Lev Lafayette's journal

Having completed three days of training workshops (Introduction to Linux and HPC, Advanced Linux and Shell Scripting for HPC, GPGPU Applications and Programming), I now have something not quite akin to a break. It's been a challenging previous month; an international conference in China, and two short bouts off work with sick leave due to two different colds; I think the six days off for such a reason in one month is the most I've ever had in my life, which is quite a blessing really. Last week, of course, also included the final essays and exams for the second trimester of my climatology studies. Results for the previous round of assignments (Comparison between US and China NDCs for the Paris Accord, Reflection on climate mitigation opportunities in Te Tairāwhiti, Pacific Islands Ecosystem-Based Climate Adaptation) have come in quite satisfactory grades. But realistically, the combination of full-time study, full-time work, and all the additional worldly activities probably all added up.

Like anyone who pays some attention to international news, I have been giving some thought to the recent conflict in Gaza, an ongoing issue since the violent establishment of the Israeli state that was applied with very scant regard for the population that was already there. Quite frankly, the issue is unlikely to go away as long as the distinctions between people are given priority by obsessive and extremist people and their institutional powers above visceral and human commonality. I have written about such matters many times before; for example "The Country of Palestine: A Zero State Solution" and "Apartheid and Zionism: Precise Definitions, Visceral Ontologies", both of which I argue for a position which respects a Jewish homeland in a secular and democratic Palestine where's one ethnicity or religion is of no political or legal consequence. This is an ideal position of course far from the grubby "political realism" that is normally discussed. But it does align itself to a very grounded current position with a long history (e.g., Brit Shalom, Tahalof Essalam) for a moment's respite: Ceasefire now!

The double issue of RPG Review 23-24 has been released with the final article, a top-twenty of RPG game worlds concluded. Still working on the web version, as opposed to the PDF, up-to-date, but that should occur soon. Also have had two reviews published on rpg.net, Never Unprepared, for session preparation and Odyssey for campaign management. Thursday night was an enjoyable session of Masks of Masks of Nyarlathotep, with two investigators deciding to take a general plot to seek a sanatorium on Cyprus, rather than continuing their journey to Kenya. They arrived just after Cyprus has become a Crown Colony, and sought assistance from new player-investigator, Constantin von Economo. This afternoon was a session of GURPS Middle-Earth, which ran well.

The LNP Federal government continues to their utmost to destroy any notion of the Commonwealth of Australia, with demands that the unemployed make at least forty job applications per month. Some have shown that this can achieved easily, albeit at a processing cost for business. This clearly ties-in with their work-for-the-dole programme, which is shown to reduce one's chance of finding employment. The practical upshot of all this is that a number of us are plotting a job search agency that automates the application process with relevant positions. Watch this space for further developments in Zardoz Employment Services.

Also in the realm of practical politics is the Isocracy Annual General Meeting (FB link) for August 16th at Trades Hall. Guest speaker is Sol Salbe from the Australian Jewish Democratic Society, and we're hoping to have a speaker from Australians for Palestine, all due to recent events in Gaza. The Network has already made its position quite clear (Apartheid and Zionism, A Zero State Solution; a secular, democratic, liberal, socialist Palestine that is a Jewish homeland. Impossible? In the realm of political change, you start with the ideal and work backwards on how you're going to achieve it.

Wore my The Clash hoodie into work on Friday, causing a flurry of activity and discussion on musical tastes. I had previously discussed my recent acquisition of the Rob Jo Star Band, a very obscure 1975 French version of Hawkwind (or at least that my reading of them). Later that day spent a small fortune to buy two VIP tickets to see the new Pop Will Eat Itself. Ever since my mid-teens my musical tastes have been generally eclectic with an emphasis on the alternative contemporary styles, matching with other aesthetic choices. From the early and mid-70s, there's a tendency towards the amalgam of progressive, psychedelic, art-rock and proto-punk (Hawkwind, Brian Eno, Yes), are my preferences. From the late 70s to late-80s strong punk, gothic, and post-punk influences (The Clash, The Dead Kennedys, Bauhaus, Joy Division/New Order, The Chameleons, Shriekback, The Cure). The late-80s to the mid-2000s my preferred sounds are mainly in the industrial, electronic body music, and other electronica styles (Front 242, Skinny Puppy. Pop Will Eat Itself, Leftfield, Nine Inch Nails). Don't ask me about post-2005 I'm still thinking about it!

The Israeli invasion of Gaza continues, with the number of civilian deaths rising dramatically. Claims that Israel has been using cluster bombs and white phosphorus. Two UN schools are bombed killing forty, just after UN ambulances were hit killing paramedics. The definition of a 'terrorist' and a 'valid target'seems to get a bit rubbery according to the IDF. In contrast, Australian Jews denounce the invasion. A former Israeli soldier, and now Oxford professor, has come to some hard conclusions as a result of the invasion. Avaaz (a remarkably effective group) has a cease-fire petition, which I urge all to sign and pass on. Also, go vote for Prof. Juan Cole's 'blog Informed Comment as Best Middle East or Africa 'Blog.

I sometimes find myself drawn into this discussion and over the years have found myself increasingly in support of the "one (democratic, secular) state solution". The partition of Palestine was perhaps the worst early decision made by the United Nations and was not supported by any neighbouring state or by the former colonial power. Under such circumstances it is hardly surprising that there have been seemingly endless violence and wars as a consequence. Resolving the issue would involve ending the pseudo-soveriegnity (as Hannah Arendt put it) of a Jewish state in favour of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. Apart from applying laws equally over what it is currently Israel and the occupied territories, it would involvd ending existing discriminatory institutions and laws (e.g., Knesset Election Law, the control of the Israel Land Administration by the Jewish National Fund, the Law of Return, Nationality Law etc) would have to be abolished in favour of secular alternatives. Of course, having such considered opinions does attract detractors; dear readers, I present you my own troll from Tel Aviv.

Have engaged in a few mythic diversions of late. Last Sunday's RuneQuest Prax game included defeating the witch-queen of disease and visiting a moment of the non-sequential reality that is the Godtime. darknova666's character jumped between misfortune and elation on several occassions in the scenario. On a further Gloranthan theme I've introduced The Crimson Bat in my HeroQuest pbem. Have also extracted and modified the review of Pathfinder from the latest issue of RPG Review (issue #3 already has three articles, awesome!) to submit to RPG.net. On an oddly related topic, on Sunday week I'm presenting on "A Unitarian-Univeralist View of the Economic Crisis" - how's that related? Afterwards we're playing Credo: The Game of Duelling Dogmas, which is attracting some interest from members of the congregation.