Learning curve

LESSON #1: THE GOON
(A word is enough to the wise)

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Definition (taken from the dictionary):

Cask wine is also known as "goon" in Australia ("goon" is diminutive slang for flagon, the large bottles used before casks)


Definition (the Australian “urban legend”):

It's Aboriginal word for "pillow" because when you open the box of wine, it's actually a pouch that you can re-inflate into a pillow.


I’ve heard the word goon for the first time last week, while I was travelling down south (more details on my journey will be posted soon-ish). When I’ve been told its supposed Aboriginal origin, I thought that, sadly, this was perfect to summarize the conditions of native Australians, totally alienated in their own land, drinking terrible, cheap wine as a way to escape from their own demons. As soon as I got back to Perth, I went on Internet and did some research on the word and, quite surprisingly, I found out that its etymology has nothing to do with Aboriginal language. And so, doubly sad, I got to the conclusion that not only the goon is a perfect example to depict the conditions of the natives, but also it perfectly explains the way they are perceived by the big white galah…



LESSON #2: THE ART OF JUGGLING
(And the credit crunch)

Now, to cheer up a bit, while travelling down south I also had a vision ;)

Eventually, it all came up thanks to the wilderness of Australia and to the idea of survival in conditions that are not the ones I’m used to… Anyway, to make a long story short, I thought of Einstein quote, “I do not know how the third World War will be fought, but I can tell you what they will use in the Fourth… rocks!” and thought that maybe this is the Third World War and that the weapon being used is money. In any case, regardless of the Third, I think that Einstein was totally right about the Fourth World War and the way it will be fought. And so I thought I should start getting ready for it, you never know ;)

And so
I'm a thinkin' and thinkin', 'til there's nothin' I ain't thunk

And I came to the conclusion that, should we get to a “Fist of the North Star”-like scenario (or “Ken il guerriero” if you are Italian, “Hokuto no Ken” its original title, in any case, a post-atomic war scenario…), or should we get back to Medieval behaviors, beliefs and technology, well, then with my skills I’d be totally screwed up. Not brutal enough and too sensitive to go to war, too sincere and intellectually honest to get power (whether it’s religion or politics), too urban and totally unaware of what real physical exertion is to live according to nature, I’d be hopelessly screwed up.

And so
I'm a thinkin' and thinkin', 'til there's nothin' I ain't thunk

And I realized that people would not refuse to give some hot food and a shelter to a minstrel… Unfortunately I’m not a musician, but I’m sort of confident on the fact that I could tell stories and entertain people with them. However, that alone is not enough in rough times: words can be dangerous and a storyteller must put a mask of foolishness if he wants to survive.

And so
I'm a thinkin' and thinkin', 'til there's nothin' I ain't thunk

And here you are the results of all this bloody thinking ;)