Looking forward

kangaroo16 <kangaroo16 RemoveThis @invalid.com> wrote:
> On Fri, 16 Nov 2007 20:16:51 +0000 (UTC), rdadams RemoveThis @panix.com (Dick
> Adams) wrote in <fhktrj$cfr$1@reader1.panix.com> :
[...]

> >The worst part of it is the bloody wanker owed me three
> >slabs of bitters!
>
> >
> >Dick
>
> Translation for other readers. In Victoria, a "slab" of
> beer would be called a "case" of beer in the USA. "Bitters"
> would probably be the popular brew "VB". [IMHO, not as
> good as Queensland "xxxx" aka as "fourex"]

Oh dear, I feel another beer-thread (or threat? ) coming up!

> I'll leave it to you to explain "wanker".

That's a cue for this (IMO) famous quote:

"Unfortunately Americans don't recognise the word 'wanker' which is
strange for a country that has so many!"
 >> Stay informed about: Looking forward 

On Fri, 16 Nov 2007 20:16:51 +0000 (UTC), rdadams DeleteThis @panix.com
(Dick Adams) wrote:

>I will arrive in Perth on the 30th. Then my mate and I
>will make a fes stops in WA and cross the Nullarbor to
>Adelaide, a few stops in SA and VIC, the Canbera (maybe
>Jindabyne), a few stops in NSW, and maybe to Brisbane.
>
>I need a URL for a train schedule from Brisbane to Sydney.
>
Try this:
http://www.countrylink.info/
Specifically:
http://www.countrylink.info/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/6131/NorthCoas...gion.pd

Have a look at the various passes, one may suit you:
http://www.countrylink.info/travel_passes
Note that if you want to get to Byron Bay that line no
longer operates (it's my line too) and it is a bus
connection back to the main line.

I wrote a personal comment on the trip from here to Sydney a
while back. The section from Casino to Sydney is part of the
Brisbane-Sydney line.
http://loraltraveloz.blogspot.com/2006/10/sentimental-journey-lost-railway.html

>What I look forward to the most is lamb for dinner. In
>the States, lamb is a forgotten meat. And what I have
>yet to eat is Roo Stew. Anyone want to volunteer a place
>for great Roo Stew?
>
>Norseman to Adelaide looks like two days of hard driving
>with the sun in you face in the morning. Any ideas on
>how to make it easier?
>
Possibly take the train there too, although it is a bit
expensive:
http://www.railaustralia.com.au/indianPacificFares.php

>This holiday has been planned and put off for eight years.
>It would have been put off until next year except my
>frequent flier miles are about to expire.
>
>The main reason for my trip was to spend time with a mate
>in Canberra. But he passed away a month ago. So I've
>decided to make a scenic tour.
>
>The worst part of it is the bloody wanker owed me three
>slabs of bitters!
>
>Dick

Cheers, Alan, Australia
--
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/
latest: Slovenia
http://loraltraveloz.blogspot.com/
latest: Mossman Gorge in the Daintree Rainforest
 >> Stay informed about: Looking forward 

On 16 Nov 2007 22:03:45 GMT, Frank Slootweg
<this.DeleteThis@ddress.is.invalid> wrote in
<473e13c1$0$10645$dbd41001@news.wanadoo.nl> :

>kangaroo16 <kangaroo16.DeleteThis@invalid.com> wrote:
>> On Fri, 16 Nov 2007 20:16:51 +0000 (UTC), rdadams.DeleteThis@panix.com (Dick
>> Adams) wrote in <fhktrj$cfr$1@reader1.panix.com> :
>[...]
>
>> >The worst part of it is the bloody wanker owed me three
>> >slabs of bitters!
>>
>> >
>> >Dick
>>
>> Translation for other readers. In Victoria, a "slab" of
>> beer would be called a "case" of beer in the USA. "Bitters"
>> would probably be the popular brew "VB". [IMHO, not as
>> good as Queensland "xxxx" aka as "fourex"]
>
> Oh dear, I feel another beer-thread (or threat? ) coming up!

As beer is such a popular beverage here, perhaps we should alert
tourists that Aussie beer is a bit more potent that the 3.2% beer
in the U.S.A. When I left, this was a national standard for beer
strength. Could get stronger brews, but they were sold as "malt
liquor".

Yanks who fancy themselves drinkers should try a popular drink
in Queensland. A glass with a tot or two of O.P. Bundaburg rum,
remainder filled with draught "XXXX" beer.

If really feeling suicidal, they can get into a "school" of 5 or
6 Aussie drinkers, and see if they are still conscious when it is
their turn to buy a round.

I wonder why the U.S. never bothered to standardize the
size of their beer glasses? If traveling all over "Oz" perhaps
we should warn them that different states here have different
names for the common sizes?

Australian Drinking: A Brief Guide: Intro
Some states actually have names for six different sizes of beer
glass. We'll present just the most commonly-used two or three for
each state. ...
www.cse.unsw.edu.au/~jas/beer/misc/index.html - 3k

Q&A
The following table identifies the different names for the
varying glass sizes peculiar to each State. Beer drinkers'
nicknaming of glass sizes varies from ...
www.liquormerchants.org.au/Q&A.htm - 12k

From the chart in this one, they can learn that a
"schooner" is 15 oz [425 ml] in four states, but
that in South Australia it is only 285 ml, or
10 oz.

Should we tell them that traveling from one state to
another is in some ways like traveling between different
countries?

Or that their is a difference between calling someone a "bastard"
as opposed to "proper bastard". Hint: the former is often used
as a friendly greeting. The latter isn't.

>> I'll leave it to you to explain "wanker".
>
> That's a cue for this (IMO) famous quote:
>
>"Unfortunately Americans don't recognise the word 'wanker' which is
> strange for a country that has so many!"

ROTFL! I've been here for decades, but don't remember hearing
that quote! Might cause some Seppo to chuck a wobbly, fair
dinkum!

Perhaps visitors should acquaint themselves with Aussie slang
before arrival? One basic guide can be found at:
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~enigman/australia/slang.html

Another at:
http://www.travel-library.com/pacific/australia/stybr-language.html

Both have an alphabetical list of more common words on the same
page.

Oh, yes, there are also regional variations within states. For
this, see:
http://www.abc.net.au/wordmap/

Cheers,
Kangaroo16
 >> Stay informed about: Looking forward 

"Dick Adams" <rdadams RemoveThis @panix.com> wrote in message
news:fhktrj$cfr$1@reader1.panix.com...
> I will arrive in Perth on the 30th. Then my mate and I
> will make a fes stops in WA and cross the Nullarbor to
> Adelaide, ...

How long in WA? And where will you be stopping off?

Gerrit - in Perth
 >> Stay informed about: Looking forward 

kangaroo16 <kangaroo16.DeleteThis@invalid.com> wrote:
> Dick Adams wrote:

>> And what I have
>> yet to eat is Roo Stew. Anyone want to volunteer a place
>> for great Roo Stew?

Is there no place for great Roo Stew?

>> Norseman to Adelaide looks like two days of hard driving
>> with the sun in you face in the morning. Any ideas on
>> how to make it easier?

> Sun visors, tinted windscreen, polarised glasses...or
> travel at night...or catch a train or bus instead of driving.

Catch a train or bus? Surely you jest. Crossing the Nullarbor
is akin to running with the bulls!

>> This holiday has been planned and put off for eight years.
>> It would have been put off until next year except my
>> frequent flier miles are about to expire.
>>
>> The main reason for my trip was to spend time with a mate
>> in Canberra. But he passed away a month ago. So I've
>> decided to make a scenic tour.
>>
>> The worst part of it is the bloody wanker owed me three
>> slabs of bitters!

> Translation for other readers. In Victoria, a "slab" of
> beer would be called a "case" of beer in the USA. "Bitters"
w would probably be the popular brew "VB". [IMHO, not as
> good as Queensland "xxxx" aka as "fourex"]

Bitters is Pale English Ale and is a superior beer when
compared with American Swill, i.e., Bud, Millers, Coors and
other light lagers - except Munich Dunkel and Dortmunder
Export.

> I'll leave it to you to explain "wanker". :>

We all know a wanker when we read one.

--
BTW: Kangaroo16 - where in OZ are you? Can you put me
and my mate up for a night?

Dick
 >> Stay informed about: Looking forward 

kangaroo16 <kangaroo16.TakeThisOut@invalid.com> wrote:

> Yanks who fancy themselves drinkers should try a popular drink
> in Queensland. A glass with a tot or two of O.P. Bundaburg rum,
> remainder filled with draught "XXXX" beer.

Watch you mouth. I am a son of the South and here the
word is damnyankee.

> If really feeling suicidal, they can get into a "school" of 5 or
> 6 Aussie drinkers, and see if they are still conscious when it is
> their turn to buy a round.

Is there money involved in this wager?

>> "Unfortunately Americans don't recognise the word 'wanker'
>> which is strange for a country that has so many!"

Wankers per capita varies very little from country to country.

Dick
 >> Stay informed about: Looking forward 

gerrit <gthart.RemoveThis@sad.au> wrote:
> "Dick Adams" <rdadams.RemoveThis@panix.com> wrote:

>> I will arrive in Perth on the 30th. Then my mate and I
>> will make a fes stops in WA and cross the Nullarbor to
>> Adelaide, ...

> How long in WA? And where will you be stopping off?

A day or two. Having Friday dinner at an Indian Restaurant
not far from Rolleystone. You are most welcome to join us.
E-mail me at MeadGuild.RemoveThis@aol.com and I'll have me mate Charlie
tell you when and where.

Bartholomews Meadery in Denmark is a major stopping point.

Dick
 >> Stay informed about: Looking forward 

On Sat, 17 Nov 2007 08:19:25 +0000 (UTC), rdadams DeleteThis @panix.com (Dick
Adams) wrote in <fhm86d$na3$1@reader1.panix.com> :

>kangaroo16 <kangaroo16 DeleteThis @invalid.com> wrote:
>
>> Yanks who fancy themselves drinkers should try a popular drink
>> in Queensland. A glass with a tot or two of O.P. Bundaburg rum,
>> remainder filled with draught "XXXX" beer.
>
>Watch you mouth. I am a son of the South and here the
>word is damnyankee.

Well, Cal, what makes you think I may not be a "son of the
South", born south of the Mason-Dixon line? Readers
who are unsure which US States are considered south of this line
can check
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:US_map-South_Historic_1.png

As to "damnyankee", "Yankee" is a pretty ambiguous word. The
definition I learned as a kid was that to the world, a "Yankee"
referred to Americans in general. In the U.S., to a southerner,
it applied to anyone north of the Mason-Dixon line. To those
north, it meant someone in the New England states. To residents
of those states, it meant someone from Vermont. In Vermont, it
meant someone who ate pie for breakfast.
>
>> If really feeling suicidal, they can get into a "school" of 5 or
>> 6 Aussie drinkers, and see if they are still conscious when it is
>> their turn to buy a round.
>
>Is there money involved in this wager?

Not offered as a wager, as would have no way of knowing
just which humans have a high tolerance for alcohol. The
U.S. has some pretty hardened drinkers who might survive
the Beer & Bundy combination. As you probably know, the
drink composed of beer and spirits is known as a
"boilermaker", or was in my part of the U.S. anyway.

If participate in a "school" of drinkers here, it is considered
impolite to join a "school" and not buy a drink for the group
when their turn comes around.

Obviously, if someone is unconscious on the floor, he will
be unable to do this. Yanks who are unsure if they could
stay conscious until it was their turn could leave enough money
to provide a round of drinks for the Aussie's could always take
the precaution of putting enough cash in a plastic bag and tying
it around his neck so that if he falls to the floor at any stage
he can fulfill his obligations.

>
>>> "Unfortunately Americans don't recognise the word 'wanker'
>>> which is strange for a country that has so many!"
>
>Wankers per capita varies very little from country to country.
>
>Dick
True, however one chooses to define the word. Difficult to
predict a percentage range of wankers in the world population,
though. If someone could, they could produce a distribution
using mean, median or mode

Still, we have economists who use statistics to try
to predict what the economy, stock market, etc. will do.
They even make money doing so.

Some humans seem willing to pay economists to make
predictions. A couple of millenniaa ago, their spiritual
predecessors used to slaughter a sacrificial animal,
often a sheep, and "read" its entrails to try to determine
the future. They weren't all that successful, but
probably got rewarded for their effort.

Does any reader doubt this? How many stock market
crashes since 1850 or so have been widely predicted?

From memory only one economic forecaster predicted
the 1987 crash.

Perhaps they should all go back to studying the entrails of
slaughtered animals? IMHO, this method would be as good as
any.

Cheers,
Kangaroo16
 >> Stay informed about: Looking forward 

kangaroo16 <kangaroo16.DeleteThis@invalid.com> wrote:
> rdadams.DeleteThis@panix.com (Dick Adams) wrote:
>> kangaroo16 <kangaroo16.DeleteThis@invalid.com> wrote:

>>> Yanks who fancy themselves drinkers should try a popular drink
>>> in Queensland. A glass with a tot or two of O.P. Bundaburg rum,
>>> remainder filled with draught "XXXX" beer.

>> Watch you mouth. I am a son of the South and here the
>> word is damnyankee.

> Well, Cal, what makes you think I may not be a "son of
> the > South", born south of the Mason-Dixon line? Readers
> who are unsure which US States are considered south of
> this line can check
> http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:US_map-South_Historic_1.png

Being a Southerner is not a matter of where you were born,
it is matter of how you treat people. A "Son of the South"
never refers to someone as a damnyankee or it's urchin form
of yank or yankee except when intended as a derogatory term.
Many a damnyankee was born south of the Mason-Dixon Line.
Myself is a Tarhell - tried and true. My blood runs
Carolina Blue. I am marooned in Maryland which is heavily
populated by damnyankee in spite of the fact that it is
south of the Line.

> As to "damnyankee", "Yankee" is a pretty ambiguous word. ...

Alas to suggest "damnyankee" is ambiguous is something only
a "damnyankee" would argue.

>>> If really feeling suicidal, they can get into a "school" of 5 or
>>> 6 Aussie drinkers, and see if they are still conscious when it is
>>> their turn to buy a round.

>> Is there money involved in this wager?

> Not offered as a wager, as would have no way of knowing
> just which humans have a high tolerance for alcohol. The
> U.S. has some pretty hardened drinkers who might survive
> the Beer & Bundy combination. As you probably know, the
> drink composed of beer and spirits is known as a
> "boilermaker", or was in my part of the U.S. anyway.

So it's just trash talk.

> If participate in a "school" of drinkers here, it is considered
> impolite to join a "school" and not buy a drink for the group
> when their turn comes around. ....

This is a universe-wide standard.

>>> "Unfortunately Americans don't recognise the word 'wanker'
>>> which is strange for a country that has so many!"

>> Wankers per capita varies very little from country to country.

> True, however one chooses to define the word. Difficult to
> predict a percentage range of wankers in the world population,
> though. If someone could, they could produce a distribution
> using mean, median or mode

Are you proposing a wanker test? Or are trying to use
statistics to prevent your being outed as a wanker? But
watch your methodologies as only a wanker would use a
Chi Square.

> Still, we have economists who use statistics to try
> to predict what the economy, stock market, etc. will do.
> They even make money doing so. ...

There are three types of economists: Those who can count
and those who can't count.
---

Back to the point (which appears difficult for you), I have
been the last man standing at many a party. That once was
and may no longer be relevant. But, along the road, I met
many a man, and woman too, who could pour a pint down their
throat in one swallow. I did not bother to compete with
them as there is no taste in a chug-a-lug contest.

Dick
 >> Stay informed about: Looking forward 

Dick Adams <rdadams RemoveThis @panix.com> wrote in news:fhnv20$c64$1
@panix2.panix.com:

>> If participate in a "school" of drinkers here, it is considered
>> impolite to join a "school" and not buy a drink for the group
>> when their turn comes around. ....
>
> This is a universe-wide standard.

the concept may be universal, but it is more of a religious practice in
australia and one not to mess with. Breaching knock back protocol is
hazardous to one's health and well being and reminds me of the Kevin
Costner movie - "No Way Out

--
Joseph Coulter, cruises and vacations
www.josephcoulter.com
yourvacation RemoveThis @comcast.net
877 832 2021
904 631 8863 cell
 >> Stay informed about: Looking forward 

On 17 Nov 2007 18:55:44 -0500, Dick Adams
<rdadams.TakeThisOut@panix.com> wrote:

>Being a Southerner is not a matter of where you were born,
>it is matter of how you treat people. A "Son of the South"
>never refers to someone as a damnyankee or it's urchin form
>of yank or yankee except when intended as a derogatory term.
>Many a damnyankee was born south of the Mason-Dixon Line.
>Myself is a Tarhell - tried and true. My blood runs
>Carolina Blue. I am marooned in Maryland which is heavily
>populated by damnyankee in spite of the fact that it is
>south of the Line.
>
>> As to "damnyankee", "Yankee" is a pretty ambiguous word. ...
>
>Alas to suggest "damnyankee" is ambiguous is something only
>a "damnyankee" would argue.

I'm afraid you guys miss the point. The rest of the world is
well aware of the Mason-Dixon line, of the civil war, and of
your internal differences of definition and contempt for
misuse of words like yanks, rednecks etc.

And the rest of the world will continue to call every single
tourist from the You Ess of Ay Yanks whether they are male
or female, black or white or chocolate, and whether they
come from Maine or Mississippi:-)


Cheers, Alan, Australia
--
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/
latest: Slovenia
http://loraltraveloz.blogspot.com/
latest: Mossman Gorge in the Daintree Rainforest
 >> Stay informed about: Looking forward 

On Sat, 17 Nov 2007 18:15:54 -0600, Joseph Coulter
<seeLOOKATsig RemoveThis @comcast.net> wrote:

>Dick Adams <rdadams RemoveThis @panix.com> wrote in news:fhnv20$c64$1
>@panix2.panix.com:
>
>>> If participate in a "school" of drinkers here, it is considered
>>> impolite to join a "school" and not buy a drink for the group
>>> when their turn comes around. ....
>>
>> This is a universe-wide standard.
>
>the concept may be universal, but it is more of a religious practice in
>australia and one not to mess with. Breaching knock back protocol is
>hazardous to one's health and well being and reminds me of the Kevin
>Costner movie - "No Way Out

The trick is to "shout" early in the school, so duty is
done, but drink slowly and let the next guy know he can
leave you out of the next round when it comes up. I've never
seen anyone get stroppy at saving the price of a drink; but
they can if you don't pay for the round when it's your turn.


Cheers, Alan, Australia
--
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/
latest: Slovenia
http://loraltraveloz.blogspot.com/
latest: Mossman Gorge in the Daintree Rainforest
 >> Stay informed about: Looking forward 

On Sun, 18 Nov 2007 12:12:38 +1100, Alan S <nothere.RemoveThis@there.com>
wrote in <j44vj3l3vm3lhfour8tb5gufsggc4sia11.RemoveThis@4ax.com> :

>On 17 Nov 2007 18:55:44 -0500, Dick Adams
><rdadams.RemoveThis@panix.com> wrote:
>
>>Being a Southerner is not a matter of where you were born,
>>it is matter of how you treat people. A "Son of the South"
>>never refers to someone as a damnyankee or it's urchin form
>>of yank or yankee except when intended as a derogatory term.
>>Many a damnyankee was born south of the Mason-Dixon Line.
>>Myself is a Tarhell - tried and true. My blood runs
>>Carolina Blue. I am marooned in Maryland which is heavily
>>populated by damnyankee in spite of the fact that it is
>>south of the Line.
>>
>>> As to "damnyankee", "Yankee" is a pretty ambiguous word. ...
>>
>>Alas to suggest "damnyankee" is ambiguous is something only
>>a "damnyankee" would argue.
>
>I'm afraid you guys miss the point. The rest of the world is
>well aware of the Mason-Dixon line, of the civil war, and of
>your internal differences of definition and contempt for
>misuse of words like yanks, rednecks etc.

I can't speak for all of the rest of the world, but certainly
most Australians are aware. As a trivial example, I wonder
what percentage of Australians have seen the classic film
"Gone With the Wind" in cinemas and/or on broadcast
T.V.? A very large percentage I suspect, as it has been shown
many times since I've been here.

Perhaps we could start with something basic such as knowledge
of geography?

Young Americans Geographically Illiterate, Survey Suggests

"The 2002 project also surveyed 18- to 24-year-olds in
Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Sweden, and Great
Britain. The U.S. trailed every other country in that survey,
except Mexico, which did only slightly worse. (See the 2002
results.)

"It's discouraging that so many young Americans have so little
understanding of the world," said Robert Pastor, vice president
of international affairs at American University in Washington,
D.C.

Geography Schmeography?

Even for U.S. geography, the survey results are just as dismal.

Half could not find New York State on a map of the United States.

A third of the respondents could not find Louisiana, and 48
percent couldn't locate Mississippi on a map of the United
States, even though Hurricane Katrina put these southeastern
states in the spotlight in 2005. " [more, and worth reading, at]

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/05/0502_060502_geography.html

As we know, many Americans adults confuse "Austria" and
"Australia", and are disappointed when they travel to Austria
expecting to find wild kangaroos.

I've heard and read of cases where Americans traveling to
Australia who complimented Australia on their ability to speak
English.

I have yet to even meet an Australian child who was incapable
of pointing out the location of the U.S.A. on a world map.

>
>And the rest of the world will continue to call every single
>tourist from the You Ess of Ay Yanks whether they are male
>or female, black or white or chocolate, and whether they
>come from Maine or Mississippi:-)

>Cheers, Alan, Australia

True, and applies to Yank immigrants as well. Being called a
Yank doesn't bother me. I don't even mind "Septo".

Just as a personal observation, the average Australian
strikes me as more tolerant than the average Yank, and Australia
is, in general, a much more tolerant society than the U.S.A.

Cheers,
Kangaroo16
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Looking forward