Vegemite and beer.

Yep, it's that time of the year again. January 26th. Australia Day. Despite my constant complaints about our shitty summer, hot weather, and my country's Olympic-level racism, I am proud to be an Australian, and I do love my country.. most of the time. So generally on this day, I do what everyone else does: get absolutely drunk and sunburnt. But instead of going to the river, I do it in the privacy of my own home.

Today has been a pretty average Australia Day.  Last year I spent the 26th walking around an American high school trying to explain to people that we have our own version of their 4th of July. I asked my mum when the socially acceptable drinking time begins on Australia Day, and she said midday. I asked why it starts at midday, and not earlier, like 9 or 10 o'clock (I mean, what is more Australian than drinking when you first get up?). She replied "What is this, ANZAC day?". I laughed so damn hard, until I remembered that ANZAC day was sad.

Anyway, it's basically been a day of drinking beer, and gin and tonic. I haven't even had anything to eat today, but I've had 6 drinks. Whoops. Australia Day's nothing special, it's just a day off work where drunk bogans flock to the foreshore and gape at fireworks for half an hour. Yes, I'm pretty cynical. But I am honestly proud to be Australian. After spending a year (2010) away on exchange in the USA and Canada, it made me miss my country more than ever.

Now I am sitting here drinking, watching 30 Rock and doing crossword puzzles. Should I be doing more patriotic things? Like standing in the sun drinking VB? I would, but I'm one of those pasty, old-fashioned English-Australians. One of the downsides of starting drinking at midday is that everyone is drunk and angry by 5. Right now, I can hear arguing from the loungeroom.

I hope you enjoy your Australia day, despite the fact that most of you reading this are probably not in Australia (LOL, who am I kidding? No one's reading this).
Ciao for now.

-ellen