Spat The Dummy

At forty, deeply iconoclastic Spat Ryan is recently divorced, unemployed, and frequently intoxicated. Inspired by the cliche "we're only as sick as our secrets," he decides to reveal himself a piece at a time for the "cure." A deeply skeptical outsider, stunted by many adolescent appetites, Spat survived his often violent, terrifying past by keeping his darkest truths out of mind. A wholly unpopular student, he was christened "Big Dummy" by a nun teaching at his junior high. The name Spat the Dummy and an unearned bad reputation followed him to the end of his miserable school years. Raised by a bagman for the Irish mob, Spat has fictionalized or ignored chuinks of his life too painful to contemplate. When he meets an old friend of his father's in a bar on the Main, they develop a camaraderie built on memories of the man they both revered. During a drinking session with his father's old friend, it is revealed that she, too, has been keeping the same secret that ultimately shaped Spat's tumultuous life. Her reaction to the recollection ends their friendship and begins his quest to understand how he became hiself. 'Spat the Dummy' is a brilliant debut novel that will have readers longing for more from this wildly original writer."This is a satisfying read from a talented author that manages to convey the rather hopeful message that each od Spat's small successes mean moe than all of his spectacular failures combined." - Montreal Gazette

Visitors to New Zealand are frequently surprised — and puzzled — by local terms and expressions. This concise A–Z dictionary, now updated in a new expanded edition, is a quick and easy reference to understanding the words and phrases that make the New Zealand language and speech patterns so different. Language expert Max Cryer not only provides helpful definitions for the various entries, but also sheds light on their origins. Slang words feature heavily, while a key feature of the book is the large number of Māori words that have become part of the common language over the years. Popular names of sports teams are also included, while an appendix of New Zealand acronyms completes the book. From Rotovegas to the Naki, both Kiwis and visitors to New Zealand will find the lingo of Godzone explained simply and accurately. Never stuffy or academic, Max Cryer brings his expert knowledge and dry wit to a book that is sure to become an essential reference. Sweet as!

Third Language Dictionary is a guide to everyday language that is peculiar to and used by Australian folks from all walks of life no matter what or who they are or the level of success, education, credence, or place in society they have attained.

Written by a Sydney native, English, The Aussie Way: A Fun Guide to Australia’s Colourful Phrases, Words, and Expressions offers an amusing way for English or non-English speakers around the world to learn the colloquial phrases for which Australia is famous. This user-friendly reference provides words/phrases and meanings/synonyms by using an example sentence. Says the author, “For seven years I housed international students who were attending English language schools in Sydney, and I realised that although they had a good grasp of formal grammar, they struggled to understand not only colloquial English, but many of the commonly used phrasal verbs, which could not be found in a standard English/Spanish, French, etc., dictionary. It was then that I decided to start writing some of them down for future reference and it grew from there.”

Identical ten-year-old twins Kim and Tim are no longer the darlings of the Willem family. That changed when the new baby, Abby, arrived. The twins resent Abby and make up their minds to become difficult. So when weird things begin happening, their parents don't believe them when they talk about the large, old-fashioned black car that glides by with no driver; the small, grey dog with the golden, glowing eyes watching from the hedges; and the gnome-like intruder in the basement, who disappears behind the furnace when followed. The situation becomes even more interesting when Kim and Tim meet the new special education instructor, Mr. Harrison Heed; the two children soon discover that he's much more than a teacher at their school. Then, something unnatural occurs; baby Abby is abducted by thieving creatures called hdodas.

CultureShock! Australia is chock-full of information that will help you assimilate effortlessly into life in the land Down Under. Written in an easy-to-read style, this book covers all the basics for settling in, including the options you should consider before deciding whether to have a pool in your backyard or a full-fledged garden in the front, and what to do when your teenagers assert their rights. Peer beneath the laid-back veneer of the Australian people and learn more about what they hold dear as well as their attitudes towards ‘tall poppies’ and multiculturalism. Discover how to entertain guests around the ‘barbie’ and what to do when given a ‘shout’. Find out more about how to speak Strine as well as how important leisure is in the Australian working world. CultureShock! Australia is the only guide you will need to fully understand the Aussie people and their culture and truly enjoy your stay in the land of the Southern Cross.

A direct and informative Wordbook of Idiom and Slang which is directed at giving explanation to the meaning of and the correct usage of the Australian English language. There are some words used that may offend as they have converse meanings to other English Speaking countries; however, there is no intent to offend or malign or denigrate anybody. This book is designed to be informative, educational, and full of humor and will give the reader insight to a unique and colorful language.

The story of a boy growing up through hardships ,not knowing that he suffered with Dyslexia not realising why he was unable to keep up with school work, always being bullied and ridiculed. Struggling in life and achieving great heights even though he had plenty disappointments,he always amazed people around him. This true life story is about a boy with very little education and becoming the CEO and always hiding his identity. Story will take you through the life he led, the ups and downs and the concealments of his life story. Stories of my life as a child Migrating from Motticella Calabria Italy , to Footscray Melbourne Australia, together with my family . The hardships my family went through in Australia . 4 years after our arrival my mother became a widow with no support and hardly any money. Dyslexia had a big influence on my life. With the recession we had to have and the downfall of my business. The greatest achievements ...meeting with some exciting politicians and being invited to the Celebration of his Majesty the Emperor of Japan Birthday party ...also becoming a candidate in the Federal elections in the Palmer United party.