Apparently, it’s all the rage. Want to prove your manhood? Run in front these bulls. I’ve no doubt that alcohol is involved. Alcohol + explosives or Alcohol + livestock = trouble, a scar and maybe a story to tell later on about how dopey you were. Here is the link to the slideshow on Yahoo . Thanks to Cincinnati Bill for the tip on this one. –fog
I’m up for the ‘running’ of the cows ala South Park
Comment by Bill — July 16, 2007 @ 7:56 pm
Ouch. That looks really unpleasant. I know it’s an absolutely classic macho thing to do — after all, Hemingway did it. But that doesn’t even look fun.
Comment by waltzingaustralia — July 25, 2007 @ 1:21 am
Hemingway also used incredible amounts of alcohol and then used a shotgun on himself. Is Hemingway the most overrated writer going?
I have to say though, when I get into trouble writing, and I have a mess of thoughts and sentences all together in one jumble, I immediately think, “…Hemingway would make this 4 sentences, easy. Maybe five” And it helps simplify the jumble. What are the first words of “Farewell to Arms”? “The sun was hot.” I’m remembering that from 1979 so I could be wrong but really, that sentence is from the first grade reader! –fog
Comment by mcgonnigle — July 25, 2007 @ 8:46 am
Yep — I didn’t claim that Hemingway was reasonable, just macho. And you’re right — he’s famous for simplistic writing (almost as famous for that as for drinking and being macho). In fact, there is a worldwide “mock Hemingway” writing contest every year. Nice that you can tap into the memory of that simplicity when the sentences are snarled.
Comment by waltzingaustralia — July 25, 2007 @ 9:53 am
Waltzing…it’s 12:34pm here…what time is it there? Midnight? Quality PC time, eh? Did not know about the “Mock Hemingway” contest. I should google that up. Great to have the down-under traffic.
The thing about Australia that I think would mess me up is that the sun would rise and go to the left, as you look at it. Here in the Northern Hem, it always goes to the right. Do you notice a thing like that? –fog
Comment by mcgonnigle — July 25, 2007 @ 11:37 am
I think noticing the sun is a guy thing. I’ve read research that shows that, on the whole, women’s brains identify more details and men’s brains are geared more to spacial relationships. This seems to have been confirmed by years of experience — men not seeing things in crowded closets and women not being able to say “it’s 20 feet away.”
My first trip to Australia, I had been told by several men that the position of the sun would freak me out, but it was still overhead, so it seemed to me to be in the right place. So I’m guessing it’s a gender thing.
And hate to disappoint you, but I live “up over.” I have simply traveled a lot down under.
Comment by waltzingaustralia — July 25, 2007 @ 1:42 pm
You know I had read some of your stuff and did know that now that I think of it. Sorry. It must be an amazing place. Do they really eat Vegemite sandwiches? And WHERE can I even get this, Vegemite? –fog
Comment by mcgonnigle — July 25, 2007 @ 2:20 pm
Your best bet for getting Vegemite is finding someone from Australia or going somewhere other than the U.S. The FDA is concerned that they’ve added folic acid, which according to the FDA can only be added to breads. So it’s not bad illegal — individuals can carry it into the country, but it is no longer available for sale in the U.S. — at least not until Kraft and the FDA work this out. It’s salty, but it’s really quite tasty — like undiluted beef bouillon — so you use it in small amounts. But if you’re hiking around Australia, the extra salt is a blessing, and the B vitamins (Vegemite is made from Brewer’s yeast) is good for you. I rarely eat it here, but I eat it all the time in Oz — just a bit spread on my buttered toast in the morning. Good stuff.
Comment by waltzingaustralia — July 25, 2007 @ 7:06 pm
Fog, check out amazon dot com. Search for vegemite…looks like that have it for sale under a different brand…also, look at the second product offered in the search results…wow.
Comment by John Walker — July 25, 2007 @ 11:35 pm
I dunno…I love Hemmingway…I also really enjoy Kerouac too, except some of his later stuff that absolutely makes no sense. He must have been really tanked and losing it during those books.
Comment by John Walker — July 25, 2007 @ 11:38 pm
Actually, Marmite is the original British item that Australian entrepreneur Fred Walker was trying to imitate when he created Vegemite. Very close in taste and identical in texture. However, Marmite is a bit milder and is flavored with carrot and celery, so it’s not quite the same. But if you like Marmite, you’d probably do well with Vegemite. Just remember — it’s not peanut butter. Don’t pile it on. Just a think coating on buttered toast. Or stir it into hot water — it makes a nice broth. It’s also good for boosting the flavor in stews.
Comment by waltzingaustralia — July 26, 2007 @ 12:30 am