The Pen's temporary pen

Our new address

2006-01-05T11:53:00.000+11:00

Dear all,

This is a quick note to inform you that Rooster and I have moved to our new digs. We can now be found at www.mushroomandrooster.net.

Hope to see you all there for the housewarming!

Sincerely yours,
Mushroom and Rooster

Pack your stuff, we're moving house!

2006-01-04T10:11:00.000+11:00

Image with thanks to the brand channel

Happy 2006 to all! Here at the temporary pen, we have some good news to share with you all...

We'll we've signed all the appropriate documents, paid our deposits as well as our first installments and construction is almost over at our new digs.

The new casa del Pen will be ready to move into within days now. So we're packing our bags and moving out as soon as Rooster can iron out a couple of kinks here and there (fixtures and fittings that need to be straightened).

Finally, the Pen will have a secure home of our very own! I can't say it was great moving back here (although it was rent free), but blogger has been good to us and treated us well. Hopefully this will be the very end of our stay here, but we can't rule it out completely. Like all new home owners, emeregencies or defaulting and returning back to square one is an fear that floats in the back of your mind.

Anyway, we'll be sure to keep you posted and when all is settled you're all invited to the house warming party!

Five weird habits

2005-12-29T11:14:00.000+11:00

Though I wasn't tagged, I thought this would be an interesting meme to participate in. Unabashedly stolen from Moment to Moment. Feel free to pilfer at will.

Here's the rules:
The first player of this game starts with the topic five weird habits of yourself, and people who get tagged need to write an entry about their five weird habits as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose the next five people to be tagged and link to their web journals. Don't forget to leave a comment in their blog or journal that says “You are tagged” (assuming they take comments) and tell them to read yours.

The “one week myuni promise”: I always have this tendency when my University marks are released to vow not to look up my marks online and wait until the mail comes out. This promise lasts exactly one week until I start to obsessively check online every 15 minutes for my results. It’s been the same every year since first year.
The “historical” obsession: Every time I watch a “based on a true story” movie or read a book with the similar premise, I will obsessively research about the true life story and attempt to compare the fiction with fact. This also has extended to documentaries, magazine or newspaper articles.
“Olive hatred”: I hate the taste of olives. I find them vile and I am at wits end to try to explain why I dislike them so much.
“Commonism”: This is probably the most petty of my habits. I find myself consciously looking for certain things that not too many have cottoned on to. Certain independent bands, places to eat, cult books written by particular authors that have not caught on in the mainstream yet. I’ll enjoy their music that is until I find other people start to like and show interest in them as well. The more mainstream sometime gets, the more I dislike them. It may not be that they have “sold out”, and they may not have reached the absolute heights of popularity, but for some reason I’ll just lose interest.
“Don’t crease the spine!”: When I purchase books, I always ensure that the spine remains creaseless. My skin crawls when I see books with creases on their spines (even though I know that they must have been loved immensely).

Merry Christmas from the Pen (better late than never!)

2005-12-28T11:08:00.000+11:00

A Christmas present from us!
Originally uploaded by the Pen.

Very apt

2005-12-16T12:21:00.000+11:00

"What is important in life is life, and not the result* of life."
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

*That's right... result still not out yet. Just a whole bunch of nail biting and skillful avoidance of my supervisor.

Town Hall station, 8:15am

2005-12-15T09:19:00.000+11:00

Spotted: an elderly gentleman wearing a red apron.

Written on his apron was some German, the name "Adolf Hitler", and a swastika smack-bang in the middle.

Stand up and be counted in the fight against racism

2005-12-14T14:52:00.000+11:00

With much thanks to Stoush.net and MGK

The National Union of Students is calling a rally to protest against the recent race riots in Cronulla.

The rally, to be called "United Against Racism", will protest against the racist violence in Cronulla last Sunday, and against the ongoing racist acts that have followed from them.

WHEN: Sunday 18th December 2005
TIME: 1pm
WHERE: Sydney Town Hall Square

Rooster: An update to Sunday's events

If you can't make the 1pm rally up at Town Hall Square, mosey on down to Belmore Park (near Central Railway Station) at 3pm. More info here and here.

Is it just me or are these very disturbing times?

2005-12-13T16:34:00.000+11:00

Listening to Chicago – Sufjan Stevens

It just seems that day after day, minute after minute, there is nothing but depression inducing news.

A couple of days ago a mentally ill man was murdered by US marshals on a plane. Another innocent victim of mistaken identity related to suspected terrorism who died oh so senselessly…

Whilst he lay dying, legislation which threatens to demolish the very nature of a “fair go” for all Australians was rammed through parliament without proper debate by a government who promised not to “abuse” the majority they have in the senate. Amongst laws allowing working conditions, freedom of expression and the rights and livelihood students enrolled in tertiary institutions to become compromised, none ensured that what happened in Miami that day would not be repeated in this country.

In a blink of an eye, the whole fabric of Australian society changed overnight. The rights of women to exercise control over their reproductive health is also at risk thanks to a backdoor deal made by the Prime Minister, the Minister for Health and a Family First Senator. Troops overseas in Iraq have now been assigned to at least 12 more months to fight in a war that has no end in sight. And no-one bats an eyelid.

And now the racially motivated rioting in the Sutherland Shire and neighbouring beachside localities fosters the ever increasing “us and them” mentality, further diminishing the very tenants of Australian society we hold so dear. And if that isn’t enough, our Prime Minister is refusing to acknowledge that this is a race is the predominant issue?

Am I the only one who feels that these are very disturbing times?

All hell breaks loose in "God's Country"

2005-12-11T21:45:00.000+11:00

Before today, one would associate the following photo with events such as, say, Australia Day or the Sydney Olympics.

Unfortunately, the above photo was taken in conjunction with today's events down at Cronulla Beach.

Violence begets violence. Both parties have done themselves no favours.

With regard to the mob of apparent "Middle Eastern extraction". The assaults on the lifeguard and the press during the week have no place in our society. The law will continue to run its course, and the perpetrators will be brought to justice.

Those who deprive the liberty, the freedom of movement and the exclusion of others should also realise that they too, have no place in society.

5000 people (whom I suspect the majority would be "Shire" boys and girls) converged on Cronulla Beach as an apparent "sign of solidarity" against intimidation and threat of losing their beloved beach, culminating in the bashings last week by gangs of "Middle Eastern extraction". Many were decked out in Australian flags, worn either on their shirts or in the form of capes.

Some sign of solidarity that was. This guy claims victory.

Things then got ugly. Lynch mobs came into effect. It seemed anyone who looked like a Leb or Wog was fair game. Possibly fueled by alcohol and the heat of the day.

» "An ambulance attempting to transport five injured people from the scene was set upon by a large group of people who smashed its windows," an ambulance spokesman said.

Talk about a lack of respect for those whose job is to save and protect lives! Now where have I heard those sentiments before?

What really disturbed me was the use of the Australian flag by this mob. This wasn't patriotism at all - how dare they use our national flag, (supposed) catchcry (Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi) to marginalise other Australians.

Just settle the fuck down.

Your old new favourite Christmas carol

2005-12-08T23:21:00.000+11:00

Sit back with your glass of eggnog and enjoy.

Sung to the tune of The 12 Days of Christmas.

The Twelve Days of Christmas, 2005

On the first day of Christmas,
my PM gave to me
A chance to trade away leave.

On the second day of Christmas,
my PM gave to me
Cuts to overtime ,
And a chance to trade away leave.

On the third day of Christmas,
my PM gave to me
Lower pay ,
Cuts to overtime ,
And a chance to trade away leave.

On the fourth day of Christmas,
my PM gave to me
No redundancy
Lower pay ,
Cuts to overtime ,
And a chance to trade away leave.

On the fifth day of Christmas,
my PM gave to me
NO RIGHTS AT ALL
No redundancy
Lower pay ,
Cuts to overtime ,
And a chance to trade away leave.

On the sixth day of Christmas,
my PM gave to me
No more penalties
NO RIGHTS AT ALL
No redundancy
Lower pay ,
Cuts to overtime ,
And a chance to trade away leave.

On the seventh day of Christmas,
my PM gave to me
Many bosses sacking,
No more penalties
NO RIGHTS AT ALL
No redundancy ,
Lower pay ,
Cuts to overtime ,
And a chance to trade away leave.

On the eighth day of Christmas,
my PM gave to me
Lots of lost conditions,
Many bosses sacking,
No more penalties
NO RIGHTS AT ALL
No redundancy
Lower pay ,
Cuts to overtime ,
And a chance to trade away leave.

On the ninth day of Christmas,
my PM gave to me
Less time for family,
Lots of lost conditions,
Many bosses sacking,
No more penalties
NO RIGHTS AT ALL
No redundancy
Lower pay ,
Cuts to overtime ,
And a chance to trade away leave.

On the tenth day of Christmas,
my PM gave to me
Gaol if I protest,
Less time for family,
Lots of lost conditions,
Many bosses sacking,
No more penalties
NO RIGHTS AT ALL
No redundancy
Lower pay ,
Cuts to overtime ,
And a chance to trade away leave.

On the eleventh day of Christmas,
my PM gave to me
Much longer hours,
Gaol if I protest,
Less time for family,
Lots of lost conditions,
Many bosses sacking,
No more penalties
NO RIGHTS AT ALL
No redundancy
Lower pay ,
Cuts to overtime ,
And a chance to trade away leave.

On the twelfth day of Christmas,
my PM gave to me
The end of certainty
Much longer hours,
Gaol if I protest,
Less time for family,
Lots of lost conditions,
Many bosses sacking,
No more penalties
NO RIGHTS AT ALL
No redundancy
Lower pay ,
Cuts to overtime ,
And a chance to trade away leave!

Mushroom flagged this one to my attention, and I managed to catch a snippet of a bunch of Labor MP's caroling (lead of course by none other than Peter Garrett) on SBS World News Australia. Big thanks to the Minotaur and Andrew Landeryou.

Adjusting to the pseudo non-student life

2005-12-07T11:38:00.000+11:00

Image thanks to Toothpaste for Dinner

It's strange adjusting to my status as a non-university student. Especially considering that I still work on University grounds once in a while. I'm stuck in that transition stage, not quite a graduate, not quite a graduand (I haven't received my final mark nor confirmation that I have completed the requirements of my degree to graduate). I'm meandering in the void between, still travelling on the same bus and train that I used to get to uni, still pulling out the concession card, still frequenting campus. The only difference is that next semester I won't be showing up to class... legitimately this time because I'm not actually enrolled in anything.

I've been thinking about further study... the idea has been running circles around my head. I've been looking to work part time where I currently work, or at a Union or NGO and think about pursuing a post grad degree somewhere. But I can't decide whether I actually want to pursue another degree, or is it just my insecurities about joining the workforce full time knowing very well how badly people are getting screwed (moreso after the IR reforms were rammed down the Senate's throat and passed last week).

I'm at one of the many crossroads I will meet in my life. I just want my life to be worth something, I want to leave behind a legacy. I want to say that I contributed to the world in a positive way, I achieved something in order to minimise and eliminate the plight of others.

Confusion my flavour of the week. I never thought I would say this, but things were so much more simple when I was at University.

Farewell Red Rag

2005-12-07T08:37:00.000+11:00

Red Rag is now on permanent hiatus.

Thanks for the memories and such, Rob.

ABC's "My Favourite Film"

2005-12-04T21:35:00.000+11:00

Just finished watching "My Favourite Film" on my aunty's tv station. Needless to say that the top ten was very interesting. Here's the top 100, with films I've watched (in their entirety) crossed out.

[Edit: Mushroom adds which films she has watched as indicated in blue]

1. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
~~2. Amelie~~
3. Blade Runner
~~4. The Shawshank Redemption~~
5. Donnie Darko
~~6. Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope~~
7. Pulp Fiction
8. The Princess Bride (I might've seen it in high school)
9. Gone With The Wind
10. Fight Club

11. The Sound of Music (not in it's entirety)
~~12. To Kill A Mockingbird~~
13. 2001: A Space Odyssey
14. Casablanca
15. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
16. American Beauty
17. Doctor Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
18. Monty Python's Life of Brian
19. Lawrence Of Arabia
20. Apocalypse Now

21. Cinema Paradiso
22. Doctor Zhivago
~~23. The Matrix~~
~~24. The Castle~~
25. Singin' in the Rain
26. A Clockwork Orange
27. The Blues Brothers
28. Withnail and I
29. Life is Beautiful
30. The Godfather

31. Moulin Rouge
32. Some Like it Hot
~~33. Lost in Translation~~
~~34. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest~~
35. Local Hero
36. The Third Man
37. Brazil
38. Serenity
~~39. Breakfast at Tiffany's~~
40. A Room with a View

41. The Rocky Horror Picture Show
42. Dead Poets Society
43. Harold and Maude
44. The Big Lebowski
45. The Wizard of Oz
46. Out Of Africa
47. Picnic at Hanging Rock
48. The Usual Suspects
49. Cabaret
~~50. Forrest Gump~~

51. Monty Python and the Holy Grail
52. The Piano (in parts)
53. Pirates of the Carribbean - The Curse of the Black Pearl
~~54. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back~~
~~55. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory~~
56. The City of Lost Children
57. The African Queen
58. Love Actually
~~59. Strictly Ballroom~~
60. Wings of Desire

61. Raiders of the Lost Ark
62. Babette's Feast
63. The Fifth Element
64. Spirited Away
65. Aliens
66. It's a Wonderful Life
~~67. Napoleon Dynamite~~
68. Rear Window
~~69. Romeo And Juliet~~
70. Dirty Dancing

~~71. Kill Bill: Vol. 1~~
72. The Good, The Bad and the Ugly
73. Trainspotting
74. Muriel's Wedding
75. When Harry Met Sally
76. The Great Escape
77. Ferris Bueller's Day Off (in parts)
~~78. Gallipoli~~
79. Lantana
~~80. Garden State~~

81. Sin City
82. Chariots of Fire

83. The English Patient
84. This is Spinal Tap
~~85. Chocolat~~
86. Fargo
87. Look Both Ways
88. Goodfellas
89. Aliens
~~90. Grease~~

91. All About Eve
92. Citizen Kane
93. Stand By Me
94. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
95. Mulholland Drive
96. Back to the Future
97. High Fidelity
98. The Thin Red Line
99. Being John Malkovich
100. Dead Man

Rooster's very unkulchured, he's only watched about 20.
46/100... I kinda expected more... oh well there's one summer project to do!

Can I also add that aunty and her ethnic cousin seem to have quality programming lined up this non-ratings summer!

Let those without sin cast the first stone.

2005-12-02T01:41:00.000+11:00

I want to hear you tell me that you don't want my love...

2005-12-01T15:41:00.000+11:00

[Image with thanks to Wobly]

One of the best songs I have heard recently is Jose Gonzales' cover of "Hand on your Heart". The song, originally performed by "our Kylie", has been given a beautiful acoustic twist by this stunning Swede. You can hear the resonating heartache amidst the deceptively melodious guitar riffs and sweetly enchanting vocals. Hear it here.

Well it's one thing to fall in love
But another to make it last
I thought that we were just beginning
And now you say we're in the past

Oh, look me in the eye
And tell me we are really through

You know it's one thing to say you love me
But another to mean it from the heart
And if you don't intend to see it through
Why did we ever start
Oh, I wanna hear you tell me
You don't want my love

Put your hand on your heart and tell me
It's all over
I won't believe it till you
Put your hand on your heart and tell me
That we're through.

Oh, put your hand on your heart
Hand on your heart

They like to talk about forever
But most people never get the chance
Do you wanna lose our love together
Do you find a new romance

Oh, I wanna hear you tell me
You don't want my love

Look me in the eye
And tell me we are really through

MEAA workplace laws forum with Greg Combet

2005-11-30T01:04:00.000+11:00

Blogging on the run once again!

I had the pleasure of sitting in on the proceedings of the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) 2005 Federal Council meeting. More specifically, the "Rights at Work" forum with the ACTU's Secretary Greg Combet.

Prior to the forum I had only come across Greg in the press and on the small and big screens - a charismatic leader who was meticulous and well-spoken.

Greg Combet in the flesh - a charismatic leader who was meticulous and well-spoken. He brought a lot of insight to the table, which I found to be a great help as a relative n00b to the industrial relations game.

Of particular interest to me was the leveraging of technology to generate awareness of the legislation and campaign at a individual/grassroots level. A wonderful example given was of the 80,000+ signatures gathered to petition Senator Barnaby Joyce into voting against the WorkChoices legislation from the your rights at work website. Utilising such technologies as the web, email, sms and telecommunications as part of a integrated effort will certainly generate enough chatter amongst the general public, in turn driving awareness.

[start my thought] This would then empower the person on the street to take action (e.g. writing to newspapers/MP's, blogging, joining a union or community organisation) - grassroots activism at it's best. The intent would be to re-engage a public who currently feel that they are unable to partake in social change [end my thought]

It seems more than likely that the legislation will be passed through. Thus, the challenge for the movement would be to maintain a strong level of top-of-mind awareness through to the next election.

More photos here.

Band Together launch

2005-11-29T00:13:00.000+11:00

Apologies for the quick post, as internet time will probably be scarce this week.

The LHMU in conjunction with Unions NSW launched "Band Together", a campaign to raise awareness amongst the youth in relation to the Howard Government's Industrial Relations "reforms" - WorkChoices. Orange wristbands will be handed out at music festivals this summer, such as Homebake and the Big Day Out as a salient symbol for the campaign.

LHMU Secretary Annie Owens, Unions NSW Secretary John Robertson and Union campaigner and Big Brother 2005 runner-up Tim Brunero were on hand in Pyrmont to give "Band Together" their blessing. The media and the general public were then invited aboard the big orange "your rights at work" bus to watch 36 Ways to Get Fired Thanks to John Howard. Bloody hilarious stuff.

More photos here, albeit low-res. Drop us a line if you'd like high-res shots.

Band Together

2005-11-27T10:18:00.000+11:00

Presenting a community service announcement concerning our "youff".

What: Band Together
When: 12:15pm, Monday 28th November, 2005 (I know it's late notice, I just found out then)
Where: Pyrmont Bay Park, opposite Star City Casino
Who: The LHMU and Tim Brunero, of Big Brother fame and active Union campaigner

Many of you would have finished your HSC or uni exams by now, so we would certainly love to see you there tomorrow! Would any bloggers like to meet up?

I just don't think I'll ever get over you.

2005-11-24T10:35:00.000+11:00

Listening to - Feeder : Feeling a Moment
Image with much thanks to Kerygma Cinematology

I have to make an apology to all those readers out there who have witnessed what was (and is) my 'quasi emotional meltdown' of sorts. I guess I own an explanation as to where I have been both mentally and physically. And perhaps too, this would aid as a cathartic exercise. If not, I can always delete this and wait for the google bots to refresh any captured cache.

From the first week to the third week of November, I found myself in the Philippines unexpectedly... 4 days after completing my honours thesis. A week before my thesis due, I received news that my grandfather had suffered from a stroke and, as a result, suffered from "expressive aphasia and bilateral lower extremities weakness". Later I would find that was a fancy way of saying that he wasn't going to be able to stand up and give me a hug ever again... or be able to talk to me in structured sentences, if at all, anymore.

It was bad enough that he was particularly ill and that I couldn't just drop everything that instant, jump on a plane to be by his side... I had to mentally overlook what had happened so that I could complete my thesis as best as I could so I could leave as soon as possible. I wish I could say that my thesis did not suffer because of it, but I am not going to blame my short comings on what had happened. That would be a cop out. Whatever I get will solely be my success or failure.. and if it is the latter, suffice to say, I should have been more prepared to plan for emergency situations.

What made this situation even more particularly difficult was that my grandfather and I have a very special relationship, as many granddaughters do. In my Grandfathers eyes, I could do no wrong, which made it easier to talk to him about things.. We had the type of relationship where I could lean on him for advice. Every telephone call I received from him, he would always encourage and motivate me to focus on what I wanted to achieve. Never disparaging... always convinced of my success.

I'll really miss those phone calls.

He had promised me that he would attend my graduation ceremony when I completed University. As the first Grandchild in the family, he was particularly excited at the thought of that I would soon complete my degree and every time we spoke, he would always remind me of his promise. I would always remind him to take care of himself because there is a seat reserved for him in the Great Hall on the day. I'm still going to make sure that seat is there, even if I know he won't be.

The doctors say that the next stroke will be his last, and looking at his medical history, it seems that it will probably be sooner rather than later. The more I repeat this to myself, the gnawing, stabbing pain reduces each time... but I don't think it will ever entirely disappear.

Now I'm back in Sydney, after three weeks away, and I'm slowly trying to put together the pieces of my life. I left in such a rush that there are so many loose ends needing to be tied... and I'm not sure where to start.

But I'll get there eventually.

So I apologise if my writing is incredibly sporadic, it will be for a little while. I'll get back into the swing of things... politiking and pop culturing... It's just I have some things to finish up in the beforehand.

Do the right thing, Barnaby

2005-11-23T10:22:00.000+11:00

Vote NO.

Home again

2005-11-22T15:14:00.000+11:00

I'm back home after 17 days overseas. It seems I haven't written anything of substance in the last five weeks or so... Unfortunately that will not change.

At the moment, life has thrown me a curve ball, and it will take some time before I can pull my socks up and get back with the program again.

Thanks to everyone who has left well wishing comments. They mean a great deal.

The whole world is watching!

2005-11-21T16:22:00.000+11:00

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has ruled that new building and construction laws tabled by the Federal Government breach international standards »

The International Labour Organisation's (ILO) governing body has requested the Federal Government modify its laws.

Unions say the decision is harming Australia's reputation as a democratic country.

The ILO said the new laws, which came into effect in September, fail to comply with Australia's international obligations to allow workers to freely associate in unions and bargain collectively with employers.

ACTU president Sharan Burrow, who sits on the ILO's governing body, said Prime Minister John Howard was setting himself above international law if he did not alter the Australian Act.

Keeping the wheels of the bandwagon rolling...

2005-11-17T22:57:00.000+11:00

Bandwagon or not, GO THE SOCCEROOS!

2005-11-16T23:22:00.000+11:00

As a once-every-four-years soccer fan, I'm thrilled to bits with the news that Australia is off to the World Cup. The Socceroos™®© certainly did it for Mr. Soccer, Johnny Warren.

If you follow the work of John Safran closely, you certainly can't be faulted for suggesting that he may have had a hand in sending the boys to Germany next year. In Episode 7 of John Safran vs God:

In one scene, he went to Maputo, Mozambique to have a 35 year old curse removed from the Socceroos based on a 1970 World Cup qualifier, where the Australians beat Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) with the help of a witch doctor, but the team didn't pay him for providing assistance. In the book "Sheilas, Wogs and P---ftahs", Johnny Warren claimed that the incident has been responsible for Australia's bad luck in attempting to make the World Cup ever since (players getting ill before W.C. Quals., missing out every time after 1974, and even then they drew West and East Germany in its group), and quoted the Iran incident in 1997 among others, where the boys let go a 2-0 lead in the final 20 minutes.

To make up for everything, Safran travelled to Maputo, Mozambique, offered gifts to re-pay the debt, and then take part in a ritual conducted by the descendants of the witch doctor to remove the Australian curse, where he was covered in powder and chicken blood and then washed in water containing a dead chicken's blood. He was then required to go back to Soccer Australia HQ and then to the Sydney Football Stadium to repeat the cleansing process over again, with Johnny Warren in attendance, thus removing the curse (but Australia lost its next match 3-1 to Turkey in a friendly.)

source

Blimey, how good was Mark Schwarzer?

Clarification

2005-11-12T20:11:00.000+11:00

Yes, I am in the Philippines.

No, it was not planned.

No, unfortunately it is not for a "holiday".

Write more when I touch down in Sydney.