Speedo Warrior has Won. Someone Get me Out of Here!

The Australian election has come and gone. 
For overseas people, the idea that a campaign could run for 6 weeks seems like too long. For Australians, we couldn't agree more. 
As an Australian, I can't even say there was a campaign; all the parties really did was bag out each other, made promises they don't have money for, and kept their real ideas behind closed doors. 
It was a sad thing to watch. 
Finally yesterday Australian's could put pencil to paper and with only a couple of minutes of their time, make a decision that could impact the rest of the country for another four years. 
I voted :D well, you have to here, but I honestly love voting. There's something about getting your say on how you will live and run your life (on a national scale) that is very empowering. 
So we all voted.
And it seems that Australian's voted with their eyes closed. 

With every fibre in my body, do I regret to inform you, that my new Prime Minister, the man who will be running my country, is this man...

thank you to the Herald Sun. www.heraldsun.com.au

Tony Abbott and his team now get to screw the Australian people over with his traditional ideals, spending cuts and home wrecking policies. 

It's only been a few hours since it was announced and already people are getting ready for the cyclone that is The Liberal Party. 

If you can't tell, I'm a tad disappointed with this new government. 

Personally I'm worried about my education - University cuts are soon to ensue, 

and with the Canberra economy predicted to reach a recession, I'm worried for my job as well. 

It is predicted that 12,000 public servant jobs will be scratched - both my parents, plus other family members work in the public service. 

Liberal announced cuts on age care - something either of my grandparents will be able to handle. 

And there's more to come. 

Holy crap, I'm actually scared. 

What worries me most though, is when Abbott goes overseas and talks with other world leaders. 

He has the political grace of a elephant on ice-skates. 

Australia is going to look like the dumbest country ever. 

Maybe I should move to New Zealand.....

Why Australian's Love Eurovision

It's that time of the year again. And Eurovision 2013 has been and gone. 

Naturally I watched. 

I was shocked (and super psyched) when the host mentioned Australia (twice!) I think it was the first time Australia has gotten a shout out. 
If you didn't watch it the host made a comment that the show is watched all around the world, including Australia. I swear, I heard the audience gasp. I couldn't understand why it was such a big deal. 

I'm Australian and I've been watching it for years. I also know that most of my followers are from overseas and live in countries that do compete. 
So, for you guys here's my breakdown on why Australian's LOVE Eurovision.

#1 
Heritage and Roots. 
Australia is a diverse, multicultural society. I think (personally) Australia is the country with the most cultural diverseness. People who live here have ancestors, and relatives that come from all over the world - including Europe. A lot of people watch it as a cultural connection for ancestral purposes. As Australia is not apart of Eurovision, it's a chance for people to go for a country that usually they might not go for if Australia was involved. I have Maltese heritage and I definitely go for Malta during Eurovision. 

#2
Two Different Worlds. 
Sometime's when watching Eurovision I'm astounded at some of the acts - 'that's entertainment for you guys' I think. The performances, the show itself, the costumes, the atmosphere - it can be completely different from Australian shows and lifestyles. For three days we get swept away in the Eurovision world, and while sometime's we may laugh at your oddness, we totally love it. 

#3 
Pure Entertainment. 
This doesn't need explanation - you guys know how to put on a show. Every year you know how to make us laugh, cringe, cry, cheer and jeer - all in the name of entertainment. Wherever it may be held, Eurovision keeps Australian's on the edge of their seats. 

#4
It Keeps us Cultured.
I like to think that watching Eurovision makes me cultured. I know that you vote for your neighbours (don't deny it) and watching the voting the other night,  I felt intelligent that I could "guess" who would receive the major votes from particular countries because of who their neighbours/allies were and who they needed to kiss-arse. Saying you watch Eurovision here is different from European countries. In Europe, you're just expected to watch. While in Australia it makes you look cultured, worldly, smart and aware. 

Congratulations Denmark - I loved the song. 
Even though I'll be on the other side of the world, I will be tuning in next year and I can't wait. 

Bogan Boys and Babies.

I know I get a lot of traffic from overseas, so for those fortunate people that don't have to contend with the horror that is, a 'Bogan', here's what I'm talking about. 

Image: http://youaredoingthatwrong.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/bogan.jpg

Sexy, aren't they? 

The reason these Bundy drinking, F word swearing, sub-woofers pumping, C bomb dropping bastards are the topic of conversation today, is because I am very...er lets say...fortunate...to be neighbours with lads like these. 

And It's really starting to get to me. 

They always have fights, rev up their shitty cars really loudly, have a horrible dog; which is gone into detail Here, smoke weed (and other illicit drugs, no doubt), drink till they're pissed, and fix up cars in their backyard (which is illegal by the way). 

*If there's any Australian cops reading this and wish to investigate, I'd be happy to oblige, just get into contact. 

Anyway; I could literally go on all day complaining about them. And this is basically why this post exists. 

Today I was hanging out the washing when I heard them outside. They were swearing (of course) and as the conversation went on, these two testosterone-d filled men got more and more angry with each other.

Needless to say I quickly hung out the washing and ran inside. 

                                                  *

A couple of days ago I was reading and I could here two dogs fighting. My neighbours dogs. My neighbours all the while laughed and cheered as the two dogs went each other. I'm pretty sure that's also illegal; well at the very least RSPCA should check it out. 

                                                  *

Australia Day - AKA Bogan Day. Parties like you wouldn't believe; crazy. I don't even want to go into detail. 

If you haven't guessed already, A Bogan isn't something you want to strive to be. But some strange, low aspiring people in Australia do. 

There are different levels of Bogan's, and the occasional soft Bogan is totally OK to deal with. 

What I always find funny are TV portrayals of the Bogan. However experiencing them in real life is not funny at all. Most of the time it's downright frightening. 

It also disturbs me when people from overseas (yeah, I'm talking to you) thinks all Aussies are, are Bogan's in Kangaroo pouches...lol. 

So basically, in conclusion, my life is made a living hell by the stereotype that is a Bogan. Because not only do I have a Bogan family on one side of my fence. There's another Bogan family on the other. 

*I'd just like to say, I'm not a Bogan...in case you were wondering. 

** Also if you are a Bogan...sorry if I offended you. I also congratulate you if you're able to read this; well done. Also, cover up that Southern Cross tattoo. 

Is It Getting Hot in Here?

 For those living in the great southern land that is Australia, you will be more than aware that Summer is right around the corner (5 days in fact). 
Living in Canberra, I found (here at least) Summer has come up out of the blue - or maybe, out of the clouds; so all of a sudden I find myself not totally prepared for the Summer weather ahead. 
Knowing Australia - it's going to be a hot one. 
And knowing me - I'm going to hate every second of it. 


It's hard to think it's been Spring for almost three months now. It sure doesn't feel like it. People in Canberra would know, Spring was a funny one this year. At first, we had a bout of Spring early in the season. Warm, warm weather; a great change for the miserable and (thankfully) rainy Winter. 
Then it got cold again. Very cold. People who'd packed away their jackets, jeans, gloves and beanies fished them back out of their closets. But not for long. 
All of a sudden, it was starting to look like Spring again. Shirts and skirts, hats and shorts came out in abundance; perfect when Floriade was on. We shone (literally) for tourists who travelled here, and put the spark back into the locals. 
Have you guessed it yet? Yep, then it got dark again. It started to rain...

I'd just like to say, as an Aussie, who has been living in drought for most of her life (I think anyway) rain - no matter what season - is greatly welcome. We never get enough rain around here, and when we do it's usually too heavy and the ground is too dry to absorb the water. So I was a very happy duck, to see it raining for a lot of our Winter. 

Where was I? Oh yes, Winter seemed to be back - and in the middle of October. Basically, as soon as we got some warm weather, Winter came back with a vengeance. 
So to my surprise, when I looked at the weather bureau I was stunned to see 32 degrees on today's forecast (Celsius, not Fahrenheit to my overseas readers). I was even more stunned to realise Summer is only 5 days away. Holy moly, we've only just received a good batch of Spring. 

To my last point in my intro. Now, I know some of you would be thinking that Summer is the best season. Who couldn't love Summer? Sun, surf, sand, hot bodies walking around, ice-cream, swimming, BBQ's, tennis, cricket, picnics...the list goes on.
Well for one - I don't live near a beach; so that gets rid of surf and sand. I also don't have a pool; get rid of swimming. 
Hot bods walking around - true; but it means I need to shed clothing myself, and even though I'm not repulsive, I am filled with insecurities beyond anything. 
BBQ's = mossies. Need I say more?
I will raise my glass to the return of tennis and cricket though. Been watching Australia Vs South Africa - good to have those sports back on tellie. 

And so in a quick conclusion - what have we learnt? Summer in Australia is hot. Daydreamer is also not ready for the hotness ahead. If you are overseas and getting ready for the Winter season; raise a hot chocolate for me - Winter I will miss you. Bring out the sunscreen everybody. 

Oh, and I do love ice-cream. Yum.