In 2009 I set myself 4 goals as steps towards a future of providing assistance on locally driven aid projects in developing countries. In their original form, those goals were: Publish a book on Bhutanese culture Complete a Masters in anthropology Buy a studio flat in Australia Invest the rest of my savings to create… Continue reading A New Future
Category: Australia
Chalk Chasings
Councils around Sydney have been making great progress in developing safe paths for cyclists and are now even advertising them before movies at the cinema. I’ve personally been delighted by the networks, which allow me to get around or just to get outside for some exercise. The cycleway alongside the M2 has been rerouted due… Continue reading Chalk Chasings
Pedestrian Collisions
Until I moved to Europe, I assumed that people randomly chose the direction they moved to avoid oncoming pedestrians. In Belgium, I found myself stepping to the same side of the footpath as my counterpart almost every time. It didn’t take me long to realise that I always stepped to my left while they stepped… Continue reading Pedestrian Collisions
New Year’s Resolution
During the first week of every year, my Australian friends and colleagues (this seems to extend to most Western cultures) ask me what my New Year’s Resolutions are. I’ve never made any. It seems odd to me to wait until a specific day of the year to make a change in my life. If I… Continue reading New Year’s Resolution
Birthdays
2011 has been a big year for me. In March, my first book Dragon Bones was released in Hong Kong. In May it was released in the US. In June, I moved into my new flat – the first place of my own that I’ve ever lived in. It’s right on the train line, but… Continue reading Birthdays
The Path Is There To Share
I recently saw a sign in my neighbourhood that said ‘The path is there to share,’ with pictures of both a pedestrian and a bicycle. I’m not sure when this changed, but it certainly wasn’t the case in the Sutherland Shire in my school days. I know because I was ticketed for riding on the… Continue reading The Path Is There To Share
The Good Samaritans
I didn’t see what befell the old man, but he’s being helped off the highway crossing by two others as I walk around the corner. He doesn’t appear to know his helpers and doesn’t acknowledge either. As soon as he reaches the curb, he grabs hold of a railing and tries to support himself. I… Continue reading The Good Samaritans
Cultural Ritual Protocol
I was dismayed to see that the French rugby team were fined for their response to the Haka at the World Cup Grand Final. Apparently there is a 10 meter exclusion zone for the ‘cultural ritual.’ This isn’t the first time that a team opposing the Kiwis has been challenged for responding inappropriately. I can… Continue reading Cultural Ritual Protocol
Ticket Gate Tailgating
Recently, a few people I know have expressed their irritation at tailgaters at train stations. These people get through the ticket gates without paying for access by closely following a paying customer through the gate to confuse the sensor. Tailgaters don’t contribute to the public transport system in terms of either money or statistics. I… Continue reading Ticket Gate Tailgating
Australians Against Change
During the week I joined a strata meeting for everyone who owns flats in my new building. The main reason for the meeting was to approve a change to the strata by-laws that excluded the entirety of one flat from the ‘common area’ of the building. The owner had decided to redo the bathroom and… Continue reading Australians Against Change