patpahootie is from Perth; maybe you can send him a note :)

Thanks for the contact, Ael! I got in touch with him and he sent me a nice note.

Can't help with any Aussie stuff, but if you ever need to know local details about Los Angeles or Cleveland, Ohio, I'm you're go-to person.

I'll keep that in mind. Fred might find himself in L.A. at some point... of course, figuring out why is something I'll have to work out.

All roads eventually lead to LA...

For sports, AFL is big in Perth, the local teams are either the West Coast Eagles or Fremantle Dockers

I say he should follow the Dockers, but then again, im biased

There's nothing wrong with bias, so long as you keep an open mind... I should probably ask- what is the pro football structure like in Australia? Are there also other popular sports that the blue collars like?

Other popular sports in australia include Rugby League, Rugby Union, Cricket, Soccer.

And what do you mean by structure? the AFL is the pro league, it has 16 teams that represent communities across the country, 2 are based in Perth, 2 in Adelaide, 1 in Brisbane, 1 in Sydney and 10 in the Victoria area

That's kind of what I meant. The number of teams and where they are, mostly. Were there any other notes you had on things like how Westerners view rural folk, what kind of popular (or unusual) past times they have, or anything of the sort?

Im not actually from australia so im possibly not the best to answer those questions im afraid, im just a fan of the AFL and Fremantle Football Club

Hope what i said helped though

It did! I'll take whatever I can get. Thank you.

AFL = Australian Rules Football btw :3

I'll keep the Ozzy Rules football in mind... Fred probably misses it dearly in his line of work. Are you from the Land Down Under or were you simply visiting?

Um, Jodi, I don't mind that you don't want to answer for the Cute Mutes anymore, but would you mind just throwing me a bone and telling me why?

(Sorry to interrupt your journal)

Well, frankly, it's because I'm worried for you. I'm worried that your fascination with Ira and Ria borders on obsession and that no matter what I do, I won't be able to satisfy your curiosity. As much as I still like JV in general I've moved on, and as much as I'd like to I can't devote my attentions to character development in JV while I'm simultaneously focused on Fred Savage.

Additionally it seems as though most of your inquiries, or what they lead towards, have more to do with seeing the characters in fetish situations and less to do with understanding them as complex characters with emotions, stories, and experiences. In my mind, at least, the more familiar I am with a character the less I want to see them in shallow pornographic situations. I enjoy it when someone writes a story that takes the characters, tries to understand them, and attempts to fulfill them in a different way, but I'm not fond of people inserting themselves into a creative universe simply for the fulfillment of their carnal desires. Whether or not another person's characters arouse me is irrelevant- I don't constantly ask the creator to indulge me out of respect for both the creator and their characters.

I've found that clinging on to someone with the intention of obtaining something will only get you disingenuous, loveless, begrudged answers. If you pester an artist for free art that they don't want to draw, the best thing you'll get is a hollow piece with the minimum effort involved. If you pester a writer for constant feedback while they're working on other projects, after a while you'll only get contrite, grunted responses.

I don't want things to become this way, but from my perspective they're dangerously close. I don't like being mean to people without good reason, but I have to be honest. I don't appreciate your approach. You may not even see it, but I can tell that in spite of your politeness I can see that you want a specific answer and will continue to ask questions until you get it. This is a one-sided arrangement. You don't want to understand who Ira and Ria are. You simply want to see them in gas masks and bondage gear. I have no problem with that, but I'm not going to write it for you and I'm not going to draw it for you. If you want it badly enough, I will grant you permission and reference material so that you might have another artist give it a crack, but I'm not putting my characters into a situation that compromises their identity. That will be someone else's job, and they'll probably appreciate it if you give them money for the effort.

From your standpoint, these demands might seem antiquated, ludicrous, unfair. How can a guy who writes about mercenaries be prepared to stand behind something as flimsy as principle? I can't really give you a good answer for that. I'm not flawless, and I can be fickle. I know what obsession is like and how frustrating it can be when someone stands in your way, but through all of it I've learned one thing- you can't just bludgeon your way through life, and what's the point of fighting for something if you don't truly appreciate it?

I don't want this to be a notice of rejection, but in your mind I expect that's what it will be. If your ultimate goal is to see Ira and Ria in a fetish situation of your choice, you only needed to ask me for permission to use them as such. In your next endeavor I suggest you take the direct approach rather than beat around the bush. It's faster and less painful. It's also a lot less wordy.

Unfortunately I'm part of the East coast. Don't know much of the West, but have traveled up and down the East.

So, can't help you much with regards to specifics about Gingin or the area around Perth.

Truth be told, hadn't even heard of Gingin before you posted this.

But still, born and bred Aussie, if you want a more general answer about something I'll be here. But for the specifics of that side of this wonderful landmass, can't help you out much.

Also, with regards to Holden or Ford, only the people who start getting involved in that stick to it. Most other Aussies are generally happy with what works (so long as it isn't made in China), and quite often will go for something like a Toyota. We get the Japanese cars over here with basically no modifications, they just ship them straight over as we all drive on the same side of the road, no need to flip the controls.

With regards to personalies, they vary, as much as any other landmass. We have over here 'bogans' which are essentially equivalent to the 'rednecks' of the 'States. Also, many families have a relative somewhere along the line who is a farmer. And due to the way Australia was set up, and the mass emigration and imigration after World War Two, many families have some interesting herritage.

Australia is quite a multiculturial place overall, our culture is actually a hodge-podge of many other cultures, then made a bit more relaxed.

That is one usually true part of personalities here, we don't take things all too seriously, especially if you didn't grow up in the city, we can be a bit more laid back than other folk, and basically everyone has a sence of humour. Unfortunately part of the Australian lingo, and humour, is that of putting other folks down, especially if they are your friend, that might not make much sense to you, but it is kinda a friendly teasing. Not so sure how to describe it really. But meh'.

Hope something in that mess assisted you in some way.

Actually, your response is quite insightful! I've heard of people ribbing on each other in good fun, and it doesn't seem so terribly different than how I address my friends. Of course, in the States you run into a lot of humorless people and such antics can send them flying into a rage!

I've heard the term 'bogan' before, as well as 'yobbo', and I think I get the gist of what they mean. Would you say that Aussie culture has more of an emphasis on camaraderie and being mellow than personal accomplishment and an independent nature? I've heard of 'tall poppy syndrome' and was wondering if the term was still used.

The term tall poppy syndrom is still used, though it is more used for bullying in school environments. That to make yourself taller you cut down others.

Ribbing in good fun happens all of the time really, most people in most places, even at my work it happens. Just a part of the culture really.

Bogan and yobbo are both phrases which are used, and somewhat interchangable.

As for the Australian culture, I would say it actually has more of an emphasis on both camaraderie and also personal accomplishment. We definitely encourage inovative thought and interesting ways of looking at things, even at the general level of interrelationship. There are a lot of interesting inventions which ave come from Australia. Depends more on the specific environment which you refer I guess.

Also, this post was typed at 4:40AM in the night/morning so there will definitely be some errors present.

Actually, your response is quite insightful! I've heard of people ribbing on each other in good fun, and it doesn't seem so terribly different than how I address my friends. Of course, in the States you run into a lot of humorless people and such antics can send them flying into a rage!

I've heard the term 'bogan' before, as well as 'yobbo', and I think I get the gist of what they mean. Would you say that Aussie culture has more of an emphasis on camaraderie and being mellow than personal accomplishment and an independent nature? I've heard of 'tall poppy syndrome' and was wondering if the term was still used.