It's Cold in New York

And not just the weather. I was all but glowing during my first 24 hours on American soil - and not because of the pesticides used in our farming and the nuclear arsenal (zing!). Through my 12 hour flight from Auckland to LA, I reflected on the past three months with nothing but joy and nostalgia. Not only have I experienced so many wonderful people, places and experiences - but I was ecstatic to come home. There's nothing more I would rather do than live on the road, but I recognize it's not that simple. I also missed New York, friends and not having jet lag.

Los Angeles International Airport has a notorious reputation with travelers. Last year at baggage claim there, I listened to two separate Australian 20-somethings talk about being strip searched. Only days before, during a random bag search in Melbourne the security agent enjoyed our conversation so much that she wanted to set me up with her niece. She waved off checking two of my bags and half the compartments in my main luggage, stating simply that "they're fine."

When surrounded by carefree, happy people you generally know it, and it defines your experience of that destination. When surrounded by miserable, tired, stressed out people, you know you're in a United States airport. My experience was uneventful this time around, with the exception of the truly charming American Airlines employee, Kirk. I can't stress it enough how nice this man was, and how much his personality defied my expectations. When you break down traveling to its core, it is a toss up for one of two possibilities: some travelers get the post-customs sodomy, and some get Kirk. After 5 days in an Indian hospital (see "It's Science"), it was my turn for a Kirk.

When I discuss living in New York, I always site first and foremost the fast paced lifestyle. You think you can move here and buy a race car to keep up, but it turns out everyone else is driving spaceships (what?) My first year here I got so caught up in trying to keep up, it almost killed me. In my first week back its been much of the same. There are people to see, places to visit, parties to attend - g0d forbid you miss a happy hour - and before you know it, you've lost your voice and spend half the day in bed fending off mucous. In one week back I've completely worn myself out. And that's before I've even started working. To survive the city that never sleeps, nap time is a must. Also, money and pockets of sobriety.

I've made many additional NYC observations, such as the narrow lanes at the supermarkets for a disproportionate number of customers, and the dreariness of a population in sub-freezing temperatures - but none that seem to warrant comment beyond this sentence. I plan to revisit some stories from my travels in the near future in this blog, as well as crack many a low-brow joke. Until then - come visit New York.

Australia - Quality of Life

I've been really, truly lazy this past month. I'd apologize, but it's not my fault. I blame Australia. I've said many times in my day that Australia has the best quality of life of any country I've visited. Recently, there was a survey in a NEWSPAPER stating that it has the 3rd highest quality of life in the world. A NEWSPAPER! If that's not enough for you, here's some more information.

If you are not employed in Australia, the "Dole" or unemployment system makes America's system look like the cheap guy who gives penny's to the talented breakdancers in the NYC subway system (support you local bboys, folks).

If you are employed, its even better. My 17 year old pseudo-step sister works at a deli. Nothing special, no government job - just a deli. Minimum wage in Australia is $13.74, according to Wikipedia (!!!). Sundays are considered, for some reason, extra super special, which equates to an increase in wage to $20 an hour. It's a completely unskilled job. I love the girl, but she cuts meat and puts it in a plastic bag. It's not like she's breakdancing in the subways or anything.

It gets worse. My Dad works in a public hospital (I'll use this moment to also mention the free national health care - and I'll throw in for kicks the multi-billion dollar federal surplus). Employees of the government have many perks. For example, they can accumulate sick days. Nurses get 14 sick days a year, and you're not sick that year, the next year you have 14+14 sick days. That's like a 100 sick days! Nurses begin with 4 weeks of PAID LEAVE a year for holidays. That number increases over time. A friend of my Dads just took 9 months off - paid leave - to travel, because he'd been accumulating the days.

Payment at the hospital is based on a 37.5 hour work week, so while working 40 hour weeks they get 1/2 day off a week. You can ALSO accumulate these 1/2 days.

I have more evidence, regarding everyone and their unemployed mothers getting overtime despite your level of experience in the hospital. But I don't understand the exact nature of the positions and their relatable titles to the US hospital system, so I don't think I can explain it clearly. But let me just say that it's awesome for them.

Tell me that's not crazy (don't actually tell me that). I haven't even brought up public holidays, which are many, to put it lightly. I'll leave that statistic to you and google, but you gotta wonder how anyone gets anything done in this country. On the plus side, we Americans can take refuge in the fact that I don't think any system can handle paying unskilled labor this much for that long and get away with it. And when their economy crashes, it gets a whole lot cheaper for us to visit. Anyone want to get in on buying a penthouse apartment with me in Sydney in - let's say - 2012?

In conclusion, vote for Barack Obama.