giddy up horsies!

thesuninherhead

anyone out there tonight?

aMrsin09

I am.  just got back from the shops trying to find SIL a b'day present.  

thesuninherhead

Did you get into the Melbourne cup spirit today, aMrs? I surely hope so.

thesuninherhead

(this coming from a girl who has no clue whatsoever about anything related to horse racing. It's just fun because everyone gets so very into it and it creates a nice feeling of shared enthusiasm)

aMrsin09

I did. Although WA is confusing me.  I have never heard such a disdain for wealth verbalized before.  I asked why in the world it would be on a Tuesday when most were at work and couldn't watch it.  Everytime I asked I got the answer akin to, "well it's only for rich people anyway,, normal folks like us don't pay attn to rich peoples stuff" I need to get to the East Coast.

BubbleJ

I here. Just finished work and eating thai food. Its so good

thesuninherhead

Were you talking to your SIL again?! Most places of employment get in front of a TV at least for 15 minutes to watch the race unfold, and more people still take the day off and head to the races, be it local or in Melbourne itself. I wouldn't ever say it was something just for the wealthy- so many low SES people get very into the day, even if they can't afford to be there, and lots of people dress up just to go to work and take 5 minutes out of the day to watch.

thesuninherhead

ohh, thai food. My gorgeous husband (still feel odd using that word) is in the kitchen cooking for me as we speak!

BubbleJ

FI and I have been engaged 6 months and I still call him my boyfriend most of the time. I'll just get used to calling him my fiance when he becomes my husband!

aMrsin09

Sun, SIL and several other people.  I'm an East Coast (US) Conservative.  We LIKE wealth.  A lot.  That could be where my disconnect with WA is happening. Everyone stops and watchs the Kentucky Derby too (Melbourne Cup in the US), but it's at least held on a Saturday.I only like the Thai that doesn't have peanuts in it.  I eat peanuts, just not mixed into anything other than chocolate.

BubbleJ

amrs, I love the peanuts. Scorched almonds are my fave chocolate covered nut

thesuninherhead

Oh aMrs, I feel for you, because satay is surely one of the most amazing food inventions ever! And you know, I don't think that wealth is the be all and end all, but I would never say I'm opposed to something like the Melbourne cup due to its association with wealth. To me, the cup is also associated with all levels of social class, given the amount of people (often low SES people) prone to gambling. I'm not a gambler, and in that regard, the cup doesn't interest me- but it's exciting and fun, and everyone gets into it. Of course traditionally, it probably was geared to higher income earners, but the race originated well over 100 years now, so times have (obviously!) changed. I'm not sure why it's always held on the first tuesday of November, but given that it's termed 'the race that stops a nation' I highly doubt it's got much to do with it only being of interest to the rich!

aMrsin09

What are SES people? I think it's more just the people I have been around out here.  I have already told DH that we may have to live in OZ, but we will NEVER be living in WA.  I live 30km for Perth CBD and it is not unusual to see people in the shopping malls barefoot.   Have you ever been out this way?

thesuninherhead

socio economic status = SES. Nope, I certainly have not. I have, however, seen some rather nasty people in shopping centers with no shoes, but it's very rare and generally happens at the beachside shops in smaller towns where it's acceptable to wander around in boardshorts and bikinis at the shops. it certainly doesn't happen in the city (maybe in some of the rough outer suburbs, I would guess)!

[Deleted User]

Good morning ladies! I really don't want to go to work today. Who wants to pretent to be my mom and call in sick for me?

aMrsin09

Morning Cew.  I may even BE old enough to be your mom, so I can at least sound the part ;-)

BubbleJ

I'd offer but I don't think they would buy it, with the kiwi accent and all

[Deleted User]

I was thinking that the accents might throw them off a bit. And amrs, I doubt it. I'm 32.

aMrsin09

Yep you're right, but at least I still have my US accent.

[Deleted User]

Alright. It looks like you're the winner. Where are you originally from?

aMrsin09

Born in MD, raised in MI (just outside of Detroit), moved back to DC/MD area, spent 20 years there, and now I'm here.

kate51485

woohoo Michigan!

sarabellam

Cew, I'm a mother (though not old enough to be your mother), and could probably fake a southern accent for you. Since we've got the day off today (woohoo!) I'll gladly call in sick for you.Morning, ladies!