While I'm not thinking about expatriating anytime soon, I was curious about something about immigration I read in the thread about no black players at sessions, and since there are people who live in Ireland here, I though who better to ask, so....
is there actually alot of immigration to Ireland these days? Do people have enough jobs, or are people comming over seen as just taking your jobs and are not really wanted around?
I don't know anything about immigrating. In my country, you just run like hell across the border and try and get as far north as you can.
I would love someday to live in County Tipparary where my grandma's people were from. I was wondering though if someone from America could just go over and find some job doing whatever and find some cheap place to live, or would I need to hope some big corporation would transfer me to their branch office in Sligo or something completely unlikely like that?
One of my anscestors was an Irish sea captain named John Doyle who ran the English blockade during the war of 1812. Since he was a wanted man on the high seas, he sold his ship in Philadelphia and went from being a pirate in the eyes of the Royal Navy, to being a guy in downtown Philly with a pocket full of money.
great-great-great grandpa John married his daughter when he came over to America
We did move to Ireland. We've been coming here on and off for over twenty years, for from three weeks to a year at a time. Then we found a gorgeous site in Co. Clare, pooled our resources and got together enough money to build a small house. After a few years we decided to get legal and register with the Gardai. Unless you're going to work here, in order to get your full-time resident card you need: proof of enough money coming in to live on (bank statement); valid passport and I.D. pictures; proof of medical insurance. We have to show up every year to register and pay 100 Euros each for the year.
Although moving to Manhattan is definitely easier, life here is wonderful. Even though the dollar is tanking and things in Ireland are 30-100% more expensive than in the Jesus-land of stuff, it's a great place to be.
Speaking as an American going to school in Ireland, it is pretty easy to get a study visa to stay in Ireland and I assume a work permit would be much the same. All you need are the proper documents (i.e Passport, Forms they need filled out, bank statement showing you have enough money to live for a while, an address, etc). You will need to send your passport to a passport office first though.
In order to gain I believe that you need to have lived in the country for 5 out of the past 9 years. All the info on immigration into Ireland and such things can be found at http://www.citizensinformation.ie
Reverend, marriage is not a sure fire way to gain Irish citizenship even if you are married to an Irish citizen they can deny you citizenship.
If you do come over here, you'll find lots of pirates with pockets filled by ill-gotten gains. Property developers & politicians and some that are both! BB will explain it to you better than I could.
There's really only black people (and Chinese) in the big cities like Cork and Dublin. You probably won't find any blacks in Tipperary, but you will probably find lots of Polish, Lots of Polish are immigrating these days. My brother said there are 500,000 of them already.... That's 10 percent of Ireland's population. Oh yeah, and if you move to Belfast you will hardly see any blacks or Chinese up there because they're too scared to go up there. My parents are from the Cavan/Longford border area, and there are no blacks there at all. Personally I think it is sad that all these immigrants are comming in. That's not being racist, I just think it's destroying Irish culture. They live completely different life styles than the Irish. Especially the Muslims. I'm pretty sure Ireland passed some ammendment to their constitution restricting immigration though, so it will probably be a lot better off now, because if they're going to try to get in illegally, they're not going to go through the extra trouble of going to Ireland when they could just sneak into the UK. Sorry, but that's one of the topics that I get really touchy on and have to really express my opinion. Sorry if i insulted some politically correct goody two-shoes.
Yea, we really need some more fascists here, fritz. Don't come back anytime soon. How hypocritical can you get, your parents were immigrants and now... ah...f*ck it... I can't be bothered, you wouldn't understand.
Here's what America thought of immigrants in 1882 -
"the raw Irishman in America is a nuisance, his son a curse. They never assimilate; the second generation simply shows an intensification of all the bad qualities of the first. . . .They are a burden and a misery to this country." Further, Irish had corrupted our politics, lowered the standards of domestic service, and waged an "imbecilic and indecent war" against the English government. The time had come to clear the Irishman from Uncle Sam's lodging house, where all races and nationalities, except the Irish, got along with each other!
-Puck Magazine
By the way - everybody on this web-site knows who the F@%$ the Pogues are.
Trying to explain to Fitz that his fore bearers were immigrants, wrecking US of A culture, is fruitless. He wouldn't understand.
Best keep it simple. The US of A is made up of 50 states. Each state has its own laws and government. The European Union is now similar. Irish and Poles are now Europeans.
So just as you cannot prevent someone emigrating from California to North Dakota, you cannot prevent someone going from Poland to Ireland.
Your comment about muslims highlights you as a moron. There was no polite way of saying that, and you do encourage people to express their opinions. People like you are responsible for the US of A being the most reviled nation on Earth, and most reviled people.
And that is unfair, as there are countless millions of "normal" citizens of the US of A, many of whom post on this site. My limited time in the US of A brought me into contact with a nation of people who were kind, courteous and very helpful.
As for the crap about no Chinese or black people in Belfast, there is a rather large Chinese community, and the black population is rising. So called "loyalist" thugs now attack the Chinese community, because they are not allowed to attack Catholics any more. Your tone sounds as if you approve these attacks, a short time after they would have been attacking a full blood Irish Catholic like yourself.
I suggest you should be afraid coming to Belfast, just in case you run into me or Strayaway.
As for immigrants "ruining Irish Culture" last Sunday we had say fifty people "listening" to our session. Thirty of them were Polish. Hardly leading a separate existence, are they?
A few facts of life. "The Quiet Man" was a movie, there are no leprechauns, no-one has a shillelagh, and no comely maidens dancing at the crossroads.
Now in 1848 when all those immigrants were fleeing the famine and heading to the US of A, I would have sank their boats in New York harbour and told them to swim home again.
Fortunately, for your family, I wasn't around then.
"People like you are responsible for the US of A being the most reviled nation on Earth, and most reviled people."
Only if you're a Grauniad reader. :p
People will keep emailing me about this and that. I hope this is a windup, I really do.
Fitzpatrick, do everyone a great big favor. DO be sure to express your opinion freely and firmly on the subject at every single session in either Ireland or the US, or indeed, anywhere else in the wide world, or even at any time at all. That way we'll all know who to avoid and who to firmly suggest that they find another place to live.
There ARE people in Ireland who feel like you do, Fitzpatrick. Unfortunately, I think you'll find that this same group of people generally also don't like people who believe that they're Irish when in fact they were born somewhere else. They call these people, in point of fact, these people like you, "plastic paddys".
Do enjoy your time in Ireland. Please don't come back to the States. (Sorry, all you Irish, but we -- if I may speak for other Americans in general -- don't want him. You figure out a way to get rid of him.)
Bliss, you're allowing an ignorant young man to get you all wound up. If he is living in Los Angeles right now, he is surrounded by a strenuous public debate regarding the fate of hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens. Clearly this has helped to create his current world view of foreign cultures "ruining" native cultures.
Either way, we should put this little diversion to bed and return to helping Nate Ryan immigrate to Tipperary and Reverend find a nice Irish gal to marry.
The immigrants in California are Fitz and the rest of them.
I believe Zorro and the boys were of Spanish extraction?
And sorry Zina, it is not just the Guardian telling us that.
Fitz wouldn't last ten minutes in Belfast. One to introduce himself, another eight while people fought among themselves as to who saw him first, and the other minute to dispose of him.
Perhaps, blips, but it's the Grauniad readers who fall for it hook, line and sinker, by my observation. No bigot like a left wing bigot. :D Take thine own fault to thyself.
Well, then I think he needs to go to Antrim. That'd take care of the problem right there.
Honestly. Aliens. They're mankind's only hope for unity.
It seems to me that often it is the lack of urban and regional and infrastructure planning control (in favour of quick profits for developers) to cater for large increases in population allowed to be masked by the sorts of views expressed above. I think it is in someone's monetary interest to allow racist rhetoric to mask some of the issues which should be addressed to cater for increased migration numbers, and which are mostly not addressed.
Ireland is a frighteningly small country by comparison to new world countries which can take, and need large migrant numbers. There seems to me to be precious little there going on in the way of preservation of sufficient open space in conjunction with mass housing developments with all of the attended problems they create for generations of people to come, assessment of heritage value and preservation of significant sites, and the like
Another very real problem given the small land area of Ireland seems to me to be the affordability of housing. I saw and heard of a lot of examples of seaside areas in particular where a large proportion of the housing there was empty for the most part of the year if not permanently because they are owned by wealthy people from elsewhere. This apparently creates a housing affordability problem for locals in that area (whether migrants or otherwise), and, ironically, a slowing of economic growth in these areas.
All of these sorts of planning and regulatory issues can easily be masked by not addressing them and allowing instead the inevitable racist and anti-racist voices to take over the argument.
I think Ireland probably needs a much stronger Greens influence in its political arena, but the country does not appear ready for it at this stage.
Don't forget the holiday house developments, Duijra Dubh. Can't rent them out to anyone staying in the country for any real length of time, and they're all over the place.
See you in about, mmmm, 3.5 weeks. Looking forward to some sessions -- HK has no Irish trad. I'm parched for music. I'm pretty sure Beebs is going to take care of that...
I wasn't being particularly sarcastic. How far back does one have to go before any particular genome is now native? And I do think that the early American treatment of Native American Indians (if they're currently called something else, sorry, I haven't stayed up on the current politically correct names -- I mean, am I a Chinese American again, or am i still a Asian Pacific American now?) is something that wasn't very pretty, even if our government has apologized.
Wow what's with all the attacks? I just said that I think it's said to Irish culture. If you can't handle my opinion, then you have a control problem. That's just how I feel ok? What do you make of gay people? They're born that way and it's not their falt etc. right? Well guess what, I was born "racist" as you call it (even though I'm not). Who are you to try to change me? feck off man.
Oh by the way, I would think it was sad to African culture if a bunch of Irish people started going to Nigeria too. Why do you have to automatically assume I'm racist. I said nothing of the like. Obviously that means the idea of racism is a little too present in your mind, ad it's quite evident that you're trying to be politically correct and open-minded but are utterly failing in doing so, and making yourself look like a complete idiot in the process.
bodrhan bliss- I wouldn't make such quick assumptions, I lived in County Westmeath before moving out here to California when I was 10. I went up to Belfast every weekend because my grandfather lived there you fecking twit.
I'm sure you'll have a great time, Zina. You'll be swamped with music don't worry about that. And you get to go to....Gundagai!!
That'll be bit different to HK!
Your opinion is racist, regardless of where you were born, and I'm sorry you can't see that. If it wasn't racist, why would anyone have bothered to attack you?
Sounds great to me, DD -- the snakes and the giant spiders here are really getting me down. I know Oz has them too, but not in Sydney and Gundegai...right? Um....right?! ;)
Too bad i won't be around for the Running of the Sheep a week or two later. See ya then, looking forward to some tunes, you'll be there, yeah?
So if I said that it's sad so many Irish people are moving to Nigeria because it's destroying Nigerian culture, that would be racist too? (Hypothetically speaking of course.)
What makes you think adding a "foreign element" to any culture going to destroy it? Did having the Irish in the US destroy American culture? Did having the Irish in England destroy English culture? Did having the Irish in Wales destroy Welsh culture?
Fitzpatrick, I'm willing to give you the benefit of the doubt, but your initial post randomly segued to lamenting the influence of Poles, blacks and Chinese completely out of context from Nate Ryan's original post. You must admit it read rather suspiciously. If you're simply worried about the demise of the irish culture as you perceive it, well, I'm sure the Gaels said the same thing when the Celts invaded, and later when the Vikings invaded, and later when the Normans invaded, and again when the English, etc etc. It's the ebb and flow of humanity. Either way, you'll be fine - no reason to worry. If the guy sitting next to you at the next session you go to has the last name Kzyzchwski, who cares?
Ahm, no, Zina. Sydney and the bush (Gundagai's in the "bush") both have their fair share of spiders and snakes.
Don't be getting a phobia about them though, you'll probably not see any. Anyway, snakes do their best to stay out of people's way - unless of course people try to belt them with a shovel or something silly like that.
Don't worry at all, you won't have to be beating off spiders and snakes at sessions!
I haven't been to the Gundagai fest yet, but I might go this year. I'm half way there anyway, so it's a nice country drive.
Zina Lee- You are POSSIBLY more stupid than I had originally thought. You do realize Irish and Welsh culture a little bit more similar than Irish and Nigerian/Chinese right?
Well, thank the good God for that, DD. We have a 5' snake that keeps freaking out the family dog (we're housesitting) at night by hanging out on the doorstep, which is either a rat snake (fine) or a cobra (not so fine). I'm good with not seeing them.
Be sure to be in Gundagai on the Saturday. Brides and I are planning on celebrating our birthday in whatever pub is brave enough to take us on. (Which makes it sound like I can keep up with Brides on the pints. No. Way. )
When the "Native Americans" first came to America, they didn't just pack up there stuff and move from Beijing to Los Angeles. It was years and years of constant immigration from areas as south as Thailand and as north as Siberia. They most likely crossed the Bering Straight (though there is much evidence that many actually came from islands in the Pacific), and afterwards had 10,000 years of evolution on their side.
To answer your question, no you're not Chinese-American.
Please don't be racist, as Chinese are not the only nationality in Asia. Thank you.
It's far more likely, Zina, that you might hit a kangaroo or a wombat in your car - in country areas that is.That's not much fun for any of the parties.
Wombats are nuggety little critters about the size of a moderate sized pig which live in burrows and come out at night
and run out in front of cars - they like doing that
They tend to wipe out the front end of your car if you hit them - as well as themselves obviously. Same thing with kangaroos, although they jump around a bit and you don't know where they're going to end up. Hopefully not in your passenger seat!
You honestly mean to tell me that if Ireland became flooded with Chinese, and the Chinese outgrew the Irish, and the Irish eventually disappeared completely from the island, this would not destroy Irish culture? I'm sorry but I cannot believe that Irish culture would be preserved in a situation like this.
Awwww, that's so sad. Although I did read recently about that woman who got attacked by the kangaroo and was saved by her son's dog. I'll have to watch out for it. Anyway, hope to see you there!
Fitzpatrick, regardless of "politically correct names" (which I don't really give much of a toss about), I am an American of Chinese descent. I think I have the idea that there are many more nationalities in this area of the world, thanks, I've noticed. Your little attempts at trying to change the subject are tiring, as is your inability to grasp a point. I'm going away now. Do try to get a grip. You'll find your life much easier.
You made it sound like you were Native-American... Whatever, it's easier for you to say it doesn't destroy Irish culture considering you're not even Irish. I don't know why I'm even sitting here wasting my time arguing with any of you. I guess I just have a bad temper... Sorry guys, I'm really not that bad of a person, but I can't help myself when it comes to this topic as I said above. I'm sorry.
I heard that the woman got into an "altercation" with the kangaroo - they box and kick. Sounds amusing but the person is probably lucky they didn't get seriously injured, although I heard she was in hospital.
Oh sorry - I totally thought that that idiot was irish - but he is an American -Irish...that makes it even more hilarous you twit - you bloody immigrated your self....haaarrrhaaarrr. Doesnt matter where your from or what you do...I know heaps of people who are sh*t hot players who are not irish.....god...how lame...its funny - you say you moved to America when you were 10?? But you sound as if you are actually 10 now..no??
Zeens - hate to point this out but sydney is home to the most posinous spider in the world. Although having said that - I havent seen one in about 10 years
We got talking to quite a few people from the North of England who had moved to Clare, expecting to be able to carry on their previous business online.
They hadn't bargained for the ups and downs of the broadband/ telephone/ transport/ infrastructure/ banking systems in place (or not) out in the sticks.
Things we take for granted aren't as straightfoward.
Somehow children playing 'Cowboys and Native Americans' hasn't quite got the same ring to it. What's next I wonder? Maybe a couple of reels like ''The Jolly Traveller 'and 'The Yellow Traveller'.
I assume Nate that if you take Fitz as a typical Irish person you will emigrate to Iraq instead.
Fitz's immediate family appear to have emigrated twice, once from the North top the South of Ireland, and then to the USA, destroying culture in his wake.
On his guitar thread I did say Fitz would be disappointed when he discovers what traditional music is. He knows as much about Ireland and Irish culture as I do about nuclear physics, in short nowt.
He wants an all American guitar, no dirty Asian stuff for him, has a problem with Chinese, black people, Muslims, and indeed all non-Americans.
Then he claims to be Irish. And his grand father lives in Belfast so he knows everything about the North.
I can forgive ignorence, pity stupidity, but I have no time for naked "red neck" racism, and I could be insulting red necks here.
Hear, hear, Bliss. Could hardly have put it better myself. Stay away from here, nobody with a shred of common decency or social conscience has any time for your type. Try the BNP, they sound right up your street.
naked red neck racism... sounds like this guy has 5 strings on his banjo
I'm a proud Irish citizen living and working in Canada (guess that makes me an immigrant), using my accent and my collection of whistles to destroy Canadian culture from St. John's to Victoria...
Way back when, when coal mining was just getting started in Appalachia, the mines were full of immigrants. They were also often not very well educated. They were often Irish. The Irish immigrants decided to unionize and the mine owners fought back.
The mine owners formed there own private armies to fight these new found unions. And a little known battle was fought. I believe it was in Pennsylvania but I could be wrong. It may have been Kentucky. ANYWAY, the unionized workers who fought in these battles wore red bandanas around their necks and were called "rednecks".
Only later did the meaning of what a redneck was become twisted into meaning "a poor uneducated... whatever"
In summary, just so ya'll now. The original rednecks were IRISH. Yeah, there were some Scots in there too.
Fascinating, Fishmonger. I didn't know that origin of the word. I just looked it up on wiki..
"The "Celtic Thesis" of Forrest McDonald and Grady McWhiney holds that they were basically Celtic (as opposed to Anglo-Saxon), and that all Celtic groups (Irish, Scottish, Welsh and others) were warlike herdsmen, in contrast to the peaceful farmers who predominated in England. U.S. Senator James H. Webb of Virginia uses this thesis in his book Born Fighting to suggest that the character traits of the Irish and Scots — loyalty to kin, mistrust of governmental authority, and military readiness — helped shape the American identity. According to Webb, these people characterized as "rednecks" and "crackers", were unwelcome in the "civilized" coastal regions and were encouraged by colonial leaders to settle the Appalachian mountains, as a bulwark against the Indian Nations.[4] Although sometimes hostile to the Indians, they found much in common with them and engaged in trade and cultural exchanges. In the Appalachians they also encountered pockets of Melungeons, English-speaking people of mixed racial origins (black, white and Native American), whom they traded with and tolerated. Over time, they intermarried with Britons from the West Country of England and Wales, other people with Celtic origins, and absorbed members of other groups through the bonds of kinship."
The term Redneck is sometimes used in the UK with the same meaning as in the US, but more commonly used, is the term Pikey, originally used to stereotype travelers but more recently it is used to describe working-class white people (assumptions about they are of Irish or Scottish descent) from rural areas. The type of people that are considered Pikeys often bear similarities to American Rednecks. "Pikey" is sometimes considered offensive, but many now see it as the title of pride.
In Scotland, the term "teuchter" (pronounced chew-ch-ter with the middle 'ch' sounding as the Scottish word loch) is used, mainly pejoratively, by lowlanders in reference to their highland cousins, who they often view as rural or backwards.
Poor blighters over there just keep getting it in the neck century after century seems like. For the life of me, I don't know why all these good people don't just leave all that sh*te behind and migrate to Australia the easy way where you're just treated pretty much for who you are - not what you are, or where you're from or what *class* you are. This is the land where plumbers, brickies (bricklayers), any sort of tradie people earn a fortune, have very nice houses, whatever car they want, and seem to be forever taking holidays on the Pacific Islands in 5 star resorts.
Is it really that good over there that people want to stay!!??
I saw that a town in Tasmania (which is about the size of Ireland, and the same sort of climate, but milder) is doing up houses and offering them at $1 rental to attract people to the town.
Hellooooo!!!
There are probably towns numbering in the hundreds across Australia in exactly the same situation. Never mind cultural preservation - there won't be any culture at all in places like this in a few years because there won't be anyone left there at all!!
... oh! Just catching up from the start of this thread. How did I miss it. Around here Dubh, you are just as likely to run inta a cow or a camel as a kangaroo (but definitely not a wombat) and they all do as much damage ... its a long long way to where the dog sits on the tuckerbox nine miles from Gundagai, sigh! Heavens, Turning Wave's going to be the Festival of the century ... yay! How many other thesession.orgers are going to be there, I wonder. Wow!
Will it be your first visit to Oz, Zina?
Sorry for the hyper ... but to get back to the snake bisso, I not long ago had eight little Western Browns removed from me front yard, and me dog had a tiny one in her mouth in the back (didn't bite her luckily at $5,000 for the miracle antidote fer dogs) ... but the adult female Western Brown was seen but not found, so is still lieing around here somewhere ... so, follow me lead and take care, that's all. Then the bluudy job of a lifetime has just come to light that might put paid to Turning Wave anyway. OOOooo ... and a friend here was thinking about investing in property in Tassy. A lovely house, going for a song in a beautiful area overlooking the sea ... its just that, well, Tassy is cold and wet if yer used to the hot and dry ... and Duijera, the population of this town is slightly less than in 1970's and people are coming and going all the time. Hardly anyone ever STAYS!!! fer life. ... and was it this thread, or another, but we've just had a death near one of the town camps and the adult guy (aged 26) was either killed or partially eaten after he died by a pack of dogs ... we got plenty of 'em running amuck around the place. The kids found the body on the way to school. Yuck!
No wombats out your way?? Didn't know that.
The guy eaten by the dogs wasn't a sessioner on the way home after the pub eh?
For scenery plus good value on property New Zealand would be hard to go past. "Lord of the Rings" type uninterupted views for a very low price. Good trad scene there as well, although the place isn't as small as might be thought and a bit of travel involved - nothing like what you're looking at though.
... what session? ... he might'a been drunk! Who knows? Yet! He was well eaten. He was an immigrant from South Australia. The family of the camp kids who found him left flowers and a string of rosary beads at the spot as a mark of respect. There's an argument about who will foot the bill to send his body home.
... yeahr, that's why they filmed the Hill at Bag End scenes in NZ ... beautiful green country. I'm not ready to leave here yet ... but I'll keep NZ in mind IF and when I decide to (but I might prefer immigrating to Ireland instead).
Tasmania sounds rather nice. But is it infested with malignant fauna slathering venom like the rest of Australia seems to be, not to mention crocodiles and man-eating dingo packs? If so, I may forgo that $1 house in the forest.
I don't know Duijera. Haven't gone to see ... but some rednecks are all fired up to shoot anything that moves around there ... so I'm keeping well away.
Nah, tassie is pretty good as far as dangerous things are concerned. Crocs are only in the top end of Australia as are box jellyfish. Thank god -I just dont think I could take it if they were down this far!
... Nicholas they hunted the Tassy Tigers to extinction (I hope not, but officially anyway).
I take offense that we, on the mainland, seem "infested with malignant fauna slathering venom"
... but I might have had a serious infestation by the summer . Hopefully that has been forstalled! Hey, even the venomous ones have a purpose you know, like keeping the mice down, etc. You just have to be aware, that's all ... and as soon as the adult female shows up again the snakeman will come and remove it - phew!
... and here was me thinking that Iguanas were pretty harmless marine lizards ... did you know they were an old AZTEC delicacy along with green ants - yuck!
I'd rather have mice than venomous beasties - i am not a very good australian I fear - I still scream when I see a redback. Did you know that a funnel web spider has enough venom to kill 300 adult humans...I mean heck, why on earth do they need such poisonous venom. Apparently scientist cant work out why they are so venomous either.....shudder.
Nicholas, you've got to be kidding!! LOL.
Maybe not. That seems to be the reaction of most people in England and Ireland (and maybe everyone else as well) about venomous things in Australia - they FREAK OUT...LOOK OUT...THERE'S A....SPIDER!!...RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!
I am used to the funnel webs in our neck of the woods (sorry about the redneck-sounding phraseology). They are pretty slow moving (unless you step on one of course, in which case you won't have to worry for much longer after that anyway). Just don't walk around on the lawn at night without shoes on and don't go poking around in holes in the ground and you should be pretty right.
The c a n e t o a d s are coming though....eeeiuuuu...ugly big slimey frogs that spit at you and blind you...before they EAT you.
Mooo00hahahaaa!
Now - who'd like to migrate to Australia. Hmmm? (There's a quick way to do it you know, but it's a well-kept secret).
Had to laugh recently - saw a warning given to truffle growers in Oz (growing truffles is a big growth industry here now), to be careful of snakes when putting your hand in to collect your truffles.
"OH, look door, we've got a really big truffle here this year...ah sorry...it's a tiger snake." Cark.
Did anyone see the Gruen transfer the other night? they had to make advertisments about 'Why not to come to Australia' - quite funny really, specially the part where the add said that if you were murdered then noone would ever find your body......
You CAN get used to living with the world's most venomous creatures on the doorstep. I used to be a big Pommy wuss on first arrival in Oz but now - redbacks in the garden? Bring 'em on...
... heavens, you lot are keeping me from my puppying duties. I was just sitting at the computer reading thesess when in one came (when it should have been safely penned outside - so out I rush - mass escape again!). I've just spent the last month or so up to me ears in bluudy puppy poos ... washin' and cleanin' and finding good homes fer them. I told everyone (really lovely people carefully vetted before their puppy was promised to them) - they'll be ready to take next weekend - now I can't reliably keep 'em from the exciting big wide world of the backyard (and possibly that bluudy snake) and me laundry is getting too small for keeping them in at night. I'm pooed out! If I never see another soiled newspaper I'll be happy. Yuck! Hope three are going sometime this weekend or I'll be up to me eyes in mook by next weekend and gurglin' pooy bubbles as well as going totally bananas. Yikes! clear drops runs away madly pulling out her hair and shrieking a la bb coming across a redback, ends up in a yella taxi trussed up in white overalls with llllllllllllong long sleeves. Just kidding
Gawd bb, how maudlin! No, I didn't ... but they never did find Peter Falconio or baby Azaria Chamberlain either! ... that's just from around here.
It's a bit ironic isn't it - the country that created a worldwide empire, now most of 'em are too scared to migrate to a really great, developed, first-world country - because there might be spiders there. LOL!
You know, clog, if the venomous creatures are on the doorstep, they probably just want to come in and sit by the fire and have a beer!
And Nicholas, the $1 a week town is just 45kms from Hobart the State capital. Here's a picture - look familiar? Nice looking forest isn't it. You know, Tassie had a lot of English immigration traditionally, not a lot of others, so you'd probably get on like a house on fire with the locals. (Sorry about the analogy.)
But there's nothing better than putting the wind up our Pommy friends with a few good spider and snake stories...and we shouldn't forget the drop bears....(better be careful here someone might accuse me of a racist turn using the word Pom - does it help that I used to be one?)
clog, do you really think the spider, snake stuff really puts the wind up them, or are they having us on?
I mean, they drink warm beer (and tell us it's cold), so anything is possible I guess.
"The state of Tasmania includes the island of Tasmania and other surrounding islands. Tasmania has an estimated population of 494,520 (March 2008)[3] and an area of 68,401 square kilometres (26,410 sq mi)." - wiki.
population of 494,520 and almost exactly the same land size as Ireland. It'a a joke isn't it!
And here they are whinging about immigration over there!
Oh yes, it sure does. The first time I saw a diamond back python I ran for my life! Unfortunately I was running towards its hole under a fence post and I had to scamble up the post to get out of its way. Fortunately there are no photos.
I have redbacks in my garden. I know where they live, I don't put poison down and generally wear gloves when gardening (although I can be a bit kamikazi-like if I'm feeling particularly ah-what-the..). I have sensed a reluctance to go into the garden from some of my recent O/S visitors if I tell them about the critters ...they don't like to sit on the bare rocks...and they look pretty gingerly at the garden chairs....to bring this back to music we do like to sing a bit in the garden near the spidery space.
They stick to one spidery space? When I first moved into this house it was summer (right near the city) and the whole backyard was overrun with redbacks, they were massive and everywhere and the mummy's all had babies - soooo gross. I had to get the flick man and then I had spider nightmares for months....ugghh. I hate spiders...and snakes...and crocs...and jellyfish..and sharks....and canetoads...and everything else gross we have here.. But I do *love* kangaroos...they are by far the tastiest animal we have
So here you both were, the python and yourself both running for your lives towards the python's hole. That's what usually happens isn't it.
Best to let the snake do the running. Unless it's a tiger snake that is, which has got really p*ssd off, and is coming for you.
You can run then.
You could sing this along with your UK visitors, in the spidery space near the garden. That should calm them down.
Lyrics:
Redback on the toilet seat (Lyrics/Famed aussie poem)
There was a redback on the toilet seat,
When I was there last night.
I didn't see him in the dark,
But boy I felt his bite.
I jumped up high into the air,
And when I hit the ground.
That crafty redback spider,
Wasn't nowhere to be found.
I rushed into the mrs,
Told her just where I'd been bit.
And she grabbed my cutthroat razor,
And I nearly took a fit.
I said 'Forget what's on your mind,
And call a doctor please.
For I've got a feeling that your cure,
Is worse than the disease.'
There was a redback on the toilet seat,
When I was there last night.
I didn't see him in the dark,
But boy I felt his bite.
And now I'm here in hospital,
A sad and sorry plight.
And I curse the redback spider,
On the toilet seat last night.
I can't lie down, I cant' sit up I don't know what to do.
The nurses think it's funny but that's not my point of view.
I tell you it's embarrasing and that's to say the least,
For I'm too sick to eat a bite,
While the spider had a feast.
And when I get back home again, I'll tell you what I'll do.
I'll make that Redback suffer for the pain I'm going through.
I've had so many needles, I'm looking like a siv.
I promise you that redback hasn't very long to live.
There was a redback on the toilet seat,
When I was there last night.
I didn't see him in the dark,
But boy I felt his bite.
And now I'm here in hospital,
A sad and sorry plight.
And I curse the redback spider,
On the toilet seat last night.
When bb says she got the flick man - that's the trade we have in Australia where the guy shows up and just flicks all those pesky spiders off your shoulder and your dinner plate for you.
There's a lot of spiders, so it's a full time job for him while you get on with your dinner and chores. It's an expensive trademan to have in.
DD, I find myself humming that tune from time to time but can't yet play it on the melodeon. I only heard about the standing still business AFTER the incident with the python. My dear Aussie friends were watching in amazement - then they told me. This was a very long time ago mind.
clog, are you humming The Pub with no Beer, it's a similar tune.
Mind, it'll be the Pub with no Punters in Tassie the way things are going. Last out, turn out the lights!
... hey clogstepping, my snake story isn't a story - it happened and isn't resolved yet! Wouldn't want it to put off anyone wantin' to be immigrating here ... and people do ... from all over the place (for a while at least). Recon in many ways it might beat cities like Melbourne and Sydney for opportunities if you're willing to chance it. I for one wouldn't have a house with a fair size yard, me car, were I to be in the bigsmoke, and the tradespeople make a killing - more work than they can possibly handle. Pick and choose the best paying jobs. Lots of monopolies (including the veterinary surgery and the music shop). That's the thing, you can make a killing, then go settle where you want to when you have put in the work. I suppose its the same in all the smaller places around the world ... its just that ... oh well! Now they want to dump us with a uranium mine next to the town water supply (because ... well nobody lives out here), and sure we've got snakes and redback spiders and some social issues, but where in the world is there a place that doesn't? You just decide what you can hack and what you can't, weigh the pros and cons, and then either go or stay. Simple.
Its nice to see you weren't of the whinging variety clogstepping. Good on ya! ... and I've got a couple of trees that might contain dropbears ... but Tassy is a much more likely place for them seeing as trees are a bit scarce here once you get outside town. Watch out for them dropbears, hey!
Clear Drops, no I'm not a WP. I like it here. No taipan, tiger snake, trapdoor spider, funnelweb, redback, blue ringed octopus, box jelly fish, brown snake, great white pointer or big toothy shark could make me leave this big sky land.
Camel is nicer than roo IMHO. Not nearly as overpowering smelly. That's why its me dogfood of choice. Smells really nice while cooking (whereas roo pongs). Last time I had roo, it wouldn't have mattered if there was a redback on the toilet seat, I'd have had to sit on it anyway. Pooh! I found 'em once in the handles of my filing cabinet, just glanced over and saw them, really big ones, so now I do my own regular flick, so even the cockroaches come in the house to turn over and DIE!!! Devilish emoticon! What a delightful little ditty DD. You lot have brightened up an already sunny Sunday ... thank you.
You saw them in the handles of your filing cabinet - what, the roos or the poohs?
Never mind. Can you send me some camel steaks in an overnight express bag for my cat. It's a bloody siamese and chases blowflies everywhere and eats them. No kidding. Bloody thing's become addicted to them now and I need to try to wean it off them.
Sunny isn't the word out there really is it, clear.
Me dog, Sasha, has a couple of addictions: toys, lizards, cockroaches, chases flies too. Hates them. Tracks 'em down on the ceiling and watches them till they come within reach, then she pounces. Good protein. I tell her she's good when she gets them.
... but me puppies have been for their run while you've been chatting and they've done the big crash now till I put them inside. They're tired and wet and dirty, but boy have they had fun.
Yep, the roo was dehinged fer sure, but once it happens to you it puts you off ... and as I say, camel is the tastier meat anyhow ...
but but but DD ... our express doesn't even go EVERY day - can you believe that one? ... so it isn't overnight to anywhere! or I'd do it for yer little kittycat. Why don't you try a really expensive tin of red salmon? Tee hee hee hee.
It's got to be the ultimate irony hasn't it? - Ireland lost millions of its people to emigration because of famine, poverty and lack of opportunity (often to survive, let alone prosper), the people who it couldn't keep now prosper in new world countries, while Ireland is an immigration destination for what will be millions of others from other old world countries.
Bit like musical chairs isn't it.
The world's just too ridiculous to live in sometimes isn't it.
Do the crocks, dingos, spiders, bluerings, and snakes function as limiters of the human population in your country? Does Australia need transfusions of people every so often to make up for all the depredations by the lethal fauna?
... only one or two snake deaths per year around here. People usually survive now-a-days if they get the magic antidote in time ... and we've got the Flying Doctor Service. Redbacks don't tend to KILL you if you are adult and healthy (just hurt a lot), and the only croc around these parts is Terry in the Reptile House. More deaths on the roads (tourists in hired 4-w-d's who don't know how to drive on unsealed roads) than anything predatory (like the guy eaten by dogs) and there are some unmarked mine shafts claim a few unwary. It isn't like the olden days ... so ... its pretty safe really ... and communications are really good ... we've got broadband, unlike some other of the Aussies not too far from Sydney ... and there's always something on to keep yourselves entertained ... just not Irish Trad, that's all. If you play guitar and sing you'd get gigs gallor I recon. I fer one wouldn't knock it. ... but we do get regular transfusions of Americans to the "spy" base ... they come and go willy nilly. Spend big, enjoy themselves and usually make it back to US okay.
Nah, quigley, there's plenty of shooters out there, they shoot up the snakes, dingos and crocs, and others tune up spiders and snakes with shovels. I think crocs are protected now though, so there's millions of them across the top of Australia where they feast on unsuspecting tourists swimming in croc waterholes. Some people never learn do they.
Glad to hear it. Here was I with this image of a sort of Australian version of "All Quiet On The Western Front", where there is no adequate basic training for the awfull business but the thing itself; and the old veterans look very boubtfully upon the new recruits.
We also lose a few tourists in the surf every year. Big surf here, with those rollers coming across the Pacific and many of our visitors have never swum in a proper ocean.
They still look doubtfully on the new recruits I think, quigley.
Yes, tourists, those two red and yellow flags on Australian beaches mean you swim *between* those flags - not *outside* them. Outside them, you have *rips* which will take you out into the ocean no matter how much you swim against them, which means that one of the lifesavers has to get on a board or a jet ski and come and fish you out - if they can get to you before you drown. And don't go surfing with a gutful of beer either, it doesn't taste nice when you vomit it up with salt water just before you go under.
I look doubtfully on our UK friends sitting on Manly beach at midday on really hot midsummer days in December and January, drinking cans of beer. You know who they are, they are the really red ones with reindeer antlers on and carring St George flags. I often wonder if they make it back home alive what they put themselves through.
Ah yes, your land is girt by sea. The California coast has it's dangers, but it lacks blue ring octopi. Blue ring octopi are beyond the beyonds. I go over to our coast from time to time to look at the Pacific, but I won't go in it. So all you old veterans go over to your coast to watch the tourists come to grief.
A blue ring octopus doing angry is a sight to behold. We do try to look after our tourists. They can be quite generous to buskers and I guess there's a few of us that have done a bit of that in Sydney in years past.
My Irish friends used to go to the beach and rub olive oil in their skin and then sunbake. All the locals were horrified, we wear 30+ sunblock, hats and long sleeves. And then when I lived in Ireland there was a news report about how skin Cancer had risen by 4000%.......hmmmm
Myself, I'm complected all wrong for the California beach life style. Mightn't most Australians of Irish/English ancestry have much the same complexion disqualification for the the beach scene? It's enough to be fully dressed outdoors, inland.
bb I'm not in Sydney but busked (Morris dancing) there many times, hundreds of years ago. I think I have a fair few years on you so our paths may not have crossed unless we bumped into each other in the Coopers tent at the last National. I still dance Morris, am learning melodeon, picking up flute again after many years, working on my stepclogging and play bodhran in sessions. I learnt music theory as a kid learning flute, which is how I know the dots. OK OK another Morris dancing bodhran player. I claim Bodhran Bliss as my role model. I hope he doesn't mind.
Coconut oil used to be the go, not olive oil. Bloody Europeans! Everyone would rub coconut oil in and smell like coconuts. It was considered very cool. Unfortunately it fried everyone to smithereens and probably caused a huge skin cancer rate. In those days though there was actually an ozone layer in the atmosphere so we got some protection despite our own actions. Not like today.
It is frightening to see the very light skinned tourists on the beach doing that today. They have no idea apparently. It's a bit like watching a side of roast beef from the butcher shop basting itself and then hopping into the oven. Mmm, nice and warm!
Great wasn't it. You could get various grades of it, from light to dark oil. Remember? Everyone wanted the dark oil because it was supposed to make you go a really cool shade of brown.
We used to get so brown it was unbelievable. Some poor sods though had very fair skin and it didn't matter how sunburned they got, they didn't go brown, just peeled off layer after layer of skin until they were this bleeding red agonising state. oooooo! So painful.
I haven't had any skin cancers yet, which I cannot believe because I used to be very dark because of the tanning as a young guy.
Nothing like the smell of coconut oil in the crowded milk bar with the sandy tiled floor while you'd be lining up for your fish and chips (or dare I say, *chico rolls*!!!!) for lunch while you were on the Rio-type white beaches for school holidays from 7.30am to 7.30pm day after day. Those were the days.
What did they do in England on school holidays?
Our evening is cooling off, and it's past bed time here. So help me, last night I dreamt some Australian was telling me how an entire family of homesteaders in 'such 'n such' were wiped out. The dream voice went on to say that " The red backs got 'em" Good night everyone.
Duij I spent my summers in Torquay. Your description brought it all back!! But the poor Victorian coast isn't the same any more - it's glass and concrete condo-land...
Torquay. Geez that sounds so "the beach resort you have when you don't have a beach resort". Just joking. Is that a sand beach or a pebble beach, or some type of black stuff?
I *bet* you're glad you live in Oz!
Thank God for that. I was feeling very sympathetic for your about the UK Torquay.
Nothing like high rise developments to completely ruin a beach is there?
These days, I like to go here for a beach. Just a few private homes and not a high-rise in sight. Those swimmers in the waves are dolphins not body-surfers by the way. Sorry about the ridiculously long link, but I think it works:
When you walk on that sand it makes you smile, you cannot help it. It is better than a foot massage. If the sand doesn't do it, then when you gaze down the uncrowded beach for literally miles, with that pinkish hue the sand has when the sun reflects off it at certain times of the day, and the torquoise crystal clear water and that steady beautiful breeze on a perfect cloudless day, you feel like you are in a different universe or something, certainly you feel very much a part of your surroundings. Unbelievable.
So you're a diver too? How about the sharks in JB, do you see many? I guess if there's dolphins around you'd be pretty safe eh?
No, I'm not a diver! I wish - it would do wonders for my mustard board profile. I've just spent a bit of time looking at biodiversity issues and JB is one of the world's biodiversity hot spots because of the particular conditions - it's a transition zone between temperate and tropical climates, which is reflected in the ocean currents.
And it's totally protected too which is a huge bonus. It won't get spoiled by greedy developers, although there's always a rearguard action going on by the locals there.
That's what Sydney Harbour would have looked like when the poms arrived. Now look at it!!
And it's gone from the original post about immigrating to Ireland to racism to wombats, roos, and spiders.
A couple things:
About Melungeons, they were NOT English-speaking when first enountered by the English when they began exploring Appalachia. They were speaking a language incomprehesible to the English and Natve Americans alike.
And about them being a "mixed race", this is a fallacy based simply on the colour of their skin. DNA testing has revealed that they have virtually no Native American or African blood, but are in fact Mediterranean stock.
This tallies with the religion they were obvserved practicing at initial contact with the English, which had certain vague similarities to Roman Catholicism.
Just how they got to Appalachia is still unknown, but their DNA plus the name they call themselves (Portagee) suggests that they came from the Iberian peninsula. There's a Spanish ship with a largely Portugese crew lost off the coast of Florida or Georgia that may explain it.
About immigration in general, I'm in Southern California, which is "ground zero" for illegal immigration.
We have a fairly large city here- Santa Ana, probably around 50,000 to 70,000 population, that's around 90% Spanish speaking.
US citizens (white, black, asian, and even hispanic) are often heard throwing around the same sorts of accusations that were levelled against the Irish immigrants in the 19th century.
But I need to correct the notion that the English language is in danger of disappearing here.
A study revealed that well over 90% of the children of Spanish-speaking immigrants learnt English, and that around 90% of THEIR children speak no Spanish.
So, when you hear Spanish spoken, see all the Spanish street signs and TV and radio, realise that this is catering to the actual immigrants and their children only, and that if the wave of illegal immigration was somehow stopped Spanish would disappear in a generation or two.
Also these "English-only" laws that are being proposed are absurd. You can't legislate what people speak. Language is a matter of practicality and convenience. When speaking English is more useful than speaking Spanish they'll speak English without the help of legislation.
Good morning Mr. Cook Sir. Melungeons!!? That' a new one on me. It's plausible. I know very little about Apalachia, so pardon my ignorance. My mother's side of the family featured backwoods people from what is now West Virginia. Their stories were mostly about deadly encounters with native war parties. Could your Portuguese have been taken into the mountains as captives?
This is all the vapor of conjecture but here goes: A crew of Portuguese sailors become stranded on the coast of Florida, are captured by local tribespeople - or marrauding uplanders - possibly sold to uplanders, chivied at club-point into the mountains by their new masters who begin falling down dead from European microbes. They get their freedom this way; and considerable isolation too, as the locals would equate them with bad medicine for a long time afterward. I still can't figure out how they aquired wives, if the locals wouldn't go near 'em. Violent abduction maybe?
In Arkansas, we have plenty of poisonous spiders as well as various poisonous snakes. Then there are the alligators in the southeastern part of this state.
I guess I should also mention that a typical summer here usually includes two or three months of hot and humid weather with many days when the high temperature is either close to one hundred degrees (Fahrenheit) or slightly higher. The humidity is almost as high or even higher.
The nearest beach to us is on the Gulf of Mexico and it takes at least nine hours to drive there from here.
Oooooo please, let me join the I love Jervis Bay brigade. I worked as family near there (when I was young) with horses on a dairy farm on the Sholhaven River six monts over two years before I went to Ireland, but there (used to be, at least) a Navy gun range and when they were firing it could be a tad noisy, and also Navy jets flying low overhead, not to mention the (so far thwarted) plans for a nuclear power station. I mean, heavens, its such a beautiful place, yet it seems its prime target for anything to spoil it ... and the turtles ... and the rainforests ... and the botanical gardens ... and the lighthouse ... and ... oh well, its just beautiful.
PS: fauxcelt, not being competative or anything, but I've driven through 46 degrees in northern South Australia one Christmas hols, and we're 15 hours drive min from the nearest beach ... but humidity, what's that? Best clothes drying in Oz I recon.
hmmm- I found the bugs awful in the US - big massive ones the size of a little bird with pincers. I later found out they were dobson flies. Errgghh. We named our 'Ned the bird bug' cause he was as big as a bird.
scroll down a bit to see a pic of one almost the size of the guys hand!
You Australians keep the strangest hours! Hmmm, 15 minutes from ten beaches...foreign tourists drowning in the surf every day...let me do the math... the daily haul of unclaimed personal effects must be staggering. Just kidding. I hope when y'all get back from your Gundagai trip, someone among you writes a full account for all of us on the other side of the world. I'd love it. Time to turn in. All the best.
I've always wanted to go to 90 Mile Beach in Victoria (it's not just a name, it's really about that long.) There'd be no one on it most of the time! Awesome; but there are heaps of them like that - like thousands of miles of them. I actually think you could walk the entire east coast of Australia north to south along beaches the whole way - except for having to cross the rivers. Same with Western Australia I believe.
I've been to some nice beaches during my time in Oz. Even the ones people use for rioting aren't that bad. But not one of them even comes close to being as good as Bamburgh beach. Youse just haven't got the cool castles, and never will have...
Sems kinda out of place to me to have castles on Australian beaches. Just doesn't seem to go together in a new world country. Never would be accepted anyway, never was. The only one that I ever knew of, a "castle style" private residence built by a politician back in the late 1800's was demolished in 1939 to make way for a huge block of public housing apartments which are still on the site to this day.
Then again, here's a pretty imposing example of a castle style building overlooking the 20 or so northern beaches of Sydney. Absolutely spectacular view from there, as if the building itself isn't spectacular enough. Built in the 1880s, now an international hotel school.
Dow - stop it now. Youre the one who chose to live here. Not Bamburgh.....We all know that you love Australia and think its beautiful...you can stop playing the devils advocate now
Ok, Dow, I haven't been there, and it does look nice from the photos. I hope you are enjoying it there, I am sure you will.
It is a far different proposition from Sydney town I'm sure. All the best anyway.
I wasn't trying to be competitive, Clear Drops. Instead, I was merely trying to contribute to the discussion. However, I did forget to mention all of the stinging insects (yellowjackets, hornets, wasps, etc.) which we have here in Arkansas in greater abundance than we like.
Since some of the Australian members were talking about life in Australia, I just wanted to include some comments about life here in Arkansas, bb Cruella de vil, in case anyone is stupid enough to want to move here (he said sarcastically). Seriously, though, after traveling through and/or visiting most of the other states here in the U.S., I don't think I am any better or worse off living here in Arkansas than I would be in another state.
And, speaking of traveling to other states, one state which we have visited frequently is Texas because both my wife and myself have relatives living in Texas. When we have gone to Texas to visit, we have driven to the coast at Galveston, Corpus Christi, and South Padre Island to go to the beach and enjoyed it.
fauxcelt, Are you still there? If you are, can you tell me about a method of fishing for catfish that is rumored to be practiced in your part of the country? I've only heard stories about this. It may be a tall tale, but the story has it that the guys catch the fish by sticking their fingers in the fish's mouth, then trowing the animal onto the stream bank.
Apart from that, all the beach boasting was good fun. Beaches are nice. Mountains and streams are more my favorites though. How is Australia for stream fishing? [Hunkers down resignedly for another round of beach comparisons]
I said I wasn't being competitive (oh, please don't take me wrong). I too am interested in what other places have to offer. Never been to the US. Isn't it incredible that cicadas are just about everywhere, whereever you go. There was this movie on the teev last night, can't recall what it was called, about two brothers who riled a mad trucky, somewhere around Saltlake City. I don't normally bother too much with the teev, but it was the landscape that grabbed me, and I thought the landscape they were driving through was kindda like round here, and they were driving several days with stopovers too. So yeah, I recon there are pros and cons for living anywhere ... but its Sunday lovely people and I've got friends coming for a late roast lunch so I have ta get cooking. OOOoo can smell it already. Why don't you all pop over and join us, hey. You'd be very welcome.
Sorry Atahualpa Quigley, no fishing around these parts ... only reliable above ground water is the sewage ponds and you wouldn't want to go fishing there.
There goes another cherished fantasy! Oh well, best to be rid of them once and for all. I expect the middle of Australia would be a lot like the great Salt Desert, but then even bigger. Death Valley, way out to our south-east would be a microcosm of West Australia, or even "The Big Red Center" as I've heard it called. What allways gets me is when looking at old pictures of swaggies tramping through the bush of what must be E Australia, or the southern parts, with the dead trees just standing there for miles; the scenes resemble pictures of 1914-1918 men in no-man's-land.
It is a rare woman who wants to talk about stream fishing. If you took a dim view of it as well, I could live with that. We needn't bring up the subject again. But if you or any other Australian were to tell me about fresh water fishing in Australia, I'd be over the moon! I wouldn't even interupt with reports of fishing in California.
Well - my family has a little cottage in the snowy mountains where you can get permits to fish in the freshwater dams, can catch a damn nice Rainbow trout. I love Rainbow trout - they are tastey. I'm not one for fishing myself...but I like eating the end result!
I'm trying really hard not to interrupt. It's a terrible struggle. California is lucky - blessed is the word - to feature the Sierra Nevada mountains. There, no more outbursts, no competitive mountain range boasting. Talk about streams in the Deviding Range. Have I got the name of the mountains right? The pictures I've seen of them look as if they might have taken in our Santa Cruz mountains. A lot of California looks as though it could be New South Wales, South Australia, or Victoria.
Yup, even managed to misspell 'dividing' Yup we have stands - not forests - of eucalitpus. There aren't enough of them to create a blue haze; but enough to perfume the wind from time to time.
I have never heard the story about people who catch catfish by sticking their fingers in the mouth of the catfish. It is as tall a tale as the story about the man who used a Razorback pig to shave his beard.
After visiting California about four or five times, I will tell you one of the things which I like about California is the beautiful scenery (and not just in the mountains).
I wasn't trying to be competitive, either, Clear Drops. Instead, I was trying to be half-serious, half-joking. When you are trying to communicate in writing (or typing), it is difficult to notice that someone has their tongue firmly planted in their cheek while you are reading what they have typed.
I have never seen the movie you mentioned but I have done something better than any movie which was driving on Interstate Eighty from Omaha, Nebraska to San Francisco, California. Salt Lake City is partway between Omaha and San Francisco.
I have tried fishing and I thought it was Boring. However, I do like to eat catfish when it has been cooked and prepared properly.
I agree wyogal. There are too many trucks on Interstate Eighty and most other highways in this country (not just the interstates). I think it is too bad that they can't use the railroads to ship freight as they used to do before I was born.
Who's up for some catfish and cornbread? I could go for some. Could any of us subsist on a steady diet of catfish and cornbread year in, and year out, until we dropped from pellagra? For a little while though, say for one week, it would be like mealtimes with Huck and Jim on the raft.
Fishing can be dead Boring. My father recommended fishing when one is very hungry; satiation depending on your skill and luck . No boredom then. Do Arkansas or Wyoming have water ouzels? Its worth a long hike just to passively stand there in a stream and watch those guys in action.
If so, I haven't noticed them. We are at a pretty high elevation here, over 5,000, and the mt.s are obviously much higher.
I don't like to fish, either, and all we catch is trout, anyways. I don't really like trout. I prefer walleye and perch.
That's O.K. They can stay off the other roads here. We like them rather empty!! We went over South Pass the other day, and when one is on 2 lane roads with only a few passing lanes, the build up of traffic, especially vacationers in big rigs, is a pain.
The Wyoming Sierra Madres are pretty cool, but horribly affected by the pine beetle this year.
Cross post. Cross post. Crosspost. Another thing my father said was that the fishing community must be aware of the sensibilities of the non-fishing community. No more remarks about fishing then.
In an attempt to make this conversation relevant to this forum, I can say that the mountains are a challenge to any wind instrument player. 6,500 is about the ceiling for my pipe set. You'd all have to be string players up there.
I love catfish and cornbread. Before we moved to Arkansas from Chicago, I didn't know you could make bread from corn. I thought you were supposed to eat corn on the cob instead of turning it into bread.
No, Arkansas doesn't have water ouzels; however, fishing is very popular here and the sale of fishing licenses brings in a lot of money for the state Game and Fish Commission.
Wyogal, I have driven all of the way across Wyoming on Interstate Eighty and I want you to know that I enjoyed all of the scenery which I saw along the way.
How recent? There are hundreds and hundreds of giant wind turbines around Elk Mt. Good place for them, lots of wind. it's been a good year for water, the desert is still green in many places.
O.K., make it relevant... hmmm... One can listen to alot of ITM while crossing Wyoming, hours and hours, and hours.
Sorry clogstepping, didn't mean to leave you out. Water ouzels are fist-sized birds, light blueish gray with brown chests. They fly just above the surface of a stream, then dive in. They swim underneath the water for amazingly long periods to go after water insects and larvae. They're fast swimmers too, upstream or down, as if they were little seals. I've only seen them in the Sierra.
I am tempted to ask.....Molasses? What are molasses? Girls with "Mo"?(whatever that is)
Seriously, though, I do know what molasses is but I don't think I have ever eaten any molasses.
One of the musicians whom I perform with at the monthly meetings of the old-time music society likes to sing a song about Arkansas Molasses.
My coffee is so good because I always like to add three spoonfuls of cocoa to my coffee.
Thank you for telling us what water ouzels are.
What are you all smoking?
I just had a quick look and saw water ouzels, catfish, cornbread and molasses...(btw, molasses are what moles sit on)
...I'm down here in FL where I've been for 17 years except for brief visits back to Tipp and London. Time for a move.
Question: If you were about to retire, could legally live anywhere in US or EU, with ample pensions but not a huge pile of cash....where would you go? Must have access to good music.
We lived in East Yorkshire for 6 years, and loved it.
I lived in W Yorks for many years.
We might compromise, spending winters in FL and summers in Yorkshire and Tipp.
I like Northumberland too, although I would have to brush up on
the Geordie language.
Immigration Issues
Immigration Issues
While I'm not thinking about expatriating anytime soon, I was curious about something about immigration I read in the thread about no black players at sessions, and since there are people who live in Ireland here, I though who better to ask, so....
is there actually alot of immigration to Ireland these days? Do people have enough jobs, or are people comming over seen as just taking your jobs and are not really wanted around?
I don't know anything about immigrating. In my country, you just run like hell across the border and try and get as far north as you can.
I would love someday to live in County Tipparary where my grandma's people were from. I was wondering though if someone from America could just go over and find some job doing whatever and find some cheap place to live, or would I need to hope some big corporation would transfer me to their branch office in Sligo or something completely unlikely like that?
# Posted on July 31st 2008 by Nate Ryan
Re: Immigration Issues
All the info you need is here http://www.workpermit.com/ireland/ireland.htm
Upp Tipp... woo hoo.
# Posted on July 31st 2008 by session savage
Re: Immigration Issues
thanks, session savage!
from a quick glance, it looks like a person could actually do just that . It looks easier than moving to Manhatten.
# Posted on July 31st 2008 by Nate Ryan
Re: Immigration Issues
If your grandma was born there and you can collect all the required documents, you can claim Irish citizenship. See http://www.irishlinks.co.uk/irish-citizenship-grandparents.htm for details.
# Posted on July 31st 2008 by GaryAMartin
Re: Immigration Issues
The Census 2006 link makes interesting reading.
Residents of Galway had to buy bottled drinking water for most of 2007??
# Posted on July 31st 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
I've heard that, but no, it was her mom, my great grandma who was born there. My grandma's father's family came over in 1840.
shame it doesn't go back to the Flight of the Earls. I'd be in business then
# Posted on July 31st 2008 by Nate Ryan
Re: Immigration Issues
If it went back to when the United States were still a British colony, then maybe I could claim Irish citizenship.
# Posted on July 31st 2008 by fauxcelt
Re: Immigration Issues
One of my anscestors was an Irish sea captain named John Doyle who ran the English blockade during the war of 1812. Since he was a wanted man on the high seas, he sold his ship in Philadelphia and went from being a pirate in the eyes of the Royal Navy, to being a guy in downtown Philly with a pocket full of money.
great-great-great grandpa John married his daughter when he came over to America
# Posted on July 31st 2008 by Nate Ryan
Re: Immigration Issues
Man, I had no idea that John Doyle was that old!
I've often thought of trying to move to Ireland, but I have no ancestry there... So I guess I need to marry my way in...
# Posted on July 31st 2008 by Reverend
Re: Immigration Issues
"Guy in downtown Philly with a pocket full of money" - I've tried that: it's risky at best.
Cool story Nate. What did John do for a living after that?
# Posted on July 31st 2008 by grego
Re: Immigration Issues
We did move to Ireland. We've been coming here on and off for over twenty years, for from three weeks to a year at a time. Then we found a gorgeous site in Co. Clare, pooled our resources and got together enough money to build a small house. After a few years we decided to get legal and register with the Gardai. Unless you're going to work here, in order to get your full-time resident card you need: proof of enough money coming in to live on (bank statement); valid passport and I.D. pictures; proof of medical insurance. We have to show up every year to register and pay 100 Euros each for the year.
Although moving to Manhattan is definitely easier, life here is wonderful. Even though the dollar is tanking and things in Ireland are 30-100% more expensive than in the Jesus-land of stuff, it's a great place to be.
# Posted on July 31st 2008 by David Levine
Re: Immigration Issues
Speaking as an American going to school in Ireland, it is pretty easy to get a study visa to stay in Ireland and I assume a work permit would be much the same. All you need are the proper documents (i.e Passport, Forms they need filled out, bank statement showing you have enough money to live for a while, an address, etc). You will need to send your passport to a passport office first though.
In order to gain I believe that you need to have lived in the country for 5 out of the past 9 years. All the info on immigration into Ireland and such things can be found at http://www.citizensinformation.ie
Reverend, marriage is not a sure fire way to gain Irish citizenship even if you are married to an Irish citizen they can deny you citizenship.
# Posted on July 31st 2008 by Why Bother?
Re: Immigration Issues
If you do come over here, you'll find lots of pirates with pockets filled by ill-gotten gains. Property developers & politicians and some that are both! BB will explain it to you better than I could.
# Posted on July 31st 2008 by strayaway
Re: Immigration Issues
well there goes that idea!
# Posted on July 31st 2008 by Reverend
Re: Immigration Issues
There's really only black people (and Chinese) in the big cities like Cork and Dublin. You probably won't find any blacks in Tipperary, but you will probably find lots of Polish, Lots of Polish are immigrating these days. My brother said there are 500,000 of them already.... That's 10 percent of Ireland's population. Oh yeah, and if you move to Belfast you will hardly see any blacks or Chinese up there because they're too scared to go up there. My parents are from the Cavan/Longford border area, and there are no blacks there at all. Personally I think it is sad that all these immigrants are comming in. That's not being racist, I just think it's destroying Irish culture. They live completely different life styles than the Irish. Especially the Muslims. I'm pretty sure Ireland passed some ammendment to their constitution restricting immigration though, so it will probably be a lot better off now, because if they're going to try to get in illegally, they're not going to go through the extra trouble of going to Ireland when they could just sneak into the UK. Sorry, but that's one of the topics that I get really touchy on and have to really express my opinion. Sorry if i insulted some politically correct goody two-shoes.
# Posted on July 31st 2008 by guitar101
Re: Immigration Issues
You did
# Posted on July 31st 2008 by Linsey Doyle
Re: Immigration Issues
Yea, we really need some more fascists here, fritz. Don't come back anytime soon. How hypocritical can you get, your parents were immigrants and now... ah...f*ck it... I can't be bothered, you wouldn't understand.
# Posted on July 31st 2008 by strayaway
Re: Immigration Issues
Fitzpatrick -
Here's what America thought of immigrants in 1882 -
"the raw Irishman in America is a nuisance, his son a curse. They never assimilate; the second generation simply shows an intensification of all the bad qualities of the first. . . .They are a burden and a misery to this country." Further, Irish had corrupted our politics, lowered the standards of domestic service, and waged an "imbecilic and indecent war" against the English government. The time had come to clear the Irishman from Uncle Sam's lodging house, where all races and nationalities, except the Irish, got along with each other!
-Puck Magazine
By the way - everybody on this web-site knows who the F@%$ the Pogues are.
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by Jusa Nutter Eejit
Re: Immigration Issues
Fitzpatrick ...
You are a disgrace to both the American and Irish nations. You utter, hypocritical, racist.
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by For shame
Re: Immigration Issues
and I'm a full-blood Irish.
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by Fitzpatrick
I could well believe it.
Trying to explain to Fitz that his fore bearers were immigrants, wrecking US of A culture, is fruitless. He wouldn't understand.
Best keep it simple. The US of A is made up of 50 states. Each state has its own laws and government. The European Union is now similar. Irish and Poles are now Europeans.
So just as you cannot prevent someone emigrating from California to North Dakota, you cannot prevent someone going from Poland to Ireland.
Your comment about muslims highlights you as a moron. There was no polite way of saying that, and you do encourage people to express their opinions. People like you are responsible for the US of A being the most reviled nation on Earth, and most reviled people.
And that is unfair, as there are countless millions of "normal" citizens of the US of A, many of whom post on this site. My limited time in the US of A brought me into contact with a nation of people who were kind, courteous and very helpful.
As for the crap about no Chinese or black people in Belfast, there is a rather large Chinese community, and the black population is rising. So called "loyalist" thugs now attack the Chinese community, because they are not allowed to attack Catholics any more. Your tone sounds as if you approve these attacks, a short time after they would have been attacking a full blood Irish Catholic like yourself.
I suggest you should be afraid coming to Belfast, just in case you run into me or Strayaway.
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by bodhran bliss
Re: Immigration Issues
As for immigrants "ruining Irish Culture" last Sunday we had say fifty people "listening" to our session. Thirty of them were Polish. Hardly leading a separate existence, are they?
A few facts of life. "The Quiet Man" was a movie, there are no leprechauns, no-one has a shillelagh, and no comely maidens dancing at the crossroads.
Now in 1848 when all those immigrants were fleeing the famine and heading to the US of A, I would have sank their boats in New York harbour and told them to swim home again.
Fortunately, for your family, I wasn't around then.
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by bodhran bliss
Re: Immigration Issues
"People like you are responsible for the US of A being the most reviled nation on Earth, and most reviled people."
Only if you're a Grauniad reader. :p
People will keep emailing me about this and that. I hope this is a windup, I really do.
Fitzpatrick, do everyone a great big favor. DO be sure to express your opinion freely and firmly on the subject at every single session in either Ireland or the US, or indeed, anywhere else in the wide world, or even at any time at all. That way we'll all know who to avoid and who to firmly suggest that they find another place to live.
There ARE people in Ireland who feel like you do, Fitzpatrick. Unfortunately, I think you'll find that this same group of people generally also don't like people who believe that they're Irish when in fact they were born somewhere else. They call these people, in point of fact, these people like you, "plastic paddys".
Do enjoy your time in Ireland. Please don't come back to the States. (Sorry, all you Irish, but we -- if I may speak for other Americans in general -- don't want him. You figure out a way to get rid of him.)
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by Zina Lee
Re: Immigration Issues
Bliss, you're allowing an ignorant young man to get you all wound up. If he is living in Los Angeles right now, he is surrounded by a strenuous public debate regarding the fate of hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens. Clearly this has helped to create his current world view of foreign cultures "ruining" native cultures.
Either way, we should put this little diversion to bed and return to helping Nate Ryan immigrate to Tipperary and Reverend find a nice Irish gal to marry.
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by Jusa Nutter Eejit
Re: Immigration Issues
JNE, you mean like the Native American Indian culture? Yeah. That's one of the massive blemishes on the face of our nation.
Hmmm. So, Rev, can I tell your g/f about this plan? :D
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by Zina Lee
Re: Immigration Issues
The immigrants in California are Fitz and the rest of them.
I believe Zorro and the boys were of Spanish extraction?
And sorry Zina, it is not just the Guardian telling us that.
Fitz wouldn't last ten minutes in Belfast. One to introduce himself, another eight while people fought among themselves as to who saw him first, and the other minute to dispose of him.
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by bodhran bliss
Re: Immigration Issues
Perhaps, blips, but it's the Grauniad readers who fall for it hook, line and sinker, by my observation. No bigot like a left wing bigot. :D Take thine own fault to thyself.
Well, then I think he needs to go to Antrim. That'd take care of the problem right there.
Honestly. Aliens. They're mankind's only hope for unity.
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by Zina Lee
Re: Immigration Issues
It seems to me that often it is the lack of urban and regional and infrastructure planning control (in favour of quick profits for developers) to cater for large increases in population allowed to be masked by the sorts of views expressed above. I think it is in someone's monetary interest to allow racist rhetoric to mask some of the issues which should be addressed to cater for increased migration numbers, and which are mostly not addressed.
Ireland is a frighteningly small country by comparison to new world countries which can take, and need large migrant numbers. There seems to me to be precious little there going on in the way of preservation of sufficient open space in conjunction with mass housing developments with all of the attended problems they create for generations of people to come, assessment of heritage value and preservation of significant sites, and the like
Another very real problem given the small land area of Ireland seems to me to be the affordability of housing. I saw and heard of a lot of examples of seaside areas in particular where a large proportion of the housing there was empty for the most part of the year if not permanently because they are owned by wealthy people from elsewhere. This apparently creates a housing affordability problem for locals in that area (whether migrants or otherwise), and, ironically, a slowing of economic growth in these areas.
All of these sorts of planning and regulatory issues can easily be masked by not addressing them and allowing instead the inevitable racist and anti-racist voices to take over the argument.
I think Ireland probably needs a much stronger Greens influence in its political arena, but the country does not appear ready for it at this stage.
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
Don't forget the holiday house developments, Duijra Dubh. Can't rent them out to anyone staying in the country for any real length of time, and they're all over the place.
See you in about, mmmm, 3.5 weeks. Looking forward to some sessions -- HK has no Irish trad. I'm parched for music. I'm pretty sure Beebs is going to take care of that...
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by Zina Lee
Re: Immigration Issues
Zina, I don't understand your sarcastic post about Native Americans - what is it you're trying to say?
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by Jusa Nutter Eejit
Re: Immigration Issues
I wasn't being particularly sarcastic. How far back does one have to go before any particular genome is now native? And I do think that the early American treatment of Native American Indians (if they're currently called something else, sorry, I haven't stayed up on the current politically correct names -- I mean, am I a Chinese American again, or am i still a Asian Pacific American now?) is something that wasn't very pretty, even if our government has apologized.
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by Zina Lee
Re: Immigration Issues
To all accusing me of being racist:
Wow what's with all the attacks? I just said that I think it's said to Irish culture. If you can't handle my opinion, then you have a control problem. That's just how I feel ok? What do you make of gay people? They're born that way and it's not their falt etc. right? Well guess what, I was born "racist" as you call it (even though I'm not). Who are you to try to change me? feck off man.
Oh by the way, I would think it was sad to African culture if a bunch of Irish people started going to Nigeria too. Why do you have to automatically assume I'm racist. I said nothing of the like. Obviously that means the idea of racism is a little too present in your mind, ad it's quite evident that you're trying to be politically correct and open-minded but are utterly failing in doing so, and making yourself look like a complete idiot in the process.
bodrhan bliss- I wouldn't make such quick assumptions, I lived in County Westmeath before moving out here to California when I was 10. I went up to Belfast every weekend because my grandfather lived there you fecking twit.
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by guitar101
Re: Immigration Issues
I'm sure you'll have a great time, Zina. You'll be swamped with music don't worry about that. And you get to go to....Gundagai!!
That'll be bit different to HK!
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
*fault
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by guitar101
Re: Immigration Issues
Your opinion is racist, regardless of where you were born, and I'm sorry you can't see that. If it wasn't racist, why would anyone have bothered to attack you?
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by Zina Lee
Re: Immigration Issues
Sounds great to me, DD -- the snakes and the giant spiders here are really getting me down. I know Oz has them too, but not in Sydney and Gundegai...right? Um....right?! ;)
See ya then, looking forward to some tunes, you'll be there, yeah?
Too bad i won't be around for the Running of the Sheep a week or two later.
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by Zina Lee
Re: Immigration Issues
So if I said that it's sad so many Irish people are moving to Nigeria because it's destroying Nigerian culture, that would be racist too? (Hypothetically speaking of course.)
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by guitar101
Re: Immigration Issues
What makes you think adding a "foreign element" to any culture going to destroy it? Did having the Irish in the US destroy American culture? Did having the Irish in England destroy English culture? Did having the Irish in Wales destroy Welsh culture?
Engage a brain cell. Please.
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by Zina Lee
Re: Immigration Issues
Fitzpatrick, I'm willing to give you the benefit of the doubt, but your initial post randomly segued to lamenting the influence of Poles, blacks and Chinese completely out of context from Nate Ryan's original post. You must admit it read rather suspiciously. If you're simply worried about the demise of the irish culture as you perceive it, well, I'm sure the Gaels said the same thing when the Celts invaded, and later when the Vikings invaded, and later when the Normans invaded, and again when the English, etc etc. It's the ebb and flow of humanity. Either way, you'll be fine - no reason to worry. If the guy sitting next to you at the next session you go to has the last name Kzyzchwski, who cares?
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by Jusa Nutter Eejit
Re: Immigration Issues
Ahm, no, Zina. Sydney and the bush (Gundagai's in the "bush") both have their fair share of spiders and snakes.
Don't be getting a phobia about them though, you'll probably not see any. Anyway, snakes do their best to stay out of people's way - unless of course people try to belt them with a shovel or something silly like that.
Don't worry at all, you won't have to be beating off spiders and snakes at sessions!
I haven't been to the Gundagai fest yet, but I might go this year. I'm half way there anyway, so it's a nice country drive.
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
Zina Lee- You are POSSIBLY more stupid than I had originally thought. You do realize Irish and Welsh culture a little bit more similar than Irish and Nigerian/Chinese right?
Engage a brain cell. Please.
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by guitar101
Re: Immigration Issues
Well, thank the good God for that, DD. We have a 5' snake that keeps freaking out the family dog (we're housesitting) at night by hanging out on the doorstep, which is either a rat snake (fine) or a cobra (not so fine). I'm good with not seeing them.
)
Be sure to be in Gundagai on the Saturday. Brides and I are planning on celebrating our birthday in whatever pub is brave enough to take us on. (Which makes it sound like I can keep up with Brides on the pints. No. Way.
Right, I'm out of here.
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by Zina Lee
Re: Immigration Issues
Fitzpatrick, do give up, you're just digging a hole. The point is that adding elements to a culture does not destroy it.
Or perhaps your ideal Ireland is one in which they never had a Celtic Tiger, never joined the EU. If that's the case, you're a selfish sod.
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by Zina Lee
Re: Immigration Issues
When the "Native Americans" first came to America, they didn't just pack up there stuff and move from Beijing to Los Angeles. It was years and years of constant immigration from areas as south as Thailand and as north as Siberia. They most likely crossed the Bering Straight (though there is much evidence that many actually came from islands in the Pacific), and afterwards had 10,000 years of evolution on their side.
To answer your question, no you're not Chinese-American.
Please don't be racist, as Chinese are not the only nationality in Asia. Thank you.
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by guitar101
Re: Immigration Issues
It's far more likely, Zina, that you might hit a kangaroo or a wombat in your car - in country areas that is.That's not much fun for any of the parties.
Wombats are nuggety little critters about the size of a moderate sized pig which live in burrows and come out at night
and run out in front of cars - they like doing that
They tend to wipe out the front end of your car if you hit them - as well as themselves obviously. Same thing with kangaroos, although they jump around a bit and you don't know where they're going to end up. Hopefully not in your passenger seat!
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
You honestly mean to tell me that if Ireland became flooded with Chinese, and the Chinese outgrew the Irish, and the Irish eventually disappeared completely from the island, this would not destroy Irish culture? I'm sorry but I cannot believe that Irish culture would be preserved in a situation like this.
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by guitar101
Re: Immigration Issues
Awwww, that's so sad. Although I did read recently about that woman who got attacked by the kangaroo and was saved by her son's dog. I'll have to watch out for it. Anyway, hope to see you there!
Fitzpatrick, regardless of "politically correct names" (which I don't really give much of a toss about), I am an American of Chinese descent. I think I have the idea that there are many more nationalities in this area of the world, thanks, I've noticed. Your little attempts at trying to change the subject are tiring, as is your inability to grasp a point. I'm going away now. Do try to get a grip. You'll find your life much easier.
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by Zina Lee
Re: Immigration Issues
You made it sound like you were Native-American... Whatever, it's easier for you to say it doesn't destroy Irish culture considering you're not even Irish. I don't know why I'm even sitting here wasting my time arguing with any of you. I guess I just have a bad temper... Sorry guys, I'm really not that bad of a person, but I can't help myself when it comes to this topic as I said above. I'm sorry.
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by guitar101
Re: Immigration Issues
I heard that the woman got into an "altercation" with the kangaroo - they box and kick. Sounds amusing but the person is probably lucky they didn't get seriously injured, although I heard she was in hospital.
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
Haaahaaaahaarr irish101 - the Irish are the *biggest* group of people who immigrate of all time!! Haaarrrahhaaa. Especially out here...har har
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by bb
Re: Immigration Issues
Oh sorry - I totally thought that that idiot was irish - but he is an American -Irish...that makes it even more hilarous you twit - you bloody immigrated your self....haaarrrhaaarrr. Doesnt matter where your from or what you do...I know heaps of people who are sh*t hot players who are not irish.....god...how lame...its funny - you say you moved to America when you were 10?? But you sound as if you are actually 10 now..no??
Zeens - hate to point this out but sydney is home to the most posinous spider in the world. Although having said that - I havent seen one in about 10 years
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by bb
Re: Immigration Issues
(AMERICAN)Irish101,
Please post more.
This is the bank holiday friday reading I deserve.
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by Hugo Chavez
Re: Immigration Issues
We got talking to quite a few people from the North of England who had moved to Clare, expecting to be able to carry on their previous business online.
They hadn't bargained for the ups and downs of the broadband/ telephone/ transport/ infrastructure/ banking systems in place (or not) out in the sticks.
Things we take for granted aren't as straightfoward.
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by geoffwright
Re: Immigration Issues
Somehow children playing 'Cowboys and Native Americans' hasn't quite got the same ring to it. What's next I wonder? Maybe a couple of reels like ''The Jolly Traveller 'and 'The Yellow Traveller'.
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by Free Reed
Re: Immigration Issues
I assume Nate that if you take Fitz as a typical Irish person you will emigrate to Iraq instead.
Fitz's immediate family appear to have emigrated twice, once from the North top the South of Ireland, and then to the USA, destroying culture in his wake.
On his guitar thread I did say Fitz would be disappointed when he discovers what traditional music is. He knows as much about Ireland and Irish culture as I do about nuclear physics, in short nowt.
He wants an all American guitar, no dirty Asian stuff for him, has a problem with Chinese, black people, Muslims, and indeed all non-Americans.
Then he claims to be Irish. And his grand father lives in Belfast so he knows everything about the North.
I can forgive ignorence, pity stupidity, but I have no time for naked "red neck" racism, and I could be insulting red necks here.
What a tosser.
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by bodhran bliss
Re: Immigration Issues
Hear, hear, Bliss. Could hardly have put it better myself. Stay away from here, nobody with a shred of common decency or social conscience has any time for your type. Try the BNP, they sound right up your street.
# Posted on August 1st 2008 by strayaway
Re: Immigration Issues
naked red neck racism... sounds like this guy has 5 strings on his banjo
I'm a proud Irish citizen living and working in Canada (guess that makes me an immigrant), using my accent and my collection of whistles to destroy Canadian culture from St. John's to Victoria...
# Posted on August 2nd 2008 by Pat Mustard
Re: Immigration Issues
HISTORY LESSON!
The origin of the term "redneck"
Way back when, when coal mining was just getting started in Appalachia, the mines were full of immigrants. They were also often not very well educated. They were often Irish. The Irish immigrants decided to unionize and the mine owners fought back.
The mine owners formed there own private armies to fight these new found unions. And a little known battle was fought. I believe it was in Pennsylvania but I could be wrong. It may have been Kentucky. ANYWAY, the unionized workers who fought in these battles wore red bandanas around their necks and were called "rednecks".
Only later did the meaning of what a redneck was become twisted into meaning "a poor uneducated... whatever"
In summary, just so ya'll now. The original rednecks were IRISH. Yeah, there were some Scots in there too.
By the way, this thread is hilarious!
# Posted on August 2nd 2008 by Fishmonger
Re: Immigration Issues
Fascinating, Fishmonger. I didn't know that origin of the word. I just looked it up on wiki..
"The "Celtic Thesis" of Forrest McDonald and Grady McWhiney holds that they were basically Celtic (as opposed to Anglo-Saxon), and that all Celtic groups (Irish, Scottish, Welsh and others) were warlike herdsmen, in contrast to the peaceful farmers who predominated in England. U.S. Senator James H. Webb of Virginia uses this thesis in his book Born Fighting to suggest that the character traits of the Irish and Scots — loyalty to kin, mistrust of governmental authority, and military readiness — helped shape the American identity. According to Webb, these people characterized as "rednecks" and "crackers", were unwelcome in the "civilized" coastal regions and were encouraged by colonial leaders to settle the Appalachian mountains, as a bulwark against the Indian Nations.[4] Although sometimes hostile to the Indians, they found much in common with them and engaged in trade and cultural exchanges. In the Appalachians they also encountered pockets of Melungeons, English-speaking people of mixed racial origins (black, white and Native American), whom they traded with and tolerated. Over time, they intermarried with Britons from the West Country of England and Wales, other people with Celtic origins, and absorbed members of other groups through the bonds of kinship."
# Posted on August 2nd 2008 by wolfbird
Re: Immigration Issues
The term Redneck is sometimes used in the UK with the same meaning as in the US, but more commonly used, is the term Pikey, originally used to stereotype travelers but more recently it is used to describe working-class white people (assumptions about they are of Irish or Scottish descent) from rural areas. The type of people that are considered Pikeys often bear similarities to American Rednecks. "Pikey" is sometimes considered offensive, but many now see it as the title of pride.
In Scotland, the term "teuchter" (pronounced chew-ch-ter with the middle 'ch' sounding as the Scottish word loch) is used, mainly pejoratively, by lowlanders in reference to their highland cousins, who they often view as rural or backwards.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redneck
# Posted on August 2nd 2008 by wolfbird
Re: Immigration Issues
Poor blighters over there just keep getting it in the neck century after century seems like. For the life of me, I don't know why all these good people don't just leave all that sh*te behind and migrate to Australia the easy way where you're just treated pretty much for who you are - not what you are, or where you're from or what *class* you are. This is the land where plumbers, brickies (bricklayers), any sort of tradie people earn a fortune, have very nice houses, whatever car they want, and seem to be forever taking holidays on the Pacific Islands in 5 star resorts.
Is it really that good over there that people want to stay!!??
# Posted on August 2nd 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
I saw that a town in Tasmania (which is about the size of Ireland, and the same sort of climate, but milder) is doing up houses and offering them at $1 rental to attract people to the town.
Hellooooo!!!
There are probably towns numbering in the hundreds across Australia in exactly the same situation. Never mind cultural preservation - there won't be any culture at all in places like this in a few years because there won't be anyone left there at all!!
# Posted on August 2nd 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
... oh! Just catching up from the start of this thread. How did I miss it. Around here Dubh, you are just as likely to run inta a cow or a camel as a kangaroo (but definitely not a wombat) and they all do as much damage ... its a long long way to where the dog sits on the tuckerbox nine miles from Gundagai, sigh! Heavens, Turning Wave's going to be the Festival of the century ... yay! How many other thesession.orgers are going to be there, I wonder. Wow!
Will it be your first visit to Oz, Zina?
Sorry for the hyper ... but to get back to the snake bisso, I not long ago had eight little Western Browns removed from me front yard, and me dog had a tiny one in her mouth in the back (didn't bite her luckily at $5,000 for the miracle antidote fer dogs) ... but the adult female Western Brown was seen but not found, so is still lieing around here somewhere ... so, follow me lead and take care, that's all. Then the bluudy job of a lifetime has just come to light that might put paid to Turning Wave anyway. OOOooo ... and a friend here was thinking about investing in property in Tassy. A lovely house, going for a song in a beautiful area overlooking the sea ... its just that, well, Tassy is cold and wet if yer used to the hot and dry ... and Duijera, the population of this town is slightly less than in 1970's and people are coming and going all the time. Hardly anyone ever STAYS!!! fer life. ... and was it this thread, or another, but we've just had a death near one of the town camps and the adult guy (aged 26) was either killed or partially eaten after he died by a pack of dogs ... we got plenty of 'em running amuck around the place. The kids found the body on the way to school. Yuck!
# Posted on August 2nd 2008 by Clear Drops
Re: Immigration Issues
No wombats out your way?? Didn't know that.
The guy eaten by the dogs wasn't a sessioner on the way home after the pub eh?
For scenery plus good value on property New Zealand would be hard to go past. "Lord of the Rings" type uninterupted views for a very low price. Good trad scene there as well, although the place isn't as small as might be thought and a bit of travel involved - nothing like what you're looking at though.
# Posted on August 2nd 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
... what session? ... he might'a been drunk! Who knows? Yet! He was well eaten. He was an immigrant from South Australia. The family of the camp kids who found him left flowers and a string of rosary beads at the spot as a mark of respect. There's an argument about who will foot the bill to send his body home.
... yeahr, that's why they filmed the Hill at Bag End scenes in NZ ... beautiful green country. I'm not ready to leave here yet ... but I'll keep NZ in mind IF and when I decide to (but I might prefer immigrating to Ireland instead).
# Posted on August 2nd 2008 by Clear Drops
Re: Immigration Issues
emigrating, durgh!
# Posted on August 2nd 2008 by Clear Drops
Re: Immigration Issues
... if Ireland would take in an old scraper from the centre of Oz.
# Posted on August 2nd 2008 by Clear Drops
Re: Immigration Issues
Did the termites eat the flowers and the rosary beads?
# Posted on August 2nd 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
Tasmania sounds rather nice. But is it infested with malignant fauna slathering venom like the rest of Australia seems to be, not to mention crocodiles and man-eating dingo packs? If so, I may forgo that $1 house in the forest.
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by nicholas
Re: Immigration Issues
"But is it infested with malignant fauna slathering venom like the rest of Australia seems to be...?"
Wow, I like your colourful turn of phrase
Reminds me of the local politicians who [allegedly] got into a drunken argument at a bar called 'Iguana Joes', near my place.
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by dogbox
Re: Immigration Issues
I don't know Duijera. Haven't gone to see ... but some rednecks are all fired up to shoot anything that moves around there ... so I'm keeping well away.
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by Clear Drops
Re: Immigration Issues
Nah, tassie is pretty good as far as dangerous things are concerned. Crocs are only in the top end of Australia as are box jellyfish. Thank god -I just dont think I could take it if they were down this far!
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by bb
Re: Immigration Issues
... Nicholas they hunted the Tassy Tigers to extinction (I hope not, but officially anyway).
. Hopefully that has been forstalled! 
Hey, even the venomous ones have a purpose you know, like keeping the mice down, etc. You just have to be aware, that's all ... and as soon as the adult female shows up again the snakeman will come and remove it - phew!
I take offense that we, on the mainland, seem "infested with malignant fauna slathering venom"
... but I might have had a serious infestation by the summer
Here's a link to an old Australian snake poem for ya Nicholas:
http://www.airgale.com.au/Poetry/Johnsons%20Antidote.htm
Seems they're more common in some places than in others.
... and here was me thinking that Iguanas were pretty harmless marine lizards ... did you know they were an old AZTEC delicacy along with green ants - yuck!
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by Clear Drops
Re: Immigration Issues
I'd rather have mice than venomous beasties - i am not a very good australian I fear - I still scream when I see a redback. Did you know that a funnel web spider has enough venom to kill 300 adult humans...I mean heck, why on earth do they need such poisonous venom. Apparently scientist cant work out why they are so venomous either.....shudder.
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by bb
Re: Immigration Issues
Nicholas, you've got to be kidding!! LOL.
Maybe not. That seems to be the reaction of most people in England and Ireland (and maybe everyone else as well) about venomous things in Australia - they FREAK OUT...LOOK OUT...THERE'S A....SPIDER!!...RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!
I am used to the funnel webs in our neck of the woods (sorry about the redneck-sounding phraseology). They are pretty slow moving (unless you step on one of course, in which case you won't have to worry for much longer after that anyway). Just don't walk around on the lawn at night without shoes on and don't go poking around in holes in the ground and you should be pretty right.
The c a n e t o a d s are coming though....eeeiuuuu...ugly big slimey frogs that spit at you and blind you...before they EAT you.
Mooo00hahahaaa!
Now - who'd like to migrate to Australia. Hmmm? (There's a quick way to do it you know, but it's a well-kept secret).
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
Had to laugh recently - saw a warning given to truffle growers in Oz (growing truffles is a big growth industry here now), to be careful of snakes when putting your hand in to collect your truffles.
"OH, look door, we've got a really big truffle here this year...ah sorry...it's a tiger snake." Cark.
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
That'd be "look DEAR". The spider venom is getting to me, sorry.
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
Did anyone see the Gruen transfer the other night? they had to make advertisments about 'Why not to come to Australia' - quite funny really, specially the part where the add said that if you were murdered then noone would ever find your body......
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by bb
Re: Immigration Issues
Especially if it happens in Sydney I believe!
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
You CAN get used to living with the world's most venomous creatures on the doorstep. I used to be a big Pommy wuss on first arrival in Oz but now - redbacks in the garden? Bring 'em on...
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by zepherin
Re: Immigration Issues
... heavens, you lot are keeping me from my puppying duties. I was just sitting at the computer reading thesess when in one came (when it should have been safely penned outside - so out I rush - mass escape again!). I've just spent the last month or so up to me ears in bluudy puppy poos ... washin' and cleanin' and finding good homes fer them. I told everyone (really lovely people carefully vetted before their puppy was promised to them) - they'll be ready to take next weekend - now I can't reliably keep 'em from the exciting big wide world of the backyard (and possibly that bluudy snake) and me laundry is getting too small for keeping them in at night. I'm pooed out! If I never see another soiled newspaper I'll be happy. Yuck! Hope three are going sometime this weekend or I'll be up to me eyes in mook by next weekend and gurglin' pooy bubbles as well as going totally bananas. Yikes! clear drops runs away madly pulling out her hair and shrieking a la bb coming across a redback, ends up in a yella taxi trussed up in white overalls with llllllllllllong long sleeves. Just kidding
Gawd bb, how maudlin! No, I didn't ... but they never did find Peter Falconio or baby Azaria Chamberlain either! ... that's just from around here.
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by Clear Drops
Re: Immigration Issues
It's a bit ironic isn't it - the country that created a worldwide empire, now most of 'em are too scared to migrate to a really great, developed, first-world country - because there might be spiders there. LOL!
You know, clog, if the venomous creatures are on the doorstep, they probably just want to come in and sit by the fire and have a beer!
And Nicholas, the $1 a week town is just 45kms from Hobart the State capital. Here's a picture - look familiar? Nice looking forest isn't it. You know, Tassie had a lot of English immigration traditionally, not a lot of others, so you'd probably get on like a house on fire with the locals. (Sorry about the analogy.)
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,24087271-2,00.html
http://ruralconnections.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/deloraine-tasmania.jpg
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
But there's nothing better than putting the wind up our Pommy friends with a few good spider and snake stories...and we shouldn't forget the drop bears....(better be careful here someone might accuse me of a racist turn using the word Pom - does it help that I used to be one?)
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by zepherin
Re: Immigration Issues
Not if there's a drop bear around.
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
clog, do you really think the spider, snake stuff really puts the wind up them, or are they having us on?
I mean, they drink warm beer (and tell us it's cold), so anything is possible I guess.
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
... my house has never been so social ... but nobody comes to see me, just to play with the puppies
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by Clear Drops
Re: Immigration Issues
"The state of Tasmania includes the island of Tasmania and other surrounding islands. Tasmania has an estimated population of 494,520 (March 2008)[3] and an area of 68,401 square kilometres (26,410 sq mi)." - wiki.
population of 494,520 and almost exactly the same land size as Ireland. It'a a joke isn't it!
And here they are whinging about immigration over there!
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
Oh yes, it sure does. The first time I saw a diamond back python I ran for my life! Unfortunately I was running towards its hole under a fence post and I had to scamble up the post to get out of its way. Fortunately there are no photos.
I have redbacks in my garden. I know where they live, I don't put poison down and generally wear gloves when gardening (although I can be a bit kamikazi-like if I'm feeling particularly ah-what-the..). I have sensed a reluctance to go into the garden from some of my recent O/S visitors if I tell them about the critters ...they don't like to sit on the bare rocks...and they look pretty gingerly at the garden chairs....to bring this back to music we do like to sing a bit in the garden near the spidery space.
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by zepherin
Re: Immigration Issues
They stick to one spidery space? When I first moved into this house it was summer (right near the city) and the whole backyard was overrun with redbacks, they were massive and everywhere and the mummy's all had babies - soooo gross. I had to get the flick man and then I had spider nightmares for months....ugghh. I hate spiders...and snakes...and crocs...and jellyfish..and sharks....and canetoads...and everything else gross we have here.. But I do *love* kangaroos...they are by far the tastiest animal we have
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by bb
Re: Immigration Issues
So here you both were, the python and yourself both running for your lives towards the python's hole. That's what usually happens isn't it.
Best to let the snake do the running. Unless it's a tiger snake that is, which has got really p*ssd off, and is coming for you.
You can run then.
You could sing this along with your UK visitors, in the spidery space near the garden. That should calm them down.
Music:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8OL1ACddDw
Lyrics:
Redback on the toilet seat (Lyrics/Famed aussie poem)
There was a redback on the toilet seat,
When I was there last night.
I didn't see him in the dark,
But boy I felt his bite.
I jumped up high into the air,
And when I hit the ground.
That crafty redback spider,
Wasn't nowhere to be found.
I rushed into the mrs,
Told her just where I'd been bit.
And she grabbed my cutthroat razor,
And I nearly took a fit.
I said 'Forget what's on your mind,
And call a doctor please.
For I've got a feeling that your cure,
Is worse than the disease.'
There was a redback on the toilet seat,
When I was there last night.
I didn't see him in the dark,
But boy I felt his bite.
And now I'm here in hospital,
A sad and sorry plight.
And I curse the redback spider,
On the toilet seat last night.
I can't lie down, I cant' sit up I don't know what to do.
The nurses think it's funny but that's not my point of view.
I tell you it's embarrasing and that's to say the least,
For I'm too sick to eat a bite,
While the spider had a feast.
And when I get back home again, I'll tell you what I'll do.
I'll make that Redback suffer for the pain I'm going through.
I've had so many needles, I'm looking like a siv.
I promise you that redback hasn't very long to live.
There was a redback on the toilet seat,
When I was there last night.
I didn't see him in the dark,
But boy I felt his bite.
And now I'm here in hospital,
A sad and sorry plight.
And I curse the redback spider,
On the toilet seat last night.
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
You are a wicked woman, Cruella. You'll have all the 'roo lovers after you with that post. I do like a bit of kangaroo prosciutto.
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by zepherin
Re: Immigration Issues
When bb says she got the flick man - that's the trade we have in Australia where the guy shows up and just flicks all those pesky spiders off your shoulder and your dinner plate for you.
There's a lot of spiders, so it's a full time job for him while you get on with your dinner and chores. It's an expensive trademan to have in.
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
DD, I find myself humming that tune from time to time but can't yet play it on the melodeon. I only heard about the standing still business AFTER the incident with the python. My dear Aussie friends were watching in amazement - then they told me. This was a very long time ago mind.
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by zepherin
Re: Immigration Issues
clog, are you humming The Pub with no Beer, it's a similar tune.
Mind, it'll be the Pub with no Punters in Tassie the way things are going. Last out, turn out the lights!
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
... hey clogstepping, my snake story isn't a story - it happened and isn't resolved yet! Wouldn't want it to put off anyone wantin' to be immigrating here ... and people do ... from all over the place (for a while at least). Recon in many ways it might beat cities like Melbourne and Sydney for opportunities if you're willing to chance it. I for one wouldn't have a house with a fair size yard, me car, were I to be in the bigsmoke, and the tradespeople make a killing - more work than they can possibly handle. Pick and choose the best paying jobs. Lots of monopolies (including the veterinary surgery and the music shop). That's the thing, you can make a killing, then go settle where you want to when you have put in the work. I suppose its the same in all the smaller places around the world ... its just that ... oh well! Now they want to dump us with a uranium mine next to the town water supply (because ... well nobody lives out here), and sure we've got snakes and redback spiders and some social issues, but where in the world is there a place that doesn't? You just decide what you can hack and what you can't, weigh the pros and cons, and then either go or stay. Simple.
Its nice to see you weren't of the whinging variety clogstepping. Good on ya! ... and I've got a couple of trees that might contain dropbears ... but Tassy is a much more likely place for them seeing as trees are a bit scarce here once you get outside town. Watch out for them dropbears, hey!
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by Clear Drops
Re: Immigration Issues
Just don't go hacking up snakes, clear drops. If you get to that stage, you know it's time to move.
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
Clear Drops, no I'm not a WP. I like it here. No taipan, tiger snake, trapdoor spider, funnelweb, redback, blue ringed octopus, box jelly fish, brown snake, great white pointer or big toothy shark could make me leave this big sky land.
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by zepherin
Re: Immigration Issues
What about if they all ganged up on you!?
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
I'd give them a blast of Mareaid Nesbitt playing The Butterfly. That would fix 'em.
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by zepherin
Re: Immigration Issues
They'll eat both of them!
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
Camel is nicer than roo IMHO. Not nearly as overpowering smelly. That's why its me dogfood of choice. Smells really nice while cooking (whereas roo pongs). Last time I had roo, it wouldn't have mattered if there was a redback on the toilet seat, I'd have had to sit on it anyway. Pooh! I found 'em once in the handles of my filing cabinet, just glanced over and saw them, really big ones, so now I do my own regular flick, so even the cockroaches come in the house to turn over and DIE!!! Devilish emoticon! What a delightful little ditty DD. You lot have brightened up an already sunny Sunday ... thank you.
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by Clear Drops
Re: Immigration Issues
You saw them in the handles of your filing cabinet - what, the roos or the poohs?
Never mind. Can you send me some camel steaks in an overnight express bag for my cat. It's a bloody siamese and chases blowflies everywhere and eats them. No kidding. Bloody thing's become addicted to them now and I need to try to wean it off them.
Sunny isn't the word out there really is it, clear.
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
That roo doesn't sound too good if it sent you to the loo, clear.
Sounds like it was off like a dunny door.
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
Red backs in the filing cabinet handles, durgh!
Me dog, Sasha, has a couple of addictions: toys, lizards, cockroaches, chases flies too. Hates them. Tracks 'em down on the ceiling and watches them till they come within reach, then she pounces. Good protein. I tell her she's good when she gets them.
... but me puppies have been for their run while you've been chatting and they've done the big crash now till I put them inside. They're tired and wet and dirty, but boy have they had fun.
Yep, the roo was dehinged fer sure, but once it happens to you it puts you off ... and as I say, camel is the tastier meat anyhow ...
but but but DD ... our express doesn't even go EVERY day - can you believe that one? ... so it isn't overnight to anywhere! or I'd do it for yer little kittycat. Why don't you try a really expensive tin of red salmon? Tee hee hee hee.
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by Clear Drops
Re: Immigration Issues
Nah, the cat's gone off salmon.
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
Nope - I love roo....its my favourite meat in the world. I really missed it when I was o/s - and its so lean...lovely
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by bb
Re: Immigration Issues
I found it a bit springy,bb.
# Posted on August 3rd 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
What did St Patrick say when he drove the snakes out of Ireland?
"All right in the back there lads".
# Posted on August 4th 2008 by bodhran bliss
Re: Immigration Issues
You see...even St Patrick was guilty of deporting undesirables
# Posted on August 4th 2008 by Free Reed
Re: Immigration Issues
It's got to be the ultimate irony hasn't it? - Ireland lost millions of its people to emigration because of famine, poverty and lack of opportunity (often to survive, let alone prosper), the people who it couldn't keep now prosper in new world countries, while Ireland is an immigration destination for what will be millions of others from other old world countries.
Bit like musical chairs isn't it.
The world's just too ridiculous to live in sometimes isn't it.
# Posted on August 4th 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
Do the crocks, dingos, spiders, bluerings, and snakes function as limiters of the human population in your country? Does Australia need transfusions of people every so often to make up for all the depredations by the lethal fauna?
# Posted on August 4th 2008 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: Immigration Issues
That should read PREDATION. Not enough coffee yet.
# Posted on August 4th 2008 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: Immigration Issues
... only one or two snake deaths per year around here. People usually survive now-a-days if they get the magic antidote in time ... and we've got the Flying Doctor Service. Redbacks don't tend to KILL you if you are adult and healthy (just hurt a lot), and the only croc around these parts is Terry in the Reptile House. More deaths on the roads (tourists in hired 4-w-d's who don't know how to drive on unsealed roads) than anything predatory (like the guy eaten by dogs) and there are some unmarked mine shafts claim a few unwary. It isn't like the olden days ... so ... its pretty safe really ... and communications are really good ... we've got broadband, unlike some other of the Aussies not too far from Sydney ... and there's always something on to keep yourselves entertained ... just not Irish Trad, that's all. If you play guitar and sing you'd get gigs gallor I recon. I fer one wouldn't knock it. ... but we do get regular transfusions of Americans to the "spy" base ... they come and go willy nilly. Spend big, enjoy themselves and usually make it back to US okay.
# Posted on August 5th 2008 by Clear Drops
Re: Immigration Issues
Nah, quigley, there's plenty of shooters out there, they shoot up the snakes, dingos and crocs, and others tune up spiders and snakes with shovels. I think crocs are protected now though, so there's millions of them across the top of Australia where they feast on unsuspecting tourists swimming in croc waterholes. Some people never learn do they.
# Posted on August 5th 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
Glad to hear it. Here was I with this image of a sort of Australian version of "All Quiet On The Western Front", where there is no adequate basic training for the awfull business but the thing itself; and the old veterans look very boubtfully upon the new recruits.
# Posted on August 5th 2008 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: Immigration Issues
DOUBTFULLY! Still not enough coffee.
# Posted on August 5th 2008 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: Immigration Issues
We also lose a few tourists in the surf every year. Big surf here, with those rollers coming across the Pacific and many of our visitors have never swum in a proper ocean.
# Posted on August 5th 2008 by zepherin
Re: Immigration Issues
They still look doubtfully on the new recruits I think, quigley.
Yes, tourists, those two red and yellow flags on Australian beaches mean you swim *between* those flags - not *outside* them. Outside them, you have *rips* which will take you out into the ocean no matter how much you swim against them, which means that one of the lifesavers has to get on a board or a jet ski and come and fish you out - if they can get to you before you drown. And don't go surfing with a gutful of beer either, it doesn't taste nice when you vomit it up with salt water just before you go under.
Geez, this has been going on for decades!
# Posted on August 5th 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
...so it's no wonder they look on doubtfully.....
# Posted on August 5th 2008 by zepherin
Re: Immigration Issues
I look doubtfully on our UK friends sitting on Manly beach at midday on really hot midsummer days in December and January, drinking cans of beer. You know who they are, they are the really red ones with reindeer antlers on and carring St George flags. I often wonder if they make it back home alive what they put themselves through.
# Posted on August 5th 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
Sorry, "really hot" in Australia means over 40 degrees C - something like 100F isn't it?
# Posted on August 5th 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
Ah yes, your land is girt by sea. The California coast has it's dangers, but it lacks blue ring octopi. Blue ring octopi are beyond the beyonds. I go over to our coast from time to time to look at the Pacific, but I won't go in it. So all you old veterans go over to your coast to watch the tourists come to grief.
# Posted on August 5th 2008 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: Immigration Issues
A blue ring octopus doing angry is a sight to behold. We do try to look after our tourists. They can be quite generous to buskers and I guess there's a few of us that have done a bit of that in Sydney in years past.
# Posted on August 5th 2008 by zepherin
Re: Immigration Issues
My Irish friends used to go to the beach and rub olive oil in their skin and then sunbake. All the locals were horrified, we wear 30+ sunblock, hats and long sleeves. And then when I lived in Ireland there was a news report about how skin Cancer had risen by 4000%.......hmmmm
# Posted on August 5th 2008 by bb
Re: Immigration Issues
Hey clogstepping - I didnt realise you were in Sydney. Do we know each other?
# Posted on August 5th 2008 by bb
Re: Immigration Issues
Myself, I'm complected all wrong for the California beach life style. Mightn't most Australians of Irish/English ancestry have much the same complexion disqualification for the the beach scene? It's enough to be fully dressed outdoors, inland.
# Posted on August 5th 2008 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: Immigration Issues
bb I'm not in Sydney but busked (Morris dancing) there many times, hundreds of years ago. I think I have a fair few years on you so our paths may not have crossed unless we bumped into each other in the Coopers tent at the last National. I still dance Morris, am learning melodeon, picking up flute again after many years, working on my stepclogging and play bodhran in sessions. I learnt music theory as a kid learning flute, which is how I know the dots. OK OK another Morris dancing bodhran player. I claim Bodhran Bliss as my role model. I hope he doesn't mind.
# Posted on August 5th 2008 by zepherin
Re: Immigration Issues
Coconut oil used to be the go, not olive oil. Bloody Europeans!
Everyone would rub coconut oil in and smell like coconuts. It was considered very cool. Unfortunately it fried everyone to smithereens and probably caused a huge skin cancer rate. In those days though there was actually an ozone layer in the atmosphere so we got some protection despite our own actions. Not like today.
It is frightening to see the very light skinned tourists on the beach doing that today. They have no idea apparently. It's a bit like watching a side of roast beef from the butcher shop basting itself and then hopping into the oven. Mmm, nice and warm!
# Posted on August 5th 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
That lovely smell of coconut oil - never fails to take me back to summer on the beach.
# Posted on August 5th 2008 by zepherin
Re: Immigration Issues
Great wasn't it. You could get various grades of it, from light to dark oil. Remember? Everyone wanted the dark oil because it was supposed to make you go a really cool shade of brown.
We used to get so brown it was unbelievable. Some poor sods though had very fair skin and it didn't matter how sunburned they got, they didn't go brown, just peeled off layer after layer of skin until they were this bleeding red agonising state. oooooo! So painful.
I haven't had any skin cancers yet, which I cannot believe because I used to be very dark because of the tanning as a young guy.
Nothing like the smell of coconut oil in the crowded milk bar with the sandy tiled floor while you'd be lining up for your fish and chips (or dare I say, *chico rolls*!!!!) for lunch while you were on the Rio-type white beaches for school holidays from 7.30am to 7.30pm day after day. Those were the days.
What did they do in England on school holidays?
# Posted on August 5th 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
Our evening is cooling off, and it's past bed time here. So help me, last night I dreamt some Australian was telling me how an entire family of homesteaders in 'such 'n such' were wiped out. The dream voice went on to say that " The red backs got 'em" Good night everyone.
# Posted on August 5th 2008 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: Immigration Issues
Duij I spent my summers in Torquay. Your description brought it all back!! But the poor Victorian coast isn't the same any more - it's glass and concrete condo-land...
# Posted on August 5th 2008 by zepherin
Re: Immigration Issues
So, quigley, you go all the way to the Pacific coast and then don't go for a swim. Ok, I know that type. You have to jump - you wooce!
# Posted on August 5th 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
Torquay. Geez that sounds so "the beach resort you have when you don't have a beach resort". Just joking. Is that a sand beach or a pebble beach, or some type of black stuff?
I *bet* you're glad you live in Oz!
# Posted on August 5th 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
That's Bells Beach, Torquay, rather than British Torquay - I've been to both and I know which one I prefer!.
# Posted on August 5th 2008 by zepherin
Re: Immigration Issues
Thank God for that. I was feeling very sympathetic for your about the UK Torquay.
Nothing like high rise developments to completely ruin a beach is there?
These days, I like to go here for a beach. Just a few private homes and not a high-rise in sight. Those swimmers in the waves are dolphins not body-surfers by the way. Sorry about the ridiculously long link, but I think it works:
http://images.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2006/01/02/jervis_wideweb__430x311.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.smh.com.au/news/new-south-wales/gazing-onto-the-worlds-whitest-sands/2005/12/31/1135915721025.html&h=311&w=430&sz=19&hl=en&start=1&tbnid=WepQ-hlGSuFbtM:&tbnh=91&tbnw=126&prev=/images%3Fq%3DJervis%2BBay%2BNSW%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG
http://www.country-accommodation.com.au/kangaroo-valley-tourism/images/dolphins-jervis-bay.jpg
# Posted on August 5th 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
That sand is like the finest powdery white stuff you will ever see. It is so clean is squeaks when you walk on it, and lovely and cool!
Tell me why people want to immigrate to England again?
# Posted on August 5th 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
I love JB too. They have some of the world's finest kelp forests in the waters around JB.
# Posted on August 5th 2008 by zepherin
Re: Immigration Issues
When you walk on that sand it makes you smile, you cannot help it. It is better than a foot massage. If the sand doesn't do it, then when you gaze down the uncrowded beach for literally miles, with that pinkish hue the sand has when the sun reflects off it at certain times of the day, and the torquoise crystal clear water and that steady beautiful breeze on a perfect cloudless day, you feel like you are in a different universe or something, certainly you feel very much a part of your surroundings. Unbelievable.
So you're a diver too? How about the sharks in JB, do you see many? I guess if there's dolphins around you'd be pretty safe eh?
# Posted on August 5th 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Swimmers-left-high-and-dry-as-sharks-close-in/2004/12/27/1103996493767.html
# Posted on August 5th 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
No, I'm not a diver! I wish - it would do wonders for my mustard board profile. I've just spent a bit of time looking at biodiversity issues and JB is one of the world's biodiversity hot spots because of the particular conditions - it's a transition zone between temperate and tropical climates, which is reflected in the ocean currents.
# Posted on August 5th 2008 by zepherin
Re: Immigration Issues
And it's totally protected too which is a huge bonus. It won't get spoiled by greedy developers, although there's always a rearguard action going on by the locals there.
That's what Sydney Harbour would have looked like when the poms arrived. Now look at it!!
# Posted on August 5th 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
Boy am I late to this thread!!
And it's gone from the original post about immigrating to Ireland to racism to wombats, roos, and spiders.
A couple things:
About Melungeons, they were NOT English-speaking when first enountered by the English when they began exploring Appalachia. They were speaking a language incomprehesible to the English and Natve Americans alike.
And about them being a "mixed race", this is a fallacy based simply on the colour of their skin. DNA testing has revealed that they have virtually no Native American or African blood, but are in fact Mediterranean stock.
This tallies with the religion they were obvserved practicing at initial contact with the English, which had certain vague similarities to Roman Catholicism.
Just how they got to Appalachia is still unknown, but their DNA plus the name they call themselves (Portagee) suggests that they came from the Iberian peninsula. There's a Spanish ship with a largely Portugese crew lost off the coast of Florida or Georgia that may explain it.
About immigration in general, I'm in Southern California, which is "ground zero" for illegal immigration.
We have a fairly large city here- Santa Ana, probably around 50,000 to 70,000 population, that's around 90% Spanish speaking.
US citizens (white, black, asian, and even hispanic) are often heard throwing around the same sorts of accusations that were levelled against the Irish immigrants in the 19th century.
But I need to correct the notion that the English language is in danger of disappearing here.
A study revealed that well over 90% of the children of Spanish-speaking immigrants learnt English, and that around 90% of THEIR children speak no Spanish.
So, when you hear Spanish spoken, see all the Spanish street signs and TV and radio, realise that this is catering to the actual immigrants and their children only, and that if the wave of illegal immigration was somehow stopped Spanish would disappear in a generation or two.
Also these "English-only" laws that are being proposed are absurd. You can't legislate what people speak. Language is a matter of practicality and convenience. When speaking English is more useful than speaking Spanish they'll speak English without the help of legislation.
# Posted on August 5th 2008 by Richard D Cook
Re: Immigration Issues
Good morning Mr. Cook Sir. Melungeons!!? That' a new one on me. It's plausible. I know very little about Apalachia, so pardon my ignorance. My mother's side of the family featured backwoods people from what is now West Virginia. Their stories were mostly about deadly encounters with native war parties. Could your Portuguese have been taken into the mountains as captives?
# Posted on August 5th 2008 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: Immigration Issues
This is all the vapor of conjecture but here goes: A crew of Portuguese sailors become stranded on the coast of Florida, are captured by local tribespeople - or marrauding uplanders - possibly sold to uplanders, chivied at club-point into the mountains by their new masters who begin falling down dead from European microbes. They get their freedom this way; and considerable isolation too, as the locals would equate them with bad medicine for a long time afterward. I still can't figure out how they aquired wives, if the locals wouldn't go near 'em. Violent abduction maybe?
# Posted on August 5th 2008 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: Immigration Issues
Now look what we've done to this poor thread. Sorry, Mr. Ryan.
# Posted on August 5th 2008 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: Immigration Issues
In Arkansas, we have plenty of poisonous spiders as well as various poisonous snakes. Then there are the alligators in the southeastern part of this state.
I guess I should also mention that a typical summer here usually includes two or three months of hot and humid weather with many days when the high temperature is either close to one hundred degrees (Fahrenheit) or slightly higher. The humidity is almost as high or even higher.
The nearest beach to us is on the Gulf of Mexico and it takes at least nine hours to drive there from here.
# Posted on August 6th 2008 by fauxcelt
Re: Immigration Issues
no, it's ok Quigley. I got to see how I could go about picking up and moving over to Ireland someday. The rest is pretty entertaining
# Posted on August 6th 2008 by Nate Ryan
Re: Immigration Issues
Oooooo please, let me join the I love Jervis Bay brigade. I worked as family near there (when I was young) with horses on a dairy farm on the Sholhaven River six monts over two years before I went to Ireland, but there (used to be, at least) a Navy gun range and when they were firing it could be a tad noisy, and also Navy jets flying low overhead, not to mention the (so far thwarted) plans for a nuclear power station. I mean, heavens, its such a beautiful place, yet it seems its prime target for anything to spoil it ... and the turtles ... and the rainforests ... and the botanical gardens ... and the lighthouse ... and ... oh well, its just beautiful.
PS: fauxcelt, not being competative or anything, but I've driven through 46 degrees in northern South Australia one Christmas hols, and we're 15 hours drive min from the nearest beach ... but humidity, what's that? Best clothes drying in Oz I recon.
# Posted on August 7th 2008 by Clear Drops
Re: Immigration Issues
hmmm- I found the bugs awful in the US - big massive ones the size of a little bird with pincers. I later found out they were dobson flies. Errgghh. We named our 'Ned the bird bug' cause he was as big as a bird.
scroll down a bit to see a pic of one almost the size of the guys hand!
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://lamar.colostate.edu/~secarney/AntCourse/133-BIG_Bug.jpg&imgrefurl=http://lamar.colostate.edu/~secarney/AntCourse/AnimalPictures.html&start=4&h=360&w=480&sz=76&tbnid=sfmTyUbMi-XuGM:&tbnh=97&tbnw=129&hl=en&prev=/images%3Fq%3Ddobson%2Bfly%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den-us%26sa%3DG&um=1
fauxcelt - I thought it was only aussie who like to talk the country down and make it seem awufl. Obviously not.
# Posted on August 7th 2008 by bb
Re: Immigration Issues
Oh and I live about 15minutes from about 10 beaches......
# Posted on August 7th 2008 by bb
Re: Immigration Issues
You Australians keep the strangest hours! Hmmm, 15 minutes from ten beaches...foreign tourists drowning in the surf every day...let me do the math... the daily haul of unclaimed personal effects must be staggering. Just kidding. I hope when y'all get back from your Gundagai trip, someone among you writes a full account for all of us on the other side of the world. I'd love it. Time to turn in. All the best.
# Posted on August 7th 2008 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: Immigration Issues
..and if there's more than twenty people on the beach you can go and find another, less populated beach, just five minutes walk away...
# Posted on August 7th 2008 by zepherin
Re: Immigration Issues
I've always wanted to go to 90 Mile Beach in Victoria (it's not just a name, it's really about that long.) There'd be no one on it most of the time! Awesome; but there are heaps of them like that - like thousands of miles of them. I actually think you could walk the entire east coast of Australia north to south along beaches the whole way - except for having to cross the rivers. Same with Western Australia I believe.
# Posted on August 7th 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
I've been to some nice beaches during my time in Oz. Even the ones people use for rioting aren't that bad. But not one of them even comes close to being as good as Bamburgh beach. Youse just haven't got the cool castles, and never will have...
# Posted on August 7th 2008 by Dr. Dow
Re: Immigration Issues
Bambergh Beach
http://www.flickr.com/photos/symonmreynolds/2723287506/
Rossnowlagh Beach, Donegal
http://www.panoramio.com/photos/original/1538021.jpg
Look nice, but brass monkey territory I think.
# Posted on August 7th 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
Dowsie!!! How are you???
Anyone who doesnt know dow has left us for awhile and moved back to England.... :(
# Posted on August 7th 2008 by bb
Re: Immigration Issues
Sems kinda out of place to me to have castles on Australian beaches. Just doesn't seem to go together in a new world country. Never would be accepted anyway, never was. The only one that I ever knew of, a "castle style" private residence built by a politician back in the late 1800's was demolished in 1939 to make way for a huge block of public housing apartments which are still on the site to this day.
Then again, here's a pretty imposing example of a castle style building overlooking the 20 or so northern beaches of Sydney. Absolutely spectacular view from there, as if the building itself isn't spectacular enough. Built in the 1880s, now an international hotel school.
http://www.cathchurch.net/nsw/parish/Manly_Sem_1.jpg
# Posted on August 7th 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
That's where Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban got married a couple of years ago. Does that mean the place is cool?
# Posted on August 7th 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
You think that compares with this wild, windswept beauty? http://images.google.co.uk/images?q=bamburgh%20beach&ie=UTF-8&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&sa=N&tab=wi
# Posted on August 7th 2008 by Dr. Dow
Re: Immigration Issues
I enjoy the scrag-ends of some of these threads, especially with the addition of the whole nocturnal/diurnal thing.
# Posted on August 7th 2008 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: Immigration Issues
Trad significance be damned!
# Posted on August 7th 2008 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: Immigration Issues
Is that where you're living at the moment, Dow? We cycled past there just last week ... well, through there actually ...
# Posted on August 7th 2008 by ethical blend
Re: Immigration Issues
This sure does:
http://travelaustralia.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=115968
http://images.google.com.au/images?hl=en&q=90%20Mile%20Beach%20Victoria&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi
http://www.visitvictoria.com/displayobject.cfm/objectid.F67F91F4-2CFF-4200-A53CD925197CD9BD/
since we seem now to be into whose is longer than whose.
# Posted on August 8th 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
Sorry DD, I've been to both, and Bamburgh is in a different league in terms of sheer beauty
# Posted on August 8th 2008 by Dr. Dow
Re: Immigration Issues
Dow - stop it now. Youre the one who chose to live here. Not Bamburgh.....We all know that you love Australia and think its beautiful...you can stop playing the devils advocate now
# Posted on August 8th 2008 by bb
Re: Immigration Issues
Ok, Dow, I haven't been there, and it does look nice from the photos. I hope you are enjoying it there, I am sure you will.
It is a far different proposition from Sydney town I'm sure. All the best anyway.
# Posted on August 8th 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
Bamburgh is beautiful but too cold. You'll be swimming with the seals. We can do both windswept beauty and lazy sunbaking down here....
# Posted on August 8th 2008 by zepherin
Re: Immigration Issues
Totally agree with you about Bamburgh, Dow, having, as I said, cycled through it last week.
# Posted on August 8th 2008 by ethical blend
Re: Immigration Issues
"Bamburgh is beautiful but too cold. You'll be swimming with the seals. We can do both windswept beauty and lazy sunbaking down here...."
You're just jealous because you'll never have anything as interesting as a Norman castle. I'd rather have that than skin cancer any day.
# Posted on August 8th 2008 by Dr. Dow
Re: Immigration Issues
We'll have to settle for Harvey Norman castles.
# Posted on August 9th 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
Norman Shmorman....we have the beautiful Cape Byron Lighthouse.
# Posted on August 9th 2008 by zepherin
Re: Immigration Issues
Norman Shmormans? Were they the ones with the pointy hats?
# Posted on August 9th 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
Pointy hats?
# Posted on August 9th 2008 by zepherin
Re: Immigration Issues
Coneheads?
# Posted on August 9th 2008 by zepherin
Re: Immigration Issues
Possibly.
# Posted on August 9th 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
Dow's not living at Bamburgh, he was spotted recently in Norham which has a fine Norman castle.
# Posted on August 9th 2008 by hotspur
Re: Immigration Issues
See, you can catch all sorts of things from those Norman castles. What colour were the spots?
# Posted on August 9th 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Immigration Issues
I wasn't trying to be competitive, Clear Drops. Instead, I was merely trying to contribute to the discussion. However, I did forget to mention all of the stinging insects (yellowjackets, hornets, wasps, etc.) which we have here in Arkansas in greater abundance than we like.
Since some of the Australian members were talking about life in Australia, I just wanted to include some comments about life here in Arkansas, bb Cruella de vil, in case anyone is stupid enough to want to move here (he said sarcastically). Seriously, though, after traveling through and/or visiting most of the other states here in the U.S., I don't think I am any better or worse off living here in Arkansas than I would be in another state.
And, speaking of traveling to other states, one state which we have visited frequently is Texas because both my wife and myself have relatives living in Texas. When we have gone to Texas to visit, we have driven to the coast at Galveston, Corpus Christi, and South Padre Island to go to the beach and enjoyed it.
# Posted on August 9th 2008 by fauxcelt
Re: Immigration Issues
fauxcelt, Are you still there? If you are, can you tell me about a method of fishing for catfish that is rumored to be practiced in your part of the country? I've only heard stories about this. It may be a tall tale, but the story has it that the guys catch the fish by sticking their fingers in the fish's mouth, then trowing the animal onto the stream bank.
# Posted on August 10th 2008 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: Immigration Issues
THROWING... Jeesh!!
# Posted on August 10th 2008 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: Immigration Issues
Apart from that, all the beach boasting was good fun. Beaches are nice. Mountains and streams are more my favorites though. How is Australia for stream fishing? [Hunkers down resignedly for another round of beach comparisons]
# Posted on August 10th 2008 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: Immigration Issues
I said I wasn't being competitive (oh, please don't take me wrong). I too am interested in what other places have to offer. Never been to the US. Isn't it incredible that cicadas are just about everywhere, whereever you go. There was this movie on the teev last night, can't recall what it was called, about two brothers who riled a mad trucky, somewhere around Saltlake City. I don't normally bother too much with the teev, but it was the landscape that grabbed me, and I thought the landscape they were driving through was kindda like round here, and they were driving several days with stopovers too. So yeah, I recon there are pros and cons for living anywhere ... but its Sunday lovely people and I've got friends coming for a late roast lunch so I have ta get cooking. OOOoo can smell it already. Why don't you all pop over and join us, hey. You'd be very welcome.
# Posted on August 10th 2008 by Clear Drops
Re: Immigration Issues
Sorry Atahualpa Quigley, no fishing around these parts ... only reliable above ground water is the sewage ponds and you wouldn't want to go fishing there.
# Posted on August 10th 2008 by Clear Drops
Re: Immigration Issues
There goes another cherished fantasy! Oh well, best to be rid of them once and for all. I expect the middle of Australia would be a lot like the great Salt Desert, but then even bigger. Death Valley, way out to our south-east would be a microcosm of West Australia, or even "The Big Red Center" as I've heard it called. What allways gets me is when looking at old pictures of swaggies tramping through the bush of what must be E Australia, or the southern parts, with the dead trees just standing there for miles; the scenes resemble pictures of 1914-1918 men in no-man's-land.
# Posted on August 10th 2008 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: Immigration Issues
Lost of good stream fishing elsewhere in Oz Quigley.
# Posted on August 10th 2008 by bb
Re: Immigration Issues
It is a rare woman who wants to talk about stream fishing. If you took a dim view of it as well, I could live with that. We needn't bring up the subject again. But if you or any other Australian were to tell me about fresh water fishing in Australia, I'd be over the moon! I wouldn't even interupt with reports of fishing in California.
# Posted on August 10th 2008 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: Immigration Issues
Well - my family has a little cottage in the snowy mountains where you can get permits to fish in the freshwater dams, can catch a damn nice Rainbow trout. I love Rainbow trout - they are tastey. I'm not one for fishing myself...but I like eating the end result!
# Posted on August 10th 2008 by bb
Re: Immigration Issues
I'm not interrupting.
# Posted on August 10th 2008 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: Immigration Issues
I'm trying really hard not to interrupt. It's a terrible struggle. California is lucky - blessed is the word - to feature the Sierra Nevada mountains. There, no more outbursts, no competitive mountain range boasting. Talk about streams in the Deviding Range. Have I got the name of the mountains right? The pictures I've seen of them look as if they might have taken in our Santa Cruz mountains. A lot of California looks as though it could be New South Wales, South Australia, or Victoria.
# Posted on August 10th 2008 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: Immigration Issues
I did notice that you had gum trees floating about in the US...UK too - it reminded me of home. Its Great Dividing Range...but whos counting?
# Posted on August 10th 2008 by bb
Re: Immigration Issues
Yup, even managed to misspell 'dividing' Yup we have stands - not forests - of eucalitpus. There aren't enough of them to create a blue haze; but enough to perfume the wind from time to time.
# Posted on August 10th 2008 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: Immigration Issues
Can you explain what happened to all those trees that look leafless and dead in so many early photographs of the Australian bush?
# Posted on August 10th 2008 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: Immigration Issues
I have never heard the story about people who catch catfish by sticking their fingers in the mouth of the catfish. It is as tall a tale as the story about the man who used a Razorback pig to shave his beard.
After visiting California about four or five times, I will tell you one of the things which I like about California is the beautiful scenery (and not just in the mountains).
I wasn't trying to be competitive, either, Clear Drops. Instead, I was trying to be half-serious, half-joking. When you are trying to communicate in writing (or typing), it is difficult to notice that someone has their tongue firmly planted in their cheek while you are reading what they have typed.
I have never seen the movie you mentioned but I have done something better than any movie which was driving on Interstate Eighty from Omaha, Nebraska to San Francisco, California. Salt Lake City is partway between Omaha and San Francisco.
# Posted on August 11th 2008 by fauxcelt
Re: Immigration Issues
It's called noodling. Google it using: catfish hands
I was just on I-80 Friday. WAY too much truck traffic.
# Posted on August 11th 2008 by wyogal
Re: Immigration Issues
and it's NOT a tall tale!
# Posted on August 11th 2008 by wyogal
Re: Immigration Issues
I have tried fishing and I thought it was Boring. However, I do like to eat catfish when it has been cooked and prepared properly.
I agree wyogal. There are too many trucks on Interstate Eighty and most other highways in this country (not just the interstates). I think it is too bad that they can't use the railroads to ship freight as they used to do before I was born.
# Posted on August 11th 2008 by fauxcelt
Re: Immigration Issues
Who's up for some catfish and cornbread? I could go for some. Could any of us subsist on a steady diet of catfish and cornbread year in, and year out, until we dropped from pellagra? For a little while though, say for one week, it would be like mealtimes with Huck and Jim on the raft.
# Posted on August 11th 2008 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: Immigration Issues
Fishing can be dead Boring. My father recommended fishing when one is very hungry; satiation depending on your skill and luck . No boredom then. Do Arkansas or Wyoming have water ouzels? Its worth a long hike just to passively stand there in a stream and watch those guys in action.
# Posted on August 11th 2008 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: Immigration Issues
If so, I haven't noticed them. We are at a pretty high elevation here, over 5,000, and the mt.s are obviously much higher.
I don't like to fish, either, and all we catch is trout, anyways. I don't really like trout. I prefer walleye and perch.
# Posted on August 11th 2008 by wyogal
Re: Immigration Issues
I-80 crosses the Sierra at the lowest point and shallowest grade, thereby avoiding the more dramatic and showy passes.
# Posted on August 11th 2008 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: Immigration Issues
well, yeah. otherwise it would be closed more than it already is during the winter.
# Posted on August 11th 2008 by wyogal
Re: Immigration Issues
I Still respect you, wyogal. [Chuckles to himself]
# Posted on August 11th 2008 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: Immigration Issues
what are you talking about?
# Posted on August 11th 2008 by wyogal
Re: Immigration Issues
What I meant by the remark about the passes was that people who see Trukee and only Truckee, might think all the other passes are unimpressive.
# Posted on August 11th 2008 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: Immigration Issues
That's O.K. They can stay off the other roads here. We like them rather empty!! We went over South Pass the other day, and when one is on 2 lane roads with only a few passing lanes, the build up of traffic, especially vacationers in big rigs, is a pain.
The Wyoming Sierra Madres are pretty cool, but horribly affected by the pine beetle this year.
# Posted on August 11th 2008 by wyogal
Re: Immigration Issues
Cross post. Cross post. Crosspost. Another thing my father said was that the fishing community must be aware of the sensibilities of the non-fishing community. No more remarks about fishing then.
# Posted on August 11th 2008 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: Immigration Issues
In an attempt to make this conversation relevant to this forum, I can say that the mountains are a challenge to any wind instrument player. 6,500 is about the ceiling for my pipe set. You'd all have to be string players up there.
# Posted on August 11th 2008 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: Immigration Issues
I love catfish and cornbread. Before we moved to Arkansas from Chicago, I didn't know you could make bread from corn. I thought you were supposed to eat corn on the cob instead of turning it into bread.
No, Arkansas doesn't have water ouzels; however, fishing is very popular here and the sale of fishing licenses brings in a lot of money for the state Game and Fish Commission.
Wyogal, I have driven all of the way across Wyoming on Interstate Eighty and I want you to know that I enjoyed all of the scenery which I saw along the way.
# Posted on August 12th 2008 by fauxcelt
Re: Immigration Issues
How recent? There are hundreds and hundreds of giant wind turbines around Elk Mt. Good place for them, lots of wind. it's been a good year for water, the desert is still green in many places.
O.K., make it relevant... hmmm... One can listen to alot of ITM while crossing Wyoming, hours and hours, and hours.
# Posted on August 12th 2008 by wyogal
Re: Immigration Issues
I think I missed something - what's a water ouzel?
# Posted on August 12th 2008 by zepherin
Re: Immigration Issues
Sorry clogstepping, didn't mean to leave you out. Water ouzels are fist-sized birds, light blueish gray with brown chests. They fly just above the surface of a stream, then dive in. They swim underneath the water for amazingly long periods to go after water insects and larvae. They're fast swimmers too, upstream or down, as if they were little seals. I've only seen them in the Sierra.
# Posted on August 12th 2008 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: Immigration Issues
Their songs and calls are pretty neat too.
# Posted on August 12th 2008 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: Immigration Issues
I have been seeig them
~ peee peee pijur pijur
& hearing them.
# Posted on August 12th 2008 by Ben Steen
Re: Immigration Issues
Hey, Random-notes. Grab a plate and pull up a chair. Watch out for the dribble of molasses from fauxcelt's plate. His coffee's pretty good, though.
# Posted on August 12th 2008 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: Immigration Issues
I am tempted to ask.....Molasses? What are molasses? Girls with "Mo"?(whatever that is)
Seriously, though, I do know what molasses is but I don't think I have ever eaten any molasses.
One of the musicians whom I perform with at the monthly meetings of the old-time music society likes to sing a song about Arkansas Molasses.
My coffee is so good because I always like to add three spoonfuls of cocoa to my coffee.
Thank you for telling us what water ouzels are.
# Posted on August 12th 2008 by fauxcelt
Re: Immigration Issues
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Molasses_Disaster
# Posted on August 12th 2008 by airport
Re: Immigration Issues
What are you all smoking?
I just had a quick look and saw water ouzels, catfish, cornbread and molasses...(btw, molasses are what moles sit on)
...I'm down here in FL where I've been for 17 years except for brief visits back to Tipp and London. Time for a move.
Question: If you were about to retire, could legally live anywhere in US or EU, with ample pensions but not a huge pile of cash....where would you go? Must have access to good music.
# Posted on August 17th 2009 by maireadniriain
Re: Immigration Issues
Northeast England
obviously
# Posted on August 17th 2009 by bazouki dave
Re: Immigration Issues
We lived in East Yorkshire for 6 years, and loved it.
I lived in W Yorks for many years.
We might compromise, spending winters in FL and summers in Yorkshire and Tipp.
I like Northumberland too, although I would have to brush up on
the Geordie language.
# Posted on August 30th 2009 by maireadniriain