mAptitude Test

The Kiwi Flatmate told me that there's a rumor in New Zealand that most Americans can't locate New Zealand on a map.  What?!  This is a huge problem!  What do I think of this?  I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so because, uh, some...people out there in our nation don't have maps and, uh, I believe that our, uh, education like such as in South Africa and...wait...that was someone else's response.  In all seriousness though, I think I've identified the root of the problem:  Risk.  Let me explain.

The Kiwi Flatmate, the Jamerican, and I host a bi-monthly game of Risk at The Red Door.  Here is a picture of the board that comes with our 1993 version of the game:

Notice anything funny?

Look a little closer.

That's right!  There's no New Zealand!  No wonder Americans can't find it!  Any kid who grew up playing Risk wouldn't even know to look for it.  Of course, they'll also think there are only 4 countries in South America, but I digress.  It looks like the quest for world domination started with a game designer nuking New Zealand.

Signed,

American Roomie

Drop Bears vs. Snipe Hunting

Now that the Kiwi Flatmate has warned me that she might act strange in order to trick me into believing silly things about her motherland, I'll have to be more careful with what I post here.  In fact, I'll use Flight of the Conchords to help me verify any facts about New Zealand. 

With that said, I won't be fooled into believing in Drop Bears, which evidently are  giant, vicious koala-like animals that fall on you and eat you alive if you go camping in Australia.  

The Drop Bear attacks its prey from above.

I think I'll get the upper hand by taking the Kiwi Flatmate snipe hunting!

Signed,

American Roomie

The License Plate Game

At a red light on the way home tonight from a late night dessert run, the Kiwi Flatmate laughed and pointed at the license plate of the car in front of us.  

"One of the things I love about America," she said, "is seeing license plates from other states."  

"Do you know the license plate game?" I asked with a sly grin.  

"No," she replied.

"You go like this," I said punching her shoulder with each letter.  "Missouri X!  A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X!"

How lucky was I to get to demonstrate with X?!

While they don't play The License Plate Game in New Zealand, they do play a version of the Slug Bug Game called Punch Buggy.  We determined that the rules are the same with just a different name.


Signed,
American Roomie


[UPDATE:  The Jamerican read this post and said, "Slug Bug, what's that?"  I explained it to her, and she said, "We call it Punch Buggy.  It looks like you're the weird one in the house."]