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    Panasonic Super Kangaroos Pouched A History With Plenty Of Bounce

    For decades, Japan had a professional basketball team called the Super Kangaroos, and true to the team’s name, it made great leaps at times. The Matsushita Electric Super Kangaroos, which would later be renamed the Panasonic Super Kangaroos, were founded in 1951 and competed in Japan’s top company and professional leagues, the old company-based national competitions, JBL Super League from 2000 to 2007 and then the successor Japan Basketball League where it would eventually relocate and change its name to the Wakayama Panasonic Trians. The Super Kangaroos would win 13 league championships throughout its existence in various top flight competitions. Sadly, the team never made it to the bj league,…

  • Fly Me To The Moon

    Buggered if I know what to write for this entry. Got to head out to a farm near New Tokyo International Airport, better known as Narita Airport, and was fortunate enough to see a number of planes passing by the moon on a glorious winter afternoon. Not really a plane fancier, but felt the images were quite nice with the moon as a backdrop. The ANA plane in the photo had a special livery that made it look like a turtle. A glorious sunset topped off the day.

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    (Costumed) Kangaroo Stars In The “Worst Sports Movie Ever Made”

    Matilda has been described online as “the worst sports movie ever made.” Kindly, as it turns out.Matilda was a dreadful, alleged comedy about a boxing kangaroo that challenges for the world heavyweight champion title.The movie was made in 1978, when Muhammad Ali was probably at his most widely popular (and the reigning world champion), and starred Elliot Gould, who was then still not too far off the peak of a career that continues going strong today.Co-starring was another A-lister, Robert Mitchum, so it’s hard to argue that the cast and circumstances surrounding the movie didn’t pack a punch.Unfortunately, the kangaroo featured in the film was clearly a bloke in a…

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    Why Do Aussies Talk About “The Trots?”

    What Does “The Trots” Mean in Aussie English? Aussieが「The Trots」と言うのはどういう意味？ “Sorry, mate. I can’t come into work today.” “What’s up?” “I’ve got the trots.” Almost no Aussie hearing that conversation would assume the speaker had been watching horse racing. Although “the trots” can refer to harness racing, in everyday conversation it almost always means something much less enjoyable…Diarrhoea. Like so many Strine expressions, it’s a humorous way of talking about an unpleasant subject. 「今日は会社を休みます。」 「どうしたの？」 「I’ve got the trots.」 もしAussieがこの会話を聞いたら、ほとんどの人は「お腹をこわしたんだな」と思うでしょう。もちろん、”the trots” には競馬の一種である「ハーネスレース（繋駕速歩競走）」という意味もあります。しかし、日常会話では圧倒的に、「下痢」を意味することが多い表現です。 少し遠回しに、そして少しユーモラスに体調を伝えられるのが、Aussieらしいところです。 Expression The trots Pronunciation /ðə trɒts/ Meaning ① 下痢 日常会話では、この意味で使われることがほとんどです。”I’m sorry, I’ve got the trots.”と言えば、「ごめん、お腹をこわしちゃった。」という意味になります。 ② ハーネスレース（繋駕速歩競走） 馬が小型の二輪車（サルキー）を引いて走る競技。競馬好きのAussieなら、”I’m going to the trots tonight.”と言えば、「今夜はハーネスレースを見に行く。」という意味になります。 ③ 運・ツキ 昔のAussie英語では、”a good…

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    Hugh Jackmanがシドニーで東京の一角を再現（誤字がおまけ！）

    Oh, no! What a Hugh-ge spelling mistake! 　豪出身ハリウッド俳優ヒュー・ジャックマンが主演となり、真田広之や岡本多緒共演の2013年公開予定映画「ウルヴァリン: SAMURAI」をシドニーで撮影し、同市の一角を10月16日までに映画の舞台である東京に変身した。 　行ったことがなければ、再現したところを人目で見れば日本の都市のどこかと思われるかもしれないが、よ～く見るとビルの２階窓の看板に貼っている字がオーストラリア独特な「She’ll be right, mate（なんとかなる、さ）」気持ちを込めているようだ、、、間違っている！ 　「ヨガ」のはずであるの「ヨ」の向けが逆になっている。 　しょうがないね、、、 Tokyo in Parramatta Video: Parramatta transformed into Tokyo

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    Australia Wants You…Again! Another Embassy Opening

    The Australian Embassy in Tokyo is advertising another position. This time, it’s looking for a Consular and Passports Officer to deliver essential services that support the wellbeing and safety of Aussie citizens abroad. Like last week’s posting for a Strategic Communications Assistant, this job would be an awesome chance for someone to contribute to building better relations between Australia and Japan. I’ve met lots of Embassy folks and they’re a very decent bunch of people blessed to have the wonderful job of serving Australia’s interests in Japan. Application details here: