Rob Speaks

To Celebrate - or not.

2011-01-13T22:04:00.002+11:00

At the time of writing, the 75% of the state that I grew up in has been declared a disaster zone. After many years of drought and serious concerns about a lack of water, the rains have fallen. It has never been more apt to use the saying "It never rains, but it pours."

Over the last few days I have watched from afar as the city I grew up in has been swallowed by her river, the news reports were horrific and I sat stunned as iconic landmark and places of personal significance were quickly covered by a swollen, fast flowing river. The images of my fellow Queenslanders helping family, mates and even strangers were touching and the stoic, calm nature of the Brisbanites is to be applauded. During the last few days, Queenslanders banded together in a crisis - there have been some rough times, and sadly a number of them have lost their lives.

Tonight I have seen the call to forego the annual fireworks display for Australia Day and it's an amazing tribute to the humanity of the people joining the call. I want to put a different call out there - having come together as one in a time of crisis, they have earned their right to come together in celebration of everything that makes our country and their state such an amazing place to live. Our other states should join in with celebrating - we should come together as a community during our good times, because we don't know when next we'll be called on to come together in crisis.

Celebrate! 22.5 Million people all celebrating together - what could be a better show of solidarity and mateship. How better to celebrate how Queensland and Australia was richer for the lives of those who were lost to the floods? Yes, fireworks cost money, money is crucial to the process of rebuilding. One day of reward and acknowledgement of these people, is priceless.

Penny Wong, the pride & the shame.

2010-07-27T21:41:00.002+10:00

I don't often comment on the events of parliament house and the positions of political parties, however I feel that Penny Wong has earned an exception to that rule.

Penny has many things to be proud of, firstly she should be proud that the Australian people elected her to office, then, she should be proud of our country for progressing in thoughts, values and beliefs. It is these thoughts, values and belief that have enabled an openly-gay woman of asian heritage to hold such an important position.

Women in Australia were not eligible to vote until South Australia (a progressive colony) granted the right in 1894. Voting had been available to men (not of aboriginal heritage) since 1856. When Australia unified under federation, women across the nation were granted the right to vote in 1902. It isn't difficult to imagine that before 1894, there was a strong voice of opposition suggesting that voting rights were historically only for men, and that this should still be seen as a good idea. Many voices banded together to correct this imbalance.

The rights of women to vote at a federal level (as per the Franchise Act) would still not have allowed Penny to vote, Penny is of asian heritage, and as a non-white, would have been denied the right to vote. To correct this imbalance, people had to stand up and voice their opinions and make voting accessible to all.

These two barriers to Penny's rights seem daunting given what we are told about the Australian populous and thought of previous decades. Even in the late 1980s and early 1990s, my local community was convinced that the asian invasion was a fait accompli, that if we weren't prepared to fight for our country's way of life, we would be well-served learning to speak japanese. Equality based on gender is still an ongoing issue, but clearly Penny has been allowed to rise high, and indeed serves under our first female prime minister.

As if these two barriers isn't enough, Penny is a lesbian. Good on her we say, the "gay rights lobby" widely regarded as having started that fateful night June 28, 1969 means that Penny is free to live her life as she pleases without fear of arrest, without fear of discrimination in employment, free to love who she chooses to love, free to do many things.

One thing Penny can not do, is marry in the eyes of the law. Penny has stood with party policy and stated that marriage is between a man and a woman - always has been, historical values and all that. One wonders how Penny would react if someone who professed to speak for the nation told her that because she was not "white of skin" she would be limited in her rights, or if, when she rocked up to a polling booth, she was denied the right to vote because of her gender. If historical values had not changed, Penny would rock up to the polling booth, and be serving fine asian cuisine to the white, male voters who were the only people that mattered to the nation's forward momentum. No doubt, Penny would be barefoot and pregnant, and with the stereotypical aversion to eye-contact. Penny benefits from those who have gone before her, enabling her to vote and be open about her sexuality.

One thing Penny will not do, is stand up for the community she cannot help but be a part of, to say "this inequality must cease." Leading a crusade for change is difficult Penny, no-one doubts that, but to stand up on a pedestal that people have fought for you to be able to stand on and not be prepared to fight for a change which must happen is reprehensible.

Penny Wong - I can not, and will not vote for you, or for any party to which you belong.

(PS. As a post-script to all of this, when marriage is made available to all, I'm still not interested. I think the entire concept is outdated and foolish. A great reason for a party and to make your friends buy you gifts, and that's about it. Let's either make marriage for all, or abolish it all together. As for registering a same-sex partnership... registration is something you do for the dog, or the car - you take a ticket, wait for it to be called and then submit your paperwork, charming.)

My open letter to the world - and particularly TV broadcasters

2009-07-14T19:56:00.005+10:00

There is a growing trend, a push from the media - a trend to supply me with ever-increasing amounts of information. Watching television tonight I've been advised about what the next commercial break is going to contain. Breakfast TV is now "designed" to provide me with news, current affairs *and* advice on how to mop my floors to kill the most number of micro-organisms.

Hear me say this - television is for entertainment. This is why productions such as "Desperate Housewives" and "Brothers and Sisters" have such a following. People who have a need for excessive amounts of information are unlikely to sit and watch whomever the favoured presenter of the moment.

Television should be entertainment. Television should be diverse in content and not rely on a particular programming genre to fill the schedule. Give me reality, give me drama, give me science fiction, give me news, give me the world. Lead me on a journey through life. Use the opportunities of digital TV to provide a variety of content - make me search the TV guide. The paradox is that I don't want an assumption that I'm of limited intelligence, and I don't want an assumption that I'm intelligent - let me choose what I need.

The Images in my head

2009-03-04T16:53:00.002+11:00

The Human Body is an amazing "thing," it still lacks however a button to share the image someone has in their head with others. I there was to be such a buton, I think my head would currently produce a painting showing a bowl of apples, lush granny smith numbers. Standing upright, outside the bowl is a pineapple, a fine looking pineapple with a good green spiked top. Circling the whole scene, are the penguins.

Now if only I could draw.

... and we can stay all day.

2009-03-02T21:21:00.002+11:00

I have lived in Melbourne for well over 2 years now, and one of the things on my "list of tourist things to do" was to visit Melbourne Zoo. Now as it happened a friend of mine, Clark Kent*, had a work function to attend and I scored the "plus one" entry.

Melbourne Zoo, to my untrained eye, has very definite evidence of the changing beliefs in how animals are "kept" and "exhibited" I have to applaud them for all the work with the primates, the elephants, giraffes: the big cat enclosures are yet to experience their gentrification.

Those who know me know that I'm not one who can be described as "bubbly," "effusive" or "effervescent." I maintain a state of "aloofness." Mostly that's not an act, occasionally it's a good defense mechanism. It should come as no surprise therefore, to hear that I failed to "ooh" or "ahh" at the animals. I respected the lions and even used the term "magnificent beasts" I pitied the bears who had the expression of being completely fed-up with being an "exhibit." One bear surveyed the crowd that was surveying him and tried to let out a growl. From the distance, it couldn't be heard and I wasn't sure if it was a cry to be left alone, or a cry for rescue. The sound that could be heard from the general public's vantage point was one of the less permanent exhibits of the zoo - the general public. With a finger pointed fair and square at this bear, one woman declared "I want a coat made out of that!"

And to the woman with the pram who insisted on using the stairs despite a warning not to - I'm fairly sure the lions would quite like to poke you with a stick as well - especially if the stick was more of a Taser.

*No, Clark Kent is not his real name.

2009-02-02T22:04:00.002+11:00

In the great facebook wars - the challenge has been set to write "25 things" about oneself. Insights into the pysche of self. Now I've given it a go, but I still think the 100 things I did earlier in the blog is much better, but I felt it had earnt a posting here.

1. My response to "what starsign are you?" or "How old are you?" is almost invariably "take a guess before I tell you."

2. For many years people described my sense of humour as "dry." I had no idea what this actually meant until many years after I first heard it. In fact, I only looked it up in 2008 when someone said I had a similar sense of humour to TV's favourite serial killer, Dexter

3. Whereas my main reason for buying property was to be able to keep a dog, the prompt that actually made me step over the line was the transgender prostitute who lived beneath my previous residence who, having decided that I clearly hated her, started to bang on her ceiling (my floor) to defend her territory.

4. I have a love of language and words. This is all founded in my love off and understanding of "systems" I think that the benchmark of having mastered a new language is being able to create and understand humour.

5. Bathtubs serve no purpose in my life other than to provide something to clean on a regular basis. I want to rip my bathtub out and put in a shower that makes me go "ahhh."

6. I have fallen in love with a person the instant I met them twice in my life - one I was fortunate enough to enjoy those feelings with, sadly the other, is not to be.

7. I yell at the TV and radio, mostly at "journalists" who elect to use stupid phrases and evoke emotions without any merit.

8. North America is a continent I have never set foot on, unless you count a few hours at Anchorage airport. (Clearly I don't.) I'd like to fix that at some stage - but I need a good reason to actually make it happen.

9. I consider myself British rather than English. I see a difference between the two, buy me a drink and ask me to explain it.

10. My dreams are always a collection of things that have been happening in my life of late merged into one dream. They have no other meaning than a review of different façets of my life over the last few days.

11. Despite growing up with a mother who was "huggy", my sister and I have both grown up not enjoying physical contact with others. It took me many years to enjoy a massage and I will now only go to that person for one.

12. I can't talk about her or think about her without fighting back tears. I have the collar she arrived with.

13. I never signed the certificate they gave me when I completed my first lot of chemotherapy. Everytime I tried to sign it, I couldn't bring myself to do it. The second lot felt like the battle was over.

14. Bridges have always made me feel uneasy - every time I crossed the Harbour Bridge during my years in Sydney, I prepared for the accident that would see my slow and painful death. Bridges in general will create a similar feeling whether I'm going over them, or under them.

15. I describe myself as "pragmatic." To some this is almost to a fault but.. they're welcome to a mile in my shoes.

16. I will not sign up for anything at the door, on the telephone or on the street. I've mastered the "closure" of their spiel.

17. I do not cry in public.

18. Things that serve multiple purposes and/or multiple environments attract my attention. My watch I chose because it charges by motion and therefore never needs a battery. My home phone benefits but does not rely on electricity.

19. I've come close to "liberating" a guide dog I thought was being forced to work for a grumpy woman.

20. Southern US accents do good things for me, very good things.

21. After over two years in Melbourne, the sight of a tram still gives me a little thrill.

22. My secret S Club 7 obsession was revealed at my most recent work christmas party.

23. When I'm upset I feel the need to judge the world, sites such as hotornot are a valuable tool for that.

24. My friend and I have developed a rating system for attractiveness that involves whether or not money would have to change hands, and in which direction.

25. I have a deep seated love of corn chips - there are times I would sell my soul for them - if I believed I had a soul.

There. go, be free.

Dear Readers

2008-10-14T21:32:00.002+11:00

I was raised in a particular way, a very British way. There aren't all that many people who could (or perhaps even would) be able to define that, that have the ability to see the division between "British" and "English." Australians, it should be noted in a overgeneralised sense, have no concept of what being British entails. British people recognised class and the structure that brought to society, we united under a reigning Monarch and our national anthem changed to reflect the gender of the Monarch at the time.

British people are also terribly apologetic about a great number of things - and at this point I want to note that not everything a Briton apologises for he or she feels at fault over. If we gave you the wrong amount of change, we would apologise. If we had run out of newspapers and couldn't sell you The Times upon request, the apologies would make even the most unsympathetic customer blush. Had the customer also been British, there would be an apology for asking for a newspaper when the owner had sold their last copy prior hence causing some degree of shame and effusive apologies.

Once, at an airport, someone rammed me from behind with their shoulder; not enough to label it a "shoulder charge" but a definite collision of two people. I turned and I said I was sorry. Fellow traveller kept going and in a fit of disgust I said (more loudly than I would normally dare) "but it appears I am the only one who is."

Over the last, let us say "year", there has been a gentleman who has been in and out of my life. We started to, dare I say, date. This was short-lived and the termination was his idea based on my not fitting quite into his concept of a relationship. More specifically (and if you want to keep an air of mystery around me, do skip to the next bit without delay) the issue of sex before breakfast. I was against, and he was very much for. This issue led to a conversation about differing sex drives and after that phone conversation the budding "relationship" was over.

A cat-and-mouse game has been played out over the course of the "year" and I was no doubt in a bad mood when I met A for breakfast. Mood was not appeased by his apparent lack of interest in active listening and attempting to understand where I might be coming from on any issue that chose to raise its head.

Most recently emailing very facebook has been the medium for discussing the possibility of restarting the "relationship" with him acknowledging some hastiness on his part ending attempt one. A, is a nice person, I stand by that - not without fault, but I have nothing nasty to say about his character. When confronted with an email suggesting he felt he was being held at arms-length by myself, I responded with the email that took the blame for that, and I did indeed use the line "a lot of things on my mind." My fingers ached to type "it's not me, it's you." Space of time was given for "thinking" about these things and when I felt I could put it off no longer i sent an email saying that despite my desperate desire to be the bigger person and forget how quickly I was dumped originally I just couldn't and wasn't I a terrible person for not being able to recover from that and that it caused me an amount of sorry. To the world in general, this blog and it's reader I would like to announce - "it's not me, it's A" I honestly feel completely justified in saying "No, no thank you." to him. I do have a certificate of citizenship - maybe I could actually have said, "P**s off mate, I think you're a f***w*d."

I have fears that A is mentioning my name to people in a less than favourable light - that would be disappointing.

The one with the oddness

2008-10-04T18:30:00.002+10:00

I've often struggled to find a connection to a community - a group of people that I feel completely at ease among. I treasure my friends who "get" me, who are on the same wavelength. That nagging self-doubt I have inside of me wonders if I'm not just some form of freak show entertainment for them, designed to give them a laugh before they move along and go back to their "normal" lives.

The only group of people I know I can feel that level of comfort with is my mother's family. As a general rule, they're a bright bunch with an evil sense of humour.

Tonight I'm taking the blame for my interactions with a particular individual. Errors in judgement have been made on both sides, there is no immunity for me. In the most recent communications I have taken the position of "it's not you, it's me" and that has been readily taken on board and from incoming communications, "it's not him, it's me." Cheers for that buddy, I'm sure if you give yourself that exemption from any fault you'll have a long and happy life.

I'm also feeling a significant amount of emotional pain, none 0f which belongs to me but is all based on frustration about not being able to help my sister in a process that no-one can control.

Where to from here? As usual, I have no idea... but I may well be on the run down to actualy bidding at an auction.

Occupational Hazards

2008-07-20T02:10:00.002+10:00

Tonight I thought about just what it is about small talk that, well, not that I *can't* do, but more that I just won't partake in. Tonight I wondered whether in fact talking to people about death and dying, whether treating people and thinking "they won't see Christmas" makes me appreciate silence and simplicity outside of the work place.

Also tonight - and it should be noted that this was while walking home from the pub after a substantial amount of vodka (which is still in my system I'll admit) I thought about my life and how the defining moments of my life, the events that I suggest have had the biggest impact on who I am, have all been quite negative. I'm not going to go into them here and now, I'm not sober enough for that, but only for the fact that I must be a natural born optimist have I reached the age I have and believe that I have self-actualised for a second time. It should also be noted, both times I've thought I have self-actualised, I have been single. Excuse me, Whitney is at the door.

I kid you not folks

2008-06-22T10:31:00.001+10:00

Right... so.. took a quiz...

How evil are you?

2008-03-15T22:26:00.001+11:00

If I tried to work out what percentage of me is gay - I might struggle. Sexually, I'm a gay man, when it comes to sexual activity, give me a man (or men) or give me nothing. However, it should be noted that I don't actively participate in events of the gay community. Mardi Gras doesn't interest me, neither does the idea of camping outside some regional town in Victoria to surround myself with the Gay and Lesbian Community. During the week that was, I ran into an attractive man who lives in the building next door to mine, on the topic of his work, his first comment was that his boss was gay and that made him a lot calmer. My boss has the same title as myself in essence, the same training and similar experiences. We respect each other as people. I don't know what my boss gets up to in the sack, the question has never been raised.

There is a cafe up the road that has a predominantly gay customer base. On a regular basis I do go there. It's a great place to watch people (mostly gay people) and the waiters are very attentive. I'm a flirt, I admit that.

Head Space January 2008

2008-01-25T18:31:00.000+11:00

For those interested in taking a tour of my mindspace at the moment.. here's the deal.

I'm doing just fine.. I like who I am, I'm very comfortable with that. and I like who I see when I look in the mirror.

Work - is good, they still drive me mental sometimes and I still am at odds with their "logic." Yesterday I attended a staff meeting that I rated a "double eye gouger." I can generate very little interest in problems that are generated because we've purchased from multiple vendors.

Air Force Guy has been replaced with.. well.. Air Force Guy.. but with a signifcant improvement in kms (you know Air Force Guy will always hold a special place in my esteem/thoughts.)

Tonight I'll be doing the trawl of realestate.com.au and searching for places around here to buy - with the usual requirements, do I think I can keep a dog there.

Gym work is going well.. it's fat friday but I'm starting to see the two top abs so I'm happy with the forward momentum.

Society in general? well. I don't like where it's going - people are having "anger reactions" earlier in the process. They seem to believe that an anger reaction will achieve their desired result much faster than any other method (and they might be right but I maintain it isn't needed.) There is a focus on self and not the fellow "man."

Sitting here writing I've had a sudden thought that perhaps *this* is the purpose of organised religion. Mind control as such but preaching that second greatest commandment. (no, not going to give that one to you, do some research and find out for yourself.)

Enjoy life people, and be kind to your comrades.

Random stuff going around in my head

2008-01-07T09:26:00.000+11:00

"This lesbian bar has no fire escapes! Enjoy your death trap, Ladies!" - Homer J Simpson

Je suis anglais

2007-12-22T20:28:00.000+11:00

Je suis anglais, et quand les Brittaniques ont d'ennui, nous nous calmon avec beaucoup de thé.

Polly, put the kettle on.

The One with the Deflated Ego

2007-12-18T17:51:00.000+11:00

I wandered into a clothing store that I have spent rather a lot of money in since I moved to Melbourne. Normally there is a very attentive guy there who is very keen to try a number of outfits on me like his personal Barbie Doll.

Today was a sales girl I haven't met before, and from the dressing down she was receiving from her boss. During the fitting process she told me that their store effectively sets out to dress anorexic males and jockeys. I wasn't sure I really fit into either of those categories, I didn't really take much notice of it though, I'm not youre 6 foot plus security guard type. Her next comment was the one that really skewered me through the ego "guys who work out just don't fit into our clothes."

I like my shape when I look in the mirror, I work out.. but I still fit their clothes..

Korben.... Korben my man...

2007-11-04T13:51:00.000+11:00

I have no fire.

Fear not!

2007-10-31T22:23:00.000+11:00

Whenever I meet a really nice guy and then find out he's attached (no doubt to an equally nice fellow) the phrase "all the nice ones are taken" springs to mind. It takes me a moment to realise that that's not actually true, I've cornered the market on "nice" to the point where you can take me home to meet mother and I'll be a hit! Rob, we'll note, is single.

Fear not people, nice guy who works at the same hospital.. has a partner... but I did have a nice long chat to him today, so, I think that's a win.

The one with the nest

2007-10-25T22:13:00.000+10:00

Of late my life has been quite full - which has been quite pleasing. I've been starting the long process of looking for a flat to buy (though I think I'm just always nipping at the heels of the market.) travelling to Brisbane to celebrate a birthday and I've found a gym buddy as well it seems. There have even been some new people I've met and I've been very lucky with the calibre of the new people I've been meeting.

As usual in my life there are two people I have a high level of interest in.. one of them is my standard crush, air force guy. The other is one of the diagnostic radiographers in the hospital I work in. My big question is... (assuming he's single and interested) do you date someone you're going to stumble across reasonably frequently in your day to day work? If it all goes sour, there's no escape. Of course, it may go swimmingly well...

the random rambling stops here.

There are....

2007-10-14T22:21:00.000+10:00

I've always enjoyed the geeky humour of "There are 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't."

It should also be noted that there are 2 types of people in the world, those who can assemble furniture, and those who can't. Fortunately I find myself in the former group, I can see it all as a system of joins and functions. Systems are very much my thing, I love to navigate within them, test the rules they seem to follow, find the loopholes and exploit whenever possible.

No real point to this post, I'm tired, it's taken me 5 hours to get home from Brisbane and I'm turning into a full on Crankerella. Bed and sleep is required to get me back to my perky, rident self.

Penguins

2007-09-30T21:41:00.000+10:00

In the winds of Antartica, one penguin (who was affectionately known as Sprocket) turned to his neighbour (Charlie) and said "That's a really odd place for a third foot isn't it? And is that second beak at all functional."

Charlie looked at Sprocket, looked at his own body, looked out to sea before turning back to give Sprocket a look of defiance and said "Yes, but I like them."

Rob says "Kudos to Charlie."

The one with the hiatus

2007-07-15T03:27:00.000+10:00

Long time, no post. This is mostly because I've often thought about things to post while I'm pounding the pavement - often with my beloved iPod cranking out the tunes. When I make it back to my abode, the post has left me, without a keyboard to commit it to text.

In the main, the posts that haven't made it online have been about belonging, about a sense of community and why I feel I have neither. I am, in laymans terms, a freak. Please don't misunderstand, I'm a freak that some people love, it is possible that some people love me *because* I am a freak. There is no community that I feel at one with, there exsists a seperate dimension of "Rob." I'm reasonably at peace with that.

The DJ at the greyhound tonight played one of my favourite songs, he often plays this number, but today it took on an entirely new meaning for me... "Total eclipse of the heart." My heart, I suspect, has eclipsed and is merely the organ I use to pump blood around my pudgy, scarred body. Any emotions I do have, are stored somewhere inside me I'm sure, but, as Buffy sang about in "Once more with feeling." ... "I touch the fire and it freezes me, I look into it and it's black." Buffy, however, goes on to say that she wants the fire back, and, quite frankly, I'm not sure that I have the same desire. There *are* things that can penetrate my "wall" there are levels of connection I can form with people but it has to be said, in the main, my life is run with reason and logic.

So at this point I'm going to put it out there (instead of keeping it in my head) that I see myself as alone for the future I can imagine. (note a careful choice of words - even in my drunken state.) and also point out that this doesn't actually bother me that much... just occasionally.

For those of you who are wondering, the dimension of Rob contains rather a lot of penguins.

Guess who else is coming to dinner....

2007-03-31T09:15:00.000+10:00

So I've made the mistake of inviting people from work over for drinks on the balcony and told them I'd give them food. I have no idea how many people are coming, what time people will leave etc. My biggest fear is not that I'll run out of food... or even that no one will bring a chair to sit on. My biggest fear, no make that fears, is that I will a) run out of toilet paper and b) that people won't respect the unwritten toilet door rule.

Today I Choose

2007-03-04T09:54:00.000+11:00

Today I choose to be strong in who I am, strong of will, strong of body and strong of mind. To the "nay sayers" I say "f*** off."

Today I will appreciate what the last 30 years have taught me, value my journey and the person I have become because of it.

Today I am Rob the Brave, Rob the Courageous. Master of his domain and servant to nobody.

Today I am will remember that I am Keeper of the Strength.

The one with the "Like"

2007-02-07T14:31:00.000+11:00

More effort must be made to lie to people about my employ - they must be told that I spend my day arranging corporate travel - something about buying clothes makes people want to tell me about their cysts and/or precancerous lesions when I tell them I'm in cancer care.

To her credit though, she was a very good sales person, and could really pick the stuff I was more likely to wear, when I'd been through the shop and decided nothing suited. A number of things need mentioning here:

Change Rooms - I understand that curtains are cool, personally I prefer a good door, but I will change quickly behind a curtain. Change rooms however should perhaps not be visible by those people on the stairs, or through the crack in the curtain to the changeroom they are using as a store room, with someone working in. On a side note, even if you're not intending to try on clothes, for goodness sake wear underwear you don't mind being seen in!
Don't like pretend everything I say is like the funniest thing you've ever heard. - As I said before, the sales girl was very good, found a lot of clothes that took my fancy. One of her colleagues also took my fancy, her *other* colleague was taken by me. When I went back to pick up my freshly altered trousers he was overenthused to hear about my lunch, and used the word "like" frequently. Now, the use of "like" doesn't bother me that much and normally I would not have noticed.... had I not just read an article detailing how it came into daily usage. And for the record, if you don't know what a BLT is - it isn't likely you're someone I want to get to know.
Life is funny, I think had BLT-unaware not been around - his colleague and I would have had a lot more interaction
I have two jeans, one dressy jean, one functional jean. Turns out I'm seriously under-jeaned. One sales staff couldn't get by without his 15 jeans, the girl has over 30 and can't imagine life with any less. We can add that to the list of things I'm "Undered"

Pivotal Moments

2007-01-24T20:23:00.000+11:00

Head demons are enjoying 2007 and my own are refusing to be silent. Foolishly I went back and read a couple of journal articles that I know better than to read and have made me shed more than a few tears. Combined with guilt over not calling my ex my thoughts strayed to how and when we grew apart. One of the defining moments was during 2004 - life had been good, busy and I was battling a dark space in my head - and I found a lump. My entire mind went into overdrive about re-entering chemotherapy and planning on how to combine my life, my work and my treatment. The lump turned out to be nothing, in fact given a couple more weeks it resolved itself completely even though it had apparently been noticed a few months prior - being a practical kind of person I was planning the practical side of treatment, the transportation and the post-chemo care. It was during this time that I had to do some serious evaluation of my partner and rightly or wrongly, I decided that he wasn't someone I could rely on for such an occasion. I feel that from then on I started to retreat from him. I did love him, I still love him. I'm not sure we're right for each other, the growing apart has been done. I'm not sure there is any way to tell him this, or indeed if I even should.

Ce Soir

2007-01-19T23:22:00.000+11:00

Earlier this evening the indecision in my life was whether or not to go out for pizza, this was quickly resolved by looking in my wallet - a lack of cash would have required going for cash, then for pizza and clearly a two stage process was beyond me. Problem solved, eat something else.

Now I find myself with a dilema over what to do with trousers and jeans. I can hang them in my wardrobe, but due to limitations in space they need to be folded back over the hanger, or I can fold them and put them on a shelf. I solicited advice from three friends.. "Hang or fold?" Two responses back so far, 1 for hang, 1 for fold (or if I hang, don't fold.)

I wonder what fresh hell Kofi Annan is facing right now?

Rules - a Refresher

2006-12-27T22:27:00.000+11:00

A number of weeks ago, and try as I might I can't remember how many weeks ago it was, I had a phone call from the friend of my ex. During the conversation this person asked me how my social life was progressing and I mentioned that I was meeting a few locals around and about and they seemed friendly enough, reminded him that these things take time but wasn't quite prepared for the next question - "No, I mean how is your social life?" The only interpretation was that he wanted to know if I'd shagged anyone since the split - quite frankly - that's not a question he should be asking, and you can all put that down in your book of rules. Thanks

Flirting

2006-12-27T18:43:00.000+11:00

The topic of flirting came up recently with someone online. For him, flirting is exclusively reserved for those he wants to have "relations" with - I take the broader definition of the word. Flirting is fantastic, amazing, the sole of exsistence, but for me it isn't about getting the person into bed, in fact, when that's my goal I'll tend to be much more direct about it - "fancy a shag?"

I flirt with women constantly, mostly to amuse myself (a common theme in the "why I do things" list), but sometimes to get things I want. An example is, say, my flight is delayed, and I want to see if I can either get on an earlier flight or get something out of it to my advantage, whoever is behind the counter I'll flirt with, I'll stroke their ego, I'll make them feel like they're completely appreciated in their efforts. Now a hardened professional will spot it a mile off - but in this day and age, most people are most likely to try the "explosive response" of yelling and being the squeaky wheel.

My flirting with heterosexual men is much more subtle, it tends to be those who I am subordinate to, where I'll put an idea in their minds and make them think it's their idea. It should be noted, this doesn't get me anywhere at work, but it does amuse me.

Go out and flirt people, make your neighbour feel good.

Tattoos and Projects

2006-12-21T23:06:00.000+11:00

Does everyone in the world have a tattoo apart from me? I look around and I find it more and more difficult to find someone without a tattoo somewhere, are we becoming more and more tribal in this global village?

On an unrelated note, I think I'm happiest when I have a friend in need that I can be around to support.

Number 53 - One Moment, Please, Recalculating

2006-11-13T19:53:00.000+11:00

At a recent session with the personal trainer I have a more accurate idea of my body weight.. assuming my height hasn't changed (fairly safe bet there)my BMI is now 25.7 putting me further into the "overweight" range. Sounds fun.

Number 84 - Extra serving of Baba Ganoush.

2006-11-10T21:30:00.000+11:00

As I mentioned in the 100 things about me I have quite a penchant for saying "Baba Ganoush." That I'll say it three times but very rarely order the item. Since moving to Melbourne I've discovered something that is just as much fun to say as baba ganoush - it's a suburb, the suburb of Maribynong.

Most of the furnishings in my flat came from Maribynong, each weekend Miss Cathy and I would make a trek from her place to Maribynong using the word as gratuitiously as possible.

Maribynong is the home of the lovely Ryan who sold me my coffee machine, beast - while having the most amazing eyes known to Highpoint, and is very close to Moonee Ponds. For those who haven't been paying attention, Moonee Ponds is the place for Dame Edna Everage Possums with Baba ganoush anyone?

Number 30.

2006-11-09T00:08:00.000+11:00

I had an interesting experience last week that I had forgotten until tonight. it deals with number 30 on my list of 100 things. Whatever you are saying to me, is most likely reminding me of a television show or a movie. There used to be a TV show called Dream On, where Martin Tupper had grown up watching so much television that every five seconds (not really five seconds) you'd cut to a clip of a TV show he was supposed to have seen.

I was telling co-worker (I'm yet to anonymise co-workers) that I was becoming this character, that everything she said and did reminded me of a movie or a television show. Her response? "No, I don't think so." What The? No really, it's my head, I know what's going on - I'm not kidding when I tell you I can see a gorilla on a plane doing sign language - bonus points for picking that movie - the link comes at a later date.

Until then, this Martin Tupper wishes you a good night.

So much to tell.. where do I start

2006-11-08T09:29:00.000+11:00

I'm in the middle of my week off work, this week I was supposed to be in Philly at a conference, long story, I'm obviously not there, I'm in Melbourne.

Pub Trivia last night, really quite a night, I get a buzz from meeting new people and finding new places. That's part of the reason I love my job and why I've gone well past the traditional burn out point - each day I get 40 people to play with, when one of them finishes treatment, somebody comes to replace them and the dance begins again. Last night at pub trivia was a bit of overload in that regard - left my head whirling for a bit and then a sudden need for sleep.

Everytime I try and think about everything that's going on in my life at the moment I decide that I can't even begin to describe it - it would be this enormous stream of consciousness and terribly non-narrative. Suffice to say that life is good.

Stella?

2006-10-30T22:09:00.000+11:00

I think we all know how Stella got her groove back. Reset the clock people.

Oh my!

2006-10-23T21:02:00.000+10:00

Oh my.. did I really write that about wine guy? Did I write that out loud?

2006-10-19T22:38:00.000+10:00

Many people have done this - it was harder than I thought it would be - I wrote this earlier this year, thought it was time to share - unedited - enjoy.

1. I can remember phone numbers by the patterns they make on the keypad.
2. I had two recurring nightmares as a child. The first was that I was under attack from witches, the second that I drowned at the beach.
3. When I say "as a child" then I mean "well into my teenage years."
4. I will not take my shirt off in public.
5. The object of my first crush - turned out to be a paedophile.
6. None of my blogs makes reference to another
7. I'm obsessed with "Deal or No Deal"
8. I love chewing on things, anything. My parents got me a cake scraper when I was 7 to walk around the house chewing.
9. Nutrasweet makes my throat swell up and I start to cough a lot
10. My stem-cell transplant wiped out my immunity to Chicken-pox.
11. My sister gave me chicken pox for my 5th birthday.
12. Sometimes the urge is too strong and I *will* look through your bathroom cabinet. I have no idea what I hope or expect to find.
13. I've considered paying a psychologist to sit there for an hour each week to listen to me like I listen to others.
14. I would pay for sex.
15. I'm an incredible miser.
16. Food is the only exception to being a miser. I will happily pay for your meal.
17. I can not tolerate squabbling over how the bill will be split.
18. On the subject of food, I can not tolerate people touching me while I'm eating.
19. My next big goal is to buy a house.
20. Although I only talk to him once a month, I still consider him to be my best friend.
21. I honestly believe I was destined to be taller.
22. I like my trousers to be a tight fit.
23. I was so mortified about failing my first piano exam I ripped up the results sheet. I was six years old.
24. I lost my virginity at the age of 20. My most prominent thought was "I'm glad it was before I turned 21."
25. It has to be a case of desperation before I will use a urinal.
26. I stole $2 out of my mothers purse when I was 6. The guilt was too much and I confessed to it that night.
27. I have a strong feeling that I will live to either 92 or 97 years of age.
28. I like what I see when I look in the mirror. Provided I'm not too close.
29. I find "scantily clad" more appealing than "naked."
30. Almost everything you say to me reminds me of a TV show or movie.
31. I hang my washing out with all the shirts together, then shorts/trousers, then underwear, then socks, the socks are paired.
32. Without self-control, each item would have matching pegs.
33. I'm not obsessive compulsive, just quirky.
34. I talk while driving, I talk to my car, I talk to pedestrians, I talk to other traffic.
35. If I see a sign that asks "How fast are you going now?" I tell it.
36. I have no interest in driving a manual car.
37. I've never broken a bone, it's one of my big fears in life. I have had my finger cut off in a car door though. Thanks for that Mum.
38. Very few days go past without some reminder of cancer.
39. I can follow 3 or 4 conversations at once and be ready to take part in any of them at any time.
40. I have surprised people with what I can hear.
41. I have been told to speak louder in a library.
42. Bookshops make me want the bathroom.
43. I have one watch to cover all situations.
44. Talk of politics will make my eyes glaze over.
45. I think people should be fined for publishing anything with a word that has been spelt incorrectly. This includes banners and advertising.
46. I can not stand "TXT" and refuse to use it.
47. I'm going to be a grumpy old man.
48. I adore strawberry flavouring but am often too ashamed to order strawberry milkshakes, etc. in public.
49. If I don't like you, I'm probably imagining slapping you.
50. I constantly forget the French word for "watch," when I try to use it I can only think of the Japanese word.
51. I still test my knowledge of Hirigana.
52. I am prejudiced against obesity. It is something I work hard to control.
53. With a BMI of 25.1 I am "officially" overweight.
54. When I am upset I will take a stuffed toy to bed with me.
55. I tend to fall over if I stand on both feet - if you see me standing, I have all my weight on one foot.
56. I was constantly told how much I look like my mother, until people saw a photo of my father.
57. It seems I am the spitting image of my father. I have no contact with him, though I'm thinking of trying to initiate some again.
58. I hate writing in a blank notepad - it starts pristine and then I deface it with my writing.
59. I can touch type.
60. I have no talent for accents. My own accent is mostly Australian with a British influence. One person has described my accent as being "slightly posh." I consider that a compliment, but I know it doesn't describe me.
61. I love my work - it brings me great pleasure.
62. Lindt Chocolate (70%) and a bottle of Merlot will win me over every time.
63. I don't like living in Sydney.
64. I covet my "neighbours" iPod.
65. I rarely use my left hand.
66. When I get going, I can be a complete "bitch."
67. When using a cordless phone I feel compelled to pace around the house.
68. I think nothing of spending $20 - $30 on a single pair of underwear.
69. My middle name is Lindley - it's a family name. Robert Lindley was an ancestor and a talented musician, he's in Musical Dictionaries.
70. If family tradition had been observed I would be James Cook Teasdale.
71. I had all my wisdom teeth out in one go.
72. I have lied about how often I go to the gym for the sake of not being called obsessive.
73. I like tight t-shirts.
74. I can't stand anything around my neck - I have to pysch myself up for that thing they put on you during a haircut.
75. I own 2 ties, no more.
76. I've always like the name "David" and "Dave."
77. I was born one day before my due date.
78. I can tell you the difference between an English Beagle and an American Beagle. I can even describe to you what makes a "Lemon" Beagle. I have never owned a beagle.
79. I don't enjoy massage - giving or receiving.
80. I'm going to name my dogs after characters from "The Fifth Element" in the future.
81. I eat, and enjoy, raw potato.
82. Apples can make me almost vomit.
83. I like to eat a banana almost every day.
84. I love to say Baba Ganoush. If I see it on a menu I'll ask about the dish saying "Baba Ganoush" three times in the questioning. I won't order that dish.
85. If I don't know the answer in a multiple choice - I'll choose "B".
86. I'm completely addicted to coffee, I never drink instant.
87. I have a muppet fixation.
88. I know the words to all the "Spray and Wipe" ads of the 1980s.
89. I held back tears at the death of Princess Diana - I still don't know why.
90. I'm a sloppy eater - I've given up on white shirts.
91. If I was going to change careers I'd want to be cabin crew for QANTAS. I'd probably end up as an accountant.
92. I'd like to get a second degree and a recognised qualification in French.
93. I'm proud of Australia's compulsory voting system.
94. I often mix up the words to songs. I just accepted they were singing about "Alex the Seal."
95. I loathe tales of love.
96. I would do anything a police officer instructs.
97. I feel like a criminal when I jaywalk.
98. I love the feel of swimming in speedos but won't wear them if someone else will be there. I have been swimming naked, at night, alone.
99. I hate social kissing, can we please just not? Making out kissing is quite a different story.
100. If Buffy and Xena were locked in mortal combat, I believe Buffy would win, and be sassy while doing it.

Ladies for Gentlemen

2006-10-18T20:38:00.000+10:00

I was walking to the train station after work today and had some brilliant ideas about what to blog about, damned if I can remember them now, though the word "double" springs to mind.

The only thing "double" makes me think of now is Miss Cathy's concert where I met some of her particularly fabulous male friends. M (I love the Bond reference) let fly with the most fantastic double entendre when he mentioned the french horn went wildly flat during that piece and he felt almost compelled to go up and blow it for him. Bless.

My mind has "car" rattling around in it - I think it was just to say that two or three months in, I'm feeling I've almost adjusted to life without a car.

Making friends in Melbourne has advanced nicely with the addition of the lovely DC and zwei Dachshund.

Wine guy - continues to be outrageously hot and I want - if only I hadn't revealed my little habit of trying to say "Maribynong" as many times as possible in a weekend.

Iced Tea anyone?

2006-10-03T23:22:00.000+10:00

As I write this post I'm also being hassled by Cathy and we've decided the best way to document everything that has gone on since my last post is something of this nature:

Work

I have started work in Melbourne now, and after a few initial head spins trying to learn new protocols and procedures I'm starting to feel much more at ease. There are regular coffee dates with "American Warships" (cryptic much?) and Cathy. Generally daily coffee involves divulging all the personal stuff that we don't tell other people at work, solving the worlds problems and the monumental decision of whether today is a muffin day or toast day.

Life - Love

Since the last blog my relationship with L has come to an end - I'll miss him as a partner, he can still make me laugh, but we just weren't working together and the distance made that more difficult. I made it all the way back to the sanctuary of my flat before I burst into tears at the end of the era. It was all very amicable and I really want to stay friends with him.

Life - other

Living in a flat which I love, it's still devoid of a few things that other people think are essential, but I have carboard boxes and packing material coming out of the waazoo. Tomorrow my mattress will arrive and thank f*** for that!

That's it for this post, just wanted to get back on my blogging feet again. The "Iced Tea" title is because I bought a kettle that believes that boiling water is far too dangerous.. and so 3 or 4 seconds after you turn it on, it turns off, says it's done and gives you tepid, barely warmed water.. sounds perfect for ice tea!

Reminders

2006-07-06T22:16:00.000+10:00

Since I last blogged I have been offered a job in Melbourne - which I'm quite chuffed with to tell you the truth. I knew when I accepted the job that I would have moments of doubt on if I was doing the right thing or not. Today at work, a reminder was given to me just how far I won't get at my current employ. As I explained a process to a student, detailing how and why each step was taken, a senior member of staff told me I was making this up as I went along. Now, not being someone who actually is always right I asked what actually was happening. It seems that nothing happens with image subtraction and filtering - really the computer is just "creating moonscapes." Now anytime I have a doubt on if the move is the right thing to do, I need only look at the moon and be reminded - it truly is.

Guess who's coming to dinner.

2006-06-10T19:52:00.000+10:00

My best friend and I had a conversation last night about who we would invite to the hypothetical dinner party of life. We limited the discussion to people who are still alive. At my dinner party - I will have:

Gretel Killeen, - Gretel was really the person who started the whole dinner party discussion, after her recent handling of a difficult housemate (who is an idiot, for the record) we decided that we'd love to invite her to dinner to get to know her better, and that she'd be a match for other dinner guests conversations. She can handle herself very well on live television and I think that would translate well to the dinner table. Her invitation would have to be very specific to avoid her being allowed to dress herself - we want to make sure she's not wearing some ridiculous outfit like she does on television.

Hugh Jackman, - Hugh scores an invite for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I saw him interviewed a couple of days ago, he really is the talk of the town at the moment. He came across as a really quite genuine and nice guy. Secondly, he's quite easy on the eye and that's always fun. His lovely wife Deborah-Lee Furness Doesn't score an invite on this occasion I'm afraid, room at the table is limited to six in total. More than happy to invite Hugh, Deb and offspring around for a weekend barbecue though. For those who are interested, during the interview Hugh revealed that he's a "folder" not a "scruncher" but he can't remember when he became a folder.

Ellen DeGeneres, - Ellen is an interesting person in her own right, she had a fairly public coming out that was met with a lack of support and subsequently has gone through some fairly public relationship break ups. My heart went out for her when Anne Heche left her to go back to a man - maybe this is my own fear realised for someone else though. She's an intelligent and funny woman who could keep conversation flowing and meet everyone at an appropriate level. If you're reading this Ellen - remember we love you.

Shane Webcke - I've spoken of my attraction to Shane before, and quite frankly he'd be fun to look at during conversation. I heard him interviewed on radio and he actually came across as quite intelligent by football player standards and I'm willing to imagine that outside the topic of football he can hold his own in conversation. He and Gretel would both have set dress codes for the evening, I'm just not sure whether the Shane I invite would be Suit and Tie Shane, Football Kit Shane or Shirtless Shane (and please, if anyone can furnish a pic to go with that - let me know because I'd love to see it.

Tim Curry. Tim has held our interests for a number of decades now and I love seeing him play the evil character. I think he'd have a wealth of stories, be quite amusing and really mesh in with the dinner crowd. He'd also be another Brit at the table and help provide a multicultural view point. Did you know he's the son of a Royal Navy Methodist Minister?

I think that sounds like quite an evening - can anyone provide the location and get access to these people for me?

Results?

2006-05-25T21:12:00.000+10:00

I followed a link from Cathy's blog (re: our sham marriage and my desire to do almost anything.. ok, anything, for food.) I read my last entry "Self Improvement" and I'm very pleased to announce that progress in that department is off to a great start. Here's to the Rob I'm becoming.

Self Improvements

2006-05-15T23:41:00.000+10:00

Like all people I have areas of my personality that I need to work on, becoming more assertive, sharing opinions etc. The one that came to me tonight is that I need to convince myself that I can't live my life pleasing others, and that sometimes I have to say enough is enough and do something for me, even if it hurts them.

Challenging times are ahead.

2006-04-30T21:26:00.000+10:00

One of the only problems with being a gay man interested in contact sports is that eventually you are bound to develop a crush on a player. Last night I went to the rugby league - I'm a Broncos supporter and this week saw them playing the Raiders at home.

Within the first four minutes of the game my crush - Shane Webcke took a mighty tackle and I had to stop myself from running down the steps, onto the field to make sure he wasn't injured.

Shane Webcke and his Wife

Mel, a Collie.

2006-04-10T13:58:00.000+10:00

Mel.

Which just goes to show that it's not always a black dog. Facing some reasonable changes at the moment, feeling challenged, feeling a little hemmed in. Time to keep reminding myself "This too shall pass."

Falling off the wagon

2006-04-06T16:18:00.000+10:00

Lately it hasn't been so much that I've fallen off the wagon but more like I've fallen off a bridge directly into an open topped sugar wagon. The amount of sugar I've consumed in the past two days has been awful, just when I thought I'd beaten the cravings. Starting to see a very definite link between excessive sugar consumption and poor performance at the gym though.

Better the Devil you know

2006-04-04T17:32:00.000+10:00

I promise I won't start using Kylie tracks for all my entries. I am soon to start gainful employment, back in Brisbane with people I've worked with before - the same people I might add that didn't want to interview me for the position I have experience in - but any income is better than no income. Stay tuned for further news.

Day 4 of....?

2006-03-19T22:31:00.000+11:00

Day four of bitchy Rob, wonder how long this will last?

Do we need a reminder?

2006-03-19T22:27:00.000+11:00

Ok people, listen up, here are the rules.

When you have invited someone into your house your first priority is to find them a comfortable spot to sit, and to offer them a drink. If you listen to my mother then that drink you accept is water, tap water, if you are very thirsty you could possibly ask for a second after you have sipped your way through the first.

After you have made them comfortable and offered them a drink - make sure the conversation is two sided, ask them things about themselves, their recent activities and you can intersperse some of your own thoughts, activities, etc.

Threesome?

2006-03-12T23:10:00.000+11:00

Just finished a hot threesome - me, Poirot and the weeks worth of ironing. Hot huh?

Went rockclimbing yesterday morning - I'm shite at it but I enjoy it and I'm a natural born belay. Just call me Saftey Man. I'll improve my rock climbing - just a matter of repetition.

Marriage?

2006-03-08T12:38:00.000+11:00

Is the concept of marriage outdated? Has society moved to such a point where the "traditional" marriage needs to be revamped? The gay community certainly seems to enjoy relationships but quite commonly these are open relationships. There are open relationships involving heterosexual/married people, though I can't tell you anyone who is in one.

If marriage is revamped - will society crumble? Any predictions?

3 Day Cycles

2006-03-07T15:19:00.000+11:00

My mother claims I made her evil. She then makes the crucial mistake of telling people it's genetic.

Am I evil? I can be - and of late, you can expect me to be quite a nasty piece of work every three days or so. Today is one of those days, for those of you who don't like to take risks, perhaps you should keep track of when they are and you can avoid me on predicted evil days.

Evilness is something I'm quite good at it seems. Hope you're all having super days.

R

Mardi Gras - no longer a French expression!

2006-03-05T16:08:00.000+11:00

This weekend was the parade for the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and once again we volunteered to help marshall the event. There is no busier time for a gay man living in Sydney than the weekend of the parade. Everyone who considers themself someone is in Sydney for the event and the party. In their spare time, as much socialising as possible is done.

This morning I caught up with a good friend of mine from Brisbane who I'd dearly love to spend more time with, late lunch with a couple of friends, and now a couple of hours before it's time for afternoon tea with another friend.

Makes me glad I'm not working - I'll have some chance to rest over the week.

Buddhism anyone?

2006-03-02T11:03:00.000+11:00

In case of reincarnation - what type of life do I have to lead to come back as a Boston Terrier? Can one put in a list of preferences?

To Do Today: Stalking?

2006-03-01T08:49:00.000+11:00

I've found a lot of amusement in suggesting I'm stalking people of late - stalking in the fun, good natured way where I can tell them I look through the bathroom window but they know full well I haven't, often because I'm not even in the same country. Yesterday I went stalking my father and in this case stalking means "searching for his name in the phone book." I think I might know where he is, and his phone book entry has no reference to my step-mother.

It has been many years since I had contact with my father, the last time was when he called to let me know that my grandfather (his father) had passed away. It has always been an on-again, off-again relationship. The type of relationship where we would run into each other in a city street, chat for 5 minutes and then move on.

I think it's time to try contact again, but there will have to be rules. The rule I'm thinking of mostly is that anything that has happened in the past is forgiven.

Potentially I'm setting myself up for failure - but if I don't try, I'll never know.

Other things to do today are much more mundane.

Waves of Patriotism.

2006-02-28T23:40:00.000+11:00

I must be going through a period of patriotism, most un-Australian really. Today I'm feeling particularly proud of our voting system, in particular it's compulsory nature. At the end of polling day I can sleep well knowing that each and every Australian has presented themselves to a polling booth and been given the opportunity to vote how they like even if they vote informally. I may not like the outcome, I may wonder if my fellow Australians have left their minds in the glovebox of their "never seen dirt 4WD" but I have no doubt that Australia has spoken. To those who set this system in place, and those who have protected it - I thank you.

A rose by any other name...

2006-02-28T09:39:00.000+11:00

The weekend just past saw us having breakfast with F (sometimes referred to as F&H) who seemed to become quite agitated when we used the name Kata Tjuta. instead of "The Olgas." It seemed to upset her that we had reverted to the names these places had been given before the arrival of The First Fleet.

I spent an amount of time in the UK making sure that people knew the name for "Ayers Rock" had reverted to "Uluru" because I think it is important to recognise the order of arrival in this country of ours, that these places had names before we walked in and thought we could find a better name for them and perhaps we should name them after our mate's daughter or the like.

To take this one step further, which is something I like to do.... Why, when our alphabet permits, do we insist on changing the names of foreign cities? For years we've referred to Turin - now with the winter olympics we're calling it Torino and we seem to have no problem with it. Somewhere along the line someone has said "Torino, not the word we want to use, make it Turin." Why is that?

I like original place names and I like consistency across the globe. You can all send me your atlas and I'll correct whatever I can.

Footsteps

2006-02-24T22:27:00.000+11:00

So I've been mistaken for many years about the name of the third man to walk on the moon. It wasn't Michael Collins - he orbited the moon and collected Neil and Buzz when their lunar playtime was over.

The third man to walk on the moon was in fact Pete Conrad

Pete followed in the footsteps of Neil and Buzz - this blog, my blog, follows in the footsteps of those who have gone before me. Please make her feel special Miss Cathy

American Bashing

2006-02-23T15:14:00.000+11:00

So I watched The Glass House last night and they had an american comedian on who made some comment about "American Bashing." Now this may be something I've been guilty of in my past and will likely be guilty of in my future. The question I have to answer is - is the "bashing" justified? Stay tuned

Please Australia - Learn!

2006-02-23T15:12:00.000+11:00

I've been disappointed of late with how many Australians have been arrested on drugs charges in Indonesia. Please Australia - do not mix Bali and Drugs - they do not want it and they may execute you to serve as a reminder to others. If you're that way inclined - leave them at home, and if you can't go without them, don't go. I don't want to see more Australians given the death sentence or life imprisonment when there is no need.