B, to cheer you up...

This has to be one of my favourite off-the-wall feedbacks ever. It's for Part Two of my three part Supernatural story, The Promise.

From: Upset (Guest)
-------------------

Upset:if this doesnt end really **ing happily i will **ing fly a goddamned
black **ing spaceship into the **ing sun while playing some epic metal music
and then i will detonate andromeda

I am glad to report that The Promise does indeed end happily. Andromeda is safe.

Stolen from my sister, jak_quill.

So Jim Carrey wrote this interesting piece about all the hate that was directed at him because he spoke out (in his own way) about gun control in the US.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jim-carrey/the-quality-of-mercy-gun-control_b_3002001.html?utm_hp_ref=business

It got me thinking about guns, and how well the gun laws here in Australia have worked since John Howard introduced them after the mass murder at Port Arthur. I am all for gun control, limiting access, making smaller magazines, banning assault style weapons. But at the same time - If I could own a hand gun, I would!

I have no kids in the house, I would get a gun safe, I would take lessons. But as I get older and my illness takes a physical toll, I think I would feel a lot safer with a gun.

My Aussie Friends, would you/do you own a gun?

My US friends, same question.

Other Friends from all over the World, what sort of gun laws do you have? Do you/would you own a gun?

Am I mad to want a hand gun? I mean, I think I read somewhere you're more likely to get shot with your own gun, or something.

Unlimited tolerance must lead to the disappearance of tolerance. If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we are not prepared to defend a tolerant society against the onslaught of the intolerant, then the tolerant will be destroyed, and tolerance with them. We should therefore claim, in the name of tolerance, the right not to tolerate the intolerant. - Karl Popper (1945)

I was reading about a waitress in the US who was fired for posting an insulting note written on a receipt regarding a tip. While telling her story she spoke about the importance of tips as this resaurant - Applebees - pays waitresses $3.50 an hour.

This is astounding to me. How on earth is a person expected to live on a measly $3.50 an hour? Unbelievable!

A waitress in Australia on a basic wage is earning $16.42. Of course we don't tip here - at least not generally here in Brisbane. I know some places in Sydney where people do tip - but I don't think it's just added to the bill. That sucks for a consumer as well - we are paying for the food, the restaurant should pay the person serving it, not expect the customer to subsidise them.

Interested in Oz wage rates?

http://paycheck.fwo.gov.au/PRCForm.aspx

Another rainy season, another flood here in Queensland.

As usual we are sitting pretty up here on a hill in the charming suburb of Inala. So, no flooding. But we had the strongest winds I have ever experienced inland, and down went the power lines. 233 000 homes without power at its worst.

We were all suffering in the heat, but poor Mum was in a bad way. When we were told on Monday that we wouldn't get our power back till (maybe) Thursday - we jumped online to find an air conditioned hotel (in a suburb with power) - and quickly found the prices are about the same here as at the beach.

So... We packed in 30 mins and took off. My neice and her hubby are visiting from Alice Springs and we jammed 5 of us in his big 4 wheel drive and drove to Redcliffe.

NICE! Big apartment at the seaside, pool, spa, sauna, NiCE!

Ironically the power was back on by Tuesday evening, but we have no regrets. It was a nice, spontaneous holiday, and we all had a ball.

Good thoughts go out to all the victims of flood. Poor bastards.

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY!

I am in a bit of a quandary. My sister-in-law Sharon died in January last year. My brother Paul cared for her through many years of illness. He was with her right to the end as she fell into a coma after Christmas and lingered in ICU for weeks.

After all that I didn't begrudge him his new girlfriend about 7-8 months after his wifes death. I wasn't the one widowed, I could hardly judge how he got through the loss. Sure a part of me looked askance at the timing - but I kept it to myself and was supportive.

But now he is holding a memorial for Sharonon on the first anniversay of her death. A BBQ of all things, with his new girlfriend and her five kids alongside him.

I don't know, you guys, but I find this kind of offensive. I was very fond of Sharon, we got on well and had a lot in common. I still miss her.

Am I just being an old fuddy duddy by objecting to this? Am I over reacting?

Does this seem okay to you guys? I mean, if this was your sister or daughter- as her family has been invited along as well - would you be okay with this?

I haven't said anythng to my brother yet, as he hasn't talked to me personally about it. But I just don't think I can go. Any thoughts?

A friend was asking about weird things, and this was my story.


When we went to the UK we stayed in an old hotel in the medieval town of Shrewsbury. My mother and I took a wrong turning on the second floor and walked down a long long hallway. On each side there were large doorways with ornate curtains. We peeked in and saw grand ballrooms and high ceilinged reception rooms.

At the end of the hallway was a set of steps that appeared to go down to a cellar door. I remember a curious light coming from under the door. It looked old and dank. I did not like the look of it at all, in fact I got a cold chill.

Mum and I decided to backtrack, and almost before we knew it we were back at the main stairs down. The weird part? When we got downstairs to the lobby we realised that the hotel fronted onto the street - in exactly the direction we had walked. There couldn't possibly have been a hallway, ballrooms, anything.

And when we went back with my sister to show her where we'd gone - we coudn't find the hallway at all.

It's Christmas morning here in Oz - so Merry Christmas to everyone, if you celebrate Christmas. If not - Happy Tuesday!

I already have turkey in the oven, soon to be followed by pork and chickens. Brussell sprouts, roast potatoes and thick rich gravy - yum! Baked my yearly apple, rhubarb and fruit mince tarts yesterday, and had tiger prawns for Christmas Eve lunch.

Aussie Christmas!

Thinking of Dad and my boy Sammy this year. Dad did love Christmas with all the trimmings, and we've slacked off for the last few years. This one is for Mum and so far she's loving it.

*Miss you Dad. Hug Sam for me.*

I just sent this to Beyond Blue, an Australian organisation that provides information about depression to consumers, carers and health professionals:

I am appalled to read that Jeff Kennett has called on Australians to back the two idiot radio hosts who contributed to the SUICIDE of a British nurse. Disgusted.

'Pranks', 'Practical jokes', call them what you will, are a form of BULLYING. And if Jeff Kennett does not understand what bullying can do to someone who is emotionally fragile, then he has NO BUSINESS representing an organization like Beyond Blue.

He calls on us to support the BULLIES? No. No no no. Support the victims and CONDEMN the bullies.

Shame on him for saying it. Shame on Beyond Blue for condoning it.

Shame.

Gillian Middleton


This is the email address if anyone else is interested.
bb@beyondblue.org.au

So the manager of 2dayfm - the Australian radio station that made the prank call to a a pregnant Royals hospital - is saying that 'no one could reasonably foresee this outcome' when they made that call. The outcome, of course, a woman's suicide.

I disagree. These 'prank' calls are made every day, from a great many radio station talk shows. If you play practical jokes day after day, year after year, eventually, inevitably you are going to reach someone who is not mentally or emotionally geared to take your bullying with good humour.

In fact, in a time when bullying is at the forefront of the news, with people committing suicide seemingly every week over 'pranks' and 'practical jokes', I'm surprised this doesn't happen more often.

This is the radio station that thought employing (and continuing to employ) the vile Kyle Sandilands is a good idea. If you don't kow the horrific things that bastard has pulled, google him. Prepare to be disgusted.

In short - practical jokes ar NOT FUNNY. They are mean, they are hurtful. And when they impact a persons life, self esteem and job on a GLOBAL level, I believe a bad outcome can be reasonally foreseen.

No one appreciates Medicare and 'free' hospital care more than me. I am thankful everytime Mum has to see a specialist, or when Ifill four prescriptions at once and it costs me $25 total using my new pension card.

BUT - Sitting in the Outpatient Clinic at the PA Hospital with Mum... I am crawling out of my skin. Screaming kids, coughing patients and some poor sod with Tourettes in the next row of seats.

Get me out of here!

If

If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you; If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or being lied about, don't deal in lies, Or being hated, don't give way to hating, And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream -- and not make dreams your master; If you can think -- and not make thoughts your aim; If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same; If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, And stoop and build them up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings And never breathe a word about your loss; If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with kings -- nor lose the common touch, If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, If all men count with you, but none too much; If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds worth of distance run -- Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And -- which is more -- you'll be a Man, my son!

Rudyard Kipling

The thought that some Americans would consider electing another Republican after the mess the last one left them in... Astounds me. Terrifies me. Depresses the ever-loving fuck out of me.

I will here with my head in the sand until this is over. God help us all if Mittens wins. Obama sucks in many ways, but not as hard as that Mormon dickhead Romney.

*head in sand*

*Edited to take head out of sand*

Obama wins? Phew! Congrats to those happy with this, comisserations to the others.

Phew!

Congratulations to my wonderful neice - Michelle. Her netball team took the gold medal at the Alice Springs Master Games!

I'm scrolling through my Friends posts, suddenly I'm reading posts from May, April, March. The heck?

Also, in other news Last Resort is the best new show this year. Loving it!

I am reading a paperback for the first time in a couple of years - and only because this old book is not available in a digital copy.

So what do I do after many months of reading ebooks on my ipad? Why, only try and turn the page by swiping right to left.

D'oh!

Newman directive threatens thousands of jobs

August 01, 2012

Unions say thousands more Queensland jobs are in jeopardy after the State Government moved to override existing enterprise bargaining agreements.

Late yesterday the Government signed a directive to remove existing 'job security' clauses in agreements for public sector staff.

It came on the same day the government announced it was slashing around 2,300 jobs in transport and at Q-Build.

The Public Service Commission directive means roles that were previously protected can now be contracted out.

The move prompted an angry outburst from Labor MP Jo-Ann Miller in the Parliament last night.

"You are the job pimps of Queensland and you Premier are the job pimp of Queensland," Ms Miller said.

The union United Voice (UV) says the directive will impact thousands of front-line workers such as health professionals and school cleaners.

Employment Minister John-Paul Langbroek says front-line workers in the public service will not be affected.

"Anyone who is in a department such as the Department of Transport and Main Roads would have heard yesterday that there would be a number of jobs taken away - not at the front line - in bureaucratic," he said.

"That's been our promise to them that we would protect those at the front-line."

UV spokesman Gary Bullock says it will also undermine any future pay talks.

"Really [it would be] negotiating with both hands tied behind your back," Mr Bullock said.

'Dictatorship'

"We're in a dictatorship - we had that with Joh [Bjelke Petersen] it looks like we've got it back with Campbell Newman."

Mr Bullock says UV had no warning and is seeking legal advice on whether the government's move can be challenged.

"We're looking to possible legal action to see whether he can actually do the changes that he's put through without consultation," he said.

Unions say the move will impact ongoing wage talks with various groups including paramedics.

Thanks very much Queenslanders who thought a Liberal Govt was a good idea this time around.

Here's hoping we get offered a decent redundancy package and that we're not just sacked out of hand.

Bummer.

I just finished reading Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter's new novel, The Long Earth. I really enjoyed it.

I must admit the first chapter or so had me baffled. So many odd threads laid out. It seemed to take a while to weave them together into a coherent story line, but once it did I really got into it.

This is one of those books you race through, but are really sorry to finish. What an amazing series it would make! The writing is so visual, you can see the worlds our heroes are passing through so swiftly, and you are both fascinated and terrified of them.

For anyone who doesn't know the plot, one day someone posts the plan to a simple device online that allows a person to step from one Earth to a paralell Earth. And from there to the next one and the one after that and so on.

A fascinating premise. Usually in scifi this kind of device is built by some boffin in a lab and a few select travellers go out and explore. In The Long Earth everybody has a Stepper and they can go where they like at the flick of a switch. And then there are the ones who don't need a device to step...

I loved this book! Read it!

They went with songs to the battle, they were young.
Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

You know, I'm kind of done with Family Guy. I've watched it from the beginning and I've always managed to make excuses for its stupidity and sexism. Like the makers were trying to point out the absurdities of the racism and sexism and fattism and ageism etc by poking fun at it.

But McFarland doesn't even try to disguise all his many hatreds and prejudices any more. This guy really hates women, and is a huge racist. And a completly shallow jerk. And now he's rich and powerful enough - he just doesn't even pretend he's not any more.

The last couple of season have been disapointing - but now it's bad with a capital B.

I am rapidly running out of stuff to watch.