I thought Howard was gone. Yesterday was unbelievable around Hobart - lots of cars were decked with little Aussie flags. A neighbour said "Happy Australia Day long weekend" to me. As we were walking up the Brooker Highway a car went past with a young woman leaning out singing/screaming the National Anthem. I looked for a hint of irony but I saw none. Surely not I thought.
What happened to our good old long weekend holiday no matter when January 26 fell - a weekend where most Aussies went somewhere to relax if not camp, perhaps have a barbie and wonder why we had a long weekend? There were certainly no flags in sight apart from at very poorly attended ceremonies for a few who were becoming citizens.
All I felt was a strong sense of alienation. I was born here - I had no choice. I'm an aussie by accident. I like the place but more days like yesterday will lead to asking Mrs Clark to fire up the Hercules for my evacuation.
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Sadly, it appears this is pandemic. Coogee beach was heavily populated with people (mostly youths)decked out in our colours - flags, board shorts, bikinis, hats, fake tattoos. A Thai restaurant I went to last night had the waitresses with flags stamped on their upper arms.
Is this a passing fad? What has happened?
Well we went to the Australia day concert here in the nation's capital. The roulettes put on an air display, and the concert was good, ben lee and tripod very entertaining!
Whatever sentiment all the flag waving generates, I can assure you it's not as frustrating as living in an apartment complex with a drunk serbian woman located on the other side of the tennis court watching the Open final and screaming the house down till all hours!
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