This just in… a Brit has won “the best job in the world.”
Quote:
A bungee jumping, ostrich-riding British charity worker was named the winner Wednesday of what’s been dubbed the “Best Job in the World” — a six-month contract to serve as caretaker of a tropical Australian island. Ben Southall, 34, of Petersfield, beat out nearly 35,000 applicants from around the world for the dream assignment to swim, explore and relax on Hamilton Island in the Great Barrier Reef for while writing a blog to promote the area. More….
Which is weird, because if the Aussies have been promoting their job of island caretaker as the “best job in the world,” than what’s to make of the Murphy-Goode winery blogger job here in Sonoma County that has been called, “A Really Goode Job.” The one that offers a blogger $10,000 a month to blog about life in Sonoma Wine Country, live on a vineyard estate, and basically do what a lot of us do, but for A LOT more money.
Nope. Wrong Briton. Wrong Job.
Aside from showing the endemic humility that is a hallmark of Sonoma wine country (and this blog) I think the title “A Really Goode Job” begs to be set up against the “Best Job in the World.” But not just that. This thing is bigger.
Oh yes, friends, (or mates…) it is time for:
AUSTRALIA vs. USA of AMERICA of THE UNITED STATES
The contest- compare our two countries and see who comes out on top – or, at least, who could possible claim to have the “Best Very Goodest Job In the World”
Round 1: Cuisine
Australia: National cuisine in Australia is comprised largely of “meat and three” which means you eat one of those kangaroos that is always hopping across the Sydney Harbor Bridge, and three of that ‘roos joeys, which is Australian for “delicious furry creatures.” All of this is washed down with a large can of Foster’s beer, which after finishing, you smash against your buddy’s forehead until it crumples. (The can, not the head.)
USA: National cuisine here in America consists of baseball, mom and apple pie. It always has been a bit odd to explain to visitors, what with the appearance of cannibalism as well as trying to underscore the subtelties of the infield fly rule. The apple pie, though, is awesome.
Scoring: tie.
Round 2: Sports
Australia: In Australia they play Aussie Rules Football, which is like rugby, but instead of beating up Britons, the Aussies beat up each other. The Aussies also play rugby, tennis, and “can you name this odd skin blemish?”
USA: In America, games played include baseball (see above), football and NASCAR, which is also known as competitive corporate branding. Bo Jackson played all of these sports. Professional atheletes also participate in college basketball.
Scoring: America! USA! USA! USA!
Round 3: Cool accents
Australia: Aussies have great accents, which is why Americans are always asking them if they are British, Scottish, Irish, Welsh, Canadian, French, Jamaican or Kiwis. Every time you ask an Aussie if they are a Kiwi, a tear rolls down a cheek in Auckland. Alas.
America: It’s true: Americans all sound like George W. Bush. Sigh.
Scoring: Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! Oy! Oy! Oy!
Well, it looks like a tie. And I didn’t even get to the part that part about history (phew!) and then comparing the relative pluses and minuses of our respective governments (didn’t quite understand the wikipedia entry, so I’m just skipping it.)
So, in sum, the “Best Job In the World” and the “ReallyGoode Job” look to be about equal.
Except that the latter winner also gets to hang out with me for six months. Or would you rather be on a desert island eating canned ‘roo?
