Lev Lafayette's journal

Whilst I am not stranger to controversy, a certain petition I started on Friday has generated a bit of national media coverage. As often is the case, my cynical optimism over-estimates the degree of political nuance in this country and then is unsurprised by the partisan hyperbolics that follow. I have more to say on that matter, but that can wait for the time being. Besides, of far greater importance (which I neglected to mention last week) is Qassem Al-Salamat's interview of Radwan, a Syrian refugee whose brother was conscripted by the Assad regime and killed by Al-Nusra Front. Every time I read one of these tales continues to remind me of the reasons why these stories must be made public, again and again, until the world is awake to what is happening there. Putting in the effort to see these stories come to publication is also an act in recognising a kindred spirit. Amicus est tamquam alter idem, as Cicero put it.

Which brings me to the matter of friendship, of which I have been blessed in life by a good number of great qualities, some of whom I sadly do not see as often as should. I was fortunate enough lack week to catch up Shupu W., whose eruditeness won my heart many years ago, to whom I was introduced by Keith P., a great soul who brought so many of us together such as Monique and Dean E., Peter C., Adi H., Theodor B., and many other great people whom he brought together. I must confess I greatly miss those regular meetings in Keith's language group in East Melbourne. Still, one must meet at they can and over the weekend, we had horngirl and alchemon come an undertake our asylum tour and dinner that we irregularly host. Cats and their antics, of course, featured highly in our conversation. And then there is the other responsibilies of friendship; as I struggle to work may way through Rick B's, finances whilst the hospital wants to move him to permanent care, but I cannot complete the paperwork as I don't have Power of Financial Attorney. A limbo situation, which is less than pleasant.

So now I've found myself in Canberra, of all places, for a week. NCI are conducting a spring training course, for which I am furiously generating notes so I can pass heavy users up the HPC feeding tree. Prior to that however I did have most of a day spare, which I took the opportunity to visit the National Galley which whilst having several well-known pieces struck me as being a bit sparse. Clearly I have been greatly spoiled by the European galleries. After that made a visit to Parliament House and took a guided tour throughout that building. The guide was quite charming with his own non-partisan opinions and concerns with the failures of Australia's civic involvement. Which I guess brings me back to where I started - and also to leave this discussion for the following post.