Aussie Miasma

[OT] Dodgy Viet Bakery

2007-03-15T13:41:00.001+11:00

I need on what to do about an event at a Newtown (NSW) bakery 30 mins
ago. I bought a custard tart but I could tell once she handed it to me
that the top was dark yellow so it was old (yesterday's). I folded back
the foil plate thingy and the crust was all soft, moist and fell apart.
I went straight back and asked for a fresh one. She says 'All same, all
same... baked this morning' etc but she gave me a new one. The fresh one
was, as expected, not prone to falling apart and the custard's surface
was a light yellow.

My question is does this happen often? Has it happened to you? Should I
drop it or follow it with authorities? And who then, hypothetically, is
the relevant agency in NSW? Please enlighten me.

Kevin Rudd

2007-03-06T12:19:00.001+11:00

Just a test run.

This is just a test. Look at the outcome of today's Newspoll published in The Australian. I think it shows that Howard et al's attacks on Rudd and his contact with Burke are not sticking. While it's true that support for Rudd has fallen a few percentage points, the ALP's 2-party pref. rating is actually higher!

And I really do not know what everyone out there understand from the whole attack. The encounter does not come across as innately bad. Most of the comments tend to agree, pointing out at the Iraq war and the AWB wheat kickbacks are more concerning by far. It seems to me they are fanning flames from feeble embers because they have nothing else.

What an adorable cat!

2007-01-30T22:28:00.000+11:00

His name is Tony... and yes he was sleeping on his back!

Putt Putt scores

2007-01-30T13:10:00.000+11:00

Well it was a harrowing experience but after slogging it for two rounds at Ermington Putt Putt (mini golf) course, I came out on top, but only just. I am attaching two images of the score-cards as proof, plus a link to an HTML file of the tabulated results.

Skypecasts

2006-12-20T09:15:00.000+11:00

I have recently been hosting the Travelling skypecast on Skype. I find it quite fun, but they do not yet have an accompanying text chatroom so I created #travelling on the UnderNet IRC server. Some browsers (Firefox with ChatZilla enabled) allow you to join with one click on this: irc://eu.undernet.org/travelling

Gained in Translation

2006-09-05T11:15:00.000+10:00

I'm not sure about losing things in translation, but humour can certainly be gained! Look at step #3!

Brână from New Zealand

2006-09-05T11:08:00.000+10:00

What an amazing find. In English, they use 'brinza' but the NZ pronunciation of the 'i' rendered a perfect Romanian one!

The laptop's specifications

2006-09-05T11:06:00.000+10:00

With particular reference to the power input!

NZ was awesome

2006-08-13T20:19:00.000+10:00

I shall write a more detailed acount of our epic trek across a tiny country. But for now, here are the pix:

New Zealand

May 29, 2006 - 36 Photos

Alan Jones book

2006-07-10T16:07:00.000+10:00

A though discussion about the Alan Jones book and the ABC’s board:
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/feeds/bst_20060707.mp3

Testing greek font :)

2006-06-28T17:17:00.000+10:00

τὸν αὐτὸν οὐ καλῶς λέγουσιν ̔πλήθει γὰρ καὶ ὀλιγότητι νομίζουσι [10] διαφέρειν ἀλλ' οὐκ εἴδει τούτων ἕκαστον, οἷον ἂν μὲν ὀλίγων, δεσπότην, ἂν δὲ πλειόνων, οἰκονόμον, ἂν δ' ἔτι πλειόνων, πολιτικὸν ἢ βασιλικόν, ὡς οὐδὲν διαφέρουσαν μεγάλην οἰκίαν ἢ μικρὰν πόλιν: καὶ πολιτικὸν δὲ καὶ βασιλικόν, ὅταν μὲν αὐτὸς ἐφεστήκῃ, βασιλικόν, ὅταν [15] δὲ κατὰ τοὺς λόγους τῆς ἐπιστήμης τῆς τοιαύτης κατὰ μέρος ἄρχων καὶ ἀρχόμενος, πολιτικόν: ταῦτα δ' οὐκ ἔστιν ἀληθῆ̓: δῆλον δ' ἔσται τὸ λεγόμενον ἐπισκοποῦσι κατὰ τὴν ὑφηγημένην μέθοδον. ὥσπερ γὰρ ἐν τοῖς ἄλλοις τὸ σύνθετον μέχρι τῶν ἀσυνθέτων ἀνάγκη διαιρεῖν ̔ταῦτα γὰρ ἐλάχιστα [20] μόρια τοῦ παντόσ̓, οὕτω καὶ πόλιν ἐξ ὧν σύγκειται σκοποῦντες ὀψόμεθα καὶ περὶ τούτων μᾶλλον, τί τε διαφέρουσιν ἀλλήλων καὶ εἴ τι τεχνικὸν ἐνδέχεται λαβεῖν περὶ ἕκαστον τῶν ῥηθέντων.

Scandinavian IRC song

2006-06-26T19:59:00.000+10:00

Have a look at this bizarre song!

Euro dance party!

2006-05-22T12:13:00.000+10:00

Be sure to come along to Shannon’s Euro dance party on Friday 9 June!

Homogamy meeting

2006-05-21T17:49:00.000+10:00

I think I will go and see what the general mood is. I love the design of the poster... but to see Brokeback Mountain for the third time??

THE DA VINCI CODE

2006-05-20T11:10:00.000+10:00

THE DA VINCI CODE

Let me commence with what I consider to be apt for a film so drenched in Catholicism: a confession. I have not read Dan Brown’s book, nor do I ever really intend to. From what I have heard about his prose ‘style’, it’s enough to keep me away. But I just had to watch the movie because it’s a cultural tsunami—you can choose to have your eyes open or your eyes closed, but either way you will get soaked.

I found the movie to feel very long. The time seemed to drag on and lead to mild nausea. The dialogue was thoroughly explicative, up to the point of being ridiculous. A radio commentator yesterday on Sydney’s 2BL (ABC 702) called it the ‘CSI-ification of cinema’, whereby the tricks and potential of film qua medium are being evaporated in favour of ‘good ol’ fashioned story-tellin’’. This consists of people talking their way through the narrative and explaining their motivations, sensations and reasoning. Director Ron Howard is guilty of this, but he stops short of having an omniscient narrator doing voice-overs!

As for the suspense factor in this so-called ‘religious thriller’, there was just one—when crazed monk Silas (a bleached-out Paul Bettany) lunges across the screen from right to left. Audrey Tautou tries ever-so-hard to shake the elfin curse of Amélie and almost succeeds. I would have cast Italian seductress Monica Bellucci in the role of Sophie Neveu… but it may have ruined the ‘gleaned grand-daughter’ angle. Tom Hanks does it aptly, but yet again, I would have picked Kelsey Grammer for that truly convincing intellectual presence—which only Ian McKellan possessed and indulged in, much to the appreciation of the audience.
I hear from those who have read the book at the emphasis on the clue-hunting and problem-solving has been diluted noticeably on the film. The clues in The Da Vinci Code movie seem to materialise efficiently and thereby quickly—there is less mystère about them. The whole sequencing of the pursuit and pacing seemed to have that little extra excess, which allowed me to catch my breath too often, diminishing from the tension that could have been.

On the plus side, I can’t say I detested the film. I am not seeking a refund for my ticket. The locations were stunning and this must surely have helped cinematographer Salvatore Totino capture their ‘ageless’ qualities. I liked the overall imagery of the film and the many symbols etc.

But now on to the good stuff. With so many Christian groups upset and calling for a boycott, it got me thinking. Why would they be so concerned about a work of fiction? Have a look for example at:“‘The Da Vinci Code’ gratuitously insults Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church," said Vincent Nichols, the Roman Catholic archbishop of Birmingham, England. "It deliberately presents fiction as fact.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/19/AR2006051901303.html

Is representing fiction as fact really all that new? You see, I believe the church is really afraid because Dan Brown and Ron Howard have engaged the church at its own game! We atheists have known for a long time that the divinity of Christ (and all religions for that matter) is nothing more than ‘fiction as fact’. I think the protests are really a sign of panic that the final vestiges of credibility are unravelling. In the post-modern world of competing meta-narratives, truth is that to which we subscribe. I think this is what scared the churches. Nietzsche, all those years ago, proclaimed the death of the philosophic God—Brown and Howard have brought it to the masses, with computer graphics, famous actors and exciting locations.

The all-too-rare glimpses into the clouded ecclesiastical history that the filmmakers give us—Council of Nicaea, Emperor Constantine, The Apocrypha, The Crusades, Opus Dei—function as hooks of interest for dramatic purposes: we are intrigued by this hush-hush, crypto-symbolic fetishism. But these points also illustrate just how much of a human institution Ecclesia Catholica is. It raises so many juicy questions, I could not help myself. For the interested reader/viewer, I provide two links. The first is a Wikipedia entry on Apocrypha, the second is the text of New Testament Apocrypha online. The existence of this ‘Other’, non-canonical texts is in itself a tantalising challenge to Christian ‘orthodoxy’ and authority… the tempting flavour of which the churches are combating against.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apocrypha

http://www.comparative-religion.com/christianity/apocrypha/

Happy reading!

Andrew Staker

Religion, religion and more so

2006-05-16T09:30:00.000+10:00

"Jones says Gloria Collins emailed him about the removal of Gideon's bibles from hospitals and schools. She is offended by their removal. Kelvin Blissett writes an outstanding piece in The Telegraph today about the incident. Some Islamic books contain racism, jihadism and suicide. The Commonwealth DPP found that the books were no threat under the new sedition laws. Vic health authorities are banning the bible from hospital bedsides. Gideon's International has placed Bibles to help people find their moral compass in time of need. Trevor Montsen(*), from Gideon's, said his organisation 'commits such matters to prayer'. Giving away Bibles and promoting Christianity is getting harder. In Vic, a Pentecostal pastor is appealing a guilty conviction under the racial discrimination act brought by the Islamic Council. In NSW, Greens MPs are introducing a bill that will de-exempt religious institutions from the Anti-Discrimination Act. This is in the context of Hollywood's $190m blockbuster The Da Vinci Code."

Bru's beautiful dill sauce recipe

2006-05-15T08:54:00.000+10:00

This is absolutely delicious!

1/2-1 jar Dijon mustard
1 tbs caster sugar
1-2 bunches of dill
1 cup oil
1 tbs white vinegar

You put them all in the blender and it turns out stunningly!

My short film is now online

2006-05-14T10:09:00.000+10:00

Like the millions of talentless minions, I have posted my short film
from 2003's Feast "Camp" onto the web. It is available in two place.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWeD0H0UvQg

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2601240746364667534

The google one was uploaded at a higher quality (150MB) whereas the
youtube one was 54MB because that site has a 100MB quota.

Enjoy!

I am like... so hung-over right now

2006-05-14T10:03:00.000+10:00

It's not funny. I had 1.5 bottles of wine... but I guess that was
something like 10 standard drinks. I must learn to be more careful.
It's not as bad as when Ho over-drank, but I came precipitously close.

I made the right choice in coming straight home with William and his
flatmate, rather than going to The Happiest Place on Earth which was
also on Sussex St. I think the heat combined with my intoxication
would have delivered near-disaster.

I have to get my alertness back, then clean up this place for
Tuesday's inspection, then watch some of my mounting pile of DVDs.

Yikes.

Euro-Fission?

2006-04-26T22:48:00.000+10:00

Okay, so how often do I laugh with tears in my eyes?
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8610362188397291938

Restaurants in Sydney

2006-04-11T20:33:00.000+10:00

"Patricia Fung, the director of the Melbourne restaurant which was knocked out of a list of the world's top 50 has congratulated the two Sydney ones which did make it. They are Tetsuya, which is fifth and Rockpool, which was 30th. The Flower Drum in Melbourne failed to make the list this year. El Bulli in N Spain regained the title of first in the world. Wilton says he has never been to Tetsuya's or Rockpool and wants to know what makes a good restaurant. He says some restaurants are 'too flush'. He says many fine dining places in Sydney closed down because people weren't going. He wants to know listeners' favourite restaurants and why."

2006-04-03T21:47:00.000+10:00

Ah, this was truly an amazing sight/site. The bushwalking around here is fantastic. I want more!

I wish I were the pup in that tent

2006-03-05T11:47:00.000+11:00

Nothing else to say really.

The Enemy

2006-03-05T11:41:00.000+11:00

What a striking angle, don't you think?

A sea of hearts

2006-03-05T11:35:00.000+11:00

This is from the GLRL march... we were resting our umbrellas at this point...!

Race issues online

2006-02-28T12:14:00.000+11:00

Talk about entertaining!!

28/02/2006 12:04:13 PM: Me = {footnotefetish} <->{sharoncuneta} Profile='m|25|Frenchs Forest' FROM=Asian START PRIVATE CHAT

28/02/2006 12:04:13 PM: {sharoncuneta}sydney

28/02/2006 12:04:31 PM: {sharoncuneta}sydney

28/02/2006 12:05:02 PM: {sharoncuneta}what an ugly pic

28/02/2006 12:05:51 PM: {footnotefetish}hmmm at least i have one

28/02/2006 12:06:18 PM: {sharoncuneta}i do have one username adreyno1981 bye wanker go fuck your asian trash

28/02/2006 12:06:28 PM: {sharoncuneta}happy mardi gras

28/02/2006 12:06:34 PM: {footnotefetish}indeed

28/02/2006 12:06:43 PM: {sharoncuneta}good

28/02/2006 12:08:24 PM: Me = {footnotefetish} <->{sharoncuneta} Profile='m|25|Frenchs Forest' FROM=Asian START PRIVATE CHAT

28/02/2006 12:08:24 PM: {sharoncuneta}u dont know any aaron do you?

28/02/2006 12:08:35 PM: {footnotefetish}what is your problem mate

28/02/2006 12:08:40 PM: {footnotefetish}plz leave me alone

28/02/2006 12:08:54 PM: {sharoncuneta}go fuck yourself u white trash

28/02/2006 12:09:15 PM: {sharoncuneta}what anu gly gwm you are seen better

28/02/2006 12:09:19 PM: {footnotefetish}dude, work out your race issues

28/02/2006 12:09:41 PM: {sharoncuneta}im fine ok stupid white prick

28/02/2006 12:10:00 PM: {footnotefetish}fine, just quit pvting me then!!

28/02/2006 12:10:00 PM: {sharoncuneta}I am no longer signed in!

A glimpse of excitement?

2006-02-27T09:56:00.000+11:00

Hello and welcome to the wondrous world of media monitoring...!

Danger, Danger! Magpies!

2006-02-27T09:52:00.000+11:00

This is one for Howo. I thought of you when I passed this sign in a park. I wonder how common such warnings are, both elsewhere in AU and in the world!

Egyptian Jelly

2006-02-24T08:54:00.000+11:00

Well I tried to make this jelly from Egypt twice. The second time I stirred much more thoroughly and it worked. There were still nastly gelatin deposits in the bottom of the plate!

David Irving to serve 3 yrs jail on Holocaust Denial

2006-02-21T08:51:00.000+11:00

Of course he will appeal, but the question on limitations of free speach if fascinating, especially given the Mohammed cartoons of late!

Irving jailed for denying Holocaust. 21/02/2006. ABC News Online
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200602/s1574398.htm
An Austrian court has found the right-wing British historian David Irving guilty of denying the Holocaust and sentenced him to three years in prison Irving appeared stunned by the verdict and says

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Ronnie Johns Half Hour and Islam

2006-02-19T23:15:00.000+11:00

According to their webiste, they were issued with a Fatwa
(http://www.ronniejohns.com/Media/fatwahRonnieJohns.pdf). They also
claim to host on their site a skit what was banned from the version of
their show aired on Channel 10 tonight. But I looked at the clip
(http://www.ronniejohns.com/Media/high5clean.mov) but I can't see any
difference between that and the aired skit. I am really confused. Did
anyone notice a difference, or find the right clip (without the word
'clean' in the filename?)

Thanks in advance.

Princes Hwy, SE South Australia

2006-02-16T21:24:00.000+11:00

Somewhere between Adelaide and Mt Gambier (SA) on the Princes Hwy

A French dinner?

2006-02-16T10:22:00.000+11:00

Well I finally had a full and proper taste of one French delicacy, and one nibble of another. The first was foie gras… which I must say is truly divine. It is like pâté but magnified a zillion times in complexity of flavour and texture. The second was a part of a slice of a truffle which is absolutely delicious. It is like chocolate, but nicer; it is like mushroom, but nicer; it is like butter, but nicer; it is like… well, you hopefully get the idea. We went to eat at Bilson’s which was truly delicious. Strange thing was each and every dish was $30… so your bill was just a multiple of the number of dishes you had. New concept, but I hesitate to say it makes sense.

What else… ah yes… how could I forget that we had that Moët et Chandon vintage 1999? Yummers… a night of sickly indulgence. What topped it off for me was the raspberry soufflé which was just decadent and a struggle to finish!

The Laws of Chess

2006-02-13T15:56:00.000+11:00

For anyone serious about playing chess: “The Laws of Chess” @
http://www.fide.com/official/handbook.asp?level=EE101

A round of putt-putt

2006-02-12T11:11:00.000+11:00

I just thought I'd put this up and show the whole world how we went. Look at the totals. It's quite hilarious. The play we went is technically in Ermington, so it made it hard to find but we did in the end. A great day out!

One for Scarlett fans

2006-02-10T08:43:00.000+11:00

Not sure if you've seen this but it's from the Vanity Fair photoshoot.
http://www.vanityfair.com/features/outtakes/060207feou

Have a good weekend.

Muslim cartoons

2006-02-06T15:43:00.000+11:00

Okay, so I’m too chicken to put the satirical Muslim cartoons on my blog, but I can give you a link to them: http://timblair.net/ This guy is brave!

I love reworking lyrics

2006-01-31T22:46:00.000+11:00

I love reworking lyrics:

Sisters are doin' it for themselves.
Standin' on their own two feet.
And ringin' on their own bells.
Sisters are doin' it for themselves.

Wankers… are doin’ it for themselves
Using their own two hands
And tossing their own two balls
Wankers… are doin’ it for themselves.

The IT Crowd

2006-01-31T09:24:00.000+11:00

I have just watched this online (www.channel4.com/itcrowd) before it was released on British TV. It's quite amusing, but a bit dull. Could just be the first episode though. I wonder if other show will have an online premiere after this one?

You gotta see this!

2006-01-30T00:41:00.000+11:00

http://www.youtube.com/?v=ULsRf3-e-0g

Mozart: pro and con!

2006-01-28T11:44:00.000+11:00

Two opposing views of Mozart!

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,17948393%255E16947,00.html

year of the dog

2006-01-27T07:18:00.000+11:00

"Catterns says the Chinese New Year starts Saturday, marking the beginning of the Year of the Dog. She speaks to Voet, who says the the animal changes every twelve years, but so does the element, making it a sixty year cycle. This is the year of the Fire Dog. The elements are metal, water, wood, fire and earth (12x5 years). He says dogs are friendly and because they are pack-animals, they are interested in kinship and family. That focus will be on everyone's mind in the coming year. Loyalty and friendship are themes. On the international scale, people may be working together. He says Sirius is the Dog Star, making this a lucky year. People will be striving for harmony this year. Voet says the New Year changes every year, depending on the Aquarius New Moon."

American warships on ACA

2006-01-24T18:54:00.000+11:00

Does anyone else find the reasons behind these segments dubious? Am I
paranoid, or does it help make us feel 'fuzzy' about government-backed
killers?

Life Gem

2006-01-22T18:48:00.000+11:00

My friend showed me something very weird today. I am not sure how to react. Is it just another American whimsy?
The LifeGem® is a certified, high-quality diamond created from the carbon of your loved one as a memorial to their unique life.
http://www.lifegem.com/secondary/whatisLG2006.aspx

Hewitt—second round LOSER

2006-01-20T15:31:00.001+11:00

http://www.abc.net.au/sport/columns/200601/s1551476.htm?tennis

A night at the movies

2006-01-19T12:32:00.000+11:00

So we went to the Sydney Hard Rock Café last night. It was a disgrace. The girl at the front, after saying ‘2 minutes, I just have to go set some tables’ and showing other diners to their table, came back and said we could dine there, but it would be ’10 or 15’ mins’ wait while she set up the table. Well naturally we couldn’t be stuffed, so we walked out. We had to be at a screening of John Waters’ A Dirty Shame by 21:00 and it was already 19:50. This is the second time we have tried to go to HRC without much success. Maybe next time?

I really loved the film. It was hilarious. Ho was too tired to watch it with any sort of alertness, but this morning he said it was a good film. It was nice to be in a cinema for a ‘one-off’ screening. Reminded me of my reviewing days. I must do something to get back into that game… I miss it too much!

Grubby politics indeed!!

2006-01-15T22:22:00.000+11:00

Hey there everyone. I am after some advice with regard to the scary practices of one individual, Peter Warren Consandine, who yesterday (14 Jan. 06) was on King St, Newtown (NSW) signing up members for his Republican Party of Australia (http://www.aec.gov.au/_content/Who/party_reg/registered/rpa.htm). Now, I have to disclose that as a member of the Australian Republican Movement (ARM / http://www.republic.org.au) I was obviously interested in Mr Consandine's little stall.

We got talking about politics and it all seemed fine. He said membership was only $10, but I only had a $5 note… I was joined up as an ‘honorary member’ at a special price. It was all good. I got to filling out his various petitions but refused to sign the petition that called for the abolition of the state governments (middle tier). That part made me a bit more aware.

Then it was time to sign the actual membership forms. The first one, which he explained was for the federal party, I signed willingly as it was labelled RPA. The second form, the one he left for last and which he was most keen to get signed, was a registration form for the 2007 NSW state election. He needed enough signatures to make sure the party could contest the aforementioned election. However, the RPA was not replaced by “Abolish State Governments (Community Republicans)”.

Well I told him then and there that I would not sign up. He then launched his spiel about how we all want to remove the middle tier of Australian government because “we are over-governed”. I chose to differ with him on this. I said “Can I revoke my membership?” to which he sardonically replied “Well I’ll just tear up your form then?” and he did so. He lost his swish, cheesy-salesman persona and became enraged. He told me to “piss off” and called me “another ARM time-waster”. He gave me my $5 note back and I walked off.

About a minute or two later, I heard my name being yelled out and I turned around to find Mr Consandine, frothingly demanding $5 back because he gave me two $5 notes back by accident. I was shaky and intimidated and thought it easier to cede the note than go through a street argument with a man whose state of mind I was not 100% sure about. I am dead certain he only gave me back one $5 note as I have no money at the moment (I ran out across Christmas/New Year).

Well, I thought his deceptive behaviour on the forms (I thought was signing up to RPA, but it became Abolish State Govts on the form!) was bad enough; but the money incident really topped the cake. I meant, how on earth can such a person, who smiles on second and rages the next get away with this. I want advice on how to approach the Aust Electoral Commission (www.aec.gov.au) and make a formal complaint about the practices. “Abolish State Govts” is not a registered party according to the site: he is using the RPA, which is registered, to register “ASG”. I feel this is wrong. I want someone out there to clarify the issue for me and what can/could be done about it. I don’t think it’s just that he coalesce the two parties without disclosing it.

Some URLs:
http://www.aph.gov.au/hansard/senate/commttee/S7541.pdf (read from electronic page 83ff to gauge some of his outlook and language)
Only one of these sites is relatively up to date: guess which one (
ASG: http://www.ozventures.com.au/ASG/
RPA: http://www.republicans.org.au/
This is his day-job: http://executivecommunications.com.au/

Annie Proulx's short story

2006-01-13T09:00:00.000+11:00

"Brokeback Mountain" that led to the film of the same name can be read here: http://www.wesjones.com/brokeback.htm

For problems with MS Word!

2005-12-14T12:28:00.000+11:00

For problems with MS Word!

Chatting with whales

2005-12-11T12:25:00.000+11:00

Well, I had a fun encounter on gay.com chat with a flabby fellow from the gold coast. Below I provide the hilarious banter, sure to enliven any web surfing experience!

http://www.gay.com/personals/profile/view.html?name=cuddlyboi40

«cuddlyboi40» at least i dont trawl the shithouse for some fanciful wannabe survey u sick fuck.  and ive never had a complaint re' my man boobs. you should get off the couch , strip off , and take a pic of woteva you've got under those lowes clothes
«evdaemonia» hehe... you pink bourgeois fuck... worrying about the label clothes carry   it's VILE
«cuddlyboi40» woteva
«evdaemonia» hehe
«evdaemonia» come on
«cuddlyboi40» take an ad out in new idea or something and leave the chat room for us real men, u new age picasso dipshit
«evdaemonia» at least dame edna makes being old and camp funny... you make it tragic :D
«cuddlyboi40» dear o dear that the best u can do?
«cuddlyboi40» try readin a newspaper instead of a dunny wall mate, u might learn something
«evdaemonia» what... the daily telegraph ?   hehe
«cuddlyboi40» i think you need to be on your own planet mate
«evdaemonia» you need an entire planet to hold you up :D
«cuddlyboi40» lucky im not down there buddy or id knock ur block off
«evdaemonia» hehe
«evdaemonia» resorting to physically violence...
«evdaemonia» how...   erotically charged!
«cuddlyboi40» well , ican do that or murder you with words, but why bother when u only have a peanut up top ?
«evdaemonia» what have you got?   a glacé cherry?
«cuddlyboi40» ur just a prick mate, thats all . full stop. go find yourself a basketweaving class
«evdaemonia» what makes you le creme de la creme of intellectual elitism?
«cuddlyboi40» im not , im just a bloke with common sense who would rather inspire ppl with information other than that found on a toilet wall you idiot
«evdaemonia» you only have one language and 'multi stream incomes'... says lots
«evdaemonia» what hell is that, anyway
«evdaemonia» multi-stream...?
«cuddlyboi40» it means none of ur business
«evdaemonia» hehe... it's a pseudo occupation for big fat gold-coast dwelling sand-whales :D
«cuddlyboi40» oh dear , back to primary school
«evdaemonia» well, unlike you, i still remember my pmy school days
«cuddlyboi40» next time im in newtown , i'll make you my hood ornament
«cuddlyboi40» bit of road kill mate
«evdaemonia» i bet you drive a 4WD!
«cuddlyboi40» a honda actually
«evdaemonia» oh, damn...
«cuddlyboi40» i can put a bullbar on it if u want
«evdaemonia» i gtg now
«evdaemonia» twas fun
«cuddlyboi40» i bet
«cuddlyboi40» get a life mate
«cuddlyboi40» on sale
«cuddlyboi40» at woolies
«cuddlyboi40» ailse 4
«cuddlyboi40» $5.66
«cuddlyboi40» your names on one of em
«evdaemonia» yours is on sale at ALDI, specials bin, $0.99 ono :D
«cuddlyboi40» too late . i beat u again
«evdaemonia» demonstrate how
«cuddlyboi40» :P pfffh
«cuddlyboi40» cya
«cuddlyboi40» read also
«cuddlyboi40» fuck off

Poor & Fat

2005-11-27T11:36:00.000+11:00

http://www.smh.com.au/news/health/poor-and-fat-/2005/11/26/1132966002659.html

The ARM

2005-11-20T20:32:00.000+11:00

The Australia Republican Movement

I was handing out pamphlets today for the ARM (http://www.republic.org.au) and was quite stunned by the extreme apathy of the people at passing through the Glebe Fair. Most of them were ignoring me. Some were outright rude, whilst other looked away, or through me. Of those who were interested, the majority were enthusiastic and courteous. I used to think Australia was 51% monarchist, 49% republican. Now, I’m not so sure. I wouldn’t say 10% republican and 90% monarchist; more like 10% political and 90% apolitical and apathetic—to the point of ignorance.

There is a huge difference between informed apathy/apolity and uninformed a/a. I am afraid that education is crucial to creating an informed polity who is involved and enthusiastic about politics. Of course, it follows that uninformed masses are more desirable to the ‘system quo’ than an in formed body politic. I believe change cannot be thrust onto the deaf mass from the elite; rather the mass must be educated and be made aware of the machinations of politics so they lose the ‘dead eye suburbanite’ appearance as they amble through the Glebe Fair. The fact that this level of apathy was registered at an Inner West fair is most disturbing… I wonder how much it increases further west? Or maybe it is a paradox and pleasant delights away out West. Somehow though, if I am hold onto the thesis that education is key, I doubt there is a surprise awaiting us!

My ID

2005-11-18T21:13:00.000+11:00

I have been so fucken slack these last few weeks. I just want to finish my work and enjoy the summer like normal people. Why won’t you let me live?!

I scary thought struck me not long ago today. Is my yearning/‘homesickness’ for Romania indicative of (a) my inability to be assimilated into Australia (and the implications for Aust. nation-building failing? (b) just my fault and not indicative of my generation/people in my similar circumstances/background, and therefore just my idiosyncrasy? Worse, if I find a solution, what will it mean for who I am and what I must do to achieve happiness? I will write a letter to The Australian expressing my thoughts and invite responses via email.

Riots Parisien

2005-11-07T13:15:00.000+11:00

Hello this working. I am really hungry today. Just got back from an exam at Sydney Uni, and after I finish reheating last night's leftover Asian food and sausages, I plan to get cracking with some more essay writing. Riots in Paris had been going on now for 11 days, and I'm getting quite worrying. Am not sure why am I should be were it doesn't really affect me at all. But the something disturbing about seeing France, a monument of Republicanism embroiled in such an ugly fight between groups. I guess it also signifies a weakening--or the chance of one-- within the EU, which of course affects the rest of Europe and particularly those countries which have acceded or plan to exceed very soon. My food is almost ready so I should say goodbye and see you some other time.

An island off the Norther Territory

2005-11-05T15:57:00.000+11:00

Just look at the bizarre shape of the water! I looks so strange, like a leaf!

Cold!

2005-11-02T08:17:00.000+11:00

I have only today emerged from what I can say is a bad and annoying cold. The symptoms were the worst part: runny/red nose and headache. I was not happy! The timing was all wrong, because I have essays due. I have come up with a good story idea, a firm idea the likes of which I have not had since last year’s “I now know God”. When I have more time, I shall write it. We now have a car, which means we can travel more easily!

A wild night!

2005-10-26T10:47:00.000+10:00

This is from the older photos, but it does give you some sense of hoe much fun we had. No apologies for the various liquor brands on show!

Humidity

2005-10-25T15:20:00.000+10:00

Sydney is so fucken humid!

'Waterloo' voted best Eurovision song. 23/10/2005. ABC News Online

2005-10-23T12:52:00.000+10:00

'Waterloo' voted best Eurovision song. 23/10/2005. ABC News Online: "'Waterloo' voted best Eurovision song

The worldwide hit Waterloo by the Swedish pop group ABBA has been voted the best song in the history of the Eurovision song contest.

A special show marking the 50th anniversary of the event was held in the Danish capital Copenhagen, and was broadcast to viewers in 31 countries.

ABBA broke up acrimoniously in the 1980s and was not present, but other winners did perform.

The Eurovision song contest has a huge following with many fans revelling in what critics say is a mix of kitsch costumes, bad music, vacuous lyrics and second-rate performances."

Squeeze the Jesus

2005-10-21T23:51:00.000+10:00

Hieronymous Wierix "Christ in the wine press"

Ken, Oh Ken

2005-10-21T12:15:00.000+10:00

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/comeback-ken-fights-for-barbie/2005/10/21/1129775933841.html

More more evolving

2005-10-21T12:10:00.000+10:00

Caller, Carla, says the scientist earlier said God could have used evolution to creat the world and there was nothing about God creating the world in six days. She says in the Bible, after each creation, it was evening, and morning, and the day. She says Christianity is based on the Bible, God's word. She believes it literally. She says creation happened 6,000 years ago and carbon dating methods are not accurate. She says it is based 'on a constant variable'. She says evolution is based on mutations and they are always for the worst. Delaney disagrees. He says people are evolving.

More relgion

2005-10-21T12:06:00.000+10:00

Caller, Marianne, says religion was never any good. It stands for destruction and revolution. She watched another horrifying segment about Auschwitz on the ABC. It is absolutely terrible. She says science is the natural way because the world creates and destroys itself. She quotes in Latin that the story of Christ is a fable. She says we will have no wars if we stop religion.

Science talk!

2005-10-21T11:54:00.000+10:00

Delaney says a number of Aust scientists have written to express their 'grave concern' that 'intelligent design' might be taught in schools. He speaks to Mike Archer, who says ID is a new phrase for creationism. It is aptly described as 'creationism in a tuxedo'. He says it is an attempt by the religious right, from the US, to try and get religion to replace or undermine science understanding in the community because they feel it threatens their religion and belief systems. He says Austs are more rational and clear-headed than the average American. Delaney agrees but is 'worried about the future'. He says it is easy to say that they're promoting an alternative scientific theory to evolution in school but in fact it is not science at all. Archer says the structure is really a religious belief system. The model that whatever science cannot explain is a work of God is not a satisfactory thing to do - it is in fact a violation of the logical argument called 'false dichotomy'. He says some of the examples put forward by intelligent designers 'smack of ignorance'. He says many of the examples are not as they claim 'irreducibly complex'. Delaney says by its nature, a fact or belief is not real by its very nature. The religionists point out that evolution is itself a theory that requires faith and therefore only as valid as intelligent design. Archer says that point is built on a misunderstanding of what is going on in science. He says evolution is not a theory but a model, comprised of thousands of theories. Delaney and Archer discuss the creation of the universe by way of water and snowflakes. Organic molecules have 'a compulsive need to bond into more complex structures'. Delaney asks if this violates 'the natural principle of entropy' (the second law of thermodynamics). Archer says that Isaac Newtown's argument was only for a an enclosed system - evolution takes place in an open system 'driven by the engine of solar energy'. There is nothing to violate the second law. Delaney asks if anything in science disproves religion. Archer points to 'theistic evolution', the variant taken by the Catholic and other mainstream churches - that God created the methods of science. No scientist nor creationist can disprove this point. God could have used evolution as a method of creation. He says creationists come unstuck because of their Biblical literalism. He says it is important to separate science and religion as they are apples and oranges. He says science doesn't involve a belief in absolutes. It is in fact always vulnerable to change - its ideas are always liable to being thrown out if disproved by testing. He says it is a self-checking process. He says intelligent design may be theologically questionable too.

Ducks!

2005-10-21T09:29:00.000+10:00

"Delaney says the star of a West End comedy in London has been kidnapped two days before opening night. It is a duck, Daphne. The musical is 'Ducktastic'. The police investigate the crimescene. The theatre is not very far from Chinatown, where there are many restaurants famed for their Peking Duck dishes."

USYD Fisher Library

2005-10-20T15:03:00.000+10:00

I am so fucken pissed off at Uni of Sydney Fisher Library right now. They have no access to Libraries Australia unless you do it through the tedious librarian who has no idea of even how to spell ‘cosmopolitanism’. Then they refuse to order a book from another uni because they have it in their collection already, even though someone else has borrowed it and its return would take a week! Today’s events, and others in the past, have demonstrated to me that the FL is more interested with money and balancing etc budgets than with help students do their research. It must be a Sydney thing to do though… long gone are the days of Adelaide Uni where I could borrow gratis any book from UniSA or Flinders Uni. OUCHIES!

I am very determined to sit in front of Fisher and hand out pamphlets of what I think is wrong with the system. Instead of nailing theses to the door, I shall hand them out. I wonder if I have to speak to student council etc bullshit about such a move, or whether I can just get a chair/table and sit! Oh, and would Campus Security, which is of course contracted out, come and remove me? I think library reform is crucial to a properly functioning university.

Now I have to go to UNSW and pay $50 for an annual fee that expires on Feb 28 (not kidding) just because I want to borrow a book. Some cunt has borrowed almost the entire Kymlicka oeuvre out of Fisher. I think I may know who it is, but I’m not going to point the ‘dirty’ multi-culti finger!

Same old

2005-10-18T20:47:00.000+10:00

So so tired. So so lazy. A woeful attempt at an oral presentation today. I really need to get off this internet stuff and onto my books or I shall regret it terribly much.

Had Happy Chef tonight, was okay! Must learn how to make it myself!

A weekend in the country!

2005-10-15T22:02:00.000+10:00

Yes, yes.

My mate Brad drove me up to near Maitland. It's beautiful in this part of Australia. We went to an antique auction preview, which was nice. Then to the bowling club buffet where I pigged out, especially on the dessert menu.

It's so quiet here, and being woken up by birdsong is enchanting! I am so lazy, can't be bothered to do anything... which I guess is okay, but I can't help feel unproductive--not that I'd do anything to rectify the situation.

This birdflu problem in Romania is quite a worry. I hope they resolve it soon. Speaking of which, where the fuck is my passport for that country? I want it. I may call the consulate! Not sure what time we're heading back to Sydney and I'm not that game to ask. It's probably best I just let that decision be made by the driver. I wish the weather would warm up... I feel like going for a swim at out pool.

They have delicious sourdough bread here. It's so yum, I may take the kalamata olive variety back down to Sydney.

Well, enough for now. My fucking Nokia 7600 is still annoying me. I wonder if it's Optus' fault or the phone per se? I will pursue the matter when I have more time. I really should get more reading done.

Number of blind people drops: WHO - Yahoo! Australia & NZ News

2005-10-13T00:44:00.000+10:00

Thursday October 13, 12:03 AM AAP

Number of blind people drops: WHO

Featured on Yahoo!
Celebrity news and gossipNEWS AND GOSSIP!
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The number of blind people worldwide, including 50,000 Australians, has started to dwindle for the first time, a World Health Organisation (WHO) report shows.

Melbourne ophthalmologist Hugh Taylor, of Eye Research Australia, said numbers had decreased from around 45 million in 2000 to about 38 million people despite world population growth.
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He said the report showed the strategies developed by the WHO's Vision 2020: The Right to Sight campaign, were starting to impact.

Before the campaign, WHO had forecast blindness would affect 55 million people by 2020.

Professor Taylor said the latest WHO report, to be released on Thursday in Geneva, referred to work in Australia towards the prevention of blindness and vision loss on a global scale.

Yet he said of the estimated 50,000 Australians suffering from blindness and the half a million with visual impairment, up to three-quarters of their eye problems were caused by conditions which were either preventable or treatable.

"Although we're doing well, we can actually do one heck of a lot better," Prof Taylor said in an interview to mark World Sight Day.

He said around 40,000 Australians were on public hospital waiting lists for cataract surgery, some having to suffer for years before being operated on.

The husband of 79-year-old Thelma Goronszy, of Redcliffe, north of Brisbane, told earlier this year of how she died in January, 2004, while waiting for a cataract operation.

Herbert Goronszy, 81, said in July his wife was almost blind, which led to her making a mistake with self-administered diabetes medication, an error that resulted in her death.

Prof Taylor said the community could not afford to have people waiting too long for cataract surgery.

"The cost ... of the increased falls and fractures and demand on community services is enormous and cataract surgery is so cost effective," he said.

Anyone who noticed a change in their vision should have their eyes examined straight away, Prof Taylor said.

"You're not going to fracture your leg and say: `Oh look, it's not such a problem. I'll wait until after Christmas to get it examined'," he said.

"You'll go off and get it examined right away. If you notice a change in vision, don't put it off until after Christmas.

"If there's something that can be treated, it's important that it gets treated quickly so you don't lose vision permanently."

Prof Taylor said people at high risk of vision impairment, such as the over 75s, diabetics and those with a family history of glaucoma should have eye checks every two years.

Otherwise, he advised people to have eye examinations by an ophthalmologist or optometrist every five years.

A game of chess!

2005-10-12T22:52:00.000+10:00

Well here’s an interesting match. I will try and get it up on chessgames.com—I realise the sense of vanity! But it was a really interesting game! I thoroughly enjoyed it!

[Event "rated blitz match"]
[Site "freechess.org"]
[Date "2005.10.12"]
[Round "?"]
[White "ozebloke"]
[Black "mallowisious"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "1304"]
[BlackElo "1145"]
[ECO "D00"]
[TimeControl "300+2"]

1. d4 d5 2. e3 e6 3. Bd3 c5 4. c3 c4 5. Bc2 Nc6 6. Nd2 Nf6 7. f4 b5 8. Ngf3 b4 9. O-O bxc3 10. bxc3 Bd6 11. Ne5 Qc7 12. Ndf3 O-O 13. Qe2 Ne4 14. Bxe4 dxe4 15. Ng5 Ba6 16. Qh5 h6 17. Ngxf7 Rxf7 18. Nxf7 Qxf7 19. Qxf7+ Kxf7 20. f5 exf5 21. Rxf5+ Ke6 22. Rf2 Rb8 23. Rb2 Rxb2 24. Bxb2 g5 25. Rf1 Bb5 26. g3 a5 27. Kg2 g4 28. Rd1 h5 29. d5+ Ke5 30. dxc6 Bxc6 31. h3 a4 32. a3 Bd7 33. h4 Ke6 34. Rd4 Bc5 35. Rxe4+ Kd5 36. Rd4+ Bxd4 37. cxd4 Ke4 38. Kf2 Bc6 39. Bc3 Kd3 40. Bb4 c3 41. Bxc3 Kxc3 42. Ke2 Kb3 43. Kd3 Kxa3 44. Kc2 Be4+ 45. Kc3 Ka2 46. Kc4 a3 47. d5 Kb2 48. d6 Bc6 49. e4 a2 50. e5 a1=Q 51. e6 Qc1+ 52. Kb4 Qe1+ 53. Kc5 Qxe6 54. Kxc6 Kc2 55. Kc7 Kd2 56. d7 Qxd7+ 57. Kxd7 Ke3 58. Ke6 Kf3 59. Kf5 Kxg3 60. Kg5 Kh3 61. Kxh5 g3 62. Kg5 g2 63. h5 g1=Q+ 64. Kf6 Kh4 65. h6 Qg8 {ozebloke resigns}0-1

2005-10-11T22:27:00.000+10:00

Rather, I think it is Australiana that is confronted by a woman in middle-eastern Islamic dress!!

2005-10-11T22:07:00.000+10:00

Art and About in Hyde Park... it's beautiful!

Tired!

2005-10-11T21:57:00.000+10:00

I had a mostly productive day today. I managed to read a bit, but the best news was getting extensions on two of the essays!! (That’s really good news!) I am quite tired now and have a headache. I went to Hyde Park and found something very interesting, which I will do tomorrow (I am so very tired). Had Italian Bowl tonight. Our strudel skills are improving each time we have a go!

Testing on Outlook

2005-10-08T00:16:00.000+10:00

Well it's been an eventful day of tests to check out how make it all work, but this is the last one. If Outlook can deliver it, we're in business. Just had a bbq at Brad's place. I had Ocean Trout and it was delicious. Why must good things cost so much money? I am still recovering from it. Tomorrow I have to concentrate on homework... as the days/hours are escaping me. I wonder if I'll end up at 'The Happiest Place in Sydney'. I sincerely hope so.

Time to go to bed, as keeping my eyes open is becoming a battle.

Some delightful talkback from 2SM

2005-10-07T10:50:00.000+10:00

Caller, Cedric, says Gary Stewart this morning had a lady on who was a Catholic who had married an Anglican person but it didn't matter. He says these days, when it comes to religion, rules mean nothing. He says in the secular world, rules and regulations are everything, if there's money involved. Delaney says the law applies to everybody but religious procedures and protocols don't. He says Christians have an indifference to their God, which is a problem. He says there is a snowballing effect of Islam going on. He says one should be worried about the release of terrorists in Indonesia. They discuss Abu Bakhar Bashir and his role in the Bali bombings. They discuss the possibility of reducing foreign aid to Indonesia. Cedric says Muslims are proud of their faith, but are not a proud people. He says most Muslims are nice people. They agree that there is some mistrust in the community about them, but this is often unfounded. It is the extremists who are a worry.
******
Delaney says Suzy Dent has written a book called 'Fanboys and Overdogs: the language report". He says the fanboy is a guy who's absorbed by a passion for comic books or computer games. The book looks at newly-coined words that will enter the dictionary in 10 years' time or so. It has examine the English language and its changes in the past 100 years. Last year's Word of the Year was 'podcasting'. This year's front-runner is 'sudoku'. He says in language today there is a tendency to 'big up' the language. Nothing is ever good or great, but rather 'over-wicked' and 'uber-buff'. Experts are 'meisters' and job titles have suffered this inflation. He gives various examples. The word 'crunk' is a conjunction of 'crazy' and 'drunk'.

Test x 2

2005-10-07T10:46:00.000+10:00

Just seeing if this works... nothing exciting!

Testing using email post

2005-10-07T10:24:00.000+10:00

I'm at work and kind of coping. That hot indian stuff from last night has sent me to the loo once so far. I wonder when the second bout comes? It was hot worth it! Ironically, having Indian again for lunch.

Epigramme du jour...

2005-10-07T00:21:00.000+10:00

You ignore those who notice you and notice the ones who ignore you.

I have to work tomorrow!

2005-10-06T23:39:00.000+10:00

I have to work tomorrow. Oh well, I really need the money so it should be fine. I had some really hot Chicken vindaloo from Tamana’s. I coped… but only just. Alan Jones is in trouble, so it should be good at work tomorrow.

I have to spend time on homework this weekend… and work out my three major essays…

Restuarant Twelve sux!

2005-10-05T08:55:00.000+10:00

We went to restaurant Twelve just down on King St last night. It was far too over-priced for the shockingly bad level of service. The waitresses (no guys) were as if from a Mattel box. The food itself was okay, but the spinach gnocchi I could have had anywhere, and they would probably have been more perky. There was no atmosphere either. It was just loud and full of sharp lines and smooth, monochromatic planes. Not my idea of a good time at all.

The fact that Ms Accent forgot our order—she offered the dessert menu before the mains had arrived!—was a real let-down and held us up. I hate all these pseudo-Italian or pseudo-Euro places with Anglophonic chefs or owners names under the entrance. They’re thoroughly pretentious and if they can’t deliver a good night out and a decent plate of pasta for an entrée of $15 and a main of $20, well they should just be bombed out of existence.

I will attempt to do more reading today. I fell asleep yesterday whilst listening to 2MBS… I guess it was bound to happen. Must stay focussed!

2005-10-03T23:35:00.000+10:00

These Christians will try anything...

2005-10-03T23:01:00.000+10:00

A yellow goodbye!

2005-10-03T22:59:00.001+10:00

Interesting shape...

2005-10-03T22:59:00.000+10:00

Perfect white!

2005-10-03T22:58:00.000+10:00

A field of red

2005-10-03T22:57:00.001+10:00

White is kind of pure and serene!

2005-10-03T22:57:00.000+10:00

Tulips a-plenty!

2005-10-03T21:49:00.000+10:00

This is a test-post of the yellow tulips at Bowral!

Tulips at Bowral

2005-10-03T21:39:00.000+10:00

Well, I went to Bowral today to look at tulips. It was a truly beautiful experience. The yellow ones remain my favourite. I have tried to post some photos using Picasa etc but it doesn’t seem to be working too well! Not sure about what to do. I may need some help, but not sure where to get it from. I made a cherry strudel using filo pastry. Mildly successful, but I forget the sugar! At least it didn’t fall apart like my previous attempts!

Beach-walking

2005-10-02T16:03:00.000+10:00

We went for a long walk from Coogee beach up to Bondi, where I had some mákostészta at the Wellington Cake Shop. Beautiful!

I am excessively tired. Would have gone for a swim, except the building’s pool is not properly cleaned yet. All those leaves intimidate me a bit. Will be making spaghetti tonight… and old favourite, but done on a gas flame for the first time in ages. Quite exciting. Not sure what to do tonight. Tomorrow is a public holiday, and I am supposed to be going to Canberra for the tulip thing. I hope so much Brad is still taking me.

Test typing...

2005-10-01T20:58:00.000+10:00

12. The Greeks in Ptolemaic Egypt

6. Deed of Divorce

BGU. 1103. 13BC

Πρωτάρχωι παρα Ζωίδος τῆς Ἡρακλείδου μετὰ κυ-ρίου τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ Εἰρηναίου τοῦ Ἡρακλείδου καὶ παρὰ Ἀντιπάτρου [τ]οῦ Ζήνωνος. Συ[νχω-]ροῦσιν Ζωὶς καὶ Ἀντίπατρος κεχωρίσ[θ]αι ἀπ’ ἀλλήλων τῆς συστάης αὐτοῖ[ς συμ]βιώσεως κατὰ συγχώρησιν διὰ τοῦ [αὐ-]τοῦ κριτηρίου τῷ ἐνεστῶτι ιζ’ (ἔτει) Καίσαρ[ος] Ἁθύρ, ἡ δὲ Ζωὶς ἀπεσχηκέναι παρὰ τοῦ Ἀντιπάτρου διὰ χιρὸς ἐξ οἴκου ὅ εἶχεν εἰς φερνάριον ἱματίδια ἐν ἀργυ[ρί]ου δρα[χμαῖς]

Air Force scares Santa's reindeer to death. 01/10/2005. ABC News Online

2005-10-01T18:23:00.000+10:00

Air Force scares Santa's reindeer to death. 01/10/2005. ABC News Online: "Air Force scares Santa's reindeer to death

Santa Claus will receive $A6,571 in compensation from the Danish Air Force after an F-16 fighter jet frightened one of his reindeers to death.

Professional Danish Santa Olavi Niikanoff complained to the Air Force after a reindeer died of fright when a jet roared over the field where his animals were grazing.

Air Force spokesman Captain Morten Jensen says the Defence Force accepts responsibility.

'We acknowledge it was our fault and we have to pay compensation,' he said.

Capt Jensen says the Air Force regularly pays out sums of money to compensate for animals that die of fright when planes boom overhead.

- Reuters"

Had a really lazy day

2005-10-01T18:13:00.000+10:00

Had a really lazy day today. Yum Cha at Sky Phoenix, which was nice. I like the way the food just keeps coming and coming, as if to overwhelm your capacity of making choices!

More Asian food tonight. May possibly be going to see tulips in Canberra on Monday, which is rather exciting! May go clubbing tonight, but have not yet decided. Have rediscovered the joys of SimCity4, but the little bugs make it frustrating. Their website does not currently sell the Rush Hour expansion pack, which is a pity!

Well its sunning up

2005-09-30T12:30:00.000+10:00

Well, it’s sunning up in Sydney, and that means I am in a great mood. I just have to finish this damn homework and I can enjoy it. (Well, after I was the dishes). I wonder if we’re still going to the Buddhist temple down toward Wollongong? I would like to go, but mainly because it’s a diversion away from Sydney.

Had take-away Thai last night… was alright, but is curry meant to be that runny? Not sure about tonight. I really would like to some fish! I was able to find TMC on Google earth, as well as my parents’ home. That’s all really cool.

EndNote EndNote

2005-09-29T16:14:00.000+10:00

End-Note, End-Note. It’s vile and ugly, and it’s just driving me crazy. Or could it be MS Word that’s in error. Or even me, who hasn’t bothered to properly learn a program I knew I’d eventually need. I think it’s time for a crash-course of End-Note (

Mediocre nighttime muchies!

2005-09-28T21:47:00.000+10:00

Just had some very mediocre ‘Italian’ food from Glebe. I can’t even recall the restaurant’s name, but we ended up there because Atelier kicked us out… well, they said they were over-booked. The entré was stingy, consisting of one prawn and one scallop: the rest was calamari.

Then there was the main-size pasta for $21, which was okay, except it had to be sent back because it wasn’t properly cooked. And the waitress had the cheek to say it was meant to be that way: it’s what they call “al dente”. That was quite hilarious!
There was also a British bimbo who would have felt more comfy in a rave or some other place where drugs and disorientation are the norm. All up an awful night. We tried to go before-hand to the Ultimo Wine Centre, but arrived just as they were closing. I had three minutes inside. My hunt for the sparkling Riesling goes on. I shall have to contact Skillagalee myself, methinks. Or go to Alsace… which is what everyone seems to be intimating.

Hmmm What to do for

2005-09-28T16:06:00.000+10:00

Hmmm. What to do for tonight? Maybe see a movie? Which? I wanna take a bath, then shave. But I always feel so lazy doing that kind of thing. Shouldn’t I be doing something more productive? I at way too much today. Naan, ice-cream and some left-over Thai green curry chicken. And it’s only 4PM. I need to get a grip!

Well I had soon bett

2005-09-28T09:43:00.000+10:00

Well, I had soon better go and watch the Frasier tapes from last night, which was on at the same time as a new Simpsons episode. Dinner was chicken, which was nice, but my goddam pastry efforts never lead to fruition. I may just do a pastry course so I know what the hell is involved!

I still have homework today, which I know I have to do but I am so so slack. There is so much paper… who would have though, working with documents. My logic is I watch some TV then dive into the work in earnest. Problem is, it never works that way.

Last night, the ABC’s new culture show, Vulture, aired for the first time. It was pretty lame/tame. It’s fishing for a broad appeal… which is always depressing. However, I did like the arthouse film sendup… the fourth colour, Green… hehe. They were also talking about the presence of postmodernism in highschool English curricula around the country. I am still unsure as to where I stand on the issue. The dumbing-down of the curriculum, to include texts not from the canon, such as ads, newspaper articles and other ephemera is supposed to be more democratic. But I can’t be an advocate of something I didn’t receive, can I? In my education, it was pretty much classics all the way, and I am so thankful because their sheer beauty and profundity touch me to this day. How on earth are the present students to dive so deeply into the human condition when they read film scripts and films, but not the novel the movie is based on?

In my Year 12 English, the texts I chose for my private comparative study were based on BBC period dramas (adaptations) of classics which aired on the ABC and which I really liked. So I first saw the adaptation, then read the books and studied them. I can still vividly remember Fielding’s Tom Jones and Thackeray’s ‘’ and Jude the Obscure, most likely because I had initially seen them on TV. I may just be a very visual person…

Just before midday

2005-09-27T11:37:00.000+10:00

I’m off to the Sydney Jewish Museum’s library. I wonder what we should have for dinner tonight? If I cook, it requires cleaning, especially the sink. However, if I don’t clean, the place will still even more than usual. I want a slave! I want more time! I wanna get this uni work out of the way. I wish the weather would hurry up and get warm!

Sydney weather and roaches!

2005-09-27T09:02:00.000+10:00

This is a test post with the new MS Word extension.

While I’m at it, I should rant a little about the weather in Sydney. I just wish the warmth would come. I thought I was a gloomy, winter person who loved grey clouds etc. But guess what, I’m not. I yearn for that lovely sun to pierce the sky and let me finally enter the pool.

Another Sydney thing I have had trouble getting used to is cockroaches. Now, apparently, these pests are a standard feature here, especially in inner-city living. No matter where you go, you can expect to see them. This is rather different to Adelaide, where the house was as filthy, if not more so, yet we didn’t see any. It must have something to do with the humidity—a reason, perhaps, not to look forward to the summer.