March – and all that entails

 

I heard that you're settled down,
That you found a girl and you're married now,
I heard that your dreams came true,
Guess she gave you things I didn't give to you,
Old friend, why are you so shy?
Ain't like you to hold back or hide from the light,

I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited,
But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it,
I had hoped you'd see my face,
And that you'd be reminded that for me it isn't over,

Never mind, I'll find someone like you,
I wish nothing but the best for you, too,
Don't forget me, I beg,
I remember you said,
"Sometimes it lasts in love,
But sometimes it hurts instead,"
Sometimes it lasts in love,
But sometimes it hurts instead, yeah,

You know how the time flies,
Only yesterday was the time of our lives,
We were born and raised in a summer haze,
Bound by the surprise of our glory days,

I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited,
But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it,
I had hoped you'd see my face,
And that you'd be reminded that for me it isn't over,


Never mind, I'll find someone like you,
I wish nothing but the best for you, too,
Don't forget me, I beg,
I remember you said,
"Sometimes it lasts in love,
But sometimes it hurts instead,"

Nothing compares,
No worries or cares,
Regrets and mistakes, they're memories made,
Who would have known how bittersweet this would taste?

Never mind, I'll find someone like you,
I wish nothing but the best for you,
Don't forget me, I beg,
I remember you said,
"Sometimes it lasts in love,
But sometimes it hurts instead,"

Never mind, I'll find someone like you,
I wish nothing but the best for you, too,
Don't forget me, I beg,
I remember you said,
"Sometimes it lasts in love,
But sometimes it hurts instead,"
Sometimes it lasts in love,
But sometimes it hurts instead.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-iOcKaSeFo

Don’t you know that (old) white men can’t negotiate?

I have spent part of the day in a 'workshop' with a group of people from across my organisation to discuss (again) a matter of importance.

 

So the discussion pretty much goes like this:

• It's not my fault
  
• We need more…money people time
  
• That doesn't apply to me (or the I'm special rant)
  

 

I try not to pay too much attention to it. Because all it does is wind me up. So I think about my farm, or other things I need to do at work, or my boy or… well… you know.

 

The biggest issue I have is to keep my unvalidated, possibly unhelpful opinions to myself. All that really happens I that I get a very sore tongue (from biting it so hard) and a headache.

 

I am trying to be much more zen of philosophical about it and think in terms of moral objectivism.

Ethics and morals are supposedly interchangeable as words – in fact one is from the latin root and the other from the greek.

 

And of course the view we have now is one (morals) is more driven by organisations or communities – such as organised religion – and the other (ethics) is driven from a personal point of view.

 

So my own set of ethics and morals are currently being challenged. I am learning about moral objectivism, moral realism and the rest. So I am using my new found knowledge to remember that there is only one REAL truth and it can only be revealed through research and understanding – not just passionate opinion.

The thinking I have learnt recently that I really like is the negation of the statement "I am entitled to my own opinion". Well, the real situation is that you are NOT entitled to it. You may have an opinion – that much is true – but you are no more entitled to one any more than simply entering a race means you have won it. To be entitled to an opinion means you will have thought deeply about it, researched it, had it critiqued etc – to indicate that your position is validated and worthy.

This has really helped in these type of workshops and meetings – understanding that every individual has a moral/ethical standpoint – and may well truly believe that their standpoint is 100% true and right. However, it is impossible for every individual's views to be 100% truth – as it is impossible for more than one truth to exist. So all that remains is one truth and many opinions.

 

That REALLY helps me keep my mouth shut. I only ever want to be on the side of the 100% truth – and it takes a long time to get there.

On a brighter note – it is the last days of summer, the garden looks great, my dog and chooks are happy and my boy is home. Gotta be happy with that.

 

And it is International Women's Day on 8^th March. Embrace your inner feminist, embrace the feminist in your life and say it LOUD and PROUD.

Girls can do anything.

 

This is what a feminist looks like

I have a very wonderful and smart and capable friend who is always doing interesting things.

Her current project is one that I am very much looking forward to being a part of – when I get organised.

It is called "The Dawn Conspiracy" – and here is some information about it. And more importantly how you can get involved.

The Dawn Conspiracy is a new initiative that will take a look Inside Australian Feminist Culture in the lead up to International Women's Day 2011 (8 March). More information about the The Dawn Conspiracy can be found at thedawnconspiracy.tumblr.com, on Twitter @dawnconspiracy or you can email us at thedawnconspiracy@gmail.com.
Of the line up of events that have been organised, we are creating a video project that showcases the voices of Australians who see feminism as an important part of Australian culture and their own lives. Much like the It Gets Better Project, we hope feminists from around the country will contribute and tell us why feminism is important to them. Our crack team of editors will create a presentation that will be screened at the Friday 4th March gala event, as well as uploaded to our YouTube channel. It would be an amazing way to show your support for this new initiative and connect with other supporters.

Sounds good? This is how you can be involved..

All you need to do is film yourself answering one or all of these questions:

1) I'm a feminist because ...
2) To me, feminism means ...
3) What would you tell your younger self about women?

Send responses to us by 1 March to be included in the public presentation on the 5th, otherwise keep them coming and they'll be uploaded to our YouTube channel.As part of the line up of events that have been organised, we are creating a video project that showcases the voices of Australians who see feminism as an important part of Australian culture and their own lives. Much like the It Gets Better Project, we hope feminists from around the country will contribute and tell us why feminism is important to them. Our crack team of editors will create a presentation that will be screen at the Friday 4^th March gala event, as well as uploaded to our YouTube Channel. It would be an amazing way to show your support for this new initiative .

Sound good? This is how you can be involved…

All you need to do is film yourself answering one or all of these questions

I am a feminist because…

• To me, feminism means…
  
• What would you tell your younger self about women?
  

http://www.youtube.com/user/thedawnconspiracy

So in Today's installment – I am going to write my thoughts on this – so it will be easier when I come to film them tonight.

I am a feminist because I think that it is my duty to continue to fight the good fight – and remind young women that we stand so tall because we stand on the shoulders of giants. I am a feminist so I can raise the profile of outstanding women from all walks of life and areas of the globe. I am a feminist because I truly believe girls CAN do anything.

To me feminism means highlighting the successes of women, supporting and encouraging women to reach their own version of success and to be a 'thorn in the side' of mainstream thinking that continues to reinforce old fashioned stereotypes.

I would tell my younger self to recognise her allies amongst the strong women in her life. I would tell her that amazing women come from everywhere, not just those that she sees on TV. I would tell her to accept their support and advice in good grace – because they have already fought the battle and will save her a lot of heartache. I would tell her to recognise that it is neither men nor women who are the enemy – but outdated thinking and the limits that she places on herself. And above all I would let her know that no matter the obstacles, pain or heartache, girls truly can do anything.

Alone not Lonely

I am now officially a 'rig widow'

The boy has gone out to work on a work over rig – out in the Surat Basin, to see if we can't get our share of the resources boom money.

 

I am not in favour of it. Once upon a time, many moons ago, and a whole life past, I had a boyfriend who was away a lot. And I am not talking leave on Monday back on Thursday a lot – I am talking leave in January, see you in March a lot.

 

And I hated it.

 

So I am not really happy with the idea of it happening again. To exacerbate the situation – I am or rather we were invited to a wedding this weekend. I am so sure it is going to be such a great wedding – and heaps of fun – but now I have to go by myself. It's not just going to the wedding, it's the 10 hour drive by myself, the three nights staying in an ultra romantic bed and breakfast by myself. The filling in time before the wedding, the not having anyone to sit with – or to gossip about the other guests – or to hold my lipstick or….

 

Well the list goes on. Now, I know that he will be back – and that it is only for two weeks, but it doesn't help me right now. He has no phone and no internet. This doesn't help someone who has spoken to him at least twice a day for the past 4 years – and 3 times a week for the 2 years before that.

There are so many things that I now have to do myself – which just goes to prove what a great partner he is.

 

He has never ONCE locked the dog in the house all day. I wish I'd thanked him for that.

Freedom (I won’t let you down)

On my way home to the farm on Friday afternoon – I had the MP3 player plugged into the stereo and was very merrily singing along to my fav tunes.

 

Then I noticed that the ones I really enjoyed had a clear theme:

They all talked about the idea of freedom. Now I have thought about freedom quite a lot – and of course it (just like power) is an illusion.

But what if we 'reframe' our idea of freedom – and make it the freedom to be the person your truly believe yourself to be. That freedom is actually the description of that moment you feel like you can truly breathe.

 

So then freedom can be your own house, or a drive to a favourite place, being safe in someone's arms, a paragraph in a favourite book, in that moment in a dark cool cinema before the movie starts or even just a memory.

Surely when we start saying we are searching for freedom – we are really searching for ourselves.

 

(that sounded more intelligent and a lot less wanky than that in my head)

 

This is just an idea that is being formed at the moment – so I will keep working on it.

 

Philosophy – Why not?

I have just put my application in to commence the Graduate Certificate of Philosophy at Murdoch University.

Although it is only a Grad Cert and Murdoch probably isn't a uni necessarily associated with philosophy – I am excited about studying something that I love, by distance education, with other students who are doing it because they love it too.

 

Hopefully in the longer term I could transfer to a Master of Arts (Philosophy) at UQ – and should get credit for this – so it is a start.

I had a look at the courses on offer and found this one – Film and Philosophy. I am excited because it is as though someone just designed the course just for me.

Film! Philosophy! Having to watch films for uni! Commentary! I am very excited. And I get a postgrad qual to study something I love. Excellent news!

But why philosophy?

It may come from all those long hours whiled away in coffee shops – smoking Marlboro Lights (back in the day when you could still smoke in coffee shops) with a group of like minded souls, trying to make sense of the world. It may come from reading Sophies World when I was 18 – and seeing that it really answered a lot of questions for me – as well as reframing some others. It may be because I am a ardent listener of The Philosophers Zone. It may come from still needing to make sense of the world and not really believing in a divine being.

But I think it is just because I need a challenge.

 

What is your new years challenge?

There’s water in them thar Hills

So, we went to the farm on the weekend, to see exactly what havoc the flood had played on the place.

 

The bridge is gone.

 

The flood fences are also gone.

 

So we had an adventure including the four wheel drive, chainsaws, the bulldozer and my new best friend "Conqueror".

We cut down tobacco bush, poisoned blackberry, and went for a dip in our very own plunge pool. And during the time that we were doing slightly foolish things, Pat McMahon didn't turn up once!

 

Love it.

 

 

Completely Devastated

You may have heard by now that the floods that have plagued Queensland for the past 19 days reached Toowoomba.

It is really very strange - after all we are located on the top of a mountain. But the scenes are like something out of a far flung South American village, not the 2nd largest inland city in Australia.

Our house is up on a hill, but the gullies and creeks all around us were really raging torrents.

So strange.

My boy is stuck in Roma, he was out for a one day course - and it looks as though he may be stuck out there for the next 2 weeks.

And Killarney is underwater again. My lovely sister and her boy Paul are up for another clean up, and the river peaked at 7.2 metres which is higher than the 2008 floods.

And when I see the images of people on the television - and they have lost their homes, they look somehow..... smaller.

I have been reading the lovely Architecture of Happiness by Alan de Bottion.

He says that what makes a building truly beautiful (in an indivduals eyes) is that the building (and the personal belongings therein) is a reflection of that individuals true selves.

The place where the individual can be the person that they ultimately see themselves to be.

So - when you lose your home you truly do lose part of yourself. You would lose that thing, that place that truly defines who you are.

So - whilst it is true that "They are only belongings - they are replaceable", the fact that each thing you have lost each thing that has been chosen by you, to be kept and treasured, to remind your self of who you truly are, also deserves to be mourned.

You will never be the same again.

(If you have any worries about your friends and family in the Queensland Floods - please contact the flood hotline 1300 993 191)

Which way is north

I have just had a conversation about choosing friends.

Some if it talked about current friends and family.

The crux is all about why you choose them and why you like them......

So - it was about moral compass.

Now - I don't have alot of friends. As in, I am supposed to be having a dinner party tomorrow night, but it was cancelled due to lack of interest.

But, the ones I do have don't have a lot in common.

Plumber, farmer, salesperson, on the dole, student, banker, chicken farm worker, small business owner, single mum, cotton farmer, CEO, academic...........

Hard to find the link.

But I thing I found it.

Moral compass.

Something about them all I know means they have set their course straight and true.

And I feel lucky.

I'm dreaming of two new websites

I think that this is a very cool site for people thinking about uni.

I like the rich media, I like the interactivity, I like the informal tone.....

I like, I like I like

Wish I could just turn up at work and everyone would automatically say - Yes! That is what we want to do! You are brilliant! Have some more budget! And a promotion, and some diamonds.



But - I bet they don't.

Things not to do on International Womens Day

Do not drive 1.5 hours to an appointment that is not actually on until tomorrow.

No, really. Don't do that.

And so it begins.

After being pretty hesitant about the whole 'getting sign off on my proposed projects' thing - I was pleasantly surprised yesterday.

Each of my projects were green lit, and the offer of funding was made WITHOUT ME EVEN ASKING!!!

Got to be a good day when that happens.

Now I will be busily forming committees, sourcing resources etc to get it all going.

Lets' hope there is no large roadblocks!

And in case you were wondering - it is still raining here. It is pretty soggy indeed, but we do need it.

More scintillating updates when they are to hand.

In other news: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo film has been released in Australia (review). My friend KP went to see it and reckons it's brilliant. One can only hope that we will get it at the cinema here :)

I loved the book - and the series. It was recommended to me by a friend - and I am looking for another recommendation.

Ideas anyone?

Do I have to be social?

I am working on a social media strategy for work at the moment.

It is seriously not easy. You know when you had to try and teach you parents about using the video player (yes - that makes me of a certain vintage) and they didn't really grasp the concept?

Even though you told them, like, a million times?

And then email came along - and you had to tell them about that a similar amount of times?

Even though you know it was going to improve their lives, and yours because you no longer had to worry so much about remembering to post anything?

And they didn't get it did they.

Well - take all that frustration and repetition, mix it together with a whole load of misunderstandings, then form that into the shape of 60 year old white men who work in an organisation that doesn't have to turn a profit - and then you are getting a picture of my board of directors.

Mind you - the b.f. didn't understand the fascination of the Internet, and the ability to get connected to people from all over the world who belong to your tribe - and now I cannot get him to turn his bloody MPG off!!

Perhaps there is hope.....

Perhaps all they need to do is try it.

Until then - we will be social whether they like it or not.

Waiting on Julia

So finally on holidays.

I really never realise how boody stressful sitting in an office all day can be.

So here I am, after 5 days of not working - looking for something to do.

I know - so unlike me.

However - I did have 2 days in the hometown, with some positive results. It is always difficult to spend time with your father, probably more so now he is so ill, but after putting it off for a while (both the sister and I) we headed up to the farm.

It was showering with rain, which makes it more of a challenge, but beautiful nevertheless.

After an explanation of "the vision" (TM Patent Pending), I think we are all on the same page. *tick corporate bingo*

So- that is a good thing.

But here I am on holidays. And all I want to do is read and watch movies.

Which leads me to............................................. Where the hell is Julie/Julia project on DVD?

Well?

Anyone?

Just when you thought it was safe to go back to the Blogsphere

Losing my political guts

The Chinese consular general was here on campus yesterday.

I was walking out to go to lunch I saw him, surrounded by Chinese security guards, dressed in dark suits with dark sunglasses, and the university security guards - looking like rent a cops.

The consular limo was waiting for them - and it was a beautiful blue sky day here, in a country where actions against 'the man' will probably only have an impact on your social life - rather than say - you actually living.

I REALLY wanted to yell out - Free Tibet! or What about human rights!


but I didn't.

gees I'll never be a political dissident if I don't get more guts.

Its your Birthday

Its my sisters birthday next week and we are off home to the country this weekend to get some fresh air...... (read - drink strongbows on the verandah)



I got her a tops present. But I can't tell you what it is, in case she reads this entry......

Hope you all have a great weekend - it is FINALLY going to be sunny here!

Tuss x

John Butler for PM - After Kev of course

Even though it was a nightmare trying to get there.......

John went off - nice crowd shot at the end of this - it didn't really work....... soz.

Was worth it though. They (Clare Bowditch, The Waifs and John) dang from little things big things grow...... I cried.

It was tops.

And another thing.......

since when did patty cakes become cupcakes?


I am not american.

Give me Patty cakes, or give me death!

Dumb Bastards

Ever wondered what happens if you get busted drink driving FOUR times?

What a dickhead!