Health Philosophy Politics and Other Rants

grief:part one

2012-01-27T08:49:00.003+11:00

In reply to a friend's email today I wrote:Grief isn't a linear journey, it takes twists and turns a little like a game of Snakes and Ladders. On good days I feel quite normal skipping through the day, on others I feel like I'm sliding down the snake to somewhere I whizzed past weeks ago. Then there's the long climb back trying to regain the ground I'd lost. (Image shamelessly appropriated from

mindfulness: 1

2012-01-16T10:27:00.004+11:00

Thought for the day.Other people can't hurt me but my expectations of them can.Most people are consistent in their actions. If you feel someone "always" lets you down, it's not their fault - they're being consistent. It is our expectation that they will act differently this time that wounds us.

blogging not eulogising

2012-01-06T13:52:00.001+11:00

Where I'm at.

why I get a little nervous every time I visit Wellington

2011-12-10T10:05:00.004+11:00

image nicked from Geonet

the faraway shed

2011-11-28T09:10:00.003+11:00

I have a falling down shed at the bottom of my garden. Well that sounds a lot more grandiose than it is. The “garden” is a small backyard. The “shed” is a brick, wood and possibly asbestos structure that’s slowly being reclaimed by the elements. It’s a dusty, dirty and in parts damp, white elephant taking up far too much precious inner-city space.

Doyle vs Reality

2011-11-27T15:58:00.003+11:00

Last week I went public and uploaded my bit to the Doyle Vs Reality project.It's over 5 weeks since I sent Mr Doyle a letter, asking him to be accountable for his actions regarding sending the thugs in to break up the OM City Square camp. Sadly he's not felt the need to reply. Didn't his mother teach him manners? Yes THAT day in October - live action outside my workIs his mother alive? If I sent

making a silk purse out of a sow's ear

2011-11-20T10:04:00.006+11:00

This week I had the pleasure of meeting a couple of StreetSmart’s grant recipients. We got to see behind the scenes at The Social Studio and break (injera) bread with Marcus and Kelly from FareShare. I’d heard of Fareshare, largely through @msmadwoman’s singles cooking for a cause events, but knew little of the logistics behind this burgeoning

nostalgia vs trainspotting

2011-11-13T13:39:00.003+11:00

The weird things you find on Youtube. I grew up in a suburb 8 minutes by train to downtown Wellington. From from starting high school in the late 70's until leaving home in my second year at uni, this was my daily commute. Five tunnels and a rickety bridge. Ah, fond memories.

occupy Jon Faine (and other Melbourne icons)

2011-11-11T21:03:00.006+11:00

Did you catch this John Faine interview earlier in the week with Mayor Doyle?Faine's adversarial interview style gives me the irrits. Doyle's blanket denial had me screaming at the radio. Both men I loathe.But it's worth a listen.One thing's for sure. Doyle saw a whole different protest to the one I witnessed.And three weeks on, he still hasn't replied to my email.................................

Wellington architecture

2011-11-10T17:51:00.002+11:00

Growing up, my father documented the passing of Wellington buildings more than his own children's milestones.Sure, there's the odd picture of one of us kids from behind staring into a gaping hole in the ground where the week before a building of note had stood (and been captured by him on his medium format camera).Christchurch has seen so much of it's architectural landscape destroyed, first by

adventure tourism

2011-11-01T08:26:00.003+11:00

Most people know that the Bungy jumping empire originated in NZ. The South Island in particular is littered with dangerous sports that brings adrenaline junkies flocking from around the world. From heliskiing to white knucklewater rafting, Aotearoa has the lot.Now a government department appears to be cashing in on the trend.The Christchurch Earthquake Recovery Authority is offering bus tours of

#OccupyWelly

2011-10-30T14:36:00.004+11:00

Greetings from sunny Wellington (kind of but hope springs eternal).Am on a family tour of duty but got a couple of hours to walk the streets yesterday and clear my mind. Of course I made a beeline to Occupy Wellington.How delightful to see a small tent city, spitting distance from the Town Hall - without a single cop in sight. Not even a lone bobby taking in the view from the bridge. The set up

Occupy Melbourne: not the usual suspects

2011-10-26T08:22:00.003+11:00

This week I’ve missed the little tent city in the centre of my town. Instead of enjoying lunchtime wanders through Occupy Melbourne to soak up the soothing vibe, City Square has returned to it’s usual arid wasteland.The black bile continues to flow against the movement on the OM twitter stream. I get a bit shouty at the computer screen at the recurring themes. The biggest seems to be that the (

Occupy Melbourne Day 8: getting back to the conversation

2011-10-22T15:37:00.005+11:00

Occupy Melbourne Day 7: This in NOT what democracy looks like Mr Doyle

2011-10-21T19:38:00.010+11:00

What a day. Between consultations with clients it was spent down on Swanston Street amongst protesters (yes I was the middle aged woman in a red trench coat and lipstick amongst the crowd on the outside of the fence shouting “This is what democracy looks like”) and watching from my birds eye view in my workplace opposite City Square. I also talked to those-that-know in the Occupy Melbourne

Occupy Melbourne: Are we the 1%?

2011-10-19T08:16:00.004+11:00

There’s a cynical picture doing the rounds on Facebook. An Occupy Wall Street crowd annotated with the branding of their clothing, cosmetics and cameras, titled “Down With Evil Corporations!” (image via Facebook attributed to Salvatore Charles Franzese)So if we've taken to the streets to add our voice to the call for equality, we can't be taken seriously unless we’re wearing hand-woven sackcloth

Occupy Melbourne

2011-10-16T07:47:00.003+11:00

I came away from a day in the city with an odd feeling of hope.Hope that the generation that was only just being born at the time I was a university student flirting with radicalism, might actually save the world. We arrived at City Square late morning, just as the carefully rehearsed speakers were finishing their monologues. As those clutching pages of notes thinned out, the speaker’s corner

I don't get this obsession with Jeanne Pratt

2011-09-12T20:23:00.006+10:00

The last few days have seen an odd traffic spike day for this quiet blog. What's more, all roads lead to a flippant little post in 2009. I don't get it.The mistress of a now deceased millionaire has been in the news and all of a sudden the world wide weird can't get enough of Jeannie Pratt.So for all of you he keep googling Jeanne Pratt + Plastic Surgery (or just Jeanne Pratt Weird), I give you

Melbourne - you’ve made me proud

2011-09-05T08:59:00.002+10:00

The rumoured demise of MTR as reported by the Fairfax press, has gladdened my heart and made me proud of my adopted hometown. The failure of MTR to achieve the ratings success of their Sydney sister station 2GB goes to show that Melbourne folk are more discerning different to Sydneysiders. The Age article points to a couple of key reasons for the station’s failure to thrive down south. This is

I'd rather be there

2011-09-04T16:42:00.002+10:00

Sunrise in Tirta Gangga. Sunset in Lovina (click on images to enlarge)

home

2011-08-29T10:36:00.004+10:00

Parting is such sweet sorrow. Best pool ever, North Bali

soon

2011-08-11T15:29:00.001+10:00

Need I say more? Can.Not.Wait.

big sky

2011-08-04T12:14:00.004+10:00

More from Wellington - I saw the sky from so many different angles. By boat: from the Days Bay Ferry, Petone WharfUp a big hill: Ataturk Memorial, Miramar Peninsula, looking towards the Pencarrow lighthouse ("it's just around the corner", my dad said when I walked all that way on 6 year old legs)All hail the wind turbine: from top of Brooklyn Hill - do the peeps in the valley suffer from wind

my bilingual homeland, or should that be trilingual?

2011-08-04T11:55:00.002+10:00

Even the dogs are smarter in New Zealand. They can read!

moving on

2011-07-23T11:28:00.006+10:00

This winter's been crap.Things that can go wrong, inevitably have.Domestic necessities have broken (doorbell, dustbuster, VOIP connection, plumbing), flights/holidays got cancelled due to the ashcloud and a deranged intruder busted up my workplace.I've done the rounds of annual check ups...found a lovely new dentist who grew up in the next suburb to me, had a Hepatitis A jab (heading off for my

did you hear the one about the dominatrix...

2011-07-07T09:32:00.004+10:00

Did you hear the one about the dominatrix who had her first bra fitting?Or rather, have you read Mistress Matisse's blog post on the subject?As a woman who only ever gets expert assistance when buying a bra (who'd think they'd change their shape so darn often?), it's hard to imagine that someone whose professional life revolves around a state of undress doesn't know their real bra size.It's a

naming and shaming

2011-06-26T11:17:00.004+10:00

I awoke to an odd comment on this blog. Early on a Sunday morning, someone in an outer Melbourne suburb had been visiting the site of a local blogger, clicked my non-de plume in his links and got redirected here. From there they chose just one title in the recent posts, an entry that consisted of just two sentences, and felt compelled to comment.The two lines mentioned a Guardian article and my

no charges laid

2011-06-23T09:40:00.002+10:00

Right now I’m sitting comfortably in my seat, tummy pleasantly full from a pleasant breakfast at Café Vue in the International terminal. My new noise cancelling headphones are snuggled over my ears and I’m flipping through the inflight entertainment on my personal console. While I’m deciding what film I’ll watch first, I’m thanking the goddess that there’s no child behind me, relentlessly

24 hours in Newcastle

2011-06-16T12:36:00.002+10:00

It rained, it poured but we packed a heck of a lot into those soggy hours in Newcastle. Read more about the art, food and coffee at my other blog.

tall dwarf

2011-05-15T10:28:00.003+10:00

In 1984 when this clip came out I was a DJ on Radio Active. I loved the Tall Dwarfs but I probably never saw this excellent clip, on high rotation on Radio With Pictures, because I never lived in a house with a TV at this time. Thankfully can appreciate it now.Anyone know who directed the clip?

two billion minus one

2011-04-30T10:09:00.002+10:00

Elsewhere a rant about why I tuned out last night - my Royal wedding ban and why I never bought the Princess myth.

how many of them survived?

2011-04-25T09:30:00.005+10:00

When I look at the blokes in the 4th Reserves who trained with my grandfather in 1916, I wonder how many of them ever saw NZ again?War is ugly, dirty, smelly, painful, humiliating and not to be glorified. For those that have not seen this previous post, it features excerpts from his war diary, being shelled at Messines and later wounded in France.Not exactly Hemingway but the best I have for a

is childfree the new black?

2011-04-17T14:02:00.001+10:00

Great new post by Lucy on deliberately barren. Check out the link to a recent article in The Guardian, about the choice to be childfree.

but what did it taste like?

2011-04-16T18:16:00.002+10:00

A New Zealand man amputated, cooked and ate his own finger with vegetables in an apparent attempt to get doctors to take him more seriously, a report in Australian Psychiatry says.stuff.co.nzWell, at least he got his veg.

uplifting

2011-04-11T11:00:00.007+10:00

Yes, it's been slim pickings here at otherrants central lately.Life swirls round out there. Recently an old friend's mum died, necessitating the ex-pat to head back for the home-in-wait vigil. I myself am on the verge of the same. In the meantime I'm Keeping Calm and Carrying On, as you do.Things that are inspiring me on a grey Monday MorningI've just finished editing an article that I found

For those who can't get enough Jeanne Pratt

2011-03-23T21:40:00.002+11:00

Yes 50-odd of you today just couldn't get enough Jeanne Pratt.......So I'll give you a little more of her again............

hold on tight

2011-03-17T14:09:00.006+11:00

How much more can the soul endure?Sugarloaf Point lighthouseHold loved ones close, help your neighbours, practice patience, let go of petty hurts and be kind to yourself.and a little rant I wrote earlierI was going to dig out my 1986 diary and recount my growing fears in late April and early May that year. But I don’t need to. I remember exactly how I was feeling.On the 26th of April I was in

popping out for a bit

2011-03-05T11:32:00.002+11:00

May the NSW weather be fine and the earthquakes stop in my homeland. Am having a break for a bit, so lack of updates here doesn't mean anything tragic has happened.

awesome maori guy interview

2011-03-03T15:14:00.003+11:00

During my immersion in New Zealand media since 22 February I've developed a deep dislike of John Campbell, the presenter of a kiwi tabloid TV news program. However, his show has an interview with the awesome maori Samoan guy including footage (sans the lifeless body shots).Watch the interviewIn further quake news, hope has faded for finding anyone else alive in the rubble and "with considerable

finally another survivor from the Christchurch ruins

2011-03-02T08:03:00.004+11:00

A week after the earthquake Gerry the cat has been rescued from wrecked Christchurch CBD. The uninjured feline who lived in a yoga studio was yesterday reunited with his cat sitter.In other news, #quakewars erupted last night on twitter. A 4.5 earthquake shook Wellington around bedtime, quickly followed by a 4.6 aftershock in Christchurch. Great to see a sense of humour and gentle rivalry at

Christchurch earthquake appeal

2011-02-28T16:52:00.004+11:00

Image from stuff.co.nzThe Mayor of Christchurch has launched an appeal for those affected by last Tuesday's quake. Unlike Australia, New Zealand has been really struggling with the GFC and this disaster is the last thing the country needs to get back on its feet. So many people are uninsured, have lost their homes, possessions and jobs. Please give a little, if you can.Good news, Melba has

compassion - Bob Parker quote

2011-02-27T10:28:00.003+11:00

The Christchurch mayor, Bob Parker, is an utter dynamo. How does he keep going?A quote today from Stuff.co.nz:Parker on sightseers and rubberneckers."It's human to want to look but it's even more human to have compassion for the people who are sufferring."A great reminder to practice compassion today. Be kind to yourself and others. Think positive thoughts. Practice having faith in humanity.

wee kittens and awesome Maori guy - more on Christchurch

2011-02-26T17:30:00.006+11:00

While the death toll continues to rise in the Christchurch quake, news of random acts of kindness keep coming out of the disaster. Here are a few of my favourites.Fisher and Paykel have set up a couple of free community laundries in some of the affected suburbs.The Student Volunteer Army has mobilised 15,000 uni students to help with the clean up.Some locals have rigged up aquifers, sharing

aftershocks

2011-02-24T18:03:00.008+11:00

I tried to write a post yesterday about the devastating quake in my homeland. In the end I deleted the rambling because I figured they weren’t my stories to tell.But today I noticed Melba mentioned that I’d been quiet on my blog and wondered if my people were ok. I forget sometimes about the life the blog has, almost independent of my own.Around the middle of the day on Tuesday, my phone

a paucity of words

2011-02-15T21:25:00.002+11:00

2011 keeps rolling on.I've been lucky to dodge disaster this summer. I'm practicing being in the moment more....even when a psychotic ex requested I be a facebook friend.Deep breaths...even when I heard my mother has started wandering and now my parents house must remain locked at all hours with the keys hidden.Instead am focusing on the pretty flowers,on art,and reminding myself to feel

a new word for a new year

2011-01-09T16:37:00.001+11:00

real age is the new old age

2011-01-06T09:21:00.003+11:00

My generation’s vision of an ageless old age bears about as much resemblance to real old age as our earlier idealization of painless childbirth without drugs did to real labor.Susan Jacoby on aging, in the New York Times. (Via Rhonda at Down to Earth).

2011

2011-01-02T10:01:00.002+11:00

I don’t make resolutions any more.I can’t remember when I stopped. I remember the exact moment that I twigged that Santa didn’t exist. I remember where I was when I heard John Lennon died. I have vague memories of the kinds of New Year’s resolutions that I was meant to want (get fit, write a book, have more fun yet somehow be deeper/kinder/nicer) but no idea when I gave up the charade of making

Richard Dawkins reads his hate mail

2010-12-18T16:41:00.002+11:00

I take it back, the man does have a sense of humour after all!A good antidote for the mass of christ festivities

wikiLeaks - democratic incontinence

2010-12-09T12:38:00.001+11:00

Since formation in 2007, WikiLeaks has been victorious over every legal (and illegal) attack, including those from the Pentagon, the Chinese Public Security Bureau, the Former president of Kenya, the Premier of Bermuda, Scientology, the Catholic & Mormon Church, the largest Swiss private bank, and Russian companies.WikiLeaks mirror site (active 8.12.10).That’s a bundle of powerful entities to

apathetic political blogger

2010-11-27T09:37:00.003+11:00

The entire Victorian election campaign has run without a whisper of a mention on this page. Why? Well, I'm patently more interested in writing about food than politics these days. Please forgive me.I will say that on a local level, the seat of Melbourne is a direct battle between Labour and The Greens. The Liberal party doesn't get a look in around here. Two posters abound in this

Armistice

2010-11-11T14:54:00.005+11:00

I was listening to the hoopla on 774 this morning about the beat up that not all government departments observe the minutes silence on the 11th hour today. One caller, a WW2 soldier, was equally upset that the day is referred to as Remembrance rather than Armistice Day. Faine tried to whip him up into a post-traumatic stress frenzy, wanting him to reveal his war experiences but the digger

do we really?

2010-11-01T09:40:00.005+11:00

Two images from Sydney.The first the sassy edge, near Enmore Road.The second in the heart of the city.At first I thought this was performance art, then I realised it really was a homeless man trying to have a sleep in the shade in a side street park, while the fat cats chowed down on lunch pretending to not see him.StreetSmart is on again this year. 8 November - 24 December. Please eat

gifts

2010-10-28T09:24:00.001+11:00

Clients don’t give me gifts very often. Nor should they. It’s a clear transaction of a prescribed fee for services plus the cost of any goods purchased. The time frame for the consultation is clearly set out. Everything is neat and tidy. Presents are way outside the realm of a commercial transaction.But lately there has been an unexpected but delightful acknowledgment of going the extra mile

Flightless Kiwi, my UB40 and a bit of Austen

2010-10-18T13:23:00.005+11:00

I’ve pulled out an old travel diary, or rather the non-travel part, wintering in London. I didn’t want to “go into service” or “serve at the bar” but I needed a home and an income.Unlike other Antipodeans I found a large, functional shared house with grown ups. Three of the adults were kiwis but older than me and working, parenting and certainly not travellers. I was to sublet a room while one

creativity

2010-09-26T13:11:00.001+10:00

I'm making a list of my favourite books on creativity. Right to writeThe Right to Write: An Invitation and Initiation Into the Writing LifeThe Artist’s wayThe Artist's Way: A Course in Discovering and Recovering Your Creative SelfNatalie GoldbergWriting Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer withinWild Mind: Living the Writer's LifeKeri SmithLiving out Loud: An Activity Book to Fuel a Creative

ignorance is no excuse

2010-09-19T11:48:00.004+10:00

Last weekend seems so long ago.I was in Wellington. Again. Very briefly. To do my mother’s washing. It’s a long story but I’ll cut it short. Alzheimer’s is not pretty. In a mere eight weeks my mother has got significantly worse. My father, stoic as ever, continues to say, “It could be worse” whenever I ask him how he is coping. But there’s a micro pause, a hesitation that wasn’t there

old media big time fail

2010-09-04T11:33:00.004+10:00

Due to my odd habit of sleeping with a radio news station quietly murmuring in the background, I was pulled out of a deep sleep at 6am catching the words "earthquake" and "New Zealand". I spent my first 22 years living on six active faultlines in Wellington and I live in fear of the much overdue Big One hitting my hometown. This morning was Christchurch's turn. A little like Newcastle it's a

we will or we won't

2010-08-20T07:29:00.002+10:00

Yes I have been stupidly quiet during this election. But there is little to be said here that hasn't been said before.Perhaps the Chaser boys sum it up best with this song.Theyr'e all f*ckedThough there are some degrees of f*cked-ness.Both major parties have gone backwards in terms of a humanitarian approach to refugees, gay marriage and continue to throw over $400 million at the school

p.s. how to be alone

2010-08-07T10:17:00.002+10:00

Lovely synchronicity. After writing the last post I stumbled on this beautiful video by Canadian poet/songstress Tanya Davis in collaboration with filmmaker Andrea Dorfman. It made my day!

life update in bullet points

2010-08-07T08:02:00.000+10:00

Us• He’s moving interstate• I’m not• We’re not breaking up• No idea how a long distance relationship will work• Is it really “distance” when the plane flight is shorter than a lot of people’s daily commute to work?• Oh and there’s skype, free/cheap phone calls and regular visitsMe• Craving nature• Desiring equal parts solitude and human connection• Need a holiday - with no phone or computer, just

the Ulster man

2010-07-22T14:55:00.003+10:00

Today I found my Great Grandfather's signature on the Ulster Covenant. It was a strange sensation, falling down an internet wormhole and emerging in 1912 in a troubled land.Politically I've always felt my grandmother's lineage was on the "wrong" side of The Troubles. But it was an odd delight to read The Covenant's emotive language, though it could done with a darn good edit.I hadn't intended

before and after diet video with a difference

2010-07-18T12:22:00.003+10:00

Thought you needed a little levity after the NZ post.Pinched from Serious Eatsps: Australia is now in election mode, wonder if that will reignite the political science blogger in me?

silver lining

2010-07-12T11:44:00.004+10:00

Is it wrong for my to sneakingly think that the best part of my visits "home" is leaving?Actually this thought is about addiction, not people or place. More correctly the best thing about leaving Wellington is the free wifi at the airport. It's just a pity other transport hubs are not as generous. I've been without any access to the internet for a few days and have gone into slight

an adverse reaction to spin

2010-07-05T15:35:00.003+10:00

A controversial footballer has been admitted to hospital suffering from an “adverse reaction”* to a sleeping tablet.Isadora Duncan had an adverse reaction to a scarf.Kurt Cobain had an adverse reaction to a bullet.Karen Carpenter had an adverse reaction to food.Steve Irwin had an adverse reaction to a stingray.Michael Hutchence had an adverse reaction to a belt.* if the scant details concerning

reading entrails: or how how reading used toilet paper helped win the cold war

2010-07-03T14:15:00.005+10:00

Just caught the end of the Radio Netherlands World, story Spy vs Spy* on The State We're In. At the end of an insightful interview with Leslie Woodhead, about his time working in British Intelligence during the Cold War, he disclosed a little known story about the time. "(I felt) more like a trainspotter than any kind of sexy spy"While he admitted his job was rather boring, listening to the

another good reason to live in New Zealand

2010-07-01T16:35:00.003+10:00

Obviously not for the abysmal weather.But other than having their first female Prime Minister last century and being one of the first countries in the world to allow women to vote...the locals don't kick up a stink when people publicize their different philosophical viewpoints.Looking forward to seeing this billboard on the streets the next time I'm in Wellington.(from the NZ atheist bus campaign

the future of blogging?

2010-06-15T11:42:00.004+10:00

So this is what we've come to - from our humble roots of diary-like ramblings to puppets of the marketeers. Reader beware, the current state of play is that of blogger as "reviewer", event spruiker, freebie slut and hired gun. This arrived in my inbox today.Do you love to blog, try products, have an opinion? Looking for people to join "The blogger axxxxx"The Blogger Axxxxx is a service that

what I did last night

2010-05-27T08:56:00.003+10:00

For art, or cultural studies, loving Melbournians there's a new show on at the RMIT gallery til the end of next week that you might like to take a look at.Seven artists (Rex Armstrong.Nicholas Chin.Sun Kyung Im.Nada Jaza.Judy Leong.Ying Hong, Li (Sophia) and Carmenza Jimenez) from diverse backgrounds explore the liminality of hybridity, the threshold between cultures. Inspired by the slippage

Would The Age publish this now?

2010-05-18T18:00:00.003+10:00

Some would say Catherine Deveny was sacked for expressing less offensive opinions, this classic Leunig cartoon from 1997 goes contrary to current public health edicts. Would the sentiments he expresses get pass the Fairfax censor now?click on image to enlarge

to facebook or not to facebook, that is the question

2010-05-12T10:16:00.003+10:00

Facebook was fun to begin with but over time I've become increasingly uncomfortable with the changes in their privacy policy. You know they have a right to use all your personal information and anything you've posted there, don't you?I've weaned myself off status updates (with minor lapses) and currently I'm using it to receive invites for events, such as exhibition openings. But the real

Blogging with dinosaurs - Thorpie, Bush and me

2010-04-29T09:26:00.002+10:00

I’m meant to be researching a serious article. A work related piece. Niggling at the back of my mind was a feeling that I’d covered some of the same ground on this blog, so off I’ve been on a delightful wild goose chase.I know it’s seen as bad form to laugh at your own jokes but perhaps a giggle at your own expense is not too bad. The last 30 minutes has reminded me of how much I miss my old

cashing in on the day

2010-04-25T08:39:00.005+10:00

A random photo from the family archive, seeing today is one of the days you can't avoid pictures of blokes in uniforms.My paternal grandfather served in the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces in WWI. At some point he acquired a camera and a box of medium format, poorly stored, negatives survive from his time recuperating from his war wound in England. Later images show his life in NZ, wife and

killer kt kt and PR fail

2010-03-29T12:08:00.002+11:00

This post first appeared on my food blog.You’re most likely here because you like food. I like to eat, I like to cook and on the surface those are rather innocuous activities. Way back when, I did my first degree in political science. It didn’t necessarily qualify me to do much except become a public servant or be highly opinionated. While I flirted only briefly with the former, the later has

faithless whore

2010-03-14T11:20:00.003+11:00

Faithless whore that I am, I’m not at the Atheist Convention this weekend. I’d toyed with it as the Not Boyfriend is attending but when it comes down to it – I just don’t feel strongly enough to part with my hard earned cash and spend two and a half days listening to people talk about faith, or lack of it.While there are many other labels I adopt happily (feminist being one of them), “atheist”

Have we really come a long way baby?

2010-03-08T14:36:00.001+11:00

There’s nothing like International Women’s Day to reawaken my inner feminist. Not that she ever was asleep, more suffering from RSI of the jaw from lamenting the lack of change.I came of age in the ‘80s. We were feisty, stood tall and were happy to call our selves feminists. While we still earned less than men, we were certain that would change. I had no doubt that in 20 years there’d be an

fragments

2010-03-01T10:42:00.004+11:00

I dreamt of her last night. The woman on the right, my Nana. I have very few pictures of my paternal grandmother, other than a couple of images recently resurrected from some old negatives. In this one she stands nervously, a new mother in her late 20's looking on at her disapproving mother-in-law and husband. In my dream I was back in the house where she raised her children. A lovely wooden

street art

2010-02-20T12:39:00.001+11:00

I love this paste up I saw in North Carlton last month.

home

2010-02-13T13:09:00.002+11:00

Where the wind blows and sometimes if you are very, very lucky, the sun shines bright.I was lucky.

on a more positive note

2010-01-28T22:06:00.003+11:00

I've been writing very grumpy posts on my various blogs today so thought I'd end the day on a positive note before the laptop is put to bed for the night.Counting my blessings:1. Thanks to Mondo Beyondo I'm getting my mojo back.2. I spent a very pleasant couple of hours in the botanical gardens this week soaking up the glorious weather, sprawled on a rug under the branches of a beautiful old tree

What me? One dimensional?

2010-01-28T11:57:00.001+11:00

I've tried to ignore the latest media flurry created by our leader of the opposition, well known for his devout Catholicism and equally well known for his own sexual romps before the sanctity of marriage (due to a very public paternity test), regarding the sanctity of virginity. In 2010 I find it frankly ludicrous that any want-to-be Prime Minister is playing the

free stuff

2010-01-23T15:57:00.003+11:00

January seems to be the month of moving or decluttering around these parts. In the last two weeks I've scored as many plastic/wooden coat hangers as I needed from a box of at least 50 just off Brunswick St (I took only 6) but the real bonus came this week when I saw a rather good looking bbq (a beefmaster) - 4 burner, hood and wok burner needing a new home. I alerted the NB, who talks wistfully

you wouldn't adam and eve it

2010-01-18T10:15:00.002+11:00

A chuckle to start the day.Though of course, its just another evil capitalist plot to get you to use a product and be slapped a charge for the privilege.

message of the day

2010-01-16T15:08:00.001+11:00

Discuss the sentiment expressed in the image below:North Carlton, Melbourne December 2009

yeah...

2010-01-12T07:58:00.002+11:00

...like that did a lot of good.Photo: Collins St, Melbourne. December 2009.After a searing day, Melbourne is set to record its hottest-ever night, with daily minimum temperatures hovering well above 30 degrees across the metropolitan area.Melbourne's CBD recorded an overnight low of 32.3 degrees at 5.57am, while Essendon reached 31.4 at 12.45am, Moorabbin fell to 31.8 at 5.11am, and Viewbank

funk

2010-01-07T13:57:00.001+11:00

Colour me blue.Fitzroy, Nth Fitzroy, Jan 2010

happy Solstice

2009-12-22T09:04:00.002+11:00

In the early hours of this morning, the sun slipped into the sign of Capricorn heralding the Summer Solstice in the southern hemisphere. While North America and Europe has turned white with snow and the inhabitants face their longest night, we enter our longest day.My intentions had been to do a ritual on waking this morning. I like to gather some greenery from the garden, infuse water with

stormy afternoon in Richmond

2009-12-19T13:08:00.003+11:00

During the week I trekked across town, braving the achingly slow traffic on Hoddle St/Punt Rd, to Richmond. I mercy dash to get a little treat for my sister's upcoming visit.The shop I was after lay just a few blocks away from her first home in this city almost 30 years ago, off Swan St. If you leaned out on the balcony and turned your head at an awkward angle you could see the clock on top of

#best09 11 & 12*. best new place/new food

2009-12-14T15:21:00.002+11:00

Best new place and new food all rolled into one.Thanh Nga Nine in Victoria St, Richmond (Melbourne) . Don’t forget to try the crispy “pancakes” with coconut cream and sweet chili sauce – my dish of the year.*best 5-10 night out, conference, blog find, moment of peace, challenge, album hmmmm too much brain fog for those right now!

was crying, now ranting

2009-12-13T16:46:00.003+11:00

I did find something to top the TAC video for weepies shortly after my last post. In one of those yuletide (yet totally sober) moments of stupidity I managed to stab the side of my index finger at full force with the point of my scissors. There goes the homemade solstice cards...and a heck of a lot else. While the actual laceration was relatively minor and the bleeding got under control in a

things that made me cry this week

2009-12-10T15:55:00.003+11:00

There was the dead brother's birthday and that little bit of (still unresolved) business stress.Then I watched this:I don't watch TV at the moment so I miss the good, the bad and the ugly of public service announcement. The latest TAC tribute made me flinch and cry. Am hoping tomorrow is a day without tears, where silly little real estate matters can find resolution with ease and all is well in

a small legal/property issue

2009-12-08T08:03:00.003+11:00

A quick aside for my stomach churning thought for the morning.Any readers have any commercial property expertise? Err, rather urgently? Exactly 1 month before my three yearly lease is about to expire the agents are trying on a massive 25% price hike. I am a long term tenant (more than 10 years) and there has been annual price rises built into the lease over that time equal to or above inflation

not forgotten

2009-12-07T17:52:00.003+11:00

The silly bugger on the left would've turned 50 today, if he hadn't gone and got himself a brain tumour in 1993.Happy Birthday big bro.Thinking of you.

#best09 4*. best book

2009-12-06T18:00:00.002+11:00

“Every patient tells a story” by Lisa Sanders. She’s the diagnostics nut behind House’s weird and wonderful medical detective work. I wish every doctor would read her work, to get back in touch with old-fashioned skills like listening to the patient. It’s a great read for anyone with the slightest inclination towards the fascinating workings of the human body.*3 – best article? Read too many

#best09 2. best meal

2009-12-03T09:16:00.004+11:00

The last dinner in Malaysia was an authentic Thai experience in the lush surrounds of one of KL’s finest hotels. Every dish contributed to this being the meal of '09 to die for but rather than make you groan with envy slavishly recreating every course, I’ll give you a taste of the first dish.The settingThe streets are steaming after a tropical thunderstorm, raising the humidity to energy sapping

#best09 1. best trip

2009-12-03T08:40:00.004+11:00

We headed on a whim to Malaysia, to be honest I wasn’t expecting much. Just 9 days, no real plans. Vaguely we thought we’d be backpacking for a week or so somewhere hot and steamy. It took a lot of convincing the Not Boyfriend to book our first few nights in a comfortable hotel, with no risk of bed bugs. For less than the price of a 2 star room in Lorne, we got air con, quirky Malaysian TV, a

behind and ahead

2009-12-03T08:08:00.002+11:00

I’ve been thinking about goal setting lately. There are some lumps on the 2010 landscape that are of unknown magnitude at this point in the journey, I’m thinking if I get my head clear on the things that are important to me in the here and now, it may help me navigate this unknown topography.One of the standout personal issues to be unearthed thus far is my relationship with fun. Aside from a

news just in...

2009-11-30T21:49:00.001+11:00

Rabbit found his way home!

perils of plastic surgery

2009-11-30T10:51:00.004+11:00

I'm thinking Jeanne Pratt...Image nicked from The Age pics of the Edelsten weddingIs just one more surgery away from becoming...watermelon helmet cat.

Steve Fielding doesn't want to marry his brother (not sure about brother's response)

2009-11-27T10:30:00.002+11:00

Yes people, another one from the “this is what happens when Labour voters blindly follow the line and in a single tick – we have a Family First senator” files.It was only a few hours ago that I misguidedly thought “Hmm, Steve Fielding’s been a bit quiet lately, maybe I got that guy wrong after all”.Then I saw this.FAMILY First senator Steve Fielding has compared same-sex marriages to incest, as a

Health Philosophy Politics and Other Rants

grief:part one

mindfulness: 1

blogging not eulogising

why I get a little nervous every time I visit Wellington

the faraway shed

Doyle vs Reality

making a silk purse out of a sow's ear

nostalgia vs trainspotting

occupy Jon Faine (and other Melbourne icons)

Wellington architecture

adventure tourism

#OccupyWelly

Occupy Melbourne: not the usual suspects

Occupy Melbourne Day 8: getting back to the conversation

Occupy Melbourne Day 7: This in NOT what democracy looks like Mr Doyle

Occupy Melbourne: Are we the 1%?

Occupy Melbourne

I don't get this obsession with Jeanne Pratt

Melbourne - you’ve made me proud

I'd rather be there

home

soon

big sky

my bilingual homeland, or should that be trilingual?

moving on

did you hear the one about the dominatrix...

naming and shaming

no charges laid

24 hours in Newcastle

tall dwarf

two billion minus one

how many of them survived?

is childfree the new black?

but what did it taste like?

uplifting

For those who can't get enough Jeanne Pratt

hold on tight

popping out for a bit

awesome maori guy interview

finally another survivor from the Christchurch ruins

Christchurch earthquake appeal

compassion - Bob Parker quote

wee kittens and awesome Maori guy - more on Christchurch

aftershocks

a paucity of words

a new word for a new year

real age is the new old age

2011

Richard Dawkins reads his hate mail

wikiLeaks - democratic incontinence

apathetic political blogger

Armistice

do we really?

gifts

Flightless Kiwi, my UB40 and a bit of Austen

creativity

ignorance is no excuse

old media big time fail

we will or we won't

p.s. how to be alone

life update in bullet points

the Ulster man

before and after diet video with a difference

silver lining

an adverse reaction to spin

reading entrails: or how how reading used toilet paper helped win the cold war

another good reason to live in New Zealand

the future of blogging?

what I did last night

Would The Age publish this now?

to facebook or not to facebook, that is the question

Blogging with dinosaurs - Thorpie, Bush and me

cashing in on the day

killer k*t k*t and PR fail

faithless whore

Have we really come a long way baby?

fragments

street art

home

killer kt kt and PR fail