I’m not claiming that the Catholic Pope actually ever had any credibility with me, but I know he does with some Catholics (still), and I wonder how they can let his latest two foot in mouth statements through without suggesting that he be sacked. It would be nice if the Catholic Church was a democratic institution wouldn’t it… let me enjoy that vision for a moment…. mmmm… ok, sadly back to reality.
Ok, first stupid statement was published before Christmas, and I know I’m late to the blogging party with this one, but I thought I’d blog on it anyway, as well as link to already fantastic commentary on his ludicrous claims. This claim being that “paedophilia wasn’t considered an “absolute evil” as recently as the 1970s.” All I can think, when I read something like that is, “WTF? Have you no idea about the world you move in?”
I’m Australian, and consequently value real-estate quite a lot (housing is in short supply and consequently rather expensive). I’m also, I guess, an intellectual, and value knowledge and books quite a lot too. So when I see photos, like these of Detroit, I am unable to comprehend why there is so much derelict property lying around (not to mention books, and police files). I do understand that Detroit is in the process of being abandoned and that there are many (apparently) insurmountable social issues, as well as being part of the rust belt’s decline, but I am staggered by the decay and abandonment of the property in these photos. Every time I see photos of abandoned real-estate in the US (without good reason like it being riddled with asbestos or unsafe to live in), I wonder how a nation can have such a glut of what is/was perfectly serviceable property that could be turned into residences or something else useful.
A photo of a library in disrepair. Books line shelves or are on the ground, light filters through a dirty window and the paint is peeling from the ceilingPhotos from police dossiers litter the floor of a police office. Filing cabinets have their draws left open and the paint on a secure room door peels
This photo (above) disturbs me for the wanton privacy breach. Because the people represented in the photos here clearly don’t deserve any privacy.
A ransacked desk is in the foreground with draws pulled open and a box of what appears to be brightly coloured Children's Books spilled onto the floor. The paint in the wide but brightly lit room is peeling and books remain on the shelves on the far walls
I read this article today “‘Octomum’ faces eviction or making pact with porn king” and thought it was ALL kinds of wrong. I was going to blog on it, but Melissa at Shakesville has already done a fantastic job here. I’d just like to add that the whole financials for the house seem really really weird. From the very little mentioned in the article, it sounds like the mortgage was from a loan shark and not a bank or other “reputable” financial institution. I don’t know, and I hope that Nadya Suleman and her family remain safe.
The US Navy has finally decided to ban smoking on their submarines because the risks of second hand smoke are “severe”.
The US Navy is banning its crews from smoking aboard submarines, after a study found the risks of second-hand smoke were severe.
Submarine Forces Commander Vice-Admiral John Donnelly ordered the ban aboard 73 US subs, citing health concerns.
”Recent testing has proven that, despite our atmosphere purification technology, there are unacceptable levels of secondhand smoke in the atmosphere of a submerged submarine,” he said. (The Age)
Seriously? What year do they think it is? The dangers of second-hand smoke have been known for quite a long time, and surely the Navy would be far more interested in having their soldiers at peak physical fitness instead of craving nicotine or suffering the effects of second hand smoke.
The US appears to be a much different beast when it comes to smoking than Australia, which started banning workplace smoking in the mid 1980s. According to Wikipedia:
Although Congress has not attempted to enact a general nationwide federal smoking ban in workplaces, several federal regulations do concern indoor smoking. Effective April 1998, smoking is banned by the United States Department of Transportation on all commercial passenger flights in the United States, and/or by American air carriers. On August 9, 1997, President Bill Clinton issued Executive Order 13058, banning smoking in all interior spaces owned, rented, or leased by the Executive Branch of the Federal Government, as well as in any outdoor areas under executive branch control near air intake ducts.
Which I thought would have included spaces used by the Navy, which is part of the Executive Branch of the US Federal Government. Remind me not to take my smoke-free workplaces for granted or to travel in a submarine any time soon. I value my lungs, throat and mouth… and love not stinking of cigarette smoke after a night out on the town these days. I’m a happy non-smoker and user of smoke free places.
It’s now 2011, and probably is now across most of the globe. After a chat with my sister earlier today and reading a tweet from MyMilkSpilt which said:
This NYE do yourself a big favour: don’t resolve to lose weight. Set activity & home-cooking goals instead, if you wanna ‘get healthy’!
I thought I’d write down my resolutions for this year. I’m trying to make relatively concrete resolutions about things that I am able to control. The happiness of others, for example, is not something I can control, so won’t be on my list of things that I’d like to achieve/happen this year.
Cook more often – I cooked a lot last year, more than I have other years and consequently I ate a whole lot less take-away than previous years. I want to continue this into 2011, because I’m an awesome cook and I really love cooking. I know I’m privileged by both being able to cook and generally having time to cook (as well as a partner who will also take turns in cooking). I will also attempt to learn more recipes and cuisines. I had fun exploring Moroccan last year and this year perhaps I should try something else as well.
Exercise – Last year was up and down regarding exercise with time, health, stress and dramas getting in the way. This year I want to get to the gym twice a week (at least) and to walk more and climb more stairs. I do actually like being active and the way my body feels (after the initial shock). So more of that please.
Travel – I will travel to places this year that I have not been to (and places that I have, and really like). I have rough plans to travel to Byron Bay and the UK, so will travel with an open mind, a willingness to have fun, and understanding that things don’t always go as planned.
Writing – I plan to blog more, and not always write long, detailed and deconstruction posts, but just quick short ones pointing out things that interest me, annoy me, or have made me think. I might even participate in NaNoWriMo this year to write out the novel that is forming in my head (or another one if I finish that one first).
Believe in me – I’m going to spend more of this year (than I did last year) believing that I am entirely capable of what most people believe I am… well the positive things…. the negative things will not be listened to.
I hope that 2011 is far, far, far more awesome for everyone than 2010. Do you have any new year resolutions that you’d like to share?
2010 has been a really tough year for people I love and care about, and for me (but to a lesser extent). I don’t know many people who’ve had a great year, there seems to be an unfortunate coincidence in my social circle of unhappy people, broken relationships, job stress, relationship stress, study stress, health stress and money stress. If I was asked to nominate the worst years in my life, this year would rank in the top 5 of crap years (which makes me instantly think over the other 4 crap years – how depressing).
So instead, I’m going to focus on the good things – because even though there were some hard, dark and miserable moments this year, there were also some really fantastic moments. This post is inspired by a conversation I had on Christmas Day with a friend I don’t talk to nearly often enough, who related to me his three best moments of 2010 in order to change focus from the negatives of the year to the positives. I’d like to share with you my (at least) three most positive moments of 2010, moments that were life-changing, heartening or just plain awesome (I know, I set the bar low don’t I?).
One: James and I recently spent a weekend away in Bright. Everything was perfect (all things considered). We hiked, we ate great food, we saw many beautiful things, we took many photos, we had a spa, we relaxed together, we bought cheese from a cheese factory and we had a great time. Given the time and money pressures both James and I had in 2010, it was absolutely amazing to be able to get away for a weekend and relax.
Rebecca grins at the camera with her hands on her hips and a hat shading her eyes
James is strong and holds up the rock
Two: I got a job. This doesn’t necessarily seem like an amazing thing, but I got a job that I thought I was only just qualified for, for a company that is ahead of its time. It was really affirming to be told, consistently, that I have everything that this company wants and needs, despite not feeling that myself. I do feel a little like I’ve joined an elite unit of … something, but on the other hand I’m being paid well to do a job in a field that I’ve just graduated from, and I’m going to get all the on-the-job training I need as well any formal training… and the future opportunities are very bright indeed.
Here is my company and one of the biggest reasons I’m very proud to work here already.
(The video is subtitled, if a transcript is required let me know and I’ll find/create one).
[EDIT: I’ve just found this FANTASTIC timeline of IBM diversity, including when the first non-white people were hired, when women were hired, when disabled people were hired, the scholarships and other activities that IBM has undertaken with disadvantaged communities, etc. It makes great reading]
[EDIT again: IBM paid women equal pay for equal work as of 1935 – I did say ahead of their time]
Three: Taking my “family” to Alice Springs to see where I grew up and what my country is. I’m deeply attached to Alice Springs and travelling around there is going to my spiritual home. I like seeing what’s changed and what is the same, measuring the years I’ve been away by what is different and minimising them again by what has remained. It’s now a regular pilgrimage for me, and will be for a long time. Being able to show off my home and the places which are special to me, to people I love, was fantastic. Yes the weather wasn’t great, and the accommodation could have been nicer, but it was great to spend a week with everyone while playing tour guide.
Mount Gillen and cloudsSimpsons Gap cloud kissedSpiny wattle with water droplets
My other moments worth mentioning include finally completing and graduating with a Degree (Yay!) and being a refuge for a dear friend when needed. So, what were your best moments of 2010?
I briefly ran out of bandwidth, making the site unavailable. I’ve increased my monthly bandwidth quota now, so that shouldn’t happen again, unless I get even more popular. So we’re back in business.
A dear friend, who is a devout Baptist, sent my husband and I a Christmas card this year. He’s recently found out that we’re now atheists, both queer and probably that we’re also polyamorous. This was probably a bit of a shock to his system, but I thought that the inclusions of the following in his Christmas card was not necessary:
He hasn’t forgotten you and neither have we
and
“If there is no God we must conclude that we live in a randomly generated mechanical universe in which moral judgements are merely a matter of preference and a moral objection to the holocaust has the same weight and validity as a dislike for lemon cheesecake”
The last quote is unattributed, so I don’t know if it was something that he wrote, or something that he quoted and failed to attribute. I’ve done a quick google search and am unable to find the source of the quote, so if you do know, tell me and I’ll attribute the quote accordingly.
And then today my husband’s guest post received a comment from David which is kinda summed up (in essence at least) in the quote provided by my dear friend. I want to point out to Christians, and believers in any other faith traditions, that this kinda behaviour is really rude.
The recent tragedy on Christmas Island is beyond words. My sympathies are with the families who are mourning those who did not survive. This post is written because of what has been said since they arrived and their boat disintegrated with some dying and others surviving heavily traumatised, and in a very small way I hope that some people read it and realise that kicking the boat people football is a very bad game.
Unsurprisingly, the recent tragedy has brought out the usual political pundits, kicking the ball all over the place, blaming the Government for the tragedy (both the executive and the legislative arms) and suggesting that as the Labour Government overturned the previous Liberal Government’s Pacific Solution, that they’re responsible for boats arriving to Australia, and that Customs, AFP, Immigration and/or Defence should have known that the boat was nearby (despite the weather and sea playing interference with radar, and the sheer size of territory they’re responsible for monitoring – press release via another website here).
Let’s start with the latter point because it’s fairly simple to address – and I’ve pretty much done so with the fact that a small wooden boat, in high (near monsoonal) seas is going to be hard to spot. Let’s not also Public Service bash, which is nice and easy with a big conglomerate of faceless individuals, but as a former Immigration staffer, I can tell you that most Public Servants I worked with were left leaning, compassionate and dedicated human beings. The type of people you’d actually want making the tough decisions that get made.
I’ve been collecting articles for this post for the past two days (I would have written this last night but our home internet was shaped), so it will be link and quote heavy, but I think this is an important issue to post about and is going to take me the whole evening, so I hope you enjoy it while I settle down to write what’s on my mind. And it’s going to be LONG.
What is Wikileaks?
Just in case you’ve not had access to the news and don’t know what Wikileaks is, and why I’d be blogging about it, Wikileaks is an organisation (to put it simply) that releases leaked information (typically about governments) to the media and wider world (currently hosted here). This year (2010), they’ve published documents mostly on the US Government, causing it quite a lot of embarrassment – releasing leaked documents on the Iraq and Afghan wars and most recently (and what has caused the current shitstorm) it has started releasing over 250,000 diplomatic cables sent between US embassies and the US State Department, drip feeding their release in conjunction with several major media organisations.
