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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Hi Listmates,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>As an expat Scotsman living in Sydney with my Kiwi
(New Zealand) wife since 1968 I do genuinely believe that Australia does sit
somewhere in the middle (lifestyle, instincts, attitude and opinions) between UK
and American thinkers. Having a bet each way with five passports between
us (here we go) [polite snipe] it has been my experience in discussion with
your "average man in the American street" (excluding those who travel
overseas) that they have somewhat insular thinking.
I presume this is caused by the educational system and
background. :~) </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Basic surprises include; is Australia in
Europe? (perhaps mistaking it for Austria) and having never heard of New
Zealand, where is it? (In New Orleans, some years ago, we visited a
tower overlooking the water that included all the flags of the
countries in the world and New Zealand did not even exist, however, we left a
note advising them). What makes this more alarming/amusing for me is
that I am attempting to gain membership to the 100 CLUB, which is based in
America, with 87 countries visited and 13 to go, where this club includes
Tasmania (an island that is part of Australia) as another country! Should
I still attempt to join? </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Please correct me if I am wrong but I think the
above thinking also (in some cases) extends to jazz music. I am
always careful to say that we play American music (especially when trying to
gain gigs in USA) as that is where jazz was born, but again, never to have
heard of Cleo Lane or husband Johnny Dankworth or the three B's - Barber,
Ball, Bilk for Listmates in their sixties is another genuine surprise for
me. Canadians seem to be more like New Zealander's including their similar
dollar values. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I am still hopefully awaiting the Trad Jazz revival
(before we all die out) with delusions of grandeur that our group
will make it on to the hit parade of the day, like UK's Barber, Ball
and Bilk. :~)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>\^^^/</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>(ożo)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4> </FONT><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial>
Y</FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Tom (hoping not to start any trouble)
Wood</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><A
href="mailto:zenith@ans.com.au">zenith@ans.com.au</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><A
href="http://www.ans.com.au/~zenith">www.ans.com.au/~zenith</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
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