Tuesday, November 08, 2005
I tawt I taw a man in a twench coat looking through my wubbish ;)
I did! I did see a man in a twench coat...
Umm, no, I'm just being silly, but I did see ASIO advertising!
ASIO is advertising for General Intelligence Officers.
If I could be bothered to switch my brain on, I might have thoughts of applying *lol*
Too busy with work, though! :)
However, if you want to work for ASIO, now's your chance, I suppose...
Although I don't think that things would ever get as dashing as Bond, and there have been news reports about how the spy trade in the UK has suffered a downturn in the number of female applicants because, apparently, of the violent deaths that female agents have been subjected to in shows like Spooks.
Death by boiling oil and a shot to the back of the head always says fun, fun, fun, after all, does it not?
Hmm.
Umm, no, I'm just being silly, but I did see ASIO advertising!
ASIO is advertising for General Intelligence Officers.
If I could be bothered to switch my brain on, I might have thoughts of applying *lol*
Too busy with work, though! :)
However, if you want to work for ASIO, now's your chance, I suppose...
Although I don't think that things would ever get as dashing as Bond, and there have been news reports about how the spy trade in the UK has suffered a downturn in the number of female applicants because, apparently, of the violent deaths that female agents have been subjected to in shows like Spooks.
Death by boiling oil and a shot to the back of the head always says fun, fun, fun, after all, does it not?
Hmm.
TeleVixen Returns!
Well, I've finally gotten around to adding more TV things to my TeleVixen blog! :)
*Note: this promotion does not mean that the views expressed on TeleVixen are at all objective. In fact, they will often be somewhat sarcastic and generally random, but also brutally honest. Take that, Australian Princess! And other dodgy television shows that insult the intelligence of all Australian viewers.
Oh... and had you noticed that The Alice seems to be languishing its final episodes away in a late-night slot on Channel 9 on Mondays now? That was a bit odd...
*Note: this promotion does not mean that the views expressed on TeleVixen are at all objective. In fact, they will often be somewhat sarcastic and generally random, but also brutally honest. Take that, Australian Princess! And other dodgy television shows that insult the intelligence of all Australian viewers.
Oh... and had you noticed that The Alice seems to be languishing its final episodes away in a late-night slot on Channel 9 on Mondays now? That was a bit odd...
Monday, November 07, 2005
Superman to the rescue!
*teehee* I'm glad that I didn't go to the singles thing on Saturday - it sounded like it was scary! Larie rang me about an hour and a bit into it and asked if she could use me as an excuse to escape, which I said was cool. Apparently the people were all over 40 (which is a bit out of our age range unless the idea of a sugar daddy suddenly truly appeals...), and spent the time gossiping about who was single, who wasn't, blah blah blah, and were the desperate-to-get-hitched types (but obviously not desperate to get hitched to each other types, seeing as they are all still single).
'Twas most ironic to have been invited to that thing with my editorial coming out on the same day, though. Ha ha ha! *blithe, ironic laugh* Perhaps it would have been interesting to attend, so that a Truman Capote-style write-up could have followed, but then there might have been no escape... o.0 Eep!
Admittedly, the majority of the guys I've dated have been in the "older" (than me, at least *lol*) category - typically around 7 to 10 years my senior. But over 40 is just a place that I'm not willing to go until I'm approaching being 40! The maximum age that I'd date currently would probably be 35 or 36, but even then there are just way too many "cultural" differences (grew up with different things, etc). It'd have to be someone I had a lot in common with otherwise, really, with that kind of age.
In other news, Julie sent me a sticker today that says "YES, THEY'RE REAL" in huge white letters on a red background! The sticker follows the thing at my Nanna's funeral where a guy spent a five-minute conversation with me talking to my chest.
*bwahahahahaha*
ARRRGHHHH!!!
I HATE huntsman spiders!!!
Hate, hate, hate, hate, HATE!
There have been a lot of them in the house lately, and so I attacked every nook and cranny and whatnot with the surface spray yesterday.
What do I find this morning?
A HUGE huntsman spider on the wall next to the washing machine.
Thankfully it was kind of lethargic, so I was able to get my gold wedge heels and squash it to death (reminder to self: clean wall when get home). My heart is still kind of beating a bit fast about that! I didn't want to leave it, because otherwise how the heck would I know where it went when I got home, so I ended up being a bit late for work because of that.
Ugh!
Hate, hate, hate, hate, HATE!
There have been a lot of them in the house lately, and so I attacked every nook and cranny and whatnot with the surface spray yesterday.
What do I find this morning?
A HUGE huntsman spider on the wall next to the washing machine.
Thankfully it was kind of lethargic, so I was able to get my gold wedge heels and squash it to death (reminder to self: clean wall when get home). My heart is still kind of beating a bit fast about that! I didn't want to leave it, because otherwise how the heck would I know where it went when I got home, so I ended up being a bit late for work because of that.
Ugh!
Saturday, November 05, 2005
Wo Bist Du
Rammstein
Ich liebe dich
Ich liebe dich nicht
Ich liebe dich nicht mehr
Ich liebe dich nicht mehr oder weniger als du
Als du mich geliebt hast
Als du mich noch geliebt hast
Die schönen Mädchen sind nicht schön
Die warmen Hände sind so kalt
Alle Uhren bleiben stehen
Lachen ist nicht mehr gesund und bald
Such ich dich hinter dem Licht
Wo bist du
So allein will ich nicht sein
Wo bist du
Die schönen Mädchen sind nicht schön
Die warmen Hände sind so kalt
Alle Uhren bleiben stehen
Lachen ist nicht mehr gesund, und bald
Ich suche dich hinter dem Licht
Wo bist du
So allein will ich nicht sein
Wo bist du
Ich such dich unter jedem Stein
Wo bist du
Ich schlaf mit einem Messer ein
Wo bist du
Rammstein
Ich liebe dich
Ich liebe dich nicht
Ich liebe dich nicht mehr
Ich liebe dich nicht mehr oder weniger als du
Als du mich geliebt hast
Als du mich noch geliebt hast
Die schönen Mädchen sind nicht schön
Die warmen Hände sind so kalt
Alle Uhren bleiben stehen
Lachen ist nicht mehr gesund und bald
Such ich dich hinter dem Licht
Wo bist du
So allein will ich nicht sein
Wo bist du
Die schönen Mädchen sind nicht schön
Die warmen Hände sind so kalt
Alle Uhren bleiben stehen
Lachen ist nicht mehr gesund, und bald
Ich suche dich hinter dem Licht
Wo bist du
So allein will ich nicht sein
Wo bist du
Ich such dich unter jedem Stein
Wo bist du
Ich schlaf mit einem Messer ein
Wo bist du
Friday, November 04, 2005
Masked!
I bought the mask!It's really gorgeous :) I'll have to take some close-up photos of it. There's such a lot of delicate work with it.
The cat mask, which I was originally interested in buying, was nice but ultimately I went with the mask with the name of Belle.
Apparently it was made by people who also do fetish gear, so that might be interesting to look at some more *lol*
Now at least the wombat's nipples 'artwork' in the cafe makes sense! ;)
Thursday, November 03, 2005
No matter what anyone says, marriage still seems to be the desired state, regardless of religion (or lack thereof). But then almost half of all marriages end in divorce/separation... (at least in the Western world).
People don't want to be alone when it comes down to the very heart of it. We all want to be loved by somebody.
But then there are times that you can never feel more alone than when you are with another person.
Still, there seem to be a mighty lot of articles around on Christian websites, such as Relevant, about singleness and how to not be single any more (or at least wait until God provides you with the date of your dreams who you can then marry, produce offspring with and settle down into suburban life for the ultimate fulfillment of owning a SUV and picking the kids up from school at 3.30) (Oh, sorry, just wandered off into Nightmare World there momentarily!).
And then you get the interfering people who want to set you up with a friend of a friend to help make sure that you won't be single any more. Newsflash! I don't mind being single. I actually enjoy it. Stop bothering me with people you'd like me to meet or I may snap and smack you about. Or at least be brutally honest with you about what I think of your efforts to set me up with someone.
Funny thing is, I've got an editorial coming out on Saturday that's all about being single (and Christian - a dangerous combination!). Someone read it and then invited a friend of mine, who is also single, and myself to a "singles" event, which is meant to be coming up on Saturday night or something. Sweet thought, but HONESTLY. Did this person not read what I'd been saying? Did they mistake what I wrote for a desperate cry to find that special person to cherish in my heart and call Schnookums and be all cutesy with?
Hell, I don't want to be not single until I can find someone who can tolerate me singing along to Sex Pistols songs (usually in the shower), doesn't mind me laughing wildly at amusing television, singing along to Rocky Horror (and dancing), instigating tickle fights, loving Test match cricket... oh, you know, all of those sort of things that would make it "liking me for myself" or whatever. Sure, I'll go out with people, but I don't want a "serious" relationship with someone who isn't going to appreciate all of my craziness *lol* Or with someone that I won't appreciate, either. It's got to be a mutual thing there.
Until then, I think that the words "singles event" will continue to put my teeth on edge and make me want to run far, far away.
*rant*
Our government has no decency.
It has worked to assist other nations in war crimes and crimes against humanity. And yeah, that's happened in places where we've been meant to "help out" such as East Timor, Afghanistan and Iraq.
It's colluded in the illegal incarceration of people without trial (Why we should take Hicks' allegations very seriously by The Contrarian).
It has lied repeatedly about things that are important. Children overboard, WMDs, the Tampa, GST, and I'd be willing to bet that this "terrorist threat" is a load of codswallop.
By its silence, it has supported torture and abuse. Zimbabwe? Let's not say too much about that - we shall send our cricketers to have a nice tour there instead! But no comment on Mugabe's government killing people, destroying towns, etc. Abu Grahib, anyone? Guantanamo Bay? Oh, or would speaking out against those sort of things mean that George Dubya wouldn't like us as much? What a loss *that* would be...
Basic human rights have been disregarded when it suits them - think of David Hicks. Think of the "anti-terror" laws that are trying to be pushed through. Think of refugees and "illegal" immigrants (of which there are no such thing, legally - that's just a term that's been slapped on which is used as an excuse to lock people up).
It continually tries to sweep the faults it has that are pointed out under the rug - currently I'm thinking of all of the bungles, bribery and blackmail that have gone on with refugees/immigrants. Apparently there are Australian people who have been locked in detention centres for years, in much the same way as Cornelia Rau was. Missing a relative? Check Baxter... But instead of reviewing processes, they just say, "No, you're wrong, we're right, those people should have been locked up anyway."
Messing with university funding and thereby increasing costs of education for students. Education is now no longer for everyone, as it had been the dream of politicians in the past (ahh, Gough... lovely work). Now it's just for the rich, really. The costs could be inhibitive for people who don't have that much money. What this will do to our future job market is yet to be seen. I'd say there might be a shortage of people who are trained in important stuff like medicine, science, etc.
Using our tax dollars for advertising that should be paid for from Liberal party funds.
Ignoring what ordinary Australians want. Not many wanted to be involved with the invasion of Iraq, but all protests were dismissed as being "unaustralian" or in support of Saddam. Rubbish. There are other ways to go about it. Now strikes about work conditions seem to be under threat with the industrial relations laws. People shouldn't be stopped from having a voice, even if it disagrees with one's own. This is the point of democracy.
Disregard for protection of the environment and not making any attempts to work with the Kyoto Protocol to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. No attempts to save the environment in Tasmania - in fact, quite the opposite, it would seem, with the last election.
Disregard for our Aboriginal people, shown not only in the desire to not say sorry, but also in the way that Aboriginal people have extremely high domestic violence rates, die much earlier than the rest of the Australian population does, lack opportunities that most of the rest of us get, etc, and nothing seems to be done about it.
It has worked to assist other nations in war crimes and crimes against humanity. And yeah, that's happened in places where we've been meant to "help out" such as East Timor, Afghanistan and Iraq.
It's colluded in the illegal incarceration of people without trial (Why we should take Hicks' allegations very seriously by The Contrarian).
It has lied repeatedly about things that are important. Children overboard, WMDs, the Tampa, GST, and I'd be willing to bet that this "terrorist threat" is a load of codswallop.
By its silence, it has supported torture and abuse. Zimbabwe? Let's not say too much about that - we shall send our cricketers to have a nice tour there instead! But no comment on Mugabe's government killing people, destroying towns, etc. Abu Grahib, anyone? Guantanamo Bay? Oh, or would speaking out against those sort of things mean that George Dubya wouldn't like us as much? What a loss *that* would be...
Basic human rights have been disregarded when it suits them - think of David Hicks. Think of the "anti-terror" laws that are trying to be pushed through. Think of refugees and "illegal" immigrants (of which there are no such thing, legally - that's just a term that's been slapped on which is used as an excuse to lock people up).
It continually tries to sweep the faults it has that are pointed out under the rug - currently I'm thinking of all of the bungles, bribery and blackmail that have gone on with refugees/immigrants. Apparently there are Australian people who have been locked in detention centres for years, in much the same way as Cornelia Rau was. Missing a relative? Check Baxter... But instead of reviewing processes, they just say, "No, you're wrong, we're right, those people should have been locked up anyway."
Messing with university funding and thereby increasing costs of education for students. Education is now no longer for everyone, as it had been the dream of politicians in the past (ahh, Gough... lovely work). Now it's just for the rich, really. The costs could be inhibitive for people who don't have that much money. What this will do to our future job market is yet to be seen. I'd say there might be a shortage of people who are trained in important stuff like medicine, science, etc.
Using our tax dollars for advertising that should be paid for from Liberal party funds.
Ignoring what ordinary Australians want. Not many wanted to be involved with the invasion of Iraq, but all protests were dismissed as being "unaustralian" or in support of Saddam. Rubbish. There are other ways to go about it. Now strikes about work conditions seem to be under threat with the industrial relations laws. People shouldn't be stopped from having a voice, even if it disagrees with one's own. This is the point of democracy.
Disregard for protection of the environment and not making any attempts to work with the Kyoto Protocol to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. No attempts to save the environment in Tasmania - in fact, quite the opposite, it would seem, with the last election.
Disregard for our Aboriginal people, shown not only in the desire to not say sorry, but also in the way that Aboriginal people have extremely high domestic violence rates, die much earlier than the rest of the Australian population does, lack opportunities that most of the rest of us get, etc, and nothing seems to be done about it.
ASIO on Hotmail? Now I've seen everything...
This hot weather is revolting - apparently last night was the warmest November night on record. Not impressed by that particular one! Or by having to chase down a huntsman spider in the house this morning. Nothing like a 6.50 am killing, though, I suppose. Death to those creepy eight-legged freaks! Although the insect spray stinks to high heavens! Probably not good for anyone, let alone just insects.
Even more creepy is that I swear to God that I saw an ASIO ad on my hotmail!!! o.0 Like when I'd sent a message and there was something with ASIO about looking for people to do stuff for them or something. Holy biscuits! I'm sending lots more e-mails so that I can try to find the ASIO ad again *lol*
But really, ASIO ads on hotmail just seems wrong *lol* I was reading something somewhere yesterday about the world of spying in Britain and it was saying that hardly any women want to be spies, perhaps because of how they always seem to meet gruesome deaths in spy shows like Spooks. However, when it comes to reality I'd say that being a spy would mostly be frightfully boring, without too many gruesome deaths, unlike on the telly.
And with the latest "terror threat" that is meant to be imminent, according to our PM, it makes me wonder how ASIO can pick that out when it hasn't even happened but totally managed to fail to see the massive bombings that would happen twice in Bali on the way. I suspect that this current "terror threat" is something that the government has decided to whip out in an attempt to frighten the anti-terror legislation through parliament and into law.
It just seems far too convenient for such a "terror threat" to be announced now when the government has had problems pushing the laws through - too many Premiers have been raising questions and demanding answers (I'm very impressed with Peter Beaty on this matter). What a shame the Federal Government has to resort to such things rather than looking at some open and honest debate! Oh, but wait! They're politicians, aren't they? And we can't really expect anything better of them... Using fear to manipulate people is never going to be a positive thing in the long run.
Even more creepy is that I swear to God that I saw an ASIO ad on my hotmail!!! o.0 Like when I'd sent a message and there was something with ASIO about looking for people to do stuff for them or something. Holy biscuits! I'm sending lots more e-mails so that I can try to find the ASIO ad again *lol*
But really, ASIO ads on hotmail just seems wrong *lol* I was reading something somewhere yesterday about the world of spying in Britain and it was saying that hardly any women want to be spies, perhaps because of how they always seem to meet gruesome deaths in spy shows like Spooks. However, when it comes to reality I'd say that being a spy would mostly be frightfully boring, without too many gruesome deaths, unlike on the telly.
And with the latest "terror threat" that is meant to be imminent, according to our PM, it makes me wonder how ASIO can pick that out when it hasn't even happened but totally managed to fail to see the massive bombings that would happen twice in Bali on the way. I suspect that this current "terror threat" is something that the government has decided to whip out in an attempt to frighten the anti-terror legislation through parliament and into law.
It just seems far too convenient for such a "terror threat" to be announced now when the government has had problems pushing the laws through - too many Premiers have been raising questions and demanding answers (I'm very impressed with Peter Beaty on this matter). What a shame the Federal Government has to resort to such things rather than looking at some open and honest debate! Oh, but wait! They're politicians, aren't they? And we can't really expect anything better of them... Using fear to manipulate people is never going to be a positive thing in the long run.
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
I have to send a big thank-you to Kel for introducing me to op shopping in Melbourne!!! :-D
Yesterday we met up in Croyden and investigated some op shops around the area - enough to keep the op shopping demon inside of one happy *lol* It was so much fun! :) AND... I found a Dangermouse video *lol* Quality work there.
We didn't get to do too much op shopping, tho, 'cos Larie wanted to catch a movie at 1.30, so we'll have to meet up again to hit the vintage stores again, I think :)
Yesterday we met up in Croyden and investigated some op shops around the area - enough to keep the op shopping demon inside of one happy *lol* It was so much fun! :) AND... I found a Dangermouse video *lol* Quality work there.
We didn't get to do too much op shopping, tho, 'cos Larie wanted to catch a movie at 1.30, so we'll have to meet up again to hit the vintage stores again, I think :)
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Love, Loss and the BBC
Sure, it's sentimental, but Casanova did make me cry my eyes out at the end of it - it was sad! I mean, constantly striving for love and the one person you want and never getting there... it's sad. But the show was fantastic (review here).And it made me think about a lot of things in regards to love and relationships.
Strangely enough, it never seemed like Casanova was using the people he slept with - there was a lot of care combined with his seductions. Of course, his heart was already taken with Henriette, although he never ended up with her. He was constantly chasing and searching and being sought.
So how long do you wait for love, and when do you say to yourself that it's time to give up and moving on? Hmmm... Quickly? After they marry and you are jailed? After you are forced to constantly be on the move? After you turn 70? Never?
His advice was to never lose your heart (meaning never fall in love), but when you refuse to lose your heart, do you ultimately lose it in another way? (potentially becoming cold and heartless?)
Maybe we should chase love and happiness, but then what if we never get it, in much the same way as Casanova never ended up with what he ultimately wanted and who he ultimately loved?
When do we get to the point where we say that perhaps we should settle for what we get? Sometimes dreams are unrealistic. You probably won't end up with a yacht, mansion and Porche in the garage. A Holden might be the best it ever gets to, along with a yearly holiday up the Gold Coast.
Hmmm.
"Man is free, but not if he doesn't believe it." - Guiacomo Casanova
*teehee* I love going through old tapes and CDs and finding what there is to listen to! Such as the following song...
Nobody Likes A Bogan - Area 7
Well he's the king of fashion in his neighborhood,
With his ripped blue jeans and a flannelette shirt.
A well kept mullet and a packet of smokes,
His mates will all tell ya he's a real top bloke.
His real name is Barry, but his mates call him Bazza.
And his girlfriend's name is Sharon, but ya just call her Shazza.
Real top Sheila, real top sort,
She'll even change your stubby while your watching sport.
But don't victimize him for his way of life,
He's sick and tired of hearing people say...
Nobody likes, nobody likes, nobody likes a bogan.
Nobody likes, nobody likes, nobody likes a bogan.
He drives a VK Commodore with alloy wheels,
With a home made spoiler made of crappy steel.
Pair of fluffy dice and all the other toys,
But his No Fear sticker is his pride and joy.
Saturday night the boys hit town.
Yeah they're cruising the streets with their windows down.
Put on some Barnsey and they're on their way,
You'll hear the car com'n from a mile away.
But don't victimize him for his way of life,
He's sick and tired of hearing people say...
Nobody likes, nobody likes, nobody likes a bogan.
Nobody likes, nobody likes, nobody likes a bogan.
Nobody likes, nobody likes, nobody likes a bogan.
Nobody likes, nobody likes, nobody likes a bogan.
Nobody likes, nobody likes, nobody likes a bogan.
Nobody likes, nobody likes, nobody likes a bogan.
Nobody Likes A Bogan - Area 7
Well he's the king of fashion in his neighborhood,
With his ripped blue jeans and a flannelette shirt.
A well kept mullet and a packet of smokes,
His mates will all tell ya he's a real top bloke.
His real name is Barry, but his mates call him Bazza.
And his girlfriend's name is Sharon, but ya just call her Shazza.
Real top Sheila, real top sort,
She'll even change your stubby while your watching sport.
But don't victimize him for his way of life,
He's sick and tired of hearing people say...
Nobody likes, nobody likes, nobody likes a bogan.
Nobody likes, nobody likes, nobody likes a bogan.
He drives a VK Commodore with alloy wheels,
With a home made spoiler made of crappy steel.
Pair of fluffy dice and all the other toys,
But his No Fear sticker is his pride and joy.
Saturday night the boys hit town.
Yeah they're cruising the streets with their windows down.
Put on some Barnsey and they're on their way,
You'll hear the car com'n from a mile away.
But don't victimize him for his way of life,
He's sick and tired of hearing people say...
Nobody likes, nobody likes, nobody likes a bogan.
Nobody likes, nobody likes, nobody likes a bogan.
Nobody likes, nobody likes, nobody likes a bogan.
Nobody likes, nobody likes, nobody likes a bogan.
Nobody likes, nobody likes, nobody likes a bogan.
Nobody likes, nobody likes, nobody likes a bogan.
Friday, October 28, 2005
Nachtviolen, Nachtviolen!
Dunkle Augen, seelenvolle,
Selig ist es, sich versenken
In dem samtnen Blau.
Grüne Blätter streben freudig
Euch zu hellen, euch zu schmücken;
Doch ihr blicket ernst und schweigend
In die laue Frühlingsluft.
Mit erhabnen Wehmutsstrahlen
Trafet ihr mein treues Herz,
Und nun blüht in stummen Nächten
Fort die heilige Verbindung.
Dunkle Augen, seelenvolle,
Selig ist es, sich versenken
In dem samtnen Blau.
Grüne Blätter streben freudig
Euch zu hellen, euch zu schmücken;
Doch ihr blicket ernst und schweigend
In die laue Frühlingsluft.
Mit erhabnen Wehmutsstrahlen
Trafet ihr mein treues Herz,
Und nun blüht in stummen Nächten
Fort die heilige Verbindung.
One of my friends just sent me a whole lot of photos of his latest baby.
I know it might sound awful, but the photos were taken pretty much straight after it was born, and it grossed me out! I opened my e-mail and went, "Ewwww, I've just eaten! Gah!"
Babies can be cute, but personally, I don't wish to see someone's digital photos of anmiotic-fluid coated pink screaming baby creatures. Icky! At least wait until the thing is cleaned up and looking more like a human rather than goodness knows what...
o.0
I know it might sound awful, but the photos were taken pretty much straight after it was born, and it grossed me out! I opened my e-mail and went, "Ewwww, I've just eaten! Gah!"
Babies can be cute, but personally, I don't wish to see someone's digital photos of anmiotic-fluid coated pink screaming baby creatures. Icky! At least wait until the thing is cleaned up and looking more like a human rather than goodness knows what...
o.0
Thursday, October 27, 2005
I found my Nana Mouskouri glasses!'Cos Nana Mouskouri and I are like that, y'know... *holds up crossed fingers* *lol* Oh dear... these glasses are scary! But amusing at the same time.
My parents had a few Nana Mouskouri records, and I always meant to make some copies of them onto tape or something, but never did. Ah well, shall have to make do with the sitar music :)
That keeps me entertained :)
I've fallen in love.
And it's only been this month that I did it.
And now it's all over!!!
It ended last night... Spirited Away literally! It's so tragic...
Umm... just in case you hadn't guessed what I was talking about, I'd fallen in love with the series of Hayao Miyazaki films that had been screening on Wednesday nights on SBS.
They were all so beautiful, the ones that I saw, and made me think that if I ever produce kiddliwinks, I'm going to make sure that they watch Miyazaki films. Spirited Away was probably the best of them all, even though I loved Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind *sigh* All so lovely!
Official site
Nausicaa.net
And it's only been this month that I did it.
And now it's all over!!!
It ended last night... Spirited Away literally! It's so tragic...
Umm... just in case you hadn't guessed what I was talking about, I'd fallen in love with the series of Hayao Miyazaki films that had been screening on Wednesday nights on SBS.
They were all so beautiful, the ones that I saw, and made me think that if I ever produce kiddliwinks, I'm going to make sure that they watch Miyazaki films. Spirited Away was probably the best of them all, even though I loved Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind *sigh* All so lovely!
Official site
Nausicaa.net
Cold as charity..?
This is rather interesting! Although there have been questions raised about it in the past , it seems like something's only being done about investigating it now.
I first read about it on the Anorak site, with their Charity case story:
And at the foot of the list is the latest gaffe. The Australian speaking tour - for which Cherie was paid a reported £102,000 - is attracting the attention of the Australian authorities.
The Times says that at the A$195-a-head gala dinner, held in aid of the Children’s Cancer institute, A$192,000 (£81,000) was raised. But only A$16,000 (£6,774) went to the needy. Celebrity speaker Cherie took home £17,000, although the Telegraph says her fee remains undisclosed.
This looks bad for Cherie, and worse the charity. Under the terms of the state of Victoria’s Fund-raising Appeals Act at least 60 per cent of funds raised in an appeal has to go to the charity.
Isn't it amazing that someone who is rich, secure and healthy can take home more money than was given to a charity to help children who are dying? Less than 10 percent of the money raised at the event actually made its way into the charity coffers. In addition to the money, she apparently got free accommodation, meals and flights.
Although it seems she's consistent with things at least - she accepted $US30,000 to present a talk in Washington earlier this year while Tony Blair was there to talk about canceling African debt. You couldn't get more ironic if you tried, really.
I first read about it on the Anorak site, with their Charity case story:
And at the foot of the list is the latest gaffe. The Australian speaking tour - for which Cherie was paid a reported £102,000 - is attracting the attention of the Australian authorities.
The Times says that at the A$195-a-head gala dinner, held in aid of the Children’s Cancer institute, A$192,000 (£81,000) was raised. But only A$16,000 (£6,774) went to the needy. Celebrity speaker Cherie took home £17,000, although the Telegraph says her fee remains undisclosed.
This looks bad for Cherie, and worse the charity. Under the terms of the state of Victoria’s Fund-raising Appeals Act at least 60 per cent of funds raised in an appeal has to go to the charity.
Isn't it amazing that someone who is rich, secure and healthy can take home more money than was given to a charity to help children who are dying? Less than 10 percent of the money raised at the event actually made its way into the charity coffers. In addition to the money, she apparently got free accommodation, meals and flights.
Although it seems she's consistent with things at least - she accepted $US30,000 to present a talk in Washington earlier this year while Tony Blair was there to talk about canceling African debt. You couldn't get more ironic if you tried, really.
Death and Democracy
Two thousand and counting by Peter McGeough
More than 2000 American soldiers have died in the Iraq invasion since it started way back in... when was it..? Can't remember any more - it's been going on for too long already and shouldn't have even happened in the first place. However, it's sad that such a lot of people have been killed there.
Sadder still are the statistics for the number of Iraqi people killed by both soldiers and insurgents. Estimates put Iraqi civilian deaths somewhere between 26,690 and 30,060, which is around 13 to 15 times higher than the military deaths. But since these people aren't white, Western or non-Muslim, the numbers they're dying in (around 60 a day) end up being statistics at the end of news reports (and we're not meant to be a racist, ethnocentric society?)
Journalists have also been killed in record numbers in this invasion. I don't remember the figure, but apparently it's the highest number of journos ever killed in a war. And that includes the Viet Nam war, which went on for years and years. A fair few of the journalists have been Iraqis, and some of them have been killed by American soldiers who knew of their journalist status. At what price comes truth..?
I have a friend who's serving in Iraq currently, and I have to wonder what effect all of this is having on him. When I've talked to him lately, he's seemed to be more and more down, especially since Australian troops were attacked a couple of weekends ago. It must be depressing to see that things aren't working out there and that people genuinely don't want foreign troops in their country (as this article points out).
What cost is all of this coming at? What point did it ever have? What point will it have now? Who would honestly believe that the Iraqis would welcome an invading force with flowers, lollies and celebratory songs?
As Vladimir Putin pointed out, democracy has to be something that people of a country choose as part of their own internal processes. It can't be forced down their throats, but allowed to develop in their own time and their own way. Democratic nations should be setting an example for what good government can really be like rather than going into another country and killing its people.
More than 2000 American soldiers have died in the Iraq invasion since it started way back in... when was it..? Can't remember any more - it's been going on for too long already and shouldn't have even happened in the first place. However, it's sad that such a lot of people have been killed there.
Sadder still are the statistics for the number of Iraqi people killed by both soldiers and insurgents. Estimates put Iraqi civilian deaths somewhere between 26,690 and 30,060, which is around 13 to 15 times higher than the military deaths. But since these people aren't white, Western or non-Muslim, the numbers they're dying in (around 60 a day) end up being statistics at the end of news reports (and we're not meant to be a racist, ethnocentric society?)
Journalists have also been killed in record numbers in this invasion. I don't remember the figure, but apparently it's the highest number of journos ever killed in a war. And that includes the Viet Nam war, which went on for years and years. A fair few of the journalists have been Iraqis, and some of them have been killed by American soldiers who knew of their journalist status. At what price comes truth..?
I have a friend who's serving in Iraq currently, and I have to wonder what effect all of this is having on him. When I've talked to him lately, he's seemed to be more and more down, especially since Australian troops were attacked a couple of weekends ago. It must be depressing to see that things aren't working out there and that people genuinely don't want foreign troops in their country (as this article points out).
What cost is all of this coming at? What point did it ever have? What point will it have now? Who would honestly believe that the Iraqis would welcome an invading force with flowers, lollies and celebratory songs?
As Vladimir Putin pointed out, democracy has to be something that people of a country choose as part of their own internal processes. It can't be forced down their throats, but allowed to develop in their own time and their own way. Democratic nations should be setting an example for what good government can really be like rather than going into another country and killing its people.
Costello adds to Howard's terror woes
Thank-you Mr Costello. At last it seems like some more people are gaining sanity about this stupid anti-terrorism stuff. And if Costello has the bollocks to stand up on this matter, well, frankly, I'm impressed.
Although John Howard's still sticking by the shoot-to-kill policy. I only presume that it means shoot-to-kill anyone else but himself, though, because laws that apply to everyone else would never apply to a Prime Minister, would they?
Ohhh wait, was that seditious to have a thought there? Do excuse me while I go medicate myself and paste that happy all-Australian smile on my face again!
Thank-you Mr Costello. At last it seems like some more people are gaining sanity about this stupid anti-terrorism stuff. And if Costello has the bollocks to stand up on this matter, well, frankly, I'm impressed.
Although John Howard's still sticking by the shoot-to-kill policy. I only presume that it means shoot-to-kill anyone else but himself, though, because laws that apply to everyone else would never apply to a Prime Minister, would they?
Ohhh wait, was that seditious to have a thought there? Do excuse me while I go medicate myself and paste that happy all-Australian smile on my face again!
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Shoeaholics Anonymous??
And people wonder why I want to move to England!With shoes like these, what's there to not like about the country?
I mean, I read Harpers & Queen and salivate over the potential shoe shopping sprees that I could have had, were I to have been born British, and wish that my accent matched my birth place!
*cries into a hankie*
*teehee*
Oh well, all I need to do is win the lottery and then buy a ticket to the UK where I will attack the shoe shops! Mmmm... what a glorious day that would be!
^_^
Oh my GOD!After a year of searching for it, I finally found one of my old favourite websites! *does the happy dance*
It's got the most mind-blowing shoes on there EVER.
Oh, it makes me so happy to have finally rediscovered this... *gets all misty-eyed*
Now all I wish is that I could rediscover my Che Guevara badge which disappeared at the end of last year when I was moving back from uni. Dratted thing!
http://www.underground-england.co.uk/
How's this for sedition? by Chas Savage.
The sedition thing worries me nowadays.
With the government betraying our trust and liberty, does it mean that now they can lock us up and throw away the key if we openly disagree with them? Will it be considered to be seditious if we say that we think that they're doing a bad job? What will or will not be considered to be sedition?
In the first draft of the proposed laws, the issue of seditious intent is really broad and covers all sorts of things that people could do without any actual malicious intent, but rather with questions in mind or comments to make about poor governance. And newspapers and the media in general won't be allowed to publish certain things, which would generally be fine by way of actual reporting or opinion.
And we're not allowed to "urge contempt" against the government or constitution or parliament or anything like that, which is a worry because what would you define as "urge contempt"? Would it be asking questions of the government? Would it be saying that they're doing things that are morally and ethically objectionable? Would it be telling the truth?
When we're not allowed to freely comment on our democracy and the people that we have chosen to lead us, then the question must be asked about whether or not we have democracy any more rather than a potential police state. Repressive laws and a lack of transparency in processes that should be open to the people is not something that goes hand-in-hand with democratic principles.
The terrorists probably have already won if they've managed to get the government to propose such things.
They've gotten a free government to work on taking away its own freedoms without even ever having to venture onto Australian soil or making that much of an effort.
*shakes head*
The sedition thing worries me nowadays.
With the government betraying our trust and liberty, does it mean that now they can lock us up and throw away the key if we openly disagree with them? Will it be considered to be seditious if we say that we think that they're doing a bad job? What will or will not be considered to be sedition?
In the first draft of the proposed laws, the issue of seditious intent is really broad and covers all sorts of things that people could do without any actual malicious intent, but rather with questions in mind or comments to make about poor governance. And newspapers and the media in general won't be allowed to publish certain things, which would generally be fine by way of actual reporting or opinion.
And we're not allowed to "urge contempt" against the government or constitution or parliament or anything like that, which is a worry because what would you define as "urge contempt"? Would it be asking questions of the government? Would it be saying that they're doing things that are morally and ethically objectionable? Would it be telling the truth?
When we're not allowed to freely comment on our democracy and the people that we have chosen to lead us, then the question must be asked about whether or not we have democracy any more rather than a potential police state. Repressive laws and a lack of transparency in processes that should be open to the people is not something that goes hand-in-hand with democratic principles.
The terrorists probably have already won if they've managed to get the government to propose such things.
They've gotten a free government to work on taking away its own freedoms without even ever having to venture onto Australian soil or making that much of an effort.
*shakes head*
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Ahh... joy
Sometimes, just sometimes... I forget about why I often hate being an Adventist.
And then other times, I get reminded with a slap in the face.
Don't get me wrong, I love being a Christian and Jesus is really important to me. But sometimes it's hard to keep focused on God, though, when people around you are being a**holes in His name.
Like the good old gossip thing, and not bothering to come to talk to you about problems that they have with you. No, instead they talk to everyone else about the problem and then FINALLY after months, someone else who has also only just heard the "latest" gossip will come and talk to you.
Leaving and going on a long holiday seems more than tempting right now.
And then other times, I get reminded with a slap in the face.
Don't get me wrong, I love being a Christian and Jesus is really important to me. But sometimes it's hard to keep focused on God, though, when people around you are being a**holes in His name.
Like the good old gossip thing, and not bothering to come to talk to you about problems that they have with you. No, instead they talk to everyone else about the problem and then FINALLY after months, someone else who has also only just heard the "latest" gossip will come and talk to you.
Leaving and going on a long holiday seems more than tempting right now.
Reading though some old copies of The Bulletin here at work, I stumbled across an article about some new Australian novels (well, new for the August 23, 2005 issue of the magazine).
One thing struck me, which was the comment about one of the characters in Stephen Lacey's novel, Sandstone, which was: "Jack is one of those Australian characters, so numerous in our literature, who are in flight, whose world is always on the brink of disintegration..."
This is something I was talking about recently with a friend from overseas who visited and who had commented on Australian writing. For myself, I've always found that a lot of Australian novels and creative works feature some level of loss or disjointedness—Charades by Janet Turner Hospital, Eucalyptus by Murray Ball, Drylands by Thea Astley are some of the works that spring to mind. I think it's to do with our country and us being a young nation more than anything else.
We're still in an adolescent phase of writing in some respects. No, that doesn't mean that I think our writers aren't producing quality work that's of an adult standard. What I mean is that we're still young and finding ourselves as people. Australia is such an unusual country, too, that I don't think that given a thousand years we would have still figured it out.
There always feels to be a deep, silent watching to this country, like it knows you inside and out and understands that it has the power to decide when you'll become a part of the dust. We can't control Australia and its environment any more than we could squeeze mercury in our fist to try to hold it. Not that we can make it rest in the palms of our hands, either...
One thing struck me, which was the comment about one of the characters in Stephen Lacey's novel, Sandstone, which was: "Jack is one of those Australian characters, so numerous in our literature, who are in flight, whose world is always on the brink of disintegration..."
This is something I was talking about recently with a friend from overseas who visited and who had commented on Australian writing. For myself, I've always found that a lot of Australian novels and creative works feature some level of loss or disjointedness—Charades by Janet Turner Hospital, Eucalyptus by Murray Ball, Drylands by Thea Astley are some of the works that spring to mind. I think it's to do with our country and us being a young nation more than anything else.
We're still in an adolescent phase of writing in some respects. No, that doesn't mean that I think our writers aren't producing quality work that's of an adult standard. What I mean is that we're still young and finding ourselves as people. Australia is such an unusual country, too, that I don't think that given a thousand years we would have still figured it out.
There always feels to be a deep, silent watching to this country, like it knows you inside and out and understands that it has the power to decide when you'll become a part of the dust. We can't control Australia and its environment any more than we could squeeze mercury in our fist to try to hold it. Not that we can make it rest in the palms of our hands, either...
Welcome to Australia, Guantanamo Bay Mach II!
"Prime Minister John Howard has agreed to a meeting between state and federal legal heads to ensure new anti-terrorism laws are constitutional, Queensland Premier Peter Beattie says..." Anti-terror laws: "unconstitutional" summit
This was after Premier Peter Beattie had challenged the laws, calling them unconstitutional. Thank God someone's finally standing up against this crap (unlike the Federal Opposition Party - see Whitlam laments Labor silence on new laws). Sections of the proposed laws with "preventative" detention and control orders clash with the constitution, and a lot of it seems more knee-jerk and open for a lot of abuse rather than being considered and designed to make Australians feel safer (unless they're going to be feeling safer while locked in their own homes).
Constitutional issues aside, just who the hell are the voters who were part of the "overwhelming majority" who thought that the anti-terror plan was a great thing!? Voters say yes to Terror Australis:
"Australians overwhelmingly endorse the anti-terrorism plan agreed by the Commonwealth, states and territories, but strongly oppose the one key point of political dispute - John Howard's push to give police new shoot-to-kill powers over suspects.
According to the latest Herald Poll, about three-quarters of voters think it is OK to lock up suspected terrorists without charge, put them under house arrest or shackle them with tracking devices.
But 60 per cent of voters - up from 55 per cent from a poll taken in August - reject the Prime Minister's shoot-to-kill plan, while 35 per cent support it."
Excuse me?!?!?!?
I'm a voter, I wasn't asked anything about this. Only 1409 people were asked. Where did ACNielsen get their sample group from to ask these questions? The local mental assylum? After all, anyone who has learnt about doing statistics (oh the joy of that last year... brr!) will understand that it's very easy to get the sort of results that you want. All you need to do is be selective about your demographic. Choose the right location, talk to the right people, and you'll have your results that "prove" that all people think the same way... ;)
I want to be included in the numbers who say that the laws are poorly thought out and are potentially dangerous! I don't say yes to terror Australis, I don't say yes to politicians trying to press the fear button in an attempt to push dumb laws, I don't say yes to abusing human rights, I don't say yes to shooting people who look like they might be a terrorist, I don't say yes to a lack of transparency on this, I don't say yes to no debates about it, I don't say yes to new sedition laws, and through all of that I definitely don't say yes to terrorism.
But it needs debate, consideration and proper work to make sure that we don't end up becoming one giant Guantanamo Bay
This was after Premier Peter Beattie had challenged the laws, calling them unconstitutional. Thank God someone's finally standing up against this crap (unlike the Federal Opposition Party - see Whitlam laments Labor silence on new laws). Sections of the proposed laws with "preventative" detention and control orders clash with the constitution, and a lot of it seems more knee-jerk and open for a lot of abuse rather than being considered and designed to make Australians feel safer (unless they're going to be feeling safer while locked in their own homes).
Constitutional issues aside, just who the hell are the voters who were part of the "overwhelming majority" who thought that the anti-terror plan was a great thing!? Voters say yes to Terror Australis:
"Australians overwhelmingly endorse the anti-terrorism plan agreed by the Commonwealth, states and territories, but strongly oppose the one key point of political dispute - John Howard's push to give police new shoot-to-kill powers over suspects.
According to the latest Herald Poll, about three-quarters of voters think it is OK to lock up suspected terrorists without charge, put them under house arrest or shackle them with tracking devices.
But 60 per cent of voters - up from 55 per cent from a poll taken in August - reject the Prime Minister's shoot-to-kill plan, while 35 per cent support it."
Excuse me?!?!?!?
I'm a voter, I wasn't asked anything about this. Only 1409 people were asked. Where did ACNielsen get their sample group from to ask these questions? The local mental assylum? After all, anyone who has learnt about doing statistics (oh the joy of that last year... brr!) will understand that it's very easy to get the sort of results that you want. All you need to do is be selective about your demographic. Choose the right location, talk to the right people, and you'll have your results that "prove" that all people think the same way... ;)
I want to be included in the numbers who say that the laws are poorly thought out and are potentially dangerous! I don't say yes to terror Australis, I don't say yes to politicians trying to press the fear button in an attempt to push dumb laws, I don't say yes to abusing human rights, I don't say yes to shooting people who look like they might be a terrorist, I don't say yes to a lack of transparency on this, I don't say yes to no debates about it, I don't say yes to new sedition laws, and through all of that I definitely don't say yes to terrorism.
But it needs debate, consideration and proper work to make sure that we don't end up becoming one giant Guantanamo Bay
Civil Rights pioneer passes
RIP Rosa Parks.
You were a brave lady. Thanks for inspiring the people who followed in your footsteps, including Martin Luther King Jnr, to fight for the rights of all people.
RIP Rosa Parks.
You were a brave lady. Thanks for inspiring the people who followed in your footsteps, including Martin Luther King Jnr, to fight for the rights of all people.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)