Cut the Bullshit

About Fuckin Time

2008-02-12T23:34:00.000+11:00

"Took us away
Yeah took us away
Grabbed from our mother's breast
Said this is for the best
Took us away."
Archie Roach

Tomorrow, PM Rudd will officially say sorry to the Stolen Generation on behalf of the Australian Government and citizens. The Stolen Generation is one of the bleakest chapters in Australian history, and although a simple apology wont mend the years of hurt, devastation and psychological pain inflicted on the thousands of Aboriginal people who have been impacted by the actions of the past, it is a first step.

My hope is that Rudd follows up with actions - they really do speak louder than words.

Today we honour the Indigenous peoples of this land, the oldest continuing cultures in human history.

We reflect on their past mistreatment.

We reflect in particular on the mistreatment of those who were stolen generations - this blemished chapter in our nation's history.

The time has now come for the nation to turn a new page in Australia's history by righting the wrongs of the past and so moving forward with confidence to the future.

We apologise for the laws and policies of successive Parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians.

We apologise especially for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, their communities and their country.

For the pain, suffering and hurt of these stolen generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry.

To the mothers and the fathers, the brothers and the sisters, for the breaking up of families and communities, we say sorry.

And for the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud culture, we say sorry.

We the Parliament of Australia respectfully request that this apology be received in the spirit in which it is offered as part of the healing of the nation.

For the future we take heart; resolving that this new page in the history of our great continent can now be written.

We today take this first step by acknowledging the past and laying claim to a future that embraces all Australians.

A future where this Parliament resolves that the injustices of the past must never, never happen again.

A future where we harness the determination of all Australians, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, to close the gap that lies between us in life expectancy, educational achievement and economic opportunity.

A future where we embrace the possibility of new solutions to enduring problems where old approaches have failed.

A future based on mutual respect, mutual resolve and mutual responsibility.

A future where all Australians, whatever their origins, are truly equal partners, with equal opportunities and with an equal stake in shaping the next chapter in the history of this great country, Australia.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Shine" Collective Soul
"Alchemy" Legal Mission
"Feeling So Real" Moby
"Bonzai Channel One" Thunderball
“Rush Hour” Christopher Lawrence

Whale Song

2008-02-07T23:23:00.000+11:00

This is a Minke whale:

This is the Japanese Whaling Ship Yshin Maru No. 2:

This is not science:

You shoot a whale with a harpoon - it bleeds.

You shoot a whale with a gun - it dies.

Do something about it.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Perception" Cass Vs Slide
"One Love" Pearl Jam
"Straight To The Point" Michel de Hey Vs Jeron Verhey
"No Good (Start The Dance)" The Prodigy
"Valley Of The Dolls" Mylo
"Time Out In Toronto" SS
"Shine" Collective Soul

Much Ado About Nothing

2008-02-03T00:11:00.000+11:00

"And crawling on the planet's face
Some insects called the human race
Lost in time, and lost in space
And meaning"
Rocky Horror Picture Show

As predicted, I'm not posting much due to summer. For those who are interested, I've been going out a bit, working lots, exercising some and making the most of the sunshine when it graces Sydney with its presence.

What else has been going on around this small, fragile planet? Let's see....

Word of the month:
WaynKarey (wāng'kərē)
noun
1. of, or pertaining to, repetitive damaging actions against women, friends, the police and yourself.

Brittney Spears has finally been declared a danger to others. That leaves Michael Jackson, Nicole Ritchie, Paris Hilton, Tom Cruise.....

Looks like Kevin 07 is going to make good on his promise to say 'sorry' - proving once and for all that the word can be part of the prime-ministerial vocabulary.

RIP Heath Ledger.

Stock markets are going up and down, up and down, up and down. Interest rates look like they're only going to go one way. No doubt the instances of sob stories about those nasty loan lenders repossessing people's houses because they can't afford the repayments under the conditions of contract to which they agreed to are also going to go up.

Corey proved that today's youth have no morals, no respect, take no responsibility and are more interested in a fast track to fame than they are in their family - and that the tabloid media is only happy to help.

Sri Lanka joined in on the war fad by beefing up their civil war efforts. Shame there's no oil in Sri Lanka.

Test cricket resorted to racism for publicity, while tennis turned to sex-appeal.

Australia's weather has decided to cash in on the "land of droughts and flooding rains" tag by delivering both in one hit.

Comment of the month:
"it's a free world"
official comment from the Sydney Roosters club when the media attempted to hype up a report of one of their players being caught smoking a cigarette at the beach on Australia Day.

Yep, just another month really....

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Cheap Wine" Cold Chisel
"Always" Lisa Shaw
"Does He Rent It Out" Cheap Knob Gags
"Amphetamine" Drax
"Single" Everything But The Girl
"Emenius Sleepus" Green Day
"Drumstick" NJoi
"Ariella" Black Acid
"Californication" Red Hot Chili Peppers
"Seven Days And One Week" B.B.E

Happy Anniversary Baby

2008-01-10T12:27:00.000+11:00

Well, my blog is now 1 year old (and a few days). During the past 12 months, I have received:

2,919 visits
3,943 pageviews
105 comments

Not much in comparison to some other blogs, but then this is just my site for talking crap.

The most popular posts in the past 12 months (based on hits) are:

The most commonly used search terms that led people to my blog are:

The following blogs sent the most traffic my way:

And last but in no ways least, I have had the pleasure of meeting these great people:

Thanks to all my (ir)regular readers for dropping by, posting comments, keeping me motivated and posting their own incredible, inspirational and irrelevant posts.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Human Behaviour" Bjork
"Get To The Back" Fantazia
"No Good (Start The Dance)" The Prodigy
"Times Like These" Foo Fighters
"Funky Sound" AK1200
"The Power Of Equality" Red Hot Chili Peppers
"Cover You In Kisses" Vassy

Greatings & Gettings

2008-01-06T13:26:00.000+11:00

First off - Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to my (ir)regular readers. I hope you've all had great holidays, or at the very least got really drunk and laid. I'll be swinging by your blogs over the next week to catch up with the goings on in your worlds.

I've had a fairly busy but enjoyable December, which accounts for my lack of posts in the past month. As we had a family friend over from Canada this year, I headed home earlier than normal. Fortunately my work can be done anywhere (as long as there is electricity and broadband and mobile coverage of some description) so I didn't eat into my annual leave too much. It was great to catch up with many old friends and family, eat way too much good food, drink far too much alcohol and spend much too much on presents for the nieces and nephews. Naturally there were the expected holiday arguments, including one with my best friend of 15+ years which I don't think has been resolved. But the positives always outweigh the negatives over Christmas imo.

So what's in store for 2008? For me, I plan on a year of gettings:
- getting over
- getting on
- getting fit
- getting out

I've already started on the getting fit - today is my 3rd day of reduced smoking. I haven't quit all together but am gradually increasing the time between cigarettes - currently I'm at 5 hour intervals. Yesterday I only had 5 cigarettes where previously I would have smoked about 15 on a Saturday. There's no proven science behind my approach, just my own twisted logic. I finished a pack of smokes on Thursday night, then went for as long as I could (3 hrs) on Friday before giving in to my cravings and buying a new pack. Using this 3 hrs as my benchmark, I then waited 3.5 hrs for my next smoke, 4 hrs after that for the next and so on. Saturday started at 3.5 hrs and again increased by half an hour for each cigarette. Today started at 4 hrs, meaning I've only had 1 cigarette thus far today. My cravings are definitely reducing and I'm finding it easier to go for hours without a smoke (altho the 5 hrs last night was killing me after a few scotches!). I'm back to work tomorrow, so that may be a challenge given that many of my work colleagues are smokers - but that's where the other gettings kick in.

Getting over will be a psychological move to get over the shit that has held me back or plagued me during my life. Getting on will entail getting on with my life, personally and professionally. Getting out will literally be that - getting out and doing stuff, including the possibility of an overseas holiday. And I've got more planned for getting fit, building on the exercise routines I started late last year in a vain attempt to make myself the world's most desirable man.

Naturally, things may all go pear-shaped or I may just forget it over time, but the intention is there.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"The Horse" Marshall Jefferson
"Missing Link" Dinosaur Jnr & Del The Funky Homosapien
"Punisher" Underground Resistance
"Zebra" John Butler Trio
"No Rain" Blind Melon
"Beds Are Burning" Midnight Oil
"Der Klang Der Familie" 3 Phase
"Platina" Twilight
"One" U2
"Creep" Radiohead
"The World Has Turned And Left Me Here" Weezer

What're You Looking At?

2007-12-03T23:11:00.000+11:00

In a bid to be the first "Top of 2007", Yahoo!7 today released its results of top search results for 2007. Given that Yahoo!7 is an Australian domain, it's safe to assume this reflects Australian users. And what a sad story the list paints.

Top overall searches on Yahoo!7 for 2007:

10. Justin Timberlake

9. Bourne Ultimatum III

8. iPod Nano

7. Brangelina

6. Anna Nicole Smith

5. Jessica Alba

4. Bebo

3. Real Estate

2. Weather

1. Britney Spears

So if I'd really wanted to get hits on my blog this year, I should have written a post along the lines of:

"Justin Timberlake and Anna Nicole Smith were watching the Bourne Ulitmatum III on an iPod Nano at Brangelina's Beverly Hills mansion - a prime piece of real estate - when Jessica Alba rang wanting to know if they'd checked out her page on Bebo which had a video clip of Britney Spears presenting the weather."

Seriously, what a load of crap. If you want to know the weather, go to http://www.bom.gov.au/. If you want to know about real estate, go to http://www.domain.com.au/ or http://www.realestate.com.au/. If you want to know about useless American gits - go to America.

Songs played while writing this entry:

"Defiant" Christopher Lawrence

"Shake A Leg" AC/DC

"Stalking The Wild Controller" Tristan

"My Michelle" Guns N Roses

"Red 2" Dave Clarke

"Seduction Of Orpheus" Tilt

"Forever Young" Interactive

Riddles In The Dark

2007-11-24T01:22:00.000+11:00

How?

When?

Why?

Questions that are not asked often enough.

How did we get to where we are today?

When did people stop paying attention to what was going on around them?

Why did we allow ourselves to become so distracted from reality?

How much irreparable damage has been done?

When did the mass media gain control of the greater common consciousness?

Why did we allow this to happen?

How can we fix this?

When is it too late?

Why?

Who Knows? - Rambalations 5

2007-11-18T01:37:00.000+11:00

I don't know where this is going to go - just a warning. Lots of issues I want to touch on here, but I'll try to keep some logical and sensical flow going.

Who knows, I may even throw in an Anna Corin segue.

Since Louise asked for it, let's start with the impending election. It appears neither of the major parties in Australia have paid any notice to what has been happening around the world in the past 4 years. Or their own backyards. All I hear from the Liberal (I refuse to call it the coalition - when was the last time the Nats actually did anything?) party is economics disguised as big ticket item policies, geared towards the good of corporations, while all I hear from the Labor party is.... well whatever the Liberals say but with less focus on the economics and more geared towards the workers.

I don't hear anything from the minor parties. The mainstream media has made them vanish into thin, polluted air and they seem to be doing nothing in regards to the digital media. Maybe they're just not doing anything at all? Perhaps they'll speak up and/or be heard this week.

It has been entertaining watching the majors try to use digital media in their campaigns tho. Johnny Costello has made a repeated fool of himself on Youtube (search for his posts yourself - I aint shitting on my blog) while Ruddy Kevin discovered social networking platforms such as MySpace and Facebook. Still, they don't seem to get it. Or use it. Because, if they did, how could they possibly be so blind to what is going on around them?

Social networks have proved to be just that. People from all walks of life are finding their common interests and sharing their experiences with one another. Regardless of race, gender, religion, age, sexuality, financial status, location, physicality, appearance, education. We are engaging with one another and pissing off the old barriers, and not just online. But to make this work for you, you have to participate. This is where the major parties have failed. I have had not one political candidate or representative talk to me during the campaign. None. No-one representing any political party has approached me on the street, has knocked on my door, phoned me during dinner (although that could be because I do not have a fixed-line phone service) nor, thank fuck, posted a comment on my blog. Have any bothered approaching you?

If one did bother to engage with me in conversation, I would be happy to talk with them. Shit, there's heaps of issues being addressed in this election, so I'd be more than happy to hear their policy outlines. But only if they could speak frankly about them and not just talk spin.

And if they were to say something like this, they'd get my vote.

But all I am seeing is mass-market spin.

On the other hand, they may have been following blogs all this time and think that mass-advertising is something bloggers are really interested in, and therefore continue to use mass-market campaigning. Given the state of many blogs now, I can understand why they would think this. On a few pages that I flicked past today, I found it almost impossible to find actual content. It was there, squashed between adverts and paid-posts. But if I have to hunt for content, then I aint gonna read your page. And a lot of the content I did find was about this whole Google page-rank dispute that has developed - whatever that may be about. It appears to only impact people who use blogging as a means to make money. Since it seems to be largely based around blog advertising and has zero impact on me, I'll not be reading any further into it. Best of luck to those fighting that greedy corporation who had the audacity to change their own business practices.

There are other things I plan on focusing on this week.

Lastly, for what it's worth (and as this is a free blog, it's worth nothing), I'm not planning on voting for either of the major parties. No great surprise to any of you (ir)regular readers. One of them is going to win either way and both fail to impress me. Instead, I'll be voting for the minor party which focuses on those issues which I find important. Their preferences will end up going to one of the majors, but at least I've had my say on what issues are and aren't important according to my perception of the world (yes, world - even though this is an Australian election, we are players in world politics and apparently we're almost worth as much as the USA). If enough people voted in this way, we may see issues which are important according to the people actually being addressed.

Although I am undecided which minor party will receive my vote, I do know it will not be Family First. The last thing we need now is a bunch of right-winged 'Christian' zealots running the country.

Again.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Where Is S" Infected Mushroom
"Dreams" Quench
"Bambaata Back To The Core" Goldie
"Drumstick" NJoi
"Scared" Slacker
"Perception" Cass Vs Slide
"It Doesn't Matter" The Chemical Brothers
"Konspiracy" Kemal
"Mockmoon Remix" Genlog
"Sweetness And Light" Itch-E And Scratch-E
"Niji" Denki Groove

Reality Check

2007-11-17T01:31:00.000+11:00

"I lost touch with reality
now my personality
is an unwanted commodity"
Teenage Fanclub De La Soul

Sometimes it's good to have a reality check, both as an individual and as a collective. You don't want to do it too often because you become so obsessed with the analysis of reality that you loose sight of the real reality. But every now and then it's worth doing. And what better time than now?

America has been delivered a reality check in the form of this report (kudos to Cooper). I wonder if Johnny Costello or Ruddy Kevin will take any notice of it.

If you're an internet user then read this post by Colin. (Ever notice how internet users are socially acceptable while heroin users aren't, yet they're both referred to as 'users'?)

I'm sick of being single - time to do something about that.

And if you think you have it rough or aren't happy with your appearance, then check this out because I bet you'll never guess what this is by just looking at the photo.

Top Of The Desk

2007-11-11T16:11:00.001+11:00

Because Cooper told me to (and because it's one of my favourite pics that I've taken):

Port Douglas, July 2006

Show off yours:

[1] Going to your desktop and pressing the Print Scrn key (located on the right side of the F12 key).

[2] Open a graphics program (like Picture Manager, Paint, or Photoshop) and do a Paste (CTRL + V).

[3] If you wish, you can “edit” the image, before saving it.

For MAC users: Press [ Apple] [ Ctrl ] [ Shift ] and [ 3 ]

Type

2007-11-11T14:36:00.000+11:00

"You're so fuckin special
I wish I was special"
Radiohead

I was chatting with a mate on Friday night at a work piss-up and we were discussing a woman we both admire. She's the type I've always been a sucker for. Natural beauty, smart, confident, creative, laid-back and a bent sense of humour. The whole package. And recently single. My mate was doing all he could to convince me that I should pursue a relationship with this incredible woman (the only reason he wouldn't do it himself is that he is happily married to his wife and kids). In theory it sounds great.

You see, I know I am not the type of man this particular woman is attracted to. If I have learnt anything in my short life, it is that everyone has their 'type' when it comes to attraction - both physical and emotional. And in this instance, I fail in both categories. She is attracted to the confident, well-built, tall, decisive, slightly arrogant, sporty, rugged types, whereas I am the quiet, average-build, medium height, submissive, thoughtful, spectator, homely type. We get along great as friends, but the chemicals are only flowing on my side.

So I will continue to admire her as a friend until eventually she finds a guy who fits her type who she chooses to spend her life with and we grow apart.

You may call this a defeatist attitude, I call it realistic.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Beds Are Burning" Midnight Oil
"Impact" Sound Enforcer
"Capoeira Brasileria Psicolodel" Kaigang
"Point Break" Solphurex
"So Tinha Que Ser Com Voce" DJ Marky
"Big Cat" Afro Celt Sound System
"I'll Get You" Plump DJs

29 Days Later

2007-11-04T13:27:00.000+11:00

Its been 1 day short of a month since I last posted on my blog. No real reason why, I just haven't - haven't felt like it, haven't had the motivation, haven't had the time. And as we're moving into summer and the silly season, I think I'm not likely to post all that often over the next few months. Still, it's nice too see a number of regular visitors still dropping by to check in on me.

So what's happened over the past month?

Little Johnny has set a date with Kevin 07, giving all us Aussies an opportunity to pick between the lesser of 2 evils. This would have to be one of the most interesting elections I can recall. There is such a wide range of issues being addressed and opinion being thrown around, and people actually seem interested this time. I think this public interest is being helped along by the internet and tv shows such as Difference Of Opinion, Insight and The Chaser's War On Everything. According to an online ABC poll, new media is now a strong source of knoweldge in elections:

Where will you get most of your election news from?
TV - 39%
Radio - 22%
Online - 27%
Newspapers - 12%
2656 votes counted

Usually, Australian tv moves to off-season at this time of the year. However, due to the increased usage of P2P, tv stations here have been forced to bring forward the screening times of popular US shows. This has lead to them advertising with catch phrases such as "Streamed direct from the US", which, in most cases, is blatant false advertising. Take for example Californication, which premiered in the USA on Aug 13 and premiered in Australia on Aug 27 - a 2 week lag. And yet, channel 10 continues to promote it as "Streamed direct from the USA". One day the main-stream media will wake up to the fact the we're not all gullible idiots.... one day.

I went to an advanced screening of 30 Days Of Night on Halloween. While it was a decent vampire movie, I was a bit disappointed. Yeah, there was plenty of blood, the ending was a bit unexpected and the setting in Alaska put a good spin on the vampire story, but it just wasn't scary enough - 3 wooden stakes out of 5.

I've been pleasantly surprised by the support provided by Beyonwiz, the manufacturers of the PVR mentioned in my last post. The company runs an online support forum and takes on board the feedback provided by their customers. I had a couple of issues with networking and play-back performance which I raised on the forum and these were quickly rectified. It is nice to see a company that actually uses internet technologies to their benefit.

The USA has gone into debt crisis largely due to over mortgaging. Strangely enough, the Aussie Dollar has remained strong - for now. Hopefully, this will encourage people to rethink their spending and budgeting. I have been really surprised by the amount of debt people are in, especially on credit cards. I only have one credit card with a relatively small credit limit, so am surprised when I hear stories of friends who have over $10k worth of debt rung up on their credit cards. Society has become so focused on the 'quick fix' that people expect to have everything they want, now. Unfortunately, those who know how to save and budget are punished for the greed of others' through interest rate increases. It's good to see some bloggers out there taking steps to change their behaviour, and I can only hope their message spreads.

Ok, so plenty of other stuff has happened in the past 30 days, but that'll do me for now. I will return, maybe sooner, maybe later.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Black Girls" Violent Femmes
"My Michelle" Guns N Roses
"Valley Of The Dolls" Mylo
"Scary Dog" Sixth Sense Approach
"As The Rush Comes" Motorcycle
"Dual" Memory Tree
"Lump" Presidents Of The United States Of America
"Ariella" Black Acid
"Emenuis Sleepus" Green Day
"Funky Sound" AK1200

Switching On

2007-10-05T23:44:00.000+10:00

About a week ago, I wrote a post about how I was going to spend a lot less time watching tv. I meant it.

So much so that I have just upgraded my home 'entertainment' system to a LCD HD TV and a PVR... with dual HD tuners.... and a 250Gb HD.... with wireless network access.... and 2 USB ports..... and DVD

This may sound like a strange investment for a man who isn't going to be spending much time watching television. But it's not, and allow me to try and convince you (and myself) why.

With this amazing device, I can time shift. Not in the physical being kinda way where the edges of reality are folded in on each-other, creating a seam in the time continuum, allowing past, present and future realities to converge at a single point in time. It aint that good. But I can pause television and then fast-forward it. Even better I can skip forward in time, flicking past advert after advert after election campaign after advert. I can fast-forward the 'news' from the past, selecting to view only those few stories which actually really matter. And I can do all this while recording another show in the now-future to watch sometime in the current-future once I have caught up with the past.

See, it makes perfect sense.

And then there's the many other benefits of having a HD unit with built-in hard-drive that is fully networked. None of which is to do with this sort of behaviour. No. Doesn't matter that free media sharing has been going on for years on video-tapes and audio cassettes, and no-one seemed too phased about it up until things went digital. And traceable. It's illegal.

The key points again:

I can remove advertising from the few shows I actually do watch.
I can remove gossip about the idolised and generally fucked up people the mainstream media choose to focus on.
I can remove the irrelevant and unimportant completely from my house.
I can access media files that are stored on my other networked devices, and vice-versa.
I reduce the amount of time I spend watching television by now having the freedom to choose what it is that I view and cutting out all the remaining bullshit.

The LCD TV was for just because.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"The Now Current Past" Beyonwiz

Feed Me Cookies

2007-09-30T02:28:00.000+10:00

I went looking at a few random blogs tonight and fuck me dead. The amount of sites which were churning through data left right and centre to load up.... I'm baffled. It's worse than walking into a Telstra shop. This is NOT a sponsored post: for reasons of my own, I run PeerGuardian on my pc which tracks the IP traffic through my internet connection. Using this, I can monitor the companies and governmental bodies trying to obtain access into and data out of my pc. Not in the forceful, brutal hacking sense - no. Instead through the pleasantly disguised cookies which now adorn myriads of blogs (I'll not go into how it works with torrents).

Naturally, the widgets on my page are exempt from discussion...

One of those is for the Australian Blogs Community. I was looking at the Aus-Blog banner and decided to give it a revamp, the current one just don't fit the image of my blog. Using Google image search, I found a pic of the Aussie flag to use as a starting point, loaded it and saved it. I'm no graphic artist, there's no professional grade graphic design programs on my pc. So to add text, I copied the saved pic and pasted it into MS Word and, using a text-box, added the text. Then I found that Word no longer allows you to group objects when one happens to be a saved jpg from the web. Once again, Microsoft thinks they own everything. Fortunately this is not true, where there's a will, there's a way.

Using the basic tools on my pc - Word, Paint, Photo Editor, FastStone Capture and Nero Photosnap Image Editor (came with my digital cam) I created the following designs:

I played with gradation curves (colour/exposure) to get this effect.

Looks like a tv (CRT for those who remember) - Lens distort to maximum.

Fixed in Concrete - Embossed then played with inverting colours.

A bit of Green & Gold - same as before

Copper Rush - messing around with the aged effect

Writing in the sand - playing with glow

Underwater - hit solarize

Underwater 2 - whadayaknow, the next effect was water

Feel free to use them, I'm not Microsoft, I don't own everything.

Songs played while writing this entry:

"First Rebirth" Jones & Stephenson

"Rush Hour" Christopher Lawrence

"Daughter" Pearl Jam

"The Meltdown" Lunatic Asylum

"I Want To Fall" Freaky Chakra Vs Single Cell Orchestra

"Killing In The Name Of" Rage Against The Machine

"Red 2" Dave Clarke

"Give Your Body" Random XS

"The Stalker" Green Velvet

Switching Off

2007-09-23T23:21:00.001+10:00

"Television, drug of the nation
Breeding ignorance and feeding radiation"
The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy

Last night I made the decision that I am going to spend a lot less time watching television. This earth-shattering decision came about for 3 reasons:

There is bugger all on television worth watching.
I am sick of what passes as news and entertainment today, and even sicker of advertising - in particular the current political campaigning, which is only going to get worse.
Winter is over.

This does not mean that I will be cutting out television all together. I will still be watching Spicks And Specks, The Chaser's War on Everything, Summer Heights High, Difference of Opinion and the occasional episode of The Simpsons. I will also keep an eye out for interesting documentaries such as Decadence: The Meaningless Of Modern Life and Get Up Stand Up. Apart from that, the tv will be turned off.

Having made the decision, I grabbed a book and spread out on the couch. I soon became aware of how not-silent my apartment is. Despite having no stereo or tv blurting out noise, there was still a constant hum emanating from the appliances that share my living space. I went around and unplugged everything that could be unplugged - the fridge and my pc were the only two devices left connected (the pc was in the process of burning a dvd). Doing this reduced the hum significantly, although the thermostat in the fridge meant that its basal drone kicked in and out occasionally.

I settled back on the couch (this time with a glass of scotch) and resumed my reading. But I could still hear humming, and its source was out of my control. I could hear the traffic on the roads outside, the low bass of cars idling on my street, distant tones from my neighbouring apartments. I thought to myself is this now what passes as silence? Have we become so accustomed to filling our lives with sound that we don't notice the constant noise that surrounds us? The electronic pitches, buzzes, hums and drones that fill our living and working spaces and go on ceaselessly are now accepted as silence? Is this the new rhythm of life?

My inner-country-boy longed to be on my uncle's farm, far away enough from civilisation to hear nothing but the wind in the pines and the scurry of nocturnal animals in the dark. My inner-hippy longed to be back in Cape Tribulation, nestled in the rainforest with the sound of the waves slapping on the beach in the distance. My inner-yuppie was too busy mourning the loss of the television.

How silent is your silent?

In case I don't post between now and Thursday: Difference of Opinion looks at tween-marketing this week - something parents need to become aware of fast. For background info, check out Two Knives and Imaginif.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Hey Jealousy" Gin Blossoms
"Say It Aint So" Weezer
"Tremora Del Terra" Illuminatae
"Schoneberg" Marmion
"Animal" Pearl Jam
"Civil War" Guns N Roses
"It Doesn't Matter" The Chemical Brothers
"Standing On The Outside" Cold Chisel
"Hot" Purveyors Of Fine Funk
"Defiant" Christopher Lawrence
"Global Machine" Temperature Drop

Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves

2007-09-21T00:45:00.001+10:00

It's 1:00 am. She lays on a mattress on the floor of her brother's house, her 3 year-old daughter sleeping in the bed on the other side of the room. Its been a long day at work - her boss can be such a prick at times, but the job pays alright and it's only a temporary means to an end. Plus it's part-time, so she can spend more time raising her 2 kids.

Throwing back the quilt, she gets up and gently stirs the child awake. The poor thing is tired and becomes only semi-conscious. She picks the girl up and nestles her against her shoulder as she opens the door. In the room directly across the hallway, her 18 month-old son stirs in his cot. Quietly, she carries her daughter to the toilet and sits her down on the loo. Speaking gently, she encourages the girl to take a wee. She has to be up at 7:00, get the kids breakfast, get ready for work, dress the kids, make lunch, pack their day-bags, get them all into the car - which hopefully will start this time - and drive them to her ex-husband's parent's house, then on to work. But for now, she is a mother teaching her daughter to become aware of her body's signals. The job done, she whispers gentle words of praise, lifts the child and carries her back to her bed. One quick check on the sleeping boy, then she lays back down to sleep.

I lay in bed. I had worked an 8-hour shift and got home around 11:00. I listen to her perform this act of love and selflessness. I marvel at her strength, determination and bond of duty to her children. I know that she is putting on a brave front, but she is hurting inside and struggling with the new world of being a single-parent. She has many challenges still to face and it will not be easy. I vow to myself that I will be there for her always.

She is a woman, a mother, an employee, a survivor of an abusive marriage. She is my sister and I love everything that she is.

Happy birthday BJ.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Mockmoon Remix" Genlog
"Don't Go Now" Ratcat
"Sunsets" Powderfinger
"Porch" Pearl Jam
"Undone - The Sweater Song" Weezer
"Love For" Glenn Underground
"Anything Goes" Guns N Roses
"Millenium" Torsis

Opinions Wont Keep You Warm At Night

2007-09-13T22:50:00.000+10:00

No, I'm not being philosophical.

Aussie band Kisschasy released "Opinions Wont Keep You Warm At Night" in June of this year. The lyrics can be interpreted in a number of ways - a message to an ex, a youthful expression of the generation gap, a dig at the media (and bloggers), or, based on the video clip, a statement on world politics.

Either way, it's nice to hear a murmur dissent from the music industry at last.

I've posted both the video and lyrics below - interpret it your way. I'm off to watch Get Up Stand Up.

Wait while jealousy tears you apart
I’m sorry but I cannot help the way you are
That we do the things you can’t

Just wait, can’t you see you’re being weak?
It’s shallow and dark you know every time you speak
You’re just lying through your teeth

Sometimes, days are like you say yet I don’t agree with what you see
But I will never let the bitter things you say ever get to me
Sometimes, days are like you say yet I don’t agree with what you see
But I will never let the bitter things you say ever get to me

We are everything you wish you were
But, I’m feeling kinda concerned
we’re probably friends
But you hide from consequence

Yeah you must have a lot of spare time
To put down the words that you write
But no one cares
You should put your mind to rest

Sometimes, days are like you say yet I don’t agree with what you see
But I will never let the bitter things you say ever get to me
Sometimes, days are like you say yet I don’t agree with what you see
But I will never let the bitter things you say ever get to me

Get to me…Get to me…

Sometimes, days are like you say yet I don’t agree with what you see
But I will never let the bitter things you say ever get to me
Sometimes, days are like you say yet I don’t agree with what you see
But I will never let the bitter things you say ever get to me

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Feel The Pain" Dinosaur Jnr.
"Reactivate" Bismark
"Basket Case" Green Day
"I Could Have Lied" Red Hot Chili Peppers
"Opinions Wont Keep You Warm At Night" Kisschasy
"Special Ones" George
"Closer To France" Cap Project
"Live And Let Die" Guns N Roses

People, Police, Paths, Protests, Pictures

2007-09-08T17:41:00.000+10:00

Drove down a strangely-quiet-for-a-Saturday-morning Pacific Hwy to North Sydney. North Sydney was also very quiet, but that's nothing unusual on the weekend as it's predominantly a business district. Parked easily, walked to the station, bought a ticket and waited for the train heading into the city. A north-bound trained pulled into the station, all but empty. Similar story when my train arrived.

Disembarked at Town Hall station, walked through the QVB and had my first spotting of protesters (wearing anti-Bush tee shirts and drinking coffee at Gloria Jeans) and police. Out onto George Street to a lack of traffic and pedestrians and plenty of closed shops. As I had missed the actual march, decided to head straight down Market St to Hyde Park to join the rally. Got to Elizabeth St to a barricade of police and police vehicles. After one of the cops advised it would be 10-15 minutes before they would allow people to cross the street to get into Hyde Park, I decided to go the long way round.

So I back-tracked up Market and down Castlereagh St, only to be denied access to Park St by a row of police and a strategically placed bus. Ok, stage 3. Cut across through an arcade to Pitt St and came across this:

Now, the intelligence of the police operation was really coming to a pinnacle at this point. I was advised that I was unable to cross the road at the pedestrian crossing unless I was to walk up to George St and then back down Park St. I figured it was futile arguing that there would be no difference in me having access to the pedestrian crossing via this route as opposed to the alternative route with a guy who takes orders without question (I'll let you figure out which one he is in the pic). Ironically, on the opposite side of the Pitt St intersection is a McDonalds with entrances on both Pitt and Park Streets. So I was forced to pass through the Golden Tits of Mass Consumerism to proceed - eh, it saved me 5 minutes of walking in circles.

Finally on Park I was able to walk back down to Elizabeth only to be confronted by this:

Talk about overkill. Besides making it impossible for people to cross the road from either side, this mass show of police force was only serving one purpose - intimidation.

Eventually made it to the one police-sanctioned pedestrian crossing into Hyde Park and entered the rally proper. Came across a bloke from the Socialist Alternative Party who gave me this:

I chatted with the bloke about how the police were making it hard for people to get into Hyde Park. At one point he referred to them as 'the pigs' and looked confused when I responded "Don't call them that mate, they're just ordinary blokes doing their jobs".

Caught the end of the rally speeches. The dj chose "Fight For Your Right (To Party)" by the Beastie Boys to play straight after the speeches. This of course received great response. I chose to wander around observing, reading and talking.

This girl was part of a group of female Muslim protesters, all wearing hijabs.

At one point, there was a loud roar from the crowd and this came walking by:

The black thing sticking up in the centre of picture is a camera used by the police to instantly photograph and scan the faces of people in a crowd. I don't think too many people had anything to hide considering the size of the crowd following it around.

This group was dancing to "My Bush Would Make A Better President" by Digital Primate.

This stand was unattended when I walked past - shame...

And so, having spoken with a diverse range of people from a diverse range of cultures on a diverse range of issues, I wandered back towards the train station - this time using a much more direct route. Walking back up Park St, I saw this:

A hard-earned thirst hey fellas?

At the train station I ran into these 2 women:

The lady on the right told me her son had told her not attend the march with "that mob of riff-raff". She went on to tell me how disgusted she was with the police organisation of the event, being that she had to walk for so long to be able to express her right to protest. We both agreed that riff-raff did not define the range of people who had attended and that the path to freedom should have been a hell of a lot shorter and easier.

"NSW Police riot squad chief Superintendent Stephen Cullen had warned: "I have absolutely no doubt that minority groups will engage in a level of violence not previously experienced in Sydney."
News.com.au

5,000 attendants, 9 arrests, 2 injured police, 0 riots.

I've been to cricket matches with worse outcomes than that.

Less fear-mongering going on when it comes to cricket though.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Add It Up" The Violent Femmes
"Acid Wiss" DJ Skull
"Drop Top Caddy" Aphrodite & Mickey Finn
"Forth" Secret Silence
"There Goes The Neighborhood" Body Count
"Kick Out The Jams" The Presidents Of The United States Of America
"All I Want Is You" U2
"Holiday" Weezer
"Rocket Queen" Guns N Roses
"Land Of Zod" Plantastik
"Scary Dog" Sixth Sense Approach
"Low" Cracker

Dotty Points

2007-09-08T02:15:00.000+10:00

The presiding Australian Commonwealth Government is elected based on a 2-party preferred system. The 2 prime political parties in Australia are the currently in power Liberal party and the Labor party (otherwise referred to as "the Opposition"). The Liberal party was founded by the middle class. The Labor party was founded by the workers.
I don't trust either of them to do the job properly, but we're stuck with an archaic electoral system that prevents change and which neither of them will have the balls to change.
I do not belong to any political party. None of the minor parties appear to be doing anything to open debate against the 2 major parties and present viable arguements for social change. Protesting is one thing, debating is another, policy planning is something completely different.
I cried watching this because I love Australia.
And for the fact it was posted on youtube by a 54 year old.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Sunsets" Powderfinger
"Born Slippy" Underworld
"Only 4 U" Cajmere
"Wish You Well" Bernard Fanning

What's That Noise? - Rambalations 4

2007-09-07T00:36:00.000+10:00

Just an upfront warning that this may turn into a rather long, rambling post.

Tell you what - it's a fuckin weird time to be living in old Sydney town right about now. I mean, shit. It's all fuckin happening. There is this buzz, this murmur, this energy. The people are talking. And people are listening. Now think about it. People are those beings that work together, day in and day out. People work together and get to know together by talking and listening. After a while it becomes people talking and listening together while they work. The paradigm shifts.

And this is how I see how it happening in Australia.

Most workers here will give you.... wait for it.... here it comes..... " a fair go". When a new person starts working within a team, we give them a few weeks to settle into their new role, to become sociable within the team, to let us get to know them as a person and as a colleague. I mean fuck, we've all been in new teams at some point and know what it's like to feel you have NFI, that you hope your new team members will like you in some way, shape or form, and wandering if you're going to like them. We weigh each-other up for a while. For a few weeks.

And then we say "Fuck it, let's just get on with it".

So we do. And after a while, all that new-kid tension wears off from both sides. We go about our work and we get to know each-other while we do our work. We realise the commonalities we have on personal levels, professional levels, skills levels. We find the grounds that connect us regardless of background, race, age, gender, religion. Those things no longer matter, it's the person that is important. That thing inside that makes you you.

Like it or hate it, APEC has stirred Sydney to bubbling point. You see, we work and live (mostly) side-by-side here. Muslims work with Christians. Americans work with Iraqis. Tibetans work with Chinese. Anglo-Saxons work with Aboriginal Australians (that has taken far too fuckin long to achieve, but it finally seems to be getting somewhere). And we get to know each other, no holds barred, guts 'n all. We don't hold back talking about shit as we work.

No-one seems too fussed about the actual issues being addressed at APEC, rather we're talking about the one that is being un-addressed. The people.

APEC has given Sydney the taste of what it feels like to live under a dictatorship or military rule. Sure, it's nothing in comparison to how it is in some countries, but even a small taste of it is a massive shock to the system. See, down here in Oz we rarely see people walking round with guns in public. Our skies aren't normally filled with military and police helicopters. The public is not usually denied from entering their own city if they can't present identification. Individuals are not normally stopped and searched for no apparent reason. We generally don't live with that fear.

APEC has brought all of that here. And the people are not liking it at all. Not just the activists or the uni students or the hippies. It's the bloke in the suit on the bus trying to get to work. It's the doctor on his way to perform surgery. It's the mum trying to get her infant to sleep as the helicopter buzzes by her apartment. It's the teenage girl on her way to her first date. This shit has really pissed people off. Not the just the inconveniences but also the fear that is being brought into our country.

Australians do not live like this.

Problem is, Australians also have an attitude of 'she'll be right'. This could easily turn into a case of letting it run its course and then get back to how things were. After all, summer is just around the corner and we're all looking forward to long days in the sun, warm nights on the beach, holidays, cold beers, swimming in the pool, drinking at the local beer garden, bbq's, music festivals - all that good shit which comes from living in a country where the people are free to live their lives their way.

I hope that attitude doesn't prevail this time. We need to build on this experience and ensure that our country does not end up accepting this fear and governmental enforcement on an ongoing basis. If anything, we should be highlighting our nation as an example to the rest of the global community of how things can work without having those things. Sure, we are far from perfect, but we're slowly figuring this shit out amongst ourselves. It's easier to do it over a couple of beers at your mate's barbie on a Saturday arvo than it is by bombing the shit out of each-other because we're too afraid to talk to one-another.

May the protest on Saturday be held and received with Australian easy-naturedness, acceptance and good-will.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Opinions Wont Keep You Warm At Night" Kisschasy
"Iris" Goo Goo Dolls
"Librae Solidi Denari" The Shamen
"Live And Let Die" Guns N Roses
"Sunday Bloody Sunday" U2
"My Happiness" Powderfinger
"Speedway" The Prodigy
"Satisfaction" Benny Benassi
"Every You Every Me" Placebo
"Tennessee" Arrested Development
"Red 2" Dave Clarke
"Beds Are Burning" Midnight Oil

Going Down(er) On APEC

2007-09-04T23:49:00.000+10:00

The below is an excerpt from an interview with the Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer which screened on the ABC's Lateline last night:

Below are my reactions to the interview:

"Australia will, at least for this week, be very much the centre of the world"
- We're moving the entire country geographically north? What a dumass statement to make.

"we've been able to put the climate change issue into the centre of the agenda"
- About time, and no small feat for a summit with a predominant economic focus... ah, hang-on..

"We also have put a lot of emphasis on economic restructuring and liberalisation...."
- I'm seeing a link here between economics and environment....

"Well, I think inevitably, there'll be some media focus on changes to traffic arrangements and the protesters"
- Well duh! No mention of the removal of civil rights for Sydney-siders during the summit.

"the protesters anyway will definitely get a lot of publicity as they always do in any western country. That's why they conduct protests - in order to get publicity for them."
- And I thought they did it to highlight their frustration against an injustice. So easy to dismiss protests as a marketing ploy in our consumer society.

"in the end people will recognise that this is about Australia being a really significant country and taking its rightful place in the world"
- A significant country where the government feels they have the rights to change laws and impose restrictions with no consultation to the public. And where tourists can't take photos.

"obviously some people will be inconvenienced, and I feel sorry for them, and I can understand their irritation"
- This coming from a man who is not being impacted by road-closures, security checks, police-searches and restriction zones. I doubt he truly understands the irritation being felt by the wider public.

"Well you have to have somewhere for people to sleep."
- Last I checked, every major Australian city (and most of the regional centres) has plenty of accommodation. Sorry Andrew, guess you weren't on Downer's guest list!

Dumass Downer.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" Nirvana
"Scared" Slacker
"Closer To France" Cap Project
"SMD#3" SMD#3
"We're Not Gonna Make It" Presidents Of The United States Of America
"Come As You Are" Nirvana
"Circuit Breaker" DJ Skull
"My Planet" Simply Jeff

Comments 31 August 2007

2007-08-31T23:23:00.000+10:00

Tonight's blog commences here and ends up here.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Zebra" John Butler Trio
"Everyone Needs A 303" Fatboy Slim
"Claustrophobic Sting" The Prodigy
"Stay" U2
"Life Support" Vitamin HMC
"The Mission" Carl Cox

Stalag Sydney

2007-08-29T23:10:00.000+10:00

What you are seeing here is Sydney Harbour in preparation for APEC. Normally, visitors to Sydney are able to walk right up to the edge of the harbor and gaze out over the water, watching the numerous vessels passing by or to have their photo taken with the bridge or the house in the background. During APEC this is not an option, unless you have passed through a security check-point in the 2.8 metre high fence that will enclose Sydney for the duration of the summit.

In a recent post, I mentioned a number of the security measures and blatant disregard for the rights of Australian citizens being imposed in Sydney during APEC. Allow me to add a few more which have come to light since that post:

- People arrested during APEC will not be granted bail until the summit has finished

- Residents of certain suburbs will not be allowed to park their cars out front of their own houses

- The police have the right to stop, search and expel anyone from APEC restricted zones, including Bondi Beach

- Sydney-siders and visitors are being told they aren't welcome to watch fireworks over the harbour

All this because a handful of so-called leaders can't do their jobs properly. For fuck's sake, if you're so fuckin scared that people hate you that much, teleconference. Some of us have lives to live here.

On a lighter note, in true Aussie style, the SMH has posted this Aussie George Dress Up in honor of the royal shrub's visit. Personally, I think he makes a great Dame Edna (kudos to Colin).

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Release" Pearl Jam
"Holiday" Weezer
"Elctris" Woody McBride
"Come & Die" Therapy? & Fatal
"Judgement Night" Biohazard & Onyx
"LSD" HMC
"THX" Paddee
"The State We're In" The Chemical Brothers
"Emulator" Rotortype
"Breakfast At Sweethearts" Cold Chisel
"Speedway" The Prodigy

From the mouths of babes

2007-08-28T23:30:00.000+10:00

I was planning on writing a post tonight about something or another, but spent too long reading some of my favourite blogs and following the immigration flame war on the Australian Blog Community message board. So instead, I'll share this oldie but goodie (and truthful) funny that dropped into my inbox today:

Son: "Daddy, I have to write a special report for school, but I don't know what Politics is."

Father: "Well, let's take our home as an example. I am the bread-winner, so let's call me Capitalism. Your Mum is the administrator of money, so we'll call her Government. We take care of your need, so let's call you The People. We'll call the maid the Working Class and your brother we can call The Future. Do you understand son?"

Son: "I'm not really sure, Dad. I'll have to think about it."

That night awakened by his brother's crying, the boy went to see what was wrong. Discovering that the baby had seriously soiled his diaper, the boy went to his parents' room and found his mother sound asleep. He went to the maid's room, where, peeking through the keyhole, he saw his father in bed with the maid. The boy's knocking went totally unheeded by his father and the maid, so the boy returned to his room and went back to sleep.

The next morning he reported to his father.

Son: "Dad, now I think I understand what Politics is."

Father: "Good son! Can you explain it to me in your own words?"

Son: "Well Dad, while Capitalism is screwing the Working Class, Government is sound asleep, the People are being completely ignored and the Future is full of shit."

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Great Big Gig In The Sky" Pink Floyd
"We Will Not Be Silenced" DJ Paul Edge

Newsworthy

2007-08-26T00:41:00.000+10:00

"I read the news today, oh boy" The Beatles

Cooper over at Wonderland Or Not has written a very precise and inspiring piece regarding how bloggers have the opportunity to drive social awareness away from the irrelevant mass-market social drivel that now poses as "the News" and bring to the fore matters that are actually worthy of receiving attention. In her post, Cooper highlights the Jena 6 case - a shocking and horrific case of 6 black teenagers facing death sentences after being caught up in a fight that ensued after they arranged a peaceful protest for the right to sit under a tree. They wanted to sit under a tree for fuck's sake.

Now, in comparison, let's see what the reliable commercial media is bringing to our attention:

In amongst all the fluff and stuff there are a couple of worthy mentions that are provided some lip-service, but you have to dig past the local footy, Ray Martin (who?? I hear the rest of the world say), Amy Winehouse (who?? I say), 100 years of bras, and a NASA sex romp to find them.

Fortunately, some sources of news are fairly reliable when it comes to delivering the goods. Let's see what SBS, a broadcaster that's not owned by a corporation, is currently providing:

So rather than focusing on the comings and goings of individuals who have no real impact on our lives, SBS is focusing on the relevant, influencing stories. What a novel concept.

If you are a blogger and you truly are dedicated to implementing change through your words, then please, please, please stop being a collaborator of the insanity and start talking about the real issues in your life and this world.

.....ok, there is the Koala sex lesson story on SBS, but hey, you try reading the following quote and not chuckling:

"Chumbee hasn't stopped since he got here," said Schoenbrunn Zoo manager Helmut Pechlaner.
"It has been almost non-stop sex in the koala enclosure ever since, and now even our own male is joining in."
Zoo vet Hanna Vielgrader said Chumbee was unstoppable.
"The only break is to eat or sleep, other than that there's no stopping them," she said.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Days Go By" Dirty Vegas
"Wish You Well" Bernard Fanning
"Are You There" Josh Winx
"Rave Africa" Tomahawk
"The Chain" Breeder
"Chump" Green Day
"Fatman" The Shamen
"Immortality" Pearl Jam
"Here I Come" CJD Project
"Skaing The Wild Controller" Tristan
"Poison" The Prodigy

Post 50

2007-08-25T22:06:00.000+10:00

I have been putting myself under some unwanted and irritating internal-pressure since realising I was up to post number 50. What to write, what great pearls of crap could I lay out about what I've learnt since I started blogging, who to thank, where I'm going with this - all that shit. Then I realised, fuck it. I decided to post a bit of ramble, allowing life to resume to normal at post 51.

And so I did.

Say Something Damit!

2007-08-18T00:27:00.000+10:00

I am sick to shit of crap content. How many blogs have you been to where self-professed blog experts are providing advise on how to best sell your blog? How many of these expert sites are covered in banners, click-throughs, widgets and other bandwidth munching cookie based paraphernalia that the so-called expert uses in an attempt to 'build traffic' and 'make money by blogging'. Fact is, if all you can do regurgitate marketing spin from marketing websites, then your blog is worthless to me. If I wanted to read an advert, I'd go to a commercial website.

I have no issue with people sharing their knowledge, experiences and recommendations - their knowledge, experiences and recommendations, not others'. I respect people who are successful in their industry for taking the time to share and discuss their opinions with readers - if they can back-up their claims to success by referencing reliable and industry recognised sources. But when I stumble across a Homer Simpson attempt at a blog where the author is claiming to be a hugely successful blog developer, my contempt flies off the scale. And more so when the author has the writing and grammatical skills of a 3rd grader. Spelling errors, bad punctuation, poor sentence structure are all accepted (and expected) on personal blogs - professional blogs on the other hand require a certain level of professionalism, such as the correct use of language.

I have no claims to being a professional blogger and have no aspirations to become one. I am, however, a blog reader and if you're seeking my readership, then offer me something to read.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Surf Wax America" Weezer
"Out Ta Get Me" Guns N Roses
"The Test" The Chemical Brothers
"Return To Reality" Antarctica
"Lost In Emotion" John '00' Flemming
"My Happiness" Powderfinger
"Wish You Well" Bernard Fanning
"Pure Flow" Odyssee

Fuck George Bush

2007-08-10T21:50:00.000+10:00

I'm back.

Hi.

Been away for a bit spending time with family back home. It was a long-overdue break from work spending time with those I love and getting my head back into human mode. I miss my family greatly and love them even more, so a trip home for me is always a joy. Yeah, there's the usual arguments, disagreements and tensions, but that just makes it all the more real and does not detract from the unity I share with my mum, dad, sister, brother and sister-inlaw.

Anyway, nough of that.

Those not living in Australia may or may not be aware that Captain Koo-Koo Banana Brains - aka George Bush - will be in Australia for the APEC summit in September. Big Fucking Whoop. I don't like the man, I think he is a deluded cowboy making decisions based on his own conservative fantasy agendas - but that's beside the point. He is the (loosely) elected leader of a nation, and if that's what the majority of American people want as their leader, then so be it. Who am I to argue, not being an American citizen and all? But I am an Australian citizen, and the last time I checked, the Australian population (myself included) did not vote George Bush President of Australia. In fact, we don't have a fuckin president - we have a weasel of a man that is so far up George Bush's ass that the White House chefs have been cooking for 2 for the past 4 years when preparing Captain Banana Brain's breakfast.

Back to APEC. Today, the all-mighty Shrub announced that he will be arriving to and leaving from the summit early. Now this, of course, requires certain changes to be made to the preparations in place for the summit. It's not a small matter of re-arranging the menus or changing what day to take the group photo on. Oh no. His honorable Brains-trust coming early means that the entire population of Sydney needs to adjust our plans. Don't expect to drive on the roads our taxes pay for. Don't expect the trains that we pay to use will run on time. Don't drive to the airport. And don't even think of having surgery. Instead, be prepared for road closures, delays to public transport and embargoes on business activities so that his fuckin emissary can be sheltered and protected from the real world. Hell, our own government is even urging us to leave town.

Do us a favour Bush - CANCEL. Do not come to Australia and fuck up the runnings of our largest city just so your capitalist, elitist, conservative sorry excuse for a leader self can continue to live in Bush-Land where the real people are merely a source of income and cheap labour, foreigners are Indians for your cowboy ass to play round 'em up with, food is free and plentiful (and cooked by slaves who don't speak), and traffic-jams are a myth.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not wishing any harm on the man and hope that his inevitable and unwanted presence here in Australia does not lead to the injury or death of any person. But when I hear the Australian media referring to him simply as "the president" as if he is our president, my blood boils. Little Johnny Howard may be a weasel suck-ass, but he's on his way out at last and he is no-where near as evil, manipulative and dangerous as the Captain.

I'm not visiting family again till December, so if I'm not back within 2 weeks......

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Missing" Everything But The Girl
"Jack Me Off" Funk D'Void
"We Shall Not Be Silenced" DJ Paul Edge
"Feel The Pain" Dinosaur Jnr
"Give It Away" Red Hot Chili Peppers
"Let Me Put My Love Into You" AC/DC
"Nightmare" Brainbug
"Darkness" Angel Alanis
"Come As You Are" Nirvana

Who's Generation?

2007-07-25T22:21:00.000+10:00

Ok, so I may be behind the pack on this one, but I only saw this on Spicks and Specks tonight. Presenting The Zimmers cover of My Generation:

I was fortunate enough to grow up surrounded by elderly people. My mum used to work in a nursing home and I often called in on my way home after school for one reason or another. Despite the smells (a mixture of urine, antiseptic, flowers, medicine, food and feces) and the sometimes off-putting behaviours of the residents, I always found the people in the nursing home to be a great source of entertainment and comfort. My family also attended a number of churches, most of which had a largely aging congregation. I gained a good number of surrogate grandparents from the churches, all of whom took a great interest in the events of my life and offered an abundance of knowledge and experience.

While it is important to focus on the well-being of future generations, we must not neglect those who have seen the world change. Kudos to the Zimmers and the BBC for reminding us all that the elderly are part of this changing world and have as much a part to play as anyone.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Deeper" Barabas & Od1
"Impact" Sound Enforcer
"Dune Buggy" Presidents Of The United States Of America
"Morphist" Drone
"Have A Drink On Me" AC/DC

Suffer the Children

2007-07-22T14:27:00.000+10:00

"Suffer the children, the sins of the fathers
Poison the seeds and you poison the harvest"
Directions In Groove

My sis-in-law is due to give birth any minute now and last night I watched Children of Men. Probably not the best choice of movies for an uncle-to-be as it paints a very bleak picture of the future drawing on references from the current state of global affairs. However it does end on a note of hope. If you haven't seen it, watch it.

For my yet-to-be-born niece or nephew, I have the following hopes:

society will stop being distracted by the unimportant.
the culture of greed that is perpetuated by governments and corporations will diminish.
individuals will stop judging others based on appearance, race, gender, sexual-preference and stereotype.
technological development will become focused on fixing the errors of the past and the betterment of the future.
decisions will be made with a world-view rather than being based on the betterment of any one particular community or country.
sustainable resources will be openly available and shared.
assistance will be offered unconditionally to those who need it.

I like to think that, whoever you are, where-ever you may be and whatever your circumstances, you would want the same for the children in your life.

Songs played while writing this entry:

"No Good (Start The Dance)" The Prodigy

"Face It" Sven Vath

"Mutant Was In Love" Taho

"Zebra" John Butler Trio

"Twilight" Canyon

"Naked In The Rain" Red Hot Chili Peppers

"Angel Particles" Hallyciongen

The Power and The Passion - Rambalations 3

2007-07-14T23:08:00.000+10:00

Ok, so now we're all one big happy family right? We're all sitting here, talking to each other with no boundaries. We share our strengths and weaknesses, our hopes and fears, our joys and our sorrows, our pasts and futures. Relationships develop that normally wouldn't due to the tyranny of distance. Discrimination is reduced as no longer are we judging on physical appearance, rather we seek out those whose words we relate to - regardless of race, colour, ability or age. Enter the age of the shared experience.

So why the fuck are there still allied troops in the Middle East??

Why the hell are people trying, and succeeding, to explode car-bombs in the UK??

How come the media is still shoving sexist, racist, invasive, and mostly meaningless tripe down our throats??

For fuck's sake, get over it - the rest of us have.

George, give it up man. You tried to take control of the Middle East and it didn't work, so get your troops out of there and start negotiating some peace - but clean up your fuckin mess first. Fundamentalists of all religious types, chill the fuck out. You love your god/deity/idol/whatever - good for you, pretty much everyone can respect that, so go worship in your way and respect others' rights to worship in theirs. Media, grow up. People can now freely pick and choose content from a vast variety of resources and providers, so start offering up the good shit or become irrelevant.

There's still aways to go and people to wake up, but the shift has started. Find the commonalities, start and engage in conversations, form communities and voice opinions. Use the internet as a starting point for discussions that can lead to real and interactive meetings in the physical space, and use the internet again to allow people outside the physical space to participate. Funky shit huh?

This is why I work in internet. It can be frustrating and at times I may claim to hate it, but it is an area that I am passionate about and that's why I keep turning up to work.... that and the money, which is why it's called a 'job'. Fortunately for me, I work with a group of people who have the same passion for the internet, its uses and the potential it has (albeit in differing applications of its potential;). I have found that those who share this passion also share the same open acceptance of one another, warts and all. I work within this group of amazing people sharing the same focus - to build, develop, distribute and improve this medium to achieve its many potentials. And yes, some of that involves revenue potential, which is why my 'job' is paid for by a 'business'. However, the potentials I keep focus on are the vast and rapid dissemination of information, development of online cultures and the use of the internet as an educational tool.

Anyways, it's Sunday, time for my weekly reality check at Post Secret.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"My Planet" Simply Jeff
"W.M.A" Pearl Jam
"Ebeneezer Goode" The Shamen
"Been Caught Stealing" Jane's Addiction
"Blood" Pearl Jam
"Special Ones" George
"Fatman" The Shamen
"Closer to France" Cap Project
"Magic Shop" Stef, Pako & Frederick
"Surf Wax America" Weezer
"Zebra" John Butler Trio

Flight Path

2007-07-09T22:05:00.000+10:00

It's another cold, wet, wintry night in Sydney. I stand out on my balcony, rugged up against the cold, having a smoke. My view is of the roof-tops, trees and clouds. Off in the distance, to my right, I see the lights of a plane through the clouds. As I have an un-obscured view from my balcony, I can track planes coming into land for a good minute or so. I watch as the plane slowly makes it descent, the lights becoming clearer as the plane drops beneath the clouds and tracks its path along the harbour towards Sydney airport. Although I am not directly under the flight path, I can hear the sounds of the engines as the pilot both fights against the winds and slows the engines down for landing.

This is a scenario I see on a daily basis, played out in the skies above Sydney. And each time I wait for the plane to explode. It hasn't happened so far.

I find myself watching the flight of planes a great deal since 9/11. It has in no way deterred me from flying - in fact, I've flown more since I've been living in Sydney than I have ever before in my life. Never have I had these thoughts while on a plane, only when I can see one in the air. I have no fear of flying at all. But for some reason, I see every plane in the sky as a potential disaster waiting to happen.

Is it a result of witnessing tragedy, or am I just morbid?

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Tilt" Seduction of Orpheus
"Yesterday" Guns N Roses
"Marrakech" Madley
"Say It Aint So" Weezer
"Mars Needs Women" Miranda
"Boll Weeevil" Presidents of the United States of America

Potpurri

2007-07-03T22:18:00.000+10:00

Seems that there is a lot going on at the moment in my little ol' life - so much so that it's hard to focus on just one thing long enough to pull together enough focus to create an opinion worthy of blogging. So for now I present short musings:

I hate winter. A number of my friends profess to prefer the cold weather over the heat of summer, spouting that it's easier to get warmer by adding clothing than it is to cool down. I disagree totally. I would much rather be wearing only a pair of boardies and a tee-shirt than to be covered from head to toe in multiple layers of thick winter clothing. Not only am I cold, but I feel like the Michelin Man.
The Pasha Bulka has finally set sail off Nobby's Beach after being stuck there for 23 Days. Fortunately, there have been no signs of oil spills as yet. Unfortunately, the government is now talking of charging the owners for the salvage effort to remove the potential environmental disaster from our coast line. Oh bureaucracy.... I only hope the owners have nouse to counter-sue the Australian government for not signing the Kyoto agreement, hence contributing to global warming which attributed to the storm that swept the ship ashore in the first place.
I signed up to Second Life and, after spending an hour creating a avatar I liked, now have a character that has no idea of where to go. It's really like my first life! Any suggestions appreciated. If you run into Rogue Pennell, feel free to say hi ;)
An Indian-born doctor suspected of involvement in the London car-bomb has been arrested in Australia. Truly he is the definition of displaced.
I have an interview for the new job on Thursday. Considering I put very little thought into applying for the position, I plan on putting little effort into preparing for the interview. I applied based on fate and will follow the philosophy that, if I'm meant to do this, I'll get it.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Get To The Back" Fantazia
"Indifference" Pearl Jam
"Magic Shop" Stef, Pako & Frederick
"Land of Zod" Plantastik
"Elevation" U2
"Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town" Pearl Jam
"Judgement Night" Biohazard & Onyx

Direction or Dreams?

2007-06-26T21:48:00.000+10:00

I've applied for a new job. I wasn't looking for a new job, but one found its way into my in-box at work and, after one reading of the job description, I applied for it. I'm not un-happy with my current job - in fact I enjoy it for the most part - and the new job wasn't something that I'd considered doing previously. It was a simple matter of opportunity knocking, unfortunately (for my current boss) at a bad time.

I had never read a blog before the start of this year, nor written one. Since taking an interest in the blogsphere, I have been amazed at the power of online communities and the development of online relationships (both personal and business). Reading blogs such as More Than A Living, Necessary Skills, and The Next Transformation has changed the way I think about my work and the products I work with. Blogs like Shake Well Before Use have changed the way I look at marketing. Belonging to communities such as MyBlogLog and Bumpzee has opened up a new world of friends and interactions. So it only made sense that, when a job came along in which I saw the potential of harnessing all these things that blogs have exposed me to, I should apply for it.

A new direction or just a dream? That waits to be seen.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Missing" Everything But The Girl
"Oceans" Pearl Jam
"Nightrain" Guns N Roses
"Sweetness and Light" Itch-E & Scratch-E
"Freak Momma" Mudhoney & Sir Mix-A-Lot
"Reactivate" Bismark
"One Love" The Prodigy
"Californication" Red Hot Chili Peppers

We Could Be Heroes....but....

2007-06-19T22:19:00.000+10:00

Picture this: It's a cold, wintry morning and you're bustling down the sidewalk of a busy city street under your umbrella on the way to work. A taxi drives past and from a building up ahead a woman emerges, screaming as a man pulls her by the hair. What do you do? Do you confront the couple and offer assistance to the woman or do you lower your umbrella and keep walking?

Unfortunately, this very incident occurred yesterday in Melbourne and the decision to help cost a man his life. The man who was attacking the woman pulled a gun and shot 3 people who came to her aid, killing one.

Psychology tells us there are 2 reactions all animals have in such situations - fight or flight. It's a split moment decision between self-preservation and combat. But what motivates this decision? Honor? Courage? Consequence? I can't say if I would or wouldn't have rushed in to help the woman as I wasn't there, and while I'd like to think I would, the reality is I probably wouldn't have. Not because I'm gutless or scared of a fight, but rather because I have heard too many horror stories where the good samaritans end up worse off for doing the right thing. We live in a litigious society where criminals can sue victims, where kids carry knifes for fun, and where anyone in the street could be carrying a gun in their jacket. We live in fear, and I am not immune...but I wish I was.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"It Doesn't Matter" The Chemical Brothers
"Think About You" Guns N Roses
"Computer Talk" Primordial Soup
"Come As You Are" Nirvana
"Hells Bells" AC/DC
"Life Support" Vitamin HMC
"Calling Earth" Yves Deruyter

"Chasing Cars" Snow Patrol

Land Ho Captain

2007-06-18T22:49:00.000+10:00

First off, a very heartfelt thank you to those who commented on my previous post. I have replied to the comments on the post, but just wanted to say thanks again.

Ok, so I'm back! "What's been happening?" I hear the masses ask. Shitloads, so I'll apologise in advance if this turns out to be a long post.

A couple of weeks back was the Queen's Birthday long weekend here in Oz. She may be old, antiquated and the monarch of a dead concept, however you gotta love her for giving us a public holiday for no good reason. So me and a few friends tailed it down to Melbourne for 4 days of drinking, sight-seeing, drinking and eating (with a few drinks). It was just what I needed to pick up my spirits. There is nothing like getting away from the every-day, venturing into an alien environment to shake things up and reinvigorate the soul. One of my friends made mention that she hated feeling like a tourist, but I had to disagree. I like the feeling of being lost, ogling at buildings, statues and signs, asking for directions and generally not feeling in control of my environment. It's nice to step out of the comfort zone now and then, especially with a few good mates.

Unfortunately, the long weekend wasn't as nice for everyone. During this time, a major storm hit central and northern NSW (New South Wales for the un-Australian) and caused serious havoc including floods, road collapses, a ship running ashore (it's still there), and 8 deaths. Ironically the areas hit by this storm are amongst those which have been hit hardest by the recent droughts. All we need now (the farmers in particular) is a plague of locust and 2007 can go down as a biblical year. Vote 1 Moses.....

There's been plenty else going on - people quitting work left, right and centre, opening up job positions I may be interested in, bonus payouts, car troubles, stomach problems, family issues. All the stuff which keep things interesting and remind you that life does go on.

I'll leave you with this from ABC's The Chaser's War On Everything... I love stupid people....

Songs played while writing this entry:
"My Baby" Cold Chisel
"Funky Sound" AK1200
"That Aint Bad" Ratcat
"Thunderstruck" AC/DC
"Morphist" Drone
"Beyond the Edge" Human Resource
"Groove la 'chord: Art of Vengeance
"The Sound of the Big Babou" Laurent Garnier
"Emulator" Rotortype

Down Time

2007-06-05T21:51:00.000+10:00

I'm having a down period at the moment. For as long as I can remember I've had these down times - times where I just want to shrink into a corner and not be seen or heard. Times where I see no positives in my life or the world around me. Times where I just want to be left alone because I see no value in my existence.

My body feels like a prison, I ache to my very bones. My shoulders sag and my head feels too heavy to remain upright. My brain pounds behind my eyes, making them feel too big for the sockets which contain them. My legs and arms feel like weights, requiring great effort to lift them or to walk. All this (coupled with the cold weather) makes it almost impossible to get out of bed each morning to face yet another fuckin day of the same routine - piss, shower, dress, drink, contact lenses, teeth, hair, shoes, walk, bus, work, lunch, work, bus, walk, dinner, contact lenses, teeth, bed.

I loose all interest in what is going on. I have no interests to keep me occupied. Sure, there are things that interest me for a short time, but nothing that holds my interest long enough to become a passion. Even my friends and family don't interest me when I'm like this - and they don't understand. I go quiet, quieter than normal, and they ask "what's wrong?" to which I reply "just not feeling too well". I don't know how to explain to them that I'm just waiting to die, that I pray to God every night to just let me die in my sleep and not have to face another day like this.

He hasn't answered my prayers yet - perhaps my faith is reciprocated.

I'll be back to normal soon.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Zebra" John Butler Trio
"Sunday Bloody Sunday" U2
"Aint Armand" Armand Van Helden
"The First Cool Hive" Moby
"Patience" Guns N Roses
"Breakfast At Sweethearts" Cold Chisel

Dying to be famous

2007-05-30T23:23:00.000+10:00

In a previous post, I stated that reality television is one of the best things to happen to society. While I still stand by this statement in the fact that reality tv holds up a mirror to the behaviours of the current population, I must concede that what we are shown is manipulated by a production team who call all the shots. Big Brother Australia is around 6 weeks into this year's series, and once again the producers are pushing the moral boundaries.

Last year, it was the turkey slap incident. This year, the production team behind BB has decided to withhold the fact that one of the housemate's fathers has died.... yes, died. Rather than pass this rather crucial piece of information onto housemate Emma, BB is keeping her in the dark. Strangely enough, the family of Emma has come forward to announce that one of the deceased's last wishes was that Emma not be informed of his death until she leaves the Big Brother house. But for fuck's sake, it's not like Emma's goldfish has died - it's her dad. No doubt in my mind she is going to freak out in a massive way once she is eventually informed.

It's with no surprise that I read today that the parent production company of BB Australia, Endemol, is planning of producing a new reality show where a terminally ill patient selects a recipient for her kidney. I wonder if Endemol's reported growth rate for Q1 is in line with the global mortality rate? No mention of the decrease in their morality reported....

Songs played while writing this entry:

"Fatman" The Shamen

"Deliverance" K90

"Speak To Me" Regis

"A Day Without Me" U2

"Givin The Dog A Bone" AC/DC

"Coded Language" DJ Krust feat Saul Williams

How Aussie Are Ya?

2007-05-27T02:50:00.001+10:00

Colin over at Adelaide Green Porridge Cafe posted a questionnaire which it is proposed new Australians (read: immigrants) will need to complete before gaining citizenship. Being a true-blue, dinky-di Aussie born and bred, I thought I'd give it a burl:

1. Which colours are represented on the Australian flag?

A: Green and Gold, or black, yellow and red

2. Indigenous people have lived in Australia for how many years?

A: A hell of a lot more than Europeans

3. What is Australia's national flower

A: Jennifer Hawkins

4. Australia's political system is called a...

A: Joke

5. What is the capital of Australia

A: The local pub

6. Which animals are on the Australian Coat of Arms?

A: Kangaroo and Emu, best served with chips, plum sauce and a beer

7. Where did the first European settlers to Australia come from?

A: The British penal system

8. Who is Australia's head of state?

A: The old biddy

9. Who was the first Prime Minister of Australia?

A: Some dead pom

10. What song is Australia's national anthem?

A: "More beer, more beer, more beer more beer"

A: "You're going home in the back of a divvy van"

A: "We're happy little Vegemites"

A: "Khe Sahn"

11. What do you call the elected head of a state government?

A: A wanka

12. Which federal political party or parties are in power?

A: The wrong ones, not that the opposition is any better

13. What does Anzac Day commemorate?

A: War heroes who fought to secure our way of life

14. In what year did the first European settlers arrive?

A: The darkest year in the history of the Aboriginals

15. How many states are there in Australia?

A: 3 - sober, pissed and unconscious

16. What is Australia's biggest river system?

A: On the verge of extinction

PS: if you are applying for citizenship into Australia, the above answers are not what the bureaucrats are looking for....even though they should be....

Songs played while writing this entry:

"Just Another Victim" Helmet & House Of Pain

"Sweetness And Light" Itch-E And Scratch-E

"D-stomp" The Noise of Art

"You Got Nothing I Want" Cold Chisel

"Beef Situation" Manual
"Under The Bridge" Red Hot Chili Peppers
"Don't Go Now" RatCat
"Epic Future" Alpha Breed

Shop Till The World Drops

2007-05-20T14:22:00.000+10:00

Yesterday I headed over to Chatswood to buy a heater (it's starting to get cold here in Sydney town). Normally I steer well clear of Chatswood and head to my local stores instead as I prefer the community feel over the mass-market Westfield mega-malls. Unfortunately there's a lack of electronics stores at my community shops so I had no choice but to venture into the world of mass-consumerism.

The first thing to strike me as I drove into Chatswood (which is also the name of the surrounding suburb) was the sheer amount of traffic flowing in and out of the car-parks. Now, I can't rant too much on this as I myself was guilty of driving solo, but in my defence, Chatswood was my starting destination on an afternoon out. It occurred to me that a mega-corporation such as Westfield contributes indirectly to global warming in encouraging its target market to drive cars by providing huge amounts of car-parking at its centres. The Westfield carpark at Chatswood is a 5 storey monster spanning 2 city blocks, and then there's additional roof-top and basement parking in the centre itself. In a time when we are all being encouraged to re-think our energy consuming behaviours, it would be nice to see Westfield take on some social responsibility and take action to provide alternative transport options to its customers. For example, it would be easy enough for Westfield to provide a rebate to customers who catch public transport to their malls at a set purchase rate (eg, spend $20 or more and have the cost of your bus-ticket reimbursed).

So I ventured in and started looking for a heater. As with every other time I've had the misfortune of going to Chatswood, the place was packed. I go shopping when I need something, not when I've got nothing better to do, so I really don't understand the mindset of people who claim shopping to be a hobby or past-time. Are their lives that empty that the only way they can find pleasure is to spend an afternoon wandering around stores, purchasing crap in hope of finding happiness and fulfilment in materialistic objects? You can spot the hobby-shoppers easily - they are the ones who dawdle along at snail's pace, stopping in the middle of the walkway to peruse the sale racks. Get in, get what you need and get out is my shopping mantra. It is of little wonder that the world has gotten as fucked up as it currently is when people prefer spending their time succumbing to mass-marketing rather than taking an interest in real-life.

Sadly to say, my shopping venture was all in vein as the heater I wanted to purchase was out of stock. I made my way out through the throngs of consumers, drove down 3 levels to exit the car-park, spent 20 minutes in bumper to bumper traffic and finally headed out to a more fulfilling afternoon with friends who weren't trying to sell me anything.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Oblivion" Terrorvision
"Spirit Catcher" The Mod Wheel
"Scorpion" Spira
"THX" Paddee
"Computer Talk" Primordial Soup
"Ball Park" Joey Beltram
"To Be Or Not To Be" Rythim is Rythim
"We're Not Gonna Make It" The Presidents of the United States of America
"You Shook Me All Night Long" AC/DC
"Not For You" Pearl Jam
"Bug Powder Dust" Bomb The Bass

Blood Lust

2007-05-16T22:47:00.000+10:00

Went to see 28 Weeks Later last night - the sequel to 28 Days Later. Fuck!!! What an incredible movie. Yes, I'm a horror/thriller buff and for those that aren't, I suggest you do not watch the clips on this post! If you're a tad confused, let me clarify a common misconception of those who aren't into horrors - 28 Days Later has no inkling of commonality with the Sandra Bullock movie 28 Days. Think happy thoughts and go see what Disney has on offer, this post is not for you. Here's the trailer:

In my humble opinion, the sequel is much better than the original - a rare thing in the horror genre. The trailer does not do this movie justice - it is far more graphic and intense than the trailer lets on. From the get-go, director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo has you on the edge of your seat, building the tension then scaring you shitless before letting all hell break loose. In between he weaves a fairly average story line with reasonable acting, clever visual effects and enough blood to make the faint-hearted puke. This time the infected seem much faster and way more insane than in the original and they throw up blood by the bucket load. The camera is kept right in the middle of the action, making you feel like you are there as the infected rampage through the deserted streets of London. Here's a small clip of the opening scene:

What sets this movie above a standard horror is the statement it makes on warfare. Many people have the misconception that the infected in 28 Days/Weeks Later are zombies - they are wrong wrong wrong. These movies are an extreme look at chemical warfare, using a virus which turns people into savage animals with an insatiable blood-lust for the non-infected. In 28 Weeks Later, the all mighty, all conquering US Army is deployed to decontaminate London and make it a habitable environment. The parallel to Iraq is striking with comments such as "we are here to look after you" spouting from the soldiers. Being a British film, Tony Blair's announcement to withdraw British troops from Iraq lets the producers of 28 Weeks Later get away with it, but only just. Perhaps they need to film the 3rd installment (yes, it's left open for one) here in Australia to nudge Little Johnny in the right direction.....

Without doubt, one of the best movies I have seen in a long time - 5 buckets of blood out of 5.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Forever Young" Interactive
"Even Flow" Pearl Jam
"Work That Mutha" Steve Pondexter
"Secret Silence" Forth
"Marrakech" Madely
"Black Girls" Violent Femmes
"Garden" Pearl Jam
"Another Body Murdered" Faith No More & Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E
"Sweetness And Light" Itch-E and Scratch-E

Mother

2007-05-13T13:10:00.000+10:00

Today is Mother's Day in Australia. I love my mum unashamedly as all my good traits can be attributed to the genes she passed to me and the values she instilled in me from an early age. The following is a list of all the things mum has given me of which I am proud:

compassion
appreciation of nature
the ability to sit silently
love of music
the desire to find the good in every person
an interest in the arts
love of good food and the ability to cook it (or at least attempt to!)
a sense of humour - be it black, intelligent or goof-ball
the joy of reading
curiosity and the adventurer spirit to explore
dedication and devotion

and last but by no means least

the ability to love and forgive unconditionally

Happy Mother's Day to all the mums out there, and particularly to the best one a fucked-up kid like me could have ever asked for.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Lithium" Nirvana
"Are You There?" Josh Wink
"Tres Chic" Nexus 6
"A2" Andre Michelle
"My Name Is Jonas" Weezer
"Acid Wiss" DJ Skull

Show Me The Money

2007-05-08T22:21:00.000+10:00

Brew up the coffee, put the kids to bed early and dim the lights - tonight is Budget night in Australia. Peter Costello delivered his 12th - yes, 12th - Federal Budget this year and, in an election year, what a nice little offering to the gods of politics he made. Key points from this year's money-fest are:

Underlying cash surplus: $10.6 billion
GDP growth forecast: 3.75 per cent
Tax cuts: $31.5 billion over four years
$5b fund for uni capital works, research
Childcare benefit up by 10 per cent
$22.3b for road and rail infrastructure
Solar panel rebate doubled to $8,000
Overseas aid: $2.58b of new initiatives

A lot of nice feel-good items to appease the electors no doubt, and it manages to touch on all the major key issues of this year's federal election - convenient huh? I'll admit, I've done fairly well from the Liberal party since they've been in Government (not enough to make me a party member) and their economics have actually been fairly good for our country. WTF?? you say - no rants and raves??? Strangely enough, no.... or perhaps not....

The Federal Budget is one of the rare times where economics meet human need. It is an opportunity for the Government to give back to the nation and its people (although what they promise and what they deliver don't necessary align). In business terms, it is the Government's way of keeping their share-holders happy, and as the shareholders of this great country, we have wide-ranging expectations. Unfortunately, Australian corporations don't seem to equate that their share-holders are also the Government's share-holders and therefore have the same wide-ranging expectations. Somehow the corporations have got the impression that their share-holders are only interested in money.

Money is a strange thing. It is an inanimate object of no real value and yet it has become the cornerstone of society. The only thing that gives money any value is the human definition of its worth, yet ironically, human worth is often determined by money - or the amount thereof. But not all human worth can be determined by money, a concept that big business seems to struggle with. As humans, we crave experience, pleasure, acceptance and satisfaction. Businesses can throw money at us, coercing us to work for them by offering large salaries and incentives however this does not necessarily attend to our cravings. Instead, these are met by actions and attitudes which don't always have a price attached. Sure, you could offer me $200k to work for your business, but if taking up this offer means I'm stuck in dank, dilapidated office surrounded by a bunch of prats demanding my attention 24x7 then you can shove your $200k.

Likewise, as a society, we have expectations that corporations don't seem to grasp without assigning a dollar value to them. We now expect corporations to take action on social and environmental issues and put the money they make off us to work for us as a local, national and global population. There are a few large corporations that are making an effort, no doubt based on the economic value of public image, but the contributions they make are minuscule in comparison to the profits they make.

Really, it's a simple concept to grasp - people are share-holders, ergo share-holders are people. Address the expectations of the people and you address the expectations of your share-holders.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Shine" Collective Soul
"Out Ta Get Me" Guns N Roses
"Choir Girl" Cold Chisel
"The World Has Turned And Left Me Here" Weezer
"Givin The Dog A Bone" AC/DC
"Funky Monks" Red Hot Chili Peppers
"Time Out In Toronto" SS
"Tremora Del Terra" Illuminatae
"Pure Flow" Odyssee
"Bitter Sweet Symphony" The Verve
"Freak Momma" Mudhoney & Sir Mix-a-Lot

Punk Is Dead, Long Live Punk - Rambalations 2

2007-04-29T00:24:00.000+10:00

"My little white ass is tickled pink when I listen to the music that makes me think" Red Hot Chili Peppers

Watched a doco on SBS tonight titled Punk:Attitude which explores the history of punk music and the attitudes which drive it. Some of this is captured in the interview below with film-maker Don Letts.

Punk was brought to the fore in the 70's at a major time of unrest, when things had gotten so bad that the people started to stand up and literally say "FUCK YOU". It was a style of music that was in your face and shoved its message down your throat. It rebelled against the establishment and encouraged its audience to take action. It was more than just music and an image - punk was an attitude.

A lot of this attitude carried over into more mainstream music in the 80's with bands like Midnight Oil, Dead Kennedys, U2, Black Flag and Public Enemy. In the 90's Rage Against the Machine, Nirvana and The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy continued the attitude. But what about today? In a market of sanitised commerciality it is hard to find any bands or artists who hold true to the punk attitude. Certainly, there are 'punk-rock' bands such as Blink 182 around, but their sound and attitude is more mum-and-dad radio-friendly than the "FUCK YOU" attitude of the earlier punk bands. Green Day are still holding on to some of their punk roots but have let it slide since their earlier releases of Dookie and Insomniac. Even U2 has moved away from raising social awareness through their lyrics.

Rob Hirst of Midnight Oil made the following comment in his acceptance speech when the Oils were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame last year:

"Maybe complaint rock is still being written, but is ignored by an industry hypnotised by get-famous-fast TV shows. Bless you, John Butler, but you shouldn't have to do it all by yourself."

The challenge was thrown out to the industry, but no-one seems to have taken it up. It appears the music industry has become too obsessed with cheap and un-nasty artists who are going to turn a profit in the least amount of time. It is afraid to sign or promote artists who may have a political or social message in case it upsets the stock-holders. This is unfortunate for any talented, unsigned artists out there as the major record companies are in bed with the radio stations, the media and the retail outlets, so independent releases rarely make it to the mass consumer ears or market.

The internet does give these unsigned artists the chance to self promote, and we have seen successful acts, such as Jet, emerge this way, but only a very few. And again, Jet's music and attitude is far from punk. Today's generation are being feed corporation pleasing lyrics, sometimes blatantly incorporating product placement. A new voice is needed - one that isn't afraid to speak its mind, to challenge business, government and society, to motivate its audience, and to say "FUCK YOU".

"All you need is one guy or girl to stand up and say "fuck this", and everyone goes: "Voice of a generation"."
Henry Rollins

Songs played while writing this entry:
"My Lovely Man" Red Hot Chili Peppers
"Love For" Glenn Underground
"Why Go" Pearl Jam
"Cranium Accelerator" Sven II
"Defiant" Christopher Lawrence
"Welcome To The Jungle" Guns N Roses
"Khe Sanh" Cold Chisel
"Breaking The Girl" Red Hot Chili Peppers
"Coded Language" DJ Krust feat Saul Williams
"Anything Goes" Guns N Roses
"Time Out In Toronto" SS
"Back Porch" Presidents Of The United States Of America
"Come and Die" Therapy? & Fatal

Times Like These

2007-04-14T13:21:00.000+10:00

"Times Like These"
Foo Fighters
Skin and Bones (2006)
mp3 -> save target as to download

I, I'm a one way motorway
I'm the one that drives away
then follows you back home.
And I, I'm a street light shining
I'm a wild light blinding bright
burning off alone.

It's times like these you learn to live again
It's times like these you give and give again
It's times like these you learn to love again
It's times like these time and time again

I, I'm a new day rising
I'm a brand new sky to hang
the stars upon tonight.
I, I'm a little divided
do I stay or run away
and leave it all behind?

It's times like these you learn to live again
It's times like these you give and give again
It's times like these you learn to love again
It's times like these time and time again

It's times like these you learn to live again
It's times like these you give and give again
It's times like these you learn to love again
It's times like these time and time again

Of Rabbits and Rabis

2007-04-07T15:51:00.000+10:00

I normally avoid delving into religious matters too much. This is for 2 reasons:

1) Whilst I consider myself a Christian, I have zero respect for the institution that is the Church

2) Religious beliefs are very subjective and vary according to interpretation

However, this being Easter and with the state of events around the world at the moment, I thought I'd venture into the topic.

Whether you are Christian, non-Christian or Atheist, there is no denying that Jesus Christ was a bloody good guy (based on the stories of him in the Bible). His message to the government and church of the time was, simply put, "get ya heads out of your asses, get off your high-horses, stop being hypocrites and start caring about your people". His message to the people was, again simply put, "stop caring so much about yourself and the petty shit in life and start looking after each other. Oh, and take some responsibility for your own actions while you're at it". Now, I don't know about you, but I think those are some fairly simple and reasonable concepts to build your life and country around.

While there have been some fairly major changes in the world over the past 2,006 years it seems that JC's message still hasn't gotten through. Compare the attitudes and actions of the characters in the Easter story then to those today:

The Sanhedrin: In today's world - the Court. JC's trial was held, unusually, at night when not all members of the council were present. Shame they couldn't have shipped JC off to Guantanimo Bay back then - though he'd be waiting a while if he was in line behind David Hicks.

Caiaphas: In today's world - Church Leader. Caiaphas lead the plot to arrest and kill JC because he saw JC as a threat to the Church. Caiaphas wasn't a fan of anyone who spoke out against the teachings of the Church and threatened his position of power and wealth. I'm sure that it would be possible to trace Fred Nile's (or any other condemner of the Chocolate Christ's) ancestry back to Caiaphas' blood line somehow.

Pontius Pilate: In today's world - Government Leader. Pontius was reluctant to condemn JC to death as he was afraid it would cause an uprising. Likewise, he was afraid to go too soft on his sentencing as he didn't want to put the Church off side. Stuck between a rock and a hard-place, Pontius sends JC off to King Herod. Just like little Johnny Howard, Pontius was too busy sucking up to his stakeholders to have the balls to make any hard and fast decisions. Fortunately for Howard, Bush didn't send Hicks back for him to deal with.

King Herod: In today's world - Foreign Government Leader. Herod welcomed JC from Pontius Pilate with as much interest as he would a tray of cow-dung. He wanted nothing to do with the issue and figured JC was Pontius' problem, so sent him back. Try as he might to shirk the issue, Kyoto keeps on coming back to haunt little Johnny.

At least it seems that we, the people, have taken some notice of JC's message. We've still got a long way to go, but there is hope for us yet. And that is what faith is all about.

May the deity of your choice bless you and your world this Easter/Passover/Pascha/Weekend.

Songs played while writing this entry:

"Children Of The Revolution" The Violent Femmes

"Mr Brownstone" Guns N Roses

"Raver's Damnation" The Wizard Of Oh

"The Stalker" Green Velvet

"New Year's Day" U2

"Blood Sugar Sex Magik" Red Hot Chili Peppers

"Animal" Pearl Jam

"Sweetness And Light" Itchee & Scratchee

"Born Slippy (Pink Floyd Remix)" Underworld Vs Aphex Twin

"Return To Reality" Antarctica

"My Happiness" Powderfinger

"Deliverance" K90

"Holiday" Weezer

"All I Want Is You" U2

Upside down Miss Jayne

2007-03-28T23:57:00.000+10:00

For those not dwelling in Australia, a brief explanation.... During the 70's, 80's and 90's, the ABC produced a show called Mr Squiggle (the man from the moon). As you can see, Mr Squiggle had a rather large appendage attached to his face - a pencil for a nose. His primary talent was being able to take a group of lines on a piece of paper sent in by a viewer and transform these lines into a picture. Being a marionette, Mr Squiggle was operated from above and, as such, had a tendency to draw his pictures upside down. This often lead to the catch-cry of "Upside down Miss Jayne" (Miss Jayne being the long-running human host of the show).

For Mr Squiggle, it was all about potential and perception. Take 3 random lines and see the potential of what they could be and evolve into. What the viewer perceived to be a bigger bunch of squiggles at the end of the drawing, Mr Squiggle (or his puppeteer at least) would see a completed picture - it just happened to be upside down.

Over at R World, Ron posted a short commentary on the new media, including this link discussing how the existing media is needing to change and adapt to new technologies and demands. It got me thinking about how other industries are needing to adapt and change. As examples: the recording and film industries due to pirating and P2P technologies, the car and energy industries in light of the demands to decrease global warming. A lot of noise has been made by these industries on how devastating these changes are, how they will lead to a loss of jobs, and more importantly, profits. Hell, even little Johnny Howard today slammed the concept of cutting green-house emissions by 30% by 2020, stating

"Sir Nicholas Stern is reported in The Sydney Morning Herald today as advocating a reduction of what? Thirty per cent in greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2020. Now that would have a devastating effect on the Australian economy.

The idea that this country could achieve that kind of reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2020, which is a bare 13 years from now, the kind of economic dislocation, the level of unemployment, the damage that would be done to Australia's competitive position, is self-explanatory, Mr Speaker."

Let's face it - things are in a real mess at the moment. We've managed to successfully and completely fuck up ourselves and the planet over the past century. It is time to change our perception on how we have traditionally done things and see the potential in implementing changes. If this means rethinking the way we work and earn money (both as individuals and corporations), then so be it. Like any revolution, there will be sacrifices made - how many traditional jobs and industries had to change or disappear due to the Industrial Revolution?

Like the little guy below, we need to be creative in the solutions we develop - adjust our thinking beyond what has been done and start looking at what can be done.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Holiday" Weezer
"Helter Skelter" U2
"Blister In The Sun" The Violent Femmes
"The Chain" Breeder
"Sunsets" Powderfinger
"Human Behaviour" Bjork
"Come As You Are" Nirvana
"Calling Earth" Yves Deruyter
"No Good (Start The Dance)" The Prodigy
"Zebra" John Butler Trio

"Surf Wax America" Weezer

Catching Up

2007-03-25T12:11:00.000+10:00

"I'm still alive" Pearl Jam

Never fear (ir)regular readers, I'm still here. It has been a very hectic couple of weeks for me and there has been little chance for me to sit down and vomit out the contents of my being. Naturally, with so much going on there is a lot to regurgitate so I'll try to keep things concise.

As mentioned in my previous post, work is undergoing its bi-annual PDR process (thanks Ron for your support!). To my surprise, when I presented my Objectives and Measures as outlined in the afore-mentioned post, my manager responded well - to the extent of saying "this is one of the best PDRs I've ever read"! Of course, he then went through and changed the Objectives and Measures into professionaleese. Still, I view it as a small victory in cutting the bullshit at work.
My folks flew into town last Monday. Because of their impending arrival, I spent the entire weekend cleaning my apartment from top to bottom. Makes me laugh that, even at the age of 31, I still feel the need to present my parents with a spotlessly clean house. Am I trying to prove that I can be self-sufficient or that I am successful in living as an adult? Do I do it out of love because I know that my mum appreciates a clean environment? Or am I just hiding the fact that I sometimes live like a slob?! Jury is still out. Regardless, it was great spending time with them, sharing a meal and then seeing them off on their cruise around the Pacific islands.
Yesterday the State Election was held in NSW and I exercised my democratic privilege to vote. The Labour Party was returned to Government after running one of the most slanderous campaigns in Australian history. Honestly, it was vile to watch the character attacks being thrown from both parties, and even worse to hear the party spokespeople defending their campaigns as necessities of modern politics. I would have thought presenting clear, achievable policies which address the populations' needs and concerns was a necessity, but apparently not. I just hope that the 2 major parties read into the fact that 33% of the population gave their primary votes to other parties.
I have started a month of short weeks at work. As mentioned previously work has been a major pain of late, so I booked a few days off spread over a 4 week period (including Easter) in an effort to gain some space and reclaim my identity outside of work. This means I will be working no more than 4 days per week for the next month. Last weekend was my first 4-day weekend in some time and, by Tuesday, I was feeling like my old self again - relaxed, stress-free, happy. Unfortunately, all the good that had been achieved by taking a long weekend was instantly undone by a phone call I received at 19:00 the day before I was set to return to work asking me to come in early the following day. All the pressure and stress came flooding back and this set the tone for the following 3 days. Still, I have only 3 days of work this week to get through, then I can resume the healing.

So that's the past 2 weeks' major happenings in a nut-shell. My posts may be a bit sporadic over the next few weeks (my folks arrive back on Thurs for a 4 day stop-over, Easter happenings and a 5 day trip home for me all in the next month) but I'll jot out a few thoughts when I can.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Black Girls" The Violent Femmes
"Iris" The Goo Goo Dolls
"Electris" Woody McBride
"Misfits" Cold Chisel
"Phorever People" The Shamen
"Heaven Scent" Bedrock
"Disorder" Slayer & Ice-T
"When I Rock" Thomas Schumacher
"Pride (In The Name Of Love)" U2
"Supernova" Transa
"It's So Easy" Guns N Roses

Rate My Ass

2007-03-12T22:43:00.000+11:00

Tomorrow I'm writing my PDR (Professional Development Review). It's something I've done every 6 months for the past 5 years now with the company I'm in. It's a load of bullshit to be honest. The PDR process at my work consists of 3 steps:

the faithful employee writing about how they have been able to demonstrate the skills which got them the job in the first place (objectives).
the faithful employee writing about how they have been able to demonstrate the values which keep them from being fired (values).
the faithful employee writing about how they plan on improving said skills and values should they manage to find an extra nano-second of time in their day (development plan).

For the past 2 years now I have been working without any firm, set objectives - that is, objectives set by my management. Now, while it is nice to have free reign to define and shape my role as I see best suited, this approach does not provide for defined boundaries. It also means that I stand a greater chance of getting a lower rating in my PDR based on the fact that I may not have met the unwritten objectives. Of course, what value is a rating? Unfortunately, this PDR does have a value as it stipulates the amount of bonus I'll get paid.

I can honestly say that I have never once accomplished anything that was listed in my development plan. Whilst the company goes to great expense in performing this bi-yearly gesture of feigned interest in their employees, once the PDR process is over there is little (if any) support provided to allow for growth to occur. Yes, it is a nice to pretend to be interested, but it'd be even nicer to see the company put their money where there mouth is and implement a structure which allows for development.

In this light, I have decided to approach my PDR differently this time round and will writing it as follows:

Objective: Implement New Stuff
Measures:
- Develop and implement new ideas for the greater good
- Help other people implement their new ideas
Objective: Look After Existing Stuff
Measures:
- Keep things running smoothly
- Assist other people who need help doing their job
Objective: Fix Broken Stuff
Measures:
- Identify broken stuff and fix it
- Fix stuff that someone else reports as being broken

Wish me luck!

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Zebra" John Butler Trio
"Totmacher" DJ Hell
"It's A Long Way To The Top" AC/DC
"Speak To Me" Regis
"Your Love Is..." Mati Parks
"First Contact" La Forge

Stirring the sexism pot

2007-03-08T22:00:00.000+11:00

Today is/was Blog Against Sexism Day and here lays my contribution. I have not read a wide range of articles on sexism, nor have I looked at the issue in any depth since uni (I graduated 10 years ago - yikes) therefore I have no sources to back up anything that I may say. So here goes.

Sexism, sexist behaviours, sexual discrimination, sexist attitudes and sexual harassment are bullshit. That goes without saying, but I thought I'd say it anyway. If this is such a simple, basic understanding shared by the majority of the western population, why are these issues still so prevalent? Certainly, there must be some allowance for the ignorance of older generations who grew up accepting these values (or lack thereof) as social norms.... some but not too much. Also, there should be some understanding given to people who have recently migrated cultures (again, some but not too much). However, no excuse should be allowed for the generations of western children who have grown up since the Women's Lib movement put sexism on the political and social agenda.

How far have we really come in changing to a non-sex based mentality? A couple of centimetres. Video clips still portray women as sexual objects - eye candy for the male viewer. Even Madonna, Pink and other "liberated" singers convey themselves in sexual manners although this is marketed as statement of female sexual power. Advertising agencies still predominantly use female actors for adverts promoting cooking, cleaning and child-care goods. Female actors are still cast as secretaries, beauticians or shop assistants in movies. Sometimes, they are upgraded to corporate high-flyers, but usually in an industry which is considered feminine such as the fashion industry. If they are outside of these media-driven norms, they are portrayed as "different" or "unusual" in some way - the ball-breaking bitch, a lesbian or a rebel.

Is sexism so ingrained into our cultures that it will never go away? I recently watch Ayen's Cooking School for African Men on SBS. This doco followed a Sudanese woman who set up a cooking school for Sudanese men in Australia. According to the doco, in Sudanese culture, males do not cook - full stop, no correspondence will be entered into. For the men interviewed, they viewed cooking as a purely female task, it would be a sign of weakness for a man to even enter the kitchen. Likewise, the women interviewed said that men can't cook as it isn't masculine. The problem is that, due to the large number of Sudanese migrants coming into Australia, many young Sudanese men are living in all-male share houses and practically starving as none of them know how to cook and refuse to cook.

Western culture isn't that much different. School children still view cooking as a female oriented task, regardless of the fact that the majority of professional chefs are male. Sure we "liberated" western males know how to cook, however a guy who professes to enjoy cooking is often viewed as being a little bit (if not completely) gay by both men and women. We continue to feminise the basic duty of feeding one's self to survive even after years of being taught better. Sexual stereotypes are still rife, regardless of gender.

Sexism, like racism, will be with us for generations to come until such time that we as a society can see each person as a unique individual and not as a collection of stereotypes conveyed by media and culture.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Give Your Body" Random XS
"Come And Die" Therapy? & Fatal
"Gimme The Car" The Violent Femmes
"Surrender" U2
"Automatic" Chrome & Price
"Angel Particles" Hallucinogen
"High Voltage" AC/DC
"Disorder" Slayer & Ice-T
"Mutant Was In Love" Taho
"Black Hole Sun" Soundgarden
"Tremor Christ" Pearl Jam

A little bit political

2007-03-05T23:00:00.000+11:00

Ok, so I'm on a bit of a social/political awareness kick at the moment.

At the top of my blog, you'll find a banner for We Will Not Be Silenced which will take you to the video embedded in the Watch This entry below. The first time I viewed this video, I had tears in my eyes. The sheer strength of DJ Paul Edge's music and visuals coupled with the speech by Reverend Graylan Scott Hagler (Senior Minister of Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ and National President of Ministers for Racial, Social and Economic Justice) is so poignant in light of current global matters. At a time when the world is facing mass struggles and injustices, the consciousness of its population shifts toward matters of social justice, equality and humanity. It is up to us as citizens of Earth to demand of our governments that these fundamental rights be applied through their actions as the elected representatives of a global population. In this year of elections, we have the opportunity to make our governments take note of our concerns in the way both local and global matters are presently being handled. It is time to take action, demand change and to be heard.

Currently, on the right hand side of my blog, I have a banner to Blog Against Sexism Day. This event has been organised by Vegan Kid at short notice. I'm not sure what I'm going to write about at this stage - something to do with the bullshit behind why sexism is still prevalent in today's society no doubt. Check back on March 8 to find out!

Lastly, below is a video created by Avaaz.org as part of their effort to stop the clash of civilizations. It highlights the fact that, regardless of race or religion, we are all the same. There is a petition to Israeli, Palestinian & international leaders on the site which will be delivered to world leaders in late March 07 demanding Middle East peace talks. I think we all agree this bullshit has gone on for far too long and it is time to put an end to the death and destruction in the Middle East.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Rocket Queen" Guns N Roses
"Re:Evolution" The Shamen
"Acid Wiss" DJ Skull
"Don't Go Now" Ratcat
"Disorder" Slayer & Ice-T

WATCH THIS

2007-03-03T00:59:00.000+11:00

We Will Not Be Silenced
DJ Paul Edge

Celebrate Celebrities....or not

2007-02-25T22:13:00.000+11:00

It's the eve of the Oscars so thought what better time than now to have a dig at the celebrities - everyone else is! The definition of celebrities seems to be wide ranging now days. It appears anyone in the public eye is deemed a celebrity, from politicians to musicians, sports stars to actors, business tycoons to heiresses. The only thing you really need to become a celebrity would appear to be money, a name and a touch of insanity.

I avoid as much celebrity "news" as I possibly can (I am a chronic channel surfer thanks to this!) as they really don't interest me. Yet somehow I know that Anna-Nicole Smith died recently and Britney Spears has shaved her hair off (before or after rehab I'm unsure of). For some reason these two incidents have been of enough major importance to warrant them news items on a global scale. On the local(ish) scene, the USA Vice President was in Australia for the last few days on a promotional trip which was intended to be beneficial for both the American Republican party and the Australian Liberal Party. Being an election year, I'm sure this trip down under had more to do with PR than global politics. The media reinforced this idea by reporting more on Dick's activities and functions than on what was actually being discussed by these two power-house leaders of the free world.

Anna Nicole Smith died on Feb 8 2007. So did Florence Melton (philanthropist, entrepreneur, lecturer, yoga teacher and poet) and Nelson Polsby (political scientist at UC Berkeley whose books and commentaries focused on how political institutions evolve). I knew neither of these people, nor have I read any of their works - in fact, they are 2 random names pulled from a Google search matching obituaries for 8 Feb 2007. However, it seems to me that these 2 deceased persons are more noteworthy than Anna Nicole Smith yet not by media standards. I suppose it is fortunate for the families of the 2 non-celebrity persons that the media was not turning their passing into a circus.

Britney Spears shaved her head on 16 Feb 07. I wonder how many members of the armed forces also shaved their heads on 16 Feb 07? And why the media deems a has-been, talentless head-case shaving her head more newsworthy than the men and women posted overseas doing the same thing? I guess Britney Spears must be more important.....

Lastly, yankee-Dick's trip down under. To protect this global treasure, Australian taxpayers forked out $2M(AU) for members of our police force to act as body-guards. The government also deemed it necessary to close off Sydney Harbor Bridge so Dick could drive across it safely. I'm sure his one glance out the window between briefing papers was worth it. Last time I checked, there were only 6 stars on the Australian flag.

Maybe I'm wrong. The media and the government seem adamant that these events warrant incredibly close scrutiny and attention that they must be of major significance to the lives of all. Or maybe, as the good Rabbi Shmuley Boteach says, "In an age without God we create God" and these are the new gods.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Deeper" Barabas & OD1
"Standing On The Outside" Cold Chisel
"Not For You" Pearl Jam
"Freak Momma" Mudhoney & Sir Mix-a-Lot
"No Sense" Cold Chisel
"Work That Mutha" Steve Poindexter
"Boss Dub" The Shamen
"Access" DJ Misjah & DJ Tim
"LSD" DJ HMC
"Under The Bridge" Red Hot Chili Peppers

Leave Me Alone!

2007-02-21T22:50:00.000+11:00

"The workers are going home" Weezer

I finished work today at 18:00, nothing unusual about that as I normally finish sometime between 17:30 and 18:30. I got in the lift, put my i-pod on, had a smoke on my walk to the bus stop, jumped on the bus, walked down the hill, checked the mail-box, went up stairs and let myself into my apartment. I then went through the daily ritual of unloading my pockets, including my mobile phone, to which I gave a cursory glance only to find I had 5 missed calls in the half-hour it took to leave work and get home (it must have been ringing on the bus, but the escapism of my i-pod drowned it out... for me at least).

The calls were all from work. Checking my voicemail, the caller turned out to be a guy working on a project to re-vamp the company's online store. I have been performing testing on the changes and have raised numerous defects for things which are blatantly obvious to anyone with half a brain for business. Why these issues existed in the first place is beyond me - I mean to say it only makes sense to restrict a mobile phone number field to 10 digits, not 38!! Still, it's the developer's job to put the code together by the specs they've been given and my job to pick these issues up - regardless of how blatantly obvious they are. However, I digress. The caller was requesting that I provide sign-off on the fixes which have been put in place for my defects - tonight. Given that it was 18:30 and I was standing in my bedroom at home, not sitting at my desk at work, I chose not to return the call. In the next 1 hour, my phone rang no less than 6 times. I ignored every call.

I fully appreciate that the guy making the calls has a job to do and a boss to answer to. I appreciate that he has a deadline to deliver to and requirements to meet. I appreciate that he may have a family at home having dinner without him due to his work. I just wish that he could appreciate that I had just finished a 9 hour day and was not in the right place (both physically and mentally) to answer his call and provide the sign-off that he was seeking. I was done for the day. Done, no more, finished, over and out, gone, caput.

This is a scary trend in Australian workplaces. We are being expected to work longer hours, eating into our own personal time, with no financial incentive. Certainly, no business would put it in writing that they expect you to work more than 7.5hrs per day or field work calls outside of business hours, it's unwritten law. The ACTU has this to say:

Between 1985 and 2002, the proportion of employees working 40-45 hours rose from 23.4 to 31.3 percent, while for 45-50 hours it increased from 17.8 to 26.1. The
percentage working 50 hours or more rose from 10.2 to 17.4.

Data assembled by the ACTU revealed that the number working 60 hours or more increased from 3 to over 7 percent between 1980 and 1996. The ACTU data also concluded that Australia has the highest rate of unpaid overtime among developed countries, with 25 percent of full-time employees not paid for an average of 2.7 hours a week each.

We are spending more time at work and less time living. Companies are getting more for less as workers are doing extra hours which could be covered by an additional staff member. Some companies (including the one I work for) refer to staff as "heads" - as in, "we have funding for an additional 3 heads this year". We are not heads, we are people with lives to live outside of work.

I will tolerate your bullshit while you pay me and I will put in the extra time to get my work done, but please, please just leave me alone when I'm off the clock.

Tomorrow is Thursday.....

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Impact" Sound Enforcer
"Seven Days and One Week" B.B.E.
"You Shook Me All Night Long" AC/DC
"Give It Away" Red Hot Chili Peppers
"Sweetness and Light" Itch-E and Scratch-E
"Rock And Roll Aint Noise Pollution" AC/DC
"No Sense" Cold Chisel
"Ebeneezer Goode" The Shamen
"Lithium" Nirvana

Still Vibrating

2007-02-18T21:11:00.000+11:00

"I'm picking up good vibrations" The Beach Boys

Recovering from yesterday's Good Vibrations festival so unable to make fully coherent sentences. What follows are thoughts which have not been completely processed....

The Beastie Boys are still one of the best, tightest live acts I have ever seen. Their performance at Good Vibes yesterday blew me away as much as they have every other time I have seen them play live. Talent is not reliant on age.

Music is a universal language with the capacity to improve the social consciousness, yet its potential to do this is thwarted by the commercial corporate record labels who promote easily marketed, safe and sanitised crap over true talent. Support underground and independent artists.

U2 is not the only band out there pushing a message - they just have a good PR team. Props to Jurassic 5 ("Fuck George Bush") and Nightmares on Wax ("Celebrate you being you").

People on illegal drugs are much nicer and more courteous than people on legal alcohol.

When did the words "excuse me" leave the vocabulary?

Being 1 of 10,000 people of different cultural and social backgrounds enjoying themselves on a glorious summer day in the open air listening sounds from around the globe is an awesome experience.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"It Doesn't Matter" The Chemical Brothers
"Satisfaction" Benny Benassi Presents the Biz
"Perception" Cass Vs Slide
"Tomorrow" Alien Factroy
"Voodoo People" The Prodigy
"It's Funky But It Aint House" Carbine
"Red 2" Dave Clark

V for Valentines

2007-02-13T22:33:00.000+11:00

"Money can't buy me love" - The Beatles

As I can't be with M tomorrow due the 1,500km that separate us, I sent her a CD of mp3s that make me think of her. The CD was sent in a plain, clear case with no label or track-listing, no card or wrapping in an ordinary Aust Post satchel. All I wrote on the CD was "Music For M". The lyrics of the songs on the CD say everything that I want her to know about how I feel for her and how much I miss her.

It's easy enough to write of Valentines Day as an overly commercialised hallmark event propagated by the media and corporations to mass-market love to a lonely and distanced consumer society (which I think it is). However, there is also the simple view of Valentines Day being a reminder to say "I love you" to those you care about. It's something we don't do enough of. Really, it's a very simple concept - no need for elaborate gifts, cards, flowers, chocolates, bears, lingerie, romantic dinners, jewelery - just an action or 2 and 3 words. A hug followed by a softly spoken "I love you" and a gentle kiss. Any partner who doesn't appreciate the simplicity and sincerity in that is not worth having.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"All I Want Is You" U2
"Sweetness & Light" Itch-E & Scratch-E
"Break & Enter" The Prodigy
"Skylined" The Prodigy

Global Revolution - Rambalations 1

2007-02-11T00:58:00.000+11:00

WARNING: This entry contains ramblings which may not be completely coherant

You've been warned, if you choose to read on do so at your own peril.

The best thing to happen to society has been reality television.

Still reading? Ok, here's where the rambalations begin.

I'm actually serious about that statement - reality tv has opened our eyes, it has made us see the world as it actually is. We are no longer viewing scripts which have been deemed suitable by production execs who are so far removed from reality that the fiction is feasible. We no longer watch people who make their unjustifiable fortunes by pretending to be someone they are not. No longer do we see product placements and high merchandise possibilities. We look into the lives and homes of real people.

Although reality tv shows are post-scripted and edited in a way to manipulate situations that provides greater intensity and impact, there is that underlying factor of truth/reality that shows how the participants lives are. It could be you, your neighbour, you work-colleague, your sister or brother, cousin, second-cousin. We relate and learn from these shows because they hit straight at our own lives or the lives of those we know. The bimbo is really a bimbo, not some over-paid, plastic actress who, as we all know thanks to the mainstream media, is far more sophisticated and educated. The bimbo is real enough to make us think of people we know, possibly ourselves - we don't know who she is, but it is who she represents that is important. And sometimes that unknown reality participant IS you. Not literally, but so close enough that you feel like you are watching yourself in a different body.

For some strange reason, people like to pretend they don't watch reality tv shows. They will fervently deny it, point out all the weaknesses, scoff at the low-quality production. However, get them in a situation where they are the only one not participating in a conversation about reality tv show x and suddenly they know the names of the participants or the way the show works. Why pretend? Reality is now out there for everyone to see. We're sharing our stories by the millions and not just on tv. Youtube is full of people showing off their stories, talents, thoughts, interests. Flickr is providing a canvass for people to share their stories and perspectives (literally) in visual form. You may not like all of what's there, some may not be your cuppa-tea, but no one is making you look at it and there are plenty of other options. Once you find something that yanks ya crank, then you can contact the person who created it and find others who also appreciate it. Blogs are making global communities of people who share common interests, opinions, skills and goals. And while some of the content may be confrontational or different to the here-to norm, you can view it as an insight to another person.

Thanks to Matt at A Bowl of Stupid

We are starting to come together as a society on a global scale. Nationality, gender, orientation, ability, appearance - none of these things matter any more. We are learning that we are not all that unsimular which is breaking down the traditional barriers. This is happening on such a large scale and at such a fast rate that governments and corporations are actually taking notice. They can't control it or stop it, but I think it is still too early for them to actually learn from it. Instead, they are still looking at ways to harness it, take advantage of it and keep it within their comfort levels. They are scared shitless. The robots have woken up and started talking to each-other, they are no longer afraid to say what they really think.

The timing for this could not have been better. There are over 100 national elections and referendums around the world scheduled in 2007. We are scrutinising the campaigns, policies and promises and discussing them in a global public forum. They know what we're thinking, are afraid that we will soon start demanding and probably have no idea where to start addressing the real issues of their people. Corporations have been riding high the past few years on a boom period of mass-profits driven by a consumerism mentality. Now the consumer mentality is wavering because the public is not as focused on appearance, wants and surface bullshit as it used to be. We are starting to create our own identities and finding the value in each other, not objects.

One of the scariest things for the politicians and CEO's must be the fact that they can no longer pretend. We know who they are - they are not unlike us. We know how they really work because we work for them. They still don't know us, but that can no longer be used an excuse because we are putting ourselves out there for them to see, en-mass and individually. It's the en-mass part that has them worried - but they shouldn't be. All they need to do is change with the rest of us. They should be opening their eyes and doing their jobs by fixing what is wrong - starting with themselves. This world is full of talented, skilled, educated people with passion, interest and heart. Start listening to the people. Identify individual strength and harness it by respecting the person. Let us do the work we are passionate about, give us the resources to do it and set realistic timelines and budgets. Look at your countries or businesses at a micro-level and what you can achieve at macro-level.

The potential for this global coming together is over-whelming - industrial revolution over-whelming. We stand at the verge of a true shift in human civilization and society, and everyone can be a part of it - we can make sure every person on this earth benefits. There will have to be major changes across governments, industries and institutes for this to actually happen. It is our responsibility to make it happen, to revolutionise our world. For a change, the power is in our hands so let's not fuck it up.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Born Slippy (Pink Floyd mix)" Underworld v Aphex Tiwn
"Born Slippy (Pink Floyd mix)" Underworld v Aphex Tiwn (again;)
"Heaven Scent" Bedrock
"Black Hole Sun" Soundgarden
"Chasing Cars" Snow Patrol
"Tremora Del Terra" Illuminatae
"Some Days Are Better Than Others" U2
"Say It Aint So" Weezer
"Deep" Pearl Jam
"Nightmare" Brainbug
"Rythmestec" Plutonica
"Fire" U2
"What Do You Do For Money Honey" AC/DC
"Loose Caboose" Electroliners
"Higher State of Consciousness (Tweekin' Acid Funk mix)" Josh Winx
"Elctris" Woody McBride
"Impact" Sound Enforcer
"The Chain" Breeder
"Niji" Denki Groove
"Hypnose" B.B.E.
"Mellowship in Slinky B Major" Red Hot Chili Peppers
"Dooms Night" Azzido Da Bass
"Low" Cracker

These Days

2007-02-10T11:05:00.000+11:00

"These Days"
Powderfinger
Odyssey Number 5 (2000)
mp3

It's coming round again
The slowly creeping hand
Of time and its command
Soon enough it comes
And settles in its place
Its shadow in my face
Puts pressure in my day

This life well it's slipping right through my hands
These days turned out nothing like I had planned

It's coming round again
The slowly creeping hand
Of time and its command
And settles in its place
Its shadow in my face
Puts pressure in my day

Soon enough it comes
Here it is again
The slowly creeping hand
Of time and its demand
Soon enough it comes
And settles in its place
Its shadowing my faith
Undignified and lame

This life well it's slipping right through my hands
These days turned out nothing like I had planned
Control well it's slipping right through my hands
These days turned out nothing like I had planned

Soon enough it comes
Soon enough it comes
To tie us down

Ooh, it's coming round again
Slow, slowly creeping hand

This life well it's slipping right through my hands
These days turned out nothing like I had planned
Control well it's slipping right through my hands
These days turned out nothing like I had planned

We're Happy Little Vegemites....

2007-02-08T23:03:00.000+11:00

Ok, so this toss-pot goes on to YouTube and puts up a video diary entry paying out Australians, kangaroos, our national anthem, boomerangs and - worst of all - Vegemite! Now c'mon, don't dis the Vegemite - it's part of our staple diet. After all, any food substance that is made from the same ingredients as beer has to be good!

From watching the clip, I draw the following conclusions:

toss-pot has eaten Vegemite once in his life and didn't like it, therefore no-one can possibly like it and Vegemite was created purely as a joke against unassuming Americans.
toss-pot has problems articulating simple words - for those playing at home it is Veg-e-mite (just as it looks), not Vee-ge-mite.
all national anthems are written about condiments.
the Australian Aboriginals invented the boomerang when they came to Australia over 40,000 years ago purely for the purpose of fooling tourists in the 20th century.
toss-pot has poor hand-eye co-ordination.
scientific evidence proving that prehistoric kangaroos existed over 50,000 years ago is incorrect.
nothing makes a tourist feel more at home than a fanny-pack (known as a bumbag in Australia due to fanny meaning a completely different part of the human female anatomy).
kangaroos are vicious killing machines.
toss-pot is afraid of things he has not seen in real life.
the sole purpose in every Australian's life is to make fun of Americans. (We actually prefer taking the piss!)

If you have not eaten Vegemite before, please read the Wikipedia article first or you may end up forming the same deluded conclusions as our friend the toss-pot. Me, I smear it on thick - but then I've been eating it for 30-odd years now :)

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Human Behaviour" Bjork
"Twin Town" Ian Wilkie v Timo Maas
"Mutant Was In Love" Taho
"Khe Sanh" Cold Chisel
"Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" De La Soul

Monday Blues

2007-02-05T22:14:00.000+11:00

Ah yes, the joys of a new working week. Time to don the corporate robot mask and feign interest in the well-being of the big business. Work has been hell for the past week, with people demanding my time for their own purposes without caring that I have 15 other people also demanding my time to take care of their needs. Everyone's needs are more important than the others' and no-one is willing to deprioritise their needs. Last year, in my bullshit accepting mode, I would have allowed each demander to live under the impression that I was going to prioritise their needs over others, not to mention my own. No longer. I have begun bluntly stating that work will be done once it gets done, that there are other things more important on my to-do-list and that my time is restricted to 8 hours a day. So far there have been mixed results - some have accepted the fact and have re-negotiated their timelines, others have reacted in shock as if no-one has ever said "no" to them before. Get used to it fuckers, I don't get paid anywhere near enough to cope with all of your shit on top of my own workload.

Is it just me, or is it that the more you are paid the less you are expected to actually produce? It is as if the high altitude of the top rungs of the corporate ladder renders one incapable of actually developing their own spreadsheets and documents. Are they so scared of falling and plunging back to the depths of insignificance that the only way to survive is to cling, screaming, to the ladder and apply pressure on those below them - beating them back and tying them down under unrealistic timelines, workloads and expectations?

This is technically the 5th job I have had in my short career. In the 10-odd years of experience I have, one thing has been made clear - the managers who have real respect for their staff are the ones that get real respect from their staff. Staff are people too! If a manager takes the time to be interested in their staff, their lives inside and outside of work, their dreams, goals, ambitions, needs and worries then their staff will be happier and perform better. It has to be genuine, don't take us for fools. We can see through a veneer of interest like a wet t-shirt on a size DD blond. There is no point pretending to take interest as a prelude to assigning work, we see straight through that shit. Treat us like humans, be a leader and manage for fuck's sake - it's what you get paid to do if your job title includes the word 'manager'.

The scariest thing I find is the bright eyed, bushy tailed graduates of business, economics and commerce walking into their first job at middle-management level. These fools (generally private schooled on family money) have such a warped, naive perspective on business and no real understanding of how things actually work in the real world. Do them (and your company) a favour and make them work in a low paid, customer facing position for 12 months to show them the realities of your business. Let them earn their stripes and develop true knowledge, not the theory based bullshit that they have spent years memorising at university which paints an idealistic world with no colour. I have watched these simpletons struggle to survive, staring blankly as their theoretical worlds come crashing around them, turning into zombies as they push to meet deadlines, workloads and priorities. Part of me feels sorry for them, but then the majority of them are self-obsessed, self-important wankers who have bitten off more than they can chew so it's only a small part.

As I said, work has been hell for the past week.

4 more days to go - God give me strength....

Songs played while writing this entry:
"You Shook Me All Night Long" AC/DC
"October" U2
"Jeremy" Pearl Jam
"Iris" Goo Goo Dolls
"Oblivion" Terrorvision
"My Lovely Man" Red Hot Chili Peppers
"I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" U2
"Spiral" Pendulum
"Better Man" Pearl Jam
"One" U2
"These Days" Powderfinger

Windows Bullshit

2007-01-31T23:17:00.000+11:00

Ok, so I wasn't going to post anything today as I don't have much to say, but I saw this on Sharkatude and had to put it up - enjoy......

Beautiful People

2007-01-30T22:19:00.000+11:00

"Beautiful people - you know the garden's full of furniture, the house is full of plants" - Australian Crawl

I'm on a psuedo-health-kick. I know that I can become healthier, fitter and feel better physically. I'm not over-weight for my height and age, but I've got a beer gut in training. My daily exercise currently consists of walking up and down 3 flights of stairs to my apartment and a 7 minute walk to and from the bus-stop. I'm generally short of breath when I get home each day, so I know I need to increase my fitness level. And I smoke. Problem is, I'm a lazy prick so I'm going to start by focusing on diet and tackle the other two issues later.

If you want to get rich quick - develop a diet, hire a well known celebrity to endorse it (it's what they're there for after all) and sell it to the weekly trash mags or current affairs programs. There are millions of diets out there (I haven't counted them personally) cashing in on people's desire to loose weight, get healthier and look more attractive. Most of these are genuinely good, healthy eating diets which, when combined with regular exercise, promote long-term health and weight loss. Then there are those quick-fix diets which promise 10kg weight loss in a month by eating nothing but celery and lettuce. Sure, they deliver what they promise, but are no good for your health or for long-term weight loss and fitness.

The driving desire behind the plethora of diets is society's idolisation of the body beautiful. Ask a person who has started a diet as to the main reason behind it and their answer will almost always be "to loose weight". We have become so conditioned to images of beautiful people that it has become an obsession. Girls want to look like super-models, boys want to look like athletes. Girls want to date boys who look like athletes, boys want to date girls who look like super-models. So we end up with a society that is too focused on image and what is on the outside and loose our individuality and what is on the inside. Certainly, the desire to improve one's fitness and health is an admirable one - the fact that your body changes, becomes more defined, slender or taut is side-effect. Unfortunately, it seems that the desire and the side-effect have become reversed for many. Ever been into a gym that didn't have mirrors?

Me, I'm not going on any set, formalised diet - I like a variety of foods. Instead I plan on eating more fruit and vegetables, cutting back on fat and carbs and eating smaller portions. I may try reducing my alcohol intake, but that is very unlikely ;)

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Bow River" Cold Chisel
"Californication" Red Hot Chili Peppers
"Forever Now" Cold Chisel
"(Baby I've Got You) On My Mind" Powderfinger
"When I Rock" Thomas Schumacher
"Skylined" The Prodigy
"W.M.A" Pearl Jam

I Want My M-Tv

2007-01-29T23:16:00.000+11:00

Last night I attended a street party hosted by M-Tv for the winner presentation of the one80 project. It was a good night - laid back atmosphere, free beer, good music, diverse crowd. To entertain the crowd, a couple of bands and a dj played before and after the official presentations. I was fortunate enough (?) to obtain a VIP pass which gave me access to the after-party where the band members and celeb judges got to hang out.

One of the bands which played was Temper Trap, a band I'd not heard of before but, I was told, are tagged as "the next big thing". I enjoyed the set they played, it was tight, fresh and pumpin. After taking advantage of the open bar at the after party, I settled down on a couch to chat with a friend. We were seated by the pool tables and were just contemplating racking up the balls when the guys from Temper Trap came across and claimed the table. No biggie - we hadn't laid any claim to the table but it turned out that table was missing a few balls. My friend and I offered assistance in locating the displaced balls and were ignored. A few attempts at good-natured conversation making later, it was apparent these newly discovered rock gods had no interest in associating themselves with us lower forms of being. Eventually, the high-priests of rock gave up on locating the balls and commenced playing with the few they had found. My friend and I, having identified ourselves as unworthy, continued our conversation on the couch but soon relocated after our heads survived a couple of very close encounters with pool queues. Most people playing pool in a crowded environment have the social etiquette to politely ask people to step aside when they are in the way of their next shot. It would seem that our rock god friends had no need for such politeness.

It surprises me that a group of young aussie blokes at the start of their fame career show such disdain towards others. Certainly, society unjustifiably allows celebrities to abide by their own rules and regulations - but these guys were total no-ones in the not-so-distant past. How long does it take for the ego trip of fame to remove humility, decency, courtesy? Why do the ordinary folk of this world idolise people who demonstrate such low, inconsiderate, self-centred behaviour?

Temper Trap huh? Me thinks they've entered a different sort of trap. Good luck to 'em.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Shoot to Thrill" AC/DC
"Last Exit" Pearl Jam
"Could Have Lied" Red Hot Chili Peppers
"Blister in the Sun" Violent Femmes
"High Voltage" AC/DC
"Saturday Night" Cold Chisel
"Buddy Holly" Weezer
"New Years Day" U2
"Human Behaviour" Bjork

Aussie Aussie Aussie

2007-01-27T18:11:00.000+11:00

"We are one, but we are many and from all the lands on Earth we come"
Unofficial Australian National Anthem
Yesterday was Australia day, a day to celebrate Australian colonisation and all things Aussie. It was a typical summer's day here in Sydney with blue skies, slight humidity and a pleasant harbour breeze. Myself and a few friends spent the day around Circular Quay and The Rocks taking in the festival atmosphere. There were FA/18's buzzing the skies, Red Berets parachuting over the bridge, bands, buskers and dj's scattered around the harbour and streets, ferry races and tall ships on the water and, of course, much beer flowing. And the Australian flag was being worn in a show of pride that I have never witnessed before.

Each summer, Triple J puts on The Big Day Out music festival. It tours the nation and New Zealand featuring leading Australian and international artists. In Sydney, the BDO is on the day before Australia Day and is a warm-up for the start of the long weekend. As such, the Australian flag is usually spotted among the mosh-pits and dance-floors of the festival. This year, in response to the race-riots of Cronulla, the BDO organisers requested that patrons leave their Aussie flags at home. The media naturally lurched onto this, dubbing the Australian flag "gang colors" in an attempt to stir the whole racism pot of hatred. Of course, Aussies being Aussies flooded the BDO grounds with Australia flags galore.

The spirit of defiance and national pride continued into Australia day with people of all cultural backgrounds sporting the Aussie flag in a show of unity. While the crowd at The Rocks was predominantly caucasian, there were Australians from all cultural backgrounds drinking and having a good time with their fellow residents. One of the friends I was with comes from a Sri Lankian background. Over a few beers, we discussed the cultural mix of the day and she advised that when she saw another person with dark skin they shared a glance of almost relieved recognition. It saddens me that one of my best friends felt that way, but placing myself in her shoes, I can fully appreciate why. We've all been in that situation where you feel like an outsider for some reason or another and all you hope for is a familiar face to put you at ease - someone else to share your discomfort. But the fact my friend should have to feel this way on a day to celebrate her country is a true shame. Our nation will never be truely united until we stop seeing colors, features and differences and start seeing people. And when that happens, what a truely great country we will be.

Happy Australia Day mate.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"It Doesn't Matter" Chemical Brothers
"All I Want is You" U2
"The Nosebleed Section" Hill Top Hoods
"Black" Pearl Jam
"No One Else" Weezer
"Loops and Tings" Jens
"Have a Drink on Me" AC/DC
"Polly" Nirvana
"Blister in the Sun" Violent Femmes
"Saturday Night" Cold Chisel
"Nightmare" Brainbug

I Love A Sunburnt Politician

2007-01-22T22:16:00.000+11:00

Yet another hot, sunny summer's day. I have been missing summer badly. Normally, by this time of the year, we should have seen a bevy of 30oC+ days followed by 20oC+ nights... but not this year. Australia's weather has been, to put it bluntly, fucked up. In the past month the nation has seen snow, hail, floods, drought, bushfires, thunderstorms and heatwaves. Hell, throw in a plague of locust and all that is missing is a bunch of dudes on horses riding through the skies.

The BOM staff have advised that all this is not due to global warming, which I'd buy if it wasn't happening on a global scale. Everywhere around this fragile planet the weather has been unseasonable, unpredictable and generally unfriendly. Strange that a government funded body would play down the possibilities of the current weather trends being related to global warming.... being an election year and all.... When An Inconvenient Truth hit cinemas here, the government did its predictable thing and made like it was actually concerned with global warming. Of course, no real changes have been promised to be implemented until after the election. After all, why go spending money now to start fixing a problem which will impact current and future generations when you can use it for leverage?

Unfortunately, this is the start of 2 not-so-pleasant trends for 2007. 1 - unpredictable and possibly devastating weather patterns, and 2 - predictable and soul-devastating political spin. It will be a year of seeing farmers continuing to suffer from the drought, consumers paying increasingly higher prices for groceries and smiling politicians making empty promises.

Sometimes though, there is a glimmer of hope and goodness when someone (or something) puts their money where their mouth is. Woolworths has been running a series of adverts for the past year or so promoting themselves as major supporters of Australian farmers. Being the cynic that I am, these ads have left me cold as the majority of products sold in large supermarkets are imported or made from imported produce. And then Woolies had to go and launch National Drought Action Day - a day where all profits from all Woolworths stores nationwide will be donated to the Country Women's Association to support rural families struggling from the drought. Onya Woolies!

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Their Law" Prodigy
"Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" De La Soul
"Here I Come (Drumapella)" CJD Project
"Amphetamine" Drax
"Come and Die" Therapy? & Fatal
"Once" Pearl Jam
"Gimme The Car" The Violent Femmes
"Seven Days & One Week (Club Mix)" B.B.E
"Scared (Scared of Tomorrow Remix)" Slacker

Easy Like A Sunday Morning

2007-01-21T14:58:00.000+11:00

It's hot today - 36oC in Sydney town. I plan on doing nothing but sitting on my ass all day (tho I may jump in the pool for a bit). Tomorrow is Monday and I have a shit load of work to get through. I contemplate logging into work from home and getting some of the smaller, menial tasks done but I really can't face it on a hot, Sunday afternoon. This is my time, time to be me.

Last night I went with some friends to see Deja Vu which was not too bad. Nothing outstanding about it, but nothing much to dis-like either. I normally steer away from Hollywood blockbuster type movies, but I like Jerry Bruckheimer's movie style (Black Hawk Down is one of my favourite movies).

I downloaded the first season of Weeds yesterday and watched the first 3 episodes when I got home from the movies. This has become my favourite tv show for the moment, even though it's not being screened on television here currently. Channel 9 is going to screen the doco that Steve Irwin was filming when he was killed. It had to happen eventually. No, fuck that - they were going to do it eventually. There is no essential point or purpose behind the screening of this doco other than the exploitation of Steve's death. It's their marketing platform on this one. They are blatantly promoting it as the documentary Steve Irwin was filming when he died. I don't have the energy to do a full rant on this, it's too hot. I think one word sums it up - bullshit.

I also watched Wife Swap USA which I recorded while I was out. It is easy enough to write the show off as a trash reality program, but I see a lot more in it than 2 fast-fame seeking families embarrassing themselves in public. To me, Wife Swap provides an insight to the way people, families, relationships actually are. It also makes me question what sort of man I am, what sort of relationship I want and what I am looking for in a wife. Give it a chance, you may be surprised - I certainly was.

If anyone is actually reading this, perhaps you could help me out with a couple of issues I've experienced since creating this blog?

At the bottom of my template, I have installed a visit counter from Tiny Counter but as you can (or cannot) see, it does not display. Or does it? I can't see it in my browsers - both IE 7 and Firefox. Tiny Counter provides free, no conditions counters and has no real support desk so I'm shit outta luck. If you can see the counter or know of another free, no advertising required counter provider, please let me know.
The majority of my readers come from My Blog Log (hi guys and thanks for your visit!) which is a service I subscribe to. For some reason when I access http://www.mybloglog.com/, no page is displayed. However, if I change the URL to mybloglog.com, I can view the page, though without any formatting. Again, I have tried this in both IE7 and Firefox with the same result. I've emailed My Blog Log support but have had no response to date. Any ideas?

That's it for today - time to jump in the pool I think. Hope you have a pleasant and relaxing Sunday to recharge your batteries for another week.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Re:Evolution" Shamen
"Breaking the Girl" Red Hot Chili Peppers
"Dreamer" Living Joy
"Old Mother Reagan" Violent Femmes
"W.M.A" Pearl Jam
"Iris" Goo Goo Dolls
"Hot" Purveyors of Fine Funk
"Dub Plate Pressure Remix" Sniper feat MC GQ
"Yesterday" Guns N Roses

Variety show

2007-01-19T23:26:00.000+11:00

I detest David Letterman. For me, he embodies all that is wrong with the USA and tipifies what non-Americans percieve Americans as being. Arrogant, self-centred, egotistical, shallow and just not funny. (Big generalisation there I know and no offence intended the good, honest folk who live in the USA - but really, your country's public image is letting you down bigtime. If you don't believe me, go ask a non-American who lives outside of the States what they really think of the USA.) Fortunately, I have been able to live in blissful ignorance of Letterman for the past few years as his show was relegated to a late-night timeslot well after I had gone to bed. But not tonight....

Most of the western world knows that a great man named Steve Irwin died last year in an ironically suitable accident. Steve left behind his pleasant wife and 2 children - Bindi and Bob. Unlike the respectful privacy that the media showed to Willy and Harry after the death of Dianna, the Irwins have been constantly in the spotlight since Steve's death. And Bindi has been the main focus. The media has been having a field day, helped greatly by the fact the Bindi has an overwhelming desire to take on her father's cause (noble) and keep both it and the family in the public eye. Problem is, Bindi is all of 8 years old and no 8 year old should get everything they want. Kudos to Terri for keeping it together and encouraging her child to persue her dreams - but for fuck's sake, she's just a kid. At the moment, the media is lapping it up while Steve's death is still fresh in the public's mind but sooner or later (and probably sooner), the media will find something else to pull at the public heartstrings and the crowds will start to thin at Australia Zoo. And where will that leave little Bindi? Thank God she has a family who loves her and will support her once the media has milked her for all she's worth.

So what does this have to do with Letterman? Tonight Channel 10 chose to screen Letterman during prime time purely because Terri and Bindi were appearing on his show. To maximise the heart-string pull and hype, 10 ran a heavy commercial campaign promoting the special event. As I mentioned earlier, Letterman is usually on at a late timeslot so most family types don't, or rarely, see his show. A lot of Australian families and kiddies would have tuned into 10 tonight to see Terri and Bindi and were subjected to 40+ minutes of mindless, humourless Letterman drivel as the Irwins were the last interviewees to appear on the show. I think a lot of families would have given up by the 20 minute mark, sent the kids to bed and switched over to the tennis.

If you break this saga down to a basic synopsis it would read as follows: Man dies, daughter has her heart set on continuing her father's legacy, mother allows daughter to do this, media seeks ratings so capitalise on the child's desire, public has an interest in the deceased's family so watch a 1 hour television show that has no more than 10 minutes of content they are actually interested in. Is there no depth too low that the media will stoop to in order to get ratings? Appears not.

RIP Steve.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Breakfast at Sweathearts" Cold Chisel
"Nightmare" Brainbug
"Indifference" Pearl Jam
"Glorified G" Pearl Jam
"My Michelle" Guns N Roses
"Der Klang Der Familie" 3 Phase feat. Dr Motte
"Boss Dub" Shamen
"Ugly" Violent Femmes
"Immortality" Pearl Jam
"Under the Bridge" Red Hot Chili Peppers
"Have a Drink on Me" AC/DC
"Single" Everything But The Girl

New Australians in New Australia

2007-01-17T23:09:00.000+11:00

Unfortunately, last week was the final of both the great doco's SBS was screening on Wednesday nights. However, they started a new series tonight titled Living With Illegals. The presenter, Sorious Samura, travels with illegal immigrants on their venture to flee their home countries to a better life. The hardships these people face in an attempt to better their lives is staggering. Tonight was the first episode in the series, starting in the forests of Northern Morocco it followed the flight of immigrants through Spain into France and then into the UK.

I will admit, I've never given much thought to the lives of new immigrants here. Sure, I see them everyday but, like most people, don't pay them much attention. The stories some of these people could tell must be amazing. At the same time, I wonder how they feel after they've arrived in their country of destination and have settled in for a year or so. Do they look at our society and see nothing but a spoilt, whinging, decadent bunch of tossers with no meaning or purpose? Was it worth the effort?

Coming from a poverty stricken country to an overly affluent place like Australia must be a total culture shock and a real eye-opener on the western society. Is this why so many new immigrants choose to segregate themselves and form their own communities? Or is it because we tend to look down on them, provide them with no assistance, pretend that they don't exist? We're a rude bunch of stuck-up pricks who have given up the idea of 'a fair go for all' and instead give off 'do it ya-self ya lazy bastard' attitudes.

On the topic, why is it that an immigrant will go through so much struggle in an effort to leave a country, but carry their cultural baggage into their new home? Exhibit A, the Croats v the Serbs at the Australian Open. Granted, most of the dickheads involved in this incident are 2nd or 3rd generation Australians, but why carry this sort of bullshit over generation after generation? Leave it in Croatia and Serbia, don't bring it here - isn't that part of the reason why your families came here in the first place? Remember and respect your cultural heritage but get over the bullshit. You're Australian now so pick on the Kiwis, the Poms and the Tasmanians instead!

There's still a lot of work to be done before Australia is truely a culturally integrated and harmonious society. I certainly do not think that us skips are beyond reproach either - Cronulla for example. Every culture has its portion of dickheads, but the non-dickheads out number them. It's up to us non-dickheads to lead by example and let the dickheads know that their bullshit is no longer tolerated.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Face It" Sven Vath
"Mellowship Slinky in B Major" Red Hot Chili Peppers
"If You Have to Ask" Red Hot Chili Peppers
"Totmacher" DJ Hell
"Everyone Needs a 303" Fat Boy Slim
"Once" Pearl Jam
"The Chain" Breeder

[Insert Advertising Banner Here]

2007-01-16T22:34:00.000+11:00

"Today was a good day" - Ice Cube

And it was. The sky was blue with a scattering of clouds. The temperature was moderately warm. And the sun was shining. I left work today feeling like I had achieved something, that I had performed my duties well (I'll leave the whole concept of 'performing' alone for now, tempting as it is....). I shared an enjoyable meal with friends and chatted over a few beers. Over-all, a good day.

Tonight, TV was offering it's usual schedule of bland, pointless and mind-numbing drivel so I decided to venture into the world of the blogsphere. What an interesting a diverse place! I read a wide variety of entries spanning from politics, domestic life, parenting, spirituality, marketing, business, sport - the whole gambit of human interests really. There is something reassuring about witnessing people putting their lives, thoughts and feelings out there for the whole world to see. Sure, we may not all share the same thoughts and ideas or interests, but we all share the need to share. It's a shame people aren't as willing to share in real life as they are when they're sitting behind the safety of a monitor and keyboard. If people were willing to be as open, honest, up-front in person, maybe there'd be a decline in bullshit. Not that I can talk.... but I am working on it.

It's a shame that so many personal blogs out there have succumbed to e-advertising. Considering that most blog-hosts provide space free of advertising, banners and links at no charge, I fail to understand why people feel the need to add marketing tripe onto their personal pages. Sure, it's understandable when reading a marketing or business blog to have advertising - but why does a 64 year old retiree who is writing about his grandchildren put banners on his blog?

Now, before I get labelled a hypocrite, please note that the only external references on my pages link directly to free blog-related resources. If blogspot deems it essential that I place advertising on my page, I'll relocate my blog elsewhere. If the blog resources linked on my page advise that I have to insert an advertising banner, I'll leave their service.

I have no gripe with marketing or business blogs - it's the internet after all, a place where everyone and anyone can throw anything out there for all and sunder to look at. But why do individuals want to clutter up their own, personal space promoting random company x? Is it for the promise of a few measly dollars? Are your own thoughts, feelings, lives valued at such a small price? How would the 64 year old retiree feel about an "Enlarge your Penis" banner appearing above the picture of his 4 month old grand-daughter?

My life is not a billboard. My thoughts are not for sale.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"The Real Thing" Pearl Jam & Cypress Hill
"Jeremy" Pearl Jam
"Deliverance" K90
"Frontier Psychiatrist" The Avalanches
"The World has Turned and Left Me Here" Weezer
"It's a Long Way to the Top" AC/DC
"Children of the Revolution" Violent Femmes

Perception (My Head in the Clouds)

2007-01-15T22:50:00.000+11:00

Perception is a weird and wonderful thing. I've heard it said "We create our own realities" - don't know who originally threw the idea out there, but it's true. Two people laying on their backs in a park, watching the clouds drift over can both look at the same cloud and each see something completely different. Or they could see the same thing. Likewise, two people walk into a furniture store and look at the same couch. They could both think that the couch is aesthetically pleasing, stylish, luxurious and comfortable. On the other hand, one could think that, while the other thinks the couch is big, cumbersome, poorly made and pretty damned ugly.

Generally, no 2 people perceive things the same way. We all have numerous sources that we draw upon when making a perception - experience, situation, knowledge, peers. Some of these influences will be stronger than others and will draw our perception more to their slant. This is common knowledge - anyone who has done basic psychology or attended some bullshit feel-good workplace group bonding session knows this. Unfortunately, so does the media and the corporations.

The media knows they cannot make everyone perceive things the same way, but damn it can plant the seeds and hope like hell they take root. Fashion is probably the easiest example to dissect (I could choose another, but it's 23:15 here and a workday tomorrow). The best way to make a "new" style become fashionable is to bombard the all-consuming public with images of their idols flaunting the new look. But it can't be blatant any more, it has to be subtle - the idol can't be saying "Hey, how cool do I look in these new jeans?", the idol just has walk around in them without paying them too much attention. So celebrities get paid to wear clothes when they're doing nothing in particular. Television and movie producers get a free wardrobe for their current piece of drivel. Retain chains buy up massive quantities to the point where 80% of their stock is the "new" style, removing any last chance of choice the consumer may have. And the gullible fall for it every time.

Exhibit A - these fuckin ugly guys tee shirts with random crap written/stitched all over them. Not one of my mates thinks these tops look good yet the shops are full of them. It is nigh near impossible to buy a tee shirt or polo shirt that is not covered in random shit. And it has no meaning to the consumer. I live in Australia, yet I can buy tee shirts that have "Ohio 61" written on it for the basement bargain price of $59.95. I have never been to Ohio, I know no-one who lives in Ohio and I have no affinity with the number 61, so why would I a buy a tee shirt with "Ohio 61" written on it??? And why the fuck would I fork over $60 for the ugly, meaningless thing that was probably made in Taiwan for less than $1.50???? Oh, that's right, because some fuckwit actor was wearing a top like it at some random social function that was shown on the so-called nightly news. For fuck's sake, how much meaningless bullshit do we need shoved in our faces and down our throats???

That's how I perceive those tee shirts anyway. Some out there may think they are great, stylish and worth their weight in gold. Good for you.

Give me a cloud any day - clouds are simple, free and no-one has to point out how nice they are for me to enjoy them.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Beds Are Burning" Midnight Oil
"Caught Stealing" Jane's Addiction
"On My Mind" Powderfinger
"Madagascar (Ferry Corsten remix)" Art of Trance
"Don't Go Now" Ratcat
"Coded Language" DJ Krust feat Saul Williams
"Zebra" John Butler Trio

Empty

2007-01-14T15:10:00.000+11:00

"Give me a sign, give me a feeling, I'm empty" - Rebecca's Empire
So penned Rebecca Barnard. So feel I. I have felt empty for years but I have only realised it. I have been busy filling my life with meaningless products, items, acquaintances and events. It got to the point where meaningless became the only meaning in my life. Meaningless defined how I looked, how I lived, where I ate and drank - it defined everything except how to feel, because meaningless has no place for feelings and will proactively desensify the individual to prevent them from feeling.

"I feel numb" - U2
Now I here sit here, empty, alone and lost in a world that is uncaring, manipulative, self-centred. I realise now that the woman I love and have unknowingly loved for years is now in a relationship with another man because I have been too busy looking for meaningless. I realise that I am not a man but a consumer that has a warped interpretation of what a man is based on a market-driven media. I have been so self-centred that I have failed to see the pain and suffering my family and friends go through unless they have cried out for help. I see now that they are all, to some extent, experiencing the same disillusionment that I have been suffering through. And it is killing us all.

It is not all doom and gloom my nonexistent reader. The world is a beautiful place when you look outside of the human race. There is love and joy to be found and there are other people longing for someone to share the experience with. We can raise above the blandness of the everyday and find happiness, substance and meaning.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Satisfaction" Benny Benassi
"Sunsets" Powderfinger
"On a Plain" Nirvana
"Mellowship Slinky in B Major" Red Hot Chili Peppers
"The Greeting Song" Red Hot Chili Peppers
"The First Time" U2
"Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" De La Soul
"Beautiful Day" U2

A Mufti by any other name.....

2007-01-11T23:10:00.000+11:00

First off, let me state I am not a racist man. My best mate is Lebanese, another Sri Lankan, my auntie is Malaysian. Nor am I discriminatory against any religion - I have friends who are Christian, Muslim, Catholic, Wikan, Hindi.

So, Mufti Sheik Taj al-Din al-Hilali has gone on television in Egypt and said teenagers should not be blamed for raping women, Australians are liars and the Muslim-Australians are more Australian than the Anglo-Australians.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21043838-2,00.html

What the fuck?! This coming from a man who claims to be a spiritual leader wishing to promote cultural harmony. Granted, I only know this from what I've seen and read in the media. But when I see a man of God (or Allah in this case) saying these words, it makes my blood boil. It is total bullshit!! There is enough hatred and dis-trust around without having a leader from one community publicly voice opinions which will offend other communities. We try and teach children to accept each other and themselves for who they are, and not to discriminate or place one culture above another. Then dickheads like this go and shoot it all to shit.

By the way, if the Pope was to say the same thing, I'd call him a dickhead too.

Songs played while writing this entry:
"Mellowship Slinky in B Major" Red Hot Chili Peppers
"Buddy Holly" Weezer
"Live and Let Die" Guns N Roses
"Rocco (Dave Clarke remix)" Death in Vegas
"New Year's Day" U2
"Apache Rose Peacock" Red Hot Chili Peppers
"Sweet Child O Mine" Guns N Roses

Happiness has no price

2007-01-10T21:47:00.000+11:00

Wednesday, mid-way through the week and (now that Weeds is off the air thanks to the incompetent management of Australian television networks) the only night where there is something actually worth watching on TV. Yes, believe it or not, there are television shows out there that can make people actually think. Remember thinking? It's that thing you used to do before you were brainwashed into becoming a consumer-slash-worker rather than a person. For the past 6 weeks, SBS has been screening 2 doco's which investigate modern life:

Counter Culture - investigates mass market consumerism and the cultural aspects of shopping of 6 different countries.

Decadence: The Meaningless of Modern Life - looks at modern society and its concepts of democracy, family, religion, corporatisation and sex.

I strongly, strongly, strongly urge anyone who is interested in society, morals, consumerism, capitalism and their own well being to watch Decadence. Here's a snipit to whet your appetite:

Why is it that we, being the western society, are so easily led? People in 3rd world countries can survive on the basic necesseties or even less, while we complain if we can't get imported sun-dried tomatoes in garlic aoli. Do we need it? Shit no! But for some reason, we've been taught to think that we should always be able to buy anything that we want - for a price. And we are continually wanting more and more to fill in our empty lives. Bitch is, the stuff we buy doesn't fill the void, so we buy more, end up with a heap of crap and still feel empty. We have stopped being people and are nothing but consumers with an isatiable appetite. And the big businesses are more than happy to keep dangling the carrots in front of us to keep us salivating.

First no-bullshit day at work

2007-01-08T22:56:00.000+11:00

My first day of work while attempting to cut the bullshit. It's a lot harder than I thought considering I'm surrounded by bullshit all day. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind my work (surprisingly enough!) and like most of the people I work with to some extent. But considering I work for a large corporation in an area that deals largely with our Marketing department.... well I'm sure you can see how the bullshit meter can go off the scale.

Being that I've never worked for a large company like this one before, I'm not sure if this is a generalisation or not, but it appears to me that big business runs on bullshit. It's bad enough that they try to convince that we need their bullshit products using mindless, degrading advertising - that our lives will some how be better, enriched or complete if we buy their crap or use their services. Peel away the veneers of bullshit and what you find underneath is more bullshit.

Part of my job involves data analysis and statistical evaluation. I get numbers from someone in one department, which were compiled by someone else in another department. Then I put those numbers into a model which generates other numbers that are sent to yet more departments. The models that I use are quite complex and took me days of work to develop so that they crunch the figures to produce an exact outcome. However, if someone's boss in another department doesn't like what those figures have to say, it comes back to me with a request to "rework" the numbers. In other words, turn real data in bullshit data just so someone can go to their big boss with a good-news story. The record for "reworking" one set of data - 27 times. Makes me wonder how real any business statistics are. It also gives me an idea as to why the global economy is so shaky.

What did I do personally to cut the bullshit today? There's a new guy at work in one of those departments that supplies me with numbers. He's replaced the guy who used to email the numbers through to me. I gave the new guy a call today to ask him to send the numbers through, though I knew he would have next to no idea what I was talking about or where to source the information I required. Before picking up the phone, I decided that I was going to be up front and straight with the newbie. We've all been the newbie before, so I couldn't see any reason why I should make his life hard just because he was in an awkward situation due to circumstances out of his control.

I called him up, introduced myself, my role, explained what data I needed and why. This guy was a full-on noob!!! The way he spoke gave me the impression this is the first job he's ever had - though it could just be the way he talks? - and trying real hard to make an impression. He started going on in full, professional type jargon about why he couldn't get the numbers to me but how he'd work to rectify the situation and respond within a timely manner. All the time, I'm sitting on the other end of the phone thinking "just cut the bullshit and tell it how it is!" I decided that, since this guy was so green, I'd let it slide and sent him an email later simply inviting him to give me a call when he'd settled in if he'd like to go over the numbers in more detail.

That phone call made me think of how I respond to requests from others. So often I go into detailed explanations of why something has (or hasn't) been done in a certain way - trying to make things sound more complicated than they actually are. Later in the day, I received a phone call from a colleague chasing up a decision that I was meant to have made on a proposal. I tried the no bullshit response. "I haven't gotten around to it since I've just got back from leave, but send me a meeting invite and we can go over it together." My colleague accepted it, sent me the invite and we're meeting on Thursday to go over the proposal. What's more, I felt good because I didn't try to bullshit my way out of the situation.

Let's just see if I can keep it up.....!

It's Time To Cut The Bullshit

2007-01-07T12:49:00.000+11:00

Modern life is fucked ya know.

Welcome to my blog. Sit down (tho you prolly are already), put your feet up, light up a smoke or a joint if that's your thing, crack open a coldie and relax. It's time to cut the bullshit. There's too much of it out there now, to me it seems that society has become nothing but bullshit. Bullshit runs our way of life and we fuckin let it. Our politicians are full of bullshit, the media promotes bullshit, companies sell us bullshit and celebrities are nothing but bullshit. And the sad thing is, too many people accept all this bullshit as reality and live bullshit lives. The worst thing is, kids are learning it, accepting it and not knowing any better. There goes the future.

Ok, by now you prolly think I'm cynical and I most likely am. Fact is, I've only come to this realisation recently and was disgusted to see how sucked-in I had become. I was disgusted with myself, who I was, how I was, what I was and so decided it was time to change. How you ask? Good question my friend! At this stage, I'm only beginning phase one - appropriately titled "Cut the Bullshit" - and I'm making it up as I go along.

Let me define bullshit, because in order to cut it, it needs to be identified. For me, bullshit consists of the following:

lies
deceit
falseness
manipulation
artificiality
self-delusion
hype

I see all this bullshit everyday, and not only externally. I figure I can't expect the world to change without changing myself. Does that sound self-conceited? I don't mean if I change, the world will change - that's bullshit! What I mean is that I don't have the right to bag out the bullshit in this world when I am a proponent of it. So I have to change. If by my changing I can influence others to change, then yay for me.

So, this blog is for me to record my journey, track my progress and voice my opinion. Feel free to tag along, offer advice or join in. But please note, in light of the overall goal of my self-journey (God that sounds like wank!), I may say some things which offend people - just a warning.