Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 10:29 pm Post subject: Back to Europe?
We're living down under and my better half always talks often about going back to the civilized Europe, to Germany England or Spain.
I'm not that convinced as I feel much safer in unstable times.
We don't need heating here our garden is big enough to grow quite a lot year round. And we are not in the middle of a probable battlefield. We don't need gas from Russia and have a part of the oil ourselves.
So why going back? Tell me one good reason. Without PO this would be a real possibility but considering PO I won''t feel safe, however there are much better job oportities.
Joined: Jun 05, 2005 Posts: 357 Location: Portland Oregon, USA
Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 11:02 pm Post subject: Re: Back to Europe?
3 reasons:
1. Spanish lovers
2. German auto mechanics
3. English Police
NOT to be confused with....
1. English lovers
2. Spanish auto mechanics
3. German Police.
Seriously, I'm for making the best of where you are and not embarking on quixotic quests for the "perfect" set-up. If you're happy, stay put. Be where you are.
Joined: Aug 03, 2006 Posts: 4302 Location: Graceland
Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 11:49 pm Post subject: Re: Back to Europe?
You could do a lot worse than Australia, that's for sure.
Just stay put and have fun talking with that fabulous accent.
I live in Texas and I have no accent at all, which I view as a good thing. Some people just don't care for the southern U.S. accent, and it can be an obstacle if you are dealing with people from other parts of the country or the world.
But an Australian accent, that's GOLD anywhere you go, right? Please don't tell me there are people anywhere on this planet who find an Australian accent annoying.
I work with a guy from New Zealand and I swear his accent gives him about 20 IQ points and allows him to close deals about 20% faster. It's fun to watch the way people react to him. _________________
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 2:04 am Post subject: Re: Back to Europe?
Spain is going to implode. Read the housing collapse thread for links. It used half of Europe's cement, built entire new towns standing empty, is in debt up to its eyeballs, posted many tens of billions of euros of worthless collateral at the ECB and still spends far beyond its means. If there is one place in Western Europe to stay out of, it is Spain. They are going to be bankrupt and on foreign central bank life support if they are lucky. _________________ "The American people are watching the numbers climb higher and higher at the pump and they're waiting to see what the Congress will do." - George W Bush
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 2:31 am Post subject: Re: Back to Europe?
I was really amused about the replies! Yes, I love the Aussie accent, could listen to our neighbor for hours, and yes, that's a reason to stay here (and the old ladies in the thrift stores), however we're both not Aussies and as an adult you never loose your accent.
The hint with Spain is good, because my husband has a friend which has a good job there and he suggested going there.
I want to stay in Australia, but my husband, who is not European, misses Europe a bit, strange?
Overall the people here care more for each other than they do in Europe.
Joined: Aug 30, 2005 Posts: 277 Location: Second Vermont Republic
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 6:31 am Post subject: Re: Back to Europe?
BigTex wrote:
I live in Texas and I have no accent at all, which I view as a good thing. Some people just don't care for the southern U.S. accent, and it can be an obstacle if you are dealing with people from other parts of the country or the world.
Joined: Aug 03, 2007 Posts: 3715 Location: Boston Suburbs
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 1:05 pm Post subject: Re: Back to Europe?
BigTex wrote:
Y
But an Australian accent, that's GOLD anywhere you go, right? Please don't tell me there are people anywhere on this planet who find an Australian accent annoying.
I work with a guy from New Zealand and I swear his accent gives him about 20 IQ points and allows him to close deals about 20% faster. It's fun to watch the way people react to him.
I find it annoying, at least certain aspects of it. For instance, the local theater here has ATM-style ticket machines that sound like they were build by New Zealanders because they sound like Peter Jackson. Some of the pronunciation shifts are just so severe and jump right out of nowhere.
Joined: Aug 03, 2006 Posts: 4302 Location: Graceland
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 1:16 pm Post subject: Re: Back to Europe?
mos6507 wrote:
BigTex wrote:
Y
But an Australian accent, that's GOLD anywhere you go, right? Please don't tell me there are people anywhere on this planet who find an Australian accent annoying.
I work with a guy from New Zealand and I swear his accent gives him about 20 IQ points and allows him to close deals about 20% faster. It's fun to watch the way people react to him.
I find it annoying, at least certain aspects of it. For instance, the local theater here has ATM-style ticket machines that sound like they were build by New Zealanders because they sound like Peter Jackson. Some of the pronunciation shifts are just so severe and jump right out of nowhere.
"Please sel-'ay'-ct a movie"
'ay' as in ache
I figured there was probably someone, somewhere.
I was thinking the aborigines might not be too fond of it. _________________
Due to the lack of significant domestic oil production, Spain and Portugal depend upon oil imports, with the largest suppliers including Russia, Libya, and Saudi Arabia.
Spain produced only 3,000 bbl/d of crude oil in 2006, while Portugal had no commercial production. [missed out a zero?]
There are no significant natural gas reserves in the Iberian Peninsula.
In 2005, Spain consumed 1.1 Tcf of natural gas.
Spain has one of the fastest-growing natural gas markets in the world. Between 1994 and 2004, Spain's natural gas consumption tripled, driven mostly by the large-scale introduction of gas-fired power plants.
...in 2004, consumption of natural gas reached 152 Bcf [in Portugal]
Spain is one of Europe's largest LNG importers.
Coal is Spain's most plentiful indigenous energy source, with reserves of 584 million short tons (Mmst) in 2003. The country produced 22.7 Mmst in 2003, while consuming 45.6 Mmst, relying on imports for the balance.
Portugal has not produced coal since its last mine closed in 1994. In 2003, Portugal consumed 5.9 Mmst of coal, mostly for electricity generation.
Spain's conventional thermal generating capacity contributes over half of the country's total power supply.
Spain has eight operating nuclear plants, while Portugal has none.
...the Spanish government has announced a moratorium on the construction of new nuclear power plants
Despite the economy's relative solid footing significant downside risks remain including Spain's continued loss of competitiveness, the potential for a housing market collapse, the country's changing demographic profile, and a decline in EU structural funds.
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 6:45 pm Post subject: Re: Back to Europe?
The military power is something I fear more than it made me feel save. In Europe, we're a good target and in the middle of most possible conflicts. This fear began for me with the cruise missiles back in the 80th. I feel lot more save because Australia is not very much armed.
Yes, Australia could be invaded by Chinese (without military power) but it has very finite resources of water and good soils.
I have not the accent, as English is not my mother tongue, maybe I have got a strange mixture now. The Aborigines do speak strine alot (at least what I could hear).
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 9:42 pm Post subject: Re: Back to Europe?
Australian heroines are the world's most independant. Xena came from New Xealand. Unfortunately, having gone to Outback Steakhouse, Australian food is a bit too chunky. _________________ People first, then things, then dollars.
There will be enslavement, cannibalism, & zombie invasions.
Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 11:28 am Post subject: Re: Back to Europe?
I don't recommend the UK btw. Unless you like perpetual rain a(which may have its uses if you are a hardcore doomer).
And we're more crowded here than a newpaper column.
Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 11:57 am Post subject: Re: Back to Europe?
Kaj wrote:
I don't recommend the UK btw. Unless you like perpetual rain a(which may have its uses if you are a hardcore doomer).
And we're more crowded here than a newpaper column.
But have the best wind resouces on the planet. Also, we are not that overcrowded. We have masses of unused country estates and arable land. Our planning system keeps 90% of the people on 10% of the land - thats why it feels so crowded!!
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