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David LaMotte

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March 18, 2008

Bang On

Melbourne, Australia

It’s a hot morning in Melbourne, which is nothing unusual, actually.  Brisbane tends to be even hotter, but forty degree days haven’t been uncommon lately, and that’s 104 where I come from.

I’m staying with my old friend Liz Frencham and her very cool beau Steve.  Liz and I played a small festival near here on Sunday and will be meeting up again at Canberra for the National Folk Festival in a few days. I’ve played the National (or the Nash, as it’s often referred to here) once before, about six years ago, and I’m really looking forward to being back there. 

Vocabulary tips for the day:  ‘firing up the barbie’ has nothing to do with dismissing a blonde from her employment, but rather means grilling out on the barbecue. That’s what we did last night, with Vincent, another muzo friend of Liz and Steve’s, then we pulled a mattress and TV out into the yard, as it was just too hot inside, and watched Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind under the stars. I liked it, by the way. I can’t believe I managed not to see it until now, but it was worth a rental.

“Bang on” means perfect, not instructions on how to play a Billy Jonas song. “Hoon” can be a noun or a verb, and generally refers to young guys who drive loud cars too fast (though I guess old women could hoon if they want to).  So hoons hoon around. Vincent actually said he hooned down here on his motorcycle yesterday and got here faster than usual. I thought this might have descended etymologically from Huns, i.e. marauding ruffians razing villages, but I think it’s more onomatopoeic than that, and actually just refers to the sound the cars make.

 

The delivery truck dropped off Liz’s new CD of duets yesterday (think she looks happy?), so last night was a bit of a celebration. I’m here for two more days this week before we’ll all head up to the Nash, and we’re hoping to record a duet for the next volume sometime in here. I’ll let you know when we get it together and try to make it available on my web site.

In the meantime, stay cool, as it were.  It’s hard to believe I was in North Dakota two weeks ago…

 

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Filed Under: Australia Tagged With: Aussie slang, bang on, barbie, hoons, Liz Frencham, National Folk Festival

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  1. lowerdryad says

    April 9, 2008 at 4:55 am

    OK, take it easy people! It’s a family show!

    Yeah… Obama’s speech. Good stuff.

    D.

    Reply
  2. Andrea says

    March 26, 2008 at 1:38 am

    Oh my goodness, what a funny picture! I knew platypuses (platypodes?) had forked ones, but I thought that was only 2 ends?

    We use “firing up the barbie” and “bang on” ’round these parts as well. Where you been? Now “hoon”? That one I’ve never heard.

    I cried several times during Obama’s “Perfect Union” speech. How very long we have needed to have this conversation. And people really are having it, at least some of us.

    Love ya!

    Reply
  3. sarah says

    March 22, 2008 at 1:21 pm

    Welcome to the world of blogging! I’ve spent the last hour drinking coffee and catching up on your travels. A fabulous way to spend a Saturday morning! I’m looking forward to hearing (er… reading) the stories as you begin the Peace Fellowship.

    Blessings on the rest of your trips!

    Reply
  4. introverted one says

    March 18, 2008 at 12:04 pm

    Um . . . that first picture? They have medicine for that now.

    Reply

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