Since we don’t live by politics alone (I sincerely hope), what did people get up to this weekend? Join in, share some tales, regulars and lurkers all!
Life, Culture and Politics from BrisVegas
Larvatus Prodeo was an Australian group blog which discussed politics, sociology, culture, life, religion and science from a left of centre perspective. more»
Went to the “Say Yes Australia” demo at State Library of Victoria http://twitpic.com/573n3o
Has everyone seen this:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/06/05/3235955.htm
Darwin wasnt having one, so I missed out. But, it looks like us: “latte sipping, left wing inner city socialists who believe in climate change” (thats the latest denialist meme isnt it?) arent such a tiny minority after all…
I attended in Sydney — estimate rally size at 10-12,000 +/-10%. Does one count small children?
The rally had something of the atmosphere of a picnic and the weather certainly smiled on those of us seeing it that way. I don’t think I saw a downcast face amongst the attendees, save perhaps amongst the LaRouchies who turned up at the entrance to press their nonsense at those committed to serious and timely action on climate change.
I explained firmly and loudly enough for those nearby to hear, that while he was entitled to offer his ideas here we weren’t interested. He retorted that I could “keep my closed mind” and I responded that an open mind was quite different from what he had — a vacant mind. Well it’s nice to vent once in a while.
I went to the Sydney launch of My Friend The Chocolate Cake’s new album Fiasco. It was a great night of tunes and they play an extended set without a support artist so it’s good value if you like their style.
Well after a terrible week ( our little Staffy got his foot almost ripped off , under the fence, by a stray monster dog. But he may keep it, fingers crossed). Today i went to an Eco expo and listened to presentations about “sustainable building design” and ” permaculture”.
Half way through a presentation on ” soil composting in agriculture( sugar cane)”, a bunch of hippies(30+people) decided to have a drum/bongo/african percussion extravaganza, 15 metres away. And that was the end of that.
Got home and Jack ( the staffy) , greeted me at the door, tail wagging( hes been laying on his bed looking sad for 4 days).
Anyway, good day for me.
Morning on line, checking book reviews etc. On LP. Had some of the chicken stockpot I cooked yesterday.
Afternoon taking notes on Halifax, NS for half of next paragraph I intend to write. More to do.
Health seems to be improving markedly, (hoping my chickens has hatched.)
Went to the Sydney carbon tax thingy. It was a pretty decent turn up, about 10,000.
Hope your staffie is on the mend Jumpy, and glad to hear you’re on the improve Paul.
I just watched the “Bolt Report”, but switched off after the first few minutes. He accussed everyone who disagrees with him of lying and then complains that they won’t come on his show. I wonder why Andy?
Lunch at Kailis’s in Leedeville. Scallops were divine as always. Crab Linguini was underwhelming but fortunately offset by the magnificent NZ Sav Blanc accompanying.
Don’t know why I bother trying to order different to my favourites – always seem to get dissappointed.
Watched Insiders so I had an excuse to rant and rave, mowed the lawn to take advantage of a glorious winter day in the high country.
Poor little Jack, betcha you were a happy owner when he greeted you with a tail wag Jumpy, I hope he is better soon.
Thanks Uncle Buck.
The Taipan (wifey) and I are just about to do a change of dressing.
Not nice.
obRazor.
The eldest caught a nice GT and a mud crab, thats dinner, suffer in ya jocks.
Went to the “say yes” rally in Adelaide – approx 2000 people. Have done a factual report,
http://adelaideclimatenews.wordpress.com/2011/06/05/say-yes-rally-june-5-factual-report/
and will do a longer analysis piece to about how it coulda been done better and the Dangers Ahead for the climate movement.
Then read some of Andrew McGahan’s “Praise” (really enjoyed his “Underground”) and went for a run. Then undid the goo d of that with some fish and chips takeaway with the parents! Result!!
Tomorrow seeing “Here I Am” and Weds Tim Flannery.
Top turnout in Canberra’s pro-carbon price
I reckon we occupied 4x the area of the previous Rally Of Crazy, so my guess was 6,000 – but the oganisers reckoned equal with Melbourne’s 10k – I’m not good at estimating numbers but just very happy to have well and truly outnumbered the crazies, many of whom had to be bussed in.
Good speeches including John Hewson.
Went to the “say Yes” rally in Melbourne.
Really badly placed. Hemmed in on the East by the Library, the West by a cyclone wire fence along Swanston St which is being dug up. North and south by fences erected by the construction company. The “open” space was filled with builders temporary loos and service huts. To compound matters there was a strong wind which blew all the cement dust off Swanston into the air.
What little space there was was full. Somewhere about 10,000 people milling about with lots of local policemen trying in vain to keep folk off the streets so traffic could move.
I left and went down to Readings and purchased Dick Smith’s book “Population Crisis”. Along with almost everything I want to read is not available on my Kindle.
Walked home because my MIKI proximity card does not want to be recognised on the tram and I had no coins for the unfriendly “coin only” ticket machine.
Had an excellent latte in Swan st as I read Dick’s latest.
Whippersnipped the lawn.
Hey cheers robbo.
Don’t call myself his owner anymore.
He’s family.
It’s hard to understand for me. I’v killed thousands of “non-humans”,without a second thought, but i care about a dogs feelings. It’s weird.
Anyway, got some Borage and ” Purple Beauty” Bell pepper seeds in the dirt too. Sundays are the best.
Cooked up some of the plums collected from our tree over summer while we were away, and frozen for us to enjoy now. Made then into an apple and plum pie.
Tried to attend the climate rally and couldn’t squeeze in. Big, big crowd
Dug up our turmeric which, as the leaves had yellowed, I assumed was ready for harvest. Have now washed about 2 Kg and have it out in the sun to dry. Will probably slice it today for better drying prior to grinding to a bright yellow powder; good for adding to soups, curries etc.
Walks with the Deerhounds have lately become follow the prime mover. Appropriately named Diesel is the newest member of the family, a now three months old Jack Russell. Cripes he’s a fast learner. And reminds me of Milo, the dog in ‘The Mask’ and I mean with the mask on!
jumpinmcar all the best to Jack.
I went to a night club in Shibuya with 3 English friends who are visiting. We stayed up until 6am, saw the band Ram Rider who are kind of Japanese daftpunky electronic with awesome visuals, and some cute Japanese starlet whose name I didn’t catch. My friends loved it. Coming home in sunlight is always tough, so I slept until 1pm on Sunday. Then on Sunday evening the same 3 friends went with me to a jazz club in Kichijoji, which is apparently famous for this sort of thing. It was atrociously wanky. Great fun all round, but now I’m exhausted…
Squeezed into the Climate rally with my nearly 90 year old mum. She wanted my son to come, which would have been great with three generations together, but his extensive social calendar was already full. Boo. Bumped into my lovely niece who is only 19 but already an activist -full on, as in “spoke in CanCun” activist – who was marshalling.
Oh, and then trammed down to St Kilda and bought a cheese danish, which is something I can’t seem to find anywhere else. They’re Danish pastries with a baked cheesecake interior. I love them, but they’re a rare indulgence!
I crunched the numbers and wrote the draft for an article on how to make payroll tax and superannuation progressive.
How nerdy is that?