Things I learned over Christmas
Well, I’m back. And already I’m in the thick of it, swamped with work and extra-curricular activities, with the holiday already feeling like an age ago. However, several points still loom large in my mind:
- Tokyo makes me feel like I’m from a country of criminals. OK, putting aside the fact that this is to some extent true, I left feeling somewhat ashamed by the culture I live in. Example 1: people use the luggage racks on the Tokyo Underground for putting their brief cases, bags and handbags on. Example 2: people leave their bikes unchained in the streets. Would you ever do either in Britain or Australia? No, because they would be nicked. Clearly, the good citizens of Tokyo do not assume that everyone else in their city is a miserable conniving thief until proven otherwise.
- The Australian language gets worse with every visit. Australia has long had a propensity for super-sized swearing, slang and casualised language but well, there is nothing like being away to realise just how ubiquitous it is. I mean I grew up with buying chockies from the servo and plonk from the bottle-o in the arvo, but in recent years I’ve noticed words like ‘ambo’, ‘journo’ , ‘pollie’ and ‘firey’ creeping into previously formal news programmes. I estimate that within just 50 years Australians won’t be able to understand any word unless it ends in ‘o’ or ‘ie’.
- Monthly music magazines are like National Geographics. i.e. widely available, much hoarded and rarely re-read. Upon arriving at my parents place, they pointed out – for the 2000th time – that I still have a box or two of my magazine collection occupying a corner of their garage. This time, however, instead of defending their emotional importance, historical worth and potential resale value in 100 years time, I chucked half them out. I have finally realised that I do not need a collection of Q and Mojo magazines from the 90s – not when they are freely available on ebay anyway for bugger all money. I am still not parting with the NMEs though.
- Paul Kelly really is pretty good. Australian singer-songwriter Paul Kelly is little known outside Australia. In fact, up until relatively recently he seemed to be little known within Australia unless you were of a certain age and musical disposition. But suddenly he seems to have become a national treasure of some kind and even my Grandmother has heard of him. How did this happen? Anyway, this is one of our favourites:
January 17th, 2011 at 7:36 pm
Welcome back – hope the trip was a huge success on all fronts. And of course I know just what you mean about Tokyo. The civility may seem to border on cranky at times, but I’d take it over British mass rudeness any day.
That video was odd (I’ve not heard of him, by the way). Was there a grand denouement that I blinked and missed??
January 17th, 2011 at 8:36 pm
It was a great trip, particularly Tokyo – which I would go back to in an instant. We had a fabulous time indeed. It was EXACTLY as I expected – clean, hectic, ugly, weird. I loved it!!!
As for Paul Kelly, well, I know what you mean. I’ve been watching that clip on and off for 25 years now and I don’t know what it means either. But hey, its very 80s, very Sydney and a good tune into the bargain.
January 18th, 2011 at 10:43 am
I was chatting with Mrs M about your Japan notes, she was all of a buzz to head out . Although the youngest can be a fussy eater – is plain pasta and ketchup easily available out there?
Same as you with the mag’s (except some vintage bits) Q, film mags, paperbacks, CDs – all in the bin. Everything’s available online for pennies now. There really is no need to store all of it anymore
January 18th, 2011 at 10:44 am
Welcome back!
I know exactly what you mean about Tokyo. Staring aside, I’d never felt so safe. But the pressures of living and working there would be beyond immense.
I know Paul Kelly. But whither the Coloured Girls?
January 18th, 2011 at 12:53 pm
Ah Mondo, you really should go – it is an amazing place. And if you’re used to London prices, not all THAT expensive. The fussy eating might be a bit of an issue, although you could probably get plain noodles easily enough. The problem is asking for it though. As someone who doesn’t eat ‘just anything’ I found the whole Japanese menus thing a bit of an ordeal at times, particularly if you want to try something different but not too different.
Ah, yes FC the infamous Coloured Girls. They played on ‘Before too Long’ but well, before too long they bowed to public pressure and became the Messengers. Now, Paul has clearly realised that no one gives a toss about backing bands and has abandoned them completely!
January 18th, 2011 at 8:43 pm
Sounds like an interesting few weeks. A few year back I dumped around 25 years worth of NMEs, Melody Makers, Sounds etc etc. I filled one of those paper recycle containers on my own! Everyone said I was mad, actually, I thought I was mad – and knew i’d instantly regret it, but y’know, I’ve never once missed em. If you are ever that desperate the British library holds copies of every single mag ever printed, and a visit is easy to arrange… not felt the need as yet tho!
Welcome back!
P
January 18th, 2011 at 10:52 pm
Welcome back. Sounds like an interesting trip. Nothing like going abroad to make you realise how far things have fallen over here. That said the Aussie language does get on my wick so it’s good to hear you feel the same. Still cant get rid of my Mojo’s, old Q’s etc etc, in fact i really want issue 5 of Mojo because i’ve not got it (any one ???). I may indeed need a bigger house though…..eventually.
January 19th, 2011 at 10:26 pm
Oh, Piley I don’t think I could go as far as chucking EVERYTHING out. That is mad. It is! Particularly if you dumped issue 5 of Mojo which Carl clearly needs! However, I am kind of reassured that you don’t miss them. I am just weary of being too gungho throwing things out as I have never quite forgiven myself for getting rid of my mid 80s collection of Smash Hits.
I’m not surprised that you don’t like the Australian language, Carl – everything gets on your wick! Except old magazines clearly. I do know how you feel, which is why I can’t part with the NMEs and even right now, I’m feeling a bit sad about the thought of those Q’s being shredded to bits at the recyling plant and turned into loo paper…
January 20th, 2011 at 12:19 pm
Welcome back.
Of course if everyone chucks their mags out then in a couple of yeras they won’t be available for pennies on ebay as there’ll be none left…
January 20th, 2011 at 11:04 pm
…which doesn`t matter, because when everyone throughs them out it means noone needs them anymore…
(feel free to add some logical arguments :-))
January 21st, 2011 at 12:36 pm
That comment really got on my wick :-).
January 23rd, 2011 at 1:27 pm
I’m new to your blog – looking forward to reading your future posts. Welcome back!
January 23rd, 2011 at 6:35 pm
Hello Ed and welcome (especially if you are a hoarder of some variety).
And to Simon and Joey, can you honestly imagine a world without old magazines? There wlll always be someone keeping them for the rest of us. Thanks Carl!