Monday, January 26, 2004
Daphne and I decided that, because it was Chinese New Year during the week, we would put a sign saying "Kun Hei Fat Choi" ("Congratulations and Prosperity" or something like that to you all) on the manna gum near the oval on Frontage Road. They're not big on these exogenous celebrations down here at the Lake, so we felt it was better to understate things a bit!
Paris arrived while we were putting it up in his "Fanatics" gear with his face painted like an Australian flag and accused us of being "un-Australian". We were too kind to make any references to the ethnic ambiguities of a bush tailed possum with a Union Jack framing one eye, and told him that we believed it was possible to celebrate diversity even on Australia Day.
We told him how we had been to the Australian Open and had applauded the fine tennis played by people from all around the globe; how we had got into a chat with a seagull from Siberia who was supporting Marat Safin, and an Italian weasel (a distant relative of Farouk's we discovered) who had the hots for Mara Santangelo.
OK, I'll admit that Daphne went a bit off the deep end talking about "Invasion Day" and that, but that was no excuse for his cruel reference to the promiscuous nature of her kind's migratory behaviour. I still think he should apologise.
I was sure we would have a canny ally in Farouk who came over to see what the fuss was all about. I explained the Mandarin sign and our intent. However, to my surprise he simply gave a resigned sigh and wandered off muttering something about me not knowing the difference between mandarines and cans of peas. Do you ever have one of those days when you feel like you just can't win?
Paris arrived while we were putting it up in his "Fanatics" gear with his face painted like an Australian flag and accused us of being "un-Australian". We were too kind to make any references to the ethnic ambiguities of a bush tailed possum with a Union Jack framing one eye, and told him that we believed it was possible to celebrate diversity even on Australia Day.
We told him how we had been to the Australian Open and had applauded the fine tennis played by people from all around the globe; how we had got into a chat with a seagull from Siberia who was supporting Marat Safin, and an Italian weasel (a distant relative of Farouk's we discovered) who had the hots for Mara Santangelo.
OK, I'll admit that Daphne went a bit off the deep end talking about "Invasion Day" and that, but that was no excuse for his cruel reference to the promiscuous nature of her kind's migratory behaviour. I still think he should apologise.
I was sure we would have a canny ally in Farouk who came over to see what the fuss was all about. I explained the Mandarin sign and our intent. However, to my surprise he simply gave a resigned sigh and wandered off muttering something about me not knowing the difference between mandarines and cans of peas. Do you ever have one of those days when you feel like you just can't win?
# posted by Bob Bunyip @ 8:54 AM 
