United States of Awesome: The American Stereotype Overseas

Posted on March 18, 2010 by Reuben

United States of Awesome: The American Stereotype Overseas

 All politics aside, Americans as fat, loud, cocky, gun-loving idiots is an image more readily accepted around the world than Mastercard. While the rest of the world is by no means safe from its own stereotypes, America tends to dig its own hole by broadcasting to the world endless clips of its citizens failing to find entire continents on a map or fighting over their babydaddy in ill-fitting lycra with all the poise and aesthetics of sumo wrestlers attempting to figure skate while being pelted with live chickens.

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Filed under: Activities | Tagged: , , , , | 2 Comments »

The Local: Sydney, Australia

Posted on December 10, 2009 by Reuben

Beer, it loves you too

Traditionally, the neighborhood pub has been a place to gather to socialize, have a pint after work, and maybe get some dinner. The nearest pub therefore is simply referred to as “The Local”. In this series, I’ll be giving a review of my top “locals” by region and my favorite drink to have there.

Along with its beaches, BBQs, and strange, cuddly, and often dangerous creatures, Australia is well known for being a country that likes its beer. Neighborhood pubs are a standard fixture for social and family get-togethers, and while there are a fair number of imports to be found, Australia also has quite a number of well-established breweries scattered around the country turning out some quality brews.

Sydney being the size it is, a comprehensive list of quality venues is fairly impossible, but as with any large task, you have to start somewhere. And really, there are worse undertakings.

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Review: Gregory Z55 Backpack

Posted on December 1, 2009 by Reuben

I picked up this backpack in preparation for a month-long trip backpacking through Europe, since my current backpacks were all some combination of too small, too big, too heavy, or too bulky for my needs. I had been wanting a multi-day, lightweight backpack for some time, and this gave me the perfect excuse to start shopping around. While browsing through REI’s selection, I came across the Z55, and immediately liked it.

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The Art Of Being Lost

Posted on December 1, 2009 by Reuben


 
If there was one thing I learned going on family excursions growing up, it was how to be lost. Hiking in the woods, driving in an unfamiliar town, you name it, we could get properly lost in it. But this was not because we had a poor sense of direction or poor map reading skills, quite the opposite; we simply took a “big picture” approach to directions, which at times would roughly encompass half a national forest into simply, “over there”. And we always found our way, because really, we knew where we were headed. We just couldn’t tell you with reliable accuracy where we were at the moment.

As I’ve expanded my travels on my own, this foundation has served me very, very well, particularly in places where there was very little chance anyone spoke English. Some of my best experiences traveling have actually been in the process of trying to figure out where I was and what to do about it. The real key is all in not just preparing to be, but expecting to be lost.

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Filed under: Lifestyle | Tagged: , , | 1 Comment »

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