New Website! UStralian.com

by Tova on December 23, 2011

I took a break from updating this site this year, not because of laziness, but mostly because my consulting job took off and I found myself pretty busy working on design and development projects. It was bittersweet, because the one thing that I always  want to do with this blog is turn it into something with a primary focus on the USA/NYC experience.

A few months ago, realized there was no really good news source online specifically targeted towards Australians in the USA. The more people I spoke to, the more encouragement I found to do something like this. So, I partnered up with a small communications agency to work on design and development.

With that in mind, I bring you:

A website containing News, information, lifestyle and culture for Australians living, working or travelling in the USA. We’ll be launching in January 2012, but until then, feel free to sign up to receive updates via the website or on twitter, facebook, tumblr or google+

Check out UStralian.com →

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It happened last night

by Tova on May 2, 2011

From The Onion: Violent Death of Human Being Terrific News for Once

Last night’s big media event – the death of Osama Bin Laden – held significance for  many reasons.  For me, it was an ex-pat/resident of the USA (living in NYC) who tries to navigate the political topography as respectfully as possible. I cannot vote, nor was I here for that horrific event that spurred the death of one man, consequently sending people chanting into the streets.

The truth? There’s nothing like being on the streets here in NYC when something of this magnitude occurs. The last time something like this happened was the election of President Barack Obama, a night which I remember ended with people congratulating each other as they passed by on the streets. Everyone was truly happy. The other event of less political significance was the Yankees winning the 2009 world series.

I was tired last night, so I watched Brian Williams stretch the news commentary about the situation until they crossed live to the president’s address. My partner, a native New Yorker, was happy – until he realized this death might spur repercussions that have already seen us have our bags checked before subway rides, near-misses with police blockades over gas canisters outside music venues and more.

Was hunting and discriminately shooting this country’s #1 wanted man the best thing that could have happened in this situation?

My short answer: I’m really glad he’s dead. I hope it offers some solace to the families of those who died in terrorist attacks caused by his organization and those who have given their lives to fight terrorism. But doesn’t his death really just signify another martyr for an imbalanced cause that has already resulted in so much fighting and death?

They hung Saddam. They shot Bin Laden. I can’t help  but wonder how evolved we really are when it comes to war, fighting and terrorism, and whether future generations will squirm when they try to understand our generation’s concept of targeted assassination.

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Prescriptive Advertising

by Tova on March 22, 2011

Since my move to the USA almost 3.5 years ago, there have been so many things that required major life adjustment. For instance, the AMAZINGNESS of cereal isles in this country!

But one thing that immediately made me turn my head was the presence of advertising for prescription medication on TV. You guessed right – there’s no prescription drug advertisements on TV. They are outlawed. I do recall some drug companies getting around this by offering advertising where no brand is names – rather prompting users to talk to their doctors about the possible drugs (and most likely the ad they’d just seen).

Of course one of the results of having prescription drug ads on television here is that the companies must list all side effects of the drug during the ad. I laugh time and time again as the poor voiceover artist basically has to tell users that a certain drug might possibly cause death or cancer or aids or any possible horrible disease that’s not even closely linked to the depression or asthma that the viewer is presumably trying to cure.

But my first – and still the funniest – experience with side effects advertising was for a drug for Restless Legs Syndrome. While I don’t wish to belittle those that obviously suffer from it, I believe I audibly howled when I heard the voiceover say that it may cause “gambling, sexual or other intense urges”. Gambling. As far as prescription medication goes, I feel like I’d generally prefer not to know that I might die if I take antibiotics for a virus that’s plaguing me. But if a doctor told me that the medication he’s about to give me may give me the urge to hit up Atlantic City with a wad of $100 bills, my reaction would probably turn from incredulity to curiousness. Because I’ve never been to AC. And in the same breath my next question would be about the side effects of alcohol consumption.

Mirapex RLS Ad:

MAD TV Restless Leg Syndrom Sketch

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All the Buildings in New York

by Tova on March 11, 2011

This one came to me via a friend on facebook. James Gulliver Hancock is an Australian illustrator, currently based in New York, attempting to draw every building in New York City. They’re all drawn in his own whimsical style and are just adorable. Plus, yay, Greenpoint! The Pencil Factory is included.

He has prints available, and I quite possibly may need to purchase some for my new workspace. Check it out here

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The 83rd Oscars: The Australian Edition

by Tova on February 27, 2011

Crowded House with PS22 - courtesy of ps22chorus.blogspot.com

First, there was Kirk Douglas berating Hugh Jackman for laughing.

“I don’t know why everybody in Australia thinks I’m funny. Colin Firth is not laughing”.

The collective breaths held by Australians both in the US and abroad could be heard while we all prepared to shout at Douglas for mistaking another Englishman (or vice versa) for an Australian.

“He’s English”, he continued. (collective exhale).

This became the beginning of what seemed like an endless slew of references and nods to that place we all Aussies still call home. “The Lost Thing”, an Australian animated short, won a surprise best oscar. “The King’s Speech”, a British film with many Australian connections, enjoyed its multiple oscar wins and best supporting role for Australian Geoffrey Rush. Jacki Weaver, well known to Australian audiences but relatively unknown in the USA (until now), enjoyed a well-deserved Oscar nomination for the recent Australian movie “Animal Kingdom”.

But there was more. Anne Hathaway took a moment away from her multiple costume changes and awkward jokes to sing a tuxedo’d version of “on my own” as a nod to Hugh Jackman’s role hosting the oscars in 2009. The beginning verse seemed not only to lambast Jackman for leaving her to sing the song on her own, but also at times calling him out for being Australian.

My own oscars experience was also spent on my own – electing to spend the evening in my own apartment surrounded by half-packed boxes for my apartment move this week and work deadlines. This – ahem – flexibility allowed me to do some research during the final act of the evening, a chorus of young children from Staten Island, New York who sang sweetly as the oscar winners gathered behind them.

Therein I found what could possibly the most unlikely connection between The Oscars and Australia.

In 2008, the PS22 chorus actually accompanied Neil Finn (lead singer songwriter of “Crowded House”) in a rendition of the Australian classic, “Throw your Arms around me” by Hunters and Collectors. The followed this by joining Finn and Mark Seymore (of Hunters and Collectors) to sing the popular Crowded House song “Private Universe”.

See them perform two of my favourite Australian/New Zealand classics below:

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bbbbbrooklyn bbbbbeta!

October 5, 2010

Since I live in a city that’s packed with great creative people in my field, I decided to take the plunge and register to take part in my very first web conference. I’m excited about getting to see some inspirational speakers – some of whom write blogs and websites that I’ve read for years. (Also, [...]

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Wherein I’m Reminded that I Live in NYC…

September 14, 2010

Living here, one of the things that really opened my little naive Australian eyes was that there are so many people who move here to be cool. To be with the “in” crowd. To develop an innate sense of entitlement. (And yes – the same can be said of LA or San Francisco or any [...]

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Painting “Up There”

August 26, 2010

I just came across this whilst browsing the archives of the very fabulous Ministry of Type. “Up There” is a documentary based on the work of the very few painters who still create hand-painted signage on buildings, often mostly in New York and LA (I imagine this is because of visibility and budget for such [...]

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Frank Chimero’s advice to graphic design students

August 24, 2010

I think my two favourites are “If you say “retro” too much you will get hives and maybe die.” and “Scissors are good, music is better, and mixed drinks with friends are best.” Check it out here via swiss miss

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boubouki

July 22, 2010

I’m proud to announce that boubouki, a healthy fresh greek takeaway store in the Essex market is on the eve of opening. I was really happy to help my friend Rona with  branding, website, design and some signage for the store (still in production!) . Take a look at what’s for offer and please go [...]

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