Day before Australia Day

If you'd have told me two years ago that I'd be inviting strangers into my home, whose websites I saw on the 'net, I'd have sent out for the strappy white coats and made you a cup of tea while you were waiting.

Not sure what's changed, but having Martine, Darin and the ever bashful (?) Kat over for "Day before Australia Day" drinks, seemed totally natural. They didn't even seem like strangers when they showed up on the doorstep. In fact, saying "Nice to meet you" felt a little fruity.

"Nooooo! My face is all blotchy!"

The fact that they'd brought VB, XXXX (granted, the most heathen of brews), TimTams, Tiny Teddies, and Aussie wine, didn't hurt their acceptance into the household. XXXX might be crap, but there's something oddly nostalgic about that red and gold tinnie (must have been that memory of the U of Qld Toga Party circa 1993 when... oh never mind).

And what do 4 Aussies (and one honorary Aussie from America's "pan handle") do in Tokyo on Australia Day? Have a BBQ and watch the cricket, always within arms-length of a six pack? HELL NO! They go to karaoke of course. Always within arms-length of a nama-biru and a microphone.

It's a shame we met Kat and Darin now we're looking down the barrel of our departure. I really miss good sarcastic banter with fellow Aussies from time to time. Actually, I don't even realise I'm missing it until I have it again.

So somewhere along the line, my attitude toward meeting new people has flipped a switch. In Australia, I was paranoid about having strangers come to my home, arguing "What if they bring numchuckers and trash the place?" My mother's words will forever echo in my head - "You can never be too careful".

I guess we figured that if Kat and Darin were thieves and stole all our stuff, they would be doing us a favour, seeing as we have to get rid of it all anyway. They aren't thieves of course, but guys, next time you come round, could you, you know... take something???

Kat's pics of F.U.N
Frangipani's Happy Snaps