No Shoes, No Shirt... Service!

One of the more peculiar things we've noticed is that it is socially acceptable to walk around in public without wearing shoes, or a shirt. This fashion statement is completely appropriate for the beach. It is simply impractical to wear shoes in the sand, or a shirt while swimming. But when the setting is the city's downtown in shops and restaurants, it is an entirely different matter. This behaviour has occurred at such a frequency that makes it highly unlikely to be coincidence. In addition, there is something casual about the way people flaunt this fashion which indicates they are not part of the barefoot running movement. These people aren't 'bare[ing] to be different'. Whatever the reason, it'll take a little while before we become comfortable roaming the supermarket isles amongst the barefooted and shirtless.

We can't deny the urge to strip off our clothing amidst Perth's record setting heat wave, but we've decided to use other means to cool off. That is, we go to beaches. One might assume that the lure to the beach is to cool off in the chilly waters of the Indian Ocean. Well think again. It's the air-conditioning that's unnecessarily blasted on the public buses that we ride on our commute to the beaches. After these bus rides, you never know what you might encounter at the heavily populated coast. On our last visit, it just so happened that a nudist decided the best spot to 'top up the tan' was right next to where Steph and I had laid our beach towels. We tried our best to be polite and not discriminate, but the scenery eventually became too much of a distraction. We indiscernibly relocated to a more clothed area.

The last time I ever saw my sunglasses.

As it turned out, this beach visit was no less eventful, but for an entirely different reason. Due to the cyclones that form to the north, the surf of the Perth beaches can get quite rough. Both Steph and I got rocked by eight foot waves! And both Steph and I lost our sunglasses to the overpowering forces of the unforgiving ocean current. Even Steph's hair elastic was ripped from her head never to be seen again. Though we were upset with our decision to wear our eye protection in the ocean waters, we didn't let our losses ruin our day. We continually slammed our bodies into the waves until the sand in our bums became intolerable.

The Footy (Aussie Rules Football) pre-season competition has commenced. Games are played every weekend at the Subiaco Oval which is visible from our apartment kitchen window. We are planning to attend the upcoming game, but before we do, we'll have to learn the rules. From watching matches on television it is clear that the game is full of athleticism and entertainment. However, it becomes difficult to enjoy the game while simultaneously deducing and debating possible rules and strategy of play.

Perry Lakes basketball complex.

Equally entertaining (at least for Steph) and much less a display of athleticism is Monday night Men's League basketball.One of the perks of my job is that my boss' son shares a common passion for basketball and was looking for additional players to join his Men's League team. The team is comprised of ~30 year old ex-state basketball players and one import (me). It has taken us a few games to 'gel', but now we're hitting our mid-season stride and poised to make a push for the playoffs. Steph enjoys watching a bunch of aging, out of shape men struggle up and down the court in attempt to relive the glory days of their youth.

Unfortunately, another natural disaster has had devastating effects. Christchurch, New Zealand suffered an earthquake that measured 6.3 on the Richter scale causing great damage to the city and taking the lives of 150+ people. To raise awareness and promote the need for help/aid to rebuild the city, the Aussie creators of the Beached Az viral videos have launched a special episode entitled Shaken Az. We've attached it below. Their other episodes can be viewed on YouTube.