Holy Cat-5

Australia's biggest cyclone ever touched down last night on the Northeast coast. And for newbs like me, a cyclone is not a water-born tornado but just a different name for a hurricane. No deaths reported yet but extensive destruction was revealed when the sun came up.

Imagine my disbelief and horror when I learned that there appears to be no order in the naming of the storms. Cyclone Anthony made landfall on Jan 30 and the current one skipped straight to the Y's and is called Yasi. What the hell kind of name is that?

A baby girl was born at 6am in the middle of the storm's wrath. Despite giving childbirth in the midst of a massive disaster, mom (Akiko Pruss) was able to maintain common sense when asked if she would name the baby after the storm.

"The baby will not be called Yasi, Akiko doesn't like that name at all."

(Obliteration)

Taking the Relaxed Culture to the Next Level

I take the bus to work. This can at times be a source of anxiety because I am always at the mercy of the driver.

Frequently the bus will make "catch-up" stops, which are prolonged pauses at a stop in order to catch his cycle up to schedule. I am used to the usual catch up stop that almost always takes place before I enter the city.

However, today there was a rare catch up stop that lasted longer than usual outside the gas station, about ten minutes from work. When I caught onto it, I looked up and noticed that the driver was gone. About four minutes later he came racing back onto the bus, newspaper in hand -- straight out of the gas station toilet. No shame was conveyed whatsoever in his decision to leave us hanging while he read the paper on the crapper.

Sting Does Yoga Here

Sting was in town for a concert in the nearby vineyards that put his classic tracks up against a symphony orchestra. Busy as he may be, he still took the time to get his Bikram Yoga fix.

He just casually rocked up for class at the Adelaide Bikram Yoga center, and few recognized him -- until he signed in. On the sheet he wrote: "Sting, New York" which leads me to wonder just how many official documents you can get away with just singing your ridiculous stage name. Does he not use his real name anymore? Methinks he just wanted to get recognized exactly for the purpose of taking photos like this one above!

I Love this Analysis of Australian Cities

Adelaide was voted most livable city in Australia! Woo-hoo, I picked the right one. I think voting was based on categories like "can get to work quicker than the time it takes to cook a turkey," "cab rides from the airport cost less than $140" and "don't have to donate serum monthly to contribute to rent payments." I really do think Adelaide deserves some recognition though - sitting between beautiful beaches, breathtaking hills, and a quick drive from gorgeous vineyards it truly is in a fantastic location.

Read this comparison of Australian cities to school kids written on The Punch:

Melbourne’s too easy. Melbourne’s the self-harming emo kid who writes bad poetry. And sometimes, almost accidentally, great poetry. On the weekend he goes to see bands no one’s ever heard of in bars down dingy alleyways. He knows he’s cooler than the superficial bimbos around him. He sulks.

Sydney’s the coke-snorting former bit-part actor who’s now teaching drama. Beautiful bordering on blowsy, with delusions of a grandeur just slightly fading. It takes a bit more lippy in the morning, but most of the class still want to shag her.

Brisbane got her ears pierced too early, chews gum loudly, and is really really popular.

Perth’s the kid no one really knows who always has wads of money to spend at the tuck shop. Hobart’s the quiet kid in the corner who only recently acquired nerd-chic.

Darwin doesn’t give much of a shit, and was the first one to get fake ID so he could buy cheap booze for the other kids.

Canberra probably has to be the principal. All rules and regulations and processes. Makes the occasional dad’s joke. Thinks he’s the centre of everyone else’s universe.

And Adelaide spends her time in class staring out the window, dreaming she is beautiful like Sydney or cool like Melbourne or popular like Brisbane. When really she’s OK.

Irreverent Newscasters

Watching the news is a trip -- Aussies can get away with a lot as newscasters. Like this am on the national morning news, a reporter was making a face like he was in pain while listening to traditional Chinese opera singing! Another newscaster was commenting on Li Na, the tennis player finalist in the Australian Open, and noted how "good of a personality she has for being a Chinese athlete."

Earlier this week I also saw the hosts break the news that Oprah has a half sister -- the reporter looked at this picture and said "Yup, half sister looks about right" which I took to be a crack at Oprah's size!!!!!!!! How dare he insult Queen Qantas - Our Lady of American Tourists?

The Music is Way Cool

Non-commerical radio combines two brilliant concepts. No top 40 music and no commercials. Not one. Ever. Can you even imagine American radio without car salesmen shouting at you before you are fully awake in the morning? Or not having to hear about some snotty female radio DJ's plug for how well her laser hair removal treatment went? Advertisement-free radio is absolutely delightful.

A big part of the Australia Day festivities are centered around Australia's youth public radio station called Triple J (I've been listening to this station for a year now -- from the states as well -- and I freakin love it). Every Jan 26 they do a top 100 songs of the year countdown and I'd recommend getting this music on your mp3 player stat. You can also listen live online. You are welcome.

Happy Australia Day!

The summer holiday equivalent of the US's Fourth of July! No work today -- I'm off to the cricket!