Noir Sunrise (Six)

Today is Australia Day, a day that marks the arrival of white settlers in 1788. In recent years, attempts have been made to shift the focus of the day from marking colonisation (and the obvious problems there) to one that celebrates all Australians.

For most people though, it's just an excuse for a day off, and one that should be spent with mates at a barbecue. Failure to do so brings the inevitable tag (shock horror) of being 'UnAustralian'.*. To be 'Australian' basically refers to being a lovable larrikin who likes a drink or twenty, does things that are stupid but somehow endearing and, above all, looks out for his mates. An entirely ridiculous moniker - one that clearly encapsulates all that we should aspire to**. UnAustralian-ism, on the other hand, has many guises, one of which is working on a public holiday.

It did briefly*** cross my mind to let the builders next door, who were drilling bars onto the windows at midday as I was trying to sleep, know how UnAustralian they were, before realising that I am not a narrow-minded idiot****. Anyway, given that I am back at work tonight, this would be entirely hypocritical. A couple of hours out on the couch with a pillow over my head to further quieten the din, and they were done.

I'm off to redeem myself in the eyes of bogans now - a barbecue and the end of the JJJ Hottest 100 at T+S's. Should be fun.



*Best ad in ages. Thanks Sam.
**Sarcasm detector going bananas.
***For about 0.062 seconds.
****I hope.