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Garage sale was so successful I've had to give serious thought to giving up IT support and taking up selling books and records as a full-time occupation (heh, like I wouldn't enjoy that!). Despite not selling any of my computing books I did get two job offers simply by having them there, one as a BSD sysadmin for an ISP and the other as a DBA for a landscaping company.

Last Sunday Frank Hytten, Victorian Coordinator for Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation, provided a very presentantable outline on the main issues in indigenous history and representation at the Unitarians. Very interested to see that each and everyone of the key suggestions that he provided were exactly the same which I put up as part of ALP state policy some years back - none of which have been implemented by the government.

Update: OK, so memory isn't my good point, that's why I write things down... After the Unitarian's I went to an end of year function with Michael Danby (Federal Member Melbourne Ports), Tony Lupton (State Member, Prahran), Johan Scheffer (State Member, Monash Province), John Thwaites (Deputy Premier, State Member, Albert Park). Had a bit of a chew on the ear of the latter three on land tax issues. Am writing a paper on the Labor Party and land tax and why it's a good idea.

Went to Opera Australia last night with [livejournal.com profile] severina_242. The first performance was Monteverdi's "Il Combattimento Di Tancredi E Clorinda" which came with a dull score even duller modern dance, but underneath the obvious Christian propaganda there is actually quite a clever narrative. The second was Purcell's "Dido and Aeneas" which came with an excellent performance, especially by the sorcerer (Thomas Moran), and a far better score and stage setting. Although the single-prop aeroplane on the right panel of both shows was a "little" anachronistic.

Afterwards took the opportunity to view the contestants to the 2004 Archibald Prize. Was quite impressed by this years winner, Craig Ruddy's potrait of aboriginal actor Davild Gulpilil (whose claim to fame includes Walkabout, Storm Boy, Corcodile Dundee and Rabbit Proof Fence. The combination of "Australian" medium - charcoal on "colonial" wallpaper - is very similar to [livejournal.com profile] severina_242's own recent exhibition works. I was also impressed by Carolyn McKay Creedy's monochrome (blue) potrait of Bruce Spence which had surprising detail and Paul Worstread's "Me", a sour-faced comic rabbit with the banner "Autism is not a metaphor".

Google groups is stuffing up on me. No matter where I try to post from I get "Unable to retrieve message" errors (normally their database hasn't been fully updated in this case). I haven't been able to post to usenet for days. I'm going to have to back to a news client at this rate.

Meanwhile New Zealand continues to look good. The conservative National Party now holds 30.4 per cent in a recent opinion poll whereas the centre-left Labour Party has 50.1 per cent in the latest Herald-DigiPoll survey - and they've just introduced civil unions for same-sex couples. Doing a bit better than the Australian Labor Party aren't they?

Is there a
cure for HIV?


The Telegraph sets new standards in media in the
Galloway defamation trial
. "The Telegraph claimed it was in the public interest to publish its story regardless of whether it was true". i.e, If we hear of a good rumour, it's our job to publish it.

I don't often pay attention to such things, but from the sublime game of
cricket. SA all out for 29. From [livejournal.com profile] zey

Brain-breaker of the week goes to an Alabama lawmaker who wants to ban positive potrays of of gay characters from public libraries and to destroy said books. Mind you, this is the state which recently decided to keep "separate schools" for blacks and whites as
part of their constitution
- and we're supposed to look up to this par examplar of "democracy"?

Date: 2004-12-08 06:09 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] missmalice.livejournal.com
My other half is interested to know what you have in the way of computing books...

Date: 2004-12-08 12:05 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tcpip.livejournal.com

Does you other half like C++, especially the Borland manuals in detail? How about the classic Power Windows programming books (Norton and Yao)? Fortran? Prolog? Pascal?

Date: 2004-12-08 12:20 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] missmalice.livejournal.com
He said any C or C++ (but not specific OS or IDE texts), Unix (Esp. BSD), TCP/IP Networking, anything on Java and/or j2se, and Advanced on-button pressing for lauren.

(...and he obviously took over halfway through this comment. I suspect he is making fun of me because I'm not a big geek...)

Date: 2004-12-09 05:43 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tcpip.livejournal.com

Hmmm... I have a C, some C++ (which is old and designed for Windows platforms, but still very useful, imo) and two Unix books. The two Unix books I'm prepared to part with are pretty basic but also quite comprehensive as well... I have some TCP/IP, Java and J2SE books as well, but they're not in the garage sale boxes yet (i.e., I'm still using them!).

In total there's eleven relevant books which I'm prepared to part with for $30....

Date: 2004-12-09 09:40 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] missmalice.livejournal.com
Done! Sold!

Perhaps we should organise a rat play date sometime soon, as well?

Date: 2004-12-09 10:18 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tcpip.livejournal.com

Why not come over early on Saturday afternoon? Your rats could meet our rats and they could have a run on St Kilda beach if the weather's nice...

Date: 2004-12-09 11:37 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] missmalice.livejournal.com
And once again my weekend working hours get in the way of things :/

I'm free all during the week as far as I know..

Date: 2004-12-09 07:41 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tcpip.livejournal.com

Ah yes... I remember now. How about next Wednesday afternoon, say a little after 5pm...Do you have my address and 'phone number?

If not: 1/40 Eildon Rd, St Kilda, ph 0409 861 528

Date: 2004-12-10 12:38 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] caseopaya.livejournal.com
Cool - I finally get to meet your rats :)

And make that about 5.30pm - give me time to get home from work first LOL

Date: 2004-12-08 06:14 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] icepick666.livejournal.com
democracy , america, never! its an illusion!

Date: 2004-12-08 06:37 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] jahbulon.livejournal.com
You obviously know nothing of politics. Let me explain it again for the simpletons.

Democracy was founded in the USA in 5BC by Jesus Christ, who was a previous incarnation of Joseph Smith. Christ said "And yea did the people vote and Our Lord gave no sign as to where these votes would go. And the people did cry and wail and there was great gnashing of teeth but the great leaders would act as Our Lord directed them, as they were great tools. Of Our Lord."

As time went by, the disciples of Christ fell from their pure ways and descended into sin, thus Christ took from them the great godly power of democracy and in its place he did give them a cheque for $200.

Democracy, now with its new name, Culturally Imperialistic Capitalism, is the way and the light, and has great tits.

To speak against the USA is to hate God. You don't hate God, do you?

Date: 2004-12-08 07:01 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] icepick666.livejournal.com
how can i hate god when he doesn't exist.
i guess i'm a believer in greek democracy - getting it from behind so theres no procreation!

i love the way when the usa doesn't like a leader who is voted in in (e.g. venezuela) they do everything possible to undermine them.

Date: 2004-12-08 07:18 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] jahbulon.livejournal.com
We are free! Keep repeating, We are free!

USA: You are free to do as we tell you!

Date: 2004-12-08 09:45 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] icepick666.livejournal.com
australia: we are friends of the free!

Date: 2004-12-08 11:43 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tcpip.livejournal.com

The more we assert it, the more true it becomes ;-)

Date: 2004-12-08 11:49 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] icepick666.livejournal.com
till the chinese invade!

Date: 2004-12-08 12:02 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tcpip.livejournal.com
China won't invade. They gave that a bit of a go in the late 50s and early 60s and even a bit in the 70s (with Vietnam - and lost). They've realised it's best to let to wait and let "democracies" collapse under the weight of their own hypocrisy.

Like the icon, btw... Except I think Lucifer is more dapper that Mr. Howard. And more intelligent.

Actually, more moral as well, come to think of it...

Date: 2004-12-08 12:07 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] icepick666.livejournal.com
yes more dapper moral etc but john is just one of his henchmen.

i think china would LOVE to expand militarily and only the US presence is holding them back. perhaps india and russia too in those spheres.

i'm sure part of the strategic planning for australia is to become enmeshed in the usa military alliance so that we are protected from the chinese threat. indonesia isnt much of a threat even with its huge population - very divided and not very strong militarily.

Date: 2004-12-08 12:23 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tcpip.livejournal.com
i think china would LOVE to expand militarily and only the US presence is holding them back

Only in certain places with a strategic interest (e.g., Taiwan, South Korea, Japan).

The United States did nothing to stop China's invasion of Viet Nam. In fact, they actively encouraged it by backing, along with China, the Pol Pot regime.

It was the Vietnamese who defeated the Chinese. Basically, the Vietnamese had defeated the French, the Japanese, and the Americans, so the Chinese were no big deal.

Also the Chinese military structure is built around defense rather than attack. When it comes to attacking they're bloody hopeless. Defense? Ahh, that's another matter entirely...

(nota bene: Not that I'm particularly fond of PRC as a system of government or an economic model. I think in the former, they're almost on the same league as Saudi Arabia. But at least they treat their women better...)

Date: 2004-12-08 10:15 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] icepick666.livejournal.com
mmm that was 1/3 of a decade ago, china is rapidly becoming industrialised and with a massive population. they're bound to start throwing their weight around soon.

long term still a worry tho.

Date: 2004-12-09 12:55 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tcpip.livejournal.com

I reckon they'll wait - like they have with Iraq. Let the US be a buffon, let the Europeans complain, and they'll sit it out. They may be industrialised, they may have a massive population, but they also have a very good sense of their territorial integrity.

Also, they're having a few internal problems as there's a growing democratic current in the Communist Party itself - they've even had internal complaints about the use of the death penalty!

Also there's Hong Kong where "long hair" Leung, the left-wing democratic radical (always on TV in "Che" t-shirts) is causing a stir.

Frankly, I wouldn't be worried about China if they undergo reform. In fact, I'd welcome it. Maybe they need rapprochment with the ideas of Sun Yat Sen.

Date: 2004-12-09 12:59 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] icepick666.livejournal.com
i'd like to see them reform but i think they learnt fom the over-rapid `democratisation' of the ussr and will do so slowly.

i don't think they are too worried about dissidents and rogue voices - easily eliminated!

Date: 2004-12-08 11:52 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tcpip.livejournal.com

As Edward Siad (iirc) said about the time about the prospect of democracy in Iraq: "What if they elect someone America doesn't like?"

The US commitment to democracy is, unfortunately, secondary to their "national interest" which is, of course, the interests of their ruling class. Ditto for Australia.

Date: 2004-12-08 12:08 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] icepick666.livejournal.com
very true, same with human rights.

Date: 2004-12-08 12:00 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tcpip.livejournal.com
i guess i'm a believer in greek democracy - getting it from behind so theres no procreation!


I take it you saw South Park this week? Go gay to stop the future from happening?

Back to the mound!

Date: 2004-12-08 12:02 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] icepick666.livejournal.com
no missed it!
not knocking greeks either btw! :>

Date: 2004-12-08 07:14 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] zey.livejournal.com
The comparison got even worse on that first innings...

SA all out for 29, NSW 430/9 dec.

There's being outclassed and then there's all-out slaughter ;-).

Date: 2004-12-08 07:18 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] darkstardeity.livejournal.com
They were most incensed by efforts to remove the section that denied that Alabamians had "any right to education or training at public expense". Opponents claim education is a gift from the state of Alabama, not an entitlement.


*picks up jaw from the floor*

No right to education?!!! Education a "gift" from the state?!!! Jesus H. Christ on a motorcycle, how backwards are these people?!!

I guess that explains a lot, really ...

Date: 2004-12-08 07:23 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] jahbulon.livejournal.com
People outside of America are amazed to hear what goes on inside.

People inside America are confused by reactions from other people to their country's actions. I was talking to this kid from Pensacola, a small town near the border of Florida and Alabama.

He was truly unaware of the way the rest of the world views America. He was a small-town stoner - didn't fit in with the rappers or the rednecks, so just smoked pot. He was willing to listen, but he flat-out didn't believe that the rest of the world thought the US was a warmongering tool of Satan.

He said "We're not that bad" and found it hard to understand the separation between people and their government. I am constantly amazed.

"Its strange to think that in some parts of the world people are yelling "Revolution! Revolution!" And in other parts they're yelling "Evolution! Evolution! We want our thumbs!"

Bill Hicks..

Date: 2004-12-08 11:50 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tcpip.livejournal.com

Let's just hope the aliens land soon with their dental programme. ;-)

(Yes, we socialists do have a redemptive ideology. We hope that aliens will land in Alabama, turn all white people into black people and say "There! No fsking grow up you clowns!")

Date: 2004-12-08 11:55 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tcpip.livejournal.com

You know, I like (often) to play the devil's advocate, and this sort of thinking doesn't even make sense from the viewpoint of economic rationalism.

It's a pre-modern "one folk, one race, one religion" attitude.

Sometimes people ask my why I don't buy products from the United States*


(* anymore he specifies, looking at the large collection of comics and roleplaying games)

Date: 2004-12-08 08:05 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] excessivepurple.livejournal.com
Before the US elections there was a lot of talk about everyone moving to Canada if Bush was re-elected... maybe we should all just move to New Zealand? ;]

Date: 2004-12-08 11:46 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tcpip.livejournal.com

You're probably too young - no offense - to remember how progressive Australia was in the mid-80s in comparison to day.

It's pretty grim. Over the past decade I've watched this country turn into a very sad and pathetic shadow of its former self.

Goodness even as late at the early 90s we were talking seriously about being part of Asia, of becoming a Republic, of recognising Native Title.

These days we won't even give up the idea of pre-emptive strikes in the region. Yeah, that goes down real well in Indonesia, Malaysia etc.

Going to New Zealand is a real option. I have sights set on Dunedin.

Date: 2004-12-08 10:59 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] excessivepurple.livejournal.com
No offence taken, seriously, I was born in '87.

And half my family's in Malaysia.

Date: 2004-12-09 12:42 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tcpip.livejournal.com

Malaysia? Nice place, spent a fair bit of time travelling through there (only on penisula Malay regrettably). Melakka was charming.

Particularly impressed that the population has a clue about how to stand up for their rights. Greatly prefer their federal structure over the centalised Indonesian model.

Have recommended, half-tongue-in-cheek, a couple of times that East Timor should join the Federation of Malaysia. ;-)

Date: 2004-12-08 08:29 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bar-bar-ella.livejournal.com

Was quite impressed by this years winner, Craig Ruddy's potrait of aboriginal actor Davild Gulpilil (whose claim to fame includes Walkabout, Storm Boy, Corcodile Dundee and Rabbit Proof Fence.

And "The Tracker" which is an amazing film. If you haven't seen it - do so. I hereby declare it the absolutely best drama the Aussie film industry has produced in the last 5 years. :) David won the AFI Best Actor award for that. First words of his acceptance speech were "Yeah... I deserve it." :)

Date: 2004-12-09 12:45 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tcpip.livejournal.com

Ahh, no, I haven't seen the Tracker. Thanks for the recommendation, I'll see it asap.

My personal favourite so far from the list must be Walkabout. That's a truly brilliant film - quite old know, I think it was from the sixties or early seventies at best.

Date: 2004-12-09 04:24 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bar-bar-ella.livejournal.com

I bet you just like seeing a young Jenny Agutter get her gear off, eh? I know you, remember! ;) And it was '71 from memory...

Oh, and take special note of the way paintings and songs are used in The Tracker. Brilliant stuff. (yes, I'm really talking this one up but, god, it's good!)


Date: 2004-12-09 05:58 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tcpip.livejournal.com
Ah yes, so she (Jenny Agutter) did... To be honest, I'd completely forgotten! Seriously!

But I do remember the fine strapping nudity of David Gulpilil in that film....

Date: 2004-12-09 10:55 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bar-bar-ella.livejournal.com

Ah yes, so she (Jenny Agutter) did... To be honest, I'd completely forgotten! Seriously!

Yeah, but she gets her gear off in practically everything she does. Seriously! :)

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