another sundial on the site, the tallest in the world. Because of its size, greater precision is possible. This giant sundial is accurate to within two seconds.

We also visited the Red Fort, another popular stop in Jaipur. We apparently were there while some tourism advertising was being filmed. Below are some colourfully dressed ladies posing at an entrance to the Fort. What you don't see are the cameras, giant reflecting screens and all the directors, although you can see two of their assistants in the photo below.

And then the band showed up and performed, while the cameras filmed them with a nice backdrop of the hills. The kid in this picture danced and played the tambourine to everyone's enjoyment. We had a nice time at the Fort just sitting and soaking it all in.

Of course, Heather had another photo request.

I'll leave you with another picture of the ladies performing for the cameras.

Terror in Jaipur

2008-05-17T08:47:00.002-04:00

Things have been busy around here lately. I've had a string of deadlines at school, but I'm past that now and am clear for about the next month. So I think I should get this Around the World trip wrapped up.

First though, some bad news. Earlier this week, Jaipur was hit by seven bombs which detonated nearly simultaneously. This was one of our stops in India, and will be the next one I cover, so it was particularly sad to see a place I visited so recently scarred in this manner. The TV coverage showed some familiar sites--nothing touristy, just the day to day things, like a damaged train just like the ones we rode.

I'll probably post again tomorrow with good things from our time in Jaipur. But for now, they are hurting there.

Delhi

2008-04-20T09:21:00.005-04:00

After our travel plans were finally settled, we had a couple days in Delhi to see some sights before heading out to Jaipur and Agra. Above, Heather is pictured at Humayun's Tomb. It's earned its place on the World Heritage List because it is India's first garden-tomb and was the inspiration for the Taj Mahal. In addition to the building itself, the grounds are also quite impressive. Next to and behind Heather, you can get a sense of the watercourses that form a grid over the entire garden.

The tomb was also one of our first experiences with the dual pricing system in India: foreigners are charged significantly higher prices than locals. Given that most things still only cost us the equivalent of about five dollars to get in, I'm not really complaining. In fact, I think it is great that locals are able to see these wonderful sites for very affordable prices. It is their heritage, and I think it is important that they are able to experience it, and not be priced out of it by tourists.

We returned to Delhi for one day after our trip to Jaipur and Agra and visited this mosque, the largest in Delhi. Like many other times, we were asked to share a picture. While at the Taj Mahal, we saw two very blond brothers with a line of people waiting to take pictures with them. Their parents said that it happened everywhere.

We also saw the Bahá'í House of Worship, better known as the Lotus Temple, completed in 1986. Bahá'í is an open religion that accepts most others in the world, so the Lotus Temple is a site where people of all faiths can come together and worship in their own way. Personally, I would disagree with the theology, but I certainly applaud the acceptance represented here. I suppose if more of us were as accepting of other people and our differences we could probably solve a lot of our problems. At the very least, it is a beautiful building that, since its opening, has been visited by more people than the Eiffel Tower.

We knew that sites such as these would be impressive, but one of the best things we experienced in India was the National Gandhi Museum, located in the home where Gandhi lived at the time of his assassination. They have all of his personal items in a single display case, and it doesn't amount to much more than his glasses and walking stick. But the most important part of the museum is the grounds behind the home, where Gandhi was shot.

As you can see in the picture, stone footprints trace his final steps, culminating in the sheltered stone marker where he fell. Visitors are required to remove their shoes, but are allowed to walk around the path, contemplating it all at their leisure. While we were there, I experienced true peace. Outside the gates, everything is loud, car horns are endless and people constantly ask you for money or offer taxi rides or other services. But inside, it is quiet and meditative. Gardeners meticulously care for plants. The men near the marker invite you to look around (Please! Please! You are welcome!) Most touching of all was watching the Indian visitors and their wide-eyed respect for the man and the site. As I walked around the path, it was clear what an impact Gandhi has on the Indian people, and on me. He was steadfast as he stood for what was right, no matter the cost. Maybe there is hope for this planet yet.

Welcome to India

2008-04-18T11:08:00.004-04:00

India.

India was different than any other holiday I have ever been on. The first three days we were there, I left the hotel actually looking forward to coming back in the evening. Until you get used to it, it can be quite stressful because everywhere you look, there is poverty. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

Our introduction to the Indian way came months earlier when we were applying for visas. Hundreds of people were at the consulate and when it got too crowded, they would take the number machine down. Of course, this didn't stop anyone from coming in, but did heighten the confusion. Behind the counter, there were bundles of papers everywhere--it made me very apprehensive to see it, especially when it was my turn to hand my application--and passport--over.

This continued upon arrival at the airport in Delhi. There were barriers set up to form a queue, but it didn't do much good. Heather and I spread out to block others from passing us in line. Once we got through that, it was time to get a cab, and that is when the real trouble began.

We told the driver where our hotel was and he took off. On the way, he asked us what our travel plans were, and we told him we wanted to go to Agra and Jaipur. He asked if we had that travel booked; we said no. Then he said that we needed to book that soon because travel options book quickly and he would be happy to take us to an agent. We asked if it was a government agent--that's what you are supposed to use, and what the driver was--and he said yes. So we agreed.

At the agency, we were sold a three day package with a private driver from Delhi to Jaipur to Agra and back to Delhi. We wanted to take the train but were told that there were no seats available. The package also included hotel stops along the way. Heather again asked if he was a government agent and we were shown a certification. So we paid.

When we finally arrived at our hotel, we were approached by another agent, Ahmed, who was based out of the hotel and associated with RBS Tour & Travel. He asked if we had any travel needs and we told him we were all set. He asked what we had booked and how much we were paid. When we told him, he said we had been cheated. Let the panic begin.

First, he told us that there are always seats available on the train. And he told us that we were charged too much for the hotels. We called the agent and told him we wanted our money back. He declined. We said we would see him in the morning.

In the morning, we told him that we needed our money back or we would go to the American embassy. He told us we could go. When we got up and walked outside, he said he could give us the money back minus a handling fee. How much? Twenty-five percent. Take us to the embassy, please.

Unfortunately, they didn't do much there other than tell us to be more careful.

Back at the hotel, we booked travel with Ahmed and planned on disputing the charge to the other agent. Ahmed booked hotels and travel for us, including our preferred train rides. He even set us up with a great driver for the day named Kamal. If you are ever traveling to Delhi, give Ahmed a call--he will take care of you. I don't know how many times he described a hotel as 'small, neat and clean'--he will get you what you want, not what makes him the most money.

So after a bit of a mishap, we finally got the trip we wanted. Lesson learned.

Ahmed

Kamal

Detention Hall

2008-04-17T03:06:00.003-04:00

If you were watching ESPN earlier this week you might have seen some Australian Rules Football news. In last week's match between the Sydney Swans and the West Coast Eagles, Barry Hall sucker punched Brent Staker, giving him a mild concussion in the single punch to the jaw.

On Tuesday, the tribunal handed down a seven game suspension for the hit, nearly a third of the season schedule. But the suspension is really irrelevant since Hall injured his wrist on another play. The injury will keep him out for the next eight weeks. Conspiracy theorists across the AFL are raising their eyebrows at the timing of that. It's hard to see in this video, but he slammed his head into the iron bar on the same play.

It's not a very popular opinion in Sydney, but I think Hall is overrated. He always seems to have trouble finishing a play, and very often complains about other players yet pulls stunts like this all too often.

Of course, no one cares what I think, but his coach seems a little put out with it now, too. When I read this article, I couldn't help thinking that Roos is getting a bit tired of Barry's act. And perhaps Barry himself is finally admitting there is a problem: according to the news today, he is seeing a psychiatrist to help him figure out why snapped.

With the 107-45 win, the Swans are 3-1 for the season. Hopefully by the time Hall returns at midseason, they will still be near the top of the ladder.

Lucky Sevens: Kevin Rudd

2008-04-07T08:03:00.005-04:00

Last week, leaders from the NATO countries met in Bucharest. On the table, among other things, was Afghanistan and a discussion about the NATO missile defense system. Russia's outgoing president Vladimir Putin even made a visit to discuss the system and NATO's expansion into eastern Europe.

Among the attendees was Kevin Rudd, Australia's Prime Minister, participating in his first NATO summit. However, things were not smooth as; Rudd was taken to task last week by the Australian media. You're Lucky Sevens question for April: What did he do to make the media back home mad as a cut snake?

Check out the video below to see the offense.

Other things to do in London

2008-04-03T06:12:00.000-04:00

Well, I've let this one get away, haven't I? This post should wrap up London, but I won't guarantee that I'll complete the trip too soon because I'll be pretty busy with school for the next two weeks. I started my second semester a month ago, and they aren't exactly easing us in this year. I will try to be better, though. As for London, I've told you about the Abbey, the Tower and the museums. But these things are London musts as well.

Be sure to take a walk with Donald Rumbelow, noted Jack the Ripper expert and author of The Complete Jack the Ripper. He provides tours as part of London Walks, the original and best walking tour company in London. Rumbelow will take you to several important scenes of the Ripper mystery and give you a two hour brief on the series of events that have captivated the world for 120 years. He is gracious and patient, answering each question, which he has no doubt been asked thousands of times. For six pounds, it's a great deal. We also went on a Shakespeare walk that is also recommended. Many others are available, and they all begin and end at major Underground stations, so they are very convenient; check their website for more information.

Speaking of the Underground: take it. It's easy, convenient and reliable. Not to mention that it is probably the most famous public transportation system in the world. Did you know that the London Underground map, based on a circuitry diagram, is the model for every other rail map used today? This design presents the rail system not as it is in reality, but rather as we picture it in our minds. You can thank Harry Beck for that one.

Next on the to do list is the ubiquitous red telephone booth. Despite the prevalence of mobile phones, and the disappearance of public phones in many other places, you are just about guaranteed to be able to see one of these anywhere in London. We chose this one because Big Ben is in the background, and had another unexpected benefit: this was about the only ten seconds of no rain that we had the entire week we were there.

And speaking of Big Ben: never let it be said that Look Right doesn't bring the experience to you. If you play the video below, you will hear the chimes of the Big Ben. You will also hear a lot of wind and rain, but as I mentioned above, that was a bit hard to miss. As cultured, civilised people, I'm sure you already know that Big Ben is technically the name of the bell, not the tower housing it. So in this video you are looking at the Clock Tower, but hearing Big Ben. Whatever you call it, it's a London institution. Enjoy.

Lucky Sevens: Tropfest

2008-03-06T02:15:00.004-05:00

A few weeks ago I told you about Tropfest 2008. The films, which you can see here, were pretty good this year--very creative, and for the most part, very smart. One of the rules of Tropfest is that the film has to include the Tropfest Signature Item (TSI) in order to insure that the film was made especially for Tropfest. One of the best parts of Tropfest is looking for TSI in each film, and it's not as easy as it sounds. This year's TSI was 'eight'. Your Lucky Sevens Question for March: What is the TSI for 2009?

The Tower of London

2008-02-21T04:44:00.001-05:00

One of London's most popular attractions, and yet another World Heritage Site, is the Tower of London. Heather and I spent an entire day here and saw quite a variety of relics and artifacts. The Tower of London is commonly thought of as a prison and execution site, but it's original and primary purpose was as a stronghold and royal castle. The construction was begun by William the Conqueror, who was also the first to have his coronation at Westminster Abbey. The Tower continued to serve as the home of the monarchy for centuries.

When you visit the Tower of London today you will see many yeomen warders, more commonly referred to as beefeaters. They are the guardians of the Tower and even live on the Tower grounds. The are largely responsible for conducting guided tours for visitors and looking after the Tower. Our tour guide is pictured here.

The centerpiece of the Tower of London is the White Tower. This was the primary residence of William the Conqueror and the subsequent monarchs. You will notice in the picture below that one of the towers is round, while the others are square. This round tower originally housed the royal observatory. Which brings us to the ravens.

There are at least six ravens at the Tower of London at all times because according to legend, if the ravens should ever leave, the Tower, the monarchy and the kingdom would fall. So when John Flamsteed, the royal astronomer under Charles II, complained about them, the king moved the observatory to Greenwich rather than disturb the ravens. By the way, the yeomen warders don't take any chances today: the ravens' wings are clipped.

Another interesting site at the Tower of London is the Crown Jewels. There are crowns, sceptres, orbs, swords, rings and a massive punch bowl and ladle that I'm sure my mom wouldn't mind adding to her collection. Sorry, no pictures. Cameras not allowed when viewing the Jewels, but you can try this. And all of this is behind mere glass. And of course armed guards and state-of-the-art security systems.

There was a lot to see and do at the Tower of London and I learned a lot in our day there. But lest you forget that were are only tourists, we got a typical tourist photo: a pic in an unoccupied guard stall.

Sony Tropfest 2008

2008-02-17T07:00:00.006-05:00

Sony Tropfest 2008 was tonight, but the threat of rain kept Heather and I away. Fortunately, they ran a live stream on the internet, so I still got to watch to event for this year, and it did not disappoint.

I wrote about this last year, but if you don't remember what it is all about, look here. Basically, there are three rules: one, the film must be seven minutes or less; two, it must debut at Tropfest; and three, it must contain the Tropfest Signature Item (TSI). This year's TSI was Eight.

Overall, I thought this year's movies were a notch above last year's. My two personal favourites were 'Scab' and 'Marry Me', which won first prize, as well as best actress for the ten year old girl in the lead role. As soon as videos are available, I'll point you to them.

Speaking of videos, NineMSN finally has last year's sixteen finalist up. This is 'An Imaginary Life', last year's first prize winner. The TSI was Sneeze--see if you can spot it.

My favourite last year was 'Between the Flags', based on the Cronulla Race Riots of December 2005. It was hard to imagine a humourous take on that, but the filmmakers pulled off a winner with this one.

The rest of the sixteen finalists from 2007 can be found here. I recommend 'The Von', 'Mere Oblivion' and 'Road Rage'. Remember to look for the sneeze.

I shared this one last year, too, but no mention of Tropfest is complete without the 2006 winner, 'CARMICHAEL and shane'.

British Museum

2008-02-15T07:42:00.004-05:00

Heather was looking forward to the Victoria & Albert Museum, but we were both rather disappointed. She had planned on the textiles exhibit, but it wasn't what she expected, and I was just along for the ride. But when we spent less than an hour there, we suddenly had extra time on our hands. On a whim, we went to the British Museum.

One thing I was looking forward to was the Sutton Hoo exhibit, and have ever since I was teaching twelfth grade English and the Sutton Hoo mask was on the cover of the textbook. These pieces were found in an Anglo-Saxon ship burial and are in quite good condition given their age--about 1400 years. I just think it looks cool.

Another familiar sight was the chess pieces--we saw the Lewis Chessmen in Sydney two years ago. Our favourite is the berserker who's chewing on his shield. Only a few made the trip to Sydney, but the British Museum has a bunch of them. A replica Lewis chess set is available for purchase for about $200, but if that's too much, the Harry Potter set is also based on the Lewis Chessmen for half the price, if you don't mind red and white pieces.

Of course one of Heather's favourite exhibits was the cat. This particular piece was in a private collection for years and it's owner did a little touch up work, which I think was quite daring for such a rare and valuable piece that is about 2600 years old. His work included a paint job and a bit of minor surgery to insert a metal pin in it.

I particularly enjoy Egyptian art, especially sculpture. This is Ramesses II, and he is over six and a half feet across at the shoulders, so he's a big dude. I think Egyptian art is so clean and elegant. Other pieces included hawks, sphinxes, griffons and a giant scarab beetle.

One of the British Museum's prizes is the famous Rosetta Stone: a true piece of history. I was surprised at its size--I was expecting your average tablet, but it's almost four feet tall. You can get an idea of scale in the picture below, and the last picture is a close-up of the hieroglyphics engraved on it. Truly a remarkable exhibit.

As Heather and I were discussing the museum, she asked what I thought about it. I have mixed feelings. The exhibits were amazing, and we only saw a portion of them. But I also said that it is a monument to British imperialism. There are works from Egypt, Greece, Rome, South America, China. . . And much of it was simply taken. Shouldn't most of this be returned to its home country? So I don't know what to think.

But as we left the museum, we observed an interesting piece of irony. Right across the street from the Monument to British Imperialism is the Symbol of American Imperialism.

A Starbucks cafe.

A long-awaited apology

2008-02-13T06:33:00.002-05:00

Beginning in 1869, many of the children of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders were taken from their families to be raised in internment camps, orphanages or foster homes. This action against the stolen generation was taken under the authorisation of Australian law, and it continued for the next one hundred years. There were various reasons for the policy, but the common thread was a belief that the Anglo population was superior to the indigenous people. Additionally, authorities often failed to take proper records of parentage, permanently severing contact between parent and child.

Since 1998, Australia has observed Sorry Day, in which the Australian people acknowledge the wrongdoing of the past. But while there has been a push among the people for reconciliation, the Howard government continuously refused to issue an official apology.

In today's opening of Parliament, new prime minister Kevin Rudd rectified that when he made an apology to the indigenous people of Australia on behalf of Parliament. It was a brief speech, but it was sincere and made no excuses for the actions taken, and it was well received, both in the indigenous community and the wider Australian community, as thousands of people gathered in the major cities to watch the apology. He not only apologised for the past, but looked toward the future, focusing on equal opportunity for all Australians. He targeted specific goals, such as narrowing the gap in life expectancy, which is currently twenty years shorter for indigenous Australians. In doing this, Rudd not only apologised for the past, but opened the door for a better future.

The three and a half minute apology can be seen here. After it's conclusion, he immediately continued the speech, discussing the damage done and the need for official recognition. A YouTube search yields additional videos of this elaboration.

Unfortunately, Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson followed up these words with a speech of his own. While he acknowledged the wrongdoing, he repeatedly stressed the 'good intentions' of the offenders. Not surprisingly, his speech has been soundly criticised and reveals a complete lack of empathy for the people and understanding of the spirit of the apology. People present at Parliament literally turned their backs on him, while viewers in the cities clapped over him to drown out his words.

Nelson notwithstanding, today was an exciting day of hope in Australia. We live in a world where many, like Nelson, make excuses for wrongs. It was refreshing to see someone, particularly a representative of government, apologise without reservation. Maybe there is hope for the world yet.

Westminster Abbey

2008-02-09T06:28:00.000-05:00

I think the one thing that I was most looking forward to in London was Westminster Abbey, and it did not disappoint. Poet's Corner has long been a draw for me; I have wanted to visit since I was studying literature in college. As a church that is nearly a thousand years old, religion is prominently featured. And as the site of every coronation since 1066, the Abbey is also a very important site for royal history.

Westminster Abbey as seen today was a long time in the making. The first structure went up in 1055, with additions in 1350, 1500, and finally the towers in 1745. The difference in the stonework is visible in the picture below. Differences in the treatments of arches, columns and stone facings are also noticeable inside. Unfortunately, cameras were not allowed in the Abbey.

As an American, it is unusual to see one site that has both religious and political significance. However, we would probably not have Westminster Abbey today if it were not for its political importance. When Henry VIII created the Anglican church, he purged the country of its Catholic heritage, often destroying the churches. But because Westminster was the site of coronations, and in fact the burial site of many ancient royals, he allowed it to remain, although he did destroy many Catholic sculptures and paintings.

A list of royals buried at Westminster Abbey includes Edward the Confessor, Richard II, Charles II and William and Mary. Perhaps the most notable burials are those of Elizabeth I and Mary I. These half sisters, both daughters of Henry VIII, were on opposing sides of the religious conflict at the time. Mary returned Catholicism to the country, which was later reversed by Elizabeth when she took the throne. Despite their differences in life, the half sisters were buried together in death at the Abbey.

Poet's Corner is the burial site of many of England's great writers, starting with Geoffrey Chaucer, and including Alfred Lord Tennyson, Thomas Hardy and Charles Dickens. Many others are honored with a memorial, including John Keats, Percy Bysshe Shelley, William Blake, Jane Austin and the great William Shakespeare. Everywhere you look, from the walls to the stained glass to the floor is like flipping through the table of contents of a Brit lit anthology text.

But the Abbey has one more surprise as you exit: the 2oth century Christian martyrs, found looking over the western doors. This addition was unveiled in 1998. From left to right you will find: St. Maximilian Kolbe, Manche Masemola, Janani Luwum, St Grand Duchess Elizabeth of Russia, Martin Luther King, Jr., Óscar Romero, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Esther John, Lucian Tapiedi and Wang Zhiming. The Abbey's documentation of history continues to today.

Lucky Sevens: The Ramayana

2008-02-07T02:42:00.000-05:00

Lucky Sevens has always been related to Australia, but in light of our recent trip, February's entry relates to India.

The Ramayana is an epic story that is very important in Indian culture and it's influence is also prominent in Southeast Asia. The story is popular entertainment for children, yet contains a deeper significance: it doubles as an allegory of ancient Hindu philosophy. All over India, pictures, statues and monuments can be seen of the various Hindu gods, most of which are featured in the Ramayana.

Your Lucky Sevens question: Who are the main hero and villain of the Ramayana?

I shot a 79 at Pebble Beach

2008-02-04T03:21:00.000-05:00

While in Texas, I played a couple rounds of golf with my dad and father-in-law. Nothing unusual about that. What made these rounds special was the courses--we played Torrey Pines, followed a week later with Pebble Beach.

OK, we had a little help with that. Enter Texas Indoor Golf, which is appropriately named, since it is an indoor golf facility. We spent most of our round at Torrey Pines trying to figure out how much of this was like real golf and how much was like a video game, but all three of us improved for our round at Pebble, highlighted with my 79. Not too shabby, given that I usually struggle to break 100. (The secret? Ten foot gimmes.)

Is it as good as playing on a real course? Well, no, but it's a great way to get a round in even when it's cold outside. And while I think the regular price of $40 is a bit high, their $15 special on NFL Sundays is a great deal. So next time your in Grapevine, Texas and it's cold/rainy out, drop on by, and tell them Chris sent you. They won't have a clue who you are talking about.

How to get a free upgrade to business class

2008-02-02T19:30:00.000-05:00

Achieve Premier Status. It is only necessary for one traveler to do this, ideally on flights largely paid for by your employer.
Book a flight that has been canceled on the previous day. It is possible to do this six months in advance.
When you arrive at the airport, you will be informed that the flight is overbooked because of the passengers who missed the previous flight. Due to your Premier Status, you will then receive the free business class upgrade to free up seats in cattle class.

Benefits:

Good food. Go for the salmon!
Personal video station. So, what would you like to watch now?
Legroom and a real reclining chair. Turns out, it is possible to sleep on a plane.

Drawbacks:

Too many perks to enjoy, even on a thirteen hour flight. You are going to have to choose.
Have to wait for the 'poor' people in the back to board. Why can't 'they' hurry up?
You are now spoilt forever. When you are a 'poor' person again on the rest of your flights, you know what you are missing.

Where to begin?

2008-02-02T02:28:00.000-05:00

Last Sunday, Heather and I returned from our trip around the world. Since then, I have been thinking about where to begin. I haven't come up with a plan yet, so I'll just ramble about it until everything is covered. Good? Good.

Our trip began with two weeks back in Dallas for Christmas and New Years. We stayed at Heather's parents, and my parents and my sister's family came down, too, including the three munchkins. I've got a funny picture of the three of them, but it's not too flattering, so I'll withhold it (unless their mother would give her approval*). We also spent some time with some of Heather's extended family. Highlights include her cousin throwing a dart into the ceiling during a game of 301. We also got to see lots of friends from back home. We met for breakfast one day with six other married couples, and only one other beside us didn't have kids. Did it make me start to think about it? Not a chance. Our time in Dallas also included a Mavs game (they won) and a Stars game (they lost). It's hard to believe that it has been three years since I have been to the AAC. And of course, there was the traditional game of racquetball, although attendance was a little low this year.

We stayed very busy, but it was very good to see everyone again, especially for me, since it has been a year and a half. But the difference between life there and here stood out for me, even moreso than my last trip back. The lack of cultural diversity also stood out. And I heard virtually nothing about world news the whole time we were there. But perhaps the most noticeable difference was the brand consciousness, particularly when driving down the highway and every business is a chain. I missed the locally owned restaurants and stores that we frequent here. It was also weird to have to take a car everywhere, too, but I quickly got used to it. Then again, I wasn't paying the gas bill.

*See comments: approval granted. Here you go:Mollie is in mid-chew, Cole is avoiding having something shoved in his mouth while also avoiding the camera (his specialty), and Macy has some wide red eyes that just won't reduce.

Diana in Sydney

2008-01-07T01:01:00.000-05:00

Two weeks after Heather's parents left, we had another visitor to Sydney. Heather and Diana met while earning PhDs in South Carolina. She now lives in San Francisco, but decided to spend a week of her Christmas holidays Down Under. Unfortunately, when we took her to Wildlife World, it was raining. Koalas don't look particulary excited at the best of times, but these have to be the two most miserable things I have ever seen.
We also spent an evening in the Domain, where the cockatoos hang out. It's been two years since Heather and I last did this, but Diana wasn't too keen to feed them. Heather and I had the bread, but Diana got hit up for food soon enough just because she was with us. Notice two things: she has no bread in her hand, and she doesn't look happy. When I went for my camera to take the picture, my cockatoo ran out of bread and bit my finger pretty good.
We also did the Bridge Climb. This is something that Heather and I have wanted to do, but were waiting for a visitor so we would have a good excuse. There was no way Heather's Mom was going up there, but Diana wanted to go, so we booked a night climb, and it was great. It's a three and a half hour process, including safety training, gearing up and the actual climb. They put you in a Bridge Climb suit ("flattering for most body types"), and issue you a safely harness, fleece jacket-in-a-bag, fleece cap, head lamp, headphones and handkerchief, all of which is tied to you. Heather even got a geek strap for her glasses that were tied down. You aren't allowed to take anything else with you (read: no cameras), but they happily take your picture three or four times on the tour to sell you later. Yeah, it's a bit of a scam, but you never know who might throw something off the bridge into traffic, and they did take a nice picture. I was surprised that they got such good lighting on us and the Opera House in the background at night. Overall, I'd recommend the Climb.
On Diana's last night in town, we went to listen to Christmas carols at the Opera House. Carols aren't usually my favourite, but it was a nice show, and you can't argue with the venue. It was a good ending to our second week of guiding tours in a month.

The Bowles' in Sydney

2008-01-07T00:39:00.000-05:00

I'm behind on my posts again, and I need to squeeze in a few more here really quick. I don't have time to give them the full attention they deserve, so I'm counting on the pictures to tell a thousand words.

Heather's parents came back to Australia with us after our trip to Hawaii. They had a good time, and we had a good time playing tour guide for the week. We all arrived on a Sunday night and we immediately took them to Maya, our favourite Indian restaurant. Surprise: they liked it!

I had to go to work on Monday, but I got home quick so we could go to the beach. Here's a great picture of Paul at Coogee Beach. Note the red and yellow lifeguard flag in the background. We went back on Wednesday and walked from Coogee to Bondi. It's a fantastic walk that covers five beaches, one oceanfront cemetery and about seven kilometres.

Tuesday morning, they went for a walk around Hyde Park while I visited the travel doctor. When I got back, they insisted that I look at their pictures of the park immediately. I was thinking that I see Hyde Park every day, but I looked at them anyway. Here's what I saw:

That's my in-laws with the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore. Marty had seen her on TV the night before and knew she was someone important.

We also spent some time at the Harbour, and they visited the aquarium and Wildlife World. Paul and I played a round of golf, where he hired the worst half set of clubs in the Southern Hemisphere. But we finished the week at the Friday night market at the Rocks, and pizza at Zia Pina, one of my favourites in Sydney.

Lucky Sevens: New Years

2008-01-07T00:22:00.000-05:00

This one is going to be rediculously easy because:

I'm not in Australia right now and am not up to speed on the latest there.
My new PSP is keeping me pretty busy.
I'm on holiday and just can't be bothered to come up with something good.

So here goes: Who celebrated New Years 2008 first: the US or Australia?

Lucky Sevens: Election Day

2007-12-07T06:42:00.000-05:00

Two weeks ago was election day, and George Bush's little buddy, John Howard, and his Liberal government were voted out. Note that 'Liberal' is not used in the normal American sense, but rather refers to the Liberal Party of Australian, who are politically similar to the Republicans. Kevin Rudd, leader of the Australian Labor Party, is the new Prime Minister.

Rudd kept a campaign promise and signed an international convention, leaving the US as the only industrialised nation in the world to not ratify the agreement. Your Lucky Sevens question: What is the international convention ratified by Rudd and the new Labor government this week?

Hawaiian holiday

2007-12-05T04:43:00.000-05:00

In the middle of November, Heather and I took a trip to Hawaii for her sister's wedding and a little holiday. The weather was great, the beach was fantastic, the turtles were out and the beach front wedding was beautiful. In short, it was a welcome holiday.
We didn't spend all our time on the beach, though. My father-in-law and I played a round of golf at Kapalua Bay, site of the 2008 Kapalua LPGA Classic. Paul and I each hired a set of clubs--Titleist, and yes, clubs make a difference. We each hit several shots too well, flying well over the green from 150 yards out with a seven iron, expecting to hit it 140. On the 18th (actually the 9th--we played the front nine twice due to some work being done on the back nine), I hit my tee shot 310 yards, with a 3-wood, easily my longest drive ever. I shot a 94, and given more experience with the clubs, I could have easily shot in the eighties. I'm certainly willing to give it a go as soon as Heather gives the green light for a new set of Titleist irons. The only part of my game that let me down was my putting, while Paul was getting up and down from the fringe of the green the entire round.

On Wednesday Heather rented a car, a Mustang convertible, one of approximately 257,000 on the island. Verdict: looks good, but it's not that great. The wedding, however, was very nice. The Pacific Ocean makes quite a dramatic backdrop for a wedding ceremony. The daughter was given, vows were spoken and the husband and wife were pronounced without a hitch. No wind-blown sheet music, tripping brides or awestruck flower girls here. It was a small family affair, followed by pictures, cake and more pictures, to allow for the changing lighting conditions. And even the Mustang seemed better on the way back to the hotel, once we could put the top down on it.

We still had a couple more days to relax in Maui after the wedding, and Heather and I spent one of them driving up Haleakala, a 10,023 foot volcano. I enjoy driving on cliff edges, but that's not Heather's favourite experience, especially when you leave the clouds behind at 6,000 ft. She is pictured here above the crater, and you can see the clouds just beginning to roll in the mouth of the crater. Visitors are informed at the site that if the wind is blowing right, the entire crater can be filled with clouds within five minutes. Next time you are in Maui, I'd recommend a visit, but here's some free advice: wear warm clothing. You might be catching rays on the beach later, but at the top of Haleakala, it's a bit nippy.

A holiday is always welcome, but this was a particularly special one, as we spent it with family, both old and new. I congratulate Craig and Michelle on their wedding and thank them for sharing it with us.

Catching up

2007-12-03T05:13:00.000-05:00

Things have been awfully busy around here lately. When I last posted, I was sitting in the airport in Honolulu. We spent a week on Maui for my sister-in-law's wedding and played tourists in Sydney again when Heather's parents visited. Right before all that, I finished my first semester of my Masters program. Needless to say, I have a lot to catch up on and am still gathering my thoughts, not to mention all the pictures.

So as I figure out the best way to catch you up on everything, I wanted to share an article with you from the Dallas Morning News. Please see New A&M coach Sherman has heart of a champion. I'm no fan of the Aggies, but my cousin, Steven Ramirez, was, and the article details the very special relationship between him and Mike Sherman.

Jacarandas

2007-11-11T16:56:00.000-05:00

About this time every year, the jacarandas bloom, and as you can see, they are quite stunning. And they are everywhere, even in the city. They only bloom for about two weeks, and the rest of the year they have regular green leaves, but at this time of year, there is purple everywhere you look. These pictures were taken by our German friend Klaus at the Quad on the University of Sydney campus. Enjoy.

Lucky Sevens: Melbourne Cup

2007-11-07T04:36:00.000-05:00

Tuesday was the Melbourne Cup, also known as 'the race that stops a nation'. And yes, it does stop the nation. Tuesday afternoons at school are for staff and faculty meetings, but on the Tuesday of the Cup, our meeting consists of watching the race. Incidentally, my first day at the school two years ago was Melbourne Cup day. That was an interesting introduction to Australian schools. The Melbourne Cup is considered the premiere two mile race in the world. That's right: not just in the Southern Hemisphere. This year's winner, pictured here, was Efficient.

However, there was a situation this year that nearly canceled, or at least postponed, the Melbourne Cup. Your Lucky Sevens question for November is: What happened that almost stopped the race that stops a nation?

Not your friendly neighbourhood Spiderman

2007-10-11T10:00:00.000-04:00

I just locked my balcony door.

We live on the ninth floor, so for the few months since we moved into this apartment, we figured it was OK to leave it unlocked.

We were wrong.

According to this article from the Sydney Morning Herald, there is a thief out there who likes climbing the outside of high rise buildings and entering apartments through the balcony. He has been linked to 16 different robberies.

Here's hoping that our locked door keeps us from being number 17.

Lucky Sevens: The Rugby World Cup

2007-10-07T08:46:00.000-04:00

The Rugby World Cup is being held in France right now. Unfortunately, Australia was knocked out by the English Saturday night. The USA didn't make it out of their pool, surprise, surprise. Word is they have a talented pool of young players ready to develop in the next ten years. I'll believe it when I see it. Later Saturday, New Zealand was also dismissed from the comp in their loss to host nation France. These two huge upsets leaves the door wide open for South Africa, looking for their second title.
Your Lucky Sevens question for the month: How many Rugby World Cup titles has Australia won?

The mark

2007-10-03T20:45:00.000-04:00

I got an assessment back in class Tuesday night—got a D on it. As I am sure you would understand, it kind of freaked me out. All kinds of thoughts ran through my head: Maybe I don't belong here, maybe a Master's degree isn't for me, is it too late to drop, etc.

Then I heard a person sitting near me asking another classmate about her D. The classmate replied that it was a D for Distinction, the second highest mark you can get.

Football v Rugby

2007-09-19T09:40:00.001-04:00

Last spring (Northern Hemisphere for 'autumn'), I pitted Baseball against Cricket to decide once and for all which is the greatest ball and stick game. The coming of the Northern fall brings with it football, rugby and the definitive battle for supremacy among these contact sports.

But first, the ground rules. For the purposes of this comparison, I will be using the NFL, the pinnacle of American football, and Rugby Union, the more popular, and in my opinion, superior form of that game. Ten categories will be considered, worth ten points each, plus a five point bonus category. Let the best game win.

Best Team
Football (7) - Cameragate notwithstanding, the New England Patriots have been the team to beat for the past six years. However, due to free agency and the salary cap, the Pats pale in comparison to the great teams of the past.
Rugby (9) - According to the IRB World Rankings, New Zealand is the current world's best, and it isn't for a lack of opposition. They dominate on the world scene, despite the best efforts of Australia, South Africa, England and France.

Best Historical Team
Football (9) - This is always good for a debate, but I'll go with the Cowboys. They are tied for the most Super Bowl wins, and I'd put the Boys of the early 90's up against anyone.
Rugby (9) - This one is a little tougher, but I'll go with the All Blacks again. Their 1925 squad was referred to as 'The Invincibles', and that's good enough for me.

Best Rivalry
Football (7) - The best rivalries are in college, but the Cowboys/Redskins rivalry isn't bad, followed closely by Chicago/Green Bay, Denver/Oakland, Denver/Kansas City, and Dallas/Philly.
Rugby (9) - There are some good options here, but I've got to go with New Zealand/Australia. Seems to usually come down to these two teams and they are currently the top two teams in the world.

Outcomes
Football (9) - Ties are possible but highly unlikely. Overtime rules cost it a point though--I don't like the fact that the losing team might never touch the ball.
Rugby (6) - Again, ties are possible but unlikely in league competition, although they do happen more than in the NFL. In tournaments such as the World Cup, overtime rules include two ten minute periods. Better than a tie, but sudden death would be better.

Big Play Potential
Football (10) - This is football's moment to shine. You never know when the QB is going to throw a deep pass, a RB is going to break through for a huge gain or even when a safely is going to drop a WR cutting across the middle. Good times.
Rugby (8) - You get some big plays, but no forward pass removes lots of opportunity.

Specialization
Football (3) - And this is football's weak point. You've got offensive and defensive units, linemen, skill position players, etc. All it takes is the ability to do one thing well.
Rugby (8) - Some specialization, but for the most part, every player on the pitch needs to excel as an all-round player.

Sportsmanship
Football (5) - Rules have to be written to enforce sportsmanlike behavior. Shameful.
Rugby (9) - Tana Umaga, former All Blacks captain, once abandoned a favorable play to check on the Welsh captain who had been knocked unconscious. Pure class. It's a rough game, but the players respect their opponent.

Best Trophy
Football (5) - Not really a fan of the Lombardi Trophy. Kinda boring.
Rugby (6) - The Webb Ellis Cup. What is there to say? It's a nice enough cup.

Popularity
Football (6) - A good deal of the world watches the Super Bowl, but no one else seriously plays football. The American Football World Cup could only attract ten participants, and until this year, when the US first entered the World Cup, Japan had been a two-time champion. Japan!
Rugby (7) - It's not yet soccer's equal on the world scene, but rugby enjoys fairly widespread popularity, although it has been dominated by a handful of countries for most of its history.

Toughness
Football (9) - I get questions about this all the time from rugby fans, but I still give footballers credit despite the pads. As we learned two weeks ago from Kevin Everett, injuries still happen, even with a helmet and big shoulder pads. Football's hits and collisions are too big to try this game without protection.
Rugby (10) - Some players wear padded headgear, but otherwise players play without protection. And the hits are almost on par with the NFL. High speed collisions aren't as common and tackling rules help, but this is still a violent sport.

Bonus: Best Tradition
Football (3) - I'll go with the Lambeau Leap. Nice to get the fans involved.
Rugby (5) - New Zealand's haka is both a cultural celebration and fierce intimidation. That's Tana Umaga leading the haka in the video below.

Add it all up and rugby takes down American football and it isn't even close: 86-73. Football is a great game, but give rugby a try during the World Cup, shown on Versus.

Protesting APEC

2007-09-17T10:22:00.000-04:00

September 8-9 was the annual APEC forum, and it was big news in Sydney. It was such a big deal that Sydney was basically shut down on Friday for a declared holiday.

Why was it such a big deal? Because APEC brought George W Bush to town, and people wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to protest the war, globalisation, climate change, human rights violations and just about everything else. Leading up to the big weekend, the Stop Bush Coalition planned a major protest and attempted to get their plans approved by the police. The two groups didn't exactly see eye to eye on the protest, though—during the last week, the protesters were forced to alter their protest route. The police promised a strong showing and even purchased a $700,000 water cannon. I had planned on attending the protest, but decided in the last week to stay away.
However, as the protest began Saturday morning, the news coverage revealed no problems. I decided to join the protest rally at Hyde Park, their destination. Reports later in the day revealed 3500 police and either 10,000 (protester count), 5000 (police count), or 3000 (media count) protesters. There were only 17 arrests, 14 of which were quickly released, some within minutes of being cuffed, and two policemen were injured. All in all, it was a rather tame rally, especially compared to what the police were predicting.

Post-rally, both sides claimed victory and questioned the other side. The police claimed their strong showing prevented trouble, while the protesters said they planned a peaceful rally all along and wondered aloud why the police felt it necessary to bring such numbers.

Personally, I thought both sides came off as foolish. I understand the police's need for safety, but I felt they were heavy-handed. A water cannon? 3500 officers? Snipers on rooftops and in choppers? A little much. But I also thought the protesters came off as petulant attention seekers, a least the ones on the news. I suppose the media shares some guilt in this as well. Too many of the protesters I saw in the park appeared either misguided or disinterested in the cause.

All in all, I left the rally dejected. The police and the government seemed oppressive and the protesters' message was lost in their chase for attention. On a good note, I'm going to turn this into a paper. We have to write about a conflict for my Peace and Conflict Studies class. I'm not going to discuss the rally itself, but rather the planning, or lack thereof, between the protesters and the police. Without having done too much research yet, I think the truth lies somewhere in between.

Lucky Sevens: APEC

2007-09-06T20:53:00.000-04:00

Sydney is in lockdown because of APEC this weekend. Heather and I, along with everyone else who works in the city, got a holiday today in an attempt to clear some traffic out of the city. This month's Lucky Sevens question: What does APEC stand for?

City2Surf 2007 results

2007-09-05T02:59:00.000-04:00

City2Surf was a few weeks back. I didn't get to train like I should have given our recent move and starting my Development Studies program. Plus, after running the marathon in May, I didn't exactly take the 14K seriously. Halfway through the run, though, I realized that 14K is still a little more than your average morning stroll. Especially when you get to Heartbreak Hill. But I finished in about 85 minutes, which beat my goal and beats last year's time. If I run it next year, I'd like to cut that down to sub 75 to qualify for the front of the pack seedings.

More important is the other goal that I beat. As I posted before, City2Surf encouraged runners to raise money for a charity this year. I was running for UNICEF and hoped to raise $250. Thanks to your generous donations, $365 was raised. In total, City2Surf runners raised just over a million dollars. Kudos to City2Surf for making this possible and thanks to you for making a difference for kids around the world.

Australian advertisements

2007-08-16T08:29:00.000-04:00

Here are two commercials getting airtime here right now. The first is from the Rapid Transit Authority, the same people who remind you to 'Look Right' when crossing the street.

This ad is taking some heat right now—Heather saw somewhere that they get one complaint per day from men claiming that it is sexist. Her response is that nearly everything else on TV is sexist to women. Either way, I'm pretty sure that the guys complaining are the ones driving like this.

This commercial is for Pura Milk. I thought the 'Got Milk?' campaign was good, but this one gives it a good run.

Lucky Sevens: University of Sydney

2007-08-08T04:47:00.000-04:00

Sorry I'm a day late—I guess that makes this Lucky Eights. Been busy with school this week. If anyone can help me find some articles about Cuban language policy, let me know.

Which brings me to this week's question, which should require some research for you, too: Where does the University of Sydney's Faculty of Arts and Humanities rank in the world? Hint: dig around the University website.

City2Surf 2007

2007-08-05T09:34:00.000-04:00

The 2007 City2Surf 14K is next Sunday. As always, the run begins at Hyde Park, very near our apartment, and finishes at Bondi Beach. A new twist has been added this year: participants are allowed to designate a charity to raise money for. I have chosen UNICEF, which I thought was appropriate given that I have just begun my Masters in Development Studies. My fundraising page can be found here.

Please consider making a donation to UNICEF. I chose this charity because it benefits kids around the world who don't have any of the things that I took for granted when I was a kid. It is a United Nations run organisation and I have the utmost confidence that the money donated will be well spent. Any amount would be greatly appreciated.

Long time, no blog

2007-08-01T04:54:00.000-04:00

Hi! My name is Chris and this is my blog about living in Sydney, Australia. I feel like I have to introduce myself again since it has been so long since my last post. Things have been busy around here. I have started my Development Studies program at the University of Sydney and all the homework and projects that goes with that. I have to make a fifteen minute presentation about Cuba in two weeks. Apparently, there really is no easing into a masters degree program.

Let’s see, what else is going on? Oh yeah, we moved. That was a shock to us. One day we got a call that our landlord put our apartment on the market, but didn’t really expect it to sell given his asking price. Next thing we know, it’s sold and we have to be out by August 20 when our lease expires. Apartment hunting in Sydney is a major pain, and quite a bit more expensive than it was two years ago when we moved here. There are lots of potential renters and not enough properties, so getting a lease signed is a competitive sport. We found a place we liked two and a half weeks ago, but were the second application in, even though we went straight from the apartment to the leasing office. The breaks went our way, though and we got the apartment. We signed the lease a week later and moved in this past weekend.

In case you didn’t know, moving is a pain, even if it is only one kilometre as this move was. All that saves you is a long drive. In fact, this move was harder than our move from the US to here in some ways. At least then, our stuff was picked up and dropped off at our front door. You still have to disassemble and package everything. Addresses still need to be updated. Utilities still need to be changed. That has been the worst part—I have gone round and round about our telephone and internet service. All is finally settled, although we still have to wait 7-21 days for our broadband to be activated, and the temporary dial-up connection is slow as.

I never got pictures of our old place up, but I hope to do that next week in the form of a ‘before and after’ post. While we were happy there, we have upgraded by moving into this new apartment. Details and pictures of those upgrades coming soon.

Plan B is in effect

2007-07-17T03:54:00.000-04:00

Heather and I had planned on going back to Dallas for Christmas this year then taking a trip through South America, visiting Mexico City, Machu Picchu and Rio de Janeiro. However, after talking with a travel agent last Friday, we have come to the realisation that that is economically prohibitive. We'll have to save that trip for when we are living in the US again. In the meantime, we have come up with a pretty nice Plan B. Four words: around the world tickets.

From Dallas, we will travel to London, which has been on my list for ten years. Then it is off to Delhi, India, Heather's hot spot of the moment. From there, we will see Bangkok, Thailand. Three stops, three very different experiences. Not too shabby for a back up plan, and it's all because it is cheaper to fly around the world than it is to fly around South America. In fact, it's cheaper to fly around the world than it is to fly to Dallas and back. Airlines are crazy like that.

Lucky Sevens: Cafe de Wheels

2007-07-07T00:13:00.000-04:00

This is the first in a monthly series I'm starting here called Lucky Sevens, that will appear on the seventh of each month. It will consist of some facts or trivia about Australia, along with a question for you to answer. First to give the correct answer in the comments wins. I'll add a Lucky Sevens scoreboard to the sidebar to keep track of all winners. I'm also going to go back through my archives and add winners to some questions I've had previously, so nobody misses out.

Harry's Cafe de Wheels is a pie stand in Sydney that has got to be the best place to eat for under seven dollars. The pies are hot, made from quality ingredients, and are great on cold, windy day. I recommend the cheese and bacon pie, with cheese sauce on top.

Harry's opened in 1945 as a food service cart in Woolloomooloo near the harbour. As the story goes, city regulations required that mobile food carts had to move a minimum of 12 inches each so, so Harry's was nudged back and forth each day to comply with the mandate. Since then, three other locations have opened, including on in Haymarket, which I frequent.

Any Amazing Race fans? Harry's was also featured there in 2002 as a Fast Forward where racers had to eat pies. Heather talks about going on the show, and while I am not interested, that is one task I could handle.

Lucky Sevens question: Shouldn't be too hard. Who is the man eating a pie from Harry's in the above picture?

Be a Pepper

2007-07-02T10:13:00.000-04:00

In the past two years, I have had access to Dr Pepper for a total of three weeks, and that was thanks to my parents and in-laws keeping the fridge stocked on my visit last year. I occasionally hear from someone that you can get it at this or that particular convenience store, but I've never seen it. I was starting to feel as desperate as Indy here to get my hands on a Dr Pepper.

And then Heather found Sugar Fix. Turns out, Dr Pepper is about a ten minute walk from our flat. I am enjoying the 'authentic blend of 23 flavors' as I type this.

So how much does heaven in a can cost Down Under? Thirty bucks for a twelve pack—and it's worth every bit of it.

Big night at the Opera

2007-06-28T07:28:00.000-04:00

Today was a big day for the Sydney Opera House. A television news teaser just announced that the SOH has been named a World Heritage site. Opened in October 1973, it is the youngest to be included on the World Heritage list. It was considered for the list because it represents 'a masterpiece of human creative genius'. It is only the second Australian building to make the list, and seventeenth Australian site overall. Today's nominations bring the total up to 843 sites worldwide.

This is big news for Australia. World Heritage status is a tourism boom, even for a site like the Opera House that had over four million visitors last year. It also provides protection for the SOH, including a 2.5km radius barrier around it protecting views to and from the site.

It's too bad this announcement didn't come a week earlier. My year 7 geography class just began an assessment task requiring research on a World Heritage site. Several of them thought they were going to do the Opera House, only to check the list and find out it wasn't there. They have since moved on to other sites.

So how many sites have you been to? With today's addition, I'm up to seven—only 836 more to go.

Qantas Wallabies commercial

2007-06-23T10:21:00.000-04:00

This is the Qantas Wallabies commercial that aired during last week's game versus South Africa.

Full moon

2007-06-16T20:02:00.000-04:00

The Wallabies played the Springboks of South Africa last night in Cape Town. The Wallabies lost 22-19, but there was a funny incident at the end of the first half.

One of the South African players broke through the Wallabies line for a nice gain before being caught from behind. As he was tackled, his shorts were yanked down to mid-thigh, revealing bare white South African bum. This was punctuated by the announcer's 'Ohhhh!!!!', followed a few seconds later with 'well, there's a crack in the Wallabies defense.'

Skypin'

2007-06-13T07:44:00.000-04:00

Thanks to the miracle of the internet, and specifically Skype, we now have a Dallas area local phone number. So if you are in Dallas, you can call us Down Under for nothing from your home phone. Or if you have nationwide calling on your cell phone (does anyone not?), that's a free call, too. Shoot me an email if you want the number.

Also, we finally got a webcam, so if you are on Skype we can make a video call and you can remember how good looking I am. Search for me on Skype or send me an email and I can give you that username, too.

Just remember, we are fifteen hours ahead of you, so when it's noon in Dallas, it's three in the morning here!

Back to school

2007-06-07T04:04:00.000-04:00

When I was in eleventh grade, my high school was just starting a 'write across the curriculum' program. Some of the subjects, in this case math, got a little creative with writing, since writing was not a regular part of the class. Ms. Voss, my math teacher, had us write three letters to universities, requesting information packets. She wanted us to choose one school we were confident we could get into, one school that would be a challenge, and one that would be a dream application. I chose the University of Sydney as my dream app. I'm not really sure why. Maybe it was because my parents had been to Australia a few years earlier and it seemed exotic. Like most American kids, I considered anything foreign to be exotic. I never actually applied to Sydney back then—it was just a letter I wrote because my teacher told me to.

Well, sixteen years later, I will actually be a student at the University of Sydney. I recently submitted an application for the Master of Development Studies program and got the call today that I'm in. Basically, it is a study in developing countries and, as the department head describes it, the program allows the freedom to 'cherry pick' your classes. I'll be able to choose courses in human rights, peace and conflict studies, globalisation, communication and indigenous issues, to name just a few. My problem will be choosing only eight classes. Click here to see more about the program.

Classes are offered in the evening, so this won't affect my work. It should take me two years to complete the degree, assuming that I take two classes a semester. I start at the end of July.

I'm excited. Nervous, but excited. I went to an information expo a month ago promoting the program, and it was nice being on a campus again, talking to professors, being 'academic'. It will be particularly exciting studying topics that I am very interested in.

So what's next? Well, I don't know exactly. Maybe nothing other than a pay raise for earning a master's degree. But what I would really like to do is work for the Carter Center, the United Nations, or some similar organisation that would enable me to work as an advocate for a developing country. How about that, Dad? Jimmy Carter, my boss. Heather is taking Spanish now, and I'll start next term, too, just in case. Gotta brush up a bit on my español if I want Jimmy Carter to be mi jefe.

I've got time to figure all that out. For now, it's time to hit the books. Ms. Voss, thanks for the writing assignment—it took a while, but I got into my dream school.

Wilco show iMix

2007-06-06T08:19:00.000-04:00

I finally put the previously promised Wilco iMix together, consisting of the playlist from their concert at Enmore Theatre. I tried to include tracks from their live album Kicking Television, but my US iTunes account doesn't recognise my Australian CD. That's really too bad, because it makes sense to use live tracks when recreating a concert playlist, plus some of the live songs are better than the studio versions—more energy. So in addition to my iMix, I also recommend Kicking Television.
I'm trying to put together more iMix setlists for concerts I've been to. I have ready to post in the next few weeks, but if anyone knows where I can find Ben Folds setlists on the World Wide Web, let me know.