A couple of pics from my trip to the Botanic Gardens

Believe it or not, this was the sign promoting a display of Orchids and carniverous plants. Sex and Death, I mean, how could I avoid going in to look at it????


This was a spectacular Dendrobium, covered in flowers - it was stunningly beautiful and the pic barely does it justice....

Time for an update....

I had been meaning to post for a while now...

For a start, there is my job at "that iconic and secretive American computer co", where I get to help people fix up their computers, and generally tell people how to use programs, about half of which I have never actually used myself, apart from in training exercises. Fun hey?

Then there was the experience with my singing teacher. He told me to go away and not come back to him until I found what it was that made me want to sing, and regain my love of singing. That HURT!!! But it was also true. I had lost my love of singing. I was only going through the motions, and now that I am not singing at the moment, I am doing some fairly heavy soul searching, trying to work out why it matters so much to me. I almost feel like I have hit that "in love with the idea" stage, rather than actually loving doing. Does that make sense? It sort of does to me at the moment, but I am not sure if it will in a couple of weeks time.

In the mean time I am trying to work my way through an amazing book called "The Artist's Way", by Julia Cameron. If you ever find yourself wanting to do something creative, but not able to take that next step, pick it up. I first picked it up about five years ago, when I was in a very dark place in my life. I actually think it was one of the reasons I got through that time. Those of you that know me may guess what that is all about. I have to admit though, I did not finish all of it then, and I did not complete all the exercises, but I was well aware of the influence it had on my life and how it lifted me out of the hole I was in and helped me to get my life back into gear.

This time round I am determined to make my way through it. I want to rediscover my creative self, to refind my love of singing, to rediscover how to be the best me I can be. Which ultimately, is all that any of us can ever hope to be.

Now, one of the things that "TAW" instructs you to do, which kind of sounds silly till you actually do it, is to take "artist's dates". That is, you take your inner artist out on a date and go and do something that you want to do, on your own, just you and your sense of awe and wonder. It is part of the process, sort of a refinding a sense of self, of who you are, so that you can then find that creative side of you that has gone missing.

Last week I went to look at the Botanic Gardens. I will aim to post some of the pictures online once I set up some room for them, and edit them to an appropriate size. I also plan to do quite a bit of documenting of the artist dates I take, to try to share my sense of the world as it is, and as it could be, as I work to regain what I have lost...

Open Letter to J Ho

I sent this to the SMH, but they did not like it... oh well, their loss...

Dear John,

I really do not want tax cuts thank you. I really think that a lot of the electorate do not want them either.

What I do want is for you to spend some of that massive surplus that the mining boom has created on fixing some on going long term problems.

How about getting together with the state governments and matching spending on adding public transport infrastructure. I know Sydney is screaming for a new rail line or too to developing areas and I suspect that most states could benefit similarly. You could offer to match state funding on the new lines, to ensure they actually happen closer to when they are needed, instead of waiting till it is too late. Not to mention, building new rail lines, to reduce dependence on private cars is also good for the environment, so it would improve your green credentials.

How about providing some funding directly for hospital capital expenditure too? Your reign over the country has seen federal expenditure on health decline compared to state funding, so why not offer to fund some new facilities, or some new equipment, things that our hospitals are crying out for in various places.

And of course, some more money for education would not hurt either, considering the way you have failed to adequately fund our public education system.

You could do all of these, yet still keep the budget in surplus, if you can afford the tax cuts. More to the point, these suggestions would help to reduce some of the pressures in the economy that are causing inflation. Not to mention, by not giving the tax cuts, you are reducing that inflationary action too.

But I forgot. You are not really interested in economic management, despite what you say. You really just want to get re-elected. And you have yet given me any reason to do so.

It's time to go J Ho!!!!

Dear John,

I am writing to you to tell you, I no longer love you. Yes I know you thought it was forever, but sadly, I have finally started to see through your lies and cruel behaviour. Trying to wedge us one time to many (well, it was far more than that, but finally I woke up!) - sorry, it just did not work anymore.

You know, it took a while, but I have finally realised, there is more to life than money, not that I am really sure you understand how to manage money wisely anyway. Talking about how the Labour Party cannot be trusted to look after the economy, then throwing buckets of money at us hoping we will still vote for you is just not going to cut it anymore. We want to see that you are putting money aside for the future, this mining boom is not going to last forever you know!!

And this drought thing. I am beginning to think that maybe the Greens and the others have been right all along. The weather pattern does seem different these days. This ongoing pattern of drought is destroying our land and our way of life. I am beginning to think that it is not that we cannot afford the economic costs of cutting greenhouse gases, or sigingin up to Kyoto, but rather if we want a future, we cannot afford not to do something. Sorry John, you are looking liike yesterday's man more and more.

And what about social justice? We used to be a nation that took pride in looking after those who fell throught the cracks, or who suffered for no fault of their own but for what they were? Where has the concept of a fair go, and looking after others gone? I don't like what has happened, and you have been in charge while it happened. I am sorry, you just have to go.......

Love (I think I still love you)

The Australian Public.

By the way...

I am guessing I should apologise or something for my shameless lack of regular blogging. (to whom I am not really sure, but consider me feeling guilty if you were waiting with baited breath for the latest installment of my life!)

Anyway...

Here are some updates...

I now live with the gorgeous one in a lovely little house in Camperdown (aka camp on down),just down the road from the memorial park, if you know the inner west of Sydney.

Since leaving the big T, I have worked for a couple of places, after a long break (the de-Telstra-isation), first of all for a financial co (did not work out), then for a well known hair products co in their professional division as a sales clerk (part of one of the world's largest American packaged goods companies), and now, I am working for an iconic computer company, as a tech support person. Yes, I am being trusted to help people fix their computers! Scary, isn't it?

I have to say though, that a large number of the calls are all about helping idiots who should not be let near computers learn how to fix the stuff ups they do. Regularly. Ah, the stupidity of the great unwashed. It never fails to surprise me!!!

Oh, and during the visit from my parents? They actually decided they liked the gorgeous one!!!!!

A new take on STI's

http://www.yankeepotroast.org/archives/2006/07/the_disney_prin.html

Seriously? This is wonderfully demented.... I laughed all the way through! (and no connection with reality of course!!!)

The Disney Princesses Talk About Chlamydia
by Wayne Gladstone

Approximately one million cases of Chlamydia are reported to the Center for Disease Control each year. This startling statistic is comprised of a disproportionate number of teenage girls; young victims particularly susceptible to misinformation and often unaware of the high risks associated with certain behaviors. In an effort to protect our nation’s youth and empower them with knowledge, the C.D.C. sought the perfect spokeswomen to reach these young girls before they came to harm. The Disney Princesses were the only logical choice given their staggering success selling shoes, dolls, dresses, pillowcases, sunglasses, posters, and other willy-nilly items. Now, the Disney Princesses offer their wisdom, compassion, and personal stories to today’s youth.

What Is Chlamydia?


Snow White: Chlamydia is a lot like swallowing a poisoned apple transformed through magic by a witch. Except, instead of a poisoned apple, it’s more like bacteria living on dirty dwarf cock.

Cinderella: The Chlamydia bacteria can grow in the throat, vagina, penis, or absolutely anywhere on that whore “Sleeps-Around Beauty.” Oh, I’m sorry. I mean, Aurora.

Pocahontas: Chlamydia is the only thing I still have from John Smith.


What Are The Symptoms?

Jasmine: I noticed an increased difficulty riding a camel. I remember the pain and swelling. I was so embarrassed I told people I had sand in my crotch.

Belle: The symptoms are subtle so they can be hard to detect. For me, it was a searing vaginal pain when being mounted by an enormous beast, but in a different, bad way.

Ariel: My Chlamydia makes Prince Eric have sex with men. At least, he says that’s why.


How Do You Get It?

Snow White: I’m not a scientist so I can only guess, but I think the smart money is on doing the rusty trombone with Happy.

Jasmine: Chlamydia was invented by Jews.

Ariel: I got it playing a game I like to call “Finding Nemo.”


How Do You Treat It?

Cinderella: Bag the pumpkin coach and use that wish for a clean snatch. Then just hoof it home from the ball.

Ariel: Ask your dad to zap you some new legs.

Snow White: Doc insisted the only cure was a strict two week regimen of dwarf “back door.”


What Are The Effects If Left Untreated?

Cinderella: No one will be friends with you except maybe that tramp, Aurora.

Pocahontas: Your movie will be only a mild success, your people will be slaughtered in the millions, and Disney will be forced to hire dark-skinned Latinas to portray you at their amusement parks.

Belle: Your man will lose most of his hair and shrink dramatically in size, leaving you perpetually dissatisfied.




We at the C.D.C. hope you found this information useful. For more information please contact www.when.you.itch.upon.a.scar.com.
Wayne Gladstone lives in Maine with his wife and children. Some of his work has been featured in McSweeney's and Opium. But all of it has not been featured in The New Yorker. If Wayne Gladstone were a restaurant, he would be a defunct roadside Roy Rogers sharing space with a wildly successful Bob's Big Boy. Visit Wayne at WayneGladstone.com

Um... and this helps the children how????

I am lifting this straight from Crikey.com.au as I am too mad to write something and besides it says it all!!!


Aboriginal assets to be seized, then rented back for profit

Darwin insider Henri Ivrey writes:

In moves seemingly impossible to reconcile with the protection of Aboriginal children on remote towns and communities in the Northern Territory, a document has come into the hands of Crikey that presages a federal government takeover of millions of dollars worth of assets owned by Aboriginal organisations.

At least Ned Kelly stole from the rich. Mal Brough is taking from the poor to establish a government-controlled property trust, from which he will then rent back to the dispossessed.

Organisational assets above the value of $400,000 are to be compulsorily acquired by Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) and transferred to a new entity, the Indigenous Economic Development Trust (IEDT), and then rented back at commercial rates to the same organisations from which the asset has been taken from.

In some cases this will make those organisations commercially unviable, leading to financial collapse and loss of Aboriginal jobs. Every reason for Aboriginal organisations for acquiring property as part of engaging with capitalism has been thrown out in favour of a centrally controlled government bureaucracy.

This is not about Aboriginal land in places like Arnhem Land: assets will be compulsorily stripped from Aboriginal organisations owning land and property up and down the Stuart Highway—Darwin, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs—no matter how well run, no matter what the level of services provided, no matter what those assets are being used for.

The early targets appear to be urban-based Community Development Employment Programs (CDEP). In a letter to these CDEP projects in towns and cities up the Stuart Highway, IBA’s "national manager business funding", Kim McIlveen is keen to introduce "new products and services that your CDEP organisation might qualify for".

One of these "new products" is "establishing an Indigenous Economic Development Trust, through which assets will be leased to Aboriginal businesses".

And he is cheerfully offering a helping hand.

"IBA staff and contracted service providers will be visiting each CDEP over the next few months to provide more information and invite you to discuss your business needs."

The sheer effrontery of it is extraordinary. The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR), in at least one instance, will be "resuming" an asset from an Aboriginal business which is being offered back for commercial rental to the very Aboriginal business from which it was compulsorily taken.

In many cases the assets have been built up over many years—in some cases decades. Some are jointly-owned assets. Some are leased to groups such as health services; some provide low cost housing. Some are funded through a combination of commercial income, commercial bank loans, soft government loans and government grants.

The latter factor seems to be the key. Any Aboriginal organisation that directly or indirectly received federal government assistance to acquire or pay off an asset—even in small part—now faces compulsory seizure of the entire asset.

Potentially, property and other commercial assets that are earning an income, and employing Aboriginal people, will be summarily resumed by a federal bureaucracy. At least one CDEP seems destined to relinquish the property it purchased, then lease it back from the IEDT.

And the amount of this Stuart Highway robbery could run into many millions of dollars if this principle is extended. In Darwin assets owned by Larrakia Nation and its business arm, along with the Aboriginal Development Foundation and Danila Dilba Health Service, face compulsory asset removal.

In Katherine the Jawoyn Association faces property losses as well as potential loss of assets in the tourist industry in the millions. Tennant Creek’s Julalikari Council owns low cost housing valued at more than $2 million as well as other properties.

In Alice Springs properties potentially being seized are owned by the Institute for Aboriginal Development, Tangentyere Council, Arrernte Council and Health Congress. Assets in all of these towns owned by the Northern and Central land councils could also face resumption by the feds.

John Howard visited the Aboriginal town of Ntaria (Hermannsburg) Tuesday this week.

"We have a simple aim," he told the locals, "and that is whilst respecting a special place of Indigenous people in the history and the life of this country, their future can only be as part of the mainstream of the Australian community.

"But unless they can get a share of the bounty of this great and prosperous country, their future will be bleak."

One can only assume the "special place of Indigenous people in the history and the life of this country" is something to do with continuously re-enacting those bits where land and property are stolen from them. Hard to work out where the "share of the bounty" comes in.


Now, can someone please tell me A) why it is necessary to take over assets owned by Aboriginal groups and RENTING them back to the same group they are being stolen from (let's call it what it is, outright theft!) At a commercial rent (how do you define a commercial rate when there is nothing to compare it to is another matter altogether!)

B) How exactly does this help the children, who are the whole point of the exercise, when all it does is increase the poverty in the community, which any social commentator will tell you WILL increase child abuse?

C) How can J-Ho still say it is all about child abuse with a straight face?

I would say more but I am just too mad right now!

OK so tell me this...

Today, I got told I did not get a job, a job that they acknowledge I could do quite well, because I was too dynamic. Um, too dynamic? This is a customer interaction role and I am "too dynamic"? WTF?????

Seriously, if you are responding to customer enquiries, and following up on problems they have identified, how can you be "too dynamic"?

Words fail me!!!

OK J HO!!! Enough, already!!!!

This just really gets my goat!!!!

Ban HIV-positive migrants: PM

*

April 13, 2007 - 1:00PM


HIV-positive people should be denied entry to Australia as migrants or refugees, Prime Minister John Howard says.

While saying he would like "more counsel" on the issue, Mr Howard said HIV positive people should not be allowed to migrate to Australia.

"My initial reaction is no (they should not be allowed in)," he told Southern Cross Broadcasting.

"There may be some humanitarian considerations that could temper that in certain cases but prima facie - no."

Mr Howard said Australia already stopped people with tuberculosis coming in and this was why he supported stopping HIV-positive people as well.

"That's why I say prima facie, my position is no - although there can be some circumstances where there may be a humanitarian reason and under certain conditions for that to occur, but generally speaking - no."

Mr Howard was commenting in response to new Victorian health department figures showing the number of HIV-positive people moving to the state had quadrupled in the past two years.

He said he would look at changing the law to stop HIV-positive people coming to Australia.

"I think we should have the most stringent possible conditions in relation to that nationwide and I know the health minister (Tony Abbott) is concerned about that and is examining ways of tightening things up and I think people are entitled to be concerned."

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/ban-hivpositive-migrants-pm/2007/04/13/1175971314887.html

Now, to me I fail to see what the problem is. It is not like HIV positive people are about to run rampant and infect everyone....

And one last Hicks related post for a while....

You can tell this has really annoyed me can't you....

There is a copy of the plea bargain details "here"

With all the talk of him not revealing any details of the treatment he has already admitted he suffered, what are we to make of "this???"


I feared they'd shoot me, Hicks said before gag


Mark Coultan Herald Correspondent at Guantanamo Bay and AAP
April 3, 2007



DAVID HICKS feared he would be shot if he did not co-operate with US interrogators, the Australian prisoner says in an affidavit for an English court case.

And his Australian lawyer says he was tortured during his time at Guantanamo Bay, contradicting Hicks's plea bargain statement, in which he said he had not been mistreated by the US.

Hicks, who has spent five years in the US military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, after he was captured in Afghanistan in late 2001, last week pleaded guilty to a charge of giving material support to terrorists.

In the plea bargain document, Hicks said: "I have never been illegally treated by any person or persons while in the custody of the United States."

But the ABC's Four Corners last night reported that Hicks had recently signed an affidavit for an English court setting out ill treatment.

"I realised that if I did not cooperate with US interrogators, I might be shot," the ABC quoted Hicks as saying.

In the affidavit Hicks also claims that he was slapped, kicked, punched and spat on in Afghanistan, the ABC reported.

He could hear other detainees screaming in pain, saw the marks of their beatings and had a shotgun trained on him during interrogation.

Hicks says in the affidavit that by early 2003, he "felt that I had to ensure that whatever I did pleased the interrogators to keep from being physically abused, placed in isolation and remaining at Guantanamo for the rest of my life", the ABC reported.

He also details twice being taken off a US warship, flown to an unknown location and physically abused by US personnel for a total of 16 hours, although two US investigations have found that claim unsubstantiated.

The allegations were made in a document which was to have been presented to an appeal in London against the British Government's refusal to grant him citizenship.

In this he says he had been repeatedly hit on the back of a head with a rifle, slapped on the head, spat on, kicked, stepped on by troops and punched in the temple. He also claims that a piece of plastic had been forced into his rectum "for no apparent reason".

Hicks's Australian lawyer, David McLeod, made the torture allegation when asked about further interrogations that Hicks has agreed to undergo before he left Guantanamo Bay.

As part of his plea bargain, Hicks signed a document saying he would co-operate "fully, completely and truthfully in post-trial briefings and interviews".

Asked on Sunday about these interviews, Mr McLeod said: "Steps were taken this morning to introduce David to the interrogators here at Guantanamo and there will be a process which will unfold before he leaves. He will be asked to co-operate in a number of issues, but we don't see any problems."

When asked if this would take the same format as his previous interrogations, Mr McLeod said: "Well, hopefully without the torture this time."

His statement was provocative, given that Hicks is still waiting to be transferred to Australia.

Mr McLeod was able to speak more freely than Hicks's American lawyers because he was not a signatory to the plea bargain. Only US lawyers are allowed to represent the detainees at Guantanamo Bay.

End quote

Sort of makes a total mockery of what he agreed to in the plea bargain doesn't it? But, do they really want to charge him with perjury, knowing what could come out? I think not!!!!!